NEW PRODUCTS: INTRODUCTIONS INTO Straits there is doubtless a local demand for dyein., cloth the dark colour so commonly affected by the CEYLON: “TOON” TREE TIMBER celestials. We fear there is no such local demand FOR TEA BOXES IN CEYLON. here. The last experiment in indigo culture in Ceylon If Mr. Wm. Ferguson is satisfied that the species was tried by the late Mr. Le March md (father of the (for there seem to be many) of indigo which grows well-known bank manager), who had been an indigo wild around Colombo is the true I. tinctoria of Linnaeus, planter in Bengal. That experiment failed because the young succulent plants were destroyed by an which he seems to be, the question might still remain army of insects. Neither past experience, nor the as to whether the best seed can be obtained from an present state' of the market for the dye, seems to “ escape,” which has probably been subjected to a us to offer encouragement for the cultivation of indigo process of deterioration. Seeing that Linnaeus looked in Ceylon. We, nevertheless, wish success to any on the specimens from Ceylon as exotic, and that Sir experiment which may be made. J. D. Hooker doubts whether /. tinctoria “ be truly The pendeut fruit of the Kige.lia was brought frcm wild,” our correspondent’s supposition that it is likely the B itanic Gardens at Buitenzvrg mcn ly as a curiosi ty. IKe certainly never had seen anything in Cey to be a native of Ceylon as of India may merely lon more closely resembling it than the fruits of justify the conclusion that it is native to neither. the West India calabash tree. When the valu I. anil is, confessedly, American, and the other may able Oedrela toona comes into question, the case is have had the same origin. For there are few of the very different, and we are gratified that the public more valuable vegetable productions cultivated in India, of Ceylon, and especially7 the tea planters, should from coconuts to Child peppers, and from tobacco to hear that Dr, Trimeu is harvesting seeds of the toon tree. Years before going to Java (in the beginning pineapples, which the Orient does not owe to the of 1876), we had seen the toon trees, lining the roads Occident. This question about indigo culture in Ceylon, of Dehra Dun below the northern Himalayas, and however, we confess we regard as more curious than subsequently we made its acquaintance below Darjiling practical. Where soil, climate and other conditions 011 the eastern Himalayas. On both occasions it was are suitable, no man can err in adding to the world’s pointed out to us as the tree for tea boxes, ^'e saw production of sugar and coffee, for the possible con specimens at Baudong and young trees everywhere sumption of both is almost unlimited. But with indigo, along the roads of the Preanger Regency. In Java, in abundance and of the best quality, a few districts indeed, it is one of the favourite trees for lining in India can supply the world. The subsidiary pro roads. But it was on Mr. ICerkhoven’s magnificent duct from the manufacture, however, an excellent tea estates at Sinagar that our admiration was speci manure, is worthy of consideration. During the writer's ally excited by closely planted avenues of mature voyaging* through Torres Straits and his visits to the trees. We recognized the #liage as that of a tree sugar districts of Northern Queensland, he had the familiar to us but which we had never seen so company of the agent of a great sugar machinery abundant and flourishing, and (being no botanist, as company at Lille. Mr. Van de Velde was, however, Brutus is) we could not recall the name. The only a Belgian, and when, in lengthened discussions regard other trees in Java which, in our eslimation, excelled ing all aspects of the sugar production question, he it were the graceful pyramidal Dummara and the was directly asked how it was that the growers of magnificent umbrageous Ficus Benjamini. Mr. Kerk- beet in a cold country could possibly compete with hoven spoke highly of the tree as fast-growing and the producers of cane in the tropics, his reply was : yet yielding good timber. The native name he said, “ If sugar alone were concerned, they could not com was Toorian, no doubt a modification of toon. We pete. What renders the cultivation of sugar beet most gladly availed ourselves of Mr. Kerkhoveu’s profitable, in Belgium at least, is the value of the kindness in bringing a supply of seed to Ceylon, refuse. It makes a food for cattle, so valuable as and a very large local supply indeed must have very to be indispensable.” We forget if our Belgian friend suddenly developed to give any propriety ti the dwelt on the resulting manure, but that would be comparison of “ carrying coals to Newcastle, ” in this very valuable in view of the large quantity of potash case. As the time is fast approaching when a large in beet fibre. From what we saw of green and supply of timber specially suitable for tea boxes will flourishing fields of indigo cultivated by the Chinese be wanted, -the wide cultivation of the toon tree is on the island of Singapore, we could not help feeling desirable for this and other purposes ; while there that, if not too valuable otherwise, it would be a are few handsomer trees for sn'.es ol public or estate grand “ green crop ” to plough or hoe into the soil, roads or avenues anywhere. They flourish planted •and we have since read of the use of the plant for very close together. As shade trees they are excelled this purpose. As a green crop application for coffee, in Java by an acacia AJb&zia Molucca na which be Liebig recommended lupine, and were our Ceylon comes a grand forest. tree in. seven years. But the plantations only moderately undulating, instead of litter is brittle, at;J its timber only tit for firewood. being in the majority of cases, excessively steep, From Balfour’s “ Timber Trees ” we give a detailed experiments in this direction might be tried. The account of Vairela toona, which we hope will be estab Chinese, who utilize everything and something more, lished and become largely prevalent in Ceylon. For are sure to make the most not only of the dye but combined quickness of growth and value of timber, of the refuse of the indigo they cultivate. In the it ranks with the best of the Australian Bucalypti. 165 CEDRELA TOONA, Eoxb. mahogany, to which it is deemed equivalent. It is used all over India by cabinet makers for furniture. It is 0. kexandra, Wall. called Bastard Cedar from the aromatic resin, exuding Tunna. B e n g . e Toona. H in d . Sa n s. from it, resembling that of the American cedar. It is Thit-ka-do. B u e m . Toon. M a h e . B e n g . < ften sold in Madras under the general name of “Chitta Thundu Can. Kooruk „ gong wood,” and is the most valuable of the woods Tunda „ Loodh? S a n s. known by that commercial name. It has an erect tiunk Suola mara „ Cuveraca „ of great height and size with smooth gray bark. The Toon tree . E n g . Toon maram. . Tam. fluwers are very numerous, small, white, and fragiant like Bastard cedar „ AVunjooli maram „ honey. The seeds are numerous, imbricated, winged. It „ mahogany. E n g . Maha limbo Uria. seems probable that the trees known “ commercially,” as Toon are, at least different species; but all ike woods sold This large and valuable tree grows in varying abundance under this name, ar • red-coloured, of varying hues. The at the foot of the Himalayas, also in the north-eastern tiumsur “Mahalimbo” wood, said to be this tree, and to provinces and to the south, in Bengal and in both Penin be tolerably common, is described as not liable to be sulas of India. It is rare in the Central "Provinces. In attacked by insects, a a ' is, on that account, used for the Panjab it grows up to 2,500 to 4,800 feet with 7 to maning boxes, &c. The fruit and bark are used medicin 12 feet in girth. Its growth is there rapid, its darkish wood ally for fever and rheumatism. 1 he bark is powerfully is not subject to worm or warp, looks well when properly astringent, but not bitter. The native physicians use it polished, and is there a favourite for cabinet work. Mr. in conjunction with the powdered nut of the Lsesalpinia R. Thompson says it grows to a large size in the outer boiiducella, an intense bitter. M. Nees Yon Esen beck has moist valleys of Kumaon and Ghurwal, and hill-men "will putdisked an account of some experiments on the bark, not sell their trees. In the hill provinces, it is used as which indicated the existence of a resinous astringent, posts, panels, and carved fronts of hill-houses, also, turned m..tter, a brown astringent gum, and a gummy brown into miik and water pitchers. In Kumaon, trees with girths extractive matt.-r, resembiipg ulmine. The bark was of 12 to 16 feet, yield planks up to 3 feet broad, but 2 used iu Java by Blume m epidemic fevers, diarrhoea, and feet is the average. Flowers white, but yield a rich yellow other complaints, horsfield gave it in dysentery, but dye. It is said to be abundant in Travancore. A speci only m the last stage, when inflammatory symptoms had men of wood sent by. General Cullen, as of this tree, disappeared. Its flowers, in conjuuction with safflower showed the grain and polish remarkably well; it was (Koosumba) are used by the inhabitants of Mysore, for however, of a brighter colour, and apparently of a denser dyeing the beaut’ful red colour call'd there Bul-i-nari. quality than any met with in the market, inducing a doubt —Roxb. i 635 Dr s. Wight, Hooker, Mason Gibson, Cleghorn, as to its being of the Same species. It was stated to be Stewart,Ainsli-, O'Shaughmssy, McClelland, Lieut. Cot. Lake, abundant, 25 miles north-east of Trevandrum. It is found M. E. J. JR., Cap toi $ Macdonald, Sankey, Mr. R. Thompson, in the Mysore and Salem jungles in large quantities also Voigt, 137. along the crest of the ghats from Travancore to Goa. In Coimbsfcore, it is a valuable timber tree of large size, and CEDRELA TOONA par. SERRATA. its reddish-coloured wood it is used for cabinet-making Royle. purposes. It or an allied species is known also in Coim Dimri A Dori Lahore, batore under the name of AVunjooli maram; but, as this Drab I Bisra Panj. is a very heavy and strong hard wood, said to be admir Drawi (Hazara. Guldar „ ably fitted for pestles and mortars -and other purposes Drawa J demanding great strength, but not for cabinet purposes, Tuni llind. Darali } Sutlej- Beas‘ Dr. AVight suspected Koxburgh’s toona and the AVunjooli to Deri t Panjab Khishing, Kanawar. be different trees. Dr. G^json reports that he had found Ckiti sirin „ Khanam. this choice tree in one siraation, viz., inland of Koorsulee ; Der. Chenab, Lahore but adds, it probably exists all along close below the ghats. I At another place, he says that it is not a common tree The leaves of this are always saw-edged (serrated) in in the Bombay forests, but is found in some of the greenwood which a l ue it differs from C. toona Roxb. Its wood is jungles about the ghats, and also in the hill range abutting often red but is of m orect en texture and lighter in on the Rajpooree Creek to the south. The wood is a choice colour than U. toona, and standswater well. In Kanawar one for cabinet purposes, but is not used for any others, it is used for bridges, and in some places the hoops of except for house beams, when it is procurable in sufficient sieves are made from it. The wood has a foetid smell quantity. In the raees of the south Konkan and lower when fresh: an ordinary leaf is 30 inches long.—Dr. J, Cauara the tree is more common. It is, in as far as he L. fetewart, p. 34. was aware, never found inland. And, again, he says it grows abundantly in some of the deep ravines in western Kandeish and it grows in the ravines of the Concan. In Ganjam The Cultivation of Tea in the U nited S tates. —An and Gurnsur. where it is known as Mahalimbo, its extreme ingenious correspoi dent of the South Floricta Journal height is 70 feet, circumference 5 feet, and height from writes io that journal as follows on the subject of tea the ground to the intersection of the first branch, 22 feet. cultivate n :—“More thau ten years since, I first saw the Under this ivee's name, Captain Sankey describes a Nagpore t«!a plant grow'iig successfully on the ground of Dr. A. timber as averaging 10 to 12 feet long and 3J to 4^ feet >. Bruce, of Sylvan ake. Soon after that 1 requested in girth, and selling at 16 annas the cubic foot. At the some plants to be sent to me from the Agricultural De* Tambur river, in East Nepaul, the vegetati n in some spots pailment at Washington, which was promptly done by the is exceedingly fine, and several large trees occurred. Dr. excel ent commissioner, Mr, Le Due. I planted them in Hooker measured a Toon tree {Cedrela) thiit, feet in girth a soil which was a medium between white .-and pine and at five feet above the ground. Southwards, Lieut. Nuthah, muck, near Silvor Lake," Ora nge C<>unty, Florida. AVith quotid by Captain Munro, mentions toon as one of the but little fertilising ov cultivation, they are now about wooi.s i f Arrac.m undvr the name of “thit-ka-do.” A four feet high, being each a cluster of dark green leaves tr< e is found, ale >, Dr. Brandis tells us, on the hills and and branches, not having lost a leaf either from drought, on the plains ofBrdi-h ilunnah. plentiful iu some districts, heat, or fri st, without any protection, and having ripened and if not identical with the Toon of Bengal. c« rtain y seed resembli. g pdmetto, except that it is in pods of nearly related to it. A cubic foot of the Burin ill wood three or four seeds each. I have tried it repeatedly in w<^giis lb. 28. In a full-grown iree on good soil the the teapot, and while the drink was palatable it seems to av-ra,»e length of the trunk to the first bran h 18 40166% ward he flavour and colour ng which the Chinese know and aveiage girth measured at 6 fiet from the ground, so well how to give it. I am fully satisfied that by im is 8 feet. It sells in Burmah at 8 ai nas per cubic foot. It porting Chi: ese labourers tea plants of several varieties wi 1 be sten '.r m the above, that it has a wide rai.ge may be grown with the fullest success.” The idea of thiouchoul Inrtis. common in the north* rn rovince.-, American grown tea requiring the colouring as well as wht-re it is made into furniture of all kinds, and is much •the flavour of China tea is an original one, which the admired for it* close-grain and beautiful colour, resem cer er-pondent of the South Florida Journal ought to have bling. though lighter than and not so close-grained as, full credit for.—Iidian paper. A NEW PLANTING BEGIONTHE SMALL island of Mayotte, a magnificent land locked har bour, completely sheltered from southern or easterly ISLANDS BETWEEN MADAGASCAR AND winds. The seat of Government is the little island of ZANZIBAR. Zaondri, where all the official buildings are placed. On the large island there are a few planters who are BY A TRAVELLER LATELY RETURNED. doing well with sugar, aud I noticed some paddy- The only drawback to the cultivation of the island fields which gave promise of a good crop. There is of Nossi-be lias been the uncertainty of being able only one “ vanillerie ” at present, but that has shewn to send produce out of the country, and the length of itself a very mine of wealth, and no doubt this time which has necessarily elapsed before its value could industry will grow very rapiilly. Coffee is grown on be realized. As to climate, I believe it is fairly healthy. these plantations, and has been sold at Bourbon Fever, of course, is met with, but the French officials at the highest market rates. Unlike Nossi-be, living in Hell-ville told me that, when troops were Mayotte possesses no very extensive forest lands, quartered there, the health of the men was excel though it is fairly well timbered. The ground, too, lent. Of animal life there is but little is the is as a rule, lies much lower, being nowhere more than land, a small black lemur being the only known 2,000 feet above the sea level. Beautiful little s’reams, mammal. Snakes are very plentiful, but I brlieve however, run in every direction through the valley, not poisonous. The lizard family abound, from the and any lover of a quiet picturesque • scene would be gigantic iguanas to little green members of the genus enchanted with the views obtained, from different no bigger than a man’s linger; and the quaint chameleon points of the island, of the deep blue sea literally may often be seen assuming all the colours of the studded with islets and the charming tropical vegeta- rainbow. Birds are tolerably numerous ; and guinea- tiuu in the foreground. The large island contains fowl, quail, and wild duck give sportsmen a good about 32,000 hectares according to the French snrvey, excuse for a walk,' All round the coast fish abound, and there are six or seven small islands lying close and the natives, being expert fishermen, a constant by, which hav^ not yet been eurveye . Of this 32,000 daily supply can be counted on. The bouito is the hectares not more than 6 000 are under cultivation. most common; but eels, shrimps, and crabs are Here, then, there is plenty of room for more settlement also abundant, and in one part of the island and every chance of making money. Sago, spices, cloves, a small but very delicate oyster is found. There tapioca, and cocoa could all be grown here, and with is a small Arab town on the opposite side of the new communications now to be opened up, these the harbour to Hell-ville, and several good-sized islands will be within easier reach of the European native villages scattered over the island, the market than the Straits Settlements aud Java, which at chief of which are Ambanonron and Audavakon- present, mainly supply these products. The flora and tonkon. The total native population is estimated at fauna of this group are almost identical with t^ose of about 12,000, and consists chiefly of Sahalavas Nossi-be and Nossi-comba ; the only different trees I and the mixed races of the Comoro isles. Without uoticed being the paupau, the custard apple, and the saying that Nossi-be is an island which will prove Bauhirea purpurea. The history of Mayotte, like that an El Dorado to white settlers, 1 believe it is a of most of these elands, is buried in obscurity. It ap place where an energetic man with a very small parently belonged to an independent Sultan as lately as capital would in "eight or ten years be sure of ac 1835, and afterwards to have fallen into the hands of quiring a considerable fortune. It must be borne in Abdullah Sultan of Johanna. This Abdullah seems to mind too, that it is only one island out of many, have conceived the idea of cyuqueriug all the islands all equally suited to the cultivation of tropical aud belonigng to, orliing hear, the Comoro group ; for after eub-tropical produce. having captured Maynite, he set rail the following year Of the history of the island but little is known with a large fleet of dhows to attack the neighbouring previous to the year 1840. In that year M. de Sultan of Mohilla. His fleet, however, was driven ashore Hell, the Governor of Bourbon, being anxious to at the lat er place, and he was captured, thrown into obtain a naval station on or close to the coast of prison, and starved to death. A quarrel between Madagascar, sent a French naval officer to Nossi-be his son and his brother, as to the successiou, brought to report on the adaptability of that island for the about a state of civil war, and a Malagash refugee of purpose. At this time the island was ruled bythe a nameof Souli assumed the sovereignty of Mayotte, Sahalava Queen, by name Ratsiomika, who had been and in the year 1842 handed, it over to France. Since driven from Madagascar by the Hawas. Not content with the French tookpossessiou, there has been no native having driven her from her country, "the Hawas trouble, and the present Sultan of Johanna is quite con were constantly making raids on her followers at tent to remain lord of his own small isle. Mayotte will Nossi-be, and on the arrival of M. de Hull’s envoy be the terminus of the branch line of steamers at pie- she at once implor d the protection of France. This sant; but as we have got so far, we will teke a look at was granted and the following year a treaty was Johanna, Comoro, and Mohilla, before retraci 'g our steps. made by which she ceded Nossi-be and the adjacent Johanna is situated .about ninety niih.e to the west of island of Nossi-comba to her protectors. Nos-i-eomba, Mayotte, aud i- of very reu.arkal 1. formation, being which lies a little to the north-east of Nossi-be, little more than a long backbone of mountains rising in contains no white settlers, though the French Com places abruptly from the sea. The harbour, on which mandant has a pleasant summer residence.son one of the town of Johanna is situated, is not a good its hills. There is a good-sized native village on the one, being very open to the north. The town itself west side of the island, called Ampajowiua. All that is picturesque, walled all round, and with a fort per has been said of Nossi-be would apply equally to ched on a projecting rock almost overhanging it. The Nossi-comba; so I think will again take ship and population here is almost exclusively Arab, and Swa- I uagine that we have left Hell-ville far behind, and hibi is the language commonly spvkeu. There are, are entering the harbour of Mayotte however, a good many slaves who have been brought This island, or rather group of islands, for the over fiom the Afr can coast and also fiom the neigh name is used to signify some seven or eight, which bouring islands. There are only two white men living are now French territory, is one of the latest in th ■ island, an Fnglishman an.i an American, and th y acquisition of the French . Republic. They ar-‘ sit - liv on opposite sides of the i-land. Both are eng iged ated in 12” 44" and IS” 5' south latitude and 42” 46" in sugar growing, aud both are. doing well. The and 42° 48" east longitude. Here three small is crop »as almost ready to cut when I saw it, and those lands, Zaondri, Pananzi, Bonzi, form, with the large who have only seen the came in Mauritius would hardly believe tbeir eyes if they could see it in Johanna. Far East on equal terms as far as distance from the It was certainly magn'ficent. in many places between home market is concerned. With regard to climate, five and six feet high and proportionately thick Dr. there can be no doubt that the islands I have been Wilson, the American planter, has only been in the describing bear off the palm. With regard to Mada island seven years, but be has already erected a fine gascar, 1 have purposely said very little. Though sugar mill, and this year expected to make between its climatic advantages are similar to those of its 400 and 500 tons of sugar. He has built himself a neighbours, the laws of the island do not allow a charming house on a lovely ridge about 1,500 feet European to acquire, the freehold of land ; so it is abovet the sea, and he told me that since he had been not so advantageous a place to go to as the island there be had not had a day’s illness, 1 he climate, in belonging to an independent chief. I certainly be fact, must be as near perfection as possible. In his lieve that no part of the world offers a more hope garden he has almost every kind of tropical and sub ful chance of acquiring a moderate fortune to men tropical fruit, strawberries, pines, peaches, and apples of small means than the islands I have mentioned. are growing side by side. He has also acclimatised To go and live there is, of course, a species of exile, nearly all our European vegetables. In his flower ga-den j but with good luck it should not last very long, and the roses were beautiful, and bougainvilleas of five or six “ beggars cannot be choosers.” At all events, by six different shades made splendid show. One variety the next spring, it will be possible for any one who of a brilliant buff colour was quite new to me. About wishes to do so, to make a trip to Mayotte and see five hundred y?tvds below the hou-e is the native vill for h’mself. By the opening of the new line, a charm age, where all ihe station hands live—a curious mixed ing three months’ trip will be provided for people in lot consisting of Comoro islanders, African negroes, this country, who think a pleasant way of spending and natives of Madagascar. The majority of them their furlough is seeing new countries and cruising are slaves, but they all seem very well contented with in summer seas.—Pioneer. their lot. The Sultan of Johanna is a very intel ligent Arab, and is anxious to encourage as much as he can European settlement. A few of Jhe Arab chiefs T H E IND IAN TEA CROP OF 1881. have started growing coffee and cloves, but though As usual at this period of the year, forecasts of the they have procured capital crops of both, they do probable crop of Indian tea are being made on all sides, not understand the proper manipulation of the berry, apparently with the usual imperceptible effect on the and consequently their products are not thought much Mincing-lane market. In last Saturday’s Times we read, of in Zanzibar whither they send them. 1 did not on the authority of the leading tea brokers, that the get over to Pomony on the other side of the island, crop of 1881 received in London will, in all likelihood, where an English gentleman is doing well with sugar range from 44 to 47 millions of lb., while consumption cane; it would have been a very rough walk of is at the rate of 50 millions. On Monday last the Times’ about i hirty miles, so I spent my time wandering telegram from India contained the announcement that in about the forest in the neighbourhood of Johann^. Calcutta the crop likely to be available for export is 1 saw some beautiful banian trees aud also plenty of estimated at about 48 millions. The estimated outturn ebony ami sandal-wood. The lulls are wooded up to of 1881 has been a matter of coniecture since the close the summit, and are very picturesque. There was of last season, and has been in some quarters put as high as 53 millions, and in some quarters as low as 45. but little life, however, in the for-st, and during a Whether it approaches the latter figure more nearly than long walk, I only saw a few birds of the thrush tribe, the former, in the result, will be seen later on. Mean and some bright little houey-suekers Of course, as time, the market here is more likely to be affected by thing are at present, anyone living in Johanna is cut the way in which the tea on arrival is placed before the off very much from the world. 