RUBBER NOTES. 
From Uganda. 
A note in the India Rubber World from Mr. J. W. Johnson, 
Manager of the Mabira Forest Rubber Company, states that Funtumia 
rubber, has fetched recently as much as 6s. 4^d. per pound, the third 
highest price in the market. He hopes to so improve this rubber that 
it will top the best Para. 
Funtumia as a cultivated tree has had but little reputation 
as a high class rubber producer both in the matter of returns and it 
its product. We are glad to see signs that it is not so bad as its 
reputation. 
The Mabira Forest estate seems to be getting on well. It turned 
out 10,000 pounds in 1907, and 35,137 in 1908, and the first six months 
of 1909 was 26,000 pounds. Both Funtumia elastica and Para rubber 
are being planted, with also coffee, cocoa and sisal. The Para rubber 
seeds are supplied from the Botanic Gardens, Singapore. 
Guano for Rubber Trees. 
A planter from the Dutch Islands calling recently stated that he 
had remarkable increase in growth of his Para rubber trees, after 
using guano, imported from Europe. A small quantity was put 
round each tree in a shallow trench surrounding the tree and covered 
in with soil. The cost was three cents a tree. This inexpensive 
method of manuring might be very useful in bringing on young 
plants. 
“Physiological Principles of Rubber Tapping Methods." 
This is a translation of the important paper on this subject by 
Dr. Hans Fitting, it was originally published in the Tropenpflanger 
and has been translated by Mr. T. H. Renton and is sold for 1 rupee 
at the Times of Ceylon Office, 27 Mincing Lane, and the Times 
Building of Colombo. The paper is one of the greater value and 
should be read by every planter. 
H. ,V. Ridley, Em/., Botanic Gardens, Singapore . 
Dear Sir, 
Herewith enclosed is a report of the findings of our Scientific 
Department as to the respective excellence of plantation rubber as 
compared with Fine Para. 
The conclusion, which is of the most importance to those interes- 
ted in the industry, is the fact that a series of tests on rubber from 
4/4, 5, 9, 10, 17 and 27 year old trees show very little difference in the 
