The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-07
HUNTERS OF CAOUTcHOUc.
The Risks Run by Men In Quest OF tn
milky Sap.


ignorant Of creatures, whose first object
4, when out on an expedition, is to secure u
much caoulchouc as possible, and next t.
2 damage the prospects of other Yularoes
J regardless Of the future a thrifty tree a
irs first cutting ought to yield not less thar
fifty pounds of rubber; but the Lunter
Of today find few so profitable, unless
they penetrate fars yato the virgin for
csts, and are fortunate enough TO dis
covcr an entirely new district. In the
sections already worked most Of the trees
have been tapped several times. and
many Of them were spoiled at the outset
/, by having been cut too young because its
greedy discovcrcr feared that if the prize
were left to attain perfection another
might secure IL. Woro the matter regil-
lated by judIcious laws. SO that only ma
ture trees might be- tapped. and those not
10 an extent TO cause death. tie proiuc-
ton Of caouchouc would soon De a
source " wealth 100 the republic. The
Costa Rican government Uc-irs o. lo
alive t6 this fact. aad has recently offered
extensive grants of LAID go any who will
devote themselves % the culture OK rub
Der trees
Among the Inhabitants q Central
America tie Iuaroes form % distinct
class by all Odds the lowest IN tine coun-
. tly, unless IL May Ia ,Le Cards of Guat-
emala or the pearl divers of The western
coast They are mostly half breeds on
F ncgrOe5. for white men seldom engage In
+ II. though tie business might be made
extremely profitable. 4 Yularo can be-
distinguished 40 a glance from natives Of
/ other professions as easily as q cowboy
/ IN gentarl society or a miller fresh from
lis mill NOT only b. his general air Of
/ dare doyil don 't-carc-itiveness. but by
the thick coating Of caou,chouc that
covers his clothing from head 10 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 lis garments
absolutely waterproof aud almost indie
structibla.
The hunters are fitted out by the
shrewd traders Of Parismna. much rs
American miners used 10 he supplied
with grub stake in their search for
precious metals Each Yularo is pro
yidel witla gun, a quantity Of ammu-
milton. boat and a sufficient supply Of
salt, -four and pork 20 sustain him from
two 10 SIX months Al this is charged
to his account at the highest market
price, and IN return he stipulatcs 10 sell
- this same accommodating dealer. al
some fixed sum per pound. all the caout-
chouc he may collect during his nip
\ journey to the woods may occupy
weeks or months, according % the will
of the Nularo, after which hc returns 10
the village. not % leave it again till the
last cent Is spent which he has earned. or |
can beg. steal or borrow. and an tine /
credit exhausted that he can obtain bv /.
promises upon the next expedition. Iii /
not strange. however. that they are reluc- /
tant - return To- such dangerous cXiles. |
for under every leaf Of the tronical for
est some yen0mous creature is lurking. /
and eternal vigilance is the price Of safe
o.. The lunter's life Is little above that
Of the Wild beasts. whose bowls make
night hidcous around him. and he Is con-
SANITY exposed 10 % thousand pcnls
seen and unseen. Not only are there
hungry jaguars and pumas. wild bears
and DINER powerful animals. but. more
90 BE- dreaded. are the deadly reptiles.
ome q th,m no longer than your hand.
There are tiny lizards the exact color OF
the leaves under which they hide whose
bite Is fatal inrumerabie bugs. beetles
and Insects. many Of them more danger
Gus than the RATHER of our northern |
wilds, which 40 least gives some warning
Of lis intention 10 strike, while even
moro 90 lo feared than the monstr0re
cgocoGiles If the lago0ns and the enor-
nous scrpcnt5 Of hugging prccliyitie-
are the iever- that nightly stalk abroad,
WIN The nONlous Na.9or ct tie terra
c4Iien.e.
Aside from the ecant rationi be brings,
the lularo food consists mainly of wild
hoSs' or sucli other animals ass he may
be auie to kill, eked ont By lorilllas and,
2s an occasional luxury. dish Of red
beans stewed IN fat. Monkeys are con-
sidcrcd the choicest Of mOrccaux, par
ffeTiq1.lV III. fartra roll -p.sfau tssIfal, 49,, /