'You havt* to depend trade. It is a well-known fact that when more than 12 for your post on dhows coming from Zanzibar, or a to 14,000 packages are put upon the market in one chance vessvl from Mauritius, which may call in seek week, importers are playing in effect into the hands of ing cargo. Still it is a lovely spot, and I could quite the trade. The buying brokers cannot well taste more understand Dr. Wilson when he told me that he did than 150 samples on the morning of the sale, and when not think he could return and live in America now. selling brokers issue second catatogues of from 500 to 600 The other two islands of importance in these seas chests, in addition to the teas in the first catalogue, in are Comoro and Mohilla. The former is the largest a full market, clients and importers generally suffer in consequence. When teas are not tasted, of course, they of the group, but a white man could not with have to be bought by the look of the leaf, and thus teas safely settle there yet, *as the natives are always are often sold pence below their real value. It is to be fight ng among themselves and making raids through hoped that, in the interest of the industry, the leading 1 he country. All that has been said, however, about merchants will see their way to some arrangement oouanna, will be equally applicable to Comoro as whereby the quantity of tea to be put before the trade far as climate goes, the chief difference being .that may, in some measure, he regulated with regard to the there is much less timber on the latter island, and requirements and capabilities of the market.—Home and consequ -ntly a slighter rainfall. Mohilla is an in Colonial M ad. dependent kingdom under a King of Hawa descent, and there a European would receive every encourage ment to setde. Coffee in Samoa.—A planter, formerly in Ceylon, The net result, therefore, of our inquiries about wrote from Samoa, on the 1st O ct:—“While in Levuka, the? e islands of the Indian Ocean is th is : situate I Fiji, I • had on offer, which I accepted, and in a most salubrious climate, between the southern that was to come here (600 miles distant from Fiji) tropic and the line, they are admirably adapted for and open up some land lor coffee. The offer w h s the cultivation of sugar, c-ffee, vanilla, cocoa, spices, made by Mr. —.------, partner in a wealthy firm of cloves, et hoc genus om ne; many of which are pure that name in Hamburg. I t appears th at coffee plant articles of luxury^ aud will always command a high ing has never yet been started here, as Mr. price in the European market. At present that — ------(who owns nearly two-thirds of this island) market is more or less dependent for its supply on has hitherto been unsuccessful in procuring the services the Straits Settlement'', and the distant islands of of any one wiip thoroughly understands coffee- Java and Batavia. But by th* facilities offered by growing; and, if you care to know how this enterprise the new line of steams hips, the islands of the Co succeeds here, I shall be only too happy to furnish moro group and others scattered about in the South you from time to time all information you may require.'1 Indian Ocean will now be able to compete with the [Very good.—Ed.J MANITOBA FOR HARDUP PLANTERS. thing only the labor of cutting hay for winter. Cattle A planter writes :—“ I am desirous of obtaining at three years old are eelling at $30 per pair for some information about Manitoba, and shall be much labor and cows abut $19 each. Of course, I don’t obliged if you can give it. In the first place, I expect these prices will be so high lor many years wish to know what is the cheapest and quickest either for stock or gram, but they will always be way of getting there, and, if there is any way of get at paying prices. Even though one sold nothing, ting there without going home tirst. If 9^, I should be after they are started, and all debts paid, he could glad to get an idea of the cost of passage. I en live wcli, as we produce everything we require, ex- close a letter from my brother who has been there a ceping t.a and sugar. My land is one mile from little over a year. It is in answer to one I wrote railway station, and ther- is wood and water some months ago. You will see by it that, for a in the pl-ice. The land is as good as any can be. young man who started with almost nothing, I began with very little money and have sold no his prospects are goud. You will see by it.that thing up to this but my income this year will be even a day labourer can make more than many a about £300, or alxrat £2(i0 clear cash. This will clear coffee planter. Not th at I mean to run down coffee up anx thing I owe and set me on my feet. So you planting. Far from it. For those who have some see it is far ahead of farming at home. At capital, there is no life like it, but I think you ------, where there is nearly £-,000 invested, there will agree with me that, for a man who has no has not been one pound cleared for years. If 1 had capital, but who has heal h, strength, and energy, £2,000 here, I am safe to say I could clear £1,000 Manitoba is a better field than Ceylon.” We are yearly. Money is very dear : 12 per cent bank in sorry we cannot tell the exact sum which a passage i'rest and on short conveniences 15 per cent. You to Canada costs. There are vessels occasionally could start comfortably on £2 0.- Many have started leaving Colombo and Galle for New York, and by on less than half that amount and done well. A one of these no doubt our correspondent might ob lazy man is no use here. Every one must he alike tain a passage at a moderate cost. . We make the and work hard, when the work is to be done, but following extracts from the letter referred to by our one has about six months of the year to himself correspondent :— only to haul and cut enough wood to burn, and feed your team, &c. The mosquitoes are pretty trouble “ You would find Manitoba a great change from some for a couple of months, aud then the winter Ceylon in many ways. To begin with, the climate is colder than one could wish, but for any strong, is very cold in winter from November till March. hard-working young man, I unhesitatingly say : ‘ Come There is no such thing as thaw, but a steady frost here.’ Every one can’t make a fortune, but all may with a little snow occasionally. Some days are extremely make an honest livelihood. Your knowledge of busi cold, but the general run of the winter is similar ness might stand you in good stead here, as store- to a hard frosty time in Scotland. The summer is keeping pays better than farming, if one only has a little warmer and drier than at home. I did not the stamps * to go in.’ Retail prices are 38 per find the winter in any way disagreeable, but you c nt over wholesale.” might find it colder after living so long in the tropics. It is extremely hialthy. For my part, I like the coun try in all respects very well indeed. You can readily SLAVERY AND PLANTING IN BRAZIL. understand that any new country such as this can The tirst decade of the emancipation act of 1871 was not have the social advantages of older countries. completed on the 28th ult. Now that the eulogiums In my opinion, it is the best country in the world for have all been pronounced, and the pseus have all been any healthy energetic man or for men with capital. sung, a brief inquiry into the workings of the law Free-grant lands are to be had in all new settle may not be amiss. It is well, perhaps, that this tenth ments, and land along the route of railwa>s can anniversary should have been celebrated with generous be had at 10s per acre payable in instalments homage for the man, the Visconde do Rio Branco, who I have written to the Minister of the Interior to achieved so much against so great an opposition. It forward you pamphlets with the latest land regulations. is well, also, to give credit to the act itself, imperfect I will tell you what I have' be$n doing since com as it is, because it is a step toward emancipation, and ing here, and you will then have some idea of what has already broken the chains of many slaves. Aud your life would be here at first. I had fifty acres too, it is well to refer to the work accomplished with of grain, mostly wheat. I sowed it with a seed words of praise and pride, and then to picture the ing machine and harrowed aqtl rolled it all myself. coming of that time when the crack of whip and 1 hired a se-f-bindiug reaper to cut it. which cost clank of shackles shall no longer be heard throughout me 6s per acre, and stocked it myself, and with this whole land. All this m-.y be done with perfect the help of one man at 8s per day for five days propriety', providing, however, that the dogiutu does I drew it all in and stocked it. Threshing will not stop short just there. Beyond all this s- ntiment cost me about 4s per acre, and the seed-wheat there is a practical record, an inner result, whiuh should 2 bushels at 4s=Ss, oats 2 bushels at 2s=4s, not he concealed and smoothed over with glowing per acre respectively. The total cost of crop per figures of speech. The world will want to know the acre on an average would be 17s, besides my own practical results of Brazilian emancipat'on, and the labor, and the yield I expect will be : wheat 25 sincerity with which it has been carried out. It wi-l bushels at 4s, oats 50 bushels at 2s 5d. You will want to know how many slaves have been liberated, see from these figures that farming pays pretty well. how much has been expended, what steps have been Potatoes and ail other roots do well, but, of course, taken- to improve their condition, and how much longer grain is our staple crop ( ne man can work about it will take to accomplish th~ great- work. This tenth 100 aces of laud himself, with the help of one hand anniversary should have answer*d the-e questions, but in harvest. Owing to labor being so high (in some it did not. The day was honored and celebrated, but cases 12s daily) one has to do all the work him it brought forth no record of the work accomplished, self at first, but I do not consider th t any hard no definite promise for the immedia‘e future. ship. All our houses are wood, mostly built by The Lw of free birth whs passtd on the 28th of ourselves and neighbours. By the way, stock would September 1871, and it provided not only for the pay well, but 1 have no' been able to get any yet : freedom of all children bom of slaire mothers there only my horses. Butter has never been lo>ver than after, hut also for the amual liberation of slaves. Is per lb, since I came, and the feeding costs no The total slave population of tue empire, according to the census' of August 1st 1872—nearly one year which 6,238,411$600 had been expended up to the after the pa sage of the emancipation law—was latest reports. The absence of complete statistics 1,510,806, but as some parishes were never heard rendi-rs it impossible to determine the whole number from and as the census is notoriously de of manumissions under both of these distributions, the fective, it is estimated that a total of 1 600,000* application of the fund being very slow and complicated. is much nearer the exact figure. The emancipation The Jornal gives the per capita expenditure at 700$. act itself provided for a general registry of slaves up All things considered we cannot see that the law to the 30th September 187*2, and a special registry of 1871 has accomplished the work anticipated. It up to the 30th September 1873. All slaves not re has resulted in an approximate deciease of only 2J gistered at this last date were declared free. Under per cent, per annum, including deaths, in the slave this registry, however, which was made obligatory population, and it has guaranteed nominal freedom to under fines and 'he granting of freedom to all unre some 250,000 children, who will remain practically in gistered slaves, the tiguies are fully as untrustworthy slavery until they reach the age jf twenty-one years. as those in the census. Even to this day the slave Laying all sentiment aside, the law has partially failed, population of the empire at ihe closing of the books for it promised more than it has performed.—Bio News, on the 30th September 1873, is not known. The re Oct. 15th. turns as given by Veiga in his compilation of the laws and regulations relating to emancipation, and which he marks as defective, place the total registered GEM AND GOLD MINING RIGHTS IN CEYLON. slave populat on at 1,431,300, a total much below the General Rules promulgated December 1881. census of the year preceding. In this last enu 1.—The Government will claim no royalty on or share meration, however, the returns are given as c mplvte of the gems or goU found upon land in respect of which from all the provinc s exctpt four—Pard, Pernambuco a license lias been taken ou , and is in force under these Minas Geraes and Goyaz. It is evident, nut only rules, but such hnd will be liable to any Taxation which from the testimony of the census, but kom the occa may hereafter be found neces-ary t,o provide, at the ex pense of the grantees, the co t of such special police com sional cases of the liberation of unregistered slaves, munication, wa er supply, sanitation or other similar that this registry did" not contain the total slave administrative arrangements as may, in the opinion of population at that time. As it is the official enumera Government, be d ctated in the interests of the local c im tion, however, and as all slaves not registered are munity immediately or directly affected by the results of legally free, we have no alternative but the acceptance the grantee’s operations. of this total. 2.—No license granted under these rules will convey any In 1878 another attempt was made to obtain definite ri.-ht to fell or destroy timber. information as to the vital statistics of the slave 3.—No license granted under these rules will convey any population up to the close of that year, but this effort right to divert any water course. also failed. Eight provinces and the capital, accord 4.—Licencees who desire to divert any water course must first obtain special permission in writing from the Govern- ing to the last official report, compiled, while the meni Agent ot th^ province for that purpose. Such special reports from the other twelve were either incomplete, or permission must limit the diversion ot the water course to were from statistics gathered in 1875 and 1876. From the area covered by the permission to dig, and must stip these reports the total slave population at the end of ulate that all water running waste shill be returned 1878 was placed at 1 419,168. On the 28th ult. the within the limits of such area to its natural channel. Jornal do Cornmercio published the latest statistics 5.—The Government reserves to itself the power to alter, relating to twelve provfnces and the capital—all of cancel, tr add to any of the proceeding or subsequent rules. which are brought down to the. end of 1878 except Paiticulur Rules: Prospecting Licenses. two, which are complete to the end of 1880—in which 6.—Prospecting licenses will be issued only for Crown the changes of the slave population since 1873 are Waste Lands given as follows :— 7f—No prospecting licenses whatsoever will be issued to dig for gems. Registered ...... 683,497 8.—Prospecting licenses will be issued to dig for gold Emancipated ...... 24,651 on payment of R10 and on the following conditions:— Died ...... 60,896 The area on which the license is to extend shall not Registered arrivals 86,274 exceed half a square mile. Registered departures ... 73,067 The license shall be in force for six months. Present population...,. ... 611,057 The grantee to have the exclusive right of prospecting Relative decrease ...... 72,440 within that area for that* period and to h ive the option, Absolute decrease 85,647 at the expiration thereof, of applying for a regular letse of not more tha 50 acres within the said area on the For the period in which these changes took place, terms hereinafter described. these statistics show a relative annual decrease of oi ly Gemming Lands alienated by the Crown. about two per cent. The absolute annual decrease, 9.—The proprietors of lands on which the rights of the however, is about two and one third per cent., instead crown to gems have been reserved may obtain a license of the estimated five per cent, of the Jornal. This to dig* for and appropriate such gems on the payment of certainly is very far fiom a flattering exhibit of the R10 which license will be in force for one year, and may operations of the emancipation law, especially when be renewed annually on the like payment. it is known that three-fourths of the manumissions Mining. are voluntary acts of slaveholders themselves. An 10.—The proprietors of private lands may obtain a license other feature of this exhibit, which is worthy of to dig for gold on their lands on the payment of R10, further consideration, is the very low death rate which license shall be in force till the then next ensuing among these slaves—it bring about half that of this 31st December, and may be renewed annually on & like city. Under normal conditions one would expect to payment. find a higher death rate in a class so badly housed, Crown Waste Lands. fed. and ovei-w rkeri. 11.—Unlicensed diggers for gems on such lands will be# Although the emancipation act provided for the prosecuted. annual application of the fund for the liberation of 12.—Personal licenses will be issued to dig for gems slaves, only two distributions took place during the on such lands on the following conditions:—area not to first decade. The, amount set apart for these two dis exceed tw acres: period till the then next ensuing 31st tributions—1875 and 1880—was 8,128 612 $ 309, of December. Price to be Ro. 13.—Mining leases will be issued to dig for gold on * Viae Jornal do Vomimrao, Sept. 28 th, 1873. such lands on the following conditions:— Area to be determined by Government as occasion districts, and has been good enough to furnish me arises but no lot is to exceed 50 acres, nor will more with a summary of the results of his researches, A than 50 acres in all in one or more blocks be leased to small nugget taken near Wakwella (Galle) and weigh one applicant. The minimum* breadth of any lot to be 70 ing over 6 grains was tested and found to be genuine yards. Period—a term not exceeding 20 years, at expiration alluvial gold, which had been rolled some distance of which the lease shall be renewable at the lessee’s option and deposited by an old stream. Careful search at on such terms as the then Governor and Executive Council the place revealed no further traces of gold. In the may fix. Sabaragamuwa district, Mr. Dixon visited Rakwana, Price.—Prepayment by the applicant of survey fees and North and Central Kukulu Korales and Kolonna Korale. an annual rent of R5 for each acre or portion of an In this district, there are several valuable deposits of acre payable in advance by two half-yearly instalments on gems still un worked, but no evidence of gold was 1st January and 1st July in each year, the first payment found. In the stream which flows past the Assistant to be made on the date of the execution of the lease for Government Agent’s bungalow at Ratnapura further the then current half-year and payment thereafter to be evidence has 'been found of the existence of gold in made on or before the first day of the next calendar considerable quantities. Mr. Dixon has, however, not half-year. yet been able to explore this stream. At our meeting General.—Government will reserve the right to resume in April, Mr. Dixon alluded to his first visit to and enter upon possession of any part of such land as may be deemed necessary for the construction of rail Ramboda and exhibited a specimen of gold from the roads, roads, bridges, or canals for public purposes, or for district. On a subsequent visit several well-defined the benefit of the proprietors of other lands purchased reefs were found, samples of which were sent to from the Crown, and also the right for persons, acting Ubmlon and assayed, yielding J6 grs. to the ton. In under Government, to search, dig for, and take away in f*ol sbage two or three good reefs were found, but digenous timber, stones, cabook and other materials, the the yield here was only 4 grs. to the ton. though produce of such lands necessary or requisite for the one sample of surface quartz from the same reef making and keeping of the said roads and bridges and gave 14 grains. In the lower end of Maskeliya canals in repair or for any other public works whatsoever. valley (Theberton) two good reefs were found. From The lease to become forfeited by non-payment of rent these gold has been obtained, but not in paying quanti with power thereupon to Government to re-enter upon the ties as yet, though the prospect of this district as regards land summarily without process of law and to remove all paying gold is considered good. From Rangala surface plant, buildings, Ac., which may be therein and lease or quartz has been tested with a yield of 1 dwt 1£ grs. per sell the land to others. Departmental Rules. ton. From Hewaheta quartz has been examined yield 14.—Applications for permission under the preceding ing 10 grs. to the ton. Traces of alluvial gold and rules should in the first instance be addressed to the platinum were found in the DetTuru-oya. Mr. Dixon has Revenue Officer of the district in which the land is found the reported Mahara gold to be pyrites. Speci situated and should specify distinctly the situation of the mens from a quartz reef in Kandanuwara contained 3 land within which it is proposed to dig; its boundaries as per cent of copper and the element telurium which accurately as can be stated and its estimated area. Every is always found in company with gold. application should be accompanied by a rough sketch CLIMATE AND METEOROLOGY. of the tract applied for. The l(?ng connection of Col. Fyers, R. E., with our 15.—Applications will be dealt with in the order in which Society, of which he lias been for many years President, they are received. 16.—Immediately on receiving the application the Re has borne lasting fruit in the establishment of the meteoro venue Officer will ascertain whether the land is at the dis logical observations which may now be considered, I posal of Government and whether there is any objection suppose, as a permanent part of the work of his de to the the grant, by reason of the land being required partment. Systematic observations have been earned on for public purposes, for sale, or agriculture, for timber or under Col. Fyers’ direction at the principal stations of other reserves, for preservation of irrigating water courses, the island since 1870. A daily weather report is now or on any other ground. published in the Post Office Bulletin and the morning 17.—The Revenue Officer shall report these matters to observations at Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, are tele the Government Agent who shall thereupon determine in graphed daily to Calcutta for the storm signal service. each case whether permission should be granted, and if so Copies of the monthly return of daily observations and epon what conditions. • aimual reports as well as diagrams giving the mean monthly 18.—The Government Agent must refer for final decisi rainfall for the number of years in which observations have on of Government all applications for mining leases been taken, are sent to London, Paris, Brussels, New aud must in such cases procure the necessary survey of York, Canada, Calcutta, Batavia and Algiers, and are the property and forward it to Government, with a draft lease which will be executed in triplicate, one copy for noticed in the Administration Report of the Meteorological the grantee, one to be on record in the Government Department of the Government of India for 1879-80 as Agent’s Office, and one in Colombo. follows (p. 37):— 19.—Application for licenses will be dealt with by the “The Island of Ceylon in which a system of Meteorological Government Agent without reference to Government, Observations has been carried on for some years under the except in case where he requires instructions. direction of Col. Fyers R. E. communicates a monthly 20.—Registers of applications for mining leases and for abstract of observations from which a selection is made for licenses will be kept in the Government Agent’s Office in the tabular abstract given in the annual report, and I have forms prescribed by Government. lately included an abstract of the rainfall registers communic ated to us from Singapore. Thus the extreme geograph ical range of the region for which Meteorological data SCIENCE IN CEYLON. are collected for dLcussion during the past years, comprises (From the address o f the President C.Branch R. A. Society.) 53 decrees of longitude and 33 decrees of latitude/’ GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. The period over which systematic observations extend has Mr. A. C. Dixon, who is the most active member ' been as yet too short for reliable deductions to be made of our Society in the department of Geology and from the statistics collected. Mineralogy, has continued his visits to different dis Mr. Stoddart is at present investigating the subject of tricts for the study of their geological formations. the very partial ranges of the rainfall in Ceylon, the pre valence of high winds over partial areas, and the influence The recent activity of gold-mining operations in ot the monsoon-gales in the Bay of Bengal, and storms on the Southern India naturally drew attention to the known Bombay coast, and on the coast of Ceylon. In conjunction existence of gold in several parts of this island, and with Captain Donnan, the also taking observations to show Mr Dixon read a short paper on the subject at our the direction, force and altitude of the waves in the Colombo April meeting, He has since “ prospected ” several harbor, when the wind is in the North and North East. BOTANY. formation on all subjects connected with tropical The purmount influence of agriculture on the prosp rity of Botany and Agriculture.” We think the new President this Colony has, to a great extent, removed the department sh°ws his wisdom and practical good seme in thus of Botany from the concerns of this Society to mor open pointing out fields which are already fully occupied, and more accessible channels of commun-cation and dis so far as our little community is concerned. He cussion. The year has been especially marked by the pub might have added that with Ferguson’s “ Handbook of lication of The Tropical Agriculturist, a monthly period Information and Directory,” the Government Blue ical established by ^he Editors of the Ceylon Qbwver Constituting in the strictest seme of the word a repertory Book aud Administration Reports, the work of Statist (repertorium uH om
