328 
There are 400 to the acre. A tree selected at random 
gave 2 lbs. 11 ozs. of “refined” rubber. The cultivated 
trees raised from seed begin to yield in the sixth year . 
In Mr. Harrison’s report to shareholders, it is stated 
that up to December 10, 1907, there were tapped 257,760 
trees which gave 40,600 pounds of rubber : an average ol 
2.52 ounces at each tapping. These trees varied in age 
from 5 to 7 years, the average being under 6 years. 
One tapper and a boy can tap 50 to 80 trees a day 
according to size and brings in 5 gallons of latex which will 
produce from 8 to 10 pounds of rubber, according to the 
season, as in tlfe rainy season the latex is more watery. 
Mr Harrison has no hesitation m saying that from 
three tappings a year of a six to seven year old free, can 
be obtained a total of six ounces of rubber. 
The cost of collecting and curing the rubber worked 
out to 74 cents a pound, and allowing 8 cents for mainten- 
ance and marketing h total of 15 cents a pound for harvest- 
ing and marketing. The rubber is valued at 1 dollar a 
pound, the average price for the past six years. These 
figures obviouslv refer to American coinage. 
Now while Without doubt Castilloa is a plant which m 
Mexico will pay well to plant, the figures given hardly bear 
out the statement that it is more productive than Para ancl 
of all rubber trees responds most readily to cultivation. 
Its actual returns are apparently considerably- less, 
for age, and it does not appear to be as fast a grower. 
However our readers can for themselves compare the 
figures with those of their own estates, and decide which ot 
the trees they would prefer. 
JOHN HADDON & CO. SPECIAL 
PRODUCE LETTER. 
London, 7th May, 1909. 
BEESWAX 
CAPSICUMS 
Stbaits Repoet. 
A good demand has continued, yellow descriptions 
selling at higher prices, East Indian up to £6.10.0. per 
cwt. 
Fine bold of good color are scarce, further arrivals 
should sell well. 
