Favors to a fishing corporation
Art. 88. The Minister of Agriculture shall contract with some person,
syndicate or company, offering guarantees of sufficient ability, for
the establishment of a fishing enterprise, which with headquarters in
Belém (Pará) or Manáos, that can be conveniently equipped as quickly as
possible, to begin this and its allied industries, on a large scale in
the Amazon rivers.
Art. 89. The following favors shall be given the enterprise:
(a) Exemption from all import duties, including fees, for the vessels,
instruments and other maritime material; for all the material necessary
for the installation, complete equipping and establishment of the
enterprise on conditions which would enable it to be a going industry in
all its phases, as well as the drugs, ingredients, cans and boxes, or
materials to make them, and in general for all that it may be necessary
to import from abroad, indispensable to the maintenance of its vessels
and factories, during a term of 15 years, to count from the date of its
operations;
(b) Premium of animation in money to the amount of 10,000 mibreis during
5 consecutive years, when the production of preserved and salted fish
shall be annually more than 100 tons;
(c) The right of condemnation for public use, of the lands and
improvements belonging to individuals, judged appropriate and
indispensable for the installation of any of the establishments that it
is necessary to build on land;
(d) Exemption from all state and municipal imports because the object of
the contract is for the federal public service.
Art. 90. All the property of the enterprise shall revert to the Union, at
the end of the term for which the contract was granted.
Art. 91. The exemptions from duties shall be given by the custom houses
in Belém and Manáos, by a requisition from the Minister of Agriculture,
from whom it shall be requested, attaching to the request a memorandum
of the objects with specification of the qualities, quantities and ends
for which they are needed, and what are imported for the services of
the first establishment, and after this what must be imported for its
maintenance.
Art. 92. The enterprise shall be subject to inspection by the Government
as to the safety of the steamers, and processes employed in fishing, the
faithful use of the objects imported, the manufacture of preserving, in
which substances hurtful to the public health shall not be employed, nor
in the annual production of preserved or salted fish for the purpose of
obtaining the premiums in money.
Art. 93. Specimens of fish not well known, the party shall send one
properly preserved to the Minister of Agriculture, accompanied by a small
relatorio describing the place and conditions under which it was caught
and noting anything particular that might be interesting in studying it.
Art. 94. Every commander or master of the vessels of the enterprise,
shall make a written communication to the directors for them to bring to
the knowledge of the Government, the places where there is the existence
of any obstacle to navigation, indicating the position in a good sketch
of that stretch of the river, describing its nature and the route to be
followed to avoid it. These communications shall be transmitted to the
Minister of Transportation in order that he may place a signal on the
obstacle, and as soon as possible remove it.
TITLE VI
The Triennial Expositions Embracing All That Relates to the National
Rubber Industry
Art. 95. The Rubber Expositions shall be held in Rio de Janeiro every
three years, the first being on May 13, 1913; its object shall be to give
the sum of the triennial movement of the national rubber industry in its
various modifications, compared with the industry in other countries.
Art. 96. The triennial expositions shall include the rubber industry in
all its branches and shall include the following classifications:
1. The Culture.
2. The Extraction.
3. The Improvement.
4. The Manufacture of Articles.
The classes shall be subdivided into groups including native and
cultivated plants, machinery, utensils, processes, commercial type,
studies and statistics.
Art. 97. Premiums of encouragement shall be given for the best processes
of culture, extraction and treatment, and to the best manufactured
products, whether as raw material, constituting commercial types for
exportation, or as to manufacture.
Art. 98. The Government shall opportunely request the National Congress
for the necessary enactments to make these premiums effective.
Art. 99. The rubber expositions shall be true expositions held in
relation to the machinery and utensils and products of rubber of all
kinds, but the sale sought to be registered in a special book, by the
payment of a fixed percentage to the organizing commission which shall
apply this income to the interests of these same expositions.
Art. 100. Foreign products can be admitted to these rubber expositions,
for the purpose of permitting comparison and perfecting the national
industry but shall receive no premium.
Section 1. Foreign products destined for the rubber expositions shall
be free of all custom house duties, as established in Law No. 2,544,
January 4, 1912, Article 89, No. 6, but if they are sold, shall pay their
respective import duties when given to the buyers.
Sec. 2. Foreign products not sold shall be re-exported for the account of
the respective expositors.
Art. 101. The transportation of the national products destined for the
rubber expositions shall be gratuitous.
Art. 102. For these expositions there shall be prepared bound statistics
and relatorios especially relative to the former period and as regards
the rubber industry in Brazil, compared with the world movement.
Art. 103. During the expositions there shall be held:
1. National congresses specializing upon the rubber industry.
2. Lectures upon subjects previously chosen and illustrated with
stereopticon slides.
For the carrying out of what is ordered in this article, the organizing
commission shall provide for the respective programs and other measures
for its entire success.
Art. 104. From all the principle products exhibited some specimens
shall be selected to constitute a permanent exhibit, which shall remain
exhibited in the Commercial Museum of Rio de Janeiro, and in whose care
shall also remain some reserves to be sent to similar Museums in Brazil
and in foreign lands.
TITLE VII
The Direction and Inspection of the Service
Art. 105. The direction and inspection of all the service for the
economic defense of rubber, shall be in charge of a provisory department
of the Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, entitled
“Superintendency of the Protection of Rubber.”
Art. 106. The superintendency is charged with:
1. To receive, to record, to prepare, and to inform the manuscripts which
depend upon the despatch of the Minister.
2. To see to the effective and integral execution of measures of an
administrative character foreseen in the Regulation.
3. The study, planning, calculating and execution of the work that must
be done by the administration.
4. The study, planning, calculating, and execution of the work that must
be done by contract.
5. The closing, with the approval of the Minister, of the contracts and
the decrees relative to the concurrence of the States and Municipalities
for the works and measures which they resolved to aid.
Section 1. Each service that has been definitely installed and is in
normal working condition, shall be given over to a section of the
Ministry of Agriculture with which it harmonizes and incorporated or
subordinated.
Sec. 2. For the measure that is being executed as ordered in Sec. 1,
the Government shall provide that the proper lawful budgets shall be
apportioned of the means necessary for the maintenance, conservation and
development of new settlements.
Art. 107. The Superintendency of the “Protection of Rubber” shall be
constituted of:
A central section working in the Federal Capital.
A district section with headquarters in the national plantations of Rio
Branco.
Partial commissions for services that may be indispensable.
Districts of inspection embracing one or more States, in conformity with
the number and importance of the services under way.
Art. 108. The central section shall be composed of a superintendent, a
secretary, a constructing engineer, an agricultural engineer, an engineer
of the second class, two draughtsmen, two typewriters, a bookkeeper, two
clerks, a messenger and two servants.
The district section shall be composed of a chief engineer, an engineer
of the first class, engineers of the second class, agricultural
engineers, conductors of the first and second class, a draughtsman,
a bookkeeper, a paymaster, a customs officer, technical assistants,
journalists and a physician.
The partial commissions shall be composed of a chief engineer, the
technical and administrative personnel necessary, in conformity with the
work to be done, and a physician.
The districts for inspection shall consist of a chief engineer, an
engineer of the second class, an agriculturist and assistants to the
number necessary and sufficient.
The staff of the employes shall not be fixed, but vary according to the
development of the work, and will correspond well with the distribution
of the respective work and the special instructions opportunely executed.