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rees rated in s r nm ent P > o " 2 00 o N 9 83 .. 1 195 § ft} A o in a very long report on the Chinchona plantations plantations sent just Chinchona have the I on that report you long inform very to a honor in Department, 207. No. the 1881, Revenue have June, Government, 6th to Ootacamuud, dated 1, Secretary Ootacamun the to interme date planting as far as possible; and hybrids; hybrids; and possible; as far as planting date interme that I seen had be will nor order it but despatched, Government before, been this about for I report ha receive Cross’s them not report Mr. of did my seen study I after and until months. inspection two careful a af’er re te ea o wih s vdn; h ilefcs of of now effects ill advisability the the and evident; is species; be) may planting, which case wide other the of and (as original decay the uprooting matters. Oalisaya the or other Pitayo, coppicing trees had of various he of and as necessity cultivation hybrids conclusions of the same the question much at the on arrived had I o ne nt d mr here. more add not need I so have been coppiced too low down and that four to five to trees four the that that states and down and low 1, coppice too coppiced been been having have area height the collar should be, and I find in my letters letters my in find left. I been and be, have should should collar collar the or height trunk the of inches in charge of the plantations at the time, and I had only only had I and time, the at to leave plantations the of second, ; charge wished ground in I the with that flush and collar acres, 3 time anxious the was about I the adze to that area 1879), at May the 27th restrict Commissioner the of 1,161, to to the G.O., as Barlow, also opinion Mr. in difference to a been always has There been ordered to select the area to be coppiced, and these these and was coppiced, be to with Commissioner area coppice the The select to to not shoot. ordered to been a : third, first, ta a d establishing collar; of for first inches out six experiments about as tried systems three n h asne f cul aa wih ws niu to anxious was and I 1 ordere which data, again were actual were of coppicing stools if absence the the think all I in and and to port, up weight, carried have acted to not seem were not do they mine as of suggestions id al wt te eut s il e en rm y re my from to seen be reason will no have as I result the ground. the with to fault flush find nearly adzed From Colonel R. H. Be Idomo, Conservator of Forests, Forests, of Conservator Be Idomo, H. R. Colonel From Referring to G.O., No. 781, of the 17th ultimo, I I ultimo, 17th the of 781, No. G.O., to Referring I have treated in my report fully on the subjects of subjects the on fully report my in treated have I 2. 2. z 3 x d O C w < h h Coppicing. •g-B 03 t a ft * 5 „§ ’s S o * •§ -B° x -g x * § Z § 8 d 8 § adO 1 SJ§ g O « a s .9 | a © © a a u 1 J ° z 3 b 53 F r e h t r u M. rs ojcs o uh large a such to objects Cross —Mr. s - | £ -5 Z O ^ u a a a a S S ^ ti *3 A 5"*3 A ti ^ 3 , ^ . , ^ .3 c _ „ _ a ^ o o ® a a n C *3 ® g* 3 M .3 &.3 0 t i i .3 i H e c n e d n o p s e r r o to "o § § "o d P . I t* z 2 P Z oc < z h (vide obtain, I would rather give the preference to the flush on some of the finest trees, which is proof that atten collar than to a collar several inches high. tion is paid to this subject. Re gar ling the cutting off I do not think we shall have more coppicing as a of the panicles of flo.vevs which the young trees pro system over given areas. I am much opposed to it for duce so prolifically, I would observe that I strongly re many reasons, and I think my report will go to prove commended, many years ago, when the trees first c )m- that it is not desirable; but if we did again coppice, I menced to flower so profusely, that this shoullbedone should prefer the plan of first establishing a shoot. It as an experiment over about an acre, as I thought it will be seen by my- report that when this plan is fol would favor the g o vth of the trees and perhaps the lowed there is not a single failure, and that this is virtue of the hark, and at any rate be a very inter fully proved from several blocks of oiler experiments esting experiment; but I was met by the statements which I was quite ignorant of at the time that I made that it would be too expensive to attempt it in large the proposition. Mr. Cross appears to think that the plantations, and that expensive to >ls would be necessary, young coppice growth was thinned out prematurely, but otherwise the branches woul I be m ich hr >ken and injured. I do not understand how he could give an opinion on 7. The Calisava will never answer at Naluvatam, this point without having seen the growth at the time but I have written fully on this questi m in my report. it was thinned. It is very easy to tell the proper time; There are four varieties only, 44 tne ordinary Calisaya,” it is of course allowed to grow up till there are several “ the Ledger,” the “ Anglica,” and the 44 Javanica ; ” prominent leaders; the growth of these would then be the two former are known to be most superior; they seriously retarded and interfered with unless the rest are scarcely distinguishable, anl I snail be surprised if were cut away, and it is then apparent whether it is further re.-earcli proves the 44 Ledger” so very superior. advisable to leave two, three, or four shoots. Adzing off The very favorable reports on this variety are probably with a rounded top is in my opinion preferable to a due to the high cultivation of a fe.v inuvilaals; how sloping cut or wedge form of coppice. ever, I may be wrong. Mr. Rowson toll me that 44 An- 3. I do not agree with Mr. Cross’s remarks as to glica and Javanica ” had been analvse I and gave a very the climate of the Nilgiris being unsuited for the poor yield; and this has been found the case in Java, 44 Pubescens” form of Red bark, and I think that he where their cultivation is given up; the last named is would now be inclined to modify these statements from only a brushy shrub. his subsequent observation, as many of his letters to 8. I quite agree with Mr. Cross that grafting could me quite contradict them. Mr. Cross calls this tree be of no value when the object is 44 b a rk ; ” and Mr. “ P&ta de Gallinazo,” an I he informs me that he found it Cross agrees with me that the art of hybridizing would at a much higher elevation than “ tile” or Red bark. not be at all likely to increase the value of the bark. He now considers it a new and undescribe I species, 9. Mr. Cross appears to be of opinion that the natural and I agree with him; but whether a ne.v species or bark may be richer in alkaloid tiian rene wed bark ; this only a variety of the “ Succirubra,” it has evidently is opposed to all the experience hitherto gainel. I be found its home on the plateau of the Nilgiris, and would lieve I am right in saying that every analysis has probably not grow so well at lower elevations. It suc- hitherto prove! the great superiority of the .la,ter, and ceels almirably on Dodabetta, over 7,000 feet, where that it always fetches a muca higher price. Mr. Cross “ Succirubra” will make no growth, and on the higher is also wrong in saying that a tree once baikel will exposed situations at Naduvatam and Pykara where alvays require to he wrought after the same minner as “ Succirubra” never grew more than three or four feet long as it lives, as it is a fact that trees which have high, and is now being uprooted, and Mr. Cross has been many times barked, are now growing splendidly from himself lately written to me on the subject of its hardy coppice. character and robust and splendid growth. I agree with 10. We must be careful not to be guide 1 too much by Mr. Cross that the Nilgiri is to high and cold for any report on the analysis of Mr. Cross's thirty small “ Succirubra,” but still it 's grown to a good profit in selected specimens. I much fear more harm than good the forest soil of Naduvatam, and exhibits exceedingly has been done by the analysis of only favoured indi healthy growth. viduals, and that it is likely to be the result of much 4. Mr. Cross is incline 1 to taboo “ Succirubra,” alto annoyance; I do not myself believe in the vauute 1 superi gether on account of its inferior yield of quinine. Its ority of such varieties as “ Augustif olia ” or 44 Crispa ” growth is so rapid compared to Crown bark, and its over ordinary 44 Odicinalis” nor of “ Ledgeriana ” over yield in “ bark” so far greater than that and several ordinary 44 Calisaya.” It is due probably only to high of the finer kin Is, anl its cultivation is so much easier, culavation or to other favoaraole con litions appertain that I expect it wdl hold its own; its yiell besides in ing to the selected individual; time only, however, can other alkaloids is very great; it may have to be ousted fully prove this. in favor of its congener “ Pubescens” or the “ Uritu- 11. The plantations have only lately been handed singa” var. of “ Odicinalis,” but this is a question for fur over to this Department, anl it is my iiCention to draw ther experience and research. up a full memorandum of instructions for the officers 5. I cannot agree with Mr. Cross in his suggestions in charge, but this woull be premature till Government about forming a dense sort of unlerwood of Ckinchona have reviewed my report and expressed their wishes as in the plantations; it would be opposed to every system to various points. of arboriculture and would be simply ruin to the plant ations ; the trees that did not get then- hea Is to the From Colonel R. H. BedJoine, Conservator of Forests, light would come to nothing and interfere with the to the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, root room of others, and the result would be little or Ootacamun.t, dated Ootacainund, 6th June 1831, No. 208. no bark of any value. We are not growing osiers or Referring to paragraph 4 of the G. O., No. 393, dated scrub firewood. 4th March last, I have the honor to forward a letter* 6. Regarding the remarks on 44 collection of seed ” from Mr. Cross. by Mr. Cross and the Collector, I cannot believe that 2. I quite agree with Mr. Cross as to the elevation this has not received attention. “ Tnis selection of the required for “ Calisaya” or its variety “ Le .geriana,” fittest ” is the first aim of all florists and arboricultur anl that t.iere is no site on the plateau of the Nilriris ists as well as breelers of animals, and was so long alapted for it. I have fully treated on this question before Mr. Darwin’s voluminous writings on the subject; in my report on the plantations just submitte I to Govern a practical man, with the training Mr. Mclvor hal ment, anl I have recommen.led that ground should be before he came to this coun'ry, must have been fully taken up on the slopes below Naduvatam or in the alive to the importance of this. Daring my inspection Silent Valley. I observed muslin bags tied round the panicles of seed ' * Dated 23rd May 1831. ‘ E n c l o s u r e . “ Pubescens ” and “ Magnifolia ” we evidently have most Letter from Robert Cross, Esq., to Colonel R. if. Bed- valuable frees, and it is most important to learn all we (lome, Conservator of Forests, • dated 23rd May 1881. can about them, and I trust that the copious specimens I beg to acknowledge receipt of communication of 21st in flower and fruit, which I have forwarded, may lead of this month respecting the Chinchona Ledgeriana. I to their identification at Kew. Mr. Cross assures me have not the slightest doubt that both Naduvatam and that he found “ Magnifolia ” on the Chimborazo at high Dodabetta are unsuited for this sort, the elevation of elevations under the name of “ Pata de Gallinazo,” and both places being far too high. that he believes it to be an undescribed species; but 2. If the Forest Department possessed conveniently although “ Pubescens” is to me only a slight, variety any good moist wooded ravine somewhere along the of it, Mr. Cross’s opinions regarding#t, at different times, course of the Western Ghats with an elevation of from have been most contradictory, and I am very anxious 3,000 to 4,000 feet, the tree might be expected to thrive to ascertain whether there is or is not any difference in well in such a site. Planting in the ordinary manner, the quality of the bark. It would also be interesting 4 feet apart .each way, would suffice. to have experiments c.u the growth of these two trees 3. With a proper elevation and suitable climatic con at lower elevations. ditions, the success of the experiment is further insured 5. In all the lists renewed bark fetches a much higher if the plants are strony and healthy when put out and price than natural; but it is to be noted that mossed fairly cared for afterwards. “Pubescens” sells at 2s. jier lb. less than natural 4. The Ledgeriana is manifestly a rank-free, strong- “ Pubescens,” whereas in the different reports on Nil- growing species of much the same character as the Succi- giri Chinchonas mossed “ Crown ” (“ Officinalis ”) and mbra or Red Bark. mossed “ Red Bark ” (“ Suecirubra”) always fetch more than natural, though much less than renewed ; this may From Colonel R. H. Beddoine, Conservator of Forests, be a coincidence of no value and likely to be upset at to the Acting Secretary’ to Government, Revenue Depart other sales, but I should be glad of an explanation, ment, Ootacamund, dated Ootacamund, 22nd June, 1881, should it be available. No. 293. 6. The prices realized in these lists under notice, I * have the honor to inform you that I am this day and the lists for March and April by the South Amer in receipt of “ particulars of bark" sales,” 5tli and 10th ican “ Soft Columbian ” and “ Cartliagena,” the species May 1881. This document is of great interest as con we are going to so much expense in introducing, are taining the prices realized by the two bales of “ Pubes- not very encouraging. cens ” bark sent to England from Dodabetta, as noticed in paragraph 44 of my report on the Chinchona—the From Colonel R. H. Beddome, Conservator of Forests, bale of natural “ Pubescens ” (138 lb.) sold for 7s. Id. to the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department, per lb., and the bale of mossed Pubescens (111 lb.) for Ootacamund, dated Ootacamund, 10th August 1881, No. 5s. per lb. In these two bales the trees we call “ Pu 498-A. bescens ” and “ Magnifolia ” were mixed* indiscrimin In accordance with G. O., No. 1,105, of the 25th ately, and I think it very important that Government July last, I have the honor to forward Mr. Cross’s should ask for more information regarding them, if forth remarks on the analysis of bark submitted by Mr. J. coming, viz., what was the analysis? Did the quality E. Howard and recorded in the same Government order. justify the high price given ? Was all the bark in each 2. I must myself observe that Mr. Cross’s samples bale fairly equal in quality, or was any great difference go a very short way towards testing the relative ex detected ? cellence of all our different species—22 out of his 30 2. "In the same sale list it will be seen that the 128 spechnens (/>., 1 to 14, 16 and 17, 21 and 26 to 30) bales of natural “ Officinalis ” (Crown bark) only realized being all from ordinary “ Officinalis ” or “ Crown Bark.” 4x. 6d. to 5s. Id. per lb., or very considerably less than Of the other eight samples, No. 15 is the Pitayo, No. “ Pubescens.’' If “ Pubescens ” is to keep up this high 18 the so-called “ Magnifolia,” Nos. 19, 20, 22, 23 and price, and if the purchasers of these two bales can report 24 “ Suecirubra" (or Red bark), and No. 25 “ Cali that it has answered their expectations, we are losing saya ; ” so that only five out of our eighteen species much by propagating “ Officinalis,” a spindly, weak- or varieties were sent, and these were, I regret, not growing tree, so largely, to the exclusion of “ Pubes accompanied by botanical specimens. cens,” a tree of strong and vigorous growth. Looking 3? Mr. Cross informs me that he could not now identify also at the very small prices realized by “ Suecirubra” all the trees from which the different samples of Crown in this ami other lists, there is not a doubt about the bark were sent; he identified No. 4, which gave the fact that we are enormous losers by propagating “ Sueci highest yield of natural bark (6*52 per cent), and this rubra" so largely at Naduvatam to the exclusion of is quite the ordinary “ Officinalis; ” he could not, how “ Pubescens," and that “ Suecirubra ” must in the future ever, identify No. 11, which gave the highest yield in be relegated to the Wynaad and similar elevations, where renewed bark (7'69 per cent). probably “ Pubescens ” will not succeed so well, and 4. From what Mr. -Cross tells me the whole of these that the sooner this is done the better. 22 specimens were from the ordinary “ Officinalis,” which 3. The 35 bales of renewed “ Officinalis” sold for forms the bulk of our Dodabetta plantation. It will be 7s. to 9s. 5d. per lb. We have yet to learn what re seen from the analysis how the yield in quinine differs newed “ Pubescens" will realize ; but judging by the in some of the individuals, the smallest yield of natural analysis from * a small quantity as given in G. O., No. bark being 2*01 per cent in quinine and the highest 1,330, of the 23rd of dune 1879, it will probably fetch 6*32 per cent, and the renewed bark (of which only a a very high price. few samples were sent) varying from 4*01 per cent to 4. These sale lists give us data of bark in the bulk, 7*59 per cent, which, however, is easily accounted for which is, I think, far more valuable than the analysis by difference in soil, aspect, age, Ac.; it goes, however, of picked specimens from one or two favoured trees. In to prove what I have already said in my report on the plantations, that it is a great mistake to attach too * There are 1,042 “ Magnifolia ” and 170 “ Pubes much value to the analysis of single individuals. If, cens” in the Dodabetta plantations, and I learn for ’ however, the average of the 22 samples were taken, it this consignment 236 trees of the former and 33 trees I would, I consider, give fair data as to the yield of this of the latter were barked, all from the different plots of species in our plantation. 1869, most of which (ride my report) are the worst soil 5. “ Uritusinga ” was, as Mr. Cross states, not sent and exhibit the poorest growth of all the Dodabetta at all. I am not sure that what we know by this name plantations. is really this variety (it is called here “ strong-growing 170 Condainineaand “ broad-leaved Condaminea,” as well and 2-04 jver cent of quinine) is very high for Red bark ; as “ Uritusinga ”); tlie specimens, however, that I have but here, again, we have to be cautious as they are only forwarded with my report should settle this question. It small samples taken perhaps from exceptionally fine trees is very like “ Officinalis,’’ only with much larger leaves grown under favourable conditions ; in any case the yield and of stronger and quicker growth, promising to be a is inferior to that of the “ Magnifolia.” large tree. There are only about 1,000 of it scattered 11. Of the “ Crown barks ” only five samples of re in the Dodahetta plantation and about one dozen only newed bark were sent against sixteen of original bark; at Naduvatam, so that there is some mistake in the sup but the result is sufficient, I think, to show the great position that Mr. Mclvor planted 70 acres with it in 1875. superiority of the former, and that coppicing is a mis There are many appliSitions for the seed of this from take to be avoided, when I have shown in my report various parts of the world, probably owing to reports of that after some careful inspection the trees have not Mr. Mclvor or Mr. Money ; and, considering its healthy, as yet suffered in the slightest degree from the strip strong growth and close affinity with “ Officinalis,” I ping process. should not be surprised if it turns out our most valu 12. Of No. 25 “ Calisaya” I must write further later able species. I learn from Narrainsawmy that small on. We have at Naduvatam of yellow barks “ Calisaya,” samples of the bark were sent to England for analysis, “ Calisaya Ledgeriana,” “ Calisaya var. Anglica” and and that these are the Nos. 18, 19 and 20 under “ Con “ Calisaya var. Javanica.” Mr. Cross informs me that daminea ” from Dodabetta given in the table of analysis he looked upon all as the same, and that he does not in G. 0., No. 1,336, dated 23rd June 1879; it is a know which No. 25 was taken from; but he, thinks species or variety, however, that we must learn more about. Mr. Rowson knows the exact tree, so I may be able to 6. The analysis of No. 15 “ Pitayo ” is a valuable identify it, if from one of the few trees now alive of addition to the chemical knowledge of our species—we “ Ledgeriana.” I have no remarks to make, but the have 44 good-sized trees of this species near the Doda only shrubby variety at Naduvatam is the “ Javanica.” betta Jail, but it has not been further propagated. This 13. At the present stage of our plantations when analysis differs considerably from that given in G. O., jnost of the species and varieties are of a good age No. 1,336, of 23rd June 1879, when it was much younger and well developed and easily recognized, I consider that —this giving 3-98 per cent of quinine, Mr. Paul’s speci the employment of a competent chemical analyzer up men only l o0. Mr. Howard urges its propagation, partly at Ootacamund, if only for a few months, would result because of its yield in quinidine which in his specimen in the greatest possible benefits in the future both as is 2-01 per cent (though in Mr. Paul’s only 0'82). I regards the Government plantations and the wide field observe the yield in quinidine is as high as 2-20 in some of private planting. In Mr. Broughton’s days many of of Mr. Cross's samples of “ Crown bark ” now analysed the species were young and not developed sufficiently in by Mr. Howard, and in root bark of the same species their characteristics, and there is most evident proof it is as high as 3-45. The extended propagation, how that the question of species and varieties was in a great ever, of “ Pitayo ” seem? desirable, if only the yield of jumble. quinine is considered. 14. I attach the greatest importance to the careful 7. No. 18 is one of the two species or varieties con collection of seeds from the healthiest and largest-trees founded under the name of “ Mclvor’s hybrid ” or “ Pu of “ Officinalis” as well as from our other finer species bescens ; " it is the so-called “ Magnifolia” of my re or varieties, and I have already given very full direc port (not ‘-Pubescens”) and the “ Pata de Gallinazo ” tions on this point to the officers in charge. of Mr. Cross. Mr. Howard now says it is the “ Chin- 15. I do not understand Mr. Howard’s remark that chona coceiiiea ” of Pavon; but he has only seen bark, the quantity of bark sent to England from Dodabetta 011 110 specimens of leaves or flowers having been forwarded. seems disproportionate and exhaustive, or what data I regret such a small sample Billy of this was forwarded, he surmises this to be the case. We are not up-rooting as it is not a fair criterion; it is veiy similar, as far or even coppicing; the “ superior quality" of this Crown as the natural bark and the yield in quinine, to the bark, which he alludes to himself, is proof I think analysis given by Mr. Paul in G. O., No. 1,336, of 23rd that it is not harvested prematurely, and as long as June 1879, under the head “ Hybrid Pubescens,” Nadu this is guarded against the sooner the first stripping of vatam and Dodabetta, which samples were from the same the natural bark takes place the better, as the renewed variety (the glabrous “ Magnifolia” not from “ Pubes, bark is far more valuable in the market; the sub cens,” as Mr. Cross examined the trees from which Mr. sequent strippings can always be taken off every two Rowson stripped it at Naduvatam, and I examined them years, and to delay removing it after maturity is of 011 Dodabetta. The yield in Chinchonine, however, in course a dead loss. On account of sufficient room for the spe-imens analysed by Mr. Paul differs enormously drying and storing our estimates this year at Nadu from ri.e specimens sent by Mr. Cross, but a similar vatam have calculated for a shorter crop than we ought difference is observable between many of the Crown to gather. I have, however, quite lately received Mr. bark samples now analysed by Mr. Howard. As already Morris’s interesting report for last year 011 the Jamaica reported two bales of the natural bark of this species gardens and plantations, which contains much valuable went to England from Dodabetta last December, and information on Chinchona, and he has proved that, sun- sold at 7s. Id. per lb. under the name of “ hybrid dried Chinchona bark is more valuable "than that dried Pubescens.” Mr. Howard and Mr. Cross both advocate by artificial heat. I hope, therefore, if we have any the propagation of “ Succirubra” being given up in favor continuation of sunny weather this September or Octo of this species. I quite agree with this, considering the ber, to try this system of (hying, although it has healthy and splendid growth of this species which I hitherto been supposed here (I do not know frym what have written about very fully in my late report. experience) that bark dried in the sun loses in virtue. 8. I much regret that samples of the “ Pubescens ” bark were not forwarded. E n c l o s u r e . 9. Mr. Cross states that in the samples forwarded to From Robert Cross, Esq., to Colonel R. H. Beddome, Mr. Howard, Nos. 21 and 24 have evidently been changed. Conservator of Forests, dated 10th August 1881." 