The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-16

his stock, frequently bleeds the roots as
well as the body of the tree; this is fatal
TO the tree The product is known as
root rubber. and. besides containing large
qualities of impurities. is very inferior TO
any grade Of tree rubber. and would be re-
fused altogether by local buyers. in order
to discourage the destruction Of the forest.
were il not for the sharp competition for
export trade.
The rubber is brought to market over
land by caravans OF natives or most fire.
quenty. by canoes. These cargOes are
generally consigned 10 some particular
agent. though often they are sold 10 the
one making the best offer. For conven-
fence, rubber Is arranged in three classes
or grades. known as No. T. No 2 and No
3. the character of the tissue and freedom
from impurities being the determining
factors, as well as the kind Of adulterants
Considerable ability on the part Of the
agent Is necessary 10 enable him TO prop
erly assert and select the rubber and TO
detect authorizations. Tbere-are two class
es Of these-incidental and intentional.
The former is the result Of carelessness on
the part Of he gatherers. who do not use
proper receptacles FOR the Juice Inten-
uonal deliberations are due 10 efforts 70
increase volume and weight by use Of dirt
sand bark and sometimes stones Another
species OF ITauu Is the mixture OF Qtner
nonelastic gummy substances with pure
juice; still another is to soak rubber by
placing Il in pits close to the water for a
long time. Rubber so treated is serious
ly injured in quality. and at the same time
increased in bulk and weight.
The colonial authorities as well as the
Chamber OF Commerce. are endeavoTinS
by proper instructions TO those concerned
to discourage these abuses and to empha-
Z IL
Of improving the quality OF the rubber
brought to Freetown market.
There is being iuauguTated by the Gov
ernor and officials a plan to foster the
planting OF rubber trees and vines in the
colony To this end. they have caused to
be issued pamphlets Of instructions in re-
gard to seeding, transplanting, etc,
through the Department of Agriculture
and Horticulture II is hoped that there
will be decided improvement as TO quail
ity and quantity Of exports in the near
future.
THE value OF rubber exported from ST.
ezra Leone in 1898 was 1855. 81. 35. Of
which the amount shipped to Germany was
$33.61S51 The remainder went to Eng
Land The prices in the local market are
controlled by Liverpool and Hamburg mar
kets. The local prices for No. 1. No. ?,
and No 3 range between so, So, AMI AS
cents per pound The freight handling
storage. and costs OF insurance in either
Liverpool OF Hamburg are usually esti-
mated at from to s cents a pound
Agents commission for buying and hand
ling in the local market is per cent
gross.
1.-The regular steamship communication
from this coast to England and GERMANY
makes shipping to those countries COM
paTatively easy; and, AZ local buyers are
always ready TO seize any favorable oppOr-
Iunity to convert their accumulated stores
of rubber into ready cash, there is little
or no inducement for them to seek other
markets For this reason, American deal
eTs desiring 10 purchase rubber here would
do well TO establish agencies to buy for
them