IOI 
The world’s supply in 1907 was nearly 69,000 tons, as against 
65,000 tons in 1906, and consumption nearly the same as 1906, say 
about 66,000 tons. 
Of rubber planted we estimate in the East over 350,000 acres. 
Ceylon, 150,000 in 1907-08 against 100,000 in 1906-07; Malaya, 
Malacca, etc., (containing about 14,000,000 trees, not 1,000,000 
tapped in 1907), 100,000 in 1907-08 against 90,000 in 1906-07 ; 
Borneo, 11,000 in 1907-08 against 8,000 in 1906-07 ; Dutch East 
Indies, Java, Sumatra, etc., 70,000 in 1907-08 against 25,000 in 
1906-07, 
Mexico, Nicaragua and Honduras have been planting and are 
increasing — probably by now 20,000 acres planted ; also Colombia, 
Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. 
India is more rapidly extending, and has probably about 25,000 
acres planted. Some in Burrnah and Mergui : the Philippines (small 
as yet), Samoa, Hawaii, and beginning in New Guinea and other 
islands, Queensland and Seychelles. The West Coast of Africa is 
hard at work with plantations, and more progress has been made in 
the Congo region and German West Africa, also in British East 
Africa, Uganda, and the West Indies, probably 2,000 acres. 
Brazil exported in 1907 about 41,500 tons against 38,000 tons in 
1906, and Manicobahas increased, also Guayule from Mexico, which 
has gone freely into use in America and the Continent. Prices of 
Guayule are very much lower and quality greatly improved ; 
probably 3,000 tons were made. 
The demand for fine Brazil, Bolivian, Peruvian and (wild) medium 
rubber has been excellent till the last month or two, when the serious 
crisis in America, the closing of several of her factories, very dear 
money, several failures and increased stocks, have led to a natural 
reaction from the too high prices of the last four years, and to a 
rapid and very serious fall in values at the close. Mediums are 
very abundant and most difficult to sell recently, because at the 
relative low prices many manufacturers prefer fine Para. Most 
descriptions show a decline of is. to is. 3 d. for the year. The trade 
in England has been excellent ; France good ; Germany fair ; Russia 
rather poor (owing to an open winter) ; America good till November 
The world’s supply of 69,000 tons, against 65,000 tons in 1906, has 
not been consumed, and we begin with rather increased stocks 
everywhere. The motor trade may decline somewhat; several of the 
companies are not, prosperous, and we must not rely on increased 
consumption in 1908. The year’s decline in price is on Para. Fine 
about is. g\d. per lb., Negrohead is, i^.,.Caucho ball is. 6d. (but 
the latter was artificially high a year ago owing to speculation), and 
the supply this year has greatly increased. We had less of slab, 
much more of tails, which are not liked and sell at low prices 
relatively. The supply of mediums is large, but West Coast African 
has declined, viz., about 17,000 tons, against 17,200 tons in 1906 
and 17,500 tons in 1905. 