10. If the samples 19 and 20 be compared with 22 I beg to acknowledge receipt of your communication and 23, it will he seen what a very poor yield in quinine with date of 9tli of this month, enclosing a report from the original bark of “ Succirubra ” gives compared with the Secretary of State for India of the analysis of 30 the renewed bark ; this alone quite taboos the coppic samples of bark by Mr. David Howard collected by me ing system of harvesting for this species at least. Nearly at the Government Plantations of Dodabetta and Nadu all the Red bark trees at Naduwatam are now yielding vatam. renewed bark, and the yield of these samples (viz., 3-08 ■ 1st.—Mr. Howard’s remark than an undue proportion of these samples were of Condaminea, when the aim the first three pages of article, showing that the soil was to ascertain the comparative value of each species, is much more famished by loss of solid matter when is no doubt correct, but the fact is that very few trees no vegetation is growing.—Cor.'] y of the remaining good sorts such as Calisaya and Pitayo would have yielded sufficient bark for more numerous (Journal o f the Chemical Society for October 1881.) samples of these kinds. In a paper which I read last year before the Society, I gave an account of experiments which showed the in 2nd.— The samples of Condaminea, both of original and renewed bark, were collected in different parts fluence exerted by the growth of plants in a soil of the throughout the plantation. Respecting the “ Uriiusinga” drainage-water from that soil. In those experiments the trees at the head of the ravine to some of which composition of the water which flowed from soil 4‘inches gauze seed-bags have been attached, an attempt was deep, and in which clover was growing, was found to made to collect bark from these trees which was aban be greatly different from that which flowed from the same doned owing to the thinness of the bark and the soil, but in which there was no vegetation. The amount difficulty experienced in getting it to rise. These of solids removed was 12*5 grams (48 grains per gallon) “ Uritusinga” trees, if distinct, form no feature in any from “ clover soil,” and 50 grains (220 grains per gal lon) from the “ blank.” part of the plantation, and the statement that 60,000 had been planted seems to me a mistake. Nor can I During the past season I have repeated the experi ments, hut using in the place of shallow pans large glazed see any trace of the “ 22 varieties” of Crown bark re ported to have been recognized by the late Mr. Mclvor. stoneware pans, 18 inches broad, with perpendicular The plantation is indeed chiefly composed of the Con sides 10 inches high, and provided with a hole at the daminea or true Loxa bark, and the steady yield of the bottom, from which the drainage-water flowing was col lected in jars placed below. samples seem to me a good proof in this respect. 3rd.—The proposal to change the specific name of the In these pans were placed 100 lb. of soil, which, when Loxa bark from Condaminea to Officinalis, as recom beaten down, filled the pans up to 1 inch of the top, • mended by Mr. Howard, is truly unnecessary. The term leaving a clear 9 inches for the growth of the plants. Condamiiica bestowed on the tree by Humboldt, who The following is an analysij of the soil:— visited the Loxa forests, has been adopted for the last Moisture ...... ,. 5*06 per cent. 50 years by nearly all Professors of Botany in Euro . Calculated on the dry soil— pean Universities as well as by the majority of botanical Soluble salts (containing sulph writers. ates and traces of chlorides) 0*680 „ 4th .— The Red bark has proved even of less value Organic matter ...... 11*80 ., than I expected, and the Pata de Gallinazo and Cartha (Containing nitrogen equal to gena or Columbian may well take the place of this sort. ammonia .. ;. ., 0*436) „ The Pata de Gallinazo was obtained in the following Si02 ...... 24*54 manner:—On packing up the Succirubra plants on P20 5 1*185 „ Chimborazo for the journey I found one of the pack CaC03 ...... 53*98 ages was not quite filled, so in company with two sons Al2Os ...... 3*065 „ of a bark collector a hasty trip was made up to a ravine Fe20 3 ...... 3*84 to a distance of three miles up the wooded slope of the MgO ...... 0*58 mountain. In the bottom of the ravine at the base K20 0*451 „ of a cliff a number of plants were found which were at once identified by the lads as the sort of bark alluded 99*441 to. The package was afterwards filled up with these Owing to the delay experienced in obtaining the kind plants, and this is the way the Pata de Gallinazo came of pan which I desired, I decided to repeat the same to India. experiments as last year in shallow pans, holding only oth.—The samples of “ Original bark” were, as sug 28 lb. of soil (depth of soil 4 inches), which had been gested by Mr. David Howard, collected from the lower coarsely sifted: therefore on May 4th I sowed in No. I part of the stem of each tree immediately above the clover seeds, and No. II was left “ blank.” roots, owing to the renewing process having been per It was not until late in the season that I was able formed on the upper portions of the trunks. to sow seeds in the large pans, hut on June 18th there Gth.—No. 21 was no doubt exchanged by mistake with was sown in No. 3 cabbage seed; in No. 4, wheat; in No. 21. No. 5, beans ; in No.-6, “ cow-grass ” (common peren 7th.—It seems to me that cordial thanks are due to nial clover) ; in No. 7, garden turnips ; and No.‘ 8 was Mr. J. E. Howard and Mr. David Howard for the very- left blank. All the pans were •placed in a moderately interesting and practically useful analysis of these bark sheltered spot, and surrounded by a spacious wire cage, samples. so as to exclude birds, leaves, &c. 8th.—A further analysis at a future time might, I As the season was favourable, the plants flourished think, be made by some quinine manufacturer of renewed up to the date when -it was considerc 1 necessary to barks of different ages and also of “ scraped” bark from discontinue the experiment, and, with the exception of the best species, like ,vise of harks obtained from varieties the wheat and turnips, all reached maturity, and the on individual trees considered to possess special excel growth of the clover had been strong enough to allow lence in order to meet the views for the dissemination of a crop being taken off. of superior sorts as expressed by the Secretary of State When it appeared that the plants were suffering from for India. drought, equal quantities of distilled wa';er were poured upon them evenly, and-this water amounted altogether fFor the Government General Order, on Colonel Red- to 2 gallons (9 litre1-). The drainage-water which had doine's Report and the above correspondence, dated 29th collected in the jars below the pans, an 1 had.been from August 1831, No. 1,280, see page 562.—Ed. T. d.] time to time evaporate 1 in basins nea.ly to dryness, amounted in the case of No. I, to 20*26 litres; No. II, THE EFFECTS OF THE GROWTH OF PLANTS to 24*51; No. 8, to 10*91 ; No. 4, to 11*90; No. 5, to ON THE AMOUNT OF MATTER REMOVED FROM 11*97 ; No. 6, to 9*12 ; No. 7, to 18*95 ; No. 8, to 14*95. The plants were wholly removed from the soil on Septj THE SOIL BY RAIN. ember 21st, and during the interval, May 4—September B y E. W. P iiu v o st , P i i . D. 21, 16*2 inches of rain = 14*87 gallons, and during the 'Herewith I send you Chemical Journal for October. interval, June 18—September 21, 14*7 inches of rain I think article p. 475 useful for your T. A .; at any rate = 13*529 gallons had fallen; to this quantity the 2 gal- Ions of *distilled water must he added, making therefore to speak, feed the plant with a spoon, directing the a total “ rainfall” of 18*38 inches (16*87 gallons = 76*45 aliment straight into its mouth, instead as we do now, litres), and 16*88 inches (15*529 gallons = 70*56 litres) bathing it in nourishment, in the hope that somehow respectively. or other a little may-trickle in through its lips; or, to The dvainage-water when evaporated yielded, in each change the metaphor, we might fire single shots, making case, of solid m atter:—I, 7*092 grams ; II, 25*576; (3), sure that each shot told, instead of blindly letting off 5*039; (1), 6*463; (5), 6*942; (6), 5*422; (7), 7*024; volleys in the hope that some of the bullets will hit (8), 12*862. the mark. In the meantime, while the plant is taking Th§ plants, after careful cleansing so as to remove up its mite of the dearly-bought manure so profusely as far as possible all adhering soil, which was found to surrounding it, heavy rains are washing the soluble be most difficult, as the tine fibres persistently retained a elements rapidly away, and carrying them away from certain portion of soil, yielded on ignition the following our garden to places where they are of no use but amount of ash :— rather harm. Let me end by drawing upon my fancy 1 = 21*32 grams; 3 = 3*53; 4 = 8*05; 5 = 10*42; 6 = by picturing what the gardener of the future, happy 18*503; 7-3*69. master of the science which we now lack, will do when During the evaporation of the water, a small amount he takes in hand a plot of rough ground, intending to of organic matter separated out, and this being difterent make it blossom with flowers. in each case, as regards quantity and colour, affected His first step, I am sure, will be to convert the raw the appearance of the dry residues, which were of vary earth into good live soil, and secure the all-important ing shades of pale reddish brown and very deliquescent. physical features of which I spoke at the beginning of The following Table I shows the amount of solid m at this essay. He may still find it cheapest and best to ter removed from each sample of soil by the drainage- bring this about by freely incorporating ordinary farm water, the total ash of the crops, Ac.. In the fourth yard manure, and simply adding special substances ac column will also be found the amount of solid matter cording to the constitution of the native earth and the removed per gallon of drainage-water, the mean quantity habits of the plant which he proposes to grow. He obtained from 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 being 34 grains per gal may do*this, but I think it more probable that, just lon, a quantity not widely differing from that obtained as we now-a-days, when we grow Mushrooms, do not by Volcker in 1866-69, viz., 33*3 grains per gallon, from trust to the chance spores persent in stable droppings, unmanured fields in which wheat was growing. Table but sow definite spawn, of special character, in fixed II shows the amount of all the constituents present in amount, so he will rapidly work up his soil by the sys the drainage-waters in grains per gallon, and the per tematic addition of prepared substances and specially centage composition of the total solids removed by the cultivated ferments. Of this at least I am confident, water from the soil; and in III will be found the ab that he will carefully watcli liis soil, testing it from solute quantities of each of the several constituents. time to time to see liow the processes are working, just T a b l e I. as a brewer tests his wort or the manufacting chemist tests the mixtures which are transforming in his vat. And I imagine that from time to time he will assist the due ripening of his soil by growing in it certain temporary preparatory crops, for the plant re-acts on Plants. the soil in as marked a manner as the soil acts on the plant, and the well known precept of agriculture, called in in grains. “ the rotation of crops,” is, so to speak, but a mere Total Total solids jutting corner of a great principle of the effect of plants on crop, in crop, in grams. crop, in crop, in grams. Total ash Total ash in crop, land, whose full dimensions we have not as yet realised. Total dry Total dry matter of drainage drainage water and removed from removed from soil by When he had thus prepared the ground and secured I. Clover a 121-90 21-32 28-412 to an adequate depth a general basis of live soil, re II. Blank.. 25*576 73*11 —— 25-576 tentive of moisture but yet not wet, porous and friable 3. Cabbaged 5*039 32*39 80-64 3-53 8-569 but yet giving a firm holding for tender rootlets, eagerly 4. Wheat c ! 6*463 30*43 41-86 8-05 11-513 absorptive of all the sun’s rays, its particles agitated 5. Beans d 6*942 40*68 138-24 10-42 17-364 through all its depths by incessant change, the harder 6. Clover e 5*422 41*703 134-37 18-503 23-925 part of his labour will be over. Probably during this 7. Turnips/ 7*024 26*00 22-01 3-69 10-714 preliminary handling he will, in different plots, give 8. Blank 12*862 60*451 12-862 somewhat different turns to the several changes as they are being evolved, securing here more, or there less permanent moisture, making this patch of firmer and Development of crop.— a Very strong, b Poor, c Strong that of looser texture, and varying here or there the and healthy, blossom barely reached, d Very healthy general composition of the soil. Henceforward his task strong pods, well forme 1. <■ Very strong and healthy. will be lighter. He will have, it is true, to keep a / Poor, leaves healthy and developed, bulbs not so. watch upon his soil, taking care that its activities never slacken, nor its general character deteriorate; but, HOR/E HORTULANJE ON SOILS. that done, his clrief toil will be the physically light but mentally heavy task of adding to the area of soil be (Gardeners’ Chronicle, 22nd October 1881.) longing to each plant, or group of plants, a few pinches (Continued from jnuje 616.J of the particular things needed for tlieir growth. And The actual amount by weight of nitrogenous and we may, without any great stretch, imagine that the .saline matters taken by even a luxuriant plant is very prescription for the pinch will vary according as he small compared with the quantity which, through lack wishes to call forth luxuriant foliage or solid bloom. of knowing exactly what to do, we find it best to put This, and the struggle to grow together, or in succes into the soil; if any one doubts this let him burn a sion, such plants as, while satisfying aesthetic desires, cabbage to ashes and carefully weigh the amount he slioull mutually benefit each other, and do good in obtains. Even the so-called “ gross feeders” really take common to the soil, will be his chief care. up very little; their grossness consists in their appear After some such fashion v ill I imagine the gardener ing to 'deliuht in wallowing in manure. In all prob of the future work—his manual labour lightened, but ability, bad we the iproper knowledge, we might so his mental work increased by the power of knowledge. conduct a small quantity of food to the plant that it To him the laboratory will have to be as familiar as would at once take up all we give it—we might, so the tool-liouse and the potting-slied, and he will have to strengthen practical wisdom and insight—for these will I plantations: under these circumstances, it might have always make themselves felt—with a backbone of science. been predicted beforehand that hybrids would appear. Some such man, I hear the reader say is the gard These considerations did not, however, occur to me as ener to the “ mansion in Spain.” That is very true; a chemist. But as it is my duty t# make a chemical but it is equally true that again and again castles once examination of the bark of all varieties occurring on thy in the air have been found after awhile firmly resting plantations, some circumstances occurred which brought on solid ground. The scientific gardening of the future the above prominently under my notice. Among some may be a long time coming, but come it will, and each young trees raised from Ncilglierry seed was a plant of of us can hasten its advent by careful obervations, great beauty, quite distinct in appearance from any of intelligent trials, and conscientious reflection. the elder or originally introduced kinds. It had tlio t D i k t e s . general aspect, pyramidal habit, and luxuriance of C. succirubra, but at the same time the lovely purple tints HYBRIDISM AMONG CINCIION.E. and velvety appearance which characterize the leaves of the “ Grey Barks ” when young. Its bark lesembled [A correspondent writes :—“In case Broughton's article that of C. succirubra, but was lighter in colour. But 011 the Hybridization of Cinchonas and Howard’s note on analysis it yielded 1*45 per cent of nearly pure cin on same have not been quoted in Owen’s handbook or chonine, instead of about 3 00 per cent of alkaloid, by you, I send you a vol. of Li tinea ti Journal, in mainly consisting of quinine and cinchonidine, as was which you will find it, pp. 474-5. I have- no doubt the general yield of its neighbours of C. succirubra of that Broughton refers to the very hybrid called C. the same age. So unusual a result led me to repeat pubescens referred to by Beddome, our Ceylon sup the analysis and to make full inquiries into the origin posed one between Oflicinalis and Succirubra.”] of the plant. I then learned from the Assistant Super Introductory Remarks to Mr. Broughton's paper on intendent in charge of the plantation that the plant Hybridism among Cinchona?. By J. E. Howard, V. L. S. i had been picked up under a tree of C. micrantha as a [Read March 3, 1870.] ! natural seedling, its parent growing in proximity to trees At the particular request of Mr. Broughton I engaged of C. succirubra which blossom at the same period. to read the accompanying paper. The author also wished This circumstance set me examining young seedling that I should adduce any arguments that might occur plantations in order to find, if possible, otliei* instances. to me against any point that lie has mentioned. This I found among them forms which are not to be met his desire, I conclude, arose from my having frequently with among the parent trees, and which are new to the urged the study of the different kinds cultivated in plantations. One of these is a variety which combines India, in order to the selection of the sort most adapted resemblances to the veiy dissimilar species of officinalis for the production of Quinine, as a necessary point to and succirubra, having the large leaves and habit of the be attended to by those who would cultivate with profit. I latter with the ovate-lanceolate leaves also of the texture have also expressed my belief in the general permanence of characteristic of the former. Some of the leaves also the forms, even of the sub-species or varieties of the plant. possessed scrobieules. The bark of one individual yielded I have nothing to urge, however, against the views 2*8 per cent of alkaloid consisting of Cinchonidine and expressed by Mr. Broughton as to the occurrence of Cinchonine, while that of another gave me 2-8 per cent hybrids, but on the contrary, living specimens which of alkaloid consisting of 1*3 of quinine and the remainder have occurred in my own limited sphere of observation of cinchonidine and cinchonine. In the latter case the which seem to me to confirm their truth. I am more quinine crystallized as sulphate with the ease which doubtful about the occurrence of hybridism in the native marks this alkaloid when obtained from C. Officinalis. I places of growth of the Cinchona?, as I do not think cannot but consider the chemical character of the bark there can be in general the same favourable conditions an independent corroboration of the hybrid character of for the interference of the pollen of different species the plant. that occur in their cultivated state. I lnive not, there Other varieties are appearing among seedling trees, fore, so much expectation of light being ’thrown on the which, though their origin can be* less clearly made out botanical arrangement of the genus as is expressed by than in the former instances, can scarcely be explained my correspondent. without assuming that they are natural hybrids. Among the hundreds of thousands of trees of C. Ojfficin- Note on Hybridism among Cinchona?. By J. Brough alis growing on the Neilgherries, veiy various and numer ton, B. Sc., F. C. S., Chemist to the Cinchona Plantations ous differences are to be found.. If each of the character of the Madras Government. istic forms were to be distinguished by name, more than The Cinchona? have long been kuown us plants whose twenty new varieties might be constituted possessing, flowers show in each individual that singular difference in certain specimens, as distinct an identity as that attrio- in the respective prominence of the stamens and pistil uted to the vars. Bonplandiana, Uritusinga, Ac., which which has since received the name of dimorphism. The arc now recognized by botanists. These numerous varie special forms have been named by the Spaniards re ties merge into one another by insensible gradations; spectively macho and hembra, according as the male oV and as it would be impossible to keep seedling plants female organs are prominent in the blossoms of any single of each separated, they are all mixed in the plantations. tree. The researches of Mr. Darwin have shown the I submit that this natural confusion of varieties and consequences of this peculiarity as it affects the fertil sub-varieties is a consequent of the interbreeding of the ization of the seed in the parallel cases of Primula, various kinds. As many of the kinds were introduced Oxalis, &c.* by seel into India, it appears to me to be highly prob- On the Cinchona plantations of the Madras Govern alde that certain of these are not the pure descendants ment are now growing, blossoming, and fruiting nearly of plants possessing in all respects the recognized botanical all the valuable febrifuge-yielding species. Individuals characters of the respective kinds. As a matter of pract of the various species are, in very numerous instances, ical experienet, I find that the yield of alkaloids is planted in close proximity. The seeds are produced in tolerably constant in veiy various varieties of the same great abundance, and have been used for the purpose species, even when the difference in habit, foliage, Are., of obtaining seedling plants* for the extension of the is marked. The variations are also clearly apparent in the species * After numerous trials I have not succeeded in de succirubra and calisaga. tecting any clear difference between the amounts of al The object of this noto is to call the attention of kaloid contained in the bark of the macho and hembra competent botanists to these facts as being well worthy forms. (f consideration in carrying out any future classification I cannot forbear expressing a hope that they may lead be mixed and incorporate,!. The decomposable animal to a simplification in the botanical arrangement of the and vegetable matter had been dissipated by previous genus, which at present is so confused as to he in cropping, and a fresh supply was required to secure the some cases almost a hindrance to the correct appreci action of the lime —the finer the soil, the more particles ation of the actual living realities. it affords for mixing with the lime, and a clod is so much land lost—for the roots of plants cannot penetrate there in search of food, and the particles are too distant LIME FOR SOILS. from eacli other, and too few are in contact. No ap (To Hie Cditor, “ Tropical Agriculturist. ”) prehensions of danger can be entertained from the cor 6th January 1882. roding quality of the caustic lime on the dung in the D e a r S i r ,—The enclosed extracts -from Donaldson’s drill; the lime is mixed with the soil, and the quantity “ British Agriculture ” may be of interest to you and exposed to contact wqll soon be modified by the moisture your readers, as bearing on the question- of “ Lime as in the land and in putrescent manure.” a Manure ” in the October issue of the Tropical Agri “ Lime is hurtful in mixture with farm-yard dung, or culturist.—Yours truly, S. G. when brought into contact in a caustic state with un reduced vegetable matters, it corrodes the substances M a n u r i n g w i t h L i m e . and tends to render the extractive matters insoluble, (Extracts from Doualdsoii’s “ British Agriculture.