and hardened as at present. The idea is that this masticating 
while soft dispels the albumen and restores the elasticity or nerve.” 
“ Secondly, that vacuum driers should be used, as it would greatly 
reduce the space required for drying the rubber, also time required 
for drying the rubber. A vacuum drier is supposed to dry the rub- 
ber thoroughly in three hours — after it has passed through the 
masticating and rolling machines. 1 believe that machines are 
now being made in Germany for masticating, and drying the rubber, 
and that the combined cost of both machines would be about ;£8o 
only, to those estates already having steam power.” 
In his several interviews with the editor of the India Rubber 
11 or/d, Mr. IIoi.LOWM saw samples of rubber from all parts of the 
world in every shape and form, rubber from the Straits being 
nearest in shape, colour, and tenacity to our Ceylon rubber. 
“Ceylon men will have to look smart, as the Straits men arc 
very keen indeed in rubber, and are also evincing the keenest in- 
terest. I met two of them myself in London, who were home for a 
holiday,” 
Pat a Oil .— Another subject, which, said Mr. Holloway, seems 
to interest those concerned in rubber growing, is to utilize the Para 
seed for oil, &c. This being quite a new idea, he had not made any 
experiment, but would do so with some of this years' crop. 
“ A query put by the editor, India Rubber World was : What 
was the amount of seed produced by a single tree? 'I he figures 
given by Mr. RUTHERFORD were, I believe, 400 seeds, but I would 
give 2,500 as nearer the mark, judging by the seed sold and put in 
nurseries, fast year, off Kepitigaha estate.” 
THE FUTURE OF RUBBER. 
Surely a careful reading of the extract you give from the 
India Rubber Journal will show what incorrect deductions you 
have drawn from it in your leading article headed “ Rubber may 
fall to 2s,f6d. a pound ” in yesterday’s issue. 
It seems to me abundantly clear “that the intention of the writer 
was to show that supply and demand are so very close ” that the 
factor of stock may be entirely eliminated from any consideration 
of prospects and prices, and that the sole cause of the fluctuations 
to which you drew attention may be found in the immediate de- 
mand of the manufacturers who can pay the prices asked. In 
other words the present price of rubber is an artificial one for the 
reason that there is not enough of it excepting for special purposes 
which are able to bear the burden of the high rates. Under such 
conditions is it any wonder that prices fluctuate to the extent 
they do ? 
What is of interest is to learn that the* average price per year 
has, ns a rule, shown an upward tendency— here we have proof of 
