321 
receive a good supply of nearly pure rubber which will only lose 
about one per cent, in the washing. This has been proved by sam- 
ples recently sent home of cultivated rubber both from Ceylon and 
the Straits Settlements. 
The Hevea Brasihensis , is not, however, the only variety of rub- 
ber that has been introduced into Burma. The seeds of the Cas- 
tilloa elastica , the variety now planted on a large scale in Mexico, 
have been successfully introduced into Burma by Mr. Todd, who 
imported the seed direct from San Salvador and Mexico. Some 
of these seeds were afterwards forwarded by ihis gentleman to 
Samoa in the South Seas and are reported to have arrived there in 
good condition. This latter fact is all the more important consider- 
ing that this seed loses its vitality very quickly. Its transmission, 
there ore, Irom one place to another must be accomplished as 
rapid y as possible, though if carefully packed it is possible lor it to 
travel in good condition lor a period of three months. This year 
there is a considerable demand for this seed in Ceylon as it has 
been found that it thrives on a wider range of country than the 
Para plant. These latter considerations naturally make for the 
popularity of this seed in India where conditions and country are 
so varying. I hat there is money in rubber planting there can be 
no doubt and we are so far informed that the country in North 
Bengal appears to be specially adopted for rubber cultivation so 
that private enterprise, if not Government interest, should be aroused; 
and that the results will be satisfactory will be the hope of India’s 
well wishers* since India as k country, and not merely private enter- 
prise, will benefit by this industry. 
ENGLISHMAN. 
CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE 
From correspondence published in Planting Opinion of August 
29, 1903, it would appear that Christmas Island Phosphates can be 
landed in India at a moderate price, and for the manufacture of 
Superphosphates are probably less costly than the indigenous 
material. & 
I he Phosphate of Lime varies from 80 to 85 percent. The pro- 
duct is shipped from Christmas Island as a raw material, and in an- 
unground state. It is used principally by artificial fertilizer manu- 
tacturers, and is shipped largely to Japan, Australia, Germany and 
Great Britain. The price c. i. f. Calcutta would be £2. 10. o per 
ton on the basis of 80 per cent., and for Bombay £2. 12. 6. per 
ton, on the same basis. Phosphate of Lime Analysis shows:— 
Moisture 
Organic matter .. 
Lime ... 
Iron and Alumina 
Alkalies &c. 
Phosphoric .Acid 
0.74 
2.80 
2.01 
3^-89 