^) and it always, in a certain extent, diminishes the effect “ Having been engaged in the cultivation of land in of animal manures, by producing new combinations and the neighbourhood of Breedon magnesian rock in Leices arrangements. It converts unreduced organic matter intb tershire, an opportunity occurred to use the lime on a mucus or mucilage, which quickly decomposes un arable lands, and to observe the results. The farmers assisted; and though the lime dees not afford direct entertain very strong prejudices against it, and will travel nutriment to plants, it converts other substances into a many miles to fetch a purer carbonate and of a milder state suitable for the puipose. The improvements effected nature. The land under management was a deep earthy on the coarse and sour herbage of moors and pastures soil, black and inclined to hazel, on a bottom of very have been attributed to this property in lime, of decom compact dry clay, of good quality, but had been most posing by the assistance of water; but the quantity miserably scourged and impoverished by the former ten applied on the surface must be very great. On clays, ants. During the first summer, two fields were fallowed it reduces the adhesive properties by combining with for green crops, and being in a very harsh state, and the other ingredients, and hence it acts as an alterative ; naturally stiffer than the proper turnip soils, some con but the application must be liberal, and the land well siderable labour was required in reducing the texture to prepared for mixing. On sands, it is thought to have a proper tilth. In May, the Breedon lime was brought a mechanical operation, and to give a consistency to to the fields in hot cinders from the kiln, and laid 011 the soil by combining with the finer particles, and attracts the headland in a long narrow heap, turned over and moisture from the atmosphere. A cooling effect has powdered by water, spread on the land -at the rate of consequently been ascribed to lime on hot burning sands : 200 bushels an acre, and harrowed into the ground as but with some sands it will combine and form a mortar, applied. The lime ran from the carts like quicksilver, and it may be proper in such cases to mix the lime and the handling of it in that condition requires a with earths and clays. The general conclusion assumes sufficient force to keep the process in quick action. The that lime acts both as an alterative and a stipmlant in land was drilled for turnips, potatoes, and beetroot, rousing the dormant qualities of soils, moulds, and man which were regularly planted in the respective seasons. ures, and in changing substances into forms more speedily On one field a double allowance of lime, or 400 bushels favourable to vegetable life. The mechanical agency an acre, was applied on a space of four ridges in width ascribed to it consists in rendering the texture of lands and extending half the length of the field, which, being more open, porous, and friable, by mixing with the con both a large quantity and in a caustic state, would stituents of ethe soil. Some think that a part of the test the supposed noxious quality of the lime. In every phlogiston of the fuel adheres to the lime, and also case the green crops were good, and the space which that it contains a quantity of the matter of pure fire; had the double allowance showed no difierence in the but such points have not been ascertained, though to this turnip crop, nor was damage or benefit visible from the supposition of some latent quality in fire being a chief extra application: the season was rather dry, and it is agent, there seems to be a more than probability attached. scarcely possible to apply lime in a hotter state. One “ The quantity of lime applied to an acre of land field was sown with barley, which-yielded a most beauti varies much, and 011 110 point in modern agriculture does ful crop of 7£ quarters per acre, and the other pro more vague uncertainty prevail. From 50 to 1,000 bushels duced quarters of wheat; both very good crops when have been applied with various success, and 150 to 200 the exhausted state of the land was considered. When may be stated as an average quantity in all middling the wheat brairded in November, the space which had circumstances of application. That quantity has been got 400 bushels to an acre immediately showed a great applied on lands with great effect, and in many cases superiority, which continued to the time of reaping, with visible benefit, where circumstances fully justified being much thicker on the ground, of darker colour the expectation. The general character of lime is, that throughout the season, and afforded more produce, as after being powdered by calcination, it is a violent caustic, the shocks of grain were thicker 011 the ground, and imbibes one-tliird of its bulk of moisture, and becomes discernible 011 the first rifh of the held. The. succeed a hydrate of lime—and after lying a determinate time ing crop of hay 011 that space showed an equal superi exposed to the atmosphere, it imbibes carbonic acid gas ority, and for some years in succession. expelled by the calcination, and becomes a carbonate of “ The same lime was used in the same quantity of 200 mild lime. Some have extended the period of causticity bushels to an acre, and with the same beneficial results, to one year, if the lime be not spread out and exposed without a single exception. On the headland, where the for the purpose of absorption. In the caustic state, it heap of lime lay, and on which any damage might have is said to be pernicious to vegetable life, to corrode • been expected, there grew a very close and heavy crop animal substances, kill insects, and to form insoluble com of beet, with roots not often equalled in size and weight. pounds, very unfavourable for the purpose to which it An usual quantity of well-prepared farai-yard dung was is applied. But the expression ‘ determinate*’ being in applied in the drills for the green crops, and the prin definite as to time, leaves it uncertain at what period ciple was adopted of bringing the lime and dung into after exposure from calcination lime loses- the causticity contact, and of reducing the soil as fine, if possible, and becomes mild—and consequently it may be doubted as the lime itself, in order that the different bodies might if at any time and in any case lime has ever been applied to land in a purely caustic state. The hurtfulness of from camp to the rivers, and the track and trail he it to animal and vegetable life is even doubtful, for must carry it over. As soon as the milk is placed in various insects are known to live and thrive in hot lime the hole, tho rubber is coagulated by the addition of alone—and if it does possess the power of corroding ■some substance, such as the root of “ mechvacan,” hard fresh animal and vegetable substances when Uid in soap, or other substances, and these cause the milk to quantity and in close and immediate contact -with it—• coagulate so fast as to prevent escape of " the water, that is not the way in which animals and vegetables which is always present in the fresh sap, and as the are fed, and is very far from proving the fact that hot rubber and water will not mix, a piece of rubber coagul lime will produce any similar eflcct on vegetables, when ated in this manner is full of small cells containing it is mixed with the soil, absorbed or suspended in water, water. It costs 110 more to make the rubber perfectly and after undergoing the changes and combination that clear and transparent as amber, in which case it is in take place in the preparation of the food of plants.” finitely more valuable, than to make it full of holes, water and dirt. As soon as all the rubber trees are cut down, and the rubber coagulated, the pieces are INDIA-RUBBER IN THE UNITED STATES OF strapped on the backs of the hunters, by thongs of COLOMBIA. bark, and carried by them out to the bank of the river, (Journal of the Society of Arts, 2nd Dec. 1881.) and brought to market by canoe or raft. Consul Smith A very considerable trade is carried on in Colombia says, in concluding his report, that the importance of the india-rubber tree, in connection with the many and in gathering india-rubber, and the trade accounts of that useful purposes to which it is now applied, can hardly country show a large increase in the export of this be estimated, and that the attention of the planters of article for 1880 over the previous year, the greater part Colombia has never been turned to its cultivation, and of it being consigned to the United States. Consul Smith, he expresses an opinion that a good field for investment of Carthagena, in his recent report, gives an interesting lies in this direction, as a plantation of india-rubber trees account of the system purused hv the rubber hunters in collecting this article, and, at the same time, calls at would prove a most valuable source of profit. There are places on the Sinu river where the trees will grow tention to the wasteful custom they have of cutting from eight to ten inches in diameter in three or four down every tree from which they extract the rubber in years from the planting of the seed; the trees require stead of tapping them; in this way all the trees near but little attention, and begin to give returns as soon, the rivers have bee(n long since destroyed, and the hunters if not sooner, than other trees. have now to go several days’ journey into the forests, crossing swamps and mountains before they can find the rubber and- bring it out on their backs over these rough NEW PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING TANNIN BY trails. Each succeeding year the quantity gathered is DIALYSIS. less, and it is a matter of surprise that the Colombian 1)Y O. K O H LUACSCH. Government has not enforced its regulations against the Vinyl, polyt. J., 240, 72-75. From the Journal of the systematic destruction of one of ■ the most valuable forest Chftnical Society, Sept. 1881. trees. The trees which yield the largest supply flourish Some time ago it was proposed to prepare tannin ex along the banks of the Siqu and Aslalo Rivers. The tracts in Hungary, from a variety of barks and woods, hunters before entering the woods, provile themselves especially chestnut wood and oak. The author has with guns, ammunition, flour, salt, and tobacco. The thoroughly investigated this question, and succeeded in flour is made from plantains, which are cut into slices, devising a process of extracting tannin in almost theo dried and yroum), and is generally mixed with corn meal; retical quantities from different kinds of bark. The mode this will keep sweet for months. For meat the limiters of procedure, necessary apparatus, and plant are described depend upon the game they can kill. Each man starts in detail. With regard to the experimental part of the out with his giui and machete alone, hunting for rubber paper, the author concludes that as in tanning the tan and game. As soon as a rubber tree is found he cleans nin enters the skin by osmosis, it similarly leaves the a space round the trunk, cutting away all vines, under- cells of plants through then- permeable membrane, chem busli, etc., and again marches oil’ in search of more ical and microscopical examination having shown that rubber trees, not returning to camp till nightfall. Ac the interior of the uninjured cells is the same as the cording: to immemorial custom, a tree belongs to him exterior of thick bark which had already been utilized. who has cut round it. The hunt is continued until all It is therefore not the solution of the tannin set free by the trees in the vicinity of the camp are thus secured, finely dividing the bark, aud taken up by the skins, but and then begins the work of gathering the rubber. A dialysis of the tannin through the permeable membrane hole is dug in the ground near the rubber trees, unless of the plant cells, and also through the animal membrane another party is encamped near, iu that case the holes of the skin. Hence it is not requisite to divide the are dug near the camp. The bark of the tree is first bark into very small particles, but pieces may be used hacked with a “ machete” as high as a man can reach, with advantage which are small enough to allow the the cuts.being in the form of-a V, and the milk, or dialysing operation to take place in a battery of closed sap, collected as it exudes, and put into the hole which vessels, thus avoiding any danger of choking up the valves has been dug for it. After the sap ceases to flow from or pipes of the apparatus. The result is that purer ex the cuts, a pile of wood or brush is made" at the foot tracts are obtained in a more economical manner, so of the tree, and the tree itself is chopped down, the that lighter coloured leather is produced ; and if the freshly brandies keeping one end of the tree oil" the ground, prepared extracts are used at once, the author believes and the piles of wood at the foot of the tree doing the that considerably less of the tannin in a fresh active same at the other end, thus the tree is suspended. The state will be required for tanning. Experiments have hunter, after carefully placing .large leaves on the ground shown that tannin passes through the animal membrane under the tree, proceeds to cut gashes hi the bark through very rapidly in the dialyser ; that in a short interval fine out its whole length. The sap is collected from the extracts run from a battery ; aud that the residual bark tree and from the leaves placed under it, and added to (of the size of peas) is almost entirely free from tannic acid. the milk tirst collected. The sap when it first exudes from the tree is a,s white as milk and as thick as cream, OIL OF PEPPERMINT. but it soon turns black 011 exposure to ah1 and light, if not properly watched and cared for. The quantity of Boston Bulletin. From New Remedies, Sept. 1881. milk which is put into one hole, depends not only hi The peppermint crop of the United States has, for the the size of the trees, and their distance apart, hut also last few years, reached the amount of 70,000 pounds per on the strength of the man who is to carry the rubber year, of which about 30,000 pounds were annually ex ported. Two-thirds of the peppermint oil of this country depth of some few7 feet, containing soil in its natural is produced in New York State, and about one-third in condition. Besides that w'hicli sinks into the earth, Michigan. The best oil comes from Wayne County, New the quantity wnich flows off it is w7orth ascertaining, York. The plant is a perennial one, and is* planted in and th* information is not difficult to get. “ Few the spring. The next year it is ready for cutting, and bridges arc wi.hout a ‘broad arrow7/o r ‘bench mark ’ generally may be cut foi three years. as it is call d, cut by the Ordnance surveyors in The best yield is given in the first and second year so ue con^piciou* place, and of which the h- ight above of cutting; in the third year the plant becomes bitter. mean sea level (Ordnance datum) is known and recorded After the plant becomes four years old it is not cut, and on the Ordnance maps.; and from these nv.rks it is the field is ploughed over and a new crop planted. The ea>y to measure to the surface < f the stre-.m. Even usual method of planting is in rows, afid in August the when there is no such mark, it is easy to make a plant is ready for cutting, which is done by mowing mark on the parapet, and to determine its level in down with a scythe. The leaves are then placed in a the ordinary manner from the nearest Ordnance bench still and the oil extracted. There was a report that a mark. Now, what is the service the observer thus considerable number of the roots were damaged by the performs ? Simply this. The section of the river at cold weather of last winter, but it is claimed that this that po nt and its velocities being determined, he will not affect the price, as there is an increased acreage, gives us die gauging of the water at each height. By and the damage is not as great as has been claimed. The the labour of one minute daily, he gathers inform plant is a very hardy one,* and will yield from ten to thirty ation of potential value to himself and his fellow-men. pounds to the acre. The cultivation of the peppermint is Then, again, there are in this island thousands of now being introduced into the Southern States, where it other pe:sons in a position to make daily observations will furnish a profitable crop in the middle of the year, on the volumes of springs as they issue from the earth. but as yet none of the Southern oil has reached this market. In many case., bj7 erecting a small gauging board, this observation 'may be made even easier than any INFLUENCE OF RAINFALL ON WELLS of the foregoing. Moreover, in certain positions, when • neither wells, rivers, or springs are accessible to AND RIVERS. observation, infoimation of a most interesting kind {Field, 12th November 1881.) may be gained by simil ir observations on the height Some new sources of occupation and interest for of the water in ponds. And what is wanted to do those with time to dispose of are suggested by Mr. all this? Nothing but a foot rule, with which the Joseph Lucas, F.O.S , in a pamphlet which appears village carpenter is already provided—not a real foot monthly on tLe “ Wells, Springs, and R-vers of Great rule, forsooth in most cases but a measure graduated Britain/’ published by Vacher and Sons, 29, Parliament- in feet and inches, of sufficient length fo • the particular street. “There are thousands of persons in this country,” purpose for which it may be required.” says Mr. Lucas, “ who have the opportunity of adding Mr. Lucas, in addition to expei iments as to quantit}7, to our stock of knowledge valuable contributions by suggests that the quality of the water may he judged simply measuring the depth of water i«i their wells by such observations; but he does nof, we think, each day. Th re aie thousands of others, residents develope the subject as he might have done. It is near streams, who might perform an equal service well knowni that the chief objection to shallow wells to themselves and their tellow-meu by measuring the is the facility with which the drainage of cesspools distance of the river below a fixed mark every day.” and noxious surface water gain access to them Care The depth of the water in a well, as everyone knows, ful measurements might frequently reveal such dangers is not a constant quantity. It varies with the season when they would otherwise remain concealed. A of the year—that is to say, with the rainfall, and shallow7 well, for example, which contains water when also with the demands made upon it. There is utility its neighbours of equal depth are dry, might, on in ascertaining how the level of water changes by inquiry, prove to he deriving its surplus from un drough*, or by the heavy pumping of wells in the pleasant sources ; whilst, as we have suggested above, same basin. It furnishes data from which the quantity a deep well, instead of acknowledging a rainfall of available water can be calculated. Again, it is by a gently rbbig curve, give an almost instantaneous interesting to note how some wells rush up rap:dly bound, it would indicate subterranean channels more afte? a rainfall, and how they subside during dry easy to traverse than proper soil percolation weather. Such are usually verj shallow7 wells. The Mr. Lucas says: “ A water which dribbles in ex deeper wells take a sensibly longer time to feel the ceedingly small quantities through the interstices of effect of rainfalls, so the rapid fluctuations in the a rock wiil gen rally, if not always, be found to be readings of the water level in a deep well may supercbarg. d with mineral ingredients or salts—in lead to the discovery, otherwise difficult to ascertain, other w u h s, an excessively hard water. It would, of faults or subterranean cracks, permitting surface therefo; e, be desirable, wherever possible, to ascert water to descend with rapidity it to deeply-buried ain the .nanlne-s of water under observation.” Theie strata. As the editor of the pamphlet remaik*, VIt is a good deal of truth* in. the above observations, may be safely averred that, if anyone who is not but the author has apparently forgotten one thing— already in the habit of doing so should begin to that is, that the water of surface wells are frequently observe the daily variations of the water in his wel!, as hard, and oftentimes much harder than that of he will rot readily give up the hah t. By the constant deep well*, due, not, of course, to percolation, but change of level of the water in his well, a curiosity to sewage, which, in addition to its own mineral as to the state of the water-line is excited, which ingredients, obtains mor<> by its energetic chemical is not satisfied until the position of the water is cation on the soil. Hence the estimation of hardness determined by a new7 measure nent. ” Such investig i* useful, but it would not necessarily give the data ating will be of interest, even from i-olated observers, Mr. Lucas want*. Of course, another characteristic of but the maximum information w’ould only be derived deep w- 11s would be its uniform temperature as com ■ when several pe so is experiment and compare observ pared with those near the surface. ations in the same locality. At the end of Mr. Lucas’s pamphlet are deiaiL Persons of a high degree of enthusiasm may proceed of the observations of such gentlenu n as h ,ve already still furrher, aid endeavour to asc^rt in what pro join d the movement, and we feel convinced that in portion of the rainfall sink* into the ea- th to replenish formation of this charact r, if properly canied out the subterranean water sy tern. This may be ascertained and compiled w ill be of the highest value, b. th to the by compari'g the rain-gauge results with t* e amount individual observer and to the nation at large. We of water which percolates through a cylinder of a trust, therefore, that the matter will be warmly taken up. PIONEER FARMING AND TEA IN NORTHERN ; the value of suburban land, or one-twentieth for rural NEW ZEALAND. ' lands; for the former his licence is for five years, for the latter it extends over ten years; and he'must TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ FIELD.” reside on the land within six months of the issue of Sir,—The paper on this subject by Mr. W. Delisle his licence, and has to pay in five yearly instal Hay, in your issue oi the 9th of July, has just ments for suburban land, or ten for rural, lands. reached this part of the world, and, as I have been There are certain very easy terms as to cultivation in Northern New Zealand for over three years, I and improvements to be made; but a selector who naturally read through Mr. Hay's article with much has complied with the conditions - is entitled to a pleasure, and can testify to its general truthfulness, Crown grant at the end of three years on paying and plain unvarnished description of the early life of up in full, and may, of course, assign his rights and a settler, which contains the “ whole of the truth interest to whom he pleases. and nothing but the truth ; ’ but as he is not, I There is yet one more system now in force, very fancy, a resident here now, there are one or two" suitable for people of the humbler classes, called the important omissions from his article, and one state “ village settlement.” Blocks of land are set apart ment, at least, which is calculated Ao mislead anyone with village allotments of one acre each, and small who might be thinking of trying one of the most farm lots of 50 acres each, the cash price for the for delightful countries in the world, so far as climate mer being £5, and for the latter not less than £50. is concerned, as well as in many other respects. I These may also be taken up under the deferred pay trust, the: efore, you will allow me to add a few ment plan, or on lease, with a purchasing clause, things which Mr, Hay has omitted to mention. which will" enable the lessee, at any time during the He says in the beginning of his article, “ No land, continuance of his lease, to take up the land at a of whatever kind or quality, is now7 to be had for price agreed upon at first. nothing, though at one time Government used to The Crown lands in the provincial district of Auck grant small allotments on the condition of settle land open for selection, at various prices, according ment thereon.” to quality of soil, &c., are over 2£ millions of acres. Mr. Hay is mistaken on this point; the “ Home Arrangements have just been concluded by which stead Act,” to which be alludes, is still in force, over two millions of acres of land, now in the hands and under it any person of the age of eighteen and of natives, will be available for settlement, and this upwards may select from the blocks of land open block is of the very best quality. The cultivation for that purpose, which I shall presently mention, of tho grape is extending up this way, a party of 50 acres of first-class land, or 75 of second-class, and French wine growers having been settled on the for persons under eighteen years of age of first-class Wairoa river. I am now drinking a really good lauds 20 acres, or 30 of second class; no household, Burgundy, made on the same river, which costs from however, is allowed to take up more than 200 acres 5s. to 6s. per gallon only. of first-class or 300 of second-class land under this Several experiments in growing beetroot in the system. The only payment the settler is called upon Waikato district shows clearly that the sugar industry to make is for the cost of surveying and marking will ere long be opened up, as 14 per cent of sugar off his selection ; and a Crown grant or conveyance is obtainable, and the plant grows well with very of the land is obtainable under very easy conditions, little trouble and without manure. The two natural viz., a con:inuous residence on the laud for five years ; enemies to the grape—viz., the pheasant and the the erection of a permanent dw. lling-house, valued cricket—are likely soon to be reduced in number, £50, within twelve months from the commencement if they do not imitate the example of the Kilkenny of- such residence; annual cultivation of one-fifteenth cats. All the pheasants I killed in the early part of area selected if open land, or one-twenty-tifth if of the season had their crops full of crickets; and bush land. There are some minor regulations regard in several places in the district the pheasants, having ing frontage to roads, rivers &c., but the above are cleared the land of the crickets, have taken their the fundamental conditions, which anyone will readily departure to new fields. Spoit up this way is very see are framed with a view to encourage Iona tide fair; ducks and teal in abundance, quail ditto, and a settlers and farmers, as opposed to land speculators. j good sprinkling of pheasants : it is not easy to make Between the parallels of 31° and 37°, with a climate a bag of the latter. Your battue sportsman would wonderfully like Italy or Greece, there are no less be out of his element here; but the man who is than twenty .two blocks, ranging from 400 acres up : prepared to do his ten to fifteen miles a day may to 8,000 each, aud aggregating a tornl area of some- ' rely on his three to five brace of birds almost anywhere. thing like 03,000 acres, open for selection under the i Trout are doing well in some of our rivers ; but homes tend system ; and other blocks could easily be I I am afraid that neither ihey nor salmon will obtainable from the Government almost for the asking. ever succeed well up this wav, unless something can There are signs of this plan of settlement becoming be done to lessen the number of eels, which literally more popular than it has formerly been, as several i swarm in every stream, and grow to an immense size. selectors have recently come up from the southern I have no hesitation in saying they might br taken island. There are at present in the north about 260 out. of the Wairo i river in tons with the greatc-t ease. to 300 families settled on “homesteads,” with an average One other matter which Mr. Hay has omitted to area of ISO acres to each family. i mention, with reference to tiie settlement in Northern Many settlers are now taking up laud in the same New Zealand, and I have done—that is, the “ Kauri localities, under the “ deferr, d payment system,” the gum” fields. The settlers of limbed means, and to principal features of which are as follows Anyone many of those who fall into the very common mis over eighteen years of age may select an allotment take of taking up or purchasing more land than they of suburban land not exceeding 20 acres, or not have capital to work, the gum fields afford a capital move than 320 acres of rural land, at the upset stand-by. A crowd of gum-diggers is usually a very price named by Government, which now ranges for motley crowd ; yet many a now well-to-do settler has rural lands from £1 per