= NS SS LAN \ FAS SASK \ Sa nn sant panacaNaeRE iene net iar a eae aia as Shouse onion his end baiebahes ented beiedieitehh abba b bh abt shhh bbh hd REE ORR EN ER RSET BI en prea ee neem eceenmnee ae : ‘Step after step the ladder is ascended.’—George Herbert, Jacula Prudenium, “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man.”—WASHINGTON, ‘ (ESTABLISHER 7281.) A MONTHLY REGORD OF INFORMATION FOR PLANTERS OF TEA, CACAO, COFFEE, PALMS, RUBBER, CINCHONA, SUGAR, RAMIE, COTTON, TOBACCO, SPICES, CAMPHOR, RICE, THE TROPICS: AND OTHER PRODUCTS SUITED FOR CULTIVATION IN Circulating in India, Ceylon, Burma, Straits, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Northern Australia, Queensland, Fiji, Mauritius, Natal, West Indies, South and Central America, California, Southern States, and throughout Great Britain. \ EDITED «BY JI. FERGUSON, of the “ CEYLON OBSERVER, ” “CEYLON HANDBOOK AND Drirecrory,” ce. “Tt is both the duty and interest of every owner and cultivator of the soil to study the best means of rendering that soil subservient to his own and the general wants of the community 3 and he, who introduces, beneficially, a new and useful Seed, Plant or Shrub into his district, is @ blessing and an honour to his country.”—Sir J. SINcnarR. VOL, XIX. (Containing Numbers I. to XII.: July, 1899, to June, 1900] CEYLON: A. M. & J. FERGUSON, COLOMBO. a LONDON : JonN Happon & Co,; Krcan Paut, Trencu, Treusner & Co, Lrp.; Luzac & Co., &c. Mapras: HIGGINBoTHAM & Co. CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & Co, Bompay : THAcKER & Co., Ltp. AUSTRALIAN CoLontns: Gorpon & Gorcn. West INpIES AND CenrraL AMERICA: C. H. CaLDERON, ST. THOMAS. STRAITS SETTLEMENTS AND EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO: JoHN Livite & Co., SINGAPORE Honekone anp Yoxonama: Kutity & Co. Java: Mussrs. JoHN Pryce & Co, Batavia: G. Konrr & Co. 1900, » AADUA ALONDAO HARE T Ai “aos of Naom as HOUR STOTISIEAD CADE OFF DOT a AG Coe Oe et yee ae! Wotve ven U9! AOL gaa rN eORT Baro aA _ SPICE SET Wee ver niva Bea aeibat as: ol wgilssiauA mado osntod pitenyue eyed sip into) cuits Ara onalenapet saan a desing) pit dive veel toad «an a Aivss pie Niles ate SHADE EE TRUER. iMeatear ort yy Gtita = ae) Gade: 1) Oe : , 4 iY : a Soho = ee, ee BSEr RO ; fa 4 aes: FEO e Speer ee an Hegre BaP Abe Csd aes ran os nea At Oe , mee o 7 i ‘ A ay F Cie, 7 me Pet 4 syegn| jo ieessint Ome saith ail ye vo a J oe ‘goyha se Ttebiga, We etait s jaws Ex Ud" riereabedie. Se a i, ea Se i een aay! Gap” Nasi niger jeune rose in tear “fianad: Heagarhcete: | Om, hae : SELIG oe hie Reni Ey a a Lie ang ot fit wittewni Sy OOS aah ed Gees ocala sheep aad =a a pepe! hemimerin arcane ONC 0.400 Oe ORS stom MA 3 ms Ae eas ink om i. By Dt hs eset Aer eneee! Ostues ANTE: paar ye eee wh Bay ANT 3! Ben im TO OUR READERS. In closing the Nineteenth Volume of the “Tropical Agriculturist,” we would as usual direct attention to the large amount of useful information afforded and to the great variety of topics treated in the several numbers. From month to month, we have endeavoured to embody in these pages the latest results of practical experience and scientific teaching in all that concerns tropical agriculture ; and our ambition has been to make this periodical not only indispensable to the planter, but of service to business men and capitalists, never forgetting that agriculture trenches upon every department of human knowledge, besides being the basis of personal and communal wealth. While directing our attention chiefly to the products prominently mentioned on our title-page, we have always taken care to notice minor industries likely to fit in with sub-tropical conditions ; and our readers have an ample guarantee in the index pages before them, that, in the future, no pains will be spared to bring together all available information both from the West and Hast, the same being examined in the light of the teachings of common sense as well as of prolonged tropical experience in this, the leading Crown and Planting Colony of the British Empire. Special attention has, during the past year, been given to the introduction and extension of an industry in rubber-yielding trees (more especially in the planting of Para and Castilloa trees), and much literature on the subject will be found throughout our ‘ages ; also on cacao in Central America and the West Indies as well as in Ceylon; coffee nd allied products in Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hast Java, Nyassaland, British Central Africa; Liberian coffee in Sumatra, Java, the Straits Settlements; and to other new developments in coconuts and tobacco planting, &e., in the Malayan Peninsula Sumatra and North Borneo, as well as in this Island. A The Tea-planting Industry has sprung into so much importance in India (South as well as North) and Ceylon, as also in Java, that a considerable amount of space is naturally given to this great staple ; and we think it will be admitted by impartial judges that the Tropical Agriculiwrist should he filed, for the convenience of planters, in every Tea Factory in this Island, in India and in Java. g A full and accurate Index affords the means of ready reference to every subject reated in this, the Nineteenth volume, which we now place in our subscribers’ hands, in the ull confidence that it will be received with an amount of approval, at least equal to that which has been so kindly extended to its predecessors, To show how fully other Products besides Tea are treated in this volume, we may mention the number of entries under several headings as _follows:—Coffee (including Liberian) 42; Cacao 24 ; Indiarubber 55 ; Coconuts and other Palms 18; and Miscellaneous Products nearly 1,000. In the 19 Volumes, the references to Rubber, Cacao and Coffee number many thousands, as also to Coconuts and other Palms, We are convinced that no more suitable or useful addition can be made to a Planting Company’s Library or gift to a tropical planter or agriculturist, whether he be about to enter on his career, or with many years of experience behind him, than the nineteen volumes of our periodical which we have now made available. They are full of information bearing on every department and relating to nearly every product within the scope of sub-tropical industries. In conclusion, we have to tender our thanks to readers and contributors, and our wish that all friends may continue to write instructively and to read with approval ; foi’ then, indeed, must the ‘‘ Tropical Agriculturist ” continue to do well. J. FERGUSON. ConomBo, Cexnon ; 5rH Juny, 1900 ree Le dstaibed a ee . bhi eR os asi tinor ys laaigo orb adi onitioy Preoenea rc | mh gt ay hig ‘boli cee (RO OA VEL PORT lotereay to. secrete ayia orn Ad, oii ay aet Bee stays 08 siafeort ica | zaens gated leintgn ate ct betdiite ; entig 0 aalieees toad] aglt. 9 baer ioe oon a ten th (nf Aas a nat teaenes Melt Ye nd seth al ; ff, ot fale Maan al lsat tian 1pn VERN Ts AS pYiee ry LCI SE oe sa Na Seatee ae bbe ptt bod? aerigs ingens tah es Ayia ty pasts LUE, aes irae eon Mey Absiul fT netlat an fea » ‘ tee outa Cane a edyjomy ala Sf, 7 figs Bolsa 396 6139585 ;t Hier neni: Salicn of Baste nade: reed jaar tasqg 28a gocuils ea worodn } POLO Sie hs mai y- SE ris ‘ ; Ben tie cutis eo ery Sooke ii ye 1 it Ava Fd: Ge, teed Oth uss abrioc( fh (tha fc ge pete eked wel et ) rho fesavire tyes Inter mr Li eat hee. uke Ss ( Mekeyit. 1 i ideal? z PADS, 3 i gov Danses abtefia cpbel ovvinota Fike ie sro GL aap vron-gn. fonder, adios ‘Umocinii ea ae . Tsporeite te dines ia cece fay iaeat su AP ee: bait es i 4 ; oy at re s (ae et ei _ | koa her # ei o Vobizad stopboad midis Gilet Won wouk nith bares: ye op i seciins is Sadsnit eimional ) Ge 7 idarwahal, ; $2 cage eh Procite F Oya 1d ORE ring 7 PAO) Gd OAL en ike ae AS ELS vretgs <= agit ESP ete hee : IL IN Te... ; A. PAGE. Aberia Caffra bos 148 Abyssiniau Banana ] Musa. Ensete ae 616 Aerated Waters and Tea be 127 “A armer’s Every-day Life” 682, 770, 775, 847 Africa, British Central 322, 334, 403, 406, 495 -, Coffee in a ee Coflee] ———-, French, India Rubber in e 110 , Kola in “ [See Kola] Tea Cultivation in {See Tea] Age of Domestic Animals, To tell the 645 Aora Ouvah Estates Co., Lad. 554. ‘T. a Co. of Ceylon, Ld. 808 Agriculture in Austratia.. 279,. 392 See, Chilian 9a 451 ae in Miadrasinesra vik 58 ae in Mexico ba 449 --, University Extension in... 778 Agricultural Chemist for Behar 852 ______ —— Congress at the Paris Exhi- tion ae 122 «6 _____— .— Courtship ” (Poetry) ts 767 _— —--—— Departinent for West Indies 575, 777 =oa 7 = Education... 69, 142, 289, 365,.761 _. -— ~—— ---— in Greater Britain 736, 761, 801 _—-— —— ——--—— in Frauce ne ae ane Publications a, 602 pee School, Colombo 288, 573.713 i —-——— Science 245, 367, 640, 663, 599. 718, 769, 869 ____— Society, Trividad < 478 Avri-Horticultural Show, Colombo 140, 176, 187 a ee =: —---, Galle ye 200 Alliance Tea Company, Ld. ie 831 Alves i 86, 430 Amazonia Rub’ser and Trading Co., Tid. 625 America, Cazao in | See Cacao] .. [See Tea] , Ceylon Tea i in. : [See Coffee] pags ” Coffee i in - ——, Indian Tea in ... . [See Tea] Am-terdam Market 132, 606, 630, 672 Annamalai Hills — 202 Andaman Islands, Planting in ‘ice 747 PAGE. Anglo-Ceylon and General Estates Co,, Ld. 190, 206 Animal Kingdom, Census of ne 763 Animals, Infective Diseases of te 143 Anti- Tannic Tea Infuser Synd,, Ld. Sa 120 Ants, Destruction of 448. [See Botanie Anuradhapura Botanic Gardens Gardens, Ceylon] Annatto Crops and Enemies . 106 ——-—— Dye of Commerce 65, 139, 291 —— —., Prices of , 126 —, Seeds F 132 Apiculture [See Bee Culture] Arecanuts a ... 183, 132 Asbestos in Ceylon v 212, 338 Associated Tea Estates of ‘Ceylon, Ld. 307 Augusta Tea Estates Co., Ld. ste 815 Australia, Tea in «- [See Teal ——-—, Tropical Culture i in 279, 392 , Western, Planting in 625 inet Pein Produce for Delagoa Bay 844 B. Bacteria and Tea a 240 Badulla Planters’ Association 608 Balata Market ae 38 Balmoral (Ceylon) Estates Co., La. 812 Bamboo in Blossom 200 Banana Food for Invalids. 590 Bananas ... [See ‘Plantains] ———., Oranges and Cottee, Planting of 588 Bandarapola Ceylon Co.. Ld, 810 Battalgalla Estate Co., Ld. 811 [See Tea Cultiva- tion in Russia] 125, 213, 742, 864 re 74 Batoum, Tea Cultivation near Bees and Bee-Culture ——, Stings from, eed for Beet Culture 707 Beetroot Sugar 749 Bennett, Mr. W.S. 769 Betel-Nut in the Philippines is 331 Bible Plants of Ceylon .. aco 866 INDEX. PAGE. Birds, Collection of ; 204 ——-, Indian, Trade of ... 476 Blankets, Cleaning of 662 Bogawantalawa as a Tea District 60: 39 — District Tea Co., 159 Bombay Tea Association Ld. 671 Bones, Reducing of 581 Boracic Acid as a Food Preservative 720 Bordeaux Mixture 590, 745 [See Coffee] 47, 205, 258 544, i, 781 ‘Sup. Borneo, Coffee in ——, North Botanic Gardens Ceylon ..- Botanical Discoveries... 680 ——-——. Research in Ceylon 523 Botanists, American Bey i 458 Botany and Indian Forest Department 695 ———, Indian, Huisterys of 649, 731, 797 Brazil, ” Planting i in «.. 322, 631 ‘Britain of the South” ... 53 British and Bennington’s Tea Trading Asso- ciation, (Ld.) 458 —— ‘Association 678 , New Guinea ae 676 Brokers’ Contracts Notes, Tax on ae 757 Burma Ruby Mines 30 332 Burnside Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. $14 Buttermilk, Kit 662 Buttons made of Milk 799 C. Cabbage Banana a 54 Cacao, Analyses of Samples of AG 467 , Cultivation fee 472, 484, 546 ——, —-——_— in Ecuador 56 493 ——,, ——_—_—_-— in Samoa ono CML. BT ——, Diseases of 234, 287, 314, 478, 484, 548 ——, Draft Allowance on es 316 c==— Exports 06 805 498 ———, in America naa Be 458 , in London a 471 , in the Philippines 346 , in Mexico 106 ——— in West Indies 387, 547 —-—-— Machinery for .. ee 611 ——, Market for 567, 675, 694, 742, 835, 836 ———., Prices of ie 484 —-— ’ Prospects 484 —-— Soils, Analysis of ». 173, 176 —, in the West Indies Bee 335 Supply and Consumption 771 Caledonian (Ceylon) Tea Estate Co, Ltd. 463 Camphor, as a Remedy for Chicken Lice 677 Monopoly in Formosa 506 168 —— Plants Ads 134 Tree in California ne 744 ‘* Gaucho” Rubber ot Peru 206 Canella Bark Caoutchouc or India- rubber Cape Colony, Planting in 707 Cardamoms 128, 162, Sele 404, 430, 498 Carolina Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld, 405 Carruthers, Mr. J. B. 200 Castlereagh Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ibals one 591 Castilloa Hlastica [See India-rubber] Casuarinas 102, 530 Cattle, Diseases of 441 — — for North Ceylon .. 119 ———, To Tell the Age of Ai 576 Sa ” Notes A vs 748, 787 Ceara Rubber [See India-rubber.] Cedars of Lebanon if 756 Central Tea Co. of Cey lon, Ld, ow 410, 427 PAGE. Ceylon, Aloe Fibrein ... Bs 86 ——— Anaconda 622 Association in London 10) —w— and Indian Currency [Sec Currency.) ——— —— Planters’ Association, Ld. 419 —---— Bank Business in 678 Botanic Gardens [See Botanic Gardens. ] ———.,, Botanical Research in eae 623 Botany, Notes on 621, 689 , Cacao Cultivation in [See Cacao. J —— Chamber of Mines 243 -——— Cinn»mon in ; —— Coconut Cultivation in ——, Coffee Cultivation in [See Cinnamon. } [See Coconut. | [See Coffee.] , Ebony in 266 —_—, Exports and Distribution 63, 137, 211, 285 359, 433, 507, 571, 596, 537, 71, 785, 859 "Sup. [See Fibre.] ——_,, Fibre in — Fishing Club 394 — Forest Department 244 ——, Game Protection Society [See Game Pro- tection } —— Iiills Tea Estate Co. Ld. : 675 ———, Import Tea Duty (See Tea Duty] ———., Indiarnbber Cultivation in [ See India- rubber] —— Investment Association, Ld. 197 —-— in the “ London Times” ¢ 130 ——, [rrigation in 466 sees: “Tand and Produce Co., La. ———,, Minerals and Mining in ——— Planters’ Association 275, ———,, Plumbage Trade in 422, 426, 428 243, 403, 823 320, 527, ‘Sup. 115 — — Produce in London 528 —— Proprietary Tea Estate Co, Ld. 31,834 ——— Provincial Estates Co, Li, 702 Season Reports ... ads 65 ——,, Sport in 806, 816 Tea Plantations Co, Ld. 831 —— and Coconut Estates Co, Ld. 702 ——— , Trade of ws 498, 525 —_—., , Undeveloped Resources of 846 Cheese, Cream 647 Chemical Industry, Ger man 758 Chicken Lice, Camphor as a Remedy for . 677 China at the Paris Exhibition 502 Christy Agencies 5 766 Cinechena, Alkaloidal Conteats of 374, 536 ————- Bark =5 523 —-—_—— Report for 1899 os 679 - Cultivation in Ceylon ° 21 - ——-——— in India 132, 537 —-—- —— in Java 21, 630 —-—— in South American Forests 686 ———-— Market 106, 117, 123, 124, 162, 261, 311, 317, 404, 498 - Planters 124, 342 —-———— Prospects 3 195, 595 ———-— Seed from Java 844 Cinnamon as a Cure for Influenza 334 -- as an Antiseptic ae ——--—— Bark, Ash of ... ——--—— Exports [See Ceylon Expor ts, :] ———-- Oil --—, Sales 104, 309, 469, i , Wild 403, 484 Gironelin: Oil Market ‘98, 123, Taz; 162 261, 309, Silat 404, 427, 532, 536, 550, 563 Claremcent Estate Co., La. . 618 Clove Cultivation at Zanzibar i ba 17) —-— Plantation, Story ot a 450 Clunes Estates Co., of Ceylon, Ld. 250 Clyde Tea Estate Co., Ld. 673 Coal, Indian ae i. 552 s INDEX. | PaGE. Coal in Sikkim : 546 Coca Leaves nee 162 Coccidae of Ceylon j 348 Cocos-Keeling Islands .. 677, 688 Cochin Market 700, 857 Cocoa 528 —-- Bean and a Judicious Blend 555 —--— Butter ... 123, 535 ———— Dealer in America cic 536 —--— , Outlook for 38. —-—- Market, London 503, 547, 603, 604 Coconuts .. : 498 a and Native Dealers 739 ——-.—— ys. Copra ; 6 840 - in the Philippines 346 Coconut, Analyses of .. 407, 418 ———— Cultivation, Scientific 761, 764, 779 eo ee ey in British Borneo.. 844 ———-— in Ceylon 45, 194, 239, 468, 563, 596, 635, 639, 701, 781, 782, 837, 840 ee -———— in Philippines 230, 269 —_ ——_ --_--- —— in Straits Settlement 27, 45, 356, 748 ————, Desiccated 640 ———— Industry 4 460 468 ———— Manuring 00 veo 44S TTA. =———--- Oil s 96 ——--—- —- , Ceylon 856 ————— Palm, An Account of the 789 — Products, Distribution of 531 Cotfee.... bee 60, 202, 498, 527 ———, Adulteration of ... 262, 409, 428 ——— and Ladybird Beetles [See Lady birds] ——— Association —_——, Bananas and Oranges, Planting of 338 ————, Brazil 130, 136, 530 ” Cultivation in Australia 372, 502, 503, "537, : 612, 615, 655 ee in Brazil 104, 704, 743 a --- in Ceylon .. 119, 443 waa in India 164, 181, 198, 251 a Sone Senin OPA} (Opa _——_ _—.--—_—— in Nyassaland 470 ee in St. Helena 538 = _-_—_— jn the Phillipines .. 95 ——— ———-— — in the Straits 139, 126, 356, 598 : Curing i z 316 —_——, Enemies of 55, 235, 448 _——— Exports from Southern India Sup. ——— Hulling Wes noe Uy EE ——, Hybrid a 268661 ———, ; Improv ement of . ... 337, 853 ——— in America 20, 133, 591 ——— in Mexico | 106, 121 —-—-— jn the United State 345 _—, Liberian [ee Liberian Coffee] ———' Market : a6 754 - ———, Mocha aah MOL IaOD Notes 37 —_——, Peaberries and Male Plants of 73, 579, 620 ———’ Production : 281 : Prospects 165, 742, 778 ———., Public Sales of 100 _—— Stealing in India, Prevention of 312 od Trees, Coorg, Freeda from Leaf-disease 126 ——— -——, Leases of . 525 od Trade, World’s ... 230 _——— Scale and Ladybirds [See Ladybin: ae] ———, Sentimental Rises in ———, Shade is = a -., Coir Fibre 309, 404 -—— Ropes 404. —— Yarn «. 9309, 404, 532, 550, 563 _ Colombo Commercial Company, Tdi: 763 Gaia pary Dividends, Ceylon en 740 PAGE. Congo Botanical Gardens cectimeees 279 Consolidated Estate Co., Ld. . 339, 39k Coolgardie Exhibition Feb 25): Coolies [See Labout Suppry] Cooling Drinks Coonoor, Plantingin ... Ws 302 Cooper, Cooper and Johrson, Ld. wwe 741,745 Coorg Planters’ Association bs 128 —--—, Coffee in ; 614 Copra "96, 97, 550 —--—, Analysis of : 441 ——-- in Tonga Islands.. 254 Costa Rica, V Fesetable products i in 625 Cotton Cultivation 652 ——— in B. C., Africa 200 ——— inthe Far East . 625 Cows, Hints on 294 Craighead Tea Co., Ld. °° 834 Culture, Adv anced 851 Cupressus Macrocarpa 87 Curreuty Problem 701, 750, 769 Customs, and Warehouses ion 318 --——— British : 280 BD. Dairy Farm, Ceylon Government sve 755 Delgolla Estate Co., Ld. an 756 Digalla Ceylon Tea Estate Co., Ld ; 459 Dillenia Indica 148 Dimbula Valley (Ceylon) Tea Co., Ld. .. 159 Dock Charges in London a 759 Doomoo Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. a 328 Drayton Estate Co., Ld. ele 808 Drier, Steams, Mr, Sutton’s Safety 842 Driest Spot on Earth... 823 Duckwari Ceylon Tea Plantations Co., ‘Ld. 322 Durban Botanic Gardens 302 Durian Plants ae ais 133 Dysentery, Cure for 597, 745 Ki. Eastern Produce and Estates Co., Ld. oo 833 Ebony, Ceylon 266 Ederapolla Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. a Eggs, Preservation of 292, 444, 577, ae Hila Tea Co. of Ceylon, Lad. oe 255 Elephant Hunting in India 818 ——— -— in Ceylon 687 ——---— Inquest in London 705 ee , Gestation of the 300 Elphinstone, Sir Graeme H. D, 509 —--—-——.,, Sir James D. 509 Engines, Oil 5 805 Estate Co. of Uva, Ld. .. ae 703 Estates, Sales of rae 317, 707, 708, 835 Eucalyptus oe 2° 152 ———--— Cordata .. ee 604 ——-——— Globulus .. 6 155 -— in Britain ... 15 ——-—-—— Leaves 836 516 -—, Uses of the.. 536 Exchange Question 66 [See Currency Problem] one ee ¥F’, Farmers and Roads cc ii 564 Vertilizers eo [See Manures] Fibre; Aloe 08 [See Aloes] INDEX, PAGE. Mibre Coir 309) —--— Industry 30 420 —--—, Jadoo | See Jadoo] —-.—, Machinery 30 [See Rhea | -——--, Nettle awe 38 700 2 F ee i —--— Plants, American 155, 481 —--—, Rhea 50 [See Rhea) Fibres... Son 67 140, 217, 366 , Chemical Examination of see Dik ALE —---—, Classification of... 44, 792, 866 Ficus, A new Species of... na 630 Ficuses, Kubber-yielding ve 758 Fiji .. a ae S44 —--, Coconuts in ae bee G04 Fishing Club, Ceylon... 394, 610, 622 Flies, Destruction of as Bosl apeh 444 Florida Velvet-Bean 37, 103, 141 229, 303, 656 Florists and Watering Bs 581 Forestry, Science and Business eal 601 Forest Conservancy in India &. 695, 805 ——— Department, Ceylon 244 Fowls in Fruit Cultivation 568 Fraser, Late Mr. John 690 Frazer, James _— 61 i Fruit Crops in California 564 —-— ——-- in Queensland ier 746 ——- Cultivation in the Roadside of Europe 479 —.- Trade, Jamaica ... san 546 —-- Trees, Manuring of 722, 754, 157 ——-—, Russian ane 76% Fruits an aA 363 —v-— in Ceylon a ae 81 ——— in Europe 08d a3 425 _ _.— Suitable for the Low-country and for Moderate Elevations in Ceylon 81 ———, West Indian sonnel 188 Fungicides aie \ no3 18h 843 Fungus Diseases on Forest Trees in India 54] qx. Galala Tea Estate Co., Ld. 813 Galkandewaite Tea Co., Ld. 256 Game Protection in Ceylon _ ae 687 __---- and the Park Country in Ceylon 160 —--— jn Ceylon yi & 816 __.-— Laws of Ceylon 848 Gangawatte Estates Co., Ld. ve 744 Gardeners’ Magazine... 50 356 Gardening, Indian a0 ee 499 Garlic, Juice of, as a Cement ae 74 General Tea and Investment Co,, Ld... 40 ee Ceylon Tea Estates Co., Ld- 836 Geological Survey ‘les US Geologists, Colonial Governinent B42 Geranium Oil p00 98 Germicides 90 a0 545 Glasgow Estate Co., Ld. 66 bod Gold Prospecting Syndicate 201 —— Coast, Plantingin ... 378 Goomera Tea Estates Co., Ld. 413 Grape Cultivation in Ceylon oe 683 —— Jamaica 759 __——----—_— Uruguay co 688 Graphite 06 [See Plumbago} Great Western Tea Co. of Ceylon 50 _ 95 Green Bug Ban [See Tea, Enemies] Green, Mr. E. E. BAA 90 348 Groundnuts J 000 .. 161, 471 Guinea Grass, Analysis of ve 574 Guttapercha ae [See Indiarubbers] Guiana, British os Ree tee 748 PAGE. Guano in Seychelles : 759 Gum, Spruce, in Ramie... oy 426 —-—, Tree 35 749 , H. Hakegala Bo!anic Gardens 482 Hapugahbalanda ‘ea Co, Ld. 250 Hawkesbury River, Trip on the 464 Hemp Industry, Philippine 226 --, Manila sn 557 Hides, Trade in bess 580 High Forests Estates Co,, Li, a 610 Highland Tea Company of Ceylon, Ld. ... 810 Horekelly Estate Co., Ld. 618 Hornsey Vea Estates Co., Ld. 54 390 Hovses, Hints on 640, 716, 791, 863 Horticulture a 5 86] Household Hints Ae PE 62 Hybridisation sn 24% Ie Imperial Cevlon Tea Estates, Ld. India, and the Tea Campaign —-—, Currency and Ceylon $30, 841, 851 = 102 [See Currency] —-—, Fungus Diseases on Forest Trees in 541 -—-—, Irrigation in ri se 466 ——- Mineral Production in ate 826 —-—, Museum, Caleutta BS: 780 —-—, Patents sb See Patents] —-—, Rise of the Portuguese in {30 —-—, Southern, Planting in —-—, Tea Association Tobacco in Indian Azaleas ——-— and Ceylon Associations oF 182 Tndiarubber 22, 24, 111, 157, 238, 243, 499, 550 ——-——-—, All About... 212, 247, 322, 330, 418 P 425 [See Tea Assoen., Indian] 5 [Sce Tobacco] =e 532 - ——»« ——— and the Government 301 ———-—, Artificial and Natural bs 309 ———--—— -— Uastilloa 22, 48, 134, 162, 853 ————-— “ Caucho” of Peru 206, 448 eae Coagalation and Separation... 42 —-—— ‘‘Corn” 404 ee (Cillian 5. 106, 390, 660 — in America 130, 332, 426, 557 -— ———-——-inCeylon __ 52, 91, 94, 404 ——-— in India 583, 546, 817, 857 -— ————— in the Straits ... 748, 761 eee ues —— in Trinidad 42, 108 ——— -—— Discovered in Cuba 5 204 ——__— -— Exports _ 356 -—, Extraction of 633 - — (Gutta-Percha) Plant : Sah ———-—— (Hancornia) of St. Paul, Brazil 616 -———_—-—, Harvesting, New Method of 567 ———-—— Industry ... 500 740 -— in Bolivia 665, 828 -— in Borneo x 499 ——-—--—— in Brazil ... 823, 851 --~ in British Central Africa ... 406 sos abo ame New Guinea _... - 40 i - North Borneo... 833 ta in Burmah ... an - $20 cae ao in Congo ... sts 40 w——— -—— in French Africa eee 110, 122 ——-1—s-- jn Mexico ... «« 168, 822 ——— —— in Nicaragua a _ 837 —~--1-— In Queensland ve 849, 618 Indiarubber in the Basin of the Amazon -—— in Togoland ———-——- Machinery ... ———-—— Mangabeira ——~— -—— (Mexico) Ld. -————-—,, New Guinea --——-——, Para 22, 704, 748, 761, . Preparation of = SS VERE OT ——_——-—, Nale of, from the Charduar Plantation i in Assam ——— -——,, Scarcity of ... -— Sleeping Dresses —, Substitutes for 338, 358, -——-—— "Supply ale ———-—— Trade ———-—— Treatment w vith Alum ——_—-——- Trees 108, ee Assam, for the Soudan a ein Madagascar ——-——-—_- Troubles inS, America -— West African Root ———-—-— Yielding Trees in the French Soudan Indigo... iin 377, 530, in India 48 Infectious Diseases of Animals fa Insecticides ass 231, 241, Insect Pests 259, nternational Scientific Bureau ye Trrigation in Ceylon and India Ivory 0 J. Jadoo... é 430, Jamaica, Agriculture i in. ate Jarrah-Wood Paving in London Java, Coffee in ih -—-— Planter in Ceylon, A ——, Tea Land in Job’s Tears 83 Jungle Crow, Ceylon ———— K. Kalutara Company, Ld. Kanan Devan Planters’ Association ————— -— Hills Co., Ld. Kanapediwatte Tea Company, Ld. Kandapola Tea Company. Kandyan Hills Co., Ld. . Kashgar . Kelani Valley Planters’ Association —— --——-_—_ Tea Association, Ld. Kerosene for San Jose Seale Kew, Royal Gardens _... Kintyre Tea Estates Co., Ld. ono Kirklees Estate Co., ld. “Kiul ” Lands Sle ‘Klanang Produce Co., Ld. Knavesmire es Co., Ld. do Koebele, Mr. 56 Kola Nuts 132, Korale Tea Estates, ids, oe iL. Labour Problem -——-- Supply from the Indian Famine ‘ Districts .. oo INDEX. PAGE. 237 133 134, 319 452 612 597 828, 837 34, 319 537, 564 530. 537 553, 565 297, 375 356, 526 "515, 574 330, 331 609 124 123 566 202 674 696 591 809 551 632, 762 390 397 144, 162 356 PAGE. Labour Supply in Ceylon 482, 497, 601 ss in India .. .- «37, 693 Ladybirds ap -» 105, 558 Lamont, Mr, W. B. se ae 75 Lanka Plantations Co., Ld. E 409 Lemon Grass Oil 98, 132, 162 Lewis, Mr. R. E. aa 223 Liberian-Arabian Hybrid Coffee fale 552 ————— Coffee Curing .. -»,- 717,820 er Estates, Sales of Ags 465 Lime and Malaria ore ae 647 ——- asa Germicide 90 ae 85] ——- Chloride of Bio sol 356 Lindula Tea Co., Ld... Hie 833 Lipton, Ld. -- 38,611 Live Stock and their Improv ement Ai 56 —— -------, Watering of . We 795 Loris, Cey ‘lon ot ee 686 Louse-proof Roost 50 ore 652 Lupins.. 56 éG 630 M. Mace ‘ -- 485, 519 Machines, Bubber- Preparing bf 126 Mackenzie, Sir A. Ae, 26 Madagascar, Indiarubber Tree i in a 124 — —-, Visitors from Bi 529 Madras College of Agriculture 573 , Land Records and Agriculture i in 58 Maha Wea Estate Co., Ld. ie 610 Malabar, Plantingin ... ae 389 Malaria, Lime as a Preventative of big 647 , Major Ronald Ross on 50 Malay States, Federated, Progress in the 129 Mango... as 850 Budding an -- 98, 598 Mangosteens ae 50 222 Manure, Liquid are 597 , Stable, Preservation of +. 816, 589 Monies and Manuring 121, 176, 198, 383, 564, 628 745 , Barnyard fe le 664 ———., Green the As 334 Manuring, Artificial die os 841 -, Contradictory Views about ... 111. ———-——- Experiments .. oe 581 ~—_-——- Fruit Trees in Holstein He 163 — - in Victoria .. 566 - — Tea [Se Tea] Maret Grass 852 Market Rates, Colombo . [See Price Current] - Rates for Old and New Products 64, 138, 212, 286, 360, 424, 508, 572, 712, 786, 860 ——- Repor ‘ts 63, 211, 285, 358, 433, 506, 570, 636, 710, 784, 785, 858 Maturata and Hewaheta P, A. a 593 Mauritius oe 502 Mazawattee Tea Company, Ld. oo 558, 762 Be Ge, Cacao in 56 co 106, 483 , Coffee in °° 106, 121, 483 + ; Indiarubber in .. oo 483 ———.-, Planting in 46 eo 483 -, Sisal Grass in ... née 651 -, Sagar in eso ae 483 Mica da ae 598 —- Industry i in India .., .. 203, pe7 Midland (Ceylon) Tea Plantation Co., Ld. Milk, Adulteration of .., 130 ——.-, Analysis of Gog 364, 647, 796 ——- and Milking Ne re 869 ——-, Pasteurising of ... a 443 Milking Record, A rey vey 122 INDEX. PAGE. . Mining in Ceylon gr 823 ee in India 896 - in Straits Settlements 836 -Morawak Korale Tea Pests “Minor Products Reports 18, 26, 98, 106, 117, 123, 132, 162, 261, 311, 317. 404, 497, 602, 615, 633, 695, 782 196, 199, 208 .Morib Coconut Estates ein Ld. ie Mosquitoes 344 [Le and Malaria... 7 73 Moth EKssence ii 632 ’ Mother of Pearl res 111 Mycologist for Ceylon... 597 Mysore North, Planters’ Association 388 .. Mushrooms a 293 N. Nahavilla Estates Co. Ld. 7 744 Natal, Plants in able 762 Neboda Tea Co., Ld. ae 618 Nepaul, Sport in 836 Nepenthes Distillatoria .. 398 Nettle Fibre in Germany 590 - New Darvel Bay (Borneo) Tobacco Plan- tations, : oe 746 —— Dimbula Co., Ld, ... 040, 851 —— Guinea tu = Lee Nilgiris -~ rea pues Game and Fish in 459, 494 SS Planters’ Association 768 ——— Railway AS ae Nitrogen, we 793 ; NeLbons (Assam) Tea Co., Ld. as 310 -North Borneo Trading Co., Ld, 494 Nutinegs o09 aoe 519 Nuwara Eliya Tea Estates Co,, Ld. Ano mrA S pee Nyassaland Coffee Co., Ld. a 258 oO. 98 mon ae ae onale [See Citronella Oil] —- ” Engines Ke 115, 156, 127 , Geranium shee 68 pe 5 Chinese Wood 680 —- of Lemon Grass [See Lemon Grass” Oi] —-, Palm, Lagos & —-, Stowage of po © Oils, Mesentie’ re d ofS thern: India . Trade of Sou! 5 [See Essential on » Onion 7.8) hir ‘e Scripture % aN ‘Opium-eating i in Eng] and 330 _-_—— Trade of Bengal .. 121 Orange. Blossom, Legend. of the pas Tree, Age 7 Dupe’ Soo fa rane The Oldest 554 po f renee Bananas and Coffee, Planting of aT 588 Orcbid Collection of Mrs. Wilson 378 Orchids in Flower a 45 :, Ottery Tea Company of Geylon, Lad. 345 ‘Ouvah Coffee Co., Ld. ..- oe 19 Oyster Culture; Australian ob 624 “ P. Paddy ia Burma Be 546 Pallepatha Grant Association a 310 Palmerston Tea Co., Ld.,.. 1 624 PAGE: Palms, Roots and Leaves of 227 Panawal Tea Co., Ld 771 Panicum Colonum 71 Papaw ... : 869 Papermaking for Ceylon 762, 780 [See India Rubber] 326, 331, 365, 403, 437, 465, 5U2 , Agricultural Congress at the 122 762 623 198, £49, 251, 470 Para Rubber Paris Exhibition Paroquets Passara Planters’ Association Passion Fruit Patents... 99 Peach Freckle, Bordeaux Mixture for 590 Peanut Oil e 854 Peanuts ... 161 Pear! Banks, Inspection of the 30 - Divers, Corean £3 ios 568 ——- Fisheries of the Dutch East Indies 282, 619 Penrhos Estates Co. of Ceylon, Ld. , 165 Pepper, Black sss 134 Peradeniya Botanic Gardens [See Botanic Gardens] Perak, Planting in " 255 Sugar Cultivation Co., Ld. 805 Peru, Proer ess in ; 564 —-, Planting i in m9 des 499 Petroleum Industry A 612, 625 Philippine Islands oa 638 --, Labour end Transport i in 261 -, Planting in 763, 828 Phosphates, Mineral 677 Pigs, Ceylon 807 Pineapple Canning Eas 841 -—_——.-, Manuring of ... 73 Pineapples - 130, 364 Pine Hill Estates Co., ae 197 Pioneers of the ee E Ae eras in Ceylon: —- Sir Greme H. D. Elphinstone 509 Sir James D. trae 509 W. B. Lamont ; 73 R. E. Lewis ae 228 Arthur Sinelair, F.1, S., F.R.C.1. x 723 Pitakanda Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. 808 Plantain Pest 201 Plantains . ©. 794, 862 Oa Queensland ... 611 Planters, Advice to m1 604 ———— and Auxiliary Produets “ie 568 Plant Doctors 828 Planting and oun ao al Pests 196 ———— Notes 605 —_——— Review 497 Plants, Cause of Decay i in, and Remedies 734 , Cultivated 867 —~—, ’ Diseases of 190, 237, 734 A brOus .. 440, 556 ———, Nonleguminous, “Origin of the | Nitrogen of . - 436 ——., Origin and Formation.of Organic j Matter in a 145, 216, 362 ———, Seedless, Cultivation of & 131 ———, Tropical, Manuring of 383 ———, Worly, ‘Bleeding of 532 Plumbago ol AAS AAD: 168, — 760 Plough Problem a 222 Poetry :—" Agricultural Courtship ” o 767 Poonagalla Valley Ceylon Co., Ld, i (814 Portmore Tea Co, of Ceylon, Ld. Se 743 Portuguese in India Rise of the ae 130 Potato Disease oon 505 745 - Plant cas ocr 106 -, Manuring of one 745 Poultry. Rearing eas. 2 645 __—-—- Disease bye 403 Precious Metals, Production OL tte leg, 754 \ INDEX! PAGE, Price Current, Colombo 63, 137, 211, 285, 359. 433, 507, 571, 637,711, 859 Produce and Planting Notes 20, 33, 39, 59, 100, 109, 133, 162, 240, 261, 274, 280, 308, 315, 322, 390, 396, 408, 424, 427, 457, 462, 470, 481, 502, 526, 558 Products, Minor [See Minor Produets Report] ————, New and Old, in Zanzibar de 445 Prospecting in Ceylon... ae 823 Pradhomme, M. ge 847 Panéaluoya Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. oe 811 Q. Quivine Auctions, Batavia sr 606 -—, English 2, es 620 ———, Java fh. is 164 -———— Market 117, 123, 317, 536 ———— Report for 1899 00 679 ———, Sulphateof... Se 529 ———— Salts, Varieties of eos 696 Hy Rabies .. ¥s 643 Ragalla Tea Estates, Trade gory oly SoD. Rajakadaluwa, Planting in ae 169 Railway Sleepers 535 Raintall in Ceylon 61, 67, 135, 140, 209, 214, 283, 357, 362, 431, 436, 505, 569, 574, 716, 787, 863, 869 — — in England 6 eC 611 Returns 62, 136, 210, 284, 308, 432, 504, 568, 635, 708, 709, 782, 783, 857 Ramie [See Khea] ——— Fibre Spinning Syndicate, dees 778 Rangalla Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. eR 833 Rats, Destruction of : ‘i $47 Rattan Industry é wa 791 Ratwatta Cocoa Co., Tas Bas 233 Rayigam Co., Ld, He ees 673 Rhea ; Se 71, 106, 379 Rhea Fibre in Algeria... xe 297 -—- SNe 550 06g 88 Rhodesia .. acs 374 Rice Bran as Food for Stock ae 647 ——-- Crop, India ke if 618, —— Cultivation in America o7 746 —_——. in Ceylon if 000 in India ame 676 —. — in Queensland pes 531 -——, Manuring of a0 BD 383 ——, Price of Bay ae 532, ——- Trade of Ceylon 599, 600 Riches, Plato on 658 Rinderpest (Cattle Plague) 147, 218, 438, 583, 795, —— Inoculation .. soon 085, 122 Roads in Ceylon EN Sane 6ll Robins in Ceylon sae vee 692 Roeberry Tea Co., Ld. 600 702 Roost, Louse-proof i ae 652, Rope Yarn un 309, 404, 563 Rose Culture 664 , Monstrous, in the Peradeniya Gardens 278 Ruanwella ‘lea Co., Ld. 609, Rubber .. [See India. rubber] — Estates of Para Ld. ie 550, 774, Ruby, A valuable abe 356 ——-- Mines, Burma... 36 332 Ruskin, Mr., Lea Shop of oi 594 Ss. Sacalina Plant a 356 Salt as a Plague Preyentive O08 32 # PAGE. Satinwood ae ons 118 ——inCeylon... 112 Sebimmel & Co., of Leipsic and New York 405 Seottish Ceylon "Tea Co., Ld. 31 —-—-— Trust and Loan Co, of eovious Lid. 391 Science and Tea are 195 Scientist, An American, cn Tour 310 -—, American, Departure of 334 -, A French ne 557 —-, German 458 Seaweed as Manure Bey 789 Seedless Plants Ye 66 S65 Seed Distribution in America ak 598 Selangor Planters’ Association na 347 Sericulture in India ars 844 Sewage, Utilisation of eat 535 Seychelles +. 393, 678 Shade Trees is ape 758 Shareholders and Agents 851 Share List 62, 136, 210, 284, 358, 432, 506, 570, 636, 710, 784, S58 Shevaroy Planters’ Association 2 409 Sheep of the World an _ 565 Siberian Forests G0 of 598 Silver, Gold and Prices ... 161 Sinelair, Arthur, F.L.S , F.R.C.1. ice Sisal Grass 6 70, 854 —_-— in Mexico .. 551 Sloth, Ceyloa cor 686 Smithett, Mr., Wm. ; 815 Snakes for the Paris Exhibition ors 403 Snake-bite, Strange Recovery from : 201 Poison 46 844 Snipe in Cey'on 806 Socotra’s People and Plants 130 Soil Cultivation 145, 559 —— Exhaustion ays 563 ——., Pulverising of 516 ——-, Soluble Mineral Matters i in 641, 719 Soils, Fertility of ee 88 South Mysore Planters’ Association 97 —-— Travancore Tea Co., Ld. 340 —-—- Wanarajah Tea Estates, Lid 813 Spices. 427 Spider, Red, Hatfield Cure for 526 Sport in Southern India... 800, 850 Spring Valley Coffee Co., ‘Ld, 471 Stains, To Remove 662 Standard Tea Co. of Ceylon, Ld. 832 St. Helena, Planting in’... 538 St. Helier’s Tea Co., Ld. ... 257. Straits Settlements, Planting in 672, 735, 746, 763, 7166 - Tin Ltd. 310 Sear : 565 —-—- ard Science 828 —-—-, Beetroot ows 749 —.—. Cane Crop in Bengal 540 -—-- Crops of the World Be 546 —-—- Cultivation 473, 528, 568, 803, 603 —-—- from the Aloe Bie , 680 —-—- in Ceylon : 398, 561, 608 —-—- Industry in India .. 51 —-—- in Australia 804 — -—- in Hawaii 825 —-—- in Jamaica 622 eee in Java eae) —-—- in Mauritius 59) -—-—- in Queensland 624, 679 -+3—- in Straits Settlements * g05 —-—- in Tirhut 524 Sunflower in Russia 594 Sweet Potato 3. , 662,°777 0 INDEX. T, PAGE. Tagasaste : ra 221 Talagaswela Tea Company Ld. & 617 Talawakele Estates Co., Ld. 3 809 Tanning Bark ae 344 Tea ! a 248, 497, 501 — A Treatise on sal ke 10 —~—, Adulterasion of 11], 262, 427 ——, Advertising of a we 109, 167 —~' and Aerated Waters 127 —— and Colonisation .. 602 — and Exchange {See Currency Problem} —— and Other Products eh 38750820 —— and Paper 558 —— and Produce Committee se 95 —— and Science a 195 —— andthe Revenue ... Ff 558 ——, Annual Reviews of .. Sup. Role Sle tmlete tebe (a we eweevwvwv w& Vl Association, Indian 20, 96, 247, 311, 336, 419, 457, 463, 481, 540, 556, 597 Averages for 1899 ... [See Sup. } Blight [See Tea, Enemies of } Boxes Aco 282, 616 Brokers hk uy 680 Bulking of ac ... 602, 746, --—-—— in China ... F 459 --in India... ae 465 Bush Roots Affected Bs 605 Buyers va 540 = American.. 408 eee Association «. 9390, 416 Campaign, Indian.. 16, 102, 120, 121 Ceylon 26, 35, 113, ‘323, 354, a 404, 526, 554 —, Analyses of 845 , Confiscated in London 164 —,, ” Green 483 —_——, ——--, in Canada 391 ——— Infusion of 126 316 , in America 18, 22, 28, 38, ‘4, 46, 99, 102, 121, 308, 529, 560, 669, 692, 758 >in Australia 25, 43, 96, 322, 635 , in Canada ... 31, 33, 124, 418 , in China 33 ——, in Germany 282, 320, 594 , in Russia 48, 100, 104, 426 , in Zanzibar 391 ———,, on the Continent of Europe pees 669 ——, on Virgin Soil 52, 56, 125 ——., Prospects of Abe 773 — —, Shipments of 392 , Reportson... . 622, Sup. , Weighing of, in London ... 256 Chests’ [See Tea Boxes] , China 33, 246, 315, 356, 388, 406, 526, 684, 804 —--—, Green i 250, —, or Poison? « 160 - _—, Prospects of ... 135, 250 ,- om Competition in a8 134 Companies’ Accounts ; 120 ____——— and Dividends . 96, 612 —, Ceylon . 31, 776 ae , Indian 274, 281, 261 —, London Charges of .. 324, 341 Corporation, Limited, of Ceylon 472, 479, 499 Crops, Ceylon 475, 697, 698, 699, 704, 846 Crop, Darjiling ‘i 330 Cultivation 40, 305, 470, 482, 543, 550 SS in Andaman Islands ... 747 Cultivation in British Central Africa 59 -— in Ceylon 126, 478, 504, 697, 843 a in China 781 —-————__ in England, Attempts at 153 ——_—-——. in Mexico 393 _-—_———. in Russia 105, 432, 532, 680 — ——-—— in South Carolina 262 —-——-— in St. Helena, Vou 538 PAGE, Tea Cultivation in Nilgiri 161, 164 —— ——-— inthe United States 246, 315, 386, 408 ——, Dirt in 132 Diseases {See Tea, Enemies of] Drinking as 38, 308 -—————. in America 459 - in Russia bas 188 — »~—— paid , Enemies of Draft Question .. 99, 99, 100, 109, 116, 182, 257, 268, 278, 345, 430 598, 542, 844 315, 343, 393, 595 "606, 708, 740, 742, 757, 759, 762, 766 126, 178, 192, 857 595 2u8, Bike 297, Drying 09 Duty : a 1201, —-—, British 34, 275, 277, —-— in America ... 105, 187, 190, 198, 196, 199, 935, 241, 248, 259, 262, 27), 375, 498, 549, 773, $24, S50 Estate, A Day’s Work on 474 Exports, Ceylon 534, 8d7 1 China 684 ; Indian 417 Factories and Fire Insurance 598 “ Fluff” for Dyeing Purposes 124 Foreien Markets for 133, 212 Fieights ig 25 Geography of me 469, 535 Gifts with 39 Green $28 Growers’ Association 429, 670 Imports 528 —_——.. into Canada for Nine Years 36 in America 20, 57, 133, 345, 481, 482. 594, 6GU6 in Assam 563 in Australia 294, 348 in Bond 696 in British Central Africa 200 in East Africa as 2), ae in Euopean Turkey 115 in France At 100, 409 in Germany 20 196 in Japan 406, 852 in Java 704, 820 in Natal 60 in Russia se 425, 462, 481, 546 in the Philippines ... ; 762 in Western Asia... 115 Indian 19, 26, 35, 44, 113, 124, 270, 323, 354, 562, 820 ———, and Ceylon, Pistribution of 36 —— —, for Persia, Arabia, Tur Key and Egypt 11 ———, in Russia ... [See Tea in Russia] ———, Report for 1899 ..826, Sup. Industry ; Lee 39 —_———., British .. 417, 421 ————, Ceylon 345, 350, 656 ——— —, Indian : 346 , Jyree 315 , Keeping aetiee of 746 Land in Java : 591 , Allowances on 167 ” Machinery 127, 242, 281, 410 , Malacca, a Sample “Packet of 205 , Manufacture ..17, 27, 34, 37, 40, 44, 49, 103, 1li, 120, 163, 167, 203 , Fuel for [See Supplement] —— in Colombo, New Process of 89 —-———~—-—— in the Caucasus 40 , Manurial Plants for 303 ” Manuring of 40, 497, 550, 598, 601, 691, 708, 749, 751- 4, 756 240, 396, 414, 470, 471 , Ceylon... 40, 545 rr) PAGE. Tea Market, China ae oo» 264, 306 —— —--—— selndiany yj... see _ 59 ——, Mate ae -. 100 269 ——, Natal > ee 162, 247 —— on Loolecondera Estate one 750 —— on Sale or Return .... 35 —— Pests [See Tea, Enemies of] —— Plucking see .. 48,102 —— Planters 26, 470, 548 —_ — inthe Phillipines meow 25o. ——, Prices of ond 21, 457, 497 ——, Prize Te aes 760 ——, Properties of 53H ret - 820 —— Prospects cae 166, 196, 700 —— in India... BZ 284 ——, Pruning of ago 200 751 —., Public Sales for ... «. 619, 671 — Packet d0G 280 — Report, Geo. White & Co,’s ee Sup. — -- , Gow Wilson & Stanton’s .. Sup. —- , Wilson, Smitheit & Co,’s .. Sup. — Retailing Dodgess .. 322 — Profits of | ae 315 — Retailers, Sorrows of the ane 133 —, Rubbishy - ... 109, 126 —— Sales in Colombo... 494, 653, 768 ——~-—-—- in) london. .., O66 495 — -——, Travancore. 278, 314, 424, 557, 770 —, Sandy ie 105 — Scientific Officers for Messy OOS —— Seed Oil 2 oe 776 — Season, Indian Ae 761, 778, 807 ——, Shade in ie O06 389 -——— Shares te 19 —— — , Ceylon and Indian wee 501 —— Standard for penton A as 680 —- Taring Se * 461 —— Trade’ ae 99, 117, 279, 399, 461 — —--, China ae 96, 210, 269, 309 —— —-- inJapan .. dao 280 ——— > aie dG w. 317, 396 —— —-—--, Russian... ». 453, 458 ee Section of the Mincing Lane War Fund iS 558 —— Traders’ Asscciation, Ceylon ee 608 ——, Travancore ae veer O80 ——, To Supplant ie Bp 125 —— Twaddle w 424, 748 —— Warehouse Charges i in London 311, 315, 318, 399, 428, 675, 694, 838 ——, Weighing of eo G25 209K 6 Thirty Committee” Proceedings Be 530 Ticks, Remedy for ae w. «74, 148 Timbers, Ceylon, Testing of G00 1 Timber, Felling oH ait 294 -, Hardwood oi a 73 --——— in Victoria Poe a 458 ———-- Seasoning by Electricity Bue 4 —-———- — Tea Chests Co., Ltd. aa 43 ——---— Trees Km l 22525 Togaland, Agricultural Products of ins 164 Lobacco, Re 109 ———-—- Adulieration of — ae 262 - Cultivation... Si 228 ——_— — —— --~— in Borneo eae 746 ————-— in Ireland ils 625 —:———— in Queensland _.,. 502 Juice in France ane 451 Tomato Disease in New South Wales... 537 ———-, Grafting ed 148 Tomatoe Cultivation and Tomatoes 626, 721, ae 8 Tonacombe Estate Co. of Ceylon, Ld .. 687 Trade of Ceylon sco we 493, 525 —---, Thibetan 600 502 Transcaucasia, Developments i ix wis 502 INDEX. PAGE. Transvaal, Farming in. a 612 Travaneore, Planting i ine tee Lola30l —, Sportin —.. ~. 800, 850 se Tea Estate Gos “Ld. a 671 Tree Planting ee Lo OT. Trees, Fumigation offset... i 452 -——, Roy: al , 680 Front Culture up the Thames Sef 746 ——.-- Fisheries Bee Pre 685 —--— in Ceylon 53 311, 537, 610, 615 ——-- in Kashmir aN Se 757 Tropical Agriculturist .... ws0,2 6435, 820 Tulip Tree [See Thespesia populnea} Tyspane Tea Co., Ld. > 812 w. Udabage Oo., Lad. He 673 Uvanda Ciover and Mr, Alex. White... S2e Ukuwela Estates Co., Ld. 33, 132, 328 Union Estates Co. of Ceylon, Ld. te 7038 United Coffee Growers’ Company , 427 —-—— Planters’ Association of Southern India 2 252 —- - ot the Fede- rated Malay States - 60, 313 Upper Maskeliya Estates Co., Ld. ae 608 Uy keliie Tea Co,, Ld. ws 704 Vv. Vanilla... ». 105, 117, 124, 162, 381 ——-— Bean viele uve 301 —-—— Crops arr 503 - Cultivation in Tahiti Ri 156 -- Duty in I’rance te 535 Velvet Beans (Sce Florida Velvet Beans] —-—— --—— as Human Food as 141 Vellikellie Tea Co. of C eyien Pa 809 Veterinary Notes .. 67, 69, 292, 361, 435 Vogan Tea Co., La, See 502 W. Wauarajah Tea Co., Ld. noc 249 Warts on Animals is oes 682 Watering and Florists... ee 581 Watt; Dr. Geo. CLE... 204, 460, 762 Wattle Cultivation ods shes 659 Webster, Mr. R. V. Ba a 693 West Indies, Cocoain .. ah 547 Se , Planting in ee 736, 768 —-— ———, Sungarin ... ae 768 Westralian Exhibition... me 43 Weeds, Destruction of ... ... 652, 654 Wettest Place on Earth ... eee 851 Wheat, Maccaroni ews ae 870 Whip Tree a aye 72 White, Late Mr. A. C. ... ane 822 Wilcox, Dr. Edwin Mead es 310 Wood, Heating Co EEE of we 106 —---—, Pulp sae 384 Wynaad, Estate Sale in... G00 825 ——— — Planters’ Association 425 ——— _, Planting in 389, 502, 634, 821, 852 ——-— Tea Co., Waders see 398, 412 Y. Yams, Cultivation of ... ae 788 Yataderia Tea Co. of CO eylon, Ld neo 566 Yatiyantota Ceylon Tea Co., Ld. ano 812 Z. Zambesi ose 767 Zanzibar, Food Products in See 856 aot "New and Old Products in wv. 445, 517 ——-—, Plantingin «4, ve 119 eS = ae SS INDEX, “LITERARY REGISTER” SUPPLEMENT, (See after the “ Tropical Agriculturist” Volume.) PAGE. PAGE Geological Survey for Ceylon an 21 The ‘Time’s” Encyclopedia Britannica in ~ Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon Branch ... 29 Ceylon and India ... ee 32 Buddhist Relics aS tna 31 ew All Planters of New Products or Pioneers in new jiands should to order this periodical as their best instructor.__Every Tea Factory, Coffee alton Store ought to have a file of the TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, which contains avast amount of information about Tea, and a Record of the Tea and other Produce Sales, ‘The Portraits and Biographies of several OLD COLONISTS AND PLANTIN PIONEERS are likely to appear in the next Volume. Las ORDER FOR THE ‘TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST-’ Sirs, Please forward the above publication from the beginning of Vol. XX, 1st July, 1900. Please send also (lettered a8 fOi iw... sececccececriiieeiceccens Estate) Vols. |, Wl, UN, IV, V, VI, WH, VIM, EX, XX, XI, XU, XT, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIN, SP XIX, for 1881-2, 1882 3; 1883-4, 1884-5, 1885-6, 1886-7, 1887-8, 1888-9, 1889-90, 1890-91, 1891-2, 1892-3, 1893-4, 1894-5, 1895-6, 1896-7, 1897-8, 1898-9, <> 1899-1900. | I am, Sirs, Yours faithfully, To Mesars. A. M. & J. FERGUSON, “ CEYLON OBSERVER’ OFFICE, COLOMBO, CEYLON, SUBSCRIBERS TO THE 4 “TROPICAL * ACRICULTURIST” *# as reminded that with the June Number, already received by them, and the Index and Title-page now issued, the NINETEENTH VOLUME (1899-1900) is closed... = SUBSCRIPTIONS are due payable in advance for 1900-1901. at the following rates :— Yearly £1 6s. ~ Half- yearly 15s. eee r ~ For Ceylon’ Yearly. Bs Rig and India 4 Half-yearly .... R7 For Europe, &e, , N B.—Subscribers to the Ceylon Observer or Overland Ceylon Observer R4 (6s.) LESS per annum. Single copies, Rl; back copies, R14. __Per Bound Volume, R18 ; or £1 6s. Ez Those who have not settled for past subscriptions are requested to do so by return of Post, and to send Cheque, Post Office Order, or Bank Draft in fayour of A. M. & J, Ferauson, Colombo, Covers tor binding the Nineteenth Volume, July 1899 to June 1900 (870 pages) can be obtained for R1*50. “Cost of binding and cover R2-50. - WHAT IS THOUGHT OF THE “TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST.”’ A gentleman resident in the Central Province, who has as good opportunities of knowing what is of benefit to Planters as anyone we know, sent us the following explicit testimony to the value of the OB Si elo™ = “Since its commencement, I have regularly seen and perused the Tropical Agricullwist. There can be but one opinion that its seope and object are highly important, and that it supplies a distinct desideratum, which it is to theinterest of every estate proprietor, to have available in the bungalow for the use of his locum tenens, or superintendent. As a magaziue it provides varied and instructive fresh literature at intervals; deprived, as most in Ceylon are, of easy access to libraries ; and as years go by it will growingly become ‘The Ceylon Encyclopedia’ with reference to agricultural operations, Viewing estate property as practically a permanent investment to any proprietor, the trifling charge of R12 per annnm—a rupee a morth—is certainly of no’ account, provided the separate numbers are kept, and bound together yearly as a book of reference for the benefit of the manager and his successors. In that light, as the property of an estate to be handed over just as much as its office furniture, few proprietors would probably refuse to suthorise its being taken and filed regularly (if the periodical was brought under their notice), more especially as on looking over the most recent volume one cannot fail.to see how much valuable information on ‘Tea’ has been. collated. In the belief that ‘Tea’ has’ restored prosperity to Ceylon, and that plantation property is a good investment for capitalists, such should not omit the office and connected equipment so advisable on all ‘ pucka ’ estates, a part of which should be the Zvropical Agriculturist. I find Ihave gone on writing, but, as Iam getting the numbers for the past year ready to be bound, the volume is before me, - ; : Tue VaLuE or THE 754A.” to CryLon Estatse Owners.—A planting correspondent wrote some time ago:—‘‘ I think proprietors ‘should supply every tea estate with the 7.4. The information in it with regard to everything in connection with tea &c. is invaluable: it would pay its value over and over again. Owners of estates should not leave it to,hard-up superintendents to take it in.” A Correspondent“ writes :—‘‘ I venture to say the volumes of the Tropical Agriculturist will be at a premium a few years hence: it is a book which is bound to risé in value as time rolls on, and subscribers will probably, if they so chéose, be ‘able tosell at a handsome profit, besides having had the benefit of using the information in the meantime.” a From a Proprietor :—*‘I wonder how many planters know what they lose in not subscribing to your wonderful publication ?, The cost is:absolutely nothng, compared to the convenience of having ina bound book all that is interesting’ and necessary in the literature of their calling. Information culled from a thousand sources, price lists of all produce sold locally, and. home advertisements not seen elsewhere and a hundred other things necessary for them to see and to know.’ The 7.4. is, in fact, a convenient file of useful information daily arising and permanently preserved.” Sir W. ,T. Thistleton Dyer, ¥.R.s., F.L.8., C.M.G., of Kew Gardens:—‘Sir Joseph Hooker and myself always look out for the successive numbers ot the 7.A. with eagerness, and I keep a file in my office for reference. wit is impossible to speak too highly of the utility of such a publication and of the way it is managed. : Sin George King, late of the Calcutta Government Museum:—“‘I know your Tropical Agriculturist well, having carefully secured every number:since the beginning, You have succeeded in making it a wonderfully useful magazine of information for planters.” Surgeon-Major Bidie, F.u.s., of the Government Central Museum, Madras:—I find the Tropical Agricultwrist a most interesting and useful publication. It finde a place on the table of our Public Library jad is much prized,” L oginlta Vol. XVIIL COLOMBO, «| MONTHLY. Pe Xk JOIN sre) 899, No. 1. TESTING CEYLON TIMBERS. EYLON timber logs have frequently been tested both practically and _ scientific- ally. Mr. Henry Byrne, when chief assistant to Major Skinner, we remem- ber, published a_ series of tables with tests of a great variety of local tim- = ber trees in logs, scant- lings, &c. But we suppose the most elaborate series of scientific tests is that which reaches us in the “Imperial Institute Journal” for May, being a report on the results of mechanical tests applied to a series of logs of timber received from the Ceylon Government (by Professor W. C. Unwin, F.R.S., Referee to the Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute. We read:—‘‘The whole of the samples (22 innumber) werein a dry and well-seasoned condition, but some of them had serious drying cracks or shakes. No. 8 sample (Mandora), and No. 20(Halmilla) have a good elastic range. No. 13 is an exceptionally light timber and—as would be expected—of rela- tively low strength. On the other hand, No. 22 (Nedun) is a very heavy timber of relatively great strength. No. 16(Chomunti) is rather heavier than No. 22, butits strength is not so great. No. 14 (Walukina) is a rather light timber of good strength. The following tabu- lar statements give :—(1) The heaviness of the timbers ; (2) Their resistance to shearing along the fibres; (3) The crushing strength ; (4) The transverse strength ; (5) The deflections obser- ved in the bending tests; and (6) The co-effi- cient of elasticity from the bending tests.” We give the tables below :— REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF MECHANICAL TESTS APPLIED TO A SERIES OF LOGS OF TIMBER RECEIVED FROM THE CEYLON GOVERNMENT. (By Professor W. C. UNWIN, F.R'S., Referee to the Scientific and Technical Department of the Imperial Institute.) TaBLE 1,—HEAVINKESS, Weight of No. of Timber in Speci- Name @ : Locality. pounds per men. 4 cubic foot. l(c) Sapu .. Ceylon 41°75 | mean : do ar do 41°07_f 41°41 2(c) Panah Ka do 55°06 2 do ue 54 66 } e256 3(c) Gurukina do 63:02 on do do 62:23 f 0262 4(c) Vuinauku do 40°58 : do do 40°24 } 40°41 5 (ec) Satinwood do 64°66 eae Jo do 63-98 ¢ 6432 6(c) Milla do 60°81 do do 61-03 } WEES ei Hauthai do 48°87 8 Mandora do 59°70 9 Ubberiya do 56°71 10 Jawenna do 46°11 11 Dawata do 47°33 12 Margosa toe do 47°32 13 Lununidella,.. do 20°39 14 Walukina do 32°41 15 Ranai do 63°31 16 Chomunti do 75°46 17 Suriya do 50°33 18 Jak do 43°37 19 Del do 48°09 20 Halmilla do 49°93 21 Suriya Mara... do 57°01 22 Nedun 500 do 70°79 TaBLE II.—RESISTANCE TO SHEARING ALONG THE FIBRES, Shearing Stress. No. of Name, Area Pounds Tons, Speci- Loca- shared. per sq. per sq. men. lity.. Sq:ins in. in. 1 (f) Sapu ..« Ceylon 4°010 753 0°3359 2 (f) Panah Ka re) tl) 960 745 = 13325 3 (f) Gurukina ww. do 3:999 948 0°4231 4 (f) Vuinauku «. do 3:960 486 0:2170 5 (g) Satinwood do 3°999 1,903 0°8496 6 (g) Milla ... do 49100 1,147 0°5116 6 (f) do do 4:240 880 0°3936 6 (hk) do .. do 4:000 984 0°4392 7 Hauthai('?) ... do 4120 1,013°4 0°452 8 Mandora (?) .... do 3:984 620°4 0°277 19 Ubberiya (?) ... do 4°041 1,066°6 0°476 10 Jawenna(*) .... do 4°036 1,083°7 0°484 11 Dawata (*) do 3°880 1,075 0°480 12 Margosa (4) ... do 3°835 =1,326:0 0°592 13 Lunumidella (*) do 3°901 478 0°213 14 Walukina (?).... do 4°096 336°9 0°150 15 Ranai (*) we dO) 73:82] 925 0°413 16 Chomunti(*)... do 3°940 1,333 0595 17 Suriya (') do 3°862 926 9 0:414 18 Jak (5) do 3°88] 672 0°300 29 Del (7) do 3744 1,236 0°551 20 Halmilla .. do 4:028 830°3 0°371 21 Suriya Mara (7) do 3°880 1,283 0-572 22 Nedun (5) .. do 38°920 1,486 0°663 (4+) Nearly plane fracture. (2) Rather ragged fracture. (8) Irregular fracture small knot. (4) Icregular fracture, (°) Fairly plane fracture. (°) Broke part'y by tension. (7) Very irregular fracture. 2 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [JULY 1, 1899, TABLE I1].—CRUSHING STRENGTH, Area of Crushing No. of Dimensions in inches, crushed Siecas, Specimen. Name. Locality. section, Tons per 1 Section. Height. sq. in. sq. in. 2(c) Sapu a .. Ceylon 3°049 by 3°057 8-130 9-390 1-570 (5) 3 (c) Panah Ka... oe) 6 3:175 by 3159 8-075 10-020 2-768 4(c) Gurukina .. 59 aD 3°061 by 3°034 8-085 9-285 2408 (5) 4 (c) Vuinanku .. co 2°892 by 2874 7-984 8-312 1°93 4 (d) Do oe 90 do 2°891 by 2°892 8°057 8°360 1942 5(e) Do ole so al 2-917 by 2°876 7-967 8°389 1-927 6 (c) Satinwood .. 06 do 3151 by 3166 8008 9-974 3374 7 (c) Milla : 5 HO 2°890 by 2 925 8:007 8453 3118 8 Hauthai (2) .. 06 do 3°100 by 2°672 8-146 8283 2°778 9 Mandora (?) .. Seco 3°194 by 3-068 8°139 9°799 2-619 1 Ubberiya (t) . ee ee do 3'033 by 3°026 8140 9'178 3°433 10 Jawenna (3) .. Ad do 3°043 by 3°034 8152 9232 3454 11 = Dawata (") .. bein aco 2°879 by 2°862 8-034 8-240 2-670 12 = Margosa (1) co 3-086 by 2°497 8-171 7-706 2957 13 Lunumidella (2) aie do 2°872 by 2°850 8-037 8'166 1°358 14 Walukina (*) a5 do 2910 by 2°819 8°026 8-203 2-743 15 = Ranai(?) Re GI 2°863 by 2°888 8°015 8-268 9-605 16 Chomunti (+) ne do 2°913 by 2°867 7974 8°351 2:938 17s Suriya (4)... xo. mado 2:976 by 2833 8°036 8°430 2818 18 Jak (?) ad se do 2°897 by 2°873 7910 8-323 3-400 29 ~‘Del (1) 00 eo 2896 by 2°869 7925 8308 2939 20 Halmilla an neo do 3°012 by 2°996 8146 9-024 3-449 21 Suriya Mara (1) ane do 2:°881 by 2851 8'012 8-214 4°184 22 Nedun (1) 7a do 2.884 by 2°851 7933 8-299 3-919 (4) Gave way be shearing. (4) Split along the grain, () Gave way by shearing and splitting. (5) Knot in specimen, (3) Split before testing. Gave way by shearing. TABLE IV,—TRANSVERSE STRENGTH, Dimensions in Co-efficient of No. of inches. Span pene Teansreree ; ity. reaking strength. Specimen. Name, Locality ae ae g Breadth. Depth. Pounds Tons per Pounds. persq.in. sq. in, l(a) Sapu.. -. Ceylon. 2°925 3°378 49 4,000 7,551 3370 1(6) Do .. oe do 2°924 3°387 42 4,300 8,078 3606 Means 7,815 3-488 h Ka OD do 2°915 3°378 48 5,860 12,690 5-661 2 tB} ae ee ao 2-919 3°383 48 6,140 13,230 5:907* Means 12,960 —-5"784 uki eo do 2°909 3'378 48 4,980 10,800 4°890 3 (B} pee oc do 27920 3°385 48 3,100 6,673 2-979 Means = 8,737 3-900 i 90 do 2°914 3°387 48 4,455 9,596 4284 Ans see 50 do 2°853 3°369 48 4,240 9,432 4:210 ; Means 9,514 4:247 inw SeeeCO 2914 3381 48 5,840 12,630 5635 eB} ee fe do 2916 3°375 48 6,890 14,930 6°665 Means 13,780 6°150 i 00 00 do 2°912 3°376 48 6,780 14,710 6564 B (b) apo 00 00 do 2919 3°363 48 6,790 14,810 6°612 Means 14,760 6°588 i 00 do 2873 3'274 40 4,000 7,193 3°479 d Tea Bp do 2 859 3°287 40 7,060 13,710 6°125 9 Ubberiya 00 do 2°886 3°299 40 5,285 10,090 4°505 10 Jawenna oe do 2868 3°282 40 4,154 8,068 3-G6(2 11 ~~“ Dawata (1) bo) a tlo 2375 - 3275 40 5,560 10,815 — 4°83 12 Margosa 00 do 2-865 3°286 40 5,921 11,480 5°195 13 Lunumidella (1) .. do 2:842 3°266 40 2,890 5,720 2°55 14 Walukina 00 do 2°814 3°259 40 4,490 9,014 4°()24 15 Ranai (*) ae do 2°868 3°273 40 5.410 10,565 4-71 16 Chomunti (+) 00 do 2°861 3°231 40 7,210 14,485 6:46 17 Suriya .. 00 do 2°859 3°262 40 5,913 11,660 5-206 18 Jak (7) «+ 06 do 2°872 3°270 40 3,500 6,839 3°053 19 Del (+) .. nye do 2°871 3°284 40 4,806 9,307 4°155 20 Halmilla (*) 66 do 2°844. 3:090 40 6,995 15,450 6-898 21 Suriya Mara 00 do 2°869 3°238 40 7,322 14,600 6°518 22 Nedun (+) 60 do 2°850 3°059 40 7,130 16,040 7-161 * Broken by shearing and tenison. (1) Broken by tearing on tension side. (2) Split diagonally along the grain, Suny 1, 1899.] TABLE Ne. Deflection, 1 (a) Increment of Total ... 1 (3) Increment of Total ... 2 (a) Increment of Total ... 2 (b) Increment of Total ... 3 (a) Increment of Total... 3 (b) Increment of Total ... 4 (a) Increment of Total ... 4 (6) emenenye: t of Total .. 5 (a) Increment of Total ... 5 (6) Eoerement of Total . 6 (a) Increment of Total ... 6 (d) poceriont of Total . 7 nen of Total .. 8 Increment of Total ... 9 Increment of Total ... 10 Increment of Total ... il Increment of Total ... 12 Increment of Total ... 13 Increment of Total ... 14 Increment of Total .. 15 Jncrement of Total ... 16 Increment of Total .. 17 Increment of Total ... 18 Increment of Total ... 19 Increment of Total ... 20 Tnucrement of Total 21 Increment of Total ... 22 Increment of ; Total .. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 8 DEFECTIONS OBSERVED IN THE BENDING TESTS, Centre Load, Pounds, 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,600 5,500 6,000 6,500 7,000 COCO CO CC Coo Soe Coco ee oe osc oe CoO sco Seo SOO COC OSoD Ul OODULUCOOULUCOCODULUCUCOCOSOCLUOS oo ©o0f eo of OOo OCS Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins. Ins, Ins, Ins, Ins, Ins, 0-078 0:078 0:074 0:072 0°064 0:084 0°028 — _— — os pany fad — 0.078 0'156 0°230 0°302 0°366 0:450 0°'478 — — —_ = = == = =) =) S lor} j=) So ac ioe) i io} a) —— rr — er oo ef 34 0-122 0:010 0-082 0°086 0176 — —m — — = = 0°330 0° 422 0°508 0°684 -- — 2s S oO & na 0 2 0 255 aa S 8 0°086 6:1000:2909 — — 2 0°568 0°668 0958 — — 0:056 0° 24 01 Bee 0° 276 0°2680°332 — — 600 0:724 740 uO Sw ow 1 7 °133 Hi wood Be oo of ° pa am lor) 22 Pa AA a oO me wood ee Pe Be ee oo FFE od BO Oe Ch SO OR ODO GO wood ro or ro ee lorae s} Qw ee Ker) | I } or co lo oh e2¢ ©] SS 9S SS Se Se Co SS ES EE Co BE ee nD oo Pe Br Op for) forgo>) oo oo ok 22 e2 eg S98 o ne ne er) wor se on Wor} oo card a) Ee co oe 4 CO ro Ow BPw ow an oro NNW OW OCW OS oom ro OF aon - oo aoc eo SD AW No 6 oN edo 65 SS SS HEHE SS SS AI ANAT AN SS OGD SF CONMPN NN DMH AN AHR SS KK GS Banpn of OR OGD AS OH SOOM SH OH AN SS SP wo wo woe COD ODOR WN oak NY WK OO oo i) erg eH a FO WoO FO HO i — oo) KS) ee e299 98 2S WS Be >> 99 99 SS SS OF SS SS SSEe9 SCS OF SS C9 Se Fe 2 COW RO =) ie) lal o= [| | | il 1 | lI} out oe AS oF os OG Oot 0-050 0:050 0:050 0:100 0:096 0-052 0096 0:148 0- 0:105 0-080 0:0 0:105 0:185 0:253 0:33 0:075 0:050 0:032 0:067 0:075 0°125 0:157 0°224 0:067 0-033 0:065 0-045 0°05: 0:067 0:100 0°165 0°210 0-266 0:045 0:045 0-060 0-040 0:05 0-045 0:090 0:150 0°190 0°24. 0:042 0-049 0:038 0:039 0:048 0042 0:091 0129 0°168 Q:216 a) HO Be 1d mrp wm Oor on @ om Ob 0° 0: Oo 8 0: 0: 0: 0 0: 0: 0; 0: 0: 0° 0° 0: 0: 0" 0° 2 0° 0 0° 0: 0 0: 0° O° 310; O Cc: 0 0" 0 0 0° 0 Oo 0° 0 0 Oo 0 oO 0: 4 oon wo mp ON DW WS or KO OM eo 08 SO Ne BS oF an ON Oo QW Ne OO ee ce e9 own NO OD 05 15 0 2 Qe Ba La IS Bm ar — i i eS i oo coo ecco Cf Foe i) oo oe 56 ow mw lo ole 2) 8 3 2 6 9 082 2 3 | 1 | | | 1 | | | | 0°061 0-040 0:063 9-072 — 825 0'365 0°428 0:500 — 6 058 0-053 0:049 0-0 or ro 318 0°371 0-420 0-48 0: 0° 0 0° 0° wBs0 6 0:C42 Q: “058 0" 035 0 0- 0° BS A 29522 92° as aS oF an ou we on oo on 4 THE TROPICAL TABLE VI,—CO-EFFICIENT OF ELASTICITY AGRICULTURIST, [JuLy 1, 1899. FROM BENDING TESTS. Co-efficient of Range of Stress. Elastic Elasticity, deflection. No. Name. Locality. Pounds per — per 100 pounds Pounds per Tons per square in. loadininches. squarein. square in. 1 (a) Sapu Ceylon Oto 7,551 0-0146 1,126,000 5023 1 (2) és es do Oto $,078 00145 1,125,000 5020 2 (a) Panah Ka do 0 to 12,690 0°0162 1,519,000 678°1 2 (b) Be bo 00 do 0 to 13,230 0°0171 1,431,000 ” 638-6 3 (a) Gurukina 0 do 0 to 10,800 0:0160 1,542,000 688-2 3 (0) ie i a do Oto 6,673 0:0174 1,403,000 625 9 4 (a) Vuinauku 00 do Oto 9,596 00254 961,600 499 2 4 (b) ae i 00 do Oto 9,432 00262 967,200 431°7 5 (a) Satinwood do 0 to 12,630 0:0173 1,419,000 633 6 5 (b) Sea Hs Oe he ge do 0 to 14,930 0-0144 1,712 000 7643 6 (a) Millan Sc uuemee do 0 to 14,710 0:0155 1,592,000 710°8 6 (6) 3 Wiig mace do U to 14,810 00152 1,639,000 731°4 Hauthai.. 00 do 0 to 3,000 0:0166 955,900 426°7 8 Mandora : do 0 to 6,000 0 0084 1,872,000 835°4 9 Ubberiya.. .. do Oto 4,000 0°0099 1,596,000 7125 10 Jawenna oe do 0 to 3,000 0:0089 ),783,000 796-0 ll Dawata .. 00 do 0 to 3,500 0°0126 1,257,000 561°3 12 Margosa.. ; do 0 to 4,000 0-0142 1,109,000 495-0 13 Lunumidella .. do 0 to 1,500 00218 739,000 330 1 14 Walukina 36 do 0 to 2,500 0-0100 1,646,000 134-7 15 Ranai a do Oto 3,500 0-0155 1,028,000 459+) 16 Chomunti 60 do Oto 5,000 6:0100 1,651,000 737°2 17 Suriya .. ae do 0 to 4,000 0 0159 1,014,000 452°6 18 Jak 00 00 do 0 to 3,000 0 0160 995,600 444-4 19 Del 00 06 do Oto 4,500 00111 1,418,000 632°8 20 Halmilla 60 do 0 to 5,000 0:0109 1,749,000 780-7 21 Suriya Mara .. do 0 to 5,500 0:0095 1,736,000 775-0 22 Nedun .. 60 do 0 to 5,000 00090 2,180,000 972 9 TIMBER SEASONING BY ELEOTRI. the introduction of the solution. This treat- CITY. We extract the following from the Engineer: — During the last few years considerable atten- tion has been given to the invention of new processes for treating timber. The latest aspir- ant to fame is a process and apparatus which claims to give to timber properties which time alone has so far been able to produce. It is a French idea, and has, we are informed, met with considerable success in Paris, where works have been established to treat timber on a large scale. The Nodon-Bretonneau process involves the expulsion of the sap and its replacement by a solid matter, insoluble and aseptic. This is effected by placing the material to be treated in a vat containing a lukewarm solution made up of borax, 10 per cent.; resin 5 per cent; and ‘75 per cent. of carbonate of soda. While in this bath, and electric current of about 100 volts pressure is caused to pass through the timber. The currents sets up what is termed lectro- capillary attraction, au? drives out the p by ment lasts from six to eight hours generally, after which the wood is subjected to a further treatment of a few hours’ duration in a warm bath to allow of thorough permeation of the entire section. It is then removed and dried under cover by air currents, a process which is said to take from fourteen days to a couple of months, according to the density and thickness of the material. The inventors claim that not only is a considerable saving in time and ex- pense in the drying of timber effected by this process, but that certain classes of wood, such as maritime pine, which have not hitherto been readily saleable owing to the large amount of moisture they contain, can by its use be read- ily deprived of the sap. The expenditure of electric current is said to be 600 watts per cubic metre per hour for five hours. The Electric Tim- ber Seasoning Company, Victoria-street, West- minister, is introducing the system into this country, and a model apparatus has been fitted up at the work of Messrs, Johnson and Phil. lips, Charlton Junction, Juty i, 1899.] THE TROPICAL TEA PESTS AND BLIGHTS. (Berne Cuarrer X. oF Dr. Geo. Warts’ LARGE Book.*) As a matter of convenience I have accepted the word “ Pest” to denote Insect and other Animal Enemies, and the word “Blight” to refer to Fungal and other vegetable Parasites of the Tea Plant. While convenient the restrictions indicated for these words are of course open to criticism. In the preceding chapters I have endeavoured to represent certain aspects of the cultivation of the plant that seem to me to call for more careful investi- gation, with a view to reforms. To my mind there exists sufficient presumptive evidence to justify the Opinion that certain misapprehensions and defective methods of procedure have originated constitutional weaknesses that may be said to constantly predispose the plant to actual disease. In other words to render the depredations of its enemies and parasites more alarm- ing than they might be otherwise. I have, therefore, advocated that such reforms as may be found desirable and practicable, should necessarily accompany more specific efforts to battle with the pests and blights. In the foregoing remarks, at one or two places, I have already pointed out that the brief term of my explorations and the facilities of observation and investigation afforded, do not justify any attempt being made to deal with the pests and blights in a strictly scientific manner. It may be remarked that there are perhaps a dozen enemies of serious moment. The others, while occasionally doing considerable injury, are, nevertheless, ofa local and accidental character. To solve the life histories of the dozen serious pests and blights, might take several years’ patient study. To discover means of dealing with them would occupy much time and necessitate detailed and elaborate experiments. Sources or INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. In presenting the observations which I now propose to offer, it may be as well to explain the chief sources of information and assistance which have been drawn upon in the study of the pests and blights of the tea plant :— Ist.—The Journals and Proceedings of the Agri- Horticultural Society of India, more especially from 1865 to 1885—the period of greatest interest by the Society in the subject of Tea Pests. 2nd,—Special publications on the India Tea In- dustry, including the annual Reports of the Indian Tea Association from 1882 to 1896. 3rd.—Newspaper correspondence from 1873 to present date, more especially the letters which ap- peared originally inthe Tea Gazette, but which may now be conveniently consulted in the 7’ a Cyclopedia and the T’ea Planter’s Vade Mecwm. I have only inci- dentally referred to Ceylon newspapers for informa- tion, but the Tropical Agriculturist has been found cf great value in confirming or correcting information regarding India. 4th.— The Indian Museum Notes, more especially Mr. E.C. Covers’ Account (in Vol. ILI.) of the Msects and Mites which attack the Tea Plant in India, dth.—The invaluable aid of Mr. W. LT. Tuisriron Dyer, Director of Kew Gardens, Londoa, and of Mr. Grorcr Massen, Cryptogamic Botanist to the Her- -barium of Kew, for two reports on certain fungal blights collected by me. Through the kindness of the Director Generai, Medical Department, I have been favoured with a proof copy of Dr. D. D. CUNNINGHAM’s forthcoming paper ‘‘On Certain Diseases of Fungal and Algal origin affecting Mconomic Plants in India ;” in that paper three of the diseases of the tea plant haye been dealt with and consequently drawn upon very largely by me. The liberal assistance of Sir Groraz Kine and of Dr. D. Prain of the Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, for helping me with the determination of the plants collected during my tour in Assam, This every now and again has been of valne in connection wiih the * We republish this by request, because Dr, Watts’ pook is out of print.—Ep, 7.4, AGRICULTURIST. 5 present report as, for example, in giving the names of the plants on which certain tea blights were found in the jungles. The very great assistance, most generously af- forded, by Mr. H. H. Grezn, the distinguished Entomo- logist of Ceylon, who has for many years identified himself with the study of the tea pests, and has in consequence discovered and investigated the life histories of a large number of very obscure species. Mr. GREEN has not only examined and reported on a complete series of the insect pests collected by me, but has in return presented a most valuable set of the pests collected by him in Ceylon. As types of the species he has named these have proved invaluable, Similarly Tam much indebted to Dr. A. R. S. AnpEnr- SON, Officiating Superivtendent ofthe Indian Museum, for having examined the doubtful specimens referred by me to the Museum for determination, and to Mr. Epwarp Baruow, the Assistant in charge of the Entomological Collections of the Indian Museum, for having very kindly worked with me during the time which Ispent in comparing my specimens with the Museum sets. 6th.—But a debt of gratitude is more especially due to the large circle of planters whom it was my good fortune to meet during my tours, and from whom I obtained much valuable assistance. Added to all these sources of information I may mention the files of correspondence of the office of Reporter on Econo- mic Products which have been freely drawn upon, and lastly, the results of my own personal explorations, ’ The account to be given below, therefore of each species of pest or blight will be made, as far as possible, to embrace the entire available information, Stress will be laid on the effort to trace out the locality and date of first appearance, of each of the more important enemies of the tea plant, from the belief that particulars of that nature may very possibly be found of value in future investigations. I am fully conscious, however, that defects will be discovered, and can only hope that the present review of information may stimulate greater attention being given, more especially through the planters themselves once more, making the technical journals of the day the channels of recording their observations and Opinions. The apathy that has existed, for the past score of years, in the matter of exchanging ideas, largely accounts,I am afraid, for the want of progess. In- terest may be said to have been first prominently aroused in the subject of pests and blights by the late Mr, 8. EH. Psau’s paper on ‘“ Mosquito,” or, as he loved to called it, the ‘Tea Bug.” Priorto the ap- pearance of Mr. Pran paper it had been vaguely designated ‘‘ Blight,’ and was viewed asa mysterious visitation, Myr. Prau’s showed that it was caused by an insect. Immediately there arose the enquiry as to methods of extermination. From that date one dis. covery after another followed quickly, until for twenty years or thereby the Journals of the beetle right enough. The ladybird beetle is almost circular in ontline and of a bright red c¢ lour with a few spots on its wing- cases. The orange beetle is a narrow elongated insect with a somewhat large and curiously trun- cated head, as if cut off abiuptly. The wing-cases are of one uniform orange yellow colour throughout and seemas if some one had dabbed them all over with the poiut of a needle—the surface of the wing- case being pitted. The wing-cases of the ladybird are perfectly smooth and polished. The larve and even the mature insect of the ladybird beetle are carnivorous and feed for the most part on the black aphis (Ceylonia thececola), and I believe also on the larve of the mosquito and green-fly. I have watched them repeatedly devouring the black aphis, and been surprised that colonies of these curious aphides were not alarmed by the appearance among them of so formidable an enemy. They seem undisturbed and await their turn of destruction per- fectly unconcerned. The ladybird does not injure the tea in any way and should most certainly be encouraged, on no account destroyed, through the mistaken notion of its being the orange beetle. 3. (A.) ASTYCUS CHRYS°CHLORUS, Ted. THe GREEN BEETLE. ReEFERENCES.—Indian Museum Notes, Vol. I11., 99, 126; Cotes, Ins. and Mites, etc., 8. History.—I have given this insect the name for Green Beetle as a simple and characteristic des- cription Mr. Cotes tells us that it ‘“‘ was sent to the Indian Museum in April 1892 from a tea gardenin Cachar, where it was supposed to have been the cause of some injury to the bushes. It was said to strip the young leaves off the tea shoots.” Jury 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL Rsmepy.—Nothing further can be said than has already been mentioned in connection with the or- ange beetle. The insect should be collected and destroyed whenever seen. As with all others so with this species, it may be said, that the sooner the pest is attackea the better. lt is, however, unfortunate that we have to confess ignorance of the actual life history of this beetle. 4. (C) ASTYCUS LATERALIS, Fabr, (Reg. No. 102, tube No. 131.) History.—Messrs. BALMER Lawrit & Co., on the 3rd of June 1897, were good enough to forward to me a few beetles that had been sent to them from the mana- ger of the Hukanpukri Division of the Jokai Com- pany’s estates. Mr. H. Ramspen in forwarding the specimens reported that they had been found on one-year-old plants. They had come during the night in thousands and simply stripped the bushes. Fortunately they were easy tocatch. My reply iden- tified the insect as aspecies of Astycus. Subsequently, however, on re-examining the specimens, I came to the conclusion that it might possibly be a species already identified by entomolcgists. I accordingly sent the samples to Dr. ANDERSON, of the Indian Museum, and he was good enough to inform me that the name of the insect was as above (A latesralvs). It isa much smaller beetle than A chrysochlorus is of a dark brownish black ground colour, with a distinctly green metallic tinge. The chief difference to the non-professional eye may be said to be that A. Chrysochlorus is about ~ of an inch in length and is of a bright pale green colour, while 4A. lateralis is about half an inch long and of a dull metallic green. Remepy.—There is nothing further to remark on this point than has already been said regard- ing A. chrysochlorus. 5. (CJ) ASTYCUS? sp. nov. (Reg. No. 101, tube No. 72.) History.—A black beetle with a metallic green tint, isnot uncommon in Assam asatea pest. At first I took this to be A. chrysochlorus, but, on comparing at the Museum my specimens with the beetle from Cachar, I agreed with Mr. Bartow that it must be regarded as a distinct and possibly an undescribed species. In point of size it is intermediate between A. lateralus and A. chrysochlorus, but in colour is more like the former than the latter. I was shown specimens at Amguri, by Mr. Bucx- mNGHAM, which he had collected some time prior to the date of my visit. The insect had not appeared very severe but was known all over the Sibsagar District. Itcame one year, gave considerable cause for anxiety, and then disappeared for a number of years, perhaps to re-appear when least expected. Depreparions.—At Dirpai, North Lakhimpur, on the 8th July, I found a colony of this beetle doing much damage to some 10 to 12 bushes all near each other in one portion of the garden. The beetle com- mences on the margin of the leaf and eats downwards towards the midrib. When about half way down it commences on a new place, so that great ugly holes are cut out of the leaf. Remepy.—Same as for the other beetles dealt with under this genus. 6. (B) XYLEBORUS FORNICATUS, Hichhof. Woov-Borine BEETLE. ReFERENCE.—IJndian Musewm Notes, Vol. IV., p. 57 Plate V., Fig. 2. History.—This curious little beetle has been found in Ceylon to riddle the tea stems. Specimens were sent to the Indian Museum on the 20th January, 1897, by Mr. E. B. Green, and were forwarded to Mr. W. F, H. Buanprorp, who identified the pest as the beetle above named. ; Drprepations.—Mr. G. Atston, Superintendent of Craighead, Nawalapitiya, who first drew Mr. Gremn’s attention to thisnew tea pest, wrote that it appears mostly in patches. ‘ Most of the trees show no out: a AGRICULTURIST. 9 ward sign of the pest, except when almost} every branch is attacked, when they turn rather yellow and stop fiushing. Young trees about two years old, before they are topped, often snap off at the spot where the borers have made holes for their entrunce or exit. Strong vigorous trees in good soil seem to be very little affected by it, and threw out good red wood even from badly bored stems, Oa the other hand. poor plants on ridges or poor soil seem to naturally feel the effect of it quickly, though in no case have L seen a tree killed by it. Isolated branches die off, but new branches come out in their place. As arule, you can only tell an attack tree (except in the cise of poung plants, when the stems snap off) on pruning it, when the heles in the wood are very apparent. It (the beetle) does not attack the cut surface after pruning, but makes its entrance through the back. In the case of young red wood it very generally goes straight down the pith; in older brances, I have often seen the wood riddled as if a charge of snipe-spot had been fired into it, with only one or two minute holes in the bark for exit or entrance. And yetin the case vigorous trees they seem to thrive notwithstanding. Since 1893 the pest has spread very much and become more general, though I cannot say that I see much difference in the fields that were attacked then.” The plate quoted above is an excellent one but if the reader possess a copy of Miss Ormrrop’s useful little Vext-Book of Agricultural Entomology he will find (p. 100) an illustration of the very closely allied species X. despa’ which shows the ravages of the European species on the plum. Remepy.—It would be dangerous to suppose that because strong, healthy, well-nourished bushes seem little affected by this pest that there is no occasion to take steps to secure its eradication. Should it appear inthe Indian tea areas, every effort should be at once made to stamp it out. Improve the vigour of the plant by manuring, deep drainage and other means. Lop off and burn all affected parts. If found in a small compact area I personally should, however, prefer to fire the plot. In my experience this is by far the most effectual remedy with all diseases that occur over fixed and limited areas, more especially if- the diseaae is recognised and the firing can be accom- plished early in Spring. All over the plot dry straw should be placed within and through the bushes so as to secure rapid combustion. The embers should be at once cleared away from the bark of the main stem. After the fire has burned out, the bushes should then be pruned and all charred portions removed. The Spring shoots may be delayed a few weeks, but in exceptional cases only will the bushes be killed, unless the firing be done late in the season. LII.—Other Beetles Reported as attacking the Tea 7. CURCULIO TANYMECUS. In the Journal Agri.-Horticultural Society of India Vol. Vi. n.s. Proc., 24th July 1879, mention is made of a beetle sent to the Society by Messrs. W1iLutAm- son, Mason & Co., ‘‘as doing much mischief to the tea bushes in the Munguldye Company’s plantations.” The specimens were forwarded to Mr. A. Grorr and ultimately submitted to Mr. F. Moorz. The reply appears in the Proc., of the 18th December, 1879. ‘‘The green beetle sent to you by the Munguldye Company is a Curculio allied, as. Moore thinks, to O.tanymecus, but these beetles ordinarily bore into the stem and branches of plants and do not meddle with their leaves.’ I am unable to trace the name C.tanymécus. There is a genus of beetles known as TYanymecus but Gemninger and flarold make no mention under Curculio of a species C. tanymecus. It is somewhat significant that the pest alluded to, in above correspondence, should apparently have disappeared while two species of Astycus (that are by no means remote from Curculio) should have taken its place as leaf-defoliators in Assam. 8. Two other as species of beetle have been sent to ma by Mr, Finer, injurious to tea, viz., Criocris tmpressq 10 and Odies bipunctata, 1 have obtained no particulars regarding these beetles, and mention them purely in order to suggest further enquiry. 9 Grabs of Lepdiota and of Copris ~have been mentioned above (p. 184) as having been sent from a tea garden, but in addition I have before me now a third grub, viz., that of a Iongicorn beetle (Reg. No. 103) which has been reported as doing much injury to the tea. The lLongicorn (CuramsBycip) beetles are mostly dangerous wood-borers. ————— A TREATISH ON THA.” A scientific dissertation on what tea-planters vulgarly call tea-bugs does not promise to be of absorbing interest. For a momenta flutter of hope is raised when the savant opens with an allusion to his explorations in the not un-mapped district of Kangra, and we congratulate ourselves he is about to invest it with some of the fascination that tem- porarily hangs over, say Klondyke. But from Kangra to Klondyke is a far ery, and the prospect] of ex- citing adventure is quickly dispelled when the reader dips into the leaves of Mr. Watt's volume on 7'ea Pests and Blights, vainly seeking the cheerful powers of description that enlivened Fortunes books about China and its tea districts, and discovering only a tome fall of peculiarly dry facts. The book will with difficulty interest tea-planters. a body of men who, as all the world knows, invariably fall asleep over their Pioneer after dinner, and are not to be appealed to by any form of literature excepting tea broker’s disyaraging reports and valuations on their samples, and, occasionally, perhaps a printed news letter from their own district that pokes fun at their daily life and habits. And yet, notwithstanding, the entire absence of light and sweetness in its pages, Mr. Watt has written a book that deserves much commendation and will repay intelligent study. Tea holds the fifth place of precedence in the roll of Indian exports, and any work that helps. the industry to understand itself better is deserving of cordial re- cognition. The literature of tea, both ephemeral and in volume form is sadly flaccid stuff. Since the Indian Tea Gazctte—a periodical which did a vast deal of good, and diffused an immense amount of valuable practical information in its day—expired from lack of support from those it tried so hard to serve, the tea industry has not been adequately vepresented by any journal worthy of the name. As for Gold Medal Essays and fugitive works on tea planting, which our forefathers were guided by a quarter ofa century ago, they have long and rightly been consigned to the limbo of the obsolete. If we have a fault to hint at in Mr. Watt’s book it is that it is too scientific for our taste, and that he is a little apt to cavalierly pooh-pooh practice when he is laying down theory. This mere especially in the first portion of the volume, which is devoted to the treatment and cultivation of the tea plant, and interests us far more than the too technical second part, with its staggering array of scientific Latin names in blocktype. Why cannot surgeons and scientists drop Latin ? Fancy any sensible man calling ajanwar an Aspidiotus Cyanophylli when he can damn it off hand, succintly and suitably as a ‘‘scale-bug”’ ? Conceive a tea planter whose one aim in life is to pull off a five maund per acre crop and get an eight anna average for it, seeking inspiration in three hundred dragging pages plentifully be sprinkled with scientific designations similar tothe above. It is we presume for his exclusive benefit that the book is published by what he has recently apostrophised as “a kind and powerful Government,’”’ If so we hear it is not “popular” enough for its purpose, There is too * The Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant, being a report of investigations conducted in Assam, and to some extent also in Kangra.’ By George Watt, M.B., C.M., F.L.S., C.1.1,, Reporter en Keonomic Products to the Government of India, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. lJuLY 1, 1899. much of the economic study in it: it is too prolix to be perspicuous; and as a practical wade mecum it wants more one-syllable words. On the other hand we willingly admit that Mr. Watt has written a learned and exhaustive treatise on Tea Pests and Blights, as he whoruns may read. Those who suffer from these pests will do well to wrap a wet to tcwel round their heads (their own heads), and refer to Dr. Watt for information and advice. They shall leara in his book all about mosquito, green fiy, red-spider, aphs (a single individual of which can, if unchecked, be the ancestor—Mr. Watt informs us— of 10,900,000,00),000,030 of its own species in three month’s time, the unprincipled monster!) and several other protoplastic orgauisms some of which might come, perhaps, as not an unmixed curse to planters behind- hand in their outturn, who, peradventure would on Occasions welcome their occurrence with the enthusi- asm thzy accord to the three beneyolent hailstones, which timely constitute a storm and an excuse for raducing estimates by twenty thousand pounds. Certes there are some pests and blights described by Mr. Watt in very minute detail whose life history, however much it enthrals the pedant, can have but nominal interest for the planter, notwithstanding the portentous hints of possible calamity that Mr. Watt lets drop anent somes of them in language solemn enough for the bubonic plague. Take the cantion to Kangra for instance. It is a district which ‘‘ may be said two have two pests of any consequence. Neither should be viewed lightly, since it is possibly an accident, more than anything else, that they have not yet assumed gigantic proportions.” These two pests are a scale-bug and a Dn ccabag tir and we venture to assert that during the last forty years they have not lessened the Kangra aggregate tea crop of say, 60,000,000 by six thousand, we had almost witten six hundred, pounds of tea. Forty years of consecutive ‘‘accident’’ should set Kangra planters fairly at their ease in regard to Aspidiouts Thee and Amatissa Consorta. Apropos of Kangra t2a pests we may mention an in- cident about the red spider and its occurrence in the Valley which may be new to Mr. Watt. Referring to the necessity of studying the habits of this pest more closely, he writes, ‘‘Hixperiments should be performed in every district. Why should we, for example, be unable to say where the red spider hibernates? ” Taking this as a test it may be observed that about fourteen years ago the red spider was introduced into Kangra Valley by a planter who imported some high at tea seed from Assam. A few months after the seed arrived a ten acre plot of tea in his garden developed red spider inits acntest form, and absolutely stopped flushing in mid-season. That planter’s feelings were quite too harrowing to describe, He believed he had not only ruined himself; but his innocent neigh- hours by introducing the veritable tea plague into the district. He saw himself handed down to the after ages as the villain who killed the Kangra tea industry. His courage failed him to confess his crime. He kept mum. Never a word said he. He lived in guilty but silent dread, hypocritically pretending to enjoy his pegs, awhile he hugged his horrible secret in his breast. The winter came. The red spider hibernated. Where? Presumably on the Better Land—the land from which there is no return, for it certainly never appeared again in his garden. To this hour no one but that planter knows that fourteen years ago ten acres of tea were for a single season red spider stricken in Kangra Valley, and that happily the pest failed to resurrect the following spring. Its explora- tion of Kangra involved it in the fate that awaits those who intend to explore Klondyke, And it isin the light of this illustration that we think Mr. Watt takes some of his pests and blights a little too seriously Ignorance and idlenesss are far more dangerous foes to successful tea planting and the shareholders of tea companies than all the plant microbes Mr. Watt warns us against. Withignorance Mr. Watt seeks te battle in his first nine chapters,in which he discusses the treatment and cultivation of the tea bush. His very pertinent remarks on the selection and impreve- ment of tea seed may be cordially commended tg » Juty 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL Calcutta agents and merchants, who sell the expensive article, in the hope that their consciences may be pricked. The chapters on pruning and picking tea bushes are fullof theoretical wisdom, and will suggest practical experiments that may lead to valuable results. But it must always be born in mind that nature is over fond of sports and eccentricities. Hvery one who has daily and carefully made a study of the gradual development of a first flush on a pruned tea bush, will have been startled scores of times by seeing buds coming away from spots where theory and Mr. Watt’s diagrams ignore them. Incidentally we may say that we totally disagree with Mr. Watt’s dictum that a banji bush (i.e., one whose tea shoots have prematurely opened out and ceased growing) should not be plucked. He attributes banjx “to the want of energy in the entire plant,’ and prescribes rest. In our experience it is more often due to bad prun- ing, drought, wind, cold, and even excessive rain- fall without compensating sunshine, than to want of stamina in the bush. In such cases it is of absolute and vital importance to pluck banjz leaf; for it is an indisputable fact that an unplucked banjz bush will be sulking in idleness, when its picked neighbour alongside is in the full fig of a new flush. Similarly we do not agree with Dr. Watt that con- tinued cropping must necessarily exhaust and wear out abush. We know of plantations forty years old and more, that are yielding larger and better crops to-day thanever they did before. This is due to im- proved cultivation, and better, though more frequent plucking. The older the bush the larger the root, and itis root power that gives leaf. If due provision is made to obtain a healthy leaf-bearing surface, and sufficient stimulant allowed in the shape of high oul- tivation, we would infinitely rather own a plantation of sixty year old bushes, than one of six year old bushes. There are several other points we had marked for criticism from the practical point of view, but they are too technical to be treated with any chauce of in-~ teresting. But we may briefly state that although Mr. Watt considers ‘‘the presence of old wood in the stem (ofa tea bush) must be injurious to the planter’s aims and object,’ the practical planter, who seeke to turn out a good liquoring tea, knows for a certainty that to do so plenty, of old wood in the body of the bush is essential. And finally, we cannot agree with Dr. Watt thatthe saw tree (Allizzia Stipulata) is always beneficial to tea. In Kangra at this moment there are many patches of bushes growing under sau trees which in this season of drought have actually not flush- ed at all, whilst outside the limit of the malign in- fluence the surrounding plants have yielded their ordinary crop. A As a book of scientific research and _ theoretical teaching Mr. Watt’s work is quite the best at the disposal of the tea industry. Weshould be sorry not to see a copy on every planter’s book-shelfs: but we should be more sorry if the planter had not some "sound practical experience of his own, by the light ‘of which to study it. a INDIAN THA FOR PERSIA, ARABIA, . TURKEY AND HGYPT, INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs. W. S. Cresswell & Co., the well-known Tea Brokers of 10, Hare Street, Calcutta, have sent us the following very interesting correspondence :— Dear Sir,—In December last, we wrote to the British Consuls in Persia, Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, to enquire into the state of the tea trade there, think- ing that the replies would be interesting to merchants and planters in this country. We enclose what replies we have received, which will show you that there is still room for furthering the consumption of Indian teas outside Europe, 42 per cent, of the teas soldin Oalcutta, are taken for ports outside Great Britain. Only 63 percent. of the Indian teas sold in Mincing Lane are taken for outside markets. With another AGRICULTURIST. 11 200,000 chests sold in Calcutta, the outside markets would develop considerably more than hitherto, and instead of only 42 per cent, being taken, the consumption would be nearer 60 per cent, and the London market greatly cased by the ary 1899. No. 13. To Messrs. W. S. Cresswenn & Co., 10. Hare Street, Calcutta. GentlEmnN.—I haye the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated the 5th December 1898, in which you make certain enquiries regarding the tea trade in this country. I enclose a memorandum, which contains the several questions in your letter under reply and the answers thereto. With reference te the remark in your letter that all teas soldin the Calcutta market are absolutely free from any impurities, itseems probable that the native merchants who buy the tea in Oalcutta or Bombay adulterate it before export so as to be able to lay it down in Bagdad at a low cost.—I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant (Sd.) P.J. Melvill, Major, Acting British Consul-General Bagdad. ‘ MEMORANDUM. Question.—Is it possible to find out how much tea passes through Turkish Arabia, and to what destina- tion and whether it be China or Indian or both? Answer.—It is impossible to obtain entirely reliable figures, butit may be said that the average quantity passing annually through the Bagdad Custom House during the past three or four years has been nearly 5,000 cases of, say, 100 lb. each, say, 500,000 Ib. Some 80 to 90 pex cent. of this tea goes to supply the markets of North-West Persia. The great bulk of the tea imported is Indian and is known in the trade as “Calcutta” tea; only a small quantity (perhaps 5 per cent.) comes from China and Java. Question.—Do the people of Turkish Arabia drink much tea, if any, and what do they have to pay per. 1b. for it? Answer.—The people of Turksh Arabia generally are not tea drinkers. This is clearly shown by the fact that, of an annual import of some 5,000 cases, about 750 cases are sufficient tosupply the wants of Turkish Arabia, of which Bagdad is the emporium. The present wholesale price of the des- cription of ‘Calcutta’ tea most freely sold in Bagdad is about Grand Seigweur Piastres 114 per Constantin- ople oke (2°83lb.) equal at exchange of G. 8. Piastres 115 per pound sterling on London to abont 8}. per lb. Question.—Could you procure a sample of tea selling in your city, also letting me know how it is packed, size of boxes, etce.? Answer.—A small sample of the ‘Calcutta ” tea selling about G. S. Piastres 11+ is enclosed. The tea is usually packed in cases weighing 801b. to 110lb. the net weight being marked on the case. The tea is enclosed in leaden wrappers in a wooden case with a covering of skins and gunny. It is sometimes also packed in a strong tin case with wooden boards at the ends, bound with two iron hoops, The tea in these cases is usually in bulk, but sometimes it is packed in 1b. tin boxes bearing a label with an attrac- tive design with usually the name of the native im- porter in Arabic or Persian. Question.—Do._ you think theré is room for further development in this particular trade? Answer.—The trade is at present worked very cheaply by native merchants having agents in India. It seems to be increasing, but there would appear to be no room for a sudden development in this particular trade. It is possible that, with the present low prices of Indian teas, #here may be a gradual change in the habits of the people of Turkish Arabia, that is, they may, after a time, come to drink more tea and less coffee. At the same time lower prices nearly always mean larger consumption, and, and if the trade in Calcutta 12 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. can put a tea on the Bagdad market at a less price the trade will probably expang. cheapness before quality. Question.—Is there any import tax on tea? Answer. On tea sold for consumption in Turkish Arabia the duty is8per cent ad valorem. If, however, it is sold for export direct into Persia, the duty is a transit one of 1 per cent. only. Inthe letter case, of couse, the price paid here by merchants buyiug from the im- Porters for the Persian market is proportionately less- tions, if selling for Persia, would be about piastres 105 y, 1899. es Messrs. W. S. CREssw&Lh & Co. 10, Hare Srreet, Calcutta. ; } ; Sirs,—In reply to the queries contained in your letter of the Sth ultimo, T have to state as follows :— 1. In 1897 about 168,5001b. of tea were insported at Smyrna, estimated value about £10,900, for local consumption. It was chiefly blended tea,v. e-, Ohina and Indian teas mixed. : 9. Natives of this country do not drink much tea, “coffee being the beverage consumed instead, The demand for tea ts, however, inereasing every year. Price paid is from 2s. 6d. to 3s. (retail, per lb.) 3, One solitary sample is not likely to prove of much use, but can be procured and sent if really desired and freight prepaid. pa The article sold here is packed in chests tin foil. of 56lb. or in tin boxes of kilo 1 kilo=2:20lb., and its fractions },tand 4. hese last are imported by the French Colonial Company. 4. There is decidedly room for a further development in this trade. 5 5. The import duty on tea is 8 percent. ad valorem. 6. I think it would be unadvisable to attempt too large a business at first as the country is nota rich one, and, as stated above, the national taste is on the side of coffee, which is consumed in great quantities.—I re- main, Sir, Yaur obedient servant, (Sd.) H.A. CumBersarce, Consul. British Consulate, TRIPOLI, NortH A¥FRica; January, 1899. Dear Srr,—In reply to your enquiry, dated the 6th ultimo, addressed to Tripoli, Arabia, I beg to inform you that the import of tea averages between £4,000 and £5,000 a year, the bulk of which is purchased here for export to the Soudan by the trade caravans proceed- ing south to Wadai, Kano, Sokoto, etc.. The qualities are as follows :— 15th Son Mec ... 4 chests 03 10 at France 210 per kilo. Ditto 55 oe :-» 1 90 5 Young Hycon... a ADIN ea Ditto Es 7. ese aCmes ep Small quantity of Indian tea in chests of 1 O 4 at, Is. 4d. to 2s. per Ib. (all sales at, 4 months date.) Packing.—Light wooden cases, lined with leadfoil, matting and canvas covering. The caravan trade being on the decline, I do not think there is room for further development. The local consumption issmall; the import duty is 8percent. ad valorem.— Yours faith- fully, (Sd.) Lf. S. Jaco, Consul General. Brirish CoNsvuLate, SALoNICA, TURKEY; : January, 1899. To Mussrs. W. S. Gresswstt, & Co., Calcutta. GENTLEMEN,—In reply to your letter of 5th Deeember last relative to the im ortation of tea in this province, I am instructed by Her Majesty’s Consul General to communicate to you the followinginformation supplied to him by a firm of merchants here. i 4h The importation of tea, mainly of Indian origin, amouts to 200 or 300 original cases in the season. The greater part of this is for consumption here and some for other parts of the province. 16th put appears to be extending with fair rapidity. _ I send you separately four samples of the qualities known here, : sit Tea is always packed im the otiginal cases, [JuLy 1, 1899. The import duty is 8 percent, as on all goods admit- ted into ‘'urkey, and the price is from 2s. sa. to 2s. 10d. per lb. according to quality. Should you wish for any further information I should recommend you to apply to the merchants referred to above, Messrs. Jenny and Vock, a Swiss ficm of Commission Agents occupying a good position here, who have expressed their willingness to enter into communication with you.—I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient servent, (Sd.) W. J. Hearucore, Consular ee H scUB; TURKEY IN Europe; 22nd January 5 To W.T. Canter, Esa. no ES Dear Sia,—I received your letter of 7th December last (as also the one addressed to Monuastis, I being in charge of both districts), and I have made some in- quiries as to the consumption of tea here. _ The annual consumption in this Vilayet (Kossova) is about 1,500 okes (an oke is 2 1-5b.) Except for a small quantity of Russian tea, nearly all the tea consumed comes from Asia Mimor. It arrives at Constantinople or Salonica in cases of 50 kilogrammes each. In those towns it is repacked in tins of 1 oke, 3 oke and 4 oke sent to Uscnub. _ The price at Constantinople or Salonica of the tea in general consumption here is 30 piastres the oke (110 piastres—fst, 1) and it sold here at 50 piastres the oke. The Russian tea is sold in packets of 100 grammes at 5piastres the packet. Tshould say that probably the tea’ consumed here and said to be from Asia Minor is the same as you speak of as sold to Persian Gulf or Trebizonde merchants. : Hoping gba fhe inforsiaien may be of use to you.-- am, Sir, Yours faithfall Sd.) Cuartes S. ‘i HM. Vice-Consul. Te ABA Prdepeiaen- H.B.M. Vice-ConsuLats, VAN, ToURKEY-IN-AsIA ; 22nd January, 1899. ‘ Sir,—In reply to your letter of inquiry regarding the sale of tea in province, I beg to inform you that all tea imported here comes from Constantinople mer- chants. It is said that these merchants import in large cages from India, but the tea is remixed and packed at Constantinople before forwarding into the interior. It is packed in small fancy tin boxes contain'ng from 25 dirhems to 3 okes each box, 400 (dirhems= 1 oke=2%1b.) One of the small boxes is forwarded as a sample. Inferior teas are insmall canisters 4 to6 inches high. Occasionally rectangular tin boxes 13 by 9 by 10 inches are used. It must be remembered that all goods to this provincemust come by pack transport chiefly from Trebizonde, sometimes from Alexandria. It might be possible, however, to open a more direct trade with Yan through Bagdad and Mosul; the caravan distance from Bagdad and Constantinople is about the same. Since ten years ago people, both rich and poor have begun to drink more tea, and tntil three yearsago the trade was increasing. The disturbances three years ago have much impoverished the country and there is no money to buy much besides bread and the absolute necessaries of life. This year there are fears of a partial famine. The import last year to Van was 3,000 okes or 8,250 lb. The present political situation is by no means clear, and there is no room atpresent for any further develop- ment of the trade. The import duties are all paid in Constantinople. There are none here. : There are three kinds of tea imported here.— 0 oe paistres an oke «» 6 shillings a Ib- ” eco 3 ” (3) 20 ” seems al Speibae oa Samples of each are enclosed in the sample box. As far as I can judge, all these have bat a very remote connection with the actual tea plant. ‘lea is not usually sold by the oke, but in the fancy boxes such as the one I send, which, filled with the second quality, is sold for 12 piastres or 2s. 6d. A canister 23 feet diameter and 3% feet high full JuLy 1, 1899. | of the worst quality is sold for 3} piastres or 8{d. A canister 4 feet high and diameter of second quality is sold for 5 piastres or ls. 4d. Tf the condition of the country should improve J should think there would be a good demand for tea here. The bagdad, Mosul-Van route would be the best, as the middlemen in Constantinople would be saved. A central agency at Bagdad with sub-agents at Mosul, Bitlis-Van and Diarbekr ought to doa good trade in cheap tea of a good quality. The people are not at all satisfied with the stuf’ represen- ted wn the present samples—I am, Yours, faithfully, (Sd) F. R, MaunsExz, Capt. f.A., H.BM., Vice- Consul. Bereut, TurKey, 25th January, 1899. Sir,—I am directed by H.B.M’s Consul-General to reply to your questions regarding tea in your letter of the 7th ultimo. 6,000 okes—15,000 chests tea passes annually through Beiruit. Destination—Beirut, Damascus, Jaffna, and Jerusalem receive an equal quantity. Tea is not a national beverage, foreign residents consume the most. The quantity imported is drunk. Indian teas, price 7d. to 9d per lb. China teas, 4 +o 7 per 3ib. packets. China teas packed in 10 or 20lb, chests. Indian teas in 20 to 80lb. chests. The import duty is 8 per cent ad valorem. There is little chance of developing the Trade—I remain, Yours very faithfully, (Sd.) J. HE. Crow. British ConsunATE, ANGora, Turkey, 27th January 1899. Dear Sir,—The following few particulars which in accordance with the request contained in your letter of the 5th ultimo, I have obtained respecting the consumption, etc., of tea in the town of Angora and immediate district are, I trust, what you require, I should, however, state by way of preliminary that as no official statistics whatever are procurable, the estimate given of the amount consumed must be regarded as at best approximate only. The answers to your questions are as follows :— 1. No tea passes through the province of Angora, such as is imported being used in the district itself. The tea, I am informed, is of Chinese origin and comes through Russia to Constantinople, from which town it imported here by rail directly. 2. The annual consumption of tea in Angora and district is estimated to amount to 2,500 okes (the oke being taken at 32lb.) of a value of some £500, which would give an average price of 4s. an oke or about 1s. 5d. per Ib. , As you will see by the above figures, Angora can hardly be said to contain a tea-drinking population. Nevertheless I am told that during the last three or four years there have been signs that the article has been gradually gaining ground, and that the familres who formerly drank nothing but coffee are now replacing it by tea. The same, though to a less degree, may be said of the Turkish peasants among whom the custom has been introduced by immigrant Circassians from the Caucasus. 3. I enclose four samples of the tea sold at Angora with price per oke of 23lb. attached, and I would ask you to note that the sale of the quality marked No. 3 at 3s..6d per oke, or about 1s. 3d. per lb., amounts to 90 per cent. of the total consumption. As to the method of packing, etc., I am informed that the tea is forwarded to the export houses at Constantinople in wooden chests contain from thirty to thirty-five okes (82-85lb.) each. From Constanti- _ nople it is sent to the dealers here either in these same boxes or in tins containing from #lb..to 6lb. - each, according as the order may have been, whole- sale or retail. I enclose mark on the chests which contain quality No. 3 at 3s. 6d. per oke. I may add that the wholesale buyers at Angora are allowed 91 days for payment by Constantinople firms, the Turkish lira, moreover, being accepted at 112 piastres, whereas it is taken in the market at only 108 piastres. 3. The import duty on goods entering the Ottaman Empire is 8 per cent, ad valorem. Thereis nooctroi at Angora. THH TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 13 4. With regard to your question whether there is room for further development in this particular trade I can only say that while. as already stated, there has been an increase during the past few years in the consumption of tea, this increase has only been very gradual and is likely to continue to be such for some time. Inother words, British teas itintroduced would have to compete with the Chinese article for a share of the rather modest annual consumption now existing and what chances of success they might have I can of course offer no opinion, as it would depend on the taste of the consumer. In any case I am informed that the article introduced should be of the same quality or a little superior to the sample which I have numbered 3 and of a slightly lower price, say 1s. 1d. per lb. aha As regards method of doing business, I do not see how the present system, vwz., of obtaining the article through the large import houses of Constantinople could be changed, for even if a dealer hore were to attempt to enter into direct relations with, say, an Indian firm, he would have to employ a commission agent at Constantinople to clear the customs for him and forward the goods on. I can of course supply you with names of Angora grocers (there are no exclusive tea dealers) if desired, but it would appear to me that the: better course under present conditions would be to apply to some old established firm En- glish for preference, at Constantinople who would undertake to push the sale through agents here and who would be in a better position than I am to say what the chances of a sale might be. f I should add that the figures which I have given above only apply to Angora and immediate district There are two other centres and the province vile, Caesarea and Yazgat, at which the estimate annval consumption amounts to some £500, respectively. The port through which Caesarea obtains is tea is, I am told, Mersina in the Mediterranean ¢ that for Yuzgat Sumsoun on the Black Sea. If desired I will endeavour to obtain samples of the tess used at these two places with prices and particulars attached as in samples endorsed in pres n‘ letter. lam, dear Sir, Yours very faithfully, (\.d.) H. S SHIPLEY. Ee H.B.M. ConsunAtTE, Damascus, Turkey, 3C(8h Janu- ary, 1899, GENTLEMEN,—With reference to your letter of the 7th ultimo asking me to give you information about the consumpticn of British-grown tea in this pro- vince I have to inform you that about 100 boxes of Indian tea are consumed yearly in Damascus and district, each box containing from 100lb. to 132lb. Of China tea the yearly consumption is so small that it is hardly worth mentioning, perhaps 2 or. 3 boxes similar in size to those in which’ Indian tea is imported. The habit of tea drinking is wndoubtedly growing in this city and the few towns -which are comprised within the limits of the province, but as the greater part of it (the province) is inhabited by Bedouins Druses, Circassians, and other wild and semi-civilized races to the great majority of whom tea isa novelty as well as a luxury, its consumption is necessarily very restricted. Iam forwarding to you by this post four different samples of tea, being the kinds for which there is -most demand here, of which the prices (wholesale) range as you will see from 9d. to 1s. 14d. per pound. The wholesale price of China tea, on ae eeipennd ranges from 1s. to 4s: the pound. y As regards packing, Iam given to understand that the boxes, which, as stated above contain from 110 to 182lb., are tin lined. : : The import duty on tea, as’ on all other articles imported into the Ottoman Empire, is 8 per cent. ad valorem. i The further development of the trade is’ not likely considering the rough and uncivilized character of the majority of the inhabitants, to be either rapid or extensive. On the other hand, it is undeniable that such consumption of tea as exists has made yery rapid strides im the towns of late years, 14 THE TROPICAL Moreover, thanks to British enterprise and capital, a Railway is now in the course of construction which will connect St. Jean d’ Arc, Haifaand Damascus, and so tap a considerable tract of country which no railway has hitherto reached, so that the demand for luxuries, such as tea so considered in this coantry, will undoubtedly increase in the future. On the other hand, it should be remembered that coffee, though dearer than tea is the beverage of the country, while the latter is not. And even those who are most accustomed to the drinking of tea only indulge in the habit during the winter or cold months all through the summer and the autumn they drink coffee as being, so it is held less heating. Never- theless the habit of tea drinking is certainly growing though chiefly confined at present to the towns, [ am, gentlemen, Yours faithfully, (Sd.) W. S. Ricwarp, H. M. Consul. CAESAREA, TuRKEY ; 31st January, 1889. Messrs. W- 8S. Cresswentt & Co., Calcutta. Dear Sirs,—I do desire to make a work on tea now I will give information on this work. In our province the merchants sell much tea by ‘boxes or by pounds, but now usually by pounds. Our province people can pay for a pound, wz., four hundred drams, for a good one from fifteen to sixteen | piastress. \ In Turkey there isimport tax on tea, the merchan- \aise which come from foreign countries import tax fe 8 per cent. \ \ If you make trade with us I hope that other mer- ants cannot sell as us. I hope you give answer td my letter. There is nothing to read for this time. Yours truly, (Sd.) Y. ZAmpaxs1an Broruers. y address is this: Y. ZAMBAKJIAN Bros., (CAESAREA), KAstrt, ; TorxKey, AsIA. JERUSALEM, Turkey, llth Hebruary, 1899. W. Cantar, Esq., Caucurra, India. Dear .'oa,—In reply to your letter of the 5th ultimo “I beg to state that the tea imported into Palestine is for the most part of an inferior quality, and is con- sumed by the Jewish population and Russian pilgrims. ‘The consumption, however, of tea in this country is onthe increase, the natives having of late years taken to tea drinking, but as a rule they are indifferent to the quality. The price generally paid for the ordinary, kind is at the rate of ls. to ls. 3d. per pound retail sold in 4lb. packets and it is a blend of China and Indian tea (sample No. 1.) ‘ 4 The Europeans and better class of the inhabitant, consume generally Ceylon tea or Orange Pekoe which are retailed at 1s. 6d., to 2s. 6d. per pound and is sold jn. bulk and in 1lb. packets (sample No. 2.) I forward samples by post.—I am, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, _ (Sd.) Joun Dickson. H.J. Consul. Kaarput, Turkey, 17th February, 1899. Messrs. W. S. CresswELL & Co., Calcutta. GENTLEMEN,—In reply to your note of the 7th December last asking for information respecting the tea trade in this province I beg to forward the follow- ing particulars :— The amount of tea used in the province during the year is about two thousand okes (the oke being nearly equal to 2%lb., distributed as follows :— Kharput and the neighbourhood - 700okes. Malatia district 50 ae -- 700 ,, Arabhia ss 50 oe ' Egin toe Ag regards the country of origin of tea imported into thia province, I am informed that about 75 per cent. ia Chinese tea, the remaining 25 per cent. being Indian of better quality than the China tea and higher in price. The quality of the tea used is for the most part very inferior, only about 10 per cent. being fairly good. The import is obtained entirely from Constantinople, there being no direct trade with China or India, AGRICULTURIST. [JULY 1, 1899. At that port tea, like other imports from foreign countries, is subject to a duty of 8 per cent. and in addi- tion to this an interprovincial duty of one per cent, is levied on its introduction into this province. Owing to the defective condition of the means of communication in this part of the Empire the cost of rraueport is very heavy and trade is thus greatly ham- pered. Under these circumstances, and in view of the pover- ty-stricken condition of the province, there is but little hope of any great expansion of the trade taking place at an early date. The tea as it comes from Constantinople is packed in Sor pnreyy small tins holding only a few pounds each. Prices vary twenty-eight piastres (4s. 8d.) the oke to fifty piastres (=8s 4d.)\—I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble servant, (Sd.) I. Francis Jones. Her Masesry’s LeGATIoN, TEHERAN, Persia; 18th February 1899. Messrs. W. S. CressweLtt & Co., 10, HARE STREET. Calcutta. Smr,—I have received yourletter of the 2nd December 1898 regarding the prospect of the tea trade in Persia. I am making enquiries at the various trade centres, and willinform you of the results. Owing to the ex- treme slowness of communication in this country, I fear it will be some months before I can send yon full infor- mation; but you shall have it as soon as possible. The import tax on teais 5 per cent ad valorem.—tI am, Sir, Yoar obedient servant. (Sd.) H. M. Dukanp. BritisH VIcE-ConsuLATE, MoHAMMERAH, Persia; 24th February 1899. Sir,—In reply to your letter of 2nd December re- garding the tea trade in this province, ] have the honoar to inform you that theimport of tea is tnereasing and is likely to increase. The tea is Indian, Ceylon, China and Japan and is shipped by British steamer from Bombay. ‘ The imports for the past three years were as fol- ows :— Landed at Reshipped ‘Transhipped Year. Mohammerah to Karun India to Karun Ports. Cwt. Cwt. Cwt. 1896 1914 65 301 1897 191 1334 240 1898 3884 824 7974 The second column should be deducted from first to show local consumption. The following varieties are sold in Mohammerah Bazar at retail price given. [EHzchange, Krans 35=Rs. 10.] Java tea, 200 tins of about a pound, at Krans 150. Calcutta tea, Krans 10 per 6lb. Ceylon tea, Krans 11 per 61b. White China Tea (Pekoe), Krams 5 per lb. Khaldar (Java Pekoe), Krans 14 per 5lb. tin, or Krans 30 per 1b. tin. Indian and Ceylon is either loose or in packets packed in cases of 100lb and 200lb. Paper packets CALI -generally bear a label in Persian giving the name of some Persian trader either in India or here. Samples are enclosed of above. Import dues of tea if owned by Huropeans5 per cent ad valorem once and for all. Tea imported by Persians pay no customs at Mohammerah, but an octroi of Krs. 0:025 per Ib. package, with other charges including literature coming to about seven krans per cage. If re-shipped it pays customs on shipment and at other places in the interior. : Through native cargo pays customs at Shushter Krans 12°75 per mule load of 2 large or 4 small cases,} it is liable to further dues at other places beyond Shuster. The British India and the Bombay and the Persia Steam Navigation Companies issue through Bombay pee from Bombay to Nasri and Shyshter on the arun, Jury 1, 1899.} A mule road from Nasri (Ahuaz) to Ispahan is now being constructed and_ will probably lead to further trade with the interior by the Karun route.—I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant (Sd.) W. McDonatn, H. B. M. Vice-Consul, Mohammerah., British CoNnsuuaTE, IspAHAN, PERSIA, 26th Feb- ruary 1899. Deak Srr,—Your letter of 2nd December to Her Majesty’s Representative, Yezd, has been forwarded to me heré, the Yezd district being in my charge, I, however, have no agent at Yezd, and am not in correspondence with anyone there to whom I can apply for the necessary information. 5 Ido not believe that there is much chance of in- creasing the tea trade of the place, it is entirely in the hands Parsi merchants, who have there agencies in Bombay, who work it, you may be sure, for all that it is worth. 1 see by referring to my report of 1896 No. 1662, Circular report, that during the year 1895-96 the importation was 2,800,0001b. whereas in 1891-92 6,000,000 (six millions) was the figure. The closing of the Russian markets in the north was the cause of this great decrease. With regard to this market in 1892-93 4,844 Boxes were imported. 1894-95 4,479 do 1896-97 3, LL7 do 1897-98 6,314 do The major portion of this tea is Indian, about 1-10 may be taken as China, thatis, the tea which finds most favour with the Ulima. Small consign- ment also come from Java from time to time. The supplies which come here are for the local market and the sourrounding districts. I cannot find that any goes north. There is not very much tea drunk the people are poor and cannot afford to expend much on what te them is luxury. Indian tea costs from Krans 32 to 40 per manshah, China tea do do 70 to 110 do Krans 3:50=one rupee, 52 krans=£1 and 12°60 Jb.=manshah, se China tea is packed in big boxes, each containing 4 small boxes weiging about 28 lb. t . Indian tea is packed in boxes lead foil, each con- taining about 100lb. I have seen it also in 1 lb. packages. This came from Kangra Valley. Also 1 have seen it in wood boxes, each box containing four tins of 201b, of tea. These have come from Calcutta There isan import tax of 5 percent. on all tea brought in by Europeans. T do not think that there is room for any develop- ment of the trade. Enropean merchants here, who have connection with India, have tried the market and have not found it responsive. If I can give you any further information I shall be glad to do what is in my power. Tam, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, (Sd.) J. R. PREECE. Her Masesty ConsuLatE Erxzeroum, Turkey, 4th March 1899. Dear Srxs,—Tea can be sold bere for about £5,000 to 6,000 stag. per yard in Erzeroum only. But as there is ground to sell also tea for the north of Persia, for this year tea will be consumed for £10,000. Either for our city or for Persia Indian teas are -used; but a little quantity of China white tea. The people of our province drink much tea, and from year to year the consumption is growing. Per this mail I send you ten samples of tea in fine packages to show you the qualities which are sold in our country. No cheap teas are wanted, especially for ’ Russian buyers, for Tabrig, too. Only small quantity of better qualities is wanted for Erzeroum and for Tabrig, this at 10-102d. per lb. in Calcutta. Per the next mail I will send you samples of those nice teas, too. Note that all the teas for this country must be flowery (fair appearance.) Black teas are never wanted here. Tea is coming us per chest of 1001-10lb., but the qualities up to 6d. per half-chest of about 50lb., net. Chests must be strong, and wrapped by strong t THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 15 Hessian cloth, and all round chest iron rings. Boxes of 10lb., 20lb., 30lb. net flowery are selling also in large quantity. By experience I know that there is room for further development in this particular trade. As for all goods the tax on t a is 8 per cent., which I pay at Trebiyonde. But if transit for Persia no tax to pay in Turkey. : All the teas shipped from Calcutta to Trebizonde are 90 per cent. for Erzeroum trade. But the Persian FUTH ship also for Trebizonde about 10,000 to 12,000 chests, half-chests (from Calcutta) all for Tabriz (Per- sia, this year. Except FUTH the remainder are for our city. Trebizonde is not but a simple port for tea. I tested always that the weights of London are exceeding in lbs. For instance a chest of tea sent us from London for 1001lb. was weighing here 101-102 lb. net, But Calcutta weights besides are not exceed- ing in their weights have represented a deficit of 1-2lb. per each chest. Sugar bags—28 ~ 48—23lb. red or blue border— are selling in large quantity in this country. AsIndian teas are of British growth, I will try to sell teas hereafter on a large, scale, having already developed business in the north of Persia because Persians like very much Indian teas with long but nice leaves and flowery.—I remain, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, (Sd.) P. H. H. Massay, Lieutenant-Colonel, P. §.—Herewith list showing the prices of samples. I will point out to you that sometimes it happens that we receive from Calcutta anice sample of 204 chests shipped for us. When the goods arrive I find that 10-12 half-chests are the same as the sample but the remaining eight half-chests are of ordinary quality and not the same. ErRzERoum le, 4th February. Calcutta price, Erzeroum selling prices. d 12 Chs. per lb. per ocg. F.P. No. 162-174 3% 43 224—133 c Barca 199-205 7 4 93 EO ee 187-196 10 44 ok sth 952-253 2 3h 9 TEN 11-57,. | 472 64 134-15 ie ty 78-101 24 43 124 erie 317-340 44 st 18 nae ae 851-880 303 tipy 84 18} Lents 881-900 20 ,, 7 15 E. P. C. Ceylon tea 74 35 Cts. 124-13} An Ocg. is equal to 221b. Trebizonde expedite has to receive one shilling of commission for each chest. Tax 8 per cent. on the price fixed in Trebizonde Custom House. Carriage from Trebizonde to Erzeroum about 2d. per ocg. per the back of horses or ‘per oxen-carts. 18s, 2d. make 100 gold Piastres. From Trebizonde to Tabriz tea is going per cara- vans of camels. They pay for carriage about. 2} piastres (about 51d.) from Trebizonde to Tabriz for each ocg. In Persia the tax on tea is about 5 per cent, > ——_—__—_ THE EUCALYPTUS IN BRITAIN. It seems to me pertinent to enquire—is there any future for Eucalypti in England at all, and will they do good there? I have known persons who would emulate the credulity of the monks in the virtues which they attribute to these strange Aus- tralian trees. A broken Eucalyptus-bough or a few leaves were in their opinion sure to be a defence against influenza and other things—but all this is for the most part beside the mark. In England, as elsewhere, they might be very serviceable for drain- age purposes if only they would live, but that seems problematical in the highest degree, and for nothing else is it worth while to take much trouble about them. In your impression of December 3, I remem. 16 THE TROPICAL ber reading the following passage: ‘' Hucalyptus Globulus.—I quite agree with ‘J. H.D.’ in his remarks as to the rarity or difficulty of growing this plant; here, we have plants 16 or 18 feet high that have withstood five winters without the slightest, protection, &c. In my opinion the principal cause of failure to grow is planting them too soon. ec.” The writer, who is evidently alive to the difficulty that surrounds the whole matter, is full of hope that it may be somehow overcome. I am sure, I do not wish to daunt him in any degree, but with regard to E. Gobulus I am persuaded that it has not a constitution which is sufficiently hardy for England. I[t is a great favourite wherever it get on well because it makes a great show so quickly, and my friend the Trappist monk calls it Al, because it gives him no trouble atall; but that is a different thing from the way in which Cavaliere Palice speaks about the same matter. He does not say that Eucalyptus Globulus can be trusted in all places and positions, but he maintains exactly the reverse, and he puts HE. resinifera at the head of the whole of them, because it is more reliable than the rest. And this, so far- KE. Globulus is concerned, I have seen over and over again in the Isle of Wight. ‘It goes on well, say, for seven or eight years or more, and then a more than usually hard frost comes, and ever tree is destroyed. I remember twenty lor twenty-five years ago re- ceiving a letter from a friend who had a fine place at Westridge, near Ryde, and his asking me to go to him atonce. He certainly was not addicted to botany or to the cultivation of trees and plants at all, but, somehow, E. Globulus had found its way into. his garden, and had attained to a great size; he was very proud of his tree, but he could not make’ out the buds, and one spring very unexpectedly, and very suddenly, so far as the owner was con- cerned, it broke out into blossom, and was a pretty sight to see. I really do not know what this gentleman imagined had taken place. The knob- like buds he had esteemed to be _ seed-vessels, so far as he had thought about them at all, and the difficulty in his mind was, what then had succeeded them? and he was very slow to believe that his Eucalyptus was blossoming. But that tree gave rise to many false hopes in the Isle of Wight. If E. Globulus could behave like this, and grow so tall, and blossom so luxuriantly, what more could be required ? It would certainly take to the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Wight might have a new possession of great value about which no doubt need be entertained. But what really took place? EH. Globulus was planted in fairly large quantity in and about Ryde, and everything went on swimmingly for a series of years. Near Trinity Church in Ryde there were some very large specimens indeed, there were one or two in St. Jehn’s Park, the same (I think) in the grounds of Isle of Wight College, certainly one or two in my own garden, and nobody dreamt of any ill coming to them; all boded so well. But the frost of 1881 made short work of the hole lot, and for sometime there was nota Eucalyptus in the place that was worth speaking of. Now they are coming up again in some plantations and gar- dens, and they look very promising, but the promise will only last till the mercury in the thermometer goes below a certain point, and the whole thing will be over. This sort of occurrence is by no means peculiar to the neighbourhood where I live. I asked a lady who is a visitor to Rome this winter, and who lives at Falmouth, how it fared with her about this matter, and her answer was, they get on well for five or six years, and then a hard forest come and every Eucalyptus is killed. I have even heard of a fine tree at Bournemouth, which stood the climate there for seventeen years, and at last was apt off. They may do permanently in other places about which I know nothing at all, but the Scilly Isles give the only exception I can think of toa aniversal rule. [Fota, Mr. Smith-Barry’s place near Cork.—Ep.]. I may, however, say, that I know nothing about the west coast of Scotland, and how phey faxe there. AGRICULTURIST. (JuLy. 1, 1899. The question, therefore, about them isthis. Is anyone species so rauch more hardy andso much moreslow-grow- ing than the others as to afford solid ground for hope ? I remember myself hearing some time ago of two names of Hucalypti. I think they were E. Gunni, EH. coccifera and another, and these were said to promise quite well for the future in point of hardiness, but I do not know how the promise was fulfilled—it can do no harm if a third one be added to the list—it may prove a failure, like so many others; but HE, resinifera hasa very good character here, which should not be overlooked. I would only just add, that Ihave brought a good supply of seed of E, resinifera from the Trappist Monastery, and I shall not myself want a tithe of it. I will readily send some of it to any one who applies for it to me on my return home to St. John's Ryde, which will be, so far as I can tell at present in the month of April next. H. Lwhank (IRev.) Rome, Christmas Eve, 1898, [E. resinifera was figured in our columns, ‘with a descriptive article from the late Dr. George Bennett. See Gardeners’ Chronicle, August 38, 1872, p. 104. E. coccifera, at powderham Castle. Devon, has often been figured in our columns. See February 7, 1891. We should be pleased to hear the present height of that specimen, The tree a Kew which gets hurt by frost is E. Gunni. E. ur- nigera is the tree grown at Whittingham, East Lothian. See Gardeners’ Chronicle, June 30, 1888. We may also refer to an articleon February 7, 1891 as containing a summary of our knowledge of these plants, as grown in the open air in this country, Ep.|.—Gardeners’ Chronicle. fee uti gon narres THE TtA Campaicn.—The Madras Mail has SOme pungent remarks to make in criticism of a local paper thus:—India to act for herself. Now, if Ceylon has had less advantage than India out of co-operation up to the present time, why should she wish to continue a system that is unfayour- able to herself; if more, then why should India take tke bait that is put before her? As for the “futility” of South India acting independently, we can only say that, in our opinion, a scheme might easily be drawn up that would be within South India’s means, and that would give a better return in proportion to the money laid out than the past efforts of either the Planters’ Association of Ceylon or the Indian Tea Association have done. This is a bold assertion, perhaps, but, at least, the above efforts have done little for this part of India. The idea that Ceylon and Indian teas can be grouped together, and offered as if they constituted but one series of qualities, appears to us to be fallacious. There is as wide variety between some Ceylons and other Indians as between any Ceylon or Indian and any China teas. South Indian teas are, generally speaking, totally _ distinct from Assams or Darjeelings, at any rate from the higher grades. Such South Indian teas, as have been offered in the London market lately have been described as ‘‘ useful sorts.” That is what is wanted all the world over, and if South India makes it known in other markets than London that she has usefw sorts to offer, she will reap the benefit of increased competition among buyers. Whatever our Colombo contemporary may say, we see no reason why India should make terms with Ceylon in respect to tea compaigns in America or elsewhere; and we specially deprecate the idea of South India placing herself in the position of the little streetboy, who steals a free ride at the back of a passing cab. She should push her on wares, not hang on to Ceylon or India’s coat-tails.—As for the ‘‘ Times of Ceylon” remark about ‘‘ political feeling in Russia against India,’ our contemporary has so completely misunder- stood our reference to political considerations as to try to put the boot on the wrong foot! If our contemporary will but consider that there is no Consular re- presentative of Russia in India, and if he will try to ascertain or to guess the reason, he may possibly comprehend our statement that “ political reasons obstruct progresa” in regard to a direct line of steamers from Calcutta to Odessa, in rivalry with that which cazries cargo frgm Colombe to Odessay Juty 1, 1899.1 THE TROPICAL FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA :—VI. ‘It is perhaps, a good sign that even the new districts declare that better tea might be made with better soil; for although the declaration may be regarded as a confession of universal poverty of soil, we prefer to look on it as a recognition of the truth, too often forgotten, or ignored, that the soil re- quires to be liberally treated if it is to yield of its best. What if our soil as a whole is poor? It has yet shown its suitability for the profitable cultivation of tea; and it is far better to know its deficiencies and to supply them, by the aid of agricultural chemistry, than to live in a fool’s paradise, or deliberately to conceal facts in a way to imperil a great industry, while injuring in- dividual interests permanently. It is in that view we welcome the declaration from Mas- keliya that the ‘‘want of richness in the soil” is the great drawback to making better tea. The up-to-date planters of a progressive district are not the men to make a declara- tion like that, and then to fold their hands and expect the soil to improve under con- templation. No; it will be their endeavour to give the soil what it lacks. With the jat of the bushes ‘‘fairly good,” they will not be discouraged by the knowledge that the soil is ‘‘rather inferior, generally speak- ing”; and we are not surprised at the con- clusion that manuring should be resorted to, to keep the bushes in heart, and enable them to bear the constant plucking to which they are subjected all the year round, though doubt is expressed if direct profits are real- izable through manuring ‘with present prices.” But that was written early in Oc: tober; and since then prices have advanced ; while there is reason to hope, with the grow- ing demand, especially outside the United Kingdom, for Ceylon’ tea, that prices will not run down again to the lowest point reached last year. The factories are, as a rule, well-provided with withering room, machinery and motive power; and that must be a great help in the endeavour to produce good tea; while, with the labour force ample, and pruning practised with the wis- dom which avoids severity on the one hand, and postpones the use of the knife too long on the other, nearly all the facilities for making good tea are present. The prices which Bunyan and Ovoca estates fetched only a few days ago in the open London market, proclaims the high position which Maskeliya enjoys as a tea district, and only confirms the correctness of the reply to our circular which claims that the soil, despite its deficiencies and its appearance, grows tea well, though large yields and high quality cannot be expected in combination, and that the climate and the rainfall further contri- bute to the popularity of the district for residential and agricultural purposes. In Bogawantalawa, among the drawback to making better tea, are mentioned coarse plucking, want of care in plucking, and defi- cient withering space. The jat of tea varies on different estates, but on the whole it is fairly good. The soil, too, similarly varies —estates which had grown coffee being more or less worn, while the soil on others is good, The district, we are surprised to learn, is a stranger to manuring—the cost of trans= port, we fancy, proving an obstacle ; but AGRICULTURIST, 17 confidence is expressed that the application of manures would be of advantage. Wither- Ing space is declared to be decidedly deficient on some estates, and so with machinery ;, but most estates have sufficient motive power, : except during a severe drought when water power fails. Like almost every other dis- trict, Bogawantalawa has had labour enough, and more than enough, during the past year; but matters, we suspect, are different now. Severe pruning is held accountable for. reduced prices, though the yield has been increased by severity; but’ in some’ cases fields have been spared a taste of the knife too long; and in such cases it is claimed that flavour has been maintained,’ Is it not the case that pruning too long neglected must be generally followed b severe handling? And does not the bus suffer from such treatment? It is no un- certain claim that is preferred on behalf of Bogawantalawa—that it is well adapted for tea; and, given good factory accommodation, and other aids to manufacture, its tear should be as flavoury as those of any other’ district of a like elevation. False economy in plucking and in manufacture is held res- ponsible for disappointing prices on some places. ———_.»_______. NOTES FROM OUR LONDON LETTER. Lonpox, May 5, 1899. _. The KLANANG PRODUCE Co., LD., of which I sent a_ forecast last mail; issues its prospecttis this week, The share capital is £20,000, divided into 20,000 ont’ pound shares, and. the present issue. ‘is £13,500, of which 7,500 fully paid-up shares will be issued to the vendor in satisfaction of the purchase price, and 7,800 shares at par are now offered for subscription payable 2/6 on application, 2/6 on allotment and thé balance as required. Mr. F. H. Wiggin, of Ceylon and Woolstone, Cheltenham, is Chait man, and the three gentlemen mentioned last week, viz., Messrs. Ed. Walker, Jas: M. Caine and David K. Michie, of Ceylon; are directors; bankers, the National Bank of India ; solicitors, Messrs. Murray, Hutchins, Stirling and Murray, 11, Birchin Lane, E.C;; Secretary, Mr. A. M. Currie; offices, 17, Phils pott Lane, E.C. The Company is formed to take over, carry on and develope the Klanan& and Beaumont estates in the Federate Malay States of Selangor. Klanang is plante€ with 206 acres of coconuts and Liberian coffees fiveacres of cacao, 14 months old; four of coconuts alone, half being in bearing ; and 4 acres are to be planted with tea, for ter seed ; while from 1,705 to 1,9243 acres remain at present, jungle reserve. On Beaumont there are 90 acres of Liberian coffee, two yeas old ; 148 cleared and drained, but not yet planted, and 1563 to 3945 still in jungle. Coecs nuts grow well and are extremely produce tive in the Klanang district, and it is ine tended to pay special attention to that roe duct, but coffee, rubber, ramie, etc., wil all probably be included in the cultivation and development of the Company’s estates, The two estates have been valued by Mr. R, Vv. Carey, who put the Klanang estate | at 47,645 dollars, and the Beaumont property ~ 11,008.50 dollars, 18, THE. TROPICAL CHYLON TEA IN AMERICA. REPORT FROM MR, R, E. PINEO. It was neither my purpose nor intention, in a previous communication, fo point out, or even suggest, improvements on past methods. My ob- ject was to awaken and concentrate interest in the arduous undertaking of making our tea hetter and more widely known to the general public of the United States. The “Thirty Committee” has announced its purpose to continue the campaign in Arerica, and has voted six thovsand pounds for 1900, to further exploit and endeavour to gain greater re- cognition for our staple in the United States of America, It should be the study and aim of the ‘' Thirty Committee” to solve this one knotty question, 7,¢. how can the consumer be most quickly and effectually reached, and, when captured, per- manently retained? This query covers the whole ground, and embraces every feature coanected with the crusade. It now remains for me to make known how, in my opinion, the consumer is to be secured, and, of equal moment, thereafter held / This can only be accomplished by working through and with the retailer, who should be assisted, in eyery reasonable way, by the Commissioner. Help tke retailer by advertising in the local papers and by demonstrations. The retailer will then have an incentiye to doing good work, as he is the only proper medium between the wholesale dealer and the consumer, whose aid should be invoked. ‘ Once you have succeeded with, and gained the energetic assistance of, the retailer, the result is certain to be satisfactory; the consumer will be secured, and the wholesale dealer will be forced to keep and provide the retailer with everything he_ wants. eae aaa radi _ The representative in America of the ‘ Thirty Committee” should be constantly on the move and work systematically. For example, Jet him visit. Boston and every town having a population of 10,000 and upwards in the New England States; then take up the Central, Western, Paci- fic, and Southern States in the order named. ‘In each city or town let him seek out a few of the most prominent, progressive retailers, ob- tain their co-operation, assist them in locally advertising, and show them bow best they can make attractive, popular demonstrations. © SPECIAL, LOCAL ADVERTISING.—The represent- tive should seek and act upon the advice of the ‘retailer, and select such mediums as he—the re- tailer—may recommend. In some localities, more especially where the town may be the centre of a large agricultural district, the local weekly should ‘be availed of, as every agriculturist uses tea, and beads everything —including advertisements—that appears in his weekly newspaper. : -° GENERAL ADVERTISING.—Monthly magazines tliat ‘are read by the masses like ‘‘ Muucey’s ” and. the ‘‘ Cosmopolitan,” can be occasiona'ly, ‘used to great advantage, and there are also a few ‘of the weekly papers that could be profitably ‘utilised. ~ DEMONSTRATIONS.—One of the most successful ‘and permanently profitable entertainments given ‘by me was in connection with a bazaar held in “aid of a large hospital, by the society ladies of Brooklyn, and what made ib attractive and ‘e- membered, was the fact thatabout a dozen of the thandsomest young women, daughters of society Jeaders, appeared in Tamil costume and served tea. The Bazaar wasa huge financial success, and AGRICULTURIST. [JuLy 1, 189%; the costumes and tea formed the subject of many achat Jong after the whole thing was closed. Now the representative should be furnished with at least a dozen washable, rich Tamil costumes, including a goodly show of native jewellery—and when making demonstrations in a shop, should envuge a couple of handsome coloured women to appear in this costume and serve visitors with tea. This would prove a drawing card, and, in ‘the smaller cities, a powerful attraction. Where it was found a Church festival or a bazaar wasin progress, the feature that made the Brooklyn affair so telling, might be introduced. It may be thought that anything done, as herein mentioned, would be a slow, tedious operation, and take too long a tine; but 1 imaintain that it is the ouly method that will give lasting results at a mini- mu cost, seeing that tlie wholesale dealer cannot be relied upon to ereate a demandfor an article that is not called for by the retailers, hence the latter’s support must, in the first instance, be secured aud his efilorts assisted and fostered. The retailer is, therefore, the one person whose goodwill and aid should be sought, hiusbanded and promoted, Let the retailer work energetically, hopefully and snecessfully, and you have madea friend and coadjutor of the wholesale dealer or jobber. The method herein outlined may appear to some silly, childish and imperfect, and un- worthy of consideration, but—frequently—siimple, direct methods Jead to the greatest successes. later on I may, perhaps, refer to Canada and Russia. R. 8. PInno. MINOR PRODUCT REPORT. Croton Srrps.—Offered 69 packages. Sold 0. Ail the offerings at the drug auctions today were bought in at from 50s to.70s. CitroneLLye Ort.—Very quiet privately and quoted at the same figares. For today’s auctions 2 drums were catalogued, but had been sold when reached.— B.§ C. Druggist, April 28. CrxcHona.—At the London auctions on Tuesday only odd lots of low percentage bark found buyers ata decline of about 25 per cent to 30 per cent on Jast sales’ rate, the unit value being 12d per Ib, against 2:d at the previous sale. OrnyLon —Te@eriana, original stem chips. 83d ; poor red orginal chips 24d and 33d per 1b for fair. The bark sold tomanufacturers on Tuesday repre- sents 60,000 oz. or thereby of quinine suiphate. They were low quality barks. It will be noted that the firms who generally buy most iargely were on this occasion small buyers, because they declined to pay the. prices asked by the sellers for the higher quality barks. The sales scarcely form a criterion for the quinine speculator, and these matters must wait next week's auctions at Amsterdam.’ There the total quantity of quinine sulphate in the bark to be offered equals 19,450 kilos (680,750 cz). The manufacturing bark contains an average yield of 5 52 pez cent, against 5°26 per centin March, and 5:2} per cent for the ten auctions of 1898. How thesales will go is a knotty problem. Lhe Java shipments Jast week were nil (so it is said). Meanwhile the arrivals in Amsterdam are large, no fewer than 1,410 packages having arrived by one vessel this week. irmon Om.—There has been a large amount of business done during the past ten days, and as darge orders ave available, holders are this week slightly easier at 33 to 3s 9d, \c.if., according to quality and brand. ; #2. \Sraagin Qurnint.—The course of this article has again been downward, and fruitless attempts were made by spe- culations to bolster up the market on Friday and Saturday last, bat on Monday the improvement was lost, small sales being made for August delivery at Is 4d, and there were buyers for May delivery et ie Juty 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL at Is 33d per oz. On Tuesday, in consequence of the disappointing bark sales, the market remained in- active, with sellers at ls 4d and buyers at 1s 3d for August delivery. Wedaesday brought a further decline ; a sale of 8,000 oz, of Zimmer’s brand at 1s 14d per oz. actually tooi place, and the two leading German brands, which have been the subject of so much speculation, dropped to Is 241 spot and 1s 3d August, but we heard of no sales at these figures, and by the afternoon prices had recovered by ia there being no eager seilers. Today the market again is quiet. Sprces have continued very dull all the week, and at the public sales on Wednesday there was little disposition to purchase. Zanzibar cloves steady, but quiet, at 38d per |b for delivery. There were none offered at auction, but some good Ceylon, slightly mixed headless, sold at 5d to 4d, and dark mixed af 34d per lb. Cinnanon sold at 54d per lb for hard fifths, at 52d for dall quillings, at 63d for broken, and at 2td for common bark. All the Singapcre and Penang Pepper in sale was bought in, but quo- tations remain the same as our last report. Long pepper partly sold at 38s per cwt, fine bold black Mangalore sold at 87d per lb, and Ceylon white at 84 per lb. ANNATTO SEnD,—Good bright West Indian seed was limited at 24d per ib, another lot sold at 14d. Kora.