253 
Rubber has been obtained from the “ Kkanda ” tubers by various 
crude experimental processes, but chiefly by slicing them ?iand 
applying pressure. The latex is referred to as coagulating with the 
application of alcohol, but not of alum. It has been suggested that 
by means of centrifugalization of the expressed juices a creamed 
latex could be obtained which would yield a purer rubber than has 
yet resulted from the experiments. Tubers two years old are 
referred as attaining a diameter of 5I inches and a weight of 11-3 
pounds, and a rubber yield of & per cmt of the total weight resulted 
from crude processes. Professor GERALDES, who regards the plant 
as adapted to cultivation, has figured out estimates of yield and 
profits, but these must be regarded as yet as hypothetical, and need 
not be repeated at this time. It may be mentioned, however, that 
he regards as possible a product of 200 kilgrams of rubber per 
hectare (-188 pounds per acre) at the end of two years. But his 
estimate of the value of the rubber (about $1.28 per pound) is 
clearly too high for the quality likely to be yielded from such a 
source. 
The term te potato rubber, ” formerly sometimes used in the trade, 
did not, as some supposed, relate to rubber obtained from a sort of 
tuber, but to the appearance of the small balls in which certain 
rubber came to market, particularly “ almeidina ” a cheap gum ex- 
ported in small quantities from Portuguese West Africa, but having 
no relation whatever to the “ Ekanda ” product. 
Indii Rubber World , \st july , 1907, p. 300. 
ESTATE REPORTS. 
The following extracts are taken from , a Report of the Directors 
of the Vallambrosa Rubber Company, Limited, Third Ordinary 
General Meeting of Shareholders dated 8th July 1907. It shows 
in a most eloquent way the prosperity of our principal industry. 
Vallambrosa. 
Acreage . — 
Rubber in Tapping, 6 years and over 
„ under 2 years 
„ „ 1 year 
,, ,, planted through Coconuts and Coffee 78^ 
Coconuts and Coffee ... ... ... ... 41 
Felled and cleared for Rubber ... ... ... 80^ 
Grass and Building Sites ... ... ... 
Total ... 1,309! 
Crop . — The amount of rubber harvested during the year was 
156,922 lbs., which netted £40,255, or about 5^. 1 \d. per lb. The 
cost of tapping, packing, and transport was Ij. per lb. 
Acres. 
930 
185 ^ 
