INTRODUCTION

Brazil, with its vast and immeasurable virgin forests in the valley of the Amazon, undoubtedly the greatest in the world, traversed by innumerable tributaries, many of which are larger and deeper than many of the rivers in other countries, can be considered the largest storehouse of native rubber of the best quality, all ready to be extracted, coagulated and applied to all kinds of industries. No other investment of capital can be as remunerative as that invested in the extraction of the native rubber from full grown trees, already existing in large quantities of many millions, and in zones full of natural richness.

For the culture of rubber trees of the various species, the whole northern and central portions of Brazil are well adapted, and will give magnificent results in the near future.

Nature has prodigally provided easy means of communication by waterways broad and deep. The climate is equitable without great variations of temperature, which gives perpetual summer and produces large and nearly uninterrupted harvests of agricultural products.

The difficulties which hinder the rapid development of the extraction of rubber are the obstructions in rivers in certain places, at certain seasons of the year when the water is low, and the fact that the production of rubber is so remunerative that all the vigorous men that are thus engaged do not care to engage in any other industry. Thus it is that living in the rubber regions is very expensive because everything must be brought there, even implements and foodstuffs.

These difficulties, however, have been brought to the attention of the Federal Government of Brazil, and of the States, and in consequence an important Congress was called and presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce. The Legislative power also passed special laws providing measures urgently needed to better the existing conditions. These laws also provide for a department under the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, to be called “The Protection of Rubber,” which has already been formed and is at work.

Among the various and important provisions of the law, is the establishment of various experimental stations for advancing the cultivation of the four different kinds of rubber trees found in Brazil, the Hevea braziliensis (seringa), castillôa (caucho), maniçoba, and mangabeira. These trees are all natives of Brazil and can be cultivated from the upper regions of the Amazon to the States of S. Paulo and Paraná. That is, from the extreme north to nearly the extreme south, one or other of these species can be cultivated, according to the climate and character of the soil in each region.

Various concessions and money premiums are offered to attract capital and awaken activity in this industry. Certain services, such as the establishment of hospitals, medical attention and hygienic regulations are also provided by the Federal Government.

In the pages of this book will be found, fully treated, the principal points of this important subject. From the statistical tables published and from the exhibits displayed at the International Rubber Exposition in New York, it can readily be seen that the rubber of Brazil is judged the best in the world, and that its production although already enormous is destined to be largely increased.

DR. CANDIDO MENDES DE ALMEIDA, President Brazilian Commission.