—Boldish moaldy West Indian realised 24a per: lb, while fresh and good 6a was wanted. Small African quarters were bought in at 44 per lb. Pri- vately retail sales of fresh West Indian have been made at 6d per lb. CrrRoNELLA O1L.—Privately there have been -re-, tail sales in tins at ls Ojdtois 04d perlb spot; drums are offered at Is. VANILLA.—At today’s auctions only a moderate quantity offered, and chiefly sold at steady prices as follows:—Mauritius, good bold chocolate’ beans, 9 inch 323; 8 to 8% inch 26s 6d to 283; 74 to Sinch 26s; 7 to 74 inch, 245 6d to 25s; 6 to 64 inch 213 to 23s 6d;°5 to 6 inch 233 to 233 6d) per Ib. Seychelles: 75 to 8iuch 24864; 6 to 7 inch, 24s; 6 to 64 inch, 233 6d; 5 to 6 inch,-19s. .Dahiti were all bought in at 10s per lb.—Chemist and Druggist, April 29. -——_-—_)} —_—_——_——-— INDIAN TEA AND TEA SHARES. Tea shares have been rather in tue back- ground during the week, says the Calcutta corre- spondent of the Pioneer writing on May 13, as there was considerable doubt of prices being ‘maintained at the opening sale yesterday. There apparently was & want of pluck amone buyers, resulting in a good many of the lots which were offered being withdrawn for shipment direct to London. I hear, too, that there was a tendency on buyers’ part to divide the larger parcels, in ‘this way preventing the competition which teas offered at auction are supposed. to obtain. IT am “glad to hear that two firms at leash among the brokers are determined to discourage amalgama- tion of this kind among the buyers. {bt is well ~ known that this clubbing together to keep down prices exists to a great extent among the blenders and vendors of the ten-penny tea canisters in “London ; and, as Messrs. W.5. Cresswell & Co. remark in their tea report of yesterday, although “the position is an exceptionally stroug one, un- less tea is handled more judiciously than hitherto, * we shall soon see prices cotlapse and fall back to “their old level.” Prices realised at yesterday’s — sales were in many cases 30 per cent higher than ' the opening sale of last season, but in spite of this there has been little movement in tea stocks « today, and prices are lower all round than they were last Saturday, AGRICULTURIST. 19 OUVAH COFFEE COMPANY, LIMITED. Report presented to the fourth ordinary gene- ral meeting of the Company held at No. 5, Dowgate Hill, London, oa Tuesday, the 9th May, at noon. The following accounts are now presented to shareholders, viz, :— : Balance sheet made up to 3lst July 1898.- Profit and loss account. for crop 1897-98. |. The receipts from the sale of produce were as under :— ; Tea from the Company’s own estates Tea made from bought 708,500 Ib. leaf 106,247.,, - ene sed Total 814,747 ,, 26,421 2 10 Coffee 375 ewb. '0; qr. 23 ib. 1,842 2 2 Cocoa 185 ewt. O qr. 19 Ib. 611 6 1 Cinchona 17,963 1b. 200 15 8 Sundry sales in Ceylon 64 17 11 Total receipts £29,140 4 8 The total expenditure in Ceylon and London for the year amounted to £25,366 5s 1d, and de- ducting this trom the value of the produce a profit is shewn in the year’s working. of £3,773 19s 7d, to which has to be added the balance of £396 7s 10d, brought forward from last year. After deducting income tax the total at credit of profit and loss is £3,909 4s 9d, An interim diyidend of 14 per cent was paid on the capital of the Company on 23rd November 1898, which absorbed £1,500 of the above sum, and the Directors now recommend that £2,000 be applied to the payment of a final dividend of two per cent, making 34 per cent for the -year, and thab the balance of £409 4s 9d be carried forward. Owing to drought experienced during the latter months of the financial year the estimated crop of tee was not secured, the yield from the 1,618 acres in full and. partial bearing being 438 Ib. per acre against 475 jb. per acre in the previous year. The market also ruled very low, and our tea realized 7°78d per lb. against 808d for the preceding season. t The small eoffee and cocoa crops sold at.an aver- age of 983 2d and 66s ld ‘against 91s 1d and 553 ld respectively, and the cinchona realized an average of 2°68 per Ib. The cost of tea planting and upkeep of 623 acres of young tea. nob in bearing is included in the year’s expenditure, and a sum of £2,037 63 0d spent on factory extension has been held up in the balance sheet. : f The tea crop for 1898-99 is estimated at 750,000 lb. So far the season has not been favourable, and pluckines have been small, but with a return of favourable weather our Estate Manager cons siders that the estimate can yet be secured. ‘Ib is highly satisfactory, however, that prices in: fluenced by short shipments from Ceylon and by an increased home antl foreign demand, have hardened considerably since the commencement-of the year, and it is generally considered that. we are not likely to see a return to the very low values etirrent last year, ; Coffee prospects are better for the coming year. : The crop is estimated at 3,000 bushels, against 1,882. bushels secured last year, and if this -is realized it will materially swell the year’s profits. Only 23 acres are being planted with tea this season, a small area in comparison. with the plantings of recent years. This will considerably relieve expenditure anil release profits fer dividend purposes, 20 THE TROPICAL ‘The acreage of the Company’s property is now as tollows :— Tea, over 5 years old 1,545 acres -y, planted November-December 1894 153 ,, ” ” 1895 159 ,, es i 1896 151 ,, 99 Sy WIA BRI" 5 zs te 1898 23 ,, Area under tea QA GAN ies Area under coffee and cocoa AAD. Area under fuel OO lienas Forest patna and waste 515 ,, Total area 3,488 acres The Directors regret to report the death of ‘their esteemed colleague, Mr. Norman Stewart. They have filled up this vacancy on the Board by the appointment of Mr. J. G. Wardrop, who _ ¥etires from office on this occasion, and, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. ase Aer eats PRODUCE AND PLANTING. TEA AND Corrre 1n Amertca,—Fhe New York cor- respondent of the ‘ Grocer,” in; calling attention to the consumption of coffee and tea in the United States, gives a table comparing the percapita con- sumption of the two products in beverage form in , 893 and 1898, which is as follows:— 1893. 1898. Coffee .. 14.00 se) 9:46 Tea -. 8.00 -- 95.46 “From this it will be seen that the consump- “ion of coffee has greatly increased, while that of tea does not grow. He says; ‘“‘ Pro- ‘bably the coffee returns are too high, as all deliveries from licensed warehouses are counted as consumption, whereas the quantity held in unlicensed warehouses is much larger than was customary in ~ 1893, when the import cost was 7d, against 323d in 1898. The tea figures are also misleading, as the ‘withdrawals were unusually heavy in 1897 owing to theavy imports to escape the tax. Making allowance ‘for these facts it appears, unmistakeably, that the use of coffee haslargely increased. The reason is not hard to find, as coffee is retailed at 5d per lb. up to Ils 6d. A pound of coffee at 5d makes two gal- jlons of beverage, while one pound of tea paying 5d duty, and selling at 2s per lb. at retail], makes six ‘gallons of beverage costing about 4d per gallon, or 13d more than coffee. It is claimed that one pound ot Ceylon and Indian tea will make sixteen gal- lons of beverage, which statement we will not dis pute ; but Americans will not learnto properly brew ritish-grown tea, insisting on using as large a quantity as they have been accustomed to of China or Japan sorts, and hence they do not take kindly to the heavier body and sweetish flavour of Ceylon and India. The preference is decidedly for a blend, and in this way there is a constantly en- larging demand for Ceylon and Indian tea. But the Americans are partially fond of coffee, and last year a4mported 851,691,084 1b., or nearly double the imports in 1880, '81, 82. The imports of tea average about 95,000,0001b. for the last five years. while in 1880, '81, ’82 they averaged over 75,000,000 lb. GnounpLEss ALARM.—Clearly there were some appre- hensions. on the subject of the Budget and the tea duty, Between the end of March and April 18th no less than 14,860,778 lb. were taken out of bond mainly as a pre- caution against any possible increase in the duty. This {49,076,368 lb. more than was taken out during the pame period 1o the previous year,—H, F C, Mail, May 6, AGRICULTURIST, [Juyy 1, 1899 THE INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION, The opinion of the Assam Branch Association that it would be injudicious to discontinue our efforts in America, came too late to be of any use says The Planter, Mr. Buckingham’s memo. expres- sing his opinion that the Assam Branch ehould strengulien the hands of the General Committee by protesting in the strongest terms against the discontinuance of the work in America, was con- firmed by a subsequent letter, dated 20th April, recording that the Committee of the Assam Branch concurred in the opinions expressed in the me ino andum. Unfortunately, Mr. Buckingham had to be informed that it was not open to the General Committee to take any further action in the matter, as it had been decided at a meeting of the London Committee held on 31st January, without reference to India, that operations -in America should be discontinued. In his letter of 3rd February, Mr. Tye, the Secretary of the As- sociation in London, had stated that the Com- mittee were unanimously of opinion that the time had arrived for discontinuing the work, and had accordingly instructed Mr. Blechynden to bring his mission to a termination. Mr. Tye further stated that Mr. Mackenzie, the representative of Ceylon in the United States, had also informed his Committee thatthe work in America could well be brought to a speedy terminatian. So, for good or ill, the matter is settled, and those interested in tea can only sit and wait the result of the action of the London Association, which has practically been universally condemned in India and Ceylon. We lave some sews at last of what is being done with reference to the Paris Exe hibition. The London Committee has made arrangements with Mr. E F Langdale to sell Indian tea at the Paris Exhibition on the under- standing that the Association should not be res- ponsible for any outlay beyond the sum of £1,000 agreed fo be paid to the Royal Commissioners for the space which had been allotted for the repre- sentation of Indian tea. Mr. Langdale was well known in connection with work of a similar des- cription, as he had been associated with the Health Exhibition held in London in 1884 ina like eapa- city. It was understood that in the arrangements to be made Mr. Langdale would follow the lines observed by him atthe latter Exhibition, which gave general satisfaction. Mr. Langdale would arrange for the service of Indian tea in the cup, and would make special efforts to render the Court in which it would be served attractive to visitors. So, apparently, beyond being responsible for £1,000 which is to be paid for space, the Tea Association washes its hands of the Exhibition, and leaves the interests of Indian tea entirely in the hands of a private individual, who, most naturally, has his own interests to think of first. However, these interests may possible coincide. The London Committee has had under consideration the question of the lines upon which anew Levy should be conducted for opening out new markets other than the American, for the sale of Indian tea. Favourable replies had been received from a few concerns in London to the circular issued by them on the 24th February, in which subscriptions were invited, but it was noted by tae General Committee that it was not stated specifically upon what lines the new Levy was to be raised. The reply received to the former telegram sent not making the matter any clearer, it was decided to wire the London Committee again asking for full details of the new scheme for opening out new foreign markets, Juty.1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL as no satisfactory appeal for funds can be made without some knowledge of the programme pro- _ posed, and speedy action is essential to success. A remark to this effect was to he included in the telegram to be sent to the Committee of the Association in London. : Another letter from the London Committee in connection with the American Market, was dealt with. Mr. Mackenzie, the Ceylon Commissioner, had recommended the Ceylon Committee of Thirty to continue the work in America for two or three months only in 1,900. The decision of the Ceylon Committee had not, however, beenso far yeceived. The General Committee also «ander- stood that the balance remaining of the amount raised by the last levy, after the close of Mr. Blechynden’s Mission, would be devoted to the continuance of the advertisement issued jointly by the representatives of India and Ceylon teas. geliny patentee CROSSING OUR TEAS. WHAT LONDON TEA MERCHANTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT, (Daily Mail Special.) The statement made at the meeting of the Whitechapel guardians, and reported in our yes- terday’s issue, that there was an unexpected rise in the price of tea, was confirmed yesterday in the inquiries instituted by a Daidy Mail repre- sentative. + What the London tea merchants are most con- cerned about, however, are the bold attempts otf foreigners to foist cheap unwhvlesome teas on the Londen market. _._ ‘©The Custom House authorities,” said Messrs. _ Alfred Newby and Co., of Mincing-lane, to a Daily Mail representative yesterday, ‘‘ ought to stop the importation of this foreign stuff at once. It is injurious to the public health, and should never be allowed to come into our market. Here isa sample of tea which we had sent to us from Belgium, the price quoted being 64d per 1b without - duty. Itis of too long growth, it has been infes- ted with caterpillars, it has a most disagreeable odour, andit would be A SOURCE OF DANGER to the public health if it were consumed. It is Oolong tea, and is probably part of a consignment which was rejected by the Belgium people as worthless. ‘« And now attempts are being made witha aview to putting it on the English inarkets. If something is not done to check its importation other countries besides Belgium will try to find a market here for the tea which is no good to them. “« This state of affairs arises from the fact that - Indian, Ceylon, and China tea has been over- bought by the blenders. There was a rumour about Christmas time that the supplies would be short, and since then prices have been gradually rising. Those blenders who foresaw the position bought as much tea as they could while the prices were normal, inorder to carry themselves over the season, and, of course, they have made huge profits, one firm, we hear, having made as much as £20,000,” eG een THE NUWARA ELIYA ESTATES COMPANY, - As Mr. A. F. Souter has appealed to us in connection with his criticism of this Company’s affairs, we can bear testimony, from personal knowledge, to the adequacy of the explanation tendered in the Directors’ AGRICULTURIST. a1 Report, of the falling-off of profit from Naseby estate during 1898, With the Factory under reconstruction and enlargement. for the greater part of the year, we have been assured by the superintendent—Mr. Battin- son—who has just gone on leave, that it was impossible for him to keep up the same careful preparation of the tea,—to secure adequate withering and to do justice in other ways. All that is now at an end, and the Factory, one of the roomiest and best equipped of its kind, in the hill-country, has been in full working order during the present year. j As regards the local management of the Company’s affairs generally, we can assure Mr. Souter that, in our opinion, more hard- working, conscientious Manager and Super- intendents—from all we have seen and heard —no Tea Company connected with Ceylon can show; while as to the Agents, it is superfluous to say one word. We have great confidence in the future of the Company and in its good management both in Ceylon and London. > CINCHONA IN CEYLON. It was to be expected that the advance in the price of cinchona bark ani the promise of a further rise in the future would set planters in India and Ceylon wondering whether it was worth while to go into the cultivaition of. cin- chona trees ayain, or to extend their existing plantations. It appears that in Ceylon opera- tions have actuelly been begun in this direction, and the Z'ropical Agriculturist prints an interest- ing letter which it has received as the result of advising the importation of fresh seed from India or Java for the purpose of trying cinchona again in the Ceylon hill district.—Dritish and Colonial Drujzgist, May 5. tee We Pa ns CINCHONA IN JAVA, The unknown quantity to quinine speculators is the condition of the cinchona industry in Java, and whether it pays the planter or not to produce. ‘ Why shouldn't it pay?” asked a sapient person in the Commercial Sale-rooms the other day, “Oak bark sells at £5 a ton, and pays.” “ Be- cause it is a by-product,” added a long-headed bro- ker. ‘‘ They cut down the oak trees for the sake of the wood.” In Java they grow cinchona for the sake of the bark. We have before us a report regarding the plantations there, which gives the latest available information, and from this we learn that the Government has decided on principle to give up the cultivation of cinchona, and transform the plan- tations into experimental gardens. This will be done gradually, no seedlings being planted in place of the up-rooted trees. The Government plantations are eight in number and to the three of these planta- tion nurseries are attached for the propagation of seedlings and grafting. The number of trees in the plantations diminished in 1897 by eleven per cent, and, as the reduction will go on at about this rate yearly, it will be eight years at least before the Governe ment ceases to be competing factor. ‘They are eightye three private plantations in Java, of which fifty-eight _ are situated in the Praenger province. These show no indication of reduction. The Bandoeng quinine-factory is now able to produce quinine to the extent of 3,500 oz per day, or 2,500,000 oz a year, and the Pandang Aroem works are gradually pulling up. So that there is no intention of stopping Java quinine, Thirty-four cases of the Bandoeng brand were landed at Amsterdam this week.—Chenust and Druge gist, April 29, -t0 a. ‘kept © in bo. bo PANAMA RUBBER. In a report just issued by Mr. Willis, Direc- vor of the Royal Botanic Gardens, on Panama rubber (Castilloa) it is stated that the question of which rubber tree to plant with the most favourable prospects of a profitable return has been eonsiderably altered by the discovery of a machine on the principle of the centrifugal eream separator, by which Mr. Biffen has suceeeded in preparing almost pure caoutchoue from any which (/atez) which contains it. The question milk. tree gives the greatest yield of caoutchoue has still to be answered; but, Mr. Willis says, there is great probability if not almost cer- tainty that it must ultimately be answered in favour of Castilloa. Private planters, he thinks, will hardly find it worth while to establish plantations of Para rubber only. Probably the best thing to do would be to plant out the tree among. the tea or other products at considerable distances. apart. The trees would then grow large size in less time than if plantations ot rubber only, and their rubber would form a useful minor pro- duct. Those who intended to make plantations ef rubber only would do better to use castilloa which yields much more fluid and easily collected milk, but even here no return can be got in much less than eight years. This tree may also be planted out as a bye-product on estates and will probably be found in the end the more favourable of the two. Ceylon seems an un- -favourabie country for yield though highly favour- © ® able for growth of rubber trees. CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA. Mr. MacCombie Murray sends usa chatty letter from Philadelphia about his early ex- periences in ‘‘ tea”; and he adds corres pond- ence which has appeared in the New York press and which reached us before; but which, now given consecutively, hasa special interest, more especially with the addition of our correspondent’s notes. But the curious fact to us is that neither Myr. Martindale, Mr. Murray nor any of the other writers in this Tea discussion stumbled oa the proper answer to the objection raised, that while Ceylon and Indian teas might do very well for the rainy, damp climate of England, they were unsuitable for the dry, electrical climate of the American States. The objection is that our teas have too much tannin for the latter condition. Now, apart from the fact that the proportion of tannin drawn off into cups of tea can be regulated by the time given to the infusion —what do Messrs. Martindale, Robertson, and others of our American cousins say te the case of Australia, with its far drier and more electrical climate than any to be found in the States? Here are the Australians—a nation of athletes, beating the Hnglish at their favourite game of cricket—drinking tea (mainly Ceylon and Indian) at the rate of 7b. per head_per annum! Where are» the bad effects? Does their experience not prove that teais just the beverage for, the people of the United States from New York to San Francisco, New Orleans to Chicago and Philadelphia to Denver? Ii our American » gousins only took to tea, up to 2 1b. per head per annum, they would benefit themselyes and tea growers everywhere! THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Tuy 1, 1899, PANAMA RUBBER (CASTILLOA), ~ (Royal Botanic Gardens Circular : issued by Mr. Willis, Director, In Circnlar No, 4 of this Series the cultivation of Para rubber was dealt with somewhat fully, It was pointed out that there is not very much suit- able Jand in’ the Colony on which this. cultiva- tion was likely to prove really successful. he growth, cultivation, and yield of trees were con- sidered, and a prospect of a moderately remuneta- tive return in favourable places for the. cultivation was shown to exist. Since the time of publication of these statements, however, the question of which rubber tree to plant with the most favourable pros- pects of profitable return has been considerably al- tered by the publication of the discovery of a machine for the preparation of rubber from the yaw milk of’ the tree. By the aid of a machine on the prin- ciple of the centrifugal eream separator, Mr. Biffen has succeeded in preparing almost pure caoutchouc from any milk (latex) which contains it. Thisis done in a few minutes at a very small cost, und the re- sulting product is almost free from impurity, and does not decay or smell like the ordinarily-prepared raw rubber. he best rubber hitherto sent into the market.contains at least: 10 per cent. of impurity, and many kinds contain es nmch as 30 to 40 jper ceni. The importance. of this discovery is manifest. ‘he chief advantage of Para and Panama rubbers, as at present prepared, is their great freedom from imurity, due largely to the composition ofthe milks, and partly to the methodsof preparation. Under the new conditions, however, this advantageis lost, for the machine will prepare from the poorest aud most impure milk a rabber superior \to the best Para now onthe mazket. The first question therefore before the would-be grower of rubber trees is now no.longer. ‘* Which tree gives the best result as to quantity and q 1ality combined ?” but rather, “Which tree gives the greatest yield of caoutchouc?” ‘Ihe former question had been practically answered for Ceylon in favour of the Para rabber (Hevea brasiliensis). The latter has still to be answered, but there is great probability, if not almost certainly, thatit must ulti- mately be answered in favour of Castilloa, and hence the publication of this Vircular in which it is proposed to deal with the whole question so far as present ex- isting data allow of conclusions. The tree has been so little cultivated in the East that reliable data in sufficient numbers are not to be had, and it is hoped that the publication of this paper will induce those who may have experimented with this tree to communicate the results of their work. i : . Anotherimportant bearing of the discovery ahove- mentioned must also be pointed out. At present the best natural rubbers obtain about 4s per lb. in the London market. When the machine-prepared article first comes upon the market it will’ doubtless obtain a higher price than this, bat this will not long be the case. Inevitably the price of the best machine rubber will fall to about that of the best natural of today, while the litter will only feteh perhaps 33 perlb., and the poorer grades will also fall in price correspondiogly. Hor profitable cultivation, that is, the machine methods must be used. Now, for this purpose it is necessary that the milk be col- lected in vessels and not allowed to dry on the tree. _ We have seen in dealing with Para rub- ber that in Geylon, at any rate, the milk is very thick, almost like syrap: It qnickly coagulates, and in all cases a lot of it dries on the tree, ~ Before the recent discovery this mattered less, for this scrap rubber would sell for 1s 6d to 2s 6d per Ib. Now, however, as we have-just seen, this price is likely to fall by ls or more. This will materially alter the figures. of return given in the last paragraph of the circular’ referred to. Instead of the ayerage’ price being 23 per lb it is more likely to be 1s 6d, and thig will reduce the yield per acre to B112 say. This reduces the margin of R100 there given to R62, leaving considerable uncertainty as to whether the cultiya. tion is likely to pay at all well enough to be worth attention from European planters, who would pro Jouny 1, 1899. | ably find the trees yield much better in the Straits or America. © Castil/oa milk flows very much more freely and does not soon coagulate, so that the same objection does not apply to it. Practically the whole of the milk from a tree can be collected without any difficulty from coagulation beginning in it, The practical corollary of these remarks, so faras Ceylon is concerned, is this. Para rubber will do feirly well at low elevations in certain districts, though probabiy at the best it will never do so well as in the Straits Settlements or America. Owing to the intro- duction of the machine methods it will in future be necessary ‘to collect the mijk in. vessels. Now, the Para rubber tree when tapped at a girth of 2 feet, as récommended in the previous Circular, does notlend itself to this condition, much of the rubber dries on the tree. Tt will thus be necessary for planters cither to content themseives with the old process, thus gelting a lower average price for their product, or to wait till the trees get.to a larger size, say in fifteen years on theaverage. — It follows from this that, pri- vate planters here will hardly find it worth while to establish plantations of Para rubber only. Probably the best thing to do will be to plant out the tree among tea or other products at considerable distances apart, The-trees will then grow to a large size in less time than. if kept in plantations of xtbber only, and their rubber will. form a useful minor product. The tree is a handsome tree when well! grown apart from others, and might well be used as shade for roads or as an ornamental tree. *Phose who intend to make plantations of rubber only would do ‘better to use Castilloa, which yields much more fluid and easily collected milk, but even here no return can be got in much less than eight years. This tree may also. be planted out as a bye product on estates, and will probably be found in the énd the more profitable of the two. Ceylon scems an unfavourable country for yield, though highly favourable for growth, of rubber trees, Consequently, only the very best localities should be chosen for planting. f * Borany.—Castilloa isa genus of the family Worace (often included in U?ticacew), and belongs to that section of the family which includes the jak and breadfruit ~(Artocarpus), the upas (Antaris), the milk tree (Brosimum), and the many. plants of the genus Ficus, which include among others the Bo and the Assam rubber (2. clastica). The genus has two or three species. Of these the most impor- taut is C. clastica, Cervantes, the Ule of the Spaniards, which is tonnd wild in Mexico from lat. 21° south- wirds, in Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua: it also appears to occur in north-western South America. It grows to a large tree having been measured of 189 feet in height and 15° feet ia girth. The growth is rapid) When young the treo grows rapidly upwards, and forms a number of short lateral branches, which after a time drop off, being detached from the trunk by a peculiar joint, whose surface resembles a piece of coral. The bark is rather soft and thick. The leaves are large and oblong. The flowers are borive when the tree has reached some considerable size and has begun to form permanent branches. They are monecious, male and female on the sare branch, enclosed or embedded ina top-like common receptable, which is covered externally with small leaves. This subsequently forms a some- what fleshy fruit, containing numerous small seeds about+ inch in diameter, with white papery seed-coats, Besides this species there is a second, the Caucho of the Spaniards, found near Darien (Panama) and elsewhere. This is ‘the tree which we-have in Ceylon, and it appears probable that it is a different species, C. Marihamiana, Markham (not Collins), but the point requires further study. In its native country this forms an important source of rubber. It appears to be a smaller tree than the true C. elastica, The details of the description of these species may be found in the paper by Hooker mentioned in the list ‘of ‘literature below. i ©- History in Cuyvnon.—The Castilloa rubber was in- troduced into the colony about the same time as the re THE ROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 95 4 Para, and through the same agency. A Wardian - case of plants arrived in 1876 from the Royal Gardens, Kew, and the plants were put out at Henaratgoda and Peradeniya. They grew well at both places, but especially at Henaratgoda, and were increased by euttings. They began to flower in 1881, andin the following yeara few seeds were ripened. About 1886 the growth became less rapid, and since then has been very slight, the soil in the gardens being, shallow, and at Henaratgoda not well drained at a little depth. A Jarge number of young plants were sent to India and many were planted in Ceylon, but compared with Ceara and Para rubbers, Custilloa is very rare in the Colony, and very few estates possess any appreciable number. of trees.. Samples of rubber prepared here have been sent home for valuation, and have received very favourable reports. CuimatTr AND Sorn.—The tree ranges, ag we have seen, over a large tract of country, but the conditions for its successful growth seem much the same every- where. It inhabits a warm, steamy climate, like that of the loweountry of south-west Ceylon, and is very rarely found above 1,500 feet. The most common situations are in alluvial soil at the sides of valleys or on lowridges. It needs deep soil, with plenty of water, but does not thrive where the soil is swampy, nor in places where there is not good drainage at the roots, It is probably partly for this reason that the growth at Henaratgo ta so soon became slow, for the land there is flat and only twenty feet above the level of the sea, At Peradenya it is on better drained land but the soil is very shallow. ; The tree prefers a steamy climate, but will do where this is.interrupted by a dry season of two or three months, as in south-west Ceylon, It grows best where the temp2rature never falls below sixty degrees at any time, The most promising localities for the cultivation of this tree would probably be found in the neighbour: hood of Rambukkana, Kitulgala, Balangoda, and other districts. in the foot hills of the south-west, and perhaps also in similar districts of the Bintenna. country to the east of the mountain range, and in lower Madulsima, Passara, Monaragalla &e. It should be planted in sheltered places near streams, but with good drainage at the root. To plant above 2,009 feet is not advisable, and it would be better to plant below 1,000. The rainfall should~ not: be below seventy inches, and sould b distributed. The tree. affects drier HanGide ae tke whole than Para rubber, and so the two cultivations need not interfere with one another, as the Para tree will grow in the weiter places. : The tree grows best in a deep, warm, loamy soil In its native country it is said to send its roots very deeply into the soil, and not to be a surface feeeder In the gardens at Henaratgoda, however, it sends out great roots ab the base like the Assam rubber (#%eus elastica), growing out to considerable distances along the surface and projecting above it. One root was measured ranning along the surface for 30 yards, and where it finally became invisible it was three inches in thi-kness. This phenomenon at Henaratgoda may be largely due to the quality or lack of drainage of the lower soil, but if seems common in other places where the tree *s grown in the Colony, and will limit its use as a shacs free, for which purpose it has often been recommex ded in other countries. If used “ag shade, it would perhaps’ do better with tea than with most of our other cultivated crops. In better soil and position than what has hitherto been tried, however it may very likely strike deep roots, in which case other crops could be more easily cultivated between the rubber trees, ¢y., plantains or even cacao.” ~~ Cuntiyarion.—-The seed should be sown as soon as obtained in a well-prepared nursery. They should be sown an inch deep, and about 8 inches apart, and lightly covered with a little vegetable mould, They must be kept lightly shaded, and watered when the surface of the ground is dry. In ten or twelve months the young piants will be 2 feet high and ready for planting out. 5 Cuttings may also be taken; those from lateral branches do not grow well, and have a tendency to i | } ; 24 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. grow more ox less horizontally, so that main shoots must be used. Whencut back the main stem produces buds from the axils of the leaves, and these may in turn be used as cuttings, and so on. Cuttings should be at least 3 inches long, with a basal portion of old wood, and perhaps 12 inches is better, as described for the case of Para rubber. The young plants should be planted out during rainy weather in prepared places. Holes should be dug and filled with well-prepared sandy, loamy soil. If the plantation is to consist of trees of Castilloa only, they may be put at about 12 feet apart, or perhaps better a little closer. If other products are to be cultivated between the rubber trees, the distance must be much greater. The young trees must be shaded for a time, and probably it would be best if they were lightly shaded for twoor three years till they reached a height of 2) feet or so. This might be effected by planting them, for instance, on land al- ready bearing such light shade trees as are used for cacao. On parts of estates where the canker has rendered it needful to cut ont the cacao it might be well worth while to try the Castilloa. The ground should: be kept clear of weeds andthe trees watered in dry weather of long duration, until they reach sufficient size to take care of themselves. Rate or GRowTH.—The tree grows fairly rapidly at first, and soon reaches a height of 10 or more feet. From the annual Administration Reports of this Department the following extracts have been made with reference to this subject. In 1878 the original trees were two years old, from time of planting out as cuttings ; some were 16 feet high, and 16 inches round the base of the trunk. In 1880 the largest tree at Henaratgoda was 17 inches in girth at a yard above the soil. In 1882 the largest tree there was 46 feet high, and 26 inches round at a yard above the soil. In 1834 its gitth was 324 inches; in 1886, 38 inches; and it began to show signs of less rapid growth, so that it only reached 40} inches in 1888, 423 in 1890, and 434 in 1892. Up 'oabout the tenth year, therefore, at any rate, the tree may apparently be counted upon tu grow well ; and even though the subsequent growth is slow, the yield of rubber seems to increase considerably. After reaching a girth of about 2 feet or 2 feet 6 inches the trees may probably be tapped for milk. Com- _ paring the above measurements with those givenin the circular on Para Rubber, it will be seen that Castzl/oa is distinctly slower in growth of the two and probably a lantation of Para rubber would reach the girth of 2 Feat (average) in two years’ less time than one of Cas: tilloa. Tappinc.—The tree should not be tapped till it reaches. a girth of at least 2 feet. This should be attained in a period of perhaps nine years on the average, and it would be better to wait for two years more if possible till a girth of perhaps 2 ft 6 in is reached After the eighth year there would probably be a fair number of trees in the plantation ready for tapping, and of course the number would increase every year till all were sufficiently large for the purpose, The milk of this tree flows much more freely than that of Hevea, so thatone cut seems to drain a much larger area of the stewofits milk. The native methods of tapping are mostly very wasteful, and also often cause the death ofthe trees. Sometimes the method described under Para rubber, by cutting VY incisions at frequent intervals, is used, and so far this seems to have been the only one used in Ceylon. We have found that the milk here runs so freely a that simple sloping cut is sufficient, and that there is no need to make the V. If this method is used the cuts need rot be soclose together asin Hevea; they may be 3 or 4 feet apart instead of 1. Sometimes the whole tree is cut down and incisions made in the bark as it lies on the ground. Other methods are to cut spiral groves round the tree for some dis- tance up, or to make a main channel on cne side of the stem with lateral cuts leading into it. Wheze methods are almost sure to kill the tree, at an rate after afew years, and only the first-mentioned, the method of simple incisions, shonld be ysed with cultivated trees, [Juny 1, 1899, Further details of methods will be given in succeed- ing Circulars of this Series. The general principle recommended is to attach four or five tin cups at distances of a few feet apart up the tree. Single oblique incisions are made, one above each cup, and the milk is collected and washed into a vessel with a tap at the bottom. Probably the best machine would be a glass churn with tap at base, fixed so as to revolve about a horizontal axis. The milk is left to stand, when it separates into a cream con- taining all the rubber, and a beery, fiuid below which is run off by the tap. The cream is mixed with water, churned, left to stand, and the process repeated. The rubber is thus obtained almost pure in three washings, and the cream is poured out to dry on a porous surface, when a thin sheet of per- fectly dry and almost pure caoutchouc is oLtained in a short time. Yretp.—Till further experience has been gained we do not know how much tapping is advisable in Castilloa, nor how much it will stand. The trees in the Island, so far as tested, yield very well, but it would be premature to draw any general conclu- sions. A few trees of about three feet girth gave an average of 5 ounces of rubber each from one day’s tapping. Probably three or four tap- pings might bedone every year without serious injury, but this remains to be investigated. The amount of rubber is not much larger than in Para trees of similar age, but it was collected from a quarter of the number of incisions, thus very much reducing the cost of its collection. It must also be remembered that this rubber was perfectly dry, whereas the driest rubber prepared by the old methods contained 10 per cent. or more of water. The cost of opening plantations of rubber will be found in the preceding Circular. The probable return in the case of Castilloa is larger than in the case of Para, and its cost of collection is less, so that the cultivation of this plant asa bye product in favour- able localities may be recommended to planters. Neither kind of rubber can be safely recommended as a principal product. Those who wish to plant it on a large scale would probably do better in countries further east. LitrERATURE.—The following books and papers, among others, relating to Castilloa, may be consulted in the Library at Peradeniya. The initials and figures indicate their place in the Library :— Hooker, Sir J. D., and Dyer, W. T. T., on the Castilloa elastica of Cervantes, and some allied rubber-yielding plants, Trans. Linn. Soc. Series If-, Vol. I1., p. 209, 1885 A. i's Se a Morrie, D, Cantor Lectures on the Plants yielding commercial Indiarubber, 1898.. M 6 Morris, D., The Colony of British Hon- duras, pp. 74,80 .. a Sanbte i) Seeligmann, G., Lamy, and Falconnet, Le Caoutchoue et la Guttapercha, Paris, 1896 36 on An . M6 Foreign and Colonial Office Reports : F. O. Misc., 1894, No. 322 (Colombia) F4 Do 1895, No. 385 (Mexico) " Kew Builetin of Miscellaneous Information, December, 1887 ..- 35 sient Owe Trinidad Bulletin, August 1898, p. 115 Sign ae Tropical Agriculturist: Feb. 1883, p. 682 ; November 1884. p 301; March 1885, p. 697, &e. ee ee en Ii Joun C. WILtis, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. Peradeniya, April 7th, 1899. ——_——_e_—. THE PARA RUBBER TREES are described as doing splendidly in the Kalutara district and there ought to be a fine show all over the place in a few years, ; : Juty 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL COOLGARDIE EXHIBITION AND CEYLON TEA IN AUSTRALIA. We publish elsewhere a chatty letter from M. Joubert, the General Manager of the Westralian Exhibition. The testimony he bears to the success of the Ceylon Tea Court will be gratifying to the ‘Thirty Committee” and to planters and merchants generally. We leave the further portion: of the letter to speak for itself: we might have sent it on to the Thirty Committee,” but saw no hope of any practical result in that quarter, because M. Joubert must understand that a tea trade between Ceylon and the several Australian Colonies has already been established,—that from a beginning of a few thousand Ib. in 1881—the year of the Melbourne Hxhibition— we have now got to shipping 15 to 15 million lb. to Australasia. There is, of course, plenty of room for expansion still, seeing that Aus- tralasia is credited with requiring altogether 284 million lb. (vide Estimates in our ‘‘ Hand- book and Directory ”); but the development of the Ceylon trade is now left entirely to our mercantile agencies, save in so far as the Tea Cess Fund (our tea planters’ money) may help toestablish a Tea Court at any local Exhibition, as has been done at Coolgardie. Nevertheless, M. Joubert’s wide family and business connection surely offers a tempting opportunity for establishing a successful Australian agency in Ceylon tea and we have, therefore, the more readily, given ublicity to his letter on the chance of a olombo tea exporting house without an Australian Agent, putting itself into com- raunication with our correspondent. To for- ward the realization of his present wishes is to promote the interests of Ceylon tea; and we, therefore, trust that M. Joubert may be successful in hearing from a Col- ombo merchant, or proprietary planter, how a business may be established to cover the wide extent of colonies indicated in his letter. FREIGHT AND COMMISSION CHARGES ' ON TEA PURCHASED IN CALCUTTA. We (The Indian Planters’ Gazette) enclose three pro forma documents :—viz, (1) Shipper’s Invoice ; (2) London account sale ; (3) Relative account-current ; which purport to deal with parcels of 100 chests of tea purchased in Caleutta at 54 annas per ound, shipped at freight £2-10s per ton, and covered at exchange 1s 4d’; buying and _ selling commission at 15 per cent. These, if will be noted, are the exact factors upon which onr tables were based. The account sale shows the sale of this tea in London at 74d, the equi- valent shown in our table against a cost. of 5% annas, and the account-current discloses a differ- ence of £1-12s or about % per cent. over the whole transactien—a point that is unappreci- able when it is borne in mind 8,000 Ib. of tea is dealt with. The charges shown in. these examples are actuals. PLANTERS’ Stores & AGENCY Co,, Lirp, ¥ Oak 10th May, 1899, AGRICULTURIST. 25 SHIPPER’S INVOICE. No. TELEGRAPHIC CYPHER. Invoice of 100 packages of tea marked and num- bered as per margin, shipped by the Planters’ Stores and Agency Co., Ltd., Calcutta, per steamer “ City of Perth’ for London: for account and risk of the concerned and consigned to order. Freight ati 50s. Draft at 3 months sight through _ National Bank of India, Limited, for £203-13-lat Bx. 1s 4d. R As. PB, No. 1/100, 100 chests pekoe Souchong -. 8,£00\b. 5/6 2,921 14.0 CHARGES. R As. Ps Brokerage atl percent .. 29 3 6 Taking delivery, Marking and Shipping at .5 per chest oo) ol -4,.0 Insurance on £220 at 2 per cent less 10 per cent at Ex. ls 4d cS wa lie) 0) Policy Stamp 36 0 6 0 Stamp Bill of Landing & Bill of Exchange 56 2.0 0 Postage, Petties and Tele- grams Be OF) Bill Brokerage at } perct. 3.13 0 Commission at 14 percent. 45 2 3 132 14. 9 —— R3,054 12 9 E. &. O. B. Calcutta, 10th September, 1895. ACOOUNT SALE, Account sales of 100 packages of tex ex “ City of Perth’ at Calcutta sold by Mossrs. Jones & Co on account of the concerned. Nett lb. £ 8, de 100 chests Pekoe Souchong.. 8,500 an: Less draft OG 100 8,400 Less loss in weight, say 3 lb. per chest _ see 50 8,350 at 74d 252 41 LONDON CHARGES. as zi £ se a, £ sd Freight on 100 chests at 503 per 50.c. ft. say 10 tons ., 25 0 O Interest on ditto 108 days .. O07 4 Warehouse charges average 33 4d per £ «» 1613 4 Interest on ditto 90 days... 0 4 1 Customs Weight Notes and Warrants oo O12 6 Public sale expenses eo. O12 6 Brokerage at 1 per cent ». 210 5, 46 022 £206 4 8 RELATIVE AOCOUNL CURRENT. THE CONCERNED IN ACGOUNT WITH THE PLANTERS’ STORES AND AGENCY. CO., LTD, ‘Caleutta, 3% To Cash— £ ose. de Bill dve a6 ve, 203. 18..1 To Stamping Marine Policy Fire ; Insurance, London +6 08 a Te Selling Commission in London atld per cent .o. oe pay Lope 7 u — ne Total 4, £207 16 ¢ 26 LONDON. Lets ad. By Proceeds of sale as per account Sales shown ne 206 4 8 By Balance én AO Te PA) Total -- £207 16 8 E. & O. HE. London, 10th November 1895. “Sj - — MINOR PRODUCTS REPORT. Lonpon, May 4. CiycrttonA Bark has dropped twenty-five per cent téday in Amsterdam. Quinine, which has been the victim of the conflicting reports of Java bark ship- ments this week, has been, on the whole very quiet, Coca LeraAves.—Quiet. Huanuco kind is neglected at 1s. For Truxillo there are inquiries, and busi- ness is likely to be done at 10d. The string of Ceylon leaves offered at the last auction haye all been sold, 10d being obtained for all but the dark damaged leaves. Cinnamon.—Quills are about half-pence better this ‘week in anticipation of the small sale at the end of the month. Firsts are quoted 10d to 104d; seconds, 9td to 93d; thirds, 83d to 9d; and fourths, 84d. In the spice sales yesterday 13 bales of Ceylon were sold without reserve at 61d to 6$d; while 25 bags of chips were bought in at 33d. During the three months—January, February and March 1899—331,217 1b of quills and 563,345 lb of chips were exported from Oeylon. -CtncHona Bark.—From details of the exports of this article from Ceylon which have been published if appears that of the 150,080 lb of bark exported, from January Ist to March 28th 121,250 lb went to the United Kingdom, 28,797 lb to America and 33lb to France. Fixrep O1ms.—Coconut: Ceylon, spot, £25 10s to £25 15s.— British and Colonial Druggist, May 6. CincHonsA.—The Ceylon shipments from January ist to April llth were 168,770 lb, as compared with "$01,273 for the corresponding period of 1898. Since the auctions last week sales of 400 to 500 bales are teported, at an advance of $d on the unit then paid. There have been nibbles for the soft Colombian bark, but no busiuess has transpired. The exporis of bark from Java for April were 996,000 Amst. lb against 860,000 last year, making a total for the four months of 3,021,800, against 3,225,000 Amst. lb last ear. The shipments this year have been :—January 098,00; February 539,000; and March 977,000 Amst: lb. Canpamoms.—A fair amount of business is passing in Mysores privately at the rates paid in auction.— Cheniist and Druggtst, May 6. INDIAN AND CEYLON TEA. CIRCULAR TO ALL PRODUCERS AND IMPORTERS OF THA. The following circular has been issued by the secretaries of the Indian Tea Association (Londen), and the Ceylon Association in London :— We are instructed to forward to you the enclosed memorandum on the proposal to abolish the draft allowance on teas sold at public auction in London, and toinuvite your support. We are desired to point out that it is greatly to the interest of producers and importers that the proposal should be carried into effect, and to add that it has the unanimous approval of the Committees of the Indian Tea Association (London), and the Ceylon Association in London. If yeu see your way to support the proposal, we shall feel obliged by your returning to either of us as soon as possible the enclosed form duly filled up.—ERnest yx, Secretary, the Indian Tea Association, London. Wm. Msn sin Leake, Secretary, the Ceylon, Asso- Giation in Z THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [JULY 1, 1899, I/We, the undersigned grower or importer of Indian Ceylon, Java, or China teas, hereby agree that any teas I/we may put up for auction at public sale, in London, on and after a date to be hereafter deter- mined by the Joint Committee of the Indian and Ceylon Association in London, but not before Jaly 1 next, shall be sold on the express condition that no allowance for draft be made to the buyer, This I/we agree to carry out, provided the Joint Committee of the two Associations receive in their opinion sufficient support to ensure the adoption of the proposal. [Here follows name of firm, proprietor, or company and quantity represented of Indian, Ceylon, China and Java teas. | MMO. AS TO ALLOWANCE OF 1 LB. DRAFT ON TEA SALFS. 1. The profit on tea cultivation having reached such a narrow margin it became im- perative on the grower to curtail every item of expenditure in India anc Ceylon to the very lowest limit, and in consequence many forms of allowances which were common in better times have of necessity been abolished. 2. It has now unfortunately become necessary for the grower to extend this pruning down to unnecessary charges and allowances on his teas in London, and the most obvious of these is the allowance of one pound draft per chest or half chest. 3. This allowance has long been looked upon by the rower 4s aD unwarrantable tax upon his teas, and it is held that the time has come for it to be abolished. 4. During last year there were imported into London : Chests. Half-chests From India 1,286,998 285.664 1) Ceylon ae 831.406 316,090 2,118,404 601,754 and the allowance on these from draft alone ainounted to 27,20,000 lb. 5. And this is not all; for, by the present system of weighing by H.M. Customs, a turn of the scale is given in the buyer’s favour on the gross weight and another on the tare weight. Hach of these may give the buyer a maximum adyantage of 15°7 oz., so that the two together average close on 1lb, of tea per package, exclusive of draft. 6. Taking then the two forms of allowance (namely, draft and weighing) together, the buyers on these figures received 5,000,0001b. of tea more than they paid for. 7. Withont raising the question of an alteration in the system of weighment there is no reason why the draft allowance should not be abolished. It isa survival from times and conditions which no longer prevail, and it is not exacted in countries other than Great Britain, to which India and Ceylon supplied last year 560,000 chests. - 8. In 1890 all draft allowance was abolished on cured provisions and cheese, the same has been done in the case of bark and other articles, and the same should be done now in the case of tea.—H. and C, Mail, May 5. ——— SIR A. MACKENZIE AND THE TEA PLANTERS. Sir Alexander Mackenzie’s thrice unfortunate aspersions on the tea-garden managers have aroused much indignation and no wonder. Al- though in giving evidence before the Currency Commission the ex-Lieutenant-Governor does not say in so many words that tie manager are for the most part incompetent, he groups his answers in such a manner as to leave his hearers no alternative inference. Yet when we read on, we find that his grievance really is that “the conditions of profitable cultivation have changed.” Surely that is not the managers fault. Machi- nery has come in, says Sir Alexander, and with it the practice of amalgamating a number of ~ JuLY 1, 1899; ] THE TROPICAL gardens under one management. The manage- ment that is called for under these conditions is expert and ‘‘itishhard to get.” And yet ore heard of large numbers of experienced tea planters who were to be met in Calcutta last cold weather looking for work in vain. Yhat fact scarcely bears out Sir Alexanier’s petulant re- mark. Of course it is very annoying to be a shareholder in a company which does not pay a dividend upon the season because its manager has been dismissed, but, after all, surely that is avery smnail fact from which to areue the general jaziness or stupidity of a large body of gentlemen. Sir A Mackenzie complains that the pampered tea planter picks up his experience “st the cost of the shareholders.” There is a very general impression among those who know that he picks it up too often at his own,—The Englishman. > FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA,— VIL. Dealing with two replies dating from Dikoya, one from Agrapatana, and one from Kotagala, we find the drawbacks to making better tea considered from different stand- points. One Dikoya planter, while holding the ignorance and carelessness of tea makers and coolies who try to hurry through their work, responsible for much, considers the teas now produced far superior in make to those turned out, say four years ago, and that it is only over-production and combina- tion among buyers which has stood in the way of better prices. The other is unable to detect any special cause, though jat, soil where previously under coffee, rush of leaf, and neglect of pruning followed by severe cutting down, play their part in keeping down the quality. Agrapatana thinks the failure of buyers to give value is the great drawback to making better tea, as the district possesses great advantages; while Kotagala pleads unseasonable weather, want of accommodation and machinery in some places, and want of attention in others, as hindrances to improvement. On jat there is nothing new to record, as there is the usual variety, though as a whole all the districts have fair working bushes varying from good and medium to inferior in the first planta- tions. In soil, Dikoya is content to claim medium, but generally good for tea; while Agrapatana rejoices in decidedly good soil, and Kotagala regards its soil as not gene- rally poor, though parts of most estates are worn. Mr. John Hughes’ letter should draw special attention to the impoverishment of soil which immediately attends heavy and continuous showers, and the necessity of pro- viding safeguards against avoidable loss, whether of soil or its more valuable consti- tuents. While one Dikoya planter unequi- vocally declares in favour of manuring, the other insists that a dose of manure which shows good xesults exhausts itself in. two years, atter which the bushes suffer if the dose be not repeated ; and with prices under 8d. per lb. there is very little puoi in manuring. Butmay not the profits disappear altogether without manuring? From Agra- patana comes the warning that manuring, to do good, must be scientific, and in that description is not included ‘‘the usual castor-cake and bones,” on which, however AGRICULTURIST. 97 these who have tried the combination generally report favourably. Kotagala adds its testimony in favour of manure, as both improving and profitable where the soil is not too much worn, and where neglect has not continued too lone. Then it is a question of ‘Will it pay 2.” In regard to factories, one Dikoya resident declares that most estates are deficient .in withering space and that prices are seriously affected in consequence, through Visiting Agents, with no practical knowledge of the details. of work, opposing extensions which the working Superintendent feels to be essential. “The other Dikoya planter takes a. different view, holding that most factories have ample room for nine months of the year, but the space is found insufficient generally during the rush in April and May. The question is, we suppose, whether addi- tional expenditure will be justified by the saving of the loss that insufficient witherin space leads to; but the latest invention will, perhaps, effect a revolution, and those: who saved in buildings may yet rejoice! In Agrapatana there is no deficiency in wither- ing space; and the sufficiency is speciall mentioned as an explanation of. the hig average prices the District obtains: and Kotagala, too, finds that the want of space has been supplied in recent years. Dikoya is; generally, well supplied with machinery (save in respect of sifters and roll-breakers), and also with motive power, except during the dry season; and Agrapatana and Kotagala, too, are generally satisfied with the equip- ment of their factories. The labour force has been ample in all three districts—Kotagala experiencing that pleasure after five or six years. Dikoya holds two views of pruning—= one that it is neglected too long; and then the knife is applied with too great severity, the other that poor jats must be severely dealt with to yield paying flushes: but V.A.’s ave said to worry the bushes’ with too early plucking, to ultimate injury of the estate, hile Agrapatana. has not suffered from severe pruning, Kotagala complains of much too severe handling after prolonged neglect. From Dikoya and Agrapatana the unanimous verdict is that both soil and climate are most suitable for tea, the only drawback being that many of the earlier plantations had to be pushed on without reference to jat, and with undue regard to economy in consequence of the collapse of coffee. The results in such cases are sadly apparent now. This is ‘a drawback from which Agrapatana evidently has not suffered 3 but Kotagala is burdened with land which had been for long years under coffee, and such cannot be expected to yield large returns. ————___ Coconut PALM CuLTIVATION.— Cultivators of coconut pane in the Straits Settlements, who have been troubled by beetles and by “the effects of sugar estates on coconut plantations,” will read with interest the letter of ‘“‘W.J.” elsewhere, as one of our most experienced Ceylon planters. Inanswer to his enquiries as to nature of ‘soil, multi- plicity of beetles, &c., we shall be: glad to hear fromany one having a knowledge of the conditions in Selangor and other divisions of the Straits Settlements, —_—_——— 58 THE TROPICAL CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA. THE WORK a AaB ci WL) imiscences by an ex-Ceylon planter J ia.i. ping ee i Ail delphias April 1889. I have taken a pioncer’s interest in many things during my life, but no interest has cost me so much as Ceylon tea, and yet T turn with an apparently undying interest to Ceylon tea wwichy every good wish for its success—I may say—in(- genous to the ‘make up’ of my being, My post- tion is that of the bird that flies with the wind (or, for a change, against it) fice. I am not finan- cially interested (in my work) and I am happy. Ltake a bird’s eye view of the Tea Trade in the United States of America, and in doing so, quietly consider Why’s and Wherefore’s, look at, things as Tsee them generally without bias. ‘To take wing to Ceylon ({ wish I could) I, in my dreams efiect a mode of my own for quick transit. How much, do planters (so many of them my old friends, f see by the Directory) hear what resident planters have to say about America? flow much trom ‘late? planters now resident here in America ag merchants? How very little do they bear trom the retailers of Ceylon tea who sell your tea to the American people! I hope to do sone good in this respect. I am known today, in Philadelphia, the moment I introduce myseli—not only to tradesmen or tea men, but to Philadelphians generally as ‘‘ the man who hung about 13th Market and Arch Street in four different stores. for five years—shouting out (metaphorically writing) about Ceylon Tea to an unresponsive ublic ! Five out of six (to whom I may thus introduce myself) answer. ‘‘ What? Were you under St. George’s Hall”? ‘* Yes, in the dreariest depths of basement.” I can always answer !. My siens were large, and demonstrative— being on a level with the eyes of the ‘‘passer by —(please note ‘‘ passer by”) but they all seem to have passed by once at least—and remember my store. - My saddest recollection in connection with this store is that of our dear old friend from Aberdeen =yia 20 or 30 years in Ceylon, JAMIE GARIOCH. He wrote me from Canada when he was stranded and I was in no position at that time to ask him to join me; but he turned up, and for pont a year represented me in my store. Good, kind- hearted old soul, but dying on his feet. I ‘suppose everyone who knew him, knows that he finally landed on his native heath, Aberdeen, and _ died at peace with the whole world among his friends. Little do those who have not cast their ot in a country like this realize what iv is to “‘oet left ” in life, particularly in old age, after leaving Veylon. Not until they have experienced such a position can they possibly imagine what lifeless and ambitionless existence means. Another good old Ceylon man was represented there, viz. : VERE MILLINGTON, a good, cheery; kind and true-hearted man as sever lived. Ihave always looked upon him as the actual impersonation of “ Mark Tapley”—and if ‘any living being enjoyed and could repeat Dickens —Vere Millington was the man. He served me in the midst, ard through the midst, of my troubles. I only learned to appreciate him aiter L thought he was torn bone from bone—dead and -gone—annihilated by misforonne acd mishaps. But after I had buried him, through false in- formation from triends, he turned up serenely, not ‘only able to walk, but through having to carry an overweight of avoirdupois actually (what AGRICULTUBIST. [Jory 1, 189°. shall I say?) unable to walk, or nearly so. The laugh was there and the happy temperament seemed to bear up all the weight he could gather from tie flesh and all the sorrows he could glean from the d—J]. There is a man who did me personally great service, never yet repaid, but was and is now nore than appreciated. He was, in this country, a plucky fighter under the most trying circumstances, kent his head level, ‘ kept a stiff upper lip,” met misfortune with a merry laugh, and when at last dropped some 20 feet on to an asphalt floor from wheels revolving like lightning of heavy electric engines stripped of his clothes, half-a-dozen bones broken and in a generally mangled condition, unconscious, he wanted to know Where they were taking him to, aud why they didn’t get him his clothes and let him go home to his wife as a decent although unfortunate mau! Lecannot, of course, remember exactly what he did remark, but what he said was to this effect! Isaw him and his good wite oa the last visit they made, and they were both Jooking great. L have lost their address in Bneland, and ean’t write; but would be elad to know how. His property I heard (from himself) was doing him all that was necessary for a livelihood, and no one is happier to know it than the writer. As I write, I have received letters from three prominent firms in Philadelphia, representing tea (retail). ‘They speak for themselves. TI expect others as fime goes on, and will gradually afiord you. matter from which you may eventually be able to arrive at a consensus of retailers’ opinion, representing finally an undebatable philo-ophy regarding Veylon Téa in America. CEYLON AND INDIA Us. CHINA TEAS. November 9th, 1898.—E sitor, “ Journalof Commerce and Commercial Bulletin,’ New York.—Dear sir,—I note with interest a letterupon “Chinavs. Ceylon Teas” in your paper of even date. Only a very few years since I was a believer in the theory that Ceylon and A-sam teas were too strong, teo rich in tannin—‘ too rich for our blood’’—in fact in this dry electrical climate of ours, but I conid well understand the high favor which these teas met with in England because the wet damp climate with its raw benumbing cold, in the winter months (that characterizes the major portion of the eather in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) demands just such a nourishing, such a “ grateful and comforting’? drink as can alone be obtained from a cup of rich, full-bodied and fragrant Ceylon or Assam tea. In fact in my various visits to the mother country I was so captivated with their “two shilling” teas, for instance, that I would bring some home with me for my own table, but I fancied that they did not taste nearly so well here as they did in England, which was probably due to the difference in climatic condi- tions; but the taste for them grew upon me and I finally: began to experiment with them in our _various blends which we sell so largely throngh- out the United States—at first gingerly and min- cingly,—feariul. of making mistakes, but as popuiar approval in the shape of increased sales and enthusiastic commendations followed upon each in- ‘crease oi the proportions in. which we used them in the “biends ” we have finally reached a point that we never dreamed of, and that is to say that’ very nearly half of the stocks of black teas which we now carry in our warehouses is of Ceylon or Assam growth. Nor can this be called a matter of partiality either, because we find that their use now in our blends is imperative, we could not well discontinue them if we would.* : *This is precisely the principle that I advocated 12 or 13 years ago, and find endorsed by the retail trade of today—what follows is merely a repetition of my old arguments,—J.M,M, 1 StS ee JULY 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL If any dealer doubts the value of our experience in this respect, let him start say with an addition to any of his black oz mixed teas, of 10 per cent. of good Ceylon or Assam tea, then let him bide result, and when popular approval does surely show itself, let him then gradually increase this proportion, until he has say 2 third of good Ceylon, a sixth of Congou and the balanee of Foochow oolong, and let him note the pleased looks of his customers as they come back for more of ‘‘that very same tea’’ which they got before—‘‘it was just splendid.” We candidly admit that the mixture of these teas in our ‘‘Caricol Blend” has more than trebled its sales and that not alone in territory (iike the coal regions of Pennsylvania where a heavy-bodied tea is always in vogue) but in all parts of the country, in the far west where pan-fired and basket-fired Japans are the rage, and in the South where UChinese greens are used largely, as well as in New England where the people are partial to straight Mormosa oolong, so that I am sure the time has come when the Chinese and Japanese tea growers may well look with apprehension upon their vanishing trade, not alone in England but in America as_ well —Yours truly, TROMAS MARTINDALE. [No statement of facts could be clearer or more truthful than the above—andI anticipate an answer to the similar eifect from every grocer who favors me with a written expression of his opinion regarding the value of Ceylon tea as a staple article in America.—J. M. M.] November !5, 1898.—Hditor, “ Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin,’”” New York. Dear Sir,— Replying to Mr. A. R. Robhertson’s criticism upon my Jetter of November 9th, which he good naturedly assures your readers ‘is not captious,’’ permit me to say that in writing to His Hxcellency Li Hung Chang, as I did two years ago, it was not because my pre- dilections were so strongly in favor of Chinese or Japanese teas; but it was in protest against a pic- torial form of advertising then used by the Ceylon and Assam Planters’ Association, which I believed was not cnly hurtful to the China and Japan tea trade but to the Ceylon and India teas as well, and which form of advertising I am rejoiced to see bas been dispensed with.* I have always maintained that it was questionable policy for a business rival to attack another, either in public or private, or for an advertiser to try to advertise his own business by ridiculing or humilia- ting his rival, and this from my point of view was what the representatives of ‘‘machine made”’ teas were doing, when under their direction a lot of scenes were published, showing almost nude China- men, teeking with perspiration, standing over the firing pans, firing tea; the scene showing likewise an occasional pig running in and around the firing room, by way of variety. Now granting that this picture ‘was true to life, would it not breed in the imagination ‘of nervous and refined men end women a feeling of repugnance to all teas, as if would surely raise in their minds an element of doubt as to the cleanliness of any teas, machine made or hand made ? Mr. Rebertson wants to know if a cup of good congou Oolong or Formosa may not be as “ grateful and com- forting ” to us in our dry climate as the Ceylon or India teas are to the tea drinkers in the cold wet climate of England. LI unhesitatingly reply, ‘‘ Yes.” + In fact [ think that Ceylons or Indians ‘ straight,” (that is by themselves) are too rich in tannin; too full * Here again Il agree. To picture Vea as subject to such methods of preparation in any country, is inju- rious to tea of all kinds. To build upon the wrongs of others as a means of raising ourselves is poor prin- ciple and to have recourse to illustrating the vilest methods of tea manufacture or preparation as an advertisement of the legitimate and actual treatment accredited to all countries where tea is known to be cultivated is surely open to criticism, and ought to be stopped by legal enactment.—J.M. M. t What have I argued from first to last ?—J. M. M, AGRICULTURIST, Pao) bodied for the lovers of tea in America, while they re ‘just the thing ” over there. But my argument in their favour is as to their use in connection with other teas: that they will improve and ‘bring up’ almost any teas that they are blended with, (Why didn’t Mr Martindale write this 12 yearsago? Too late Noe far as 1am concerned.—s. mM. m.] Mr, Robertson suggests that the marvellous success which we have met with is pushing our “ Caricol ” blend of tea, may be the result of the clever advertis- ing ithas received. This might be so as initial orders else why spend money for publicity; but when the “ repeat” * orders, begin to come inand keep on coming year after year, then it shows that it is the inate merit of the article itself thatis doing the work. I believe with Mr. Frank Munsey of magazine fame that the man who tries to give the public the most and the best for its money will always win over the man who tries to make the most out of the public and give the least he can. The public day by day through the redundancy of newspaper, circular and poster publicity is becoming more e:lightened and more critical; and while advertising may buildup a tiade, it can never hold it if absolute merit is lacking in the article advertised a In this connection it strikes me as strange that members of the tea trade in this country do not advertise more than they do.t I venture the assertion that $20°00 is spent in England in advertising and pushing teas to eyery single dollar that is “spent here. Hverywhere in the British Isles, you are con- fronted with tea publicity in some shape, form or other ; even the theatre is not free from it, as wit- ness this from one of Colley Cibbers characters—Lady Gentle: ‘Tea, tea! thou soft, thou sober, sage, and venerable liqnor ; thou innocent pretext for bringing the wicked cf both sexes together ina morning; thou female tongue-running, smile-soothing, heart-opening wink-tipping cordial, to ywbose glorious insipidity I owe the happiest moments of my life, let me fail pros- trate and adore thee !”’—Respectfully yours, THOMAS MARTINDALE. Philadelphia, Dec. 7th, 1898. To the E@itor, “ Journal of Commerce and ~ cial Bulletin”, New York City. Ponies Dear Sir,—As Mr. E A Willard states in his letter published in yonr paper of December 3rd, that “he will not answer the parties seeking to advertise their particular brands through the medium of correspond- ence in your columns’ and asI am the only man so far who has mentioned a particular brand in this cor- respondence, I must take it, thatI.am the one whem he will not answer: may it not be that the position I take in this controversy cannot be answered, or rather refuted ? And that is, that the mixture of a certain portion of Ceyjon or India teas with a blend of other teas, is invariably beneficial ; in fact, Mr. Willard seems to admit this when he says, ‘ That Ceylon and India teas have some merit and are de- sirable in blending, is true” therefore I may take it for eid rage my position is unassailable, even if in order to ciinch m oint I was compelle - tion the ‘‘ Caricol Blend.” aahtn mee Mr. Willard seems to cbject (with some show. of temper too, by the way) to the fact that Indie and Ceylon teas are expensively and extensively adver- tised, ‘‘ that hundreds of thousands of dollars are being annually spent’ in advertising India, Ceylon and Japan * The repeat orders form the principle of successful issu>.—By the gradual treatment of China and Japan tea drinkers to a taste for body in the liquor. Ceylon can eventually swamp the demand for the others and establish the demand for itself in its purity.—J. M, M, {+ The tea houses in America do, as a tule, adveriize but what ? Not the tea on its own merits, bat Nhat kind of present goes with the pound! That is what { see everywhere, and the people are fools in this res- pect. hey do not dare criticise the quality of the tea even if they can, for they know the answer they would get “ what can youexpect, withsucha present?” —J,M.M, 30 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, teas by. “foreigners.” Is it a crimeor an offence against society that ‘foreigners’ should spend their Money in such a lavish manner to advertise teas which the gentleman himself admits ‘‘are desirable in blend- ing?” Will it not rather strike the candid reader that may be in some manner the gentleman's in- terests or holdirgs of other teas may be jeopardized in their value? Not only by the successful advertis- ing these ‘‘ foreigners ”’ indulge in but also by its results in increasing the consumption of a tea which he would haye us believe (on the authority of two English doctors) will produce “intoxication. If this should be the underlying reason of the objections, the gentleman raises against Ceylon and Indian teas, the logical conclusion is, that he himself ought to gtart in and advertise “the purity and more delicate flavor of Chinese teas’? with the same vigor and persistency that these ier en show in their of ‘making publicity.” : ae aap tepad anit Mr. Willard, however, in regard to some of the ‘‘ extravagant statements used by these ‘foreigners ” in their advertisement, and I have always maintained that certain pictorial advertise- ments which they have used arecalculated to discourage the drinking of teas of any. kind, and as a case in point. I note in Mr, Blechyndnes reply to Mr. Wiltard in your. paper of the 6th, the claim which he makes as to the use of night, soil as @ fertilizer by the “Mongolian tea planters ” while the statemens may be, and undoubtedly is possibly true, yet such a story in a public point is bound to breed disgust in the minds of tea-drinkers who may say ‘ well how do L know but what such fertilizers are used upon all the tea plants. I'll be hanged if Vl drink any tea at all. Ll drink plain hot water first, And if also agree with Mr. Willard that the quality of Chinu teas imported here, has improved very much during the past two years, and yet I must disagree again with him, when he states that Chinese teas are so much purer and of better ~ flavor than Ceylon or India teas. If this were 50, why don’t the rejections by the tea inspectors show it to be so. There have been over @ million pounds of China ana Japan teas (mostly the former) rejected by the tea inspectors, since the new inspection law went into effect, and as far as my recollection goes, not a single chest of Ceylon or India tea has been rejected in all that time. What stronger proof of their purity and flavor »2—Respectfully yours, eguepeuster ee THomas MARTINDALE. February 10, 1899. Editor, ‘ Journal of Commerce”, New York. -Sir,—It would seem from the various letters which “appear from time to time in your Journal in con- nection either with the Tea Inspection Law or the war duty of 10 cents, that the Tea _ Trade as @ whole is a marvel of inconsistency, (may we not i ancy). rhe Hale ee ete championed and lobbied through congress by the leading members of the trade, and loud was the acclaim of these same men when it was put into operation. The next thing that’ the tea men wanted was a duty and letters by the thousand. were. sent to Congressmen and Senators pleading with onr legislators to place a duty upon tea. wherbaa ae movement was andertaken to benetit the holders of large stocks of tea or for motives tending to benefit. the public good will never be known, but the fact that the duty. was advised and requested by some of these very men who now kick’ against the pricks, which ae caused by the Inspection Law ty as well. ant Oe aa eave ADI true that both causes com- bined have resulted in the nearly total disappearance through the channels of consumption of all the old teas * The imposed «uty of 10 cents per pound has oe SRF RGEE! reretae litigation as toupuoveniion against refuse is better. The U. 8. A. i year aay year presenting a more substantial fie ¢ for. e Ceylon planters to claim as their specia inhexent. A. word to the wise ought to suffice |—J, M, M, [Juny 1, 1899; with which the market has been burdened ior so many, many years, and it is safe to say that probably in no country in the world can so liltle poor tea be found as at the present time in the United States. What a startling ccntrast this is to the condition of the Tea trade a short five years ago, when it was loaded down with monutains of trash without character and with- out any vivility or actual worth save thet of making bolk. he writer recollects vividly that in purchasing the general stock of a wholesale grocer who was declin- ing business after a busy career of over a half century, that his stock of tea upon examination was found to be absolutely worthless. The tea lead which encased it had become oxidized and had separated into little globules of lead which was sprinkled through the tea. The owner stated that he had purchased it during the war at a cost of over two dollars a pound, and he sorrowfully said, that he really “hated to part with it. It had been with him so very, very long.”’ It was sent to the auction-room and was bought by those who cared less for quality than they did for price, at seven cents per pound, bnt today if a man were hunting for that same sort of stuffin any fair sized quantity he would have difficulty in finding it, even at two dollars a pound, as the country is now practically clear of all such trash. ‘The duty and the inspection law having brought about this happy condition of affairs, the “incoustant leading tea men”? now commence to make lamenta- tions against the enforcement of the inspection law, and turn their tearful eyes to Congress for a repeal of the duty, elsethey say the poor people will stop drink- ing tea and will drink coffee only; that the price has already gone beyond the poor man’s purse, ete., etc, Yet only this week in the city of Philadelphia, a blend of teas was offered at 33 cents in forty-three stores with the choice of a can of tomatoes, corn or peas thrown in as an inducement to buy the tea. Iwentinto alittle grocery store on Wednesday of this week to wait for a street car, and while there, out of curiosity, purchased a quarter of a pound of their cheapest tea, for which I was charged eight cents, The best known blend of tea now before the country (the ‘‘ Carico] Blend ”’) is being retailed at 34 cents per pound in the Hast and West and North and South, so that the poor man cannot yet have suffered very much from either the operation of the Inspection Law or the duty, and the chances are that the competition in trade will continue to give him a pound of good, pure, wholesome tea at from thirty-four to thirty-eight cents. for years to come, which in actual merit will be worth two pounds of such stuifas but a short yearago he bougkt for the same price but with a glass, ora cup and saucer or a chromo thrown in. He does now surely lose the chromo and the glass dish and the piece of china, but he gets what he did uot get before— good tea, which instead of driving him to drink coffee as a substitute, will make him a more liberal user of - tea than ever, because it may be that he never knew before what a cup of goodtea really was, and the “cup that cheers but not inebriates ’’ will then become his daily solace, his comfort and his necessity. THOMAS MARTINDALE. ——— INSPECTION OF THE PEARL BANKS, The following report by Capt. Donnan, Master Attendant, has been placed at the disposal of the press :— : Master-Attendant’s Office, Colombo, 14th April. Sir,—I have the honour to report my return to Colombo on the 13th instant from an inspec- tion of the Pear] Banks on west coast, lying off Avippu, MWKearaitivu, and Chilaw. 2. The banks examined off Arippu were the Cheval Paar, Sonthern portion of the: Periya Paar, Moderagam Paar, Kerai, onter Van- kalai Paar, Kallatidal Paar, iKondache Paar, and Jaggenboon Paar. 3. Large beds ef young oysters from 3 to 6 mouths old were found on the Periya Paar and ar Jory 1, 1899] THE TROPICAL on the onter Vankalai Paar, but no oytsers what- ever were found on any of the other banks. The few small patches of young oysters that were found onthe east side of the Cheval Paar last year have entirely disappired. 4. The banks examined off Karaitivn were the Dutch Mederagam, Kaaraitivu Paar, Alantua Paar, and Muttuvanatu Parr. No oysters were found on the Duteh Moderagam, Karraitivu Paar, and Alantua Paar. The Muttuvaratu Paar, which was so promising two years ago, I regret to report, failed completely. During the two days employed in going carefully over this bank only 120 oysters of to 34 years old were found, so that practically the 72 millions of young oysters estimated to be on this bank in March, 1897, have completely disappeared. I had to re- port Jast year of a very large reduction in the number of oysters on this bank, but I then hoped that the oysters left, being clder and stronger to resist attacks of fish, would remain on the bank and come to maturity. The only evidence found of the cause of the disappearance of some of the oysters was that of afew of the empty shells sent up by the divers having a piece broken off them, large enough to have caused the death of the oysters, and it seemed to me that the pieces had been bitten off the shells by some fish. There were not, however, many of the empty shells damaged in that way. Out of a total of 55 picked up there were only 5 damaged, the remaining 50 were perfect, and showed no sign of the cause of the death of the oyster. The bulk of the oysters, however, must have been removed from the bank entirely otherwise, many more empty shells would have been found, and therefore, the cause of their removal remains a mystery. It is probable, however, that they might have been removed entirely by large fish such as skate, which would crush the shells in their mouth, and swallow the fragments of shells along with the oyster. I have found the stomachs of rock fish, of 10 to 15 1b. in weicht, that have been caught on a. bed of young oysters, full of frag- ments of the young oysters’ shell and if such fish swallow the oyster shell, it is very probable that larger fish able to crush the shell of older oysters would do likewise. 6. The banks examined off Chilaw were the Udapankane Paar, Muttundi Paar, Jakempiddi Paar, Kanukupany Paar, Chilaw Paar, Manatty Paar and Ungul Paar. No oysters, however, were found on any of these banks.—I remain, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed), J. DONNAN, Master Attendant. Tothe Hon. the Colonial Secretary. CEYLON TEA COMPANIES : SCOTTISH CHYLON—PROPRIETARY e —RAGALLA. We publish reports of the annual general meetings of the above Companies, the latter of which alone declared no dividend. - In the case of the Scottish Ceylon a slight falling-off in results had been reported, and the rise in exchange had added £500 to the expenses of production. The average. price, too, was 3) cents: down from that of 1897; nevertheless the Company was able to pay a satisfactory final dividend of ten per cent. But for the inconsistency of the seasons, apart from other causes, it would doubtless have been appreciably higher. In the Ceylon Proprietary Tea Estates (Co, the rise in exchange was responsible AGRICULTURIST. 31 for a £900 increase in cost of production, while on the other hand the Company’s prices had kept level with those of the previous year. The Chairman, however, stated his opinion that they were still below what they should be. With from 220 to 250 acres of young tea not yet in bearing, the declaration of four per cent dividend was creditable enough, No dividend from the Ragaila Company was something of a surprise, when the news re- ached us by cable. Kelburne, the Chairman has now said, had been their disappoint- ing property owing, first, to the rapid tailure of the old coffee on the estate, and then to the shade from the coffee-trees hindering the growth of the young tea which was put in. Reference was made to Mr. W.. L. Strachan andhis report, which we havealready published and which showed that in the Ragalla Group there was a fine possession which would rise superior to the handicap- ping incubus of Keiburne, more especially if the latter began to lose that character, Though no dividend was paid, it was satis- factory to learn that the capital account would in all probability be closed with the expenditure of £600 for the current year, unless a Pelton Wheel were installed, cost- ing in all, £500. For this Company the dawn seems at hand. —$——$—<>__$______ CEYLON TEA. IN. CANADA. STRONG MARKET REPORTED. We publish a cutting from the ‘‘Mon- treal Daily Star,” kindly sent. us by a friend, now visiting the Dominion, in which a remarkably strong market for tea. is stated to have been the ‘feature of the grocery trade” during the Jast week in April. So much so that local dealers in Montreal had, at the date under notice, April 26th, shipped to London packages of tea at under 10d per lb. to the number of 1,600! Accord- ingly the local, demand for low priced teas became for them very difficult to meet and prices had visen in. consequence. It is further remarked that as Chinais not producing so much as hitherto, Ceylon and India blacks hav- ing driven out the Celestials’ and as the former have been 11. millions lb. short. of requirements, the deficiency cannot be remedied for some time; the Indian and China markets not opening till about. the end_ of May, ‘‘ while the small supply from Ceylon will hardly be noticed.” We are surprised at the later statement; but surely in view of such contingencies as that reported, itis, or rather it was, a mistaken policy for Ceylon. producers to starve the London market, when there has been such a call for assistance that away West Canadian dealers have had. to help in» the. supply and have been driven into a corner to meet local demands. Rises of 40 or. 45 per cent are no doubt pleasing enough as results, but a little less of the starvation policy should increase sales immensely. We refer specially to the low-grade teas, concerning which we see that fears are entertaimed in. the Dominion that the, Indian and China may not veach them till September or October, Meanwhile Ceylon should be able to some extent to step into the breach with soing brisk and substantial shipments, 32 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. THE WEATHER AND CROPS. THE effects of the trying drought, which almost all parts of the Island experienced during the first quarter, have not quite dis- appeared yet, so far as the Export Tables are an index. We are now in the last week of the fifth month; and the Chamber of Commerce tables, made up to the 23rd May, which we published for our Overland edi- tion and issued as a Supplement afford an interesting and instructive study. The form, in which we publish the Export Tables, enables our readers to» see at a glance how the leading exports at the end of every week compare with the quan- tities sent away for the corresponding period of the three previous years. The tea shipped this year, sofar, is 43,836,320 1b., and is for the first time, we believe, in 1899 ahead of the quantity shipped last year; and that only by about 220,000 1b., while it is still short of the exports to 28rd May in 1897, which reached 44,782,326! We know no reason for the fall ing-off, except the drought at the beginning of the year, coupled to a small extent with the frost in the highest districts. The last ground which has been already made up, gives promise of the realization of estimates for the year—though it is too early to pro- phesy confidently, or to revise the estimate. Coffee, curiously, has outstripped last year by nearly 1,000 cwt., albeit the quantity sent away is a miserable 6,344 cwt.; but the drought which told so disastrously on tea flushes was precisely what would bring out a blossom on coffee; and who knows but that the season may literally bear fruit next year, and help to swell the exports of the now despised berry? Cinchona, too, exhibits a leaf, with 836,700 lb exported, which is about 50,000 lb. in excess of last year, and 3,000 lb. in excess of 1897. The rise is probably due, rather to the upward tendency of quinine early this year, and the slackness in tea plucking and manu- facture which set labour free for barking, than to any increase in the acreage under cinchona, or any greater attention to cultivation. Cocoa, 20,555 cwt. exported, is 5,400 short of last year, but the fall may be explained by the rule of alternate big and small crops. This year is 5,000 cwt. ahead of 1896 an? 1897. So that the chances against disease having had been much todo with the outgoing crop. Cardamoms, which are no’ immediately affected by drought, are ahead by about 18,000 lb., of last year when 202,021 lb. were sent away, but only 8,300 lb. in advance of 1897. It is on low-country products, however, that thedroughthas told withthe greatest severity. Only 583,339 lb. of quilled cinnamon have been sent away, or nearly 200,000 lb. less than last year, 300,000 lb. less than in 1897, and 150,000 less than in 1896! The deficiency in manufactured bark—which is available only when the weather favours a free flow of sap, without which “peeling” is at a stand- still—has, however, been more than covered by excess in chips—generally coarse bark which does not peel, and which can be harvested (scraped off the sticks) all the year yound. The 942,777 lb. of chips exported represent an excess of 370,000 lb. over last are [JuLy 1, 1899, year, 400,000 over 1897, and 600,000 over 1896! Whether this immense quantity will tell on the prices of quilled bark is doubtful as fine bark is put to special uses for which chips are not suitable: and the deficiency in quills is really heavy. The prices now ruling confirm these doubts. The hand of the drought is to be seen in all the products of the coconut palin; for although oil shows a slight increase of 3,200 cwt., as compared with last year, previous weeks showed a deficiency, and the increase now recorded is scarcely proportionate to the growth of the palm industry, nor is it sufficient to com- pensate for the falling-off under other heads. Thus, in copra, which showed such splendid possibilities last year, there is a falling-off this year of 17,000 cwt. from the 114,435 of 1598. Desiccated coconut, in which there had been a steady progressive increase year by year, after the leaps and bounds of the earlier years of the new industry, exhibits a fall of 300,000 lb. as compared with 1898, and almost the same figures as 1897. In coconuts there is a fall of 200,000; and in poonac of 36,000 cwt. The two heaviest crops of nuts for the year have yet to be picked; but there is no reason to believe that these will be larger than the corresponding crops of the last two years. It is feared they will be smaller. If so, prices must go up, as the demand for copra is steady, ot) is generally stronger in the latter part of the year. The drought we have gone through will tell on the early crops of next year, too,—another reason why prices should be maintained, or even rise. A product which shows a decided advance is one that is not grown, but dug up, We have sent away 210,280 cwt. of plumbago, against 161,255 cwt. last year, 125,598 in 1897, and 129,267 in 1896. SS ASH OF CINNAMON BARK.—A fait’ amount of adulterated powdered cinnamon has been found in commerce in Germany, recently. Examination of a large number of samples of the pure drug have showed that the maximum quantity of ash should be five per cent, with not more than one per cent of silica.—From B. and C. Drugqist, for May. SALT AS A PLAGUE PREVENTIVE.—E.A. H. writing from Nice to the Times of India, expresses confidence in salt as a plague-preventive, and ascribes the immunity from sickness which he had enjoyed, during 35 years’ residence in India, to aliberal consumption of salt with food. Even if the cheap and common condiment is not a direct preventive, there can be no doubt that an adequate use of salt goes a good way to sustain health; and it is the weakly ones who are susceptible, not alone to plague, but to all diseases. In this connection, it is interesting to learn that “further experiments are this summer to be made in the German Army with the object of ascertain- ing the exact value and sustaining pewer of sugar Two companies of two regiments from different. army corps are to make long marches, and the more intelligent men will be provided with pure sugar and with pastilles of sugar to which‘coffee or lemon will be added, and which wiil be dis- solved in the water which will be carried in tins by the men. CUomparisons will then be made and the results reported upon,” ~ JeLy 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL NEW COMPANIES. Uxuweta Estates Co., Lop. (61,745).—Registered April 25th, with capital £17,000, in £25 shares (875 6 per cent. cumulative preference), to acquire the Ukuwela and Bowatte estates, inthe Island of Ceylon, to adopt an agreement with F. G. Am- brose, and to grow, export, import, and deal in tea, coffee, cocoa, and other produce. The subscribers are: Shares T. J. Lawrence, 165 Fenchurch St., E. C., merchant ... ee nf 650 W. H. Ambrose, Bartholomew House, E.C., stoek broker A -D. MacBrayne, jun. 17 Royal Hxchange Square Glasgow, insurance broker Bes W.R. Kermac, 180 Piceadilly, W., stock broker ee A Bb aa A, J. Walker, 12 St. Andrew's Mans, W. Kensington, stock broker Ee if: F. G. Ambrose, 165 Fenchurch St., E.C., tea planter ey ais wi W. Harwood, 31 Lombard St., E.C., solicitor ~ Phe number of directors is not to be less than two nor more than five; the first are F. G. Ambrose (chairman and managing director with £250 per annum), L. Anley, W. B. Anley and J.P. B. Anley ; qualification £250; remuneration £50 each per annum. Registered office, 165 Fen- church St., E.C. SELANGOR RUBBER Co., LD. (4,237).—Registered at Edinburgh, April 29th. with capital £20,000 in £1 shares, to acquire from C. R. Paterson and W. W. Bailey certain lands and concessions in the district of Klang, Selangor Straits Settlements, and to carry on the business of rubber, tea and coconut growers, ell ail ae planters, farmers and importers. The subs- eribers are: 4 Shares, T, Gallie, 11 Bothwell St., Glasgow, West India merchant ae ae Sage Ale C. Paterson, Ayton House, Dowanhill, i Glasgow, tea planter Bd ay -J.G. Rodger, 1 Claremont Gardens, Glasgow, gentleman... GR sei Hanes E. Rodger, 1 Claremont Gardens, Glasgow, gentleman ... a da Recell T. Birminsary, 105 W. George St., Glas- gow, merchant 1 H. Moncrieff, 45 W. George St., Glasgow, PAW GLUCT rn, ete ase apap eae The number of directors is not to be less than 3 nor more than 5; the first are T. Gallie, T. Johnston, H. Neilson and C. Paterson; quali- ‘ication £250; remuneration as fixed by the co. Registered office, 44 W. George St. Glasgow. Sprwt Rusper Co., Lv. (61,835).—Registered May Ist, with capital £1,000 in <1 shaves, to adopt an agreement with F. Dawkins, and to aca: own and york any rights, relating. to) rwobei: and mahogany in Africa or elsewhere. The nuaber of directors isnot. tobe less than 3 nor more than 73 tie subseribers are to appoint the first; qualification £100; remuneration as fixed by the co. Registered by Segar Bastard and Co. 56 Cannon St, E.C.—In- vestors’ Guardian, May 6. i TEA IN CANADA. , REMARKABLE SCARCITY. (From the MONTREAL Daily Star, April 26.) MONTREAL SELLS LONDON A LARGE ORDER—A STRONG MARKET. ~The strength of the tea market is undoubtedly the feature of the grocery trade this week. It appears that the Ceylon and [nlian crops are abyut eleven million pounds short of the require- ments anid this shortage hashad the effect of send- ing prices of grades under ninepencea pound up ‘avout 45 per cent. in the London market during the past few weeks. AGRICULTURIST. 33 Messrs. W D Stroud & Sons’ say that Ceylon and Indian teas which were sold down at 5 3d a pound two moaths ago cannot now be had at less than 84d. Formerly, low grades sold to the trade here at 125 and finest at 40c. while today the iowest cannob be had under 16$e. and the fine qualities bring 45c. 5 Reviewing the situation Mr. Stroud states that toshow the excitement existing in the London trade, teas which blenders would not entertain atall two months azo sell quite freely today at 8d a pound. In order to obtain sufficient for their require- ments, London dealers have been sending even to Montreal for saniples of all kinds of black under 20e 2 pound and local dealers have already shipped them some 1,600 packages. Loeal dealers have now great difficulty in getting low price teas to meet the demand, and as a consequence of the seareity, prices of some quali- ties have gone up 40 per cent. in the past three weeks. Green teas are also firmer. One of the reasons given for the scarcity was that Ceylon and Indian teas have been gradually driving out the China biacks, and as China has not been producing the quantity heretofore pros duced, there are no stocks to take the place of the shortage in the other kinds. {rt also appears that the snortage caunot be relieved for some time as the China market does not open till about the end of May, and the Indian around the same time, while the small supply from Ceylon will hardly be noticed. Asthe best qualities are picked first it is not thought that the Jow grades will reach here before September or October. epee eee eee PRODUCE AND PLANTING. Tae New Season ror Cain LrA.—The opening of the Hankow market, once an event of importance in Mincing Lane, has of late years chiefly concerned Russian and other foreign buyers. From time to time there are mysterious rumours to the effect that one of these days ‘we shall see what we shall see in regard to China teas, but at present the indications of any remarkable increase of interest here in the doings at Hankow are few. Nevertheless, China tea has its uses in the London market, and the “Grocer,” in commenting upoa the opening of the new season in China, points out certain features cf thedemand, which ave of vaereral interest to the aney per age share of abtention pen given by: the vlenders who have been stickiers for ‘price’ tea of common quality suituble for their special purpose, when there has been an unexpected and prolonged dearth »f Indian and Ceylon descriptions of the lower class.’’ A “runery Marker,” —“ This is a tact which should not be lost sight of when forecasting the probable fature course of the tea maket in general, for in times of scarcity all nice distinctions of quality and degrees of reference are silently dropped and fanciful pickings and choosings of favourite growths have to make room fr rough-and-ready purchases of whatever ill-assorted teas may chance to be onoffer, It is very well to say as we have often heard it said recently, that many of le ding who’esale mena will not touch China iea while there is auy Ceyion or India lew t> b: hvt instead anl even then it must always be !d par poad under the lowest grades of British-g ow. teas, Bat ciream- stances, tresh in the recollection of tha trade, have somewhat exploded this idea, and is proved by the revival of the demand that has been experienced for China tea at a certain figure, accompanied, as it has 34 been, by a considerable advance in value during the last few weeks, whilst the whole tendency of the London market is, if anything, still towards higher rates. Tbe severely reduced stock in Lon‘ton, whittled down, to 71,129,450 lb. in contrast with 82,251,100 lb. on May 1, 1898, is sufficient proof of the poverty of the present situation in respect of not having at command an adequate and immediate supply of suitable teas for home consumption; and it can hardly be doubted that, when the new Monings arrive about the end of Jane, they will come apon what is significantly called a ‘hungry market.’ ” Tue Tea Dury.—Last night in the House of Com- mons, during a discussion of the Budget Bill, Mr. Broadhurst boldly moved to reduce the tea duty by one half. The Chancellor of the Exchequer pleaded that that involved the loss of a sum of between a millioa and a half and two millions. Hereally could not face such a contingency. On a division the amendment was negatived by 246 votes against 125, so that there need not be any further discussion about the tea,duty out- side the House of Commonsfor a time at least.—H. and O, Mail, May 12. —___-__—_@———_—__—__ FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA—VIII. One letter from Nuwara Eliya, and two from the adjoining little district of New Galway, may well be considered together. The two last are agreed that the chief drawback to the outturn of a better average tea, is the rush of leaf during March, April and May generally; while Nuwara Eliya complains of the lack of ‘‘detail factory supervision,” by which is meant, we sup- pose, that higher intelligence than that of the ordinary tea-maker is wanted in the factory, if full advantage is to be taken of soil, climate and elevation—all of which favour the manufacture of high-class teas. While the jat in. New Galway is medium and the soil the same, Nuwara Eliya, being of more recent planting, undertaken when experience had taught the need of the utmost care in the choice of bushes, claims a decidedly good jat, with a soil which, though not uniform, is generally above the average. There are no worn out estates in these districts; but patches in the steeper and more exposed parts are giving way; and for these grevil- leas are xvecommended, equally useful for firewood and for timber. From New Galway, we have one opinion absolutely in favour. of manuring if prices kept up, and another favouring manure, if large yields are wanted, but prophesying a poor quality of tea. Why the tea which follows the application of manure should be poor, we are not told; but we thought that notion had been exploded by widespread experience. If not, it would be interesting to find out which manures are prejudicial to quality, and then to trace out the causes by the aid of scien- tific analysis. Nuwara Eliya, on the other hand, favours manures where transport is easy, but does not think the district requires refreshment just yet. Nuwara Eliya commits itself to the declar- ation that all its estates are deficient in withering room, though factories on the whole are well supplied with machinery, and also with motive power, so far as water is concerned. New Galway, though in a more guarded manner, gives expression to the same complaint, one writer noting the THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [July 1, 1899, deficiency of withering space in wet weather, and the other declaring that more accom- modation would be a decided advantage in the best flushing months and in wet weather. Some estates in this district are deficient in machinery, but the motive power, being water, is always available. From all three planters we have testimony of the abund- ance of labour, and one specially notes the advantage it offers in permitting of careful plucking even in the months of biggest flushes. While New Galway tells us that there has been but little of severe pruning so far, the general opinion favouring light pruning once in two or three years ; Nuwara Eliya insists that severe pruning must be resorted to once in nine or ten years, after three or four light prunings. In neither district has pruning is too long neglected; but while the pruning at first, of bushes planted on virgin soil, was practised once in three years, every other year is the rule now. Nuwara Eliya claims to be the most suitable district for tea in the whole Island, and New Galway declares that there are thousands of acres of forest in the locality, equal to any in Ceylon; but these are not available at present. It looks forward to the time when, lowcountry es- tates having replaced their tea with some more suitable and more profitable product, the Government will see the wisdom of removing present restrictions, and offering alternate blocks of 500 acres to public com- etition, above the present elevation limit though we ourselves look forward with hope to that time, we cannot agree in the while. sale condemnation of the lowcountry. But for its teas, Chinas would be once more in the ascendant; and, while there is a cer- tain demand for low-grown teas, their re- munerativeness cannot be questioned, And has there been any offer to beat that which has been made for the property of a low- country Company, whose shares stand at a premium of 300 per cent, and which has been declaring dividends of 25 per cent with astonishing regularity ? Per contra, one of the letters from New Galway, while claimin that soil and climate are exceptionally goods laments the failure of the bushes in the vigorous appearance which characterized them some years ago; and it desires the aid of experts to ascertain the cause of the de- cline. We trust the explanation will suggest - the remedy, and that upcountry and low- country estates alike will continue to con- tribute to the general prosperity by their teas of distinctive flavor and body. eS RUBBER PREPARATION. India-rubber preparation or separation, with all the improvements which are “in the air,” is likely to be an important ques- tion for many Ceylon plaaters for some time to come. Mr. Wiilis has been telling us a good deal that is new and he and Mr. Parkins are likely to give us a good deal more erelong. Meantime, we have an interesting communication today from Mr. Hart of Trinidad in criticism of a paper by Mr. Biffen, which we copied into our monthly periodical some months ago.. Everything JuLy 1, 1899. | bearing on the subject of rubber separation and coagulation is of interest to us at this stage of the industry in Ceylon, and we are obliged to Mr. Hart for writing so freely on the subject. Bree ages fe TEA ON SALE OR RETURN. At the Southwark County Court before his Honour, Judge Addison, Q.C., on Monday, the British and Benington’s Tea Trading Association, Limited, of Soathwark-street, sued Mr. © W Burton, a grocer, carrying on business at Hemsby, Norfolk, to recover £2 13s 2d, for tea supplied. The Association was represented by Mr. Philcox, and the defendant by Mr, Foakes.—Mr. Alfred Scopes, plaintiffs’ traveller, saidhe took an order from the defendant for 45 lb, of tea, which was to beexchanged within two months for other tea if it could not besold. Tine Association did not return any money. Defendant sold a por- tion of the tea and sent on the money, but said he could not get rid of the remainder. He was offered other tea in its place, but he refused to accept it and returned what he had instock. It had not been accepted and was then in the possession of the railway company.—Mr. Foakes said that defendant had the tea on sale orreturn. He gave it a good trial but found it would not sell. He returned what he had left after four aud a half months and sent on the money for the little he had sold. There was a distinct agreement between the defendant and his wife and the traveller thatthe tea should be had onsale or return. Thera was a certain inducement held out to purchasers which was that they would receive an article for domestic use in purchasing a quantity of the tea.—His Hononr: I know; they give a present with half a pound of tea. That is very common—Mr. Foakes: Yes, but it seems to throw some doubt on the quality of the firm’s tea, because if they sold a good article they would not require to give presents with it-—His Ho- nour: That is not so with the Association. They do it to oblige ther customers—to enable your clients who sell tea, in a village to get rid of it. But the question here is as to sale or return. I have never heard of tea being sold in that way, although I have heard of Sir Walter Gilbey doing business on sale or return with regard to wines. That was how he made his large fortune by supplying wines on sale or return. But sale or return business is one ordinary firms will not touch; itis fatal to their interests. (To the traveller): Are there any large firms in the tea trade who deal with gro- cers on sale or return.—The Traveller; Yes, there are. I know of cases where it is done.—Mrs. Burton said she gave the order for 45 1b. of tea at £4 23 6d to the traveller, and it was confirmed by her husband whom she consulted with at the time.—His Honour: What was the arrangement entered into?—The traveller said we could have the tea on sale orreturn. There was no time specified as to when the tea should be returned if it was not sold.—His Honour: Are you sure it was sent to you on sale or return ?—Yes, sir, or I should not have had it.—His Honour: What sort of tea was it?—No better than I sell at 1s 4d a lb.— His Honcur: Why didn’t it sell better?—I don’t know; we pushed it.—His Honour: It is no reflection on the tea to say that it would not sell. There is a great deal of fancy in regard to tea. At one time eople made a great fuss about Ceylon, but now they Fave come back to China after trying Indian.—Wit- ness said that some very nice presents were sent with the tea, but customers wanted certain articles which the first customers had chosen, and would not buy the tea unless they could get them. That was one reason why it did not sell well, but she conld not order another parcel just to get certain presents— His Honour: Did you give a present with each tb. of tea ?—No, every } lb. at 64d.—His Honour: What! a quarter of alb. of tea and a nice present for 644.! Have youever bought from other people on sale or return ?—Yes, the Ceylon Union Company, and [kept some of that tea seven months, I returned some ihad had twe years, and then I was allowed THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 5 per cent. discount.—Mr. Burton gave corroborative evidence.—His Honour said the defendant and his wife were more likely to remember the terms of the contract than the traveller who, in his zeal to do business, might have pushed the tea upon them on sale or return, and have forgotten hedidso. He be- lieved the defendant was supplied with the tea on sale or return, andtherefore gave judgment for him with costs. ~ Grocers Journal, May 6. INDIAN AND CEYLON TEAS. The following letters appeared in the New York Herald of April 6th and 7th with reference to the lecture given by Dr. John Goodfellow, Ph.D., F.R.M.S. and published in that newspaper, onthe 31st March, attacking Indian and Ceylon teas;— Your article and correspondence on the subject o tea have amusing sides to teamen, as well as being liable to mislead your intelligent readers in this coun- try. a5 Goodfellow’s remarks undoubtedly applied to black tea, in the manner in which itis used in Great Britain, a3in the lecture which formed the basis of your reporter’s interview, he stated ‘‘ that green teas contained more tannin than black teas.” I would ask your attention to these facts:—There are 90,000,090 pounds of tea imported into America from China and apan: less than ten per cent is China black, the balance is green and Oolong, with the exception of what comes from India and Ceylon, and which is known as “ pure black” tea, no colouring matter being used in these countries. Tn his remarks he emphasised the statement ‘ that green teas contained more tannin than black teas, also more of the aromatic all,’’ which he thinks “ acts with a narcotic effect on the higher brain.” It is quite apparent that between the teas available to American consumers, green and black, his recommendation would be for the pure black teas. ‘The remarkable increase in their consumption all over the world is the best indication of their merits. As regards the healthfulness of India and Ceylon teas, it isa matter of common knowledge that this was the sole beverage on which Lord Kitchener’s army made its victorious campaign, Concerning the healthfulness of tea, of which there seems to be some diversity of opinion, the following extract from a recent English paper is of interest :— Sir William Jenner, who died at the age of eighty- three years, had been Her Majesty’s physician for upwards of thirty years. He retired from the Queen’s service in 1893 owing to failing health. Throughout his busy career the physician’s sole stimulant was tea. He drank it with his luncheon, he took it in his carriage while on his round of afternoon sonsulta- tions, he drank it againatdinner, and tea was taken as a nightcap. The great thing is to make tea properly, give it a short steep, and pour off the leaves, and it will not harm au infant, while it will stimulate strong men, doing the hardest of physical or mental work. ImeartiAu Importer. In your issue of March 31st you publish a very in- teresting article under the caption ‘‘Tea Drinking in all its Phases.” The article in question, express- ing as it does the views of Dr. John Goodfellow, Ph.D., F.R.M.S., naturally attracts more than passing attention. In England practically nothing but black teas are used, and Ceylon and India tea has supplanted the China and Japan varieties. Now as to the effect of tea on the health of the public, Miss Florence Night. tingale in her ‘Notes on Nursing” makes these comments :—‘ There is nothing yet discovered which is a substitute tothe English patient for his cup of tea; he can take it when he can take nothing else, and he often cannot take anything else ifhe has it not. The only English patients I have ever known refuse tea have been typhus patients, and the first sign of their getting better was their craving again for tea.’ 5: 36 THE TROPICAL India and Geylon teas are black teas, and, as Dr. Goodfellow says, they are stronger than China teas. As a matter of fact, one pound of the former will make from two to four times as much liquid tea as the same quantity of China or Japan leaf. Assuming for argu- ment sake that Ceylon and India tea containg more tannin than China biack tea and as it takes from one-half to two-thirds less of the forme» than of China tex tomake an equal quantity of liqgnid tea, is if mot obvious that a cup of Ceyion-Tadia must necessarily contain much less tannin than a cup of China tea ? Further, as Ceylon and India teas are unquestion- ably stronger and require a shorter steeping or in- fusion than China teas, and Dr. Goodfellow has laid down that the active desirable principles in tea are readily dissolved and the undesirable principle (tannin) dissolves more slowly, is it not also evident that tea which is prepared with short steeping is more hygienic than that which takes a long infusion to make a liquid sufficiently strong to satisfy the ordinary tea drinker ? Tra DrinkER. a ee THE DISTRIBUTION OF INDIAN AND CEYLON TEA. In an interesting article ina recent num- ber of the Times of India, dealing with ** Some Facts about Indian Trade,” we observe some suggestive facts on the exports of tea. During the past three years, the quantity exported from India has risen between 8 and 9 million lb.—from 148 millions to 157, to deal with round numbers. During the same period we have advanced from 11 to 12 million lb., that is from 108 millions to 119. Our big neighbour congratulates itself, as we do ourselves, on the growing quantities which find buyers outside the United Kingdom ; and with good reason. Without a growing demand for our teas from all parts of the world, a fallin prices is inevitable —more correctly a further fall, as the down- award tendency which producers have had to face during the past decade is primarily traceable to the supply having outrun the demand. The increased consumption in the United Kingdom cannot account for the whole of the growing output of British-grown teas. Other markets are essential; but itis curious that, while the Indian. exports to Great Britain have steadily advanced during the past three years at the rate of about 2 million lb. annually, our own exports, after having leapt from 94 million Ib. in 1896 to 99 millions in 1897, fell back to 96 million Ib. last year. The decrease affords no ground for regret, as its explanation is, not any weakening of the popularity of our teas in the mother country, but a growth in direct shipments hence to countries which formerly drew almost all their supplies through London. A comparison of the figures in the table published by our Indian contemporary, with those in a table we have compiled, will show how much _ stronger has been our advance in other countries than that of India, The following is the table from the Times of India :-— 1896-97. 1897-98. 1898-99. lb. lb. Ib. To United Kingdom 135,456,884 137,655,857 139,245,995 » Russia tle 457,634 689,271 500,589 ” United States... 784,962 929,704 1,413,624 », Persia .. 1,993,823 1,464,394 3,456,791 » Lurkey in Asia 1,981,197 1,336,970 2,598,281 > Australia .. 6,155,895 6,792,654 6,306,135 », Other Countries 2,078,066 2,582,967 3,948,957 Lotal ., 148,908,461 151,451,817 157,470,672 AGRICULTURIST. [Juny 1, 1899. Our own compilation is as follows :— 1596. 1897. 1898, lb, Ib. lb. To United Kingdom 93,936,361 98,930,059 96,133,833 3, Russia . 246,233 439,349 2,714.003 ,, United States .. 718 600 830,873 2,180,188 », Australia 11,062,632 13,258,456 15,126,891 » Other countries 2,177,386 2,595,830 — 3,614,166 Totai .. 108,141,412 116,054,567 119,769,071 Persia and Turkey in Asia find no place in our Export tables, though ‘Turkey (in Europe), from very small beginnings, took over 73,000 lb. last year; but India is a grow- ing customer of ours with 924,000 Ib., 986,000 lb. and 1,091,000 1b. the last three years. 1t will be — seen at a glance how far ahead we are of India in Hxports to Russia, the United States and Australia, and what strides we took last year in all three. On re-exports our Indian contemporary writes :— Another branch of the tea trade seems to be in need of greater elucidation—that dealt with in the returns of re-exports of foreign merchandise. We received last year 3} million pounds of tea from other countries, principally from Ceylon and China. Of this quantity 24 million pounds was re-exported, almost entirely to Persia. Presumably the bulk of these re-exports found their way into Russia. But the re-export trade in tea is in a very different position from that which it occupied in 1896-97, when We received for re- exportation over six million pounds from China alone. —<$<$<—<—$_____- NINE YEARS OF TEA IMPORTS INTO CANADA. CONSUMPTION 4 LBS. PER HEAD PER ANNUM, Imports of tea into the Dominion during the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1898, were 19,954.56, valued at $2,721,189. 198%806 tha. In quantity, this is the smallest since ]893 the figures were yeh lb. 2, When The imports of tea into Canada during the ni years ending June 30th, 1898, were as tolows etna Quantity in lb. — Value in. $. 1998» -:19,954,565 2,721,189 1897... 24,317,104 3,310,348 1896 .. 22,667,535 3,252,133 1895.» .... (| 20,610,733 3,115,025 1894 5A 20,459,530 3,039,928 1893... 18,034,897 2,975,452 1892... 22,593,619 3,650.940 1891 ot 18,042,043 2,981,415 1890 18,451,378 3,073;643 The decline in the importation for 1898 ascribed toa falling off in the vondinmption ot Yee It was undoubtedly due to the heavy purchases which were made during the previous year in expecta- tion of a duty for revenue purposes beine placed upon that commodity. Heavy stacks was the natural concomitant, which, in turn, caused a decline in im- portations. Consumptive requirements are limited and, when one year the market is over-supplied it is only to be expected that the next will be charac- terized by more cautious buying. Notwithstandin the decline, however, the average for the past pain years exceeds that of the previous two, the ayerage for 1897-98 being 22,135,834 Ib., against 21,639 134] for 1895-96. ; pole The present fiscal year promises to witness another large importation of tea, the quantity brought in @ur- ing the nine months ending March last being valued at $2,965,068. The monthly returns from which the figures for the past nine months are gathered do not give the quantities. In value, it willbe noticed the figures exceed those for the 12 months of 1898. The monthly average for 12 months” of 1898 was $221,765, and for 1897 it was $226,495. For the nine “months of this year it is $328,545 daa Juny 1; 1899.] The fact that teas are costing moro than in 1898 would in itself help to swell the value of the teas imported ; but when the full returns have been issued, it will doubtless be seen that there is an increase in the quantity as well asin the value, particularly in view of the smallness of spot stocks in Canaca in first and second hands. It may, pezhaps, not be uninteresting to note that the tea imported in 1877, 22 years ago, exceeded in valuethe imports of ica during any one of the past nine yeers given in “she above table. In regaid to quantity, however, the conditions were the very Opposite, there only being 13,575,657 lb imported. Indireetly these figures show the difference in the price of the tea imported in 1877 and 1898 respec- tively, the cost being 25°90c. per lb in the former year and 13:63 in the latter,a decline of over 47 per cent. Taking the population at 5,000,600 in 1890-91, and at 5,500.000 in 1897,98, the average consumption of tea in Canada per head durvinx the former two-year eriod was about 364 Ib and during the latter 4°02 b.—Canadian Grocer, April 28th, : —__+—___.- FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA: BOGAWANTALAWA. The information collated in our recent articles on: this subject does not seem quite correct, to a correspondent whose letter is before us—more especially.on the subject of MANURING. ‘‘The district, we are surprised to learn, is a stranger to manuve,” we are assured, is not correct. . Seven estates could be named that have been manuying regu- larly for the last four yeai's at ail events— and six other estates that have either tried manure, and not: gone on with it, or have just- begun manuring and intend to go on with it. In regard to ‘“ Plucking” we are told that a good many planters have gone in for coarser leaf, because they find it has aid. best, and is not so trying to the tea ushes: and ‘“two: or three estates which “have been most careful about their leaf: §* and whose plucking has been the most “costly, are now getting hardly any better “prices than those that have gone in for **coarser leaf, and cheaper working.” Again, we are assured that though ‘“ Withering Space” may be deficient in a few cases, as a rule the Bogawantalawa factories are as well found in this respect, and in machin- ery, as in most districts... No doubt, in every district one could find some estates that, for various reasons, are not as ‘‘up to date,” with manufacture, and factory ‘ac- commodation, as they might be, and espe- cially so on estates that are not all in bearing yet; and the same, of course, ‘applies to some estates in Bogawantalawa; sbut only toa few. Altogether, the summary we gave does less than justice to this fine district, and so we give prominence to the above corrections. ti ee COOLIES. FOR. ASSAM, REVISION OF) IMMIGRATION RULES. . A set of revised rules under the Immigration Act for regulating the importation of coolies into the tea districts of Assam have now been pub- lished by the Chief Commissioner. of Assam to remedy the defects existing inthe matter of sani- tary conditions, transit, food and clothing of emi- grants, which were brought to light by the in- vestigations. of Lieutenant-Colone! R. Neil Camp- bell, who, in consequence of a severe outbreak THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. ov of cholera on the river steamers which formerly weve exclusively used for the transit of emigrants to the various districts of the provinee, was specially depated to enquire into the matter.- The new rulesitave been drawn up on the lines of those recently issnel by the Government of Bengal, who took action after -coasultation with the Local Governments concerned, the Chamber of Com- merce, and the Tea Associations. Oa the railway routes from the Recruiting Depots the adoption of a system of telegraphic advices will cuable the authorities to prevent congestion of. trafiic, and a further improvement is the restriction of trathe to the two main routes, one via Naihati and Goalundo. and the other via Katihar and Jatra- pur.— Pioneer, May 28. THE FLORIDA VELVET BHAN. For the past year or two—says. the Editor of the New South Wales Agricultural Gazette —a great deal has been written about this extraordinary plant. Mr. Geo. W. Hastings, an orange-grower in Florida State, thus sums up his experience of it in one of the leading American papers, and in view of the intro- duction of the bean to this Colony his words may be of interest :— i “The cultivation of the velvet bean uj to the present time has established the follow- ing facts :—Hor tie extreme south, it is the greatest forage and humus producer yet dis- covered. North of central Georgia, only in exceptionally long seasons will the seed mature. North of the Ohio River, it will make large growth of vine and leaves but will not come to bloom. “It is a great fertiliser for orange groves, but its pise is not advisable after the groves come into bearing, as the vines are a babitat of the pumpkin (stink) bug, and on the decay of the bean this pest goes to the orange, puncturing the fruit, and causing it to fall. “As avule, the velvet bean is not the equal of red clover or the cowpea, either for seed or forage. north of the Gulf States. For forage and. fertiliser it has no equal in the barren sandy lands of the South, where the seasons are long enough for the crop to mature before the coming of frosts.” ees re a Oi 5 =e COFFEE NOTES FROM. RIO. The coffee crop of Nicaragua, which. is now being gathered, is reported as yielding only about one-half the usual quantity of berries. Our advices from one of the interior coffee districts of S. Paulo are to the effect that the growing crop is well grown and of better quality than last year, A gentleman who was through the new coffee district as far as Ribeiraio Preto iast week, says the coffee plantations are in splendid condition and are loaded with fruit. The crop will be a very large one. Commenting on ‘an estimate in the papers of two millions bags, one gentleman in that locality said it was more likely to be six millions. ‘Ten years avo the country was quite new and few coffee trees were to beseen ; now said our’ informant, the whole country is covered with splendid coffee orchards and trees ‘ave just reaching their best -bearing ave.—Lio News, si 38 THE ‘TROPICAL TEA IN AMERICA. New Yorn, April 26, Invoice trading quiet and jobbing demand light- Low grades—in fact, all grades—rule steady, with greatest firmness in the lower qualities. The English markst isvery firm, and all teas under 9d are in active demand, while better grades of Indian and Ceyion are irregular. The London deliveries in March were 13,149,228 pounds Indian, 7,310,692 pounds Ceylon, 352,170 pounds Java, and 2,558,122 pounds Chivca—a total of 23,370,212 pounds, against 22.807 862 pounds in 1893. From June | to March 31 the deliveries were 224,008,936 pounds, against 218,197,969 pounds iv 1897-98. Stock, April 1, 84,769,343 pounds, against 94,580,033 pounds at same date last year.—American Grocer. — DR. JOHNSON AND TEA DRINKING. The following interesting note appears in a recent number of ‘‘ Notes and Queries ” :— The use of tea being restricte by its costliness (gener- ally from.3/, to 62. a pound) to a limited number of persons, it became a very fashionable drink in the times of the later Stuarts,* and some of this feeling remained in the Doctor’s time. Tea was then virtually a monopoly of the East India Com- puny, and the tax upon it varied from 59 per cent. upwards. Hence the loss of our great American colony ; hence too, from the exigencies of its price, the minute size of the Johnson teacups still to be seen at Lichfield. Neither was Johnson remark- able for his capacity in tea-drinking. Bishop Gil- bert Burnet drank twenty-five cups in a morning, and the poet Cowper was als» addicted to frequent libations of tea, in and one of his letters to Hill puts on record. an adroit serving-man “ raising the teapot tothe ceiling with his right hand while in his left the teacup, descending almost to the ground, received a limpid stream, frothing and foam- ing on reaching its destination into a roaming sylla- bub,”— evidently a waiter, who would have reguded with contempt a modern (air-valve) self-puuring or mo- tionless teapot.—R. B. Upton. —e—_-—_—_—— CONDITION OF THE BALATA MARKET, The output of Balata in Venezuela is on the increase, while thatin the Guianas is declining. As an indication, the following comparison may be made of the total arrivals at Rotterdam tor the past tvo years. Though vary much for 1897 and 1898, but the percentage received from Venezuela in the latter year was more than double that of the former. The figures denote p:unds: Surinam Venezuela sheet. block. Total. Arrivals, 1897..... «. 337,370 160,600 497,970 Arrivals, 1898 ....... 168,960 349,360 518,320 The United States minister to Venezuela re- ports to his government that up to date Balata has been the main product from the lands of the Orinoco Co., Limited, an American corporation with $30,00),000 capital, who have begun the development of Venezuela, having headquarters at Santa Catalina, on a tributary of the Orinoco. The Deutsche Gummi-Industrie (Dresden) in its issue of March 20 printed this report from Rot- terdam : ‘‘ We wouid eall your attention to the fact that the price of Balata, which has been — * Pepys first partoek of it 25 Sept,, 1660: see also an article on U Bea-drinking’ in Pemple Bar of April, 1898, the totals do not. AGRICULTURIST. [Juty 1, 1899. very low for the past two years, threatens to rise to a very high point. The pro- duction in Surinam during the past season was, as is well-known, materially lessened, and will be still more lessened during this season. Re- liable reports inform us that the principal con- cessionaires have engaged only one-half of their former employés for this season, and that the smaller producers have been compelled to stop altogether, owing to unprofitable prices. The arrivals of sheet Balata [Surinam], which showed a decrease already in the past year, do not promise any increase for this year. The production of block Balata, on account of the favorable weather conditions in Venezuela during the last season, was very good; how it will fare in the present season and how it will be affected b prices, can at present not even be Pap pret ef The consuniption of Balata, like that of India- rubber and Gutta-percha, is continually increasing; its cheapness and easy working qualities have in a great measure led to the invention of new compounds likely to create additional fields for its usefulness. Stocks are at present very small. As regular imports cannot be expected until the middle of April or the beginning of May, it would be advisable to secure the needs for the present season without delay.” ———_——__>—_________ LIPTON, LIMITED. THE FIRST REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS. The report of the directors of Lipton, Limited, for the period ended March 11 last states that the profit earned by the company since its in- corporation amounts to £217,620, from which has to be deducted the following amounts already appropriated: Interest on debenture stock to March 11, £17,795; interim dividend on prefer- ence shares up to September 30, 1898, £22,063 ; interin dividend on ordinary shares for first half- year, at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum,’ paid October 15, 1898, £44,018; dividend on pre- ference shares for half-year ended March 31, £25,000 ; total, £108,877; leaving a balance of £108,743. The directors recommend this balance should be dealt with as tollows: To reserve tund, £45,000 ; in payment ofa further dividend on the ordinary shares for the second half-year ended March 11, 1899, at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum (making, with the interim dividend, 11 per cent. for the year), £59,351 leaving a balance to be carried to next account of £4,391. The sum of £44,261, being. profits, less interest to vendor, earned prior to the incorporation of the company, has been placed to capital reserve account. The trade done by the company during the past year has been very satisfactory and progressive. The shareholders will have observed that the sale of wines and spirits has been added to the busi- ness. This new department has involved very considerable expenditure, which has been charged to revenue. Many impediments and difticulties had to be overcome; but the directors are pleased to be able to report that the department is now in full working order, and they have every con- fidence it will become one of the largest and most important branches of the business. The directors have obtained 220 licenses in connection with the company’s branches throughout the country. The extension of the cocoa factory has now been built, and is being fitted up with the requisite mehinery. The additional factory connection with the preserve works is also nearing completion, and the directors anticipate it will Juny 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAL be ready for occupation and in full working order for the new season’s trade-—H. and C. Mail, May 12. NO DIRECTORS RESIGN. An official contradiction reached the Dai y Mail on Saturday May 6, to the effect that there was no impending resignation from the board of Liptons, Limited. At the same time, it was admitted that considerable friction had taken placé while discussing the dividend, and that one of the directors went sc far as to threaten to resign if his views were not adopted. His opinion, we believe, was that a bigger dividend should have been paid. However, the ultimate declara- tion was the resulé of unanimous concord, so that we shall probably hear no more of the matter. It is hoped that the meeting will be held on Thurs- day, May 18th. a PRODUCE AND PLANTING. THE Position or THE TEA InpustRY.—After the dole- ful rumours about the tea industry current six months since, the majority of the recently-issued reports of companies are not so depressing after all. There have, of course, been disappointments, but things might have been much worse. On the whole, the season’s working may be expected to show better results than was at firat anticipated. Messrs. Gow, Wilson, and Stanton, who give a list of the dividends announced in their circular, point out that the aver- age price of teas, notwithstanding some recent weak- ness, is wel! above what it was at this time last year. Here are some recent results: Alliance Tea Com- pany: Final of 4 per cent, making 7 per cent for year ; £300 depreciation ; £500 forward. Assam Com- pany: 125 per cent for year. Borokai: Accounts show @ debit of £223. British Assam: 8 per cent for year, and £128 forward. Cachar and Dooars: 3 per cent. for year; £386 forward. Ceylon Tea Plan- tations: 15 per cent. for year; £5,000 reserve ; £5,000 depreciation; £3,908 forward. Ceylon Proprietary : 4per cent. for year; £121 forward. Carolina: An interim of 2 per cent. Darjeeling: 5 per cent ; £884 from reserve. Darjeeling Consolidated: 5 per cent, preference dividend to De. ember, 1898. Doom Dooma. 12} per cent. for year; £4,986 forward. Hastern Assam: Five shillings per share; £2,098 forward. Galaha.4 per cent for a period of eighteen months ; £1,000 to reserve ; £173 fo:ward. Highland; 54 per cent; £125 written off new clearings; £7!) forward Imperial Ceylon:4 per cent.; £42 forward. Indian Tea of Cachar: 14 per cent.; £118 from reserve fund. Jhanzie: 5per cent. for the year on the ordi- nary shares, and the proportion payable on the contri- butory shares : leaving £301 to carry forward. Lebong : 10 per cent. for year; £2,000 from reserve; £297 fore ward. Mazdehee: Reports show a deficit of £681. New Sylhet: Preference dividend paid, and £18 for- ward, Nuwara Eliya: 6 per cent.; £300 sinking fund; £2,000 estates purchase account; £1,609 forwards Poonagalla: 4 per cent.; £164 forward. Ragalla: Preference dividend paid; £64 forward. Scottish Ceylon: 10 per cent, for year; £456 forward. Stan- dard Tea Oompany: 15 per cent. for year; £1,000 depreciation; £644 forward. South Wanarajah: 5 per cent. on ordinary ; £400 written off ; £56 to reserve. Sunnygama: 3 per cent. for year; £95 forward. Sylhet Company: Nil. Girts with TrA.—The gift system in connection with the sale of tea has been carried to such lengths thnt there is no room left for astonishment as to the uature of the devices employed. But pre- sumably these schemes pay or they would not be persisted in. ‘‘ The Grocer’’ gives an extract from a circular issued on the subject, which runs :—‘‘ On behali of my mother, the widow of the late——, I am please] to inform you, in reply to your note, that she regularly receives her pension of 16s. weekly from AGRICULTURIST. 39 ——aa stated on the bills, My mother had been taking 31b. of tea weekly when my father died Jast-——, and immediately upon receiving evidence of the death and regular purchase of the tea the first cheqne was sent, and since that time a cheque for 10s, has artived every Saturday morning. My motheris over seventy years of age, and we can never be sufficient!y thankful that her remaining years are thus rendered independent. The family would never have allowed her to want; but, still, this 10s. of her own gives her many little comforts, and she often says, ‘Thank God for——and Co.!’"—H, & CO. Mail, May 19. —_—_—___.3—_______ THE OUTLOOOK FOR COCOA BUTTER. At the monthly auction sale of cocoa butter in London on Tuesday last the eighty-five tons ot Cadbury’s which were brought forward realized an average price of fourteen pence and one half- penny per pound, which is a slight advance over the price paid at the April sale. On the same day at the Amsterdam sale, some seventy tons of Van Houtens and a few tons of miscellaneous brands were secured by puchasers at figures that averaged the equivalent of about twenty- six cents in American money, a trifle less than was paid at April Amsterdam sale. What caused the advance in London is not yet known, the cables simply giving the prices’ paid. For the first three months of this year bulk butter was in very strong shape, under the influence of a heavy consuming demand. Indeed, some holders confidently looked for a 40 cent market, and that their hopes were not realized was probably due to the large offerings at the monthly sales abroad. About the beginning of last month the demand eased off, and this, in connection with continued heavy offerings of butter at the auctions, has tended to weaken the market to the extent that the majority of holders would sell at least one cent lower than they were willing to do thirty days ago. The quota- tion for bulk in the local market today is thirty- one to thirty-three cents, according to the brand and holder. No advance in these quotations can be expected until Autumn, unless the price of cocoa beans should violently increase or an abnormal demand for butter set in during the Summer months, neither of which is likely. On the other hand, a tagging market until August or September next is not improbable, in view of the fact that the consumption of chocolate is at its lowest ebb during the hot water. Stocks of both domestic and foreignin this market are in strong hands, but are not small, and most confectioners seem to have already anticipated their limited wants for the next month or two- Cakes in twelve pound boxes, for druggists’ use, are at present ruling firm at a slight advance over bulk, but may be expected to follow the latter in any price fluctuations which occur.— Oil Paint and Drug Reporter. SS § BOGAWANTALAWA AS A TEA DisTRiIct.— Referring to our editorial of recent date, a Bogawantalawa planter writes:—‘‘As a matter of fact I fancy this district is very much up to-date with manufacture and manuring. We nearly all have good cool fermenting rooms and get good flavour; but our teas are thin in the cup! We lack the body they get in the Agras, for instance. I fancy our soil is not so good, and when thin flavoury teas are not in demand, our prices all come down with a rush, as they have done just lately. And the finest have fallen far more lately than the medium, owing to the heavy fall in fine to finest broken orange pekoes,’’ 40 THE TROPICAL PLANTING NOTES. TeA CULTIVATION AND MARK ET.—An experi- enced planter writes:—“I see your evening cont2mporsry. in one of his leadevettes writes that our old. tea bushes. are more seisiiive to changes of weather than young. Weill, that. is quite opposed to the generalopinion, Whenthe bushes have their tap roots well down the trees are less sen- sitive to such changes than in the young state of growth. The Colombo market is very sensitive to adverse circumstances. Let the London market go down 4d, it will go down three cents. A scarcity of freight is also mude an excuse of buyers siowing off Except for Australia and direct shipinents to Continent, the Colombo market is not to be relied on.” PRESERVATION OF RUBBER TREES IN THE Congo Frew STATE.—Lhe Governmeny of the Congo Free State, with the object of preveuting ‘the thrextencd destruction of the indiavubber trees in that country has promaleated a decree by which it is provided that for every ton of ravber yielded annually, there shall ba planted mot tess thaa 150 trees. A bureau of control of rubber forests is created, and is charged with the enforecsment of the deeree of 1892, waich prohibits the @ vcheving of rabber in any ober mode than througa incisions in the bark. [nfractions of this new d-eree, which bears date of Janay 5th, 1899, are punishable by a fineup to 10,000 franes (£200) or imprisonment, Employers and directors of corporations ave held personally responsible for the acts of their sub- ordinates. Guile books for the cultivation of rubber are furnished by the District Commissioners on request, aul agricultural! inspectors will be place | temporarily at the service of private owners. —Journa! of the Soriety of Arts, May 5. Rupser IN. British New Guinna.—In the discussion 01 Sir Wm. MacGregor’s paper before the R.C. Institu:e, Mr. Hy A. Wickha a said :— With regard to the resozrce3 of the Possession, I miy mention that for thirty years I have had expe- rience in tropical work, and I must state, even with so littls tim> ah my disposal. ‘hit, in my opiaion, the mst promisins prodaci likaly to be of commer- cial value from New Guinea is india-rubber, parti- cularly of th> Para variety, In this I speak advisedly b2canse so far back a3 the '70’s, under the initiative of Sir Joseph Ho.ke-, I introduced this variety for tha Governm>nt of Lidia with sutisfuctory results [a fact nearly all tropical products are capable of being grown inthe Possession of Britisa New Gainea. Iu no tropical country w-th waicalam acquainted have I seen so many varieties of Sugaiscane, and so many indig2nous vwvricties of bina. Tobacco of very fiaa quality is grown, and th»re is anative ginger super- ior to any grown even inthe Western tropics. Lae cotton, also, is very fine, and thera are some fibre plants of excellent quility. These things indicats the nature of the couitry and th3 clim:te and its more promising prospestive sources of revenu3. Especially would I most strongly urgs th>se in ad- ministration to offer every possibie facility and indace- ment for the introduction of the Hevea (0: Paxa) ia- diarubbsr, which could now be xeadily brought dowa by short pissigs through uniformly warm tudes. A short time sin:e, passiag through the S raiis Settle- ments, I saw tres in th? socoal aid third ganecations from m7 ori inwls from the valley of ths Amvan, look ng thorsighly well andathom2,and loid:t with ripe seed. Ths Casti low of Mexizo and Hoituris, and the Ccaraand tis Wiews rubbers woald fi1d suitable localities. but wy use other thin the best asino‘v to b3 obtained ? AGRICULTUORIST. |JuLy 1, 1899. _ GENERAL TEA AND INVESTMENT COMPANY, LIM(teED.—Resistered on May 2, by R Plews, 24, Roo l-!ane, E.C,, with a capital of £10,009 in £1 Siares (5,900 six par cent. euniulative preference.) Object, co avqnire, sell, and deal in the shares, stocks, and secuvities of ter and other companies, Table A mainiy applies.—financial News. CINNAMON SALES IN LONDON.—The auction sale of cinnamon, which took place in London, resulted as follows :— Quantity offered oh .. 