Art. 109. The services relative to the triennial rubber expositions,
shall be directed by a special commission presided over by the minister
and composed of the superintendent, who shall take the place of the
minister in his absence, and of the members of the Permanent Commission
of Expositions, created by Article 89 of Law No. 2,544, January 4, 1912.
Art. 110. All the personnel of the superintendency shall be considered
in commission and dismissed when the work is finished for which it was
formed.
Art. 111. There shall be appointed: by decree of the President of
the Republic, the superintendent; by preferment of the Minister, the
chief engineers, the secretary of the central section, the engineer
of the first class and the paymaster of the district section; by the
Superintendent, the engineers of the second class, the agriculturists,
the physicians, the draughtsmen, the typewriters, the clerks and the
customs officials; by the chief engineers, the personnel who work under
their direction.
Art. 112. The salaries of the employes shall be those fixed in the
annexed table.
For the employes in the services which were incident to the order in
the first section of Article 106, the salaries are fixed in accord with
tables for similar service already existing in the Minister’s department,
increased from fifty to eighty per cent for those who shall be situated
in the valley of the Amazon, while the high cost of living shall continue
in that respective place.
Art. 113. For services which shall be thought advantageous, and when
they have good reputations, the Government may employ professional
specialists, natives or foreigners, paying them annual salaries not
greater than those in the table or a lump sum for the service rendered,
as may be advisable in each case.
Art. 114. To provide for the increase in the work of the Director
General of Accounts, in consequence of the services mentioned in this
regulation, there shall be added to the same Directorship, employees
of the Treasury and other departments of recognized ability and the
typewriters in commission accepted, under the proposal of the Director
General; working overtime, whenever necessary, in accordance with
Articles 68 and 71 of the Decree, No. 8,889, of August 11, 1911, the
work of counting, examining, inspecting and recording the expenses,
distribution of credits, advances, and other things of an urgent nature.
The expenses resulting from the order in this article shall be met by
the credits which were opened in accordance with Article 14 of Law No.
2,543A, of January 5, 1912. It pertains to the Minister to fix the
gratuities of the typewriters and the employes of the Department of
Finance to which this same article refers.
TABLE OF THE SALARIES OF THE PERSONNEL OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY “PROTECTION
OF RUBBER”
Monthly
Classes Salaries
Superintendent 5,000$000
Chief Engineer of the Section Rio Branco 2,700$000
Physician 2,500$000
Constructing Engineer 1,500$000
Chief Engineer of the Partial Commission 1,250$000
Chief Engineer of the District of Inspection 1,250$000
Engineer of the first class of the Section Rio Branco 1,250$000
Agricultural Engineer 1,000$000
Engineer of the second class 1,000$000
Secretary to the Superintendent 1,000$000
Paymaster of the Section Rio Branco 1,000$000
Conductor of the first class 750$000
Customs Official of the Section Rio Branco 750$000
Conductor of the second class 600$000
Draughtsman 600$000
Bookkeeper 500$000
Technical Aid 450$000
Clerk 350$000
Typewriter 350$000
Messenger 200$000
Servant 150$000
The personnel in service in the Valley of the Amazon, with perhaps the
exception of the Chief Engineer of the Rio Branco section, shall receive
an increase over the salaries mentioned in the table, varying from fifty
to eighty per cent according to the judgment of the Superintendent
because of the high cost of living in their respective places.
A third part of the annual salary shall be considered the gratuity of the
office.
To the technical personnel, to the paymaster, and to the physicians shall
be adjudicated by the Superintendent a daily allowance of from 5$000 to
30$000.
Rio de Janeiro, April 17, 1912.
PEDRO DE TOLEDO.
* * * * *
List of utensils and materials exempt from importation duties, to which
Article 2 of Decree No. 9,521 of April 17, 1912, refers:
FIRST GROUP
Implements and Utensils for the Rubber Gatherer
Axes.
Hatchets.
Knives and special apparatus for the incision of trees.
Buckets, pails, basins of tin, zinc or other material.
Pitchers for smoking.
Machines destined for the coagulation of the milk.
Cylinders for pressing.
Colanders and their appurtenances.
SECOND GROUP
Implements and Material for Cultivation
Electric detoners and their accessories.
Dynamite.
Mining powder and other explosives.
Caps and fuses.
Decauville lines.
Mono rails.
Aerial transporters and their accessories.
Locomotives and stationary engines.
Chemical drugs, disinfectants and insecticides.
THIRD GROUP
Materials and Utensils Intended for the Culture of Trees and Treatment of
Rubber, including:
Materials for the necessary installations for the mounting of
factories, construction of buildings, huts and houses of workmen,
box factory and factory for rubber articles.
FOURTH GROUP
Chemical Substances, Raw Material, Thin Cloth and Other Objects Used in
the Treatment of and Manufacture of Rubber Articles
a. =Coagulants=:
Acetic Acid.
Fluoric Acid.
Formic Acid.
Sulphuric Acid.
Hydrochloric Acid.
b. =Dissolvents=:
Aceton.
Ethylic Alcohol.
Methylic Alcohol (C. H. 4 O).
Benzine.
Benzol.
Borax or
Borate of Sodium. (Na² B. ⁴O⁷ 10 H² O).
Chloruret of Carbon.
Chloroform.
Ether.
Essence of Therebentine.
Methylbenzol or Tolnol (C⁷ H⁸).
Solvent Naphtha.
Oil of Camphor (essence).
Oil of Dippel.
Parafin Oil.
Sulphuret of Carbon.
Tetrachloruret of Carbon.
c. =Deodorizers and Disinfectants=:
Camphin or Camphene.
Animal Charcoal.
Porcupine Grape Yellow.
Anilines and their derivatives.
Arsenites and their derivatives.
Aureoline.
Cobalt Blue.
Methylen Blue.
Bistre.
Fixed White (Salts of Baryum, etc.).
Creosote.
Cresolin.
Essence of Lavender.
Essence of Lemon.
Essence of Peppermint.
Essence of Menthol (C¹⁰ H² O).
Essence of Eucalyptus.
Essence of Florence Lily.
Essence of Mustard.
Essence of Moss.
Essence of Rosemary.
Essence of Tomilho.
Essence of Thymol.
Farmol, Formaldehyde or Formalin.
Nitrobenzol.
d. =Coloring Materials=:
Cassel’s Yellow.
Van Dyck and Bismarck Brown.
Yellow Brilliantine.
Bronze and its derivates.
Orange Bleu.
Brooksite (Mixture of rosin and oils).
Bukaramuguiana.
Pattison White.
Paris White.
Wax for cables (wax, asphalt and rosin).
Cachou.
Rosin Colors.
Massicot.
Minio.
Murexide (purple).
Paris Black.
Lamp Black.
Ivory Black.
Uranium Black.
Vine Black.
Nigramine.
Ochre of all colors.
Orange Neutral.
Salts of Mercury.
Sulfapone.
Terre d’Ombre.
Falladium Red.
Vermillion (sulphuret of mercury).
e. =Hydrocarburets, Heavy Bodies and Oils=:
Stearic Acid.
Fish Oil.
Fichetelito (C¹⁸ H²²).
Vegetable Fibre.
Glycerin.
Heptana.
Idrialine (C³⁰ H⁵⁴ O²).
Lanoline.
Linoxine.
Marito Lard.
Naphthaline.
Arachyde Oil (Amendoim).
Cole Seed Oil.
Wood Oil, Chinese and Japanese.
Cotton Seed Oil.
Layos Oil.
Banba Oil.
Oil of Wool (fat of wool from sheep).
Linseed Oil.
