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"As a result 'of the opinion favorable to the retention 
of the prohibition decree, those exporters who had accumulated 
large stocks of the roots, which they expected to be able to 
ship, rather than lose the large amounts of money tied up in 
these stocks, decided to install the necessary machinery for 
grinding the roots into powder.' As a result there are now 
five firms in Para that are shipping or will soon be ready to 
ship the powdered timbo root. 
"Although it is understood that there is a growing 
sentiment in Manaos in favor of prohibiting the exportation 
of timbo roots, as far as is known the State of Amazonas has 
not yet passed any law that prohibits their exportation. 
Information obtained from Manaos indicates that exports of timbo 
roots in 1934 amounted to 7,244 kilos and in 1935 to 54,176 
kilos. All of the shipments went to New York. It is under- 
stood that a new source of supply of good-yielding timbo has 
been found on the Solimoes River in the State of Amazonas, with 
the result that several firms are now actively interested in 
the exportation of roots. 
"Numerous varieties of the timbo plant are also known 
to exist in the States of ivlaranhao and Piauhy. Information 
obtained recently from one of the leading exporters in Maranhao 
indicates that a sample shipment was recently sent to the United 
States for analysis, which gave negative results. The same firm 
also sent samples for analysis to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. 
If this analysis should indicate a satisfactory percentage of 
rotenone, American firms will have in the State of Maranhao another 
source of supply of these roots. It is understood that there is 
a plan on foot to erect a factory for the grinding of the roots 
into powder and when that is ready for operation, there is a 
probability that the Government of that State will prohibit the 
exportation of the roots. 
"Timbo plants are also known to exist in the State of 
Piauhy, but unfortunately none of the larger exporting firms in 
Parnahyba seems to have shown any interest in this commodity up 
to the present time. 
"This consulate has been given to understand that the 
State Departments of Agriculture both in Para and Manaos have 
in their nurseries a certain number of the timbo plants and 
that it is the intention of these Departments to distribute 
these plants to farmers and individuals. The Japanese planta- 
tion on the Acara River and another large agricultural under- 
taking are known to have planted the timbo. The native in 
general, however, • does not seem to show much interest in 
planting. As in the cases of other economic plants in the 
Amazon Valley, the native worker will undoubtedly gather 
whatever timbo roots he finds available, and when the wild 
plants are no longer available, he will turn to other work. 
