152 
In order to complete the investigation* a supply of the latex of 
the same tree from which the rubber had been prepared was obtained 
from Singapore. The aqueous portion of this latex, after separating 
the rubber, was found to contains Iquantity of the /-methylinosite, 
amounting to 0.46 per cent, of the total -latex. The presence of this 
carbohydrate has also been proved in fine hard Para rubber from 
South America. 
The results of this investigation are of considerable practical 
interest as showing that in the analysis of rubber prepared by the 
Brazilian method (or by any method which leads to the inclusion in 
the rubber of all the solid constituents of the latex) it will be neces- 
sary to take into acpount the possibility of other substances besides 
resin being extracted from the rubber on treatment with hot acetone. 
A preliminary note on the results of this investigation has been 
communicated to the Chemical Society of London, by Dr. S. S. Pickles 
and Mr. B. W. Whitefeild, of the Scientific and Technical Department 
of the Imperial Institute .— {Bulletin of the Imperial Institute , April 
1912.) 
PARA RUBBER IN ST. LUCIA. 
Ten thousand seeds of Para Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis ) were 
obtained from Ceylon and arrived in October. Some of them were 
distributed to purchasers and the remainder were sown at the 
Experimental Station nursery. Only 10 per cent, of the whple 
consignment germinated. At the station 780 plants were raised and 
some of the number will be reserved for planting in a plot. About 600 
will be available for distribution. 
Para rubber planting in St. Lucia is at present only on experi- 
mental lines, but the trees planted in 1908-09 appear to be making 
very satisfactory growth, and some interest in the cultivation is 
developing. A more extended trial is desirable, to test the suit- 
ability of different soils and localities for the successful cultivation 
of this tree. 
Experiments have been carried out to test the hardiness of Para 
rubber plants for distribution in the Island, when they are packed, 
with the view of reducing the bulk in and therefore the cost of 
transporting parcels of them, at the same time ensuring that they 
shall arrive at the various estates in sound condition. The trial was 
carried out as follows : Twelve plants were lifted from the seed beds, 
the tops cut back leaving the plants a little over a foot in length and 
all the leaves were removed. The soil was then shaken from the roots 
leaving them quite bare. The plants were then divided into two 
bundles and wrapped up in banana trash, which had previously been 
thoroughly soaked in water; each bundle containing six plants. One 
bundle was placed in a dry close potting shed, the temperature of 
which often reached 95 0 F., and the other bundle was placed in the 
Office. 
