Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-09-27

There is probably no colonial pro-
7ppr which has in so short time be-
,orp an everyday necessity, and none
tb7t has an equal Importance for the
onolfcation of the latest scientific dis
eoveries to practical use as the rubber
liant SAYS Theo. Eckhardt in the
baltimore Sun. Still it seems as If
very little has as yet been done to in
vestgate the capacity of the natural
r,hber sources which the luxurious
troniral vegetation presents. Less has
bseu done to insure rational and pru-
dent proceedings in the harvesting of
this most valuable product, and hardly
ANYTHING has as yet been attempted to
increase the area of production by ra-
tfonal plantations, the careful selection
Of sorts and the cultivation of the rub
Der plants.
The assertion that the natural supply
Of rubber is actually going to ex-
haustion may seem TO be rather alarm
istic than probable to the casual OBJ
server, but such must be the conclu-
sion of those who study the reports OF
tbe travellers. The leaseholders or
owners of the rubber districts seem to
care little about the future, or they
would stop the mutilation and destruc-
ton Of the plants or else take proper
steps to encourage new growth to re-
place what is destroyed. 1t is certainly
time that measures be taken to prevent
the continuance of the INSCRIPTIONS
methods of bleeding the plants and to
assist the spontaneous multiplication
which has already suffered SO much
through the tree slaughter by syste-
matte cultivation. While South
America has up to date yielded the best
rubber and supplied by far the largest
quantity of it-about So per cent
little attempt has been made to replace
the exhausted trees. One district
after anther falls under the knives and
axes Of the gatherers, and it is vain
hope to expect the new growth, even If
It be left to develop to maturity, to
yield as much again as did the original
one, which has had centuries to grow
up Even If such should be the case,
as some experts maintain, it would not
supply the ever-increasing demand,
and scarcity of rubber must lead to
calamitous conditions IN the future.
It is somewhat reassuring that in re-
cent years a number of new rubber
plants have been found, some of Sec
ondary value, but a few which compare
fayOrably with the best Brazilian sorts.
East India produces some very good
rlbJers, and in Africa quite number
OF different genera of plants have been
found to contain the same precious
product
The English government some time
ago caused experimental plantations
70 be made in order to acclimatize val
liable species in different colonies, and
commercial companies have followed
the good example, but only in a small
way The French have taken up the
Introduction and propagation of the
rubber plants in their colonies, but
neither country has taken up this
problem 50 thoroughly as have the
Belgans, A little explanation on the
methods Of the Belgians may, there
lore be OF interest and practical value
Belgium has since its independence
enjoyed a period of ever Increasing
Prosperity and therefore it is but nat
Nra that a good share of attention and
capita. has been devoted to the de-
'aaDment OF its newly acquired Congo
y1oIE Among other explorers
Number of botanists. gardeners and
az.n.turists are yearly sent there,
aa' nor only is the flora Of that vast
.oIN.rE scientifically studied, but the
economic value of its different districts
amy their vegetation is closely ex-
a@nei and many foreign plants have
e... tested and cultivated there. The
'. plants have since the beginning
received the closest attntion, and be-
st. number of native kinds quite a
.a.a.'Ion Of others have been found
sliaae for rational cultivation and
Wy. The course Of time become a
s2 -ine for that country.
ta" basis OF this enterprise is
' a-ge and in every way an ideal
gree. ause establishment near Brus-
4 ia a stock company, "L'herbi-
oniale." Through its members
.osely allied to the government
.a Congo State and to the more
nt plantation companies there.
q century or more a number
arers have been travelling for
cole Coioniale or its predeces-
llenl and collected plants OF
or horticultural value. All
saer producing plants have thus
nted into an interesting collec-
-ach has been studied and
lT tested as to requirements OF
nroiactiyeness and the COM
value OF its rubber This
work has been carried out IN
pervision Of the famous hor-
L1nien Linden. and has led
ming and invaluable results.