Corn Oil.
Cod Liver Oil.
Nut Oil.
Olive Oil.
Palm Oil (Attalea Excelsis, Bertholetin Excelsis, Maximiliana regia).
Pine Oil.
Ricine Oil.
Soja Oil.
Calves’ Foot Oil.
Tung Oil.
Vulcanized Oils.
Nitrated Oils.
Parafin.
Pentan.
Petroleum and all its derivatives.
Stearine.
Vaseline.
f. =Resin, Resinous Gums and Lacs=:
Yellow Amber.
Ambroid.
Natural Balsam.
Canada Balsam.
Chypre Balsam.
Sulphur Balsam.
Perú Balsam.
Therebentin Balsam.
Talu Balsam.
Benjoim.
Colophane.
Copal.
Banana Gum.
Lac Gum.
Kauri Gum.
Lacs separate.
Enamel Lacs and all their derivatives.
Rhus Lacs.
Mastick.
Rosin Oil.
Ammonia Rosin.
Bourgogue Rosin.
Damar Rosin.
Elemi Rosin.
Hymenea Courbaril.
Rosin (Copal).
Jalap Rosin.
Myrrh Rosin.
Xanthorea Rosin.
Sandarac.
Storax.
Therebentine.
Venice Therebentine and its derivatives.
g. =Agents of Vulcanization=:
Metallic Antimony and its derivatives.
Bromurets and all their derivatives.
Calcium and its derivatives.
Caustic Lime.
Chlorine (Cl.) and all its derivatives.
Lead and all its derivatives.
Sulphur and all its derivatives.
Iodine and all its derivatives.
Sodium and its derivatives.
Zinc and its derivatives.
h. =Fibres and Cloth=:
Cotton.
Brass.
Cabo Asbestos.
Maselig Asbestos.
Hemp.
Banana Hemp.
India Hemp.
Sisel Hemp.
Madrasta Hemp.
Manila Hemp.
Fibres of all kinds of vegetable or animal origin.
Vulcanized Fibres.
Raphia Fabrics.
Lace.
Flax Thread.
Jute.
Wool.
Flax.
Luffa.
Japan Lacs.
Nanking.
Cotton Cloth.
Asbestos Cloth.
Linen Cloth.
Paper Maché.
Parameta.
Rami.
Silk Cloth, animal and vegetable.
Taffetas.
Zaputtine and its derivatives.
i. =Isolated Materials=:
Asbestos and all its derivatives.
Alexite.
Algina.
Amiante.
Asphalt.
Astrictum.
Russian.
Birch.
Animal and Vegetable Tar of lignite, hulha and all their derivatives.
Bitite.
Bitumen.
Colorifugos and all its derivatives.
Cerasine.
Cork.
Cellulose and all its derivatives.
Esbetine.
Eshalite.
Fermantine.
Fassilite.
Fucasine.
Gasoline.
Gelatine.
Gilsonite.
Hermetine.
Karphite.
Lava.
Ledererite.
Lithine.
Lithocarbon.
Manjak.
Marloid.
Mica.
Mecanite.
Oil of Tar.
Okonite.
Ouralite.
Ozocerite.
Ozotere.
Vegetable.
j. =Divers Materials=:
Citric acid (C⁶ H⁸ O⁷).
Azotic acid (H. N. O³).
Salicylic acid.
Sehacic acid.
Oxalic acid (C² H² O⁴).
Oleic acid (C¹⁶ H³⁴ O²).
Tartaric acid.
Agalmatolite.
Areometers.
Alkalies.
Ammonia.
Salts of Ammonia.
Aluminum and its derivatives.
Alum.
Starch.
Auhydrite.
Autibenzine Pirine.
Astraline.
Atmold.
Whale Oil.
Balenite.
Balons.
Salts of Baryum.
Materials for bleaching.
Bolus.
Camptulikon.
Afridi Wax.
Japan Wax.
Caruabuba Wax.
Carbarundum.
Materials for
Beech Creosote.
Chlorhydrate of Quinine.
Cyanuret of Potassium.
Caseina.
Ceramyl.
Vegetable Coal.
Coal Dust.
Horn.
Mineral and Vegetable Waxes.
Fish Glue.
Coralline.
Caokaline.
Leather.
Copper and its derivatives.
Dextrina (C¹² A²⁰ O¹⁰).
Dextrose.
Diamond.
Dichlorohydrine.
Dielectrics.
Dielectrine.
Eburine.
Sponges.
Tin and its derivatives.
Eternite.
Flour.
Potato Sediment.
Felds Pathe.
Fibroleum.
Metallic Wires.
Sheets of Tin.
Lasts.
Fuller.
Fustian.
Galalithe.
Gas.
Gaze.
Fish Glue.
Glucose.
Glutin.
Graphite.
Mineral Oils.
Gypsum.
Hemalite.
Hatschetine.
Hydrofugine.
Koalin.
Kisselguhr.
Compound Kirrage.
Lactoleum.
Lederine.
Limeite.
Lactoite.
Lactites.
Material for Polishing.
Magnalium.
Magnesium and its compounds.
Magnesia.
Magnesia Calcinated.
Marble Dust.
Morocoline.
Nickel.
Salt of Nipa.
Nitronaphtaline.
Organdim.
Bones.
Pagodite.
Pantasote.
Petrifite.
Earth of Pipe.
Pumice Stone.
Phosphorus.
Plombago.
Pluviosine.
Salts of Potassium.
Poudre Rouge.
Anti-ronille.
Sand.
Salitre (Nitrate of Potash K. N. O³).
Soap.
Sawdust.
Silicates of Aluminum.
Bronze Silicium.
Hides.
Luberine.
Luberite.
Metallic Sulphuret.
Isinglass.
Tannico.
Metallic Cloth.
Turfa.
Tripoli.
Trichopiese.
Hulha Varnish.
Wood Vinegar.
Vulcoleina.
Wallasine.
Waterproof Varnish.
Whaleboline.
Xylolithe.
Rio de Janeiro, April 17, 1912.
PEDRO DE TOLEDO,
Minister of Agriculture.
[Illustration: GEORGE E. PELL, ESQ.
Commissioner for the Commercial Association of Pará]
PARÁ
FURTHER DETAILS RELATING TO PARÁ HAVE NOT COME TO HAND UP TO THE TIME OF
GOING TO PRESS
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION, PARÁ (BRAZIL)
DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS.
Quality. Weight. Procedence.
501 Biscuits Fine Island Rubber, net 1,037 ks. From the Islands.
81 Biscuits Fine Island Rubber, net 804 ks. From River Cajary,
Cajary, & partly islands.
111 Biscuits Fine Island Rubber, net 756 ks. From River Anapu
Anapu, & partly islands.
235 Biscuits Fine Island Rubber, net 1,116 ks. From Island of
Cavianna, Cavianna.
145 Biscuits Fine Low Xingú, net 979 ks. From Lower reaches
of River Xingú
(This parcel
contains two
lots, dry and
fresh, should be
separated and
marked “Dry” and
“New”).
44 Biscuits} on sticks net 937 ks. From Lower reaches
10 Biscuits} Fine Itaituba (Tap), of River Tapajos.
10 Biscuits Fine High Xingú, net 696 ks. From Higher reaches
of River Xingú,
above rapids.
5 Biscuits} on sticks net 1,025 ks. From Higher reaches
34 Biscuits} Fine Itaituba of River Tapajos,
(Tapajos) Cachoeira, above rapids,
and state of
Matto-Grosso.