899 bales. Qaantity sold 709 biles, The tone for cinnamon is goud and the demand is also good, Cianamon of an ordinary quality is from 4d. to 1d. per lb. higher. Fine cinnamon and finest qualities are from 1d. to 2d. per Ib. higher. “ TSA-MAKING Wirtlour WITHERING Room” coms, unfortunately, a little too late in the history of ‘he Geylou tea enterprise, when nearly every estate hos ics we'l-foand Factory. Pity Mr. Davidson’s patent was not realized ten years ago! Lt is poiured out, however, that leaf boucht at Kadugannawa at six cents a Ib, might, during the regent 256 weather, be well withered before it reached Colombo. We are shortly, however, to take advantage of Mr. Maecuire’s offzr to inspses the machinery and the whole process of tea-making at the Siroeco Works. Scarcity of RupBer.—As may be imagined, the universal deinind for cycles has caused a similar demand on rubber in its raw state with the result thatthe exp>it of this material from the Gold Coist has becom2so valuable to the country that the Government is paying special attention to its growth and cultivation. Hitherto the natives, in thsir eagerness to collect as much rubber milk as, possible, have been in the habit of cattiny down the trees, insteat of only gashing them, so in order to prevent this waste only those natives holding licences from the Govern- ment will in future b2 allowed to work — Pastimes. TEA MANUFACTURE IN THE CAUCASUS.—The Russian Official Messenger gives some inierest- ing details of the attempts that are to be made in the Cancasus to develop the local tea industry. A tea factory has been started by the authorities near Batoum, and machinery of the latest type, 4s used in India and Ceyion, ‘has been ordered from London. The paper states that Russians prefer Chinese teas to those from India and Ceylon, and accordinsly every effort is to be. made to produce an article as much dike the former as possible, With this view experts have been invited from Cenbral China to ‘assist and advise the local grower. TEA ?—OR MANURE?—A well-known Cd. lomo buyer sends ‘‘A specimen of fine (!! tea plucking, which is certainly a credit to the estate concerned.” ‘‘This choice lot,” he remarks, ‘‘is to be offered in next sale and is certain to be bought by natives and even- tually hawked in our harbour under some such description as ‘specially selected pure Caylon tea. it certninly is tea, but it ousht never to nave leit the bush, or, if plucked, 1¢ shoud have bean baried as minure. Woere is the Hoaith Officer? The tea may fetch 5 to 10 cents perlb. Lt requires an expert (in manure) to vaue such stuit.” For ourselves we may say we have never seen such coarse-plucked half-fired rubbish. Juty 1, 1899] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 41 TO ALL PARTS OF ASIA, AFRICA, AMERICA AND OCEANIA. 8 Seeds Plants of vommercial Products. Hevea. Brasiliensis (Para Rubber).—Orders being booked for the coming ¢rop available in August and September. ‘This is the only crop of seeds in the year. All orders should reach us before the end of July to avoid disappointment, as we have to make arrangements in time; guaranteed to arrive in good order at destination, We have already booked a large number of orders, A Sumatra Planter writes, dating 9th March, 1899 :—‘‘I consent to the price of £— per thousand, I herewith order 50,000 upon condition that you guarantee at least 33 % seeds germinating.” Plants ‘can ‘be forwarded all the year round in Wardian cases. Price and particulars as per our Circular No. 80. Ficus Elastica (Assam and Jaya Rubber.)—Seeds supplied by the potmd with instructions} price according to quantity. This tree grows equally wellin high and low land, in forest and grass land, its cultivation being extended largely by the Indian Government. Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara or Manicoba Rubber).—Fresh seeds available all. the year-round; price as per our Circular No. 31. It is superior to Mangiberia rubber and second to Para rubber, Castilloa Elastica (Panama or Central American Rubber).—Seeds and Plants supplied 3 price and particulars as per our Circular No. 32, Urceoia Esculenta (Burma Rubber) and Landolphia Kirkii (Mozambique Rubber).—Seeds and plants, both are creepers. Cinchona Seeds.—-Different varieties, Hybridised Maragogipe Coffce.—A larged-beaned superior variety of Coffee in demand ; seeds, Santalum Album (Sandlewood).—The cultivation and felling of the tree is entirely under Government monopoly in India, Sandlewoods to the value of over £100,000 being annually exported to various countries from India. The cultivation of this useful tree is now receiving increased attention in other countries; seeds and plants, Eucalyptus Marginata (Jarra).—Large quantities of this most. valuable timber are being annually exported from Australia fo London and various parts of the world for street paving and other purposes. Price of seeds on application. .7,846 pieces of Jarra timber has already arrivea for Ceylon use, Seeds and Piants of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Kolanut, Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Arabian, Liberian and Maragogipe Coffee, Cacao, Tea, Coca, Fibre, Medicinal and Fruit Trees, Shade and Timber Trees, also Palms, Bulbs, Orchids, &c, Our enlarged Descriptive Price List of Tropical Seeds and Plants of Commercial Products for Foreign Countries for 1899-1900 are now being forwarded to applicants in different parts of the world, bis “‘Sourn Arrica,”’—The great authority on South African affairs of 25th March, 1899, says:~ ‘An interesting Catalogue reaches us from the Hast. It is issued by William Brothers, Tropical Seed Merchants, of Henaratgoda, Ceylon, and schedules all the useful and beautiful plants which will thrive in tropical and semi-tropical regions, We faney Messrs. Williams should do good business, for now that the great Powers have grabbed all the waste places of the earth, they must turn to and prove that they were worth the grabbing, We recommend the great Powers and Concessionaries under them to go to William Brothers,” A leading Planter writes from New Hebrides under date 17th January, 1899 :—‘I shall like a few more of your Catalogues to distribute through these Islands, as I feel sure many would place themselves in communication with you, did they know where to write for Seeds and Plants,” Our New Descriptive Price List of Seeds and Plants of Fruit Trees now being prepared and will be ready shortly. Agents in London :—Mussrs. P. W. WOOLLEY & Co., 33, Basinghall Street. Agent in Colombo, Ceylon:—E, B, CREASY, Esq. Telegraphic Address : J, P. WILLIAM & BROTHERS, WIntIAM) VEYANGODA, CEYLON. Tropical. Seed Merchants, Lieber’s, AJ, and A.B.C, Codes used, HUNARATGODA, CEYLON, (i, 42 THE TROPICAL Gunrespendence eee ey To the Editor. RUBBER—ITS CULTURE AND PRE- PARATION IN TRINIDAD, &c. Botanical Department, Trinidad, April 24. To Editors *‘ Tropical Agriculturist.” GENTLEMEN,—I note a reprint in 7.A. which would probably have escaped notice, had I not been a reader of your periodical. As it was noted in your publication, it is due to you that. I should send my reply to youalso, and I trust therefore you will give the enclosed insertion, and Mr. Biffen is, I know, a friend of your Mr. Willis.— Yours faithfully, J. H. HART. RUBBER COAGULATION AND SEPARATION, &., &. Sir,—In the Tropical Agriculturist for Maxch 9th, I find an article by Mr. R. H. Biffen, copied from the “Journal of the Society of Arts,’ treating on the above subjects. The writer exhibits a tendency to decry similar . efforts as his own, and he uses extracts from the Trinidad Bulletin in away to mislead those who have not that publication in hand; as he refrains from quot- ing the authorship of the articles. He should have told his readers that Dr, Iirnst of Caracas was respon- sible for the statement he quotes as being ‘‘ incorrect,” and not the editor of the 7.B. as he leaves it to be ‘inferred for reasons of his own. After discussing the value of rubber prepared in _various ways, Mr. B. jumps to the conclusion that Dr. Ernst is wrong in stating that ‘ smoked rubber is impregnated with impurity,” and decides the fact by ‘the prices realised by certain qualities on the larger markets for this class of produce. Now! I happen to have an estimate of rubber prepared without smoking (Hevea) given by respectable dealers on those same markets, who valued it as being quite equal to the best smoked rubber, so that a reliauce upon this method of estimating quality is proved unsafe, and it may well be that, later on, when buyers have become accustomed “to it, pure rubber will sell at higher prices than the . smoked product. Equally unsafe is Mr. Biffen’s statement that the juice of the Moon-flower is “alkaline,” for I have a qualified analyst’s certificate that fresh juice sent» by me wasfound ‘slightly acid.” Equally fortunate is Mr. B.’s assertion that Castilloa Zatex will not coagulate by the addition of acid, as it has been found to coagu- late by the addition of acetic acid (Biffen in Aun. Bot. pp. 165 et seq). The point of Mr. Biffen’s conclusions in his article in the Annals of Botany is ‘‘that the cause of coagula- tion must be looked forin the medium in which the rubber particles are suspended,” but unfortunately for this theory it has been abundantly proved that not only can rubber be coagulated when the albumenoids are removed, but a better class of rubber produced. An attempt follows to ridicule the statements as to the character of land suitable for various rubbers, and accuses us of “slight confusion” in the Trinidad Bulletin. As a matter of fact the statements are quite sound, and the confusion only exists in the writer's brain. J/evea will grow well in places never inun- dated, notwithstanding the fact that it is found in places regularly flooded, and this can be proved by trees growing in Trinidad, which have been found to stand drought with impunity, and have never been flooded. I can well afford to pass without irritation the remark made on my supposed ‘‘re-discovery’”’ of a method, for the method differs so much from that described by older writers, that it cannot be placed in the same category. Ly is a mothod of washing, AGRICULTURIST. |Juty 1, 1899. init is true, but a very different method to any formerly described, in fact may well be compared to the washing of the steam laundry as contrasted with that of the peasant at the river side. Notwithstanding what is said by “ Le Caoutchouc” (p. 6) rubber prepared by this processis of the highest quality, as 1t is found possible to rash it quite free rom corps étrangers. . up. Biffen claims that his machine separates the ny er particles by centrifugal action, but the real act is, they are brought to the surface by centripetal, not centrifugal action. peak aREELED of the word (sic) might also have 2 pee ily avoided by the writer, had he noted nat the word ‘‘or” should have been substituted for the word “ and.” Srey come to a remarkable statement where Mr. 1 en says that research work should tend “ to Bea rubber free from the other constituents of 1é latex.” How this is to be reconciled with the Prev dictum of the Annals of Botany is not quite eet: It there says “The action of centrifugal force ; ees the separation of the rubber, and from the ee ure of the processes usually employed, involving f e use of chemical] re-apents to bring about the clot- Ing of the separated and washed rabber particles, we ee infer that the cause of the coagulation must be Hee ked for in the medium in which they ave suspended.” gain we are told that “the coagula in forming gather up the rubber particles’? .... “in the same way as the white-of-egg gathers up particles in suspen- pion when clotted for the purpose of clearing jellies.” tee must be concluded therefore that Mr. Biffen has ; andoned the position he formerly took up, and is now novos to the task of removing those very constituents oF ormerly stated were essential to coagulation, but which be at the same time proved could be dispensed My ely for he told us that they could be “ brought into ne id mass by pressure, by heating and by evaporation eo Bot p 168). Why does he use the words “brought ? a solid mass ’’? and not the word coagulation ? + Mr. Biffen records his success in preparing rubber a a physical process. He started by requiring albumenoids for coagulation, but now he is recom- capes ei Separation by a physical process; and has adopted what is actually the basis of the hydro pre- nee Which he facetiously accuses me of having sep eCONeLG I might with equal propriety ask him whether he re-discovered the Babcock machine. If I ne Urcoveteds so has he. I separate by water, he y physical methods, but I dry by evaporation! so sees he. His rubber is free from impurities! so is ee His method requires a machine, so does mine. gain his rubber is free from smell, so is mine, and large quantities can be pre ared ina day by simple abparatus, while it anid ak a ea EeEa shies a drive the machine to get through a similar quantity Y centrifugal action. The quality of my rubber is equal to that prepared by other physical processes, as a voucher for which I am quite prepared , to submit samples for test andthe “ merits or demerits of the system” do not rest with me, but with those who can judge of its yalue by actual practice ; Mr, Biffen states the contrary. Mr. Biffen repudiates statements made in Trinidad, but no one has asked him to be sponsor for them. He must however allow me also to repudiate the points conveyed by his remark that “a copy of his machine Was exhibited without his consent or knowledge,” As a matter of fact. the machine was no~“ copy,’ any more than his primary effort wasa “ copy” of the Babcock ; but was of different construction, and a vast Improvement upon his model, as he knows, for drawings of the improvements were placed in his hands. The‘ Babcock” machine was never patented, and there are consequently many modifications of it, among which ave the forms under discussion which can hardly be called inventions, for such adapta- tions are being made daily all over the world, for the Separation of materials of different densities, I may be liable to a protest from Lefebre for pirating his ancient washing method, I may perhaps expect a raid from Central American Indiang for Juty 1, 1899. ] THE TROPICAL having improved on their use of the juice of the Moon-flower ; or I may be called to account forusing a modified form of butcher knife for sticking a rubber tree; but I hardly thought I should be held responsible for having with others used the principle of the ‘“ Babcock ’’ machine. _ Whereis a point which I would commend to Mr. Biffen’s attention, and this is the special character of the Rubber globules of Castilloa. Perhaps if he examines {hem he may find the cause of the rupture which is evidently the real cause of coagulation. This rupture can be caused in various ways, and he who succeeds in causing it in the simplest and most economical way will have solved the question of the preparation of Castilloa rubber, beit by a physical or non-physical process. April 21st, 1899. J. H. HART, Fis. TIMBER TEA CHESTS COMPANY, LIMITED. (The Colindia.} 22 Fenchurch Street, London, May 5. DEAR SIR,—I am directed to enclose for publica- tion’ a report just received from the Colonial Tea ‘Warehouses, bearing upon the condition of the Colindia chests arrived trom Ceylon. Last mail we handed to your London correspondent copy of ~the brokers’ report. We are now shipping the chest in large numbers as the orders are coming in most satistactorily.—Yours faithfully, THE TIMBER TEA CHESTS Co., Ltd. T. W. Ricksby, Secretary. Copy of letter from Colonial & Granite Wharves, London E, Re—93 chests tea marked ‘ Belgravia” ex ‘‘ Staf- fordshire’”’ 2ndinst., packed in the new ‘‘ Colindia” packages. We have received and weighed 90 of the above and as requested a careful examination of the condition (external) has been made. The packages axe sound and intact, not a leakage showing anywhere, the nails and clamps being quite ‘firm, there are a few splinters, showing signs of a heavy weight having being dropped on packages but in no case any damage occurred, and we feel quite justified in stating that this is the best package of its kind we have yet handled. We find the gross weights are exactly even all the way through, not varying by a single pound and this with an even tare is of great importance as it will enable us to turn out the full net weight. We understand that one chest not yet to hand has been roughly handled in ship which necessitates co- operage before we receive it, this package we will write to you about later. Another consideration with these new packages is, that they need not to be opened for the Brokers’ in- spection but simply bored; which practically leaves the chest as it arrived. “THE JUNGLE CROW,” Hakgalla, May 7. DEAR Str,—Ibis a fact that the ‘‘ Jungle Crow” nests and rears its young in the trees in this garden. Yesterday morning a young one was found at the foot of alarge draucaria tree... It had apparently got out of the nest before it could fly properly, and one of the coolies caught it. _ I sent my son up the tree to find the nest, which he did in the thickest part near the top. The nest was rather untidy. The bottom part AGRICULTURIST, 43 was of twigs, something like a rook’s nest, with lots of dirt like ‘*wormeasts” among them. It was oval in shape, with a sort of hood on one side, and lined with leaves. The young one makes a noise like a young owl. It eats lizards and frogs, but rejects beef. I think there were two young ones, asI several times heard the same sort of noise as the one we caught makes ; but it was concealed in the tree, and I have not been able to catch sight of it. The old jungle crow was fidgetting about all day and seemed much troubled at the loss of her young one,—Yours truly, W. N. THE WESTRALIAN EXHIBITION AND CEYLON TEA IN AUSTRALIA. Coolgardie, Western Australia, May 8. DEAR Mr. Eprror,—The Ceylon tea-room has, as, I anticipated, done an immense deal of good. It has opened the eyes, not only of West Australians, but of many of our visitors, to the fact that these colonies, where tea is consumed in such enormous quantites, have been and are poisoned. It has been my hobby for many years—and your dear old senior and I had many talks about this opening up of the Australian trade. The time has come to doit. I have written by this mail to Mr. Lane and I want you to help me in carrying out the scheme. T am tired of Exhibition work—this is my jubilee one; 50 Exhibitions! I have my youngest daughter married at Fremantle, a son in Perth, the others—seven —scattered over the eastern colonies—all doing well. I would pitch my camp in Perth, have adepdét here, and through my sons open up others in Mel- bourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. The great thing is to have in Ceylon some expert to mix or blend the teas so as to ensure a constant supply of one sample of each grade—cheap, medium, good, and. superior— being four prices—the first, of course, will command a huge sale. The great and more important matter is to be able to rely on a supply: that the demand exists there is no doubt, and that we could soon increase the present trade I am confident, provided it be done systematically and well. I would gladly undertake this and even forego the offer I have to go to the Paris Exhibition of 1900. As I said Iam tired of Exhibitions. I need rest, but not idleness, This tea racket would suit me, and if the tea planters are willing I am ‘‘on the job.” So satisfied am I of success, that Iam willing to be paid by results, if they* will guan antee working expenses as a first call ore profits, of say £200 or £250 a year. Colombo is only a few days from here. I might, if need be, take a run across. Butit is hardly worth while encountering even one day’s mal de mer and I am an awful bad sailor.— Yours very truly, JULES JOUBERT, General Manager, West Australian Exhibition, 44 ANALYSIS OF COPRA (KERNEL OF COCONUT PALM). City Analyst’s Office, Colombo, May 17. DEAR Sir,—In reply to'your French corre- spondent at Reunion, who wished to have a fuller analysis of copra than he found in my Manual of Chemical Analyses, 1 have not had occasion to make any fuller analy- sis; but as coconut poonac is simply copra after the greater part of the oil has been expressed, the composition of the latter can be calculated from the analysis of the former. If we regard a good sample of copra as containing 67 per cent oil, and taking the moisture at about the average of 6 per cent, the composition ef copra would be repre- sented as follows :— THE COMPOSITION OF COPRA, Per cent Per cent Moisture ., .. 6°00 Carbo-hydrates 15°21 Oil CoB .-67:00 Woody fibre 2a Albumenoids ... 669 Ash ie 2.99 Total 100‘00 The nutrient ratio, and the nutrient value, -of copra such as above, calculated in the usual way, would be 127°3 and 159-4 respec- tively.—Y ours truly, M. COCHRAN, “PACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA.” London, May 19. Sir,—Your notes on the above subject are very interesting, : The ventilation of the subject of manufacture and the procedure in different districts will have the advantage of undoubtedly improving the quality in many places. The majority of planters in India and Ceylon have made up their minds, & Jet's hope” to sacrifice quantity to quality, and every effort should now be made to put a good class of tea on the market and net to be alarmed at the bogie of the cheap teas that are to be shipped from China. With regard to withering accommodation, very few factories are in a position to keep their leaf ‘properly thinly spread for more than a couple of days when there is a rush of leaf coming ia —rgo that the leaf has to be made into tea ready or not—and the result is inferior tea. A neat and compact withering process is a great desi-- deratum—and if not too expensive would pay for itself on a large factory in one season. One of the greatest deficiencies is in rolling power.* Jt is quite accepted as a necessity in India to roll the leaf thoroughly twice for 15 to 29 minates each time according to the condition of the leaf. The Jast rolls take place after oxidation—and the leaf is taken straight from the roller to the driers—yet, how many factories are there that can carry this rolling out thoroughly on a heavy day? Tea-rolling machines are now made much cheaper than formerly and requires but little driving power, so that there is but littie excuse for any factory not to be previded with ample rolling accommodation, which is such an important process in manufacture. A new system of drying tea by steam has many advantages, especially for-final firing and packing, J, HW. Hike * A rolling machine for every 100,000J}). of tea made as stated by your correspondent, is an absolute necessity. TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Jory 1, 1899. CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA. Kandy, 23rd May. Drar 5rr,—If Mr. Pineois not on the “ Thirty Committee,” do not you think he should be asked to stand. His vast experience in America in pushing our staple, added to his well-known business capabilities, should prove of the utmost value to our local men.—Yours faithfully, TEA [We think Mr. Pineo is admirably qualified to Serve, if he is willing.—Ep. 7_A.] INDIAN ‘GREEN TEAS,” Sir,—One can scarcely take up a commer- cial paper without coming across complaints fron. Consular reports and elsewhere of the fat- uous, and to themselves ruinous, stubbornness of home manufacturers in refusing to manu- facture and pack their wares to the wants and ‘equirements of foreign buyers. It almost seemed as if ‘‘ this hidebound Toryism re- fusing to stretch an inch until it burst,” was entirely confined to the home manufacturers ; but. judging from a letter of Commissioner Mr. Mackenzie, the Ceylon planter also considers himself the best judge of what his customers ought to take! On page 804 of the May issue of the 7. A. occurs the following para :— 4 Greens,—In Ma. Blechynden’s report to his Committee he says about unfermented teas :— ‘“Some samples of these Oolong teas made in India were sent me early this year. They were found so suitable for the market, and firms were so ready to give immediate large orders that [ have had to revise my opinion. I now believe that there are certain dis- tricts in India, where Oolong teas of a character to command a ready sale can be made, and if such teas are produced there is practically no limit to the business that could be done,” etc. Those Indian greens, I mentioned in my letter of the 14th were picked up at once. DIMBULA TEA PLANTER. [Our correspondent should quote the rest, namely :— Uniortunately there were only a few hundred cases, whereas thousands could be sold. These could be so!d easily, whereas our blacks for price are unsale- able being too dear. An Importer bought some Ceylon greens lately. He has twice told me the people to whom he sold them could not get rid of them—as they wece good and pretty, but different from the kinds used here. These people have now wired to him to reserve for them any other similar Ceylon greens he could get. . Mr. Mackenzie’s letter is dated March 29th last: have there been favourable sales of Ceylon Oolongs in New York since thea 2— Kp. 7.A.] MANURING COCONUTS. DEAR Sir,—Mr. Beven’s report on this sub- ject in your paper of April 19, is both inter- esting and instructive. beg Mr. Beven to give us the following information. 1. Of the trees experimented, how many are there to the acre? 2. Ave there any vacancies? 3. Are theie any young plants in those vacancies ? 4, lf so, how old are those plants? : 5. How much does the manure cost to reach the estate ? : ; - JuLy 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL 6. How much does it cost to put it to the trees? 7. Do you plough or hoe down the manure? 8. In hoeing or ploughing how deep do you go? 9. How far from the root of the tree do you begin hoeing and ploughing, and to what breadth do you do it? —Yours truly, COCONUTS. COCONUT PLANTING. Franklands, Veyangoda, May 24. DEAR Sir,—In answer to ‘‘Coconut”’s letter in last night’s issue of the Observer I have pleasure in supplying the further particulars he asks for. I may mention that most of the informaticn he wants was embodied in a previous report I sent to Messrs. Freudenberg & Co. (1) 75 trees to the acre; (2), (3), (4), refer to my report, published in the Observer of the 19th ultimo, [ now deal with the first and second plots of the five mentioned. Plot No. 1:—In(A) 32 trees were manured, Besides these tiere are eight plants—from two to five years old—which were not manured. No vacancies. In (B) 33 trees were manured. Two three-year plants were not manured. One vacancy unfilled. In (C) 82 trees were manured. ‘Two three-year old plants were not manured. In (D) 35 trees were manured. Two plants from two to five years old were not manured. Viot No. 2 :—In (a) of the 72 trees manured, six were not in bearing. Ten vacancies are occupied by plants ranging from two to four years old : these were not manured. In (b)75 trees were manured, of which eleven trees were not in bearing, Besides these there are 15 plants from two to four years of age, which were not manured. (5) The transport from the Veyangoda Railway Station to the estate costs 50 cents per cart, if out- side earts, less if estate carts, are used. The usual load a cart carries on this road is 17 ewt. (6) The average cost of digging in the manure round a tree is 1:4 cents per tree. (7), (8), (9) My mode of application is:—The _manure is spread evenly round the tree, three feet away from the trunk, then dug in—three mamo- ties in width—to a depth of fromnineto twelve inches, after which the soil immediately round the trunk is loosened toa depth of two inches. Finally, the fallen branches are cut up and placed over the portion dugin : mulching.—Yours truly. A. KARL BEVEN, es COCONUT PALM CULTIVATION IN THE STRAITS: May 26. DeEAR Sir,—I have read with much interest, in the Selangor Government Gazette of 5th May, which you kindly sent me, the ‘‘ Notes on the effects of Sugar Estates in Coconut plantations.” As there are no sugar estates in Ceylon—the small areas of canes at Baddegama near Galle are, I believe, grown at intervals of several years, rotation of crops being the rule—it cannot be determined what effect growing sugar canes would have on coconut estates in the vicinity. So long as the megass is burnt, and the decaying nobs of the canes dug out and burnt, I cannot imagine what possible effect it can have one way or another, What strikes a Ceylon coconut planter at. once is the enormous number of rhinoceros beetles there must be in Selangor and AGRICULTURIST, 45 other Straits Settlements, and the great havoe they commit, compared with the, comparatively sperking, small number in Ceylon and their practical harmlessness. What is the cause of their ereat numbers, and why are they so ed- structive in the Straits? Can the beetle be of a different species with different habits from the Ceylon one? The conditions for the breeding of the beetles—stable and cattle-shed refuse, and heaps of decaying vegetable matter—must be pretty much the same in both countries, so those alone cannot account for the larger numbers in the Straits. I am inclined to think that the land in the Straits is richer in humus and vegetable matter and thus affords more food for the grubs. I see that they are said to be worsein “bakan ” land; what is ‘‘bakan”? I gather that whatever it is, it is very rich in vegetable mould, and in this, of course, the grubs thrive. Why the rhinogeios beetle should have acquired different habits and become more destructive in the Straits than it is in Ceylon I am not in a position to say ; perhaps different local conditions, and variation. by natural selection, for its preservation? In Ceylon the rhinoceros beetle rarely attacks eoco- nut plants before they are two to two-and-a-half years old, and then all the mischief it does is to work its way down to the tender portion of the centre leaf which it eats into till stopped by the hard midrib. When the leaf opens out it looks a little ragged and that is all; it never kills a plant, So tittle harm does it do to the coconut plant that for many years I have ceased to have them killed, deeming that the spearing does more harm to the plant than the beetle! It is possible that cases may arise, but [have never yet seen one, where a field of young plants may be badly infested with the beetles when, of conrse, it would be necessary to kill them with the barbed spear ; but care should be taken when so doing to tamper as little as possible with the plants, Long may the rhinoceros beetle in Ceylon be as in- offensive as he is at present, and may he never develop the destructive propensities of his relative in the Straits Settlements. Our enemy is the dreaded red beetle, and against is we wave vigilant and constant war, W. J. ORCHIDS IN FLOWER AT THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, PERADENIYA, June 1, DEAR SirR,—Local admirers of orehids may be interested to know that the following species may now be seen in flower in these Gardens :—- ~ fenanethera coccinea (‘Chinese air plant’’),—A climbing epiphytal species, native of Cochin China and said to be introduced to Peradeniya in 1884. A plant of this which was last year placed against a Cassia tree near the Orchid House has thriven well since, being now 74ft. high, and forms a, striking object on account of its deep crimson inflorescence The latter isa flattened form of panicle, nearly 3 ft. long, spreading horizontally, and bearing about 130 flowers. Flowers erect, about 3 inches in diam... petals and dorsal sepal narrow and strap-shaped, orange-red spotted with crimson ; lateral sepals laree. oblong-spathulate, wavy, lobed at the base, dark-red ground, with blood-red blotches which appear velvet and raised; lip (labellum) small, 3-lobed pale yellow red-tipped, inner side streaked with dark red, stem cylindrical, sending out numerous erial roots which attach themselves firmly to the supporting tree Leaves oblong, four to tive inches, leathery and stiff. The flowers list for several weeks unless damaged by wind or rain, 46 THE TROPICAL Cattleya maxima var. Perwviana.—One of the several varieties of a species which represents a genus almost unrivalled, both for beauty and size of flowers. The genus is indigenous mostly to Central America and Brazil. Flowers very handsome, each 6 inches across; petals and sepals of a rich lilac colour; lip large, with crisped and sinuate margins edged with a paler line, the inner side variegated with violet-red veins, with a pale vellow band in the middle. Dendrobium nobile—One of the most beautiful of orchids when in flower, native of China. Flowers 3 inches in diam., in pairs, produced towards the ends of the stems, each pair being opposite to a leaf; thus the green flacid leaves are effectively intermingled with the flowers. Sepals and petals white at base, merging into rosy-pink at the tips; lip large, cup-like, white, tipped with rosy-pink, and blotched in the throat with purple-crimson, Pseudo bulbs 14 to 2ft. long. Dendrobium atroviolacewm.—This is now in flower here for the first time, the plant being only in- troduced last year through Messrs. Sander & Co., of St. Albans, England. Though not strikingly showy, it is a distinctly handsome species. The petals and sepals are creamy white, tinged with yellow and dotted with parple; lip 3-lobed, the side lobes dark violet coloured on the inside; the front lobe being striped with the sime colour on @ green ground. Miltonia Warscewiczii, var. Weltoni—An_ epiphytic orchid from Peru. Inflorescence a panicle, issuing from base of pseudo-balbs, about 23ft. long, rather slender and drocping. Fiowers nearly 2 inches in diam., petals and sepals very similar, light brown with much crisped margius, white at the tips; lip large, flat, almost circular, undulated, maroon, fringed with pale grey, blotched with yellow at the base and with a shining spot of chocolate colour in the middle, the underside being marked by a semi-circular grey ring. Eria armeniaca.—This is perhaps the most showy species of the genus, nearly all the others being -considered more curious than beautiful. Growing in the forks of a shrub, it sends out several stalks of racemose inflorescence from the base of the short and flattened pseudo-bulbs, each stalk about 15 inches long. The large bright orange red bracts at the base of the flowers are the showy part, the flower itself being rather small and of du!l greenish brown colour. The following among others may also be seen in flower; Dendrobium Jenkinsii; D. moschatum; D. cretaceum; D. sanguinolentum; D. fimbriatum, var. occulatum; Phalenopsis amabilis; P Parishii; Epi- dendrum ciliare; Lycaste candida, var. Lawrenceana ; and species of Oncidium.—Yours faithfally, H. F. MACMILLAN. CEYLON “THIRTY COMMITTEE.” - CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA, Kandy, June 9. S1r,—The enclosed letter from Mr. Mackenzie to Mr. Lane is forwarded for publication as of some general interest.—Yours faithfully, A. PHILIP. Secretary, Thirty Committee. London, May 17. DEAR LANE,—I have yours of 4th. I have al- ready written to you, mentioning the very sum you suggest as what should be spent in America next year. It would be chiefly in subsidies and demonstrations, as we could not also keep up the advertising with that amount, When writing to you about what I saw in Germany, I forgot to mention that the indefati- gable Yankees have got hold of the banks of the Rhine. Sailing down, one sees huge wooden placards, on the most prominent points of the famous ‘‘ Castled Crags” with “ Hat Quaker Oats” AGRICULTURIST. [JuLy 1, 1899, in very large white letters “Nothing is sacred from the sapper” may well be applied to the Yankee. I could not help wishing it were ‘‘Drink Ceylon Tea.” An investigating Committee has been appointed in the States to enquire into Food Adulteration : some of the evidence is startling. Cheap as coffee is, it is manufactured in large quantities of flour paste, &e., pressed by machin- ery into the shape of cofiee beans. I send two notices with our advertisement on the subject. I have arranged for a large advertisement to appear when tea is examined, provided ours are found pure. In one of the cuttings sent, you will see something about the green colouring matter ased in some tea. I enclose one of Fin- lay, Mnir’s Seeta Ceylon advertisements. Also a letter addressed to the ladies of Canada by the Blue Ribbon Co. (Galt & Co.)—one of those firms specially induced to help us in Canada last year. I also send you in separate envelope a list of the papersin which they are advertising and copies of the advertisements which are strik- ing. They have sent me a huge box of news- papers with the ad*ertisement, for which I had to pay 10s cartage, &¢. One likes to keep an eye on all our friends, and this was their crush- ing reply to a suggestion from me, that I would like to know what they were doing. I send also a lot of our advertisements and those of others from recent Canadian Grocer papers, as yon said lately in one of your letters that you took an interest in them. Read the articles in New York Herald show- ing how politics come into every thing, and the lengths in robbery, &c., one may go provided he has a strong political friend, There is an immense number of things one has to watch, follow and keep in touch with. This is more difficult now, that Blechynden is no longer on the spot and working with us. may have to go over in June, but [won't unless actually necessary, as I do not wish to put the Committee to the expense. In July and August we will, as last year, practically stop, although correspondence is incessant However, there will be neither salary nor travelling expenses. I am giving our allies the hint, that ‘‘ Ceylon” must now be the prominent feature, as ‘‘India” has ceased subsidising—although still assisting in ad- vertising.—Yours truly, (Signed) Wu. MACKENZIE. Srr,—In its Editorial of the 30th ultimo, in ve ‘‘ Our Staple and Foreign Markets,”’ the “‘ Times of Ceylon” suggests matter, both seasonable and comprehensive, for thoughtful, deliberate coasideration, and all in- terested in our staple should give heed to it. My cbject in now addressing you is for the purpose of again begging that greater concentration of effort be given to the markets of the United States where ground has been broken, but not yet thoroughly cul- tivated, andfrom which only a small harvest can, at this stage, reasonably be expected. The Acting Secretary of the Indian Tea Association declares the operations in America “have admittedly been successful.” This satisfactory outcome is the result of work in- augurated and executed by Mr. Blechynden, who is deservedly entitled to great credit for satisfactory labour performed prior to, and during the opening of, and also subsequent to, the closing of the Chicago Exposition. Mr. Blechynden was wise to study Amerizan methods, quick to accept ideas that gaye promise of aiding him in accomplishing his designs; and the success he achieved was, in a measure, due to his power of assimilating what he felt would bring satis- factory results, Ce ee ee ee ee eae Juty 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAI, Ceylon is now to be congratulated on gaining the active aid and experience of Mr. Blechynden, as his services haye been secured by the shrewd, progressive firm of Messrs. Whittall & Co,, of Colombo, whose interests he will guide and advance in America. The plan for the expenditure of the money voted for next year has not yet been disclosed to the public; but it will, doubtless, be largely on lines laid down and recommended ty Messrs. Blechynden and Mac- kenzie, who, it is to be hoped, wili not base their plans on a system of subsidies, which system can only be entered upon when guarded by conditions so stringent that no firm of high and honourable standing willcare to accept. At best, this system isa poor make-shift affair, vicious in its bearings, and susceptible of great abuse, and ending—usually—in dissatisfaction, loss and calumny. It may be accepted and recognised as a fact that both the American and GWanadian consumer give the preference to Ceylon pure teas, andtake to them more readily than to the teas of India, which are, however used in larger proportions than Ceylon’s for blending w.th and fortitying inferior teas of other countries My contention is that Ceylon has done but little more than tickle the ground in the United States, and that more aggressive work is demanded; while ne thought of decreasing our efforts should—for a moment—be entertained. A population of 75,000,000 people, increasing stead- ily and rapidly, cannot be reached without a pro- tracted and vigorous siege. The people who drink tea are not those who dwell in large cities, but they who live in the smaller towns, villages, and country, many of whom use it three times a day, while the majority of them never saw Ceylon tea! How is it proposed to get at this class? The retailer is the only medium that can be used, and he is the one to be helped. If, when granting a subsidy to a whole- sale man, it can be arranged that a portion, at least, goes to the retailer,—the latter will have an incentive and will, probably, do good work ; otherwise he will have nothing to gain, and much cannot be expected of him. A plan for reachiag the real consuming class was submitted by me, but its very simplicity has, most likely, caused it to be received with disfavor, and yet the plan is a good one and can be elaborated and improved upon and made more workable. Canada is not nearly conquered; but it is fast com- ing into line. The lower or Maritime Provinces use nearly six pounds of tea perhead per annum, whereas the upper Provinces only consume about three pounds. The merchants of the Maritime Provinces have begun an aggressive campaign and our interests will be actively advanced by them, but, in the Upper Provinces, and in the Great North West, where large numbers of Russians are now settling, much remains to be done, and this work, we hope, will be conducted, with spirit and energy, by the merchants, who, how- ever, should be assisted in every possible way,that may be considered advisable. In Mr. Renton’s guiding hands we can confidently ‘and safely leave our interests in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the lesser kingdoms of the Con- tinent ; but in Russia we have much todo, and our efforts should be largely directed to securing a re- duction in the duties on tea, so as to bring our tea within the reach of the masses of the people. This must, of course, be done by the aid of the Imperial Government; and through the devious, delicate channels of diplomacy; but itisa matter of vast importance to Ceylon, and hence should be constantly kept in view. In order to reach the acme of success Ceylon must continue to agitate, be aggressive and, in some form, advertise. Now the principal objects to be striven for in advertising are to attract, impress, convince and conyey to the mind something that will long be remembered. Having these matters constantly before us, we must study just what kind of advertisement will be best suited to our pur- pose, 2nd what mediums shall be used to reach fhe people we want to capture, AGRICULTURIST. 47 Nowhere is the act of advertising studied with greater fidelity and assiduity than in the United States, where men make it a vocation and give their undivided attention to it, and where they are a highly paid and absolutely necessary part of every establish- ment that seeks the purchasing public. Advertising that brings results must be bright alert, aggressive and constant, and its main object as before stated, should be to attract and so impress the reader’s mind that he will remember it. No ordinary advertisement will do this, nor will a lack of per- sistent effort ever lead to success. Jumping or making a spurt and then easing off will not accomplish anything permanent, and this leads me to conclude my little say by imploring the “Thirty Committee” not to contract, but, on the contrary, to expand and increase its efforts in the United States, where a rich and satisfactory harvest may in time be secured, if cultivation of the ground be persistently conducted and uninterruptedly maintained. Pears’ soap has made a world-wide reputation and can be foand in every first-class drug store in the World, and yet its owners go on increasing their advertising expenditure and effort every year, and that, too, in all parts of the globe. In the United States, the Royal Baking Powder Company—long established—spend something like a million dollars a year in advertising and making demonstrations, and yet no Grocery would think its stock complete Wwith- out this article. Baker’s cacao has been known for nearly a century, but the Company spends more and more money every year in advertising, and at the principal food Exhibits in the country this cacao can be found in its attractive booths. The managers.of these profitable concerns know that without constant increasing advertising effort their business would decrease in volume and in amount. “Our own and only” lipton’s furnishes us with an object lesson, and where can a shrewder or. more successful advertiser in inodern, up-to-date business methods and management be found ? If we want to succeed we must advertise, and if wa advertise it is our bounden duty to learn how, when and where to advertise. Circulars are mediums of: waste land, no one in America heeds them. Advertis- ing in the plethoric Sunday papers issued in the large cities of America is absolutely futile, and the same assertion is fairly applicable to the dailies—hence these mediums should all be rigorously excluded from any proposed plan. _As auxiliary to and part of my plan of demonstra- tious, which may be classed as one form of advertis- ing, Cave’s lecture on the buried cities of Ceylon with its attendant paraphernalia, could be utilized and delivered before Lyceums, Lecture Rooms, and Church Vestrys, where the tea drinking class do mostly con+ gregate during the long evenings of winter: then Ceylon tea would become popularised and known far and wide. Many other forms of useful advertisin might be enumerated, but enough for my present Core reation has already been said. i When we have succeeded in placing 25 of our tea in the markets of Abia (oy till then, can we lay back and let the merchant in place of the grower, advertise Ceylon tea. If, Mr. Editor, you consider this little pipe of mine worthy of space in your valuable journal please give it room—you will know what to do with ib should it, in your opinion, be of doubtful interest to your readers—and if it will in a feeble way arouse the planters, for whom it is primarily intended some good may emanate from its little wail.—Yours, Xe, R. E. PINKO, PROGRESS IN NORTH BORNEO, Kandy, June 9, DEAR SiR,—The following facbe ee to progress in Borneo ate interesting :—The in- crease in value of Imports 1898 over 1897 is over half a million fof dollars ; Cloth shows an increase of $88,631; Treasure $81,016 - Machinery and Vessels $69,430; Opium happily 48 THE TROPICAL shows only an increase of $15,504; Spirits and Wines unhappily $35,601. The above shows that British North Borneo or the New Ceylon is gomg forward. As to Exports, if we exclude Tobacco, there has been an increase in the general trade of $267,064 in 1898 over 1897. As regards to- bacco, new ground is being taken up, and this discrepancy will probably rectify itself by next year. Timber shows an increase of $96,427; Cutch, a very preavessiye industry, $35,706 ; Gutta and Rubber, $61,700; ‘ Seed” and Mother of. Pearl, $20,700; and Copra, quite a new feature, $10,695. -To take the increase of Exports and Im- ports in the last decade, we find the following to show the ‘“‘forridness” of New Ceylon :— 1888—Imports... $1,798,620 Exports . 5701,433 1898— do. ...$2,419,087 Do. .. 2,881,851 Increase $629,467 $2,180,418 To instance another feature in the pro- sperity of the Colony, one steamer alone, of 7th May, brought for the tobacco estates 182 free Chinese and 425 contract coolies. I send you herewith a comparative state- ment’ of Foreign Exports and Imports during the years 1897 and 1898.—Yours truly, W. D. GIBBON, Ceylon Agent, British North Borneo Govt. CASTILLOA RUBBER. MAJOR GORDON REEVES’ OPINION. Ratnatenne, Madulkele, June 10. Sir,—I have not been experimenting again with tapping Castilloa, as I do not wish to injure the seed crop ;—though possibly, tap- ping would tend to increase this asin the case of- mangoes, peaches, etc. The tapping which was done to obtain. thesamples I sent to Liverpool, was carried out in average showery weather. Some Para trees were tap- ped at the same time, and the superiority of the Castilloaas regards yield at once became apparent. 3 : The quantity of dried rubber obtained, or rather the quantity which we took from three trees as asample, was about 1} Ib. ; doubtless, a good deal more could have been taken, but we did not want more. A tree seven years old may, I understand, be tapped five or six times a year. What we did prove was the fact that, under the same meteorological con- ditions, on that particular estate, Castilloa yielded much more readily than Para, and we at once acted on that discovery. I am sorry I cannot give more definite information as regards yield at the present moment, be- yond the fact that Castilloa with us is by far the easier of the two trees to get a yield from; and, probably, therefore, the best yielder of rubber. But we intend to carry out exhaustive experiments later on; and you shall have a memorandum of these and of the results.—Yours, &c., EK. GORDON REEVES. CEYLON ‘THIRTY COMMITTEE.” CEYLON TEA IN RUSSIA. f S1r,—I herein enclose copy of letter received from Mr. Rogivue reporting on the progress made in the sale of Ceylon tea in Russia and also advert- ing to what is being done in Switzerland.—I am, gir, yours faithfully, ; A. PHILIP, Secretary to the ‘* Lhirty Committee,” AGRICULTURIST, [Juny 1, 1899. A. Philip, Esq., Secretary to the “ Thirty Com- mittee,’’ Kandy, (Ceylon). Moscow, 1/13 May, 1899. Dear Sir,—I duly received your favor of the 27th February for which f£ thank you, also your Committee for their kind allowance of £40 towards the cost of my advertisement-cards, in the form of Ceylon views, which I have distributed over Russia. I now beg to jnform you that I have this day taken the liberty to draw these forty pounds sterling upon your goodsslve at ten days’ sight, to the order of Messrs, P. R. Bucha- nan & Co., London, which I shall thank you to kindly honour on presentation. As regards the progress of Ceylon tea in Russia, I am of opinion that the last Newspaper Advertisements directed by Mr. Christie, under my supervision, have done a great deal of good and the fact that more of Russian Firms’ Tea buyers are establishing themselves in (olombo, and that the direct exports of tea from Colombo to Russia are in- creasing yearly in large proportions, also that the import of Ceylon tea in Russia, through London, and Germany is also increasing steadily,-—is the best illus- tration one can get of the progress the article is making in this country. is right enough when he says that Ceylon Tea is largely used for blencing with Chinese Teas, buat he is decidedly in error when he affirms that the Rus- sians don’t drink Pure -Ceylon Tea. Almast all tea merchant in Russiais now selling Pure Ceylon Tea in packets, and I am not afraid of yenturing to say that a few millions of pounds are now likewise (pure) sold and consumed yearly in Russia. The bulk of the trade, it is true, being however for blending pur- poses, because the Russians do not care any more for the weak and tasteless China Tea they are getting now. I was lately in Switzerland when I had the pleasure of meeting my old friend; Mr. Bremer of Messis, George Steuart &Co., Colombo; be was greatly interested with the work I am doing there for the introduction of Ceylon Tea in Switzerland: where (at Morges on the Lake of Geneva) I have opened an Agency of Rogivue & Co., Limited, for the sale in chests and packe:s of pure Ceylon Tea, which is now gaining great favour in that country. Mr. Bremer will be able toinform your Committee about my exertions in pushing the article there, and he gave me to under- stand that the Thirty Committee would gladly support me and reimburse me a part of my expenditure for advertisement which I am doing on a pretty large scale by the way of Newspaper publications, fine placards with Ceylon views, Cards, Pamphlets, and samples of Pure Ceylon Tea distributed gratis all over the country.—I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, (Signed) M. Rocrvyvz. OS TEA PICKING. [TO THE EDITOR OF THE ‘‘ PLANTER.”] Coonoor, May 29. Sir,—I should like to know if the following record pick of tea leaf has been beaten on these Hills. The field is one planted in 1889 with plants from our own seed, off indigenous single plants. The plucking fairly fine, viz., two leaves and a bud. The field had its first low prune in July last only. The individual figures for fifteen pluckers are as follows :—58, 37, 50, 58, 60, 60, 60, 46, 55, 63, G4, 54, 48, 56, 59. The 68 was picked by a little Badaga girl, named Gunghee, who is about ten years old only. I do not pick by contract, but give small rewards now and again for merit. I have never, in my eighteen years on these Hills, had any better picks! The total into the factory for the day was 3,350 pounds, beating the previous highest record by 350 pounds. But for a heavy downpour of over an inch, last- ing over an hour, the pick would have been far larger. THOs. BROWN. [Have any Ceylon planters larger figures tg show ?— ED, 2.A,] : a Shh ry eee ee eee ee res eer) vas os Jury 1, 1899.| FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA—IX. From Uva, we have a letter from Passara and one from Madulsima, both of which indicate satisfaction with the quality of tea now produced--the former district recog- nising no existing drawbacks to good manu- facture, and the latter holding that its teas are equal, and in many cases superior, to what used to be turned out when pvrices were at their highest—the estates them- selves being in better condition than ever before. In both divisions, the jat is generally good with very little that is inferior; while the soil too answers to the same description, there being no worn-out estates, most of them having been newly planted, and evidently not needing manure, as the answer from Passara to the question whether manuring would improve the tea and be profitable, is a simple “no.” While Madulsima adimits some deficiency in withering accomimo- dation, Passara, where the factories are all new, considers the accommodation suffi- cient ; and both divisions are blessed with factories well-equipped with machinery, and with abundance of motive power. In prun- ing, too, they have not suffered either from neglect or severity, regular and systematic use of the knife being the rule. SGeing bles- sed with well-distributed rainfall, Passara claims. to have one of the best tea climates in Uva; but there is very little land left in the hands of Government for extension ; while Madulsima, with its teas as good as ever they were, holds the London market alone responsible for low prices. From the Southern low-country we havea letter from Neboda, which finds the weather the chief dvawback to the manufacture of hhetter tea, as the effect of successive wet days is to prevent successful withering, and a letter from Bentota which complains of in- sufficiency of withering accommodation which however, is being steadily remedied. From both districts we learn there is no inferior tea—the jat being very fair, middling to good. Though the soil may be generally poor, or appear so, it contains a lot of iron or other constituents which the tea bush affects ; while where vocks abound the soil is rich. “There are no exhausted estates, in the sense of those which will not repay cultivation; but both letters agree that manure would improve -the tea and make it more profit- able—one, with the qualification that much depends on the manure chosen and on the methods of application. Without deficiency ‘of withering accommodation being specially noticeable, three or four wet days disclose insufficient space; but otherwise factories are generally well-equipped. In Bentota the motive power is ample, but Neboda can- not express itself satisfied in the absence of an alternative to provide for a breakdown. The labour was sufficient at the time when the replies tothe Circular were written last October, but asa rule it wasotherwise. In early days the pruning was both too severe and too frequent, but there has been a great im- provement lately; and there has been no neglect. of pruning which though it may affect returns, is believed to be hel pful to the bush. As a low-countiy. tea district, Bentota leaves little to be desired, but it is -idle to expect up-country characteristics in ‘sitting.—Kp. EAL THE TROPICAL -AGRICULTURIST. 49 the tea produced. The same remark applies to Neboda, whose refiections on climate and altitude are worth reproducing :— “The essentials in tea-making are good leaf and good withering. The districts which have the climate best adapted to provide these must make the best tea. The gradation from best -to_ lowest quality depends on the degree to which districts possess the climate that will supply these essentials. St is difficult to suppose that anything can remedy the natural drawback of adverse climatic conditions. Thus it may be feared that chemistry must begin when the weather leaves off. Useful, though its labours may be (and we would hope that it may supply us with many hints to guide us towards better manufacture), it is clear that the tea districts are tied and bound to conditions which, in the main, settle once for all their degree of suitableness for tea cultivation. Parts of Dimbula may be taken as supplying the best conditions. From that starting point you can go through the list, each supplying its weather-gavge for quality and quantity. Toodry, too wet, too irregular—each with its debit and credit of bad and good, ali short of the standard : some from worn-out soil as an additional handicap, hopelessly so. This district, judging by their tests, is far from the bottom of the list, and should be ‘suitable’ for tea for a long time to come.” se eee ee THEA BLIGHT—CACAO—RUBBER. (from the Cryptogamist in England.) INTERESTING Notes FROM MR. CARRUTHERS. Writing to us on May 19th, Mr. Carru- thers is gocd enough to send us the following nteresting notes :— = : “T noticed in all the Ceylon papers that Pie Oey ey tPA bie Weer bel eh that report of my inspection of a tea estate for the presence of fungi—pvinted ‘there. is just one disease ’, instead of ‘there is first one disease which made it read rather fool- ishly in my mind. “T° was ‘sorry !you considered the report unworthy,* but L was requested to go and report, and on a few hours’ inspection I couldn’t gain or impart more information than I did. I know Dr. Watt’s publications ve tea and other blights—he only, compiles these things. Massee of Kew works at them and the dry or pickled specimens don’t-give the best material for work : consequently the ‘ovey blight’ and many other fungi have never been investigated and only one ‘stage of their lives described—their life history is unknown. IL have here material which I collected, which I hope will enable me to give a more complete account of them, but have as yet had no time to look at it. ‘[ have heard no word as to the Com- mission on Agriculture. I suppose it has come to some conclusions. [Not yet:: still “Just now | am trying to’ get the Nectria from the Ceylon cacao to grow on apple trees here, as I want to prove it as a distinct physiological species from N. ditissima, the apple canker here. I have some experiments at Rothamsted and here. ae “T have been approached with a..view to my visiting Mexico to report on rubber es- * We felt that Mr. Carruthers had not done justice to himself or to the blight he was called on to deal with: ib is a matter that will require careful consideration on, the part of experts ED, Deal ea 50 tates there, and if I go I shall make a détour to some of the West Indian Islands, if I can afford it, and see their cacao there, and may have some information for you. “I was reading a pamphlet on Vanilla cul- ture in the Seychelles, published recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” and will write some notes and send them by next mail if I can: you may find them of interest to your constituents. “It is a healthy sign to my mind that at home just now the two most important questions interesting the nation are the pre- servation of the ‘day of rest’—one day in seven—and the battle against Romanising and ritualistic tendencies in the Church. The Sun- day Daily Mail has given way before the weight of public opinion and stopped issue.” —_—_—_—_—————_—_——- MALARIA: MAJOR RONALD ROSS ON. The following is the text of the Report lately submitted by Major Ronald Ross, 1.M.S., on his special investigations into malaria parasites :— IT have the honour to address you, on completion of my term of special duty for the investigation of malaria, on the subject of the practical results as regards the prevention of the disease which may be expected to arise from my researches: andI trust that this letter may be submitted to Government, if the Director-General thinks fit. MOSQUITOES AND MALARIA. It has been shewn in my reports to you that the parasites of malaria pass a stage of their existence in certain species of mosquitoes, by the bites of which they are inoculated into the blood of healthy men and birds. ‘These observations have solved the pro- blem—previously thought insoluble—of the mode of life of these parasites in external nature. My results have been accepted by Dr. Laveran, the discoverer of the parasites of malaria; by Dr. Manson, who ela- porated the mosquito theory of malaria ; by Dr. Nuttall of the Hygienic Institute of Berlin, who has made a special study of the relations between insects and disease; and, 1 understand, by M. Metchinkoff, Director of the Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Lately, moreover Dr. C. Daniels of the Malaria Commission, who has been sent to study with me in Calcutta, has confirmed my observations in a special report to the Royal Society ; while, lastly, Professor Grassi and Drs. Bignami and Bastianelli of Rome have been able, after receiving specimens and copies of my reports from me, to repeat my experiments in detail, and to follow two ofthe parasites of human malaria through all their stages in _@ species of mosquito called the Anopheles Claviger. - It may, therefore, t be finally accepted as a fact that malaria is communicated by the bites of some species of mosquito ; and to judge from the general laws governing the development of parasitic animals, such as the parasites of malaria, this is very probably the only way in which infection is acquired, in which opinion, several distinguished men of science concur with me. yee In considering this statement, it is necessary to remember that it does not refer to the mere recur- ~ yences of fever to which people previously infected are often subject as the result of chill, fatigue and so on. - ‘When I say that malaria is communicated by the bites t « I allude only to the original infection. guard against assertions to the effect that malaria is revalent where mosquitoes and gnats do not exist. nmy experience, when the facts come to be enquired into such assertions are found to be untrue. Scientific research has now yielded so absolute a proof of the mosquito theory of malaria that hearsay evidence opposed to it can no longer carry any weight. a * Quoted in Tropical Agriculturist—Ep, 7.4, of mosquitoes, It is also necessary to THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [JuLy 1, 1899, PRACTICAL REMEDIES, Hence it follows that, in order to eliminate malaria, wholly or partly from a given locality } 1 t 22a 7 "8 1 * : if 1s necessary only to exterminate the varions species of insect which carry the infection. This will certainly remove the malaria to a large extent and will almost certainly remeve it. altogether. It remains only to consider whether such a measure is practicab’e. Theoretically the extermination of mosquitoes is a very simple matter, These insects are always hatched from aquatic Jarve or grubs which can live only in smal! staguant collections of water such as pots and tubs of water, garden cisterns, wells, ditches and drains, small pends, half-dried water-coures, and temporary pools of rain water. So far as I have yet observed, the larve are seldom to be found in larger bodies of water, such as tauks rice fields, streams and rivers, and lakes, because 24 such places they are devonred by minnows and other small fish. Nor have I ever seen any evidence in favour of the popular view that they bree? in damp grass, dead leaves, and so on. Heice in order to get rid of these insects from a locality, it willsuf- fice to empty ont or Grain away or treat with cer- tain chemicals the small collections of water in which their larve must pass their existence. But the practicability of this will depend on cireum- stances—especially, I think, on the species of mos- quito with which we wish to deaJ, In my experience different species select different habitations for their larve. Thus the common ‘brindled mosquitoes ”’ breed almost entirely in pots and tubs of water ; the common “grey mosguitoes’’ only in cisterns, ditches and drains; while the rarer “spotled-winged mosqni- toes” scem to choose only shallow rain-water puddles and ponds too large to dry up under a week or more and too small or too foul and stagnant for minnows Hence the larve of the first two varieties are found in large numbers round almost all human dwellings in India; and, because their breeding grounds—namely vessels of water, drains and wells—are so numerous and are so frequently contained in private tenements it will be almost impossible to exterminate them on = large scale. On the other hand, spotted-winged mos- quitoes are eenerally much more rare than the other two varieties. They do nof appear to breed in wells cisterns and vessels of water, and therefore have no special connection with human habitations Tn fact, it is usually a matter of some difficult to obtain their larves Small pools of any pelinithiante —such as they require—are 10% common in most parts of India, except during the rains, and then pools of this kind are generally full of minnows which make short work of any mosquitoe larvzx they may find. In other words, the breedin grounds of the spotted-winged varieties seem to beso ae lated andsmallthat I think it may be possible to exter minate this species under certain circumstances, The -importance of these observations will be apparent when J add that hitherto the parasit malaria have been found Gites in iiaeaeaned mosquitoes—namely in two species of them in mares and in one species in Italy. As the result of yer numerous experiments I think that the RA brindled and grey mosquitoes are quite innocuous as regards human malaria—a fortunate circumstance for the sae race in the tropics. And Professor Grassi seems to have come to the sam i ie result of his enquiries in- Italy. Le a WORDS OF CAUTION. But I wish to be understood as writi ith a due caution on these points. Up to ea Ae iat knowledge, both as regards the habits of the various species of mosquito and as regards the capacity of eich for carrying malaria is not complete. All I can now say is that if my anticipations be realised—if it be found that the malaria-bearing species of mos- guito multiply in only small isolated collections of water which can easily be dissipated—we shall possess a simple mode of eliminating malaria from certain localities. I limit this statement to certain localities guly, hecause it is obvious that wherg the breeding ‘ Juny 1, 18992] THE TROPICAL pools are very numerous, &s in watez-logged country, or where the inhabitants are not sutiiciently advanced to take the necessary precautions, we can scarcely expect the recent observations to be of much use—at least for some years to come. Aud this limitation must, I fear, exclude most of the rural areasin india. Where, however, the breeding pools are not very numerous and where there is anything approaching a compctent sabltary establishment, we may, I think, hope to reap the benefit of these dis- coveries. And this should apply to the most crowded areas, such as those of cities, towns and cantonments, and also to tea, ecifee, and indigo estates, ana per- haps to military camps. Tor instance, malaria causes an enormous amount of sickuess among the poor in most Indian cities. Llere the common species of mosquitoes breed in the precincts of almost all the houses, ad can therefore scarcely be exterminated; bat pools suitable for the spctted-winged varieties are comparatively scarce, belng found only on vacant areas; ill-kept gardens, or beside roads, in very ex- ceptional positions where they can neither dry. up quickly nor contain fish, ‘hus a single small puddle may supply the dangerous mosquitoes to several square miles containing a crowded population: if this be detected avd drained off—which will generally cost only a very few rupees—we may expect malaria to vanish from that particular area. The same con- siderations will apply to military cantonments and estates under cultivation. In many such malaria cases the builcof the sickness and may often, I think, originate from two or three small puddles of a few square yards in size. Thus in a malarious part of the Cantonment of Secunderabad, I found the larvae of spotted-winged mosquitoes only atter a long search in a single little peol which could be filled ap with a few cart-loads of town rubbish. In making these suggestions I do not wish to excite hopes which may ultimately prove to have been unfounded. We do not yet know all the dangerous species of mosquito, nor do we even possess an ex- haustive knowledge of the haunts avd habils of any one variety. I wish merely to indicate what, so far as I can see at present, may become a very simple means of eradicating malaria. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. One thing may be said for certain. Where previously we have been unable to point out the exact origin of the malaria in « locality and have thought that it rises from the soil generally, we may now hope for much more precise knowledge regarding its source; and it will be contrary to experience if human inge- nuity does not finally succeed in turning such informa- tion to practical account. More than this if the dis- tinguishing characteristics of the malaria-bearing mos- quitoes are sufficiently marked (if for instance, they all have spotted wings), people forced to live or travel in malarious districts will ultimately come to recog- nise them and to take precautions against being bitten by them. Before practical results can be yea3sonably looked for. however, we must find pre- isely— : : (a) What species of Indian mosquitoes do and do not carry human malaria. ah (b) What are the habits of the dangerous varieties, I hope, therefore, that I may be permitted to urge the desirability of carrying ous this research, It wiil no longer present any scientific difficulties, as only the methods already successfully adopted will be re- quired. The results obtained will be quite un- equivocal and definite. FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. * But the inquiry should be exhaustive. It will not suffice to distinguish merely one or two malaria- beaxing species of mosquito in one or two localities ; we should learn to know all of them in all parts of the country. The investigation will be abbreviated if the daugerous species be found to belong only to one class of mosquito, as I think is likely; and the researches which are now being onergeti- cally entered upon in Germany, Italy, America and Africa will assist any which may be undertaken in AGRICULTURIST, 51 India, though there is reason for thinking that the malaria-bearing species differ in various countries. As each species is detected it will be possible to at- tempt measures at once for its extermination in given localities as an experiment. I regret that, owing to my work connected with kala-azar, I have not been able to advance this branch of knowledge as much during my term of special duty zs I had hoped to do; but I think that the solution of the malaria problem which has been o¥tained during this period will ultimately yield results of practical importance, —WMadras Mail, June 1. oes se THE INDIAN SUGAR INDUSTRY. We have, from time to time, placed before our readers the substance of the grievances of the Indian sugar producers, and we have been able to sympathise with them in the unfair competition created by foreign bounties, and generally to approve the action of the Indian Government in pro- claiming countervailing duties to counter- act the effect of these bounties. Those who oppose the imposition of the new duties, have taken their stand partly on principle, alleging a violation of free trade, and partly on injustice to the consumer whose sugar has been rendered dearer to the extent of the duties imposed. The obvious answer to the first objection is that it is the bounties which are a violation of free trade, and that the sole object of the duties is to remove from the shoulders of the local producer the burden which is placed thereon by foreign bounties—and thus to promote free trade and equal competition. ‘The consumer will probably be inconvenienced to some extent ; but it is only the well-to-do consumer into whose diet refined sugar enters and who can atford to bear the small burden for the benefit of the poverty-stricken agriculturist, who is handicapped in the sale of his canes by the immense quantities of beet-root, bounty-fed sugar which is poured into India from Continental manufactories. A further objection has since been urged, that the duties are intended really for the benefit of Indian refiners who cannot turn out sugar of the quality of French and German sugar, An Indian contemporary publishes informa- tion which he has collected at some _ pains to combat this view, whose energetic ex- ponent has been Mr. Harold Cox, who has declared that the best Indian sugar refineries have hitherto turned out only second-class sugar which cannot come near the article produced in Germany and Austria. The expert to whom the Friend of India referred the matter, has no hesitation in declaring the best Indian cane sugar, not only not inferior to the best imported sugar, but actually superior to it. The quantity pro- duced, however, of this superior sugar is small; and the limitation is said to be solely due to the influence of unfair compe- tition involved in foreign bounties. Capital fights shy of an industry which has to com- ete with unknown forces; and though ndia cannot just now produce all the first- class sugar for which there is a demand within its territories, it is quite able, with the encouragement offered by countervail- ing duties, to increase its output of sugar of the finest qualities so as to meet most of ie THE the demand. Indeed, the work of extension had begun, when it was arrested by the enormous imports of bounty-fed sugar ; and the Indian producer, more recently handi- capped by the rise in exchange, has been further victimised by the proclamation otf countervailing duties in America, whence large quantities of sugar were diverted into India! In the interests of the poorer classes of both producers and consumers, therefore, it is absolutely necessary that the cane and date sugar industries shouid not be allowed to be crushed out, while encouragement should be given to the higher class of re- fineries, so that they might compete on equal terms with foreign bounty-fed establish- ments. Whether. India can really hold its own in competition with Hurope car be ascertained. only by the withdrawal of bounties by continental nations, following which the new duties must be withdrawn; but the alleged interests of consumers must -not be allowed. to inflict hardship on tens of thousands of agriculturists, whose industry, if it is once ruined, it may take years to reyive. 2UBBER CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. There can be no doubo of the practical value of the information which the Director of ‘the Royal Botanic Gardens has put forth from time to time in respect of rubber-yielding trees and their cultivation in Ceylon. Planters who have studied the guceessive ‘‘ Circulars,” either at first hand or ‘as reproduced in our Fropicar Agri- éulturist, maust have acquired a great, deal of useful information respecting the different varieties. of plants and their properties; but we fear they have not beer at all repared for the reversal of fortune which as overtaken the particular rubber-tree which has so long maintained the lead as_ chief favourite, namely the Hevea Braziliensis, or Para-rubber tree. For various reasons detailed in Mr. Willis’s latest Circular, Para may be said to be now dethroned, and Castilloa (the Mexican rival), belonging to the same group as our Bread-and Jak-frnit trees, has been erected in its place. i We fear a number of planters who went in largely for ‘ Para,” following the leading - in the earlier Circulars, will be apt to become a little impatient with the expert advice and will be ncaaed to ask (however unjustly on ropriately j— vr Fee iaiande you dissembled your love, But why did you kick us downstairs ? In other words, is it not possible that Para may be a little. unduly depreciated, even in the light of the most recent discoveries and inventions, and that though it may be advisable. now for all who wish to cultivate rubber, to apply for “‘ Castilloa,” still that those who have planted out, Para should ‘‘ ca’ canny” as. they say in Scotland, and by no means view their investment as a mistake. -In the first. place, wao can tell what another year,—another revolution of the wheel of discovery and invention, — may reveal. Again and again has the ‘whirligig of time brought in its re- venges,” and we may yeb see that further scientific as well as inventive progress has TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. (JuLy 1, 1899. restored ‘‘Para” to its position of prestige, or at least brought it alongside of “* Castilloa.” So, while going in as freely as possible for the Mexican tree according to the latest deliverance, let not the clearings or bound- aries of the Brazilian variety be neglected. Why even the despised ‘‘Ceara,” if all reports be true, is likely to come once more to the front, under the new infiuence of invention and scientific enquiry; and we may have certain gentlemen who went in largely in the ‘‘eighties” for the quick growing variety, looking out their clearings, chena-grown as they may be, and once more doing justice to their plantings of ten to fifteen years ago, One such Ceara clear- ing if not rooted out for tea, snould be found in the neighbourhood of Elkaduwa and another somewhere in the neighbourhood of Madawalatenna. Meantime we have yet to read ‘the details of Mr. Parkin’s Report which the Director is said to be preparing for the Press; and even when we have perused and digested this supply of scientific information, it may well be asked, have we arrived at “finality” or even at ‘definite results?” Has My. Biffen, or the home inventors, no further steps to mark? He would bea bold man who would tender a negative to these questions. We must, of course, do the best by the light given to us for the present, and then wait in full expectation of learning more as time rolls on. No doubt, shrewd, observant men among our planters will begin to make experiments tor themseives; and the results of these, when published, will pro- voke a healthy competition in the path marked cut by scientific counsel, modified, it may be, by additional experience on the part of the cultivator. Meantime, the present may be a favourable opportunity for taking stock of the progress actually made in the cultivation of the differ- ent kinds of Rubber by the planters of Ceylon, up to the present time: and in an early issue we hope to summarise inform- ation already placed at our disposal from a number of districts, bearing on this important practical side of the question. pets Bs ieee ee TEA ON VIRGIN SOIL IN CEYLON. ITS SUPERIORITY IN FLAVOUR AND STRENGTH. In our last issue we quoted a Ceylon contemporary’s remarks 7e the alleged superior quality which virgin soil gives to tea grown thereon. Statements such as these easily pass into current axioms and acquire the force of tradition if not rigidly examined at the outset. Without negativing the assertion, we should like to examine if closely and discover, if possible, the data upon which it is based. We presume the idea arose in the wvriter’s mind from the fact that eylon teas “in the early years commanded higher price than they do now, proportionately, and in fact at that time stood above Indians, the reverse being now the case. Generations among Huropeans in the Wast being covered by but a short span of years, it is easy to lose sight of the circumstances in the begin- ning of things. Itis plain to see that the writer of the assertion is not pertectly aw fart with early tea- planting in Ceylon. He has assumed that tea in that island was originally planted in virgin soil, which our information dees not warrant. It was, in fact by no means the case universally. Tea was originally put down in Ceylon as an experiment by owners of failing coffee plantations JuLY 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL upon old coffee land, by no means virgin land. The, coffee was grubbed oat to make room for it In some cases, and in other cases the tea was so much in the nature of a tentative effort that the plants were put down between the rows of coffee, and only when the experiment was found a decided success was the latter rooted oat. From the very first Ceylon tea Was a success on the market; and these teas, growao upon old, exhausted coffee land, in point of quality, were equal to the best. In combating the accepta ice of a dogmatic conclusion of this kiud without exami- nation, we would not be held to fall into the other extreme. The question requires very careful investi- gation all round, and yaluable information is to be drawn therefrom. We consider, in view of the above considerations, that the absolute necessity of viryin soil for the production of the highest qualities of tea is noé proved, if indeed the facts do not go to disprove it, since we see that in early Ceylon days tea equal to the best was grown an old coffee land. We think, however, that an inyestigation of those early days will help Mr. Kelway-Bamber, who is reported to have devoted himself to the problem, towards the solution. Ceylon estates used to be remarkable for high cultivation and heavy manuring. We remember particularly the original 100 acreson the Maz.xwatte tea estate (planted on old coffee land), which gave a phenomenal yield of 1,200!b. to the acre of good class'tea, usel to be described asa perfect manure heap. ‘his would seem to show that well cultivated old Jand is eqaal to virgin soil for the production of tea, a conclusion, by the way, which is borne out on other agricaltural crops, and would tend tocast a doubt onthe statement for which our Ceylon contem- porary is responsible, that ‘ More has to be studied than renovating and renewing the soil.’ In this con- nection it wonld be advisable, perhaps indispensable, to collate information as to whether reduced prices for tea and the consequent necessity of cutting down working-expenses have not forced the Ceylon men to lower theiy standard of cultivation, before drawing a hard-an@-fast conclusion that Ceylon tea has fallen off in quality, merely because the tea lands are no longer “virgin.” Our own planters would be able to throw more light on this question than we can hope from Ceylon, for the most ancient of the Island tea i; very youthful in comparison to thousands of acres in Assam and Darjeeling. We should be glad to receive opinions and informa- tion upen this subject from our own planters, whose exper:ence, as we say above, must be far greater ‘than that of the managers in the comparatively -young tea colony of Ceylon. We think this is not a question to dogmatise upon without a vast deal more information being brought together, and that the matter may fairly be regarded as a very open one. At any rate, we thinkit is far tooearly for Ceylon to complain of exhausted soil as a cause for the fall in their tea prices as compared with Indian. If the argument should be erroneous, it would be dietinctly harmful to Ceylon interests. as leading them away from the true causes to which they should seek to apply aremedy. If true, Indian planters may be excused for looking on Ceylou as resembling Gil- bert’s precocious infant, who died ‘‘a worn out de- bauchee of seven.”—Indian Planters’ Gazette. BB ot Bee os te “BRITAIN OF THE SOUTH.” (From a Ceylon Visitor's point of view.) PONSONBY, NEW ZEALAND, May 11. I have not forgotten the request you made me just as I was leaving Ceylon that I would drop you a few lines giving my impressions of this ‘Colony, and the matter has been in abeyance only beeause of pressure of work and because I wanted to allow time for a distinct impression of the general bearing of things over here to be made on my own mind, AGRICULTURIST. 53 CLIMATE IN THIS NORTH ISLAND is as near perfection as anything mundane ean be. During February and March we had most superb weather and in April it was delighttul too though with occasional showers. Now in May {answering to November in Britain) it is cold at night and in the early morning, but warm in the daytime when fine. Very few people have started fires yet. Some fruits, such as pomeeranates and persimons, are still on the trees, gnavas having just been gathered in; of course, apples pears, plums and peaches were earlier. The eardens are still ablaze with flowers, chiefly ehrysanthe- mums, cosmos, and camellias, though geraniums pelargoniums, Japanese anemones and fuschias are in evidence, too. A Ceylon visitor soon finds acquaintances among the plants and shrubs here. The ordinary red hibiscus is in almost every garden, rather dwarf plantain-trees are cultivated here and there though I have never seen them fruiting, palms of various species are seen ccca- sionally, the large white trumpet flower (a double variety, though) grows on bushes as large as those in Ceylon. 6 THE SOIL is volcanic. From the road near here, three distinct (but happily extinct) cones are. to be seen, and from one point near Auckland, I believe that fifteen are visible. There must have lively doings here in ‘‘ the braw days of old.” f THE RUADS are simply execrable. They sadly want a P.W.D. here. Of course, they want ood metai too, scoria large volcanic cinders the size of a gallon loaf, not lending itself at all kindly to road-making. Above all they need the cooly, accustomed to task-work and willing to work for as many pence a day as the labourer here asks shillings, The seareity and high-price of LABOUR ‘is one of the serious drawbacks to this colony. A charwoman asks four and six pene woking from 7-30 to 3-30 and setting aaa and tea ; she also requires to have the kitchen copper fire lighted for her and the water boiling before she arrives and a pile of firewood suffi- cient for the day chopped up and heaped beside the copper. As for housemaids, most ladies here seem to think that it is tar less trouble to do without them; and certainly in those cases where they cannot be dispensed with, they are very expensive necessaries. The habit of drudging for themselves into which most people seem to fall into here, though it has its pleasing side as fostering independence, is not without undesirable results as well. ; ; READING people are very few and far between should say that the intellectual average ane middle class (there is no higher class here) is very far below that of the same class in England Here and there you meet a man (generally a Scot from Glasgow) who keeps up his reading but the majority of the people gono hicher than au occasional novel hired for two-pence from trumpery “Circulating Libraries ” kept by very small book-sellers. The fault is not so much with _ the people as with the kind of life this country forces upon them. Where men and women get only an hour or so of respite trom manual labour of the roughest sort daily, there is little time and less energy for the cultivation of the mind: if books are sought atall in such circumstances, it nies is this inteliectnal 54 is as a relaxation, not as a means of culture. The results of this ave beginning to appear. The range of conversation among middle class young men, young men in business in the colonies, is much narrower than that of the same class at home, for the simple reason that the mind runs in a narrower groove. Allusions in sermons and lectures aud addresses to enarac- ters and situations in Standard Literature, to scientific or historical points, ave seized by only the very few; a really good speech would be surer of being appreciated in Colombo or Kandy even, than herein British Auckland. One of the gravest perils threatening the Australasian colo- narrowing and dwarfing that is going on. Whilein Britain and many of the colonies there is intellectual elevation ob- servable generation after generation, in these Aus- tralasian colonies alone there is deterioration ; the old settler with just his memories of the old home life, and theremaining vestiges of his interest in thewider life he had abt home, is generally in- tellectnally (though often not educationally) the superior Of his sons born in the colonies, his in- tellectual horizon being a wider one. How this will work out in another generation or two who ean tell? Nobody who wauts to see these colonies well to the ferein the competitions of the future (competitions in which intellect will ever give greater and greater advantaye) can contemplate this feature of colonial life exactly with equani- mity. Better subsidise Chinese and Indian coolies to comeinto the colonies and so secure for the average British there a little leisure for mental culture even though the working man’s present preposterous wageis reduced a fraction or two, than by the present system pursued to train—for future competition with the home country and -America and with other wiser colonies—a genera- tion of -well-fed animals with muscles well deve- loped by labour, with power to read, write and count as the result of the really splendid educa- tional system, bu& with a mind that has no. in- ‘terests beyond the work by which bread is earned, “* Man shall not live by bread alone,” cannot, with- ‘out soon sinking below the ordained level. of man. _ Ifmaan could live by 5 BREAD ALONE, using the, word in its wider (Scripture) sense, —this would be a Paradise, for butcher's meat ‘is very cheap. Beef is about four pence a pound and mutten twopenze. This is as near the lowest as it can well be, while still leaving to the public the flattering consciousness that they are paying for it. There are no poor people as far as 1 can see ; I have never seen a hungry-looking face since I landed here ; but I have seen sleek dogs passing contemptuously by bits of meat thrown to them from butchers’ stalls, which would have been accepted by any of tens of thousands of human poor in England with loud blessings on the head of the donor. It is a curious experiment commercially that is being tried here, namely, to develop a new country WITHOUT CAPITALISTS. I am not in a position to prophesy about the ‘future, but at present everything seems to be langui-hing for a little more money than the authorities can spend on it. Auckland is a large and commercially flourishing city, but its build- invs are poor; its streets, thongh wide are badly ‘kept, some of the Icading thoroughfares having strips of grass in huge tufts disfiguring them at intervals and being yellow with what looks like chaff, but which is the horse manure of months THE TROPICAL AGRICULTORIST. “neither of which was before known. |[JuLy 1, 1899. pounded by the horses’ feet and scattered by the wiuds ; the footpaths are in many places -half esyered with asphalt and half left bare; at night you have to stumble abour in the streets for the lamps are poor and far apart, and so unusual is anything more than the single-burner street lamp, that the erection of a triple-burner lamp in a suburb has led the ‘three lamps” at Ponsonby to be known as a laod mark all over the city. Auckland might have been a spiendid city had there been finances to develope iton the Jines on which ic was originally laid out, but at present it wears the appearance of a splendid estate which has descended to «an impeennions lord; and I ain told (I know nothing by experience beyond Auckland) that this is the character of the colony lately. It is a pity that in avoiding the elass- legislation of England, New Zealand should have adopted another form of the same thing. How difficult it is to be truly democratic! Democraey is Government by the people for the people, and the capitalist and the brain-worker are as much part of the Demos as is the ’orny ’anded, and Jegislation that hampers the eapitalist in favour of the working man is as coutradietory to the true principles of democracy as legislation for the capitalist which disregards the interest of the working man. CEYLON TEA is advertised in every street and on every tram and omnibusin Auckland and was well to the fore in the recent Auckland Exhibition. SS SS = CABBAGE BANANA. A NEW VEGETABLE FOR TABLE USE. Our attention has been drawn to the fol- lowing extract in the Florida Agriculturist, referring to the ‘‘ Abyssinian Banana” which has been introduced into Ceylon and is growing luxuriantly at Hakgala Gardens, The Superintendent of the National Botanic Gardens, United States, is responsible for stating that the ornamental value of this plant may be eclipsed by its usefulness as an esculent, and so he would eall it the “cabbage banana.” We are next treated to the following interesting extract from James Bruce’s ‘‘Travels in Abyssinia to discover the source of the Nile,” published in Edinburgh so far back. as 1890. Mr. Bruce was a much- traduced writer; but ail his statements have since been verified. He wrote :— “Tt is said that the Galla, when transplanted into Abyssinia, brought for their particular use the coffee tree and the ensete (banana), the use of However, the general opinion is that both are naturally produced in Abyssinia, provided there is heat and moisture. It grows and comes to great perfection in Gondar, but it most abounds in that part of Maitscha and Goutto west of the Nile, where there are large plantations of it, and is there, almost exclusive of anything else, the food of the Galla inhabiting that province ; Maitsha is nearly upon a dead level, and the rains have no slope to get off easily, but stagnate and prevent the sowingof grain. Vegetable food would, there- fore, be very scarce in Maitsha were it not for this plant. As soon as the stalk of the ensete appears perfect and full of leaves, the body of the plantturns hard and fibrous, and is no longer eatable; before it is the best of all vegetables.. When you make use of the ensete for eating you cut it immediately above the small detached roots, and perhaps a foot or two higher, as the plant Jury 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL is of age. You strip the green from the upper part till it becomes white ; when soft like a turnip well boiled, if eaten with milk or butter, it is the best of all foods, nourishing and easily di- gested.” The ‘proof of the pudding is the eating thereof”; and accordingly we have been favoured by Mr. Nock with the result of a trial made by him of part of the stem of an Abyssinian banana intheGardens. Hewrites: —‘*We tried some last night and find it very fair, but a trifle bitter. I daresay with prac- tice in cooking and choosing the right part of the stem, it would make a nice change as a vegetable. It is rather rare in Ceylon, but can be propagated to any extent by seeds. As an ornamental plant it is one of the handsomest known.” This banana is a larger and far showier plant or cluster of plants than our ordin- ary banana. In America seeds were selling at a penny a piece, and the plant is likely to be largely grown as a vegetable. Here it ought to do well in gardens throughout Upper Uvaand the higher planting districts generally. ee ee ENEMIES OF THE COFFEE TREE IN B.C, AFRICA. (From an ex-Ceyion planter.) BORER No. 1 After a coffee clearing gets a year old, be on the outlook for the longicorn beetles, for they emerge from their cavity in the trees of the forest and begin to fly about from the middle of November to the middle of March (practically four months), during which time they are maturing and laying their eggs; and as sure as fate many will find their way into a coffee estate. When they find ecffee, as they seem- ingly do, a palatable food, they live on the bark of the plants, and the female lays hereggs, usually from five to seven in number. I’rom tree to tree she flies and lays only one egg, be it remembered, at the bottom of each tree in the ground (not as is usually ‘supposed on the tree itself) about the size of a small canary seed, dirty-yellow in colour. The egg soon hatches and finds its way, asa very diminutive grub, to the root of the coffee and begins to nibble at the bark just at the collar of the plant, Working its way in it soon has a covering nest protecting it from birds and insects; ants even cannot get at it. Inthe course of a month or two, the forceps of the grub become strong enough to tackle the wood, which it burrows into and lives upon, till fully matured, boring up or down the tree, turning out saw-dustand keeping its hole open to prevent suffocation till fully matured, taking about six months before turning info the chry- salis stage; during this time he either kills the young tree outright, or damages it so much that it never recovers or makes a healthy tree afterwards. After the first rains in November and December the borer grub flies as a full-fledged beetle and having found a favourite feeding and breeding tree in our ‘coffes estates, sticks to it and again begins egg-Jaying. Some of my planting friends may say, “Oh, I have “found half a dozen borers in one tree.’’. This may be so, but I challenge any planter to produce more than one borer in young cotfee under two or three years -old. It is when an estate becomes a unursery for the longicorn and several beetles lay eggs at the root of -@ tree, that a number are found, or the same beetle may lay more than one on the same ground, forit _ Jays six to seven eggs ; but this is notlikely, for it flies about at night, seldom resting more than an hour or so, on one tree, although it sometimes feeds a whole day on the same tree; I judgefrom the amount of bark eaten. I feel almost certain eggs are only laid at night “and not during the daytime when the beetle is at ‘rest and feeding or basking half asleep on the sunny aide ofa coffee tree. : ; AGRICULTURIST. DB So much for borer No. 1. I shall now describe BORER No, 2 which comes from the larva of a yellowish white mot] with steel bars across its body, not so bright and TRINE as the Ceylon moth. This moth lays its eggs nehalle only one, in alittle web on the leaf of acoffee tree Aaa the month of January usually, and the eggs soonturns into a borer which fines its Way into the coffee tree by means of a puncture it manages to make in tender green wood either in a branch or the stem of the tree and works its way into the pith along the primar and down the stem making air holes as it goes alate (also pushing ont saw-dust the same as the slongicere, grub) till it reaches the root: only working in the pith, be it remembered, till it forms a chrysalis in four to six months’ time. This borer is not very destrue- tive, andis easily discovered as the branch or top of the tree it enters by usually dies. I have never found more than one in a tree. Both these borers I have seen in Ceylon—the first called the white borer, and the other the red borer; but the damage done was so trifling that they were hardly known to casual ob- BeDtete I was always fond of * poochi”’ catching and Teno nak many of the same stag beetles and moths Pies WHITE GRUB. This is the most common of all grubs, and perhaps does more damage to young coffee than the bare The beetle is chocolate coloured, and the gcub is white, and curls up when exposed on the surface of the ground. This insect, unlike the borer seems to propagate all the year round haying no set time of year for laying eggs and lying in the chrysalis s age for I have found giub of all sizes, and beetles, all in the same place, at the same time the farmer busy trimming the fibrous feeding roots of the coffee as fast as they are made. : BLACK GRUB, This grub is very destructive, especially table gardens. It comes to the surface at night. ¢ ti off coffee seedlings and rings larger Sree ii collar and even goes the length of climbing aoe leaf occasionally. In the case of its feeling o ae : tions being disturbed by the break of day “it Palla the leaf into its hole underground where it habit . ally descends to rest during the daytime. I do mat think this insect eats the coffee roots like the whit grub, but it does a tremendous amount of daitinge to nurseries and young plants ina new clearin eae Tam certain of. The moth of this grub ie black with a torpedo-shaped body, prominent eves and flies very fast; it appears just at dusk, darting about seeking food in flower gardens and elsewhere and laying its eggs, but how many I do not know, i November and December. The gcub lives about sik months and then turns into a repulsive tooling, glossy chrysalis with a hard shell, sharp-pointed at one end and twists about the sharp end when touched Black soil rich in vegetable humous is full of this grub and it is seldom found in poor land. i WIRE WORM, This is the only other grub that attac my knowledge : the beetle is small, ee cobs Ha an ordinary cleg-fly, and has a habit of erect to be dead when caught. When turned on his Wao he lies still for a short time till he thinks all dan eris over ; then arching his body by drawing iuether both ends, springs in the air about a yard and lands on his feet and flies. I donot know how long the grub of this beetle remains alive: but in onalloade long enough, I have known one to kill out an anona’”’ (bullo: k’s beart) tree three years old—I should ima ine about six months. He is not very aosbuactine to coffee (in fact not at all common), but does lot of damage (o fruit trees and vegetables, s in. vege- a : 7 STICK INSECT, iscaterpillar cuts off the primaries and to sof plants, and arranges them round its Boas Tani ways, binding them together with a strong, tough web. ' This house orshell it lives in, stretching itself in and out of it; according as required to enable it te walk ahoug 56 THE TROPICAL with its house on its back. It does a lot of damage barking the coffee plants, sometimes ringing them right round, completely stopping the flow of san; and it should be considered an enemy of our coffee and destroyed. This caterpillar lives from February to June in Nyassaland. CRICKETS AND Locusrs comprise a very large family indeed; bat there are only afew that feed on and do damave to coffee and they are principally the green-backed, handzome fellows wich yellow and blue rings round the body. They have stumpy wings and a hard, horny, sword- like beak. I don’t think they fly, at least I have never seen them do so. These locusts do a lot of damage barking the coffee and may well be destroyed as an enemy of-the coffee tree. Several others of the cricket locust family do some damage by cutting down small plants. BLACK BUG I have seen, but only on an individual tree or two; but it never spreads. It appears in February or March and disappears in May and June. This pest, I am of opinion, is kept in check by the lady- bird beetle, which is common in the country and is ‘seen very lively on our coffee bushes at the time black bug appears, and it is well-known it preys upon the bug family. COFFEE LICE I have seen covering an individual coffee bush, but like the bug it never spreads, and is probably devoured by some tiger of the insect family. THRIPS. During a very dry season it appears about Octo- ber and :disappears with the first. heavy thunder- storms towards the end of November or early in December—much damage done by the sun and heat during these two months, might be attributed to thrips. I don’t think, however, that much harm can be done to our coffee by this insect, for the short time it is with us (and thisonly, to my knowledge, on two very dry years) that it can be considered very harmful or dangerous. H. B. a LIVE STOCK AND THEIR IMPROVEMENT. Few things are of greater importance with reference to the well-being of the natives in certain remote pastoral districts of the island than the improvement of their live stock. To secure this end, Sir Hercules Robinson established a Cattle Commission which had the late Mr. Wm. Smith, of Dimbula, as veterinary adviser, and the late Mr. John . Capper as Secretary. Much information was collected and published and a great deal of “castration” was attended to, during the pere- grinations of the Commission; but as in so many other efforts towards agricultural im- provement, this proved a mere ‘flash in the pan” without any continuous result. The Cat- tle Commissioners’ Report was pigeon-holed and forgotten, there being no one Department or officer responsible to see the recommenda- tions carried out, or at any rate tested. Itis well-known that both in the South (Hamban- tota), the South-east (the Park country), and in the North-Central and North-Hastern divi- sions, the natives feed large breeds of cattle ; but give not the slightest attention to the quality of their stock. This is, of course, a matter which should be specially -attended to by an Agricultural Director, Board, or Department by putting pressure from time to time on the provincial and district Agents. A gentleman, as well qualified as any in not know AGRICULTURIST. (Juny 1, 1899. Ceylon to write on the subject, favours us with the following results of his observation and experience :— “One great difficulty about improvement of cattle arises from the natural existing conditions. Take the Vanni (N. C. P. and N. P.), the people rear great herds of cattle as they have so much jungle and pasture lands. The cattle increase naturally and goon increasing until murrain breaks out and Sweeps off two-thirds of them. They sell very few, partly from religious scruples; partly, because aman likes to say “‘Ihave somany cattle.” (‘* Pecun ia, comes from ‘‘pecus”—cattle!) These cattle are not herded or selected or interfered with in any way. They cost the owner absolutely noth- ing. So whatever he sells is clear profit without trouble. He can get from R20 to R40 for bulls and vonsiders that good enough. So he says ‘‘ Why should I trouble toreara better stock?’ So he will not pay for the service of (say) a Scinde Bull. Again the breed deteriorates because the man who comes round to buy naturally selects the best bull and the foolish villager sells it. Young and weak bulls run with the breed and again the consequence is deterioration, except so far as nature gives the strongest bull the advantage. Here possibly the advent of a Railway may raise the price of cattle when they can readily be taken to market, just as the making of roads raised the price of paddy; (when there were no roads, paddy sold in Nuwara Kalayiya for two-pence a_ bushel.) But until the market price of beef rises from 15 cents, it would not pay to kill fed-beef and it is doubtful whether even if beef were well paid for, the cattle owners would supply any better animals. Where cattle are run wild on the pasture grounds, you get no good from introducing a good bull, as all the other bullsrun with the herd. ~$—<—-—— — TEA ON VIRGIN SoIL IN CEYLON:—We do I kn if the Indian Planters’ Gazette is almimg at us in its disquisition on this subject which we quote elsewhere. But we have no hesitation in saying that there is a large and reliable body of experience be- fore us to shew that tea grown on virgin soil in Ceylon has produced a tea greatly superior in flavour, if not in strength, to tea grown on land previously occupied by coffee or other product; and that, as years rolled by, the tea even on virgin soil gave a leaf which did not maintain its original reputation. Perhaps the Ceylon planter who went into this matter most carefully, was Mr. T. C. Owen, of the Knuckles and Kele- bokke district,—compiler for us of the ‘Tea Planters’ Manual,” but who has now retired and jomed the London firm of Messrs. Rowe, White & Co. We recall very dis- tinctly Mr. Owen’s statement that, do what he would, he could never recall the delicate aroma which distinguished his teas grown on virgin soil during the first four of five years. His report and the experience gene- rally of other planters in those early days (1883-1890) will be found given in successive volumes of our Tropical Agricuiturist ; and, al- though allowance may have to be made in some cases for ‘‘a virgin soil” a good deal weaker in one district than in others—for instance, in a Northern district as compared with the higher districts around Nuwara fliya with their stronger and richer soils—yet ‘to keep up tea to its pristine vigour (dare we say, ‘Sand delicate flavour”), the soil must be supplied insome way with what itloses through successive, and perhaps heavy, crops of leat, ce Juty 1, 1899.] TEA ENTERING U. STATES OF AMERICA : STRINGENT CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. The Treasury Department, New York, has just issued Circular No. 51 contained in No, 14, vol. 1, ‘“ Treasury Decisions,’ containing the act to prevent the importation of impure and unwholesome tea and the regulation and standards which take effect on May 1, 1899, excepting inthe case of teas shipped from abroad prior to April 1, 1899, which will be governed by the old standards. Section 2 provides that the examination of teas shall be made by means of samples to be drawn from packages designated by the collector and to be furnished by the importer, and of additional samples to be obtained by the examiner. The importer shall furnish a sworn statement that any samples submitted by him to the examiner are drawn from packages designated by the collector and covered by his entry (naming the vessel), and that they represent the true qualities of each and every part of the invoice (including the proportion of dust), and accord with the specifications therein contained. The importer shall submit with his entry a chop list or specification of the several lines included in the invoice, and the collector shall select for examination packages re- presenting the different lines. The examinationand report upon such samples shall be made in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the tea act. In comparing with standards, examiners areto test all the teas on these points, namely, for quality, for any foreign matter on the surface of the infusion, sometimes called scum, and for quality of leaf after infusion. Quality shall be ascertained by drawing according to the custom of the tea trade with the weight of a half dime tothe cup. In Country Green teas, Imperial Hysons coarse leaf Gunpowders, and extra young Hysons are to be compared with Hyson standards, and all other young Hysons and small leaf Gunpowders with the young Hyson standard, The quality must be equal to standard, but the flavour may be that of a different district as long as it is equal in sweetness. As an illustration, a Teenkai may be equal to a Moyune, but a distinctly smoky or rank Fychow, or Wencho oi sour character, must not be considered as equal to the two first mentioned. In order to test for floating colouring matter or scum, and also for the quality of infused leaf, a second drawing should be made for any floating sub- stance, and after pouring off the water the infused leaf should be taken out so as to exhibit the lower side which rested against the cup. Should the mass show a larger quantity of exhausted or decayed leaf, or foreign substance than the standard, it shall be considered inferior in quality, and the tea must be rejected. In greens and Japans particularly, the brightness of the leaf should be considered as an evidence of quality. Should atea prove, on examination, to be plainly inferior to the standard in any one of the requisites —viz., quality, scum, or quality of infused leaf, it shall be rejected, notwithstanding that it be superior to the standard in some qualifications. All consider- ation of the appearance or so-called style of the dry leaf shall be omitted. In the case of Ceylon and India teas, the needle leaf and Pekoe tips shall be separated by passing them together with the dust through a No, 26sieve of No. 30 brass wire after the tea has been first sifted through a No. 16 sieve. Dust and fannings in Japan teas must not exceed 4 per cent. when tested by a No. 30sieve of No. 31 brass wire. Be- fore condemning any tea for dust, examiners shall Bieve at least two packages. Examiners should preserve in tin, for one year, samples of all teas examined for future reference in case of complaints, and the Board of General Appraisers should also retain a portion of all sam- ples sent them onappeal for the same object. To this end, examiners should always send the Board samples of at least half a pound, and never other: wise than in tin cans securely labeled, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 59 Statistics showing the quantities of various kinds of less admitted and rejected should be kept at the custom houses for future reference. In all cases of rejections by examiners, the im- porter should be notified of the reason for rejection —that is, whether it be on the ground of quality, character of infused leaf, dust, scum, or admixture with foreign substance. Whenever Japan teas shall be imported hereafter, so made up as to imitate the green teas of China, examiners will compare such teas with the pan-fired standards for Japan teas. Should such teas be made up so as to imitate Congous, they will be compared with the North Ohina standards for Congous. In cases of importations of tea containing an excessive amount of dust, the dust can be exported after sifting and tea admitted to entry if found up to tea standards.—The Planter, May 27. SUIT V, THE AMERICAN CUSTOMS. The application recently made before Judge Lacombe for an injunction against the Collector of the Port, the Tea Examiner, and the Board of General Appraisers, to prevent the rejection of certain teas which, it is asserted, differ in certain respects from the established standards and yet are equal thereto in purity, wholesome- ness, and fitnesss for consumption and quality within the crue intent and meaning of the act, has been denied. It isclaimed that the regulations of the Treas. ury under which rejections are made are illegal ; that the true intent and purpose of the act is to prevent the importation of pure and un- wholesome tea; that it is ridiculous and un- reascnable to suppose that Congress intended by this legislation to permit the Secretary of the Treasury to determine the grade of tea which the American people were permitted to drink ; that Congress could not confer upon the Secre- tary of the Treasury the power to deslare what teas should be imported into the United States ; that a wrong meaning has been given to the word ‘‘ quality,” ‘“‘The purpose of a standard is that there may be a fixed and stable measure by which smaller articles can be tested, but if by the word ‘quality’? Congress meant to place it in the power of the Secretary, of the Treasury to fix and establish the teas admissible into the United States aceording to their taste and flavour, then not only is it possible that the widest fluctua- tions may exist from year to year in fixing of the standards, but the determination of whether teas offered for import are inferior in flavour and taste to the standards so established must necessarily fluctuate with the varying skill or delicacy of taste of tea experts. It needs no arguinent to show that to subject an exten- sive trade in a commodity of foreign production which must be purchased many months in ad- vance of its arrival at our ports, subject to the variations of seasons, to entry under such a,rule is to imperil all security of trade and to put the merchant under a hazard of loss for which there can be no compensation of gain to any other part of the community. For even if such a construc- tion of the statute were not oppressive upon the importer, it would still be a harsh and unjust rule. in its application to the consumer. It would exclude inferior grades of tea, although entirely genuine and wholesome, and would compel the poorer classes of citizens to purchase higher giadas of tea presumably more costly and possibly less to their liking, To that extent it would interfere with the natural liberty of the citziens and the choice of commodities which it is the general policy « . the law to extend rather than to restrigty bees THE TROPICAL “Tf this be so the legislation is in the nature of a police regulation, and the word ‘quality’ is to be read as having regard to the tea as being fraudu- lent or deceptive or bad. The design of the statute, then, is to exclude ‘impure,’ ‘trashy,’ and ‘un- wholesome’ tea. “This in effect limits the word ‘quality’ by the purpose of the statute as we have claimed it, dnd by the words with which it is associated. “The rejection of teas equal in purity, quality, and fitness for consumption because containing a greater mixture of similar teas broken up into fragments known as dust or fannings is unauthor- ized by the statute. The regulations provide that in certain standards the percentage of dust or fan- nings must be restricted to 10 .per cent., and in others that the maximum of dust or fannings shall not exceed 4 per cent. “It is entirely manifesh that the inherent sub- stance of the tea is not altered by its being broken into small fragments, nor is there any pretence thatitis thereby rendered any less wholesome or fit for consumption. If these teas were properly rejected it must have been because the ‘quality! refers not to the inherent substance of the tea, but to its size and packing. We submit that such a construction of the word ‘quality’ is inadmis- sible. It is strained and unnatural. It has no justification in the reason of the law or in the plain meaning of the words, and is merely a trade regulation absolutely unauthorised by the statute. ‘The regulations require the rejection of teas not equal to the standard in flavor or cup qual- ity, although equal to the standards in every other particular, and the defendants have applied and are applying that rule. ‘The defendants having prevented the importa- tion of teas which the plaintiff is entitled to import within the true intent and meaning of the act and threatening to continue to doso, should beenjoined from such unauthorized acts.”—American Grocer, May 3. —> REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND RECORDS AND AGRICULTURE, MADRAS, The latest Report on this Department (1898-9) has reached our hands. The opera- tions on the agricultural side of this Depart- ment are of interest to us just at this time when the question of establishing a Depart- ment of Agriculture in Ceylon is on the tupis. It will be remembered by some that the Ceylon School of Agriculture, as first es- tablished by Mr. H. W. Green, was to a great extent, modeled on the plan of the Madras College, while the contents of his ‘‘ Primer of Agriculture for Ceylon Schools” was also compiled mainly from a work written by the Principal of that College. Whether the fact of the Colombo School having been established on the model of the Madras Col- lege explains an element of demerit or not we cannot say; but ithas happened that not long ago the latter, like the former, was the subject of much adverse criticism. We note, however, in reading through the Re- port under review that a more liberal and up-to-date system of administration _has superseded the old order of things in Madras, and we earnestly hope that the same change for the better will, before long, mark the progress of official, agricultural work in AGRICULTURIST. (JuLy 1, 1899. this island. For one thing, we are glad to~ find under the head of ‘Scientific and Na- tional Enquiry under Imperial Control,” that Geological Surveying is going on apace in the Presidency, and we read of the examination of such minerals as corundum, iron ore and mica, with a view to developing the mineral resources of the country. The rest of the work of the Department falls under the heads of Meteorology ; Botany (the examina- tion of various vegetable products—edible and otherwise—from an economic point of view); Entomology ; Chemistry (chemical ex- amination of soils, plants, manures, etc.) ; Statistics (Agriculture); Veterinary (Animal Diseases, Breeding); Cryptogamy (fungoid diseases) ; besides the Control of Agricultural Education (including dairy farming), Agri- cultural publications, the holding of Shows, etc. We expect that in all these matters, the proposed Department or Board of Agri- culture in Ceylon will find ample scope for work, to be undertaken, it is hoped, in the same liberal spirit in which it appears to be carried on by the authorities in the Mad- tas Presidency, We would draw attention to the following reference to the employment of men trained in Agriculture :— it has long been held in this Presidency that it would be advantageous if the staff .f the Reyenus, Morest, Educational and other Departments were leavened by men who had received a thorough course of instruction in Agriculture, andof late years this has been specially recognized by placing men who have ob- tained the diploma in Agriculture on an equal f oting with B.A. candidates for employment in the Revenue Department. The report of the Principal of the College of Agriculture, for 1897-98, shows the extent to which this leavening has been effected. The totalnumber of former students of the College who were employed in the Revenue Department at the close of the year was 102, 41 of them being Revenue Inspectors. In the Forest Department under Government, and elsewhere, 43 were employed, and inthe Educational Department as teachers of Agriculture, 16, whilst the number en< gouged in direct connection with agriculture and veteri- nary practice was 98. The income of the Madras Agri-Horticultural Society is, we are told, chiefly derived from the Government grant (R4,000). Would that the local Government could see its way to fol- low this example ! ee MIDLAND (CEYLON) TEA PLANTATIONS COMPANY, LIMITED, The following is from the report of the directors :— The directors beg to submit the accounts, duly audited, or the year ending December 31, 1898, which they much regret to say again show results far from satis- factory, owing chiefly to the low prices obtained icr sylon teas last year. The receipts for the season are £9,074 7s 1d; less working expenses in Ceylon, £7,329; leaving gross profit, £1,745 7s 1d ; from which has to be deducted : Debenture interest—6 per o2nt. per annum on £15,000, £900; interest on loans, £269 732d; fees to trustees, and auditors, and London agents’ commission on teas sold, £234 2s 9d; general charges, &, £75 12s 10d; and the following being also chargeable :—legal expenses in connection with — the mortgages, £146 3s 7d ; preliminary expenses, 2ne- third written off, 1897, £133 5s 7d; ditto, 1898, £133 537d; manure, cost written off, 1897, £193 5s 2d; rice, loss written off, 1897, £132 18s 9d, produce, over estimate written off, 1897, £34 15s 8d; auditors’ fees, written off, 1897, £12 123; the deficiency is as shown, £919 17s, : ed eee Be ees ey ee i Rh ee ee ieee. en Pe Juty 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL It will be seen there is no actual loss on the years trading, but that the deficiency is caused by previous debits, and the legal expenses in connection with the mortgages to the trustees for the debenture-holders, and to the London agents. In consequence of the year’s trading being so unfavourable, the directors have waived their fees, and the London agents, Messrs. M. P. Evans & Co., have made no charge for secret- arial work and office rent. The tea sales for the season amounted to 381,940lb, the net average being 5-49d per lb. The rupee exchange was again higher, and averaged 1s 4:20d. The acreages under cultivation are: Over four years old, 938; under two years old, 49; total, 987 acres, and the crop for the current season is estimated at 380,000lb, of which there have been sold to date 29.880lb, at a net average of 7d per lb, a satis- factory advance on last year, and, as the prices now ruling in the London market for Ceylon teas are much higher than they have been for some time, the directors trust they may be able next season to present to the shareholders a statement of a more encouraging nature. It will be noticed that since the date of the last report the working capital of the company has been increased by £2,000 raised in preference shares. The company’s visiting agent, Mr. W. R. Tatham, reports in a recent letter that the estates are in good order, and the bungalow and other buildings are in good repair. By his advice the directors have sanc- tioned a new clearing of thirty-one acres of land lying between Blackstone and Kenilworth, which are well adapted for the growth of tea. Mr. Tatham states that the work of clearing and draining is being care- fully carried out by the superintendent, Mr. Campbell. —H, & 0. Mail, May 26. ae PRODUCE AND PLANTING. 3 Tue Drart on TEA.—This question is exercising the mind of the trade, and there is considerable opposition to the proposals for abolishing the draft allowance on tea at public auction in London. In the recent circular issued by the Indian Tea As- sociation of London and the Ceylon Association of London, the signatures of growers and importers oi Indian, Ceylon, Java, or China teas were invited to an agreement binding them to refuse the draft allow- ance to buyers in all tea sales after a fixed date. In an explanatory memorandum circulated with the form of agreement, one of the chief reasons advanced for making the proposed change is that the draft allowance “is a survival from times and conditions which no longer prevail.’ It is contended by the trade that the draft allowanceis certainly a ‘‘survival from old times, and this long-established custom ought not to be lightly set aside. The question raised, the “Grocer”? poinis out, is one of considerable import- ance, affecting not only the Indian and Ceylon tea trade, but the tea trade in general. Retailers will naturally want to hear strong arguments before they endorse the Indo-Ceylonese proposal—stronger argu- ments, probably, than those advanced in the quoted memorandum. For example, it is said that what with draft and turn-of-scale allowance, buyers last year received “five-million pounds of tea more than they paid for.” Surely that suggestion nullifies itself. People who buy do not usually receive more than they actually pay for, although they may receive more than they nominally pay for, We mean thatif five million pounds of tea were handed over to buyers, that fact is large enough to show that their sellers did no more than they were properly expected to do; the prices paid were paid reckoning that fact in with them. Possibly the sys- tem of paying for the exact quantity bought may be a preferable one, but such a change as is proposed cannot justly be made unless all the parties concerned have their eyes open, so that the bearing of the change on future buying may be thoroughly understood, The real reason for the change is that set out in paragraph No. lin the memorandum namely, “ the profit on tea cultivation having reached such a narrow margin. The growers in India and Ceylon have cut down there, AGRICULTURIST, 59 and are now wishful tocut down here. We should not have thought the Indian and Ceylon trade had been really so bad as all that, though we can quite under- stand why cutting down should be attempted if people find themselves, or think themselves, strong enough to do it. According to the ‘‘ Produce Markets’ Re- view,” this draft was not allowed for loss of weight only, but was intended to cover all sorts of other contingencies arising from the nature of the trade, such as the occasional refusal of any allowance for damage, false package, &c., after delivery from the public warehouses. Of course, also buying at original landed weights, the trade accepta great risk when delivery is delayed, as it oftenis, and they must have some margin in return. , Nor so Bap As rt Looxs.—It might be thought on looking at the figures representing the Imports of Indian and Ceylon tea to the United States and Canada for the first three months of the year that the demand was on the decline in North America. For the correspondining periods in 1897 and 1898 the amounts respectively were 4,460,943 lb. and 3,155,099 lb., while for the first three months of the current year the quantity taken was only 2,935,885lb. The explanation is that in 1897 the imports were unusually large owing to the fear which then existed of an alteration in the tea duty in the States, while the slight reduction in the first quarter of the present year is attributed to the recent high prices. . PLANTING IN BririsH Centran Arrica.—The reve- nue of the Brtish Central Africa Protectorate for the year ending March 31 last exceeded the estimate by several thousand pounds. The rainy season which has just come toa close has been a comparatively healthy one. Very few new planters settled in the Protectorate last year, but the area under coffee is constantly increasing, as also is the bearing capacity ofthe trees planted during recent years. There has been an increase in the export of rubber, but owing to the frequent bush fires British Central Africa is not an abundavt rubber country, and is not likely to become a serious rival to Brazil or West Africa.—Z, and C. Mail, May 26. Se THE INDIAN TEA MARKET: ANNUAL REPORT AND PROSPECTS. THE annual report of Messrs. Carritt & Co, deals solely with Indian tea, and the greater portion has been forestalled so far as facts and figures are concerned in the earlier Broking reports. There are, however, a few passages which are worth taking over—for instance :— The result of the past year’s working hasagain been unsatisfactory to growers. The chief causes are to be found in the sameness of quality of a yery large proportion of the crop, the unequal dis- tribution of supply, the concentration of buying power inthe London market and high exchange. The consistently low level of value, increased deliveries at home, together with the certainty of a crop practically the same weight as last year, and the uncertainty of a proportionately better price being obtainable, opposed the idea of cur- tailing outturn with a view to improving quality. The character of the crop, which has largely consisted of ordinary medium quality, has not tended to bring about any appreciable advance in sterling values, though, apart from other fea- tures of the trade, it should have been suffici- ently good to maintain last year’s level. Owing to improved facilities of transport, and also to aci celerated services, the crop has reached the market quicker than usual; no adverse influences have temporarily impeded transit or have tended to check therapid forwarding of supplies. Next we have an altered condition of the trade dealt with and an evil of some magnis 60 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. tude affecting producers is certainly brought to light :— The effect of a congested supply and the want of a more equable distribution of the cropon the home market has been more than ever emphasised this year. Improved means of carriage have been largely availed of (mainly on account ofeconomy in finance), and tea has been rushed forward at headlong rate, regardless of the inevitable fate awaiting it in London. A more convincing proof of the need of a better regulation of supply cannot be wanted than this year’s working affords ; even the law of supply and demand has been suspended by the persistent pouring in of ship- ments, and-any. tendency to improved prices has been immediately stifled. The altered condition of the trade and the concentration of buying power in the hands of the comparatively few large London houses make it all the more necessary to feed the markets judiciously, and the absence of this pre- caution has never been brought home to the seller so acutely asin the past year. The continually de- ressed market at home and the difficulty in moy- ing up sterling value, inspite of an exceptional osition, are ina great measure directly attribu- able to this drawback, and so long as the annual flooding process supervernes no healthy recovery in values appears probable ; they may slightly im- prove during the months of diminished supply but only to be forced down again’ when the weight of tea comes forward. That some effective scheme for ensuring a more uniform supply throughout the ear than now exists would prove of enormous Penent to the industry is undoubted, but the diffi- culties to be overcome appearinsurmountable ; it would necessitate a strong combination of produc- ing interests, and restricted dealings would pro- bably be unacceptable to many. But prices have been forced down to such a low jevel, and the margin of profitto the grower, where it has not disappeared altogether, is so small and uncertain that any active measures with this object in view should receive every consideration. s Ceylon tea shipments, fairly distributed as they are over the year, do not give the same trouble as those from India—concentrated as the latter are—within a few months practi- cally. But how to apply a remedy would puzzle even so great a capitalist and producer as Sir John Muir ! As regards ‘‘prospects,” Messrs. Carritt & Co. write :— Prospects for the ensuing season are brighter, and there are indications of a more prosperous year before the trade. That so large a portion of the crop should, under such abnormal conditions ‘as existed during the past year, have been dealt with before any recovery in prices took place in London is instructive, and itis to be hoped that the measure of strength now acquired by produ- cers will not be disturbed. The statistical position would seem to invite a freer supply, which in many cases would mean a coarser system of plucking and a consequent lowering of quality ; under such conditions the outlook is not favour- able. The past year’s crop was by no means a full one, and with the increased yield during the cur- rent season from considerable extensions coming into bearing, there should, under normal condi- tions of weather be quite sufficient tee to meet home requirements, and also the increasing de- mands for outside markets. With a large and inferior quality crop, lower prices must be looked for, and any recovery in value (signs of which are now seen) cannot be maintained. As regards manu- facture, the foregoing remarks may be some guide in deciding upon the best course to pursue. In the districts planters have been fully alive to the situation, and every effort on;their part will doubtless be continued to attain the best » results, J [Jury 1, 1899. PLANTING NOTES. _COFFEE.—On the 6th of May one or two sugges- tions were offered in this journal towards the devising of some means of popularising coffee amidst the millions of possible consumers who will prefer tea for the plain reason that nothing is wanted for that save the boiling of the kettle. It is disappointing to find that not one local planter, hard hit though the industry be, has yet had one idea to rub on another as to this most practi- cal question.—S. F. Press, May 23. TEA IN Narau.—The consumption of tea per head in England (notes the Agricultural Journal) is 6lb. per annum. The production for Natal is computed at 1,000,000lb. per annum says the Mercury. The white population of Natal is 50,000 ; at 6lb. per head the consumption in Natal is 300,(001b per annum, leaving 700,0001b for export. The average retail price for tea in Natal is Is 5d perlb ;hence £21,250 is spent annually in tea by a population of 50,000. *“CoLonia” for April is an interesting number. There are now some tenold students of the Colonial College (Suffolk) as tea planters in Ceylon. One of them notices the coinci- dence of three of them being connected with the one Company. We quote a para- graph :— We had a visit during the Term from Mr. Youell Thorne who was back in the old country for a short - time. He gave us pleasant accounts of life in Ge -and of the Ola Colonials whom he had ee: eden Apropos of such meetings, the circumstance referred to by Mr. Beamish, in the Old Students’ Column of three College men coming together on the same estate is certainly noteworthy. Every one will wish the trio long life and prosperity, and a flourishing tea plantation of their own by and bye. UNITED PLANTERS’ ASSOCIATION OF THE FEDERATED MALay SvaTEs.—One interested in the Straits asks us if we have seen the Report of the latest meeting of this body is at which Mr, E. V. Carey has been elected Chairman by a large majority,—Ceylon again to the front.” A copy of the Minutes or Report has been sent to us direct and it exhibits a good deal of enterprise on + part of the Straits planters. PIM, aes succeeds another Ceyion man, Mr. T. H. Hill, as Chairman of the U.P.A. The Asso- ciation is anxious to get an “ Agricultural Department” established in the Straits for the general benefit of the inhabitants, and to this end it has been collecting information from the different Colonies with regard to botanical and agricultural departments, mak- ing, however, a big blunder in giving Ceylon credit for a general revenue of 19 million £ sterling in place of rupees, —a misprint, of course.—Mr. Coates was thanked for collecting information respecting ~ the cultivation, transport, &c., of coffee in Brazil ; but surely Huropean (and ex-Ceylon) planters in the Straits have little to learn from South America in respect of coffee? The Straits planters are anxious to have a Bonded Store or Warehouse for their produce, in order that their coffee may have time to mature (!) and in the meantime that ad- vances may be obtained,—rather dangerous business for a Government to meddle with The “labour” question is always a lively one in the Straits, and in a variety of forms it is freely discussed in the present Report, BRT erro sgyi2, mi ~ Denagama, Juty 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL Ceylon Rainfall. Tne P. W. D. MrreoroLocicaL OBSERVATIONS FOR May 1899.—We app end this Monthly Return of rain from which it will be seen that the highest fall was at Padupola in the Central Province, 32°46 inches, and the lowest at Elephant Pass in the Nor- thern Province 0°14 inch. WESTERN PROVINCE. Negombo, Mr. Bucknall 6 wes © Kalutara Mr Gregson (36) 29°71 Labugama, Mr Bond paeiaicol Henaratgoda, Mr. Silva (83) . 16°04 CENTRAL PROVINCE. Katugastota, Mr. Morgan (1,500) ia OF 84! New Valley, (Dikoya) Mr. Ward (8,708) .. 2406 Helboda, (Pussellawa) Not received (3,300) ... = Yarrow Estate, 208 oe Mr. Peto (8,400)... 13°27 Peradeniya Mr. a0 MacMillan (1,540)... 759 Duckwari,Mr. Spence (3,300) Or 3 Caledonia, Mr Goork .. ‘ (4,273) ww. 13°63 Pussellawa, Mr. 50 Powell (3,000) 2 15:51 Hlakgala, Mr. Nock (5,581) Fue 9:92 S. Wanarajah Estate, Mr. Tatham (3,700) =.» 21°39 St. Andrew’s (Maskeliya, ) Not received (4,200)... Padupola, Mr. Ward... (1,630) . 8246 Mylapitiya, Mr. Fletcher (1,707) NokTHERN PROVINCE. Mullaittivu, Mr. Sanmukam (12 eee} Jaffna Mr MacDonnell (8) 2°36 Mankulam, (N. Road) Mr.- Walke: (167) By 85 Flephant Pass, Mr. Silva (7) 3 pine Onl Vangalachettykulam, Not recived (179) Point Pedro, Mr, singhe (24) Jaffna Volleses Pararacha- sei tek Mr. Cooke (91 oe — 1°83 Kayts, Mr. Kretser ... : 8 1:98 1°67 24) -» 2°00 Murikanay, (North-Centra Road) Mr. Silva — 1-00 Nedunkeni, Mr. Sanmukeam 122 Ree IO Kankesanturai, Mr. ... Adams (10) G Paliai, Mr. Silva 9. Chavakachcheri, Mr. Si va (16) we 0°98 OUdupiddi, Mr. Hastings (35 see ~ 2:03 Marichchukaddi, (14) Not received a Murungan, Mr. Blechingberg Vavuniya Mr. Walker (318) SoUTHERN PROVINOE. Ella Vella (262) Mr. Adams 13°50 Kekanadura, (150) d3 12°28 (286) do 11°90 - Udukiriwila Mr. Lourensz 235 weap gt 099 Kirama, Mr. Ismiil (260) 7°04 Hali-elu (200) Mr. Adams 16°10 Vissamaharama, Not received (75) vee Matara (15) Mr. Adams 11°40 Dandeniya, (157) do 12°20 Urubokka, (890) do 14°70 Elagaia, Not received (121) — Tangalla, (94) Mr. Bartlett Mr, Cade Mamadola, = (56) 4°30 EASTERN PROVINCE. Irrakkamam, (42) Mr. Bower 1°62 Devilana, Mr. Vanderstraaten (136) Nil Sagamata, Mr. Bower (40) wa Nil Ambare, do (65) 065 Kanthalai, Mr, Carte (150) 0°52 Allai, Mr. Carte (95) Nil Rukam, Mr. Vanderstraaten (120) Nil Periyakulam, Mr, ‘Carte (20) ao Nil Chadaiyantalawa, Mr. Edge (57) ep rt Kalmunai, do (12) 038 Rotewewa, do (30) 0°21 Lahugala, do (70) 2°00 Naulla, do (30) 0°50 Andankulam, Mr. Carte (41) seo NGL Mana!puddy, Mr. Vanderstraaten (21) 0°40 Maha-Oya-'Tank, Mr, Vanders'raaten (190) Nil N.-W. PROVINCE. Magalawewa, Mr. Sooprayan 5 6°45 Maha Uswewa tank, Mr, Crabb (160) ws. S21 Tenepitiya, Mr. ¥ Simmons (8) ww» 10°65 Bataiagoda, Mr. N, C. PROVINCE. Kalawewa, (268) Not received Maradankadawala, Mr. Carsen (443)... 5°65 Mihintale, Mr. Silva 354 e082 5°41 Horowapotana, Mr. Silva (217) ec) 3°38 Madawachchiya, Mr. MacBride (285) ... 4°36 Topare, (200) Not received p06 _— Mioneriya — Mr. Eves 3°92 Uva PROVINCE. Bandarawela, Mr. . Tocke (4,38) asl 5°41 Haldummulla, Mr. Vira- motta (8,160) ... 3°95 Kumbukan, (446) Mr. Emerson ae 1:03 Koslanda, (2,258) Mr. Emerson... 3°37 Tanamalwila, Not received (550) ... _ SABARAGAMUWA. Ambanpitiya, Mr. Caldicott (729) 10°05 Pelmadulla, Mr. pee (408) Kolonna Korale (Hulanda- oya) (203) Not Receive — Avisawella, Mr. Jeffery (105) 17:95 AGRICULTURIST. 61 Ceylon Rainfall. S. G. O. MrrEoroLoGicsL OBSERVATIONS FOR JANUARY 1899, We append the total fall of rain from which it will be seen that the highest fall was at St. Martins, Ran- galla, 55°86 inches, and the lowest at Orange Hill, Ragama, 1°55 inches, Colcmbo (40) 6°98 Ratnapura (84) 4.04 Puttalam (27) 10°44 Anuradhapura (295) 5.19 Mannar (12) 2°53 Jaffna peti es Trincomalee (12) 7°25 Battice)oa (26) 14°75 Hambantota (50) 10°95 Galle (48) 5°52 Kandy (1,654) 8°54 Nuwara Eliya (6,18) 12°62 Hakgala, Nuwara Eliya (5,581) 6°74 Badulla (2,225) 16°51 Vavuniya (317) = Kurunegala (381) 7°12 Maligakanda, Colombo Mr Jchnson (70) 3°93 Agricultural School Colombo, Mr. Rodrigo 4°43 Wilhelmiva Puttalam, Mr. Ratnayeke (131) 9°38 Horakele Estate, Chilew, Mr. Beven (50) 5°72 Chilaw Kachcheri Chilaw, Mr. Koch (10) 5°69 Franklands Estaee Vesangoda, Mr. Beven 2°25 Orange Hill, Ragama_ _~ Mr. Bassey (20) 1°55 Henaratgoda Gardens, Henaratgoda, Mr. de Silva (33) 3°71 Kotua Godella, Rambk’a 4 02 Mr. Windus (580) Eadella or Liberia Es- tate Polgahawela Mr. Kynaston (475) Geekianakanda, Neboda 8743 Mr. Corrie (200) Polgahakanda, Neboda $12 Mr. Bury (500) Labugama, Hanwella, Mr. Samarakone (369) Rayiga:, Horana, Mr. Hanan, (0 Kavangma, Avissawella 6°12 Mr. Cooke (200) Dunedin Estate, Avis- 6°09 sawella, Mr Bayley, (400) Digalla Avisawella, Mr. 3°95 Tottenham, (400) Pambagama, Avisawella, 3°39 Mr Bridgman (600) Avyisawella Estate Avisawella Mr. Byrde 250 (4°04 Yatideriya, Kegalla, Mr. Fairweather Mahawalatenna, Mahawalatenna 5°72 5°35 9°65 . 6°29 Balangc da R.M. om 4°80 Agrsisnd Estate Balsngoda Mr Boyd (2,115) 3°72 Maduwsanwala, Rakwana, Maduwanwela R.M. (759) 6°10 Anninkan¢a, Moraweka, Mr. Wocdhouse (1,400) 8°34 Panilkanda, Morawaka, Mr. James (1,9.0) 1°82 8t John Del Rey, Begawan- talawa, Mr. Glanville (4,300) 2°96 Friedland, Bogawantalawa Mr. Rammeit (5,20) 5°21 Campion, bogawantalawa, Mr. Gidden (4,840) 4°7h Blair Athol, Dikoya, Mr. Lane (3,641) 5°88 Annticld, Dikoya, Mr. Knight (4,700) 5.01 Ma-keliya Hospital, Maskeliya Mr. Oorloff (1,200) ; 4:02 Hope Estate, Hewaheta, Mr. Bagot (5,000) 22°47 Coldstream Estate, Watawala Mr. Jones (3,200) 4°61 Holmwood Est., Agrapatsna, Mr. Bosarquet (5,249) 3°78 Sandringham, Agrapatana ~ Mr. Orchard (5,200) 4°15 Gingran-oya, Kotmale, Mr. Cox (3,800) 6°86 Labookelle, Ramboda, Mr. Stone (5,000) 12°88 Dunsinane, Pundalu-oya, Mr. Metcalfe 4,800 6-77 Sogama, Fussellawa, Mr. Eustace (3,500) — 8°61 Kurundu-oya, Maturata, Mr. Owen (5,150) 26°87 Kabaragalla, Maturata, Mr. Maclean (4,200) 20°94 Maragalla Estate, Moopara, Mr. Betts, (2,200) 18°01 Mecopana, Hospital, Moopana (Mr. Thomasz) (600) 14°24 Madulsima Hospital Lunugala Dr. Vethecan (2,600) 15°78 Meeriabedda, Hapurale, Mr. Dujuis (3,600) 88g Udahena Estate, Haputale, Mr. Coombe = (4,500) 10°98 Fost fice, Bandara wela, Tt Rodrigo 4,035) 9°52 Callandér;.Ohiya oeaen Mr. Green (5,1%5) 10°42 Mariawatte, Gampole Mr. Salmond (1,600) 5°51 Orwell Estate, Gampola Mr. Taylor (1,800) 5°06 New Forest, Deltuta, Mr. Wardrop (3,500) 13°34 Rajawella, Estate, Telieniya Mr, Sirclair (1,500) 9°62 Lower S; ring Valley, Badulla Mr, Rettie (3,650) 21°93 Gourakele Estate, Badulla, Mr. Hope (4,200) 17°96 Moi saga'a Hstate, Badullx, Mr. Deaker — (4,500) 20°&7 Ledgerwaite, Badulla Mr. Rttie (4,000) 30°86 Dea Elia Estate, W’walatenna Mr. Vanderslott (800) 10°41 Sembawatte Estate, N’pitiya Mr. Roe — (1,600) 5°05 Gammaduwa, Estate, Rattota Mr. Westland (2,4 0) 40°04 Kobonella Estate, Rangala, Mr. Pole (3,200) 44°25 St. Martins, Rangala, Mr. Wyllie (3,600) 55:86 Crystal Gill, Matale, Mr. Van S’rex (1,400) 15°79 Vicar‘on Estate, Matale Mr. Carrie (3,250) 19°43 Matale Mr. Tisseverasinghe (1,208) Wariapolla, Matale, Mr, Dickenson (1,200) 13°51 Dambulla, Mr. Si:ne amby (400) 18:49 Kotta Estate, Pallai, Mr. Todd (13) 1:90 Mantota Hospital, Mannar, Mr. Ratnampilla (17) 169 Bottala Hospital, Buttala, Mr. Rulner melds Police Station, Hatton Police Constable Miskin (4,141) 4°5g Nilaveli, Trincomalre, 13°08 Mr. Abraham, a. 8°99 Delwita, Kurunegala, Mr. Neame (490) 10 82 Wooisi ie, Uragalla Mr. MacMahon (3,000) 26°44 Gillardstown, Wattegama Mr. Hardy (2,500) 14°96 62 ISSUED BY THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. SHARE LIST. THE COLOMBOSHARE BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION. CEYLON PRODUCE COMPANIES. ee ——————————————— % ‘Transactions. 