Hamburg and Antwerp also practice sales by auction and on delivery. However, in this latter the method of underwriting is that most in vogue and which among all the processes is the one that consults most the interest of the seller. This is carried out in the following manner: A broker advertises a certain quantity of rubber for sale, the particulars of which he supplies (name of seller, weight, quality, estimated price, etc.), about twenty days beforehand. On the day appointed, he receives the offers of purchase closed and sealed; these are then opened in a public place and the prices are inscribed on a schedule divided into columns, each one headed with the name of the house offering. Once this operation has finished, the rubber falls to the highest bidder. The seller has, however, the right to withdraw the goods in case the price that results does not satisfy him. The Antwerp market adopted this system with the view to competing against cognate markets. As the reducing of the expenses on the product, which corresponded to frs. 2.60 per 100 Kilos, the same being frs. 4.93 and frs. 7.30 in Hamburg and Liverpool respectively, did not suffice, it endeavored to attract the seller by offering the most advantageous prices, and it seems that it has succeeded in its desideratum. Havre followed its example and it is greatly to be desired that all the rubber markets adopt the same system, not only for the reasons set forth, but also because it is a safe precaution against the manipulations of speculators. Brazil has always maintained its predominating position in the world’s market for rubber, not only as the greatest producer, but also as the producer of the best quality. In 1827, the first year about which statistical data exist, Brazil exported 31 tons of rubber; in 1837, 289 tons, or say an increase of 932 per cent; in 1847, 624 tons, or 216 per cent more; in 1857, 1,800 tons, which corresponds to an increase of 290 per cent; in 1867, 5,826 tons, or 322 per cent more; 1877, 9,215 tons, thus augmenting by 158 per cent; in 1887, 13,290 tons, or 144 per cent increase; in 1897, 21,256 tons, representing about 160 per cent more; and, finally, in 1907, 36,490 tons, or approximately an increase of 172 per cent. Within the last decade, that is to say, from 1902 to 1911 (vide statistical statements =in fine=), the exportation rose gradually to 28,631 tons in 1902 and to 39,026 tons in 1909, the maximum ever reached so far, to descend immediately to 38,546 tons in 1910 and 36,547 tons in 1911.