. The Cuba review. Cuba -- Periodicals. THE CUBA The Euphorbia in Cuba—a cactus which grows freely in all parts of the island. The sap from this plant, it has been found, forms a good substitute for rubber. (See article below.) Rubber Substitutes From Cacti. ..A report from U. S. Consul-General William H. Michael, at Calcutta, India, states that an Indian officer was shown a ball of raw substance by a forest of- ficer of one of the native states of India which resembled in appearance gutta- percha or rubber in its raw state. The forest officer said it was from the com- mon cactus, whi
. The Cuba review. Cuba -- Periodicals. THE CUBA The Euphorbia in Cuba—a cactus which grows freely in all parts of the island. The sap from this plant, it has been found, forms a good substitute for rubber. (See article below.) Rubber Substitutes From Cacti. ..A report from U. S. Consul-General William H. Michael, at Calcutta, India, states that an Indian officer was shown a ball of raw substance by a forest of- ficer of one of the native states of India which resembled in appearance gutta- percha or rubber in its raw state. The forest officer said it was from the com- mon cactus, which grows wild in India, known as the Euphorbia.* Acting upon suggestions, about two pounds of the sap from the cactus was procured. It had to be softened in hot water and was then churned. The effect was the same as with milk. The latex was brought to the consistency of putty, which was tough and nonsoluble in water. The putty mass was then kneaded together with sulphur—six parts of the latex to one of chloride of sulphur — and the kneaded mass was allowed to stand 24 hours. The mass was then subjected to heat at 350° F. under pressure in a vulcanizer containing hydrated lime for lYi hours. The experiment demonstrated that as a rubber compound, both in appearance and adhesiveness, it was equal to rubber compounds on the market which are sold at 65 cents per small tin, while *The cactus or plant from which this sap was taken for the experiments is very common in India and is equally common in Cuba. See illustration of plant used as a hedge, for which it is particularly well adapted. the cactus compound could be sold for 8 annas, or 16 cents. The officer says that owing to the cheapness of the com- position it would be most effective as a primary coating for any woodwork ex- posed to dampness. The experiments also demonstrated the fact that coagulation may be secured by mixing the latex with ordinary lime juice. This would be a cheap and easy way of experimenting with the
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