102°50 195 125 Amount Name of Company. paid per share, Agra Ouvah Estates Co., Ltd. 600 Ceylon Tea and Coconut Estates 500 Castlereagh Tea Co., Ltd. 100 Ceylon Hilly Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Ceylon Provincial Estates Co. 600 Claremont Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Clunes Tea, Co., Ltd. 100 Clyde Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Delgolla Estates Co., Ltd. 40) Doomoo Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 Drayton Estate Co., Ltd. 100 Eila Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 Estates Co., of Uva, Ltd. 600 | Gangawatta 500 ; Glasgow Estate Co., Ltd. 600 Great Western ‘Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 500 Gapugahalande Tea Estate Co Ltd. 200 High Forests Estates Co Ltd 500 Do part paid 350 Horekelly Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Kalutara Co., Ltd. 600 Kandyan Hills Co Ltd. 100 Kanapediwatte Ltd. 100 Kelani Tea Garden Co., Ltd. 100 Kirklees Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Knavesmire Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Maha Uva Estates Co., Ltd 500 Mocha Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 600 Nahavilla Estate Co., Ltd. 500 Nyussaland Coffee Co. Ltd. 100 Ottery Estate Co., Ltd. 100 Palmerston Tea Co., Ltd. 500 Penrhos Estates Co., Ltd. 100 Pine Hill Estate Co., Ltd. 60 Pitakanda Tea, Company 500 Putupaula Tea Co., Ltd. 100 Ratwatte Cocoa Co., Ltd. 600 Rayigam Tea Co., Ltd. 100 Roeberry Tea Co., Ltd. 100 BRuanwella Tea Co., Ltd. 100 St. Heliers Tea Co., Ltd. 50 Talgaswela Tea Co., Ltd. 100 o 7 per cent. Prefs. 100 Tonacombe Estate Co., Ltd. 500 Udabage Estate Co., Ltd. 100 Jdugama Tea & Timber Co., Ltd. 50 Onion Estate Co., Ltd. 500 Upper Maskeliya Estate Co,, Ltd. 500 Dvakellie Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 Vogan Tea Co., Ltd. 100 Wanarajah Tea Co., Ltd. 500 VYatadoriya Tea Co., Ltd. 100 OEYLON CoMMEROIAL CoMPANIES. Adam's Peak Hotel Co., Ltd. 100 Bristol Hotel Cc., Ltd. 190 Do 7 per cant Debts. 100 Ceylon Gen. Steam Navgt: Co., Ltd. 100 Colombo Apothecaries Co., Ltd 100 Colombo Assembly Rooms Co., Ltd, 20 Do prefs. i 20 Colombo Fort Land and Building Co., Ltd. 100 Colombo Hotels Company 100 Galle FaceHotel Co., Ltd. 100 Kandy Hotels Co,, Ltd. 100 Kandy Stutions Hotels Co. 100 Mount Lavinia Hotels Co., Ltd. bv0 New Colombo Ice Co., Ltd. 100 Nuwara Bliya Hotels Co., Ltd. 100 Public Hall Co., Ltd. 20 Petroleum Storage Co. 100 Do 10 % prefs. 100 Wharf and Warehouse Co., Ltd. 40 Buyers, Sellers. [Jury 1, 1899, LONDON COMPANIES. Amount Name of Company. paid er share. Buyers. Seller Alliance Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. P 10 8-9 — Associated Estates Co., of Ceylon Ltd. 10 ae 3—7 Do. 6 per cent prefs. 10 10—10 Ceylon Proprietary Co. 1 12°6—15t Ceylon Tea Plantation Co,, Ltd. i0 «> 263—27 Dimbula Valley Co., Ltd. 5 — 6—6} Do prefs. 5 — 53—-6xd Eastern Produce and Estates Co., Ltd. 5 +. 63-63 Ederapolla Tea Co., Ltd. 10 Bia 8-9 ee Tea Estates Ltd. 10 ae 6} Kelani Valley Tea Asson., Ltd. 5 ate 5—6 Kintyre Estates Co , Ltd. 10 2 8} Lanka Plantation Co., Ltd. 10 45 SA Nahalma Estates Cu., Ltd. 1 : 4-1 New Dimbula Co., Ltd. A 10 aye 22-23 Do B 10 20°21 Do. y Cc 10 - 15-29 Nuwara Eliya Tea Est. Co,, Ltd. 10 ae 10§ Ouvah Coffee Co.,Ltd, 10 ol, (ORS Ragalla Tea Estates Co., Lid. 1 45 103 Scottisk Ceylon Iz: Co., Ltd. 10 ie 15 Sprinz Valley Ter Co., Lid 10 -. 5-6 nom Ssandard Tea Co., Ltd. 10 .- 123-18 Yatiyantota Ceylon Tea Co:, Ltd. 10 — 7k Yatiyantota pref. 6 o/o 10 -. 93-10 BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE. Colombo, 23rd June, 1899. . * oe |Snnnoned 2 iS 3 [Sin gore ¢ Ss = meeNoCoret om i : 3 O28 | dSeacarenxornances|[a a 2b] SSSSFPSsersas 1a || a RMAtH HOD Ae 5 5 Sere nacre es os coed se TT 3 on | Sronanlos coon x |> 2 ~>|B | SPSR2SSa5SEe I= is ns AntANsooooonm! x Be [= [aeneneecsease|s ° fan : DOnowmannoa ! : 5 3 |S | 22SSensaSSregin | fo) laa) % iia SIS tsa | = oh eet PSs ae a Oo s s | aaodmmano = 2 l= & |S |sSseSnnenSrae (> | S Sa Groesannecogn = 5 : S Za fort Sy [moar 2 fy BOnHtADAAD m 218 |SSSesSSSssear |S js 7, 2 ay BSSHAOBSSONO OG ey a ~ - 2 —G "I SANHHOAAD 3s 5 | =| S | Sees FSeeeeeSa |= s Ey oS | 2 ESonanyqnooouc & © 3 : = ae eo a 5 AAIGOaNIs o m § |S | SSBSSSSRSSSSR |S |S Hoanooor ar =| & al Ln) San 23 B = = ca He & a |Saaananonoconwsoola (2 HH ~ |S | geesesoneangen |S |r oa o8 3 pe sass 8 |E soc ghee s |= SavYm,o, H86°0 Roker shows seo # SOS SS FE 28c8 Satan tnogaa How. TO CHOOSE ORANGES.—The sweetest oranges generally have rusty-looking coats. An English expert says:—‘‘ Pick out the dingiest in the box, and you will get the best.” Another test is weight. The heaviest oranges have the thinnest rinds. Thick-skinned fruit is apt to be dry inside. A slight freezing on the tree causes this condition in otherwise fine fruit. The ‘‘ kid- glove” oranges are the two varieties grown in Florida from stocks respectively bronght frem China and Tangier.. The Glen Retreat orange of Queensland is avery fine-skinned heavy orange, and is amorgst the best, if not the best of our mandarins.—Queensland Agricultural Jourual. { nt VAS Jury 1, 1899.] COLOMBO PRICE CURRENT. (Fuinished by the Chamber of Commerce.) Colombo, June 27th, 1899, EXCHANGE on Lonpon :—Closing Rates: Bank Selling Rates:—On demand 1/4 to 1-32;4 months’ sight 1/4 1-32 to 1-16; 6 months’ sight 1/4 1-16 to 3-32. Bank Buying Rates:—Credits 3 months’ sight 1/4 5-32 0 3-16;°6 months’ sight 1/4 t to 9-32 ; Docts 3 months’ sight 1/4 3-16 to 7-32; 6 months’ sight 1/4 9-32 to 5-16. Indian Bank Minimum Rates 5 o/o Local Rates: 1o/o to 2 0/o Higher. OorFFEE :— Plantation Estate Parchment on the spot per bus— R13.00 Plantation Estate Coffee, f.0.b on the spot per cwt R74:00 Liberian Parchment on the spot per bus—none Native Coffee f.o.b per cwt. R43°50 Scarce and nominal Tra:—Average Prices ruling during the week—Broken Pekoe per lb. 43c. Pekoe per Ib. 36c. Pekoe Sou- chong per lb. 33c. Broken Mixed and Dust per lb. 26c.—Averages of Week’s sale. CrncHova Barx:—Per unit of Sulphate of Quinine perlb 7c. 1 0/o to 4 o/o Carpamoms:—Per lb R1.85 Coconut O1:—Mill oil per cwt. R13.75 ealers’ oil per cwt. R13.75; Coconut oil in ordinary packages f.o.b. per ton R312,50 Copra:—Per candy of 560 Ib. R45.00 Coconut Caxe:—(Poonac) f.o.b. (Mill) per ton, R80.00 Cocoa unpicked & undried, per cwt. R46.00 Picked & Dried f. 0. b. per cwt. HO Kogalla R17.25 Corr Yarn.—Nos. 1 to 8 } Colombo R16.00 Cinnamon :—Nos. 1 & 2 only f.o.b. 65c. Do Ordinary Assortment. per lb 57c. Exsony.—Per ton.—Govt. sales 30th June, PuiumBaco:—Large Lumps per ton, )R1000 Ordinary Lumps per ton, R850 Chips per ton, R650 Dust per ton, R450 Rice.—Soolye per bag, R7.35 to 7.68 »» per bushel, R2.85 to 3.05 Pegu & Calcutta Calunda per bushel. RK2.90. to 3.00 Coast Calunda per bushel, R2.95 to R3.10 Mutusamba per bushel R3.35 to 3.75 Kadapa and Kuruwe, per bushel—None. é Rangoon, raw 3 bushel bag. R9.37 to 10.00 Coast Kara per bushel’ R2.90to 3.00 Soolai Kara per bushel R2.80 to 2.85 Se eae THE LOCAL MARKET. (By Mr. James Gibson, Baillie St., Fort.) Colombo, June 27th, 1899. COFFEE :— Estate Parchment :—per bushel B11°00 to 12°00 ‘Chetty do do R80u to 9:09 scarce Na tine Cotee. }per cwt. R250 to 40°00 Liberian coffee:—per bushel R350 do cleaned coffee: —per cwt R22°60 Cocoa unpicked:—per ewt R40 00 to 42°00 do cleaned do R32°00 to 46°00 Cardamoms Malabar per Ib. R1°10 to 1°30 do Mysore do RL60 to 2°08 RICE: _ Soolai per bag of 164 lb."nett R735 to 7°68 Slate or ist quality:—per bushel R295 to 3.06 Soolai 2& 3rd. do do do R285 to 2'95 Coast Calunda R2°95\ to 3°10 Coast Kara R290 to 3°00 Kazala R2'80 to 2°85 Muttusamba Ordinary R335 to 3°75. Rangoon Rice per bag R937 to 10°00 Cinnamon, per lb Nolto 4 R00°57 do — do 1 to2 R00°64 do Chips per candy R90°00 scaree Coconuts Ordinary per thousand R35‘59 to 37°50 do Selected do R36'00 to 38°50 Coconut Oil per cwt R1412% to 14°25 do do F. O. B, per ton K282°50 to 285-00 Poonsc:— Gingelly per ton R85:00. to 90°00 Coconut Chekku do R75:00 to 80°00 do Mill (retail) do R75'00 tg 80°00 Cotten Seed do 60°00 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 63 Poonac .— Copra per candy Kalpitiya do Marawila do Cart Cupra do Satinwood per cubic feet do Flowered do Halmilla do Palu do R45'59 R43°00 to 44°50 R40°00 to 42°09 R200 to 2°25 R500 to 6°00 R1:90 R100 to 1:12 R75:00 to 175°00 Kitul fibre per ewt R30°00 Palmyra do do Rs‘v0 to 17°59 Jatina Black Clean per ewt none. do mixed do R12-00 to 13°C0 Indian do R809 to 13°50 do Cleaned do Sapanwood per ton [R47°50 te 52°50 Kerosine oil American per case R625 to 6°50 do bulk Russian per tin R275 to 299 do. Sumatra per Cases none Nux Vomica per cwt R200 to 3°50 Croton Seed per cwt R38:00 to 40°09 Kapok cleaned fob do cwt R24°00 to 25°00 do uncleaned do Rs‘00 to 9:00 Vesta R500°00 to 910°C0 G) R10°00 to 17°50 Plumbago’ per ton, R400'00 to 880°00 aceording to grade } Chips R200°00 to 650‘00 Dust R100°00 to 450700 J y CEYLON EXPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION. 1899. HON isk OHA a - ~NSOOSD aq Towiae) a ~-f on wmMHASDH oe 2 sOMR Om al Sleeper ieebese iat Sue eee | ek Oyes = o 3 Not 2 8 Oo sence a S i ee Aas So 6 S BRS an i 5s me HOt mt A QY. Weed om = BS Sir ciciad : SSIES rr eerie ere o \Rs . eine oO . ‘eo Ln LSeoeon co 2 ooo ST Sa ae _ SBRSess As aos na an O®Mrmio :0 ¢ oe SHCA rel se 8 aq Ha eat SSRIS Sins + ingen eure x eElige | Oo rst i=) 6:0 | = a! Oo S0n 2 =) alo S 88h 8 88 33ss 8 Ero; ty NSD SO WH ons is e|- 6 KAW oO o aS 3 fo) sa | SO ro opto ssh oer 3 2) ms-rey eo > 0 Ome aos mis = o3 . ‘| R) So 2es oH MOD + | oD w oO nN ise] ite) B228 sH a oOo wm [--} if 3) ~ oO sH ical g os 8 Se. Sok Maio Sioe es 5 = nq . 3 ce A 2 ol ~ oOo me read = $ m aS (3 ont KR =) Oo: 0 RMORGaQte SJBORY Fe rt 3° 4 os iS Reis, 4 isda H [o) i>) a a ee ee Bag oso 8 |Z Ss —-beO KR a Oo fo2) ao nN wo G) Delia a] Re) for) for) oO oO a .15.2 2: ess ee 23 72. g2j4— : SSNS Sie US. roe Bua a nes, a5 [3 oD 1 an far} oo 3S i on}; ..|3 Ss ® a aSosrlaee Ce ee ee ee ee es: a 8 BAl oH +3 eerie ns ais wietieriercis ele sig etkts =H n Boar Da nS VS re a : te 6 Od sh reatdn or Oo a Oo Soa a HID Abt a gs & = sleet OA: Pa ) o < mate Or (2) me S758 a BH Ay & Ss i a ee oe an ee ine} ae Ht ee ve et eo 8 Noe ee ee ee eee WOotHNoooe tons MAS SSS eoRaSrsSangsn oO. SPO ADADHOM OME AAHAOOAA QZ RASSOHOOCANDODORAHAMOnRG oma ior} onto) AQAA oOBFOMRON Oe a= [5 a is 19 20.0 =H | 6K 2 a cs Sp emt TNS CT QHOoONTHOnOMLOL = RIBSGEBSSSAONSOABRSAN Oo LE DNADOCONRONADAWOO a0) Su SFB SADOWSODBODNIONDE H D2 Raul Yeon) SOS ANMOAGOMNONANS b a= ~ rr S AIS eat me 3 t X | ° ~~ ; [= Leal ° eI |é td = n Ll i=] s 23 I=) rs a8 On 13 : = a wee a As Sg ag Sha iS) D 5-6, aREaoeay sc Hse | & S) Rice ee Bagaa| os aks ct e PaanoneRnnea 4 Cnae 38 } Asser aesskasseaat sass s8 64 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [JuLy 4, 1899. MARKET RATHS FOR OLD AND N&W PRODUCTS. (From Lewis & Peat’s Fortnightly Prices Current, London, May 17th, 1899.) QUALITY. QUOTATIONS. QUALITY QUOTATIONS. ALOES, Soccotrine cwt.|Fair to fine dry -|443 a 100s INDIARUBBER, (Contd). Zanzibar & Hepatic ,, |Common to good ..|11s.a 80s Java, Sing. & Penang lb.|Foul to good clean ...|8d a3s 4d BEES’ WAX, ORES /\Good to fine Bail _ .. |3s 5d.a 3s 83d Zanzibar & { White ,, |Good to fine £7 a £7 10s | |Ordinary to fair Ball ..|2s3d a 3s at Bombay Yellow,, | Fair £5 15s a £6 10s Mozambique »» 4 |Low sandy Ball . |Ils6d a 1s 9 Madagascar » |Dark to "rood palish |£65sa £6 12s6d | |Sausage, fair to good |3s 45d a 3s 8d CAMPHOR, Ching » | Pair average quality 130s Liver and livery Ball ..|28 9d a 3s 3}d Jap. sh 132s 6d Fr. to fine pinky & white|3s 4d a 3s bid CARDAMOMS, Malabarib Clipped, bold, bright, fine|2s 9d a 3s Madagascar a \ Fair to good black ...|2s a 2s 73d ling, stalky & lean|28 a 2s 3d Niggers, low to good...|1s 4¢da 2s 10jd Ceylon.—Mysore ,, |Fair to fine plump ../38 a 388d INDIGO, E.L. *» Bengal—- Seeds «(28 4d a 28 7d Shipping mid to gd violet/|3s 2d a 4s 6d a Tellicherry,, |Good to fine -/28 lldia 3s Consuming mid. to gd.|3s a 3s 8d Brownish .. [28 6d Ordinary to mid. 2s 2d a 2s 10d ” Long »» |Shelly to good ./38'a 38s 9d Mid. to good Kurpah [1s ld a 2s8d Mangalore », |Med brown to good bold 2s 3d a 3s9d Low to ordinary 1s 8d a Is 94 CASTOR OIL, Calcutta,, |ists and 2nds ». [82d a 43d Mid. to good Madras |1s7da 2s 6d Madras ,, (84d a 33d MACE, Bombay & Penang|Pale reddish to fine 2s a 3s CHIULIES, Zanzibar cwt.|Dull to fine bright . 1293 61 a 40s per Ib. Ordinary to fair ls 5d als 11d CINCHONA BARK.— Pickings Isida 1s3d Ceylon Ib. | Crown, Renewed 5da 7d MYRABOLANES, | .y;|Dark to fine pale UG /Ss a 6s 6d Org. Stem /|87d Madras Fair Coast 4s 6d Red_ Org. Stem |2ida 3id Bombay », |Jubblepore 4s 3d a 6s » Renewed 34d Bhimlies 4s9d a 10s Root 42d Rhajpore, &c. 4s 3da 9s > CINNAMON,Ceylon Ists|Ordinary to fine quill |9d a 1s 6d Bengal ,, |Calcutta 4s 6d a 7s per Ib, 2uds » » 18d a Is 4d NUTMEGS— Ib. |64’s to 57’s 2s 4da 2s 6d ards ” » 73d a 1s 3d Bombay & Penang ,, |110’s to 65’s 1s Id a 2s 3d aths » » 7d a 11d 160’s to 130's 6d a 11d Chips » %) 3d_a 4;d NUTS, ARECA cwt.|Ordinary to fair resh |12s a 18s OLOVES, Penang 1b.|Dull to fine bright bold|4td a 1s NUX VOMICA, Bombay |Ordinary to middling |{sa 5s 6d Amboyna -|Dull: to tine 4d a 5} per cwt. Madras |Fair to good bold fresh_ [83 a 10s Zanzibar Good and fine bright |34d a 43d Small ordinary and fair|as 6d and Pemba Common dull to fair 3id a37-16d |QIL OF ANISEED Ib |Fair merchantable 6s Stems Fair 2d CASSIA » |According to analysis |3s lid a 5s 6d coqusus INDICUS ewt. | Fair 9s LEMONGRASS ,, |Good flavour & colour |2;d a 24d COFFEE NUTMEG », |Dingy to white 3d a 33d Ceylon Plantation ,, |Bold to fine bold colory|110s a 120s CINNAMON », |Ordinary to fair sweet 35d a 1s 6d Middling to fine mid _.. |103s a 108s CITRONELLE Bright & good flavour 114d a 1s 04d Lowmid. and low grown}90s a 100s ORCHELLA WEED—ewt Smalls 58s a 82s Ceylon ., |Mid. to tine not woody . |10sa12s 6d Native » |Good ordinary 30s a 70s Zanzibar. ,, |Picked clean flat leaf .. 10s a 15s Liberian » |Small to bold 28s a 37s 5, Wiry Mozambique|!0s a Ils COCOA, Ceylon » |Bold to fine bold 74s a 80s PEPPER - (Black) Ib. é Medium and fair 685 a 73s Alleppee & Tellicherry|Fair to bold heavy .. Bid a 57d Triage to ordinary 50s a 67s Singapore .|Fair ee +» [28 COLOMBO ROOT ” Ordinary to good 11s a 19s 6d Acheen & W: C. Penang Dull to fine tid asd COIR ROPE, Ceylon ton nominal PLUMBAGO, lump ewt.|Fair_to fine bright bold|438a 47s Cochin ,, |Ordinary to fair £16 a £20 Middling to good smalljlSs a 25s FIBRE, Brush Ord, to fine long straight|£10 a £21 chips ,», |Dull to fine bright 208 a 27s 6d Cochin 5, Ordinary to good clean|£18 a £22 dust », {Ordinary to fine bright|13s 6d a 22s 6d Stuffing ,, |Common to fine £7 a £9 SAFFLOWER ‘, |Good to fine pinky __...|80s a 85s COIR YARN, Ceylon ,, |Common to superior £15 a £33 Middling to fair .. [608 a 703s Cochin ,, » o» very fine /£12 a £32 Inferior and pickings ...|008 255s do. Roping, fair to-good |£10a {1410s _|SANDAL WOOD— CROTON SEEDS, sift. ewt. Dull to fair 40s a 55s Bombay, Logs ton.|Fair to fine flavour .. £20a £35 CUTCH Fair to fine dry 288 a 358 Chips 5, Vs) + [Sa £3 GINGER, Bengal, rough » » | Fait 20s : Madras, Logs ., |Fair to good flavour ..|£20a £26 Calicut, Cut A, |Good to fine bold 70s a 758 Chips ,, |Inferior to fine .. [£44 £8 B&C,, |Small and medium 288 6d a 46s SAPANWOOD Bombay,, |Lean to good jot a £5 Cochin Rough ,, |Common to fine bold —|21s a 26s Madras ;, |Good average ‘\£4a £5 nom. Small and D’s 17s a 20s Manila ,, | {Rough & rooty to good| £4 10sa £5 15s Japan Unsolit 17s Siam ,, bold smooth ..|£6 @ £7 @UM AMMON [ACUM ,, »5 (Sm. blocky t9 fine clean|20s a 453 SEEDLAC cwt.|Ord. dusty to gd. soluble|55s @ ae ANIMLI, Zanzibar ,, |Picked fine pale in sorts|£107s 6d a £15|SENNA, Tinnevelly 1b |Good to fine bold green apse. Part yellow and mixed|£82/6 a £10 10s Fair middling medium)3 ed Bean and Pea size ditto|70s a £8 12/6 Common dark and small|2 es bid Amber and _ dk. red bold/£5 10s a £7 10s|SHELLS, M. o’PEARL-- Med. & bold glassy sorts|80s 4 100s Bombay cwt.|Bold and A’s Madagascar ,, |Fair to good. pane .|£4 85 a £8 D’s and B’s £4a £5 153 ” £4 5s a £9 Small... ABABICE.I.& Aden ,, Ordinary to ood pale 40s a 55s sel 5, |Small to bold .../€1 53a £3 2/6 Turkey sorts ,, 70s a 85s TAMARINDS, “Caleutts ..|Mid.to fine bIl’k not stony|15s a 16s Ghatti ,, |Pickings to fine pale .../12s 6d a 35s per cwt. Madras Stony and inferior — .-|10s Kurrachee ,, |Good and fine pale ...|52s6dad55s | TORTOISESHELL— Reddish to pale selected 08 a 40s Zanzibar & Bombay lb. |Small to bold dark : Madras ,, |Dark to fine pale ...|27s Gd a 35s mottle part heavy 18s a 23s 6d ASSAFCETIDA ,, |Clean fr. to gd..almonds/37sa80s_. TURMERIC, Bengalewt. |Fair 183 Ord. stony and blocky|25s a 47s 6d Madras 4, |Finger fair to fine bold| — KINO » |Fine bright 78 “bright 27s 6d MYRBRG, picked », |Fair to fine pale 658 a 753 Do. __,, {Bulbs (17s Aden sorts ,, |Middling to good 33s a 55s Cochin ,, |Finger ../L8s OLIBANUM, drop ;, {Good to tine white 36s a 50s Bulbs 298 6d Middling to fair 258 a 353 VANILLOES— Ib. ; ; pickings ,, |Low to good pale 16s a 20s Mauritius and \ Ists|Gd. crysallized 3} a4 9in.|20s a 32s siftings ,, |Slightly foul to fine 168.6 a, 183 Bourbon w. J 2nds|Foxy & reddish 44a 8 ,,/16s a 22s INDIARUBBEK, Adeaniib Good to fine 28 103d a 38 32d Seychelles 3rds|Lean andi nferior .. (10s a 14s Common to foul & mxd.|1s 94d a 2s gd VERMILION lb. |Fine, pure, brgnt (28 a 2S 1d Rangoon Fair to good clean ...|2s od a 33 3d Common to fine 1s a 2a 4d WAX, Japan, squares cwt Good whitg hard 3}8 6d a 328 Added as a Supplement Monthly to _ DOMes teh AGRIGULTURAL IAGAZINE, G@LONIBO. the “TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST.” The following pages include the July :— Contents of the Agricultural Magazine for Vol. XL] REPORTS FOR MAY, 1899. SEASON a) LSTERN Province:—Paddy. Sow- ; ing for Yala over. Rainfall heavy. Rinderpest in Rayigam Korale. Central Province—Paddy. Yala cultivation in early stages ; rain- fall sufficient, 6°46 in. registered Health of cattle fairly good. Northern Province.—Paddy. Fields in prepara- tion. Rainfall 2°36 in. at Jaffna, 5°63 in, at Mannar, 3°57 in. at Mullaittivu. Health of cattle good, except in Mullaittivu district, where there 1s at Matale. murrain, Southern Province.—Paddy, stage promising well. Rainfail 18°35 in. at Galle. No reports of cattle disease. Yala crops in early Eastern Province—Paddy. Fair prospects, though some damage by caterpillars in Batticaloa district. Rhinfall nil at Batticaloa, °51 in. at Trincomalee. North-Western Province,—Paddy. Yala crop still young. Prospects generally good. Rainfall fairly distributed, 2°33 in. at Puttalam. Cattle disease still lingers in some districts, North-Central Province-—Paddy. Yala crops still young. Rainfall 3:94 in. at Anuradhapura, Health of cattle fair. - Province of Uva.—Paddy. Maha harvest nearly over, and preparations going on for Yala. Prospects \ middling. Weather dry. Health of cattle good. Province of Sabaragamuwa.—Paddy. Yala cul- tivation in progress, prospects favourable. Rain- fall at Ambanpitiya 10-5 in., at Ruanwella 29°8in. Cattle murrain in both Ratnapura and Kegalle districts. JULY. 1899. [No. 1. THE ANNATTO DYE OF COMMERCE. Dr. Nicholl’s work from which extracts ap- peared in the May number of the Agricultural It would therefore be interesting to know before Magazine I suppose is a recent publication. entering into discussion, what older authorities This is what P. L. Simmonds in his great work Tropical Agriculture, 1877 edition, p. 388, writes in reference to the annatto industries in Guadaloupe and Cayenne:— “The fruit is like a chestnut, a two-valved capsule covered with flexible bristles and contains a certain number of seeds smaller than peas. These seeds are covered with a soft, viscous, resinous pulp, of a had written on the subject. beautiful vermilion colour, and unpleasant smell like red lead mixed with oil, and it is this sub- stance which constitutes annatta, or arnotto. The mode in which it is obtained is by pouring hot water over the pulp and seeds, and leaving them to macerate, and then separating them by pounding with a wooden pestle. The seeds are removed by straining the mass through a sieve; and the pulp being allowed to settle, the water is gently poured off, and the pulp put into shallow vessels, in which it is gradually dried in the shade. After acquiring a proper consistence it is made into cylindrical rolls or balls, and placed in an airy place to dry, after which it is sent tomarket. It used to be most common in this form as small rolls, each 2 or 3 ozs. in weight, hard, dry and compact; brown without and red within. The other process of manufacture is that pursued in Cayenne. The pulp and seeds together are bruised in wooden vessels, and hotwater poured over 66 Supplement to the Tropical Agriculturist.”’ them; they are then left to soak for several days, and afterwards passed through a close sieve to separate the seeds. The matter is then left to fermrent for about a week, when the water is gently poured off, and the solid part left to dry in the shade. When it has acquired the con- sistence of solid paste, it is formed into cakes of 3 or 4 lbs, weight, which are wrapped in the leaves of the banana, and known in commerce as flag arnotto, his variety is of a bright yellow colour, rather soft to the touch, and of considerable solidity. Labatstat informs us that the Indians ..oeee.. Instead of steeping and fementing the seeds in water, rub them with the hands previously dipped in oil, till the pulp comes off and is reduced to a clear paste which is scraped off from the hands with a knife, and laid on a clean leaf in the shade todry ...... It owes its value to the colouring matter bixin and orellin, which constitute about 20 per cent of good dry annatto.” The following occurs in A. G. F. Eliot James’ Indian Industries, 1880, p.97:—“ The Biva Orel- lana belongs to the natural order Bixineae. The East Indian Bixa is found chiefly in Mysore, Travancore and Bengal. The capsules or pods are at first of a palish rose colour, but they change when ripe to a deep brown and burst open disclosing their bright-coloured contents. Directly’ the pods are quite ripe they are gathered, stripped of their husk and well bruised, The pulp surrounding the seeds is the portion of the pod containing the valuable arnatto dye of commerce; it is extracted by bruising and macerating the pod (sec) in water, they are left in just enough water to cover them for some days, or Until the fluid begins to ferment, it is then thrown off, and the pulp allowed to subside. Sometimes arnatto goes through a beating process, similar to that employed in extracting indigo dye, before it is finally allowed to settle. The pulp which remains is then placed in shallow pans and left to dry in the shade. Ifit has been thoroughly well prepared it will be of a bright yellow colour, that is the American and West Indian arnatto, the East Indian has a rose-coloured dye prepared from it, so says Colonel Dury in his account of the sub- stance in The Useful Plants of India..... Formerly arnatto was obtained by a much more tedious process than now prevails, which was first introduced ‘by Leblond, and consisted in merely washing the seeds until all their colour was extracted, precipitating the colour with vinegar or lemon-juice, boiling it up to facilitate the removal of impurities with the scum, and then draining itin bags. M. Vanquelin made several experiments on the arnatto pods, and quite confirmed the efficacy of these simple measures, which really enhanced the value of the dye ,and made it even of more decided use to dyers. As arnatto is not easily soluble in water, alkalies are generally employed to hasten its solution, potash being most generally used; they also improve the colour of the dye; it is perfectly soluble in alcohol. (p. 96.) Arnatto before being used by dyers, varnishers and lacquer makers is always boiled with half its weight of American ash, in the least possible quantity of aft water; it is used in dyeing silks, straw, buff, and cream-colonr ; chamois, salmon-colour, orange, amber, and scarlet with cochineal, &c.; in dyeing cottons, orange aud orange yellow; in varnish, [Jury 1, 1899, for gilt articles and for light wood work ; in lacquer, for brass, pigments, such as orange lake, &c. In fact it is one of the most useful yellow dyes and one much in demand. It is to be hoped that the East Indian variety may become better known, and that it may also be made more valuable by being more carefully prepared.” This was written in 1880. In 1885 “ The Pure Ceylon Annatto Dye Works” were started by the late Mr, A. G. K. Borron on his extensive property, Crystal Hill estate, whose assistant superintendent the writer—its present proprietor—was. Our main effort was to ‘more carefully” prepare the dye by adopting either one or the other processes described by these authorities. But our disappointment may be easily imagined when the contradictory accounts of thejdifferent writers is considered. These were confusing and put us into great expense by the necessity of experimenting on the different processes, before hitting upon one with success, and that oneis this. Tomake PURE DYE the seed should not be bruised, but carefully washed, after it had been subjected to acetous fermentation which has to be regulated according to the weather. The acid used is sulphuric diluted with a certain percentage of water for the dry seed; but when fresh seed is used, a natural acid—acetic—is generated by the seed itseif. If the fermentation is thorough the seed need be washed only in two waters, and the liquid strained and separated. To remove the acid is the next secret ; this is done by boiling the liquid after it has been concentrated by applying alum and the superfluous water drained off by pumping it out from the top of the tub or cistern in use. The boiled mass contains the two principal colouring matter, cne red and the other yellow. Here is the other secret; if it is dried hard the yellow goes off; but in the consistence of putty both colours are retained. The latter is now known as “Ceylon Paste” and considered to be superior to that produced in any other part of the globe. ‘Cake annatto” as well as “ flag annatto” too were produced in my factory, but the trade does not take them. Here then is the solu- tion for the various contradictory and conflicting statements found in Dr. Nicholl’s work as well as in others that I have seen with regard to the shape in which annatto is brought to the market. For, as in everything else, there are different varieties of Birra orellana growing in different countries all known by the nime annatto, arnatto, anota, &c. In Ceylon we have two varieties—one with the pink or rose-coloured flower which give the red-coloured pod and scarlet seed; and the other with white flower, green- coloured pod and a deep orange-coloured seed. The red variety I find is the stronger dye, and is more valuable, but requires to be manufactured into paste only; dried hard it becomes worthless. The green variety gives yellow-colouring matter in place of the scarlet, substance obtained from the red variety. It is of no consequence whether the yellow is made into paste or cake as it has nothing | to lose by deterioration in one form or the other. Now the manufacturers of the dye in the West Indies where the green variety may be growing, adopt a certain process by which the cake is pro- duced, and a writer whilst describing that process, falls into the error of applying the same process Juny 1, 1899.] to another country where the red variety may be growing, and only the paste is made and sent to the market. In the toregoing remarks I have not mentioned the method of drying the boiled mass which is done by a centrifugal machine, and also spread on linen and hung over a fire. This machine is the same about to be utilized for manufacturing indiarubber, A. VAN STARREX. Matale, 20th June, 1899. - oe RAINFALL TAKEN AT THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, 1899. 1 Monday .. Nil 17 Wednesday... ‘22 2 Tuesday yoy NI 18 thursday... 1-2 8 Wednesday .. Nil 19 Friday goo xeu 4 Thursday .. Nil 20 Saturday .. 1:94 5 Friday ae NGS 22 Sunday"! 22 7? Nil 6" Saturday ~.. ‘87 22 Monday .. Nil 7 Sunday 126° 23 Tuesday .. | °12 8 Monday .. ‘06 24 Wednesday... Nil 9 Tuesday . Nil 25 Thursday .. ‘Nil 10 Wednesday .. Nil 26 Friday sig) Nail 11 Thursday .. Nil 27 Saturday .. ‘48 Sunday™” 3 Monday .. ‘5d Tuesday .. ‘23 Wednesday... Nil Thursday °.. Total. .21-24 Greatest amount of rainfall in any 24 hours on the 19th inst. 7°65 inches. Mean rainfall for the month ‘68 in. Recorded by Mr. J. A. Roprigo- 12 Friday we UNE 28 13 Saturday 2: 14 Sunday eon 45° Mondsy .. Nil 31 16 Tuesday .. ‘56 1 ~—— —_ —-—-— OCCASIONAL NOTES We should have mentioned in referring to Dr Dodge’s book on “The Useful Fibre Plants of the World” that we are indebted to Mr. John Warr of Paterson, New Jersey, for his assistance in enabling us'to procure us a copy of the valuable work, for which we tender him our best thanks. In this issue we give the first part of a paper on the subject of Fibres with which Dr. Dodge prefaces his book. Itisashort but comprehensive account dealing with the different aspects of the question, and is full of instruction to the student of Economic Botany. We are glad to notify that we shall from time to time publish Veterinary Notes dealing with Cases occurring in actual practice in Colombo, and - which for that reason should prove of value to all horse and cattle owners, The contributor of the notes in the present issue is a qualified Veterinary Surgeon, who has started practising in the Metropolis under favourable auspices, and as a past student of the School of Agriculture, we are pleased that he should be once again connected With the institution through the Agricultural Magazine. Mr. Chinniah has set an admirable example to his brethren in his new departure from Supplement to the “ Tromcal Agvriculturist.” 67 the beaten tract of veterinary medicine, by making a trial of the preventive treatment for rinderpest, and we heartily congratulate him on the encouraging results of the trial. We understand that the report of the Com- Mission appointed by H.E. The Governor of Ceylon te consider the advisability of organising a department of Agriculture forthe Island is due next month, and its contents are being eagerly looked forward to, It is to be hoped that the Commission will see its way to recommend some practical measures for the improvement of the agriculture of the Island, particularly the native side of agriculture, and that some properly organised controlling body will be appointed to overlook the agricultural interests of the Colony. The approaching Agri-Horticultural Show to be held in Colombo bids fair to be a great success. The awards which, as a rulecome a day after the fair, have been received betimes. They consist of 12 gold medals and 200 silver medals: the former worth £7 10s, the latter 15s. each. The Hon. Mr. F. R. Ellis, who is just now absent from Ceylon, evinced the greatest interest in the Show, and through his headmen disposed of no less than R8,000 worth of tickets in the villages, so that there should be a large attendance of the peasantry for whom the Show should haye special attractions and valuable lessons to teach. The Hon. Mr. G. M. Fowler, who has succeded Mr. Ellis as Government Agent of the Western Province, is no less keen in making the Show a success. [{t is to be hoped that Government will help the Society in making the Show an annual event. ———_— —_»________ FIBRES, (A PAPER By Dr. Cas. RicHArps Dona. | Definition of Fibres. The tissue of plants when viewed under the microscope is seen to be made up of cells which ure compacted together as they are formed during the growth of the plant, thus slowly building up roots, stems, and leaves. The walls of these cells inclose the life germ, or protoplasm, and the subs stance of which they are composed is known as cellulose, which chemically is very similar to starch. Regarding the size of the cells of which common plants are made up, Dr. Gray states that their ordinary diameter in vegetable tissue is between one three-hnndredth and one five-hundredth of aninch. The smaller of these sizes would allow as “many as 125,000,000 cells in the compass of a cubic inch. “ All soft cellular tissue, asileaves, pith, and green bark, is called parenchyma, while fibres aud woody parts are composed of prosenchyma, that is, of peculiarly formed strengthening cells.” We are also told that those cells that lengthen and at the same time thicken their walls form the proper woody fibre or wood cells; those of larger size and thinner walls, which are thickened only in certain parts so as to have peculiar markings, and which often are seen to be made up of a row of cylindrical cells, with the partitions between absorbed or broken away, are called ducts, of 68 Supplement to the Tropical Agricultwrist.” Sometimes vessels. There are all gradations between wood cells and ducts, and between both these and common cells. But in most plants the three kinds are fairly distinct. Wood cells or woody fibres consist of tubes, commonly between one and two thousandths of an inch in diam- eter. When highly-magnified one can see how button-wood, for instance, illustrates the manner wood cells are put together, their ends pointed and overlapping, thus strengthening the whole. Wood cells also occur in the bark, though they are longer, finer, and tougher than those found in the wood. They form the principal part of fibrous bark, or the bast layer, and are called dast-cells. These give toughness and flexibility to the struc- ture, and the extracted bundles of these cells form the filamentous product known economically as fibre, such as flax, hemp and jute derived from Dicotyledonous plants. ‘In monocotyledons the fibrous cells are found built up with vessels into a@ composite structure known as fibro-vascular bundle.”—(Dr. Morris.) Such fibre occurs in the palms, and in the fleshy-leaved Agaves, like the century plant, the fibro-vascular bundles heing found not in the ovtside covering of the trunk, as in bark, but throughout the stem, or leaf, forming what may be termed (in an Agave leaf, for example) the supporting structure, or that which gives rigidity and toughness to the leaf. These filaments or bundles of elongated, thickened cells, pressed firmly together, when extracted or separated from the soft cell mass by which they are surrounded, may be known as structural fibre, of which the fibre of sisal hemp is an example. The simple cells already described, when single or agglutinated and produced on the surface of the leaves, stems, and seeds of plants as hairs, form a fibrous material also valuable, to which the name surface fibre has been given. Such hairs are found enveloping the seeds of plants, and when they are produced in the boils or capsules of species of Gossypium form the cotton of commerce. : The fibre bundles, therefore, whether occurring as bast fibre or structural fibre, or whether in the form of simple cells, as surface fibre, may be re- garded as the spinning units, and a flax thread is but an aggregation of bundles of bast cells purified and cleansed of all extraneous matter and simply twisted together. In the perfecting of processes therefore for separating, cleansing, and purifying the bundles of cell structure known as fibre, a knowledge of their physical structure is absolutely essential, The rotting of a fibre is simply the breaking down of the cellular structure or com- plete separation of the individual cells, by which means the filament is resolved into its smallest parts, each part being measured by the length to which the original cell attains during the period of its growth, (To be continued.) aaanEREERI Emenee. canintemmeemes meena RINDERPEST INOCULATION. “ Alston Lodge,” Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, June 15. Dear Sin,—I herewith send you a report on the reccnt outbreak of rinderpest at Hatton, which afforded me an opportunity of trying Professor [JuLy 1, 1899. ° Koch's and Dr. Edington’s methods of preventive inoculation, As you will see from the report and Mr. Paterson’s letter, the results have beea very encouraging. Being only a private practitioner who has but lately started practice, I have not yet fully equipped myself with all the necessary apparatus for inoculation, aud I was much disappointed to find that I could not obtain such apparatus in Ceylon, while even the Government Veterinary Department was unable to supply me with a veterinary hypodermic syringe in working order. I intend carrying on inoculation, if the opportunity offers, and I am glad tosay that another estate proprietor in Dikoya is willing to nave his whole ne operated on.—I remain, dear sir, yours faith- ully. A. CHINNIAH. ' I received an urgent call from Messrs. Aitken, Spence & Co., Hatton, on the 4th of May Jast, and On my arrival there 1 was told that within one week three of the best bullocks, out of a batch recently purchased in Colombo, had died within a day, aiter Serve purging. There was another bullock which shewed similiar symptoms, and to see which I was specially summoned. When I saw the animal he was only off feed, with no fever, and a stimulant mixture brought him round in a few days. When I was asked my opinion, I told the Manager that unless I held a post mortem examination L should not be able to say anything, for the symptoms might have been either those of poisor= ing or rinderpest. JI advised him, however, to adopt the ordinary precautions against the spread a contagious diseases which he was very willing to do. On the 7th May I received another telegraphic message intimating that three more animals had taken ill and that twoof them werein a very bad way. I proceeded thither on the 8th of May and held ‘a post mortem examination on two animals. With the bile obtained from them I inoculated four bullocks with 10 ce. of fresh bile. Of the four inoculated, one caught the contagion and died. This animal was a high-conditioned lazy beast, and I believe it wasowing to this fact that he succumbed so readily (very possibly infected previous to the inoculation). I may mention that one inoculated animal was intentionally exposed to contagion, but did not contract the disease. I assured the Manager that inoculation was all that we could do, but I was unable to inoculate the whole herd at one time, owing to the fact that the working of the animals could not have been suspended. Under the circumstances I was able . to inoculate only a few head of cattle at a time. Those that were not inoculated, readily caught the contagion and most of them died; while out of twenty-seven that had been inoculated by me only two contracted the disease, one of which died under the circumstances I have detailed above. The following is a detailed account of my ino- ciation :— 9th May.—Inoculated four bullocks with 10 ce. of fresh bile. 16th May,—TInoculated two, one with 10 ce. the other 18 ce, of glycerinated bile, a N Jury i, 1899.] 18th May.—Four animals with 15, 18, 20, 20 ce. respectively. 19th May.—Two animals with 20 ce. each. 21st May,—Two animals with 12 ce. and 14 ce. 30th May.—One animal with 18 cc. 2nd June.—Twelve animals, one with 123 cc., and the rest with 10 cc. each. The following is the letter referred to :— Hatton, June 13, Dr. A. Chinniah, Veterinary Surgeon, Colombo. Dear Sir,—In reply to yours of 10th, none of the buils you inoculated when last here have taken the disaese. Two previously inoculated took ill, one died, the other has recovered. I cannot but think it was a pity so much time was wasted between your first pronouncement of the disease being rinderpest and the inoculation of all the stock. The animals which recovered will be branded with an I as requested. (Signed) W. B. PATERSON. a INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE. The following is a clause of a bill that has been introduced into the Ontario Legislature :— The Council of every Municipality may, subject to the regulations of the Education Department, employ one or more persons holding the degrees of the Bachelor of Science of Agriculture or a cer- tificate of qualification from the Ontario Agri- cultural College, to give instruction in agriculture in the-separate public and high schools of the Municipality, and the Council shall have power to raise such sums of money as may be necessary to pay the salaries of such instructors, and all other expenses connected therewith. Such course of instruction shall include a knowledge of the chemistry of the soil, plant life, drainage, cul- tivation oi fruit, the beautifying of the farm, and generally all matters which would tend to enhance the value of the product, of the farm, the dairy, and tbe garden. Commenting upon which an Indian con- temporary makes the following forcible remarks :— -The lines upon which the Ontario authorities are proceeding are deserving of careful considera- tion in this country. Agricultual education is rapidly coming to the forefront as one of the neces- sities of the times. Indeed, most thinking men now recognise that next toa thorough grounding in the three R’s, young people attending State schools are most in need of a course of agricultural instruction _ sufficiently comprehensive to enable them in after life to carry on the business of farming in an in- telligent and successful manner. But, instead of special attention being given to teaching of this kind, it has long been a source of complaint in this country, as well asin many other parts of the world, that the system of education provided for _ ihe youngis calculated to engender a distate for life , on the farm. Boys spend a great deai of valuable ' time in learning things that are of no earthly use _ to them in after-life, while a grounding in the ~ principles of agriculture is neglected, either because the teachers have no knowledge of the subject, or are disinclined from their point of view to waste time in teaching something that is not included in the list of subjects on which the pupils are ex- Supplement to the ‘ Tropical Agriculturist.” 69 amined by the inspectors. As the teachers gain nothing by imparting agricultural instruction, ev enif they possess the ability to do so, it is hardly to be wondered at that the subject practically Trecelves no attention. Agricultural teaching, including matters relating to dairying, should constitute an important part of the education of State school children. Only a few of the large number who must depend for a living on farm work can take a course at the one agricultural eollege in the colony which has been succesfully conducted. To make agricultural . education general, the public schools must be utilised. It is absolutely certain that if those engaged in rural industries are to hold their own in com- petition against the rest of the world, their education cannot begin at too early a period in their lives, Hitherto there has been a much too general desire on the part of young people whose parents can afford to give them a fair education to become members of the learned professions. The result of this is overcrowding, and the impossibility of the majority making a living, nothwithstanding the time, money, and hard work spent in acquiring the right to use certain capital letters after their names. The case of boys who qualify themselves to pass the Matriculation examination and after- wards become clerks, etc. is worse, and as each batch comes forward, competition is keener, and it is more and more difficult to make a decent living. There has been far too much of this sort of thing and our system of education is in some measure responsible for it.’ Hnormous sums of money are annually spent in educating our youth, and no effort worthy of the name is made to direct their attention towards the industries that afford them the best prospect of making a living, and the development of which is of the greatest value to the State. In almost every country in Europe elementary practical instruction in agriculture is given in primary schools, through the medium of travelling instructors, or professors who not only superintend the agricultural course in the schools, but also hold conferences, give lectures and advice, and keep themselves closely in touch with the actual cultivators of the soil. That some such system wlll have to be adopted in India if progress is to be maintained goes almost without saying. The farmers, horticulturists, or dairymen of the future must possess a thorough knowledge of their calling, and toinsure this the teaching must begin in early youth. VETERINARY NOTES. I, THE USE OF A CANDLE LIGHTIN OPERATING FOR WORM IN THE Eve, Filarvia occuli does not commonly affect horses in temperate climes, and, indeed, it might be said to constitute a tropical disease. In India it is found to occur more frequently on the eastern coast and less so on the western side. Filaria may be said to. be pretty common in Ceylon. : The parasite gains entry into the system of the horse through the medium of water, and when it enters the circulation it does not begin to develope till it finds itself in the aqueous humour of the eye. Other instances of parasites 70 Supplement to the * Tropical Agriculturist.” reaching’ special organs before developement are the fluke affecting the liver of the sheep, and the parasite occurring in the brain of the same animal and csusing the disease known as sheep staggers, sturdy or gid. ‘The tendency of filaria to reach the aqueous bumour 1s attributed to its fondness for the light, and if it is not removed in time the irritation caused by its movements in the eye causes total blindress in the subject. As a preventive against filaria, it is advisable that grass should be allowed to wilt or wither be- fore being given to the animals, while care should be taken that only fresh pure water is used for drink, all sources of stagnant water being avoided. On April 27th last 1 was summoned to operate on a mare belonging to Mr. Jacob de Mel for the removal of filariaocculi. As the parasite had been visible on the previous evening, | recommended that the operation should be put off for the fol- lowing morning, as it is a habit of the worm to retreat from the light after exposing itself to its influence for a period, only to reappear again after a short interval: again recent movements have a tendency to cause a cloudiness which makes the detection of the parasite a matter of some difficulty. On the day fixed for the operation I proceeded to cast and secure the mare, and after getting her head in an elevated position, I induced local anaes- thesia by bathing the eye with a solution of cocaine. I, however, found it difficult to bring the parasite and keep it steady at the proposed seat of puncture (the upper and outer margin of the cornea). It occurred to me at this stage that the fact of the parasite affecting the light might be taken advan- tage of by placing and artificial light opposite the seat of operation, and the worm so attracted to and kept steady at the required point. To this end I ordered a lighted candle, by the use of which I was able to attain my object, viz., the removal of the worm with ease and certainty. If.. Prorracrep Lasour of 12 HouRSIN A MARE. On May 28th last I received a call to attend on a chestnut Delft pony mare at Messrs. Walles’ yard in Colpetty., This mare had been brought over trom Delft and landed by the Government Vete- rinary Surgeon, as far as I could ascertain, on the 9th of April. Tbe pony which had been sold to, and is now in the possession of an officer of the H.L.1. Regiment did not show any symp-— toms of ill-healtn till. May 27th, when labour pains began at about 10 p.m., and soon after the attendant in charge noticed the bursting of the water-bag. All through the night of the 27th the animal was in labour and con- tinued to strain with noresult. On my arrival the next morning (about 10 a.m.) [I found that the animal in poor condition and unabie to help the natural process of foaling by any effort on her part. I proceeded to administer a dose of ergot and sulphuric ether, and on examination found the knees of the foetus bent and the head and neck only protruding. Pushing back the head, I succeeded with some difficulty in securing both the forelegs one after the other, and with a steady pull managed to get. the position of a normal presen- tation and delivered the foetus (which was larger than was to be expected) in a dead condition. As the foetus was fully formed I considered this 4 (Jury 1, 1899. case of premature birth and not of abortion- In the light of my knowledge of the history of the mare I would ascribe the cause of her premature labour to the effects of her recent sea-voyage, while pro- traction of labour is attributable to her low condi- tion and consequent weak state of health. The temperature of the mare, after delivery of the foetus, was 105° F., and the pulse frequent and small. I prescribed the following : — Sod. hyposulph. Pe ls Mag. sulph. ... ««., 10.02. Aq. camph. ... aos {-d php } part every 8 hours. Later, on the temperature rising to 106° F., and the animal becoming very dull and refusing all nourishment, I gaye Tinc. aconit. ©... ws!) Bede Tine, digit. ... --- 20 m.m. Water Pes 0 vi i part every 4 hours. On the 30th the fever was reduced to 102° F,, and the following mixture was prescribed :— Quin. sulp.... coe aR. Acid. sulph. z ooee ta Ors. Spt. Aeth. Nit.... reas Aq. menth. Ppt. Sy aloe 34 part every 4 hours. The womb was washed twice a day with Condy’s fluid, aud the mare is now quite recovered. D. A. CHINNIAH, Veterinary Surgeon. ——_ ——__ -—_ SISAL HEMP. The question of cultivating this plant which has proved a source of large profits to growers in the Bahamas and other parts (and in which our Secretary for the Colonies is said to be financially interested), has never been seriously thought of in Ceylon. Quite lately a good deal of interest was evinced in the Mauritius hemp traceable no doubt to the fact that a “new patent” was being ‘“boomed” through local speculators. What has been the outcome of the mild excitement over Mauritius hemp as the deus ex machina which was to come to the rescue of the planter when low prices and other unavoidable circumstances placed him in jeopardy, we have never been able to find out. But one thing is certain, and that is that we are not likely to hear of further trials with new patent machines for treating Mauritius hemp in Ceylon. We read in the Indian Agriculturist of no less an authority than Mr. Marshall Woodrow of the Indian Botanical Department pledging his taith in sisal hemp as an Indian fibre crop, and for the benefit of our readers who may see a possibilicy of growing sisal in Ceylon under similar conditions to those obtaining in India, we reproduce the remarks referred to above :— ° Mr. Marshall Woodrow is so fully persuadee that sisal hemp is a good thing that he is deter- mined to Sacrifice Government service for it, and to start a limited liability company to grow and manufacture it. Mr. Woodrow, it will be re- membered, introduced a few sisal hemp plants into the country Seven years ago, and they grew remarkably well, giving 10,000 young plants The fibre fromlthe original plants proved of high = = —-~ = SS fi Jony 1, 1899.) quality, and is valued £23 to £30 per ton in London. The cost of producing and exporting the fibre is estimated at R225 per ton, and if sold at £20 per ton, the proit would be 333 per cent on the capital. Five years are required to produce the first crop of 38,000 lbs. of fibre per acre; thereafter 1,0U01bs. per acre yearly may be ob- tained. As the sisal plants increase in number in a rising ratio, it is calculated a very short time will be sufficient to obtain commercial quantities. Its principal use heretofore has been in the manu- facture of ropes and carpets, but it is said that wider use for it have now been found. A sample of this fibre sent by Mr. Woodrow was tested by an expert. His report shows the sample to have plenty of tensile strength, but when put to a breaking strain, breaks “ short,” which is consistent with the general appearance and harshness of the fibre. If some means could be adopted to put the fibre through a process which would soften it, and at the same time not diminish its virtue, it would stand even a greater tensile strain, and also give a break more after the style of true hemp. He tested fio specially made strands, and says the smuller one, which is below the Admiralty standard in size, stood the Admiralty test of 112 lbs., and broke at 1201bs.. This is very satisfactory except for the shortness of the break mentioned above. The second sample strand, which was made up to the Admiralty requirements, stood the same test (112 Ibs.) and broke at a deadweight of 140 lbs., showing that nothing has to be feared as regards tensile strain. The expert, whose report we quote, says he is of opinion that this fibre when softened and worked into the larger kind of hawsers would meet with success, providing, of course, that the price is equal to or below that of hemp or coir. But for the smaller kinds of rope, unless the “shortness” of the break can be obviated, the fibre would not stand so well, more especially when taking short turns, around bitts or bollards. Its success depends on the cost of production, and if rope made from this fibre can be put on the market at a less price than hemp or coir, the chances are that there will be a great demand for it, in spite of enormous quantities of wire rope of all descriptions which is used at the present time. aoe OES PANICUM COLONUM. Mr. H. Jardine, manager of an Experimental Farm in Queensland, refers as follows to the above grass (indigenous to Ceylon) which is apparently unknown to stock owners :— We often import at great expense and trouble foreign grasses and plants. This is right enough in its way, ButI am inclined to think that often better results would be obtained by cultivating and improving some of our indigenous gasses which for z@ons past have adapted themselves to our soils, climate, and circumstances. When visiting farms in this newly-settled district (Biggenden and the surrounding neighbourhood), I was struck by the luxuriant appearance of a grass which was quite new to me. Itis leafy and succulent, stooling well, growing very thick, and ‘reaching '3 to 5 feet in height. It is mostly found -on ich land, such as, for instance, old sheepyards ‘and camping places, and in one instance at least I Supplement to the « Tropical Agriculturist.” 71 saw it healthy and thriving well at the bottom’ of a hill where there was a soakage, rendering life impossible for corn and other plants, which were there stunted, yellow, and dying out Gardening for ee Ee ~ 3 a) oe ALOE FIBRE, A NEW INDUSTRY FOR CEYLON. INTERVIEW WITH MR. ARTHUR SILBURN. {With NoTEes BY AN EXPuRT. ] Mr. Silburn is in Ceylon in connection with a Syndicate recently formed for working aloe fibre, which, it has been discovered, possesses the same valuable properties that Manila hemp has long been credited with, with the additional advantage of being superior in several respects.@ If it can be properly worked, concerning which Mr. Silburn is confident, visions open up of a new and profitable industry in which all can join, but more especially those who are at present thinking of abandoning the cultivation of tea on portions of their land. Mr. Silburn is the inventor and sole patentee of the decorticating machine which purposes to do the trick, that is, extract the fibre from the aloe leaf and convert it into a valuable market commodity. Our readers must have had their attention attracted to an advertisement appearing lately above the name of Mr. W. Jenkins, in- viting supplies of the leaves of the large green prickly aloe. Mr. Jenkins is a member of the Syndicate we have referred to, and is associated with other well-known gentlemen, whose general ‘‘cannyness”’ isamply sufficient to justify confidence in the potentialities of the new concern. Mr. Silburn arrived in Ceylon from South Africa in August last for the purpose of extending the patentee rights of his decorticating machine, which he has at last secured and which covers a period of protection of fourteen years. On leaving a Inferior toManila Hemp in strength—former would always command a higher price,—H, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Ave. 1, 1899. Ceylon Mr. Silburn proceeded on a similar mission to India and has taken out patent rights in the adjoining continent. He has entrusted Messrs. Walker Sons & Co., with the manufacture of one of his machines, which he expects to have in readiness shortly. Mr. Stevenson has consented to have the machire set up at the Mattacooly Mills in order that experiments may be carried out, and if these prove satisfactory no time would be lost in establishing a manufactory to push on the work of the Syndicate on a niore extensive scale, The machine has for years been in usein Natal, has carried off gold and silver medals at inter- national exhibitions held in Mauritius, New Zealand, and Durban.a Mr. Silburn, in fact, was awarded medals at both the 1895 and 1897 Ex- hibitions held in Durban. This gentleman informed our reporter that the chief preliminary trouble he anticipated was in getting sufficient of the raw material. Thee were various species of the aloe plant, but what the Syndicate wanted and had advertised for was for the leaves of Agave Fourcroye (sic) or green aloe, b not the American Gigantica (sic)c or blue aloe which was so fre- quently met with in the grounds of Government House and elsewhere. “Have you seen any of the kind you went in the Island ?”—‘‘Oh! yes. We have received ad- vices of quantities that are being sent down by planters. The plant is, in fact, indigenous to the Island.d I haveseen it growing wild about Kardy round by the Buddhist Temple. It grows in any soil, principally rock. However poor land may be for other purposes, green prickly aloe will grow there. It spreads with rapidity of weeds, requires little or no attention, and no expenditure in the way of manuring. It is superior to ramie in one sense and is to be preferred on account of its high commercial value, and we expect it to take the place of Manila hemp and to be largely in requisition for the manufacture of ropes.¢ Indeed, I have already large orders from India, if they could only be executed.” ‘“‘Where are you going to establish yourself in India?’—At Lucknow, where I have been able to secure a large grant of land, some 600 acres in extent, which are being planted out now from saplings supplied both myself and from public gardens in India. It takes two years to come to maturity.” ‘‘How do you purpose to plant it in Ceylon By seed?”’—‘‘ By saplings f procured from the wild plants growing about the country. It will be a very large industry, employing a large number of people both in its cultivation and manufacture.” “© What number would you say ?’—‘ Oh! that depends upon the size of the mills and the busi- ness that would be created. In its manufacture alone a large number of natives would he required. In addition it would put work on the railway, especially on that portion of the line where the plants are thickest.” — a Have seen one silver medal for this machine cnly, and only Mr. Silburn’s word for that—a Natal Medal, In Manritius only the old ‘‘gratte” machine is used eosting about R250 similar I think to the “Raspador’ of Yacatan.—H. b=Fourcroya Gigantea (not agave.)—E. c American agave Gigantica.—H, d 1 doubt entirely its being indigenous, any more than lantana.— EH, ; Bos e Will not bear the same strain as Manila Hemp put probably comes in a good second.—H. f Sucklings.—EH, Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL ‘‘ Have you madeany application to the autho- rities for assistance ?’—‘‘ We intend to apply that for the purpose of our experiment the Rail- way authorities should grant a rebate of the dues. The experiment, as it is, will entail a great deal of expense. It is a new industry which should benefit the Colony a good deal. The machinery will be made in the Colony the plants are grown in the Colony ; native labour will be employed, both skilled and otherwise ; it will increase the revenue of the railway and the shipping agencies and the money realized by the sale ot the fibre will be spent in the Colony. Large orders are constantly being received for the supply of the raw material and these are likely to increase especially as I see from to- day’s papers that the American have captured Ilo Ilo, which was abandoned after the Filippinos had first fired the place.” “But the telegram said the Americans speedily extinguished the flames ?’—‘* Yes, but there is no reason to doubt that the Filippines destroyed the manufactories in the same way as they did the chief centre at Manila. From the latest ad- vices Manila hemp has gone up from £40 to £ 50 a ton in consequence of the disturbed state of the country.” “IT suppose the machine has been tested at Natal?”—-“‘Oh! yes, and also in London and Glasgow, and from the latter place we have received orders to supply onan average 100 tons a month for weaving and rope purposes. The chief ditliculty is to get a sufficient supply of the green stuff.a ““Is that likely to be a serious difficulty in Ceylon ?’—‘‘ No, I regard Ceylon as the natural habitat of the plant. It was a great difficulty in Natal. Wehad to plant out and experienced a lot of trouble through it. The cultivation of the aloe plant should specially commend itself to the tea planter. If he finds that his tea is likely to come to grief, that his land is bad and will not grow tea, or that he cannot afford to go in for manuring, constant pruning, and such like, he had better put in aloe, wait two years and then he would find he would get a valuable commodity which would last for seven ears before it would require being renewed. That Is what we do in Africa, where those engaged in the sugar industry chiefly suffer through the ravages of locusts, which sometimes threaten the grower with ruin altogether. In the Bahams there are 70,000 acres planted with sizal hemp which is not so good as the aloe fibre, and only obtains an inferior price in the market, rates being governed solely from the standpoint of the length of the strips. The machine which I have patented is the only fibre extractor in Africa.d f hope to get a sufficient supply of green stuff to commence experiments in a fortnight’s time I have had the machine protected in Ceylon India, and Burma, and machinery is being con- structed in Calcutta. It will deal with all leaves _ 6ontaining any fibre, independent of size, from a ten-foot aloe leaf toa foot pineapple leafc. It is a self-feeding machine capable ot being adapted to any size. Of course, I have not had time to a Machine has never been tested except in Natal ‘Mr. Stevensons’s cwn machine, primitively made according to Silburn’s drawings. Some fibre was sent to London and Glasgow and reported upon.—li. b There are a number of powerful machines in use in Bahamas, Yucatan, &c. with a very large fibre- ‘texracting capacity.—E._ c Would need special adjustment for a small leaf.—E. AGRICULTURIST 87 go much about the country, but as I have sa I believed the particular plants we want thriv largely in Ceylon.” The conversation ended here Mr. Silburn’s attention being called off to attend to matters connected with the fortheoming work of the Syndicate.—Local ‘‘ Independent. ’ {The commercial name of the fibre is Mauritius Hemp of which 800 to 1,000 bales are exported from the Colony montily but it is claimed that the machine will produce the hemp longer, better, and unbroken and extract at least twice the weight of dry fibre from the same wieght of green aloe leaf.—Ep. T7.4.] a OUPRESSUS MACROCARPA In the villa gardens round about Torquay this Conifer is put to valuable use, and if proper atten- tion be afforded, it admirably answers its purpose. Many of the villas are built on andulating land, and the roofs of some are almost in a line with the ground floors of those juat above them on the hills. It follows that the garden ofone is often open to those ef its neighbour, and even to those placed on level ground, there is always a desire on the part of the occupants for a certain degree of privacy and seclusion, so essential to the enjoyment oi a garden. The garden-walls are about 3 or 4 feet high, with soilon the inside borders almost level with the top of the wall. On this a number of Oupressu3 macrocarpa are planted, 2 or 3 feet apart, and being a quick grower, the lower portion soon thickens; and when the plants have grown some 6 or 8 feet high the leaders are cut away which encourage the thickening of the top. Hre, however, this finishing part is permitted, it is necessary that a strong iron railing be run the whole length of the intended hedge, and stout iron standard and stays well secured to the wall as well as the border inside with a couple of rails, one about 2 feet from the ground, and the other 5 feet. These of course, are firmly fixed to the upright so that when finished the whole is strong and able to resist the winds which will, by-and-by, try the hedge. The plants are secured to this iron railing, which is soon hidden and as they reach the height previously mentioned topped and clipped, a most compact and beautiful hedge is formed which entirely shields everything in the garden from the gaze of passere by or from neighbourly observation. The hedge may be per- mitted to measure 3 feet through at the base, gradu- ally slopping in height till the top, perfectly level, is about a foot in thickness. Some run just 6 feet heigh, 2 feet at the base, slopping gradually to the top. The bright, pleasant green of the young shoots just at the present season makes such a hedge singu- larly attractive. Some of the owners, I notice, have made provision for the little gaps that occasionally occur in the lower part of the plants by planting a row of Huonymus between the Cupressus and the walls; these are kept dense and compact by constant clipping. The variegated forms as well as the com- mon Euonymus are used, the who'e making avey pretty and complete bank of vegetation, always green, and most attractive. The beauty of such a hedge is, of course, enhanced and preserved by regular clippings —twicea year they should be attended to by one who thoroughly understands his work. Ofcourse, any one can use 2 pair of clipping shears; but where straight and curved lines and level top are to be maintained it is very desirable that one whois somewhat of an adept at his work should be always permitted to do it. fn the hot summer seasons in the south of Devon, and on raised banks and borders. it is necessary that the hose-pipe be used, and abundant supplies of water constantly afforded, as only by such means can the health of the hedge-plants be maintained, |V. §, Exmouth .—Gardner’s Chronicle, 88 THE TROPICAL THE FERTILITY OF SOILS. The factors upon which the fertility of the soil depend are many. ‘he amount of plant-food and its degree of solubility’ the mechanical texture or tilth, and the climate, which includes temperatuie, amount of rainfall, &c., ave the chief of these. Soils to be fertile mast coutain the elements of plant-food in such forms that they can be readily used for the nutrition of vegetation. At the same time, its condition must not be too loose, elise a firm hold will not be afforded to the roots of plauts, and there will be too much drainage and evaporation ; nor must it be too heavy and plastic, for then air and water could not freely permeate it, nor the roots extend themselves beyond a very limited area. Generally speaking, light, loose soils are not as rich in plant-food as those in which clay predvminates; yet, on account of their excellent condition of tilth, and the ease with which they are worked, they zre spec ally adapted for most horticultural purposes, and having a sufficiency of manure, they often yield in favourable seasons heavier crops than the, stronger soils would do. Stiff heavy clays, though rich in inorganic food, potash, and phos- phoric acid, are often poor in nitrogen, while their mechanical condition is such as to prevent through aération and the penetration of the roots. It is these soils especially that are benefited by drainage. By a system of drainage the water which saturates the surface-soil is carried off, air allowed to permeate, the whole is rendered more friable and easily worked, and much plant-food is converted into assimilable forms. Where sand largely preponderates, the soilis not retentive of moisture and fertilising material, espe- cially if the subsoil be light, and though easily worked it is not so desirable in very dry seasons as on a heavier soil. A proper proportion of sand and clay therefore, for many reasons, makes the best soil. With the clay and sand, varying amounts of peaty matter, or humus derived from the decomposition of vegetable matter, may be mixed. In horticulture leaf-mould is largely used. Oalcareous matter, chalk, lime, and bone-meal, are usually associated, and a light proportion of these exerts a beneficial influence upon the tilth of the soil, as well as upon the solubi- lity of the plant-food. By the slow decomposition of the clay, the vegetable matter, and the lime. valuable plant-nutrients, are liberated in a soluble form, and therefore the function of these soil consti- tuents is, not only mechanical but chemical. The most important ignorganic constituents of a soil are potash and phosphoric acid. These, together with nitrogen, are known as the essential elements of plant-food. ; : he ! “ To understand the question of soil-fertility, the ‘gardener should become familiar with these matters, should know what these elements will do for crops and plants, and when and how to apply them. Nitrogen.—This element, like potash, lime, and phosphoric acid, is an essential constituent of all plants. Inits free state it is a permanent gas, and i3 one of the most widely distributed elements, com- prising about four-fiths of the earth’s atmosphere. This vast supply of nitrogen is, however, of no direct value to plants, since they are unable to use it, except when combined with the elements oxygen or hydrogen, forming nitric acid and ammonia, that may be taken up through the roots of plants. Ieguminous plants, ‘like Peas, Beans Lupins, &c., and possibly Orchids, are indirectly able to build up their nitrogenous ingre- dients from the free nitrogen of the air, through the activities of misroscopic plants (known as bacteria) intimately associated with them; other plants may, possibly, under favourable conditions to some extent have the same faculty. ING any Nitrogen is present in the soilin simple combinations as nitrates or ammonia salts, or as more complex organic compounds, forming the dark coloured humus especially abundant in peat, leaf-mould, and forest soils. The total quantity of nitrogen in ordinary soils varies between 0:1 and 0:2 per cent. ; occasionally the nitrogen content will approach one'per cent., asin the case of rich pasture soils. Peat soils will often contain over two per cent, of nitrogen; this is how- AGRICULTURIST. [Avc. 1, 1899, ever; largely ina combination that will not directly sustain plant life, but has to undergo a weathering process before the plant can make use of it Nitrogenous manures help to strengthen plants in theix earlier growth, favour leaf development, and give a deep green healthy colour to the foliage; applied in excessive quantities they induce rauk growth at the expeuse of the development of the fruit. Phosphoric acid is present in soils in combination with a number of other chemical substances, which exert a very beneficial influence on the growth of plants. Phosphoric acid is found in soils partly ina form that plants can readily dissolve aud make use of in the building of their structure, partly in an insolu- ble form which under the infinence of water carbonic acid and air, or the mineral components of the soil are gradually changed into available plant food. There is only a small quantity of phosphoric acid in ordinary soils, viz., less than 0-2 per cent., and often only 0-05 per cent.; but as the content is not decreased in any way except by the growing of crops, the seil will oniy become deficient in this constituent in case of con- tinuous cropping without manuring, Phosphoric acid is of special importance in the early life of plants; it stimulates the assimilation cf mineral substances in the plant, amd fayours the development of its root system, There is an intimate relation between the nitrogenous principles and the phosphoric acidin plants, and we find that, generally speaking, a high nitrogen content is accompanied by a high percentage of phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid of plants is usually concentrated in their maturing organs, the flower and seed. Potash is found in Nature in conbination with acids like sulphuric, carbonic, and silicic acid. Potash is generally distributed in small quantities in most soils, except light sandy soils, which are apt to be deficient in tbis fertilising element it is found in ordinary soils in somewhat larger quantities than phosphoric acid, namely, from one to three- tenths of one per cent., and occasionally as much as one per cent. in case of soils orginating from granite, basaltic, and other rocks rich in potash. Like phosphoric acid, potash may be present in the soil in a non-ayailable form, especially as double silicates, that are but slowly decomposed through ae action of water, air, and other constituents of the soil. Potash is found in the largest quantities in foliage plants, ia leguminous plants, in Vines, and in Potatos. It is of the greatest value to plants, in facilitating the flow of sap, and the diffusion of starch from cell to cell. It gives increased strength to the cell structure of plants and has in general g benificial influence on the flavour and texture of fruits and Potatos. Lime is present in most fertile soils in sufficient quantities to allow of the production of large crops, but occasionally there will be too little of it to reach this end, in which case the addition of some lime compound to the soil, will produce very beneficial results. Itis considered that a lime content of one- half of one percent. an ample supply in light soils, while heavy soils may need 2 per cent. or more. The good effects from the addition of lime to soils do not come only from the increase of an ingre- dient essential to plant growth, but the mechanical condition of the soil, its texture, water and heat- retaining capacity, are improved. This same is true in perhaps all cases when fertilisers are applied to soils, a fact which is generally overlooked by horti- culturists.—Gardener’s Chronicle. co a THE RAMIE SYNDICATE. The Ramie Syndicate, Hythe End Mill, Staines, sends us the following:—You will perhaps not be indisposed to give your readers the news of our experments having proved most successful. When wé started we were confronted with the following difficulties: 1st, supply; 2nd, . decortication; 3rd, preparation; 4th, spinning, and lastly demand_or market, I will deal with these seriatim later, Un: a -us to compete with cotton. Ava. 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAL gumming which had hitherto proved such a fruitful source of difficulty had long been overcome by us; the gum question presented no terrors nor difficulties to us; by our method ungumming is simple and the durability of the fibre is unsurpassed as is proved by the yarns which have been in use now three ears, they are as strong now as when first prepared. refer to those made at Staines. I have products prepared by our process which have been in use fen years and are as good nowasever. I will deal with the obstacles as they appeared at the initiation of our works at Staines: Ist. Supply.—There is a vast supply in China, where the natives have cultivated it and all the bess textiles are made fromit. The wealthy Chinese hold it in high esteem and it fetches high prices. Very small quantities compared with the vast crops grown, unfortunately, have yet found their way out of China. We have based our calculations on the price of raw material at £30 per ton, and at this price I can show a paying industry competing with flax, but I am promised contracts as low as £20 per ton; this will open up a vast field and enable India produces vast quantities in a wild state, these will have to be brought under cultivation. Dr. Morris, of Kew, re- commends Ramie to the planters who cannot make sugar pay. It wonld be a boon to our West India Colonies. The Australian Colonies are growing Ramie, Queensland and N.S. Wales have sent us splendid quality. The U.S. Government are recommending it to their farmers and the Govornment has voted a large sum $145,000 to the establishment of ex- perimental plantations. Mexico, it appears from a consular report, shows 145 per cent profit in ramie growing. From South America I have splendid samples, and as many as four crops in the year are cut ; and I am promised regular supplies at a price which will put Ramie on the market a competitor to cotton. There isa vast fieldin Egypt and the Soudan. Thus Government of Natal is recommending Ramie growing. Plantations are already started in Borneo, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Formosa, Java and Malay Peninsular. Corea produces splendid Ramie and the Japanese are turning their attention to Ramie growing. In short I hear from all quarters of the globe, of the great advance in Ramie growing, _ and I have not the slightest doubt it will prove a -chinery has stood in the way, strong rival to cotton. To our colonies I would suggest Ramie growing, and by the use of our de- coricators, ribbons could be prepared while a green state for the ungumming process, and filasse should be prepared on the plantations; it is a simple op- eration snd the plant would not be expensive. The filasse so produced would be far superior to that produced from the dried ribbons, and in addition there would be a great saving in freight the waste products viz., the leaves and lateral shoots would produce an invaluable pulp for high class paper making and command a high price. 2nd. Decortication.—In China this is accomplished by hand labour. The operator strips the ribbons from the steam and scrapes the fibre, removing the pelicule or brown bark and much of the pectose gummy matter while in a green state. The natives of India merely strip the plant and make no at- tempt to clean them. These rhea ribbons command a much jower price than the Ohinese cleaned strips. Our decorticator cleans the ribbons similarly but in a more perfect condition to that produced by Chinese hand labour, removing considerably more of the pectose in its fluid state. 3rd. Preparation.—The next difficulty is dressing the fibre ready for the spinner; hitherto the ex- pensive process of preparing on silk dressing ma- and when we can turn out an articie absolutely without waste beyond the shorts or noils whicl: exist in the fibre at a cost of one-half penny, which hitherto has cost 9d. we can claim success and considerable advance. 4th. Spinning:—This is now a simple process, our wet spinning frames produce an even yarn, grasing .is fitted throughout with nothing but AGRICULTURIST. 89 is no longer necessary and the strength and lustre of the fibre is materially advanced by its ab- ‘olishment. Lastly Market.—On account of its great strength and lustre it is specially in demand for lace, duck, khaki, sail cloth, fishing lines, braiding, tapestry, and all purposes where special strength or lusire is of advantage. It mixes with and fortifies weak wools. And as the price of raw matevial is ened, so in proportion will the demand incre Our latest is milo-thread. For yacht sails it hus achieved agreat success; ‘the Defenders” sails were Ramie. The Bona, one of the most successful Hinglish yachts, carried Ramie sails made by our process. As the fibre does not rot in water it is particularly ap- plicable to fishing nets, rails and rigging, and its great strength commends it further for these pur- poses.—‘* Planter.” NEW PROCESS OF TEA MANUFACTURE IN COLOMBO. A SERIES OF INVENTIONS. THE NEW VENTILATING FAN At Messrs. Davidson & Co.’s Sirocco works in Forbes Road, Maradana, Mr. F.G. MaGuire has just finished erecting a complete plan for the manu- facture of tea by ‘‘hot process,’”’ and has put throngh the fiist break from start to finish. He Manufactures on Tuesdays and Fridays; but on other days visitors will be wellcomed. The factory Davidson’s patent mahinery, and includes several novel features. First of all there is the new withering ivachine, which is the only one at present erected in the island, though previously a model one, with which experiments have been conducted, was set up on Polatagama estate in the Kelni Valley, and which existed all last year. The machine is capable of keeping two rollers going, and is driven by a new and ingenous engine which has proved quite a success at home. Itisa highspeed engine without any pack- ing, except on the piston ring. he governor and the valve also are both sitiuated inside the steam chest and this forms a special feature of the invention, for, as shown by Mr. MaGuire, the governor regulates the working of the machine to a nicety unapproeched by anoutside governor. The main bearing and crank shaft, too, are submerged in oil,and an indicator is fixed to the outside of the oil bath, to constantly show the depth of oil. Even when wet leaf is put into the witherer, in an hour’s time it is ready for the roller, and in three hours the whole process from green leaf to black tea—but not the grading, &c.—is completed. With the roller, experiments are now being carried on to effect an increased degree of pressure by means of inter- changeable cones in the centre rojling table. From the roller the tea passes into au evaporator, the object of which is to decrease the percentage of water to obtain a good twist on the leaf in the second rolling. This machine is fitted with one of the new patent fans, encased and driven by its own little engine. The down dratt sirocco for firing. is, of course, familiar to our readers; but at Maradana this also is fitted with a new fan, in place of a chimney, for the blast. Besides requiring a far less quantity of fuel the driver now consumes its own smoke, so that nothing but clear gas issues from the shaft. Then at the other end of the room, is one of Davidson’s large sorting machines and a Davidson-MaGuire Packing Machine, on which thg morning twenty Acme chests were being placed in position to receive the first batch of tea, to be sent to Belfast to be sampled and sold. iu course of time some of the breaks; mad, will be put on the local market; and experiments will be carried on for another month. The leaf from which the first break of tea has been made was bought from a native estate in Kaduganawa at 6 cents a lb., and Mr. MaGuire claims that from this inferior material he has made good tea. The tea continueg $0 THE TROPICAL hot from start to finish, and by this means it is asserted that, after a few additional experiments, it will be possible to make tea of a penny per lb. higher value than by theold process, which besides the saving of time and fuel, would naturally, amply repay and additional oui lay in machinery. There is the further valuable consideration that instead of aa expensive three-storey factory a simple shed of one floor will suffice to accommodate the machinery for the manufacture of any quantity of tea Hstates it is expected, will send down leaf to be experimented with as a practical way of testing what is claimed for the new method in improying prices. At the end of the office a laboratory haz been fitted up in which chemical tests are carried on, and where with a powerful little miscroscope the leaf is exa- mined in the various stages of manufacture. THE ‘‘ REVOLUTION” IN FANS. Perhaps the most ingenions of all the new things to be seen at Messrs Davidson’s Works, however is the fan. This was described in a letter in our paper of the 28th March, aud the first shipment of 18 ventilating fans arrived by the last Bibby steamer. These had been preceded by two fans for smoke chimneys, one of which has been sent to Balangoda for Messrs, Finlay, Muir & Co., and the other is going to one of the Haputale estates of Lipton, Limited. The eighteen ventilating fans were all of 30 and 35 inches diameter; and last night the remaining eight were booked—two by one firm, and six by another the orders being for two fans in each factory, Another shipment is expected by the next Bibby steamer, when various sizes, from 15 inches to 35 inches, of the ventilating fans will come to hand. The new fans have not been advertised at home as yet, because, although the number turned out at Belfast is dnily increasing, the existing demand can hardly be coped with. Before long, we are informed, 25 a day will be produced, and then the invention will be extensively advertised, and the production will be increased as quickly as possible to 100 per day. A contract has been obtained for the ventilation and cooling and heating, of the Law Courts in London, which have uwlways been in an unsatisfactory atmospheric condition; and the fans are to be used ing connection with the scheme, which involves a seperate plant for each court with refrigerating and heating apparatus for winter and summer respectively. The air will also be filtered, so that fog and other impurities may not enter. In addition to this the ventilation of the House of Commons is to be similarly improved; and exhaustive experiments were to be made a week or two ago by the Admiralty to see whether the new instruments did what was claimed for them, in which case Sir William White, the Chief Director of Naval construction, had declared they would be adopted at once through out the new vessels of the Navy. Information of the result of these tests has not yet come to hand. The flax and - linen industry of Russia, which had been considerably pushed in recent years, and which requires fans for the benefit of the work people, has also produced a wondertul demand for the new patent, which we are told has been ordered in such numbers that the Russian market alone constitute a veryimportant element. It is in Ceylon, however that the fans have been first advertised and first erected in different factories. To describe the fan, one of which, 30 inches in diameter, is already in position and working at the Maradana establishment, we may say that it involves an entirely new ideain practical engineerirg. The fan hitherto familiar to the public possessed blades extending from the circumference to the centre and it. follows, as a fact, that the maximum amount of work done by. each blade is at the circumference, the force being lessened gradually until the centre ie reached, where there is very little speed at all. Thus with any opposing pressure the efficiency of the old fan is greatly reduced, and air may even pass the opposite way through the centre, while the plades are doing their work at the onter edge. AGRICULTURIST. rave. 1, 1899. Davidson’s patent may be described as shaped like a revolving squirrel cage, the blades being all of equal leagth round the circumference, and thus per- forming equal work throughout. By the same arrange- ment the space for the passage of air is as large as the fan itself, and the recult is evident even to the lay mind, and is a marvellous advance on the old idea. an interesting feature is that the principle involved in the construction of the blades is in agreement with the contentions of professors, but contracts with the experience of engineers in all other fans; and. the new vindication of the scientific theory is to be shortly discussed at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The advantage of the machine is that, while the air emerges with greatly increased force it enters in a regular and even manner, producing no disturvance in the vicinity. The air in fact is drawn from all directions as powerfully as from immediately in front, and thus a much greater area of space is under its action. The regulari:y of the entrance of the air was also shown when a funnel was fixed to the bracket which holds the fan. The atmosphere rushed into this in a full and regular steam, indicating the fan’s great capacity for dis- posing of an unusual volume of air in a given time The speed was tested at various distances and from various directions by an anemometer, and established the inventor’s contention. The fan was then runnivg, driven by a belt. at 380 revolutions a minute, and 10,584 cubic feet of air per minute were being drawn through. This enteredat the rate of 2,000 feet, but was ejected on the other side at the rate of 5,530 feet, when reversed the fan does nothing. It may also be mentioned that the bracket holding the fan has the shaft sus- pended like the axle of a bicycle, and the two bearings are ia one piece, so that even if carelessly erected by an inexperienced perscn, they cannot be put up out of line. On the outside a solid disc prevents high wind, or even a cyclone; disturbing its efficiency ; and the air is discharged with equal force on all sides. The force of this air cau be ntilised for an upper loft by the fan being enclosed and the air conducted io the storey above The power used we® oily about zh. p. Close by the fan already in position preparations were going forward for the erection of a still larger fan, tobe completed by this afternoon. Although no harm would result, it would be waste of energy to over-drive asmall fan, and according to the amount of work to be accomplished, machines of certain diameters are recommended. Mr. MaGuire further explained that the fans can be driven by electric motor and by water power, with new Pelton wheels recently patented by the inventor of the fan. A volume of photographs further shows the variety of uses to whith the invention can be put; and other pictures represent some highly interesting tests, one of which in competition with one of the older style of fans of three times its area wa# fully decribed in our issue of the 28th March,—Local ‘‘ Times.” see eee ee CorrEE.—The Moniteur des Interéts Matériels says the coffee crop of 1895 with 6,500,000 bags realised £25,000,000. The result induced increased production, but in 1897 the exportation of 9,500,000 bags only brought in £10,000,000, and the 10,000,000 bags in 1898 only realised £15,000,000. THE MUNICIPALITY of Bariry, S Paulo, has about five millions of coffee trees planted of various ages. Its first crop will be gathered this year, which is estimated at 150,000 arrobas of coffee. A coffee plantation at Mococa, Sao Paulo, was recenfly sold at judicial auction for the sum of 90,0003 its valuation being 202,000$. Tiie planta- tion contained 112,000 coffee trees, 5,000 arroebas of picked coffee, coffee-cleaning machinery, build- ings, saw-mill, ete.,ete. It looks like a decided sacrifice.—Aio News. Aue. 1, 1899.] RUBBER CULTIVATION IN CEYLON; THE LATHST INFORMATION AS TO CASTILLOA, PARA AND CEARA KINDS; ABOUT 1,500 ACRES NOW COVERED WITH RUBBER TREES IN CHYLON; THE APPROACHING REVOLUTION :— NOT ONLY IN THE SYSTEM OF -SEPARATING CAOUTCHOUC FROM MILK; BUT ALSO IN EXTRACT- ING RUBBER FROM THE STEMS OF YOUNG TREES. We direct attention to a very im- portant letter on local Rubber cultiva- tion, above the well-known signature of “H.S.G.” on page 94. The writer will be admitted to have? had exceptional means of forming reliable opinions on the points he discusses, and where these differ from any in the official ‘‘ Rubber” Cir- culars, we believe it will be safer to follow the lead of the practical planter. ‘‘H.S.G.”, then, for good reasons given, rehabilitates Para rubber to a very great extent; and, indeed, we have never seen good reason for the rush from one extreme to the other in reference to the cultivation of this variety, nor could Mr. Willis mean that his latest views in favour of Castilloa should be con- strued to the deprecation of the continued cul- tivation of Para, where such had been estab- lished. We may even go farther and say that there is scope and fair encouragement for the continued planting of Para outside of thelimitedregion between Kalutara and Ratna- pura, which is considered most favourable for its growth; and in which, perhaps, the Castilloa tree would not prosper so well Nevertheless, the latter, as ‘‘H.S.G.” and Mr. Willis both show, has an extensive field for its production; and there is no reason why, as soon as seed is available, it (the Mexican tree) should not grow very freely both up and down country. It will be observed that “E.S.G.,” although in possession of the results of tapping experiments, does not. give us estimates or figures, in the meantime, though he promises to do so at no distant date. On the other band, there has been some in- structive and even amusing correspondence in a local contemporary’s columns on the ~ subject. ‘“‘J.M.”, who was one of the first to plant ‘‘Castilloa”, has shewn how, even in the face of a splendid valuation for the resulting rubber—which passed through our hands—be was officially discouraged from continuing the cultivation! ‘The whirligic of time” has indeed brought about “its re- venge.” Major Gordon Reeves, who now owns the Wiharegama estate and the trees planted by ‘“J.M.”, reports of the several old trees of Castilloa and his harvesting, as follows :— - There is no difficulty whatever in raising plants, and in a wet district I should imagine that any sized plants from seedlings of 3 inches to stumps of 2 feet will grow readily. In _ our climate, which is rather a dry one, I think there is no doubt that good sized stumps do best. The old trees on Wiharegama must have a girthof quite 20 pore at 3 feet, and are probably 30 feet wee, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 91 high and of spreading habit and rather re - ling a teak tree: theseare planted sans a cacao, and do not seem to have any injurious effect on the latter, and we are now extending plantations of cacao, with Castilloa 20 teet apart and Krythrina as atemporary shade. I had two of the old Castillow experimentally tapped, takin only about 14 1b. of rubber, though a great dea more could, of course, have been taken: the milk was simply run into butter tins without any cleansing, and dried chiefly in the sun, which is we now know an injurious process. The sam- ples were forwarded to Messrs, W. Wright and Co., the principal India-rubber brokers in Liver- Bool, ane ate reported on as follows :— No. l.—Good, clean, strong, dry ru ", Value about 3s 64d per lb. si Pe renee Vane No. 2.—Good, clean, fairly strong rubber, but very wet, value about 2s Ild per lb. A very satisfactory report, considering how little we then knew about curing. Fine Para rubber is only worth 4s 2d. Next ‘“‘J.M.” recalls estimates for a Castilloa plantation in Nicaragua, which were given in the Observer and which can readily be found in full detail in the Tropical Agriculturist or still more conveniently in our Manual (** All about Rubber,” a second edition of which is now passing through the press); but a few figures may be quoted if only to make the mouths water of some of our planting readers, in anticipation of a good time coming! Here is ‘“‘J.M.” quoting Mr. Cator :— Cost of 500 acres of land at 5s per acre £ 125 » Survey and titles 55 nee 100 » Clearing land Te weer L000, » collecting seed, and planting... 500 » Syears’ weedings at £200 yp LOOISHOCCs Mt voninnn y, TaVeaMea RAL) ren £ 4 v2 B00 3,625 Interest on £3,625 for 8 years at 5 per cent. abe ws sso! 1,450 ett ee expenses, 8 years, at ; inet? a »» 1,600 Cost of gathering the 8th year’scrop 1,500 4,550 3 £8,175 He estimates a profit at the Sth year as eaten per acre: Dr, Cry: Cost of cultivation £s d Government pre-£sd peracre — 7 49 mium 2 83 Cost of tapping 3 00 Crop, 965 lbs., Balance of profit at 2s 96 10 0 per acre 88 13 6 £98 18 3 £98 18 3 Thus, 500 acres at £88 133 6d = £44,3; F peony on a capibal of abou £8,000 ; and, e — 1at was not sufficiently ss i ak Vea be ieee y sanguine, take the 9tl Expenditure for weed- £ Value of cropin £ ieee 200 9th ” harvesting 1,500 year 50,000 ”» planting 500 Interest 180 Profit 47,620 £50,000 £50,000 Here, indeed, seems room for rpriz taken | midway between. the Hitnener ee Sanguine “man on the spot” and the pessimistic reports from the Peradeniya Gardens Director How this reminds us of the golden days of Cinchona”!—when William Smith of Craigie Lea proved to a demonstration how foolish his partners, Colonel Byrde and- My. John Davidson, were when they refused their consent to 150,000 cinchonas offered by Dri ‘Lhwaites free from Hakgala (“a medicing 92 ' THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. tree” as Col. Byrde rather. contemptuously called it) being put out on Craigie Lea then being opened for coffee as the pioneer estate of Dimbula Felix in the early ‘‘sixties.” Poor Smith—15 years afterwards when cinchona was booming and Nanuoya netted more than 10s a tree for some hundreds of mature trees cut down—used to say that his partners had thrown away £37,500, realizable by taking half of the 150,000 plants as coming to matu- rity at 10s a tree! No single proprietor in Ceylon, we fear, ever realized as much asa few thousands of pounds sterling from cin- chona, although we got up toa shipment of 15 million Ib. of bark in one year. To return to Rubber: we may mention that we attempted some months ago to get an approximate idea of the _ ex- tent to which the various kinds of rubber were cultivated on estates. First, we wished to see how far ‘‘Ceara” rubber, which was the earliest to be boomed, had been continued in cultivation; but our responses were but few; for, in most cases, the Ceara had been rooted out as inimical to cacao, or to give place to tea. We may quote a few illus- ' trations: here, for instance, is a report from Crystal Hill estate, Matale :— What kinds of Rubber are now growing? Three Ceara trees only remain out of several hundreds planted in 1878. A few hundreds of Castilloa were planted in-October 1897 along with coconuts and are doing well. Approximate age of oldest, Ceara 20 years. Size of largest trees—circumference, height (actual or approximate), Ceara circumference 2 feet 4 inches, height about 30 feet. Result of tapping, Nil. i Injuries or otherwise to plants underneath or near to the Cacao? Underneath the Ceara gave little or no crop. Wild pigs that had been attracted by the yam-like roots of the Ceara began to eat the Cacao pods, and the Cearas had therefore to be destroyed. ch Going to the other end of the country in Madulsima, from an estate where there were 30 acres of rubber growing in 1886, the fol- lowing was our latest report :— What kinds of Rubber are now growing ?— Ceara. Approximate age of oldest? About 18 years. Size of largest trees—circumference, height (actual or approximate.?) About 50 feet high, 44 feet: below lowest branch, 5 feet at the ground, branched out about 15 feet from ground. There is only about one acre of rubber trees on estate now. Spread about. The rest have been cut out. I can’t say what damage they would doto any other plants as they are near none. Next from a Hantane estate that had ten acres of Ceara in 1886, we are told: it was all rooted out and there are no rubber trees growing now. Again, the well-known Kande- newera estate, Matale, had 6,000 Ceara trees a dozen years ago; but Mr. Gordon replied in answer to our circular some months ago :— The Ceara rubber trees on this estate have all been cut out, some of the largest were tapped four years ago experimentally, but the yield of rubber was very poor and watery. Certainly no success commercially. As shade trees to either Cacao or Cardamoms they are harmful, and being greedy feeders are undesirable cultivations with mixed products. Sanquhar estate, Gampola, has still 80 Ceara rubber trees growing alongside a road, but we have no particulars as to size. On Hurstpierpoint in the Galle district, of 6,000 Ceara trees in 1886, there are still [AuG. 1, 1899. a few left about 17 years old, 30 to 40 feet high and 14 to 2 feet in circumference. Of reports on other Rubbers, we have a few to present. The Manager of Daisy Valley, Kurunegala, has put out a good deal of Para rubber from seed got in the Peradeniya Gardens. From Mr, P. D. Clark, Manager of Rasagalla, Balangoda we have a satis- factory report as to Para, showimg, appa- rently, how much wider is the sphere for its successful growth, than Mr. Willis has conceived, when he confined it to the low- country between Kalutara and Ratnapura:— What kind of Rubbers are now growing? Para rubber, Hevea Braziliensis, about 35,000 very promising trees. Cultivation to be extended. Approximate age of oldest, two years. Size of largest trees—circumference, height (actual or approximate,) 18 feet high, expected to tap from 8-10 year judging from present growth. Injuries or otherwise to plants underneath or near to? Apparently not injurious to tea. r. Corrie was good enough, some months ago, to report from Gikiyanakanda in the Kalutara district as follows ;—- What kinds of Rubber are now growing? Para and Castilloa. Approximate age of oldest, six years. Size of largest trees—circumference, height (actual or approximate,) 9 inches diameter, 3 feet from bottom, height say 30 feet. Injuries or otherwise to plants underneath or near to? All our Rubber but a new clearing just planted is growing through tea. No damage to tea at present. There are a few Ceara trees growing about 15 years old, but we do not tap them, not con-- sidering it worth while as the yield at this variety is so small. From Mr. J. A. Storey, on Igalkanda estate. Elpitiya, we learn ot Para rubber trees, six years old, doing well, the size being given as follows :— Largest measured 334 inches circumference at one yard from ground, several others over 30 inches. Height (approximate,) 35 feet. And then we have what Major Gordon Reeves wrote to us at the time of our cir- cular in regard to Wiharegama, which, of course, must be modified by his more recent information :— What kinds of Rubber are now growing ? Ceara Para, Castilloa, Approximate age of oldest, Ceara about 15 years, Para 5-6 years, Castilloa 8-10 years. Size of largest trees—circumference, height (actual or approximate.) Ceara, no measurement taken, Para circumference 2 feet to 2 feet 6 inches, height say 30 feet. Castilloa cir. 2 feet 6 inch to 3 feet, height say 25 feet. Result of tapping? In tapping experiments now being made ‘(will report) with Para and Castilloa, but not with Ceara. Injuries or otherwise to plants under- neath or near to Para rubber trees planted over nine acres of Cacao as shade. No injury appa- rent ; on the contrary forms good shade at 20 to 25 feet apart. I proposed to plant as shade over a large extent of Cacao fieid. So far three kinds of Rubber—Para, Castilloa and Ceara—have been mentioned. On a little estate in the Kelani Valley, there were, 12 years ago, some 500 specimens (creepers) of the Kast African rubber-yielding plant, Lan- dolphia Kirkii, equal to four years’ growth then, and kept as show stems and to see ifthey would seed. Unfortunately, these cree- pers no longer exist and this is the explana- tion offered by the proprietor, Mr. James Gibson :— I regret that during my absence in India 1887 and 1888, that the man in charge cut out all the Landolphia Kirkii wrees from Pleasure Ground hs Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL which is mine still and the few Lalso put inon Kennington were destroyed also. I do not know of any others on any estate; I was grieved at the destruction. : The above estate reports can, of course, _be only taken as indicative of what is going on in many other estates in the planting dis- tricts. acres were covered with India-rubber trees, chiefly Ceara. Last year Mr. Willis estimated 750 acres of Para rubber alone; while our Directory returns in August last showed an aggregate of 1,071 acres, notwithstanding all that had been cleared outof Ceara. With all that has since been put out, of Para especially, we reckon that these figures may safely be increased to 1,500 acres. But we may be told that quantity or area does not matter so much as quality, and just as Ceara rubber—so rushed after at one time—was cast aside in Ceylon as well as Java in favour of the ‘© Hevea” or Para, so is the latter about to be superseded by the Mexican or Castilloa tree. Now inal! these conclusions, we think too much haste is manifested. We fear, in- deed, that those who have abandoned even Ceara clearings, will live to regret their action. We can recall when samples of Ceara rubber from Ceylon realized 4s per lb., and now that we are on the eve of a revolution in the means of ‘‘ harvesting” the crop, as well as of separating the caoutchouc, we say that every man who owns a rubber- yielding tree, whatever be the species, ought to carefully conserve it. In January, 1898, Mr. Willis told the world that the only im- portant rubber for Ceylon was the “Para,” and at the time he was, no doubt, acting up to the best hght. But a good deal has been learned since; and in his Circular of April last, facts and figures are given to show that preference should be given to the Mexican or Panama Castillow tree. Now we have not a word to say against this preference, nor do we fail to recognise the special im- portance of the invention of Messrs, Howard and Bitfen in their ‘‘ Caoutchouc Separator” as still further demonstrated, if not improved, by Mr. Hart ot Trinidad. But while lately compiling from available literature for our ‘All About Rubber” Manual, we have been much struck with information reproduced in our own Tropical Agriculiurist so far back as December last, which attracted too little attention at the time. From it we learn that, among other inventions or experimental applications on the tapis, is ONE for EXTRACTING CAOUTCHOUC PROFITABLY FROM THE YOUNG STEMS OF RUBBER-YIELDING TREES; AND WE VEN- TURE TO INFER THAT, ULTIMATELY, YOUNG TREES OF CEARA, PARA OR CASTILLOA MAY ALL BE FOUND AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE. Surely here we have the ele- ments of a greatrevolution in Rubber culti- vation? In case we may be Supposed to write without chapter and verse, we refer to the article in the Tropical Agrisulturist for Decem- ber last entitled ‘‘Some Recent Developments in Rubber Cultivation,” and we quote the writer as follows, prémising that so far he gives the preference to young Castilloa trees:— During a trip of several months through the old rubber-producing regions of Central America and the northern states of South America, I found a great interest in rubber cultivation, and prepara- tions were being made to start very considerabl» Twelve years ago we estimated 600' AGRICULTURIST. 93 undertakings, particularly in the British West Indies, where the fact that rubber neyer has been indigenous to those islands isnot considered in the enthusiasm of the people. On the island of Trini- dad I found this enthusiasm increased to a subs- tantial boom. Rubber seeds were selling at five cents each, and young trees were wanted at fifty cents, through owners were refusing to sell year- old trees about two feet high for less than a dollar apiece. It was reported that two English com- panies were about to begin operations in ‘lrinidad and were proposing to invest a combined capital of $5,000,000, while private enterprise would proba- bly brings $2,000,000 more to the island, making a total of $7,000,000 prospective capital to be invested in that one locality. Other islands ,were becomin interested. In Grenada seeds were in deman with the prospect that a very considerable acreage willbe set out. The most interesting point under discussion in relation to rubber-planting in the British West In- dies isa series of experiments now being carried on in London and Trinidad, by which it is proposed to secure rubber from year-old trees of the Gastil- loa elastica. It has been found that seeds sown broadcast over a prepared field will yield an abun. dant crop of young trees, which at about a year old can be cut and sent toa factory where, with or- dinary machinery operating a simple process, 8 per cent. of fine rubber can be extracted from the young shoots. This can be done in the laboratory. It is claimed that the process is a simple one, that but little machinery is necessary, and that in future the world’s rubber supply will be secured from an annual crop of young trees sown on cultivated estates, and not from remote forests at present. A series of experiments has shown that the young tree contains about 8 per cent. of rubber, which would at present prices return an estimated profit of $200to $400 per acre. The extraction of rubber from young shoots has been accomplished chemically in the laboratory, but whether it can be applied to the economic production of ruubber on a large scale remains to be seen. And then the writer goes on to discuss the conditions under which ‘‘Castilloa” will grow. Every planter and merchant inter- ested should read the paper in full, and decide whether we may not be on the eve of a boom in Rubber planting after the fashion of cinchona in the early “eighties”; but, we trust, with better results, Of course, the advice so far is to sow broadcast Castilloa seeds; but we cannot at all believe that the experiments dealing with year-old twigs of that variety, may not ulti- mately be extended to other varieties —not only to Para, but to the despised Ceara; and as we said above, we may shortly find branches or bark from every rubber-yielding tree or plant—even from many of our indigenous Ceylon species —in demand in connection with the very important experiments now being made in London and Trinidad—not only to separate the Caoutchouc from the milk, but to extract Rubber from the stems. True, this is only said to be realized so far from the stems of young Castilloa trees; but we cannot but anticipate a far wider application of the experiments ere long. Meantime, there- fore, let all who can, plant Castilloa seed; and where that cannot be got, put in Para; and yet again, if such seed is not available, do not hesitate to multiply Ceara if the opportunity offer, rather than have no rubber trees at all; and very soon we shall see—what we shall see—possibly a demand for the stems of all three of these rubber- vield'ng trees, : 94 THE TROPICAL RUBBER CULTIVATION IN CEYLON: PARA versus CASTILLOA ; CEYLON versus THE STRAITS. DEAR SiR,—In reply to your enquiry as to the relative merits of Castilloaand Para Rubber cultivation in Ceylon, | think, and always ‘have thought, that the former is adapted to a wider stretch of country than Para, and it will moreover grow and flourish ab a much higher elevation; but the tree (in Ceylon at all events) is slow in developing, requires a good soil, and seed is very difficult to get : in fact unless a quantity can be imported into the country, it will be a long time be- fore we have any appreciable acreage of this class of rubber growing here. I doubt, if there are more than 50 or 60 full-grown trees in the island at the present time, and it is only some of these that bear fruit. Those in the Peradeniya Gardens, for instance, though well matured, I am informed, give no seed. What Mr. Willis says about Para rubber growing in Ceylon may be briefly summarized thus :— (1). That there is only a _ limited area ‘available for its successful cultivation, pro- bably about 10,000 acres in all ; the land being situated between Kalutara and Ratnapura. 2). If planted outside this zone, the trees, although they may grow well and develope a good girth, are not likely to yield a suffi- cient quantity of rubber to make the industry a remunerative one by itself. (8). That the tree will do very much better in the Straits than in Ceylon, both as regards growth and productiveness. As regards the area available for Para cul- tivation in Ceylon, I am inclined to agree with Mr. Willis that it is not very exten- sive if the best results are expected, and there is no doubt that well-grown trees in the locality he speaks of will produce very much better returns than in less favoured districts where the rainfall is deficient and the soil inferior. Experiments I have made fully ‘bear this out: the yield from trees of vary- ing ages in the Kalutara district being largely “in excess of what would be expected in a drier climate. But when Mr. Willisimpliesthat “we must not look for a satisfactory yield owt- side this zone, I join issue with him at once and inquire how about Heneratgoda and the trees that have been tapped there ? Here we have a dry, hard, cabooky soil with a scanty vainfall,—conditions altogether unfavourable for such cultivation,—and yet the trees are well grown for their age and according to the published returns the tap- pings have. been successful, both as regards the quantity and quality of the produce. The prospects of Para cultivation in Ceylon have been based exclusively on data supplied from Heneratgoda Gardens, and it says a good deal for the future of the enterprise that the returns should have been so satisfactory, see- ing that according to Mr. Willis the trees are growing in a neighbourhood which may be described as wholly unsuited to their requirements. I have always myself thought it a great pity that the Heneratgoda Gar- dens were chosen as a home for the Para _ trees, for the reason that amidst such sur-_ roundings it seemed almost impossible that : localities, AGRICULTORIST. {[AuG. 1, 1899. results could be otherwise than unsatisfac- tory. The published records of the yield, however, shew to the surprise of everybody, avery good margin for profit, even if the price of rubber were to fall considerably below present quotations; and in more favoured there is every reason to be well satisfied with the prospects of the enterprise. agree with Mr. Willis that the tree might be planted with advantage through fields of tea, and I am of opimion also that if placed at wide distances apart, the shade would be beneficial rather than otherwise to the tea underneath, but the trees would have to be kept well lopped up. The statement made by Mr. Willis that Para rubber can be grown to better advan- tage in the Straits than in Ceylon applies to many other Products besides Rubber, and if we are to wait until we find something that will produce better results in Ceylon than anywhere else we shall have to wait for a very long time. Take Rice, for instance. Is this cultivation to be discouraged because it grows better in India and Burma than it does here? Are we to cease growing Cacao because the trees give better returns in the West Indies ? Is the cultivation of Tea to be discontinued because we cannot get the flavour of Darjeel- ing or the strength of Assam ? In Ceylon we have labour and transport facilities which counterbalance to a great extent the drawbacks associated with an in- ferior soil and, what we are chiefly concerned in knowing, is not whether tropical products can be cultivated to greater advantage in other countries, but whether there is a fair prospect of making them remunerative here. In the case of Para rubber the only figures that have as yet been made public in Ceylon go to shew that satisfactory returns can be obtained from trees growing under all the disadvantages of soil and climate, and such being the case the presumption is that very much better results may be expected when the trees that have been planted in other parts of the country have reached full maturity. I have figures at my disposal which point to excellent returns from this cultivation ; but in view of the fact that more extensive tappings are now in progress it may be well to withhold these statistics in the mean- time, though in due course the information may be imparted to those interested in the cultivation of Rubber in Ceylon. The yield from Rubber trees in the Straits is considerably in excess of the best returns in Ceylon; but as a set-off against this, labour is twice as expensive there as it is here; and there are other disadvantages to con- tend with, though none that are very serious so far as I am aware.— Yours faithfully, E. S. G. BE Me BS AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE FOR THE RAND.—The Leader announces the arrival of a refrigerator ear irom Durban with the first consignment of Australian and fasmanian apples. They arrived in first-class condition, as alsoa quantity of pas- teurised Australian butter, rolled hams and rolled bacon, sugar eured, cheeses, cakes from Swallow and Ariel, and preserved rabbits from the Flemington works, ay Ava, 1, 1899.| THE TROPICAL THE TEA AND PRODUCE COMMITTEE. REPORT. The Committee has held tour meetings during the year. The first subject brought under notice of the Committee was the proposal for the reduction or abolition of the duty on tea imported into the United Kingdom. A Joint Committee was ap- pointed to consider the matter, consisting of three members of the Indian Tea Association (London) and three members of this Committee, Messrs. W. H. Anderson, H. Bois and H. K. Rutherford. But in view of the opinion, expressed by the Com- mittee of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon, that it was not desirable at the present time to press for the proposed relief it was decided to postpone any action. A correspondence took place with the Postmaster- General as to the rates of postage and the limits of weight for samples of Tea posted between London and Ceylon, but no modification of the rules was obtained. The Indian Tea Association (London) submitted to the Committee certain proposals for changing the conditions of Public Salesof Tea. The chief of these was the reduction of the biddings at Sales up to 64d from 4d to $d, but the proposed alteration did not meet with the approval of the Committee. A new scale for deposits, payaole on the purciases of Tea at Publie Sales, was approved by the Com- mittee, but it has not yet been adopted in practice. An attempt was made without success to ob- tain a veduction of the very high rates of freight raling for ‘fea aad other Produce between Co- lembo and the Australian ports. In connection with the Indian Tea Association (London) a circular has been issued to all Pro- ducers and Importers of Tea, inviting assent to the proposed abolition of the allowance of 1 Ib. draft on each package of Tea solsold at Public Sales. A large number of assents has already been received, and it is hoped that there may be sufficient support toenable the reform to be shortly carried into eflect. The great improvement in the statistical posi- .tion of tea during the year, as giving hope of a more prosperous time in the near future, is matter for congratulaton to all concerned. —_-_-—_—_> —_-——_ GREAT WESTERN TEA COMPANY OF CEYLON. DIRECTORS’ REPORT. The report of the directors was submitted as follows :— The Directors submit their Annual Report and Ac- counts for the Season ending 31st March, 1899. The yield of Tea during the Season has been only 813,425 lb. (including a balance of 135 1b. from the previous Season) being a decrease of 145,728 lb. on last Season’s crop. 2 This is-due partly to the unfavourable Season which adversely affected the yield of all Ceylon Estates and partly to more careful plucking—the Tea averaging 48:15 cents per lb. against 40°27 cents in 1897--98—and partly to the necessity of nursing some of the fields which were suffering from previous overplucking. Vhe cost F. O. B. Colombo is 35°98 cents per lp, (in- cluding 3°56 cents for manuring) against 30°13 cents the previous Season, showing a profit on cultivation of 12 17 cents against 10:14 cents last Season. The amount received under the Loss-of-Profit Policy effected over the Factory was R21,840°75 of which R13,184°46 (representing the additional cost of outside manufacture and transport caused by the destruction AGRICULTURIST. on of the Factory) has been deducted from : ture of last Season and this, and the balan& expendi (taken as a set-off against the loss entailed ieee 28 has been passed to credit of Profit and I.oss Accomuty) The amount available for distribution is thu. R45,376'88, out of which the Directors recommend the payment of a Dividend of 64 per cent, absorbing R37,960'00, and in view of the present cost of and difficulty of obtaining firewood, and the need for the erection of other motive power, they recommend the carrying forward the balance R7,416:88. The estimated crop for the current Season is 400,000 ibs. and the expenditure not including that on Capital Account R124,404-15 being at the rate of 31:10 cents per 1b. tea inclusive of 3:06 cents per lb. for manuring. In terms of the Articles of Association Mr. G. F. Walker retires by rotation, and being eligible offers himself for re-election. PLANTING (TEA AND COFFEE) IN THE PHILLIPINES. Mr. T. 18[ STEPHENS, well-known here and who is practising his profession as dentist in Manilla, sends us some planting informa- tion and in return we are glad to mention that Mr. Stephens says “he can get land cheap for anyone requiring it in the Philip- pines.” He himself is introducing tea there: but he believes in coffee as well. From a local paper we quote the following account of what reads like.a planting Eldorado :— Mr. Donaldson-Sim finds that Beno is splendid place for plantations. He has ee 8,000 coffee trees bearing excellently, besides some 30,000 tea seedlings and some 3,000 full-erown tea plants, bearing well and ready for picking He has one of the best plantations in northern Luzon He has practically no neighbors, that is to say, there is no other plantation anywhere Aespin: and the nearest village is about four or five miles away. His place is several hundred feet higher than the village, and is 4,600 feet above sea-level He has done a good deal of experimental plantin ; with other things with results so promising that the vexation of having the province overrun with armed lunatics, stopping all work, destroying all business, damaging all property and putting an end to every plan and scheme, is disheartening enough to drive a man mad. There is nothing to rebel about in Benguet, and the Benguet people themselves have no desire to rebel, They awe nobody to rebel against and there would have been no aisyuEbance ee all alf the Aguinaldists would only let people live and attend i i cade to their business Benguet is believed to be the riches i i the Philippines for gold. There Aono workings all over the province, the natives only working alluvial, but there is also quartz gold. The province is alsorich in iron, copper and silver mines It has some splendid mineral springs, especially at the village of Itogon and in Tublai in the north of the province. Benguet is partly wooded over with magnificent pine forests as good as N orway pine, and very fine quality of wood, and the re- mainder of the province, probably about a half at arough guess, is open pasture land. It is difficult to estimate how much is wood and how much is open because it is all in patches here and there The pasture land is excellent, and horses and cows thrive better there than in any other part of the island. Most of the hills are fairly gentle, undu- lating slopes, not precipitous to any great ‘extent Cattle and ponies, fine, large animals are very oy in pecn a: : u at about labour we would ask, a i cost?—also rainfall? Mr. Stephens Ecaatine the unsettlement caused by mining is not favourable to planters and their work, Zan 96 - THE TROPICAL coryNUT OIL AND COPRA. The~ction devoted to Coconuts in the Kelani Valxy Commissioner’s Report contairs without doubt me valuable information on the subject, but our attention has been drawn to certain averages which are apparently contradictory e.g, that 1,000 nuts is a sa‘e average of the number required to produce oxe candy (560 lb. or 5 cwt.) of copra, and copra contains 2-31d oil and 4 poonac: while 36 nutsis asafe average to calculate for a gallon of oil. And further that accor- ding to the usual calculation 2 nuts=1 1b. copra. Now adopting these figures, as one correspondent points out, we arrive at curious results. Onthe basis that 1,000 puts will give a candy of copra, we find that 3,000 nuts should give 15 ewt. copra,and that this ought to pro- duce 10cwt. oil and 5 cwt. poonac. But then 15 ewt. copra—1,680 lb., which at two nuts to the Ib. would require 3,360 nuts for its production. Again, if 36 nuts are required for one gallon oil, the number reqnired for 10 cwt. (125 gallons) would be 4,500 nuts. So that -we thus have as a result of the calculation based on the above averages the unsatisfactory result that 10 ewt. of oil would require 3,000, or 3,360 or 4,500 nuts (as the case might be). Another calculation gives an acre yielding 3,000 nuts as producing only 6 cwt. oil and 3 cwt. poonac, which is put down as equivalent to (not 9 ewt. but) 144 to 15 cwt. copra. But how is the difference accounted for? Putting aside these figures for the present, we should ‘like to know what test is adopted in the trade for ascertaining the percentage of oil in purchased copra, or isit merely judged “ by the eye?” Turning to Mr. Cochran’s Manual of Chemical Ana- lysis, we find that the percentage of oil in copra may vary from 63 to 70 per cent, and the moisture from 2 to7 per cent. If there is no means of judging of these variations in a practical way, and if copra is bought by weight, there is surely ample opportunity for finess- ing on the part of sellers.—Agricultural Magazine. [We suppose the process is one of “give and take” ‘asitis in somany departmentsof marketable produce— some men like Mr. George Hedges in the case of ‘ native coffee,’ have an instinctive faculty or long-trained ex- perience to aid them in discovering the true value of what is offered.—Butwhat isthe use of arguing over so variable a quantity as a coconut: 1,000 of one size will give 560 lb. of copra, while it may require 1,600 of smaller nuts to do the same.—Ep. T.A. | THE FOOCHOW TEA TRADE. Foochow, May 27.—Business in the new seasons tea commenced on the 23rd inst. (following some early shipments of Pakling Congou as usual and a few contract chops of Panyong) and buying has gone on steadily since. The settlements to date are reported at 40,000 half-chests Congou and 3.600 chests Flowery Pekoe. The ‘Glaucus” calling in today for brick tea will also take about 1,100 tons of the new leaf for London. The ‘‘ Glenshiel’”’ is advertised to clear on the 2nd prox., the ‘‘ Ceylon” a week later, and the “Kintuck” about the 12.1. There is a rumour that the “ Java’’ isto call onthe 29th inst., but she has not yet been circulated. The “ Stobberg” is to take the berth for Havre and Hamburg. We learn that on the openingof the port of San-tu-ao it was intended that the teas of the Panyong and Paklum districts should be brought to this market by steamers, but that the dissatisfaction and discontent of the small army of natives hitherto employed in carrying the tea to Foochow was so great that the new method of conveyance had to be abandoned for _the time being at any rate. The tea could not be left there to lose its market while 2 settlement with these good people was being come to and so the teamen had to give in, but no doubt some arrangement will be madelater on, The notice given to the car- viera was probably too short and it was only natural that ley kicked at being suddenky deprived of their - livelihood,—Zcho, AGRICULTURIST. lAuc. 1, 1699. CEYLON TEA AT SYDNEY, Messrs. Alfred Harvey and Co, offered a catalogue of 758 Ceylons on account of Dalgety and Co., Ltd., of which they sold 648. Price teas sold at fair current rates, demand being strong for lowergrades. Low to fair broken Pekoes, although a shade easier in price, were really unaltered, taking quality into consideration, finer grades were neglected, and passedin. Pekoe Souchongs realised from 73d to 8d, Pekees 83d, and broken Pekoes 8%d to 10d. Messrs. H. W. Carey and Co, offered an assorted catalogue of China, Ceylon, and Indian teas, under instructions from Messrs, Gibbs, Bright, and Co., and other importers, at the Exchange yesterday afternoon. For the bulk of the Ceylous, which consisted of high- grade Orange Pekoes, biddings were moch below vendors’ limits to be accepted; for the Chinas and Indians also vendors’ limits could only be partially compassed, but, in the face of cabled advices from producing centres, holders were not prepared to sacrifice. 150 Ceylons changed hands under the hammer at 9d to 10}d per lb., and 150 China Con- gous at 64d to 63d per lb. in bond.—Syduey Daily Telegraph, May 27. ————_ << —__—_ ‘ THE INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the General Commitee of the Indian Tea Association was held at the Royal Exchange Buildings, Calcutta, last week. There were present: —Messrs. H § Ashton, H C Begg, W Brown, R Magor, G A Ormiston, M R Quin, A Tocher, RR Toynbee, and T Traill. On the motion of Mr. Begg, Mr. Ashton was unanimously elected Chairman of the Aszociation for the year 1899-1900. Mr. Ashton, having taken the chair, proposed that Mr. Begg be elected Vice-Chairman for the year. This was seconded by Mr. Tocher, and was carried unanimously. Ocran FREIGHTS.—The average rate obtained by the Conference during the last four years from Calcutta was 27s 6d per ton net, while the average rate from Colombo for about the same period was 23s 8', which, in the opinion, of the Conference, showed that the figures of comparison as between the two ports, which had been adopted by the Association, were fallacious, {t was also impossible, with any fairness to compare the rates of freight from Colombo with those from Calcutta on a mileage basis. Moreover, Colembo was one of the cheapest, and Calcutta one of the dearest, ports in the world, and rates of freight on tea from any part of the world must be assimilated to the current general rate in that particular locality. The Conference consequently declined to make any change in the existing rates. The General Committee discussed this letter tosome length. It was decided to await further information as to what action the Committee of the Association in London proposed to take in the matter, and meanwhile, to - circulate the papers to the members of the Committee for further consideration. Oxne= Pound Drarr Attowance or TEA SaLEs.— With his letter of the 28th April, Mr. Tye forwarded copies of a joint circular issued’ in London by the Indian Tea Association and the Ceylon Association, asking support to a proposal to abolish the 1 Ib. draft allowance on teas sold at public auction in London. This circular had been reprinted in Calcutta and issued to all members of the Association. The pro- © posal was strongly supported by the Generai Com- mittee, anda number of fayourable replies had been received. These were to be forwarded to London in due course. it was understood that support had been received in London to the extent of 83,880,500 Ib. of Indian, and 29,702,0001lb. of Ceylon, tea up to the time of writing. : THe Paris Tixniprrion.—Considered (1) letter of 21st ultimo for the Hony. Secy. Nilgiri Plantexs’ Association, asking whether a coffee room could be run in connection with the proposed Indian tea room at the Paris Exhibition, and the probable expense of so doing; (2) letter of the 26th ultimo from the Secretary, United Planters’ Association of Southern Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL India, stating that that body had been informed by the Madras Government that the Government of India was prepared to allot space to the Indian Tea Association and tothe United Planters’ Association for an adequate exhibition of tea and coffee at the Paris Exhibition. The Government of India also suggested that should the two Associations desire to avail themselves of the offer, the arrangements might be most conveniently carried out by a Central Com- mittee working in London. The Planters, Association wished to act as far as possible in concert with the Indian Tea Association, and it was asked in the letter if any definite plan of action had been formu- lated. They were also desirous that a coffee room should be opened in co-operation with the tea room. After some discussion, it was decided to forward copies of both the letters quoted to the Committee of the Association in London for their information in connection with the arrangements being made. It was also decided to write the United Planters’ Association to the effect that the General Committee were not yet in a position to state definitely what arrange- ments would finally be made for the representation of Indian tea, or whether the Committee in London could work in conjunction with the representatives of the cotfee industry if the latter desired to exhibit. It was also to be suggested to the United Planters’ Associa- tion that they should put themselves in communication with the Indian Tea Association, London, stating the amount of mohey they were prepared to spend in con- nection with the Hxhibition and the space desired for both tea and coffee. The Nilgiri Planters’ Association were to be informed in reply to their letter, that the matter had been brought to the notice of the General Committee by the United Planters’ Association to which body they were to be referred.—Wadras Mail, June 13. ~S ~~~ THE STOWAGE OF OIL. The last subject was to present the report of the special committee appointed to consider the question of stowage of oil in steamers loading in Ceylon, which we published in our last issue. APPROVED OF BY THE CEYLON ‘CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF CAPTAINS AND STEVEDORES OF STEAMERS LOADING IN CEYLON, I. GrenrraAt Rutus.—A solid level to be laid in ship’s hold for the ground tier where coconut oil is shipped. The tier to be well bedded and quarter coigned, and a strict cantline to be observed. Wings cf bottom tier to be made up with dunnage wood. Nosmall packages to be stowed in the wings, unless they can be protected from tho weight of the next and followirg tiers above. This can be done by having uprights in wing, and strong cross-beds to rest on. «It is permissible to stow plumbago over oil, but not oil over plumbago. -Top tier in lower hold and top tier in ’tween decks must be well chocked and wedged off to prevent shift- ing. This rule should have particular attention. No packages to be stowed athwart-ship except in top tier, Vessels without ‘tween decks must lay one or a plat- form with 2” hardwood planks not more than 6” apart. Copra, jaggery, dates, and other cargo throwing off heat must not he stowed in proximity to oil, as this is sure to lead to leakage by the heat shrinking the wood of the packages and expanding the hoops and oil. Termeric, ginger, pepper, &c., should be well dunnaged off, so as to prevent contact with oil packages. Il. Coconut Om Packages tobe well bedded and coigned, and a strict cantline and tier to be kept. Casks must be well chocked off with dunnage wood and be stowed bung-up and bilge free. No more than 4 tiers of pipes to be allowed without an inter- vening platform as described above. No packages to be stowed athwart-ship except in top tier. TlI. Puumpaco.—When commencing to stow plumbago on oil a perfect level should first be made AGRICULTURIST. 97 With dunnage so as to form a platform. The barrels to be stowed in square tiers full bilge and cantline, and to be wellbedded in the first tier. Particular caxe should be taken that the barrels are stowed in such a manner that the head staves are perpendicular. Old sails and (or) mats to be put under the plumbago soas to enable the discharging Stevedore to readily collect sweepings from leakage and broken barrels, No more than three tiers with oil, and five tiers where no oil, to be allowed without an intervening deck, and no barrels to be stowed athwart-ship ex. pect in top tier, and then only to make a chock. IV. EssentraL Ort should bestowed away from any’ cargo liable tobe affected by smell. V. Dunnacn Woop to be used in sufficient quantity to properly bed, chock, and secure cargo so as to pre- vent any possibility of shifting. VI. VENTILATION requires particular attention of Captains, If properly carried out by removing fore and aft hatch in cool and fine weather, it will chill the oil and prevent all leakage. Coconnt. oil will congeal at a temperature of 60° F, VII. Packaces In Bap ORpeR and showing signs of leakage should: not be stowed away until properly attended to by shipper’s coopers. If the defect be serious and cannot be repaired on board, the package must be returned without delay. Chamber of Commerce, Colombo, 1st June, 1889. Fn COPRA. Samoa.—During the last quarter of 1898 no invoices were issued at this consulate. Upon inquiry, I find that the contract of the German firm with the San Franciscomerchant has terminated, and that a fair price for the commodity cannot be obtained in the United States. Iam informed that only a triflemore than the cost of the copra at this place can be ob- tained at San Francisco. During the last year, Lever Brothers, of Sydney, had an agent here, and compe- tition was sharp. By the last steamer the agent was notified that he was no longer needed, and that they had constituted the German firm their sole agents. This indicates that the entire product of the islands will from this time go to the colonies or to Europe. Rates between San Francisco and Samoa have been such that most American commodities consumed here are sent to Sydney, and thence 2,800 miles to Apia, and delivered here much cheaper than they could be obtained direct from San Francisco, The tariff direct from San Francisco is $16 per marine ton, and from Vancouver to Sydney $6 per ton. Possibly some arrangement could be made by which could be sent to Vancouver and thence to Fiji, and then here by the interisland boats, which to some extent would relieve this place from the excessive rates from San Francisco.— Umted States Consul at Apia. fe SOUTH MYSORE PLANTERS’ ASSOCIA. TION, The annual general meeting was held ab Munzerabad Club, Saklaspur, on the 30th ultimo ; and from a speech of Mr, A.R, Park (President), we quote :— “Tt is my pleasant duty to report that the some- what gloomy forebodings expressed early in the year have not been realised, and that the season, on the whole, has been a moderately good one, The advices of sales of East India that have reached us indicate a depressed state ot the market, which, owing to the increasing production in different parts of the world, seems likely to con- tinue for some time. The cardamom crop was above average, but prices were lower, ruling from R50 to R60 per maund. Leaf disease has been less_pre- valent than for some years past. Crop prospects forthe coming year are favorable, and the rain which fellin February has not on the whole been prejudicial,” 98 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL CHEMIST.—The ont come of the various discussions that have taken place, as far as Mysore is concernned, is the appointment of Dr. Lehmann, the Dewanexhibiting in the matter his accustomed liberal-mindedness. All those who are interested in agriculture cannot fail to be gratified at the appointment of so highly qualitied a Chemist, and I hope shortly we may earn what course the Durbar intend pursuing as regards his work. Meanwhile he has lost no time in showing a desire to become acquainted with the local cir- cumstances, as is seen by lis present visit to this district. Forests.—I have written to the Chief Conservator of Forests to enquire if grants ot land tor carda- mom cultivation have been made in the forests of Kubbenhully, Bisleh and Kemphully, and await his reply. , Mr. Park was elected, President,and Mr. Playfair, Honorary Secretary. ——____—_2——___ . MINOR PRODUCTS, From Messrs. Schimmel & Co.’s “ Semi-Annual Report,’ (April 1899) we take the following :— Cinnamon Oit, CEYLoN—The Cinnamon market has settled down comewhat during recentmonths, but the prices still remain high. he transactoins in cinna- mon chips, the material used for the distillation of the oil, have surpassed any former ones. In 1898: 1,414,165 lb have been shipped, against 1,067,051 in 1897. The chips reached the highest price at 4d per lb, and since several months have brought 31d to 34d per lbat Hamburg. The above figures show that Germany is now ranging at the head in the consumption of thiscommodity. Ceylon cinnamon oil is a speciality of our firm. ; ‘ ; CrrronELLA O1r.—The transactions in this article have again considerably increased in 1898. The ex- port from Colombo and Galle (Ceylon) reached the as yet greatest maximum figure, namely 1,365,917 1b. The distribution figures, however, do not exactly indicate the real consuming countries, for a consi- derable part of the oil destined for Germany and France only passes through England intransit. In our estimate Germany consumes at least 220,000 lb, or about one sixth of the entire production. A recent paper on the production of citrone}la oil, published in the October number (1898) of the Tropical Agriculturist, agrees in the principle points with the information given in our Reports of Octo- ber 1898. Two kinds of citronella grass, Maha pangirt and Lenabatu pangivi are said to serve for distillation. The former is hardly cultivated any longer, while the latter was little known twenty-five years ago. Maha pangirt is said to be richer in oil but to perish after a cultivation for ten to fifteen years. The cultivation of citronella grass and the distillation of the oil are now sufficiently well known so that every one interested in them can readily obtain all desired information. The well known simple and reliable method testing the oil, elaborated by us and called “‘Schimmel’s test,’ meets with approval and success. The proper rejoinder to some objections raised against it may be found on pages 16 and 17 of our October Report of 1898. Our test is in every respect as reliable as it is practical and deserving of full confidence and general application. A first ship- ment of citronella oil from a new plantation and distillery from Java, amounting to about 300 kilos, is on its way to us. Preliminary specimens which have reached us indicate an oil of superior quality of a very light colour and high percentage of geraniol. We must, however, defer our final estimate until the arrival of the gross lot. According to a recent statement in No. 986 of the Chemist and Druggist (London) a syndicate of Arabs has purchased a con- siderable area in Queenland for the purpose of raising citronella grass for distillation. ; Geranium O1.—The cultivation of geranium has beeu considerably extended in Algiers and as an addi- fignal explanation of the steady focline gf yalues AGRICULTURIST. {AucG. 1, 1899. it is claimed that a greater yield of oil is obtained in consequence of better methods of raising the plants and distilling the material. As far as we have been informed aboot the geraniua production and the appointments for distillation, they by no means excell by perfection. The price of the oil is a low one in consequence of overproduction. Réunion oil, formerly much in favour; has become less in demand because it renders unsatisfactory re- sults with transparaot soaps. In view of the slight difference in price, Atrican oil is preferred. The geranium cultivation on Réunion, moreover has ex- perienced a considerable reduction, since the plan- tation of vanila has proved more remunerative and surer of profitable disposal. Our supplies of Hast Indian oil of geranium (Palmarosa oil) have arrived and are of excellent quality. Upon several estimates they contain 92 per cent of geraniol. The price of the oil is normal and no reduction is to be expected. We also have a fresh supply of the exceedingly fine Spanish oil.—[Could not Geraniums on estates up- country be utilised for oil?.—Ep,- C.0. | Lemonerass O1n.—In this article normal values have finally returned. Quotations in China vary between 23d to 23d per ounce, and transactions are said to be very dull, because large stocks are still laid up in London, checking any speculative tendency. —_____¢—____—— BUDDING MANGOES. Mr. R. Bunnage, of Gracemere, Queensland, has successfully budded two mango-trees, and one of these has borne fruit for the past two seasons. The other, although the buds have united properly, has not yet begun to bear. The tree to he budded should be in full growth, and all the young wood should be taken off, but sufficient must be left to afford shade for the buds. The operation is best carried out in dull weather, and the buds should not be too far advanced. As soon as the tree is budded, all other growth must be taken off as it occurs, or the buds will not take. On this subject Mr. A. H. Benson says:—‘‘I note with interest that Mr. Bunnage has been successful in budding the mango, and agree with him that for the operation to be successful the tree to be budded must be in full growth. I should not, however, consider it advisable to cut back the tree that is to be budded before the union of the bud and stock has taken place, as there would be a danger of flooding the bud with too much sap, and consequently pre- venting a union. I have seen a mango-tree success- fully budded in Mackay, and have succeeded in budding young seedling mango-trees myself. Unlike Mr. Bunnage, I would prefer the buds to be plump and fully developed; in fact, just ready to start into growth.”— Queensland Agricultural Journal. es INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC BUREAU-—Corre- spondence that has taken place between tle Hons Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and the Ceylon Government has been published re- garding the subject of an international catalogue of scientific literature proposed by the Royal Society of London and the share Ceylon will take in the matter. Steps are being taken by the Ceylon Government to carry out the scheme and copies of the correspondence have been forwarded to the Secretary of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asia- tic Society and the President of the Medical As- sociation Ceylon. What Ceylon as well as India is requested to do is (a) to direct the heads of all Departments issuing publications, of which any of the contents come within the scope of the Royal Society’s Catalogue, to supply to the Asiatic Society ‘‘ index slips” prepared in accordance with the scheme finally adopted by the Royal Society ; (2) to instruct all local Governments and Administrations—to supply to the Asiatic So- ciety periodical lists of all Scientific and Literary Societies established within their juris- diction, and periodical lists of all hooks published. within thei jurisdiction Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL THE PROPOSED ABOLITION OF THE E DRAFT POUND. ‘ To the Editor of the Home and Colonial Mai’. Sir,—As the pound draft question is being de- bated now, i verture to suggest an alternative wethod of getting over the difliculty. The impor- ters say ‘‘iliat the profits ave so smail that it is imperative to curtail every item of expenditure to the very lowest limits.” And as there are various other items of expenditure on an average chest of Indian or Ceylon tea (worth, say, 8d per lb), it seems to me that, beforeintertering with an old trade cus- tom, and raising another very serlous controversy with the buyers of tea, it might be possible to apply the pruning knife first to such items as ; Per chest. s, d. Shipping charges and freight 4 0. Warehouse charges and insurance 3 8% Caleutta agency comission 1 6 London agency commission 1 Brokerage and public sale charges 0 3 ll Now, the average saving to be effected by withhold- ing the drait pound would only amount to 8d, and it seems to me that betore levying all the tax on the retail tea dealer, it would be more productive to squeeze a little off the Calcutta and Londonagents, who seem to enjoy rather an undue share, in con- sideration of the amount of work they have to do, —I ain, &e., A TEA DEALER. Ae IMPORTANT TO THE TEA TRADE. We understand that a very determined effort will shortiy be made to abolish the one pound draft allowed trom time immemorial on chests and half chests of tea. In 1370 a similar attempt was made to carry out the same object, but, owing to the active efforts made by the leading whole- sale and retail traders, the project was completely defeated, and the subject has not been raised for nearly thirty years. With similar energy on the part of the dealers there is no reason why they should not be equally successful in resisting the present attempt to deprive the trade of their legitimate rights. ; “Tt is well-known that teas are now weighed much closer than was the case a few years ago, and the experience of dealers is that, even allow- ing for the one pound draft, the net weight of tea. contained in many packages is less than that actually paid for. Moreover, the trade has long suffered serious loss and inconvenience from the inefficient manner in which teas are bulked in London. Indeed, in many cases, it is well-known thatimporters instruct their warehouse keepers not to bulk their teas at all, trusting to luck that no complaint will be made by the buyer, and this, notwithstanding the fact that all catalogues state that “ These teas have been weighed, inspected, and bulked” (in the country of production or London). In fairness to the better known com- panies ib should, however, be stated that these latter remarks do not apply, as most of the teas from their estates are properly bulked at the place of growth. Still, the evil is an important, and, we fear, an increasing one, as far more com- plaints are now made with regard to the matter than was formerly the case. Meanwhile, we hope that immediate steps will be taken for opposing the proposal to abolish the one pound draft, and: our columns, as on the previous occasion, are open for the free ventilation of this important subject. | M3 AGRICULTURIST. 