52 caoutchouc ob htdiarubbeb ( Para ). 
The tree grows rapidly, and in the first few years has a ten¬ 
dency to produce long slender stems, with whorls of foliage at 
regular distances. By pruning the young buds the growth in 
the vertical direction can be checked and lateral shoots en¬ 
couraged. The increase in circumference takes place at 
varying rates according to soil, climate, &c., the usual range 
being between 4 to 6 inches each year. The leaves are trifid, 
large, and lanceolate, and after the tree is two to three years 
old are shed regularly each year. The lateral roots form a 
very compact mass, growing radially at rates varying between 
6-9-12 inches per year according to local conditions ; the tap 
root may grow to a great length. The flowers appear regularly 
each year ; they are small, green, and scented. The inflores¬ 
cence is a panicle of small cymes, and possesses male and 
female flowers. 
The fruit consists of a three-lobed capsule, and when ripe 
bursts with a loud report, throwing the seeds a considerable dis¬ 
tance. The seeds are speckled brown on the surface and shiny; 
the compact substance of the seed is very rich in oil. The 
trees produce seeds from the fifth year, the average per mature 
tree being about 500 each year. About 200,000 seeds weigh 
one ton. 
Cultivation . According to many observers Para rubber in 
Brazil grows in a climate which is fairly uniform, the range 
in temperature being from 74° to 95° F., and in rainfall from 
80 to 120 inches. In the Amazon district there are two chief 
SGnsons, a dry and a wet. The driest months are from July to 
ptember; the rain begins in October and lasts till March. 
This product is now being cultivated in many parts of the tro- 
P^but it is practically confined to the equatorial zone, a few 
degrees on either side of the equator. In Ceylon, the Straits, 
“ India, it is being grown from sea-level to over 3,000 feet, 
average anno* ffiean temperature varies from 
• * 81 ° F ‘ 18 hemg grown in parts of Ceylon and 
<Md Coast, where the rainfall is only about SO inches per 
year, and in Ceylon, Straits, and India appears to be doing 