68 Biscuits Weak Fine Rubber, net 650 ks. From Lower Amazon.
Island Coarse Rubber, net 1,000 ks. From Islands and
affluents of
Lower Amazon.
110 Biscuits Cametá Coarse, net 1,515 ks. From River Cametá
and partly
Islands.
Coarse Itaituba net 302 ks. From River Tapajos.
(Tapajos),
Weak Coarse, net 254 ks. From Lower Amazon.
Tiras (Strips), net 119 ks. From River Tapajos.
20 Balls Toc. Caucho Ball, net 911 ks. From River
Tocantins & Rio
Fresco.
30 Balls Tap. Caucho Ball, net 1,061 ks. From Higher reaches
Cachoeira, of River Tapajos,
above rapids,
and State of
Matto-Grosso.
20 Balls High Xingú Caucho Ball, net 1,044 ks. From Higher reaches
of River Xingú.
2 Bags—1 Bag Inaja Palm Nuts Used for curing
Fine Rubber.
1 Bag Urucuri Palm Nuts Used for curing
Fine Rubber.
2 Boxes—4 & 5 Tin Cups, etc., for collecting Latex
1 Case—No. 3 Natural Woods—2 blocks of wood and shavings, used for
curing rubber
1 Box Machadinhos (Hatchets), collecting and curing utensils
1 Box Wooden Stand used for curing large biscuits of rubber.
The AMAZONAS Section
AMAZON STATE IS THE LARGEST ONE IN BRAZIL
Area in square kilometers, 1,894,724.
Population, 600,000 inhabitants.
Capital, Manáos; 60,000 inhabitants, 32ᵐ, 40ᵐ height from sea-level.
It exports rubber and woods for construction and for other works, Pará
nuts, Guaraná and some other products.
Beans, corn, rice and almost every kind of cereals grow there beautifully.
It is put in communication with Europe by one English and two German
Steamship Companies, and by cable and wireless telegraphy. These
companies have improved their steamers, which go to Europe. To the United
States it is served only by the English company, every ten days. They are
cargo boats.
Principal cities: Stacoatiara, Manicoré, Humaythé, Teffé, Parintins and
Labrea.
Medium temperature, 27° 2′ centigrade.
Rains—Evaporation in mm., 1592,0. Height, 1525,3 (in 202 days).
Wind—Velocity in one second, 1ᵐ, 60. Direction, east.
EXPORTS OF RUBBER FROM STATE OF AMAZONAS SINCE 1827 UP TO 1907
Years. Kilograms.
1837 802,410
1847 4,286,570
1857 7,134,195
1867 2,969,070
1877 17,403,574
1887 43,454,671
1897 106,424,423
1907 120,434,947
From 1827 to 1852 the exports belong to Pará and Amazonas together.
[Illustration: COLONEL ANTONIO CLEMENTE RIBEIRO BITTENCOURT
Governor of the State of the Amazonas, Brazil]
[Illustration: PORT OF MANÁOS]
[Illustration: DR. MANOEL LOBATO
Commissioner for the State of the Amazonas, Brazil, also of Matto Grosso
and the Federal Territory of Acre]
RUBBER IN THE STATE OF AMAZONAS
General Ideas about the State. Progress in the Means of Transportation.
Climatological Conditions.
The State of the Amazonas is the largest one in the Brazilian Republic.
Notwithstanding its well-known natural resources that are not limited,
according to many persons, to the precious milk of the rubber tree—that
wonderful tree of fortune—which is disputed by various producing centers,
its vast territory is yet far from being completely and properly
populated.
The emigration currents towards that section have started lately, so that
the population of hardly over two hundred thousand souls a few years ago,
to-day is over six hundred thousand inhabitants, without any exaggeration.
As such changes are taking place the conditions of life are being altered
every day. It is true that there still prevails in the books of gay
tourists who consider humbug as a condition of inexhaustible success, the
impression that the native indians travel about half nude and armed with
arches and arrows, chasing the lost Europeans through such outlandish
regions of the world.
The remark, however, is not based on real facts. The native Indians are
not now to be found in very accessible places. The foreigner who lands in
the Amazonas capital, for instance, may be sure that his habits and his
civilization will not cause any fright.
It is difficult to find among the natives who possess some education and
means one who has not been through several European countries, especially
France; so that as soon as the visitor lands he notices an atmosphere of
modern improvements and all the novelty and gay spirit of Parisian life;
the latest fashions are found at once in Manáos.
The progress of that beautiful princess of the Rio Negro (Black River)
is most remarkable, because it is at the most only twenty years. Until
the proclamation of the Republic in Brazil, Manáos amounted to almost
nothing. From 1889 to this date began its stupendous development,
counting already over 60,000 inhabitants.
[Illustration: A. W. STEDMAN, ESQ.
Commissioner for the Commercial Association of the State of Manáos, Matto
Grosso, and the Federal Territory of Acre, Brazil]
To-day it has comfortable homes, good and solid buildings of artistic
architecture. Its port is perfectly fitted to receive the visits of the
large transatlantic steamers, which places it in communication with the
leading European ports. The navigation line for the United States, served
by an English company, is not yet of the required progress to insure all
the necessary comfort to the passengers who venture to undertake the
long trip. Furthermore, it is served by steamers that do not possess the
modern requirements of speed, which at present is of first interest not
only for the passengers who look for a pleasure resort as well as for the
intercourse of commercial relations with the world’s markets. That is the
reason why the interchange between Amazonas and New York has been rather
slow, which interchange could be of greater magnitude than it is to-day
if there was a more intimate knowledge between the parties.
I would not want to end this information about the capital of the State
of Amazonas without quoting some paragraphs from the excellent work, “The
Rubber Country of the Amazon,” written by Mr. Henry C. Pearson, Editor of
the “India Rubber World”:
“When one considers that this city is a thousand miles from the seacoast,
in the heart of a vast tropical jungle, with wild Indians within a
hundred miles of it, its presence seems incredible. In a way, it is as
modern as New York or Chicago. The latest Parisian fashions are there,
and almost anything that civilized man desires is obtainable. Prices are
high, to be sure, because both luxuries and necessities are imported and
subject to a duty of 100 per cent. But when something besides rubber is
produced by the magnificently fertile lands that surround it, Manáos
will be one of the great and beautiful cities of the world and living as
reasonable as anywhere.”
That progress, although it has been made principally in Manáos, in some
form is also affecting the interior of the State. The river navigation is
made quicker than before and on elegant and up-to-date steamers, which
navigate throughout all the tributaries of the Amazon River.
Furthermore, the Madeira-Mamoré railroad has produced a great improvement
in the transportation facilities adopted in the State for the quick
delivery of merchandise in the interior.
The most distant points of the territory are now connected by wireless
telegraphy. The news of the world can be transmitted daily to the capital
of the State by means of double river cable and by wireless telegraphy of
the Marconi system.
The climatic conditions are not so terrible as pictured in the minds
of the outside people, who do not know the real facts and the true
geographic situation of the State.
[Illustration: CAOUTCHOUC PROCESS No. 1.
The Men Set to Work Bleeding the Base of the Castillôa.]