99 On reading through the discussions which took place in 1870, nothing can be more clear than the faet that this draft was not allowed for loss of weight only, but was intended to cover all sorts of other contingencies arising from the nature of the trade, such as the occasional refusal of any allowance for damage, false package, &e., after delivery trom the public warehouses. Of course, also buying at original landed weights, the trade accept a great risk when delivery is delayed, as it oiten is, and they must have some margin in return.—Produce Market, May 20. oo ee CS INDIAN PATENT. Applications for the under specified inventions have been made :— No, 133.—Samuel Cleland Davidson, merchant, of Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, Ireland, Improvements in means of supporting the bear- ings of spindles or shafts in wall brackets or frames, No 134.—Samuel Cleland Davidson, merchant, of Siroceo Engineering Word§, Belfast, [reland, Improvements in centrifugal fans and pumps. No, 165.— William Jackson, Engineer, of Thorn Grove, Mannofield, Aberdeen, North Britain: Improvements in apparatus for sifting, sorting and classifying tea or other products or materials.— Indian and Eastein Engineer. a CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA.—In our daily and Tropical Agriculturist willbe tound a good dealonthis subject: Mr. Mackenziereports pro- gressand Mr. R. KE. Pineo, at some length, dis- cusses theneedof extending as well as continu- ingthe American campaign. ‘‘Advertising” is the burden of Mr. Pineo’s advice and well pleased we are to follow him, until we come to the point where we learn that he would exclude advertising in the daily news- papers! ‘*O lame andimportent conclusion,” and yet it is true that the ‘dailies ” are not regarded in the States as they are in British territory—and yet these papers must be read ? If so, we believe it should pay well for the Ceylon Commissioner to make a contract in afew prominent dailies for a really con- spicuous but concise intimation, such as ‘Drink Pure Ceylon Tea.” It is all nonsense~ to say such would not eventually tell and if it is not the custom to advertise in dailies, the charge should be all the more moderate Mr. Pineo believes in ‘‘ Demonstrations” and rightly so;—but to dvocate an illustrated lecture on our ‘Buried Cities,” in order to get the Americans to drink Ceylon tae, savours a little of the comical! And yet — again, the ‘‘sensacional” as well as the ‘‘amus- ing ” must be freely used if popular attention is to be attracted across the Atlantic. Still, we should think that a lecturing campaign treating Ceylon on its productive merits— the island of cinnamon, cardamoms, citron- ella, coconuts, cacao, coffee, coolies and Cinghalese !—adding , in its gems, pearls, plumbago, its grand variety of palms and all their wonders and winding up. with its THA, ought to tell. But there cannot be too much of a good thing and certainly the ‘‘Buried Cities,” if backed by Mr. Cave’s illustrations, would prove a_ capital subject ; but wouid it be quite fair to tag on to it ‘a tea demonstration”? Mr, Mackenzie should be the best judge. 100 MATTE TEA. Brazil,—Curityba is the centre of the ‘“ matte” industry, which employs nineteen mills in the town and suburbs, The preparation, though simple, is all done by machinery. The raw material azriives in sacks of about 1 ewt. from the interior. At the mill the leaves and finer stems are separated and ground to dust of various fineness. The thicker stems serve as fuel. The Argentines prefer dust “ matté,” and as they suck it tbrough a ‘ bombilla ” ave not inconvenienced by the floating particles; but there 1s no reason why it should nos be prepared in the leaf like tea. The Gecoction has a greenish colour. The taste is agree- abie, but not so aromatic as tea. It is stated that “matié” is peculiarly sustaining; that it is a diges- tive nerve tonic and cure for sleeplessness. ‘he “Gauchos”’ of Rio Grande, Uruguay, and Argentina are the chief consumers, and will doa hard day’s work with no other nourishment. Mr. David Carneiro, whose mill we visited, employs about thirty men, and when in full work the daily output is between eighty and ninety barrels of about 250 1b. The dried leaves and twigs, a3 they arrive unprepared from the interior, cost on an average 13 milreis, or 8s. 8d. a cwt., and the price prepared af Curityba averages 23 milreis, or about 15s; 6d a cwt. The retail price at Buenos Ayres varies from 20s to 50s. a cwt. Mr. Carneiro is endeavouring to create » market for “‘ matte” in Europe, and stated that duties, freight, d&c., paid, it can be sold in France at 1 fr.a kilo. An agent has alveaty been secured at Paris, and another in London. If matte ’ drinking ever becomes popular in Europe, it will be more probably among the labouring classes, on account of its cheapness and sustaining qualities.— British Legation Report from Rio de Janewro. ooo PRODUCE AND PLANTING. Tur Demand FoR Crynton Tes in Russia.—The British Consul at Odessa, in his official report, had something very encouraging to say about Ceylon tea. He refers to the increasing consumption, and points out that itis only afew years since it was introduced into Russia, and last year nearly two and three- quarter million pounds of tea were shipped from Ceylon direct to Odessa, against less than half a mil- lion pounds in 1897. He points ont that teas from China and Ceylon are imported in vessels of the Rus- sian volunteer fleet, which, owing to the low freights charged by these vessels on the homeward voyages, have now practically a monopoly of the tea-carrying tcadefrom the tea ports of China and from Colombo, more especially as now tea imported from the Far East in Russian bottoms has preferential railway rates between Odessa and Moscow, On the other hand, there is a growing purchase by Ceylon of Rus- pian petroleum; in 1897 and 1898 Colombo took over one and a quarter million gallons each year. The Acting Consul-General suggests that Australian firms might avail themselves of the low rates of freight in order to introduce tin, tallow, copra, cé&c., into Russia. It is said that if these commodities were shipped by Singapore the local agency of the volunteer fizet would undertake their transhipment into Russian vessels on moderate terms. Drart on Tua SAues.—The following is a copy of a protest signed by practically all the leading whole- sale tea firms and many country dealers against the roposals of the Indian and Ceylon Tea Associations in Tondou. Clearly there is to be a strong stand against the abolition of the draft allowance :—‘‘ The Secretary, Indian Tea Association, London, May 23, 1899.—Dear Sir,—Ont attention has been called to a circular and memorandum, issued by your Association, in conjunc- tion with the Ceylon Association in London, to pro- ducers and importers of tea, containing a proposal to aoolish the draft allowance on teas sold by public auction in London, and inviting support. In the Memorandum it is stated that it would be to the interest of producers and importers that the proposal should be carried into effect, and that it hag the un- THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Ave. 1, 1899. animous approval of the committee of the two associa- tions named. Asthis is a matter affecting, in a very serious way, the interests of the entire wholesale and retail tea trades, we feel that we canno allow the circular to pass without entering a strong protest against the proposal which it con- tains. In opposition to the very trifiing reasons advanced for the suggested alteration may be set a host of lovg-standing grievances under which those engaged in the tea trade in this country have been labouring for years, without being able to obtain the slightest satisfaction, mainly owing to the most un- reasonable couditious of public sale. With regard to paragraph No.8 in the memorandum, we submit that it is no argument to compare a duty-paid article like tea with bacon and cheese, as in the case of the former there is a very serious loss in the process of handling, sampling, and blending, and then again an additional waste in weighing in open balk form for general trade. This is accentuated when the tre- tailer requires teas weighed out in small quantities, the total loss being much greater than the trifling and inadequate overdraft which it bas hitherto been the custom from time immemorial to allow. Again, there is @ regular loss through bad cooperage and broken, inferior lead, the latter resulting in the mixing of chips of wood with the tea, and the loss by percolation in transit. Another ever-present diffi- culty is that of extracting extraneous matter from teas, more especially nails, which results in consider- able loss and inconvenience to dealers. What with cheesy teas, mouldy teas, badly bulked teas, teas smel- ling strongly of indiarubber, apples, and other foreign substances, inferior returns in sample packages, and various other complaints with which the members of your association must be well acquainted, if the sug- gestion to remove the last cramb of comfort is carried it will be the duty of the undersigned to take steps to protect their interests in a way which will very much out-balance any benefit which might be gained by the merchants in the abolition of the pound draft, viz., by taking stringent measures to see that the conditions of sale arein every case followed to the letter especi- ally as regards bulking, so as to ensure teas being in every way equal to sale sample. United action will also be taken in an effective way to deal with Clause 5 of the conditions of sale, which in its present form is an utter impossibility to buyers. We request that you will place this letter before your committee for their kind attention, and we remain, yours faithfully,” (Here follow the signatures.) Tra In France.—Following the desire to be up to date as in London, the Parisians are taking rather slowly, it must be admitted, to tea, not as a decoction for invalids, but as a drink to be taken with food. Oon- fectioners are inviting their customers to afternoon tea, and there is at length some prospect of tea becoming popular. Now is the time for developing the French taste for tea, and pushing the Ceylon and Indian product, for most of the tea sold at present in France is indescribably bad and very dear. Pusuic Sates oF CorrEE.—The ‘‘ Grocer” calls attention to a congestion of public sales in coffee, which tends, it points out, to throw everything out of gear, and threatens to bring business in landed parcels of coffee to a deadlock, Complaints, though for the moment suppressed, are not the less urgent and- strongly made against the defective arrangements, as they now exist, for disposing of coffee by auction; and the evils resulting from the prevailing system in occasioning delays, loss of time, and postponements of sales, have caused such widespread inconvenience to importers, exporters, and wholesale dealers, that it is admitted by all parties that “ something should be done” to remedy the existing state of affairs ag spesdily as may be, ora complete break-down must occur in the whole commercial machinery for supply- jog the article to the public. Already this year public sales of coffee in Mincing Lane have been post- poned more frequently than ever, entirely becanse gf the excessive quantities put forward on certain Aug. 1,..1889.] THE TROPICAL specified days, and it has always been uncertain when and at what hour such and such an auction in a long series would commence and finish. The same kind of chaos avd confusion has been repeated during the present week, when, among the brokers’s cata- logues printed and issued for coffee to be sold under the hammer ,were inclnded eleven that contained particulars of parcels and descriptions which had been advertised for public sale on the 12th inst., being nearly a fortnight later than the date originally fixed. At this rate of progress the new season will be far advanced ere the superabundant im- ports of coffee from the British Hast Indies, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other parts of Central America, will be worked oft, and the nearer the trade get at the wind-up of the supplies for 1899, the fewer will their chances be of securing precisely the kind of coffee they re- quire to carry their supply over till another year. A healthy competition has prevailed at the different auctions since the earlier part of the season, which fact goes to prove that both dealers and shippers were practically bare of stock at the outset ; and as their wants have increased rather than otherwise, the extra buying necessary to replenish the exhausted stores of bonded or duty-paid coffee has lent addi- tional support to the import market. Though the rates submitted to have been unquestionabiy low for the worst descriptions of coffee, they have been reasonably cheap, if at times uneven, for the mid- dling and intermediate grades; whilst for bright coloury, fancy, and attractive growths of plantation coffee, instead of a reduction a tangible advance has in many cases been seen. A Suacrstrep Remepy.—A few of the leading mem- bers of the coffee trade, with bolder spirits than their fellows, have hinted that Monday, which from ancient custom hasbeen regarded as an ‘“‘ off’? day, shouldin future be given up for the purpose of clearing away to arrears remaining from public auctions held in the preceding week. Some such arrangement would no doubt materially help to bring the average daily supply of coffee within a manageable compass, and greatly facilitate the sale, preparation, and distribu- tion of the article throughout the ccuntry ; but from what we have heard in influential quarters, says the Grocer, 80 drastic a course of proceeding onthe part of brokers and their merchants would be strongly opposed by the wholesale dealers, who would resist to the utmost any encroachment on their Mondays. H and C Mail, June 2nd. CEYLON ASSOCIATION IN LONDON. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 1898-1899, LAID BEFORE THE ELEVENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, ON 12TH JUNE. There has been again, as in every previous year, an increase in the numbers on the roll, the present number being 163 as against 159 n 1898. As foreshadowed in the last report arrange- ments were made by the Committee for the full statement of the case for Ceylon before the Indian Currency Committee. Messrs. T. North Christie and H. Bois gave evidence in much detailas to the effect on Ceylon producing industries of the forced appreciation of the rupee, and have thereby earned the thanks of the Association. The Cur- rency Committee has now finished its sittings for taking evidence, and its report is awaited with interest. On 19th December last a General Meeting of the Associazion was held to consider the following resoluticns:—1. ‘‘ That this Association strongly disapproves of the propused expenditure on the AGRICULTURIST. 101 Ceylon Northern Railway, as being opposed to the true economies of the Colony’? <%. ‘*That ade- putation be appointed to wait on the Right Honourable J. Chamberlain, M.P., with the view of urging on the Government a re-consideration of the Ceylon Northern Railway scheme, and thet Lord Stanmore be asked to introduce the deputation.” The immediate result of the meeeting was to disclose among Ceylon residents at home, many of them with very large intcresis in the Colony, a remarkable consensus of opinion adverse to the Government scheme, and the re- solution of disapproval was passed nem. con. The deputation to the Secretary of State, it was decided, should be postponed till the views of the public bodies in Ceylon could be ascertained. The position of this very important public question in Ceylon at the date of the Association meeting was, considering the novelty and gravity of the propesals, a singularone. It is true that early in the year both the Planters’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce had passed resolutions approving of tne then Government proposals; but those proposals embraced another Railway, and hence the value of the resolutions, as bearing on the Northern Railway, was rendered very un- certain. Subsequently a change was made by the Govern: ment, both in respect of the gauge and of the provi- sion of funds for the construction of the Northern line, a change on behalf of which no word of ap- proval has been heard as yet from any quarter. The public bodies in Ceylon accepted the amended scheme without protest. Not so the local press ; and in view of published statements as to the con- dition of opinion in Ceylon, statements which were left without contradiction, the Executive Officers of the Association felt it their duty to allow the question to be re-opened. Their action has been justified by the subsequent proceedings of the Cey- lon public bodies. It was most unfortunate that when for a second time the question came before the Planters’ Assos ciation and Chamber of Commerce caim discussion on the merits of the Northern Railway should have been prejudiced by the introduction of personal and irrelevant matter, the more so asin the result the protest to the Secretary of State for the Colonies was thereby greatly weakened. A deputation, representing the various interests of the Colony, waited on the Secretary of State on 16th March, and was informed that the Railway would be made, and made as a broad gauge line. The Committee is unable to share the regret expressed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and by the Chairman of the Planters’ Associ- ation at the action of this Association ; but, on the contrary, deems it a matter of congratulation that, at last, a formal protest has been lodged against the new Railway Policy of the Govern- ment. The vote of thanks, accorded to Mr. J. Hen- niker Heaton, M.P. by the Associatien fer his services in securing for Ceylon the benefit of Imperial Penny Postage, led to an invitation trom that gentleman to representatives of the Asso- ciation to attend a conference at the House of Commons to consider a scheme for the re- duction of the cost of telegrams between the United Kingdom and the Colonies. The. invi- tation was readily accepted, and it is hoped that the agitation thus initiated may prove successful. The Committee regrets to report the death, during the year, of Mr. W Bowden Smith, a gen: 102 tleman, who for forty years had been connected with the Ceylon planting industry, and during the ears 1874-76 had represented that industry in the reser Council, HOW IT STRUCK AN AMERICAN. [EXTRACT FROM A LETTER RECEIVED FROM GENERAL NAGLE BY MR. R. E. PINEO.] “My Dear Sir,-I was qnite delighted with your beautiful city, and with the evidences oi prosperity which we saw on every hand. “Thave just read an article from your pen entitled ‘Ceylon Tea in America.’ Being an American, | was struck with the force of your suggestions concerning the most eflective adver- tising of Ceylon tea, in America. “There isno question but that you people fur- nish a teathat is superior in quality and flavour to anything that comes to our shores, which, if . properly advertised—its merits well demonstrated — would secure for it a very large sale indeed. “Your Exhibit at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 793 certainly must have augmented the de- mand for it very much, BUT A LIKE AMOUNT SPENT AS YOU SUGGEST WOULD BRING FAR GREATER RETURNS. The States are of very wide extent, filled with seventy millions of prosperous consumers, There is no way to make an impres- sion onthem in favour of Ceylon tea, but by hanging your banner on the outer wall and eep- “ing it there CONTINUALLY, Zhe people who drink tea must see the banner—not the jobber alone — and it will be of infinitely more advantage if they can be induced to sample the tea. In almost every ease this will result in securing a new customer, which will sweil the demand for the tea, and will furnish an incentive to the retailer and whotesater alike to push Ceylon tea. The advertiscment in thelocai newspaper with the dealers name attached. will be worth far more than any general wdvertising you can do. 3 “TT have been a maker of American newspapers the greater part of my life, and feel that I know something of the subjecé in hand. 1 think Lam safein saying that, if Ceylon tea is properly put before the American people, you wil have gained a permanent customer that will make the beanti- ful island of Ceylon, with its enterprising and interesting people, wealthy beyond expectation.” Se Ne INDIA AND THE TEA CAMPAIGN. At the annnal general meeting of the Indian Tea As-. sociation, held on 29th May, Mr. Ashton drew attention to the fact that though Mr. Blechynden’s engage- ment had terminated this by no means meant that the efforts to push our teas in America were to be abondoned. The new levy will be used for America, for Russia, and for the Paris Exhibition and India will work with Ceylon. Mr. Ashton points out—in view of the criticisms which have beeu made in the newspapers, and by some Association members since they heard of the termination of ‘Mr. Blechynden’s engagement—that the London Committee, who are the executive in all matters connected with Europe ard America, are not in the happy position of our Ceylon friends. They do not know from year to year that they will eet all the money they will require. They have to send ent a levy, and they never know whether mem- hers of the Association even will respond fully to their request for funds. Mr. Ashton says: “Obviously this ia very cramping when they have to make up a programme; and { think the details they have sent na ave all we can expect at this stage of affairs. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. cAvc, 1, 1899. I desire, therefore to appeal most strongly to pro- prietors if they accept the principle of joint advertising, to trust to the London executive, and not to cavil at details. The detail of a programme can never satisfy everybody, and I confess to being a little suspicious of people who tell you that they approve of a general idea, that they are the last people in the world who seek to benefit by other people’s expenditure, but that they haye not sub- scribed because so and so is done, or hes not beca done. I suggest to yon to subseribe first.” The sgaleof teain ladia was next reviewed, and the distribution of pice-packets of quinine—ihrough the ageney of the Post Office—and the refusal of ine Gov- erument to sanction tea being cold im the same way through postmasters noted. Mr. Ashton does not seem very much surprised that we have not been able to develop the local tea trade quicker. He says: —‘‘T have often noticed in the criticisms people make on this matter, andthe parallels they draw between what is done in India and in foreign markeis, they leave out of sight the fact that foreign markets we compete against beer, coffee, spirits, wine amdso on. These are all very much more expensive articles than tea, and the difficulty in those markets is not one of price but one of taste. We have to divert or create the taste of the people. In India itis quite different because here the natives are almost entirely water drinkers, and tea, although it is cheap, cannot com- pete with water on price. The consequence is that whereas the important matter in foreign markets is taste, the important matter in India is price. It seems tome that to induce people—and a very slow- moving people too—to spend more money on drink than they like is harder, if you take profits into account, than to divert taste, say from coffee to tea when you at the same time save people’s pockets,” — Planter, Jane 10. ee CASUARINAS.—A correspondent elsewhere gives us some very interesting information about Casuarinas in Ceylon. We yrecail the fact that. a Ceylon planter made “2 itile fortune” .30 years ago. through: a, plautetion of Casuarinas he pad pianted near the sea coast outside Madras city. OVER-PLUCKING TeA.—A Ceylon planter writes to. an Indian contemporary :— “JT have heard it said in more places than one and particularly from Indian tea planters who have now and again visited this district that in Ceylon we over- pluck,:this, too, not so much from the older trees but from the younger ones particularly. Now as this has not come from one Indian tea planter, but from nearly all, suvely their views should be received with attention, instead cf our calmly ignoring the state- ment altogether. I have a friend who is in Assam and has been there for many years who writes me that he cannot believe that lam getting 500 lb, tea per acre off my estate, which is a young one. He tells me that he would never pluck it up to that but be content with 200 to 300 1b. and even off full-bearing tea he would not take more thin 400 to 500 jb. at the most now. I would ask are we on the vight tack? Are we doing the correct thing, and that which is likely to ultimateiy benefit the estate owaers? That good tea estates in Ceylen will bear up to 700 Ib. per acre is, 1 think, beyond doabt, but I want to know whether we are rignt in takiag that quantity; will it not in all probability impoverisn our trees in a few years ?”’ i What does this Ceylon planter say to the 100 acres tea field 01 Mariawatte plucked at a rate averaging over 1,100 lb. per acre for 16 years.and still vigorous!—or, higher up, the 30-year old fieid on Loolecondera giving between 400 and 500 1b. and looking remark- ably well ? : eee, HE Fy Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA:—X. KELEBOKKA—RANGALA—UPPER HEWAHRETA ; MANURING AND PRICES. Two letters from Madulkele, one from Rangala, and one from Hewaheta, may be conveniently treated together, though they tilustrate. diverse views. While one of the Madulkele letters (from the higher part ‘of Kellebokka) holds ‘“‘ wind, mist and rain” as the drawbacks to making better tea, the ‘other considers the character of the factories (one only being first-class in the district), the over-pruning and over-plucking of bushes whereby their health suifers and the flavour is affected, the chief obstacles to be over- come. And both planters are men of wide experience and keen observation. Our Ran- gala Correspondent again sees no draw- backs, as, with finer plucking on most estates, as good tea is turned out in the district as is possible; not so, the writer in Upper Hewaheta, who holds the weather in the North-East monsoon a drawback, and also the fact that half the crop of the district is plucked between 20th February and 7th June. But have not the months of pruning any effect on the chief months of plucking? On, perhaps, one estate only is all the tea regarded as good jat; on most estates there is, according to all four letters, a mixture represented on the whole by ‘‘fair’—the planting of over ten years being inferior. While one Kellebokka writer admits general poverty ofsoil, in which Rangala agrees, the other regards the general charac- ter of the soil aS not poor. Our Hewaheta friend distinguishes between old coffee land, in which the soil’is poor, and jungle land whichis good. There is no difference in opinion that some of the Kellebokka estates are worn out, chiefly old coffee estates, whose surface soil has disappeared. In Rangala, as most of the tea is on old land, much of it has neces- sarily been worn; and what is not old, is ~wind-blown! So our friend cheerfully re- marks that over-cropping is not the cause of the wearing out; while Hewaheta under- stands our question in an unusual sense, when he says that estates are worn out, only as far as good yields are concerned, and not as respects flavour and strength of liquor. Our question had reference to the character of the soil; and, perhaps, an answer is to be found in the fact that, though the yield of the land might be better, the flavour and strength of the tea remain what they were—which is not the general experience. Manuring, says one of our Madulkele friends, will improve the tea and prove proiitable, on estates along the public cart road; the other admits improvement of the bushes as a sequel to manuring, which, however, is further followed by a fall in prices where manure has been extensively used. This last is an important statement: and we shouid like to see it thoroughly sifted. Is it merely a ease of post hoc, ergo propter hoc, ox, if an explanatio: is nof. to be tound in the special character of the manures employed, can there have been climatic or other considerations to account for the fall in price. Rangala practically shares the opinion AGRICULTURIST, 103 first-mentioned, with the qualification that the profitableness of the operation is doubt ful. at present prices. Hewaheta is rather indefinite, in asserting that we have yet to learn the best form of manure to help to keep the tea bush in gcod heart. The opinion of one of the Madulkelites on factories is to be found in his answer to -the first question, which includes insufficient withering space amoung the drawbacks, and he is supported by his district neighbour, who further explains that the deficiency 1s chiefly due to the long spelis of bad weather which are at the bottom of most of the mischief in the Kellebokka and Knuckles districts. The two other districts suffer from the deficiency, though Rangala notes an improvement of late. In motive power little remains to be desired, except in dry weather; but as respects machinery, Kellebokka, in the opinion of one writer, is decidedly defi- cient in some places. Enough, or more than enough, is the general response to the ques- tion touching labour. On pruning, the opi- nion of one writer has already been ex- pressed, as a drawback to making good tea, owing to its undue severity; but while he does not think the knife has been too long withheld, the other writer’ declares that the two extremes, of cutting down to within a few inches of the ground, and letting the bushes up to 2 feet or 25 gene- rally prevail. Rangala has no complaint against pruning; and he and Hewaheta are agreed on pruning at intervals of 18 months to two years. “General remarks” take the form of a growl against “Weather! Weather |! Weather !” from one Madulkele source; while the other deseants strongly against cruel pruning and close cropping as telling against the general health of the bushes. Rangala regards cheap manure as the only cure ‘pos- sible, where the old land is getting ex- hausted. and the young is too exposed. for heavy flushing; and Hewaheta rather con- tradicting itself as to loss of flavour, desires information as to the cause of the loss of some of the flavour for which tea from the district was noted some ten years azo. ‘This however, bears out the opinion of Mr. T. C. Owen which we quoted the other day as to a connection between virgin soil and delicate flavour; but, on the other hand, that veteran agriculturist, Mr. Joseph Holloway, on our sixth page today indicates how flavour.as well as. vigour may be maintained by judi- cious cultivation. ey = THE FLORIDA VELVET BEAN. For the past year or two a great deal has been written about this exiraordinary plnat. Mr. Geo. W Hastings, «n orange grover in Fiorida State, thus sums up his experience of it in one of the leading American papers, and in view of the introduction of this bean to this colony may be of interest :— “The cultivation of the velvet bean up to the present time has established the following facts :— For the extreme south, it is the ere vbest forage and humus producer yes discovered. North of aa tral Georgia, only in exceptionally long seasons will the seed mature. Norta of the Ohio River, it will makes large grow:h of vine and leaves, but will not come to bloom. It is a great fertiliser for orange groves, but its use is not advisable afier the grooves come into bearing, as the vines are a habitat of 104 THE the pumpkin (stink) bug, and on the decay of the bean this pest goes to the orange, puncturing the fruit, and causing itto fall. Asa rule, the velvet bean is not the equal of red clover or the cow-yea, either for seed or forage, north of the Gulf States. For forage and fertili- ser it has no equal in the barren sandy lands ‘of the south, where the seasons are long enouzh for the crop to mature before the coming of frosts.”’—dAyricultural Gazette, of New South Wales. ps ie CTE CEYLON TEA IN RUSSIA. The rapid increase in the consumption of Ceylon tea in Russia is noticed in the last British Con- sular report from Odessa. It is only a few years since it was introduced into Russia, and last year nearly two and three-quarter million pounds of tea were shipped from Ceylon direct to Odessa, against less than half a million pounds in 1897. ‘Teas. from China and Ceylon are imported in vessels of the Russian volunteer fleet, which, owing to the low freights charged by these ves- sels on the homeward voyages, have now practi- eally a monopoly of the tea carrying trade from the tea ports of China and from Colombo, more especially s now tea imported from the Far Hast in Russian bottoms has preferential railway rates between Odessa and Moscow. On the other hand, there is a growing purchase by Ceylon of Russian petroleum ; in 1897 and 1898 Colombo took over one and a quarter million gallons each year. The Acting Consil-General suggests that Australian firms might avail themselves of the low rates of freight in order to introduce tin, tallow, copra, &e., into Russia. Ib is said that if these com- moilities were shipped by Singapore the localagency ot the volunteer fleet would undertake their trans- shipment into Russian vessels on moderate terms —London Times May 31. —————$_$_e—_————- THE BRAZILIAN COFFEE CROP. Messrs. W H Crossman and Brother, of New York, write as follows on the position and prospects of Brazilian coffee :— “The receipts in Brazil up to date confirm the figures we have previously given on the current crop. In Santos the receipts already reached 5,000,000 bags, which make it probable that the total there will exceed 5,500,000 bags. In Rio, so far, the receipts are 2,700,000 bags, but in that port they again neglect to count the coffees sent down from the interior direct fer export, the quantity yeceived in this way being about 125,000 bagsup to date. The total in Rio for the crop year, however, will be close to 3,500,000 bags, the ageregate for the two ports no — doubt reaching 9,000,000 bags. Regarding the next crop, it is now well known that the Brazilians are averse to giving out figures, but they are practically ynanimous in stating the next crop to be larger than the present one some claim 16 per cent. more and others 2s much as 20 per cent more. But whatever the figure finally reaches, it is positively immaterial, since the fouth consecutive large crop in excess of the requirements of consumption will mean a con: tinuation of very low prices.—The Grocers’ Journal, May 27. sto 4 SP . THE LONDON CINNAMON SALES. We are glad to find, from information received by a recent mail, that Cinnamon, like tea, has touched the bottom prices, and is now beginning to experience an upward tendency. When we wrote last, on the February sale, we had to chronicle a con- TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Ave 1, 1399, tinued drop in prices, which had commenced with the Hispano-American war; and we were apprehensive that it might be some time yet before Spain recovered suffi- ciently from its expensive and humiliating deteat to resume her old commercial trans- actions. ‘The apprehension, notwithstand- ing the loss of the greatest of her re- maining colonies, has, we are glad to find not been fully justified. Among the condi- tions which helped prices at the last quarterly auctions on the 29th May, was the receipt of Spanish orders. The affect of a demand for our great spice from Spain was naturally a rise in the price of the finer qualities of cinnamon. While the ordinary qualities advanced from 3d to ld per lb,, the advance in the higher qualities was from 1d to 2d per lb. It is safe te anticipate, if not that he advance will be continued, that the pre- sent prices will be maintained, now that one of our oldest and best continental cus- tomers is again in the field. The statistical position of the spice also favored the rise in prices. The quantity offered was only 781 bales, as against 959 in May last year, and 1,649 bales at the February sales. In February, out of the large quantity offered—and it was by no means the largest offering for the month— only about 650 had been sold at the auctions. The fair deduction from the smallness of the offerings and the rise in _ prices last month, is that the large quantity taken off in February found buyers privately. in the interval between the two public sales. We pointed out that cinnamon like most other products, showed a serious fall- ing-off in exports, in consequence of the pro- longed and severe drought during the past quarter. That, too, must have helped the dispo- sal of the stocks in London, and sent up prices some extent. So faras quilled cinnamon goes the deficiency has not been made up yet, and we are glad to think is not likely to be made good—at any rate during the pre- sent quarter. The exports of quilled cinna- mon in bales, up to 02th Jun, estand as follows compared with the three previous years :— : o 20th June 1899 660,985 lb, Do do 1898 77,580, 6. do’. 1897; om eno ee “Dol! do! 1906 = oe ess Against this falling-off in quilled bark must be set the phenomenal increase in chips which is a natural consequence of weather which renders peeling impossible, or difficult, and compels the scraping of bark which has coarsened. Naturally, the immense increase in the quantity of chips sent away has led to a fall in prices. We find that chips were neglected at the last sales and that prices receded to 2d and 24d. The outlook for quil- led bark is thus very promising for the pre- sent, but rather doubtful for chips. _ The following is the report of the lead- ing London firin, from whom we generally quote :— London, May 31, 1899. CuynAMon.—At the periodical auctions held on the 29th inst., the smail supply of 784 bales Ceylon was presented, compared with 1,6i9 bales offered in February and 959 bales at this period. last year. There was a better attendance and with Spanish orders in the market, the sales went off a hy ve fi : “ 7 ; much money has been spent over the Newport failure that there is little left for further experiment, and how; now, to successfully introduce lady-birds from Australia will require very careful consideration at the next moeting of the U.P.A.S.I I think you will THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 105 all agree with me that a skilled entomologist should receive the consignments as they arrive, for there is always the danger I bejieve, in unskilled hands, of introducing with the insect the parasite that feeds on it; end, with reference to this matter, I don’t think that a botanist can be expected to carry out the work of an entomologist.’ —< _ SANDY TEA FOR THE POOR. Half the ‘‘dust teas” brought into England should be confiscated by the Customs according to Mr, Henry Sell’s paper, Conunercral Intell. gence, which, by the way, has just been greatly enlarged and improved. In 1,0¢0 pounds of ‘* dust tea” there are often 200 pounds of sand and earthy matter. Sometimes there is as much as 35 per cent of mineral rubbish, although not more than 1 per cent of sand is ‘‘natural” to tea, in the opinion of Dr. Bell, of the Government laboratory. The official inspection, it is charged, is most superficial, for ‘‘not one sample out of 1,000 packages of ‘dust teas’ landed*is sub- mitted to analysis.” Large importations of very inferior goods rejected by the Hamburg and New York Customs have been passed by the English Customs and sold in London. ‘The breakfast table of the very poor suffers correspondingly.— Home paper. : TEA-GROWING IN RUSSIA. The ten plautations in the neighbourhood of Batoum continue to occupy the serious attention of a few Russian tea planters, who appear to be more or less sanguine as to the ultimate results that are likely tobe attained. Messrs. Popoff have erected a factory for manipulating tea on one ef their estates near Batoum, and have gathered their first crop this year, but I regret to say that, owing to the mystery with which they attempt to surround their industry, and the secrecy which they maintain in respect to all matters concerning their plautations and the cultivation of tea on them, it is quite impossible to procure information of a reliable nature in regard tothem. Although the tea crop from these gardens was a]l forwarded to Mos- cow and St. Petersburg, it does not, according to the St. Petersburg papers, appear to bear comparison with the imported article in general use in the Russian En pire. The Imperial Domain authorities expect to obtain a crop next season, and are making prepara- tions for the erection of afactory on their estates, and lam givento understand that the order for the builc- ings and plant has been placed in the United King- dom. Itseems probable that theresults of tea-growing on the last mentioned estates stand a better chance of success than those obtained on the other estates thanks to the fact that they have not confined their sowings to one quality only, but have laid out planta- tions of several kinds of Indian teas as well as Chinese and Ceylon hybrids. By adopting this rational course they will be able to judge which quality is more espe- cially adapted to tbe prevailing climate and other local conditions. Their acreage under tea has been largely increased during the present year.—British Consul at Batoum. VANILLA, _ Mexico.—There are a few Americans already here in the business with plantations about ready to bear. Some have just started. Many others are coming, judging from the numerous inquiries. Heretofore, the French have mainly cultivated the vanilla, with now and then a Mexican, while the Indians hunt and gather the wild vanilla. Vanilla is principally ex- ported to the United States—about $2,000,000 worth per annum. I write this article to answer in a gene- ral way the many inquiries addressed to me con- cerning this industry. Now that our people are em- barking in it. I look for improved methods that will increase the production and simplify the process of curing.—United States Consul at Tuapan. 106 THE TROPICAL MINOR PRODUCTS REPORT. CincHona.—The shipments from Ceylon for the week ending May 9ih were 8,064 tb only. At Ara- sterdam, on June 8th, 4,956 bales aud 5:0 cases will be offered, The total weight is 481,800 kilos (con- taining the equivalent of 829,920 ounce quinine sui- phate), of which 73,332 kilos. is phacmacentic.l bark, eud 408,418 kilos. manufacturing bark. Whe inane- facturing bark contwins an average visla of 5 50 per cent quitine sulphate against 5-52 per cent in May, and 5°21 percent for the ten auctions in 1518. There has been a fair amount of business done in druggists’ barks lately, aud in many instances lower prices have been accepted. ‘The Java shipments in May amounted to 666,400 Amst. lb against 672,500 Amst. lb last May. The total for the five months is 170,000 Amst, lb under last year. a GREED SUAS a PLANTING NOLES. A FiInet Porato PLANT.—A remarkably fine potato plant, says the Australasian, grown in the Apoilo Bay district, has been shown to us by Messrs. Davis, Uancaster, and Co, It is from a crop grown by Mr. Jas. McPhee, at Heathfield Farm. The area of the paddock is five acres ; but the yield is expected to reach 75 tons, or an average of 15 tons per acre. The soil is 2u feet deep, witha clay bottom, and the ground forms part of the river fluts, of which there is a con- siderable quantity. The haulm of the plants exhibits unusual vigour of growth, the one shown tous, laid out on a board, reaching the Jenzth of nine feet. From its roots twelve large potatoes were taken. ‘Lhe variety is the New Zeaiand Blue Derwent. The Apollo Bay district also produces good crops of onions, yields of 30 tons per acre b2ing common. CoFFEE AND CAcAo IN MExico.--We have a letter from Mr. E. O. Darley—who will be remembered by some as a Knuckles coffee planter—stating that he had taken charge of about 100,000 acres of land belonging to a Company on which he has to plant a large acreage with coffee, cacao, rubber and sugarcane. He is to give usa report of the district and its capabilities when he has seen a little more of it. Meantime he writes :— “A very large quantity of very fine cacao is produced here and the native coffee bears very heavily and no leaf disease, and I do not believe it exists in Mexico at all. I have never seen or heard of it. Sugarcane also is most prolific, the local demand for sugar and rum making it a very profitable business.” ANNATTO: PooR PROSPECTS OF CROP AND AN Enemy.—Mr. Van Starrex, of Crystal Hill, Matale, who, we suppose, cultivates as much annatto as anybody in the country, writes :—‘*’Phe annatto fly has been so bad nthe Matale district this year that fears are entertained that. the crop out-turn will not pay for upkeep, and there isa fear of the plant oing consequently out of cultivation. At any rate, the poor crop with the low prices now given for the article, is likely to stop the manufacture of the dye on Crystall Hill for the present. Rather sad for those who have been earning something out of the seed sold to these manufacturing works from the smallest quantities up to several tons, every season.” As soon as the Hntomologist re- tuxps, he should see to the ‘‘fly” and its remedy. Whatis the cause of persistent low prices ? Overproduction (where ?) or chemical dyes? _ Rubber. AGRICULTURIST, [Aue. 1, 1899, RAMIE (Russia).—The cultivation of the ramie plant (Chinese nettle) has been so very successful, more especialiy in the district of Batoum, that the area under this plant is from year to year increasing. This year’s crop has been very abundant, and it is stated that some Rnssian Caplialists are on the point of building a faciery in a suitable locality for the purpose of Working up the fibre. The Imperial Domains at Chakva have already received machinery for handling this articles. — British Consul at Batoum, June 1. UFATING CAPACITY Of Woop.—The River Plate Review says that a writer in the Staats- Zeitung corrects a very common supposition in regard to the heating capacity of wood, the most notable tact in the case being that such a practic- able and easy demonstrable error should so long have prevailed—namely, that the heating capa- city of hardwood is greater than that of softwood. The fact, as ascertained by repeated determina- tious, is that the greatest heating power is possessed by one of the softest varieties of such material—viz., the linden. Taking its heating capacity by the unit, the second best heater is also a soft-wood :—Fir, with 0-99 heating power ; next follow the elm and pine, with 0-98 ; willow, chestnut, larch, with 0-97; maple and spruce fir, with 0:96; black poplar, with 06°95; alder and white birch, with 0°94 only; then conie the hard oak, with 0°92; the locust and the white beech, with 0°91; and the red beech, with 0°90, ‘hese examples leave no doubt of the general fact that hardwood heats the least.—Queensland Agri- cultural Journal. INDIARUBBER CULTIVATION is attracting a great deal of attention in several of the French Dependencies. We have enquiries about our forthcoming Manual from Paris, Marseilles, .West Africa and Madagascar ; and an enterprising French Agriculturist reports that he has indented for, and is daily expecting to receive, one million of Castilloa seeds and asks if such are of use in Ceylon. We have advised him to send 500,000, if in good condition, out here at once and that we may get the seed auctioned by Mr. Symons (with his consent) witi per- haps as good a result as in the caseof Para seed, if not better! In a recent French Review devoted to Colonial Agriculture we find several important, up-to-date papers on One is devoted to West Africa where France has now very large tropical interests, and one authority shows how, to supplement the indigenous creeper rubber vines, they are introducing four exotic varieties :—Para, Castilloa, Ceara and a new and as yet little-known kind ‘* Manicoba” rubber. It is evident that there is going to be a good deal done in ‘‘rubber” culture ; but many parts of Ceylon have special advantages, especially where the rubber trees can be grown as a subsidiary to tea. As regards ‘‘ preparation,” we find the fol- lowing in a letter addressed to the French Colonial Minister by M. Marcellin Pellet in the latest ‘‘ Revue des Cultures Coloniales ” :— ‘“M. Joaquin Asturias has found outa new system. He filters the milk, to get from it impurities of all sorts, and then letsit dry by naturel evaporation, exposing it to the sun on mats, plantain leaves or skins. This process gives an absolutely pnre product, equal or superior to the best Para rubber,’ [Auc. 1, 1899. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 107 TO ALL PARTS OF ASiA, AFRICA, AMERICA AND OCEANIA. eedsa Plants of Commercial Products, Hevea Brasiliensis (Para Rubber).—Orders being booked for the coming crop available in August and September. This is the only crop of seeds in the year. All orders should reach us before the end of July to avoid disappointment, as we have to make arrangements in time; guaranteed to arrive in good order at destination. We have already booked a large number of orders, A Sumatra Planter writes, dating 9th March, 18)9 :—‘‘I consent to the price of £———per thousand. I herewith order 50,000 upon condition that you guarantee at least 33 °% seeds germinating.” Plants can be forwarded all the year round in Wardian cases. Price and particulars as per our Cireular No. 30. Ficus Elastica (Assam and Java Rubber.)—Seeds supplied by the pound with instructions ; price according to quantity. This tree grows equally wellin high and low land, in forest and grass land, its cultivation being extended largely by the Indian Government. Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara or Manicoba Rubber),—Fresh seeds available all the year round; price as per our Circular No. 31. It is superior to Mangabeira rubber and second to Para rubber, Castilloa Elastica (Panama or Central American Rubber).—Seeds and Plants supplied ; price and particulars as per our Circular No, 32, Urceola Esculenta (Burma Rubber) and Landolphia Kirkii (Mozambique Rubber).—Seedg and plants, both are creepers. Cinchona Seeds.—Different vavricties. Hybridised Maragogipe Coffee.—A larged-beaned superior variety of Coffee in demand ; seeds, Santalum Album (Sandlewood).—The cultivation and felling of the tree is entirely under Government monopoly in India, Sandlewoods to the value of over £100,000 being annually exported to various countries from India, The cultivation of this useful tree is now receiving increased attention an other countries; seeds and plants. Eucalyptus Marginata (Jarra).—Large quantities of this most valuable timber are being annually exported from Australia to London and various parts of the world for street paving and other purposes. Price of seeds on application. 7,846 pieces of Jarra timber has already arrived for Ceylon use, Seeds and Plants of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Kolanut, Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Arabian, Liberian and Maragogipe Coffee, Cacao, Tea, Coca, Fibre, Medicinal and Fruit Trees, Shade and Timber Trees, also Palms, Bulbs, Orchids, &c, Our enlarged Descriptive Price List of Tropical Seeds and Plants of Commercial Products for Foreign Countries for 1899-1900 are now being forwarded to applicants in different parts of the world. ‘‘SourH Arrica.’—The great authority on South African affairs of 25th March, 1899, says: — ‘© An interesting Catalogue reaches. us from the Hast. It is issued by William Brothers, Tropica! Seed Merchants, of Henaratgoda, Ceylon, and schedules all the useful and beautiful plants which will thrive in tropical and semi-tropical regions. We fancy Messrs. Williams should do good business, for now that the great Powers have grabbed all the waste places of the earth, they must turn to and prove that they were worth the grabbing, We recommend the great Powers and Concessionaries under them to go to William Brothers.” 4 leading Planter writes from New Hebrides under date 17th January, 1899:—‘I shall like a few more of your Catalogues to distribute through these Islands, as I feel sure many would place themselves in communication with you, did they know where to write for Seeds and Plants.” Our New Descriptive Price List of Seeds and Plants of Fruit Trees now being prepared and will be ready shorily. Agents in Londen :—Messrs. P. W. WOOLLEY & Co., 33, Basinghall Street. Agent in Colombo, Ceylon:—K. B CREASY, Esq. Telegraphic Address : J. P. WILLIAM & BROTHERS, WILLIAM, VEYANGODA, CEYLON. Tropical Seed Merchants, Lieber’s, A.I. and A.B.C. Codes used. HuNARATGODA, CEYLON. 14 108 RUBBER IN TRINIDAD. The annual report of Mr. J H Hart, Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Trinidad, for the year 1898, is as follows :—Rubber.—(Castilloa elastica, Cerv.) Rubber cultivation has been taken up with considerable energy during the year 1898. The princi- pal kind used for planting was Castilloa elastica, Cerv. Auction sales of seeds and plants of this rubber were well attended and good prices were realised, as there was considerable competition. At the experimental station a small area was planted in July. Among the Castilloa has been planted at wide intervals the larger and slower grow- ing Hevea brasiliensis with the view to their becoming the permanent occupants of the ground; it being the intention to bleed the Castilloa trees very hard for certain experiments, under which many may succumb. Another area has been planted out under the shade of standing trees, in what is called the old cottage grounds. It has been found that where Castilloa is well shaded their growth is much more rapid and vigorous than in the open. ‘To grow Castilloa without a certain amount of shade and shelter, would in my opinion be to invite a succession of slow and stunted growths. In its native countries it is always found in sheltered and protected lands and always become stunted in the open vega. ‘Trees lanted in Trinidad under standing shade have been ound to thrive well, and soon become the picture of healthy growth. At the experimental station it was necessary to shade with Banana, Cassava, Wc., and under these conditions the plants have also grown well. In the nurseries at St. Clair are several thousands of Castilloa plants in bamboo pots; a large proportion of which are already ordered for the next planting season. Castilloa under favourable condi- tions in Trinidad makes rapid growth, and is probably better suited to the climate than any other class of ribber, as it comes to maturity earlier and can be handled with a minimum of previous planting experi- eace. Specimens of the rubber sent to England for valuation prove that our Castilloa trees are the best kind in cultivation. The large crops of seed now obtain- able from Castilloa will make it possible at an early date to grow stems for the purpose of extracting yubber from them in their young state. Stems of a year old have been found to contain some 8 per cent. of their dry weight in rubber, and this amount has been extracted in the laboratory. Whether the same percentage can be extracted in actual practice, re- mains to be seen. Hevea BrAsiLiensis, ‘Para Rubber.”—This tree produces rubber of the finest quality, for which the demand is very regular. As a tree it is of slower growth than Castilloa, but grown for a permanent crop it will probably exceed that tree in value. The tree proves itself to be hardy, it can be handled with ease, and grows freely; although it takes a number of years before the trunk becomes large enough to bleed regularly. Growing at tree is seen to make itself at home on the hard and barren soil which there obtains; showing that al- though it is a tree fond of water, and delighting in frequently-flooded valleys, it will also grow in other situations. Specimens of rubber made from these trees have been examined in London and valued at high rates. Hie L have noted that seeds of this kind of rubber are being offered in France at a rate of over £40 per thousand or 10d. each; and in Ceylon rates of £3 per thousand on the spot—packing cases, and freight extra —are being charged. ‘The vitality of Hevea seed like that of Cestilloa, is very fugitive, and great risk is run ky planters in obtaining seeds from a distance. Ovr seed harvested in Nov. was of excellent quality and fully 99 per cent germinated. : A tree of Hevea confusa, Hemsly, formerly known as Hevea Sprucei, also bore fruit. The distinguish- ing characters of the seed are its large size, its angular form, and the softness of its outer cover- ing, when compared with those of Hevea brasi- liensis. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. the old Gardens, the- [Ave 1, 1899, What is apparently another Hevea has been pre- sented to the Experiment Siation by his Excellency the Governor, who obtained it from Dr. Carl Boval- lius, who was recently exploring the territory of the Amazon, 8.A. These, when handed over, were in bad condition, as I proved by cutting a sample lot befere sowing. Out of 170 seeds only some five seeds germinated, and only two plants promise to survive. This Hevea has seed not more than half the size of those of Hevea brasiliensis, aud of much darker colour. Kicksia africana, or Ire Rubber is obtained from a newly introduced African tree. A small section was planted out in November, and, so far as we can judge in so short a time, promises to do well. This rubber has been seen in the African forest by Mr. Millen, my acting assistant, who states that our plants are quite true to name. Mr. Millen has shown me samples of material collected by him- self from trees in the African interior which shows this rubber is little, if it all, inferior to the best ‘‘Para.” A parcel of seed sent to us by Kew did not germinate so well as did the first lot received, and but few plants were obtained from it, Every endevour will be made to extend the culture of this species, as it appears to be of great promise and well suited for growth in Trinidad. A report reached us from German sources to the effect that Kicksia africana does not produce rubber at all. Mr. Millen’s evidence, however, satisfies us upon this point. In addition, however, it may be recorded that we have trees sutficiently large to bleed on a small scale, and from these trees we have recent- ly procured atex, from which a small piece of excel- lent rubber was produced, which proves the report to nave been a mere trade rumour. MAniIHoT GLAzZIovir or CEARA RuUBBER.—Some demand has set in for seeds of this rubber. These demands we have had to refer elsewhere, as we have no supply. There is one tree in the Garden which sr said to be some 25 years old which bears a few seeds annually, but, although of this age, its stem is but barely six inches in diameter. Some of our corres- pondents, however, are quite sanguine as to its value for culture in Trinidad. Some few trees were planted a few years ago at the Chaguans Convict Depot, but their condition is far from convincing proof of its suitability for our climate. My own experience, the Ceylon records, and various other sources of informa- tion tend to convince that Castilloa, Hevea, and Kicksia are all preferable to Ceara for cultivation in this island. Ceara, when young, grows rapidly, and inauce the cuitivator in many cases to believe in a continuous run of growth, which often proves dis- appointing. It has been reported by some who have visited the Ceara districts that the trees never grow to a large size. It may possibly be grown with economy in some of our mountain lands, unsuited for other products, but as a rubber producer I cannot undertake to give it a higher recommendation. The rubber produce is, however, of good quality. LANDOLPHIA AND CERopEGIA-—African and Ceylon rubbers. ‘These are both under cultivation, but at present there does not appear to be sufficient induce- ment to plant them extensively. TABORNAMONTANA CRAssE.—This tree is a reputed rubber producer, and was grown on trial in these gardens for the past few years. Having a tree which had attained a large size, it was bled freely,and the latex was treated in different ways with a view of producing coagulation, but without saccess. Eventually a substance was produced which resembled in appear- ance a lump of chalk, or compacted starch, quite brittle in character, and certainly not rubber.—Zndia- Rubber and Gutta-Percha Journal i TN Des NR A PARA RUBBER TREES.—We learn that the largest rubber tree on Culloden hasa girth of about 83 feet at 3 feet from the ground. This one is some 16 years old and others of the same or less age are, we are told, well over 7 feet. ; } Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL TOBACCO, The directors of the New London Borneo To- baceo Company recommend a dividend of 24 per cent for 1898 and 5per cen‘ on account of 1899 on the paid-up capital of the 80,000 ordinary shares. The United States Tobacco Trust announces its intention to preceed immediately with the con- struction and equipment of factories in Japan, where, however, tobacco is a Government mono- poly.—L and C Express, June 2. See ee PRODUCE AND PLANTING. Tra Unrir ror ConsuMPTioN.—Attention has been called in these columns, and by more than one of our contemporaries, to the rubbish called by courtesy tea which has of late found its way into the London market, From the complaints made it is clear that there has either been laxity on the part of those busi- nessitis to detect rubbish in tea or that the Customs department needs theaddition of some expert know- ledge and a general strengthening of its staff. The subject has been dealt with sensation- ally in more than one paper, and _ the result is that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was interrogated on the subject iast night. Sir F Flan- nery (Yorkshire, Shipley) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer ‘if his attention had been called to a statement in the Press that a quarter of the caper teas and half of the dust teas now imported should be confiscated under the Food and Drugs Act of 1875 by reason of their containing 20 per cent. of earthy matter and sand; whether he would explain the nature of the precautions taken by the Customs department in London for the detection of such adulteration, and whether the vumber of samples analysed could be increased with advantage; and whether, having ro- gard to the fact that the descriptions of tea above named were for the most part consumed by the humbler classes least able to pro- tect themselves against adulteration, he would in- crease the staff of inspectors especially allocated to the duties of sampling and analysis of caper and dust teas.” The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply, said: ‘‘ My attention has been called to this matter. The Board of Customs have, in view of representa- tions made to them by certain firms and of statements in the Press, ordered a full inquiry to be made. It is not easy, within the limits of an answer to a ques- tion, to explain the precautions taken by the Board for the dztection of the adulteration of tea; but I shall be happy, if the hon. member wishes it, to supply him with particulars. The Board of Customs, as at present advised, do not consider that there is any need for altering the existing regulations, but if, ‘as a result of the investigation now in progress, it should appear advisable to make such alterations or to increase the number of tea inspectors the necessary steps will be taken at once. Meantime a circular has been issued to the tea inspectors directing them to administer the existing regulations with special care.” This full enquiry is needed, and it will be awaited with some interest. THE Drarr QuzstTion.—It remains to be seen whe- ther the strong opposition to the abolition of the draft on tea, as expressed at the meeting of the tea trade hela on Wednesday, and reported in another column will cause the Tea Associations to modify their views. That the trade is in earnest on the sub- ject admits of no doubt, and the Associations will now have to consider the question of the wisdom of carry- ing their proposal into effect in the face of such strong feeling against it. Vury Common Tua.—Apart from the adulteration question, it is noticeable of late that, owing to the competition in the tea trade, and the demand for low-priced tea, leaf of very inferior quality finds a sale. These teas are so very poor that they are really dearer than the better AGRICULTURIST. 109 qualities, and as a correspondent points out, the purchaser of low-priced canister teas contributes a much larger percentage to the revenue than he would if buying better and higher-priced teas. Tue Incrpasinc Popubarrry or Tra.—-With the ups and downs of the tea planting industry one fact is noticeable, and that is that tea drinking is on the increase. In spite of the open hostility of the medical profession, tea con- tinues to growin popularity in countries where tea drinking is a recognised institution, while it is gaining favourelsewhere. This is largely due tothe nterprise of Indian and Ceylon planters. Tea has been “pushed’’ in recent years as it never was when China controlled the market, and the result is seen in the growing demand on the Huropean Continent, in the United States, and in the British colonies. Referring to this we notice that the “Globe” pays tribute to the work of popularising tea, It says: ‘After a long and costly strug- gle, Indian and Ceylon teas are fast conauer- ing the whole world of consumers by their now recognised superiority; Australasian pre- judice was the first to succumb; then fol- lowed South Africa; the United States and Canada made a harder fight, but they too, have given way ; while Russia, the greatest market of all, is largely and continuously increasing its importations.” The Globe then refers to South America as a field for tea, and alludes to the cousumption of maté. In some parts of South America Paraguay tea is popular, but there is plenty of scope for pioneer work in the introduction, or rather the pushing, of Indian and Ceylon tea in Brazil, the Argentines, Chili, Peru, and the other South American States, where up to now the opportunity for’ purchasing good tea has been very limited. A New Form or Apvrertisinc.— Apropos of “Tea and Travellers” theGrocer says: ‘‘Iu the law courts, Tuesday last a case was heard, which, though not relating tea to gave a few incidental references to curious proce- dure in connection with the tea trade. That branch of commerce, as we need hardly say, has greatly changed during recent years, both in its wholesale and retail aspects. There is no duty-paying article now sold at a closer margin of profit than tea; it is cheaper than ever, and people drink more of it, des- pite a fairly brisk demand for cocoa;and if a grocer is so ill-advised as to sellsugar without an adequate profithe cannot expect to recoup himselfsatis factorily out of his tea sales. Competition has brought down prices to a point which seems to have reached the irreducible minimum; but some of our retail friends appear to believe that they have not yet touched bottom. We can only hope that their fears are unfounded. In the wholesale branch, moreover, the position of affairs is not eminently gratifying ; things are, asthe saying is, cut very fine. In the case referred to above, one of the litigants had been connected with a City tea company. He admitted, when questioned as to the business of that concern, that he had kept a set of books containing fictitious entries in order to get the travellers to believe they were doing a larger trade than they were, and to tell the customers so. ‘ That,’ added this ingenuous witness without periphrasis, ‘ was a form of advertise ing. He did not see anything discreditable in it, although it was certainly not a highly moral proceeding. Granting that such a method in regard to tea is exceptional, it indicates that there are in the City of London at the present time a certain class of speculative traders who are not particular what they do, and who, if they cannot sell tea in one way, are quick to try another, even if the latter does not happen to be ‘highly moral.’ So long as they are able to keep on the safe side of the law they do not trouble themselves with ethical problems. ‘Their conscience only begins to prick them when there is little cash in the till, when business is falling off, and when they are not do- ing as well as expected. Then their efforts to improve their position—including ‘fictitious entries’ in books to produce an impression of great cgmmerciay 110 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. activity—are apt to stray near the border line where honesty ends and sharp practice (or worse) begins. It is a pity that the tea trade should be exploited by so many adventurers. They would have no chance, of course, if the public were not easily gullible, often being induced by peculiar ‘forms of advertise- ment’ to purchase inferior tea at a price far in excess of its value.” Tra tn Hottanp.—The Dutch have not hitherto proved themselves large consumers of tea, but the popularity of the ‘cup that cheers” in other countries has given additional zest to it in Holland. As a result there is an increasing demand for Java tea in the Netherlands. In 1893 the imports of tea from Java amounted to 67,361 chests, while from China only 3,346 chests were received. Ac- cording to Mr. Robinson, the British Consul at Amsterdam, the average price of the Java article in 1898 was 5 4-5d per lb. ‘There were consider- pe fluctuations during the year—H. and C. Mail, une 9. ——_—_—____--—-___—_—_—_—_ INDIA RUBBER IN FRENCH AFRICA. (Translated for the ‘‘ Ceylon Observer” and “Tropical Agriculturist” from the “ Revue des Cultures Coloniales for May 1599.) 'nere have been introduced into Africa, trees furnishing excellent Caoutchouc. Those who in- troduced them thought they would compensate for the irrational destruction of the (lianes) creepers as carried on by natives. The follow- ing are the kinds introduced :— Manihot Glaziovii (the Ceara rubber tree). Manigoba (little known, but allied to Ceara.) Castilloa elastica (from Colombia). Hevea A Naa Nea (gives the kind known as Paya). These trees grow well on the Western coast, but it is quite a question whether colonists should be advised to start plantations of these only, just at present. M. Chalot, Director of the Experimental Garden of Librevil! has made a series of experiments with Manihot trees, aged six or seven years. The results, so far, are not ‘conclusive, whether as to yield or method of collection ; where they had expected one_ kilo- gramme of coagulated latex, they have only ob- tained 600 gr.; the value of the raw material being 3 fr. 60 c¢., in place of 6 francs as estimated, and the expense of harvesting had been much greater than was anticipated. Until now, they have been able to arrive at no conclusions as to the suitable soils, time for harvesting, &c. To get these, it will be necessary to collect information from private sources. Meanwhile it seems to us, that a plantation of Caoutchouc would imply too tedious a sinking of capital, as there would probably be a waiting of 10 or 12 years involved. Tf an owner of plantations would put in belts of Indiarubber amongst coffee or cacao, perhaps as boundaries or as shade trees, the experiment could be carried.on at small cost. So, also, if foresters holding a concession, would put in young rubber plants, in the cleared portions— getting these plants from the Experimental Gar- dens—and employing only bands of children for the work, they could at small cost help in use- ful experiments. CULTIVATION OF RUBBER CREEPERS (lianes). Would the cultivation of these be passible, it has been asked. In 1893 I asked that experi- roents in these might be made in the Garden at Libreville, but no information has been given. There are jn the plantations of Aschuka a certain [Aua. 1, 1899. number planted as a hedge, said to be in good condition. Better still, I heard, there is a M. Lacour, who has in the Kasai a plantation of 200,000 stumps of Landolphia. When was this plantation started? I have asked M. Merlin, General Secretary of the Congo, to answer several questions about this............ I have since learnt that the estate is only three years old. If it is a qusetion of creepers—these must be cultivated in a horizontaland not vertical direction, lest one should run against theotherand cause great difficulty of harvesting—weather by incision or by cutting down trees. If by incision, one ought not to have to use ladders. Perhaps to solve the question of how to harvest, it would be well to follow the natives into the jungle for some days, noting carefully their methods and the quantity of vegetables used, the quantity of latex collected by one man, the distance covered and the means of transport used. The black man does not caleu- late his time or his food......... Should we not have to replace the plantain leaf in which the latex is collected by the native, by the earthenware vases provided with clamps that are used in the Gironde, for the collection of resin; and in place of the saucepan they use, should we not take a larger vessel and perhaps use acids, even if these are natural ones, made on the spot? Finally we scarcely think our colonists could make a profitable industry out of rubber as things now stand. Perhaps it might be best to follow as near as may be the methods of collec- tion of the natives if the trade is to be even profitable. But then the question of the des- truction of the creepers and trees comes in and I would suggest that just as in some French departments a certain sum is annually set apart for re-foresting the hills and mountains, so here an agent for agriculture be employed to dis- tribute plants and secure cultivation. He would not be content with simply collecting and des- patching seed, but would see it well packed and planted; and once planted up, the lands would be regarded as communal forest and be hired or leased out at so much _ per tree, whether to Europeans or to natives. Another system has lately been put into prac- tice in the Congo State. Inspectors of forests have been started, who are always moving about. Their work is not to forbid the cutting down of rubber creepers, but to oblige the chiefs, or village headmen to preserve a certain number of the fruits, which the natives used to eat, and to sow the seeds in the forest. Already many chiefs have come and announced their intention of so doing and the places have been marked where this was being done. The Belgians foresaw that their export would soon diminish, as has already been the case with Netherlands India. The native in Africa has further to be instructed in the preparation of the latex. They boil it, add some natural juices and earth, stones and woody fibres, and this product is of a lower value by 4 or 5 francs. The natives of the province of Para also coagulate by heat, but their process is in itself excellent. Into the vessels which contain the latex they plunge a wooden spatula which they afterwards expose over a hot fire of odorous planters. The spatula then goes and comes, from a hot fire to the vessel, and the latex coagulates in thin layers closed up and from which all humidity is driven away. This suppresses ulterior fermentations and prevents the disagreeable odour which comes from African stocks. In native Africa they use sometimes natural acids (native sorrel lemon juice). The process is excellent, but there is always the mixture of various juices and of foreign bodies. The native, then, must, be taught that it is to his advantage to produce the best possible latex and that he must cause to coagulate rapidly the latex obtained from one single variety of creeper, the Landolphia is the best, Ave. 1, 1899.] MOTHER-O’-PEARL AND RUBBER. England supplied to France, in 1897, 1,308,331 kilos of mother-of-pearl, estimated at 3,794,159 francs, and Germany 24,594 kilos, estimated at 71,332 francs. The mother-of-pearl export from French Oceania, on the other hand, at the pre- sent time, ranges in value from 14 to 14 million francs annually, and is monopolized by the Society Islands Group. Practically the whole of this ex- port goes to London and Liverpool. As France, however, requires on an average 65 million francs’ worth of mother-of-pearl annually for her indus- try, it would seem that the production of the French Oceanian Settlements is not likely, unless largely developed, to be sufficient. The shell fish- eries of the Persian Gulf of Ceylon, of Cape Comorin, of British Australia, of the Straits Set- tlements, of the China Seas, of Japan, and of the United States of America, are not liable to French export duties, and will always remain for the supply of the British markets, It is in- teresting to note that, in 1897, the mother-of-pearl supply of France was drawn in the following pro- portion from the various countries : from England 554 per cent., from India 27 per cent., from the United States of America 4 per cent., from Japan 2 per cent., from Germany 1% per cent., from other foreign countries 95 per cent.. and direct from the French Colonies 4 percent. But mother-of-pearl is not the only article for which France is attempt- ing to create a market in her ports by means of export duties. Wehear upon good authority that a proposal is under consideration for the imposi- tion of an export duty upon india-rubber, which, like the export duty upon mother-of-pearl, would be remitted upon the production ofa certificate from the French Customs to the eftect that the india-rubber has been sent direct to a French port and declared for consumption in France. The im- portance of this proposed step, which would cover Madagascar and the French Congo and French Guiana, need not be insisted upon.—British Trade Journal. i ADULTERATION OF TEA. HOUSE OF COMMONS, THURSDAY, JUNES8. Str F. FLANNERY (Yorkshire, Shipley) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention had been called to a statement in the Press that a quarter of the caper teas and half of the dust teas now imported should be confiscated under the Food and Drugs Act of 1875 by reason of their containing 20 per cent of earthly matter and sand; whether he would explain the nature of the precautions taken by the Customs Depart- ment in London for the detection of such adul- teration, and whether the number of samples analysed could be increased with advantage; and whether, having regard to the fact that the des- criptions of tea above named were for the most part consumed by the humbler classes least able to protect themselves against adulteration, he would increase the staff of inspectors especially allocated to the duties of sampling and analysis of caper and dust teas. THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER.— My attention has been called to this matter. The Board of Customs have, in view of representa- . tions made to them by certain firms and of state- ments in the Press, ordered a full inquiry to be made. It is net easy, within the limits of an answer to a question, to explain the precautions taken by the Board torthe detection of the adul- teration of tea; but I shall be happy, if the hon. member wishes it, to supply him with particulars. The Board of Customs, as at present advised, do not consider that there is any need for altering the existing regulations but if, as a result of THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 11 ‘cording to the L the investigations now in progress, it should appear advisable to make such alterations or to increase the number of tea inspectors the neces- sary steps will be taken at once. Meantime a circular has been issued to the tea inspectors directing them to administer the existing regula- tions with special care.—London Times, June 9. Shuttleworth, W. S. & Co.; Tetley, Jos., & Co., Travers, Jos., and Son, Limited; ‘Tower Tea Co. This was seconded by Mr. T. Smith, for- mally put to the meeting, and carried unani- mously. After further short addresses from gen- tlemen present, all to the same purpose, the meet- ing concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair- man.—H and C Mail, June 9. — FACILITIES FOR MAKING GOOD TEA - XI, CONTRADICTORY VIEWS AS REGARDS MANURING. In respect of ‘‘ Upper Hewaheta district,” we misapprehended the local conditions in some of our remarks in our last article. For instance, as regards the time for ‘‘ pruning,” planters have to consider the effect of the South-west monsoon which sometimes plays havoc with tea bushes with less than a year’s growth on them after pruning. As regards soil, the remarks made to us were meant to show that though the old coffee soils do not give as good yields as virgin soil; yet flavour is maintained in tea from the former, longer and more steadily than in tea from virgin scil, partly due, perhaps to the slower growth of the flush on old coffee land. No doubt there is a difference in flavour all round, if one makes comparisons with say ten years; but it is shown that fresh land yielding 500 lb. of tea per acre has lost flavour more than old land cropping 300 Ib. per acre. In regard to ‘“‘Manuring” it is felt that a better knowledge of chemistry would be a great help toa planter in going thoroughly into the question and makin the practical experiments on his own lan which can alone show what fertilisers are most suitable to apply. The three letters which have been held over to the last, are dated from Hatton, Nawalapitiya and Dolosbage ; but they are not the least important of those with which we have had to deal. The first holds the arranging and chopping the manufacture ”— by which. we suppose, is meant interfer- ence by Proprietor or Visiting Agent, ac- supposed course of the market—as the drawback to the turning out of better tea. Nawalapitiya reccgnises no particular drawbacks, as the average rates obtained for its teas, are all that can fairly be expected from its elevation and soil. In Dolosbage, the great drawback has been, till very recently, insufficient labour, aggra- vated from March to May by a rush of leaf, which hinders proper withering and neces- sitates night work which seldom produces good tea. The jat on most estates in Hatton is said to be poor, and even inferior ; whereas Nawalapitiya considers its jt generally fair ; and Dolosbage generally good. On the other hand, the Hatton soil is fairly good, and, so far from being worn, the estates yield larger returns than they did some years ago; while Nawalapitiya, though its estates i12 THE TROPICAL are not worn, has generally poor soil, with exceptions, the tea_ having succeeded coffee ov some other product which had left the land without rest for 30 to 40 years. Dolos- bage does not regard its soil as particularly poor, and has no wornout estates. Hatton returns a decided ‘*‘ No” to the question whether manuring would improve the tea, and make it more profitable; but gives us no reason in support of the stvong opinion it holds. Nawalapitiya not only holds a diametrically opposite view; but also ad- vances grounds in support of it which seem to us cogent, when it says that manure would improve the bushes and thus increase the quantity, on that the improved condition will enable the bushes to resist ‘‘ the so- called rust, and other pests from which. tea is by no means as free as some people ima- gine.” These results would necessarily be profitable : Dolosbage reports the prosecu- tion of manuring; and argues that, if it only pays the cost of the manure and its application, 1t should be continued, as afford ing work for coolies during the slack season ! In regard to Factories, Hatton does not complain of any deficiency of withering room or machinery ; but thinks the motive power admits of improvement. Nawalapitiya is in a different case, lacking as it does wither- ing room, but being well-off as regards machinery, while sharing the deficiency in motive power. Dolosbage gets on well with its withering space for nine months; but when April to May pours in thrice the average yield of leaf, there is necessarily pressure. Neither in respect of machinery nor motive power has it any grievance. All three districts enjoyed a sufficiency of labour during the past year; but Dolosbage during the rush has to resort generally to cash plucking, and even with that it is not pos- sible to go round within ten days. Pruning is not too severe in Hatton, though it is neglected too long on most places; but Nawalapitiya is free from either neglect or undue severity, while Dolosbage laments the spare use of the knife which it thinks should be on the move once in 18 or 20 months, when flush practically stops, whereas the rule has been to keep the bushes on for two years. Hatton’s general remarks embrace the counsel to prune frequently, and to adapt the manu- facture to the district, without attempting to get high-grown tea from low-lying places. Dolosbage’s forcing climate results in lack of flavour in its teas; but where quantity is not aimed at, fair prices are obtained. Nawalapitiya considers the district well- suited to tea, but does not hope tor a larger output, as what little land may be added to the acreage will be enough only to make up the falling-off from older fields. Indeed, that is its view of the whole Island, save Balangoda where a big acreage has yet to show its yield; and there is some signi- ficance, coming as it does from an old hand, in the hint that the weather alone cannot explain the lack of growth in the output of the island’s tea. Abs le SATINWOOD IN Cryton.—Mr. A. F. Broun has an interesting paper on this subject with a sketch map in the Indian Forester to hand. We shall take it over in full latex on, a AGRICULTURIST. fAuc. 1, 1899. RUBBER ESTATES OF PARA. DIFFICULTIES WITH THE VENDOR'S OVER- COME—RUBBER ALREADY BEGINNING TO COME IN. An extraordinary general meeting of the Rubber Estates of Para, Limited, was held yesterday, at Winchester House, Old Broad-street, E.C.. the Hon. Jobn Augustus de Grey in the chair. After the formal business. Mr. WoopRow said: Will you tell us something about the business of the company now ? The CuarrMAN: Our position, as I understand it, is now a very favourable one. But before going into that question, I feel that the board have to account to those gentlemen who originally subscribed for the shares of the company, for the fact that we have not yet been able to pay a dividend. I should remind those who hold preference shares that their dividend has not been passed over; it is simply postponed until the company is in funds sufficient to enable it to pay them. The reason why we have been obliged to defer payment of the dividend isa very simple one. When we were in treaty for taking over the company’s pro- pertyin Para, we ought to have concluded our con- tracts in April; but the company’s issue was not res- ponded to by the public sufficient to enable us to do so, and congequentiy we had to ask for an extension of time, and so it came about that we were not able to do so until September 10 of 'ast year, when we did com- plete our contract by the purchase of the property. ‘Che result of that was this, that the vendor had us more or less in his power. We received an assurance through the vendor’s agent on which we thought we could rely, that we should receive compensation for their crop which the vendor announced that he was going to deprive us of,and at that time we were obliged to pay £2,000 as compensation to the vendor for not having fulfilled the contract at the time it should have been fulfilled. Then we were informed that the vendor intended to appropriate the whele of last year’s crop, but that we should be compensated. I should explain that the season for rubber collecting begins in July, but thattae arrangements are made as early as about the February before. The vendor had made his arrangement for sending men to the estates and was in process of getting that crop when we com- pleted our contract. We should not, if we had taken over the estate then, been in a position to interfere, but we expected that the crop would have been handed over tous. But we were disappointed in that respect, and in the result none of the promises which were made te us by the vendor were fulfilled. And, moreover, we were pro.nised the rents of therubberroads from the tenants, and we received £1,400. The whole of the monkey we re- ceived from the estates was in the past season. Those facts are what caused us to be unable at the present time to pay a dividend for our shares, because it was not until March 1 of this year that we Obtained full possession of the estates, and were able to com- mence working onthem. Some months ago, however, we sent out Mr. Milne, our manager, who has had his work supplemented by an accountant and several storekeepers from this country. You will have received the circular, dated April 14, which was the first in- formation that we were able to give you of our prospects in the coming season. That circular is of an encouraging description, and as far as the ex- pectations held out in it about the beginning of the season, they have been fully realised, because we have received altogether from the estates during the wet season, and up to the end of May, some 74 tons; and we have now at Para about 14 tons more awaiting shipment, which brings up the amount from the estate to a little more than we anticipated in that circular, We are, perhaps, the first people who have had any result at all from a rubber estate in the wet season; but we sent our men up early, and they consequently got this return, and we hope that the June returns will fully come up to what is foreshadowed in our circular. We have sent up about 650 men on our own account, and we are working the estates, as I told you that we should, on the direct system; that is to say, without the Ava. 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAL intervention of a middle-man. We sent our men to work the roads under our own supervision. The system hitherto has been to let the rubber roads to tens ants at a rent which the tenant pays; but if you send your men to the estates, you have, first of all, to keep them supplied with food and necessaries, and then they are debited with the amount of the stores which you provide, and they have to pay that back in rubber. All the rubber which they collect has to be sold to this company, and it is invoiced to you at a price between which and the price at Para there js a considerable difference; the exact amount of difference I will not now venture to state, but I will say thatitis in your favour. Some of our roads are still let to tenants; but we reckonthat we still have about 750 men working on that property, besides our manager and the accountant, and the five inspectors. We are in process of negotiation fora steam launch for our estate. I do not like to say too much about the profits which we are likely to make on the season, but I hope that something like the gross product foreshadowed in our circular may be realised. You must remember that this is a new business; it is a thing that has never been tried by anybody before, and with the actual number of trees in Para, what the number of trees per road may be, &c., is more or less an unknown quantity. Therefore, I will not commit myself to more than this—I will say that from the returns which we have had we may expect a profit at the end of the year. One important oint which I am reminded of is that we believe we have now plenty of working capital to carry us to a successful. issue in the operations of the company. (Applause.) Mr. Woopvrow moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which waa seconded by Mr. GILLINGHAM, and agreed to unanimously. The Cuarrman having briefly acknowledged the yote, the proceedings terminated.—Home paper. —————— me INDIAN AND CEYLON TEA. ANNUAL REVIEW. 38, Mincine Lane, Jane 5th, 1899. We take the opportunity offered by the publication of the figures covering the twelve months ending May 31st, to review the events of the season now concluded, and to print some statistics which may be of general interest. The season has been memorable for the illustration it has afforded of the vicissitudes of fortune awaiting those who devote their energies and capital to the business of tea planting; and of the rapid transition from a state of discouragement to one of hope possible under the conditions which regulate trade in our times. It will also be remembered as the year in which the policy of striving to cultivate new markets, so long pursued with tenacity, at length met with an adequate reward. F : : Through a combination of circumstances, the posi- tion of Tea has, indeed, undergone since the autumn of 1898 a change so conspicuous as to claim very careful attention—placing in the background, for the time being, topics of minor importance. : As a preliminary to consideration of the question of deepest concern, “Ts this change merely a temporary incident, or likely to be permanent in its effect?”’, it will be well to recall the position a yearago. We were then suffering from the loss to producers entailed by the rise in exchange and freight; from deterioration in the quality of the Indian crop; from a temporary check to the increase of consumption at home; and from disappointment at the slow development of trade with other countries. ‘ At the opening of the season came estimates of a large supply from India—destined not to be realized, as has not infrequent y been the case, but harmful through the fear of over-production which they created. Only for those estates capable of p.oducing fine teas could the outlook be deemed hopeful; for it seemed that while values for these would be maintained, quotations for other sorts might fall even lower than before. AGRICULTURIST, 118 Eventually this proved to be the case, and towards the end of 1898 prices fcr all but the best qualities fell to a point which has rarely before been :ouched, to the serious disadvantage of selleis everywhere, but especially to those who had hurriedly soid in Cal- cutta. In the meantime, movements resulting from the low value of produce were in progress. At home, con- sumption received a stimulus from the keen competi- tion arnong Distributors, which led them to offer to the public cheaper tea than had ever before been sold ; while trade in general received an impetus from the renewed industrial activity which followed the settle- ment of the labour troubles of 1897, thus angmenting the purchasing power of the wage-earners. Abroad, from nearly all quarters came, by degrees, the larger demand for which long and careful preparation had been made; mainly due, without doubt, to the low quotations at which the kinds wanted by foreign buyers could be secured, but parily in consequence of diminished exportation from China; and as regards the United States, it is said, owing to stringent measures taken there to prohibit the admission of certain common kinds of Chinese tea. As the months passed it began to be evident that® the supply from India would be curtailed by the drought in Sylhet and Cachar; that the heavy yield once obtained from certain parts of Ceylon and India might not be kept up; and that a good deal of un- profitable and immature acreage was here and there being quietly abandoned. Everywhere the work of extension was so far suspended as to make seed practically unsaleable ; while if the limit of Ceylon’s producing power had not yet been reached, it was evident that we should probably receive fiom that quarter less than hitherto instead of more. All these points were duly noted here, and their bearing upon the future was pointed out. But the Trade, long accustomed to abundant supplies and low quotations, were slow to believe that a change was impending, and being quite unprepared for it were eventually compelled to operate at advancing prices. They had, indeed, no option, for the modern system of business had left the country bare of the reserve stocks upon which in former times retailers could fall back, and so resist a rise in price. It had long been foreseen that whenever the position should justify a rise on its merits, and apart from the action of speculators (from which we have been fortunately free) the small stocks on which the Trade had accustomed themselves to work would make an upward movement sudden and pronounced :—and it must not be forgotten that when something oecurs to weaken the position, re-action on the same lines may follow. But whether that be so or not, we have now to deal with the fact that the unprecedented increase in the use of Indian Tea at home and the larger demand for both Indian and Ceylon Teas abroad have raised prices for the lower qualities to a point which has enabled those who had not the misfortuve of a short crop to reap a better result of the year’s work than at one time seemed possible, while opening to all who make them a brighter prospect for the coming year. For producers of the finer qualities, however, the effect has not been quite so beneficial —advance in the value of the cheaper sorts being generally prejadicial to the value of fine—but as a Jarge portion of the fine crops were sold in the autumn at high prices, those who made them would have shown as good results as usual, if it had not been for the abnormally high freights and an exchange of 1s 4d or 1s 43d for. the rupee. We have now to consider how the near future will be affected by what has occurred. It is only reason- able to assume that many growers, tempted by the prospect of a good profit on a large crop laid down at a low cost, will make all the tea they can:—and because such a policy has not usually proved suc- cessful in the past, it does not follow that it may not be the beat course for some to take now. The short Deliveries in May show that the need of the moment is a plentiful supply of low-priced Indian and Ceylon tea quickly brought to market, in order 1ié4 that the wants of consumers may be at once met and the danger of a check to consumption averted, Failing such a full and free supply, traders will turn elsewhere ; for opposed to the frequent assertiou that when ence British-grown tea has been used it will never be given up, stands the fact that the public have to take what retailcrs sell them; and some retailers have a way of usimg for a time anything that can be called tea sooner than raise the price to their customers or forego their accustomed profit. The decor has already been opened here through which foreign rubbish enters, and it should be closed as soon as possible. But there must be limits to this plicy. The pro- duction of large crops of low-priced tea should be left to those who can attempt it with the least hazard. It would be most imprudent for those in Assam, Darjeeling, or the highlands of Ceylon, whose estates can yield tea of fine quality to risk their pre-eminence, We have behind us the evidence of many years that demand for fine tea is an assured and constant feature of the home market, and although, for the time being, those who produce it may not be getting their due proportion of profit, this will be adjusted when liberal supplies once more come forward and the normal range of value between fine and common tea is re-established. An ideal crop would be one containing the widest possible variety of character and value, with enough of the best to meet the home demand and to maintain the reputation of British-grown tea all over the world, and with a sufficiency of such as growers could afford to sell at low rates, in order to increase our trade abroad by supplanting the produce of other countries. New markets can neither be opened nor kept open with short supplies and high prices. Recognizing how much of encouragement there is in the present position, we feel there are too many uncertain factors of the problem to justify the very sanguine forecasts in which some have indulged :— the quantity that may possibly be drawn from China by the prices now ruling is unknown; Ceylon as well as India, is liable to suffer, and_ has suffered from drought and blight; in India the difficulty of getting coclies increases; and though freights may be lower, an exchange at 1s. 4d. has still to be reckoned with. On the other hand, the Home Trade is in a strong position, abundantly supplied with capital; the advance in quotations was agenuine movement, entirely due to the fact that supply had fallen short of demand and not to any artificial manipulation of the market; stocks are lower than they have been since 1886, when the annual turnover was 50 million lb. less than it is now and the price of tea 50 per cent. higher ;— and althongh an increase in the importation from India may be expected, very little more will come from Ceylon; there is consequently not much reason to expect to total supply from these sources will be larger than we require here, pro- vided that afree consumption at home and abroad is not hindered by very high prices at the outset. It is no longer necessary to enlarge upon the im- portance of gaining for our tea a better share of foreign trade,for the result of taking a few million lb. from the London market has been seen. It is sufficient to state that 92 per cent of the home trade, and 75 per cent of the Australian trade have already been secured, in order to show that we more than ever need the help of other outlets, if there is to be further development of the tea-growing industries of India and Ceylon. As regards home requirements for the coming season, it should be safe to take the year 1898 as a criterion. The Board of Trade returns show that in that year we used at home or sent abroad 141 million 1b, of Indian, 94 million lb. of Ceylon and 36 milion lb. of China and Java tea:—total 271 willion lb. We should, therefore. be ableto handle here without much difficulty during the season ending the 31st May, 1900, about 145 millions from India, 95 millions from Ceylon, and 35 millions from elsewhere—say a total of 275 million Ib, We refrain from details relating to manutacture, assortment and so on, respecting which managers must already be in possession of the information they ‘THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Avc. 1, 1899, need : but inasmuch as it is desirable that the re- quirements of Continental and American buyers should be studied by those who can produce the sort of teas they take, it may be useful to mention that the desidevata for those markets are—an 2yen leaf, not broken or dusty; flavour rather than strength; aroma on the dry leaf: large breaks and sound packages made of the best material. And whereas the stability of the home market is undoubtedly endangered for more by the excessive number of seperate invoices and breaks than by the actual weight of tea brought to sale when it is neces- sary to hold large Auctions, we would once more urge those who pack many different kinds or send forward small invoices at short intervala, in their own interest to do what they can (short of sending unassorted tea) to lesson the difficulty experienced hy the Trade in handling the large quantities which must of necessity be bronght to market during the busy months of the season. WM. JAS. & HY. THOMPSON, Showing the progress of the Ceylon Tea Trade in London :— Season ending 31st May, 1897. Imported 92 mils lion lb. Total of Auctions, 1,140,000 packages. Average price 8d per lb. Season ending 3lst May, 1898, Imported 93% million lb. Total of auctions, 1,160,000 packages, Average price 74d per lb, Season ending 3lst May,1899. Imported 93 mil- lion lb. a ie of auctions, 1,105,000 packages. Average 8 er lb. iuondon Warehouse Returns, including all kinds of tea, for the past three seasons, ending 31st May, (Estimated Weights) :— IMPORT : 1896-7. 1897-8. 1898 9. Ib. Ib. lb. Indian .. 131,650,000 135,377,000 136,073,000 Ceylon 92,073,000 93,580,000 92,947,000 China 33,012,000 31,997,000 27,683,000 Java, etc. .. 3,606,000 3,682,000 3,849,000 Total 260,341,000 264,636,000 260,552,000 DELIVERY : : Indian .. 126,165,000 129,399,000 142 646,000 Ceylon 90,677,000 96,303,000 90,150,000 China -- 89,691,000 32,895,000 29,436,000 Java,etc. .. 3,800,000 3,719,000 2,824,000 Total .. 260,333,000 262,316,000 266,056,000 Of which were Re-Exported about .. 33,300,000 33,700,000 32,700,000 STOCK IST JUNE: Indian 32,235,000 38,213,000 31,502,000 Ceylon .. 19,953,000 17,231,000 19,790,000 China 12,891,000 11,993,000 9,967,000 Java, ete. .. 865,000 827,000 812,000 Total .. 65,944,000 68,264,000 ~—«62,071,000 THE EXPORT TRADE OF CHINA. Season 1897-98. 1898-99. lb. Ib. To England -- 31,000,000 27,000,000 To Russia* -- 26,800,000 24,800,000 To America 45,200,000 42,200,000 To Elsewhere -. 11,000,000 13,000,000 Total -- 114,000,000 107,C00,000 * Overland trade not inciuded. THE EXPORT TRADE OF JAPAN. Year 1897. 1898.. lb. lb. To United States .. 35,000,000 31,500,000 To Canada «- 7,000,000 7,500,000 To Elsewhere -- 1,000,C00 1,500,000 Total -» 43,000,000 40,500,000 Ave. 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAL TEA IN WESTERN ASIA AND EUROPEAN TURKEY. ooking over the several replies received by Messrs: eee. we find that in ‘Turkish Arabia the bulk of the tea imported is Indian, and only about 5 per cent. from China and Java. 'The people are not tea drinkers, coffee being their beverage, but the Consul- General thinks it possible a change may take place in the habits of the people. In symrna, the Consul saya the demand for tea is increasing, and there is room for further development of the trade; the tea used being a blend of India and China. In Salonica the use of tea is not general among the population, but appexrs to be extending rapidly. The Vice-Con- sul at Uscub (European Turkey) says tea is not largely consumed there; what there is, comes from Asia Minor. From Van (Asiatic Turkey) comes the intimation that there would be a good demand for tea there. All the tea comes from Constantinople, where it is mixed, but the people are not at all satisfied with the stuff as soldthere. At Beyrout (Tur- key) tea is not a national beverage, but about 15,000 chests pass through annually. There is little chance of developing the trade there. At Angora (also in Turkey) the tea-drinking population is inereasing; tea being said to be taking the place of coffee. The British Gonsnl at Damascus says the tea consumed there is Indian; that the habit of tea drinking is undoubtedly growing in the city, and the demand for tea wilt certainly increase in the future, though coffee is the beverage of the country. In Jerusalem the consumption of tea is on the increase, thou the people are indifferent to the quality. The Europeans and the better class of inhabitants consume Ceylon tea. Her Majesty’s Minister at Teheran (Sir M. Durand) says he is making enquiries as to the prospects of the tea trade in Persia, and will send the information as soon as possible. At Mohammerals (Persia) the British Vice-Consul says the imports o tea are increasing, and are likely to increase. indian, Ceylon, China and Japan supply the demand, the tea being shipped by British steamer at Bombay. The British Consul at Ispahan (Persia) does not think there is much chance of increasing the tea trade of the place; but the tea imported is Indian, and the trade is entirely in the hands of Parsee Merchants, who have their agencies at Bombay. The Consul at Erzeroum says only Indian teas are im- ported, and that the people are great tea drinkers, while the habit is increasing from year to year. We notice that the tax or duty on teas in all of the cities referred to in the correspondence is low, ranging from 5 to 8 per cent. ad valorem. ——— eS THE PLUMBAGO TRADE IN CEYLON,, (From Capital.) bago prospecting in Ceylon, about which s0 aehibad Been dbeaes of late, can scarcely be said to be a profitable undertaking—at any rate as far as the generality of those engaged in the industry are concerned. Axsd it seems to be understood that hardly one out of every ten embarked in this business makes any appreciable profit. J This statement might seem strange at first sight, for the plumbago trade has every appearance of prosperity. The prices prevailing are high, and during the last year or two they have'stood higher than they ever have been. Moreover, the supply of plumbago is abundant, and plumbago mining is conducted in several parts of Ceylon, for the mineral has been found in localities where only a few years ago its presence was not even suspected, About two years ago the number of plumbago mines in the Colony was officially stated to be 299, and the agere- gate annual yield of these mines was declared to be over 23,000 tons, while the value of this produce was estimated at slightly over 34 millions of rupees. There are various causes, however, which contribute towards rendering plumbago prospecting in Ceylon a 5 ' where markets can be found for ‘which plumbago is exported. AGRICULTURIST. 115 non-profitable concern—at any rate not a generally profitable one. First and foremost, it would appear that there are considerable difficulties connected with the transport of plumbago from the mines to centres it. The plumbago obtained from mines in the interior of tho island ig, with no little trouble, carried by means of rivers or canals to the closest Railway station, and is then trained to Colombo whence it is exported. As rail- ways are not abundantin the interior of the island, the inconvenience and expense of such transport can easily be imagined. Moreover, there are difficulties about the particular sort of timber which is required for the casks in 1t appears that hora wood is the only kind of timber which answers this purpose, and it is stated that casks made of any other sort of timber are ill-adapted for exportation of this mineral. Unfortunately this hore timber is becoming scarce in Ceylon, and high prices are being accord- ingly demanded for it, and thus the cost of trans- porting plumbago to a place of exportation is enhanced by the expenses due to the purchase of horw timber. Roughly speaking, the snpply of hora is practically exhausted in the Western parts of the island of Cey- lon, and it is now procured in the Southern regions, The price of 1,000 feet hora is at present about R70, whereas scarcely ten years ago the same quantity could have been purchased for R30. The hora, which is obtained in the Southern Province of the Colony, is conveyed at much cost to the railway line along the Southern Coast, and is then transported (by rails way) to Colombo, the port of shipment. The cost of transport to Colombo amounts to about R15 or 20; and this item helps considerably towards maintain- ing the high prices of hora. If the railway authorities could be prevailed upon to reduce their rates, the trade in hora timber would probably increase a great deal, and if the freight could only be reduced to something like R5 per 1,000 feet, the plumbago trade might be run at » profit. Moreover, the local timber trade could receive a great impetus; and the crown lands in the south of the colony would doubtless then be taken up for the purpose of exploiting hora timber ; but, as matters stand at present, these Crown lands are taken up merely for purposes of cultivation, forthe timber trade is not sufficiently paying under the circumstances now prevailing, While plumbago prospecting has not proved remunerative to the majority of those engaged in it, a happy minority contrive to make it profitable ; and among these forfunate people should be mentioned certain persons who are known as District Mudaliyars, and who are the lawful guardians of Crown lands. A thorough knowledge of local conditions is necessary to understand how profit is made in these Cases ; but it is believed that the Government of Ceylon would be well advised to thoroughly investigate the matter. iin wa PLUMBAGO IN Uva.—We learn that the plumbago work on Dambatenne, although so far not very remunerative, is encouraging. Others think of trying their luck, and “ Capt. Boyd”—so says a correspondent—has a com- mission from the Poonagalla Valley Com- pany to report and advise. Let us hope that the expert’s visit will result in finding a rich paying vein. OIL ENGINE.—We heard the other day of two of ‘“*Campbell’s Oil Engines” doing most satisfactory work on a Kelani Valley estate and that, although fuel was abundant, they were preferred to steam, the cost of oil not exceeding half cent per Ib. of tea. This should be encouraging news where fuel is not abundant, as in the central portion of Dimbula, for instance, 116 THE PROPOSED ABOLITION OF DRAFT POUND. MEETING IN LONDON. A meeting of the members of the wholesale and retail tea trade was held at the Commercial Sale Rooms, Mincing Lane, on Wednesday last, to oppose the proposed abolition of the draft pound by the Ceylon and Indian Tea Associations. The Right Honourable the LorpD Mayor, who was called to the chair, explained the purpose for which the meeting had been called. He said that he had great pleasure in presiding over that nunierous and influential meeting, because he felt that it was a matter of great importance to every wholesale and retail dealer throughout the United Kingdom. From time immemorial the pound draft had been a concession to the trade, sanctioned by the importers to cover all the various losses of the retailers occasioned by leakage, samples, &c,, and now the Ceylon and Indian Tea Associations had made the astounding proposal that this one pound draft should be abolished. He would give the two chief reasons for their seeking to ‘introduce so serious a change. First, it had the unanimous approval of committee of the two associations named. This seemed a very inade- quate reason, for those represented by the asso- ciations would benefit by the change. Second, the profits on tea had been greatly reduced of late, but those present had only to take the dividends paid by the leading tea companies to see that this was greatly exaggerated. He had looked up the matter and found that the four leading companies interested paid dividends averaging from 15 per cent to 124 per cent, and those were profits that could hardly be complained of. Personally, he (the Chairman) had given the subject very great attention, and in his judgment the pro- posed abolition of the one pound draft was most unfair and unreasouable, and furcher, the assigned reasons were wholly inadequate. He then called upon Mr. Thomas Lough, M.P., to propose the first resolution, viz: ‘‘ That this meeting expresses its great surprise and regret at the ill-considered and drastic proposal emanating from the Ceylon and Indian ‘Tea Associations to abolish the draft allowance on teas sold under sale conditions in London, which would inflict a very serious loss upon the tea trade in this country; and this re- presentative gathering of the entire wholesale and retail tea trades protests against this one- sided and unreasonable change in the sale con- ditions.” Mr. LouGH, in proposing this, strongly of the secrecy of the proceedings to which they had been subject, saying that he had heard nothing of the proposal till a fortnight since, although he heard now that as long ago as last March circulars had been sent out to India and Cey- lon and distributed among all the tea-growers and their consent obtained to the proposal. He said there was only one party who would benefit by this proposed change, and that was the sellers. Another thing be had to complain of was that they had to pay 40 per cent. of the price of tea before they gov the order of delivery. He said that those in the tea trade had a number of ervievances that they did not complain of, but which would never be tolerated in any other trade, and that this pound draft, which was now their sole retuge, was not a concession because in the majority of cases it barely covered the losses arising from leakage, samples, &c. When, therefore, this was abolished it would leave the trade exposed to the full misery of the situation, THE s THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. complained — [Ave. 1, 1899. and the real reason was the private profit of those represented by the association. The as- sociations had in their circular stated what a large number of pound packages they had given away through this one pound draft, but this amount was only 1 per cent. on the whole sale of tea in this country. He trusted that they would un- animously accept the resolution, and that, with the consent of buyers and sellers, no change would be made. Mr. Hupson KearieEy, M.P., seconded the resolution. He also said that it was a matter of history repeating itself, for in 1870 when ‘Chinese tea had the monopoly, a similar proposal had been made and had beer rejected unanimously, as he was confident this one would be. Such an al- teration would seriously disturb the tea trade, and he thought that thefact of its being an old estab- lished custom ought to be suffieient to prevent the abolition of thisone pounddraft. He begged to make a single suggestion, and that was that if there was not already an organisation strong enough to represent the interests of the tea trade that they should form one out of that meeting and fight the importers’ association. Sik WILLIAM PINK, Mr. J Lecky, Mr. Heath Clarke, and Mr. J J Meakins, amongst others supported the resolution, and reiterated the opinions expressed by the previous speakers. The resolution was then formally put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Various gentlemen representing large firms in the provinces then warmly opposed the pro- posed abolition, giving as their experience that the one pound draft in the majority of cases barely co- vered the losses arising from leakage, samples, &c., and in some cases actually it did not cover them. The CHAIRMAN then said that he had received a large numter of letters and telegrams from firms in most of the large towns. The names of the towns and firms were then read. The Clairmar called upon Mr. J. Innes Roger to propose the second resolution, viz. :—‘‘ That representatives of the following firms be appointed a General Com- mittee, with power to add to their number, and to form an Executive Committee to deal, in conjunc- tion with the Committee of the Wholesale Tea Dealerz’ Association, with any questions that may arise from time to time in connection with the sub- ject now before this meeting.” Budgett, Samuel, & Co., Limited ; Burbidge, Pritchard, and Bart- lett ; Brooke, Bond, & Co., Limited ; Co-opera- tive Wholesale, Limited ; Edwards & Sons ; Han- son, S. Son and Barter ; Harrisons and Crosfield ; Home and Colonial Stores, Limited ; Kearley and Tonge, Limited ; Lipton, Limited : Lloyd, David, Pigott & Co.; Mazawatte Tea Co., Limited ; Payne, Geo., & Co., Limited ; Rowley and Davies Shuttleworth, W.8. & Co.; Tetley, Jos., & Co.’ Travers, Jos. and Son, Limited ; Tower Tea Co. This was seconded by Mr. T. Smith, for- mally put to the meeting, and carried unani- mously. After further shoot addresses from ge=- tiemen present, all to the same purpose, the meet- ing concluded with a vote of thanks to the chiair- man.—H and C Mail, June 9. > THE PROPOSED ABOLITION OF THE DRAFT POUND. To the Editor of the Home and Colonial Mail. Sir,—As a regular reader of your valuable paper, I have noticed a letter in your issue of the 2nd inst., signed ‘‘A Tea Dealer,’ in which he argues that it would be more productive to squeeze a little off the Calcutta and London agents than to abolish the draft pound. In sup- Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL port of his contention “A Tea Dealer” states that the average saving to be effected by with- holding the draft pound would only amount to 8d per average chest, whilst, according to his estimate, Calcutta Agency Commission amounts to ls 6d, and London Agency Commission to Is 9d per average chest. I do not know how ‘‘ A Tea Dealer” has ar- rived at these comparative figures, but I am in a position to supply some actual figures, extracted from the 1898 accounts of a company in which I am interested. The company in question made in 1898 a total crop of 1,956,825 lb. of tea. The number of pack- ages was 22,930, and the average gross sale price was 11] 23-32d per lb. The 1 lb. per package draft was therefore 1] 238-32d per lb. on 22,930 lb. or, say, £1,119 12s 7d. The Calcutta Agency Com- mission for the year was £474 13s 1d. The com- parison in the case of the company in question is therefore not ls 6d for Calcutta Agency against 8d for the pound draft, but 4 31-32d for the Calcutta Agency against 11 23-32d for the pound draft. The company in question does not pay any iondon Agency Commission, but the accounts, show an item of £60 for rent of London oftice a moderate sum for office salaries, and auditors’ fees, and certain other charges, which, as it ap- pears to me it would be difficult to reduce. On the whole [ am not convinced by the ar- gument that it would be more productive to squeeze a little off the Calcutta and London agents than to tackle the question of the 1lb per package draft.—Yours faithfully, E. Ge Ro@«, 1, Great Winchester Street, London, E.C., June 6, 1899. << MiNOR PRODUCTS REPORT. a good demand for the small supply offered in auction on Wednesday, and the bulk sold at full rates to a slight ad- vance, the average unit working out at 13d to 13d per lb, and 2d forcinchonidine. A parcel of 99 bales Bast India was withdrawn upon instructions from India. The catalogues offered by the six brokers cone sisted of :— CincHonA.—There was Packages offered. East Indian cinchona.. 290 of which 165 were sold. Ceylon cinchona oe 245 do 245 do South American cin- chona .. 120 do 47 do 655 457 The following are the approximate aes pure chased by the principal buyers :— ‘ American and Italian factories 2. 41,314 Amsterdam and Mannheim factories.. 26,663 Messrs. Howards & Sons .. eo 12,156 Brunswick factory ia es @©=- 9, 844 Paris factory .. ai ee 3,220 Druggists, &. .. as es 6,060 rf Total quantities sold oo 98,757 Bought in or withdrawn e. 40,041 Total quantity offered «. 138,978 Gryton.—Succirubra, good rich chips, quilly, 74d to 64d for fair; medium,4gd to 434; and fair root chips 83d. Officinalis, chips and shavings 52d to 62d; renewed ditto 44d to 64d per lb. Quinine has again shown more activity, at rising prices, and when the market opened on Tues- day small transactions were put through, mostly for August delivery, at 1s 43d to Is 43d, an advance ‘of ld on Friday’s prices; October delivery also AGRICULTURIST. 117 changed hands at 1s 5d per ounce, Wednesday saw an advance to Is 5d for August, and 1s 54d for Otober, with a fair business. Today it has been in good demand, and as high as 1s 5d spot has been paid; June 1s 43d, and August 1s 5d to Is 5¢d, Vanitua.—The exports from Bordeaux in 1898 were 741 cwt, as compared with 473 cwt in 1897; of this quantity,187 cwt. went to the United Kingdom, against 27 cwt in 1897. The stock of vanilla at the close of 1898 was 4,255 kilos., against 4,560 kilos in 1897, that in first hands being nil.—Chemist and Druggist, May 27. ne ne THE TEA TRADE. After a long and costly struggle, Indian and Ceylon teas are fast conquering the whole world of consumers by their now recognised superiority. Australasian prejudice was the first to succumb ; then followed South Africa; the United States and Canada madea harder fight, but they, too, have given way ; while Russia, the greatest mar- ket of all, is largely and continuously increasing its importations. South America, however, still remains faithful to mate or Paraguayan tea, as it is sometimes called. The decoction of this herb is altogether inferior to the genuine brew, but it has the advantage of being very much cheaper. That merit is more than counterbalanced, however, by its containing a higher percentage of theine, a drug which produces violent nervous excitement unless consumed in very small quantities, and the smaller the better. Possibly, the revolutions, which have been so common in South America had their ori- gin, tosome extent, in mate. The people them- selves are sufficiently excitable without any ad- ventitious aid to inflame their passions. Even from a purely political point of view, therefore, some benefit might come from the substitution of Indian and Ceylon teas for the indigenous herb. Atall events, if that could be managed, great gain would result to our planters from securing a footing in an enormous stretch of country where, as in Russia, a liking for ‘‘ the cup that cheers but not inebriates” is already firmly rooted. After South America is won over there will remain no more worlds for Anglo-Indian enterprise toconquer by tea.—Globe, June 5. ed NEW AREAS OF CULTIVATION IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE IN 1898. As stated in my Administration Report for 1896, there is hardly any scope for extending the cultivation in the Jaftna peninsula. The fol- lowing figures show the extent of the new area brought under cultivation as estimated by the headmen, and the extent sold during the year :— Private Land Extent sold estimated at the by Headmen. Kachcheri: Jafina. Acres. Acres, Fit for coconut .. — se 73 Fit for paddy .. 9 as 72 Fit for garden _... —_ ae 30 Mullaittivu. Fit for paddy .. 136 367 The Assistant Government Agent of Mannar states that no new land has been opened in his district during 1898, and that there is no likeli- hood of any attempts being made to extend the cultivated area until after the restoration of the Giant’s tank. There is a great opening for coco- nut cultivation in the Mullaittivu district, where the soil and climate are favourable. I refer to the remarks of my Assistant regarding this, —Mr, Levers’s Report. ; 118 THE TROPICAL SATIN WOOD. CHLOROXYLON SWIETENIA D,C. Brandis in his” Flora of North-West and Central India” thus speaks of this tree :—‘‘ A common tree in the Satpura Range, the Dekkan, the Konkan, and the drier parts of the peninsula and Ceylon. A small tree in Central India, in South India attaining 30-40 ft. ; trunk straight, symmetrical. Bark yellow, soft, corky, 4 in. thick or more. Heartwood, with a beanti- ful satin lustre, fragrant, when seasoned, greenish white with a yellow tinge, er yellow, mottled, and feathered, close grained. Heavy the cub. ft. weighs 51-66 lb. when seasoned and 70-75 lb. when green. The value of P. has been found to fluctuate between 600 and 1059, and the average may be taken at 800. Has been compared to box, not found suited for engraving, but is excellent for turning. Em- ployed for agricultural implements, cart-building, makes beautiful furniture and picture-frames. Im- orted into England, used for cabinet work and the acks of brushes.” My experience of Satinwood in India being most limited, my remarks apply mainly to this tree in Ceylon, where it atttains its best dimensions. DistrRiBpuTION:—The annexed sketch map shows, roughly, the distribution of this tree over the island. It will be seen that it is only absent from the South- Western portion, z.¢,, from the portions affected by the South-Western monsoon, and from the higher mountain ranges. I have seen some trees at an elevation of about 1,500 feet in the Province of Uva, and a few trees in the intermediate rainfall zone near Kurunegala, but, as a rule, it can be said that it is not found above an elevation of 800 feet, and in localities with a rainfall of over 65 inches. The finest forests are in the Northern portions of the Batticaloa district, and in the Puttalam district. Inthe Northern portion of the island, the trees, although abundant, do not attain very large dimensions. Sort :—Satinwood requires a light sandy soil with good subsoil drainage. It is also found on well- drained rocky hills, if there is not too much clay in the soil. SYLVICULTURAL REQJiREMENTs :—This tree is essen- tially a shade-avoiding tree, except perhaps ia its infancy when, like other trees, belonging to the natural order of the Meliacesw, it prefers side-shelter or low cover. It springs up readily in clearings, but is also found along the sides of forest roads and lines or growing in the midst of bushes in old clearings abandoned by the chena cultivator. In this respect it is a valuable re-afforesting agent; for, after the chena cultivator has cut and burnt off the jungle and cultivated it for two or three years, a rank growth of spiny and prickly bushes springs up, which the Satinwood helps in again becoming valuable forest, In high forest, especially if the leaf canopy is not dense, or if itis not high, Satinwood seedlings ger- minate readily enough, but they require the aid of man to develop into trees. It is for thisreason that in Ceylon forests ofa certain age, although large and medium-sized trees are not uncommon, there is a vemarkable absence of saplings and poles. This has led Mr. Vincent, in his valuable Report? on the Ceylon forests, to state that the natural reproduction was poor. The contrary is, however, the case; but up to recently the Government did not do anything to re- place the trees taken away by helping the young scedjings, and no cleanings or seed-fellings have beeu carried out. It appears tome that the correct treat- ment for Satinwood is to girdle trees for some dis- tance to leeward of the seed-bearers, in sufficient numbers to give light to the soil without encoura- ging the growth of rank grass and weeds, and far enough to let the light seed, which is carried to some distance by the wind, have a chance of deve- loping into seedlings. Asthe seed vipens before the North East monsoon, the girdling should be done early in the year, and at the same time all large climbers which invade the crowns of the trees should he cut. After the seed has germinated and the AGRICULTURIST. (Aue. 1, 1899. seedling established itself, it reauires direct overhead light, and this should be provided, but caution must be exercised in not girdling too many of the dominant trees, for this might lead to an invasion of insects which would be liable to attack the seedlings as well as the girdled trees. i Dimensions anp Rate or Grow?rn :—Satinwood grows to a large tree, except in wind-swept localities near the sea, where it attains only small dimensions. The crown is large, as can be expected with its light, feathery foliage; the bole, although it attains a girth of 8 or 9 feet is usually comparatively short, i.c., rarely over 30 feet in height. This is due to the requirements of light by the tree which early forms branches in order to develop a large crown. As regards the cate of growth of the tree, the data which we have at present are unfortunately not very reliable on account of the small number of trees in each sample plot and in consequence of the habit of mixing up trees of different girth-classes, and of calculating the average girth for all. This method of measurement has now been given up and the trees are measured by girth-class, and itis hoped that in a few years reliable data will be obtained. I have gone carefully into the figures available and the follow- ing appear to me to give a fairly correct idea of the rate of growth of anaverage Satinwood tree. Age of tree 18 inches in girth -. 20 years do do 3 feet do -- 45 do do do 4ft6in do -. %5 do do do 6 feet do +. 125 do If this estimate of the rate of growth proves to be correct, it takes 50 years for a tree 4ft. Gin. in girth to reach a circumference of 6 feet. If, therefore, the exploitable size is taken at 6ft. as it is now in Ceylon, it would be proper under the selection method og eaiment to go over the forest in 50 years, taking alf the* trees 6ft. and over which canbe spared from a sylvicultural point of view. In all forests, it would be better still to go each year, on an average, over one twenty-fifth of the area, taking only one-half of the exploitable stock or confining operation to trees whose removalis most urgent. We have not yet sufficient experience to know, in the event of the Regular Method being adopted, how many years before the final fellings the seed-fellings should be made. Observations made in our forests since 1891, show that the Satinwood flowers abun- dantly every year and it is probable that seed-fellings made some 7 to 10 years before the final fellings, would give a good crop of seedlings, Hnemis,—This tree, like others belonging to the same natural order, is liable to attacks from insects which bore into the pith of the young shoots. A large number of trees die from the attacks of the larva of a beetle, probably alongicorn, which makes galleries between bark and wood, that not unfrequently girdle the tree. The young saplings are very liable to injury by stags, since these prefer them to any other trees for rubbing off the velvet fromtheir horns. This pre- ference is probably due partiy to the corky nature of the bark and partly to the gum, which exudes from woundsand soothes the irritation which the animals feel. In some parts of the islandthe trees are liable to the attacks of a fungus, which rots the centre of the tree and causes a clean hole, sometimes throngh- out the length of the bole. This is the case particu- larly in the South-Western portion of the island. Satinwood does not resist fires well. Tue Tiwspex.—The weight of 12 well-seasoned pieces taken by me from different parts of the island, varied from 55'2 lb to 65:4 Ib per cub. ft., and the average was 59°92 lb or cub, ft. This is a somewhat average than that of the specimens higher tested by Mr. Smythies in 1878, which averaged 57lb. Seasoned wood can, therefore, be said to be lighter than water. The wood is hard and strong, takes a beautiful polish, and is extremely durable. The most valuable wood is that which is known in Ceylon as “flowered,” and in the home market as ” figury” wood, especially if it is light coloured and can be used together with West Indian satinwood. The price of od Ave. 1, 1899.} flowered satinwood in Colombo ranges from R4 to R7 per cubic foot in the log. It has not yet been ascertained what the figure in the wood, which is merely curly fibre, is due to, and whether it is heredit- ary. lt was found in some abundance in one of the forests of the Puttalam district, which was exposed to the full blast of the monsoons and wind may have something to do with it, but I think that it must be due also partly to the soil. There is streaky and curly flower, and it is the latter which gives the prettiest effects of satin-like lustre and which fetches the best prices in the market. Unflowered satinwood fetches prices up to R2°50 per.cubic foot according to colour and size of the logs. Light-coloured logs are preferred although the darker ones are better for patching up old cabinet work. Logs of a dull, muddy colour are not appreciated. The bestlogs as regards colour and size are now obtained from the forests in the Hast of the island. Fine logs used to be obtained from Puttalam, but these forests have been more or less exhausted by timber traders in the old days. The finest logs I have seen were eight to nine ft. in girth. The logs for the home market are sent tothe Cen- tral Timber Depot in Colombo, where they are tested for ‘‘ flower,” and the flowered logs set aside. Hitherto they have been sold according to market rates ; but, in future,on account of the great demand for flowered logs, the latter will be sold by auction. The proportion of flowered logs is not much above 5 percent. Satinwood is also sold at the Forest Depots or, when possible, standing in the forests. This has been the case in the Eastern provinces, where first- class logs have been stamped over one-sixtieth of the area, but the sale of the coupes was effected after the picked logs had been felled and sent to Colombo. The strength of the wood has not yet been tested with pieces of a proper size, the largest specimens tested having, according to Gamble, a cross-section 2 in.square. Ihave not much faith in tests madeon pieces of timber which may be taken from any part” of alog, and shouid like to see the example of the University of Sidney followed, where Professor W H Warren tests pieces of timber of the dimensions ordinarily employed for construction. Acsording to Gamble the valueof P. varies from 504to 1,059, but I think, that, on an average, it will be nearer 1,000 than 500. The uses to whieh this timber is put in Ceylon are the following ;— Cabinet work and furniture. Satinwood furniture is however, heavy; and is really suitable only when tinely made, as in the case of Chippendale patterns. In cart-building it is used for the naves and spokes of heavy carts. It has been much used for house aud bridge building, and the bridge at Peradeniya, near Kandy, consisting ofa single arch 205 ft. wide, is built entirely of this wood, Ball-room floors made of Satinwood are considered good, but to my mind they are too hard, wanting in elasticity and much too hard, too slippery for dancing. Sleepers made of this timber have lasted over 20 years on the Ceylon Government Railway, and experiments are now being carried out in the new Colombo Harbour-works to test its resistance to the teredo. Tho pieces have only been put in posi- tion-a year ago, but so far they are intact. In the North of the island the woodis used for oil mills; ‘and in the Hastern province, hollow logs are in great demand for wells. Ploughs are usually made of this wood. Minor Propucrs.—According to the Dictionary of Economic Products, this tree yields a yellow dye and a wood-oil. I have, however, never heard of these products being employed in Ceylon. The bark, like that of other Meliaces, has medicinal properties, and a gum exudes from it which might prove to be a good substitute for gumarabic. A. R. Broun in Indian Forester. Colombo, 28th March, 1899. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 119 THE PLANTING SEASON AT ZANZIBAR. The spell of dry which we have experienced for two years has at last terminated and the country from end to end will now be busy plant- ing. 7.13 inches of rain fell at Dunga on April 2nd 6.07 inches; being recorded between 5 p.m., and 3 a.m., and 10.18 in the great rain of the 23rd. Sweet potatoes, muhogo, Indian corn, mtama, ground nuts, rice will all have been put in. We have called attention elsewhere to the expediency of planting cloves and the ‘same urgency may be pleaded in favour of coconuts. Arabs don’t plant now-a-days; a few hundred coconuts here and there perhaps, but nothing more. What will be the state of this country in another decade or two if the yearly waste among the cloves and coconut plantation is not repaired ? The rearing of a coconut plantation is a lon but not a laborious or expensive process, an money put into a coconut plantation is like money ut into the bank, and at good interest too. e can understand the reluctance of Arabs to embark upon new ventures like cocoa, coffee or vanila, until something definite has been ascer- tained as to their suitability to this country but every planter on the island knows the value of the coconut industry.—The Shamba, March, April and May. — <2 COFFEE CULTIVATION IN CEYLON AND THE STRAITS. WE are indebted to Mr. E. V. Carey for an interesting letter addressed to us on his experience of Liberian coffee and hybrids from Coorg plants in the Straits. It is too soon to draw conclusions as to the success of the latter, but so fat all is promising; and it is certainly of interest to learn that the hybrids are free from the leaf fungus pest. Long may they continue so! Meantime we learn from a very experienced Ceylon planter that coffee in Udapussellawa at 5,500 feet elevation and more or less under dense shade, is cropping well this year. There is hardly any ‘“‘bug” to be seen on this coffee and none at all where the shade is very dense, although the crop is just as heavy as in the open—indeed heavier. This, our informant remarks, ‘‘conveys a lesson; but it comes too late.” But then, we would remind him how shade did not save the well-known Hopewell coffee in Hantane, rising up to 4,000 feet; and we have a clear recollection of a delightful coffee clearing on Nilambe estate in the middle ‘‘ seventies,” which, we believe, was opened very carefully under shade; but where is it now? Never- theless, we sincerely trust that the experi- ment in Udapussellawa at a much higher elevation, and on splendid virgin soil, may continue to be very successful. CATTLE FOR NORTH CEYLON. Nearly a thousand head of bulls and ealves were landed last week at Kayts, being brought from Puliyurin South India by some Moors. We also learn that. some of the Maniagars, during their recent trip to the metropolis, purchased and brought with them somevery fine cows from the Government Dairy.-=Cor. NEW COMPANY. ANTI-TANNIC TEA INFUSER, SyND Lp. (62,257). —Registered May 24th, with capital £8,000, in £1 shares, to acquire the business carried on at 180 West Kegent St. Glasgow, to adopt an agreement with John Marshall, to carry on the business of manufacturers of and dealers in china, hard-, ware, and household utensils, and to cultivate and dealin tea, coffee, cinchona, and other pro- duce. The number of directors is not to he less than 3 nor more than 7; the subscribers are to appoint the first ; qualification £100; remunera- tion £75 each per annum (£150 for the chairman Registered by King and Co. 77 Gresham St., E.C.— Investors’ Guardian, June 3. == = ——eg—— ——- - ---- —-~— HOW TO M\KE GOOD TEA. At the suggestion of :. well-known planter interested in the reputation of Ceylon tea, we printed off 500 cards and sent them on board the ss. ‘Olympia,’ in the hope that each recipient of Sir ‘“vhomas Lipton’s generous gift of a 5lb.-box of tea will take care to follow the directions :— [With the compliments and good wishes of the Editor “ Ceylon Observer.” | HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CUP FROM PURE CEYLON TEA. First fill your kettle with rrysH water; then see that it really Borns, Next warm your TEApoT, and put one small teaspoonful of tea for each cup required ; then pour on the required quantity of boiling water, infuse for riv—E minutes, then pour off the tea into anther teapot or cups ready for use. [Milk and sugar ndded according to taste.} Thus treated, Ceyton TEA will give a liquor, pure, delicious and fragrant. - On no account should a second brew be obtained from the same leaves. ee! THE INDIAN TEA CAMPAIGN. The “Times of Ceylon’ has dragged us into the arena of its little sparing match with the Jadras Mail, not “tosee fair play,” bot as a supposed ally. We must disclaim the honour. Our contemporary introduces us in these terms:—‘‘ Meanwhile there is a little paper, known as Planting Opinion, which is prodaced much nearer to the planting districts of Southern Indiathan the Madras Mail; and it does not back up the separation idea at all. It reproduces the first editorials on the subject; and is delighted that Travancore Associations are subscribing to the central fund.’ We need not go into the geographical question, as our greater proximity to the planting districts is a mere matter of yards, if not of inches. We would only say, that when, some little time ago, we urged South Indian planters to push onwards, and to combine for the purpose, we were mostly in favour of South Indian combination. That we approved of Travancore subscriptions to the I.T.A. is true. Better half a loaf than no bread atall. Our Colombo contemporary accuses our Madras neighbour of affecting a lack of perception after the former’s statement that Ceylon wants the co-operative system revised because the present one is unfavourable to herself. But the Mail’s question was to the point :— “Tf Ceylon has had less advantage than India out of co-operation up to the present time, why should she wish to continue a system that is unfavourable to herself?” It is, we think, absurd to suggest that India has reaped a greater advantage than Ceylon out of the joint efforts of their Com- missioners. It is perfectly clear that Ceylon would not wish to continue co-operation, unless she saw something to be gained by it. As for South India, she is too small to help her big brethren materially, and, consequently, if she co-operates, can THE ‘TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Auc. 1, 1899, only expect to reap very small benefits, unless she attempts to get an unfair share on the sly. Thig would be a course unworthy of her. Of course, it is impossible for her to conduct a campaign on broad lines such as those of the Ceylon Planters’ Associa- tion and the Indian Tea Association, but that she can quietly and at small cost bring her teas under the notice of buyers in varions markets is beyond question. Hers cannot be a series of massed opera- tions, where numerals count for nought so long as the battle is won. On the contrary it most be the advance of asmall but resolute body of men, bent upon making every shot tell, knowing that the “shot in the locker’ is not over-plentiful—Planting Opinion. f St gg tt te a TEA COMPANIES’ ACCOUNTS. There is a proverb tothe effect that ‘‘ Speech is inteuded to conceal one’s thoughts,” and there is another common saying that ‘' Figures can be made to prove anything’” Whatever truth there may be in the former, there need be absolutely none in the latter; for accounts properly kept, can only show, and show plainly, facts—alas ! too often, hard, logieal, stern facts. But what ean be, and often is, done, is te unwisely mix up the different branches or heads of account; witha re- sult following, that no clear perception ot facts, as they really are, is practicable. It has long been a matter of complaint, both in England and in India, that the accounts of some public com- panies are far from being as perspicuous as they might be, audonght to be. This is the more to be regretted in India, beeauseso many shareholders are almost permanently absent from Calcutta. A man may be, and in regard to tea often is, a shareholder in several companies. He takes up the accounts he has received, and finds probably a different system and classification adopted in each. He tries to make some comparison, but finds it impossible. It nay, therefore, not be out of place to suggest greater uniformity and more particularity of de- tail. If it be answered that those concerned have it in their power to obtain information at any time, on avy point, from agents, we would remark, in the interests of agents themselves, that it would be found to add greatly to their labour and inconvenience if such references were at all frequently to be made. 1t may be said, if the experience of agents is that such references are notas arule made, we would reply that whena shareholder finds his investments unprofitable, he will probably be inclined to take a little more interest in his affairs than he is now found to do. Or if, again, it be argued by the executive that it will be time enough to change when sharehold- ers think it worth while to demand it, we would say, rather anticipate any objections that may pos- sibly be made, and show that you are desirous to prove that you have nothing to conceal, but that, on the other hand, you invite the fullest examin- ation of every part of the company’s ex- penditure. We know very well that dir- ectors and agents are blamed sometimes unjustly, and held responsible for inevitable results, which they have earnestly striven to mitigate the effects of, in the interests of their shareholders. The more clearly explanations are put before those concerned, the better for all parties. Speaking generally, we think that a statement of expenditure should be absolutely separated into garden and Calcutta outlay. By Calcutta outlay we mean that really appertaining to Caleutta, and net including, as is often the case, garden stores purchased, or garden payments made, in Calcutta, Ave, 1, 1899.] Regarding the item of ‘stores’ outlay ” only such ertion asis actually consumed during the season should be entered to debit of the year’s account, and this figure should be derived from the garden at the end of the year, supported by detailed lists of stock on hand. For all stores purchased, the agents would keep ‘‘Suspense Account ”’ with the garden, writing off “‘ deficiencies ” only, annually, and carrying forward “ balances” as an asset. here is little trouble or risk attending this plan, which, indeed, some have adopted. The mere fact of the purchase of a certain amount of stores during the year, does not necessarily entiile that amount to be altogether debited in that year’s account, but we believe it often is so done. Thus mattersare madeto look worse than they really are, besides which, if the manager 1s paid partly by commission, he may stand, thus, to be much prejudiced in any one year, and the next he may die or leave. The expenditure on the garden during the sea- son is, (except in respect to bonuses, new machi- nery and buildings), of course, all fairly debitable to that season; but it may be quite otherwise in respect to certain items of payment through agents in Caleutta. We would, as we say, have oualy so much of that expenditure as really belongs to the season, entered in the statement of the years expenditure. Supposing, for instance, an original batch of three years’ agreement coolies to be for- warded, 50 per cent. only (say) of engagement and importation cost should be debited to the first year—the remainder being recoverable during the next two years. The same may be said, also, of coolie bonuses, only in this case, as the people have become, then, acclimatised, the cost might fairly be distributed equally over the whole period of re-engagement. This is sometimes done, it should be always done; and so, also, as to the matter of stores proper, before adverted to. We would Bisatly multiply the headings at pre- sent in use. There is no diificulty, trouble, or ex- pense in so doing. Vouchers being made out for every item of expenditure, and submitted for pass- ing to the competent authority, it would only need to endorse, on the face of each voucher, when passing it, the account to which it was to go. These vonchers being properly posted, shareholders would thus be able to see, at a glance, what was the amount of each main item of expenditure ; and assuming that a uniform system was thus theadoptec, a comparison of the cost of working, the several companies could readily be made taking into account, of course, their relative. acreage, and any special circumstances prevailing, At present tea companies’ reports can scarcely be said to afford sufficient information to share- holders, nor are the accounts detailed in a manner sufficient to permit of that examination and com- parison which it is the duty of the shareholders to make, and which, we submit, it would be de- sirable that agents should render easy and _ prac- ticable, even in their own interests.—The Planter, June 17. i PLANTING NOTES. CEYLON TEA IN AmMERICA.—We direct atten- tion to the communication by Mr. Pineo published in another columa in whichitis shown that the way in which to secure and ‘ hold’ the consumer is by working through the retailer who shou!d be assisted in every reasonable way by the Com- missioner in advertising and through demons- trations. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 121 FERTILIZERS should not be allowed to come is direct contact with the seed of any crop. This caution is constantly urged in tertilizing pamph- lets and otherwise, but most of us fail to properly heed it. Careful and scientific tests have shewn that ‘* ammonia nitrate of socia, chlorate and sul- phate of potash and ammioniated superphosphates exert an injurious effect apon the vermination of seed in yeneral.” Hut this can be wholly avoided by mixing the fertilizer with the soil._— Hawaiian Planter’s Monthly. JARRAH-WCOD-PAViING IN LONDON.—Austra- lian wood as a paying material is ousting the softer woods previously in use in London. In the report to the Vestry of the Chairman of the St Pancras Department of Works it is stated that the hard Australian wood lasts longer and decreases splashing, The western section of Euston Road was paved seven years ago in section of Swedish Jarrah, and Karri blocks, .The Swedish timber broke up so rapidly that a vote of urgency had to be obtained for replacing it with the Jarrah blocks.— Home paper. THE OpluM TRADE OF BENGAL: IMMENSE INCREASE.—It is notified that during the ealen- dar year 1,900 not more 44,400 chests of Bengal opium will be offered for sale, and not more than 3,700 chests in each month ; also that not more than 2,000 chests each month will be Re- nares opium, and not more than 1,700 Patna opium. No reduction in these quantities will be made without three months’ notice. The fignres show in astriking manner how production ‘must have increased inthe North-West Provinces and Ouah, Ghazipur and Patna having changed places in respect of the quantity of opium manufactured —Pioneer, June 25. ‘ A LIVING ADVERTISEMENT FOR CEYLON.-IN- DIAN TEA.—Thus the American Grocer:—A Nicnolson, of New York, resident representative of the Ceylon and India tea growers, was a Lo come visitor among the ‘‘trade’” here last week. Mr. Nicholson is a worthy specimen of our En lish cousins, and if he has thus developed b Tor stimulating effects of Ceylon-India tea, he Brccontts in his physical and social qualities a “ hic card?” to encourage its more general use. Mr. Nicholso states that the sales of the above tea in Philadel. phia are in the proportion of 500 chests as ao NinsE 5 chests five years ago. Coupling the above facts we shall certainly look for a generation of Quaker giants when our growing tea-drinkers shall ma. ture. COFFEE IN MEXICO. —The “ Nort Review” has a paper on “ Mexican Haciendas —the peon system”—that is the labou supply. The writer makes out that of an three divisions of Mexico, ‘eolq.” ee AeAL perate” and ‘‘hot,” haciendas (plantations) in the last pay best, and up to a few years ago were calculated to yield a yearly interest of 14 to 15 per cent. and to repay outl in half-a-dozen years. From ‘“ eoftée ” Beak now, we are told, a yearly income of 0 per cent. on the value of plantations in 1892 can be got; while a majority of the coffee investments established five or six year ago now yield from 40 to 150 per bee on the sum of their cost. This is too hi: hly coloured to be accepted; because we Ba ere believe that the hard-headed Ceylon planter: ian Se ean aoe in 1897, would have eclined to invest, had there available, Pec cuca Ergites h American 122 THE TROPICAL COFFEE-GROWERS should not be discouraged by the present low prices, says the Hawai Planters’ Monthly. This is sound advice, and is based on conditions that are a repetition of the history of theccffee trade. Higher prices will again return, as they have inthe past. In 1886 there was an era cf low cost, and the industry being unprofit- vole, the planters neglected their plantations and no new areas were cultivated. The supply was out of relation to the world’s requirements, and an era of high prices tollowed, and this stiniulated coffee-planting in Mexico, Central and South America, and in time has brought out an excess of supply and present low prices. There is no excess of fine coffee, and the result is the wide range in quotations—lrom seven cents for low grade up to 33 cents for the finest raw Java and Kona. INOCULATION AGAINST RINDERPEST IN INDIA. —In the last issue of the Pioncer to hand we learn that successful experiments in inoculating cattle had been made in the N. W. Province of India, at the instance of Capt. Rogers Imperial Bacterio- logist. Care was taken not to prejudice the natives against the measure, a Tabsildar or Deputy collector being sent to the village where our out- break was announced ; he assembled the chief landlords and raiyats, explained the use of ino- culation and asked them for their consent without which no operations were performed. The Lieut. - Governor of the Province expresses the hope that general inoculation of cattle would follow upon the successful first experiments at Barcilly. In Ceylon there has rot been evidence of so much prejudice as in India and the importance of pre- ventive measures to check rinderpest in the island is equally great. INDIARUBBER IN FRENCH AFRICA.—We direct attention to an interesting Report (see page 110) on Rubber operations—in hand, intended or advised—in French West Africa. Besides the indigenous Landolphia, the four best-known American kinds (Para, Castilloa, Ceara and (or) Manicoba) have been introduced; and although it is too soon to get results, yet there is a good deal of interesting information afforded, especially from an official point of view and we see that both the French and Belgian (Congo) authorities are most fully alive to the necessity of replanting in order to make up for the present ruthless waste of rubber- yielding trees and creepers by the natives in their harvesting. How this is proposed to be done, we must leave our translation on page 110 to say. AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS AT THE PARIS -EXHIBITION.—A programme has reached us by a rceent mail of the coming Sixth Inter- national Congress of Agriculture to be held during the Paris Exhibition next year from July Ist-8th. With it comes a printed letter from M. Jules Méline, President. of the Commission, in which he states that the Commission appeals to agriculturists and farmers of every land, asking them ‘“ to lend their aid in increasing the importance and the éclat of this great reunion which should draw together the bonds that already exist between the agriculturists in all countries.” Sir Ernest Clarke, Hon. Cecil TT, Parker, and Mr. R. W, Granville-Smith are to represent Great Britain onthe Comunission. But as far as we can see, the ‘subjects to be discussed concern Agriculture in Kurope alone, AGRICULTURIST. [AuG. 1, 1899. USEFUL TIMBER TREES.—The Queensland “Agricultural Journal” gives particulars of several timber trees which seem easily grown and very useful: first, there is **The Swamp Oak,” Casuarina glauca, growing 30 to feet with a diameter of 9 inches to 3 feet, according to soil and locality, and of which we are told :— The timber of the Swamp Oak is of a reddish colour, beautifully marked and very close-grained. It is also hard and durable, strong and tough, and is valuable, and much used for shingles and staves. It is also useful as a cabinet wood. The straight saplings raake splendid rafters for bush buildings, and old trees, with plenty of heartwood, make good posts, lasting well in the ground. All the Casuarinas are splendid trees for planting. They are all of very rapid growth, and make good breakwinds, copses, or shelter plantations, The saplings are always useful for many other things besides the speedy supply of excellent firewood which they give. These trees form one of the most striking features of the Australian landscape. Their leafless branches and black, gloomy, sombre appearance always make a sad impression on the traveller, and whenever there is a slight breeze there comes from them a dull, depressing sigh. They are remarkable as belonging to a class of trees which abounded in the forests of other countries in long-past geological ages, as is evidenced by the fossil remains frequently found in the coal measures. The Swamp Oak, besides being a quick grower, is a very beautiful tree if planted apart, its tall, straight-stemmed trunk and pendulous leafless branches showing well. Next the ‘‘ Horse-tail Oak,” Casuarina equi- setifolia, 50 to 150 feet high and 12 to 30 inches in diameter :— The Horsetail Oak produces a dark-coloured timber, coarse but closely grained, beautifully marked, hard, light, and tough. It is useful for shingles, staves, and veneers, and for all purposes where lightness and toughness are required. Its timber makes splendid fuel, giving great heat and leaving very few ashes. The ‘Erect She-Oak,” Casuarina suberosa, 30 to 50 feet by 12 to 24 inches in diameter :— The timber of the Erect She-Oak is of a dark-bcown, very prettily marked, coarse in the grain, but hard and tough. Itis a handsome timber, stroug and durable, and is very valuable. It is used for bullock-yokes and hurdles, shingles, staves for buckets, kegs and tubs, mauls, &c. It is also useful iu cabinet work and for veneers. The ‘Forest Oak,” Casuarina torulosa, 30 to 80 feet by 9 to 24 inches in diameter :— The timber of the Forest Oak is of a reddish colour, and very nicely marked. It is a handsome wood, sometimes remarkably heavy, and of great strength, hard, tough, and close in the grain. It isin much demand for durable shingles and furniture-work, and is also much used for yokes for bullock drays and wagons, and for staves. It is also valuable for cabinet work, and gives a handsome veneer. It fnr- nishes one of the best timbers for fuel, and is thus greatly in favour both for domestic use and for heating bakers’ ovens. It burns with aclear white ash, and leaves no cinders. It is a tree which is worthy of cultivation, for when growing on good soils it makes a handsome tree. The editor adds on the Casuarina generally :— All the Casuarinas ought to be planted more fre- quently than they are. They are all] fast-growing trees, growing as much as 3 and 4 feet in one year in height, and are all useful. There is no waste, for the timber of all species makes excellent firewood. Besides this, they make excellent breakwinds or shelter plantations. For general beauty and use (in sO many ways) they are hard to beat, and farmers and settlers might do worse than plant some of them. Perhaps Mr. Nock may be able to tellus how some of the above have grown at poe) la, or are there any at Peradeniya and in Colombo ? Ave. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL AN ENTERPRISING PLANTING COMPANY. Southern India, having shown the way in the intro- duction of electric tramways, is now showing the way in the introduction of electric ropeways for ghaut work. Oneot the links in the communications be- tween the sea-board and the Kanan Devan Hills in North Travancore, where the big planting concern started by Sir John Muir is now spending huge sums in developing tea and other cultivation, will be a ropeway for the ghaut section between the hills and the Madura plains which will be quite unique in several respecis : (1) it is being built locally in the Planting Company’s own workshops ; (2) itis t» be driven by electricity ; (8) it is one of the biggest undertakings of the kind in existence; (4) it rises over 4,000 feet in 24 miles. The light railway from Ammayanayakanur, on the South Indian Railway, for which a concession has lately been granted to Messrs. Wilson & Co.,.and which is about to be put on the market in London, will run right to the foot of the ropeway. Then, on the top of the ghaut, from the upper end of the ropeway, a light single-rail tramway, on Hwing’s system and worked probably by electric motor cars, will run for 22 miles through the tract of country that is now being opened up for cultivation, Some idea of the amount of work that is being done on these Hills and the amount of capital that is being spent, may be gathered from the fact that there are some 75 Huropeans em- ployed there at present. A correspondent now up there writes to us:—‘‘ I: is a beautiful country, but inacces- sible at present. However, when theropeway is com- pleted (a few months hence, it is hoped)one will be able to go up the ghavt in half an hour and pass from the red-hot climate of Kotagoodee at 2,800 ft. to the beautiful climate of Kundale at 6,000 ft. It is opposed to start 2 hill-station here before long. It will be laid out in such a way that the drainage will be perfect and typhoid fever unknown. Arrangements will be made for constructing oneor twolakes of very considerable size, into which trout and other fish will be introduced. Thewhole of this new planting district is now connected up with telephones, so that every one is practically in communication with the whole world from his bungalow. And last, but not least, the climate is very fine.’ The moving spirit inthe enterprise is Mr. Davidson, formerly of Ceylon, who has been working from dawn to dark every day for the Jast 18 months initiating, guiding and con- trolling the numerousimportant works that are con- nected with the Company’s big programme of opera- tions. Seldom, if ever, we should say, has a tract of hill country been opened up so quickly and, comparatively speaking, so thoroughly. It is a wonderful example of what energy and enterprise can do when backed by sufficient capital.— Madras Mail. ————_—_—____~-3>--—___—_——_——- TO SUPPLANT TEA. SOUTH AMERICAN HOLLY, MAKING THE ATTEMPT. Our cup of teais threatened with a rival in our affections, and one no less formidable than -‘mate,”’ the tea substitute of Buenos Ayres, Paraguay, and other South American territories. The shrub from which it is made is the ilex paraguayensis, and looks like an English holly tree, which, in fact, is one of its cousins. Not only the leaves are used, but the whele plant—stalks, bark, and all —after being dried, is chopped up rather finely, and is ready for use. The mate cups are made of gourds, the stalk part forming a short of handle at the side, anda little opening is cut in the top. The tea, stalks, dust, &c., are put into the cup, and boiling water is poured over it. You take your mate through a tube—instead of a straw— With a strainer at the end. Milk and sugar can be added, and the mate poured into everyday cups, but that is not the really professional way of taking it. The beverage is paler and more 16 AGRICULTURIST. 123 bitter than ourown tea, but those who have learnt to likeit drink it far more lavishly than we drink tea. In fact, Hnelish residents in South America say that mate is the one thing continually in evidence there. Entering a bank to do business the usual thing is to havea smoke and acup of mate betore mentioning the object of the visit, and at every house the visitor learns that it is a breach of etiquette pot to accept a cup. Ata party or circle of friends a larger mate cup 1s passed round, and everyone takes a suck at the same tube. Old stagers who have lived out in South Ame- rica for a score or so of yearscannot do without their mate, and have it sent over here to them ; but you may break yourself off the habit if it is not tooinveterate. The British Acting-Consul in Paraguay is bringing the mate under notice ; but it is doubtful whether it will ever seriously challenge our own tea.—Morning Leader. ee ee eee MINOR PRODUCTS REPORT. Cocoa Burtrer.—In auction at Amsterdam, on June 6th, 70 tons Van Houten sold at 731c¢ to 77c, 34 tons Helm at 743¢ to 75zc, 3 tons Hamerat 754c, and 10 tons Suchard at 75c per half kilo. In London, on the same day, 65 tons Cadbury’s brand sold at 1s 23d ‘to 1s 23d (average 1s 23d, against 1s 23d in March). QurntNE is quiet, and in consequence, easier. Spot transaction include B. & S. or Brunswick at 1s 42d to Is 5d. August delivery 1s 47d to Is 5d; dune delivery at 1s 43d perounce; and spot 1s 4$d. with buyers at Is 4d. French canbe had at 1s 4d. In auction two cases Zimmer, containing ten tins each of 100 oz, were bought in at 1s 43d per oz. Arrca Nuts.—¥Fine Ceylon partly sold 25s per cwt. CarpAmoms sold with fair competition at slightly dearer rates. The following was the range of prices :— Jeylon-Mysore, fine medium to bold pale pods, 3s lla to 4s; good bold steady 8s 10d; medium to bold pale 3s 5d to 33 6d; dull small to medium ditto 8s to 8s 3d; bold dull long pale 3s 2d; medium lean pale 2s 6d; pale medium long 2s 10d to 23 i1d; small pale long 2s to 2s 4d; long dull bleached 2s 9d; very small lean ls 94; medium dull long 2s 24; good splits 2s 3d; long, lean and split 1s 6d to 13 9d; brown splits and pickings 1s 8d. Ceylon- Malabar fair to medium lean palish 1s lld, and small brown lean 1s 8d; fair wild Ceylon 2s 6d per lb. Seeds, good brown 23 4d; mixed seeds 2s 2d. Shipments from Ceylon from January Ist to May 16th were 216,087 lb. CrncHonA.—In auction the demand was for crown and grey bark only, which sold as follows :—Good bold pale Crown Loxa 73d per lb; 1 c.c. damages 53d to 63d ; second class 32d to 47d; and fourth class 2d. Dusty grey Huanoco, broken was bought in at 5d, and Bolivian cultivated calisaya, thin was limited at 10d per lb, and Cartagina, flat at 44d per lb. Four balesof flat calisaya brought 4d per lb, subject to approval. The shipments from Ceylon from January 1st to May 16th were 284,371 lb. The stocks in first hands at Amsterdam on May 31st consisted of 2,403 packages Government and 9,896 packages private bark. The arrivals last week in Amsterdam were 2,553 packages The ‘Netherlandsche-Veem’’ reporcs the cinchona bark shipments from Java during May at ; 1899 1898 1897 1896 1895 Amst.lb 943,000 672,000 600,000 768,000 402,700 Jan.-May 3,964,800 3,884,000 2,510,000 3,260,000 2,879,700 while the ““Vriesseveem” received a telegram from Java announcing the shipments from May 2nd to June 5th at 1,156,000 Amst lb, and from January 1st to June 5th at 3,848,403 Amst lb. _ CirroneLna Or1L.—Dull of sale, at 1s to 1s 4d per 1b in drums on the spot, and for August shipment there are sellers at 102d per lb c.if. in drums. A parcel of 5 packages catalogued as guaranteed to pass ‘“‘Schimmel’s tesi,”’sold without reserve at 11d per lb; other parcels of good odour were limited at 1s ld per lb, The Ceylon - 124 shipments for the week ending “lay 9th were 19,788 lb, and from January Ist to May 9th they have been :— 1899 1898 1897 1896 Lib see 393,270 482,356 443,775 359,404 VANILLA.— Moderate supplies were catalogued today, and mostly sold at 1s higher as follows :—Madagascar, 8 to 84 inch 15s 6d; 7to7s inch 14s; 6 to 67 inch 133 6d; 5 to 54 inch 123 to 12 6dj; Seychelles, good chocolate 5 to 6 inch 17s to 18s; 41 to 5 inch, 16s. Bourbon fine bold, 8 inch 26s 6d ; 7 to 8 inch 263; 6 to 64d inch 283s; 6 to 7 inch 20s; 5 to 55 inch 23s; 35 to 4% inch 22s6d; mixed sizes 10s 6d to 18s 64 per lb.— B §C Diuggist, June 10. DS en FROM THE NILGIRIS :—CINCHONAS. Mr. TI. C. Anderson and Mr. A. K. Scovell returned recently from their trip to the Nilgiris, highly pleased with the visit and all they saw. The little Railway up to Coonoor is working well now and is a great convenience :—three bogie carriages with an engine behind make an up-train. The line is now being carried on to Ooty itself and may be prolonged down one of the Western Ghauts. Mr. Anderson met Mr. Standen, Superintendent of the Government Cinchona Gardens, who had been on a three months’ trip to Java (where he saw succirubra trees two feet in diameter), to Darjiling, &c. He thinks very highly of Glen Morgan hybrid trees of which there are’ 40,000 of a mature age, These Mr. Anderson thinks of coppicing this year: his bark has analysed over 6 per cent. The seed is very carefully. collected only when fully ripe and from mature trees. —Tea is also doing well on Glen Morgan. SS se area eS KANAN DEVAN PLANTERS’ ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT OF COMMITTEL. In presenting the Annual Report, the Commit- tee congratulace you on the absence of cholera from the District, largely due, they believe, to the steps taken by His Excellency the Governor Madras to improve the sanitary condition of Bodinayakanur. The success of last year’s plant- ing in the District, coupled with improved prices both for tea and cinchona, make the outlook for the future satisfactory. Cotfee prices are un- fortunately how, but crops all round have been ex- ceptionally good this year. The absence of the Chairman on a well deserved holiday, and the departure of the Secretary, Mr. Sharp, to anot her District, leave blanks in the Association, wnich are felt by al.. The improvements in Post and Telegraph service are greatly appreciated, and it is to be hoped that the improved postal facilities between these hills and Madras may very shortly be extended to Ceylon. The Committee regret that the inadequate medical grant of the past was entirely withdrawn last year, but trust and believe that this District will be put on an equal footing with the other Districts in His Higimess’ territory in the near future. The Committee regret that, while all other South Indian planting Districts have had or are having carb-roads cut to them, the prospects of a cart-road to this District are no nearer than they were a year ago. Your Committee are thankful that plague has practi- cally disappeared from Southern India. Your Committee are also thankful to see that the Go- vernment of India have under consideration a labour ordinance, which will meet the reqnire- ments of planters and also give some security for advances in the future, There has been an THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. (Ave. 1, 1899. abundance of labour in your District during the past year, and now, with better facilities for procuring food-stuffs, there seems every likeli- hood that this satisfactory state of affairs will continue. Another marked feature with regard to the labour-supply is the inereased number of old Ceylon trained coolies now coming in from their villages to work on these hills for small advances of under 10 per head. These eoolies, to a young District with a large acreage of tea coming into bearing necessitating trained factory hands, will be very acceptable. This result has undoubtedly been partly brought about by recent gratuitous advertisements in Ceylon papers, for which the Committee desire to thank those who are responsible.—J7. Mail, July 3. re TEA COMPANY REPORT. EMPIRE OF INDIA AND CEYLON TEA. The directors, in their report for year 1898, re- gret that the results for 1898 were unsatisfactory and disappointing. ‘the year began well; but as it progressed, several causes contributed toa poor result. The weather was, on the whole, unfavour- able. Exchange advanced from 1s 39-32d, to 1s 41-82th d, which reduced profits by £4,009. Higher ocean freights also increased the cost of bringing the tea to market. ‘The tea market was depressed until near the close of the season. No one was responsible for this conjunction of misfortunes, andtit should not be forgotten that the year was one of crisis and difficulty for all tea gardens. But the directors regret to have to add that on some of the companys gardens there was a mis- inanagement and a neglect on the part of the mem- bers of the staff, which undoubtedly contributed to the failure of the year’s results. Mr. George Moore, a director of the company, who has had a long and successful experience in tea planting, went out to India in last November, and has spent nearly six months onthe companys Assam gar- dens, investigating the system of working, and carrying out reforms. While bearing testimony to excellent work on some of the properties, Mr. Moore felt constrained to replace the managers of three of the company’s gardens by more efficient men. Having regard to the general position of the tea industry, and to the improvements which have been effected in the local organisation at the gar- dens, the beard hope, with some confidence, that the year 1899 will result favourably. Including the amount brought forward from last year of £143 3s 9d., the availabe profit is £20,084. The board recommend the payment of the preference dividend of £10,950, and a dividend on the ordi- nary shares of 44 per cent. per annum, which will absorb £8,988, leaving a balance of £145 tc be carried forword.—H. & C. Mail, June 16. ——— ——- ~>-___—. CEkYLON TEA IN CANADA.—From a leading wholesale mercuant in Montreal we have received a& communication in which hesays :—-‘* Ceylon Tea is selling well here avd becoming more popular every day ; prices are also up several cents lately: incidentally [ may say L have had a good season and feel bright.” TEA ‘“‘PLUFF” FoR DyEING PURPOSES —A correspondent writes :-—‘‘ Re the statements about shipments of bad tea from Colombo, can the London Customs people be making a mistake, in supposing that local ship- ments of tea ‘fluff’ for dyeing purposes are meant to beused for teainfusion. This ‘fluff’ has been several times exported recently.” We scarcely think amistake could be made about tea ‘‘fluff”; but ought not the cases containing it to be marked as for dyeing purposes, to prevent any misapprehension ? Aue. 1, 1899.] Goyrespondence. To the Editor. THA ON VIRGIN SOIL; AND HOW FLAVOUR IS KEPT UP BY PROPER CULTIVATION. June 15. DEAR Sir,—I see in one of your leaders you quote Mr. T. C. Owen as. saying— “Do what he could, he could not keep up the quality of tea to what he got the first few years from tea in virgin forest fland.” I am well aware it is easy to sweat lands by allowing plants to grow up and spread out to their own sweet will and to allow them to bear fruit or leaf to such an extent that the trees will scon become sickly, will not be able to bear even part of the crops they did before and even the crop they do bear is of inferior quality—why is this? Well, the pump of the tree has been used to the utmost of its capacity and the roots be- came contracted, so sap could not be taken in sufficient quantity to nourish the fruit and leaves, —-leaves drop off and fruit does not get ripe or get the same flavour as fruit did on same tree before it was allowed to overbear. On the other hand, an experienced Agri- culturist is able to grow fine trees on land where not even a blade of grass did grow before he took in hand this barren land. Your own Tropical Agricultwrist books of the past, bear evidence how, J, on Maria, tended one Arabian coffee tree grown up as native coffee and picked one year, one bushel and one measure parchment from that tree. 2,—How I planted one tea seed in another part which became a tree 25 feet high. 3.— When I had one cacao tree which gave three varieties of cacao from three branches, and another from the stem 20 feet high. 4.— How I planted out tea plants on Raxawa estate after my Agents advised me to seil the plants, as that soil would never grow tea, got some bushes to spread seven and eight feet, and tea now giving over 609 lb. made tea per acre and tea of good quality. 5.—How on Frankland estate, where at first ‘cacao would not come on by judicious man- uring, | have many trees over 20 feet high and had excellent crops—from the same estate. I sent you the largest cacao leaf grown in Ceylon, and sent also the largest pods. You will remember how I have repeatedly written advising the use of green manure (weed and foliage from trees), cattle manure. The latter is purchased from villagers by some planters because it costs on the spot from 35d to 6d a cart-load. They, however, forget that it is not pure cattle manure but a mixture of cattle-dung and earth, besides village cattle eat all. kinds of foliage even lantana, so you.get a lot of seed in your manure, and in addition you take to your estates, beetles and their eggs, which require to be p:ckxed out. Then also you require one basket Full to cach tree, whereas | warrant ¢ THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 125 basket of poonac and straw-fed cattle manure collected on roadside cattle shed, carefully heaped up on a stone floor will be twice as good as one basket village rubbish ; but green manure is the most essential to keep trees up to the original standard, and in Ceylon we are blessed with a large variety of plants and trees which I have discovered and I will undertake to increase yield and improve flavour in tea, with this green manure, wood ash, lime and in some cases bones added in any part of the island.—Yours faithfully, JOSHPH HOLLOWAY. ao ee EE EE USEFUL TIMBER TREES ARINA.) (CASU- DEAR SiR,—With reference to your notes on the above in the Observer of the 16th inst. (see page 122) Casuarina equwisetifolia, as well as some other speciesof the ifamily,; finds in Ceylon a congenial home, growing rapidly and producing seed in abundance both in the low-country and up to about 4,500 feet elevation. A tree of this in Peradeniya Gardens which was killed by light- ning in 1896, was found to measure 150 feet in length, with a girth of over 11 feet at the base (which was buttressed), the diameter being over 40 inches, thus exceeding by 10 inches, the maximum diameter recorded for it in its native country, Australia. In India the same species has been rather extensively planted, especially in unreclaimed areas, for the purpose of supplying fuelto the railway, as the wood makes good fuel and leaves but little ashes. The heart-wood is hard, heavy, and fairly durable, though in the latter quality it does not equal some of the Ceylon woods, e.g. Palu, Satinwood, Keta-kala, &c. The Sinhalese call it ‘* Kassa-gaha,” meaning whip-tree, on account of the slender cord-like leafless branches; while in Australia it is known under the names of She-oak, Forest oak, Beef-wood (on account of the colour of the wood), Horse-tail oak, &c. The latteras well as the specific names signify the Horse- tail herb of temperate climes. This is oneof the handsomest species of Casuarina, and is highly esteemed as an ornamental pot-plant in Hurope.—Yours faithfully, X. — — BAMBARA ‘“ BEE.” Sir,—Is there any other man in Ceylon who tamed the Bambara Bee. I kept them in an open bee box im my verandah, till their young were ready to fly, when one day in my absence they left the box and had settled on three different trees, but my cooly was afraid to catch them in boxes I had prepared, and when I came back I could not trace them. J. H. [We rather think the late Mudaliyar Jaya; tileke of SKurunegala—a great bee-keeper—suc- ceeded well with the two indigenous bees of Ceylon. Does ‘“‘J-H.” recall the experiences of Mr. Benton, the American Apiarian, when here? —ED, Lig, 126 THE TROPICAL THE PRICE OF ANNATTO. DEAR SiR,—JIn answer to your engqniry, the present low price of annatto is said to be due toa falling-offin the use of the dye for colcur- ing cheese in Germany to which country the seed was chiefly imported from Africa. It remains to be seen whether thisseed has gone to other countries and sold at the lowest prices. This gives rise to the suspicion that chemical or aniline dyes are more in nse now for purposes for which anuatto was used before. The fall of prices in 1890-91 was due to over-production in Ceylon. But the following year the price of cacao rose, which led to annatto lands being cleared and cacao planted. From what was still left, care was taken not to export the dye in secd. The manufacturing works at Crystal Hill started purchasing all the raw material produced in the island. This had the tendency of gradually raising the price again; aud the trade preferred buying the made dye rather than the raw seed, as ib came to be known that while the latter does not keep long but deteriorates, if kept unused for more than five or six months, the former can be kept for any Jength of time—in fact it deve- lopes and improves in strength the longer it was kept. Of course, the present low prices have affected the Ceylon-made dye too, and except in Holland there has been no demand for it any where ‘else in Europe for the last eighteen months or so. Under the circumstance the present insect pest so destructive, both to the crop and the plant, seems ‘vo be providential.— Yours truly, PLANTER. HYBRID COFFEE IN THE STRAITS: FREEDOM OF COORG COFFEE TRHES FROM LHAH-DISHASH, Klang, Selangor, Straits Settlements, June 15. DeAR SrR,—In the year 1895, I got some Coorg Arabian seed over here and planted eight acres, in two patches of five and three acres each, on hills in the middle of large Liberian clearings. From an economic point of view, this re- ‘sult was not a success, though at first the trees came on splendidly; but grown at sea level in this latitude, a satisfactory result could hardly have been expected : blossoms mostly brushed, owing perhaps to insufficient shade, and the trees have never at any time up to the present yielded more than 50 to 60 berries each. But the experiment has not been al- together without interest, inasmuch as plants raised from the seed of these trees are showing distinct hybrid characteristics, tak- ing more after tre Arabian parent, but ‘peing fuller in the leaf and with their pri- mavries further apart. At present the few hundred plants I have growing are only about six months old from seed, so itis im- possible to say how they will turn out; but in view otf Mr. Cameron’s. extremely inter- esting report upon coffee in Coorg, T need hardly say they will be watched most care- fully. Perhaps the strangest feature of this small experiment has been the fact that I have never seen’ a spot of leaf-disease on one of the Arabian trees yet, although the two small gleavings are surrounded with Liberian, AGRICULTURIST. | AuG. 1,:1899, scarcely a tree of which is free from it. When the surplus plants were very thick in the nurseries, two or three, certainly not more than half a dozen, were attacked with a spot or two, and I then rooted up and destroyed the nursery, but though I have often examined the two clearings very closely, being struck by the strange phenomenon, not asign of Henvileia have 1 ever detected. —I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, K. V. CAREY. RUBBISH IN TEA. Upcountry, June 26. DeAR SrrR,—I fancy the stuff your London correspondent describes as taken out of 14 chests of tea must have been the resuits of tampering with chests after they left the factory and tea was in transit. Such tam- pering bas been known, but it is not always found out.—Truly yours, FACTORY BULKED,. RUBBER-PREPARING MACHINE, June 26, Upcountry. DEAR Sir,—Can you tell me if My. Thomas Christy’s Rubber Machine has arrived in the island, and who are his Agents in Ceylon? —Truly yours, RUBBER-FARMER. [We cannot answer: possibly this publica- tion may bring the required information.— Ep. 7.A.] HOW TO INFUSE CEYLON TEA, DraR Srr,—May I call attention to a small omission in Mr. Kelway-Bamber’s handy and useful brochure on the Dietetic Value of Tea? He says (4) ‘* put the required quantity of tea into the hot tea-pot,” etc.— but nowhere specifies ‘‘ the required. quan- tity !’ Now, of course, the great advantage of Ceylon over China tea for Australia, America and the Continent is that you need not use so much: the old rule was a good tea-spoonful for each person, and one forthe pot. With Ceylon tea, the one for the pot and some more may be dispensed with.— Yours truly, HOUSEKEEPER. [We obtained through the courtesy of a friend, a copy of theabove, and agree with our correspondent that the ‘little omission ” requires to be supplied in what is otherwise a most excellent and instructive little guide. In our own little pamphlets, cards and hand- slips we have said :—‘‘ Put one small tea- spoonful of tea for each cup required.”— Hp. 7.A.] IMPRESSIONS OF KALUTARA TEA DISTRICT, Ambagamuwa, Juiy 3. DEAR Sim,—If my impressions of what I saw of the Walutara tea district can be of any in- terest to your readers, the following is at your disposal. In company with yet another K.T,B. I proceeded last week to halutara, taking ad. Ave: 1, 1899.] THE vantage of this truly slack season to spend a few days with an old friend whom I had not met for years,he having severed his convection from Ceylon quite ten years ago and only recently returned to once mere toil in our midst. Of the journey to and back from Kalutara to Poleaha- kanda I will say as little as possible. Suffice it to think I have arrived there with my framework quite entire. We took the shortest route out, viz., via Dodangoda: the last three miles or so ot this road would take a/lot of beating, -road ! save the mark, it was more like a newly-ploughed piddy-tisld ; my only experience of such another beauty in the highly-favoured. Central Province is the 35 miles from Katugastota bridge to the sixth milepost on the Galagedara road, where I have a small totum. Plumbayo mining is much in evidence all along the Dodangoda route. Our driver pointed out a hillside planted in tea and coconuts, with larye embankments thrown up of clayey-looking soil heaped along the lower edges of this hill- side. On inquiring as to what ic all meant, we were told it was ‘Hector Mahatmaya” ’s plum- bago pit, and that half the men employed were at that present moment working under our Peram- bulator. Pleasant sensation ! One does not begin to realise that tea would grow as it does in Kalutara until you are well within the hill-country of this district. Once passed the Deodangoda ‘Soll bar, the formidable range of forest-ciad hills burst into view ; it willnot be too much tosa,y that the forests of Kalutara are second to none I have yet seen in Ceylon ; the soil too is very friable, save in some parts where cabook is seen to advantage; but yet IT have seen as good tea growing in cabooky soil as would well compare with the tea growing on Kalutara’s best alluvial deposits. Heatherley, Pantiya, Clontarf, and Polgaba/ kanda estates, which I have seen, would be hard to beat. On the first-named totum an all-roand yield of 5501b. per acre was almost secured for the year ending 30th June,,so said the young Superinten- dent! On Polgahakanda 500 lb. per acre is ex- pected for 1899, 31st December, and with food reason. This estate is looking in fine heart under the able inanagement of my good oll friend. Nothing less was to be expected. We had a very pleasant time of it, the proverbial hospitality cf the planters not being one shade behind in Kalutara to that of the general run. In fact, my genial host and hostess will take the places anywhere. Polgaha- kanda has a factory quite suited to its wants a brand new (8 or 10 HP.) horizontal engine supplying the power. Up to date rollers ‘and desiccators were in full swing, taking the leaf— heaps of withering accommodation. The wind and rain was much in evidence ; yet the flush was there in appreciable quantities. Would I could say the same of the country where Noah launched his cruiser. Clontarf has a new factory in course of con- struction. Taking this district as a whole, my own impression is that the tea estates in the ‘Richmond of Ceylon” will take a lot of beating. C, T. OiL ENGINES. Hatton, July 6. Dwar Sik,—l see in your paper of 5th that one of your correspondents that stick to facts or, your P.D. has made a mistake. [ allude to paragraph ‘‘ Oil Engine ”—you there- TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. li Les) 7 in state oil engines doing most satisfactory work in Kelani Walley, &c.,&c. The cost of ** oil not exceeding hait-cent perlb. tea.” Now, Mr. Kditor, I take that statement with a pinch of salt. Up this side f am told 2 cents per lv teais about the cost, and T have heard of one man somewhere in Matale East, who says he can do it for one and. half-cent. Could you give me the address of your half- cent friend so that we may able to do like- wise ?—Yours faithfully, PLANTER. [Our Kelani Valiey friend will, we have no doubt, allow ** Planter” to inspect: his oil engines and see how cheaply they work.— Ep. 7.A.] ——_____ AERATED WATERS AND TEA.—It was not. so very long ago that the sickness on board of a favourite passenger ship of a favouvite line call- ing here was traccd to bad ice taken on board at Port Said. Our own leading Ice and Aerated Companies enjoy a high reputation ; but it would be well that it should be generally known ‘that neither freezing nor vrating renders impure water pure. An Indmn contemporary contains the fol- lowing useful warning :— There is a general impression among residents in India that aerating water destroys any bazteria that it contains, batit has remained for an Italian physi- cian to dispel this cherished delusion. This investi- gator found that bacteria grew and flourished when subjected to a pressure of carbonic acid gas equal to fifty five atmospheres, and that the liveliness of the typhoid bacillas was in no way atfected by being ex- posed to an uninterrupted current of the gas. The durity or otherwise of a mineral water is, therefore, dependent entirely on the care exercised by the ‘manu- facturer in boiling and sterilizing the original medium. “The extent to, which this is carried out may be gathered from the factit was ascertained duzing a cholera epi- demic last year, that not cne of the Huropean manu- acturers of wrated waters in one of our largest sta- tions either boiled or filtered the water from which fheir mineral waters were manufactured PAtENYT TEA MACHINERY.—We have received from W.J. McDonnell, of the Ceylon P.W.D., some particulars of his patent tea-leaf cooler and oxidiser which had a successfal trial in Ceylon last year. The apparatus consists of a blower con- nected by means of a pipe with the receptacle of a tea rolling machine. The receptacle is made with a lid or air-tight cover, to which the pipe leading from the blower is attached, and, on the air supplier being put into motiun, a mid-current of air, of the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, is made to permeate, with a downward action, the mags of leaf being rolled, keeping it cool and aiding oxida- tion. The covered in top or lid, together with the dowuward motion of the air, tends to retain the flavour in the leaf, which in the ordinary receptacle riscs with the warm air through the open or partly open top and escapes by reason of its specific gra- vity, into the cooler atmosphere above the recep- tacle. An obvious advantage is claimed for this system, as the loss of flavour, due to the heatine of the leaf during the process of rolling, cannot afterwards be remedied, no matter what treatment the leaf undergoes later on, nor how cool it may be kept. The apparatus has been successfully used it is stated, withresults varying from $d to ld per lb. over prices obtained for teas made alongside in the ordinary manner. It is recommended that the blower le placed outside the factory, in order that the leaf may be treated with air of a lower temper- abare than that of the rolling room.—Jndian and Eastern Engineer, May. 128 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. RUBBER-YIELDING TREES IN THE FRENCH SOUDAN. In the Revue des Culiures Coloniales of June 5, 1899, we find an article on ‘The Hx- ploitation of Caoutchoucin the French Soudan” which gives very recent news and shows how the French are now setting to work to make a wise use of their colonies. We give a special translation of the summary referred to :— “We have received from Kayes the following interesting particulars :—The Governor of Soudan some time ago empowered a technical Commis- sion to investigate in S. Soudan the Caoutchoue bearing zone, particularly as to the density of the growth of the rubber-bearing plants, the quality of the latex and the native methods of extraction. The sittings have now ended, and M, Hamet, the head of the Commission, hasjust given in information, from which it is evident that any undertakings for exploiting rubber in the Soudan are bound to be very profitable and that there is room in the Soudan for many such under- akings. TE Beis were originally collected there under the auspices and under the control of the French military who gathered it partly as a tax and tried by this means on the one hand to prove to the natives the value of the exploitation and on the other hand to cause this Soudan product to be known in the European market. The rubber has gained a standing in the European market and often ranks after the rubber imported from Cen- tral America or even compares favourably with it. It was bought on the European markets at fr. 6°50 or fr. 7 or fr. 7°50 and the purchasers would still have freights, &c., to meet; and the price has risen of late. No trouble has been spared to secure the increase in value of the article. Schools of Agriculture have been started at Kouroussa to which natives from different rubber- growing, districts come to learn the right methods for coagulation, &c. M. Hamet also says “‘the Soudan rubbers com- pare favorably with those of the Belgian Congo, having all their purity, resistance and nerve and they also have greater resistance to heat. M. Hamet and his co-workers have been study- ing the different kinds of milk-bearing plants native to Soudan: artocarpize, genus ficus, eu- jacee, apocynace, &e. t Pe one of neds latter, a Landolphia (hendo- litic senegalensis) called, commonly liane goi or gohive, that gave the results referred to above. This creeper is one of the shrubs most abundant in the south of the Soudan. In places visited by the mission, its density attained to 100 to 150 plants to the hectare (about 25 acres) 40 of the lants being very stout—rather thicker than a Pane arm. These (8 or 10 years old) may give 8 to 10 gallons of latex a year. When the latex from this plant (the gohive creeper) is examined, says M. Hamet, one can see from the coagula- tion that it consists of two parts :—(Ist) the liquid containing the rubber proper with albuminoid matter and a vegetable wax; (2nd) the serum which contains the constituent water, mineral matters and azotized matters | which the rapid fermentation of the latex carries off before any coagulation takes place. On the other hand, these matters imprisoned in the bitter waters tend to deteriorate the rubber. Itis these fermentable agents that it is absolutely necessary to destroy either before or during the coagulation. These two operations are effected by the one stroke by using fluoride of sodium,—antiseptic and very strong in the proportion of 27% of the weight she latex. , opney pee ntics, such as formo/, gaicol, salol goid thynvic ane ammoniacal acid do not coagulate, [Auc. 1, 1899. M. Hamet has tried coagulation of this plant by the different processes in use in the country : First mechhanical ; second by heat ; third by smok- ing ; fourth by chemical agents; fifth by decoc- tions of native plants. The yield of rubber has been independent of the process employed ; prac- tically, it has varied from 28 to 32 per cent. All the methods tried hayegiven excellent results, specially the two last. Amongst the chemical agents employed must be signalized chloryhydric, sulphuric, oxalic and citric acid, marine salt, chloride of aluminium and finally ammoniacal and chlorohydric acid together. Finally, the native plants that have given equally good results are: the guama, the do,the wild sorrel, somo, lemons or limes and the tamarind. They have been used in decoctions which have been left to lie for a night and been filtered through a cloth the next day, then warmed up to boiling point before being used. The experiments have been made on aseptized latex and have brought about the coa- gulation of a rubber of very first quality. But we must remark that, even treated by natives and without first being aseptized and with decoctions of plants of the country, the latex of the gohiva has given a rubber that fetches four to five fr. at Kouroussa. M. Hamet sums up and concludes by affirm- ing that the rabber furnished by the Soudan, especially the South, is of excellent quality, that the methods of collecting prevalent should be continued ; that they are simple and easy even for children who go into the brushwood to col- lect it and that experiments are being made in the agronomic stations for the multiplication of plants. oe THE COORG PLANTERS’ ASSOCIATION. The following are from Proceedings of the Annual General Meeting of the Coorg Planters’ Association, lbeld at the North Coorg Club, on the Ist ultimo :— Cror.—The coffee crop just gathered was one of the best the country has given for come years; but, unfortunately, the poor quality of the coffee, owing to the season, and the great drop in prices, owing to the large Central American and Brazil productions, has deprived us, toa great extent, of the benefit of the gocd crop. The price of native coffee was also ex- tremely low, and large areas have been abaudoned by the natives and have gone out of cultivation, The official returns of the coffee crop for 1897 98 were 2,500 tons against 2,030 tons for 1896-97, and this year, in spite :f the decrease of native, coffee should show a substantial increase. Next year the prospects ‘are almost universally poor, and a great deal of _ damage is reported to have been done by abnormally heavy rain in April. However, we can only hope for better quality and better prices. Mr. Cameron, whose services were so kindly leat by the Mysore Darbar, made tour of these coffee districts during November, and delivered two very interesting and instructive lectures at Mercara and Pollibetta, a report of which has been printed and circulated, and has also been sent to the U.P.A.S.I1., and will doubtless form a subject for discussion at the next Meeting. Our best thanks are due to Mr. Cameron for the troubJe he took, and for his very able and instructive lectures, and to the Mysore Durbar for lending his services. TrA.—About 50 acres have been planted by Mr. Parsons during the year, but, owing to small plants being put out, the clearing was not so successful as it might have been. This industry is being watched with greatinterest. Cixcnona.—Owing tothe rise in the price of this roduct,. increased interest has been given to the hitherto-neglected cinchona trees, and several lots of bark have been sent Home forsale.—I, Mail, Ava. 1, 1899 } THE TROPICAL PRUGRESS IN THE FEDERATED MALAY STATES. We envy the Malay States for the thoroughly just and scientific basis on which their system of revenue collection is based. Beginning de novo these Administrators were able to profit by experience gained in Ceylon as well as at Singapore. We have before us Mr. H. Conway Belfield’s report on Lands, Mines and Surveys, Federated Malay States, for the year 1898, and from it we learn that the conbined Land Offices of the Federated Malay States have once again succeeded in amassing a revenue which exceeds former records and stands at the satisfactory figure of $637,699. The increase is progressive year by year. The credit for this advance is due, says Mr. Belfield, to the excellent progress made by the States of the Negri Sembilan and Pahang, the older States of Perak and Selangor having been both unsuccessful in attaining the totals achieved in tie previous year. There is one principal reason, how- ever, why the returns of the two latter States were no higher than as recorded, which so completely eliminates any sug- gestion of deterioration of revenue that it is well that it should be mentioned at once: “Tt is found in the determination of the Government of Perak and Selangor to res- trict in some measure the alienation of min- ing land, so as to reduce the number of speculative purchases, and preventas far as possible the locking up of lands fox lengthy periods. The difference in the amounts of purchase money thus realised is far greater than the actual decrease of the revenues in each State, and is more than’ sufficient of itself to account for the whole of the fall- ing off. The revenue derived from the re- eurrent and, therefore, more important items, such as Rents on Agricultural and Mining Lands, shew solid improvements.” The following particulars of the quantity and value of tin exported are of interest. They are furnished by the Warden of Mints :— Year. Tons. Pikuls. Dart Value. 1894) 22.4 235952, 395,681 ... 39 15,047,748 1895... 23,866 400,956 ... 35 14,853,507 1896... 22,811 383227 1. 382 12,339,809 1897 ... 20,949 SoleO4ae |. 386 12,701,695 1898 19,703 BoROOT Pe” 143 14,177,101 We read that ‘‘ the Survey branch, Lower Perak, measured up 36 town lots and one agricultural estate of 262 acres, and ran 74 miles of traverse. The district branch of the Survey Office sustained a severe loss in the unfortunate accidental death of the District Surveyor, Mr. Draycott, who was drowned in the Perak river on the ilth October, in consequence of a collision between the steam ‘launch in which he was travelling and the ss. ‘Canton.’ [ had inspected Mr. Draycott’s office shortly before that date and had had pleasure in expressing to the Resident my high opinion of the value of his work. His death has deprived the Government of the services of an experienced and hardworking officer.” With regard to Ula Langat, we read :— As a considerable portion of the agricultural land of this district has been devoted by the na- tives to the cultivation of coffee it is satisfactory to observe that the precarious condition of this AGRICULTURIST. 129 industry has not caused diminution in the a ot Land Rents collected, which, though they did not reach the estimates, were nevertheless better than in the pievious year. The total credited was $7,028°50, As in many other places, receipts on account of Forest Products also shew increases attributed by the District Officer to improved super. vision, which has been possible since the Forest Rangers were relieved of the demarcation work, For Kuala Selangor, we read :— There is little to report in connection with the European owned estates; upon two of them the planting of coffee is being continued, and planters have generally acted similarly to those in other districts in turning their attention to experiments in other forms of cultivation. The Selangor Coco- nut Oil Mill Company’s factoryis now in working order, and oilhas been produced. It will be neces- sary to largely supplement the supply of locally grown nuts by purchases elsewhere. In respect of Registration ot Titles, Mining and even Land Enactments, Ceylon is, we suspect, behind the Malay States. This is how Mr. Befield winds up his very voluminous and able Report :— The Land Hnactment came into operation at the commencement of the year in all the States, and has, upon the whole, worked satisfactorily. Since its provisions have been submitted to the test of practice certain minor points have come to light in which it will be possible to effect improvement but it has, Ithink wisely, been decided to defer amendment until the law as it now stands has remained in operation for a longer period. Land Officers would have found it much more easy to work the Enactment had it been possible to pub- lish the Land Rules during the year. The Registration of ‘Titles Enactment was brought into force in Perak and slightly amended in Selangor during the year, and has worked smoothly. It was considered that the time had not yet arrived to enforce its provisions in the other two States. The new Mining Enactment, which is much wanted, was discussed in detail at a conference of Residents presided over by the Resident-General at Kuala Lumpur, and formed the subject of prolonged correspondence. At the time of writing it has not yet come into force. In preceding paragraphs of this report I have spoken of Settlement Officers and their work and have attempted to emphasize the importance of their employment in all districts in which demarcation work is in progress. A great deal isnow being done every day through- out the Statesin the way of measuring up native holdings, but that is only one stage of this im- portant work, and I am anxious that it should be more generally recognised than it now is that that work only becomes of value when it is ac- companied and attested by the examination of the Settlement Officer. I trust that more general recognition will be accorded to this matter in the immediate future. I may perhaps be permitted to close this report with an expression of the genuine satisfaction which is felt by the Land Officers of the Malay States and myself at the really remarkable pro- gress in the collection of Land Revenue which has been afeature of the administration of these States from the commencement of Federation to the present time. The improvement has been effected concurrently with the institution of radical changes of system, and the introduction of laws and regulations novel to the officers who were called upon to enforce them; that results such as those recorded have been attained not only speaks volumes in favour of the changes made but testifies to the assiduous manner in which officers have studied the new procedure, and to hearty and well sustained efforts on their part todo their best for the Department by earnest application and constant personal industry, =~ 130 PLANTING NOTES. PINEAPPLES—writes Datu Meldrum from Johore--are a drug80(dollar) cents per 100, some have been sold as low as 60 cents per 100. Is nothing ever to be done with the fibre, or a temperance drink be made out of the pine, a fortune may be in it; but “brains” are wanted. THe EMPIRE OF [NDIA AND CEYLON TEA’s CompaANy.—The dividend on the ordinary share of the Empire of India and Ceylon Yea Company for 1898 is only 44 per cent., compared with 9 per cent. in 1897. Other causes than the rise in ex- change contributed (says the Home and Colonial Mail) to this disappointing result. Bad weather reduced the outturn on the Assam and Ceylon properties, and although there was a large increase in the crops of the Dooars gardens, the price of Dooars. tea was lower. In addition, the directors state that there was mismanagement on some of the company’s gardens, which undoubtedly assisted in causing the poor results. An inyestigation has “since taken place; the management has been re- ‘formed, and with the firm appearance of the tea market better things are hoped for in the enr- rent year. RUBBER PLANTING RESULTS IN MEXx!co.— Writing in Modern Mexico from San Juan Bautista, the capital of the Mexican state of Tabasco, under recent date Clarence W Gano says :—“ During the past few years many planters have turned their attention to the cultivation of rubber, and they are generally of the opinion that it is the most profit- able crop that can be grown. One planter, Don Federico Caleanio, afew weeks ago solid the rubber from 2000 seven-year-old trees in San Juan for a net profit of $3000—an excellent return from ten acres of ground. The rubber tree increases its yielil from the seventh to the fifteenth year, after which, if it receives proper attention, it will bring a steady income for two score years or longer, The method of planting is simple and inexpensive, and after the third year there is practically no care bestowed on the plantation beyond seeing that the trees are roperly tapped.’—The India Rubber World, une Ist. Socotra’s PEOPLE AND PLANTS.—A_ prelimi- nary report upon the results of the scientific expedition to theisland of Socotra has been issued by Mr. Henry O Forbes, Director of Museums to ‘the Liverpool Corporation, who, under the aus- pices of the Royal and Royal Geographical Socie- ties of London and of the British Association, and in conjunction with Mr, W R Ogilvie-Grant, representing the British Museum, undertook the investigation of the natural history of the island. Tbe expedition occupied about six months, and the party discovered many species of animals, birds, insects and plants new to science. Accord- ing to the report the Socotrians are only poorly civilised Mohammedans, living in caves or rude huts, and possess*ng few utensils implements, or ornaments, and no weapons. Still the explo- rers took back specimens of pottery of primitive quern-like mills of basket work, and of weaving apparatus. The plants, of which living specimens or ripe seeds, over 200in number, have been taken ’to England, Mr. Bayley Balfour, Professor of Botany in Edinburgh University, describes as of highest scientific interest and of great commercial value being, unique out of Socotra.—Pioneer, June 30. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTORIST. fAuG. 1, 1899. COFFEE IN BRAZIL.—A coffee plantation near Campinas, SAo Paulo, said to have been valued at 130,000$, was sold at auction the other day for 13,000$! That is a better illustration of the situation -says the Rio News, May 30,—than any we can find in the official reports. THe Rist OF THE PORTUGUESE IN INDLIA,— Uvon the recent review of this work which appeared in our columns the author writes us an appreciative letter saying that the review was the first he had seen written by any one with a competent knowledge of the subject. He admits some errors and a share in their responsibility but on some points he would join issue with our reviewer. He writes :— It is Barros who says (I allow the others differ) that D. Lourenso was ordered to search for Ceylon as well as the Maldives. It is Castanheda (ii. c. 23) who says that the pillar (which he describes) was erected at Gabaliquama ‘ now called porto de Gale,” the date 1506;is from Correa, I admit there are diffi- culties in the chronology. As to the loss of ships from the attacks of the English and Dutch there was more talk than damage. Falcao in kis (p. 195) abstracts the loss as four vessels taken and three burned, total seven. From his detailed list of ships, however, I should say the totals should be five vessels capture¢, three burned andone run on shore, total nine—a number which did not seem to me to appreciably affect the percentage. At the same time I might have noted this cause. CEYLON IN THE ‘‘ LONDON TimeEs.”—In The Times of June 12th, received by the German mail, the following appears:— Cryton.—Oar Colombo Correspondent writes on May 17:—The check which the interference of the Indian Government with the currency gave to produc- tive enterprise is proving a blessing in disgnise to tea planters at least, for there can be no doubt that ifa rupeee of 1s 2d or less valne had continned, the plant- ing and production of tea would have far outstripped the demand, to the injury of the general body of plant- ers. The sixteenpenny rupee stopped extensions and not only so, but has led to a contraction of cultivation by the abandonment of poor fields in some instances, so that, both from Ceylon and India, there is no immediate prospect of an increase of crops—while the United Kingdom is getting an almost less supply of our staple, The direct trade in tea with the Conti- nent of Europe—notably Russia and Germany—with America and Australasia—is being carefu'ly fostered, and must steadily increase. Meantime an improve- ment of prices in London has cheered our tea plan- ters. Their restricted enterprise, however, has begun to tell on the general revenue, the quarterly return ending March 31 showing a comparative decrease—a warning to ourauthorities and the Colonial Office not to press unremunerative publiz works toomuch. ‘What single product can be (profitably) grown over 80 miles of cur North Central territory?’ was a question seriously propounded in an official qnarter lately, and no answer could be given. An agricultural com- mission is now sitting to try and devise means to improve local agriculture, if not to establish an agricultural department, A commission to inquire into the incidence of taxation, as promised by Governor Ridgeway, is now eagerly looked for by the public. The defenceless state of Trincomalee and the need of railway communication with Colombo has recently attracted attention. The Colombo har- bour works and graying dock have made good progress of late; the working season afloat for the former will now close with the advent of the sonth-west monsoon. Ceylon is to be well represented at the Paris sxhibition, especially in respect of our tea and’ general planting industries and in gems. The total export of tea up to May 16, 1899, to the United Kingdom is 33,457,229 lb., against same period, 1898, 34,288,943 1b., and to all other countries in 1899, 8,078,783 lb. against 7,723,624 1b. in 1898, ¥ 4, Ave. 1, 1899.] THE NORTH TRAVANCORE NOTES. July 2. TEA FACTORIES are not so busy just at present, although there is a considerable quantity of leaf com- ingin. Onthe whole I donot think this mon- soon quite so bad as it was last year ; the rain measured up to date is much about the same but the wind probably not so strong. T had the pleasure of taking a short trip down to some COFFEE estates in the Valley, a few miles away one day last week. Although but a short couple of days I enjoyed it very much, I was eager once more to behold old king coffee, and must say that the bushes laden with green berries, and in good heart was a pleasure to look upon—no sign of disease of any kind, the trees crowded with fine healthy wood, and now being all nicely ‘‘ handled” out. The elevation of these estates is about 4,900 to 5,000 feet and certainly seems to suit the coffee tree. During my morning walk down through the heavy jungle my friend and self passed through a wealth of vegetation, enormous timber trees standing out here and there, and lesser ones loaded with creepers, a great number of which were in bloom, the colours of these being many and varied, but all beautiful. The lower down we descended they changed considerably, and being more nu- merous, until we reached the coffee regions, where the hand of man has stepped in to try and improve upon the wealth of flowers adding climb- ing roses, and many other kinds introduced there, from the gardens of civilization. There are some 200 acres of new clearings now being opened up, but for tea and not coffee. Soil is good, but a good deal of rock about;it looked to be grand, lay, and soil for cinchona, too many rocks for tea, and I should say the cinchona trees in such Jand would grow to be giants. IT was rather unlucky in my visit finding most of the Valley men away at- tending ' I have been on the out-look for some time back for any news regarding what we call our TRAMWAY from the flat country west of Bodinayakanur. This tram is being erected from the bottom of the Ghaut up to Yellapatti, this latter being the top of the hill, or rather gap in these hills. It is on the principle of some tramways which I have seen in Ceylon, but only much stronger, I had some little news of it the other day, and from what I could learn it ought to be in work- ing order, before this year ends. Loads of 5 ewt. will be carried up and down; loads will be fixed on rope every 500 feet, to be worked in middle by an engine. Should this work all right, which I see no reason to doubt, it will makean immense differ- ence to transport of both goods and passengers (for the latter are to be carried). Engineers go first trip, of course, to show that they have every confidence in their tramway. Then from Yella- patti the road tramway will bring goods, ete., all the way on to Munaar and later on still nearer. The opening of this interesting and much-needed tramway ought to be quite a red- letter day for these parts. I may be lucky enough to be at this function and, if so, you shall have notes on the day’s doings. With this tram going and a railway from the station called Ammayanayakanur via Perri Kolam and Bodi to : { foot of the ghaut, we will be wonderfully much y better off for transport of goods, ete, KLONDYKE, a TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 131 CULTIVATION OF SEEDLESS PLANTS. Discussing some recent experiments of the Agricultural Department, the New York Sun says: ‘“Under modern methods of cultivation the seeds of our best varieties of fruits can easily be dispensed with, as they are of little practical value. Seedling stock, raised from the wild or common varieties, answer the purpose as well as the rare or choice trees, and their usual combination of hardiness and virility influences tne budded scions for good. Nature had already anticipated horticulturists in dispensing with the seeds and depending upon. other methods of propagation, The banana, for instance, is a seedless fruit which nature has apparently changed through some peculiar process. Rudimentary seeds are to be found in the fruit today. By slitting the banana down lengthwise rows of the rudimentary seeds will be exposed to view. Undoubtedly at one time, in its primitive wild state, the banana propagated itself by means of seeds, but the use of suckers for this pur- pose gradually made the seeds of less and less value. Following out the law of nature, the seeds, becom- ing useless organs, degenerated. Occasionally a banana is found that does propagate itself by means of its seeds, or at least perfect seeds are produced in the fruit which can germinate. If for any reason the suckers of this plant should fail to do the work entrusted to them, it is not unlikely that nature would reinstate the seed organs and develop them gradually to their early responsible position. “The pineapple and cauliflower are two other common illustrations of how nature occasionally dispenses with seeds. The pineapple is almost seed- less, and, like the banana, its propagation is entirely by suckers. The seeds are in a low, rudimentary condition, but at onetime they must have had their function to perform in life, and they are capable, under stress of circumstances to renew their vitality. The type would not be exterminated if the suckers should fail to perpetuate the plants. All the resources of the plants would go to the assistance of the seeds to develop and vitalize them once more, This has been found possible by experiment. By selecting the pineapple with the most promising seeds, and propa- gatire them by the usual process, the seed organs have gradually been developed until they are able to repro- duce their kind. “The eggplant is more interesting thao either the banana or pineapple. Here we have a fruit which is only occasionally seedless. That the seeds are really immaterial to the welfare of the plant is evi- denced by the fact that perfect fruits are often de- veloped whether the blossoms are fertilized or not. If the hands of the horticulturists it would be an easy matter to produce eggplants that would have only the slightest trace of rudimentary seed organs, or vice versa, it would be possible to develop » class of fruits that would be supplied with an abundance of large, full- grown seeds, “Nature’s hints, thus supplied in a few isolated cases, have been the opportunities of man to raise a class of seedless fruits. Sometimes it is merely a freak of nature that happens only once or twicein a generation, and if the opportunity is missed the loss is great. To this origin we owe our fine California navel orange, which is generally a seedless fruit! although occasionally a few small seeds are to be found in it. The navel orange was an effort of nature to preduce twins, but one of the twins aborted, merely surviving as a protuberance in the blossom end of the orange, a little kernel enveloped in the skin, which closely resembles the human navel in appear- ance. In the effort to produce a monstrosity the seeds were apparently neglected. By taking the scions of this fruit tree and grafting them on seed- ling stock we have practically established a seedless orange. It is, further more, remarkable because of its excellent quality and size. Usually the freaks of nature produce fruits that are not very good. Thus quite a number of apple trees have been produced, the fruit of which is nearly or quite seedless, Their origin hag heen largely the same as that of the navel orange, 132 THE TROPICAL They are geiierally abnormalities, and they are often called ‘bloomless,’ because the blossoms have no petals and sometimes lackstamens. Their appearance and quality are not such as to recommend them to the general consumer. The core is small and insig' nificant, but the shape is peculiar and the flavor poor. “ But seedless apples and pears of good quality may yet be propagated, and gardners ave working towards this end, Recent new varieties show great improvements over those fixst produced, and in the course of time careful culture and selection may bring about the desired results, How much the culture, selection and environment have to do with the proper development of the fruits is apparent in the case of the seedless currants of Corinth or the Sultana grapes of south Europe. These were supposed to have been as full of seeds as any ojher fruits far back in history, but successive years of culture and selection eliminated the seeds and improved the quality of thefruits. How the culturists first got their hint of seedless fruits is not known, butit is reasonable to believe that they took advantage of a freak of nature which produced @ vine with fruits that had very few or no seeds, “Experiments are now being made in California with the famous M uscat grape of Alexandria. This famous raisin grape would be greatly enhanced in value if the seeds couid all be eliminated. Considerable pyo- gress has been made in this direction by selecting cuttings from vines which produce grapes with less than the normal number of seeds. Several smaller varieties of seedless grapes have been in existence for many years, but most of them are inferior in some way to the best raisin grapesraised for market, Seedless fruits will bea success only when, in addition to maturing without seeds, the size and quality of the fruits will be equal or superior to the best va- rieties in the country. That is the essential reason why the navel orange is the greatest success of modern horticultural.”—Bradstreet’s, June 10. ee UKUWELA ESTATE COMPANY, LIMITED. Registered on April 26th, by Harwood and Stephenson, 31, Lombard-street, E.C., with a capital of £17,000 in £50 shares (378 six per cent. cumulative. preference.) Object, to acquire the Ukuwela and Bowatte estates in Ceylon, to adopt an agreement with F G Ambrose, and carry ou the business of tea, coffee, and cacao planters, importers, exporters, and merchants. The first directors—to number not less than two nor more tifan five—are F G Ambrose (chairman and managing director with £250 per annum), H L Anley, W B Anley, and J PB Anley. Qualifi- cation, £250, Remuneration, £50 each per annum Registered office: 165, Fenchurch-street, E.C.— Financial News, May 3. : pr CINCHONA IN INDIA. The planters in India are watching suspiciously the new energy of the Government in the direction of cinchona culture, an example of this, which we instanced the other day, being the sending of Mr. Standen to:\Java to see how things were done there. ‘The Government of Madras purpose extending their cinchona plantations in the Nil- ghiri Hills to a very large extent, and have already acquired two estates for the purpose. A vote for the extension of cinchona culture was neluded in the last estimates. Some of the planting papers are indignant at what they regard as an attempt to acquire a Government monopoly of cinchona planting in the Wilgiris.—&ritish and Colonial Druggist, June 23, AGRICULTURIST. \AuG. 1, 1899, AMSTERDAM BARK MARKET. June 15. The detailed particulars of the Amsterdam bark auction of last week are as follows :—Abont 20 tons (20,623 kilos) ef Manujsacturers’ bark were actually sold in the auction, and about 1% ton (1,748 kilos) of Druggists’ bark. There were brought in about 1} ton of the former, and about 1 ewt. of the latter. So that nearly the whole amount offered was sold. The tone of the anction was quiet: the unit selling price worked out at 8-25 cents per half kilo. (14 per lb.), against 8°5 cents at the Jast auction, a decline of over three per cenv. Of the bark put up, 73,382 kilos. were succirubra, 369,720 were Ledgeriana, 38,698 were Hybrid and other kinds, and of all these 49,956 kilos were root bark.—British and Colonial Druaqgi ee olo ruggest, —— --

_-—__—_——_ DT TUN Saehae COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Our special correspondent’s revelations concerning the adulteration of tea end the rules for its examina- tion by the Custom House have provoked the greatest interest, not only in the trade, but throughout the country. last week, in the House, Sir PB. Flannery asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention had been calied to a statement in the Press that a quarter of the caper teas and half of the dust teas now imported should be confiscated under the Food and Drugs Act of 1875, by reason of their containing 20 per cent of earthy matter and sand ; whether we would explain the nature of the precautions taken by the Customs Department in London for the detection of such adulteration, and whether the number of sam- ples analysed could be increased with advantage ; and whether, having regard to the factthat the descriptions of tea above named were for the most part consumed by the humbler ciasses least able to protect themselves against adulteration, he would increase the staff of inspectors especially allocated to the duties of samp- ling and analysis of caper and dust teas, The Chancellor of the Exchequer: My attention has been called to the matter. The Board of Customs have, in view of representations made to them by cer- tain firms and of statements in the Press, ordered a full inquiry to be made. It is not easy, within the limits of an answer to a question, to explai b= ee cautions taken by the Bade for the Phat r <¥ adulteration of tea; Lut I shall be happy, if the hon. member wishes it, to supply him with particulars, The _ Board of Customs, as at present advised, do not con- 5 sider that there is any need for altering the exictiapea regulations, but if, as a result of the investigation now > Aue. 1, 1899.] in progress, it should appear advisable to make such alterations or to increase the number of tea inspectors, the necessary steps will be taken at once, On the following evening, Mr. Carew returned to the attack. He asked the Hinancial Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware that large importa- tions of tea rejected by the Hamburg and New York Customs had recently been passed by the English Cus- toms and sold in London, though containing up to 20per cent. of clay andsand, and was unfit for human consumption ; and whether, in view of the fact that the price of common teas had advanced 50 per cent., of which the poor were the largest consumers, the Go- vernment would insist on a more rigid inspection of all future importations to prevent a repetition of the fraud. Mr. Hanbury replied that the “Board of Customs have no means of testing the accuracy of the state- ment in the first paragraph. A full inquiry is being made and if it should appear advisable to alter the ex- isting regulations, or to increase the number of tea inspectors, the necessary steps will be taken at once. Meantime, a circular has been issued to the tea inspectors, directing them to administer the existing regulations with special care.” We are glad that our revelations have had such immediate and far-ceaching results, and as inquiry can only reveal the truth of every word of our indictment,*we shall look to it that the Government is held to its pledge of reform.—Public Opinion, June 23. pe AMM aD waded Bee PRODUCE AND PLANTING. No CuHaner.—The latest report of the Commissioner of Customs for Shanghai does not confirm the reports circulated freely some time back that the Chinese were about to reform their methods of tea manu- facture. The hopes expressed that the mandarins were at Jact awakening tothe advantage of prepar- ing tea by machinery, we are told, have been dis- appointed. There has been no improvement, says the report for 1898, in the treatment of tea, ‘nor is there likely to be as long as Russia takes nearly all the crop of black as it is.” Tue Sorrows of THE Tea Revramer.—The ‘‘Grocer”’ reproves those whe foster the demand for cheap tea. It says “‘Consumers of tea are willing to pay a fair price for a good article, and it may be hoped those retailers who are fostering the demand for ‘the shilling canister,’ and who are by so doing throwing away another chance of making a legitimate living profit, will curb their zeal and philanthropy. Generally speaking, profit on sugar is almost an un- known quantity ; at any rate, retailers do not get a fair return for the labour and capital involved in its distribution. Jt will be a great misfortune if the tea trade is allowed to drift in a similar direc- tion, and an effort to check the diminution in the margin of profit ought to be made before it is too late. Would the retail distributor's determination to secure a fair return on all his tea sales limit the demand? We think not.’ Touching lightly upon the sorrows of the retailer, the ‘‘ Grocer” adds: “The tea trade has been the subject of a great deal of attention during the last few weeks. In several of the general newspapers statements have recently appeared to the effect that a quantity of tea containing an appreciable percentage of ‘ dirt’ has found its way to Mincing Lane, and sensation- mongers have been urging consumers ‘ to be on their guard against retailers who desire to charge them for tea and to foist upon them an inferior article contain- ing substances not grown upon the tea plant.’ It is a pity thas such writers do not make inquiries of the Commissioners of Customs before perpetrating sugh libels on a trade which is generally conducted on/as pure a basisas any that could be mentioned, Follow- ‘ing upon this damaging statement came the assertion in the prosecution of Lipton, Limited, last week that itis ‘ the universal custom of the trade to weigh tea THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 133 with the paper in which it is wrapped’. We publish this week another batch of protests against the asser- tion, but itis to be feared that among the readers of some of the daily. newspapers which did’ not give sutticient prominence to the contradictions of the statement quoted above, distruct of retail tea-dealers will be created.” ) THA AND CoFFEE IN Ammrica.—They are trying tea as a rival to beer in New York. T'ea saloons have been opened where it is sold for a penny a pint, and the buyer may have it hot or cold.. Colonel Hadley, the inaugurator of the movement, is going to try and convince the poorer class of consumers that: “Tea builds sup; alcohol burns up. Tea quenches. thirst; beer starts a thirst.” The plan also includes a scheme to induce the beer-drinker to substitute tea and place the daily saying in a bank. To encourage this the society start the account with a gift of 4s, with the understanding that the money formerly spent for been less that spent for tea, shall be deposited daily. The would mean a saving, where a pint of tea is taken instead of a pint of beer, of £17 12, to which the society will add the balance to bring the year’s saving up to £20. Coffee finds a more ready sale than tea in some quarters, because the former can be purchased at 44d to 5d yer pound, with a coupon for a gift in each package. This makes one gallon of coffee cost 24d, while one gallon of tea of a poor sort costs 4d. A New Ust ror TsA4.—A correspondent who writes to a contemporary on the subject of fortune-telling “in the name of common-sense of society, and of religion,” states that fees are now being extorted for the revelation of future events by the medium of téa leaves. He tells us that a professional lady attends at private houses, bringing her own tea pot, and dares “to predict the future by the position of. the tea- leaves when poured with due solemnity into a cup.” These fortune-tellers have no preference for: Indian and Ceylon tea unfortunately, and can perform their cabalistic mysteries with either high or low grade teas. Rusper in Tocoranp.—In Togoland, (a German colony in West Africa between the British gold coast possessions and Dahomey) regulations have been issued to prevent the wanton destruction of india rubbex trees, and the dealers receive licenses from the Government. Only natives are allowed to collect this product, strangers being forbidden to ply the trade without a special license, which costs £50 a year, —H. and C. Mail, June 30. ; PLANTING NOTES. DuRIAN PuLANTS.—Three plants were raised from seed received from Peradeniya Garden.. They are now about eightinches high and are making a promising growth and will be planted out on the first favourable opportunity. These may suc- ceed where the imported plants have hitherto tailed.—Madras Agri-Horticultural Society's Pro- cecdings. ANOTHER MARKET FOR OUR TEAS.—A corres- pondent writes:—We note that a large exodus of Moormen from Holy Utah is taking place, the much married saints leaving for Manitoba and north-west Canada generally. Here we have another market for our teas, if travellers were sent to tap it via Vancouver. With half-a-dozen dames of one ‘‘ harem” sitting in solema conclave to pick to pieces the characters of their dearest friends, the spouses of aneighbouring elder, the consumption of the cup that cheers, which is inseparable from the proverbial scandal on such occasions, ought to be considerable.—The Planter. 134 A RvuseeR COAGULATING MACHINE.—It is learned from Messrs. Thomas Christy & Co. (25, Lime street, London, E.C.), that they have sold **a rubber coagulating machine which has given every satisfaction, and turns out a very fine class of rubber, quite free from dirt and torcign matter. One of its great advantages is that the rubber can be coagulated without the admixture of chemicals, except in certain circumstances, and can be got ready tor export free from water and moisture, saving a great deal infreight and labor.” It is understood that a cireular describing this machine will be printed soon, and that it is not built on the Biffen centrifugal system,—Jndia Rubber World. CoFFEE SHADE.—Read the following letter from Mr. J W Minchin, Honorary Secretary, Nil- giri Agri-Horticultural Society, Ooicamund, dated 7th February, 1899:—‘‘ Mr Rhodes James, of Coonoor, writes me that he wishes to obtain more seed ot the Pithecolobium polyciphalum, which, he says, promises to be avery valuable shade tree for coffee. He reports that one tree from the seed, received through me from your Society in 1897, has grown welland is apparently a faster grower than even the Albizzia moluccana. Can youassist Mr. Rhodes James of this Society in getting any more of this seed”. The seed asked for will be procured and supplied.—Madras Agyri-Horticul- tural Society's Proceedings. CAMPIHOR PLANTS.—Of the twenty-four plani® received from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cal” cutta, twenty-two plants have been distributed to members and others. Those planted out in our gardens two years ago are now two to three feet high. Mr. Winterbotham, of Meppadi, Wynaad, reports that the two plants we sent him in October 1896 are doing remarkably well ; 4 feet high Mr. S M Pritchard, of Yercaud, in his letter of the 18th March, says that the one plant sent to himin August, 1898, made little progress till a month ago, when it began to make a vigorous growth. The elevation of Yercand is not quite 4,000 feet ; soil a virgin black, and the tem- perature never goes above 89” in the hot and the rainfall averages fifty inches.—Madras Agri-Horti- cultural Society's Proceedings. BLACK PEPPER: A PROFITABLE CRop.—The cultivation of black pepper in Wynaad is being largely increased, the crops harvested last season being the heaviest ever known in this taluq, while the price realised touched R600 per ton, the local quotations having been R180 per candy of 680 Ib.. This year the vines appear to be yielding even more largely, and 18 inch long cuttings of the best variety known as ‘‘ Barlancottan ” for trans- planting purposes are selling at 5 per mile, Pepper in Wynaad is not usually grown from seed ; cuttings being almost exclusively used ; these are planted in pits about 15 inches in depth at the base of the tree or standard up which they are to be trained. Where natural standards are not available, stakes ot the Hrythrina Indica, or thorny Indica, are laid down, as this variety of indigenous tree appears to be most in favour for this particular purpose, as it strikes root readily, and, being deciduous for several months in the year, it gives a light shade, too much of which is inimical to the vines bearing well. At existing quotations, pepper is un- doubtedly the most profitable staple to cultivate in Malabar, as after being well started, the gardens require but little Jabour for cultivation, and ‘‘locals ” suffice for the purpose, —Ibid, - THE TROPICAL AGRICULTORIST. {AuG.-1, 1899. CHINESE COMPETITION IN TEA.—It will interest exporters of tea in Calcutta to know that, owing to the competition on the Pacific, the new season’s China teas are being carried from Yokohama at less than a cent a pound.—Pioneer. A Manbacascar Ropper-TrREE.—M Henry Jumelle contributes to the Comptes Rendus for May 29th, a paper on the Guidroa, a rubber-tree of Madagascar. The writer mentions that the plant has hitherto been known only under its native name, but that now, thanks to specimens sent from Suberbieville (!) by M Périer de Ja Bathié, it has been possible to ascertain whether it is a new species, or can be identified with any that is already known. The conclusion arrived at is, that the Guidroa, though clearly belonging to the Mascaren- hasia genus, does not exactly resemble either ot the fifteen or sixteen known species, but may be held to be a new species, and may be named Mas- carenhasia velutina, in allusion to the very characteristic velvety substance of the leaves. M Jumelle describes the manner in which the rubber is gathered from the trees by the Sakalaves. Dur- ing the dry season, when the milky juice is very thick, they make, he says, numerous incisions in the trunks. The milky jnice ecoagulates almost immediately below the wound, forming small bands of eum which the workers remove after an hour, and which they agglomerate into balls. In this way one man can easily gather a kilogram of the gum in one day. The caoutchoue thus obtained is of good qua- lity, and even, it appears, superior to that gained by ebullition. Thus it seems likely that the Mascarenhasia genus, only found on the east side of Africa and in Mada- gascar (especially in the north and _ east), will play a more important part in furnishing caoutchoue plants than has previously been thought likely.—Gardeners’ Chronicle, June 17th. CASTILLOA RUBBER TREES on Wiharegama, Matale, have done even better than Major Gor- don Reeves recently reported. We now learn on undoubted authority, in a note from Matale, that the trees from which seed is now being gathered and which must be almost nine to ten years old, vary in girth from 40 to 46 inches at three feet from the ground. Of this size there are about 25 trees. Of trees about seven years of age there are some 25 also, average girth 20 to 22 inches; four years old _ trees about 45, approximate girth 12 inches. Oi trees two to three years about 90 trees of varying girth, eight to twelve inches, besides, of course, a large number of youn: ger sapling plants. Most of these larger trees have been planted along with or under cacao and Liberian coffee; and the manager sees no reason whatever to aban- don the system. In regard to planting Cas- tilloa rubber as shade for cacao, we find on reference to the 7. A. of 2nd July, - 1894, (Columbia) reports on cultivation of cacao, banana and indiarubber, in districts surround- ings Sierra Nevada, and Mr. Munton followed the practice there established. The plant- ing of Ceara rubber in cacao is certainly not desirable ; the tree absorbs too much moisture and drops its foliage where the cacao has most need for shade. Dr. Morris, when As- sistant Director Kew Gardens, we see by a footnote to this report, stated that the yield of Castilloa trees of ten years should be from four to seven lb. of rubber per annum ! Ave. 1, 1899.) THE TROPICAL Ceylon Rainfall. Tas P. W. D. MetEoroboGicaL OBSERVATIONS FOR Junr 1899.—We append this from which it will be seen at Padupola in the inches, Province 0710 inch. WESTERN PROVINCE, Negombo, Mr. Bucknall 6 “d 2 Kalitate x r Gregson (36) 10°76 Labugama, \r. Bond 369) pate 1 O£ Henaratgoda, Mr. Silva (33) 14 CENTRAL PROVINCE. Katugastota, Mr. Morgan ) 741 (1,500) J New Valley, (Dikoya) Mr. Ward (3,708) -- 23°16 Helboda, (Pussellawa) Not received (3,300) «.- — Yarrow Estate, Mr. Peto (8,400)... 15°71 Peradeniya Mr. 20 MacMillan (1,540) ... 10°74 Duckwari, Mr. adwin (3,300) ye 12845 Caledonia, Mr Goork .. Ss (4,273) 16°75 Pussellawa, Mr. A Powell (3,000) 18 38 Hakgala, Mr. steapine Nock (5,581) pee TAS S. Wanarajah Estate, Mr. Tatham (3,700) LS 29521 St. Andrew’s (Maskeliya, ) Not received (4,200)... — Padupola, Mr. Ward... ,636) _ 46 42 Mylapitiya, Mr. Fletcher (3,707) NokfHERN PROVINCE. Mullaittivu, Mr. Sanmukar ( NLL Jaffna Mr MacDonnell 8) Nit Mankulam, (N. Road) Mr. Sanmulam oy) Nil Elephant Pass, Mr. Silva (7) SeinINUL Vangalachettykulam, INES Herft (17%) Set NGL Point Pedro, Mr. Pararacha- singhe (24) j Nil Jafina College, (Qi Mr. Cooke Re ONL Kayts, ae Kretser 8 il Kankesanturai, Mr. ... 3 Adams : (10) Nil Paliai, Mr. Silva 94 24) Sete Murikandy, (North-Central | Road) Mr. Si va — Nil Nedunteni, Mr. Sanmukam 122 Nil Chavakachebeti, Mr. Si va (16) Beco NU Gdupiddi, Mr. Hastings ___ (45 A eNUal Marichechukaddi, (14) Mr. Thimorharampillay — Murunzgan, Mr. B echingberg ==) Naik Vavuniya Mr. Sanmukam_ (318 Nil SoUTHERN PROVINCE. Ella Vella (262) Mr. Smith 10°83 Kekanadura, (150) do 1379 Denagama, (286) do 10°01 Uaukiriwila “yr, Gourensz (235) . 660 Kirama, Mr. Ismail (260) 16°77 Hali-eiu 200) Mr. Smith 10°60 Pissamaharama, Not received (75) oon) _ Central and the lowest at Monthly Return of rain that the highest fall was Province, 46°42 Naulla in the Hastern Matara (15) Mr. Smith 7°39 Danieniya, (157) do 6°91 Urubokkx, (890) so 17°18 Blayvaia, Not received (121) — Tangalla, (94) Not + ceived Mamadola, Mr. Cade — (56) vena OFUL EaSTERN PROVINCE. Irrakkamam, (42) Not received — Devilanva, Mr. Vanderstraaten (136) Nil Sagamata, Not received (40) as — Ambare, do (65) — Kanthalai, Mr. Carte (Gail Nil Allai, Mr, Carte (95) Nil Rukam, Mr. Vanderstraaten (120) aeESNIL Periyakulam, Mr. Carte (20) 000 Nil Chadaiyantalawa, Mr. Edge (57) 0°67 Kalmunai, do (12) O74 Rotewewa, do (30) Nil Lahugala, do (70) Nil Naulla, do (39) 0°10 Andankulam, Mr. Carte (41) ted Nil Mana!poddy, Mr. Vanderstraaten (21) 0°40 Maha-Oya-Tank, Mr. Vanderstraaten (190) . Nil N.-W. PROVINCE. Magalawewa, Mr. Gunaratna (176) 23190 Maha Uswewa tank, Mr, Crabb (160) 0°85 Tenepitiya, Mr. Simmons (8) 13°43 Batalagoda, Mr. Madahapola — 704 N.-C. PROVINCE. Kalawewa, (268) Mr. career aN1 Maradankadawala, Mr. Carson (443)... 0'29 Mihintale, Ma MacBride (354) a) il Horowapotana, Mr. Macbrive (217)... Nil Madawachchiya, Mr. MacBride (285)... Nil Topare, (200) Mr. Jay-wardane i Nil Minneriya — Mr. Eyes Nil Uva PROVINCE. Bandarawela, Mr. Tocke (4,380) nee 1:35 Haldummulla, Mr. Vira- mitta (3,169) ... Nil Kumbukan, (445) Mr. !imerson Ca0 0°57 Koslanda, (2,258) Mr. Emerson ae Nil Tanamalwila, Not received (550) ... —_— SABARAGAMUWA. Ambanpitiya, Mr. Caldicott (729) 16'67 Pelmadu'la, Mr. Clar e 08) 43°49 Kolonna Korale (Hulanda- oya) (203) Nvt Received — Avissawella, Mr, Jeffery (LO) 215 \ AGRICULTURIST. 135 CHINA. TEA PROSPECTS. THE Hongkong Daily Press of 4th July has the following interesting deliverance :— Experts in tea are agreed that the desiderata to retrieve the fortunes of the China tea trade are improved cultivation and manipulation, and a reduction in the cost of production. ‘So long however,” says Mr. Hughes in his Kiukiang Cus. toms report, ““as the present heavy taxation ex- ists in China all along the route from the place of origin to the point of shipment—a taxation amounting to about 25 per cent. of the cost, whilst the tea of other countries (India, Ceylon, etc.) are free of duty, neither the improvement of the leaf nor the reduction of the original cost can be rec- koned as prime factors in the question. The wonder is that an article so heavily handicapped as China tea is, in the matter of duty and taxes should still hold a respectable place in the world’s markets and still retain such a large share of for- eign patronage. It would almost seem as if, even without any other alteration inthe present state of affairs, China tea, with a wise removal of, say, half its fiscal burdens, could hold its own with its modern rivals, to the “im- mense benefit of the Chinese Government and people.” The 25 per cent. mentioned by Mr. Hughes as the amount of taxation to which Kiu- kiang tea is subjected is somewhat less than the amount given by competent authorities at other ports. Mr. Brenan, in the Canton Consular re- port for 1897, placed the figure at 35 per cent., while Mr. Cass, of Amoy, ina review of the tea trade supplied by him to the Consul and incor- porated in the 1896 reported, said the reason for the decline was not far to seek: the entire crop realised $136,000, while the lekin paid amounted to $20,000 and the export duty to $35,000, or a total of $55,000, considerably more than one-third of the value of the tea. The result is that at Amoy the tea trade has practically ceased to exist. _ The latest market report inthe same paper is of interest :— SHANGHAT, 3rd July.—(From Messrs. Welch Lewis & Co.’s Circular.)—Our last ‘* printed ” tea market advices were under date 16th instant. From Han- kow we hear of an active demand from Russian houses for second crop Black Teas from the Lian Hu districts at prices which make early purchases of first crop Teas look cheap. GREEN TEA.—It is perhaps a matter for congra - tulation to find that the fear of rejection by the United States Customs Inspectors is no longer op- pressing the dealings in good sound common ‘Teas, and it is hardly to be wondered at that thecraving for common Teas, in most of the consuming cen- tres should cause inflated prices here. Fine Teas are comparatively neglected, but lines which were going a begging last year at Tls. 12/14 are now eagerly taken at Tls. 20/21, and the lowest quota- tion for ‘‘skin” is Taels 14a picul. We must not forget to say that there is no suspicion of adulter- ation about these Teas, and they are all sweet drawing. At the same time if these prices continue the supply of common Tea will be largely in- creased. ; From the table of exports we see that the comparison in the case of shipments to th United Kingdom is as follows ia 5 Black. Green. lb. lb. Total to date, 1899 8,380,059 7,064 Do. 1898 5,914,986 10,068 Do. 1897 7,538,126 20,049 To North America, on the other hand, there is a slight falling-off this season so far, as also in the direct shipments to Russia, 136 SHARE LIST. ISSUED BY THE COLOMBO SHARE BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION. CEYLON PRODUCE COMPANIES. Amount Name of Company. paid per share. Buyers. Sellers Agra Ouvah Estates Co., Ltd. 500 = 925 Ceylon T2a and Coconut Estates 609 — 600 n’1 Castlereagh Tea Co., Ltd. 100 100 102°50 Ceylon Hills Estates Co., Ltd. luv a 30 Ceylon Provincial Estates Co. 400 — 485xd Ciaremont Hstates Co., Ltd. 100 15 aN Clunes Tea Co., Ltd. 100 102°50. 105 Clyde Estates Co., Ltd. 100 “= 9() Delgolla Estates Co., Ltd. 40) — 150 Deomoo Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 65* Drayton Estate Co., Ltd. 100 135 pee Eila Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 50 — Estates Co., of Uva, Ltd. AO0 = 350 Gangawatta 500 ce Glasgow Estate Co., Ltd. 600 — 975 ' Great Western ‘Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 500 640 640* Aapugahalande Tea Kstate Co Ltd 200 250 = High Forests Estates Co Ltd 600 240* 550 Do part paid 350 sew _ Horekelly Estates Co., Ltd. 100 — 85 Kalutara Co., Ltd. 600 400 = Kandyan Hills Co Ltd. 100 — 45 Kanapediwatte Ltd. 100 — 90* Kelani Tea Garden Co., Ltd. 100 hs 65 Kirklees Estates Co., Ltd. 100 140 ie Knavesmire Estates Co., Ltd. 100 4 77°50 Maha Uva Estates Co., Ltd 600 _— 675 Mocha Tea Co., of Ceylon, I.td. 600 675 700 Nahavilla Estate Co., Ltd. 600 —_ 500 Nyassaland Coffee Co. Ltd. 100 Ne 90 Ottery Estate Co., Ltd. 100 116 pak Palmerston Tea Co., Ltd. 500 a 425 Penrhos Estates Oo., Ltd. 100 — 105* Pine Hill Estate Co., Ltd. 60 — 50 Pitakanda Tea Company 500 1,000 = Putupaula Tea Co., Ltd. 100 ao 100 Ratwatte Cocoa Co., Ltd. 600 350 500n’1 Rayigam Tea Co., Ltd. 100 55* i Boeberry Tea Co., Ltd. 100 55 60 Buanwella Tea Co., Lid. 100 ve 75 St. Heliers Tea Co., Ltd. 50 505 = Talgaswela Tea Co., Ltd. 100 — 35 sy 7 per cent. Prefs. 100 80* ate Tonacombe Estate Co., Ltd. 600 — 450 Udabage Estate Co., Ltd. 100 | 65 Jdugama Tea & Timber Co., Ltd. 50 aie 10n] Onion Estate Co., Ltd. 500 — 300 Upper Maskeliya Estate Co., Ltd. 600 500 Ovakellie Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 100 re 65 Vogan Tea Co., Ltd. 100 — 87°50 Wanarajab Tea Co., Ltd. 600 1150 1150* Yataderiya Tea Co., Ltd, 100 — 400 OryLon Commercian ComPANiES m’s Peak Hotel Co., Ltd. 100 cs 60 sottol Hotel Cc., Ltd. 190 82°50* Do 7 per centarDebis. 100 102°50 — en. Steam Navgt, Corie a. 100 200 200* Colombo Apothecaries Co., Ltd 100 130* Assembly Rooms Co, Core : : 80 12) abso Do prefs. vile 20 Ba 7 Colombo Fort Land and Building Co., Ltd. 100 ye) 82°50 Colombo Hotels Company 100 aot 290 Galle FaceHotel Co., Ltd. 100 150 150 Kandy Hotels Co., Ltd. 100 87°50* — Kandy Stations Hotels Co. 100 9 40° Mount Lavinia Hotels Co., Ltd. 500) 406 New Colombo Ice Co., Ltd. 100 = 162 Nuwara Eliya Hotels Co., Ltd. 100 —_ 40 Public Hall Co., Ltd. 20 15 we Petroleum Storage Co. 100 a Do 10 % prefs. 100 35 40 Wharf and Warehouse Co., Ltd. 40 80 = —— — oro * Transactions, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Auc. 1, 1898, LONDON COMPANIES. Amount Name of Company. per share. Buyers. Sellers. paid ; ; Alliance Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 10 83—9 _— Associated Estates (o., of Ceylon Ltd. 10 - 6&7 Do. 6; er cent prefs. 10 -. Iln—tl0o Ceylon Proprietary Co. 1 -- 126-15 Ceylon Tea Plantation Co., Ltd. , -. 26}—27 Dimbula Valley Co., Ltd. ; 5 — 6—6} Do prefs. 5 — 53—6xd Eastern Produce and Estates Co., Ltd. 5 -. 6$—6% Ederapolla Tea Co., Ltd. 10 - 8-9 {mperial Tea Estates Ltd. 10 ay 65 Kelani Valley Tea Asson., Ltd. 5 es 5—6 Kintyre Estates Co , Ltd. 10 - 8% Lanka Plaatation Co., Ltd. 10 45 +. Nahalma Estates Co., Ltd. 1 5 $—1 Nuwara Kliya tea Est. Co., Ltd. 1u 10} Ouvah Coffee Co.,Ltd. 10 i Ragalla Tea Estates Co., Lrd. 10 “ 105 Scottish Ceylon Tea Co., Ltd. 10 15 Spring Valley Tea Co., Ltd 10 5—6n'l Ssndard Tea Co., Lid 10 -- 123-33 Yatiyantota Geyion Tea Co., Ltd. 10 _ &—8? Yatiyantota pref. 6 o/o 10 fs 97—10 BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE. Colombo, 28th July, 1899. —_——_—— 8 |sSe22Se2Rx 3 |S 4 | eoaoe Len Ss 1S Sn) aL. ee 7B | ZeSSeSesheess la - 22 fra 02 tS 4 00H COAG nH O96 2 L ee ae 2 |e2SnnZSe5ssas [a |P re ASAP a Oo Saeeais = ee | dansrouwaw se | & | eeSPeePanovescae im 2 | POP AOR OSD OID AH HO | re 8 | PSsssenzsslae Q | §scnnannsoogny nee 36 83 44 63 5 Inch. 199] 0 (Supplied by the Surveyor—General.) BY Inch. 1°45 2°81 9°43 5.93 5°69 | 20 18°10 |14 13 RAINFALL RETURN FOR COLOMBO January February March April May June July COFFEE IN BRAzIL.—It is stated that near Cra- vinhos,S Paulo, a plantation with 50,000 coffee trees, formerly valued at 181,000$ has been bought by Dr. Alfredo Pujol tor 22,.00%. The journal from which we take this item estimates the grow- ing crop at 30,90) arrobas ; but this is evidently a mistake, for, although there is no lack of indivi- dual instances in which trees bear even more than 20 lb of coffee each, we have never before heard of a whole plantation’s averaging a third of that yield per tree.—Kio News, 33 «- {13 November.. December.. 2°80 |119°03} 60°83 | 89°67 |77°46 | 92°28 |101°06) 82 7 * From ist to 26th July 1°11 inches, that is up to 9'30 a.m, Total.. ‘ ° ‘ 5 ¥ Ava. 1, 1899] , COLOMBO PRICE CURRENT. (Furnished by the Chamber of Commerce.) Colombo, July 25th, 1899 ExcHaneGs on Lonpon :—Closing Rates: Bank Selling Rates:—On demand 1/4; 4 months’ sight 1/4 1-32; 6 months’ sight 1/4 1-16. Bank Buying Rates:—Credits 3 months’ sight 1/4 +3 6 months’ sight 1/4 11-32; Docts 3 months’ sight 1/4 5-16; 6 months’ sight 1/4 15-32. Indian Bank Minimum Rates 4 0/o to 5 % Local Rates: 20/0 to 3 o/o Higher. OorreE :— Plantation Estate Parchment on the spot per bus— R13.00 Plantation Estate Coffee, f.0.b on the spot per cwt R75.00 Liberian Parchment on the spot per bus—None Native Coffee f.0.b per cwt. None Tra:—Average Prices ruling during the week—Broken Pekoe per lb. 42c. Pekoe per lb. 36c. Pekoe Sou- chong per lb. 33c. Broken Mixed and Dust per lb. 26c.—Averages of Week's sale. Crncnoya Barx:—Per unit of Sulphate of Quinine per lb 7c. Carpamoms:—Per lb R1.70 Coconur O1r:—Mill oil per cwt. None. Dealers’ oil per cwt. R13.75; Coconut oil in ordinary packages f.o.b. per ton WR307,50 Copra:—Per candy of 560 ib. R43.00 Coconut Cakr:—(Poonac) f.o.b. per ton, R82.50 Cocoa unpicked & undried, per cwt. R45.25 Picked & Dried f. 0. b. per cwt. None. : Kogalla R17.25 Corr Yarn.—Nos. 1 to8 Colombo R16.00 Cinnamon :—Nos. 1 & 2 only f.0.b. 65c. Do Ordinary Assortment. per lb 57c. Exony.—Per ton R185.00 PiumpBaco:—Large Lumps per ton, R1,100 Ordinary Lumps per ton, R1,000 [R150. Chips per ton, R750 Dust per ton, R600 Dust Flying Rics.—Soolai per bag, R7.50 to 8.00 5, per bushel, | R2.87 to 3.06 Pegu & Calcutta Calunda per bushel, R2.96 to 3,00 Coast Calunda per bushel, R3.00 to R3.05 Mutusamba per bushel R3.37 to 3.80 Kadapa and Kuruwe, per bushei—None. Rangoon, raw 3 bushel bag. R9.40 to 10.00 Coast Kara per bushel R3.00 to 3.05 Soolai Kara per bushel R2.86 to 2.87 THE LOCAL MARKET. (By Mr. James Gibson, Baillie St., Fort.) Colombo, July 25th, 1899. COFFEE :— Estate Parchment :—per bushel B11‘00 to 13°00 Chetty do do Rs'0v to 9:00 Neare $0. By PEE ewt. R35‘00 to 40:00 Liberian coffee:—per bushel R3°50 do cleaned coffee:—per ewt R20°00 Cocoa unpicked:—per ecwt R40°00 to 42°60 THE TROPICAL do cleaned do 42°00 to 44-00 Cardamoms Malabar per lb R100 to 1°25 do Mysore do BRL‘65 to 1°95 RICE: Soolai per bag of 164 Ib. nett R750 to 8:00 Slate or ist quality:—per bushel R298 to 3°06 Soolai 2& 3rd. do de do R2°87 to 2°96 Coast Calunda R3'00 to 3°05 Coast Kara R300 to 3°05 Kazala R286 to 2°87 Muttusamba Ordinary R337 to 3°80 Rangoon Rice per bag R940 to 10°00 Cinnamon. perlb Nol to 4 R00°57 do do 1 to2z R00°65 do Chips per candy R90°00 to 92°50 scarce Coconuts Ordinary per thousa do. © Selected do Coconut Oil per cwt do do F. O. B. pe to POoNAC :— Gingelly per ton Coconut. Chekku do do Mill (retail) do Cotton Seed do nd R35°50 to 38°00 R36'00 to 39-00 R13°75 to 13°87} R275'00 to 277°50 R85'00 to 87°50 R77‘50 to 82°50 R80°00 to 82°50 R60'00 to 63°00 AGRICULTURIST. 137 POONAC: - Copra per candy Kalpitiya do R44°50 Marawila do . R42°00 to 43°50 Cart Copra do R40°00 to 41°00 Satinwood per cubic feet. 2°00 to 2°25 do Flowered do R500 to 6°00 Halmilla do R190 Palu do R160 to 1°12 Ebony per ton R75°00 to 175°60 Kitul fibre per ewt R30°00 Palmyra do do R800 to 17°50 Jatina Black Clean per cwt R13°50 tu 14°00 do mixed do R11°50 to 12°50 Indian do R800 to 13°50 do Cleaned do R10°00 to 17°50 Sapanwood per ton R44°00 to 52°50 Kerosine oil American per case R600 to 6°25 do bulk Russian per tin R2°75 to 2:90 Nux Vomica per cwt R2°00 to 3°50 Croton Seed per cwt B38°00 to 40°00 Kapok cleaned fob do ewt R24°00 to 24°50 do uncleaned do R750 to 8°00 Large lumps R600°08 to 1,050°CO Plumbago per | do R500°00 to 97500 according to grade Chips R300°00 to 750700 Dust R275°00 to 550.00 CEYLON EXPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION. DI~ DOD I~-Ne As oS ; wn uounoos ~Nnr ols = 4 rophs OMAD'D + gs + 2 6 eM -NO + coal mS HID” HO + Fee nS i Sl O}JesE 1 o a o a ao a 2 Z So) fey Hed ol lan) oid ite S i> a 8 4 12905 SS S Ex BR i oO Slez MoS H A Oo won oO 8 Salo ae . 3 “OO NA . AE ite} . : HN meen ° oO Ol79 a _ 1 Qooaos oS 2 ooo me . MAaouga n So ASomsH | Ls |S SBS “OO 3N son oe i a! an HOODS +S ic 19 oD > a m2 too = So ran men wa ° i te oO nl cael ae Pulse 4 = Se Sen S oocs a ay ‘4 38h & Ss sess * S/ oa {s ASS wo WH SBad 1 wt OS Ss EAR © @w HS 1D o oO ei A ,Hto et 1a = Oo 4 an fe Ie tute irs : ‘| ry n tr © 2 i) o st SNS f=) A | PSS Sop eda Sesses ie! ez Go oS aay Ah RS =) +s oe S°7ary gS gs 2) o anos ia] Mion) ‘se foo} =H — ov S 3 3 : . a iS) eS OOOO SSS stil wR Ho bor 1 & SUI esa a Gasgie Suscete Zilia ie 8 z Fea} rp ED Eee CST 7a Diack oe on S| ° oy 10 oO Ho wo wy oo So YeWex Ren) ire) (oa) oO 1g I~ Oo for) = ee) el ~~ aA foo) “S - cord aa n i a . QD. tr) ny Ae) Ss lau : Sita eet Sris teres: iene S2 102 . eH oWS: sills halts Six a) s Sa Jine od sek oO 9 BE S too) S ay PoE ee ea aie way BY 3 SUPE tehiel tithe jee deiysieelier sire o: os 2 On lo eit Neo) (eer nelce\ ie ae es es <4 AS} 22 So ras | 7 ; Terao = mons Or S oe OOF is) Sioa At | Ss 8s = a nd . So - o i oO I~ Orns . [os] ° cory fipulinnee a o i} a FE 208 phere Bip aeons 2 S al apeumetieentelitat one, : sUntketAslisteiverns 6 =) 4 ‘ ! iS) Rano tH oO i [) ie oH OOo an SSm ag 3 S2/2c a . on . QD a8 . fos] ee a Os TONSANDSSHSBSOHHARAG GRISSGS RA DOMHoRoEosSR' SZ WOANISNDSMHOHASTANRISGMaA!l & (ea) SHADILHONAHAARL HR OR HAIRS tt An DH BD OAARIDOA Hod 4 1D OO yr a a COAAIS i or) =) ao al an Pal vf [2° ' i~ oS — HOD=OSSSS0OAMDS ra " i SSS GSR SSSSRS RSS a] on OCHWDI~AMSOHMLAKNOHLOMHI + a. DODNGSMDDDAROHANDMOOAIDCD oo aS oO oa OMA Sh Sa He 29696008 bil “i a) al C5 AAtas ot @ oO m4 Or Seal wo ~ u FREON Toso EE Car SN, CH O54 ° ~ oe | n 22 ra B ss a 22 o a fs fe 82 [5° = -280588 ¢@ Bm SS $5 ag AaB SSS Sas 8 3 Sa os Z, MESSES DRAG L eB ESSSES | Ob =) BPSARIRB ono a sr Aeea Ka SSsokcsOaesSesesseaagasal do fo) oy meine =I aS D 5 TARO De NN SOnAS an Baans a Alpah atin lamin Samal e a a mm Ha Ce rr OS ro 138 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. MARKET RATES FOR OLD AND NEW PRODUCTS. (from Lewis & Peat’s Fortnightly Prices Current, London, July 12th, 1899.) QUALITY. QUOTATIONS. QUALITY QUOTATIONS. ALOES, Soccotrine cwt.|Fair to fine dry » |448 a 100s INDIARUBBER, (Contd). Zanzibar & Hepatic ,, |Common to good {11s a 80s Java, Sing. & Penang lb.|Foul to good clean ..\8d a3s BEES’ WAX, £1 RGD (\Good to fine Ball .|2s 8d. a 3s 6d Zanzibar & { White ,, |Good to fine £7 a £7 10s | Ordinary to fair Ball..|2s a 2s 10d Bombay Yellow,, | Fair £5 15s a £610s Mozambique 5, ~ |Low sandy Ball ../1s 3d a 1s 6d Madagascar | Dark to “zood palish |£6a£612s 6d | |Sausage, fair to good...|3s 2d a 3s 6d CAMPHOR, China __,, |Fair average quality 125s \\Liver and livery Ball - |2s 4d a3s Japan ») 33 i he 127s 6d Fr. to fine pinky & whi.../3s a 3s4d CARDAMOMS, Malabar lb] Clipped, bold, bright,fine|2s 6d a 2s 9d Madagascar ; \ Fair to good black ..|2s a 2s 3d Middling, stalky & lean|1s 7d a 2s Niggers, low to fine ..jIs a2s 6d Ceylon. —Mysore » 3 Tellicherry,, a Long Mang alore,, CASTOR OIL, Calcutta, Madras ,, CHIULIES, Zanzibar cwt, CINCHONA BARK.-—- Ceylon Ib. CINNAMON, Ceylon ase per lb, 2nd ards 4ths Chips CLOVES, Penang Ib. Amboyna Zanzibar and Pemba Jf Stems COGU!.US INDICUS ewt. COFFEE Ceylon Plantation ,, Native Liberian COCOA, Ceylon ” ” >» COLOMBO ROOT ‘ COIR ROPE, Ceylon ton Cochin ,, FIBRE, Brush Es Cochin ,, Stuffing ,, COIR YARN, igevion iS in 2” “ales CROTON SEEDS, sift. ewt. CUTCH GINGER, Bengal, ‘rough, Calicut, Cuta,, is B&C,, Cochin Rough ,, Japat GUM AMMONIACUM ” ANIMI, Zanzibar ,, Madagascar ARABIC ¥. 1. & Aden Vurkey sorts Ghatti Kurrachee Madras ASSAFCETIDA KING 4 MYRRH, picked Aden sorts OLIBANUM, drop pickings ,, siftings ,, INDIARUSBER,Assamlb Rangoon Fair to fine plump Seeds Good to fine Brownish Shelly to good Med brown to good bold ists and 2nds Dull to fine bright Crown, Renewed Org. Stem Red Org, Stem Renewed Root Ordinary to fine quill ” Led thd oo” ” Dull to fine Dright bold|4 2” -|Dull to fine Good and fine bright Common dull to fair Fair Fair Bold to fine bold colory Middling to fine mid Low mid. and low grown Smalls Good ordinary Small to bold Bold to fine bold Medium and fair Triage to ordinary Ordinary to good Ordinary to fair Ord. to fine long straight Ordinary to good clean Common to fine Common to superior 20 »» very fine Roping, fair to good Dull to fair Fair to fine dry 38 8d a 4s «. |28 2d.a 28 5d --|28 llda 3s .|28 6d 2s 6d a 3s 6d 2s 3d a 3s3d -\34d add «./35d a 33d £15 a £33 £12 a £32 £10 a £14 10s 40s a 558 Fair Good to fine bold Small and medium Common to fine bold Small and D’s Unsovlit Sm. blocky to fine clean Picked fine pale in sorts Part yellow and mixed Bean and Pea size ditto Amber and dk. red bold Med. & bold glassy sorts Fair to good palish on eet Xe a Ordinary to good pale Pickings to fine pale .. Good and fine pale. Reddish to pale selected Dark to fine pale 2 Clean fr. to gd. almonds Ord. stony and blocky Fine bright Fair to fine pale Middling to good Good to tine white Middling to fair Low to good pale Slightly foul to fine Good to fine Common to foul & mxd. Fair to good clean ... :Common to fine 69s 6d a 75s 27s 6d a 49s 6d 228 a 26s 17s a 20s 19s a 20s 20s a 45s £107s 6d a £15 £8 2/6 a £10 10s 708 a £8 15/ £5 10sa £7 10s 80s 4 100s .. [£4 88 a £8 ..|£4 5s a £9 40s a 55s 708 a 85s .|12s 6d a 35s ..|028 6d a 55s 30s a 40s 1278 6d a 35s 40s a 95s 288 a 47s 6d Bs a 75s 338 a 55s 36s a 50s 25s a 35s 17s a 20s 16s 6d a 18s 28 103d a 3s 1d 1s 4d a 2s 6d 283 9d a 3s 2d 18 a 28 4d INDIGO, E.I. MACE, Bombay & Penang + |29s 61 a 40s per lb 6da 7d MYRABOLANES, | owt S70 un Madras 2rd a 4éd Bombay Ay 34d 37d 10da 1s 6d Bengal ,, 93d a 1s 5d NUIMEGS— lb. 9d a 1s 4d Bombay & Penang ,, 73d a llsd 2d a 83d NUTS, ARECA cwt. zd a i NUX V OMICA, Bombay ri a5 per cwt. Madras 33d a Sa 3d 4 33-16d OIL OF ANISEED 1b 2d CASSIA : 9s LEMONGRASS ” NUTMEG ” 104s a 120s CINNAMON ” » {938 a 102s CITRON ELLE 81s a 92s 6d ORCHELLA WEED—cwt 35sa 75s Ceylon ” 30s a 70S Zanzibar. ” 26s a 37s 728 a 85s PEPPER - (Black) Ib. 62s a 70s Alleppee & Tellicherry 42s a 6d 62s 6d Singapore 12s a 21s Acheen & W. C. Penang nominal PLUMBAGO, lump ewt. £14 a £23 £10 a £21 chips 2 £18 a £22 dust ” £7 a £9 SAFFLOWER ” SANDAL WOOD— Bombay, Logs ton. Chips ;, Madras, Logs ., Chips ,, SAPANWOOD Bombay,, Madras ,, Manila ,, Siam ,, cwt. Ib SEEDLAC SENNA, Tinnevelly SHELLS, M. o' PEARL— Bombay cwt, Mussel TAMARINDS, Caleutta.. per cwt. Madras TORTOIS ESHELL— Zanzibar & Bombay Ib. TURMERIC, Bengalewt. Madras Do. Cochin VANILLOES— Mauritius and Bourbon ” ” »” tb. 1sts 2nds 3rds Bengal—- Consuming mi Ordinary to mid. Low to ordinary Ordinary to fair Pickings Fair Coast Jubblepore Bhimlies Rhajpore, &c. Caleutta 64's to 57’s 110’s to 65’s 160’s to 130’'s Dingy to white ” air Dull to fine Middling to fair Fair to good flavour Inferior to fine Lean to good Good average Mid. to good Madras Pale reddish to fine Dark to fine pale UG Ordinary to fair fresh Ordinary to middling Fair to good bold fresh Small ordinary and fair/5s 6d Fair merchantable According to analysis Good flavour & colour Ordinary to fair sweet Bright «& good flavour Mid. to tine not woody. Picked clean flat leaf ... wiry Mozambique Fair to bold hoary, EF Fair to fine bright bold Middling to good small Dull to fine bright 5 Ordinary to fine bright Good to fine pinky Inferior and pickings j Fair to fine flavour [Auc, 1, 1899. Shipping mid to gd violet}2s 10d a 4s to gd. 2s 6da 2s 9d 2s 2d a 2s 5d) Mid. to good Kurpah {1s 11d a 2s 5d Is da 1s 10d ls 4da 2s 2d 23a 3s \ls 5d als 1ld Isida 1is3d és a 6s 4s 6d a 5s 4s 3d a 6s Gd 4s9d a 9s 6d 4s 3d a8s \4s 6d. a 63 2s 4d a 2s 6d \Is ld a 2s 3d \6d a 11d \l2s a 188 |45 a 5s 6d 7s a 10s 5s 9d 3s lid a 58 6d 37d a Is 6d lida 1s 104d 10sa 12s 6d 10s a 16s 10s a 11s i aG a 53d d Jj4¢d aid 36s a 47s 18s a 25s (20s a 27s 6d 13s 6d a 22s 6d __|808 a 85s _. (608 a 70s 50s a 55s _|£20 a £35 bsa £8 _|£20a £58 ..(£4a £8 ..je4a £5 £4a, £5 nem. : feones & rooty to good|£4 108 £5 15s pold smooth ..|£6 a £7 Ord. dusty to gd. soluble|55s a 60s Good to fine bold green|43d a 64d Fair middling medium Common dark and small)= Bald and A’s Small to bold a 33d 2d a 24d | £4a £5 1s (£1 58a £3 2/6 ..|Mid.to fine bl’k not iene 15s a 16s Stony and inferior Small to bold dark mottle part heavy -|7s 6d a 8s 6d { 18s a 28s 6d Fair 18s Finger fair to fine bold bright ue 6d Bulbs Finger ‘lte a 17s 6d Bulbs + (9S a 98 6d Gd. crysallized 34.a 9in 20s a 328 Foxy & reddish 44 a 8 Lean and inferior Seychelles VERMILION Ib. WAX, Japan, squares a Fine, pure, brignt Good white hard 5/218 a 28s 6d {LOS a 14s 2s 3d a 2s 5d oe 1808 Ga Sle fase Blak AGRICULTORAL MAGAZINE, C@OLronNe®. : Added as a Supplement Monthly to the “ TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST.” The following pages include the Contents of the Agricultural Magazine for August :— OT AUGUST, 1899. [No. 2. THE ANNATTO DYE OF COMMERCE. ( Continued.) HE use of annatto for colouring cheese and other food articles . seems to have originated from the belief that it possessed certain antiseptic and peptic properties, but the country of its origin is not known. The West Indians were known to be using it as a medicine in the treatment for dysentery, while in Kast India, Mysore, the natives use it as a condiment in their curries. The Spanish mix the prepared dye in their chocolates—evidently not for the sake of the colour- -ing but for its virtue as a digestive. The superiority of cheese made in Holland is no doubt due to a judicious use of the dye which it seems the Dutch keep as a secret. Manufacturers in Germany in attempting to imitate the Dutch product, overdid it so much so, that it was found necessary for the German government to enact special laws last year prohibiting the use of annatto in that country. In an extract from the Journal of the Society of Arts which appeared in the Ceylon Observer of 12th instant, it will be seen that annatto which is therein named “bixa orellana” formed one of the principal products of Togoland in German West Africa. After the new laws came into operation in the fatherland, the produce of those colonies evidently found its way to other countries, carrying with it the tendency of lowering prices and demoralizing the market. But this state of things should not continue long, for as oon as it is known that the variety of the annatto i growing in Africa is different from those found in East India and Ceylon, preference will be given once more to the lutter as has actually been the case once before When the West Indian product reigned supreme. In this connection it will be interesting to look back to the discussion which a sample of West African annatto seed sent. to England had elicited. appeared in the Kew speaks for itself :— The following letter which Bulletin for July, 1890, RoyaL GARDENS, KEW, To CoLONIAL OFFICE. Royal Gardens, Kew, 29th March, 1890. Sir,—I am desired by Mr. Thiselton. Dyer to acknowledge the receipt of your let‘er of 22nd January last, forwarding a copy of a..despateh from the Officer Administrating the’ Government of Lagos on the subject of an experimental con- signment of annatto seeds forwarded to this country for valuation and report. 2. These seeds were duly received at Kew early last month, and samples were forwarded to several firms of annatto cealers and manufacturers inviting their opinion upon them for the informa- tion of the Government of Lagos. 3. Copies of the replies received are herewith enclosed. It appears that Lagos annatto seeds are not so good as those exported from Jamaica; they are smaller, less bright in appearance, and not so rich in colour. This may be owing to the fact that the Lagos seeds were gathered before they were fully ripe. In any case the market value is very low, and it is doubtful whether West African seeds can be shipped to this country at a profit. 4, The subject of annatto has already been very fully treated in the Kew Bulletin (July and September, 1887). It is a matter for consideration, if the export of the seeds will not prove remu- nerative on the West Coast, whether it would be possible to prepare the flag or roll annatto., There is a regular and steady demand for annatto in this form, and the charges for freight are con- 140 siderably reduced. The methods adopted in the preparation of flag or roll annatto are fully given in the Kew Bulletin for July 1887. J, am &c., (Signed) D, Morris. The Hon. R. H. Meade, c.B. The supposition in that early period of the history of this new product in attributing the inferiority of the seed to premature gathering is quite natural; but since it has been pointed out in the June number of the Agricultural Magazine that there, are more than two varieties of annatto growing in different countries, one inferior to the other as regards the quality of the colouring matter each contained, it may be safely inferred that the variety growing in Lagos is not the same as what we have in Ceylon. And if the seed now selling inthe English market at 1d. per 1b. is the same as the sample referred to in the above correspondence, I fear it wont pay the growers to send any more there! | In my next I hope to give some more interest- ing notes. A. VAN STARREX. Matale, 17th July, 1899. See RAINFALL TAKEN At THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, 1899. 1 Thursday .. Nil 17 Saturday .. ‘15 2 Friday -. Nil 18 Sunday .. ‘28 3 Saturday 38. #19 Monday .. ‘46 4 Sunday 1:05 20 Tuesday .. °24 & Monday’... 1:72 21 Wednesday.. Nil 6 Tuesday .. 1°17 22 Thursday .. Nil 7 Wednesday .. Nil 23 Friday Nil 8 Thursday. .. ‘98 24 Saturday .. Nil 9 Friday .. 1:3 25 Sunday Nil 10 Saturday .. ‘64 26 Monday .. ‘Ol 11 Sunday .. Nil 27 Tuesday .. °02 34% Monday 1:12 28 Wednesday.. ‘25 48 Tuesday .. °*48 29 Thursday .. 1:09 14 Wednesday .. ‘29 380 Friday vie gO 15 Thursday .. Nil 1 Saturday .. Nil 16 Friday Hee nS) Total. .12°73 ’ Greatest amount of rainfall in any 24 hours on the! 5th inst., 1°72 inches. ' Mean rainfall for the month ‘68 in. Recorded by Mr. J. A. G. RopRiao. oe OCCASIONAL NOTES. The Colombo Agri-Horticultural Society’s Ex- hibition’ was held on July 2ist and 22nd and proved to be a great success. The attendance ‘was large, being estimated on the first day to have exceeded 3,000. The exhibits of fruits and vegetables though not large in number were of a good quality. Special accommodation was pro- vided for arts and manufactures and cattle, and both sections were well represented. His Excel- lency the Lieut.-Governor attended the first day and distributed the gold medals. Onthesecond day Mrs. S. M. Fowler, wife of the Hon’ble the Govt. Agent, Western Province, distributed the silver medals: Supplement to the *' Tropical Agriculturist.” ‘a word, the survival of the fittest. ‘wool, hair and silk. [AvG. 1, 1869. Only nine gold medals (cf exceptionally high value and finish) were awarded to the following :— Mr. P. D. Siebel (collection of flowers and pot plants). Mr. A. J. R. de Svysa (Cinnamon). Mr. A. W. D. Jayasuriya (Paddy). Lady de Soysa (Tea). Mr. George C. Warr (Coconut Oil). Mr. J. W.C. de Soysa (Native Bull), Mr. T. Sanmugam (Poultry). Mr. Weerakody (Collection of native fruits). Mr. C. C. Barber (Cacao). Mr. 8. M. Burrows, the new Director of Public Instruction, will arrive before the end of the year and resume duties probably in November. While welcoming him we cannct but feel sorry to lose Mr. Harward, the Acting D.P.I., who has proved an ideal Director and won the esteem of all. The report of the Agricultural Commission is now due and will no doubt be forwarded to Government within the month. Itis being eagerly looked forward to, as tlie deliberations of the Commissioners have so far been of a private nature. We trust the best decision has been arrived at for the good of the agriculture of the Island. The operations of the Paris Exhibition Com- mittee are taking practical form, and Exhibits under the various sections are being now made up, and indeed are beginning to come in, The Hon. Mr. C. P. Layard has succeeded the Hon, Mr. Ellis as Chairman. Foot and mouth disease broke out in the Govern- ment Dairy despite all the precautionary measures that are in force against the incursions of epizootics, There isno doubt that the dairy herd was infected at the Havelock Racecourse where the animals are daily sent to pisture. These grounds are, us a rule, over-run by stray cattle during the night, and the virus of the disease was most probubly deposited on the pasture grass by these stray animals. The dairy is once again quite free from disease, though the occurrence of the out- break has caused a serious diminution in the output of milk. —_———_—_—___<__ —- ——_-- FIBRES. It has already been noted as an interesting fact, though in no wise a remarkable one, that the most valuable commercial fibres of today were the prominent fibres of ancient times, illustrating, in Flax, cotton, hemp, the liliaceous fibres, many of the palms, reeds, and grasses were known and valued in past ages on both hemispheres, being employed in connection with the common animal fibres, as When or how vegetable fibres first came to be used will never be known, but it is possible that they were first employed in aiding man to secure his food, as.the natives of every country from the burning tropics to the frigid north have drawn largely upon the re- sources of the vegetable kingdom for their fish Say oa “Ave. i, 1899.] lines and nets. And it might further be con- jectured that the rude knotting cf the twisted filaments of fibre in the form of nets may have first suggested weaving and the substitution of vegetable clothing for the skins of animals. Flax has a greater antiquity than any of the fibres of which we have knowledge, for its culti- vation goes back to the Stone Age in Kurope. It is knowy, to have been manufactured by the Swiss Lake Dwellers, a people contemporaneous with the long-extinct mammoth and other great mammals of the Quaternary Epoch, as specimens of the straw, fibre, fabrics, etc., prepared by them are preserved in the Museums. It is supposed that the species cultivated at that remote period of the world’s history, concerning which no written records remain, was Linum angustifolium, which at a later period, though still remote by four or five thousand years, the Egyptians cultivated the species known today as commercial flax (Linum usitatissimum). Before the books of Genesis and Exodus were written Egyptians were skilled in spinning and weaving flax, for both the culture and the manu- facture of this textile are pictorially carved upon the bas-reliefs and upon the walls of palaces, temples, and tombs. Egyptian fabrics of linen 4,500 years old and preserved in the museums and among the mummy cloths, fabrics from the most delicate tissues to linen, like sailcloth, have been found, and as many as 350 yards were some- times used to enwarp one body. The linens were both white and dyed in colors: yellow, red, and purple, and they were handsomely embroidered. Spinning and weaving in Bible times were house- hold industries, as we are assured by many re- ferences to woren and flax. The Pheenicians did much to extend the culture of flax and the art of weaving linen, as their ships plowed the Atlantic more than three thousand years ago, even journeying to Britain, for they were a nation of traders, and there is every reason to believe that the Chaldeans excelled in spinning and weav- ing flax, while the Babylonians, centuries before Christ, were noted for their luxury and the high state of developement of their textile art, flax, cotton, and wool being manufactured by them. Wool was more grown in ancient Greece than flax, though the latter textile was produced in certain favourable districts and imported in large quantities for manufacture. There was a distinct linen industry, slaves being the operatives, as well as a household industry, for whether in the cottage or the palace, if possible, a special room was set apart for the occupation of weaving. in Homeric times not only were maids and ladies of high degree familiar with weaving, but with spinning and embroidery, and the distaff and spin- ‘dle were often made of ivory or of gold. As in Greece, so in Rome, there were regular linen establishments, and at the same time a domestic manufacture practiced by maids and matrons, Woollen was earlier used for clothing by the Romans; then linen was employed, first for domestic uses, then as a dress material, the women adopting it before the men. Regarding the early use of linen in our own country, the time when American history began to be made is so recent that the word ancient does not apply. It has been stated that both flax a Supplement to the ** Tropical Agriculturist.” idi and hemp were known to the ancient Mexicans or Aztecs, though I can refer to no records which relate to their use. While it has been shown that cotton was the ancient national textile of India, its cultivation and use were by no means confined to that country. Flax was the aristocratic textile of Egypt and was generally cultivated, but cotton was grown inthe southern part of the country. Cotton and linen were sometimes woven together (flax warp and cotton woof), just as mixed “tow linen” is made in the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina today. These Egyptian mixed fabrics, as well as pure cotton cloths, were largely used in upholstery as the coverings of chairs and couches, and probably also as drapery hang- ings. The cottons of India were famous and Hindoo muslins were formerly. produced that were so fine that when laid upon the grass and wet with dew they became invisible. The mar- velous fabrics of Cos and Tarentum, by some said to have been made from cotton, were more likely silk, as they are described as floating like mist around the female form, disclosing the contour like gauze veil. There is also the record of a muslin turban 380 English yards in length, con- tained in a coconut set with jewels, which was also exquisitely fine that it could scarcely be felt by the touch. It is impossible to say how far back into the ages cotton was first used in India, and though it is referred to 800 B.c., we may be sure that the industry was old at that. time, Cotton was a late introduction into Greece, though it was known 200 B.c., and even linen was an introduced textile, which came slowly into favor atu time when wool was almost universally used. see BEANS AS HUMAN FOOD, VELVET The shelled beans have been used as food fot cattle, hogs and chickens and even as a table vegetable. The writer has up to this time made no experiments to determine the suitability of the beans for feeding to different classes of live stock. ; Inasmuch as there is on record one well authen« ticated case of injury following the use of green immature shelled velvet beans as a table vege- table, caution is advised'in using the beans’ for human food. This case of apparent poisoning of acute indigestion following the eating of green velvet beans, boiled, was carefully investigated by Mr. V. K. Chestnut, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, He has kindly permitted the writer to examine his correspondence with Mr, J. 8, Sergeant of Florida, who reported the only case on record, where velvet beans proved deci+ dedly harmful. With him green boiled velvet beans proved injurious, not only to men, but also to the poultry. Mr. Sergeant writes as follows concerning velvet beans as a substitute for beans: “We have since used them as coffee two and three times a day for three or four months con- tinually without observing any deleterious effect. If properly ground they make a very pleasant, drink, The least bit of burning makes the beverage too bitter, and on the other hand too little browning, leaves them with an unpleasant taste and odor,” Four Floridian: whe hayg 142 Supplement to the “ Tropical Agriculturist.” had extensive experience with velvet beans were consulted on the suitability of velvet beans for food of man and beast. All hold the opinion that they contain no poisonous principles, but three of these four correspondents agree that the velvet bean is not a desirable table vegetable. The fourth, Mr. E. J. Johnson, Leesbruy, Fla., writes thus:—For human food they are by all odds the richest and best vegetable I have ever tasted. If eaten in large quantities they will nauseate the stomach, not from poison, but from richness. They should be soaked in water over night. This separates the inside hull from the bean, They should then be parboiled in at least two waters. Then cook them as you do any other beans. The air-dry shelled beans analysed by Prof. H, H. Persons, (Fla. Bul. No. 35), contained 6°29 Per cent. of fat, 53°5 per cent of nitrogen-free extract (starch, etc.), and the very large amount of 1881 per cent of protein or muscle-forming material. This indicates that the beans are even richer in food materials than the cowpea, which ranks especially high as a food-stuff. eee OBSERVATIONS ON THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION OF THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. The necessity for the appointment of the present Agricultural Commission, if I am not mistaken, has arisen from the fact that a cry has been raised that the Colombo School of Agriculture is not dxing what was expected of it, or in other words, that it has proved to be a failure. The re- organization of the School, therefore, with a view to devising a more liberal system of agricultural education, among the native population of the island seems to me to be one of the most im- portant duties that the Commission has to per- form. Before proceeding further, it will there- fore be useful at this stage to inquire, ‘Ist. What was expected of the. Agricultural School to do when it was first started. 2nd. What it has done so far, and 3rd. Why it has apparently been a failure. It is of course impossible to show by statistics how much good an institution of this nature may do 10 a country, nor is it necessary here to enu-. merate instances in which this particular Institu- tion has been of service to the island. From an educational point of view nobody can be biind to the fact that the School has done an immense deal of good. In this respect I may make bold to say that it has done more good to the native population of this island than. either the Royal Botanic Gardens or the Colombo Museum, both of which Institutions absorb a much larger share of the revenue than the School of Agriculture: The Schocl: is purely a scientific and a. technical one, and anybody who is not conversant with the sciences that go to help an agriculturist, nor any- one tho has not studied the methods of culti- vation as practised by our village goiyas is really unable to. see what good an Agricultural School ia likely to do to the people. ‘The Hon’ble Mr, Mitchell once observed: ‘With regard to the good the school was doing nobody could be blind vs ‘ [Aue. 1, 1899. to that. Lads came from the country and studied Agriculture there and went back to their villages, and no one can be blind to the fact that very important results must follow from that in the course of time.” A knowledge of Agriculture with its allied sciences such as Botany, Chemistry, Veterinary Science, &c., will at least enable a lad to goabout with his eyes open, while the influence that he could exercise on the people among whom he moves is from an educational pointe of view incalcuable. Mr. H, W. Green, the founder of this Institution, was always a keen observer of the various methods of cultivation as practised by our village goiyas, and be exactly knew in what directions improvements should be carried out. I am speak- ing with some authority, as 1 have had the op por- tunity of personally discussing these matters with Mr. Green on several occasions during my con- nection with the Agricultural School from its yery commencement in 1884 and until 1890 as a teacher of Botany, Chemistry, &c., there. His Primer of Agriculture which is at present taught in every village Government School from the Vth Standard upwards is highly appreciated by the villagers. The Agricultural School has at least succeeded in teaching our educated youths the dignity of labour. In the words of Mr. Elliott, the late Government Agent, ‘(the young men who have passed through it are a credit to the school in which they were traineds They are capable Agri- culturists and intelligent workmen who understand their work, and know how and when to plough, to sow, to water and to reap.” The iron plough which Mr, introduce was undoubtedly a failure, and some people are under the impression that this was all that the School tried to do; and when the plough failed the school was also put down as a failure. The plough must be left out of account altogether in considering the resutils of the school. All that Mr. Green tried to do was to find out an implement by which the soil may be properly turned up and properly tilled and with the least expense to the goiya. That the soil must be properly tilled before anything can be made to grow on it suc- cessfully is an admitted fact; the point was to get a suitable implement. i It was expected that the youths who studied at the school would go back to their own lands and take up Agriculture as their profession; but even the big landed pro- prietors who have passed through it, with one or two exceptions, have not done so. The reason for this is not far to seek. Anybody who is ac- quainted with native character will be able to supply an explanation. It is however a mistake to suppose that simply because these young men did not take to Agriculture the School was a failure, and the money spent in teaching them was spent in vain. é Again, a promise was I believe held out by Government at the time that the school was started, that preference would be given to young men who had studied Agriculture in filling up vacancies as Korale Mudaliyars, Muhandirams &c. There is no instance on record in which any of the young men who passed through the schoo] Green tried to be Ave. 1, 1899.] ever attained to this distinction. This is not very encouraging. Now I come to an important point.. When Mr. Green started the school, he was anxious to have it as part and parcel of the old Normal School, the only training Institution for Govern- ment teachers. He succeeded in this, and it was placed in charge of the Principal and Science Master of the Normal Schoo! who was a European. Untortunately, soon after the school was started Mr. Green, who was then the Director of Public Instruction fell ill and had to leave the island on furlough. The Vernacular Normal students who were trained to be village teachers were then taught Botany, Chemistry and Agriculture in addition to the ordinary school subject. Mr. Green’s idea was to give these teachers a training in practical Agriculture also, so as to enable them to teach Agriculture to the villagers through the school boys. This was a capital idea. The in- fluence that a good village teacher can exerci-e among the people with whom he mixes is great. The boys who pass through the village school will be the futare men of the district, and what an Opportunity a teacher who understands his duty has in forming the character and habits of the people and reforming existing methods of culti- vation; while very little can be done by directly going to the older people. Agricultural reform must be made to pass from boy to man, and this can only be done through educational agencies. Mr. Green had recognised this fact before he started the school, but unfortunately during his absence in England the Government decided to abolish the old Normal School and to Open village Training schools instead. , 700000 By carrying forward to the nex oe 5 ore cn 99 “On Account Sas R, 23,2387°52 The Direciors desire to place on. record their appreciation of Mr. J. E. Martin’s management of the Estates during the Season under review. It is proposed to open a further 10 acres in Tea ‘during the coming Season, and another 20 acres in 1900-1901, there being sufficient Capital in hand to do this. ‘ ; The Acreage of the Company’s Estates is as fol- towed Tea be 508 Acres Tea under four years Ry 25 By ) Tea not in bearing a Dae cs Forest be 51 i Waste and Patnatiaandia! i) 2123000 Total 820 acres In terms of the Articles of Association, Mr. W B. Kingsbury retires from the Board of Directors, but, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. eg THE FUTURE OF COFFEE, (By a Planter in India.) The whole of my argument turns on the supposed jacrease in consumption, the check on production, and the probability of a rise im the rate of Brazilian ex- As regards the first condition, I rely mainly : AGRICULTURIST. 165 evidence that comsumption is increasing, It is true that THE CONSUMPTION OF COFFEU in the United Kingdom has not increased with the population, but the Westminster Gazette re- ports an enormous increage in the year ending March last in the number of cups of coffee sold in refreshment rooms. One firm alone used 134 tons of coffee in 1898-99 for this. purpose, against 48 tons in 1897-98. Still, it is to the great coffee consuming countries of the Continent and America that we must mainly look to dispose of tha increased production, The average annual consump- tion in ounces per head of population of late has been as follows :—Holland, 370; Denmark, 247; Belgium, 176; United States, 155; Switzerland, 112; Germany, 78; France, 53; Austria, 52; Italy, 17; Great Britain, 11; Spain, 9; Russia, 3. The Britisn Consul at Hamburg, which is the great importing centre for Germany and its immediate neighbours, reports that, as a nataral consequence of the low price of coffee in 1898 (about 9d.2 lb. in spite of high im- port duties), there isa largely increased consumption in Germany and other. countries. The following figures for deliveries in the United States are from the American Grocer :— 1896-7 1897-8 1898-9 Avg. monthly deliveries. 