acre upwards—several blocks i been indebted to the gum field for helping over many have been recently taken up at £1 5s., £1 10s., a difficulty. Any man who choos-s to wo; k can and £2. The minimum price for suburban lands is earn his 7s. to 10s. per day ; and £1 per day in £4 10s. per acre. The principal conditions for pur summer time is not at all an unusual thing. All chase under this system are these: The applicant the capital required is a spade aud an iron spear ; must deposit on application for the land, one-tenth an old Enfield ramrod makes a splendid one. With this the digger probes the soil until he hits upon a of fostering rapid rooting 'in new quarters is still piece of gum, which he then proceeds to dig out; it available. This consists in giving each tree a few only requires washing and scraping a little and it is spadefuls of good soil or compost immediately under ready for tiie market. or over the roois. This will give them a good start, In conclusion, I may mention that I have just which will not only save time, but ensure an aug received some Assam tea seed direct from India, and mentation of growing force at starting. The latter am very sanguine about its growth here ; and should is of the. greatest importance, for a vigorous start another new industry be added to those already often ensures a healthy growth throughout the whole, rooted, I shall most gladly send you some parti or the major part, of the life of the tree or plant. culars at some future time. Not only is a good preparation the surest means of J. L in d l iy . insuring a vigorous, healthy, and rapid growth of Northern Wairoa, Auckland, N.Z. timber or other trees, but it is also the best antidote to accidents from such storms and gales as v e have had this autumn. A practical survey of hundreds of EOYAL GARDENS, KEW. trees prostrated by the gales reveals the fact that The report on the progress and condition of the it is those on shal%w or unprepared soils that have Royal Gardens at Kew, during the year 1880, has been destroyed by wholesale, whereas trees on deeper just been issued. land have either withstood its force, or broken off sharp rather than give up their root holdfasts. Nothing I n d ia n .an d Colonial B otanic G a r d e n s. fosters deep root growth so much as a vigorous start The remarks made in the Kew Report for 1878 on immediately after planting in good well prepared soil. the relations of this establishment with the botanic As far as resistance to storms and the formation of gardens of our various dependencies have to a con fine timber is concerned, there can be no doubt that siderable extent anticipated the actual course qf events. the best mode of all is to sow the seeds where the A great increase of activity, arising from a variety trees are to grow. Each tree would then be perfect of causes, has characterised almost all these institutions with its tap-root intact, and hence virtually storm with which we are in regular correspondence, entailing proof in this country. In many cases there- would a very great extension of the official work transacted also be a gain of time by thus sowing on the permanent at Kew, independent of the purely administrative site of the timber, provided the sets were properly work of the establishment itself. I may refer to a prepared, and the seedlings kept clean from the first, paper read by the Assistant Director at the Colonial and thinned in time. Wben this is impracticable, small Institute on May 11, of last year, on the Botanical and healthy trees should be chosen in preference to Enterprise of the Empire [see Gardener’s Chronicle, larger, and the shorter the interval between nursery 1880, vol. xiii., pp. 615, 624], as giving some idea beds and permanent quarters the better for the well of the extent to which the ramifications of the foreign being of the trees. relations of Kew have extended, and of the growth of the demands of all kinds which are now made upon its resources. Two of our most important V anilla.—According to Mr. Horne, vanilla of excel botanical departments, those of Ceylon and Jamaica, lent quality is grown in the Seychelles Islands, an have been to a large extent reorganised under new acre yielding about 250 lb. of vanilla, which realizes Directors within the last two years. - I trust that a net profit of 2,500 rupees. Seychelles vanilla obtained in the future these will become more and more the the first prize at the Paris Exhibition.—Pharmaceutical head-quarters of botanical enterprise for our eastern Journal. and western tropical colonies respectively, and will I m po rting P l a n t s.—In answer to “ Tree Fern,” not be content with the limited scope of departments ferns and palms, if small enough, might best be Strictly confined in their operations to their own local brought from Calcutta in Wardian cases. Many orchids, spheres.—Gardeners’ Chronicle. if they are collected when at rest, may be sent home as cargo in ordinary packing cases, through the sides of which a few large auger holes have been bored, PRACTICAL HINTS FOR PLANTERS ON so as to ensure perfect ventilation. In shipping cases ARBORICULTURE. of plants, directions to stow them away quite clear of the heated engine rooms, &c., should be given. (Gardeners’ Chronicle, 19th November 1881.) Large trunks of tree ferns may be packed in long Nothing saves time in the growth of trees and packing cases or crates in dry moss, after the fronds other plants like the careful cleaning, culture, and have been removed, and thus shipped as cargo. Very nourishment, if need be, of the soil in which they rare orchids should be tied firmly on teak-wood blocks must perforce spend their whole lives. The longevity (or have their roots packed in coconut fibre), and of the trees, their value in a state of maturity, aud should then be grown for some months in Calcutta the worth of the prunings and thinnings at various in order to establish them, and enable their fleshy stages, all appeal to planters to give them a fair roots to cling firmly by growing naturally on the blocks, and liberal start in good, sweet, clean soil. To plant after which they may be screwed firmly to the sides of choice trees or shrubs in sour soil, already full to close Wardian cases, and thus brought home on the poop repletion with the roots of Brambles, Briars, and of a steamer, safely lashed below the awning. Unless coarse weeds, is to court failure. In the struggle j “ Tree Fern’s” friend in Calcutta is au fa it at pre for life which the plants are thus forced to engage paring the plants named for exportation, he will find in, the survival of the fittest seldom proves that the the expenses more apparent than the success in get trees were the fittest for the po-ition selected or ting home living plants. Models of Wardian cases preparation, provided for them. Next to the whole- \ may be seen in the Calcutta Botanical Gardens, or sale culture of the soil here advised was the old ; at Messrs. Veitch’s, Chelsea Nurseries, London, and plan of digging out the holes for the plants several any Chinese or native carpenter in Calcutta will make months or a year before the planting takes place. such cases at a moderate price. I should not advise If the holes and the earth on their sides be kept the attempt to import the plants named, unless “ Tree free from weeds, and frequently broken up during the Fern’s” correspondent is practically acquainted with season, sufficient mellow, sweet, warm soil will be the particular species or .varieties of plants he requires, available to allure the roots to a fresh start and vigorous add the best way of preparing them for export in the growth in their new quarters. Where no such prepar way he desires. Most amateurs pay very dearly for ations hare been nor can now be made a third mode their experience in such matters.—F, W, B.—Field. A l m o n d s . —86,763 cwt. of Alnionde, of the value of M a n u r e s .—In 1880 the quantities and values of £334,713, were imported in 1880.— Gardena's1 Chronicle. imported manures were :—Bones of animals and fish P otatos.—T he imports of Potatos in 1880 amounted for manure only, 78,138 tons, value £436,186; guano, to 9,755,514 cwt., of the value of £*2,847,0*27.—Ibid. SO,497 tons, value £810,177; unenumerated, 192,040 Or ang es a n d L em ons.—The total number of bushels tons, value £537,279—the total values being £1,783,642. of Oranges and Lemons imported in 1880 was 3,658,799, —Gardeners’ Chronicle. the value being £1,463,019,—Ibid. V eg etation in Ch in a . —The British Consul report T h e Ca psicum which yields the cayenne pepper ! ing on the trade of the port of Wenchow in China, alluded to, is C. tetragonum, called by tbe Spaniards : describes a short journey made by him in April, “ Pimento,” under which name it has often been itn- , 100 miles westward up the river On, on which ported from Spain. This large and handsome capsicum, 1 Wenchow is situated, to the prefectural city of Ch’u often as larg^ as a good-sized tomato, is of two colours, I Chow. He descrbes the natives as being extremely scarlet and golden-yellow. Its appearance is familiar I amiable all along the route, whereas those to the to all who have visited the vegetable markets of south are most uncouth and unfriendly. At a distance Southern Europe at the season when it is ripe. It j of 40 miles from Wenchow lies the small and is largely used in salads, and the large heaps exposed dilapidated city of Ch’ing T'ien, famous for its iron for sale are very couspicious by the beauty of their and soapstone; the iron is of excellent quality, but colours. When ground the pods are both used for a the natives do not understand the art of manufact peculiar fresh flavour which they possess, and also uring it well, and consequently import a considerable for colouring some dishes.— Pharmaceutical Journal. amount of foreign nail-rod iron in preference to it. S n a k e P oison.—In reference to the use of perman From Ch’ing T’ien to Ch’u Chow a succession of ganate of potash as an antidote to cobra poison, Mr. rapids have to be crossed, which makes it a tedious A. Wynter Blyth points out, in the Lancet (November journey for the traveller, and a most laborious one 5, p. 812), th at his experiments were made in 1877, some for the boatmen, who have to get out and haul their time before Dr, Lacerda published his results, and that flat-bottomed boats by sheer force over the rapids. he only found permanganate of potash of use if applied In times of drought there is not sufficient water immediately after the insertion of the poison.—Ibid. for any but the smallest boats to come down, which T h e A g r ic u ltu r e of tiie W o r ld .—A carefully is a considerable hindrance to the trade of the porti compiled and comprehensive agricultural chart, by the Though it was early in April there were splendid well-known agricultural writer, Mr. H. Kains-Jacksorr, crops of Wheats, fields upon fields of the opium showing the comparative food production of the chief Poppy in full bloom, as well as Peas and Beans, countries of the world, is published with the Graphic almost ready for gathering. The hills were covered for this date. By means of coloured diagrams the with the valuable Tea-oil shrub (CamelliaSa anqua); the yields of the various cereals, such as Wheat, Rye, small fruits are abundantly produced, and when ripe Maize, &c.; the Wheat and Flour imports into the they burst, and two or three brown seeds dropout: from United Kingdom for the past tive years; the Hop and these the oil is expressed. There were also quantities Grape average harvest; the amount of live stock, in of a beautiful flowering tree, which produces another cluding hordes, cattle, pigs, and sheep, for the current valuable oil, much used for varnish and to oil the native year, are strikingly compared. This chart affords an umbrellas. Vegetable tallow trees were also abundant, admirable survey of the subject with which it deals, but not yet iu foliage, whereas in the autumn they quite and at the present time, when the question of foreign light up the country with their scarlet leaves and. in and home agriculture is so universally under discussion, numerable bunches of snow-white seeds. It is from the it will prove of great value for reference purposes, neighbourhood of Ch’u Chow that the Bamboos and and of the highest interest to all concerned iu timber-poles are brought down in endless quantities to agricultural operations.—Gardeners' Chronicle. Wenchow, for export. Ch’u Chow, too, is the principal W at e r a n d T y p h o id F kver.—Dr. Lowe, of King’s seat of the Coir Palm, from the fibre ofwhich excellent Lynn, throws out a valuable suggestion in the Lancet rain-coats and mats are made. For about 2s. a fisher (November 12, 1881, p. 853), which deserves the atten man can get a coat that will last him for years.—Ibid. tion of pharmacists. *He points out the great danger S ponges. —Some time since mention was made in of contracting typhoid fever by total abstainers or these columns of the mode of growing sponges from travellers, from drinking impure water. His experience cuttings, proposed by Professor Oscar Schmidt of has led him, when travelling, always to carry a small Gratz. According to New Remedies (p. 321), several case containing a kettle and spirit lamp, and invariably dealers in New* York are exhibiting sponges that have to boil water before drinking it ; also to apply Nessler’s been grown in this way, so th at the industry has become test to it. He suggests that if 10 or 15 drops of that an established fact. In one experiment four thousand reagent were enclosed in a thin glass capsule and sponges were thus grown, at a total cost of 50 dollars, hermetically scaled, the fluid would keep for a length and the cultivation is now being repeated successfully of time, aud a dozen or so packed in a box would at Pine Key, in Florida. Whilst speaking of sponges form a valuable addition to a traveller’s outfit. One attention may be directed to an interesting paper of the capsules, broken in a wineglass, and a spoon by M. J. Hamilton, M.B., in tbe Edinburgh Medical ful or so of the suspected water added, would show Journal (November), in which he shows that sponge, at once if it were of a ^dangerous nature, and might rendered antiseptic and inserted in a wound, acts in thus be the means of saving life. The danger of drinking the same way as blood clot or fibrous lymph in be unfiltered water was also strikingly shown by Dr. coming vascularized and replaced by cicatrical tissue. Cobbold, at* a recent meeting of the Linnean Society. In ten days it seemed to be slightly vascular, and A gentleman, who had been on a shooting expedition bled when pricked. In one case after the sponge had in Egypt, incautiously drank some canal water without become filled with tissue and had completely disappeared, using a pocket filter, and consequently became infested e the clipping out of a small portion was not attended with an internal parasite, Bilharzia htemat&bia. * Some with pain, showing that probably nerves had not hundreds of the ova taken from a drop of urine were found their way into the new mass. Mr. Hamilton exhibited at the meeting, during the course of which considers that the blood vessels are the primary, and they were hatched under the microscope, and the larva? the connective tissue elements the secondary factors in appeared under the form of cone-shaped ciliated in the organizing process, which he looks upon as a healing fusorial aiiimalculse. These, of course, would easily up rattier than as a contracting down one, the capil be overlooked in drinking water, and would give rise laries being thrown up as granulation loopsby the pro to ha?maturia.—Pharmaceutical Journal. pelling action of tbe heart.—Pharmaceutical Journal. Cod l iv e r oil j e l l y can easily be prepared in S o y B e a n s i n C h ^ n a .— The Soy Bean (Soja hispida), the following manner :— as is well known, is very largely used in China as ft. Cod liver oil ...... 5 fluid ounties an article of food. A kind of curd is prepared from Best isinglass ...... 2 drachms them, but they are mainly used to manufacture an Sugar (white) powdered ... 1^ ounce edible soil, and the refuse pulp after the expression Oil of bitter almonds ... 4 drops of the oil is manufactured into cakes, the size and ,, allspice ...... 4 ,, shape of large cheeses, weighing about 60 lb., which „ cinnamon (Ceylon) 2 ,, are used either as fodder for animals, or more W a te r ...... 1 fluid ounce frequently as manure, especially for Sugarcane plant Having placed the cod liver oil, isinglass and ations iu the southern parts. The beans are known water in a suitable vessel over a water-bath, apply under three distinct varieties, black, yellow7, aud • sufficient heat to melt the isinglass, then add the green: the yellow are said to be the best, as pro sugar, the essential oils having been mixed with it ducing most oil. It is stated in a recent report from by trituration, and remove from the fire, stirring the New’chwang that the natives ,of that place boast mixture as it cools until it thickens. When it is cold that the oil made on the spot is much better than a firm jelly will result, which will keep without that made from the same beans after their arrival spoiling for any length of time if put up in corked in the South. The harvest takes place in August bottles. The consistence of this jelly is sucli that it may and September, and the beans from the neighbouring be taken in water, milk or wine without tasting the oil. localities are shipped from Newchwang before the —Pharmaceutical Journal. river closes, and during the winter, when, the roads Ch a n g e of C ro p.—We frequently hear it urged are hard and the rivers can be crossed on the ice, that a complete change of crop in cultivated ground thousands of carls arrive from the more distant districts is necessary to success—such, for instance, as the with produce that is shipped away the following four-course system often provided for in agricultural spring or summer. In fact, the shipment of pioduce agreements between landlord and tenant. Yet, goes on all the year round as long as the port is although this kind of change has its advantages, in open. Bean-oil and bean-eake can be kept any length the case of some crops, more or less according to of time without spoiling ; the beans themselves are the nature of the land, the idea is often pushed more perishable, but will keep for a year or more much further than there is use in, or need for. In if preserved from damp.—Gardeners' Chronicle. Messrs. Osborn’s nursery at Fulham there is this ' O rchard Planting and C ulture.— Now that many year, as usual, a considerable breadth devoted to an • acre of wood, hop-garden, pasture, &c., is being maiden Peaches remarkable for their unusual, strong, converted into orchard, in the belief that fruit grow even condition; and we understand that on this ing is one of the best objects to which capital and identical piece of ground maiden Peaches, alternating labour can be emploj'ed in these days of »gricultural with Seakale, and nothing else, have been grown for depression, it is well to note that it is most essential forty-years, and Mr. Pitman, so long in charge of that a good deep loamy soil should be selected, and 'the fruit tree department here considers them the which should rest on a dry subsoil—at least one best maidens he ever had. Although, doubtless, some through which there is natural drainage. Many an plants more than others exhaust the soil of the orchard has failed for want of attention to these particular elements they require to build up their essential conditions. Trees will flourish for fifteen or substance, yet, at all events, this piece of ground twenty years, and then decay, and it is a painful has not had its ability exhausted to grow the plants disappointment when such a disaster occurs. The that without change it so long has borne.—Gard- farther north the site of the orchard, and the eners* Chronicle. moister and colder the climate, the more necessary B room Co r n in A m e r ic a .— In connection with is it to have a proper subsoil. An old cultivator the subject of the more extended utilization of Broom of fruit in orchards has remarked, that if the ground Corn (Sorghum saccharatum) in America for sugar* be sheltered it is best to plant each tree upon a fhaking, a correspondent in Land and Water gives small raised mound of earth ; by this means the roots the following history of its introduction and cultivation are always near the surface, and the trees are uniformly in America :—This plant is said to have been introduced more fruitful in consequence. There are many orchards into America by Dr. Franklin, who, having accidentally scattered about the country in which the trees are seen a small wisp of it in the possession of a lady gradually becoming barren, and decaying for want at Philadelphia, found, when examining it as an of proper drainage, and those who plant now should imported curiosity, one little seed left in it, which endeavour to avoid the enors committed by their fore Ii • planted, and from this has sprung all the present fathers. In Kent and other fruit-growing districts Broom Corn in the United States. The Shakers are where orchards are systematically eultiva'ed, the matter the people who chiefly used to cultivate Broom Corn of pruning receives greater attention than in some in America, and they did it in the first place for other parts. To have fruitful trees it is necessary the purpose of manufacturing it into brooms. to keep them open in* their heads, not to allow a A little of the seed was sown, like other corn, in great quantity of small and cross branches in the some gardens belonging to the Society of Shakers insides, which prevent the wood from properly ripening at W atervliet, New York, in 1791, and in the in autumn, and the stui and air from circulating course of four years it began to excite attention. in summer. With proper pruning the fertility of* Some brooms were made of it, the handles being of the tree is p omoled aud finer fruit rewards the soft maple timber, and they sold well at 50 cents cultivator. Whether the soil should be sown with each; so some machinery was erected of a very grass seeds or be kept cultivated is an open question, simple description, which has of course been gradually but modern practice follows the lead of the latter very vastly improved. But now a great part of the course, as bush fruits are iu a large number of cases brush of Broom Corn raised in the valley of the planted alternately with standard trees. . In the case Ohio, together with broom-handles, is shipped to of a Cherry o chard th** tre^s appear to flourish best England, it having been found that the brooms can when the soil is carpeted w ith grass, and thus i t is be sold cheaper over here if made by us than if that Cherry trees are generally planted by themselves made there and exported to this country. The seed and not mixed with others. An open cultivated ; oil, fattens sheep and poultry as well us Indian* Corn care being taken not to injure the fibrous roots on does, and when ground and mixed with Wheat-bran the surface, is the best for standard Apple, Pear, it is given to much cows,—Ibid. and Plum trees.—Ibid, 1881 IN CEYLON. In January 1881, our estimate of the then current coffee crop, or rather export, fell as low as “ three-fifths of the total shipped in season 1879-80, ” which was Commercially, the year closes with marked depres 609,614 cwt. In other words, we estimated for 1880-81 sion in the m arkets far several of our staples : coffee a possible minimum export of 400,000 cwt., although has touched a point so low that consolation is we hoped 450,000 would he made, and even exceeded. The found in the fact that it cannot go much lower, that actual result 011 the 30tli September 1881 was a total consumption is bound to increase, and that a check export for the season of 453,758 cwt. will be given to the production in Brazil even if the For the current season it is very difficult to make Slave Question, gradually but surely ripening for an an approximate estimate, so great has been the dis outburst, does not come to a head. Coconut Oil and crepancy between the reports of different authorities. Cinnamon are so very cheap, that nothing but abund In most districts 011 the Kandy side, estate estimates are ant crops can encourage the native planters to keep being fully realized, but the Uva spring crop is to be up the exports. On the other hand our New Pro a poor one. About a month ago we took a note of four ducts promise well. Tea is steadily advancing in different estimates of the season’s outturn—chiefly by importance, and its home prospects are good, and in Visiting Agents—which ran as follows: 450,000 cwt.; this connection the benefit gained from the repre- 550.000 to 580,000 cwt. ; 600,000 cwt.; and 650,000 cwt. sentation of the Colony at the Melbourne Exhibition is Up to the 5th instant, we have only shipped 118,689 one redeeming feature worthy of notice in the history against 146,671 cwt., 165,926, and 209,216 cwt. up to of 1881. The Cinchona hark market too has satis the same date of previous seasons. But the present factorily passed through the strain put upon it by crop is admittedly a very late one, and . in 1879 we large importations of Cuprea bark from South America, shipped 600,000 cwt. for the nine months from Janu and the prospects of the cultivators of the fine ary to September. Our inclination is to adhere to descriptions (Crown, Hybrid, and Calisaya) con 600.000 cwt. as. the safest present estimate for the total tinue favourable. export of coffee from Ceylon during Season 1881-82. The position of our planting enterprise per se is certainly more satisfactory and encouraging than it was twelve months ago. It is acknowledged on all hands that a great improvement has taken place during the CEYLON COMPANY, LIMITED. past four months in the appearance of our coffee R e p o r t . field?, notwithstanding that estimates of crop have To be presented at the half-yearly meeting, to be held as a rule been exceeded and in almost all cases at the Cannon Street Hotel, in the City of London, at 2 p.m., on the 20th December, 1881: fully realized* while strict economy has been main 1.