Mr. A. R. Wallace, in his “Narrative of Travels on the Amazon and Rio
Negro,” and Captain Maury, in his book “The Amazon and the Atlantic Coast
of South America,” show themselves so enthusiastic over the climate of
Amazonas and recommend it “as one of the healthiest and mildest in the
world.” That easy enthusiasm is not so good for us as the competent
French engineer, Mr. Paul Le Cointe’s opinion, after many years in the
northern part of Brazil. Thus he expresses himself:
“The Amazonia, an immense tableland slightly concave, situated entirely
in the tropics, crossed by rivers of colossal dimensions, with lakes
and swamps, the remains of the original water basin, badly separated by
modern alluvium land, covered with impenetrable forests from which emerge
here and there some plains, ought to have a specially hot, damp and
unhealthy climate.
“That is the reputation which it has enjoyed for a long time and which
has frightened away the European immigration; but it is not deserved in
such an absolute manner; as a hot country is perhaps on the contrary the
less deadly for the settler as well as for the traveler.”
THE AMAZON AS RUBBER PRODUCER
It is indeed very difficult if not absolutely impossible to limit the
rubber producing region of Amazonas. In almost the whole of the vast
territory of that State there are found rubber trees and where they do
not grow, they certainly can be successfully planted. Over large tracts
of lands on the banks of rivers not navigable, there are extensive rubber
forests not explored on account of lack of population.
That exuberance of the Amazonian flora, that arrangement of nature to
furnish resources to the rubber extractor for many years, kept him away
from any other occupation except that of raising the arm and wounding the
tree of fortune in order to obtain prosperity. There was no necessity of
planting that which the open road of the forest presents at each step;
also why worry with a view to obtaining any other process of securing the
“=hevea brasiliensis=” when its milk in the primitive state is obtained
at the lowest price of exploitation and cultivation, preserving all the
excellent qualities of the rubber?
The presence of competitors in the world’s market, more than the damage
caused to the health by the smoking process of coagulation, is the
reason to establish new exploitation. The rubber plantation is now being
conducted perhaps without obeying the scientific criterion, but more in
the shape of facilitating the gathering of the =latex=.
[Illustration: RUBBER-WORKER PERREIRA AND WIFE IN THEIR SUNDAY CLOTHES.]
One hears a good deal about high prices in the Amazonas, and careless
observers state in opposition to that the cheapness of life in the
Asiatic Islands and other points of the world. I do not think that a
thoughtful person without any interest in connection with enterprises
and plantations elsewhere in the world, would be able to use such an
assertion, which is so unjust.
The French engineer, Mr. Paul Le Cointe, who is an expert in the matter,
writes the following:
“For the work to be executed, the number of workmen required is much less
where the production of those men is high, hence to calculate the price
of hand work, the individual production is the factor that may become
more important than the pay to the men who work by the day.
“In the Far East, the workmen are paid from Fr. 75 to Fr. 1.25, equal to
14 cents to 23 cents, approximately, including feeding. In the Amazonas,
the pay per day amounts to Frs. 4.75, or that is, almost 91 cents for all
the work, which is three to four times more.”
Let us examine the cost in Asia and in the Amazonas for the different
work required by the cultivation of the rubber trees.
According to Mr. Stanley Arden, it is about 38 cents for each kilogram
of rubber in the plantation (the data that I am presenting in connection
with this matter is from the book of Mr. Le Cointe, entitled “Le
Caoutchouc Amazonien et son Concurrent Asiatique”).
Mr. Lamy Torrilhon speaks about the Kuala Lampur Rubber Company (Malay),
which had in 1909, 404,012 rubber trees from one to six years old.
Calculating the price of cultivation of that rubber at Fr. 4 per kilogram
or approximately 76 cents, Mr. Stanley Arden also calculated that the
cost of a hectar of plantation before reaching the period of exploitation
(the sixth year, according to him) was only Fr. 816, or more or less
$157, including the salaries and establishment of European employees, and
Mr. M. G. Vernet, of the Pasteur Institute of Nha-Trang, calculated Fr.
3,000, about $580.
Mr. Le Cointe further states that Mr. Stanley Arden in his calculations
of expense seems to presume the plantation in lands not thickly wooded,
because he counts for the burning and clearing of the land, hardly
one-third the cost of felling the trees, when in the forest it is about
the same. Of course, lands not properly protected and in the virgin state
in the tropical countries, are less fertile than those covered with thick
forests, furthermore the lands that have been devoted to a prolonged
cultivation of plants, like coffee, tea, etc., are to a large extent
exhausted, and if rubber trees were attempted to be planted there, the
result would be that it would largely lose the advantages by having to
fell new trees.
[Illustration: BRANDING RUBBER ON THE SAND-BAR.]
Mr. Le Cointe also speaks of about 225 trees per kilogram, when
practically that number can be doubled; besides this the calculation made
by the same author of about $18 for the clearing of the hectar, at the
rate of $14 per day for each workman shows that the price for that work
in almost clean land will take sixty-two days, whereas in the Amazonas we
only count on twenty-six days for each clearing of a hectar in a virgin
forest.
This argument, it seems to me, shows that there is a purpose to bring up
a cheapness which is more apparent than real, with the determination of
recommending the Asiatic plantations to the detriment of the Amazonas
rubber plantations.
This plan of attack is not the most correct one. We have the advantage
of having workmen who easily adapt themselves to the producing land, and
with the measures of protection that the Government is going to guarantee
to the rubber planters, the life of the contractor is going to become
easier.
The tree which is planted in its own region, is less subject to ravages,
being less persecuted by the destroying parasites, is not violently fell
by hard winds.
As every day increases the number of industries which requires rubber
as a raw material, it is therefore necessary to exploit it in different
centers, counting even with possible disaster, but nowhere in the world,
in accordance with the most reliable statistics, is there more favorable
land for the planting of rubber trees than in the various territories
of the Amazonas. That territory has been placed by nature to be the
emporium of that industry, and counts with all the means to preserve
that privilege, and for the guarantee of the planter as soon as the
rubber tree develops itself, it has other resinous trees suitable for
construction, and excellent fibres which can be sold at a profit. The
Brazilian walnut is so abundant there that it is a second source of
income in the State of Amazonas.
THE PRODUCTION OF RUBBER
Only during the first six months of this year, notwithstanding that
the time for the full crop was not as yet due, from Manáos there were
exported to the United States 2,328,389 kilograms of fine rubber, 602,180
medium quality, sernamby 991,088, caucho 798,024; to Europe, first
quality 2,449,776, medium quality 407,278, sernamby 507,860, caucho
1,368,489; from Itacoatiara, first quality 37,240, medium 3,858, sernamby
26,237, caucho 11,405, that is for the Amazonas a total of 9,531,824
kilograms, almost half of the export of 22,902,401 kilograms made in that
period for that State, besides that of Pará and Iquitos. The production
of Amazonas in 1910 was 10,466,231 kilograms; in 1911, 10,122,242; this
year, it is expected that there will be an increase of more than 15 per
cent of the production of last year.
[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF A RUBBER-WORKER’S HUT.
There Were Always Two or Three Hammocks.]
This is due only to the active work of a few thousand workmen. What would
be the colossal production of that territory, when the work of the men
will be facilitated by a rational distribution of rubber trees!
Reflecting upon that, I am reminded of the words of Dr. T. Huber:
“A regular planting industry will have a marked and salutary influence
upon the extraction of wild rubber and the management of wild rubber
forests.”
Furthermore, I have the full conviction that the future of that industry
competently managed will offer in Amazonas, and in order to be more
exact, in Brazil, more guarantees of success than in any other region in
the world.
M. LOBATO.
[Illustration: RUBBER-WORKERS’ HOME NEAR LAKE INNOCENCE.]