424,049 505,026 497,435 bags. In 1897-98 the deliveries were the highest on record and unduly stimulated by the fear of a duty, but those of 1898-99 show little falling off. Yet with these heavy deliveries, the American Grocer says, there was no gain in stocks, showing that the coffee actually went into consumption. This consumption was per head of population :—In 1896, 8*7lbs; in 1897, 10°9lb.; in 1898, 10°7lb. The New York correspondent of the Grocer gives the following consumption of made coffee per head of population :—In 1893, 14 gallons; in 1898, 1946 gallons. He attributes the increase to the great roasting firms selling coffee at 5d. alb., and estimates that nearly four times as much coffee is drunk as there is tea, because coffee is the cheaper beverage, The English retail price of coffee has remained at about 1s. 8d. a lb, for the last 25 years, whether the whole- sale price was high or low. If cheap coffee was pushed in England as in America, we might see a great increase in the consumption of the United Kingdom. Turning next to the CHECK ON PRODUCTION, the following facts will show 1 considerably understated my case. From Mexico, Ceylon planters who have tried coffee cultivation there are returning and reporting in the Ceylon Observer that cultivation is uaremunera- tive at present prices. A local (Mexican) paper says:—‘‘The present price of coffee offers no margin to planters worth talking about. itis plain therefore that plantations will be abandoned and the crops reduced until prices rise again. It will be remembered that about 15 years ago, under very similar circumstan€ 6 an extensive area went out of cultivation.’ From Ecuador and Venezuela it is reported coffee is being abandoned for new industries. Probably the same is true of the other Central American countries, as we know they all complain of the scarcity of money hampering trade; and a disease has apreared in Guatemala and Nicaragua “which has made many plantations valueless.’’ The British Consul at Rio reports the same movement toward new industries, and says:—‘‘Oa more than one occasion the current price of coffee did not cover the carriage from the interior, so that it is fully expected by those inter- est2A that, owing to neglect in clearing the trees aud the abandonment of new. plantations every year will show a gradual diminution of proauction eee | spite of the optimistic views of the P Paulo, the Brazilian papers do not he that..‘‘ the coffee industry is no longer a payiug ons, and that even estates like the an Paulo Coffee Kistates, bought at comparatively low prices and worked by cheap Kuropean capital, are not remunera- te to say, ") ‘166 THE tive. The Santor correspondent of the Brazilian Review reports that planters are trying to combine to reduce wages, but that the Italian labourers are leaving the estates and are settling in the towns. We all know by experience that an attempt to reduce wages when labour can go elsewhere is a policy of desperation ! Nearer home it is reported by Mr. Elliot and the Ooorg Planters’ Association that | A LARGE ACREAGE OF NATIVE COFFEE has been abandoned in Mysore and Coorg. From the Straits, the Malay Mail and Sir Greme EI- phinstone, a Ceylon planter settled in Perak, report that planters are being driven by low prices to abandon coffee for coconut cultivation. The British Consul in Java reports that sdme plantations are being disposed of and more are likely to be aban- doned if no improvement in prices takes place. fn fact, not only is there a decided check on the increase of production all over the world, but a presets of an actual diminution of production. And ast Indian planters have this advantage on the present occasion. Fifteen years ago East India prices fell pari passu with those of Brazil; but the prices of all rough coffee began to fall heavily in 1897, wheras East India prices were not seriously affected till this year. So that, taking into account only the effect of the natural increase of consumption and check on production caused by low prices, it should, on the analogy of 1881-36, take only two years more for prices to rise again. This is the actual time named by the American Grocer as that during which grocers can reckon on low prices. This calculation, however, leaves out the factor ot A RISE IN BRAZILIAN EXCHANGE which is almost certain to occur. The following figures will show that the value of the millereis depends almost entirely on the amount of paper money in circulation:— Paper money Rate Population in circula- of Ex- (including tion. change Indians.) In 1887-9about 200,000 contos 22d. 27d. 14,000,000 In 1892 556,000 ,,) | 12d. 15,000,000 In 1898 » 790,000 x 8d. 17,000,000 For an increase of population under 25 per cent. the paper money was nearly quadrupled, and Hx- change fell in 1897 to under the quarter of the par value which obtained in 1889. The quadrupling of the paper money made no difference in the gold value of the circulation per head of population, which was almost exactly the same in 1898 as in 1889. This fatal over-issue of paper money was due to false ideas of the value of money, to the weakness of con- stantly changing Governments, to reckless extrava- gance in the cost of administration, and to gross laxity in the collection of revenue. In December, 1896, an attempt was made to raise the value of the millereis, and a law passed assigning certain funds to the redemption of paper money; but practically very few of these funds were applied to this _pur- pose up to 1898. In that year the President-Elect paid a visit to Europe and arranged with Roths- childs the following scheme, which came into force on the first July, 1898 :—£10,000 000 is to be advanced by Rothschilds on the security of the Customs re- venues, and the interest on the Government debts, amounting to nearly £3,000,000 a year, is to be funded for three years. As funding bonds are issued, Gov- ernment undertakes to deposit an equivalent amount in paper mouey at the exchange of 18d. per millereis with certain Ranks. This paper money is to be de- atroyed, or used to purchase Bills in London when Exchange is favourable, that is, at or over 18d. per millereis. By this means it is proposed to reduce the excessive paper money by 333,(\00 contos (thousands of millercis,) when it is expected the millereis will rise to 18d., “the rate agreed on.” Strict economy is also to be practised by the Government, and the revenue is to be duly collected, when it is expected toftyield much more’ than it has hitherto done. Up to;;March;,Jast, or for nine months since the scheme came into force, Government has burnt 9,000 contos of paper money; has paid off 31,000 contos of debt TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. (Sept. 1, 1899, instead of as usnal incurring fresh debts, and had a credit balance of 2,600 contos with the Banks in place of the usual debit balance. Up to the end of 1899 the benefits of the scheme will be retarded by the debts contracted in 1897, but from 19110 on- wards the full benefits of the scheme will be realised. Although since the new President came into office the Government has faithfully fulfilled its obligations, it is obvious that this scheme cannot be judged by its effect on Exchange in the first nine months of its existence. As a matter of fact, Exchange was raised at once from about 6d to 8%d., and thongh it receded a little below 8d. for a time it now stands at 83-32d. But the Government of India’s scheme for fixing Exchange failed to be of any beneficial effect to Indian Kxchange for the first two years of its existence, and yet succeeded in the next two years in raising the value of the rupee to the de- sired level. So probably every year the Brazilian scheme is kept at work its influence will increase in geometrical progression. We may fairly hope that the Brazilian Government, having begun so well, will carry out the scheme without wavering—more especially, if it does not raise the millereis to 18d. in three years time, it will be face to face with bankruptcy. There is another reason which has not yet been touched on why coffee prices cannot long remain at a low level, and that is THE INCREATED COST OF PRODUCTION all over the world. Twenty-five years ago coffee was grown in India chiefly without manure. Now manuring is almost universally necessary, and this has increased expenses quite 50 per cent while the yield has not increased. In Brazil, the substitu- tion of Italian for slave labour, the exanstion of land near the sea board, and the Opening np of districts in the interior seems to have increased the cost of production about 75 per cent in the last 15 years, for Brazil coffee is now worth in millereis quite that much more than in 1885 and yet does not pay ae more than it did then. Thus :— old price. Exchange Millereis price. 1885-6 .. 48 francs 19d. é j a 1798-9 .. 343 8d. 41 Similarly the cost of growing in Central America must have about doubled, as the rate of Exchange in nearly all Central American States is about half what it was 25 years ago, and yet present prices are unremunerative.—WVadras Mail, July 17. ——————_—__@— THE “‘STATIST” ON TEA PPOSPECTS.—The fol- lowing are the material parts of the article we peterhed to on Saturday :— f e think, that the prospect before the tea- i industry of India and Ceylon is a favourable pucidt the present time, and that the moment is opportune for considering investments in the shares of sound com- panies. In this industry, as in others, there is no lack of “‘ wild-cat ’’ enterprises ; but there are also good and sound ventures which may be brought to give a com- paratively high yield, and at the same time afford a reasonable measure of security. We give below some notes on companies which have recently issued their reports, which will assist readers in making a selection. As the fall in last year’s profit is due in the main to temporary causes, there seems a prospect of larger dis- tributions in the future, and some may be inclined to invest in the shares as 2 somewhat speculative lock-up. Ceylon Tea Plantations.—This is one of the older com. panies, which has the recommenda‘ion of baving main- tained a dividend of 15 per cent. on its Ordinary shares for many years. Profits for 1898 were £41,381. as com- pared with £42,199 in 1897, ths slight deciine being due to the crop being rather below that of 1897 and to arise inexchange. The issued capital of the Company is as follows :— iy Shares. Nom. value. Price. Yield 28 167,380 Ordinary . 10 263 a 81,080 7 Percent. Pref. 10 18 es The reserve fund now amounts to £95.000. ree prices, both the Ordinary and Oe an GHEE attention, the Preference merit Nhl $ ‘drier cause greyness of the dry leaf?” from actual experiment. Sept, 1, 1899.] Gorrespondence, Ila 9 he Editor. AN ANSWER TO ‘QUERIES FOR THA MAKERS”: MR. THORNTON PETT’S ANSWER. Elpitiya, July 11. Sir,—I have just come across a letter in your last weekly edition, signed ‘“‘ Enquirer” asking “‘what errors in the manipulation of tea leaf could cause the dry leaf tc have a reddish brown appearance.” Here are a few suggestions, at his service, towards an answer :— Under-withered leaf kept rather long in wet weather, gives, as you say in your note, a large percentage of red leaf. Over-withered coarse leaf also givesa very large percentage of red and reddish leaf. One seldom gets a good colour on tea made from fields in which the bushes have run a long time from pruning. Leaf carelessly treated in the withering lofts, left in heaps, and trodden on by coolies also turns out a reddish tea; so does leaf that has got heated in bags or baskets whilst in transit to factory. The remedy for these is obvious. I believe it is the almost universal experi- ence in Ceylon, and I know it is a fact in several districts at medium elevations, that leaf plucked during a prolonged drought, and especially if there is any wind at the time, gives tea with a very pronounced reddish tinge, however fine the plucking may have been and though, there may be no actual red leaf in it. This tea, though wanting in black appearance, generally sells well as the flavour is decidedly augmented: this is not- ably the case in Uva, witness the sale prices of teas made on estates there in July and August, the dry months of that side of the country. _Reyour correspondent’s second query: ‘‘Does the handling of the leaf in the drawers of e fills his drawers or trays properly, there should be but little handling required, and the necessary amount of such handling will not perceptibly ‘‘grey” the tea. A mistake some tea makers are apt to make, under the false impression, that they are saving time, is allowing the firing coolies to lump on to the drawer or trays as much rolled leaf as they possibly can, when a good deal of turn- ing over is, of course, required to get all the leaf fired equally. Trays should always be spread thinly, and pushed or worked through uickly. It is well to bear in mind the rule that was in force when we used chulas, 7.e., that it should be possible to see the fire ‘through the leaf on the loaded tray. Leaf saturated with water just before being put into the drier will, however, come out rather grey if much handled by. the firing coolies, and a sort of black ‘‘soot” o1 bloom will be found adhering to the coolies’ hands and the mesh of the tray. I have ascertained this This bloom is, of course, sap from the leaf cells broken up in the rolling, and which has got diffused over the surface of the leaves. It follows from ‘ this, I think, that leaf which has been care- THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. » 167 lessly fermented, and allowed to get dry dur- ing the process should be only slightly mois- tened with water before firing and not satu- rated as I have séen it done:-by some tea makers.—I am, &c., GHO. THORNTON PETT. TEA: AN INDIAN AND CEYLON DISTRIBUTING AGENCY. Madulkele, July 19. DEAR S1r,— Could not the present moment, whilst the Indian and Ceylon trade in tea is at a standstill, be seized as an opportu- nity for starting an Indian and Ceylon Distri- buting Agency, and break down effectually the combination against us? The Agency’s duty should be to buy tea as required in the London market (no draft allowance) and supply outside dealers, grocers, and even take private orders of not less than a chest or box. Advertise in every paper supplies direct from importers at wholesale rates, expenses of starting to be guaranteed by Indian and Ceylon Planters’ Association— latter out of Thirty Committee funds. Surely with such good men on the spot as Ruther- ford, Henry Bois, Leake, Campbell for Ceylon and others for India, the thing could be done. The Agency started and properly organised at once, and a Company of Indian and Ceylon men would doubtless come forward afterwards to take over the going concern. I think the attempt to do away with the 1-lb allowance has beep a mistake, and has been undertaken without sufficient fore- thought or preparation and at an unfor- tunate time. I don’t believe that the new arrangement, if carried, will benefit growers one bit. It is not wise to interfere with the channels through which trade passes; but now that the channel is blocked why not make a new one ?— Yours truly, CUSTOS. ——— LOCAL ALLOWANCES ON THA, July 19. DEAR SirR,—Here is a resolution that has been omitted at the Tea Traders’ Association meeting to be held today :— “That before we take any active steps re 1-lb. draft in London, we must wash our hands ciear of the allowance we have im- posed on sellers in our local market. ” PLANTER. [Will ‘*‘ Planter” tell us plainly what he means? Does he want his tea soid without any samples being given out?—if so there will be little or no chance of bids. Does he srudge 3 lb. for samples out of 1,500, or 1,000, or 500 lb.? If not, to makeallhis breaks up to that weight is the only remedy we can see. A merchant, who is himself a proprie- tary planter, declared in our office yester- day, that 3lb. is now-a-days scarcely enough for sampling: so many buyers have to he attended to, in Colombo. ‘‘ 1 wanted the other day” he said, ‘“‘to see a little more of a certain tea than the wee sample I had got so I went round to the Brokers, and found they had less left than in the days when only 2 \b. were taken for samples.”’—**But is it 168 not hard,” we remarked, “that 3 lb. should have to be taken out of 100 lb.?” ‘* Well, whose fault is that, save the planter’s, who is idiotic enough to send so small a break for sale?”—The remedy therefore is solely with the planter so far as we can judge, unless he cares to instruct his Brokers to give out no samples.—ED. 7.A.] RUBBER IN MEXICO: CASTILLOA ELASTICA. Henaratgoda, 21st July 1899. DEAR SiIR,—I beg to enclose particulars on Castilloa Elastica cultivation supplied by a leading Rubber planter ir Mexico at my request, who has several plantations of bis own. I trust that the particulars will be usefulto the readers of the Observer and Tropical Agriculturist. He writes :—“ A good many plantations of this tree are being started all over the Southern part of this country now, but owing to their being still young, seeds have still to be gathered principally in the forests.”—Yours faithfully. J. P. WILLIAM. ‘““CASTILLOA ELASTICA.” (Zo Messrs. J. P. Wiillam & Co., Ceylon.) 1 Mexico, June 1. The fresh seeds are sown with or without the surrounding pulp in the nursery bed at one foot’s distance giving them some shade, and keeping the ground well drained. The best soil is considered to be alluvial sandy loam, but I have seen very large rubber trees growing on clayey soil, and in many localities the trees seem to grow with preference on the hilly ground and not down in the bottom of the canyons. When one year old the young plants are trans- planted in the rainy season to holes dug previously in the ground, and if the tap-root is very long, as is apt to be the case if the plants, as done in some places, are left in nursery till two years old, it is simply cut, leaving it only ten or twelve inches long and letting it bleed profusely before planting it, as it is said that the clogged milk impedes its taking root quickly. Transplanting without cutting the root is however preferable, as is also transplanting ‘‘ en- pilon ” that is with the lump of earth surrounding the roots; but this is not always practicable when transplanting to a long distance. Cuttings are very seldom planted, and seem not to give good results. As for planting in the sun or in the shade, there are different opinions as to the proper course. Some claim that they ought to be planted in the forest in the shade of other trees, milk-production, makes its rind thicker and prevents its growing old and strong. ‘he other side claims that the young trees planted in the sun grow much more vigorously than in the shade, and that not only the greater facility and convenience in lookiug after the plantation, but also the actual increased growth favors plating in the sun. It is rather difficult to decide which is true in the absence of large old plantations formed on both plans, but I for my part am of the opinion that it depends greatly on the climate of the locality where the plantation is made, for whereas.on the Pacific Coast and part of the Atlantic coast there is along dry season, sometimes fully six months daring which the sun may inflict some damages on the trees and where consequently shade would be pre- ferable, in other places asfor instance on my own plan- tation there are rains in ten months or more in the year, and the moist atmosphere consequently pre- vents the sun from damagiug the vitality of the trees, and especially if the altitude is from 200 to 500 meters over sea-level, as on my place, where a heavy shade would not be beneficial to the trees, since they would not get the necessary heat, and this is borne out by the fact observed by myself, that the young ,trees THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. aud that the sun hurts its - (Supt. 1, 1899, planted in the sun grow much quicker and stronger there than those left in the shade. Several planters in the State of Chiapas, however, claim just the op- posite result, their plantations being situated almost at sea-level and farther south than mine. On the other hand I have seen a plantation of young trees grow nicely at a height of over 700 meters altitude, but these I am inclined to think that the absence of the necessary heat miay have an adverse influence on the latex of the grown tree. [ have found that lime and green manure seem to help the growth of the trees very much. The distance between the trees varies much. Some give them as muchas 20 feet, but the average seems to be 15 feet. Some few give only 12 feet bnt with- out planting anything else between the trees, anda few are trying the Trinidad system of planting at 8 to 10 feet only, intending to uproot and thoroughly bleed one half later. Of course, in selecting the dis- tance, the quality andconfiguration of the soil and the climatic conditions have all to be taken into considera- tion. Where the ground is very wet and inclined to form pools, it seems advisable to follow the system of forming a hiil around the foot of each tree, as, contrary to the ‘‘ Hevea” excessive moisture and swampy land seem to hurt it. I do not think the Castilloa Elastica ought to be tapped till in its eighth year to avoid injuring the tree, nor do I think that planters ought to effect such fabulous yields as five or more pounds a year, as some enthusiasts promise. Here we generally make the safe estimate of one to two pounds of rubber per year, and rather the former than the latter. -—-<— == — PLUMBAGO.—We have received copy of a valuable paper on ‘‘ Graphite: its formation and manufacture” by a competent scientist, which will be given in full in our Tropical Agriculturist. It is curious to read that the only difference between the diamond and _ graphite—both being carbon—is one of pressure, the former being the result of high, and the latter of low, pressure. A formula we have already published runs:—(1) Diamond, (2) Plumbago or Graphite, (3) Amber, (4) Coal, (5) Peat, (6) Petroleum. THE CAMPHOR MONOPOLY IN FoRMOSA.—A Taipeh correspondent writing to a Hongkong paper on 29th June says :— Preparations for the operation of the camphor monopoly law, which will come into force on the 5th August next, are now in progress, and it has been announced that six camphor offices will be established, namely at Taipeh, Tekcham, Miori, Taichu, Rinkeho, and Giran. It is the intention of the Government to improve the present method of packing by making the chests of pine instead of camphor-wood as hitherto and lining them with zinc, so that the contents can be kept for a long time without loss by evapora- tion. If all the stills now in use are well managed they have a capacity of turning out some 150,000 piculs a year, while the world’s con- sumption is roughly ‘estimated at forty or fifty thousand piculs only. The Government therefore intends to greatly decrease the present number of stills so as to keep a fair proportion between demand and supply and to ensure a fair price for the drug. As regards the manner in which the Government will sell its camphor nothing definite has been decided, but according to a competent authority the Government will not sell the drug at all for the present but will allow an interval of six months or a year to elapse, when it is anticipated the article will fetch three times the price paid for it to, the producers. Owing to the importance of increas- ing the general revenue to make it balance expenditure the Government, it is stated, des j to get a million yen out of the monopoly, | | | Spr. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL A VISIT TO THE RAJAKADALUWA COCONUT PLANTING DISTRICT. “THE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE OF COCONUTS. CHILAW RESTHOUSE is placed in an excep- tionally healthy situation, on a rising bank facing the sea, and it is neatly and substan- tially built; but with an entire disregard of ventilation in respect of the bedrooms. Either window or door must be left open at the risk of thieves, or closed with a lack of fresh air. The Malay resthouse-keeper, who has had eight years’ experience, is one of the best managers in the country, second only, perhaps, to the veteran at Negombo who has had 23 years’ service, but is still the active, bright, intelligent Sinhalese he has always been from Sir Charles Layard’s day onwards and yet only an Arachchi when he ought long ago to have been made a Muhandiram ! Mr. Ellis, however, cannot overlook so faithful a servant—since he has known him since he (Mr. Ellis) was a young Police Magistrate at Negombo. On the long -creeper-covered, sandy, back- water bank in front of the gaol, resthouse and other buildings at Chilaw, an interesting experiment is being made in growing coco- nuts, shelter being provided. This shelter is indispensable in the South-West monsoon, as the difference between trees in front and behind the resthouse will show; but I am surprised the experiment does not extend to palmyras which would probably suit the soil and climate better, judging by the splendid clump of mature trees in one corner. Has any Huropean planter in Ceylon ever gone in for i A CLEARING OF PALMYRAS? I suppose not; the greater number of years than in coconuts, required to arrive at maturity, be- ing a deterrent. But certainly the experiment ought to be made around and North of Chilaw. “Mr. Martin, the leading Proctor (and son of honest John Martin, who with Carry and Lamont was long the best known of Ne- gombo and Chilaw planters), has a good opportunity of making a, fine avenue of palmyras on his plantation property stretch- ing from the tewn to the Deduruoya. Very delightful is the early morning—be- tween 5-30 and 7-30—for a drive along a good road in this comparatively dry coast region of theisland with the South-West breeze blowing. In 1895 I found Mr. Ingles, of the Survey Department, busy with his celebrated txrian- gulation tower in front of Chilaw, and it was a coincidence that we should meet here again, Mr. Ingles meditating the erection of another tower after a permanent form to serve for observations, the top of the lofty and widely-known Chilaw R.C. Church (which Capt. Donnan and other mariners utilise) being now rendered unfit for trian- gulation purposes. Mr. Ingles was always one of the most active, and he has now become one of the more experienced, officers of his Department; and it was a pleasure to note his enthusiasm over the work going on in the triangulation, as well as in cadastral and topogra hical departments. His colleague, “Mr. 'T. ain yton—son of an old friend, the late Mr, J.’ L. Hampton, so long proprietor AGRICULTURIST. 169 of Penrhos and Hentleys estates—is busy with ‘boundaries and applications,” the dis- tracting work for which the Suryeyor-Gene- ral thinks a separate staff ought to be, pro- vided, so as to have his trained men free to go on uninterruptedly with the respon- sible undertakings now entrusted to them. Early as was our start northwards to Raja- kadaluwa, it was not too early for indus- trious Tamils to be out attending to herds of cattle dotted over their TOBACCO GROUNDS for manuring purposes. All is fallow or in the rough at present; but to the extent to which manure can be got, this tobacco is cultivated freely, and is one of the most paying of industries. Why does not an artificial manure maker try an experiment on a Chilaw tobacco field—an acre would not involve much risk, and the object. lesson that would show an artificial mixture to give better results than cattle manure, would attract universal attention. Nor would an experimentalist require to go so far afield as Chilaw: there is quite a large number of tobacco fields cultivated by Sinhalese North of the Mahaoya near Nya- madenai. The road to the DEDURUOYA and beyond, is in much better order than in days of old. Mr. Simmonds, who built the bridge in 1894-5, is, I understand, still in charge of the district—left here, I am told, because he is supposed to be fever-proof ! Be that as it may, he has made many. im- provements in the numerous small bridges or culverts and in general attention to his roads. His big river bridge is ready for. a 23- feet gauge light railway, and we had full evid- ence in a succession of crowded: passenger coaches starting thus early for Puttalam, of plenty of traffic being available. The Dedurn- oya is a strange river; you never know where to find it! It has shifted its course greatly in the four years and so concentrated its full force against one end of the bridge that a series of wooden breakwaters had to be formed with piles to check the rush of floodwater in washing out the bank and perhaps the foundation! Between, Chilaw and Rajakadaluwa, over six miles, there is far more evidence of life and cultivation than we can recall on our first visit ten years ago. There is an almost continuous line of gardens or plantations, frequent bou- tiques or bazaars, where all was loneliness in the ‘eighties,’ and where a cheetah quietly crossing the road in front of; one’s bullock cart was an ordinary afternoon’s ex- perience a decade back. Plantain and coconuts are the favourite products, and IT am told. the whole roadside via Battuluoya. to Puttalam is. now. fairly well occupied. But I have to do with RAJAKADALUWA district and its 25 coconut plantations and gar- dens ‘covering some 3,500 to 5,000 acres of planted land from the new clearing to fields 14 to 15 years old—from Amalgamated Tea _Hstates Co.’s (Messrs. Finlay,’ Muir & Co., Agents) Nellunkuliya of 400 to 500 acres with regular work for 200 labourers down to’ the 170 THE TROPICAL garden of 30 or 40 acres. There is, more- Over, quite a group of Sinhalese villages with thousands’ of population scattered throughout the neighbourhood, who have benefited greatly by the money spent in planting coconuts; although more than half the permanent workers—perhaps two-thirds— are immigrant Tamils. The pioneer of Rajakadaluwa was the late Mr. G. D. Miller, who originally came to Ceylon under the auspices of the Eastern Produce and Estates, or rather of the then Ceylon Co., Ld., and had experience as a coffee planter in Matale, before (while visiting Horrekelly) he became interested in the country North of the Deduruoya for coconuts. He got his land on the roadside at upset price and made a good start, though he was inclined, perhaps, to take too much out of the soil in plantains, and though he made a_ big mistake by planting his first clearing too close, the palins being four to six feet too hear each other. What a difference this ‘makes (the common practice in nearly all native gardens) was never better illustrated than in neighbouring fields—close and wide planted—on Mr. Miller’s place: the trees are well grown on both, but the bearing qualities of the palms are vastly different. We first heard of Mr. Miller’s pioneering work in 1887; and looking out at the time for a Coconut investinent for relatives in England, we allowed him to purchase two lots, aggregating 166 acres, adjoining his own Rajakadaluwa which, with fees, &c., cost R2,125. This was called by one of the lady proprietors ' TOYNBEE (after the well-known philanthropist who gavethenameto Toynbee Hall, in Whitechapel) ‘and for its size and age (aftera good many vicisssitudes) it is now one of the show coco- nut places in the district. Mr. Miller did good work in opening and planting Toynbee— though taking too much out in plantains for our taste—for two or three years; then he lost his health—a great deal of fever prevailing at times, especially while the soil was being turned and opened for planting— and during the last period of illness and our absence on furlough in England, the Toynbee fields got terribly neglected; and after poor Miller’s sudden death from fever in Colombo hospital, there had to be a large expenditure to meet, in order to retrieve the mischief done, while the plantain contractor had bolted, leaving some Ri,500 unpaid for fruit harvested ‘by him! The first operation was to clear ‘out all the plantains, make trenches and bury the stems, which, no doubt, both as an act of cultivation and means of nutrition, did much to benefit the young palms; but the number ofsupplies required was disheartening; and not till 1895 was there much pleasure in looking at Toynbee. Unfortunately “‘iluk ’ grass had been allowed to get in at one or two corners; and poor Miller’s place be- came so neglected after his death, that some parts became a_ breeding-ground for beetles which swarmed over to adjacent plan- tations. Weeding, clearingstumps and logs and burning, and beetle hunting were, however, vigorously pursued, as well as careful: sup- plying and the change wrought during 1895 and succeeding years under the careful ,mproved and strengthened the soil; AGRICULTURIST. [Szpr, 1, 1899. direction of an experienced Negombo planter, who_put conductors on the place i super- vised them by periodical visits, was wonder- ful to see. Better or more economical work no property has ever had done for it. One thing for which credit may well be taken was the number of trees, supposed to be fatally injured by beetles which were sayed by the complete cauterizing and scooping out. of the part attacked, and then tarring the in- side—so that now there. are palms to be tound with a full crop of nuts, whose hearts, for two or three feet, are all gone --whose sides in fact look as if someone had, for pleasure, cut out the figure of a canoe, leaving but a shell in half the stem, Nevertheless, this shell is found sufficient to sustain a vigorous growth and mature a good crop ot nuts, and now there is not a beetle (or beetle’s work) to be seen, unless a stray one should come over the high fence from where there may still be neglect and decay. Less success has attended the eradi- cation of the ‘‘iluk ”; it is a most persistent, detestable weed and has cost from first to last_an extraordinary outlay ; but there is good hope that 1899—after a seven years’ campaign—will see the last of it. My. Jardine visited Toynbee during the first year and again two years after: his report was all that could bedesired as regarded the immediate prospects and he made it clear that the place had a wonderful pre- servative against drought, in the brackish damp subsoil, which seemed to indicate that this region is the old site of a backwater, the land rising between it and the sea. This has been proved to be correct by experience ; for the palms never droop even in the most prolonged drought. But Mr. Jardine—we may now mention—in 1888 and 18%— doubted THE ‘‘ STAYING ” QUALITY of the soil,—in other words, if it had subs- tance enough tocarry the palms to ahealthy full maturity and give crops for many years, So far as it went, inits mixture of humus and brackish sand, ic was perfection for young coconuts; but ‘‘ How long would its sustaining powers continue?” was his question. Undoubtedly cultivation and the digging in of an extensive area of plantains, must have for tanother “‘coconut” veteran, Mr. W.H. Wright’ in visiting and reporting at the end of 1895, though by. no means prejudiced in favour of the district, after a very careful inspection and examination of the soil in the ditferent fields of Toynbee, gave a most hopeful report on the prospects of the trees and plantation, if only justice were done in careful cultivation and, by-and-bye, in judi- cious manuring—which, of course, was also Mr. Jardine’s panacea for the deficiency he feared. : No product—as old W. B. ‘Lamont has well said, laying down the law 30 years ago, —no product in Ceylon ‘responds to, or repays, so well for ; MANURING, AS THE COCONUT PALM; but few proprietors, we should say, will care to incur a cent of outlay in manure, artificial or otherwise, so long as there is no vied of nuts. Let something first be haryested, in the shape of crop, and surely then it is “crop returns in Ceylon. THE TROPICAL time enough to call out for a little outlay on manure. For nine weary years, it was all expenditure on Toynbee without a cent of return. We are not at liberty at present to quote figures of outlay; but we may shew how the Sept, 1, 1899.| CROPS OF NUTS have increased since the trees began to bear. The seasons count from July to June and in 1895-96 came the first pluckings worthy of notice aggregating a crop of 33,788 nuts (22 nuts were gathered in June 1894, and 1,541 between that month and May = 1895). The oldest trees were under 7) years at the end of season 1895-6. The rise then may be given as follows :— Season. Age. Crop nuts. 1895-6 os 7 years 33,788 1896-7 Wert 55 108,372 1897-8 oe) twee 200,125 1898-9 wept 10) 5, see —- 296,000 It is reckoned that little more than 6,000 trees on an average contributed to the last crop giving a return of say 49 nuts per tree ; while, altogether, Toynbee should have 10,000 trees and plants of all ages growing, so that a large proportion has yet to come into bearing. But what about the “staying” character of the soil, it may be asked? Well, there is nothing in the appearance of the heaviest-bearing trees (and from some as many as 70 to 80 nuts have been got, in this last May-June plucking alone) to indicate any failure, or approach to failure, in regard to means of sustenance. The palms are all green and vigorous, although with few exceptions—to be noted hereafter - they, have had little or no manure. One evidence of the neglect and suffering of 1891-2-3 is very evident throughout one or two fields in the irregular stems of the palms—the shrinking and. less circumference noticeablejat mid-height, nodoubt indicating the check and loss of proper feeding which they sustained during the years when the plantains were allowed their own sweet will, as well as the weeds and _ beetles. Nevertheless, Toynbee, as a whole, is a most encouraging picture of a ten to eleven yearold’ | LOWCOUNTRY COCONUT PLANTATION, covering, we. may say, 166 acres, all planted. It is by no means such a model of neat, almost perfect cultivation, as is Mr. W. H. Wright's far-famed Mirigama estate; but in crops, we suppose, it will, so far, compare with any plantation, we, at least, have ever heard of, with authentic Still, Jet no. one suppose that anything like big net returns are even now being got by the proprietors. The accounts have not vet been closed; but even with a crop of 300,000 nuts from, say, the equivalent of 100 acres, the outlay on the whole 166 will not leave A PROFIT exceeding’ R25 per acre probably, which would be laughed to scorn by certain of our “tea” friends with their, R100 or even £10 sterling per acre of profit. “But there should be a future before ‘Toynbee, more especially now that the era for . kadaluwa = district being AGRICULTURIST. 171 MANURING has arrived. This was begun in November 1898 on certain selected plots of about four acres each, in different fields—two plots to each kind of manure and six plots in all. First, we have an artificial manure— ‘“Baur’s special fertiliser”-—6lb. per tree being applied in two marked plots (situated in two different parts of the estate): Second, another but even stronger (in_ nitrogen) artificial preparation from Myr. Baur (who owns the adjoining fine Palugaswewa coconut property), of 45 1b. per tree and this was applied on two plots under similar conditions; while, Thirdly, 31b. bone-meal and 6lb. castor-cake per tree were applied over exactly similar plots. No examination of results or proper comparison can be made, it is thought, much under two years from the time of application. Some useful data ought then, however, to be available, as the crop. for each plot (number of trees and yield) js being carefully recorded. The only other manuring attempted was over a few acres by village cattle, two or three years ago; and in 1896 ten ewes and a ram were secured as the beginning ot an experiment in SHEEP manuring. These bred up to50 (besides sales of several rams at about R9 each*) when an epidemic broke out and reduced the stock to 35. The great advantage is that sheep do not touch young coconut plants, while they keep down grass, cost nothing; but the herding, and, of course, their 1nanure was of service. Now, however, that nearly all the supplies are out of danger, it is intended to begin a stock of Sinhalese or cross- bred CATTLE getting up to 60 or 70 head from a nucleus of a dozen, as there is really good pasture between the rows of palms and a couple of cattle can be reckoned to manure effectively an j;acre quite in a year. It will be in- structive to watch the result over 20 or 30 acres, and compare it with the plots arti- ficially treated. One curious feature in Toynbee is the excep- tionally numerous bunches of nuts on the young trees which require TO BE SUPPORTED BY FORKED STICKS with the other end pointed and fixed against the stem of the tree. Quite a constant work this has become for two or three Sinhalese ‘men, and blame is’ cast on My. Miller for not leaving one or two acres of jungle from which such’ sticks could ‘be cut, in place now of having to buy the same—a warning to other young planters! As the trees get older, it is expected they will be able to bear their heaviest bunches unsupported. Everything points to estates in the Raja- in their prime between their 15th and 18th years. Unfor- tunately the oldest (Mr. Miller’s place) which * Mr. Wright of Mirigama presented Toynbee with one of his young cross-bred rams which, de- veloping a tremendous pairof horns, has become rather a nuisance through his love of constant butting, none of the others being, of course, able to stand against him ! 172 THE TROPICAL is about the former age, cannot be taken as a fair test, through a large part feasl too e closely. planted and most of it ing neglected; at any rate there has been an absence of proper cultivation for the past eight or nine years. Still, it is wonderiul how, in spite of little being done for the palms, they go on cropping on this place and the story of their dying out, except it be when young from beetles, is not correct. We do not ‘say that crops on Toynbee are to go on increasing after the rate of recent years per tree; but if present appearances continue, there is no reason, we suppose, why the proprietors should not count on a crop. of 550,000 nuts by 1904, and perhaps of 750,000 nuts when every one of the 10,000 palinsis in full bearing. How long should such crops continue 2? That will depend on careful cultivation and, judicious manuring. Mean- time, the little place along with its neighbours has been A BLESSING TO THE PEOPLE of the district and of coolies, The money spent during the past fif- teen and especially the past six, years has en- abled the Sinhalese to live far more com- fortably than ever before. The MESSRS. DE MEL many immigrant have three fine, young and extensive coconut plantations—one on each side of Toynbee—and all promising exceedingly well, On a young place, Karukkuliya(Mr. Manuelde Mel’s) which ‘ we inspected, the planting has been most carefully.attended to, and the plantain cultiva- tion confined to a square in the. centre space where it could not possibly injure the young palms. Wilpotha plantation (belonging to Mr. Jacob. de Meland his son-in-law, Mr. “Barrister Pieris) under the skilful manage- “ment of Mr. Edward MacCarthy, is older than Karukkuliya (two or three years younger than Yoynbee) and promises exceedingly well, having 300 acres planted with 100 more to go in this year. It is a very valuable pro- perty. Mr. Baur has some 400 to 500 acres planted at PALUGASWEWA, the oldest field a year younger than Toynbee and which must prove a very valuable pro- perty.. Still further inland, Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co,,are covering some 600 acres with the palm on Nellunkulia, under the ex- perienced direction of Mr. Jardine as In- _ spector and Visiting Agent. Then there are the properties of Messrs. Mason and Manchip (being much improved under the latter’s care), of Mr. H. J. Pieris, of Mr. Muttiah, of Mr. de Soyza, of Dr. Hallock, ete. Altogether there are 25 estaes, employing 1,200 coolies and covering 5,000 acres, perhaps, and the. district altogether promises well. The feverish time of the year in the older pro- perties is confined to November-December when the malaria-laden land-wind makes it very trying for coolies and Superintendents. The proprietors have been anxious this year to get the Government to open a Dispensary ; but Dr. Perry thinks Battuluoya—half-way between Chilaw and Puttalam—the proper site. Rajakadaluwa, however, should have a AGRICULTURIST. [Sapr. 1, 1899. DISPENSARY of its own to serve 1,200 to 1,500 of a cooly population and some 3,000 villagers. A few of the leading proprietors could readily erect a residence and dispensary and guarantee a salary, provided the supply of medicines was got free; but then comes the question whether coconut plantations so far north—- even when employing immigrant coolies— come under the privileges granted in the tea and cacao planting districts? This must be inquired into. Here is an estimate done up by a resident planter :— The undermentioned are the estates which would be directly benefited by a Dispensary at Rajakadaluwa :— Coolies. Coolies. Toynbee 50 Ady. Chitty’s 10 Jacob De Mel’s (Wil- Samarakoon Muda- potha) 70 iyar’s Miller’s 40 Jacob De Mel's (Pani- adikulam) Manuel De Mel’s C. P. Silva’s (Johana- (Karukkuliya) 15 watte) Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co.’s (Nelun- kullia) Messrs. Mason and Manchip (Sita- madama) A, Baur’s (Palugas- wewa) 150 Muttiah’s 50 U. D. S. Gunase- kara’s 30 Dr. Hallock’s H. J. Pieris’s 100 Seena Moona Shagoo Varusay’s S. G. Perera’s 25 Ana Kana Modelali's 25 P. Fernanda’s 25 Varusay Modelali’s 15 J. J. Lorage’s 5 Goonoo Saiboo’s 10 C. De Soysa’s 40 Don Juan Appu Rendarala’s 30 Manuel De Mel’s 50 The time, too, has come when there ought to be an extension of Tamil Cooly and Sinha- lese Itinerating Missions to the district and schools opened for the children. There is one Sinhalese grant-in-aid school at Karuk- kuliya, close to Rajakadaluwa, but no Tamil school yet. Turning back to Toynbee, we should give a word to the convenient COPRA DRYING HOUSE AND BARBECUE —capable of holding the copra of 25,000 nuts, or 24 candies—a model erectionfor the rest of the district—the fuel being coconut shells (heat without smoke); copra store and dry- ing ground. When the last is extended, the hope is that all the drying of copra can be done in the sun, so saving any discolouration. Hitherto, the nuts have been sold ahout equally to the Agents of the Horrekelly Desiccating Mills, and for the manufacture of copra, in both cases, the purchaser, after carefully checking, and. rejecting perhaps, five per cent of a plucking of nuts as too small, light, empty or otherwise deficient—dries his copra or removes the nuts to the mills, leay- ing the husks on the estate. These latter are being utilised freely as surroundings for plants as also for filling up trenches. The boundaries are generally marked by a SAPANWOOD fence which, perhaps, grows too freely, inter- fering sometimes with the first line of coco- nuts. We intended in the early days getting Mr. Miller to make a substantial experiment with American cotton and sent him some fine ee Smet. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAI seed; but we can only trace one surviving plant, also with ‘‘ kapok,” and of this there are some handsome rows of trees. THE CHANGE. The change in the appearance of the coco- palms and other trees in 33 years, since our last visit, is very great. In 1895 even, a planter then resident in the district, we now hear, declared that Toynbee was only fit for a fire- stick, with its beetles and weeds! This gentleman ought to see it now. Another younger man, after a short time in the district has been spreading reports that it is no good for coconuts as trees die out be- fore getting to maturity. We have been un- able during the present visit to trace any cases of the kind even on Mr. Miller’s neglected place. As regards the district, as a whole, no doubt, the building of the DEDURUOYA BRIDGE has had its effect in development since 1895. We can recall the inconveniences and occa- sional dangers of the old ferry, between 1888 and 1894. But this development is not confined to Rajakadaluwa, but extends right along the road to Batuluoya and even to Puttalam. Given a light 23-feet gauge railway, and there is no question that very soon after its opening, a continuous scene of prosperous cultivation such as now marks the region from Negombo to Chilaw, would cover the whole 30 miles from THE DEDURUOYA TO PUTTALAM. Whether we may see cultivation arise along- side the broad-gauge Northern line’ in a certain number of years’ is a hard ques- tion to answer—at least for 50 out of the 80 miles between Kurunegala and Anuradha- pura, if we are to judge by what planters, surveyors, road-officers and sportsmen _tell us. However, for the first time in its Rail- way policy, the Government has chosen to leave the line of population and traffic and to construct a line through poor, un- occupied country,—the responsibility of this course is mainly with the local author- ities while that of the broad-gauge em- ployed rests with Mr. Chamberlain. The Colombo and Puttalam 23-feet line (in con- nection with the Kelani Valley line) when it comes in the early part of the next century(?) will be found one of the most successful Railway Extensions in Ceylon and will help to make up for financial deficiencies elsewhere. THE CLIMATE OF RAJAKADALUWA is undoubtedly a dry and hot one: a rain- gauge has only just been established on Toynbee ; but the estimate is of an average annual fall of about 60 inches, but this is aided by the moist character of much of the subsoil. The temperature can be very considerable; but the hot season is not unhealthy,—that is reserved for the land- wind (malarial) months of November and December. Speaking of the great benefit to the local villagers which the employment afforded by a new series of plantations confers, we are reminded of the great similar benefit de- rived from the establishment of 23 AGRICULTURIST. 173 DESICCATING MILLS in our rural districts. To Messrs. Vavasseur & Co., the Colony is indebted for first intro- ducing this new manufacture and industry, as also, we believe, for pioneering with the shipment of bristle and palmyra palm fibre, and of whole coconuts on a large scale from Ceylon. Their Colombo Mills was the first and largest for desiccating purposes and they have now established Mills at Lunuwila on the North of the Mahaoya, giving employ- ment to some 1,200 men, women and children; and spending money amongst thei, which is changing the face of the villages and their surroundings (where the people keep from arrack drinking). Then this ts true also of the ORIENT COMPANY with its Veyangoda Mills, and now with its second venture so far North as Horrekelly; while the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company has its Mills at Hunupitiya, near Negombo. Altogether, we may suppose some 6,000 natives to be directly interested in these ventures ; besides the large indirect number engaged in carting, buying nuts, etc., ete, All success to our CEYLON DESICCATING MILLs. -_—__———__ 5 —_—-- — SACAO SOILS. ANALYSES FOR TRINIDAD AND CEYLON. We are greatly indebted to Mr. Cochran for sending us remarks on certain Analyses of Cacao Soils which have reached us from Trinidad, and still more tor supplementing these with analyses of certain Ceylon Cacao Soils. Professor Carmody in Trinidad, after analysing no fewer than 23 samples, had a difficulty in making up his mind about them, so that Mr. Cochran may be pardoned if he is not dogmatic about the results in the two cases on which he has worked. Still, there are certain well-marked features which appear prominently and we feel sure Mr. Cochran’s paper will be read with interest by all our cacao planters :— I have now pleasure in sending you a few remarks on the analyses of cacao-soils made at the Gov- ernment Laboratory, Trinidad, and published in -the ‘* Proceedings of the Agricultural Society ” which you were good enough to send me recently. These are analyses of soils said to be of average fertility. It may be well, therefore, first to refer to another set of eight analyses of cacao soils from various parts of the West Indies made at the Government Laboratory, in the year 1897; as these, we were told, were types of really fertile eacao-soils. The report on them was to the effect that, “as a rule, these fertile cacao-soils are rich in nitrogen, and contain a somewhat high amount of potash, of which a relatively high proportion was found to be soluble in 1 per cent citric acid solution, whilst the proportion of phosphoric anhydride seems to be of lesser im- portance. They can, we consider, be safely re- garded as reliable types of the composition of really fertile cacao soils,’ In another part of the report it was stated ‘* we are led to the conclu- sion that a good cacao soil should be one capable of yielding to the tree in the course of years a somewhat high proportion of the important consti- tuents of plant good without exhaustion, and also capable of rapidly rendering again available 174 THE TROPICAL the huge quantities of manurial matter returned to it in the form of prunings, leaves, fallen and broken pods. It must, in addition, be one, in which the course of nitrification ‘readily takes place ; in other words, a fairly rich, friable and well-drained soil,” t Instead of quoting in full the analyses of the eight samples of fertile soils, I shall simply indicate the range of some of the significant constituents of the soil, and state the average amounts of the more important of these present :-— FERTILE CACAO SOILS. per cent. percent. Avge. DNC, Water retained in air- dried soil .. From 1°8 to 143 8'650 Organic matter and combined water .. do 3'046 ~=,,_~«:10'998 Oxide of Iron -. do 37910; ,, 18-672 Alumina = {G0 2:088..,, 17140 Oxide of Manganese... do Ties isa “435 Lime -. do "356 ,, 4'981 1;695 Magnesia cen (60 217. ,,,. 3367 1°276 Potash 35n le) Pibreh | CIBITS) 5000) Phosphoric acid Sh, (6) "0447/0, 9298)" 118 '- Chlorine aa do nile OOF Nitrogen Eee GO 1OOjan "309°. :236 These figures show that these soils are character- ised by a high percentage of lime, magnesia, potash and I may add, nitrogen; as only one of them has less than ‘2 per cent of this substance The amount of phospheric acid in most of them is rather low. In five out of the eight samples it is under ‘1 per cent. The one, however, which contained the largest amount of phosphoric acid was a sample from Nicaragua, and is described by Mr. J. H. Hart F. L.S8., who supplied the sample, as a very fertile soil. Mr: Hart also vouched for the high fertility of a Trinidad sample, which con- tained only :084 per cent of phosphoric acid. The water retained by the air-dried samples varied to a great extent, viz., from 1°8 to 14:3 per cent. As some of these differences coulda not be explained by chemical composition only, they -must be due to a considerable extent, to a different state of division of the soil-particles. The amounts of chlorine inthe samples are so low, that in two cases the chlorine is recorded as “nil,” and in five eases as ‘‘ traces” only, and only in one sample is there a numerical expres- sion of the amount. All the samples contained -appreciable amounts of oxide of manganese. Professor Carmody, the Government analyst, considering that the data collected with regard to cacao-soil analysis was insufficient for anything liixe a classification of these soils according to their chemical constituents, had an offer, or rather the second offer, made through the Agricultural Society to estate owners, to the effect that samples of cacao-soils sent to the Government Laboratory would be analysed free of charge. Professor Car- mody was anxious not only to be furnished with fertile soils; but with soils in which the cultiva- tion of cacao had been unsuccegsinlly tried. The report of the analyses you have just sent me is that on the samples sent in response to this second invitation. There are 15 analyses in all, one of which is specially referred to and marked “ Venezuela good soil.” the others are regarded as soils of average fertility. Professor Carmody’s report on these analyses is so brief, that I may quote it in full. It shows that he still requires more data before he can draw general conclusions from the analyses :— Government Laboratory, Trinidad, April.28, 1899. The Secretary, Agricultural Society. Ouly AGRICULTURIST. ‘Serr. 1, 1899. S1z,—I have the honour to forward the results of the analyses of samples of cacao soils sent by menibers of your Society, in response to an invitation from this department. fn requesting your members to forward samples, the main object in view has been to obtain not only good soils, but also those in which cacao has refused to grow, or to give satisfactory results. The Trinidad soils sent are ordinary cacao-soils of average quality, but I hope that now a larger number and variety of soils will be sent, and willinclude some bad cacao soils. General conclusions drawn from the results of the analyses of a few samples are not safe; und, at present, I would simply direct atteution to the comparatively large proportions of lime, magnesia, potash chlorine and nitrates in the Venezuelan soil, which is said to yield cacao of excellent quality. The ~ small proportion of phosphates and total nitrogen it contains are also worthy of notice. My long absence in England during last year contributed to the delay in completing these analyses, which have been made under my supervision by Dr. Ince, Assistant Government Analyst.—I am Sir, your obedient servant, P, CaRMopy, F.1.C., 1.C.8., Government Analyst. Here again, instead of quoting the 15 analyses in full, I shall indicate the range and average amounts of several of the constituents of the 14 soils of average quality, and I shall quote in full the analysis of the Venezuelan soil specially referred to as yielding cacao of excellent quality :— CACAO SOILS OF AVERAGE FERTILITY. Average per cent. per cent. per cent Water retained by air-dried soil From 1°040 to 9:48 5048 Loss on ignition .. 5 2°870 ,, 9°00 Oxide of iron and Alumina be » 4410 ,, 14°920 Lime 25 yy 9) BAL 5, 700 “309 Magnesia 25 ra ‘076 4, 493 ‘264 Potash ae = oh i Par eo oy / BA Ly f Phosphoric acid .. 1 inf OOD aoe eo Chlorine on 6 "COL 2 a 7009 Nitrogen ae fOGTi ease a 111 Nitrogen as Nitric Acid An 3 ‘0009 ,, *€0335 ‘00175 Readily available potash and phosphates— Potash .. From °059 to °1698 +115: Phosphoric acid .. soi ey O49) ce oes i LOS "0767 If the foregoing two sets of figures are gone over, it will be found that, in all important in- gredients save phosphoric acid, the fertile soils are distinctly the richer, whether we take the mini- mum, maximum, or average figures ; whereas in the case of the soils of only average quality, the minimum and average amounts of phosphoric acid ‘are higher to a marked extent than in the more tertile soils. This is not a little puzzling, and, indeed, before accepting this result, one would fain have the assurance of the analyst or analysts that the same analytical pzocess was followed in both cases as otherwise the results are not strictly comparable. In the second set of ana- lyses, the analyst has gone to the trouble of making two determinations of potash and phos- phoric acid, with a view to form some idea of what proportion of these two substances is readily available. Roughly speaking, the readily avail- able is about half of the total, according to these results, but this does not help us to account for the apparent anomaly of the more fertile soils being poorer in phosphoric acid them those of average quality, seeing that the minimum readily available phosphorie acid in the average soil is higher than the minimum total in the. more ‘fertile soils. ; Supposing the samples to be fairly representa- tive of the soils: and the results of the two sets at us Sept, i, 1899.] analyses to be strictly comparable, the legitimate conclusion is that the minimum amount of phos- phorie acid in the fertile soils viz. 044 per cent is still so much above what is required for the imme- diate future, at least, that it is just as capable asa higher proportion of meeting the wants of the cacao-trees; and, certainly, if we go into the calculation of the ratio of supply to demand in the case of the minimum amount of potash and the minimum amount of phosphoric acid, we find that the ratio of the supply of phosphoric acid to the demand is much the greater. For the calculation to prove this we may assume that 0:1 per cent of asoil-ingredient to a depth of three feet weighs four tons per acre. The minimum amounts of phosphoric acid and of potash to a depth of three feet, in the fertile soils analysed will thus weigh respectively 3,942 lb. and 10,572 lb. per acre.’ In my analyses of the parts of the cacao tree, I esti- mated that, between the ages of 44 and 94 years, a ‘year’s demand* of an acre of cacao trees was for phospheric acid 13°41 ]b., and for potash 78°32 lb. Dividing the supply ineach case by a year’s demand, we get the ratio in the case of phosphoric: acid as 294 times, and in the case of potash only 135 times that of the year’s demand. However, the minimum amount of phcosphoric acid was not associated in the same soil with the minimum, but with "169 per cent of potash. ‘Tf thesame form of calculation as before is made with this percentage of potash, we find the ratio of supply to demand to be 193, still much below that of the phosphoric acid. Again, if the calculation he made based on the average, or maximum of either the total or readily available amounts of phosphoric acid and potash in the two sets of analyses the ad- vantage in favour of supply of phosperic acid is ac- centuated. It would thus appear that there is a greater likelihood of potash than of phosphoric acid being deficient in cacao soils. The following is the analysis of the sample of Venezuelan good soil referred to in the Govern- ment Analyst’s report :— COMPOSITION OF AIR-DRIED SAMPLE OF. VENEZUELA GOOD SOIL. Water eo eo Ory 10°74 Dry soil .. des ass 89°26 100:00 COMPOSITION OF THE DRY SOIL. a Loss on ignition by a 7610 Tron oxide and Alumina “ 6'200 Lime 56 Ss 594 _ Magnesia a Be 782 Potash BG ae 392 Soda as Be 177 Phosphoric acid fie an 147 ' Sulphuric acid 500 ate “036 - Chlorine WF oF 016 Insoluble silicates Ras ee 84:046 100°000 a Containing nitrogen .. cd 071 ‘ 3 Carbon equal to humus, ..: 250 » Nitrogen as nitrates 00636 i *By a year’s demand or requirement is meant the plant food appropriated by the annual increment to the trees and by a crop of fruit, 2.e., seeds and pod- husks, If the pod-husks were left out of the calcu- lation, as returnable to the soil, the ratio in favour of the phosphoric jacid supply as compared with that ofthe potash would still be much the greater, viz., i the proportion of 337 to 178. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 175 READILY AVAILABLE POTASH AND, PHOSPHATES. Potash a 1707 Phosphoric acid ob 0820 Why Professor Carmody refers to the propor- tion of phosphoric acid in this sample of soil as small is not obvious, as the amount is higher than in any of the eight fertile soils, save one. It is, however, slightly below the average of the 14 average soils, with which he is dealing. Asa set-off against the low percentage of total nitrogen, it has the highest proportion of any of the fifteen, of nitrogen in the form of nitric acid, thus suggesting that the soil is possessed of good nitrifying power; but the amount of nitric acid found in a soil is not always an index to the nitrifying power. Nitrates being very soluble substanees, the rain carries them down in’ the soil so that the same soil sampled in different states of the weather would yield differing results on analysis in respect of nitrates. Warrington and others now employ a process tor determining the nitrifying power of soils which is partly bacteriological and partly chemical. It consists essentially in seeding a convenient cul- ture-solution with a few ‘grains of soil and noting by chemical tests at intervals of five days the vigour with which the nitrifying process pro- ceeds after itis started. If the culture solution is not affected, this is taken as evidence that there are no nitrifying organisms in the soil. In most of the West Indian samples of. cacao soil, the moisture in the air-dried earth is higher in proportion to the organic matter and alumina present| than in our Ceylon soils. Take, for example, the sample of good soil from Venezuela. Its chemical composition is such as we would associate with about 3 per cent. of moisture, whereas it contains 10°74 per cent. The large amount of moisture must therefore be mainly due to. the physical condition of the soil. } The high percentage of chlorine referred to in the report on this sample of soil cannot, in view of the very small proportions found: in the eight fertile soils, be regarded asan important indica- tion so far as fertility is voncerned ; but it is of importance as affording a sanction for the use of chloride, that is muriate, of potash as a manure which is a cheaper salt of potash than the sulphate. I trust Professor Carmody will continue his interesting series of analyses of cacao soils, giving us some results obtained by the analysis of soils in’ which cacao has failed to grow cr to yield satisfactory results. The following is the portion of Mr, Cochran’s report and analyses referring to Ceylon soils :— * Amongst samples of Ceylon: soils recently sent to me for analyses, two were Cacao Soils. 1t may be interesting in the present connection to quote the analyses of these: No. 1 is ‘the analysis of soil from a Forastero cacao field. No 2 is the analysis of soil from a Caracas cacao field. The sender of these soils has been good enough to furnish the following description of the fields. ‘* The field where No. 1 sample was taken from has never yielded much cocoa per acre for some reason. The land is steep, anda fair amount of rock in it. The soil is free and deep,” ‘“The soil in the fields from where the second sample came looks much better than No, 1 sample; but the fields have been much. longer. in cultivation, There are lots of small patches throughout the fields where the cacao has died 176 THE TROPICAL out not from cacao disease. In most of these patches the shade is bad, and, judging from what you say in your report, the trees suffer from want of nitrogen. The land is flat with a stift dark, brown soil mostly, and has not been manured much for past six years, Where cattle manure has been previously applied, the trees look much better even now.” ANALYSES OF TWO SAMPLES OF CEYLON CACAO SOILS IN THE AIR-DRIED STATE. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS. No. 1. No. 2. Forastero Field. Caracas Field Per cent. Per cent. Coarse Harth 60°75 5a 39°25 Fine Earth 89°25 je 60°75 100:00 ~- 100:00 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FINE EARTH. Moisture ae 2950 ye 3'200 a Organic matter an matter lost by ignition 7°994 A 5'150 Oxides of iron Be 6793 BE 5°855 Alumina and oxide of _ Manganese 3 8:021 la 8258 Lime se ‘793 Ae *700 Magnesia Na 1130 bio 632 Potash ae 884 i 274 Phosphoric acid Ae 062 ys ‘192 Silica, insoluble sili- cates and matters not determined .. 71°373 o. = 75°744 100-000 -- 100:000 a Containing Nitrogen SIE BS) Ao "070 fhe mechanical analysis shews a great dif- ference in the proportions of fine earth in the two samples, which is sufficiently accounted for by No. 1 sample representing steep land, and No. 2 representing flat land. The only constituent that is apparently de- ficient in No. 1 is the phosphoric acid, this deficiency being relatively greater, on account of the small proportion of fine earth in the soil. It is true the proportion of phosphoric acid is decidedly higher than that of the mini- mum of the West Indian fertile soil; but the Grenada soil, which contained only ‘044 per cent of phosphoric acid, had 14°3 per cent of water in the air-dried soil, shewing that the physical condition of the soii must have been very dif- ferent. In sample No. 1 it is to be noted that the proportion of potash in the fine earth is ‘exceptionaily high. In No. 2, the only constituent that is appa- rently deficient is the nitrogen or nitrogenous organic matter ; lence the beneficial effect observed on this soil from the application of cattle manure. Itis to be noted, however, that the nitrogen in this soil, when calculated to dry soil, as in the case of the West Indian Analyses, is fully as high as in the sample of Venezuelan good soil. The phosphoric acid is also higher, but the Venezuelan soil has more potash and a higher power of retaining moisture. The sender of these soils makes no complaint of cacao- fungoid diseases. It would be interesting to know how far the trees on these soils which are well-furnished with lime and magnesia are really free from cacao-disease. All of the West Indian fertile soils analysed are well supplied with AGRICULTURIST. (Serr. 1, 1899. lime and magnesia, In two of the average soils lime or magnesia is rather low; but in none of them are both lime and magnesia low. M. COCHRAN. ae HOW TO MIX FERTILISERS. Fertiliser mixtures, uniform in quality and equal in every respect to the best factory-made fertilisers. can be made on the farm without milling machinery A tight barn floor, platform scales, screen, showel and hoe are the only utensils needed. The materials having been weighed screened, and lumps pulverised the most bulky stock is spread in an oblong pile from six to twelve inches deep; upon its levelled top the next material is placed, and so on until all have been added like layers ona layer cake. Com- mencing at one end, the pile is shovelled over, the operator reaching clear to the bottom every time. he pile is then levelled up, and the operation re ~ peated three times. The mixture may then be screened again if desired. In thus mixing his fertilser the farmer knows definitely what he has purchased. Each ingredient can be tested by itself if desired, and ins ferior materials are not likely to be palmed off on pile ype oe teas vary the proportions of the ingredi- ents to sni 6 requirements of varying soils.— Farmer and Stockbreeder. a Wael ee THE COLOMBO AGRI-HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. From an early hour on the 21st July, the grounds of the Agricultural School presented a busy scene, the finishing touches to the decorations being all worked off some time before noon. That things were so far forward, as the earliest visitors (the majority of whom were judges) found then this morning was due to the untiring efforts of the ener- getic Secretary, Mr. C. Drieberg, who has worked with the utmost zeal towards the success of the Exhibition. Exhibits began arriving early yesterday and amongst the _ visitors then taken round were Mr. Fowler, Acting G.A., Western Province; Mr. F. H. Price, Mayor of Colombo; Mr. Cookson, and Capt. Lowndes, of the Police ; to whose plans the efficiency of the police arrangements this afternoon are due. Mr. Nock also visited the School buildings yesterday —ever among the first and, indeed, the most indis- pensable gentlemen, where a show of our island's products are concerned. Having taken a care- ful look round in every section we may say that the success of the Exhibition was never quite so markea as this year. In individual ‘sections, more notably the Horticultural ones, there is a regrettable lack of competition. For instance, the Ferns in Pots were conspicuous by their scarcity and those who remember the wealth of ‘fernery” that adorned the verandahs at the further end of the build- ings last year, will have been taken aback today by the want of display in this the most attrac- tive of the finer kinds of greenery. There are numbers of residents in Colombo with excellent ferns in their bungalows, which, for want of a4 little confidence or enterprise on the part of their owners, might have been seen adding materially to the completeness of the Exhibits. But taken all round, there was a marked improvement, both in quality and quantity of the exhibits. This was seen most especially in local fruits and vege- tables, ¢.g. jaks, pumelos, gourds, pumpkins, and brinjals—bananas alone forming a mos6 surprising exception. But to take thingsin order. Approaching the Agricultural School down the long avenue, one of 2 Sept. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL the most charming in the city of Colombo, the eye is caught at onee by the splendid pandal that has been erected at the gate. At the top, the figures of 1899 are entwined in a circle and below the inscription reads :— AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SHOW Welcome TO HIS EXCELLENCY — SIR E. N. WALKER, K.C.M.G. THE LIEUT.-GOVERNOR OF CEYLON. Up the drive the road is lined with the slender rustling arches of young coconut leaves, bent over and fixed into bamboo stems. The front of the School buildings are also suitably decorated. Entering one finds the room devoted to food products on the left. Down the whole Jength of the left-hand side lie numerous collections of paddy, in which article there was evidently great competition. A highly finished exhibit was in No. 6 (Section IIf.)—a collection of 15 kinds of grain set in an elegant light wooden case. On opposite side the bales of cinnamon (26 lb, each) and exhibits of cacao and oftea in 2 classes (grown below and above 1,500 ft.)are conspicuous. Amongst the bundles of cinnamon, also, one isnoticeable from its being enclosed in a carefully constructed wooden case. The variety of native sweets ar- ranged on the table gave the judges a deal of difficulty. One overheard remarks like the follow- ing: A.—‘ A very striking taste!’ B—‘ Rather pungent, though?” A—‘ Yes, but acceptable to the natives, perhaps.” B.—‘‘Oh! to judge from their poins of view,—yes.”” A.—‘‘I think it should be awarded the prize.” B.—‘‘I agree, though I shouldn’t choose it for dessert.” Along the main and apples from the local Australian stores— bore the happiest appearance. In the first yard on the left were the poultry (Section [V—Class B) most striking of which seemed to be a cage on the extreme left, No. 6—six village-reared fowls— and three other cages, No. 7, of 2 pairs of pigeons reared in Ceylon; in the latter were contained some pretty Fantails(white and black), Egyptianand English pigeons, and Pouters, Jacobins and Nuns. The next rooms, (right and left,) are devoted respectively to Vegetable Products, where picked specimens of coir and other native fibres may be seen, and Arts and Manufactures ; here there were half-a-dozen lace women with exceptionally good examples of work on the pillows before them, but the outstanding object was a magnificently carved dressing-table and cabinet, symbolical of harvest. In the centre is Messrs Cave& Co’s classic photograph of a single palm by the moonlit-shore— the emblem of the immemorial mainstay of the island’s prosperity—while on either side are® stout lusty figures, the anatomy of which is so carefully done as almost to fail to attract notice ; some minutes’ study, however, of the workmanship, of the arms and legs especially, recalled to us the classic casts of the Louvre in Paris. One or two ebony exhibits showed the most finished chiselling and shaping, but the central piece we refer to was a real creation of mature thought, aad a design achieved with remarkable success. A fine ebony cabinet too should be noticed. There were some splendid bulls among the cattle ex- hibits ; but the gem of these was a tiny little bull, calt with silver caps on its horns, and scarcely higher but not less proud than the little eight-year-old podian who stood beside it. The Hor- ticultural Room was the chief centre of attraction this afternoon. There were three exhibits of AGRICULTURIST 177 high quality for the Gold Medal, and the award gave general satisfaction. Most charming perhaps in the whole room, however, was the single ex- hibit of six orchids, the mauve Dendrobium Phalenopsis and Catteleya Bowringiana taking the palm for delicacy of colouring and form. Of the Cannas, the Papa and Allemania showed magnificent blooms, adding materially to the colouring of the radiant display. The ceiling of the room was decorated with greenery and festoons at the junctions of which hung bonquets of blossoms, A large porch-pandal had been erected at the en- trance to this, the Flower Section, and the pillars were entwined with spirate greenery. It was here that His Excellency was to alight this afternoon at 4-30 p.m., thereby signalling the opening of the Show. Below will be found the list of Judges, Exhibits and Awards, a Silver Medal being understood in the latter list (which is complete all but about a dozen awards) where no specific mention of a prize is to be found, LIST OF OFFICERS. The following are the officers for the show :— Patron: His Excellency the Governor. President: His Excellency the Lieut.-Governor. COMMITTEE, The Hon. F R Ellis (Chairman); General Hobson, the Hon. Justice Hon. Justice Browne, the Hon. H.E. Major. Lawrie, the F R Saunders, the Hon. H UL Wendt, Sir Harry Dias, Mr. F Beven, Mr. P Coomaraswamy, Mr. G Drieberg, Editor ‘‘ Dinakaraprakasa,” Editor “‘Sarasavisandaresa’’ Mrs. F R Ellis, Messrs. J Ferguson, W H Figg, J © Huxley, F G A Lane, FC Loss, S D Mahawalatenne, Jacob de Mel, W Nock, S _C Obeyesekera, James Peiris, Henry A Perera, F H Price, J Clovis de Silva, W A de Silva, G W Sturgess, H VanCuylenburg, J C Wiilis and Dr. Vandort. Hony. Secy. Mr. C Drieberg. COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. The Hon. G@ M Fowler, (Chairman), Messrs F H Price, W Nock, H Macmillan, P D Siebel, T Sammugam, E © Davies, J W Vanderstraaten, James Peiris, Henry A Perera, A FBroun, H TS Ward. Hony. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. C Drieberg. The gathering this afternoon was a very large and representative one and among those present were:—Mr. F. H. Price, Mayor of Colombo, Mr, and Mrs, J. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. W...E. Davidson, Mr. W.'T. Pearce and Miss Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. 8. C. Obeyesekera, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Daniel, Dr. H. M. Fernando, Mudaliyar John F. Perera, the Misses de Mel, Mr. H. J. Soysa, Mr. W. M. Soysa, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Dias, Mr. and Mrs. Tudor Rajapakse, Mr. and Mrs. Owen de Run, Mr. J. W. Vanderstraaten, Rey. and Mrs. Corlett, Mr. and Mrs. J. Morton, Dr. Attygale, Mr. Sam W. Soysa, Mr. Francis Perera, Mudaliyar Philip Perera, Mr. Meedeniya, R.M.. Mr. L. de Livera and the Misses de Livera, &e., &e. LIST OF AWARDS, FLOWERS AND PLANTS. FLOWERING PLANTS IN Pors. Judges:—Mr, G M Fowler, Mr. Nock and Mr. Macmillan. Orchids, Foreign (six)—Hon. Dodwell F Browne, Asters (six)—Mr. P D Siebel. Cannas (six)—Miss Lily Vanderstraaten, Chrysanthemums (ihree)—Mr. H W Grieve, THE TROPICAL — CUT FLOWERS IN BOXES, STANDS, OR GLASSES. Judges :—Mrs Fowler, Miss Grenier, and Mr Nock, Roses (twelve of different varieties)-Mrs H A Pierls, { Roses (six)—Mr. J & Grieve. Zinunias (six)—Mr. J R Grieve. Double Dahlias—Mr. J R Grieve. Cannas—Mr. H O Beven. Chrysenthemums— Dr. H Wuybertsz. Carnations—Miss EB © Tlliott. Pinks—Mr. P D Siebel. Pansies—Miss Mary (rrieve. Tube Roses—Dr. H Huybertez. Violets-—\lr. K Abram Saibo. Buttonholes—Mrs. R Samaraunayeke. Gross or Wreath—Mrs. Samaranayeke. Hand Bouguet—Miss Jessie Siebel. Bridal Bouquet— lis. S Siebel. Flowers in lee—Mes-1s. J P Morton & Co Best decorated Dinne;-table—Miss N Drieberg, General collection of Wild Flowers (2 ft. square) . Jusey Appu. Been collection of Cut Flowers arranged fox effect (12 square ft.)—Mr. H M Alwis. Special Prize for best collection of Pot Plants and Flowers to include the following :—12 assorted Pot Plant-, 3 boxes Cut Flowers, 1 Table Bouquet, 1 Hand Bouquet. 3 Buttonholes, gold medal—Mr, P D iebel. ie CUT FuOWERS IN BOXES, STANDS, OR GLASSES. Best collection of Jambu (twelve of each variety) =Mr, AJR de Soysa, certificate. Best collection of Namnam—MVr. E A Salgado. Best collection of Guavas, Uguressa, Lovi-Lovi, Masan, and Nelli (twenty five of each)—Mr. Andris Mendis. Best Rambutans (one hundred)—Mr. E de Levera. Best collection of Imported Fruit—Mr. W H Thompson Fruits in Ice—Messrs. J P Morton & Co,, recom: mended for gold medal. Special Prize for the best collection of Ceylon- prowing Fruit (not less than twelve varieties)—Mr. S Weerackody. FOLIAGE PLANTS IN POTS. Mrs. Broun, Mr. Macmillan, and Mr. Percy Bois. Begonias (six of different varieties)—Jusey Appu, Colombo Museum. Anturiums and Allocasias (six of different varie- ties)—Mr. P D Siebel. Caladiums (six of different varieties—Mr. R ‘Sa- maranayeke. Palms (size of different varieties)—Mrs. Rajapakse. Colei (six) — certificate, Jusey Appu, Colombo Museum. Best specimen of hanging Pot Plant—Mrs. Tudor Rajapakse. Tastefully arranged Group of Plants for effect (space allowed 100 sq. ft—Mr. P D Siebel, silver mcdal. Judges : Tudor FERNS IN POTS. Mrs. Broun, Mr. Macmillan and Mrs. Percy Bois. Adiantum _Farlyense (two)—Mrs, pakse. ‘ Best collection Tudor Rajapakse. Judges : Tudor Raja- of twelve different kinds—Mrs. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. FRUITS. Judges :—Sir Harry Dias, Mr. Broun and Mr Macmillan. Best Jaffna Mangoes (twelve)—Mr. J R Greve. Best collection of Mangoes (six of each variety)— Mr. Andris Mendis. 3est Oranges (twelve)—Mr. Adris Mendis. Best Mandarin Oranges (twelve) — Mr. L 8s Cabral, AGRICULTURIST. [Supr. 1, 1899, Best Lemons (twelve)—Mrs. E M. Gray. Best Citrons (six)—Mr. Andris Mendis. Best Limes (twelve)—Mr. J C Drieberg. Best Pomelos (six)—Mrs. H A Pieris. Best Mauritius Pineapples (three)—Mr. HA Pieris, Mudaliyar. Best West Indian Pineapples (three)—Mr. Andris Mendis. Best Custard Apples (saix)—Mrs. udaliyar. Best Mangosteens (twelve) L de Fonseka. Best bunch of eating Plantains—Mr. J P Salgado. Best Sapodillas (six)—Mr. Alfred Perera. H A Pieris, VEGETABLES. Jupcrs:—Mr. Nock, Mr. W A de Silva, Mr. P D Siebel. Best collection of Native Vegetables (twelve distinct kinds)—Mr. K Abram Saibo, My. RS Cabaral and Mr, RW Fernando (certificate.) Best collection of Exotic Vegetables (twelve distinct kinds)—Mrs. W O Garth. Beans (Exotic, four varieties, 25 of each)—Master G A Garth. Beans (Native; four varieties, 25 of each)—Mr. M J Fernando. Yams (six edible varieties. two of each)—Mr. RA Dassanayaka. Gourds aud Pampkins (six kinds, two of each)— Mr. Andris Mendis. Best Tomatoes (twelve) Mr. D C Jayawardana. Lettuces (three cabbage, three cos.)—Master Kids- ton Garth. Potatoes (dish of nine tubers) Mrs. W O Garth and Mohamed Ibrahim Saibo (certificate.) Sweet Potatoes (twelve tubers) Mr. H A de Silva. Chillies—Mr. J R De Soysa. Cucumbers (best pair)—Mrs. Jeronis Pieris, Ceylon-grown Onions (5 lb.)—Mr. J W C De Soysa. Breadfruits (six)—Mr. J P Salgado. Jak (largest single fruit)—Mr. B W Gunawardena. Jak (single fruit of best quality)—Mr. J D Perera. Brinjals (twelve)—Mr. H A Pieris. Collection of Leaves of Native Plants used as Food. Mr. C DS Jayawardena. Turnips—Miss M E Garth. Carrots—Mrs. W O Garth. Best Beetroots—Mr. K Abraham Saibo. Celery—Miss Caroline F Garth. Oauliflowers (three head)—Mr.J M Garth. Cabbages—Mr D C Jayawardena. Cabbage (heaviest head) —Mr. D C Jayawardena. Peas (best dish) Miss C E Garth. Rhubarb—Master Garth. VEGETABLE PRODUCTS. Judges:—Mr. Cochran, Mr. Broun and Mr. § C Obeyesekere. Coconut Oil (two gallons)—Gold medal, Mr. G CG Warr; silver medal, Mr, A P Goonetilleke; certifi- cate, Mr. H L F Dharmaratne. Kekuna Oil (half gallon)—Mr. G C Warr. e Lemon and Citronella Grass Oils (one bottle of each)—Messrs. Winter & Sons. Cinnamon Leaf and Bark Oils (cne bottle of each) —Mr. H Salgadoe. Best general collection of oils (two dozen of each) —Ist. Mr. W_ H Fernando; 2nd, Mr. G C Warr, certificate; 3rd, Don G Kapurubanda, special cer- tificate. ; Best general collection of Gums and Resins—Mr. D J Samerawira. ; Coir Fibre (one pound)—Mr, DADS Gunaratne Kitul Fibre (one pound)—Mr. W H Fernando Palmirah Fibre (one pound) Mr. A J R de Soysa, Collection of Native Fibres (quarter pound of each) —Mr. J H Meedeniya, R.M., certificate. uf Ceylon-made Cigars from Country Tobacco (twenty- five)—Mr. W P Burnard. paneree - Best sample Ceylon Annatto—Mr. A VanStarrex. Best commercial sample of Rubber (half pound —Lady de Soyaa. f SEPT 1, 1899. | FOOD PRODUCTS. Judges: Mr. F Waldock, Mr. P Coomaraswamy and Mr. H L Daniel. Commercial sample of Coconuts (twelve)— ‘Collection of Coconuts (space one hundred square feet)—Mr. J W C De Soysa. Arecanuts (twenty-five)—Mr. Julius Pereza. Judges: Mr. Seneviratne and Mr. W A de Silva. Sample of Paddy (quarter bushel)—Mr. R E De Soysa; Mr. R de Saram, certificate. Best collection of different varieties of Paddy— Gold medal, Mr: A WD Jayasuriya; Mr. A P Gunatilleke. Best collecticn of the following Grains :—Kurak- kan, Mineri, Amu, Tanahal, Muneta (one measure of each)—Mr. A P Gunatilleke. Indian Corn (two measures)—Mr. AJR De Soysa. Sugarcane (six sticks)—Mr. C E A Dias. Betel (one hundred leaves)—Mr. H W D Ban- daranayaka. Nutmegs with Aril (two dozen)—Mr. Andris Mendis. Judges: Mr. Macmillan, Meedeniyaz Ratemahatmaya and Mr. Francis Beven. Vanilla (one pound)—Mr. Walter Dias Pepper (five pounds)—Mr. J W C De Soysa, Ist; Mr. C C Barber, special commendation. Arrowroot (five pounds)—Mrs. Arnold Dias. Cardamoms (five pounds)—Mr. James Westland. Judges: Mr. Cochran, Mr. A W Abrew, Mr. Francis Beven Cinnamon (twenty-five pounds)—Gold medal, Mr. J W C DeSoysa; silver medal, Mr. H W de Silva. Judge; Mr. George Vanderspar Cacao (ten pounds)—Gold medal, Mr. C C Barber. Judges; Mr. Lionel Leefe and Mr. James Forbes. _ Liberian Coffee (five pounds)—Mr. A J R De Soysa. Ceylon Pickles : Cabbage, Cucumber and Mixed (one bottle of each)—Mrs. H L Daniel. Judges: Mrs. F Beven, Mrs. WG Vandort and ; Mr. Keppel Browne. - Ceylon Chutnies : Mango, Tamarind and Lime (one bottle of each)—Mr. GC Ponam. Ceylon ‘Preserves: Mango, Pineapple and Em- barella (one bottie of each) Mrs, E M Gray. Judges: Mr. Keppel Browne, Mrs. W G Vandort . and Mrs. F Beven. Ceylon Crystallized or Candied Fruit (three kinds) Mr. J P Salgado. Sample Loaf of Bread (one pound)—Mr. H Don Simon. Rich Ornamented Cake (two pounds)—Miss L Vanderstraaten. ~ Tray of Native Sweetmeats—Mrs. Arnold Dias. Tea grown above 1,500 feet (10 lb.); Bargany Estate Deyanikelle Estate highly commended. ‘Tea grown below 1,500 feet (10 1b.), Salawa Estate, . Gold medal: Yahalakela, highly commended. CATTLE AND POULTRY. ‘ CATTLE. (Only Animals bred and born in Ceylon can compete.) Judges : The Mahamudaliyar, Mr. Chinniah ‘ and Mr. A Y Daniel. Best Bull of Indian breed—Mr. EH LF De Soysa, gold medal. Best Cross-bred Native Bull— =< Best Cow of Indian breed— « Best Cow (Cross-breed English)—Mr. A JR De Soysa. Best Buffalo (Bull) _ A special certificate was recommended by the dade: for the dwarf bull exhibited by Mr.R ES e Soysa. Best Bull of Native breed—Mr. J W Chas. De Soysa, gold medal; Mr. A S W D_ Bandaranyaka, re- commended for silver meal. Dairy Propuces, Judges ;—Mrs. Vigors and Mr. Cochran. Basket of Fowls’ Eiges mr, C. Andree, - Basket. of Ducks’ Eges (one dozen) Mrs, A, R. - Amaranayaka, THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 179 Basket of Turkey’s Eggs—Mr, Chapman Dias. Special Case of Goose Eggs—Mr, P © J Fernando, certificate. POULTRY, &c. Judges :—Mr. EK C Davies, Mr. W la Brooy, and Mrs. F L Daniel. Cage of Native or Indian’ Fowls reared in Ceylon (two pairs), Mr. W H Dassanayaka (game fowls.) Cage of Fowls of Foreign breed reared in Ceylon (two pair), Mr. C P D Bandaranayaku. Best cage of Turkeys reared in Ceylon (one pair)— silver medal, Mr. George Thomson, Best cage of Geese reared in Ceylon (one peir) —Mr. George Thomson. : Best cage of Ducks ieired in Ceylon (one pair)— Mr. W Chapman Dias, Mr. George Thompson. Best. cage of six Fowls reared in villages by Sin- halese, Tamils, or Moormen,—Mr.A R Samiaranayaka, Best cage of Pigeons rezred in Ceylon (two pairs) —Mr,. Edwin de Livera. Best peu of Poultry in the Show—Mr. T Sanmu- gam, Gold medal: Mr, Arno!d Dias, certificate. ARTS AND MANUFACTURES. Judges :—Mrs. J Ferguson, Mis. S Bandaranayaka, Mrs: HL Daniel, Mr. H W Cave, Mr. H H Cameronand Mr, E Vandort. Best Native Grass Mats (two)—Mis. A J R De Soysa, silver medal. Best single specimen of Ceylon Rattan Work— Messrs Jaldeen & Co. Best single specimen of Ceylon Wood Carving— Mr. P E Pieris, highly commended. Best single specimen of Ceylon Ivory Carving—Mr. Kandappa. For the best specimen of Pillow Lace (six yards, six inches wide)—Mr. Sederahamy. For the best sample of Embroidery—Mrs. A JR De Soysa, Judges for Kalutara baskets, models, masks &e:— Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. S Bandaranayaka, Mrs. A Y Daniel, Mr. H W Cave, Mr. E Vandort, Mr. H H Cameron. (No entries in the seven classes.) For the best specimen of Kalutara Basket Work— Mr. J A Weerasooria. For the best set of Flower Pots (six) Mr. AS W D Bandaranaike. SUPPLEMENTARY (FOR WHICH NO PRIZE WAS GIVEN.) Arrack, Mr. Arnold Dias. Furniture, Messrs. H Don Carolis & Sons, Mr. R de Soysa. SPECIAL EXHIBITS NOT IN CATALOGUE Electric Bell, Mr. J L Dharmaratne; Bambara and Beehives, Mr. Alex. B Heral ; Madu Plant with Flower and Fruit, and Flour and Cakes made out cfit, Mr. C EK Samaranayake ; Glass Bottle made in Ceylon, Mr. B J :nares; Collection of Birds’ Eggs, Mr. F C Potger, Mr. G Mendis; Kola, undried (five pounds), Mr. J P Williams, Messrs. J A P Williams and Bros.; Plantain Flonr, Mv. Chas. Stou- ter; Ceylon Ointment in Case, Mr. Don Gregoris Kapurubandara. Special contrivance by which Cuco- nut Plants may be protected from being damaged by Cattle, R15. Dr. P M Muttukumaru, Mr. Karl Keven, Mr. Francis L Daniel. Curious Walking-stick.—Myr. John Abeykone, Presi dent, Village Tribunal. Silver mounted Tea Pot made of a Woodapple.—Mr- John Abeykone, President, Village Tribunal. Straw Watch Chain.—Mr. E Jayatilleke. Ceylon Curios.—Mr. O D Vigors. Coconut Poonac.—Messrs. Stevenson Brothers. Medical Oil (202 kinds).—Mr. Don Gregoris Kapuru- bandarasinha. Hat worn by Colombo Chetties.—Mr. Kandappa. Antique Boxes, edges bound with Silver carved work.—Mr. Kandappa. Hd Copper Tittle Deed bearing the Initial of Sri Wick- rama Raja Sinha.—Mr. Kandappa. Complete set of Sinhalese Head dresses in Silver, —Mr. Kandappa. ; i 180 SPECIAL EXHIBIT FROM COLOMBO MUSEUM. Butterfly.—Kallima Philarchus, Westwood ‘This Butterfly, when at rest with closed wings, mimics a dead leaf.” SontzocerHaLus ?—‘t A Montis that imitates grass.” Goresn Gesaves Ruinep By Tinetip Momru (Graci- lavia Cuffecifolietl:, Nietn), Pomtstes STIGMA.—(Wasp with nest). SPECIAL LIST. 1} The best specimens of pillow lace. nona, Paris Exhibition prize. 9 Brasswork, namenot mentioned first prize, R30. 3 Model electric apparatus for lighting, Mr. D. J. Wimalasurendra, special prize, 13). 4 Set of Masks, Muhandiram, E. J. Gunese- kera, first prize; Mudaliyar, Leveris de Fonseka, second prize. ioe 5 Best model arrack distillery, Mr. Arnold Dias, first prize. Podi- THE OPENING CEREMONY. The Show was open to the general public at 3 p.m, put it was not till 4-30 that the formal opening ceremony by H.E. the Lient. GoveRNOR, Sir E. N, WALKER, took place when, after pre- senting the gold medals to the successful com- etitors, he addressed the gathering. He said :— Ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure in responding to the invitation of the Government Agent of the Western Province and the Chairman of the Committee in coming here today, and in having the opportunity of seeing this Show and joining in the distribution of some of the prizes shat have been gained. I think that on a comparison of this Show with the one last year we may con- cyatulate ourselves on its success. It is diffieult a a large crowd and in a few hurried minutes to make an accurate comparison, but I think that we may comfort ourselves with the assertion that the Show is quite as good as last year, and those who have worked to bring about this Show and the exhibitors are to be congratu- lated. I amsure 1t would have given great satis- faction to the Government Agent (the Hon. F. R. Bilis) if he had been present to-day to see the success of that to promote which he has expended such energy. Mr. Ellis seldom puts his hand to anything which does not turn out a success, and wlhien he takes up a thing he generally carries it toa successful issue. I think we may say that he has done so on this occasion. I would, as Presi- dent cf this Society, say that this Society was Bee will continue, encouraged by the suc- cess and pleasure of the meeting to-day, to give it their support and make it one of the established and permanent institutions of the country. As President of this Society I cordially thank all the exhibitors and visitors for the practical manner in which they have contributed to the Exhibition. As an Officer I may say I am only perhaps an official figure-head. I have had nothing whatever to do with the organization of these arrangements, and therefore I have no hesitation in saying that the Committee have been very successful in the Exhibition that we have seen to-day, and in fact I congratulate them upon their labours. I have also. to thank Mrs. Fowler, the Government Acent’s wife, for having consented to distribute the prizes. (Applause). i Among those present at the opening ceremony Hi.&. Admiral Bosanquet, the Hon. Acting Government Agent, Western Fowler, the Hon. L F and were :— GM Fowler, Province, and Mrs. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. the Show of last year, and I hope that (Seer, 1,/1899. Mrs, Lee, Mr. F H Price, Mayor of Colombo; the Hon. W W Mitchell, Sir Harry Dias, and Mr. C Drieberg (Principal of the Agricultural School and Secretary of the Exhibtion); Mrand Mrs. J Ferguson, Mr. C T D Vigors, A.G.A., Kalutara, and Mrs. Vigors, Mr. and Mrs, W L Kindersley, Miss Lucy Ferguson, the Hon. A C Lawrie, Acting Chief Justice; the Hon. Justice Browne Messrs. F W and P Bois, Mr.W E Davidson, A.G.A., Nuwara Eliya; Messrs. W Andersoa,G H Alston, J E Alston, Dr. Attygalle, Mr. and Mrs. C Baur, Mrs. Andree, Mr. Advocate Keppel Browne, Mahamnu- daliyar Don Solomon Dias SHandaranaike and Mrs. Bandaranaike, Mr. H O Beven, Mr. and Mrs. M Cochran, Mrs _ Clark, Miss Swan, Miss Aitken, Major and Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Campbell, Dr. Cinniah. Mr. and Mrs. E Chapman, Major and Mrs. E C Davies, Mr. telix Dias, Mr. Owen de Run, Mr. Advocate Doruhorst and Mrs. Dornhorst, Mr. C Brooke Elliott, Dr. and Mrs. Ebell, Mr. and Mrs, J Clovis de Silva, Mr. R Freeman, the Misses Garvin, the Misses Gratiaen, Dr. and Mrs. Garvin, Mr. Advocate C M Fernando, Mrs. Greenhorn, Mrs, Hayward, Mrs. Heinnemann, MissJoyce, Mr.and Mrs. E H Joseph, Mr. Jacques, Dr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Advocate H Jayewardene, the Hon. C P Layard, Mr and Mrs. J P Morton, Mr. and Mrs, James McIntosh, Mr. R H Morgan, Mr. W Nock, Mr. Advocate Maar- tensz, Mr. S C Obeyesekere, Miss Obeyesekere, Mrs. Potger, Miss Cora Potger, Mr. Potger,Mr. Advocate J Peries, Mr. AC Rudra, Mrs. and the Misses Rock- wood, Mr. and Mrs. R FdeSaram, Miss RenedeSaram, Mr. Shelton de Saram, Dr. Allan de Saram, Mr, I Sanmugam, Mr. A Thomson, Mrs. F J de Saram, Miss de Saram, Captain Taylor, Miss Swan, Misses Saunders, Mr. Vanderstraaten, Mr. W P D Vanderstraaten, Mr. H M Waldock, Miss Ma Walker, Mr. W R Waller (Dikoya), Hon. H Wendt, &c. His Excellency who drove up in an open carriage accompanied by Capt. Wyndham, A.D.C.,and Capt. Cum Grahame, P.S., and accompanied by mounted orderlies, was received by the Committee under a beautiful pandal at the rear of the buildings, the Volunteer Band, playing tiie opening bars of the National Anthem. A tour was then made of the exhibition at theclose of which the presentation of gold medals wasinade. At the close of his re- marks His Excellency sent for Mr. P D Siebel and personally congratulated him on his magnificent exhibition of flowers, a compliment that was in every way thoroughly deserved. His Excellency then inspected the cattle, after which he partook of tea in a special marquee erected near the Lecture room, taking his depar- ture at 5-30, the band playing the National Anthem uncovering. We must not omit to mention that Mr. C Drieberg, the energetic and courtzous Secretary, wasalso thanked for his labours. 220d July, 1899. The show opened at an early hour this morn- ing and there was soon a sprinkling of visitors, gradually augmented as the morning progressed who were able to leisurely examine the exhibits. Some of these had, especially in the floral de- partment, had lost their freshness and much of their beauty : but care had evidently been exercised by those in charge of the exhibition to do what conld be done to preserve the flowers, plants, &c,, until the close of the show. Of course a considerable portion of the articles shown are not affected in this way and the ex- hibits in the arb and manufacture classes, as - Smpr, 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL well as the’highly interesting exluibits in the classes devoted to ‘‘ food products,’ were ex- amined carefully by the more thoughtful class of visitors, (From a Lady Correspondent.) This is the first Show ot the kind which [ have had the pleasure of attending since I came to Cey- lon andI must say that it was rather an ‘‘ eye- opener” to me. [I did not, of course, expect to find sucha display asI have seen at flower-shows at home and [ was surprised to notice the height of perfection to which natives had attained in the culture of the fruits and flowers of the island. Some of the vegetables, particularly car- rots and beet-root, were the best I have seen in Colombo, and I thought the display of fruits was exceedingly creditable. The oranges looked very tempting, so did the mangosteens and I don’t think that the people of the country could have passed without admiration the display of jaks. A word of praise is due to Messrs. Thompson and Co. for the very fine and neatly laid out show of Australian garden produce, and one cannot wonder that the firm has gained so much popularity in Colombo. While speaking of fruits I must not forget to mention the delightfully cool, refreshing, skilful and artistic work exhibited by Messrs. J P Morton and Co. In the fruit section, there were two nicely moulded pillars of ice in which were frozen anextra large pine-apple and a big bunch of bananas respectively ; and in the flower section there were two similar blocks containing a varied collection of the blooms and leaves that are common in Colombo and of the arecanunt flower which, if [ may be allowed to say so was the best of Messrs. Morton's exhibits. The display ot table decorations seemed to me to be particularly good, but I had expected to find a much better collection of palins and ferns considering the wealth of those in Colombo. Art Work rather took my fancy and I was very envious of the fortunate possessor of the large and magnificently carved side-board which oc- cupied the centre of the room devoted to this section. I had not before seen lace-workers en- gaged at their occupation and I watched with ereat interest their deft and industrious fin- gers turning out the delicate work for which the women of this country are famed. Poultry ap- peared to me to be a poor show, but I thoneht the bulls exhibited in the cattle section were a splendid collection. I did not see any that I could praise tor speed, but for draught purposes I think those shown would be hard to_ beat. had expected to see animposing spectacle at the opening ceremony, but must confess to having been somewhat disappointed :it was so simple and so brief. Everywhere there was a delightful har- mony of colour, not only in the exhibits but in the dressess worn by the ladies, some of them showing exquisite taste and design. I thought we might have had a little more music from the band during the time we were waiting for the arrival of His Excellency. It was a monotonous time, and a sweltering time and anything soothing in ad- dition to Burdayron’s ices would have been grate- ful and comforting. —_—___—_— COFFEE IN NORTHERN INDIA. More than twenty years ago a well-known Assam planter—the late Mr. C. B. Anderson —visited his brother, Mr. T. C. Anderson, who was at the time resident on Annfield, Dikoya; and he was so struck with the splendid growth of tea bushes in an avenue 24 AGRICULTURIST. 181 - leading to the bungalow, that he then and there wanted to start a tea ‘‘ garden” in Ceylon. Well for him if he had done so! The ‘‘avenue” arose from some seed sent from Assam to My. T. C. Anderson, which he treated as if it were an ornamental plant, and without the slightest belief in its com- mercial possibilities in Ceylon. Apart from this want of faith, there was the fact that (although the ‘‘leaf-fungus” had. already been seven or eight years at work) coffee was at the time ‘‘booming”—prices were specially high and no one had the least fear of such young districts as Dimbula, Dikoya and Maskeliva not growing coffee profitably tor several decades to come. Accordingly Mr. C. B. Anderson was simply laughed out of his conceit of establishing a tea-garden in Ceylon, some 23 years ago. The Dikoya planters of that time would not hear of it, and, instead, some of them absolutely per- suaded Mr. Anderson to take back with him to Assam a select parcel of Ceylon coffee seed and to plant out 100 acres in a favourable situation on behalf of a little Syndicate who joined him in the venture. The coffee grow all right; but so did the inevitable ‘ leaf-- fungus” which by 1880, had changed the entire prospect in Ceylon... Mr. Anderson, we believe, abandoned the Assam clearing before anything like a decent crop’ had been gathered on it and nothing more was heard of the venture. But very bitterly, we have no doubt, did Mr. T. C. Anderson and some other Dikoya men of the ‘‘seventies” regret that they had not allowed Mr. ©. B. Anderson, with all his Assam experi- ence, to open out a pioneer tea garden in Ceylon, at a time when prices were so good, and competition so limited in the tea market for the India and Ceylon product. We are led to recall this true reminiscence of a strange experience in our planting world, by the revival of a cry at this time to plant ‘‘coffee” freely in Assam and some other parts of Northern India. We have grave doubts of any appreciable success attending the venture. Fifteen degrees on each side of the equator is usually the limit of coffee growing; and the coffee bush is by no means so hardy as tea inrespect of stand- ing frost, &c. On the other hand, here is the very encouraging report from a_ planting correspondent of the Indian Planters’ Gazette, who writes of what he has seen or heard on good authority :— Any bushes I have seer in Upper Assam or Sylhet seemed to be in perfect health, and bearing crops which it would simply be impossible to beat. Ihave it on the best authority that Arabian bushes have been growing in South Sylhet in the planters’ bungalow compounds for the las‘ ten years or so, and that they have been fruiting all these years, When this is the case there can be no earthly reason why they will not grow and fruit for forty years. I think the real reason that coffee has not been gone in for more is simply that, from the very start, tea has had full sway, and as it has, as a rule, proved a fairly remunerative investment hitherto, there was no special reason for the tea planter to turn his attention to anything else. There can be no doubt vhat if tea was wiped out of existence in Assam through any cause, that the Assam planters would be equally as capable. of ‘rising 182 THE TROPICAL to the occasion as the Ceylon planters were when their coffee was all but annihilated by disease. As tea is not now what it used to be— and there can be no hopes whatever that it ever will be in the position it occupied 20 or 30 years ago—I think you do well when you advocate the planting of coffee, or for the matter of that any- thing, as an auxiliary to tea. ven if the tea, districts of Assam could grow sufficient coffee to supply the consumption of the eastern part of Indiait would always be something, and a very big something, as by all accounts the consumption is large and increasing. We, in Ceylon, should be very glad, indeed, if planters in any part of Northern India were able to supplement their tea with coffee and to grow the latter profitably. We wish them a full measure of success; but our doubts can only be overcome when we learn of a 100-acre field of Arabian coffee at four to five years old giving a paying crop of the berry without showing signs of exhaus- tion from the dread leat disease (Henvileia wvastatrix.) ———————E—EEEE——ESE Ee INDIAN AND CEYLON ASSOCIATIONS. TEA IMPORTERS AND THE DRAFT ALLOWANCE: (Special Report for ‘‘ Ceylon Observer.” ) A meeting of growers and importers of tea was held on Monday, July 3rd, in the Council room of the London Chamber of Commerce, Eastcheap, to receive the report and recomimen- dation of the joint Committee of the Indian Tea Association (London), and the Ceylon Association in London, on the proposed abolition of the 1 lb. draft allowance on tea. There was a crowded attendance, and late-comers had difficulty in find- ing standing-room., Sir H Seymour King, M.P., K.C.1,E., presided, and there were present :— Messrs. H K Rutherford, J N Stuart, D Cruik- shank, Begg, Dunlop & Co. ; H Cholinsley, Char- sola Tea Association; E lL Sparks, Messrs. P Buchanan & . Co.; John M Holt, Messrs. Stewart, Holt & Co.; W Johnson, New Sylhet Company ; Douglas R Smith, G G Anderson, Scottish Ceylon Tea Company ; Geo. Stehn, Messrs: Wilson, Smithett & Co. ; Jas. F Ander- son, Messrs. Lyall, Anderson & Co.; W H Anderson, New Dimbula Company; R Gordon Shaw, F D Mitchell, Jno. J Edelsten, W J Thompson, Jnr. John McEwan, D M Stewart, W Watson, T. C Owen, Messrs. Rowe, White & Co.; A Thomson, Wm. McKenzie, P Oswald, C C McLeod, RS Corbett, P G Spence, C A Goodricke, R A Cameron, W S Bennétt, Jno, Hamilton, J L Anstruther, H Earnshaw, A Bethune, G J Gibson, J M Smith, J L Shand, H J Vollar, R C Dowling, W J Skene, G A Talbot, F Pook, H S J Oscar Thompson, F H Cumberlege, E H Gregory, Alford Want, A Bryans, Messrs. P R Buchanan & Co. ; F W Holt, Geo. W Christison, H A Hancock, A B ‘Tomkins, J H Dickson, Robt, Anderson, Hugh Fraser, A Crabbe, G W Payne, A L Hutchi- son, W G Smith, Scottish Trust & Loan Com- any ; Jas. Sinclair, W McDonald, J Hughes, Mt P Evans, A W Stopford Sackville, G H Austin, R Hart, J Steel, J W Sidey, A E Butler, W S Warren, K Brown, D Wilson, J A Roberts, C E Strachan, R B Magor, Messrs. Geo, Williamson & Co. ; Geo. White, G Seton, S H Smith, Carolina Tea Company; Alfred Brown, T S Dobree, T A Williams, Blackwood Coffee Company ; Geo, G Playfair, Lebong Com. AGRICULTURIST. [Sepr. 1, 1899, pany; H L Tottenham, A Ledington, LH Pieris; Duncan W H Skrine, N W Grieve, RK C Lyall, Lumsden, G A Dalby, Henry Bois, Sanderson, Jas. Wilson, Arthur Thompson, Adams, Doake, A Collingwood Smail, C Milner, A MacLanghlin, C F Hunt, E G Rock, Doom Dooma Tea Company; A E Watson, Messrs. Geo. Williamson & Co.; © W Wallace, Messrs. G KR Shaw & Co.; representatives of Messrs. Geo. Dunlop & Co. ; Messrs. Finlay, Campbell & Co.; Messrs. Lister & Biggs; Messrs. Blyth, Greene, Jourdain & Co. ; and the Kelani Valley Tea Association; Messrs. Ernest Tye, Secret- ary, Indi n Tea Association ; and Wm. Martin Leake, Secretary, Ceylon Association in London ; and many others. SIR SEYMOUR KING'S SPEECH. The Secretary of the Indian Association (Mr. Ernest Tye) having read the notice convening the meeting, _ The CHAIRMAN said :— Gentlemen, the numbers in which you have attended today show that this meeting is one of a historic character in the tea trade. It is one, which must for good or ill in- fluence the course of the history of that trade for a long time to come. We meet here to re- ceive and to deliberate on the report of the Committee of the two influential Associations re- presenting the Indian and Ceylon trade. I owe the accident of haying the honour of presiding over your deliberations today, gentlemen, to the fact of my being the honorary president of the Indian Tea Association, and I trust you will forgive me if I do not in every way meet your expectations while I am in a position that micht have been filled by others who are. more com- petent to represent the interests of which we have to speak this afternoon. I said this is a historic occasion. We are met to consider the abolition of an ancient eustom. There is no doubt as to the antiquity of that custom; there can, equally, be no doubt in the minds of tea growers as io the unreasonableness of the custom (Applause). I have never yet heard, gentlemen, of any custom which long maintained its sanction which necessitated a person giving away, for nothing, a part of what he produced (hear, hear). Weare met to consider the question of the one Ib. draft on each chest or half-chest of tea which it has been the custom to exact from the growers, If the growers had remained prosperous, perhaps, the question would not have been raised. But there is no one in this room who does not know ‘how real is tha necessity for pinching economies in the tea industry, and for casting about for some means of making a “living wage” out of it. The growers and importers have therefore had to consider whether they cannot save a con- siderable sum every year by the abolition of the 1lb. draft. (Hear, hear.) They would, I feel-sure, welcome some change in the present method of weighing the tea, but that seemed impracticable. The methoa of weighing already inposes a heavy toll on the producer, who feels that that toll is sufficient without the addition of the 1 lb. draft allowance, (hear, hear.) At the same time we have to remember that those who purchase from us are worthy of every consideration and cultiva- tion on. our part. One cannot well exist without the other. Perhaps the producer is more necessary to the retailer than the retailer is to the producer, because, after all, the retailer does not buy our tea because he loves us, but because he must have tea to sell to those who want to drink it. (Hear, hear.) But at thesame time it must be obvious to everyone that friendliness, courtesy and Sept. 1, 1899.] pleasant relations between both parties are es- sential for the smooth and profitable conduct of the industry—(hear, hear)—and 1 venture to think your joint Committee—as you will hear when the report is submitted to you—has done all it could do to promote good feeling and harmony. Both sides must recognise that it is a question that appeals to the pockets of both, and that, there- fore, it is necessarily a disputable question, and one that will be fought out. But there is no reason why it should not be fought in a pleasant spirit. The retailer must recognise the position into which the industry has drifted. We wish the retailer a prosperous time. But there is nothing to be gained by threats to boycott tea sales and to cease dealing with those who produce what the retailer must have. (Applause. ) Has there ever been in the history of the tea industry such unanimity as has been displayed on this occasion? I venture to say, never. (Hear, hear.) There have been in the past many ques- tions that have moved the trade deeply, and to deal with which special committees have been appointed. Buton no subject has there ever been such an approximation to absolute unanimity as on this particular question. Now, I think that must impress the retailers and the public at large. (Hear, hear.) Nothing, I venture to say, but dire necessity, the compelling necessity of the res angusta, could have possibly driven the pro- ducers of tea into linelike this. I think that the amount of Indian and Ceylon tea imported into THE TROPICAL - London last year was about 227.000,0001b., and those responsible for 215,060,000 lb. of that total have already signified their assent tothe present movement, and fresh assents are still coming in. So that practically the Indian and Ceylon tea- growing industry is unanimous. Then we have to see what the other side have got tosay. Their argument seems to be, ‘‘ We have always received this little tip for buying your teas, and there- fore it must remain a factor in all our dealings.” Time will show which side to prevail. [have now only to thank you for the kindness with which youhave listened to these few remarks of mine, and to ask you to listen carefully to those who will follow, and then to signify your epinion as to the course that should be pursued. (Applause. ) MR RUTHERFORD’S VIEWS. Mr. H. K. RuTHERFORD :—As chairman of the joint committee ot the Indian and Ceylon As- sociations appointed to consider this matter it falls to me to present to you the committee’s report, which is already in your hands, and to announce to you the recommendation of that committee. But I daresay, there are some few here who will ask, ‘‘ What is the use of sucha meeting seeing that you have all signified your assent to the proposal?’ Well, in its delibera- tions the committee realized that the more this qnestion was studied the greater appeared the injustice to the importer (hear, hear); and we also wish the importers who are present today to thoroughly understand the matter. We want as much light thrown upon the subject as possible,, not only on behalf of yourselves, gentlemen, but of the dealers, the Government and the public. (Hear, hear.) All of these parties are concerned and interested in the weighmeot of tea. This question of the abolition of the draft cannot be taken apart from the system of weighing-out tea, We must insist upon that. (Applause.) At the mass meeting of dealers and retailers held on AGRICULTURIST. 183 June 7th reference to the system of weighment of tea by the Customs was studiously avoided. Now, we held that the two questions are inseparably connected. (Hear, hear.) It is well that we should all know something about the history of weighing- out tea by the Customs. In October, 1885, a joint signed written agreement was entered into by the Indian Tea Association of London and the Whole- sale Dealers’ Association—there was no Ceylon Association in those days—-that all teas should be weighed net. That, gentlemen, I take it, was an honest attempt to get at an accurate and true system of weighing-out teas. That agreement was in force for 34 years orso, and then the Whole- sale Dealers gave notice that the trade would in future, from June, 1889, refuse to buy any more teas weighed on that system. A joint Committee of the Indian and Ceylon Associations and the Wholesale Dealers’ Association was then appointed to consider the subject and if possible to come to some mutual understanding. While. that Com- mittee was at work the Wholesale Dealers’ Associa- tion approached the trade, and then intimated. to the Indian and Ceylon Associations that it was useless further discussing the subject as the trade had come to a unanimous conclusion that they would absolutely refuse to buy any teas that. were weighed net, and that all tea must in future be weighed gross and tare—a system that on an average gives them 1 lb. more in every package than they pay for, in addition the 1 lb. allowed for draft. You will see by this that it was the Wholesale Dealers who broke away from the joint signed agreement, and the system which they thus arbitrarily brought into force continues at the present time. In October, 1890, Her Majesty’s Customs, finding they were losing by this system a certain amount of duty, ordered that in future all teas must be weighed and charged for duty to the halfpound. (Hear, hear.) That was the second attempt to get at a just system of weighing, and it had the support of the Indian and Ceylon Asso- ciations. But the trade resolutely opposed the pre- posal of the Government, and the Government were weak enough—I suppose in view of a general elec- tion being near at hand (laughter)—to withdraw or to suspend the operation of their own order, and it has been suspended since that time. Well, you will see from these facts that it has been impossible to get’ the dealers:to accede. to any reasonable proposals for the proper weighment of our tea. (Hear, hear). That brings us up-to the origin of the present movement. From time to time the Indian and Ceylon Asssociations have been approached by the various representative bodies in India and Ceylon, and also by individual growers and importers in this country, asking if nothing could be done to mitigate the great fox in weight the teas suffered when put up for sale in London. Well, after the attempts made by the Associations to get something done they did nog see what further they could do in the matter. However, owing I presume to the lessened profits from. tea cultivation, owing to the various causes of exchange and low prices, the planters recently approached the Asssociations more strenuously than ever, and their demands became more ac. centuated. In March last, the two: Associations conferred together to see what was best to be done in the circumstances, and'they came to the conclusion that it would be hopeless without the good offices of the Government to try again to cet anything done to bring about-the proper weighin of the teas. And they came to the conclusicn that to meet the case they must approach the 184 THE dealers in order to have the draft allowance on teas abolished. (Applause.) It was obvious, of course, that no great change suchas this could be effected without the entire support of the importing community, and as you have seen by the circular that the Committee has issued that the support is practically unanimous. (Hear, hear). I may also add that the Planters’ Association in Kandy have passed a resolution entirely approving of this move- ment, and last which we received a telegram from the Chamber of Commeree in Colombo, inform- °ling us that they gave the movement their éntire support. (Applause.) Well, gentlemen, such an overwhelming acquiescence in our proposal is'a convineing proof, if any further proof were wanted, of the injustice of this 1 lb. draft allow- ance in addition to the allowance already made in the weighing-up of our teas. (Hear, hear). I need not tell you anything further about the movement as the account of it is set forth in the ' Cominittee’s circular to you. That, therefore, brings the whole thing up to date. With your per- ‘mission, however, I would like to make some re- marks as to the arguments of the dealers in op- posing this proposal. The reasons they give for their opposition to the abolition of the draft are two : one is that the draft allowance is an ancient custom ; the second is that the allowance is ne- cessary, in order to pay for the loss they sustain in leakage of packages, by bad bulking, and by the ') presence in the packages of nails and lead as well as the loss of weight incurred in the process of pack- ing the tea in small quantities for the retail market. We admit it is an ancient custom, coming as it does from an ancient people. In China tea is subjected to squeezes all through, and the last squeeze was made by Englishmen— ‘though what they took from the Chinaman in ‘this last case they had to give back when the tea got here. (Hear, hear.) But in London the dealers have to deal, practically altogether, direct with the growers of Indian and Ceylon tea. At least 90 per cent of tea in London is in the hands of the producers, and I think we are made - lof sterner stuff than to submit to be squeezed f as the Chinaman does. (Applause).' In recent years India and Ceylon have developed markets for their teas in Australia, Canada, and other colonies in Amerca, and in Russia and other parts of the continent of Europe. In_ none of these countries ‘are we subject to this 1 lb. draft. It seems a most extraordinary thing that only in this free country of England are we counter- vailed to this extent. (Hear, hear.) We are on the same line as our brother planters in sugar ; we want to trade on right terms with all countries alike. (Hear, hear.) As to the re-weighment of ‘tea in small quantities, we were. all staggered the other day by the evidence given by some large tea-dealers, who said it was an ancient (not an honourable) and universal custom for tea to be sold short weight to the public. (Laughter and hear, hear.) Well, gentlemen, 1s it high time that this ‘‘ ancient trade custom” was ewept away. (Hear, hear; and a voice: ‘ But it isn’t a custom.) We were told in the police court that it was a custom. Growers have always thought it a mystery how the dealers were able to sell so cheaply to the public. (Hear, hear.) But the recent proceedings have unmasked the mystery. (Hear, hear.) lf any of you growers calculate the value of tea given away in draft, the value given away in extra weight by the «Customs’ system of weighing, and the loss the Government suffer in the amount of TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Sepr. 1, 1899. duty not paid on the extra weight, but which the retailer adds to the value of his tea when he sells it, and if you assume that only 50 per cent of the retailers sell short weight to the public, you will find the value amounts to no less than £380,000 per annum! Whether the abolition of the draft is carried through or not, or whether it is equalised by an arrangement of price, still L think that all this indefensible system of carrying on the tea trade of the country ought to be done away with, and the trade put on a more euquitable footing all round. (Ap- plause.) The other argument. is that the draft goes to cover defects and the presence of foreign substances in the packages. That is the weakest argument of all, because the incidence of the penalty falls on the importer whese work is in good order, more heavily than on the man whose work is defective. (Hear, hear.) If the 1 Ib. draft were removed the importer who does his work badly could be made to suffer ; while it remains the same detects will remain. This draft allowance is a premium on bad work, and a penalty on those who do their work well. (Hear, hear.) I therefore propose for your con- sideration the recommendation of the Conimittee, which is:—‘‘That it is the unanimous recom- mendation of the joint Committee of the Indian and Ceylon Associations appointed to deal with the question of the 1 lb. draft abolition on tea, that notice be immediately given to the Tea Brokers’ and Wholesale Dealers’ Association that on and after the 17th inst., all teas shall be sold on the condition that the 1 Ib. draft allowance shall not be made to the buyers.” (Loud applause.) I trust, gentlemen, this recommendation will meet with your entire and unanimous approval and support, and that we will be able to show the trade that the great tea-planting interest of Indian and Ceylon have at length awakened to the fact that they must have a voice, that they insist on having a voice, in determining how their produce shall be offered fcr sale. (Loud applause.) THE FIRST RESOLUTION. Mr. C W WALLACE (Messrs. R G Shaw & Co.) moved the following resolution: —‘‘ That this meeting adopts the unanimous reconimendation of the Committee, that on and after the 17th inst. all teas shall be sold on the condition that the llb draft allowance shall not be made to the buyers.” (Applause.) The speaker said he agreed with the Chairman when he alluded recently to the applicability of the phrase of Rudyard Kipling about ‘The men who bear the white man’s bur- den in a foreign land” to the tea-growers in Assam and Ceylon. I hope to steer clear (the speaker proceeded) of anything that sounds either bellicose or hostile to any section of the trade in London. For, sir, I hold that it is necessary for every section of every community to treat every other section . with forbearance and good will. But there will arise occasions in every com- munity when from some reason or other it is found that one section is appropriating too many of the loaves and fishes which belong to the whole. (Hear, hear.) This may arise in various ways—-some fair, some unfair. Those of which I speak today are perfectly fair, but they are none the less hard. In most cases this sort of thing comes about owing to the survival of an “ancient custom,” or because changes necessary to the evolution of society have at last made a former practice intolerable. A statement which has been made is that we lose 1lb in the weighing, | { | | Szpr, 1, 1899. THE TROPICAL The tea itself is not weighed at all. The pack- age is weighed gross, no fraction of a pound avoirdupois being used, and the turn of the scale being always given wgainst the package. If the gross weight of a chest of tea is 130,001lb or anything from that up to 130.999|b it is entered as 130lbs only. Then the tea is turned out and put aside, and the vox, the lead, etc., are put together on the scale. Again, no fractional weights are used, but instead of the turn of the scale being now given against the buyer, to counter- balance the effect of the turn on the gross weigh- ing, it is still given against the package. It is like hitting a man on the nose and then hitting him on the back of the head to make up for it (Laughter). If the tare is 30,001 lb it is reckoned as 31 lb. So that by neither of the processes does the grower gain anything ; he must on an average lose half-a-pound on each weighing, which means a loss of 1lb on each package of tea. Next he loses 1 Ib on the draft. Both these imposts we have borne patiently, with just an occasional grumble, the reason being that up to afew years ago there was shown a fair profit, enabling us to bear a burden, that did not rightly belong to us. But still it was a burden and it was nol a just oneineither case. I know it 1s said that some pro- ducing companies still manage to pay a large dividend. But,, gentlemen, I would point out to the buyers and to you that these dividends which sound very large by percentages are, owing to a curious custom in the tea industry are, nob reckoned upon the cost of the gardens, machin- ery, ete.; but upon the capital. The capital is not watered, and the custom in the industry is to re-invest the profits in increasing the profits, in increasing the output, and so on, If you take the dividends and divide them over the gardens, with what they havecost in buildings, machinery, _ete,, they would work out at something nearer in Assam and Ceylon, sand 4 percent than the 12 to 15 percent that has been spoken of. There are a. great number of gardens which cannot make both ends meet, far less earn dividends of 12 and 15 per cent (hear, hear.) The facts are there, and can be ascertained by reference to the newspapers of London and Calcutta and Colombo. We areaccused of trying to take the buyers’ profits and _per- quisites. That is not so. Long before this move- ment was started the growers of India and Ceylon set themselves the task of reducing ex- penditure in every possible item and that not only but in London, as far as their own people were concerned (hear, hear), Commissions have been reduced all round, and _ every other kind of expense has been reduced (hear, hear). In London I know of many direc- tors of tea concerns returning their fees in the hope of better times, if better times should ever come, Establishments on the other side have been - reduced, and in the last cold weather over 200 _ planters were in Calcutta seeking work without _ avail. With allthis before us, can it be truly said that as soon as our profits are reduced we seek to ) take the profits and perquisites of the buyers ? _ No, we made all the reductions we possibly could _ nour own countries of production first, and now _ we find it necessary to come to London to see if we cannot reduce charges and imports which are far too heavy (hear, hear). Foremost among . these imposts are the present system of weighing _and thelJlb. draft. You might say it doesn’t matter which of the two we amend. But if we amended the system of weighing, either we should have to incur an extra charge for weighing, or we AGRICULTURIST. 185 should have to get the Government to amend its weighing system, andif the latter then the Gov- ernment tax upon this article of necessity would be increased, Whether you be all Liberals—and I hope you all are (laughter and ‘* No ”)—well, some of you may be Conservatives (laughter)—but whatever you are I am quite sure none of you love our Government to the extent of wishing to increase the duty which, by an ‘‘ ancient custom,” is levied upon this necessary of life as if it were a luxury like wine or spirits, or tobacco (laughter-) I therefore come to the 1]b. draft. Let. the buyers leave us that and be satistied with the 1 lb. extra per package that they already get in the weighing (hear, hear.) That has been felt to be the right course by ail the growers and their re- presentatives, and such is the resolution I. have just read out to you. There are one or two mis- conceptions that J should very much like to re- move, for the benefit of those outside. There are two misconceptions, and we have throughout had two charges. brought against us... The first isa Want of courtesy to the buyers, and the want of good faith. As to want of courtesy, L am sure, I cary you all with me when I say that nothing would distress me more than to deserve such an imputation. -What are the facts of the case? The ,Chairman of the Committee has given you the history of this 1]b. draft movement, and I would only add that the Committee was appointed not with the case prejudged, but appointed to look into the matter and report to us. ‘They have re- ported to us teday, but what have they done in the meantime? They met the buyeis and consulted them, hearing all they had got to say; they did nob even draft their report till they had heard the buyers’ side of the question. It is now for us to say what we will do. The Committees of both Associations have been called bad names and neither of them has even gone so far as to say “You're another” (laughter). The charge of dis- courtesy is certainly not proved. There are two parties to every agreement or contract, and for one party to alter the terms without the previous consent of the other party is certainly evidence of a want of good faith. That is a truism to which I assent. But there is this fallacy in our case—there is no contract at all (hear, hear.) In our case there is no contract till the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer. The Committee proposes that we should do as we please with teas which are at the present moment our absolute property, to do what we like with. If we like we may ship them to America; we may burn themif we like; we may drink them (laughter), None of these courses could lay us open to a charge of bad faith. And how can the carrying out, of our present proposal lay us open to the charge? Our ceas have an intrinsic vlaue, and if we offer them at public auction, offer them to the world at large, and one man won’t buy them —well, other men will (applause). Not the most timid grower need be afraid beeause one set of buyers abstains from attending one sale (laughter and hear, hear). If these buyers who have made their fortunes out of our teas abstain from buying any more—(laughter)—another set of buyers, of other new companies, will come forward to buy them (hear, hear). ihope the buyers. will try to look at the matter from the growers’ point of view as well as from their own. (Applause.) THE SECONDER’S SPEECH. Mr. ARTHUR Bryans (Messrs. P.R Buchanan & Co,):—I rise to second the resolution. As a member of the Committee I should like to say that 186 THE TROPICAL itis only dire necessity that has brought us, to this pass. (Hear, hear). We had to consider the two points to which reference has been made in order to see what we could do to meet the bad times. There has never been such a year for tea-growers as the past year, and the question of the sale of our teas naturally came under consideration—the two points that came before us being, of course, the system of weighment and the 1 lb. draft. Our duty was to consult you. We asked you what your opinion was, and we received from you what I consider practically a unanimous mandate to go on with the movement for the abolition of the draft allowance (applause.) It was so un- animous that it seemed we could do nothing but move the resolution we have brought to your notice today, unless there was some strong reason against it. Unless this strong reason could be adduced, we as a committee, it seems to me, had no alternative but to proceed, The only way to get reasons against our proposal was to meet the trade. But there was considerable delay. The trade held amass meeting, and they threw over the Wholesale Tea Dealers’ Association and at last appointed a committee representing the retailers and the buyers to meet us. 1 had great hopes of that meeting, and was woefully disappointed. What was the answer we got? It was simply an answer of non possumus: the only plea the trade put forward was ‘‘ We can’t and won’t meet you.’ Some one suggested the possibility of a compro- mise: they would not listen to such a thing. Under those circumstances I do not see what we eould do other than we have done. (Hear, hear.) Lam one of those people who consider that we have a right to sell our goods on our own terms (ap- plause), prvoided those terms are fairly just, and T cannot conceive that making a present of 1 1b. of tea in every chest and half-chest is just, or that to abolish the custom can be called an in- justice. (Hear, hear.) One thing that took place at our meeting with the trade took my breath away; I think it took away the breath of the whole committee. The trade said, ‘‘ We don’t get and extra weight at all.” (Laughter.) They told us, ‘* You are the sinners, and we are the sinned— against.” One importer produced a most elaborate weighment return of avery large number of chests, done to the ounce in his own presence, to show that his loss was 12 per cent for the whole lot. It was handed to them, and they returned it and pooh-poohed it, and implied that they did not believe a word of what he said. Weare not all - dreaming : it cat be possible that we don’t lose any tea on these transactions. (Laughter). In calculating our averages for many thousands of chests I have always to make an allowance of two per cent to cover loss of tea that we are not paid for. (Hear, hear.) I have found in the course of many years’ experience that Jess than two per cent will not cover it. The trade representatives said, “ Oh, but you can’t weigh :your tea properly.” but they know it is not we who weigh the teas, but Wer Majesty’s Customs. I don’t like the system, because it tells against me; but itis not likely that Her Majesty’s Customs would cheat them- selves, I holdin my hand a letter from the mana- ger of one of the warehouses, in which he says that “the weighment of tea and the 1 1b. draft given from two to two-and-half lb. per chest is aainst the importer, and the Customs also lose oe in duty on each chest.” I don’t thirk A have any stronger evidence that the trade 4 more than they pay for. Let me draw AGRICULTURIST. [Sepr. 1, 1899, attention to the extraordinary notice issued on Friday last, the like of which I have never seen in the City of London. (Applause.) It is issued without signature, and it proposes to condemn, by not buying at the auctions this morning, a resolution to be submitted for approval this after- noon. (Laughter). Surely this can be only one thing—a threat ; it can be nothing el-e. T have ceased to be surprised at the actions of the body that is mancuvring the opposition to our proposal. There has been made the unwarrantable assertion that there was an understanding that the aboli- tion on draft would not be forced upon the trade against their wishes. I know the whole of the negociations,and the committee will bear me out when I say there never was such an understand- ing, and I hope there never will be. Hear, hear). I revert to my original proposition: we have the right to offer our goods for sale on our own conditions. Some of the conditions of sale want revising. In two casesI admit they tell hardly against the trade. One clause is very badly drawn, and the sooner it is altered the better. Seeing the lower value obtained for tea, it would, I think, Le much fairer that the deposit, instead of being a fixed deposit of £1, should be an ad valorem deposit, with amaximum of £1. That is a change that we should insist upon atonce. I go further. I say that three days is not sufficient for the trade to inspect their purchases. I would be inc- lined myself to allow a period of five or six days. (Hear, lear). We do not want tosellthemsomething thatis not tea. If they are correct in their state- ment that extraneous matters are found in the chests, let us, as Mr. Rutherford said, get at the real offenders. We want to sell nothing but pure tea. But we insist upon being paid for every pound of it. (Aapplause.) As to the loss in distribution—in the reweighing in small pack- ages—it is not a fair argument. We im- porters also have a lot of loss in our own factories. But it cannot concern us what loss there is on our teas after they have ceased to be ours: It is said that there are large profits in the tea trade. But it is not the growers who are making the large profits. (Hear, hear). Turn to the reports published today, last week and the week before, of the large heavily-capitalised concerns of retailers, and you will see who are the people who are making the money. But we, growers and importers, have never been in such straits. The fatal error of the ‘“ shilling canis- ter” throughout the country is shelling ruin for us. (Hear, hear.) It is not we who regulate the price for tea; it is the trade. As long as this underselling of tea continues it will redound to our loss. Let us be unanimous today. Let the dissentients from this proposal be only those who have other interests to conserve—the interests of retailing. But let the growers and importers be unanimous. (Hear, hear). Let us continue our present unanimity, and then the abuse will be corrected and this unjust tax abolished. (Ap- plause. ) Mr. JounN McEWAN :—Yousaid, Mr. Chairman, that 215,000,0001b. of tea out of 227,000,000 was on the side of this proposal. Ibelieve, I represent 8,000,600 lb. of the deficiency. There are some points inthis movement that have not been adduced today. I admit that we, as growers and importers, apparently lose 14 per cent on our turnover, taking into account the half-chests, on which we pro- portionately lose more. But I am not prepared to forego a loss of 1} per cent at an expense of 24 per cent, If you adopt this resolution I think Sept 1, 1899.] that the dealers with the new conditions coming into effect will lower their bids (“‘Oh, no.’’) It is impossible for a dealer with a loss of the 1 lb. draft to bid at the same rate as one who had betore got the allowance. I refuse to agree to this proposal for the abolition of the draft. In the price the buyer pays the draft allowance is allowed for. I do not like the system, but the point in favour ot the alteration is really the need for more simplicity in our books. Had the buyers been approached differently and the mat- ter put to them differently, in all probability they would haye agreed to the change. I think we could have approached them saying we wanted to do away with the draft in order to get more simplicity in our books, and we could have said that we expected to receive lower bids on ac- count of the abolition. (A laughter.) The motion was carried with only one dissen- tient. The proceedings ended in a vote of thanks to Sir H. Seymour King for presiding, Mi. Stop- ford Sackville, who proposed it, remarking amid laughter that the buyers at their mass meeting had produced a Lord Mayor, but that the growers had gone one better, for they had played the King. —_——___<—______—_- THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. It is, as we supposed: the services of Mr. Oldham have neither been lent by the Indian Government nor’ is he under an engagement to stay in Ceylon at this time. Mr. Oldham is on furlough, and, having been in correspondence with His Excellency Sir West Ridgeway as to a Ceylon Survey, he has utilised part of his holidays to_ visit Ceylon in order to get an idea of what is ex- pected by the Ceylon Government, to have a look at the country and, perhaps, to give his opinion as to how a_ Survey should be carried out. In the first place, it is no secret that Mr. Oldham is of opinion that, in Ceylon, a Geological should be combined with an Agronomic Survey—as has _ been done in some parts of India with markedly useful results. This brings the work into close connection with the future Agricultural Department or Board, if such should be the outcome of the Agricultural Commission. It should be remembered that Agriculture often benefits even more than Mining by a Geological Survey, not simply from what may be said (agronomically) of soils; but in the discovery of phosphatic rocks or deposits. Besides plumbago, Mr. Oldham is interested in the mica of Ceylon, and he tells us there is one kind exported from this island—probably that found in Uva, below Haldummulla?—which is very rare in India and is much prized; while the more ordinary kind (probably found in our Western districts?) is commonly associated with phosphates which are of speical value in agriculture. Will any of our readers acquainted with mica deposits or workings in the island, kindly inform us of the same, so that Mr. Oldham may be able to judge whether he can visit the place or places during his present stay in Ceylon? i ——_——_—_—_>—_ THE AGRI-HORTICULTURAL SHOW. So much has been written by way of des- cription in our columns that we have only left the pleasant duty of congratulating the THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 187 Com ittee—and especially the Working Com- mittee—on the great success attained with the present Exhibition. Whatever minor defects may be pointed to by critics, no one can deny that the Show asa whole gratified the very large gathering of visitors and ad- mirably answered the end of bringing together, for purposes of comparison, useful products and works of art as well as specimens of live-stock. If we may trespass on the rdéle of our reporters, we would remark espe- cially on the floral display, which was very delightful; while regretting with Mr. Nock (who was as usual enthusiastic in his work of arranging and judging) the inadequate show of ferns. For Colombo this was cer- tainly inadequate. In one or two other sections there was room for improvement and wemay agree with one gentleman that a little more advertising immediately before the Show would be good. Say for a month previous that a single prominent line about the coming Exhibition appeared in the daily press. But really the wonder is that the indefatigable Honorary Secretary, Mr. Drieberg survives his many and prolonged labours. It is questionable, in fact, whether Government does not want to kill off this most useful officer; for even now, what with Exhibition and Commissions, Mr. Drie- berg will be as three single gentlemen rolled into one, even after he has got his hands clear of the present Agri-Horticultural display. May he survive them all and get the sub- stantial reward he will have so fully earned, apart from the comforting assurance that his work is one directly and decidedly for the public good. We trust further that the CoLomBo AGRI-HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION may be considered to be established on a firm basis as an annually recurring event, whose influence for good is bound to widen and increase with each succeeding year. Et SENSU THE INSECT ON YOUNG TEA IN THE MORAWAK KORALE. A LOCAL EXPHERIENCE—NOT LIKELY TO SPREAD. The attack on young tea in a corner in . Morawak Kerale must be quite a local mat- ter, of no special importance as regards the in- dustry generally even in the district rea ferred to. We must, however, confess that we have not yet identified the insect concerned and that from the account given to us lately by the Visiting Agent, it isa novel as well as mischievous and very disagreeable visi- tor. It cannot be called a beetle, for its motion is crawling after the fashion of the lowest form of life. It is discovered crawling up the tea bush in all sizes from a green speck up to a creature half-an-inch long by one-fourth at widest, nearly oval, green like the tea-leaf save for one or two reddish or orange specks; but the strik- ing peculiarity is in small bristles on the back and sides which when touched give a decided electric shock. This, of course, prevents the coolies from touching them with their hands and the process of gathering is therefore a slow one. There is no sign of the surrounding jungle being affected by them; but they do not despise 188 THE TROPICAL cinchona leaves, while the tea leaf they devour, from the toughest to the tenderest. Still, an insect of this kind attaining an appreciable size can be dealt with as a local matter; a deep trench may perhaps prevent its crossing from one field to another, as its locomotion isso slow and altogetherit is a very different matter from a fungus pest blown about by the wind, or even from helo- eltis which spread and multiply so quickly and resist wind. ‘Still such insects as the pre- sent. one can do much harm while their day lasts—ten acres of tea stripped to the bare stems and branches (no wood is touched) is no joke; but in Darjiling we read in one year of a 100 acres of young tea being destroyed as soon as planted by a sudden outburst of a white grub beetle. We can gee nothing in Cotes’ ‘Tea Insects of India” to answer to the Morawak Korale visitor. We are inclined to think it must be of the weevil family, and here is what Nietner says of one of the kind which had consumed every leaf of coffee on fields in Maturata :— Arhines (?) destructor. This. is a beautiful green weevil, 24” long and 1” broad, oval, narrowed in front, covered all over with closely set but isolated gold-green scales, winged. The headis rather short and blunt ; an- tenne apical, elbowed at the middle, the part beyond the middle being composed of eleven joints, forming a club towards the end, the third joint from the tip being the thickest: they are brown, hairy beyond the middle; the thorax is plump, subconical ; the anterior legs are the longest, the second pair the shortest, the tibe and tarsi of all are hairy, the tarsi with hairy brushes under- neath, especially thick at the third joint which is deeply 2-lobed ; the tibiee of the second pair are long, serrated inside, curved and 2-hooked at the apex. The insect varies considerably in size and colour. ; ' This pretty beetle is common during the dry weather, but [have never found itdo any injury to the coffee. Mr. James Rose, of Maturata, who first directed my attention to it, wrote to me :—‘ The mischief they do to the coffee is really frightful, and if they were as plentiful as the bug, they would be our worst enemies. Five or six acres were com- pletely covered with them, and they consumed almost every leaf. Year after year they appeared upon the same place. This year they appeared upon a neighbousing estate in ‘great force, and ran over atleast forty acres. The same thing occurred on three other estates.” Mr. Rose con- ‘veys a pretty picture to the mind of the entomo- Ylogist by stating, that in May, when these insects disappear, the logs and rocks may be seen strewed with their bright green elytra. The family of the weevils is one of the most extensive amongst the beetles, and many of its members both here and in Europe do much in- jury to agricultural produce. I have seen nearly the ‘whole sweet potato (Batatas edulis) erop of the Negombo district destroyed by one of them, the Cylas turcipennis. The common rice-weevil, Sito- philus oryzae, is another instance, and one of the coconut destroyers of the low-country belongs also to this family, the Sphoenophorsus plani- is. ; iNie now await further specimens from the Morawak Korale to send to Mr, Haly of the Museum to examine under the microscope. TEA-DRINKING IN RUSSIA. (Special for ‘Ceylon Observer.” ) “ With regard to Russian tea and tea-drink- ing,’ a young engineer and surveyor, who was recently Assistant Engineer to a large AGRICULTURIST. [Sepr. 1, 1899. Railway Survey party in Eastern Russia, writes to us by this mail:—‘“The tea comes from China principally and is brought overland. I suppose the [Siberian] Railway will carry it soon. A Russian offers you tea immedi- ately. you go to see him, whatever hour of the day or night it may be. The samovar —a big brass kettle soup-tureen arrangement is brought in, full of boiling water which is kept at boiling point by red-hot charcoal in a hollow inside. The tea is made in a small China tea-pot—abuut one to two inches deep of tea is poured into a glass tumbler and the rest is filled up with water from the samovar ; a slice or two of lemon put in, and a couple of lumps of sugar thrown in, com- pletes it. It is very weak, of course, with so inuch water: but they swill so much of it that if it was strong they could not stand it. It is more straw coloured than English tea. It wants some practice to hold the glass, because it is jolly hot; the spoon al- ways stops in the glass and the first finger of the hand holding the glass holds the spoon against the side opposite one’s mouth when drinking. I understand that the Ladies of the higher aristocracy now drink it out of cups and with milk. Not being acquainted . with any L’s of the H.A., I have not seen this.” [Our correspondent’s last letter ap- peared in our issue of January 24th, and his account of further experiences of railway surveying in Asia Minor will be given in another issue.