—The Directors have reason to expect that their Cey tained. For the first time for six years, a season of lon coffee crop for the current year will amount to about the good old normal type, with rain falling more 18,500 cwt., or about 5,000 cwt. more than that of last or less steadily all through crop from October to Decem year; but it is yet too early to speak with certainty on this point. The prices already obtained have been good. ber, has been experienced, and the trees are now in splen 2.—The Directors regret that they cannot yet report any did condition for blossom. Fine weather may be very considerable dimunition of the coffee leaf-disease, anticipated from the present appearances in Colombo, and which has so very injuriously affected all estates in Cey certainly the New Year breaks with much to raise lon, and lessened their crops ; but it is satisfactory to know that the disease has entirely disappeared from certain the hopes of the coffee estate proprietor in the coffee districts in India, and that it is the opinion of many Central Province, There is no reason either to abate practical planters that it has never yet killed a coffee one jot of the fair expectations based on “ New Pro tree in Ceylon. ducts.” The growth of tea in Ceylon satisfies the 3.—The crop of tea from the Company’s estates will prob ably be about 120,0001b. That of last year wa^s 82,2751b. keenest critic ; the manufacture as a whole will im and better prices have so far been obtained than last year. prove every season, and I his colony is- destined to be There is a marked improvement in the quality of' recent a great tea-producing country. So with Cinchona, arrivals. Cocoa (which is flourishing space) and Liberian Coffee 4th.—The directors are extending the cultivation of cin (trees of which at four years old are yielding at the chona on the Company’s Estates, and from this source they look for considerable future profits. rate of 2 tons per acre), Cardamoms and Rubber. Ceylon cocoa has lately realized very high prices in this Native industry in grain and fruit has been re market, and the Directors’ attention has been for some time warded during 1881 with more than average returns, turned to the cultivation of this article. Other products receive much attention, and already some profit has been and the country has been free from any epidemic obtained from them. d iscaae or locai scarcity of food. 5th.—The directors have been anxious as to a lawsuit in Ceylon, that has been mentioned before to the proprietors. About August this year the plaintiff obtained a decree from a district court in Ceylon for the appointment of a receiver, THE CEYLON COFFEE CROP. and the management of several estates passed from the A merchant writes :— Company, but on appeal to the Supreme Court, in October last, the judgment of the discrict court was reversed, with “ Can you tell me what the estimate of last season’s costs on both sides, and in both courts in the Company’s (1880-81) coffee crop was at this time last year* Also favour. The Company has regained possession of all the what do you estimate the present crop (1881-82) will properties, and is pressing for the objections alleged against tm n out? We require above information for the mail, the accounts, and thus every reasonable effort is being made and I know no one more able to give reliable figures to close this matter altogether. than yourself.” 6.—Mauritius.—Most of 111? sugar is now made and being sold at Mauritius, and by the latest estimates the crop is security for the invested funds of the Company continues likely to be about 6,000,0001b. against 4,362,8041b. last year, satisfactory, and that the interest on all Bonds has been 1880-1. Prices are, on the average, slightly higher, and, as punctually met, with the exception of £800, which the the disbursements are rather less, it is now confidently hoped directors have every reason to except will be settled shortly. a credit balance of some amount may this year come to profit The Board obtained much benefit from the information and loss, instead of the adverse balance of last year. The received from their Secretary, Mr. Kirwan, as the result small lawsuit iu Mauritius, which the directors considered of his visit to Ceylon. While in the island, this gentle at an end, has been revived on appeal, but it is likely man made a careful inspection of all the estates in which . to come to a trial soon, ami the amount involved is not of the Association is interested, and his report may be held great importance. as extremely satisfactory. 7.—It is not customary or possible at the half-yearly Prospects in Ceylon are reported to be slowly, though meetings to report much upon the accounts. The following steadily improving. The cultivation of new products is statement may, however, be interesting to the proprietors :— being rapidly extended, and the success which has already The amount of mortgages and other attended the growth of these promise well for the eventual securities at Mauritius which in rise in the price of land in the colony. the last report was. ... £64,026 3 3 The Directors have to report with much regret the Is now ...... 43,025 19 5 resignation of their late managers, Messrs. Grahames, Crum & Spens, owing to a change in the rules of the Glasgow Stock Being a reduction in amount of Exchange, whereby members thereof are prohibited from investments in Mauritius of £21,000 3 10 holding the appointments of managers of Public Companies. The election of a new manager has been left to. the The Directors have also sold first statutory meeting of the new Board, meanwhile Mr. property in Ceylon for about £900 0 0 Kirwan continues to act in that capacity. By the Profit and Loss Account, it will be seen that the The amount of debentures on balance at the disposal of the Company amounts to 31st March, 1881, was ... £78,238 10 0 £2,837 15 11 On the 1st January, 1882, it The Directors advise that the sum should will be ... .. 60,500 0 0 be applied, viz.: (1.) In payment of a dividend Reduction... £17,738 10 0 at the rate 6 per cent, to the share holders _ £1,800 0 0 The calls that have been made (2.) In writing off the whole in 1881 amounted to ... £88,781 balance of expenses in connect Of which there has been received 75,349 ion with the debentures issued during the year, 51 9 5 Leaving arrears ...... £13,432 The arrears for calls in 1880 now 1,851 9 5 amount to ...... 6,612 Leaving a balance of £986 6 6 Making the total arrears of calls .on of which it is proposed to. place £800 to a Reserve Fund, shares not otherwise dealt with £20,044 and to carry forward the balance of £186 6s 6d to next account. The Directors falling to retire at this fime are Messrs. Since the 31st March last, the direct King and Aitken. ors have forfeited 450 shares,J The Directors regret that Mr. Aitken, owing to the distance upon which capital had been paid £3,380 of his business from town, is unable to continue his seat And in connection with these for on the Board. feited shares there has been a , The Board recommend that Mr. King be re-elected, and that surrender of 232 fully paid shares Mr. Nathaniel Spens of Messrs. Grahames, Crum & Spens, late upon which capital had been paid 4,640 Managers of the Company, be elected to fill the vacant seat. It also falls to the Shareholders to elect Auditors for Making thus £8,020 to be applied the current year, Messrs. Alexander Moore, C. A., Glasgow, and David Cowan, C. A., Edinburgh, arc eligible and offer in the yearly account 31st March, 1882, to the credit of the themselves for election. account estimated deficiency in value of assets. J. B r o o k s W r i g h t , Interim Chairman ; All the remaining over-due Calls are receiving constant J. M a it l a n d K i r w a n , Secretary. attention. 7.—The. directors have again warmly to thank the pro Balance Sheet as at 30th September 1881. prietors for the general promptitude with which the calls I)r. Liabilities. have been met aud it is with regret that they find it will be Capital Account— necessary to make a call of £1 per share in April next. 15,000 Shares of £10 each—£150,000— G e o r g e S u a r t S im p s o n , Chairman. of which paid up £2 per share ... £30,000 0 Debenture Account, ...... 67,540 0 THE CEYLON INVESTMENT ASSOCIATION, Royal Bank of Scotland—in temporary loan, 7,800 0 (LIMITED.) Interest on Debentures, accrued but not due, 1,310 1 Report by the Directors to the fourth ordinary general Sundry Creditors, ...... 71 16 2 meeting of the Company, to be held on Wednesday, the Profit and Loss account for balance 2837 15 11 14th t^ay of December, 1881, at twelve o’clock, within the Accountant’s Hall, West Nile Street, Glasgow. £109,559 16 2 The Directors submit herewith the accounts of the Company for the year ending 30th September 1881. Assets. Or. In view of the continued difficulty in finding suitable Loans over Landed Property in Ceylon £87,114 12 10 investments for the Company’s funds, the Directors have Interest accrued, and £800 of interest in arrea, *2,821 4 11 not deemed it expedient to press for debentures during Balance and Expenses in connection with the past year, consequently a sum of only £11,830 has been issuing debentures, applicable to future added to this account, while a sum of £500 has been retired. years, 51 9 The investments made by the Company during the past Sundry Debtors, 53 11 year amount to £16,333 6s 8d, whilst there had been repaid Funds:— £3,946 11s Id. A very large number of applications for At credit with Bankers, £19,141 5 4 loans have been received since the date of last report, Cash at Office, ... 24 2 7 but the security offered in many cases did not admit of At credit with bankers (abroad) 353 9 5 19,518 17 4 their being entertained. The directors are glad to be able to report that the £109,559 16 2 CEYLON CINCHONA CULTURE AND ITS CRITICS. as to the facility with which the cuttings are propagated is not borne out in practice. Mr. Grant’s nursery of Ledg- The Nilgiri paper (the South of India Observer) eriauas, to which reference is made, may have been what draws some rather sweeping conclusions from Col. Colonel Beddome describes it at the time, but we know Beddome’s report on Cinchona Culture in Ceylon, thafr the cuttings of this species look green and fresh for thus:— a long time without putting out a single rootlet. We do not gather, from a careful perusal of the pro We should like to have full details of the* success ceedings before us, that Ceylon possesses any special obtained in Ceylon with cuttings of the best kinds advantages for the growth of cinchona. On the contrary, of C. Ledgeriana. Our personal experience and observation both in soil and climate, the conditions are such as will never favour the position that a large proportion of cut make it a formidable rival of Southern India in cinchona cultivation. The extreme moisture of the climate, com tings from Ledgerianas grow well in nursery beds and bined with a characteristic subsoil, clayey and impervious, especially under glass. But what is the history of render it unsuitable as a home for permanent cinchona the resulting plants when put out into the field? estates. Canker is induced as soon as the tree, from the exigencies of development aboveground, begins to strike root This question of being able to propagate the best into the cold sour subsoil. This condition of the soil may Ledgerianas from cuttings, such cuttings resulting help to explain what has puzzled our Ceylon friends, namely, in strong healthy trees when planted out, is one the dying out in patches of parts of cinchona plantations, of the most important connected with cinchona culture. and to the same cause may be ascribed the extreme difficulty of ‘ establishing plants in the field, necessitating replanting Mr. Moens’s process of grafting on succirubras has for three or four years in succession of the same field. Pro been a success so far; but it is slow, troublesome prietors of Ceylon cinchona property have not been slow and expensive, and it will be much in favaur of to perceive the unsuitability of the climate and soil in this respect, and hence we find them adopting uprooting planters in Ceylon if they can save the time and as a mode of harvesting which, with present prices, has the expenditure involved. proved very remunerative. The lengthened droughts What are the results of experience in Ceylon, so far? of the Nilgiris are favorable to officinalis, and a natural inference to draw from this fact, is that close planting of the species is imperative to give the surface soil that shelter from the sun’s rays COFFEE—TEA—CINCHONA : THE PROSPECT which will enable it to retain its moisture. This is what Mr. Cross recommends, when he advocates close planting OF A FAVOURABLE BLOSSOMING SEASON. and the encouragement of undergrowth, on the drier parts of the Nilgiris. Colonel Beddome remarks that the heavy L in d u l a , Ceylon, 9th Jan. 1882. monsoon and rain all the year round induces “ early We are now rejoicing in the true Christmas aud New maturity and the too early flowering of the trees.” Mr. Year holiday weather, which would have been so accept Cross attributes early flowering to open planting aud gene able had it, in due season, taken the place of the heavy ral dryness, excessive dampness does not, seem to be ab rains and dense mists which prevailed. I am estimating solutely necessary here, and the Cinchona is so varied in habit and character that a variety can be found to suit the weather from the sensations of a lay mortal now, for a locality as well as a locality to suit a variety. experts in coffee planting declared that nothing could be better for their plant than the copious rains which We arc greatly surprised to see an authority like have now ended. In the midst of them a spike of blos Col. Beddome attributing early maturity and flower som was to be seen here and there, and I suspect the ing of cinchonas in Ceylon to the dampness of the blazing sunshine which bathes the mountains and climate. Excess of moisture surely has the very brightens the valleys as I write will bring out a opposite effect. Apart from the fact that certain very appreciable blossom. I was glad to hear from an intelligent and experienced planter, here that he species and varieties, often in proportion to their believes in much of this exceptionally early blossom inferiority, flower at an early stage of their existence, —early for this elevation—maturing into fruit. The there can be little doubt that the pre-maturity of genial weather is, of course, favourable‘for the growth cinchonas in Ceylon occurs not because of the moistness of cinchonas, and as for tea, the rate at which it is put of the climate, but in spite of it. The true cause, ting on one golden flush after another rs a cheering apart from the tendencies we have mentioned, is sight to see. The qualifications in this latter case are the operations of that minute moth which can the unfortunate prevalence of stiff clay subsoil, into so rapidly convert succulent leaf into cindery debris which the cinchona roots cannot penetrate. The instinct and the occasional dying out of from two to half-a- which leads cinchona trees so circumstanced to make doz.n bushes, from tne poisonous effects of the roots an effort to propagate their kind is common to all of a species of symplochw. This tree seems more plants. But the Indian journalist is quite mistaken prevalent in the higher forests of Ceylon than in the lower. The tree and its effects must be wrell- in drawing from Col. Beddome’s report the inferences koown in Assam, for my attention was first attracted that both soil and climate in Ceylon are unfavourable to this enemy of the tea tree somewhat more than to the growth of cinchona. There is abundance of two years ago by Mr. Anderson, an Assam tea planter, free and fairly rich soil in Ceylon, in which cin who came to Ceylon on a visit to his brother, chonas flourish and will flourish, and, as far as Mr. Anderson of Annfield estate, Dikoya. While going round the plantation from which 1 write and climate goes, ours is superior to that of India or giving the most unqualified opinion in favour of the even Java. It is not because of prolonged droughts, soil, as a perfect tea soil, he »sked if plants sur but in spite of them, that cinchonas flourish on rounding the stump of a particular tree did not die the Nilgiris and in Java. It is the rich soil which, off. I said I had not noticed anything of the kind, in the case of Southern India and the Dutch but I had scarcely so replied when Mr. Anderson found what he was looking for ; and since then colony, enables the cinchonas to survive the trying more cases of the kind have been observed than droughts to which they are occasionally subject. is deemed desirable. Has the particular tree (the On the question of Ledgeriana cuttings the same trunk always twisted and the wood soft) been identi contemporary states:— fied, and has the poisonous principle been discovered? We think, however, that Colonel Beddome’s observations In m y own reading I have seen no account of thig tree.* Neither have I seen a description of the power with which the sun is shining today, I have moth which becomes specially prevalent and harmful no doubt that the next twenty-four hours will shew to tea at this season of the year. It is not so formid a still greater disproportion between maximum and able as red rust in India or helopeltis Aantonii in Java, minimum temperature, and the prospect seems to be but it is bad enough occasionally. There is nothii%, that fine weather will prevail in these mountain apparently, which can be cultivated that ‘has not its regions from now until the end of March or the enemies. The foliage of the blue gums suffers from beginning of April, occasional rainfall for short periods a kind of fungus spot (Dr. Thwaites asked as only rendering this weather still more pleasant. Now to look out for a bug, but we never detected is the time to see the mountains, valleys, rivers and an insect) which is capable of infecting cinchonas waterfalls of the upland regions of Ceylon at their best. and tea, and occasionally a gum tree breaks off P. S.—I -have given last night’s figure for minimum about the middle from a species of canker. While temperature at this bungalow, which is situated on it is only right to mention such drawbacks, the an elevated knoll 5,800 feet above sea level. In the vast majority of the plants referred to shew luxuriant assistant’s bungalow, lying in a valley, 1,100 feet growth, and our old staple coffee, although its chief lower, enclosed on all sides and through which several enemy is present and its effect manifest in particular streams run, the cold was actually represented last spots, looks better than it has done for years back. night by so low a figure as 48°. The lowest ever May the improvement be permanent and the recovery recorded by Mr. Heelis was over 44°. That was in complete ! the month of March. In damp, grassy, low-lying To revert .to the weather, which I last noticed spots, no doubt the temperature has been occasionally on earthquake-day, the last day of 1881. On the considerably lower. morning of that day, the thermometer shewed that, in the previous twenty-four hours, the mercury had been up to 703 and down to 58®, the rainfall being *20 of an inch. COFFEE PROSPECTS. On the morning of New Year’s Day the record gave There is always information worthy of attention a maximum temperature of 73° and a minimum of in the monthly report of Messrs. Robert Von Glehn 58°, mild enough ; but there was a heavy plump of j & Sons, London. We quote as follows from tlie latest fain after the earthquake, measured as *58 of an to hand :— inch. Since then we have had no rain to speak of: | The price of middling plantation Ceylon Coffee remains •21 recorded on the 2nd aud T3 on the 3rd, while ! at 77s to 82s, or about the same as at the beginning of for the six days following there has been only a ! last month, and the few lots of colory bold and fine trace on one day. During the heavy rain on Christ- j which have been brought to market have realized what arc mas Eve (1 '80 inch recorded on the morning of the | called fancy prices.. The common and medium kinds of 25th of Dec.) there was a marked “ blowing” from i foreign coffee are, however, decidedly lower for the month and would be lower still if it were not for the firmness the south-west. There was, then, no wind to speak | of holders. East India Plantation, though" scarce and of until the night of Friday, the 6th, when the , mostly well held, is also decidedly lower for the month, north-east commenced in full force, blowing and i and for good colory B size old crop Tuttapolum estate, “ soughing” all night long and so continuing well on j —the highest bid in Public sale this week was 71s. Iu into next day. On Saturday night we had “ another • Havre the price of Santos, good average, has fallen during of the same” in the shape of a strong north-easter, but, ; the past month from 64 fr. @ 64.50 fr. to 60 fr. @ 60.50. as previously, unaccompanied by rain. j The confidence of the Havre speculators remains unabated Had there been rain in proportion to the wind, we and the large holders are reported as still among the chief should have had many more than a couple of trees | buyers. A new feature in this market is that a great deal (acacias) blown down. To see the swaying of the | of coffee has been bought by speculators for monthly trees and the tossing of their arms, 011 “ the gum deliveries up till as late as June 1882. As far as we can ridge,” was a eight of animation, in strong contrast learn there is not the slightest fear of a break-down iu the Havre market, while should the position of coffee to the stillness which has prevailed since yesterday improve, it is probable that nearly the whole of the stock (Sunday) morning. Yesterday was lovely, and today would be taken off the market and held for much higher is lovelier still. The atmosphere has so cleared that prices, giving thus a great impulse to the coffee markets the moonlight has been exquisite, enabling us to read of the world. small type easily. While the sun has shone hotly In New York the price of fair Rio has fallen from in the daytime, heat has radiated into space at night, 11 cents on the 1st November to lOJ cents, and this is a the result being that the maximum temperature has very heavy fall considering that the stock of Brazil coffee risen from 66* in the twenty-four hours ending on the in the six chief ports of the United States is about morning of the 5th to 74° recorded this morning. 75,000 bags le s than last year, and that the consump But in the five days the maximum has gone down from tion of Brazil coffee m the United* States from 1st Jan. 58® to 52°. Last night and this morning, therefore, 1881 to the 1st November last averaged 190,434 bags per were cold; and the view between 6 aud 7 a. m. of the month as compared with a monthly average during the same period last year of 167,625 bags. But we believe circlet of mountains which ramparts the grand that the New York market has lost much of its import valle)7, or rather series of valleys, of JDimbuIa was ance, and should no longer be looked upon as the re wonderfully distinct and beautiful. The only feature gulating market for the United States, for we are informed wanting in the landscape was a lake. And this re that nearly one-half of the coffee now arriving in New minds me that the expanses of patanas which so York and the other chief ports of the United Siates goes largely atoned for the want of glassy-surfaced, calm direct through to the interior, (the ports being used water are being circumscribed iu consequence of the merely for transit from the countries of production to extension of cinchona culture. If the encroach the interior) and leaving but a few cents dock charge ment adds to the ability of planters to resist the per bag as a remembrance. An agitation is now on foot effects of lessened returns from coffee, we must not in New: York to try and regain some of the old ascendancy complain of some small diminution of scenic effect in a over the market by means of public auctions, but this is not likely to succeed, as the tendency of all trade is to view which is so profusely rich in the elements of go more and more direct, and to suppress middlemen. grandeur and loveliness. From the brightness and It is a great question whether the large increase in the consumption, as shewn by the monthly averages given * When in the Ouchterlony Valley a few years ago, above, is not apparent rather than real, and is not in we were told by Mr. Grant that the cause of the some wayattributable to the altered course of trade, for we similar dying out of coffee bushes was the existence do not believe in a large increase in the actual consum- of the stock and roots of the wild cinnamon tree. tion of coffee, cheap though it be; when the cost of living has increased as enormously as it lias done in the United j MR, GRANT DUFF ON AGRICULTURE. States. Some idea of this increase may be forrred by the following comparison of the wholesale prices of — Mr. Grant Duff, in opening the new buildings of the Agricultural College at tiaidapett, delivered an 16th November, 1881. 1880. address, which is thus summarized in a telegram to Butter 34 cents 28 cents the Calcutta Englishman :— Sugar 9 | a 9f do 91 do Potatoes ... SI a 1.25 do 60 a 70 do His Excellency stated emphatically :—“ It is my Flour S8.25 $7.15 opinion that none of the many good influences which Bacon 11 cents 8* cents are now being brought to bear upon this Presidency Pork 18 do 15" do is move likely to lead to the great increase of its Lard 12| do 9.1 do prosperity than the diffusion of sound views on the From Bio we can get no reliable information respecting subject of agriculture, a subject which mainly occu the probable outturn of the present crop, We believe pies the thoughts of 75 per cent of the population. there is no doubt whatever that, as we stated in our cir We English have passed through many phases during cular of the 11th October, the quantity of the 1880-81 our brief rule in India, viz., the pacificatory phase, crop remaining in the interior 011 the 1st July last was when wc beat down armed wrong and gave the land greatly overestimated in beiug put at 1,500,000 bags. On rest from internal wars; the railway-building phase, the other hand, it seems equally clear that the 1881-82 crop which first made it possible for India to be some must have been considerably underestimated in being put thing more than an aggregate of provinces ; the codi at 3,200,000 bags. fying phase, when we established in the. laud a new But leaving estimates aside, let us look at the facts as idea of justice, and to some extent a new morality ; far as they go. and the educational phase, when we opened to the The total shipments from 1881. 