These seeds as well as plants raised from the seeds sent by Mr. 
Rowe have been distributed to the Botanical Stations and Gardens of 
India and the Colonies. 
In consequence of this last consignment of seeds a correspondence 
was opened up with Mr. O’Sullivan Beare, N. B. M. s Consul at Bahia, 
on the subject. The following is an extract from his report : — 
“ The export of rubber from the State of Bahia has increased 
more than tenfold within the past six years, having risen from 100 tons 
in 1900 to over 1,100 tons in 1906. 
“ It has lately been discovered that the State of Bahia is very 
rich in a rubber producing tree locally known as “ Jiquie Manitoba.” 
The tree in question is a new and distinct species of Manihot , which 
apparently is peculiar to the State of Bahia. 
“ This discovery is a matter of much importance not only for this 
state but also for the rubber trade in general inasmuch as the rubber 
obtainable from the Jiquie Manitoba when properly prepared, would 
seem to be equal in quality to the best product of the Para region. (?) 
It appears that this Manitoba of Bahia is a tree attaining a height 
of 30 feet and more with a diameter of some 2 feet when fully matured 
in suitable soil. It belongs to the family of Euphorbiaccce as does also 
Hevea b ms i l tens is , and its scientific name is Manihot dichotoma.” 
Mr. O’Sullivan Beare says that already several Fazendeiros have 
begun to lay down plantations of the tree upon a large scale and that 
the Government of the State is shewing special attention to its syste- 
matic cultivation and to the preparation of the rubber. 
He also states that a planter established in the Jiquie district 
recently prepared a quantity of rubber from wild trees growing in 
the district and despatched it to New York. The consignment was 
classified in the New York market as being equal to the best Para and 
it fetched $1.20 (5/-) per lb. 
As to the Piauhy Manitoba, ( Manihot piauhijensis) we are told 
very little, but Dr. Ule in his discription says it forms a smaller tree 
from 6 to 16 feet in height, and differs in having spartite leaves with 
broader tips. 
The method of collecting the rubber from these two species differs 
considerably from that in use for Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara.) The 
greatest drawback with the latter is the extreme hardness of the bark, 
but in the two species under discussion the bark would appear to be 
much softer especially that of M. dichotoma. With this tree the season 
for collecting the rubber is said to be from August to March. 
The latex coagulates very freely and requires no acid or artificial 
coagulant of any kind. 
The trees are at their best from eight years onwards but are said 
to yield latex during their third and fourth years from the time of 
planting. 
The stems are cut in wavy lines by means of a knife which from 
the description given resembles a farriers knife, A cup is fixed in the 
usual manner to collect the latex which soon coagulates and is pressed 
by hand in balls and afterwards throughly dried. 
The method of obtaining the latex from Piauhy or Romanso 
Manitoba (Manihot piauhy ensis) is stated to be almost identical only 
slightly modified owing to the shorter stems and slightly harder bark. 