—lip. 7.A.] West INDIA FRUITS.—The report of the Com- inission which was sent to the West Indian Islands to inquire into the causes of the bankrupt condi- tion of the various industries in the colony was published in these columns at the time of its issue, and it was felt that the Government would be jus- tified in holding out a helping hand in order that a fresh start in life might be given to people who had suffered long and struggled maafully against adverse fortune. There had been too much of the one-basket system; our Government is about to help to inaugurate a new state of things, and we may here briefly epitomise what it is the Colonial Department has made up its mind todo. Acon- tract has been signed by Mr. Chambezlain with the Jamaica Fruit and Produce. Association for direct fruit and passenger service between this country and Jamaica, and there are now four steamers being built on the Clyde and the East Coast to run between Southampton and Jamaica, the running to begin in May of next year. This contract will last for five years, and the ships will run fortnightly. The steamers will be fitted for fruit carriage, and will have storage sufficient for at least 20,000 bunches of bananas ; a few passen- gers will also be carried, The subsidy proposed to be paid is £10,000 per annum, of whieh the Government will contribute half, to be increased to £12,000 if more passenger accommodation is required. Of course fruit other than bananas may be carried, but taste seems to have set that way, and we are asked to believe that 3 1b weight of baked bananas are quite equal to seven times that weight of wheaten bread. It is further stated that banana flour may be profitably utili- sed for the nursery as well as the adult cuisine ; but the fiour could, of course, be most profitably manufactured where the fruit is prodneed, as sugar where the cane is ripened.—Gardeners’ Chromele, July 15. { fis _" Sept, 1, 1899. ] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 189 TO ALL PARTS OF ASIA, AFRICA, AMERICA AND OCEANIA. Seeds a Plants of Commercial Products. Hevea Brasiliensis (Para Rubber).—Orders being booked for the coming crop available in August and September. This is the only crop of seeds in the year. All orders should reach us before the end of July to avoid disappointment, as we have to make arrangements in time; guaranteed to arrive in good order at destination, We have already booked a large number of orders. A Sumatra Planter writes, dating 9th March, 1899 :—‘‘I consent to the price of £ per thousand. I herewith order 50,000 upon condition that you guarantee at least 33 % seeds germinating.” Plants can be forwarded all the year round in Wardian cases, Price and particulars as per our Circular No. 30, Ficus Elastica (Assam and Java Rubber.)—Seeds supplied by the pound with instructions ; price according to quantity. This tree grows equally wellin high and low land, in forest and grass land, its cultivation being extended largely by the Indian Government. Manihot Glaziovii (Ceara or Manicoba Rubber).—Fresh seeds available all the year round; prize as per our Circular No. 31. It is superior to Mangabeira rubber and second to Para rubber. 5 Castilloa Elastica (Panama or Central American Rubber).—Seeds and Plants suppliec; price and particulars as per our Circular No. 32, Urceola Esculenta (Burma Rubber) and Landolphia Kirkii (Mozambique Rubber).—Seeds and plants, both are creepers. Cinchona Seeds.—-Different varieties. Hybridised Maragogipe Coffee.—A larged-beaned superior variety of Coffee in demand ; seeds, Santalum Album (Sandlewood).—The cultivation and felling of the tree is entirely under Government monopoly in India, Sandlewoods to the value of over £100,000 being annually exported to various countries from India, The cultivation of this useful tree is now receiving increased attention in other countries; seeds and plants. f Eucalyptus Marginata (Jarra).—Large quantities of this most valuable timber are being annually exported from Australia to London and various parts of the world for street paving and other purposes. Price of seeds on application. 17,846 pieces of Jarra timber has already arrivea for Ceylon use, Seeds and Plants of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Kolanut, Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla. Arabian, Liberian and Maragogipe Coffee, Cacao, Tea, Coca, Fibre, Medicinal and Fruit Trees, Shade and Timber Trees, also Palms, Bulbs, Orchids, &c. Our enlarged Descriptive Price List of Tropical Seeds and Plants of Commercial Products for Foreign Countries for 1899-1900 are now being forwarded to applicants in different parts of the world, ‘“*Sourn Arrica.”—The great authority on South African affairs of 25th March, 1899, says:— ‘© An interesting Catalogue reaches us from the East, It is issued by William Brothers, Tropical Seed Merchants, of Henaratgoda, Ceylon, and schedules all the useful and beautiful plants which will thrive in tropical and semi-tropical regions. We fancy Messrs. Williams should do good business, for now that the great Powers have grabbed all the waste places of the earth, they must turn to and prove that they were worth the grabbing. We recommend the great Powers and Concessionaries under them to go to William Brothers.” \ leading Planter writes from New Hebrides under date 17th January, 1899:—‘‘I shall like a few more of your Catalogues to distribute through these Islands, as I feel sure many would place themselves in communication with you, did they know where to write for Seeds and Plants,” Our New Descriptive Price List of Seeds and Plants of Fruit Trees now being prepared and will be ready shortly. Agents in Londen :—Mussrs. P. W. WOOLLEY & Co., 33, Basinghall Street, Agent in Colombo, Ceylon:—K. B, CREASY, Esq. Telegraphic Address : J. P. WILLIAM & BROTHERS, WILLIAM, VEYANGODA, CEYLON. Tropical Seed Merchants, Lieber’s, A.I, and A.B,C. Codes used. HunarAtcopa, CEYLon, 25 >.--culties in the Island were averted. 190 ANGLO-CEYLON AND GENERAL ESTATES COMPANY, LIMITED. Report of the Board of Directors, presented to ' the;Stockholders at the thirteenth annual ordi- nary general meeting, held at 20, Eastcheap, . London, E.C., on Tuesday, July 18th. The Directors herewith submit their Report, and the Accounts, for the year ending the 31st March, 1899. j The net profit, with the balance of profit carried forward from the previous year, as shewn in the audited accounts annexed hereto, amounts, after ayment of the Debenture Interest, to £18,650 's 10d, and the Directors recommend the pay- ment thereout of a Dividend of 4 per cent. on the Consolidated Stock of the Company. ‘This Dividend will, if assented to by the meeting, be payable on the Ist August, 1899, at the London Office of the Company's Bankers. In Mauritius the prices for Sugar in the course of the year under review sank, owing to the collapse of the Indian Market, to the lowest point ever known. Fortunately, however, the erop was remarkably abundant, and the cost of production per ton of Sugar was from this and other causes considerably reduced. Towards the end of the financial year the Indian sMarket revived to some extent, in consequence of the confidence inspired by the legislation of the Indian Government, by which the foreign bounties were countervailed ; the Money Market in Port Louis became easier, and serious diffi- 141,619 tons of canes were handled on all the estates in which ‘the’ Company is interested, producing a crop of 13,526 tons of Sugar as against the very short crop of 8,916 tons in the year 1897-1898. } It is hoped that a condition of greater stability will prevail in the Indian Sugar Market, favour- ‘able to’ Mauritius interests, as an effect of the legislation to which reference has just been made. | : In Ceylon the crop of Tea from the Company’s Estates fell very short of the estimate owing to the persistent drought and cold wind experienced throughout the tea growing districts; and it amounted. to 1,566,812 lb., only as against 1,584,236 lb. plucked from a less area in the previous year. From the same causes the Cocoa crop was reduced from 2,100 cwts. to 274 cwts., being less than one-seventh of its predecessor. The drought caused considerable damage on the Cocoa Estates, and the mortality among the young coconut trees was large ; the Cocoa trees in bear- ing, however, are’ now reported to be looking well, and the Spring crop just harvested is state to be satisfactory. . The prevalence of higher rates of exchange, as shewn below, further reduced the Company’s profits in Ceylon, which were accordingly much below those of the year 1897-1898. The gross price of the Company’s Tea was 8.59 pence per lb. in London as against 8.17 pence in the previous year, and the gross price of the Company's Cocoa averaged {70/1 per cwt., as against 71/- per cwt. previously. ; The result of the working of the Estates in Ceylon and Mauritius respectively is given in the Profit and Loss Account, calculated at the average rate of exchange of 1/4}, as against 1/53 in the year 1897-1898. DBR) GG et d The Chairman visited the Company’s properties in Ceylon, the Straits and Mauritius, during the year, and the Board is confident that improved results will accrue from this inspection. The condition of the Estates, both in Ceylon and Mauritius, is yeported to be excellent, and the prospects tor the current year to be en- couraging. A statement of the acreages is given in the schedule annexed hereto. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [SEpr. 1, 1899. Mr. Quintin Hogg, under the provisions of the Articles of Association, retires from the Board, and being eligible, offers himself for re-election. The Auditors, Messrs. Welton, Jones & Co., also retire from office, and have expressed their readiness to act if re-elected. —___._____—_ TEA BLIGHTS—AND PLANT DISEASE.* Just as we were about to publish a brief review of Mr. Massee’s important little book on ‘‘plant diseases,” there comes to hand a special circular by Myr. Willis on ‘Tea lights” and how to deal with them, which we fully reproduce in our Daily and 7. A. It will be very interesting now to compare what Mr. Massee and Mr. Willis say not only in description of the fungus pests affecting tea, but also as to ‘‘preventive means.” Our tea planters are unusually fortunate in hav- ing the opinions of two such good authoe rities given simultaneously. We now pro- ceed with our review of the book before us. Mr. George Massee, ¥.L.S., Principal Assist- ant (Cryptogams), Royal Herbariun., Kew, is recognised to be at the head af hi. own Department in reference to diseases ‘aused by parasites of vegetable origin, and from India and Ceylon, again and again, have references been made to him in regard to fungoid or other pests affecting tea, cacao or other products. His text-book of Plant Diseases will, therefore, be widely consulted ; and as it is thrown into the form of a handy book of reference and is, moreover, freely illustrated with descriptions and advice put into plain language, it is just the little book —costing under five rupees in Ceylon—that ought to be in the hands of responsible planters, The preface opens as follows :— The aimtof this book is to enable those directly oc- cupied io the eultivation of plants, and with but a limited period of time available for study, to determine the nature of diseases caused by parasites of vegetable origin ; to apply in the most approved manner those curative and preventive methods which experience has shown to be most successful in combating the parti- cular form of disease under consideration ; and finally, to include in the daily routine of work precautionary measures which, without being costly, frequently pre- vent a slight disease from assuming the proportions of an epidemic An instructive introduction may be gauged from the following summary :— Amount and kind of knowledge required by practical men--Familiazrity with namesand habits of psrasites— Preventive measures—Cures — Rule-of-thun b m:thods of doubtful value. And no less suggestive are the headings for the chapter on ‘‘ Fungi”:— Nature of fungi—Saprophytes--Parasites—Mode of growth of fungi— Reproduction of fungi—How parasitic fungi infect their victims—How the sporeg of fungi are dispersed—Modes of dissemination of disease that can be prevented—Danger connected with pruning—Selec- tion of shade trees. There are chapters on ‘‘Lichens,” ‘“ Algz,” “‘Myxogastres,” and ‘‘ Bacteria.” Of more general interest is what is said of ‘ Fungi- cides ”:— Nature of Fungicides—Solutions—Powders—Borde- aux mixture —Ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate —Potassium sulphide solution—Iron sulphitesolution— * A Text-bock of Plant Diseases caused by crypto- gamic parasites by George Massee, F.u.s-, Principal Assistant (Cryptogams), Royal Herbarium, Kew. London, Buckworth & Co. New York: the Mac- millan Company, 1899. =e it New aie ISUGLin Supy 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL Permanganate of potash solution—Sulphur—Lime— Resin wash—Jensen’s hot water treatment for wheat and oat smut—Paraffin—Formalin—Lysol—Resin com- pound—Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas—Steri- lising soil—Poisonous properties of fungicides. After this we are treated to some ‘* Eco- nomic Considerations” on ‘‘Statistics relating to losses caused by grain rust in Prussia— loss through rust of wheat in Australia— destruction of vineyards in the United States caused by fungi”; and to an account of ‘¢ Various methods of spraying—spraying apparatus ”; and still again to ‘* Descriptions, with preventive and curative methods, of the various kinds of parasitic fungi attacking plants of economic importance.” Various useful indexes conclude the: volume. But now, in regard to the two products and their diseases in which Ceylon is at this time most concerned, namely tea and cacao, we reproduce all that Mr. Massee has to say even at the risk of some repetition. Here are'three pests of tea :— “(BLISTER BLIGHT’? OF TEA PLANT. (Exobasidium vexans, Massee.) Dr. Watt, who investigated the pests and blights of the tea plant in Assam under instructions from the Government of India, says of the present parasite ; ‘One of the very worst blights on ‘tea is known to the planters as Blister blight. I have seen hundreds of acres completely ruined by it.’ y The fungus attacks the leaves, first appearing as @ minute pink spot, which continues to increase in size: the under surface of the leaf at this point becomes depressed, forming a circular pit, a corresponding bulging out appearing on the under surface of the leaf at the same point. Several of these warts of blisters frequently form on a leaf. The convex surface of the blister eventually presents a minutely velvety or woolly appearance, due to the formation of the fruit of the Fungus on the surface of the blister. The first fruis consists of small, one- septate conidia, which often commence germination These are followed by basidia, usually bear- tn situ. dy Ui ing two spores each. Sometimes fruit is also pro-_ duced on the concave side of the blister. When the disease has gained a foothold on the leaves, it also frequently attacks young shoots. Preventivn Mrans.—Dr. Watt states that the disease ‘invaribly appears on tea that has not been pruned in the autumn. About April it extends to the pruned tea, which has by then come into leaf.’ As to whether it would not be wise under the circum- stances to prune all plants, lack of practical know- ledge prevents me saying; however, the statement suggests that the mycelium is perennial in the branches, and produces the first crop of spores the following season, which are carried by wind to the pruned trees. In addition to collecting and burning diseased leaves, it is absolutely necessary to cut off all diseased branches. : Ascertain that the fungus is not also present on wild plants in the neighbourhood of the tea plantations, Watt, The Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant, p. 419. “Massee, Kew Bulletin, 1898, p. 109, figs. ‘GREY BLIGHT’ OF TEA PLANT. (Pestalozzia guepint, Desmaz.) _ Said by Dr. Watt to be one of the most destructive and dangerous of parasitic fungi to which the tea plant is liable. It occurs in Assam and Cachar, and robably in all the tea districts of India, also in Jeylon, The disease first appears as minute, brownish-grey spots on the upper surface of the leaves. These spots gradually increase in size and voalesce, forming large, irregular blotches, which finally become grey and sprinkled with rainute black points, the fruit of the fungus. During the’ increase in size the blotches are often bordered by a, dark, slightly raised line. Diseased leaves are not at all blistered or swollen; in fact the grey patches are thinner than the uninjured portion of the leaf, owing to collapse of the tissues, AGRICULTURIST. 191 Dr. Waitt states that the disease commences for the most part on one side of a bush, very often on the same side of all the bushes over an effected plot—a circumstance that may be taken as indicative of the germs having been wind-conveyed. In addition to growing on the tea plant, Pestalozzia guepini also occurs as a@ parasite on other species of Camellia and on Rhododendron in India; in Europe it is not uncommon on cultivated camellias and rhodo- dendrons. In the United States it also occurs on introduced species of Camellia and Citrus, from whence it possibly passed on to the native Magnolia. Finally it is known to occur on indigenous plants (Niphoblous) in New Zealand, and on Alphitonia in Queensland. Preventive MrAns.—The remarks I offered in the Kew Bulletin ave repeated here. If the diseased leaves were collected with the amount of care and intelli- gence exercised in collecting sound leaves, and burned at once after being collected, the disease would soon be stamped out, as the mycelium of the fungus 1s not perennial in the tea plant’; consequently infection and aresurrence of the parasite depends entirely on inoculation by the numerous conidia or reproductive © bodies of. the fungus present on diseased leaves. Remembering the very different kinds of plants on which the fungus is known to be parasitic, it is very probable that it also occurs on wild plants growing in the vicinity of the tea-gardens. If such proves to be the case, all such plants should be removed if practi- cable, as the conidia of fungi are carried considerable ~ distances by wind, birds, and insects, and no amount of attention in the way of removing the parasite from the tea plants would avail if the supply of conidia requisite for inoculating the tea plants were formed on other plants growing in the neighbourhood. Watt, Vhe Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant. Massee, Kew Bulletin, 1898, p. 106, figs. THREAD BLIGHT OF TEA PLANT. (Stilbum nanum, Massee.) Indian tea-planters have known this most destruc tive fungus for at least the last thirty years. name ‘thread blight’ is given on account of the very thin strands or films of white mycelium that are” firmly attached to the branches and under surface of the leaves of the tea plant. The mycelium also runs under the surface of the branches, living in - the tissues of the bark, and coming to the surface here and there to spread over the outside of the leaves and twigs. The fruit only appears to be formed on very old, : The — + rotten branches that have fallen to the ground and bes’ come decayed, and resembles pins in miniature—e@ very slender stem and a roun half a line high. fruit to be very rare, and infection from spores may be left out of consideration, except in the case of reclaimed ground, where the trees have been neglected for some time. head, the whole not Repeated observation proves the The amount of evidence forthcoming seems to. suggest that the mycelium travels underground: and- first attacks the root, afterwards passing up the stem, either externally or internally, always finally coming to the surface. Preventive Mrans.—It seems to be generally’ admitted that thread blight is common in the jungle on various plants; and to prevent its spread to the tea These. need not be very deep, as underground mycelium runs plants, narrow trenches should be kept open. near the surface. By similar means, diseased patches in the plats should be isolated. prove a centre of infection. If quicklime is available, and not in other respects injurious to the tea plant, a shallow trench should be made round the stem, filled with lime, or lime mixed with sulphur, and covered over with soil. i ASE a | Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or with potassium sulphide would cheok the external spread: of the mycelium on the plant. ey: etal Watt, Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant, p..483. °' ” Cunningham, Scientific Mem. Med. Officers of Army of India, pt, x. p. 20. LoTR HOO” EOE ang Massee, Kew Bulletin, 1898, p. 111, figs, Prunings should be burned and not buried, as each buried mass may 192 THE TROPICAL We now take over what Mr. Massee has to say on Cacao and Coffee diseases. As re- gards ‘‘ Cacao,” we are told of :— CACAO POD DISBASE. (Phytophthora omnivora, De Bary.) This disease has been recognised for some years past but hasrecently become much more general and de- structive to cacao pods in Trinidad. ‘lhe same fungus is probably the cause of the cacao pod disease in Ceylon. The eymptomns of disease are a darkening of the ‘ shell’ of the pod, which almost invariably commences at one end, and gradually extends over the entire surface. After a while the fruit of the fungus shows on the surface as a delicate white mould, often appearing first in the furrows on the surface of the pod. The white mould represents the conidial form of reproduction, and lasts for some weeks, the numerous conidia produced being carried by wind to other pods, which in turn become diseased. The mycelium ofthe fungus permeates and destroys the entire substance of the pericarp or ‘ shell,’ and often also attacks the seeds. Numerous resting spores are formed in the diseased fruit, and are liberated when the tissue decays, when they germinate and start the disease the following season. PREVENTIVE Mnans.—Spray with dilute Bordeaux mixture, commencing when the fruit is quite young, and continue at intervals as required. Remove all diseased fruit from the trees, as when once attacked it is valueless, and only serves to spread the disease if allowed to remain. Do not allow diseased fruit or shells’ to remain on the ground in the plantation, as the commencement of the disease each season depends on resting spores present in. such material. The fungus is known to attack a large number of different plants ; and it will be important to ascer- tain whether it is present on other plants in the neighbourbood of the plantation. Seedlings are often attacked. ; The disease is most abundant in low, damp situations, or where the trees are much shaded. Massee, Kew Bulletin, 1899, CACAO DISEASE, Mr. J. B, Carruthers, who has spent some time in Ceylon investigating the destructive disease attacking the cacao tree, has published his report, of which the following is a summary. The name of the fungus Causing the disease is not given, but the account leaves little doubt that it is a species of Nectria, allied to the species causing canker in the wood of the apple tree. Lhe first indication of disease is a darkening of a patch of thecortex ; if this patch is cut outit is found to be soft and of a claret colour and full of moisture. At alater stage minute white pustules appear, especi- ally in cracks ; theseeventually become pink. During the white stage very minute oval conidia are produced in immense numbers, and later on larger, crescent- sane conidia appear. Finally, when the cortex is dead, or nearly so, a third ascigerous form of fruit develops; the sporangia being globose, crimson, and grouped in clusters. The disease often spreads rapidly; inone instance a diseased patch more than two feet long, and reaching almost round the tree, had formed ten days after inoculation. ; Preventive Mreans,—The most satisfactory method is to cut out the diseased patch, along with a margin of apparently sound cortex. Covering the wound with tar is not recommended. ‘ Carruthers, The Tropical Agriculturist, Nov. 1, 1898, p. 359. Finally, here is how our poor old coffee and its bitter fatal foe are treated :— COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. (Hemileva vastatriz, Berk, and Broome.) This terrible scourage, which was first observed in small quantityon a single estate in the Madulsima district, which occupies the south-western portion of the hilly country of Ceylon, is now widely distri- . mixture, etc., might prove more effective. AGRICULTURIST. (Supt. 1, 1899. buted—India, China, Malay Peninsula, East Indies, Philippines, Natal, German Hast Africa, and probably wherever coffee is cultivated in the old world. The leaves are most frequently attacked, spots being also sometimes present on young shoots and even on the fruit. On the leaves the earliest stage of the disease is indicated by the presence of more or less circular, discoloured spots. These continue to increase in size for some time, retaining their irregularly circular outline, become pale yellow, and studded with bright vellow clusters of spores, which soon change to « bright orange colour. The patches show on both surfaces of the leaf, but the spores are confined to the under surface. The spores are produced in dense clusters on the tips of hyphae which come to the surface of the leaf through the stomata, Those surfaces of the spore that are in contact when the spores are growing are smooth, whereas the outer, free portion of the surface is coarsely warted. PREVENTIVE Murans.—Very little success in this respect attended the efforts of those investigators of the disease, whose primary object was to discover, if possible, some means of checking the epidemic, Probably some of the modern fungicides, as Bordeaux Diseased leaves should be collected and burned on all occasions. Full notes respecting the distribution of the different species of Hemileia, along with the dangers arising from want of discrimination in the selection of ‘shade trees,’ will be found on page 27 of this book. Berkely, Gard. Chron., p. 1157 (1869.) Morris, The Coffee Leaf Disease of Ceylon and Southern India. Marshall Ward, Sessional Papers; xvii., Colombo, Ceylon, 1881. There are also two other “ coffee diseases ” re- ported, the account of which we may as well quote :— COFFEE TWIG DISEASE, (Necator decretus. Massee.) Bursting through the epidermis of young shoots as minute white spots, which soon become orange-red and gelatinous. Said to be a destructive parasite on coffee trees at Singapore. Commencing at the tips of young branches and extending downwards. Re- moving diseased branches checks the spread of the disease. Massee, Kew Bulletin, 1898, p. 119. AMERICAN COFFEE DISEASE. (Stilbum flavidum, Cooke. =Pistillina flavida, Speg.) This disease is {almost as destructive to the coffee industry in the New World as Hemileia vastatriz is in the Old World. The symptoms of the disease are unmistakable ; circular whitish blotches occur on the leaves, often in considerable numbers, and are equally marked on both surfaces. Using a pocket-lens, very minute fungi re- sembling a minature pin in shape, and of a clear yellow colour, can beseen grouped on the spots on the upper surface of the leaf. The berries are also sometimes attacked, being marked with circular spots. On the young shoots the pale diseased spots are elongated. The disease occurs in Costa Rica, Venezuela, Guate- mala and New Granada. PREVENTIVE Mrans.—Although by no means a new disease, no serious attempt appears to have been made to arrest its progress. Being quite superficial, it is quite probable that spraying with Bordeaux mixture, or with ammonical solution of carbonate of copper, would prove effective. All diseased leaves and fruit should becollected and burned, otherwise spraying is of little avail. STILBUM FLAVIDUM, Cooke G4ev., 1890, p. 11.—Form- ing circular bleached spots on living leaves, the bleached patches pass quite through the leaf ; sporophores occur on upper surface of the leaf, gregarious on the patches, very minute, entirely clear yellow, 1-2 mm high, stem | Serr. 1, 1899.] e very slender, straight or flexuous, head globose ; conidia elliptical or subglobose, 2-25 %15-2u. ._ This is considered by Spegazzini to be a Basidiomy- cete, and renamed Pistillina flavida; however, Ihave failed to find basidia, and so prefer to retain the spe- cies under Stilbum. 3 These are but samples of Mr, Massee’s valu- able work which we have much pleasure in recommending to theattention of our plant- ing readers,—a supply of the book is shortly expected. te — TEA BLIGHTS. CIRCULAR FROM THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, CEYLON. Tra Buicuts.—The following notes on tea blights have been prepared at the request of Mr. F G A Lane, Chairman of the Planters’ Association, and to a large extent in consultation with him. The immunity from disease that tea has enjoyed in so marked a manner for many years is now disappearing; many insect and fungus enemies, some of local origin, some introduced from Assam and elsewhere, are now attacking tea in many parts of the Island, and it be- hoves all interested in the cultivation to be upon the watch to recognize the signs of disease as soon as pos- sible after they appear and to at once attack and as far as practicable eradicate the disease. The diseases are here, and allexperience of cultivators in all ages and lands shows that such disease come to stay; they can- not be completely eradicated, but they can be kept in check if taken in time. Of course this involves a certain expenditure, but if the disease be early recognized and properly attacked this need not be large. Planters should make it a regular part of their work to learn to recognize the diseases and to teach this knowledge to conductors, kanganies, and coolies, and should remember that one dis- eased estate may reinfect all its neighbours in a tew days, if there be any wind,and thus cause them much loss or trouble. d The two chieffungus blights that are attacking tea in Ceylon are the Gray Blight, well-known in Assam, and a blight which has so far only been noticed in Ceylon, and which I have called the Brown Blight. Both are now to be found in most of the districts, but the latter is the more common of the two. Itis not always easy to distinguish without the aid of the micro- scope which of the two diseases is present in an affected leaf, but this is of less practical importance, as the effects of the two are the same, and also the methods to be adopted for their treatment. Several other fungi hava been observed attacking tea, and care- ful watch should be given in case of any spread of these. When a disease is observed to be spreading, no time should be lost in dealing with it. GRay Buicut.—This disease is due to the attack of a parasitic fungus, known to science as Pes- talozzia Guepint. It attacks tea in Assam, from which country it has very probably been imported with tea seed. It also occurs on camellias in India and Europe and on citrus (orange and lime genus) in America, as well as on other plants in various countries, ; Itis purely a leaf disease. Itis found chiefly, if not only, on mature leaves, and does not affect the flush by direct attack, but reduces it by injuring the older leaves, on whose proper performance of their duties the rate of flushing largely depends. If many of the old leaves are attacked by the disease, the amount of flush may fall to less than half what it was before the attack, j The first thing to look out for is leaves showing dead portions. If part of aleaf is dead and shows & gray or brown colour, the probability is that it has been attacked by one or other of the blights we are now considering. Of course we know that drip of water on the leaf will produce this result, and it may also follow from the attack ofinsects, and sometimes from other causes. If the appearance results from any other cause than the attack of an insect or fungus blight, it is of little or no, importance, is not in- THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. i93 fectious, and will not spread, and consequently the removal of the few leaves that may come under this category need cost little in time or trouble. The blights are foes of a different order, and spread so quickly, when once started on an estate that they should be at once attacked. Therefore, bearing in mind that the blights in question are present to some extent in nearly all the districts, it will be good polisy for planters to make a point of getting all injured leaves plucked and destroyed, as explained below. In the case of the gray blight, the injured portion of the leaf usually turns of a light gray colour, which is fairly characteristic of the disease. The edge of the injured part where it joims the green part of the leaf is usually dark brown, and the edge of the yet living part where it meets the dead portion is yellowish when held up to the light owing to the destruction of the green-colouring matter which is going on under the attacks of the fungus, which spreads from the dying portions into the living. When the fungus starts from one spore only upon the leaf, the disease appears as a small gray spot, which widens rapidly, but remains approximately circular, except where its growth is interfered with by the veins or edge of the leaf. Most commonly, however, the fungus spreads from several places at once and forms an irregular patch, which may at length occupy almost the whole leaf. The patch is, however, usually bor- dered by a dark line, behind which, in the dead por tion, may often be seen other faint Jines concentric. with it. These when present are very characteristic of the attacks of blights. As the attacked part of the leaf dies, itturns grayish or whitish in colour onthe surface. On the dying portion the spores or reproduc- tive organs of the fungas are praduced in vast numbers. Millions may beformed on one leaf, and each one may, if it reach the surface of another leaf, cause an attack of blight there. The spores are extremely small and light,- and consequently float in the air like fine dust, and may be carried a long way by wind, especially in dry weather. One estate inay thus easily infect others to leeward of it, though the wind belts, now so general, will tend to largely check this. When a spore reaches the damp surface of another leaf, it promptly germinates and a few days a patch of disease appear on the leaf and new spores begin to form, Brown Buicut.—This is also due to the attack as a parasitic fungus, which appears to be. new to science, and has been named by Mr. G, Massee, of Kew, Colletotrichuin Camelliw. To the eye it closely resembles the gray blight: the chief distinction is that the attacked portions of the leaf turn to a reddish or chocolate brown colour as they die, The edge of the diseased part is, as in the case of gray blight, bounded by a dark line, and the adjacent edge of the green part of the leaf, into which the fungus is growing, shows a yellowish colour when held up to the light. The spores are chiefly formed on the under side of the leaf, and appear near the edge of the diseased portion as little reddish eruptions, about the size of a very small pin’s head. In all other respects the appearance of leaves attacked by brown blight is practically much like that of those suffering from gray blight. OrneR Bricurs.—Several other fungus blights may: at times be found attacking the leaves of the tea plant, but theresult is always much like that caused by the gray and brown blights—a more or less irre- gular diseased portion, the centre of which is dead and at the edge of the dark part an extension of the fungus into the stillliving portion of the leaf, which shows a yellowish colour where first attacked. One very common blight, found in all parts of the island, is the “ Spot Blight,” the affected leaves being covered with small, roundish gray spots, rarely as large as a 10-cent piece. This blight does less harm than gray and brown blights, but is troublesome enough, and is worth keeping down by the same methods as will be used for the others. GENERAL PRincrpues oF TREATMENT,—When the disease has been recognized on leaves that have been largely damaged by it, a close study should be made 194 of the features described above, and early stages should be looked for on other leaves until the attack can be recognized at a very early stage, even before the gray or brown colour has begun to show (when this shows it means that that part of the leaf is dead or nearly so and is beginning to form spores to spread to new leaves). By tracing backwards this way a series of stages may often’be found, and it will be seen that when the disease first begins it is indi- cated by the leaf at the points af attack beginning to turn yellow, especially at first upon the upper side. This appearance can be produced by artificially infect- ing the leaf with spores from a diseased leaf: the yellow colour will make its appearance in a few days aiter rubbing with a diseased leaf, unless it be very dry weather. This experiment is best tried indoors with a branch of tea cut and placed in water, and as soon -as the leaves begin to turn dark-coloured they should be burnt before they can produce any new spores. The general principle to be kept in mind in any attack on the leaf parasites we have been describing is this: the disease is confined to the leaf, and is not perennial there; to survive for more than a limited period it must be able to form spores, which may reproduce the disease on new leaves. If, theo, we can destroy all leaves bearing the disease, we shall at oncereduce the extent of the attack very much. There will still be many spores about, however, and these will soon cause a fresh outbreak. If the new crop if diseased leaves be plucked and destroyed, a further reduction of the disease will be made, especially if the destruction be carried out before any new spores are formed. The next crop of disease willbe smaller, and if we go on upon the same lines the disease may at length be practically stamped out. In theory this would be quite possible, but in actual practice the expense would be prohibitive, and we must simply do the best that can be done within reasonable limits of expenditure, remembering that the great object in view is to destroy all existing spores and prevent the formation of any new ones. Leaves begin to form new spores soon after the gray or brown colour appears, and leaves which drop from the bush will produce spores as they lie on the ground. Metuops or TreAtMENT.—The chief measure recom- mended is constant plucking and burning of all dis- eased leaves. On most estates, at moderate or high elevations, the cold prevents the very rapid formation of new spores, and probably if the diseased leaves be plucked at the same time as the regular flush this will be found sufficient. On low-lying estates, espe- cially in warm damp weather, or where the blight is very common, probably at first it would be well to pluck twice as often. The regular pluckers may be provided with bags, or special podiyans put on to pluck the diseased leaves. The leaves should be taken off right at the base, so a3 to leave no portion in which the disease may ntinte to grow: The bags ap baskets used should be airtight, other- wise the spores on the discased leaves they contain will be simply sown all over the estate as the bags are carried about. ! ee The contents of the bags should be immediately burnt when brought in and never left lying about, and the bags themselves should not be kept anywhere that they may infect tea bushes. It would be well perhaps to disinfect them before putting them away by aid of a little Bordeaux mixture or other poison. The pluckers should be instructed to pluck diseased leaves by taking hold of the healthy portion. If they touch the diseased part they will be liable to get a number of the spores upon their hands, and then afterwards they will deposit these upon other leaves. Remember that fungus blights are very infectious. Do not allow an uninjured leaf to be touched by a diseased one or by hands which have touched a diseased one, if it can be helped. Plucking of diseased leaves should be done through the estate in the direction of the windas far as pos- sible. If the diseased leaves be removed from a field which has other diseased fields to windward of THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Sepr. 1, 1899. it, the former will be reinfected from the latter. Special care should be taken not to allow fields that lie to windward of other estates to become infected with disease. If the ground be covered with dead leaves on a part of the estate where there has been blight, many of these are sure to be covered with spores. They should be swept up and burnt or buried with a little lime, say, an ounce for each bush. Special onslaught should be made upon disease at pruning time. The diseased leaves, including those that show any sign of the yellowing above described, should be plucked and put with the prunings, and the whole, together with all dead leaves and twigs lying on the ground, should be burnt or buried. If a little manure is buried with the prunings their decay will be more rapid, and the fermentation set up will help to destroy the spores. The most common method of attacking leaf parasites —spraying—is impracticable in most cases on tea estates on account of the steepness of the ground, the cost of application, and the great difficulty of getting a fine enough spray to cling to the hard glossy leaves of the tea. If only one small patch of disease is found on an estate, however, it might be worth while to spray the bushes there and all those round them, after plucking and burning the diseased leaves, with Bordeaux mixture, as described in the circulars on cacao canker. Care must be taken that the spray is so fine that it hangs in the air likea mist, otherwise it will form drops on the leaves and run off. The spray should be applied to the debris on the ground as well. These notes have been hasitily put together from incomplete knowledge of the diseases as present in Ceylon. Planters would confer mutual benefit upon one another by making notes upon the extent of the disease, the methods: tried for reducing it, their effect, and so on, and com- municating these to me on my return towards the end of the year. Joun C. WII, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens. Peradeniya, June 6, 1899. —<—$—<——— COCONUT PLANTING IN VEYANGODA. A PLANTER writes:—*‘ We have not your quick growth of Rajakadaluwa to show. In this district, the soil, which is generally stiff, has to be quite conquered by the roots before the palms are in full bearing— ov say 10 to 15 years to come into bearing, and 20 to 25 to get to full bearing, which should last 40 to 50 years under care and cultivation; and then the decline might commence. That is my idea and observation. ‘[rees slow of growth last longer than quick growers —nature’s compensation ; and I believe our trees will last longer than those of Rajakadaluwa; but I agree with you that trees on soil like the latter can be main- tained in good heart, long enough to be a really good investment by liberal treatment. In a reclaimed paddy field and in a sandy loam patch, my trees bave come into bearing in five and six years, but that is exceptional. The village theory is thau the trees here benefit by proximity to the clouds! This estate was opened in patches, first by Sir R. F. M., 27 or 28 years ago; then completed by H. D. Andree 17 or 18 years ago. Little was left for me; and my patches of five to eight years are very promising. “My best recommendation for nuts here is that Mr. Jardine is a buyer of local seed. He took 4,000 last February, and last week we sent him 4,000 more. I wish the natives understood the exchange and improvement of seed better. ‘“My acreage in bearing is about 120 acres of coconuts, and I got 292,000 last year; and my Jung Sept. 1, 1899.} THE TROPICAL crop this year was 92.000, so that 1 shall be safe for about 325,000 this year. Ishall be quite content to get 750,000 nuts from my 250 acres ; but prices here are generally good. Rajakadaluwa seems more hopeful; and the experience recorded with a 10-year plantation fairly justifies it ; while mine is 18 to 28 years.” We have had the pleasure of visiting the estate referred to, and may add that the trees, doubtless as a result of utmost care expended on them, show an exceedingly solid build. The straight- ness of the trunks was remarkable, and, though slow of bearing, on the older trees almost without exception we saw fine clusters of large nuts. The grass beneath the palms seemed of excellent quality and kept exceedingly clean, so much so that it brightened up one’s diminer recollections of an English garden far more than the bare earth of the tea-field could ever do. The cinnamon shrubs looked exquisitely fresh and green, and the prospering verdant growth of these bushes seemed to drop into the place of the border of laurels beside an emerald lawn in the home country—the land of many a spacious park and smiling hedge-row- a THE FUTURE OF CINCHONA. The note which we published last week regarding tie trouble in the Company which established the Bandong Quinine Works, was fair evidence that all is not happy there, but more recent news which has come to hand indicates that the trouble has been smoothed, if not settled, and, a decision arrived at which will have a far-reaching influence upon the supply of ciu- chona bark and quinine to the world. On the 16th ultimo, a meeting of bankers and cinchona-planters was held at Bandong to consider the whole question of the export of cinchona and quinine, when it was decided to establish in Batavia a regular cinchona market, whence the bark will be sent and sold by auction to exporters. At the same time an agree- ment was entered into with the Bandong Quinine Factory, under which that Company agree to send to the Batavia market before the end of January, 1900, not less than 10,000 kilos. (350,0000z) of quinine sul- phate for disposal by auction, and the Company also undertake to supply advance samples of the quinine, so that samples may be distributed to buyers in the neighbouring colonies, and in Australia in October next. These are the brief details which have come to hand by cable. Brief as they are, it will be seen that they embody a principle which has not hitherto been recognised by the cinchona planters, and it is evi- dent that, if the planters are all in it, and stick to- gether, the days of cheap bark and quinine under 1s per oz. are practically over. It is well known that the planters live by virtue of advances made to them by bankers and financiers, who have always grumbled at the want of control over the European markets. This vew proposal seems to supply what they lacked, for it will at least give them the grip on the local market, and ensure minimum rates for the bark— always assuming, of course, that there is in Batavia ‘a sufficient number of buyers to ensure the competition _ requisite for fair prices. The Java people have learnt by the incidents of this year that the worid is prac- tically dependent upon them for this indispensable drug, and although speculators are mainly responsible for the great appreciation of bark and quinine, the speculation was based upon the insufficiency of Java supplies. Seeing, therefore, that the supplies to the European market will, in future, pass through the Batavia gauge, and that that gauge will be controlled by those having pecuniary interest in keeping it big, it does not seem likely that we shalisee a return to . penny units. India and Ceylon are now out of the | running in, cinchona production. They cannot grow jthe rich Ledger trees for want of the suitable soil at AGRICULTURIST. 195 the requisite elevations. Gradually India is dropping all the species except Officinalis, and although Mr. Standen’s visit to Java may help him to more hopeful experiments on the Indian Government plantations, no market influence can be looked for from that quarter during the next dozen years—if ever. We are in the hands of Java, and the Batavians know it. When the new Convention comes into force the despatch does not say, bnt we imagine that it is forthwithk.— Chemist and Druggist. —_____.._— —-— —_—_— SCIENCE AND TEA.—Replying to various enquiries made by Sir Patrick Playfair, Dr. George Watt, Economic Reporter toj the Government of India, has stated at some length his views inregard to the employment of a scientific officer for the tea districts. His remarks—says the Madras Mail—will be of considerable interest to planters throughout India, for they are an exposition of the need that there is, not for one scientist but for several. Dr. Watt says, infact, that he would urge ‘that there is not scope for one scientific expert for afew years but for half a dozen for a life-time.” As, however, it is improbable that the Indian Tea Association can afford to employ more than one, and as the Govern- ment does not appear disposed to do more than assist the Association in regard to one scientist, we need not at present travel beyond the question of what particular branch of agricultural science that one should deal with. After showing thatone man could not be an expert in the several very important branches that need investigation in the tea districts of Northern India, Dr. Watt brings the matter toa point by saying that if funds will not admit of the whole question being dealt with, the Association should decide whether it wishes to secure a biologist (a) to investigate pests and blights and discover remedies; (b) to bring to light practical im- provements in the quality and treatment of the plant, or (c) tosuggest improvements in methods of manufacture. As regards the investigations conducted by himself in Assam, Dr. Watt explains that they lasted only two months and a half and were conducted in only one district—Assam. On the point of probable cost he states that if an officer were employed permanently, it might’ be possible to get a Doctor of Science with special quali- fications in the chemistry of plant-life for R1,000 rising by annual increments to R1,500, If only engaged for a term of five years, the expert should receive not less than R1,500 a month, all expenses paid to and from India, and customary travelling allowances. A central head-quarters is desirable-—Shillong, if work is to be conducted in Assam alone ; if it is to extend to Darjeeling, the Duars, Assam, Cachar, &c., Darjeeling might prove to be the best place for the head-quarters labora- tory, if Calcutta be thought too far off; but in that case there should be small laboratories also at Dibrugarh and one or two other cen- tres. A distinct period of every year should be spent on tour, and every garden under the Association visited in turn. A hard and fast rule should also be made that every discovery made by the scientist becomes the property of the Association, and that he should not be allowed to patent any process or method within a fixed term of years, 196 THE TROPICAL PLANTING NOTES. Tue Morowsak KoRALH TEA PEstT.—The further specimens of the devastating pest that has been at work on _ Silvakande, which we received—included as we stated several cocoons. These we submitted to Mr. Mackwood, as before, for inspection, and the verdict tells of the fertility of the pest. The fact that several of the ‘caterpillars’ are found clustering together in forming their cocoons shows that they have been allowed to spread far too prolifically. Other specimens of cocoons of the same pest have been received in Colombo today and a care- ful examination of them shows that the moths have escaped from every one! Noching but the severest measures, cutting down the bushes and burning the prunings—cocoons and all, will prevent a large extension in the work of the “grub.” PLANTING AND AGRICULTURAL PEsTS.— The absolute necessity for a Cryptogamist as well as Entomologist on the Govern- ment Statf isevery day becoming more and more apparent. The sooner the *‘gray” and other blights are investigated on the spot, the better for all concerned :--taxpayers and Gov- ernment as wellas the planters. We speak unto wise men (if there are any such in the Executive),—judge ye what we say. A leading planter writes today on the serious character of the tea blight in some parts and the need of speedy investigation. He adds :—‘‘ Planters are burning and burying prunings—it must do good, but it will add to cost of production, and we do not seem to have any chance of a rupee less than 1s 4d. The only good thing about the rate is that it may check extensions into tea in India.” There is plenty for Cryptogamist as well as Entomologist to attend to, in respect of the staple and | other industries of the country.— Since writing the above the letter from Mr. Chas. Gibbon comes to hand, taking the same strong view with regard to cacao. Tur MoROWAKKORALE TEA PEsT.—We have two interesting letters on this subject, and both writers consider that a caterpillar is responsible for the mischief described on the 10-acre field of Sylvakande estate. Mr. Geo. Thornton Pett identifies the insect as the Parasa lepida described by Mr, K. E.. Green, while ““Thosia_ Recta” considers another caterpillar of this name is to blame. One difficulty. is to reconcile Mr. MacLean’s description of the insect (and the absence of any sign of cocoon or moth) with either of ‘these caterpillars. Mr. Pett refers to Nietner’s Limacodes Graciosa, and we quote what he says in our. daily and T7.A. The only thing to, settle the matter now is to get fresh specimens from the Superin- tendent of Sylvakande, and we are glad to gee Mr. F. Mackwood mentioned as able to help in identification as Mr, Haly may be absent from Colombo. Mr. Mackwood is inclined to think the caterpillar must be the Parasa; but he can only be sure on seeing specimens which we hope will come by an early post. Meantime he advises the tea attacked to be pruned down to the ground and all the prunings burnt, lest there should be an outburst of moths flying all over the estates and depositing their eggs. AGRICULTURIST. [Srpr, 1, 1899. TEA CONSUMPTION IN GERMANY.—Mr. Frederic Harford, Second Secretary in Her Majesty’s Leg- ation at Munich reports that the consumption of tea in Germany, which averaged -05 kilo. per head up till 1897, rose to ‘07 kilo. per head in 1898, and the imports’ of tea from 2,669 tons in 1897 to 4,116 tons in 1898. This inerease is chiefly due, he says, to the import of tea from China, rising from 1,661 tons in 1897 to 2.593 tons in 1898, from which it would appear that Indian teas are not so much appreciated in Germany as Chinese teas. In any case coffee is still the national drink of Gerinapy, and not tea, which is twice as dear as it is in England, [We italicise the last few words, asa hint to Sonth Indian planters and Ceylon.—Ep. L.A.J)—Planting Opinion. THE TEA Crisis.-_Here is how the Indian Daily News refers to this subject. It will be observed that the system of “outside” sales in Calcutta is considered as more ob- jectionable than the open sales of Colombo :— Yesterdays Meeting of the Tea Association which was convened to ‘discuss the situa- tion with reference to the stoppage of public auc- tion sales of tea in Caleutta in connection with the proposal to abolish the 1 lb. draft allowance on teas sold by public auction in London,” has afforded another sad exhibition of the lack of organization which has unfortunately distinguished the cam- paign so far. Nothing definite was decided upon, and as far aS we can see, the meeting has only served to further impress buyers, and dealers’ agents with the weakness of the growers’ position. It was announced that the Ceylon men definitely refuse to stop the Colombo tea sales, thus affording the London dealers an easy means of filling their requirements.* How the Indian Association ever came to open the campaign, without first assuring themselves of the co-operation of Ceylon, is a piti- able example of the lack of the most ordinary bu- siness caution, and Indian growers, especially those who usually sell on the Calcutta market, have, we consider, a very genuine grievance against the Association, for the false position in which they have been placed. We understand the Committee have recommended a sale here next week for outside markets only, and meanwhile are wiring the London Association suggesting that sales and exports of Indian teas should be sus- pended for a fortnight. We are of opinion that these outside market sales are a great mistake, and should not be held. If sales must be held then have them open as in Ceylon. There isno doubt that at present Calcutta sellers are greatly dis- satisfied at the way their business has been upset by the precipitate action of the Association, more especially as the majority of the Committee are not interested in thismarket, and are hurrying their crop to London, where the trouble will probably have ended one way or the other, by the time the teas arrive.. Failing combined action, such as we have suggested by suspending all sales and ship- ments, we think the Association should immedi- ately throw up the sponge and let the auction sales go on as before. If it be desirable to put anend to the system of giving 1lb. of tea per chest to the London dealer, the sales in that city can be made under the condition that this privilege is to cease. This only means that buyers will give a propor- tionately lower price than they would have paid had the 11b. been given. The matteris as long as it is brozd and makes no difference to the growers. What is urgently required is a campaign against the wharves, the successful issue of which would help both growers and dealers. Why does the As- sociation shirk this duty? For no selfish reasons we hope. * Not so easy as our tea sales have been very limited in quantity and chiefly for the benefit of other countries than Great Britain,—Ep, 7.4, Sept. 1, 1899.] THE PINE HILL ESTATES COMPANY, LTD, The sixth ordinary general meeting of this Company was held on the 11th, Aug. in the office of Messrs Mackwood& Co. Mr. Bowle-Eivans oceupied the chair {and the others present {were : Mr. TB Campbell, Mr. McGillivray, Mr. RE Prance; by proxy Messrs. Yeoll Thorne, Frederick Hunter, 58 H Dver, Mrs. J Kennedy, Mr.C D M Hunt, Mrs, Prance, and Mrs. E L Owen. The report was submitted as follows :— The Directors have the pleasure to submit their Sixth Annual Report. The unsuitable weather experienced on the estates both in the first and second halves of the year has resulted in a considerable shortage of crop, 124,000 lb., being manufactured against an estimate of 150,000 lb., exclusiye of bought leaf. In spite of this, the profit and Loss Accounts after writing off fifteen per cent for depreciation on machi- nery, shows a balance of R10,627'77 Which the Directors propose to use in paying at once a divi- dend of five per cent, absorbing R10,437:00 And carrying forward to the present season as 190°77 ————R10,627:77 New Cuearinc.—The 1014 acres has been nearly completed, and the Visiting Director reports that the work has been carefully carried out. The Directors are of opinion that improved Teas might be made ina larger and better equipped Fac- tory, and as this new expenditure will be necessary in any case when the new clearing comes into bearing they have authorised the expenditure of some of the uninvested capital on Factory extension, machinery and water-course. The work has already been begun and the estimate of cost is R12,200'00. The Directors in view of shortfalls of crop in recent years, think that a regular system of manuring should be adopted, and suggest that one-third of the Estate should be taken in hand annually. Ninety acres for this year has already been begun. According to the Articles of Association Mr. H. St. C. Bowle Evans retires from the Board of Directors, but being eligible offers himself for re-election. On the motion of Mrs. KENNEDY, seconded by Mr. Dykr, the report was adopted. On the motion of Mr. PRANCE, seconded by Mr. CAMPBELL, a dividend of five per cent was declared. Mr. Bowle Evans was unanimously re-elected a Director as was Mr. Guthrie an Auditor, and the proceedings terminated, —_—_——————_<—————_——__ CEYLON INVESTMENT ASSOCIATION. GENERAL MEETING. he ordinary general meeting of the Ceylon Estates Investment Association, Limited, was held recently. Mr. Robert King, Chairman of the Association, presided. In submitting the annual report, the Chairman said that the result of the year’s work- ing was £344 better than the previous year. It was still disappointing, however, owing entirely to the smallness of the crop through unfavour- able weather. The crop for the past year was 237,152 lb.. as against 255,820 1b., a decrease this year of 18,668 lb. While the crops were smaller, however, prices had beenhigher. For the current year the crop harvested since lst April was 13,172 lb in excess of that harvested for the same date last year, so that, if it only kept up, the future pros- pects were very good. Thereport was adopted.—Dundee Courier. on THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 197 THE SCIENTIFIC OFFICER FOR THE TEA DISTRICT. VIEWS OF DR. WATT. The following isthe text of the letter from Dr. Watt to Sir Patrick Playfair on the subject of a scientific officer for the tea district :— Dear Sir Patrick Puayrarr,—I shall answer your enquiries categorically. You ask my opinion regard- ing the proposal to employ a Scientist to investigate numerous difficulties connected with the cultivation and manufacture of tea. Hitherto I have been con- sulted mainly as to the employment of an officer to investigate the problems that hinge on the peste and blights of the tea plant. It is true these would be very nearly covered by the investigation of the difficulties connected with cultivation, but I presumearealtogether unconnected with the problems of manufacture. It would thus seem to me that the first step would be to definitely fix the field of operations contemplated for the proposed Scientific officer. If the Association expect to find a man capable to deal as an expert with every aspect of tea I venture to think that they are mistaken. It might be possible to secure a Biolo- gist who could conduct useful and practical investiga- tion into pests and fungal blights of the tea plant (but even here Entomology and Mycology are two widely different studies, and no single person can be an expert in both sciences). But that a Biologist could be an expert chemist atthe same time, is con- trary to all experience in such matters. Some few years ago the Association brought to India a chemist (Mr. Bamber), and he furnished a report which no doubt most of the members of the Association have read. Its practical value is, therefore, a point 1 need not deal with. At she’ prevent moment the Ceylon planters have engaged Mr. Bamber as Chemist, but they have secured also the services of Mr. E & Green, an Entomologist of the very highest European repute. Mr. Green is himself a tea planter of many years’ experience, but hes consented to become Government Entomologist manvily with the view to devote his entire energies to the investigation of the pests of the tea plant. With a Chemist and Entomologist at work, Ceylon may reasonably hope to make some progress, but I do not look with much favour to a scheme that would secure one officer, in the hope that he would be an expert on every scientific problem of tea planting. I should, therefore, recommend the Association to carefully con- sider whether they want a Chemist or Biologist as the first and most important consideration. You ask me whether I approve of the proposal, Yes Ido, subject to the qualification involved by the above remarks. That those responsible for the tea industry should bestir themselves to (a) discover remedies for the pests and blights, (6) to bring to light practical improvements inthe quality and treatment of the plant, and (c) to perfect their methods of mannfacture seem to be truisms that I should hardly be asked to state. I know of no industry of a similar magnitude where empiricism is allowed to have such limitless sway. In my report I have given numerous illustrations of diametrical opinions held by well informed and successful planters on almost every aspect of the industry. And this statement ig admissible because of the immense capabilities ang vast powers of endurance of the plant. Both opinions may be equally wide of the mark and the profits obtained far short of the practical possibilities, But there is a limit to this blindfold trusting to Providence and to the endurance of the plant, and that limit in my opinion, is not very remote. I would, there- fore, urge that there is scope for not one scientific expert for a few years but for half a dozen for a life time. If funds will not admit of the whole question being dealt with, the Association should decide whether they wish to secure a Biologist to investigate (a) above, or an Agriculturist to enquire into (6) or & Chemist to suggest improvements in (c), 198% You next ask me, could the officer work in connection with my Department. I have no doubt he could, and that Ishould be able to suggest many lines of enquiry that would save» bim from much loss of time through fruitless investigations. LT was asked a similar question on a former occasion, and the Government of India submitted to your Association the appended passage from my reply (of which for convenience o reference I furnish herewith a copy). It will there be‘seen: that I .assuined chemistry was to be the primary qualification of the officer. That I also pro- posed (para 5) his association with the laboratory of this-oftice, but that he would require several other laboratories ;and a camp laboratory to conduct investi- gations while on tour through the tea districts. You -next ask me how. far my investigations would render the employment of such an officer desirable or unnecessary. My personal investigations were con- ducted imone province only—Assam. They lasted for 23, months, and were and are now intended purely and simply as denoting the urgency ofthe work. If they serve the further purpose of affording a useful pro- gramme for detailed and final operations they will fulfiliall. that’ L ever contemplated. I may add, how- ever, that my report has been so favourably received ‘that, have .been looked upon as more or less an expert andi:have been constantly consulted, since its appearance, by plantezs all over India. As the result, much: new information has been brought to light, so that already.a ‘second edition (if called for) would be a considerable improvement on the first. What remuneration should the scientific officer receive ? i The answer to this question turns on the term of years for which employed. If the Association were to seek for the services of an officer to be permanently employed the course which I should recommend—it might be possible to get a doctor of science with special qualifications in the chemistry of plant-life for R1,000 rising. by aunualincrements to R1,500. This anpoint- ment would of conrse carry no pension, therefore would have to commence at a higher figure than would bethe case.with a Government servant. But if the. appointment is to last only five years and it is desired to secure av officer of made reputation, the Association would have to offernot less than R1,500 a month, with all expenses paid to and from India. The Government of India engaged an agricultural chemist and paid R1,500. That circumstanc, I think, is 4 fairly good reply to the question you put to.,me. Of course whether permanent or temporary, provision would have. to: be made for travelling- allowance, framed on the scale granted by Govern- ment to its servants, viz.,—double first class eticket by tvain or steamer. ‘This covers servants, excess luggage, etc. A halting allowance of Rb a day while away irgm head-quarters should also be made. In - Assam everything is very expensive, hence the rates allawed in that province are higher than in most other provinces. The planters would no doubt assist the Scientifice. officer very greatly, but I may say that with, all the assistance rendered to me, I was out, of pocket by my tour in Assam, over and above the allowances made to me according to rules under which l1come. I mention this circumstance in order to. show that. the scale I have proposed is the lowest possible xate that should be contemplates. In some ip- stances. Government .commutes travelling allowances into a monthly grant, but I should think the Associa- tion would be safe in putting down R300a month as sufficient to cover these charges, rt Where should his headquarters be? That is a very difficult question to,answer. Were he to be employed in. Assam only|I should instantly have said Shillong. There is no occasion that he should be confined to an unhealthy climate, or one in which laboratory work would be diffienlt if not impossible. But as he. would, I presume, have to investigate tea in Dar- jeeling, the Dooars, Assam, Cachar, ete., Shillong might not be the most central. I half think that if Calcutta itself was thought too far off, he might be located in Darjeeling. But he should have a amall house with laboratory constructed in Dibrugarh THE 'ROPICAL, AGRICULTURIST, [Supr. 1, 1899, and. in, one or two centres as well.. I should insist that he spenta distinct period of every year on tour and visited in turn’ every garden under the Associa- tion. I should also lay down a hard and fast rule that every discovery he made, connected with tea, became the property of the Association. In other words he should not be allowed to patent amy pro- cess ov method within a fixed term of years. ; I think the above fully disposes of all the question raised by you, but if there were other points on which you wish my opinion, I shall be happy to be of service.—Planting Opinion, July 22. Sl eee ere WHITE SPOTS. ON PASSION FRUIT.” Mr. A F YT Somerville, of Kurrajong Heights, mentions, that nearly all the passion fruit -in his district is affected to some extent hy a little white spot. Mr. W J Allen, Frnit Expert, reports, that the spots are due to a fungus disease. which may be kept in check by spraying oczasionally —when the fruit is smal)—with Bordeaux mixture, and later with aimnionia-carbonate of copper. The vines should be pruned well back once a year and receive in all three or four sprayings. Such treatment will entirely prevent the appear- ~ ance of the disease.—f dealing with 40 to 50 tons of gravel a day. The trouble bas been in finding sufficient illum to feed it, for it has not been possible to work more than one pit at once, as the mines requires European supervision to prevent theft, and Mr. Goldie has only one European assistant. The sifting of the residum supplied bythe eight separators keeps Mre Goldie pretty busy while the machine is at work ; while it is also necessary to see that the separa- tors are not fed too fast, or with unsuitable gravel, for in such case they stop working auto- matically. Mr. Goldie has sunk his pit as dee as 120 feet, and says he could go to 200 feet with his present appliances, but after that ventilation would be necessary. Great credit is due to those who, like Mr. Goldie, have sunk money and given their time and abilities to put our mining indus- tries on a better footing, and we trust they will receive valnable assistance from the geological survey of the island which Mr. Oldham has come down from India to see about.—Local “ Times.” STRANGE RECOVERY FROM SNAKE-BITE,—A remarkable case of recovery under the ‘‘ Calmette” method of dealing with snake-bite, we hear, has recently occurred at Meerut under the care of Major Rennie, R.A.M.C. Since the introduction of this remedy, some three years ago (the first case treated in this country was, if we remember aright, also at Meerut), its efficacy has been abundantly proved by experiment in the laboratory and also in actual practice ; but the present instance is specially noteworthy in that it would seem to de- monstrate that the serum may be used with suc- cess in an apparently hopeless case, the patient, we are informed, being practically in the last stage of all when he came under treatment. It should be noted that the evidence of the poison- ous nature of the snake is absolutely unquestion- able, though the reptile was not actually caught. The well-known symptoms of the poison had fully developed themselves ; in fact to such an extent that the patient was to all appearance dead, and was kept alive only by artificial respiration until she serum remedy had had sufficient time to per- meate the whole system, and counteract the colu- brine virus. This fact is vouched for by six medi- cal officers, amongst whom was the Civil Sureeon, and the case was also seen by the Commissioner an by the Cantonment Magistrate, who, although not professional men, are men of long experience in India,—Pioneer, July 21. ~*~ KANDAPOLA TEA COMPANY. ‘The report of the directors for the year ended - December 31st: last, states that the profit and loss account shows a profit on the working of the estates of £1,843, and adding transfer fees and the amount brought fcrward from last year, there is a total of £2,103. The directors paid during . the year the interest on the debentures and sun- ‘dry charges, and the balance after these payments »amounts ‘to £467. The directors propose to pay off £250 of the preliminary expenses, leaving £250 to be provided hereafter, placing to coast advance reserve account the sum of £133 to provide for doubtful. coast advances, carrying forward the balance of £84.. The directors regret that the season’s operations have been so unfavourable. ‘The profits have been reduced principally by a heavy loss on working the Frotoft group of estates, which amounted to £1,058. ‘Che estimated yield » of tea for the season was 503,000 lb., but owing to the unfavourable season, the actual yield was 369,994 lb. the shortfall, amounting to 133,006 lb. being 79,466 1b. ‘less than the previous year.— Grocers’ Journal, July 15. at ee ee -COONOOR NOTES. ; COFFEE seems to be improving under the conditions and preparing tora good late blossom. Let us hope that two ewt. per acre will be added by a September blossom. Cultivation has not been much abated, in fact upon this _ estate ic is being vigorously pushed. More power to it. When prices were high some stuff made -up of three parts dry pulp and one part broken coffee was sold in the Coonoor market at six annas a measure; now the finest parchment beans can be had for that and broken at anras 2/6, This will stimulate demand among the poorer natives “very much. A. native can go without food a whole day if he can get coffee ad lib. He can ‘drink a gallon a day of weak coffee made up with jagherry.- Tue NinGiri RAILWAY improves daily and is becoming more and more popular, The one 3rd class carriage is generally quite full and many -passengers have to be accommodated in the 2nd class. The 2nd class going into the Ist, one half the 1st class carriage being reserved for. first. One engine is burning PETROLEUM and can runa train up in 50 minutes from Hill-: _ Grove including a stoppage of 6 minutes at Run- - nymede, the distance being 6 miles. With this fuel steam can be got up in a few minutes, and the engine arrives with her fire almost out, there being thus no waste. The furnace in the oil is carried in a reservoir over the boiler, a jet of steam is admitted into it, which forces the oil intothe furnace in the form of a beautiful spray, ~~ which ignites into an intense flame from some coal kept burning at the bottom of the furnace, box. the start, and this lasts a few seconds after which there is hardly any smoke at all to be seen. It is charming to hear the beat of the pistons as compared with the laborious sound with ordinary fuel. It would be a help to many if CHEAP CARRIAGE FOR FURL be arranged down, during the slack season to Coimbatore. The price at Coonoor is now R4, per ton, at Coimbatore perhaps:7 a ton. This Jeaves a margin of R3 for railway carriage.— Nilgirt News, July 22. y - THE. TROPICAL: A dense smoke issues from the chimney at © * tinuing AGRICULTURIST. [Serr. ¥, T899. i THE ANAMALAI HILLS, CEYLON MEN OWN HALF THE ESTATES OPENED UP. (From a Correspondent of the Madras Mail.) With the rapid extension of tea and coffee cultiva- tion in Southern India, any information throwing light on the tracts of land still available for such enterprise should prove welcome and valuable, especially to those anxious to invest in either undertaking, and who may be on the qui vive for latest details on the subject. The districts which hitherto been exploited include Coorg, Mysore, the Nelliampathy Hills, Travancore, Wynaad, the Shevaroys and Pulueys, while more recently the Anamalais, or Elephant Mountains, have been coming into prominence, The first four tracts lie outside the limits of British India, while the other group is situated within the confines of British terri- tory, and of these theleast known, though in many respects the most important for planting purposes is the Anamalais. It seems explicable that the Ma- dras Government should have for such a lengthened period pursued the fatuous policy of allowing the magnificent Forest tract on the Anamalais to remain unoccupied while other districts have been developed and the exports from the country materially increased, bat until the last seven or eight years, Government to all intents and purposes, passively acquiesced in per- sistently ignoring the most obvious interests of the planters. As instances, Waste Land Rules were framed, which literally discouraged the enterprise of the Huropean planter, and during the past 40 years the planting industry in Southern India has been severely handicapped by the inadequacy of the Labour Law (Act x1it of 1859) then introduced, and which, so far as its effective working is concerned, practically offered a premium to unscrupnlons maistries and coolies to defraud their employers. Fortunately, H E Sir Arthur Havelock, who enjoyed much valuable experience in Ceylon, fully realises the importance of the planting industry. So it came to pass that, nearly three years ago, the Board of Revenue recommended to the Madras Government the leasing of lands on the Anamalai Hills, and the report indicates that by September, 1896, applications had been re- received from several Madras firms and planters, and from a_ well-known firm largely interested in Ceylon, and with a still greater stake in Travancore. The applications embraced tracts of forest from 500 to over 12,000 acresin extent, and aggregated 63,500 acres, or somewhere about 100 square miles. The Government disposed of the matter by assigning 1,000 acres apiece to each of the original 15 appli- cants. These selections have since been demarcated, and include some of the richest land in India, thoroughly suited in every way for growing coffee, tea, pepper, rubber trees, and other products, while ranging from an altitude of 3,500 to 5,500 feet and enjoying a well distributed rain-fall from 100 to 120 inches. The experience of planters who have resided there during the past two years is that the climate is delightful and exhilarating. The platean com- mands magnificent scenery, and at 7,000 feet offers unique advantages for the establishment of a sani- — tarium in thisregion. Although the Madras Govern- ment restricted the first leases to some 15,000 acres, should the properties now being developed prove 4 success, a further allotment of similar lands, pur- chaseable at auction, will no doubt be initiated, In fact, several such blocks for 844, 717 aud 400 acres, respectively, are already advertised for sale by public auction at the Collector's Office, Coimbatore, on the 2nd October, 1899, when the upset price is fixed at Rd per acre. ° The total area of Forest lands on the Ana- malais is estimated to cover 80 square miles. As regards terms’ of |Teases, \thesé. seemed to be framed and on equitable scale, the cultivation tax of R2 per acre being leviable from the 6th year, on one-twentieth of the holding only | ‘con- in progressive increments. ' And” in’ the interim the balance of the land is taxed at 8 as per acre. One provision remains to be reconsidered Sepr, 1,-1899.] THE TROPICAL by Government, and refers to the gathering of Forest products by the Hill men, or Kadirs, who, under in- structions from the Conservator of Forests, collect cardamoms and wild pepper. Obviously, this system would’ prove impracticable when similar products came to be cultivated by planters, But as this tribe is: believed to number only about 100, Government should be able to provide for them, though some diffi- culty may be confronted in the matter, as these men prefer an existence on forest produce, such ‘as yams, fruits, &c. With the establishment of a sanitarium, and the immigration of Missionary settlers, it is pro- bable that some of these difficulties may be dissipated. Under the xgis of the present sympathetic Governor of Madras, a new policy for the development of the resources of the country is being inaugurated, as is already shown by accelerating the comptetion of the new road, and by the erection of the irou bridge over the main river, while it is said that the Govern- ment projects a line of railway from Podanur to Dindigul via Pollachy, which would bring the Anamalai region within touch of Madras, Calicut, Colombo and other parts of India. Irrespective of the Water- fall Estate, and the area opened with coffee in 1897, there are’ already about 1,500 acres planted this year. Approximately half of the 15,000 acres taken up by planters is held by Ceylon men. —_—<> THE MICA INDUSTRY IN_ INDIA. The attention that has begun to be paid to mica in the island,—one among the many valuable minerals soon to be extensively worked in this island, we may hope, assisted by the proposed Chamber of Mines whose existence was inaugurated the other day— lends peculiar interest to what is going on-in India where, too, mica claims more attention than it used to do. Mr. IT. H. Holland, a young geologist with-an excel- lent reputation, recently wrote -a sketch of the mica industry of India, which has been published in the Annual Report on the work of the Geological Survey for last year. The Report, we learn from a Calcutta contemporary, was the outcome of a tour of inspection, in the course of which Mr. Hol- land, with. two others, examined the mica- bearing areas of Bengal and Madras; andthe conclusion arrived at was that the large and profitable industry might be rendered tar more remunerative by more scientific ex- ploitation of, the fine pegmatite sheets which have been almost untouched hitherto. The system adopted in Bengal, where the field is 12miles by 60, is described as most wasteful and primitive, the mines being narrow irre- gular holes, following “The pegmatite sometimes to a depth well over two hundred feet. The whole of the materials —mica, rubbish, and water—are brought by, coolies co the mouth of the hole, which is often very near the summit of a hill, being the point where, on account of better exposure, the pegmatite outcrop was originally discovered. On account of the accumulation of water, all mining opera- tions are suspended during the monsoon season, and at the close of the rains the process of fork- ing a mine occupies several days, and sometimes weeks. In the same way, an hour every morn- ing is spent in bailing out the water accumulated over night.” With a single exception, at Bendi, we are told, ‘there is nota single vertical shaft in the whole mica mining area of Bengal, not a single drive or cross-cut to show that the miners have appreciated the actual disposition of the pegmatite as normal intrusive sheets, and, not- withstanding the favourably shaped natural con- tours of the ground, not a single adit for the removal of water. Contrary, too, to the explicit AGRICULTURIST, 203 regulations on the subject, no plans of the mines haye been prepared to show the disposition of the workings.” In the Madras area, the system is only one step in advance of that which obtains in Bengal, being of the open quarry plan. Notwithstanding that ‘‘none of the mines have attempted to deal with the pegmatite vein by vertical hauling shafts and drives, after the fashion pursued in all modern me- thods of mining for minerals occurring in re- gular veins or sheets,” the industry is flour- ishing. The yearly exports of mica are valued at a million rupees, and we told that there is no reason why, with careful treatment of the abundant material avail- able, India should. not continue to hold her place easily as the first mica-producing coun- try in the world—the more so, as it is likely that mica can be found in other districts, and other minerals are generally associated with gneissose rocks in which mica is found. Aiong the minerals, some new. to India, found in Bengal, were arsenic of iron, in lumps weighing in some instances as much as 20 1lb.; phosphate and floride of iron, and manganese, in thick masses ; and appatite in such abundance that, out of 100 1b, of mate- rial collected at a pit’s mouth, 76 per cent of phosphate of lime was obtained. In the scarcity of phosphates in India, the find is naturally considered of importance, as the appetite has hitherto been thrown away and vhe expense of treating it as a by-product will be almost wholly confined to ‘‘cooly labour to pick over the waste heaps, royalty and transport.” The Madras area is des- cribed as less rich than Bengal; and though lavger crystals have been found, the ruby tint which has made Bengal famous in the market remains to be found. All this is of as great interest almost to us as to India; and now that the Government is awakening to the importance of the mining industry generally, and is in communication with India about a geologist, we trust that the Geological Survey we have advocated for years will soon be undertaken and disclose new sources of wealth and industry for us. The primitive and, wasteful methods described above al- most exactly represent the system generally pursued in the gem and plumbago industries 5 and the recent discovery of asbestos which we recently noted, should induce the Gov- ernment to give all the help it can, through a Geological Survey, to capitalists to utilise every available mineral which the island affords. PSEC N AE ESS FACILITIES FOR MAKING TEA. Two circulars have turned up from Northern Districts which deserve some notice. The drawbacks to one division North of Kandy are said to be :—Previous chenaing of lands, and, partly, fullexposure to S.-W. monsoons, and possibly no appliances. for cool. fermenta- tion. The jat is said to be quite up to the average, but mixed in the oldest. in- stances. There is very little virgin soil and much variation from iron-stone and. red loamy clays, to clays, quartzes, gravels and gritty cabooks and micaceous tale, plumbago lands. Any estates worn out?—Yes, in two distinct cases, but one is now being worked 204 up. Would manuring improve the tea and be profitable, in your opinion ?—All analogy goes to prove it,—why should tea be an exception? Has the pruning been too severe, or too frequent?—In some cases distinctly so, in others decidedly not: heroic pruning requires as great skill as heroic surgery (and very careful tipping after). Averages of 600, 640, 550 and 500 Ib. an acre are ample evi- dence of the suitableness of the district for tea. In the case of the other report from farther. North, better tea cannot be made “because it is not in the _ leaf,” al- though the jat is generally good, and the soil particularly so. Manuring could be de- cidedly beneficial and factories are not yet equal to a big rush in most instances. The neighbourhood has proved itself very suitable for tea: what it lacks in quality, it makes up for, in quantity. [Buyers were Bathing better value some months back than ever before in the history of tea. It is rot to talk of wholesale falling- ' off in quality. There is more care exercised in manufacture universally, but there is less competition for medium teas in markets.] . RISICDSRIYEACTE een DR. GEORGE WATT’S COMING TOUR. COMMERCIAL SECTION OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM. Dr. George Watt proceeds to Simla at the beginning of next week, and after spending about a fortnight there, starts on a lengthy tour throughout India, in the course of which, he will visit all the commercial centers from Peshawar to Tanjore. The object of the Reporter on Economic Products, the English- man says, is to gather material for exhibit- ing in the commercial section of the Indian Museum, which it is hoped to throw open tothe public by next cold weather. The plan of this exhibition is at once simple and comprehensive, although the work of classi- fication and arrangement is_ involving an immense amount of labour. Dr. Watt’s idea is to give the economic history of every pro- duct in a nutshell. Thus, if it is a plant, it is shown by specimen at every stage from the tree to the finished article, while statis- tics of every kind are given in connection with it, and a map of India placed along- side show ata glance the various parts of the country in which it may be obtained. And all this cyclopedia of information lies within the compass of a small glass case! It is difficult to estimate the usefulness of this department when once the commercial world appreciates the fact that it embraces every one of the manifold industries on which the economic life of the country depends. Nor is the artistic sacrificed to mere utility. For instance, an enterprising firm of ropemakers display their productions in the form of a large arch, surmounted by their name in letters of rope. Again, a kind of dado is formed right round the room—and a big room it is—by polished slabs representing the various timbers grown on the peninsula and among the Himalyas. Altogether, the eco- nomic department of the Indian Museum promises, when it is completed, to render notable service in helping forward the develope ment of the resources of India, and reflects the highest credit upon the learning and ingenuity of Dr. Watt.—Proncer, July 27. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. ’ (Sept.,1 1899. RUBBER DISCOVERED IN CUBA. It is the positive conviction of Major J. Orton Kerbey, who returned lately to the United States from a tour of Cuba, that he found there the true rubber tree of Central America (Castilloa elastica) growing native, and that the conditions for its cultivation are more favorable on the island than even in Mexico or Nicaragua. Major Kerbey pursued his investigations further into the interior of Cuba than any recent visitor, from America, at least, has done in recent times, being aided in his search for the rubber tres by orders from the government at Washington which zave him command of the facilities of the United States military establishment on the island. On the southern coast of Cuba, in particular, he personally saw the trees which he has identified as the Castilloa elastica, while he was assured by old residents of good standing that such trees were to be found in abundance. Moreover, he was assured that, in former years goma (rubber) figured in the exports of Cuban produce, going presumably to Spanish ports. Major Kerbey is writing some results of his discoveries for THe Inp1A RusBER Worup, and the information he has to give may be looked for with interest.— India Rubber World. ei ee TEA IN AUSTRALIA, The tea statistics for the port of Melbourne for the week ended Saturday, 15th instant, compares with the previous week and the corresponding week jast year as follows :— July 16, July 8, July 15, 1898. 1899. 1899. Lb. Lb. Lb. Entered for bond -. 85,797 196,857 819,339 Duty paid, ex-ship -- 28,672 7,638 46,690 Duty paid ex-bond -- 150,432 139,799 133,206 Exportations, ex bond 31,174 68,600 97,662 Exportations under drawback 47,796 41,230 23,533 The Custom-house statement of receipts and deliveries at the bonds for the week ended 15th inst., together with the stocks in bond at the close cf the week, is as follows :— Deliveries nS 2 ' =| ee) Hom 2.8 =e a9 xo g OB OE ait Fea eh vee ae Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. China 50 760 32,259 40,486 323,9395 India -. 49,166 34,164 15,030 273,519 Ceylon ©. 156,995 56,783 42146 343.101 Total .. 206,921 123,206 97,662 940,5594 At tbe corresponding date last year bonded stocks consisted of 423,7133]b. China, 323,7541b. Indian, and 327,137lb. Ceylon; total, 1,074,6043lb.—Melbourne Argus, July 19. ~~ ——— — J CoLLECTORS.—Noticing the work of Mr. Whitehead, the Bird Collector in the Far East, the Spectator says :— The time must be approaching when there will be no more unknown birds or beasts to discover. Then the explorer will perforce fall back on the less exciting search for new insects, or new plants and flowers. The botanists and florists have still a field before them, and a new orchid is a valuable discovery, and a new dye or fibre plant potential wealth. 1 the green indigo, reputed to exist in some country in the Far East, were found, its discoverer’s fortune would bo made; and a real rival to indiarubber, or a substitute for Manila hemp, would enrich a whole community, Sept, 1, 1899. ] THE TROPICAL BY RAIL IN BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Bukow, 16th July. ‘““No country can advance unless it provides and maintains a comfortable means of rapid transport,” is, I believe, an accepted axiom in these days of progress. A few words on the means of communication, present and future, of this new country, will perhaps be of interest to your readers. I left Sandakan on the 3rd July in the coasting steamer ‘‘ Labuan,” north-about, to Labuan, calling at the ports. These form a special point in the coast line of Borneo anid British North Borneo can boast ofbetter and more numerous harbours than can be found in this part of the occan’s boundaries. Calling in at Jambanjon, Kudat, Ambong, Santian, we arrived AT LABUAN on the third day. From Kudat onwards, the hill ranges on a fine day form a fire feature in the view. Kudat is a thriving town, in a good agricultural district, which in 1883 brought in a Revenue of $14,000 to the Treasury and this year the estimate is $123,000 to which in- crease, tobacco, coffee, and Chinese immigration have helped. The soil is good and the records of the old East India Company, who had stations he e about, show that the Kudat district contained 30,000 fighting men. In these days, the word ‘fighting’ would not apply to the peaceful people who now sparsely occupy the ground, but owing to epidemics in the past, to piracy and to war, the population, though now increasing rapidly, was very small in 1881, when this coun- try came into the hands of the British North - Borneo Company. The next port, AMBONG is in a pretty land-locked bay. It has only lately been opened and is doing a sood eattle trade supplying Sandakan and Looloo where there now are 750 American soldiers, The Government charges an expor$ duty of one dollar per head. The cattle cost about fifteen dollars laid down in Sandakan and sell for twenty to the butcher. From Ambong a bridle path twenty miles long runs up the Tampassuk River and THE GREAT MOUNTAIN KINABALU can be ascended from here; but the best route is from Santian, the new port inSayah Bay. Mr. Little, the Acting Governor of Labuan, who has ascended Kinabalu, tells me the trip can be done for $300. The officer in-charge at Santian, Mr. Haynes, is very kind and would lend_ his assistance in collecting transport coolies. I believe the ascent has only been made five times. ‘The upper part of the mountain is smooth rock with low vegetation in the sheltered ravines and crevices, The last village is something over 4,000 feet up and there isa large cave at a 12,000 or about two thousand feet below the top. The cold at night is great and the coolies suffer from want of suitable clothing. To a naturalist the mountain affords a grand field for research, Labuan is the departure point for the main- land. At present there is only one launch avail- able for the crossing to Weston, the sea terminus of the railway, but I hear rumours that the Sabah Steamship Co., which runs the three local coasting boats, propose to keepa fast launch at Labuan, capable of doing the trip in three hours or less. The present available launch takes five hours and is in a chronic state of break- down. The line from Weston (so named after Mr. A. J. West, the Railway Engineer) to ee eight miles, is almost complete. I AGRICULTURIST. 205, eame the whole distance ina truck drawn by the construction engine without a jolt in less than an hour which included two stoppages and taking in firewood and water. At Bukow river, the want of suitable timber has caused delay in building a bridge, but when this has been done the twenty three miles FROM WESTON TO BEAUFORT JUNCTION on the Padas River will easily be done in an hour or so. J am now staying the night with Mr, West, the Engineer-in-charge of the con- struction, and tomorrow we go to Beanfort, in a comfortable first-class carriage. Mr. West has shewn me the train consisting ofa light-engine ap- propriately named ‘‘ Progress,” one first-class car, one third-class and four waggons (one closed) alt built of local wood in Mr, West’s workshop. This he runs twice a week from Bukow to Beaufort. The third-class car holds thirty and is venerally full, (fare twenty-five cents); so are the waggons when going up. Coming down they get areturn cargo of rotan, etc., and alittle gutta. The land from Weston to Bukow is SPLENDID COCONUTS AND RUBBER LAND and there are alot of native gardens and paddy fields. The railway overseer at Weston, who lives a couple of miles from the terminus, told me the country was very healthy with good drinking water. It is cold at night. At Weston the people get fish every day. I saw two fishine- boats come in and we took some fish up to Bukow. The price at Weston is three cents a catty. Weston is now beginning to wake up. Up till now all the traffic has gone by the River Bukow to and from Bukow, but acailway bridge across the Bukow will make Weston the terminus. No town lots have been sold as yet at Weston as it is desirable to raise the ground first ; but the engine will be at Weston immediately and ballast will soon be run down and thrown over the low land from a hill one mile along the line, A stone pier has also to be made. The hill is a mass of ready-made ballast and at present pro- duces a wonderfnl crop of pineapples. The pigs take a Jarge share and the balance sell for two cents each (three cents toa European!) This isa wonderful fruit country. Durians sell at five cents and can he had in great quantity next month—and I hope to he here. I remember meet- ing an ex-Ceylon Engineer in Singapore who told me :—** When I scent a durian my mouth waters and I gaze around with fingers itching to clutch that durian!’ The fall of the year is our chief fruit season. Tomorrow I go to Beaufort and up the River Padas with Mr. W. Towers who has laid out a railway from Beaufort north along the Coast to Santian, 63 miles, ona metre gauge like this one. Mi. Towers is now inspecting the ground between Beaufort up river thirty (?) miles which he says resembles the Haputale line in point of difficulties. Mr. Towers was seven years in Ceylon and must be well-known to you. I will send you a line on my experiences on my return to the Coast. NEW CEYLON. Seo A SAMPLE PACKET OF MALACCA TEA has been sent to the editor of the Straits Times who has tried it, and who writes :—‘ It seems very good tea of a distinct and wholesome flavour, and pure ; and one is not surprised to learn that large. quantities of it are now being sold in the Straits, Lhe Malacca tea is also being shipped to Egypt and to London, so much so that a new drying machine will shortly be added to the factory.” 806 THE TROPICAL THE “CAUCHO” RUBBER OF PERU. A despatch received at the Foreign Office from - M. Consul at Para states that the tree which roduces the quality of india-rubber exported from eru through Para under the name of caucho, has recently been determined by M. Huber, a botanist, who is on the scientific staff of the Museum of Para. M. Huber lately visited the Ucayli region in Peru, and discovered that the tree was a castilloa, and he will shortly be able to decide by compari- son whether it is the same as the castillow elastica of Central America, or a variety of the same genus. It has been surmised previously that the tree might be a castilloa, but it is said that M. Huber is the first authority who has settled the point. With this knowledge it results that the distribu- tion of the castilloa is wider than was previoush thought to be the case. Caucho is also produce in the neighbourhood of the Bolivian tributaries of the River Amazon, and from parts near the said tributaries that pass through Brazilian terri- tory. Asample of cawcho exists in the Para Mu- seum that came from the banks of the River Tocantins. It is said that caucho is also produced near Macapo and Mazagao, on the north bank of the river Amazon, near its estuary. A recent statistical return on the exports of the State of Para shows that this produce was exported in small quantities (altogether about 10 tons) from Aveiros (River Tapajos), Santarem, Alemquer and Obidos, on the River Amazon. The total shipments of cwucho from Amazonian orts amount to about 2,000 tons annually. M. uber describes the process of tapping of fol- lows:—The trunk is almost severed in two at a distance of about 3 ft. from the ground, and the tree is allowed to fall in such a manner that is supported in the inclined position by its branches, and still holds on to the part that remains standing. The Sap is collected and poured into a hole made in the ground, and is coagulated by means of the juice of certain local lianas. The natives state that this is the best method of tapping, and if the trees were treated in the same manner as the heveas they would soon be destroyed by insests which would attack them where the back would be injured by incision. This may be only an excuse for unnecessary des- truction, which might be avoided. However, it must’ be considered that as these trees grow far apart from each other in their native state it must be inconvenient, if net impossible, to attend to more than one tree at a time. Trees that have been tapped in the manner described do not survive the operation. In the course of time their places are no doubt taken by young trees that grow from seeds. The Amazonian castilloas are found on elevated land which is beyond the reach of floods, whereas the heveas thrive best in the lowland that are periodically inundated by the River Amazon. Sir W. T. Thistleton Dyer, Director of Kew Gardens, in a communication to the Foreign Office, states that cawcho, of which caoutchouc is probably an expanded form, has been hitherto indentified with ‘‘ India-Rubber” par excellence, the produce of one or more species of hevea indigenous to the basin of the Amazons and exported from Para; it would now however, appear that the cawcho tree of Peru is a castilloa. One or more species of this genus roduces the india-rubber of Central America. In South America the castilloa has been known to extend as far as Heuador, where it is called jebe otherwise jeve or heve. According to Aublet, this latter name was given in Northern Ecuador to a species of heveaand in founding that genus he derived its name accordingly. In the Amazon basin the name forthe species of hevea is ‘‘Seringa,” and in Central America for those of castilloa “Ule” or ““Tunu” (see Kew Bulletin, 1898, pp. 141, 142). Perhaps in Western South America the names caucho and jebe are applied indis- AGRICULTURIST. [Szpr. 1, 1899. criminately to rubber-producing trees. Accordin toareport by Mr. D. B. Adamson, H.M. Consuw at Iquitos, dated 24th December, 1898. and pub- lished in the ‘*Transactions” of the Liverpool Geographical Society for the same year, Peru has two kinds of rubber-producing trees—caucho, which appears to belong to castilloa, and jebe or hevea. Both Mr. Adamson and Mr. Churchill also state that the rubber is extracted from the caucho tree by felling. The jebe is always tapped The former process results in a district being ““worked out.” In consequence, according to Mr. Adamson, ‘“‘many of the ‘ cauche ros’ (or rubber collectors) are working in Brazilian rivers, where the supply is yet more plentiful.” It is not, how- ever, necessary to fell the castilloa trees to collect the rubber.—India-Rubber and Gutta-Percha Trades Journal, July 10. Se ANGLO CEYLON AND GENERAL ESTATES COMPANY, LIMITED. The ordinary general meeting of the Anglo-Cey- lon and general Estates Company, Limited, was held on Tuesday, July 18, at the offices of the com- pany, 20, Eastcheap, London, C.C., Mr. Alex. W Crichton presiding. The Secretary (Mr. Henry Grey) having read the notice convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said: [ am sorry to have to take the chair at thismeeting on account of the ab- sence of your chairman, Mr. Quintin Hoge, and I particularly regret that this should be the case on this cecasion, because I understand that some of you, at all events, have come here in the ex- pectation, and with the desire, of hearing from him personally some account of his tour in the East, and of the opinions and estimates which he formed there with regard to the affairs of the company. He is, however, unfortunately rot able to be pre- sent, andI am sure that you will be sorry when you hear that family bereavement is the reason of his non-attendance, and why bis presence is abso- lutely necessary elsewhere. As regards ourselves, this alteration came upon us quite suddenly, and I have no time for the preparation of any statement to lay before the meeting, and, consequently, if in the course of what I am about to say I omit anything, or fail to make anything clear, I hope that you will, by questions, elicit from me that which you want to know. With regard to Ceylon, we statein our report, and I think that you must have had an opportunity of satisfying yourselves repeatedly of the truth of that statement from the number of reports of Ceylon tea companies which have been issued in the course of the last two or three months, that the year under consideration has been a remark- ably unfavourable one. Prolonged drougbt, cold winds, and low temperatures prevented the usual flushing of the tea bushes, and from an estimate which we had of the 1,720,000 lb of tea we only got at the end of the season 1,540,000 1b. This constituted, therefore, a loss of nearly 200,000 Ib of our crop. Nor was this the only mishap ; for the same causes affected the cocoa crop, which in our case is an important one, and instead of 2,100 ewt. which we received the previous year, we were only able to harvest 274 ewt. This, of course, is an extraordinary diminution, and shows a loss on the working of the cocoa estates. These again, were not the only unfortunate cireum- stances. In the first part of the year the rice for the coolies had still to be bought at a very high rate, and freights during a great part of the time were also high. On the other hand, there was one point of consolation, and Supr. 1, 1899.] THE TROPICAL that you wili see reflected in our re- port, namely, that whereas the general average price of Ceylon tea during the year in London fell from 7°85d, which was the average rate during 1897, to 779d, the price which was received for our tea, on the other hand, rose from something over 8d in the previous year to something over 83d in the year under discussion. This was, of course, some- thing in our favour; but it was not sufficient to counterbalance the disadvantages which 1] have previously spoken of. On the whole, therefore, there was a very much reduced profit from Ceylon ; but.i am glad to say that these causes of loss have now, I believe, almost entirely passed away. So far as the reduction of our crop is concerned, they are due, of course, to climatic causes which were merely temporary, and we hear now that the tea is flushing very well, and with regard to the cocoa, the spring crop, which has already been harvested, is a most satisfactory one. The benefit of this, however, did not accrue to the year under consideration, but will be secured by the current year. Mr. Hogg n the ourse of his tour, visited most of our Ceylon estates, and he has often told me that he was exceedingly satis- fied with the work of Mr. Campbell, who appeared to him to bea most excellent manager, and one in whom we could have the fullest confidence, and whose services he considers we are fortunate to possess, THE POUND DRAFT DISPUTE. With regard to the sales of tea, you will have read, no doubt, in the papers—ar d it is hardly pos- sible to avoid knowing—that a dispute has arisen between the growers and importers of Indian and Ceylon tea on the one hand, and. the buyers on the other, and the curious part of this cispute appears to be that, whereas the growers assert that they have to give to the buyers, in addition to the 1 Ib. draft, at least } !b. or more on account of the turn of the scales, the buyers consistently deny they receive much benefit from this. If that is so, where does it go to? I think to those who are conversant with the subject itis pretty clear from its history that they must receive something considerable. Originally, in the old days—that is, in the days of China tea—there was a 1 ib. draft allowed by the importers to the buyers, and, in addition to that, there was a 1J]b. overdraft—that is, altogether, 2 lb. allowed on every chest of tea, and no doubt the importers got that gratis from the Chinese. Well, when the second pound—the over- draft—was discontinued as compensation to the buyers this turn ot the scale was allowed to them, and therefore it is clear that it was allowed to them as some substantial benefit which they received, The growers have, of course, had opportunities frequently ot going into this matter, and have repeatedly verified their assertions. 1 well re- member, not with reference to this dispute, but on a former occasion, trying to ascertain exactly how the tea was sent off from our factories in Ceylon. I remember very well a garden invoice which was sent here, and in which it appeared that the superintendent had, with regard to one break, placed it in chests, the average weight of which was 161b, and 2 0z., and they, of course, were taken, according to the customs weighment, as weighins 171b. Now of course, there are only two things imported, the chest and the tea which it contains, and if you have by some fic- titious method of weighment increased the weight of the chest, inasmuch as the total weight of the chest and the tea together cannot alter, you take AGRICULTURIST. 207 from the, estimated weight of the tea. Well, now, how did these 41 chests work out? They worked out in this way—that the tea as sent from the estate weighed on an average in each chest 108}1b., and although every chest con- tained 108}1b., yet, by the method of Customs weighment, we got paid for only 107 1b. That is aloss of 14]b.in every chest in addition to the 1 lb. draft, that is, a loss of 231b. Well, now I admit this is somewhat exceptional, but there must be plenty of cases in which that happens every year, and I believe that growers are not far wrong in saying that at least £1b., if not a good deal more than that, is given gratis to the buyers in this way, I will not detain you fur- ther on this subject, because it has been soamply discussed ; but I cannot help thinking that some equitable means may be found of settling this dispute, which must naturally, if prolonged, mean a loss on both sides, because when these trade disputes take place they are generally followed by a reduction in consumption. MAURITLUS I will now pass on to the subject of Mauritius, where the price for sugar during the beginning of the campaign was, as we state in our report, disastrously low, and owing to the disorganisa- tion of the market in Bombay—our principal market—from various causes, have sunk lower and lower, and the falling in the price really reminds me of the story of the man who tried how little he could feed his horse on, till when he reduced him to astraw a day the poor animal died. Wehave known within the last few years R10 as the price per cental for sugar; then it fell to R9 and then to R8, and now, in this year under discussion, it was only slightly’ over R7 per cental. Most fortunately for us, the crop was an abundant one and, as you will see from the figures, we harvested from our own estate and those in which weare interested noless than 13,000 tons of sugar, as against some 8,000 tons in the previous year. With regard to the sugar which came from our own estates, you will see that although it was very much more abundant, the expenses really increased very little—only by £3,000; that is, from £66,000 to £69,000. Mr. Hogg was alsoin Mauritius during the crop time and he made various arrangements. In the first place, I believe that he was the first to introduce there a first-run sugar of low grade, which is now called in Mauritius Grey Vesous, and which has the advantage of being prepared much more cheaply than the white sugar we make for Bombay. This somewhat reduced the expense, and as usual in a good year, all the different items of expense were lessin proportion. The general re« sult was that we made a profit which was three times that of the previous year, and amounted to some £10,000. But these causes of profit and ad- vantage to our Mauritius estates are not to be come pared to that amelioration which we have to some extent secured, and to which we look with the greatestconfidence in the future from the legislation of the Indian Government. I think that every grower of cane in India and Mauritius owes a deep debt of gratitude to the Indian Government and to the ministers here who have supported their action in imposing countervailing duties on the bounty-fed sugar which is imported into India. (Applause). You know, and on the last occasion on which I presided over this meeting I explained to you, the extreme injuistice of the conditions under which that sugar is imported, and that thig bounty-fed sugar has, created fluctuations in th market, which have been extremely prejudicial 8 THE TROPICAL AGRICUTURIST. us. That state of things has, I hope, now finaliy passed away. Abt all events, we look forward in the near future to a much greater stability with regard to our Mauritius interests. Now, with re- gard to the accounts, you will see that the accept- ances and accounts payable are less by some £9,000 than they were in the previous year. With regard to Mauritius the item £99,753 for Mauri- tius Sugar Estates, including land under reali- sation, has been reduced by £2,090, because is the previous year it stood at £101,000 odd. This we have received on account of the capital due, and, with regard to the interest which is due, that has been fairly met. I think the matter is therefore in a satisfactory state. There is a new item advances to coolies, which was tormerly in- eluded in the sundry accounts receivable. That item has been stated separately in order to show what these advances were. The Ceylon expenditure is £40,000, as against £39,000 odd in the previous yew. You will say it is acurious thing that whereas your crop was less in Ceylon than in the previous year, the expenses have been somewhat greater ; but that is not so, because in rupees the expenses were R5,80,000, against 16,01,000 in the previons period. It is the higher rate of exchange which makes the amount appear larger. I think that is all I need say to you, and, in conclusion, you will see from the accounts of our estates in Ceylon that there are now 5,200 acres of tea in bearing and g00 acres of tea not in bearing. When all that comes into bearing we shall have over 6,000 acres of tea, and although some of our estates increase but slowly in productiveness, yet our manager tells us that our crops of tea must eventually largely inerease. With regard to Mauritius, I believe the Indian legislation which I have alluded to, in the opinion of all people connected with Mauritius, puts a very different aspect on the sugar industry there, and I vonsider, therefore, that I may con- fidentiy say to you that the outlook for the company this year is an encouraging one, (Applause) I would say only one word more with regard to dividend: we recommend that a dividend be paid at the rate of four per cent. I now beg to move: “That the directors’ yeport and statement of accounts to March 31, 1899, now submitted, be, and they are hereby, adopted.” Mr. Claude motion. ) In the course of a discussion which ensued, in which Surgeon-Colonel Porter, Mr. Parsons, Mr, Gillingham, and Mr. Nicholson took part, the Jatter gentleman stated that he hada great deal of experience of Ceylon and Mauritius, and he considered after the year those countries had passed through the directors had managed the company exceedingly well to have been enabled to pay a dividend of 4 per cent. Hie also con- sidered the shareholders owed a debt of gratitude to Sir James Westland for the steps he had taken in promoting the Indian legislation with regard to the sugar alluded to by the chairman. t , On the proposition of Chairman, seconded by Mr. Macaskie, Mr. Quintin Hogg was re-elected a director. ) ) The motion was shen put and carried unani- mously. ‘ Messrs. Welton, Jones and Co. having been re appointed auditors, a vove of thanks was wiven to the chairman and directors, and the proceedings terminated.—H. & C. Mail; July a1, E S_ Bishop seconded the [Sepr. 1, 1899. COFFEE IN HAWAIL. The export of coffee from the Hawaiian Inlands amounts to about 3,000 bags early, nearly all of which goes to United States ports. The finest coffee is produced iu the Kona district, Hawaii, where the trees are cultivated 2,000 to 2,500 feet above the sea level. The industry is stillin the experimental age, having promise of a great future. A personal study on the spot has led Caspar Whitney, a contributor to Harper's Weekly, to the opinion that coffee-growing is the industry which is going to settle up the islands especially Hawaii. Coffee lands are to be found on all the islands, but Hawaii is the only one of the group that has land for public settlement. The principal coffee districts in the island of Hawaii are Kona (48,000 acres), Puna (67,000 acres), and Hilo (195,000 acres); bnt a comparatively small per- centage of this acreage is planted with coffee or suitabie to its cultivation. Im all three of these districts, and especially in Hilo, the Government is surveying and opening land for settlement as rapidly as possible. Andas fast as the land is put on the market it is being taken up; for the Government sells it for from $5 to $10 per acre, while the boom at the town of Hilo—Hawaii—enables speculators to get $50, $60, and even $100 per acre for the same land, while about $30 to $40 per acre must be reckoned on ee tl for clearing off the dense jungle and orest. Careful figuring reckons the cost of caring for a coffee plantation at from $150 to $200 per acre for five years. There is a comparatively small quantity of land for outright sale—nearly all the desirable land on all the islands is owned or held under long leases, some of them so long as thirty years, which is the limit of life of the coffee tree under cultivation. On Maui, Kauai, and some little on Oahu, coffee has been planted, and prospects reported ‘‘ flattering,” but only on Hawaii have there as yet been results tangible enough for some estimate of profits. For- tunately, on none of the islands has any species of blight made its appearance. Taking a fair average of success at this stage of the industry, a conserva- tive estimate on the commencement of the fifth year places the profit at 15 to 20 per cent on the original investment. The Waianai plant (Oahu) paid for it- self in six years, and last year produced sixteen tons of coffee besides. Furthermore, coffee planters purpose setting out bananas on their coffee fields, thus making the soil do double service without tmjury to either crop, and yield double profit to the grower. Half a ton of coffee and 300 branches of bananas per acre, as confidently expected from good average soil, are not a bad return by any meaus. The coffee boom is on the island of Hawaii, and so fast as the Go- vernment opens new roads into the coffee belts and plots public land for settlement, just so fast is it being taken up.—American Grocer, July 12. —----__—_——_ - — —_ —_ THE MoRAWAK _KORALE TEA-PEST.—-The tea-pest on Silvakanda Estate, Morawak Korale, has, we are glad to learn from Messrs, Boustead Bros., been at length cleared, but 25 acres have suffered and, through the severity of the treatment meted out to them with the pruning-knife, been thrown back for several months, It is hoped that it has been entirely got rid of, but thereis no certainty as to the whereabouts of the larvae of the pest. No doubt a strict watch will be kept not only in the Morawak Korale, but in several other planting dis- tricts, where rumours of pests and gray blight (the latter most especially) are in the troubled air. We trust that the present mining craze will not lead to the neglect of tea plantations for pursuits less safe, and to the consequent spread of the enemies of tea through insufficient vigilance at the outset Sept. 1, 1899, ] THE TROPICAL Ceylon Rainfall. S. G. O. MzrzoronocicsL OBSERVATIONS FOR Marcu, 1899. We append the total fall of rain from which it will be seen that the highest fall was at Gammuduwa_ Hs- tate, Rattota 12°38 inches, Estate, Pallai 0°03 inches. Colombo (40) 0°88 Ratnapura (3b) 4.80 Putralam (27) 3°66 Anuradhapura- (295) 0.36 Mannar (2) 0.80 Jafina ae (i) Trincomalee (12) 209 Batticaloa (26) 6°75 Hambantota (50) O"8t Galle (48) 3°25 Kandy (1,654) 3°28 Nuwara Eliya (6,108) 3°75 Hakgala, Nuwara Eliya (5,581) 5°05 Badulla (2,225) 5°84 Vavuniya (317) Obsery wiions cancelled Kurunegala (381) 2°59 Maligakanda, Colombo Mr. Johnson (70) 1°01 Agricultural School Colombo, Mr. Rodrigo 2: 01 Wilhelmina Puttalam, Mr. Katnayeke (131) Horakele Estate, Chilew, Mr. Beven (50) 4°56 Chilaw Kachcheri Chilaw, Mr. Koch (10) 3°85 ¥ranklands Estate ’ Veyangoda, Mr, Beven 4°05 Orange Hill, Ragama Mr. Bury (60) 1°61 Henaratgoda Gardins, Henaratgoda, Mr. de Silva (33) Kotua " Godella, Rambuk’a Mr. Windus (530) Eadella or Liberia Es- tate Polgahawela Mr. Kynaston (45) 4° 7 Geekianakanda, Nebouda Mr. Corrie (200) Polgahakanda, Neboia Mr. Wight (500) Labugama, Hanwella, Mr. Sawarakone (369) 4°53 Rayigaw, Horana, Mr. Hansen, (0) 3°92, Kanangma, Avissawella Mr. Cooke (200) 9°16 Dunedin Estate, Avis- 9°63 sawella, Mr. Bayley, (400) Digalla Avisawella, Mr. 3°59 3'14 8°26 3°73 Tottenham, (400) 7°69 Pambagama, Avisawella, Mr. Bridgman (600) 97°15 Avisaweila Esiate Avisawella Mr. Byrde 25) 4°18 Yatideriya, Kegalla, Mr. Fairweather — 6°55 Mahawalatenna, Bualangcda Mahawalatenna nore et Agarsl nd Estate Balangoda Mr, Boyd (2,215) 6°89 Maduwanwala, Kakwana, Maduwanw ela R.M. (750) Anninkan¢ca, Morawaka, '_ Mr. Woodhouse (1,400) 8°33 Panilkanda, Morawaka, Mr. James (2,000) 8°80 St. John Del Rey, Begawan- talawa Mr. Glanville (4,300) oat Friedland, Begnwantalai Mr. Rammeil (5,201) 448 Campion, Kogawanlalawa. 4°44 Mr. Saunders (4,810) 4°90 BlairAthol, Dikoya, Mr. Lane (2,641) 5°69 Annfticld, Dikoya, Mr, ‘Knight (4,300) 4.89 Ma-keliya Hospival, Maskeliya Mr, Oorloff (3,200) 5°93 and thelowest at Kotta Hope Hstite, Hewaheta, Mr. Bagou (5,(.00) 5°91 Col's‘ream Estate, Watawala Mr. Jones (3,800) 41 Holmwood Est., Agrapatina, Mr. Bosanques (5,249) 6° 97 Sandringham, Agrap tana Mr. Orchard = (5,200) 7°52 Gingran-oya, Kotmale, Mr. Cox (3,800) 56) Labookelle, Rimboda, Mr. Stose (5,600) 7°23 Dunsinane, Pundalu-oya, Mr. Me'calfe 4,800 4°90 Sogama, Fusse'lawa, Mr. Eustace (3,500). 8°3L Kurondu-oya, Maturata, Mr. Owen (5, 150) 8°28 Kabaragalla, Maturata, Mr. Maclean (4,290) 5°6) Maragalla Estate, Moopana, Mr. Betts, (2,200) 5°33 M.-opana, Hospiial, Moopana (My. ‘Thomasz) (500) 2°27 Madulsima Hospital Lunugala Dr. Vethecan (2,400) 4°86 Meeriabedda, Haputale, Mr. Dupuis (3,600) 9:97 Udahena Esiate, Hapu ale, Mr. Coombe (4,5U0) 6°85 Post Office, Bandarawela, Mr. Rodrigo (4,035) 3°35 Callander, Ohiya Mr. Green (5,125) 8°94 Mariawatte, Gampole Mr. Salmond (1,600) 2°15 Orwell Estate, Gampola Mr. Taylor (1,800) 3°23 New Forest, Delt ta, Mr. Wardrop (3,500) 7°12 Rajawella, Estate, Telteniys Mr. Morray (1,500) 3°19 Lower S;ri:g Valley, Badulla Mr. Rettie (3,659) 6°34 Gourakeie Estate, Badulla Mr. Hope (4,200) 5°11 Moisaga'a Hstate, Saduils, Mr. Deaker (4,500) &°44 Ledgerwatte, Badulia Mr. Rettie (4,000) SOL Dea Elia Estate, W’wa'atenna Mr. Vaneerslott (80°) 7°10 Sembawatie Estate, N’pitiva Mr. Roe (1,60; 810 Gammaduwa, Hatate, Rattota Mr. Westland (2,4 0) 12:58 Kobonella Estate, Rangala, Mr. Pole (3,300) 8:00 St. Martins, Rangala, Mr. Wyllie (3,609) 6°39 Crystol Hill, Muatale, Mr. Van S'rex (1,400) 7°66 Vicar'on Estate, Matale Mr. Carrie (3,250) 9°65 Matale Mr. Tisseverasinghe (1,208) 22 Wariapolla, Matale, Mr, Dickenson (1,200) 4°0t Damtula, M-. Si:netamby (400) 5°73 Kotta Estate, Pallai, Mr. Todd (13) | 0.03 Mantota Hospital, Mannar, Mr. Resario (17) 2.26 B: ttala Hospital, Buttala, Mr. #ulner = 9°35 P.lice Station, Hatton Police Constable Miskin (4,141) 5°76 Medway Estate Nilaveli, Mr. Abraham, we 1150 Delwita, Kurunegala, Mr. Neame (49)) 6°08 Wood-ide, Uragalla Mr. MaeMabon (3,000) 6°58 Gillardstown, Watt- gama Mr, Hardy (2,900) ad2 AGRICULTURIST. Ceylon 209 Rainfall, Tue P. W. D. MereoronocicaL OBSERVATIONS FOR Ju: ¥ 1899.—We append this Monthly Return of rain from which it will be seen that the highest fall was at. Padupola in the Central Province, 21°98 inches, and the lowest at Point Pedro in the Northern Province 0°C1 inch. WESTERN PROVINCE. Negombo, Mr. Bucknall (5) Ni Kalutara Mr Gregson ¢ 36) 119 Labugama, ir. Bond (369) 4°91 Henaratgoda, Mr. Silva (33) PAT Oz CENTRAL PROVINCE. Katugastota, Mr. Morgan (1,500) Lg ar40 New Valley, (Dikoya) Mr. Wart (3,708) 16°54 Helboda, (Pussellawa) Not received (3,300) ... — Yarrow Kstate, es Mr. Peto (8, 400).. apeal Peradeniya Mr. MacMillan (1, 540) .. 607 Duckwari, Mr. Edwin. (3,300) e078 Caledonia, Mr Goork .. (4,273) sehr Pussellawa, Mr. a Powell (3,090) 7°46 Hakgala, Mr. Noek (5,551) 6°80 8S. Wanarajah Estate, Mr. Tatham (3,700) - 19 87 St, Anarew’s (Maskeliya,) Not received (4,200)... = Padupola, Mr. Ward ... (1,635) 93 Mylapitivya, Mr, Fletcher: O77) 0°70 NouwLHERN PROVINCE. a wee Mr. Sanmukam 12) 0:93 Jaffna Mr ‘MacDo: mmell (8) Nit Mankulam, (N. Road) Mr. Sinmukam (167) 0°53 blephaut Pass, Mr. Silva (7) Nil Vangalachettykulam, “Mr. Oorloff (179) 0-20 Point Pedro, Mr, Pararacha- singhe (24) eal FG°01 Jaffna College, Mr. Couke (91 wit Nil Kayts, Mr. Kretser (8) i) Nil Kankesanturai, Mr, Adams (10) Nil Paliai, Mr. Silva 24 Nil (24) Murikanay, (North -Central Koad ) Mr. Silva — 070 Ove Mr. Sanmukam 4°93 Nil Chay anasneneuy Mr. Siva (16) oy Odupiudi, Mr. Hastinzs (55) Nil Manichchukaadit (14) “Mr. Thamovharampillay Nil Murungan, Mr, B-echingberg (52) Nil Vavuniya Mr. Sanmusam (318) Nil SOUTHERN PROVINCE. Ella Vella (262) Mr. Smith 6'59 Kekanadura, (150) do 5°70 Denagama, (246) do 5°53 Uuukiriwila Mr. Lourensz (235) 2°55 Kirama, Mr. Ismail (260) 0°10 Hali-eia (200) Mr. Smith 5:40 Tissamaharama, Not received (75) an Matara (15) Mr. Smith 5°39 Dandeniya, (157) do 5°04 Urubokk», (890) do 4°62 Tlagala, Not received (121) — Tangalla,(94) Ms, Baritlet ee 0°53 Mamadola, Mr. Cade — (56) tte EasTKIN PROVINCE. Irrakknmam, (42) Not received — Devilaua, Mr. Vanderstraaten (136) 3:13 Sagamata, Not received (40) a5 _ Ambare, do (65) = Kanthalai, Mr, Carte (150) 0°31 Allai, Mr. Carte (95) Nil Rukam, Mr. Vanderstraaten (120) Hh Nil Periyakulam, Mr, Carte (20) i 0.59 Chadaiyantalawa, Mr. Edge (57) ie Nil Kalmunai, do (12) Nil Rotewewa, do (30) Nil Lahugala, do (70) 0:20 Naulla, do (3)) Nil Andankulam, Mr, Carte (41) vos 0°22 Manalpuddy, Mr. Vandergtraaten (21) 1°50 Maha-Oya-Taik ; Mr. Vande: siraa‘en (190) 0°51 N.-W. Provinor. Magalawewa, Mr. Gunaratna (47 0°35 Maha Uswewa tank, Mr, Crabb (160) * 0°19 Tenepitiva. Mr. Charchiil (8) 0°30 Batalagoda, Mr. Fonseka 2°67 N.-C. Province. Kalawewa, (258) Mr. Carson 0:6) Maradankadawala, Mr. Carson (448)... 177 Mihiutale, Mr MucBride (354) +H} 114 HOPS sen Mr. MacBrive (217) 205 Madawachchiya, Mr. MacBride (285)... Nil Topare, (200) Net received Minneriya — Mr. Eves o-10 Uva PRovINCE. Bandarawela, Mr. Tocke (4,389) ws5 0:18 Haldummulla, Mr. Vira- mutta (3,160) ... Nil Kumbukan, (446) Mr. Emerson bdo 3°12 Koslanda, | (2,258) Mr. Emerson one 075 Tanamalwila, Not received (550) ... SjABARAGAMUWA, Ambanpitiya, Mr. Caldicott. (729) Pelmadulla, Mr. Clare (408) 13°84 Kolonna Korale (Hulanda- oya) (203) Not received Avisawella, Mr. Jeffery (105) 6 07 a 210 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. (Sept. 1, 1899. SHARE LIST. LONDON COMPANIES. Amount Sra aa Name of Company. aid per share. Buyers. Sellers. ISSUED BY THE Alliance Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 10 868-9 = COLOMBO SHARE BROKERS’ ASSOCIATION. Astpaabed Teret OS Oe EER Ltd. a0 . EA CEYLON PRODUCE COMPANIES. rr og reece mT ely an ouint Dimbula Valley Co., Ltd. keene 5 cia Tghg Name of Company. aid (0) prefs. 5 a 5L—6 sie per nace Buyers. Sellers ca Ree Co., Ltd. BS oe 6-68 Agra Ouvah Estates Co., Ltd. 600 = 925 DaELAl Tealiintaieomntal in : ore Ceylon T2a and Coconut Estates 509 = 600 n’1 Kelani Valley Tea Asson., Ltd = “. eats Castlereagh Tea Co., Ltd. 100 — 95 Kintyre Estates Co, Ltd. b 10 a os Ceylon Hills Estates Co., Ltd. 100 a 30 Tanka Plantation Co. Lid 10 4 ae Ceylon Provincial states Co. 400 485 _— Nahalma Estates Co.. Ltd. 1 aie Claremont Estates Co., Ltd. 100 15 pie New Dimbula Co. Ltd, * 1 2 24-3 Clunes Tea Co., Ltd. 100 — 105°50 Nuwara Mliya ‘lea Hst. Co., Ltd 10 % 105 Clyde Estates Oo., Ltd. 100 _— 90 Ouvah Coffee Co.,1td. , 1 = Delgolla Estates Co., Ltd. 409 _— 150 Ragalla Tea Estates Uo., Lrd. 10 “f 102 Doomoo tea Co., of Ceylon, Wh ree peoLeD Ceylon Tea Ce., Ltd. 10 tee" 14-16 ., ae i Vallo 5—6n’ Drayton Estate Co., Ltd. 100 _— 135 Aiea ea teed nee CO be ae eee ae prea por ohcenen pata Ae ep bo Yativantota Geyion Tea Co., Ltd 10 if 8-9 states ey 4ba. sf — Vati ‘ ies an? Gangawatta { 300 us es iyantota pref. 6 o/o 16 10—103 Glasgow Estate Co., Ltd. ; 600 = 975 BY ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE. Great Western Tea Co., 0 4 ~ Ceylon, Ltd. 500 645 +n Colombo, 1st September, 1899. Hapugahalande Tea Estate Co Ltd “ine 200 — 250 > High Forests Estates Co Lt 500 — 550* xd 3 * Do part paid 350 nen 350* & | Seeezscars = Horekelly Estates Co., Ltd. 100 = 85 mB | §enoonans Sly Kalutara oe ae ai ee — 390* xd Sele 3 Kandyan Hills Co Ltd. 0 45 — oz SSR awarcm oi |e | Kanapediwatte Ltd. 100 — 85* Bail es 5 esp ea ames aaa 3 5 Kelani Tea Garden Com Beh 100 the 65 pics) ma pal! . Kirklees Estates Co., Ltd. 100 — 142:50 i Kriavesmire states Co., Ltd. £00 Me 75 Oo | 2 Sk eeneteresae a le Maha Uva Estates Co,, Ltd 600 — 5% GQ S/S | garnaagceooogen 12 |e Mocha Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 500 - 675 ae & ors =e Nahoulle Rice Wie mae B00 —_ 500 fe) 3 fu lo mor ommam: so i z Nyassaland Coffee Co. Ltd. x 90 PEP EO esiiel ye ea a BS) Ss EO) a ' Ottery Kistate Co., Ltd. i 100 110 _ (o) S 2 | EonnSaSeasa5% |e |e Palmerston Tea Co., Ltd. 500 a 415 Ors aa a ae 5 Penrhos Ustates Co., Ltd. 100 - 105 Sis |SSS8SSnnSR8EL aR 2 3 Pine Hill Estate Co., Ltd. 60 = 60 fae) ines Brow nannoocodn 3 |8 Pitakanda He Comtpiny 500 1,000 = =) S z > Putupaula Tea Co., Ltd. 100 bie 100 R 16 Saasmeanrnaony | jo Ratwatte Cocoa Co., Ltd. 500 350 -600n’I Melts JESS RS SSeS a eee eS Rayigam ea Co., Ltd. 100 — 67°50" 4\s ao Ga) eo \s Roehery ares Ge. 1d tony, MIL hathioe & | 1g |esssnearsessa|s 2 Ruanwella Tea Co., Lid. i) 260 RD ae Sco oe a le 8t. Heliers Tea Oo., Ltd. 50 506 == eines | FO ORG alO Se |S Jalgaswela Teo Co., Ltd. 10u - 35 fa} " (S418 ee itke Ge SESS Sane Do 7 per cent. Prefs, 100 80 ad Ss s/s QVHrIHHONooean |S |e Tonacombe Estate Co., Ltd. 500 — 450 R12 | Geacsouannise |B |e Udabage Estate Co., Ltd. 100 ot 65 pails 5 sz "Jdugama Tea & Timber Co., Ltd. 50 se 10n1 Sy ales |dannasseeaaes | 3 |S Onion Estate Oo., Ltd. 500 = 300 < % PER SAR SoHo ig if Upper Maskeliya Estate Cv., fy 4 il © lap jilo(Ten Co., cf Geylon, Led. 100)” ales. vu riea 2 |g |¢esseseessass|2 Ovakellie Tea Co., of Ceylon, Ltd. 5 do = BORO O MNOS See Vogan Tea Co., Ltd. i 100 = 85 ine's 2 3 = . Steam Navgt. = asses ° as ee Mle) 100.208 we Soo 2S 5540028 Colombo Apothecaries Co., Ltd 100 13a* BD a Colombo Assembly Rooms Co. ) iad y ’ a ee Spay ‘aha CHINESE eee pai aa cones never do not Do prefs. ; 2u i) 17 oe sneoureseman iY pee Mh oar eta for the Colombo Fort Land and Building rehabilitation 0 e tea trade of China. From Canton Co., Ltd. 100 ue 80 Mr. Consul R. W. Mansfield reports that the decay- ColomboHotels Company = 100 = 200 ing tea trade again diminished by over 500,000 lb. Galle FaceHotel Oo., Itd. 100 . 150% A dry spring and an insurrection in June in close Kandy Hotels CO mere ee oy ae proximity to the tea districts may to some extent. Kandy ySsaslons oye a 0 aE 400 have affected the trade, but the real reason for the Mount Lavinia Hotels Co., Ltd. 500 5 : ) r New Colomho Ice Co., Ltd. 100 = | 170 decline is the steady falling off in the demand for Nuwara Eliya Hotels Co., Ltd. 100 _. 40 Canton scented capers on the London market. ~What Public Hall Co., Ltd. 20 15 = demand there is more and more for low-priced teas Petroleum Storage Co. 100 ee G for blending purposes, and a few more years will Do 10 % prefs. 100 3 probably s3e even this small demand disappear. The newman quality of the teas was fully up to the average y Transactions, Standard, and they were exceptionally well scented, ' Cardamoms Mysore do Srpr. 1, 1899.] COLOMBO PRICE CURRENT. (Hurnished by the Chamber of Commerce.) Colombo 29th Ang, 12°99 EixcHancs on Lonpon :—Closing Rates: Bank Selliny Rates:—On demand 1/4; 4 months’ sight 1/4 1-32; 6 months’ sight 1/4 1-16. Bank Buying Rates:—Credits 3 months’ sight 1/4 7-32 to 1/44; 6 months’ sight 1/4 11-32 to $3; Docts 3months’ . sight 1/4 9-32 to 5-16; 6 months’ sight 1/413 32 to 7-16. Tndian Bank Minimum Rates 4 o/o Local Rates: 2 0/o digher. OorrEE:— Plantation Estate Parchment on the spot per bas— R12.50° Plantation Estate Coffee, f.o.b on the spot per cwt R72°50. Liberian Parchment on the spot per bus—None. Native Coffee f.o.b per’cwt. R38.00 Scarce and nominal. Tp a:--Average Prices ruling during the week— Broken Pekoe per lb. 42c. Pekoe per Ib. 36c. Pekoe Sou- chong per lb. 30c. Broken Mixed and Dust per lo. 24c.—Averages of Week's sale. Crincnova Bark:—Per unit of Sulphate of Quinine perlb 8c. 1% 4 o/o Carpamoms:—Per lb R1.82 Coconut Orm:—Mil! oil per cwt. None. Dealers’ oil per cwt. R13.75; Coconut oil in ordinary packages f.o.b. per ton R310.00 Copra:—Per candy of 560 lb. R42.50 Coconut CaKe:—(Poonac) f.o.b. per ton, R85.00 Cocoa unpicked & undried, per cwt. R37.00 Supplies scarce—out of season. Picked & Dried f. o. b. per ont 800 ogalla R17.25 Corr Yarn.—Nos. 1 to 8 { Gstoniba Ri6.00 Cinnamon ‘—Nos. 1 & 2 only f.o.b. 64c. No trans- actions since London sales showing slight advance in price. Do Ordinary Assortment..per lb 55c. Exzony.—Per ton None. PiumBaco:—Large Lumps per ton, R1,200 Ordinary Lumps per ton, R1,150 Chips per ton, R750; Dust per ton, R600; Dust Flying R150—Market Weaker. Rice.—Soolai per bag, | R7.87 to 8.37 5, per bushel, R300 to 3.20 Pegu & Calcutta Calunda per bushel. R3.15 to 3.25 Coast Calunda per bushel, R23.25 to R3.50 A pbosam pa per bushel R3.44 to 3.75 Kadapa and Karuwe, per bushel Rangoon, raw 3 bishel bag. } None. Soolai Kara per bushel R2.95 to 305 oa3st Kara per bushel None. ee THE LOCAL MARKET. (By Mr. James Gibson, Baillie St., Fort.) Colombo, Aug. 29th, 1899. | FFEE :— Rstate Parchment :—per bushel . Chetty do do [yi Narive ra} Per ewt. R35:00 to 40°00 Liberian coffee:—per bushel R3°50 do cleaned coffee:—per cwt R22°25 Cocoa unpicked:—per cwt R37°00 to 45°00 do cleaned do R42°00 to 48°00 R1°65 to 2°00 do Malabar per lb R100 to 1°25 RICE :— Soolai per bag of 164 lb. nett R787 to 8°37 Slate or Ist quality:— per bushel R315 to 3°20 Soolai 2& 8rd. do do do R800 to 3°15 Coast Calunda R325 to 3°50 Coast Kara R310 to 3:10 Kazala R295 to 3:00 Muttusamba Ordinary R344 to 3°75 Cinnamon. per lb Nol to 4 R00 555 do do 1 to2 R00°64 * do Chips per candy R92 50 Coconuts Ordinary per thousand R35°59 to 38°00 do Selected do R36'00 to 39°00 Coconut Oil per cwt R13'50 to 13°75 do do F. O. B. per ton R270°00 to 275°00 POONAC :— Gingelly per ton Coconut Chekku do do Mill (retai) do 92°50 to 95°00 R77°50 to 80°00 R750 to 80°00 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 211 POONAC :— Cotton Seed do R65°00 Copra per candy Kalpitiya oO 42°50 Marawila do R41'U0 to 41°25 Cart Cupra do R40°09 Satinwood per cubic feet: do Flowered do Halmilla do Palu do Ebony per ton R2°00 ~ to 2°25 R500 to 6°00 R190 R160 to 112 R75‘00 to 175°00 Kitul fibre per cwt K30°00 Palmyra do do R850 to 17°50 Jatina Black Clean per cwt R14°00 do mixed do R11-°00 to 13°00 Indian do R850 to 13°50 do Cleaned do R11‘00 to 17°50 Sapanwood per ton RaA0°00 to 52°59 K-rosine oil American per case K6:00 to 6:25 do bulk Russian per tin R2°50. to 2°75 do Russian per case R555. to 5°75 Nux Vomica per cwt R2°00 to 3°60 Croton Seed per cwt R38°00 to 40°00 Kapok cleaned fob do cwt R24'00 to 25°00 do uncleaned do R750 to 8°00 Large lumps R700°00 to 1,200°C0 Plumbago per ton, g do R550°00 to 1,150°00 according to grade Chips R300°00 to 750°00 Dust R150°00 to 600°00 = CEYLON EXPORTS AND DISTRIBUTION. = SOMO = ONY ios eSciRetes ol) Haas = mise SS ES 2 amc e H o/SE 2 1S WD Oe On 6D wn S a =] S ro +O oN C Anz On ar } 69 YRBes = g S Ore won | ral S|232 i 1 SH wo o $134 O secapes "SOS Dinan . a O\2e ' : a SS a ° a1 a5 aQ - tn 1 DSi) OS OSi> pal . mOOMSC A SS 3 olliores 1 RSeee 210 tM asa 5 3 og hee Fol SSeS eae Hee lat Meee) diate alee oC) ss te oo or a E/o° mn =I pues © Ota 2 S90 esos Ela. jS8 S282 S SS SSss g Bla [se AD= om WH oh) Ss Ses See Saus Si jet Sue E avs ee (a a: a 5 | eal = na an 1D © © OM CON ON wr. a | 18 2 8 && 883 FR8S & i) . ls x Q CONT Nandy b=) > a Cale S sa iy DON Oo a Q ta: 1013 oO . — = = a s 5 . oO oO | a 5 oo fF ra) ~ SHA esa ileal asics 84 1 8 Oo! » x _ adonre deemed spas, ADs, ofere Mie wae se nN o Bc lacy coder? fiomnaar at sgt a S| 5 ad | ne ia —# ans 8 / Qa aoe maa Ss m= HD ares aq 2 ~~ oO is) a a 3) on a a a iy Esloa foe ge goes ye ~ BS As | ars sects hea re) as 0 Ba [vey He co oo 8 oy : (=) gs 3 pte Qi. [v2) . Pp SF ie eo Te) 0 jJe: Qa is: ~ Ls) SEES of Dy Stein OF calyn® oP ney ek oe Leones es ~ it, Ei fees oO c IHRrooo x momNn co “el a SOR o “Ros At | 3 2 = : : om fo < ) S} a . oy glee i s) Oo ' peat) eillvediewefts yet tere ele} 2 | s [sical ietdseo tor--tha: Gina | cz A | Ss Biltong co anibe iy) oO a5 3 aoa a cas AZ r= ao 1s a sire! ° Seis . fo) = a . * asin a EA Sal OE a BE EE Ea ST ae ee a TARSSSHORMSHADS E — HESS DROS SSASAIZRZASA | S NAOAWDSANGSDiCOMEHASOMAI!] A oe) HADRMHAASHAONBDASDSNES for) an aon Or N AHAANDDOWOA onl wo ee} S a eo) KOCaAnK HH 73) aes iz) qo Sea = es No) a] 7) os — NOsI~SeODon saorrnren mo Ss ;PRSSSSSSSSSSREASRES!I A aa EROBLABDEADARSSAWMOSOHMANSO! 1 2 SRSGSNDRA GRAN OHNSO 19 OO wat oO SCY FANN OreoCOonwndHe So 2 a a bal HAHN qd a oS a or a A Re) a ) ‘este Fs e ee ee B a E . 2 Os otal p 3 < me ies ‘a es wn a. e) es — : om at eS @eok® wt SB os BE alee a :S50a5 8 b> YZ as os MERBOES = oo BTS 8 St 4 v4 BRS rakowsszposgecaekt RR =) a 2S Lae WS Ong a ene woal} no cS DBDESSOSSE SSE SRE ass ve 5 9G TRH ORRMNnBA tana ate SV RARB RRR Re RAP Ree Aa) Rae Br 212 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. \Sepr. 1, 1899. MARKET RATES FOR OLD AND NEW PRODUCTS. (From Lewis & Peat s Fortnightly Prices Current, London, August 12th, 1899.) gg No Price Current having reached us by latest Mail, we omit the usual,quotations and fill with other matter, FOREIGN MARKETS FOR TEA. At the meeting of the United Planters’ Asso- ciation of Southern India on the 16th inst., Mr. AcwortH said:—You are doabtless all aware that, some few years ego, the Indian Tea Asso- ciation, and the Ceylon Planters’ Association started a fund to push the consumption of British grown tea on the American Continent. This Fund was called the American Market Fund and its suc- cess has justified expectation. It began work in the face of the greatest opposition and the position seemed at first almost a hopeless figh’, and yet from a consumption of nothing per annum when they started, the returns last year showed that 12 mil- lions lb. of British grown tea were consumed in the United States of America and, Canada; and I have no doubt that the consumption is annually increasing. I am afraid, gen'lemen, it is only fair to say that the joint action of the two Associations would have had far greater success had the Indian subscription to the Fund been on the same lines as in Ceylon. In India the subscriptions were voluntary; in Ceylon, by the wish of the plunters themselves, it was com- pulsory.- Now there is much to be said for voluntary contributions when all do their dnty, but the policy of the Indian governing body did not meet with a very liberal response from the Indian planters, some 40 per cent. holding aloof. We are larger producers than Ceylon, yet the Fund fell short of that raised in Ceylon, by almost half. I am proud to say, however, that my own Association has from the inauguration of the Fund subscribed annually its full quota throughout. I believe I am right in saying we are the only body throughout the length and breadth of India that has done so, and that several of our members are so disgusted with the inaction, apathy and sheer selfishness shown by others that they are inclined to hold aloof. To me it appears that the apathy of India in this matter is more than _un- fortunate, it is almost disastrous. Messrs. Gow, Will gon and Stanton wrote that the London market had been relieved of 58 million lb. of tea. I tremble to think to what point the market would have drop- ped if this had not been accomplished by the joint action of the two Associations. Again a prominent member of the Indian Tea Association, speaking at Calcutta in May last, stated that the London market had been relieved of an additional 10 million |b. We would never have seen the slump that did take place. and could have been averted, if India had done its duty. There is no doubt to my mind that we have only just reached a critical state. Pro-- duction is increasing and competition is increasing. Japan, our shrewdest and most popular rival, is making gigantic efforts to oust us from our present position and improve her own. She has spent al- ready £80,000 in pushing her produce and is pre- pared to go further. Who. can foretell the enor- mous injury the opening of China and her vast tea districts willdo? Thus I believe, gentlemen, the fight for the tea markets of the world has only just begun, and it depends on our own action whether the fight shall be for us one of life or death. The Anglo-Saxon is never beaten when he sets his teeth and determines to fight; but the time has come when he must make that determination. Tl ey raise by a levy of a cess of 29 cents per 100 to. of tea in Ceylon rather over R3 lakhs a year, and by spending this money in judiciously advertising and pushing their produce they are able to relieve the liondon market and raise the average prices of British grown tea from 84d to 8$d per lb. That is to say the producer gets an extra farthing on the lb, of his crop. This sum on the total output of India for the year amounts to 24 million, omit- ting Ceylon from the calculation altogether. Will any one tell me the game is not worth theeandle ? The thing is self evident and requires no argument. The only pity to my mind is that the Indian Tea Association cid not some years ago move on the same lines that Ceylon has done (cheers), I there- for beg t’ move ‘* That the Secretary be instructed to write to the Indian Tea Association and press upon that body the great importance of obtaining funds for the American and Continental Funds and to request it to approach the Supreme Government with the object of securing an acton the samelinesas Ceylon Act IV of 1894.” The resolution was seconded by Mr. H M Knight. Mr. Hopeson said the subject of Mr. Acworth’s speech was new to him and he was not prepared to vote for it without first consulting his Associa- tion. Theprincipal was fair, no doubt, but the Re- solution called upon all planters in South India to consent to a self-imposed taxation, which was a proposition he wags not prepared to assent to without consideration. The Resolution was carried, coffze planters holding aloof and not voting.—W/. Mail, August 17. —— a “ALL ABOUT RUBBER.” The third edition of this useful compilation has been issued by Messrs. A. M. & J. Fergu- son, of Ceylon. It is revised and enlarged and brought thoroughly up to date, having thie latest statistics and information with regard to cul- tivation, and scientific experiments in Trinidad and Ceylon. The table of contents shows how thoroughly every, source of information has been ransacked, and in the 350 pages of the book there is a vast amount of information useful and instructive to the planter of what is believed to be the coming industry.—S. F’. Press, Aug. 12. --—— - ——