BRAZIL
The States of Amazonas and Matto-Grosso, and the Acre Territory
The Commercial Association of Amazonas exhibits samples of rubber from
the States of Amazonas and Matto-Grosso, and from the Acre Territory,
having been authorized by the respective Governments for this purpose.
STATE OF AMAZONAS
The main stream of the River Amazon flows through the entire territory of
this State, and within its boundaries is joined by many tributaries.
The boundary with the State of Pará is formed by the same river, and that
with Matto-Grosso and the Republic of Bolivia by the Upper Madeira River.
The River Javary, a tributary of the Solimões (or Upper Amazon), forms
the boundary with Perú, as does the Upper Rio Negro (the waters of which
connect with the Orinoco through the Cassiquari Canal), with Venezuela.
Before the formation of the Federal Acre Territory, the upper reaches of
the Rivers Acre, Purús, and Juruá also constituted the frontiers of the
State of Amazonas with Perú and Bolivia.
The capital of the State, Manáos, is situated in the bay of the Rio
Negro, three days distant by steamer from the capital of the adjoining
State, Pará. The nearest European port, Lisbon, can be reached in
thirteen days, and New York in eighteen days.
Manáos is the turning-point for ocean going steamers from the United
States of America, and Europe, as well as from the South of Brazil.
The companies engaged in the transatlantic service are:
=The Booth Steamship Co., Ltd.= (British), with four sailings each way
to and from Liverpool per month, calling at Itacoatiara, Pará, Madeira,
Lisbon, Leixoes (Oporto), Vigo and Cherbourg, and three sailings to and
from New York per month, calling at Pará and Barbadoes.
=The Hamburg-Amerika Line= and =Hamburg-Sudamerikanische
Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft= (German), with two sailings per month to
and from Hamburg, calling at Pará, Madeira, Lisbon, Leixoes (Oporto),
Havre and Antwerp. =The Booth Steamship Co., Ltd.=, also runs two lines,
one from Liverpool and the other from New York, as far as Iquitos, the
capital and principal port of the Loreto province of Perú. Maritime
communication with Southern Brazil is maintained by the “=Lloyd
Brazileiro=” and the “=Cia. de Commercio e Navegação=,” the former having
six steamers per month, and the latter three. The voyage from Manáos to
Rio de Janeiro occupies from 14 to 16 days.
[Illustration: MAP OF MANÁOS]
The river navigation is controlled by the Amazon River Navigation Co.
(1911), Ltd., and numerous private steamers, which form a flotilla only
to be compared with that of the River Mississippi. A new company “A
Companhia Navegação do Amazonas” is about to commence operations. All
these steamers call at Manáos, or have their headquarters there.
Telegraphic communication is as follows: By means of the =Amazon
Telegraph Co., Ltd.=, in combination with the Western Telegraph Co. to
and from all parts of the world.
=Wireless Telegraphy= (Marconi and Telefunken systems), is already making
considerable headway. The Marconi station at Manáos, in the hands of the
Madeira Mamoré Railway Co., receives and transmits messages to and from
Porto Velho, on the Madeira River, the starting point and headquarters
of the railroad, as well as to and from the Telefunken stations at Senna
Madureira, Empreza and Cruzeiro do Sul (the capital towns of the three
divisions of the Acre Territory).
These last stations are not yet open for use by the public, and other
intermediate stations are still in course of construction.
Manáos has also a station of the =Amazon Wireless Telegraph & Telephone
Co., Ltd.=, which transmits messages to Pará, and has lately been in
regular communication with the station in Iquitos belonging to the
Peruvian Government. By this route it is possible to send messages to
Lima, the capital of Perú, on the Pacific Coast. However, the Company
mentioned has so far not succeeded in obtaining the official permission
of the Brazilian Government to operate in Brazil.
Manáos has a permanent population of upwards of 70,000 inhabitants. Its
houses and public buildings conform to modern architectural ideas, and
some of its buildings, such as the State Theatre, the Public Library,
the Palace of Justice and the “Benjamin Constant” Orphan Asylum are
magnificent.
The streets, squares and avenues are well lighted by electricity and
the town possesses an excellent electric tramway system. The drainage
scheme is almost completed, and the water supply is very satisfactory.
The port works are in the hands of the Manáos Harbor, Ltd. There are some
excellent hotels, and a splendid telephone service.
The following banks carry on operations in Manáos:
=The London & Brazilian Bank, Ltd.=, and =The London & River Plate Bank,
Ltd.= (British), agencies.
=Banco do Brazil= (Brazilian), agency.
=Banco Amazonense= (Brazilian), Head Office.
[Illustration: A “SERINGUEIRO” TAPPING A RUBBER TREE.]
=Banking Firms=: Zarges Ohliger & Co. (German).
=Life, Fire & Marine Insurance Companies=:
Northern Insurance Co. (British), agency.
Royal Insurance Co. (British), agency.
“Mannheim” Insurance Co. (German), agency.
Lloyd Amazonense (Brazilian), head office.
And agencies of the following Brazilian companies: Garantia da Amazonia,
Seguradora Paraense, Allianca da Bahia, Commercial Paraense, Lloyd
Paraense, Allianca Paraense.
Rubber is the chief industry of the State, being its principal product
and source of income. The predominance of this industry dates from 1863,
and within a few years it superseded entirely the planting of rice,
coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, beans and maize.
Up to 1870 rubber was generally exported in the form of roughly made
shoes, hats and caps, as well as in sacks and in bulk, the greater part
of it going to New York, via Pará. Later, the present system of biscuits
or balls, cut and packed in cases, came into use.
Considerable business has always been done in Amazon with the United
States of America, although formerly the proportion shipped to America
was greater than at present, as it was only in later years that the heavy
competition by London and Liverpool came into being.
The production of the various rivers during 1911 was:
River Solimões 865,000 kilos
Purús 3,019,000 ”
Acre 371,000 ”
Juruá 2,055,000 ”
Madeira 1,370,000 ”
Javary 1,420,000 ”
Japurá 70,000 ”
Jutahy 287,000 ”
Negro 679,000 ”
Branco 33,000 ”
Lower Amazon 194,000 ”
The rubber exporting houses are:
Zarges Ohliger & Co. (German).
Adelbert H. Alden, Ltd. (American).
Ahlers & Co. (German).
General Rubber Co. of Brazil (American).
De Lagotellerie & Co. (French).
[Illustration: “DEFUMADOR,” OR SMOKING-HUT.]
STATE OF AMAZON EXHIBIT INCLUDES:
Pyramid of 50 tons rubber.
Models of River Steamers.
Rubber Milk.
Photographs and Maps.
Rubber Toys, etc., made by natives.
Basins, Pails, etc.
Large Rubber Tree Stump and several Young Rubber Trees.
=Exhibited by Messrs. Asenei & Co., River Madeira.=
Rubber Milk.
Nuts and Appliances for Smoking Rubber.
=Exhibited by Sno. Raymundo Monteiro da Costa.=
COMPARATIVE RUBBER STATISTICS
Comparative Rates of Fine Pará.
Liverpool. New York.
s. d. s. d.
