REPORT OK THE CAOUTCHOUC OP COMMERCE. 
15 
an indication of a fertile soil. It is not distributed irregularly 
through the forests, but sometimes in little groups, more or less 
isolated, such a group being termed a mancha (spot). This 
grouping is the normal state, and is believed to be caused by 
monkeys dropping the seeds near an isolated tree, as they are very ' 
fond of the pulp by which the seeds are surrounded. The trees are 
distributed in vetas (veins) or bands, either in a north to south, 
or east to west direction, the first probably caused by monkeys, by 
the trees being on a declivity, or by water, and the second by the 
wind, which daily blows in that direction. This irregular distribu- 
tion has led M. Levy to the opinion that in cultivation they should 
be interspersed between other trees rather than form separate 
plantations, as he thinks that this ^sympathetic and antipathetic 
tendency should not be lost sight of. The hule is often near water- 
courses, and nearly always on the banks. Trees of small groups 
give a better net produce than those composing large groups. 
Collection and Preparation op I Jui Caoutchouc. 
Time of Tapping. — In Nicaragua it is found that although theHuld 
yields the juice at all seasons, the most favourable season is April, 
when the old leaves begin to fall and the new ones to appear. 
Luring the rainy season from May till September the richness 
of the juice diminishes. Prom that time till January the rain 
diminishes and the milk increases in richness, and the tree prepares 
to flower, and the fruit appearing in March, during which month 
and the succeeding one the milk is at its richest. The difference of 
yield Caoutchouc contained in an equal quantity of milk would in 
April be 60 °/ 0 more than in October. 
Yield by Tapping . — A tree of about 18 inches in diameter bled by 
skilful hands in April would yield about 20 gallons of milk capable 
of giving 50 lbs. of Caoutchouc. This is, however, the maximum 
yield ; the average is a little below this. A tree of from 20 to 30 feet 
to its first branches is expected to yield 20 gallons of milk, and each 
gallon of milk to give 2 lbs. or 2 lbs, 2 oz. of good dried rubber. 
Mode of Collection and Preparation . — The huleros makes a ladder 
of climbing plants, if unprovided with guachos or hooks, and fastens 
it to the tree as high up as possible. He incises the tree with a 
machete or axe well sharpened, in either of two ways. One method 
is by making one long vertical cut, with diagonal cuts running into 
