Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1888-12-07
HUNTERS OF cAoUTcHouc.
The Risks Run by Men In Quest Of ths
Milky Sap.

The Risks Run by Men In Quest Of the
Milky Sap.
The Yularoes, or rubber hunters OF
Costa Rica are the most irresponsible and
ignorant of creatures, whose first object,
when out on an expedition, is to secure as
much caoutchouc as possible, and next to
damage the prospects of other Yularoes,
regardless Of the future. A thrifty tree at
its first cutting ought to yield not less than
fifty pounds Of rubber; but the hunters
Of today find few so profitable, unless
they penetrate far into the virgin for
ests, and are fortunate enough TO dis
cover an entirely new district. In the
sections already worked most 70 the trees
have been tapped several times, and
manv Of them were spoiled at the outset
by having been cut too young because its
greedy discoverer feared that il the prize
were left to attain perfection another
might secure IL, Were the matter regu-
lated by judicious laws, so that only ma
ture trees might be tapped, and those not
10 an extent 10 cause death, the produc-
tion Of caoutchouc would soon be a
source of wealth TO the republic. The
Costa Rican government begins 10 be
alive 10 this fact, and has recently offered
extensive grants Of land to any who will
devote themselves TO the culture Of rub
Der trees.
Among the inhabitants Of Central
America the Nularoes form distinct
class, 10y all odds the lowest in the coun-
try, unless Il may be the Carihs Of Guat.
emala or the pear. divers Of the western
coast. They are mostly half breeds OF
negroes, for white mcE seldom engage 10
Il, though the business might he made
extremely profitable. A lularo can be
distinguished at a glance from natives Of
other professions as easily as cowboy
in genteel society or a miller fresh from
his mil, not only by his general air Of
dare devil don't-care-itiyeness, but ty
the thick coating Of caoutchouc that
covers his clothing from head TO foot.
This extra coating accumulates grad
ually by contact with the rubber trees,
without intention on the part Of the
wearer. and in time renders his garments
absolutely waterproof and almost inde-
structiblo.
The hunters are fitted out by the
shrcwd L lers Of Parismina, much rs
| American miners used e. he supplied
with "Cruh stake" in their search for
precious metals Each Nularo is pro
vidcd with gun, quantity Of ammu-
milton boat and a sufficient supply Of
salt, -four aud pork TO sustain him from
two to siN months, All this is charged
60 his account at the highest market
price, and in return he stipulates to sell
TO this same accommodating dealer, at
some fixed sum per pound, an the caout-
chodC he may collect during his trip.
A Journey 20 the woods may occupy
weeks OF months, according to the will
Of the Iularo, after which he returns TO
the village, not TO leave it again till the
last cent is spent which he has earned. or
can beg, steal or borrow, and all the
credit exhausted that he can obtain by
promises upon the next expedition, 1t is
not strange, however, that they are rclLt.
tant 10 return 10 such dangerous exiles,
for under every leaf Of the tropical for
est some yenomous creature II lurking.
and eternal vigilance is the price of safe.
~. The hunters life is little above that
OF the wild beasts, whose howls make
night hideous around him, and he ia con
stantly exposed 10 a thousand pesils,
seen and unseen. Not only are there
hungry iaguars and pumas, Wild bssr
and other powerful animals. but. mms