1 Avnrr, 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 303 
Here then we have the ideal country for the growth of the rubber tree. 
tt will be observed that the clearing of these scrubs is not nearly such a 
wmidable undertaking as the work in the Southern scrubs, where the timber is 
M great size and growing closely together. It would then appear that the best 
Nay in which to plant the rubber trees would be to clear lanes through the 
“i in which the planting could be carried out. There has, however, been 
mpiderable controversy as to the advisability of planting in the shade or in the 
yer. J.C. Harvey, in a letter to The India Rubber World, says that a 
Msident on the Pacific side of Guatemala stated that trees suffered from sun 
posure there, and gave little sap. Locality, however, had much to do with 
Teh His own observation was that on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus of 
i. "antepec the tree grew with astonishing rapidity and vigour. Trees could 
“een there that had attained a height of 10 feet in two and a-half years 
om the seed, had a diameter of 4 inches, and bled copiously when incisions 
“te made. It is proper to state that these results are in the case of trees 
? ‘ted in the best soils, rich loams with ample drainage. Under such 
pditions trees of this age have flowered and borne seed. Mr. Harvey goes 
in © Say that much may be said in favour of forest plantine—that is to say, 
Banting away vines, saplings, and underbrush, leaving only the heavy timber 
fading, and planting the rubber seeds wherever space permits. Following 
aia plan, which is the one we would suggest for planting rubber trees in 
raitle Queensland serubs, the expense of preparing the land is much less ; 
ibe srow less rapidly in the shade than in the open, on ground which has 
ity burnt. On the other hand, trees erow much faster in the sun in the 
| “Sion referred to, and certain crops, such as corn, potatoes, beans, &c., can be 
| ee sstully grown amongst the young rubber plants. If the question be raised 
He bo the future welfare of the trees as grown in the open sunlight, evidence 
| «Sts in the hundreds of old trees which can be seen about certain Mexican 
i foes and around the coffee estates, which have for years been standing in 
Sun without ill effect. 
Stiteg 12 Soils, we have already pointed out that the rich scrub soils are best 
3 ted to the rubber tree, but good trees can be met with growing in gravelly 
oft although none are found in ill-drained clay soils or swamps. In the case 
BP igo fes growing in the open, 250 to 300 trees per acre meet Mr. Harvey’s idea 
Permanent growth, though in the beginning the trees are grown close, about 
= = af 6 feet apart, to shade the ground and keep the weeds down. Then in the 
= end, third, and fourth years thinning out is done, and a little rubber obtained 
Hanis trees 5 to 10 feet high, which may be destroyed to allow room for the 
‘opment of the permanent trees. 
tenn’ to treating the Castilloa as an annual crop in. the form of fields of 
ane llings to be pulled up and the sap extracted, we pointed out in a former 
Longs Of the Journal that a series of experiments was being carried on in 
a re %n and Trinidad by which it was proposed to secure rubber from year-old 
‘ton; of the Custilloa elasticw. It was found that 8 per cent. of fine rubber 
Ty, d be extracted from such trees by a simple process with but little machinery. 
id © experiments further showed that at present prices 8 per cent. of rubber 
wuld return an estimated profit of from 200 to 400 dollars per acre. | 
aye On this point Mr. Harvey is not yet prepared to express a decided opinion, 
“seh chanical difficulties in connection with extracting the sap suggested them- 
Bas to his mind. Still, seed sown in a seed-bed promptly after harvesting 
22° a stand in three weeks of fully 95 per cent., and four months later the 
ity °€8 stood a solid mass, 24 to 87 inches in height, with stems 3 to 4 inch thick. 
|, wth results could be obtained on a large scale, the yield per acre would be 
ié With ous: By careful experiment with cultivated trees at three years of age, and 
the 
th different sized trees in a natural state, a very satisfactory yield was indicated, 
pe ay 
fap 
erage of which fairly established a production commencing with the sixth 
and rising }-Ib. to 2 Ib. during the succeeding five years, although this was 
~~ Yelow the quantity given by many writers and planters. 
ee eo i ee 
