4i 
We reported in our special issue of May 12th : “With the 
extension of plantations and larger crops it has become difficult to 
continue on some estates the preparation in biscuits, and new 
processes are being tried. We have seen small sample lots of 
thin sheets cut into narrow strips which look nice rubber, but 
emg not known to manufacturers in this form there has not been 
so ready bidding for it. Some washed and pressed pale clean 
rolied crape in sheet was sold to-day at 69. 8d. to 6s. Ud., but 
the darker coloured lots only realised 6s. id. No doubt this 
preparation will save planters time and trouble in preparation of 
their rubber but they may perhaps find that there is some extra 
loss in weight to them in the preparation.” 
The difference of is. per lb. in favour of plantation fine, as 
compared with fine Para (Brazil) obtained when the supply of the 
ormer was smaller, may not be maintained when supplies increase, 
the preparation of “scrap ” has improved and prices according, 
the value as we close being of fine biscuits or sheet 6s. id., scrap 
5s. to 5s. 4 d. y fine Para 5s. $d., negrohead (best) 4s. Shipments 
from Ceylon we estimate 70 tons as against 40 tons in 1004. 
Prom Malay 75 tons. Rambong brought high prices, 4 s. 6d. to 
5s. There is but little Ceara. Castilloa we have scarcely seen. 
1 he world s supply of all rubber in 1905 was 60,000 tons. 
It must betaken into account that “planting” rubber goes 
on m Mexico Nicaragua, other Central American States, and 
some in Brazil and Bolivia, besides India, Burmah, Borneo, and 
Java, and recently m Samoa and Pacific Isles. Plantations in the 
Congo region of the native rubbers are being rapidly extended. 
We repeat the suggestion that owners will plant from Para seed 
and produce hard clean rubber, for which there is an excellent 
and increasing demand. But as the Amazonas show no signs of 
reduction of crops (Brazil exports 36,000 tons), too much expecta- 
tion of serious decrease in Brazil supply may prove unwise. 
Review of Para Prices for 1905. 
Early last January hard fine sold at 55. o£d., soft 4s. 10 
scrappy negrohead 3.9. gd., Cameta 25. 9 \d., Caucho ball 3 s. 
Prices soon advanced 2%d., and again 2 d. in February, and the 
highest price of fine hard was paid in March— fine hard 59. qd 
soft 5s. 7 K, scrappy 4 s. 3 d., Island 39. 7 f d. By end of March 
prices declined 2 d. but recovered in April, and in May 55. qd. was 
again obtained for fine hard (5s. 8 \d. soft being scarce), but only 
3s. id for Island, against 49. id. paid for scrappy, and 39. 4 d. to 
3.9. 6d. for ball By middle July values declined 4 d . — hard 
5 s. 4$d., soft 59. 3! d., scrappy 3 s. gd., Island 29. gld., ball 39. 4 M . 
During August we advanced 2 d., and the sinking of Cyril early in 
September pushed up values to 59. 8 d. fine hard, 39. nd. scrappy, 
2 9 . iid. Island, and 35. 9 ¥. ball. Values fell constantly from 
59. bd end September to 59. 2,\d. for hard end October, ball 39. gd. 
to 39. b$d. forward. In beginning November large receipts caused 