1894 2 9 to 3 1 $0.64½ to $0.73
1895 3 0¼ to 3 4¼ .70 to .81½
1896 3 0½ to 3 8¾ .71 to .85
1897 3 5 to 3 9 .79½ to .89
1898 3 7½ to 4 5 .82 to 1.06
1899 3 10 to 4 7¼ .91 to 1.10
1900 3 8½ to 4 9 .83 to 1.11½
1901 3 4 to 3 11½ .76 to .95
1902 2 10 to 3 9½ .66 to .92
1903 3 6¼ to 4 8 .78 to 1.13
1904 3 10¾ to 5 6 .89 to 1.32
1905 4 10¼ to 5 8¾ 1.13 to 1.35
1906 4 11½ to 5 5½ 1.16 to 1.28
1907 2 11¾ to 5 3 .69 to 1.24
1908 2 9¼ to 5 5 .65 to 1.30
1909 4 10 to 9 2 1.13 to 2.15
1910 4 10 to 12 4½ 1.16 to 2.90
1911 3 10 to 7 1 .90 to 1.67
FEDERAL TERRITORY OF ACRE
[Illustration: SERINGUEIRO SMOKING RUBBER AT ALTO ACRE.]
THE ACRE
THE FLUVIAL REGION THAT IS RICHEST IN RUBBER
As far as the wealth of rubber obtained from natural sources is
concerned, Brazil ranks first among all the world’s rubber producing
countries. While the East Indian section, with its plantation grown
product, has already outstripped her in the quantity of its annual
plantation output, the superior excellence of genuine Pará rubber has not
been attained. The “fine rubber” that comes from the inundated region of
the lower river country is best known. In the upper districts of various
southern affluents, fine rubber trees grow, but no longer in the lowlands
that have long been subject to inundation, they occur rather in forests
that are overflowed seldom, if at all, that even extend over the hilly
districts. The method of collection and the entire operation of rubber
production varies in many respects from the more familiar methods of
the inundated districts. This applies particularly to Acre, with its
characteristic and peculiar river section.
To explore this section, from economic and scientific points of view, I
undertook a journey last year, 1911, at the instance of the Associação
Commercial.
The results of this journey will be embodied in a detail report, it is at
present proposed to make only a brief summary to supplement the pictures
shown in the exhibition.
Our better knowledge of Acre dates back barely a quarter of a century. At
that period uncertainty prevailed as to which of the countries adjoining
Acre, Brazil, Bolivia and Perú, were the owners of the territory. In
more recent times these conditions have been adjusted, the greater part
having been awarded to Brazil, while Bolivia received a portion of the
left bank of the upper Acre. The boundary between Bolivia and Perú is as
yet undecided. The latter country includes the uppermost left bank of the
source section which contains but few fine rubber trees.
[Illustration: DR. CARLOS DE CERQUEIRA PINTO,
Inventor of a Smokeless Process for Curing Rubber.]
[Illustration: LANDSCAPE ON THE BANKS OF THE ALTO ACRE.]
The Acre is a right affluent of the larger tributaries of the Purús,
entering above the mouth of the Rio Negro and coming from the Southwest,
and flows, like these, through the boundless forest tracts of the Amazon
River country. It rises in elevated ground, East of the Andes, in a
still partly explored territory, very difficult of access, at about
the eleventh degree of southern latitude and 70½ longitude and flows
at first eastward, to the Bolivian boundary at 69°. From this point,
the Acre flows first Northeast, with a constantly increasing northerly
inclination, until it enters the Central Purús at 8⅔ South latitude and
67½ longitude. The small steamers run from this point to the junction
with the Amazon and on to Manáos in six to eight days.
In November more than 40 large and small steamers are despatched from
Pará and Manáos. They carry supplies for the rubber district and load,
for the return trip, fine rubber and other caoutchouc varieties. Such
steamers have, as a rule, a cargo capacity of 100 to 300 tons. The
largest, taking as much as 500 tons, are at most 50 to 60 meters in
length.
The journey from Manáos to the Purús, is usually accomplished in one day.
The Purús is a stately river, which, in its lower reaches often attains
a breadth of 1,000 meters and although it gradually narrows, it always
retains, until its confluence with the Acre, a breadth of several hundred
meters.
The trip to that point takes, as a rule, 12 to 16 days and except for the
last stretch of about three days, is open all the year. Here is the place
called Cochoeiras, where there are rapids, which during the dry season of
about four months, obstruct steam navigation on the Purús. The Acre, on
the other hand, has a narrow but deep bed, is rarely over 100 meters wide
and often contracts to 50 to 60 meters. In the dense forests, there may
be seen, from time to time, clearings on the banks with the =Baracâos=
that are the stations for the fine rubber business. Also occasional
larger places of residence, villages and little towns, where longer stops
are often made, are encountered.
We first pass Antimary, at the mouth of a river similarly named. Then we
soon reach Porto de Acre, a large residential place, where the steamers
must have their papers passed and pay duties.
This is the beginning of the Federal territory, which is separate from
the State of Amazonas and is subject to the central government in Rio
de Janeiro. Hardly a day’s journey up stream lies the little town of
Empreza, with its picturesque houses embowered in foliage. It is the most
important place on the lower Acre and the second largest residential town
in Acre Territory.
About three days’ journey up the river the town of Hapury is reached,
which contains several thousand inhabitants and enjoys a considerable
trade. It is the largest and most important town in the entire Acre
territory.
[Illustration: ON THE LOWER ACRE.]
When at times in the river’s narrow water course there are a dozen
large steamers lying and a lively business intercourse is everywhere in
progress, the scene, in the depth of the primeval forest, creates quite
an imposing impression. Hapury is considered already in the district of
Alta Acre and from this point, the difficulty of navigation increases,
the breadth and volume of water of the river alike decreasing. Very
rapidly during long, rainless periods, the river water level lowers
and the further progress of the steamers becomes impossible. They must
anchor at a convenient place and wait until the river rises again. In
lower Acre, where water is more plentiful, such interruptions are less
frequent, but in upper Acre they are the rule. The farther the river is
ascended the more frequent are these compulsory stoppages, often lasting
eight to fourteen days. High-water in the river often lasts but a few
days, so that the steamers must stop again. Then too, the many windings
of the river make navigation exceedingly difficult. On the upper Acre
travel is by day only, boats laying to at night.
Following the course of the river, 85 kilometers above Hapury, Igarapé
de Bahia is reached, on the Bolivian border and then the little town of
Cobija. It is situated on the right bank and belongs to Bolivia, whereas
on the left bank, Brazilian territory continues. The steamers here are
subject to the Bolivian customs regulations and must pay duty on all
goods destined for Bolivia.
A large number of the steamers that start from Manáos, go only as far as
this or as Hapury, only a few venture to penetrate further and are not
deterred by the great loss of time.
Above Cobija are some of the most productive rubber sections where there
are goods to discharge and rubber to be loaded. A few steamers follow
the Bolivian border up to the terminal station, Tacna. Here, as a small
affluent from the right, the Taverija flows into the Acre, forming at the
same time the boundary between Bolivia and Perú.
Bolivia maintains here a small military post, whereas there is only a
commissioner for Perú. If the steamer has met with favorable conditions,
the trip from Manáos may have been made in a month; ordinarily, however,
it takes two or three months. The return trip is made much faster, some
steamers, that do not stop, make Manáos from upper Acre in fourteen days.
Above Tacna there are but two rubber forest districts or seringaes as
they are termed, the Seringal Auristella on the Peruvian side and the
Seringal St. Francisco on the Brazilian side. The latter is a very
productive and still young rubber forest, farther up the river the fine
rubber trees suddenly cease and their output is no longer remunerative.
[Illustration: RUBBER TREE AT HAPURY.]
