Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-01-14
CULTIVATION UF RUBBER
Fine Field In Guatemala Open
to American Enterprise.
IDEAL LAND FOB AGRICULTURIsTs

/
Consul NaIly Says the Guatemala
Rubber Lands Are Equal to Any In
| the world--Native Labor Is Cheap.
Manner of Treating Milk of the
| Trees.
Owing to the enormous increase in
the uses Of rubber, such as in electrical
work, the manufacture Of rubber tires,
etc, the American consuls stationed in
rubber countries are frequently called
upon to report on the rubber cultiva-
tion with view to interesting Ameri-
can capital. The latest report on this
subject to the state department at
Washington comes from Consul James
NJ Nally of Guatemala.
The report points out above all the
necessity of locating such plantation
on suitable land:
Some land. while having all the ele-
ments required for fruitful production,
lacks the fertility necessary for quick
growth. The time required for de-
velopment depends entirely upon the
soil and the advantages of location.
Some lands will develop the growth Of
the tree so rapidly that in seven years
it will produce milk, while others need
from nine to ten years. Land situated
near the sea and at its level, having
the full benefit Of the sea breezes, will
produce in much shorter time than
land Of higher eleN zion and further
inland. In the cultivation of rubber
one must also cultivate patience, for
at least seven years are required before
any return is made on the investment;
however, cocoa. sugar cane tobacco
and other marketable products can be
raised at the same time, which will pay
expenses for rubber cultivation.
1.-THE rubber lands in Guatemala are
equal to any in the world, and with
proper care and intelligent cultivation
he product will command price equal
to any. The climate, soil and atmos-
phere Of Guatemala are entirely favor
able to the cultivation, not only of rub
ber. cocoa, tobacco, coffee and sugar.
but of all vegetables and articles of
domestic use. II is. In my Judgment,
the ideal land for the farmer, who,
with the application of modern farm
implements, could win recompense
for his labor much beyond that to be
obtained in our own country. Two
crops a year can be raised, and there
is absolutely no limit to the articles
- f,t i.l, l,.~ Il
tivated here.
every inquiry received desires data
as to the probable cost of rubber pro-
duction. This is difficult to give. as
much depends on the person engaged
In the work. However, these points
must be considered: The cost of the
lnnd, its location, and the quality of
the soil the facility for securing work
men; the means for getting the rubber
to the coast or railway, etc. 1t is esti-
mated that 100000 trees can be planted
in one caballeria about lis acres),
which land can be purchased for about
500 an acre. The labor Is cheap. the
native workman getting about 6 reals,
or II cents In United States currency.
day. Small, inexpensive huts must be
erected on the plantation for the work.
men. Plantains are the food used. and
these can be grown in sufficient guam
titles without any expense whatever.
After the trees are planted, very little
cost is incurred, unless the planter Is
raising other marketable products.
know Of no enterprise or business re-
quirlng as little money as the cultiva-
tion of rubber After the seventh
year. each tree can be counted upon to
give a produ-t worth at least 81 gold
per year, and sometimes So"
The report then enters into details as
with the treatment of the milk the re-
port says:
''As to the treatment of the milk
when extracted opinions differ. The
natives make canal In the tree and let
the milk run into hole In the ground
made particularly for that purpose,
which answers as receptacle. In the
process Of hardening or solidifying,
dirt Is taken In. and. of course. the rub
ber is not pure and is Of less value.
Some permit the milk to flow into
barrel, and the Juice of vine, quie-
bra -cajite, Is used to s0lidify. Alum,
which has an almost immediate effect
on the rubber. is much used. An In
direct fire Is also used to cause the
evaporation of the water In the milk.
Another process Is TO pour the milk
into water; the milk hardens imme-
d.ately and when taken out Is In ap-
DearaQcp muph like a sDonne II shonid
then be passed through press and all
the water squeezed out. An American
wringer can be used for the purpose.
When this Is done, the rubber is Of
whltish color and Ii the pure product"