The climate, like that of the Amazon country, is humid and hot, with
a rainy and a dry season. The southerly situation, however, causes a
somewhat more marked difference between the two seasons. In April, the
rains become less frequent and then, until October, there are no or but
very few heavy precipitations; some times the fallen leaves on the ground
in the woods are dried out and even the dew is absent. There then occur,
however, especially in the months of June, July and August, steady cold
spells, when the thermometer, in the morning, sinks to 8° C. and often
does not go above 12° C. during the day. These so-called =Friazens= last
several days and are recurrent, but cease in September. Thunder storms
and violent rain storms begin in October, so that in November the rivers
are usually navigable again. In December the first steamships arrive. In
January and February a rainless period is frequent, which is followed, in
March and April again, by a rainy spell. Many steamers undertake, usually
at this time, their second voyage and if they have good fortune they make
three trips to upper Acre.
The copious precipitation, the heat and the fertile soil have produced
in Acre a luxuriant primeval forest, which is higher and more densely
overgrown than that of the lower river courses of the Amazon country.
Trees of 40 to 50 meters in height are not infrequent, they form a forest
of varied composition. There may be found here representatives of the
most diverse plant families; some of which, in the cool season, lose
their foliage. The forest is densely overgrown with plants, shoots and
shrubs. Where a thorny growth, Tapoea and other underbrush gets the upper
hand, a macheté or axe is necessary in forcing a path through the virgin
forest.
Various kinds of trees are used by the natives for building houses,
fashioning canoes and other purposes. For export, however, neither these
useful woods nor many other products of the forest, have attained any
importance. The fruit of the cacao tree and Pará nuts, rot on the ground,
transportation to Manáos being too costly. The caoutchouc products are,
however, present in such abundance and possess such great value, that
their acquisition and transportation recompenses every effort and have
been the cause of the development in these distant primeval forests of a
busy life.
The water in the deeply hollowed bed of the Acre, swells in flood time
and submerges the land on the adjacent shores and some sand banks, but
for the most part does not penetrate into the forest or only for a short
period. The flooded forests of the lower water courses, often miles in
extent, are lacking and the fine rubber trees grown on land free from
inundation, often reaches up into the hills in the hilly or mountainous
district.
[Illustration: JUNCTION OF THE ACRE RIVER WITH THE PURÚS.]
The fine rubber tree belongs to the Hevea brasiliensis, Mull. Arg. or to
their near families. It is higher and more vigorous than the trees in
the inundated districts and has somewhat larger and longer seeds. Trees
of more than 40 meters in height and up to five meters in circumference,
are not rare. Whether the Acre fine rubber tree is a special species
or a variety of Hevea Braziliensis, can be determined only by a very
painstaking investigation. In yield of rubber and quality of product, the
Acre tree surpasses that of the inundated districts.
Of other Hevea varieties Hevea cuneata Hub. the Seringa vermelha, occurs
but rarely, also sapium tapurú, Ule, is found but rarely. Castillôa Ulei,
Warb., the “caucho” of the Peruvians, is quite plentiful and is generally
utilized, its exploitation being regarded sometimes as more profitable
than the fine rubber. Just as in the Amazon country, under the title
“caoutchouc,” the product of castillôa is mainly understood, so, in Acre,
for the yield of the Hevea, the name “fine rubber” is used.
At present, there are on the Acre no unowned, unused lands, but some of
the seringaes in operation are capable of further development. In lower
Acre there are many seringaes that are badly exhausted and furnish but a
small yield. The rubber collectors too, who, as is well-known, cut down
the Castillôa trees, are compelled to go further into upper Acre all the
time to find profitable work.
Acre territory is regarded as the most productive fine rubber section,
especially on its borders; on the little river Hapury and towards the
Taurumano, which belongs to the water-shed of the Madeira, the output is
said to be exceedingly rich. In proportion to their longitudinal extent,
the extent of the woods belonging to Acre, in breadth, is comparatively
small, for in a one or two days’ journey, it is possible to reach the
district of another river. The rubber forest properties are consequently
all measured from the river and include usually, a territory of several
hundred square kilometers, often in fact, equal to small principalities.
Many owners have also several seringaes, often in Bolivia and Brazil
simultaneously.
In such a seringal on the river bank, the dwelling with warehouse
accommodations and sales-place, is erected, known as the Baracâo in
contradistinction to the small Baraken of the work people.
About the Baracâo the forest is usually cleared to afford land for
planting and pasture for the cattle.
The management of the seringal and its entire business, proceeds from the
Baracâo. According to the extent of the seringal, from twenty to several
hundred work people are employed on it. Through the entire forest, paths,
known as =estradas=, are laid out, from which all obstructive brush and
hanging creepers, are cut away with the macheté. These =estradas=, where
possible, are laid out in loops, so that they lead back to the starting
point and are so planned as to include from 100 to 150 fine rubber trees.
[Illustration: SERINGAL WITH THE RUBBER ON THE ALTO ACRE.]
Every seringueiro is allotted two or three =estradas= to work. These
seringueiros live in the interior of the forest in special =baraken=,
either with their families, or usually several together. The different
=baraken= are connected by broader roads that can be traversed by mules.
In May or June, after the =estradas= have previously been put in order,
the gathering of fine rubber commences. The seringueiro proceeds in the
early morning into the forest, taps the trees in the customary manner
with the little axe Maschadi, attaches the tin cups and afterwards
collects the accumulated milk. It is afternoon when he reaches home with
the milk he has collected in a rubber bag or in tin cans, to be smoked.
In a little hut, roofed with palm-straw, the smoking is proceeded with.
Pieces of wood that give a copious smoke are burned and over the fire
is placed a tin cylinder, known as a =Boião=. The seringueiro first
collects, in the middle of a round, strong stick, some coagulated rubber
milk and pours the still fluid milk, which he has in a large tin dish,
over this place, turning the stick so that the smoke can impregnate the
coagulating caoutchouc. He continues this operation until the milk in the
tin pan is all used up.
By this means, a rubber ball is produced which is enlarged in the
succeeding days until it weighs about 50 kilos. The stick is then
withdrawn and the ball, stored with others, until the mule train
comes for it. A mule can carry on each side of him 50 kilos without
over-exerting himself.
If, however, the weight of the ball exceeds sixty kilos, the mules are
overloaded and the seringueiro who made the balls pays a fine. Where the
dwelling place of the seringueiro is near a river and the fine rubber can
be transported by canoe, larger balls, that often weigh more than 100
kilos are made.
This gathering and preparation of the fine rubber differs materially
from that practiced on the lower water courses where the milk is smoked
with much greater care, on the shovel shaped mould and the balls, as a
rule, weigh but 10 to 30 kilos. On the Acre, the seringueiro will gather
in a day 15 to 25 liters of milk, which will yield 7 to 12 kilos of dry
rubber, whereas in the inundated section he will be able to gather but
one-half or one-third as much. Of course the seringueiro can smoke the
milk much more carefully and take certain precautions, as for instance,
that the rubber-milk is never heated. On the Acre on the other hand, the
milk is warmed as a rule, because otherwise the large mass is difficult
to manage. There is no question but that in this manner the quality of
the rubber, which is prepared from the best material and certainly would
yield the best product, suffers. Nevertheless the rubber balls from Acre,
prepared in the primitive manner, furnish a good and much sought for
rubber. The tapping of the trees also is often effected with less care,
small steel axes being used that make wounds that are too deep and as a
result, the seringaes in the Acre are exhausted more quickly than those
in the inundated district.
[Illustration: A HUT ON THE UPPER ACRE IN WHICH RUBBER IS SMOKED.]