1880. studious and aspiring youth the long hived-up know Bio from 1st January to 30th November have been ...2,032,000 bgs. against 1.872.000 bgs. ledge of the West. We are now entering into the Stock in Bio 1st Dec.... 325,000 „ ,, 220,000,, agricultural phase. We have given the land peace, have destroyed scourges which have kept down the Together ...... 2,357,000 „ „ 2,092,000 population, but one-lifth of our people are already under-fed in consequence and increasing rapidly every The excess in the supply of Rio coffee this year as com year. What is to be done? Something may be pared with last year is therefore 265,000 bags. effected by fostering the manufacturing industry, and At Santos the receipts keep very high, and the crop the mining industry may help to draw off a part of promises to be as large as it was expected to be. the agricultural population ; still we have only begun 1881. Iu80. a solution of the problem. Shall we then look to The shipments from Santos, emigration? It can do little, not much. Shall we tfy 1st July to 30th Nov. have breu...543,153 against 450,771 transposition of population? It can do somewhat Stock, 30th November... 142,000 ,, 80,000 more too. There is much room iu some parts of India, aud a good deal of room in this Presidency, for . an Together bags - 685,153 * „ 536,771 increasing breadth of tillage, but the chief increase The excess in the total supply of Santos coffee over must be lateral and not perpendicular, not extensive last year amounts, therefore, so far to 149,000 bags. but intensive. It must be the result, in short, of From Ceylon the total shipments this season are re more intelligent cultivation of the lands already tilled. ported to bo :— To learn by actual experiment how the general Plantation - 3057 tons against 3200 tons last season Native - 91 „ „ 430 „ „ maxims, common to agriculture everywhere, are to be made applicable to the circumstances of Southern For the identical fine high-grown plantation crops, which India, mid then to spread in all directions the know we bought last year, at about this time, for the Mediter ledge obtained by actual experiment, are the two rnati? ranean ports, planters now ask Is to 2s more than we paid them last year. On what misconception of the posi objects in this institution.” After referring to the opin tion of coffee these pretensions are based we cannot imagine. ions of the officers of the institution. His Excellency It has prevented a fair amount of business which might expressed great satisfaction that there were now a have been done to the Mediterranean this year at relatively fair number of Brahmin pupils and most of those who high prices, and, seeing that nearly all coffees are 20 to 30 seek admission were matriculated students of the per cent, cheaper than last year and that the Ceylon crop Bombay and Madras Universities. “ The warning given is about 15,000 tons larger than last year, it does not seem by that terrible calamity which bad farming had made reasonable to ask Is to 2s more. so much worse than it might otherwise have been,” It is to be regretted, for their own sakes, that a classhe added, “has been taken somewhat to heart in of men who have shown such intelligence and determination many of the European countries. Agriculture ranks to overcome all difficulties in thfe cultivation of their estates higher than almost any other profession in England. should, when it comes to selling their crops, use such little There are few of our nobles who are not more or wisdom or thought. They go on in the same old groove, less devoted to it. In urging the natives of India consigning their coffee to London, where it is put up in public sale, incurring the heavy London Dock charges, two to avail themselves more of the institution, wc take brokerages of \ per cent., heavy tax for sampling, and the a thoroughly consistent course.” exporter’s commission before it roaches .the consumer—as if there existed no lines of steamers to the Mediterranean CINCHONA BUILDINGS IN THE NEILGHERRY at lower freights than to London, and as if it was not far more economical to sell the coffee direct to the consumer, DISTRICT. paying one brokerage. As an instance of how little judg During the latter months of last year our Govern ment is sometimes shown in the sale of Ceylon crops in ment had under consideration a Report made by ti e London we may cite the sale, which took place two weeks Superintending Engineer of the Circle, with estimates ago, at about 75s of a parcel of Ceylon coffee, imported ' accompanying, on the subject of constructing certain in August, 1878, for which 113s had been once refused! buildings required for preparation of bark, the pro duce of the State Plantations on the Neilgherries* Bather hard this criticism on Ceylon merchants and And as the plan had been approved of by higher planters : is it for Ceylon ? The estimate of an ex authorities, through whose hands it passed, sanction was given to the execution of the works proposed cess of 15,000 tons is too much : we should be the sum of 1132,700 being appropriated for them in glad if season 1881-2 gives 10,000 tons more coffee the current year’s Provincial Budget. But of that than the previous one. ‘ amount, R 10,700 were surrendered by the super 172 intending engineer, leaving R22,000 to credit, as it such a splendid financial success. Had the surplus since appeared that the completion of the bin dings would realized, of £150,000 per annum *on an average, been not take place for 18 months. The undrawn balance separately funded, we should long ago have had a com of R22,000, has not, however lapsed, but will be avail plete system of railway communication which would pay able as required; and in addition thereto. Govern the Government well in saving outlay on roads and iu ment have now promised to provide th<‘ balance re fostering agricultural and planting progress. Brazil on quisite for the completion of the buildings, viz., R8,889, the other hand has got her raihvays with marvellous in the P. W. Provincial Budget fdT 1882-3, at rapidity, and now other means of cheapening production tin- same time directing “ that every effort should be engage attention. We read :— made to push on the work,'’ eo as to bring it to an We are glad to note that tbe gentlemen in charge earlv close. When all the details of the plan shall of the coming exhibition of Brazilian coffee in this have been carried out, the structure in progress will city have so far adopted our suggestions as to secure amply provide, we should think, for all the needs of samples of the foreign product for a comparative ex the establishment that is to operate in it. Since “ the hibit. Incomplete as this competitive exhibit must drying shed for the purpose of heating the barks with necessarily be, owing to the brief time in which to hot air, will consist of 10 rooms, each 14 x 14 feet, secure samples and to their purchase in the market and 14 high, except the end rooms near the furnace rather than their acquirement from bona fide exhibitors ami chimney flue, which will be somewhat larger and or producers*, as will be the case with the Brazilian surrounded- by a 10-fcet verandah, required for pack product, it will still be an incalculable improvement upou ing bark.” “ Each of these rooms will contain 2,744 the original project of limiting the exhibit to Bra cubic feet of partly dry bark ; hence the 10 rooms have zilian coffee alone. As we have before stated, there a total storage capacity of 274.400 cubic feet, or suf can be no real value in a domestic exhibit unless it ficient for 23,600,000 lb. of bark of all hinds, [there can be used to improve and cheapen production ; being ten varieties at Naduvatam], and space will be and one of the valuable means to this end is a com provided for 2,000,000 lb.?of dried bark.” So that there parison with the foreign product. is no risk of supply falling short of demand, when once In connection with this comparison of products, stocks shall have accumulated to anything like the extent which should be made on equal terms and between of the accommodation that has been provided for them.— similar grades, there should also be a thorough and Madras Atlienaum. honest comparison of methods of production and preparation. The chief value of this comparison will THE BRAZIL COFFEE ENTERPRISEEXPORT lie in the material aid which it will give to the DUTIES AND SLAVERY. planters themselves. For them it is not enoug to We call the attention of our readers to the follow see the two products side by side and to note the ing extracts from the Rio News on the condition and comparative s zes and appearance of the berries. They prospects of the planting industry in the great South will need know also the conditions under which the foreign products are produced : the climate, altitude, American Empire. When to the imperial duty of 13 soil, cultivation, quality and kind of labor, prepar per cent, nominally, but- in reality nearer 15 per cent, ation for market, and average cost of production. If a v added the provincial, municipal, church and other the planter can learn all these facts, while holding ‘dues, the total impost on Brazilian coftee must be equal the product itself in his hand, he will then be able to 20 per cent on its value. As Brazil is deeply in to determine the relative standing of his own product, debt (chiefly for railway), and few' sources of taxation and to decide just where his chief efforts must be other than coftee are avilable, it is not likely that the directed in order to overcome compe’ition. From the duties on the staple export will be abolished or even haste with which the exhibition" of the 10th instant reduced. But that in the face of such enormous burd has been organized, and from the crude conception of ens the production and export of coffee should have the subject at the outset, it is probable that all this increased so largely, shews that the Brazilian planters must valuable information will not be forthcoming this year, possess greater advantages than we had been in' the but still there will be much value in what has been habit of allowing in the shape of abundance of cheap land accomplished, and more in the better appreciation of and cheap, that is to say slave, labour. The former the real value of the cuterprize. And then, when advantage will long remain in favour of Brazil, hut, if next year’s exhibition takes ffiace, we shall hope to the emancipation policy is more honestly carried out see such a mass of information about the methods in the future than it has been in the past, the labour and costs of foreign production as will fully meet tbe di'fioulty will put Brazil more on a level of fair com- needs of the Brazilian planter. po.ition with other countries -than is the case at pre Another question which should claim the attention sent. ' As regards the heavy export tax on coftee, too, of coffee planters and merchants is th a t of the purely the planters are not likely to demand its abolition or artificial costs of production, the first of which is reduction, so long as they receive more than equivalent that of export taxes. Beginning with the municipality advantages in the shape of large and rapidly supplied tbit product is taxed at every step until it is shipped railway facilities, such as have been so promptly and and cleared for a foreign port. The church taxes it, admirably conceded during the past ten years. AVe quite the municipality taxes it, the province taxes it feel that export duties are objectionable if they can and then the * general Government taxes it. Add to be avoided. But we equally feel that they are justifiable that the excessive transportation charges, and the many when a great object has to be gained. Had the policy charges and commissions which it encounters in the port we recommended been adopted, and the 24 per cent of shipment, and it will be seen that an enoi raous export duty in Ceylon continued to be levied, but applied percentage of the proceeds are swallowed in the purely exclusively to railway construction, not only the line to artificial costs of placing the producton the market. Haputale but many others would now' be in operation. We have again and again urged the reduction Even better w’ould it have been had the Ceylon plant of some of these charges and the total abol ing community fourteen years ago stipulated for all the ition of the others, and in this we have been cordi surplus profit on the main line being funded for Rail- ally support* d by many of the mo>t influential way and Road Extension. In 18(>7, the Government of journals of the empire. Thus far, however, no steps Sir Hercules Robinson would have been quite content "have been taken to lighten the burdens which are if they had been guaranteed the interest and sinking imposed upon this industry: on the contrary, new fund contribution for the debt on the Kandy line; for taxes are heinq levied constantly, and the revenues of no one then anticipated that our railway was to be the country are becoming more and more dependent upon it. The inevitable result must be—as it has been published in a slaveholding country, thus denouncing in the case of other products—that these various the policy of a Government which, after having decreed burdensome taxes will not only be a fatal hindrance to freedom, sells human beings by public auction as Brazilian competition in consuming markets, but they slaves:— will eventually render the industry so unprofitable that planters will be compelled to abandon it altogether. On the 10th instant an official sale of slaves is to We have before urged the abolition of export duties, take place at the Valeuca slave mart in which the on the basis of their being contrary to the well-estab services of eleven h»genuos, varying in age from two lished laws of economic science. In so far as they months to seven years, are to be sold at public auction. are a tax upon the producer, just so far do they lessen U nder the law of September 28th, 1871. these-children his profits and decrease his ability to compete in the are nominally free, though their master has the right open market. Aud in another sense, which we have to their services until they reach the age of twenty- not before discussed, they are highly unjust and dis one years. This right, however, has been quietly criminating, as well as economic illy wrong. Nomin stretched to include the right of property in suffi ally the tax imposed upon coffee exported from Bio children, limited only b)7 the period fixed by law ; de Janeiro is 13 per cent but in reality no such per and under this interpretation the master assumes the centage i* paid. This tax is imposed upon an arbit same powers of control and sale as with his older rary official valuation for the week, and is uniform slaves. In such a state of affairs, it is difficult to for all grades. Applying the specific rate, as derived determine just what benefits this law is conferring from this percentage upon a fictitious average valu upon the free-born children of slave mothers. Nomin ation, it will be found thatjhe actual duties paid are ally they are free ; but practically they are sold in the widely different from the imaginary one imposed. To open market. And besides, they are sold by govern illustrate this fact, let us take the pauta, or official ment officials, after due advertisements, in cases where average valuation, for the week beginning October 24th, they are placed under judicial control through death, and the actual market quotations of that day for the bankruptcy, or other similar cause. The exercise of several grades. The pauta for the week was 373 reis per this right by the judicial authorities implies a corre kilo, or 3$730 per 10 kilos Thirt-en per cent on this sponding procedure on the part of private individuals valuation gives 4S5 reis, which is the specific duty upon by whom ingenitos can be bought and sold without 10 kilos. Applying this rate to the current quotations, let or hindrance. This certainly could not have and tabulating the results, we have the following:— been the intent of the author of this law, nor can it Quotations and percentages of export duty on coffee be the interpretation of any intelligent man today, who shipped from Rio de Janeiro during the week beginning honestly desires the just enforcement of the law and October 24. the final extinction of slavery. The custom, as now Pauta, 373 reis per kilo. practised by slave-holders, and legalized by judicial Duty on 10 kilos at 13 per cent., 485 reis. authorities, is clearly an infraction of the spirit, if grade current quotations duty equivalent to not the letter, of the law, and is unequivocally a damning disgrace to the country. There can be no Washed ...4S200 a 5$900 485 rs. 1T55 a 8-22 per cent. condemnation too severe, no denunciation too scathinge Superior ...5 000 a 5 200 „ 9*70 a 9*33 „ in convicting it of perjury and oppression before th, Good 1st ...4 350 g 4 450 „ 11-15 « 10*90 world ? What excuse can be urged in its behalf ? A Regular 1st ...3 850 <7 3 950 „ 12-60 12-28 „ Ordinary 1st...3 400 a 3 550 „ 14*26 a 13*66 ,, child only tiro months of age, still babbling in its Good 2nd ...2 850 3 050 „ 17*02« 15*90 „ mother’s arms, is advertized for sale in the leading Ordinary 2nd 2 450 a 2 650 „ 19'80 a 18'30 ,, newspaper of the country, with an official valuation It will be seen from this table that the actual duties of 15$009 placed upon its services! What services paid on coffee range from about 8 per cent, to 20 per upon which a valuation may be placed? or, are cent.—the high rates falling upon the lower grades. the planters and courts of Brazil speculating If an equal quantity of each grade were sold, the upon its iuttire life and limbs as the slave- high rates would be balanced by the low' ones, and dealers once did? Is this the vaunted desire for the exporter, or producer, would be subjected to no emancipation of which we hear so much ? Is it the injustice—the average rate being about 13 per cent. law of free birth? And is it an honest execution of But as the low grades make up the greater part of the law which has been praised before the world, and the export, it is manifest that an average rate of which has been so recently used to check the adop over 13 per cent, is paid. And then, inasmuch as tion of any other measure more radical than itself ? the low grades of coffee are produced and m arketed We have before called attention to this shameful at the same cost, it is clear that they are compelled practice, but the government lias simply turned a to hear more than their share of the burden. From deaf ear to every appeal. “O governo ndo cogita this cause, those districts which naturally produce the dessa questdo,” says the cabinet—and the accursed lower grades, and those which have been visited by traffic goi s on unhindered ! There will be a day of drouth, disease, or any hurtful influence, are further reckoning for all these crimes, aud it will be a reckon punished by this discriminating tax. ing for which this country will pay with tea vs, and It must be admitted that, if the export duty is to blood, and bitter humiliation. It will be easier to be continued, there is no apparent remedy for this do justice today than to meet the penalties of an discrimination. The only remedy—and it is demanded outraged justice tomorrow. alike by the economic requirements of the country and by the just and equal imposition of the burdens COFFEE IN SOUTHERN INDIA. of taxation—is the total abolition of the whole system. A tax which works so great discriminations must be Messrs. Alstons & Co. favour us with the follow inherently wrong, and should have no place iu the ing supplementary inform ation- laws of any country. The injustice, which it occasions, (7q the Editor of the, 11 Ceylon Observer.") and the losses which it causes, can not be balanced D eau Sin,—As suggested in a recent issue of your by the revenues which are derived from it, and it paper, we send a statement of coffee and pepper ex becomes therefore a matter of economic'policy as well ported from this coast for the year 1879-80. I t includes as of justice to suppress it in every form and feature. exports from Madras and Tuticorin as well. We re If we turn to the other great question in Brazil, gret we . have no statements for previous years but Slavery, we find the Rio News, with a courage and trust the enclosed will be useful. iQidii oi argument highly creditable to a paper The coffee crop in the Coorg and Wynaad districts e adto -f h prs^o Ttcrn n Madras and Tuticorin ports ^ of the -of addition le $ i, or fihul, LTN & Co. & ALSTONS dear are, e year.—W last of t a th faithfully, yours double sir, quite be will is turning out larger than estimated, and we trnst trnst we and estimated, than larger out turning is S t a t e m e n t of C o ff ee and P e p p e r E x po r t e d from the M adras P r e s id e n c y d u r in g S eason 1879— 80. 1 - t 1 i Y -5 < S H | Calicut. Colachel 1 f 1 P 8 * & 232 3 P lan t- m •S’•eS 8 £ Plant- 5 = £ s >£ s P lan t- S’ & 6 P. 1 s 1 Coffee. Coffee. s Coffee. Cuffee. C offee, Coffee. I 1§ :0 5 : : : : : : : : 04 <5i 01 S § : : 1 ::S : : 13 : : ; : : | ' N.OMO to O M O ccoc : ONO. o to b'W : : : S e5 S : : . CM .1(0 • Ol •O 5 oj C3S : : : ; : : ; : : : : : : : I -oO' tcoico o c i o c t 'f O o t- o a c c h :3 1 : : ■ :s3 : * 3 3 H Eg *-o .£ 5 <2 ri 55 o '5 H ri ri H '5 o 55ri oo^ to rooo<^— • .-'jicqcMco oco co N o O m e London : to : w i-H io to : : | : : : : : : : | : : : : : < : • : Trieste <0 t ot * • *5 to t- t- Bordeaux St. Xazaire CO Ancona : : : : : Europe 2 M elbourne 1-1 New York African & Turk- . 3 § : 8 ‘-"a 1 E I g : ish Ports 1 7,292 g : s : 3 : Indian Ports ... cl 1 1 11,719 : 5 3 S £ s 3 1 CQ 1 3 1 ' 1 3 s § « Cl 1 « 1 ro 1 present day; for,, in reference to the preparation of of colonists. Ceylon preparation before the modification to and invention reference for in for,, day; present the most approved tea-preparing machinery of the scope the considerable is of there products, machinery new in other engineers of tea-preparing as tea and approved planters most Ceylon the by " improvements than more up fitted have they Already machines. only so, but we may anticipate, by and bye, special special Not bye, and in sizers. by done and anticipate, been may peelers has we pulpers, great as but as coffee are on, so, in we machinery, only rolls tea and past time in the as districts; these Ceylon that, in of planting believe most our to of in inclined models factory shew one to and information a business will be done by them and other Firms Firms other and them by done be will business a are the Ceylon Agents, will be able to give full full give to able be will Agents, Walker Ceylon John Messrs. the that doubt are no have we character and cost to suit all local requirements, and and requirements, local all suit to cost and character aet ahns o wih hy r h makers. the are they which of machines, patent number of very clear representations of Jackson’s Jackson’s of representations album magnificent clear the very of over looking number been just have etcl nie n bie fr rvn same. driving for boiler and engine vertical hs poorps nld te following:— the a include give who photographs These Gainsborough, of Marshall Messrs. of bought from him outright, as delivered, and prepared prepared owner. and Factory delivered, the as of outright, account him on from bought will now become the one of most practical moment moment practical most of one the become now will to in Colombo, outside the -.planter’s responsibility responsibility attended -.planter’s more is the which and of outside final preparation Colombo, coffee,—the the in of Unlike machinery” to “ part of planter. in tedious question tea, the the Ceylon to prices, our of remunerative at manufacture and preparation either cured at a fixed change for the planter or or planter the for change fixed a at cured either in himself for machinery sifting and drying rolling, the produce, of the case to justice the full in do evident to pretty that is tea, altogether,—it dealers the with acceptance ready its ensure to order years. Travancore as a whole, in the year ending ending year the including coffee, in two of in whole, cwt. sent 44,168 a were whence exported cwt. Quilion, as 1880, 20,000 for as and August Travancore much year, as last years. told for are ports we these for w. f hs r acutd o i te bv return. 80,000 above the than in Less for accounted gardens. are native this from of deal cwt. good a return export coffee the the in want cwt. now 44,000 We of difference 1879-80. for a exports makes only Factory at which the tea leaf can be delivered and and delivered be can district, Central one leaf a tea than to establish the more made which in being we at that circumstances, are Factory these learn Under to arrangements glad tea-house. to are 40 these from adequate in with an impossible, tea-planter however, concerned. each is is expect It to day. plantation, times, the hard large of each order not if district, 100 acres under cultivation to be able to provide provide to able be to the cultivation become each under must as acres fact, 100 in far so Factories,” local one, Tea a District he “ snould ‘‘factory” There is here enough of variety both in size, size, in both variety of enough here is There The improved Excelsior ditto. ditto. Excelsior Machine. action improved Rolling single The Tea improved An cross-action Standard Im proved small size universal ditto w ith suitable suitable ith w ditto universal size small proved Im In connection with tea preparing machinery we we machinery preparing tea with connection In mrvd xeso rs-cin ditto. cross-action Excelsior Improved it i oncin t sial Blok er for gear Bullock suitable ith w connection in Ditto The great great The HE ELN E E E RISE. PR TER EN TEA CEYLON E TH desideratum being improvement in the the in improvement being & Co., who who Co., COFFEE LEAF DIS-EASE: THEORETICAL IN of hornets about my ears.’ I asked ‘Is there anything in it that affects your theory ?’ and ‘ Was there any VESTIGATION, AND PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTS thing in your letter you would not have said, had you IN CHECKING ITS RAVAGES. read Mr. Ward’s Report before writing?” Ans., ‘ Nothing We can do little more today than call attention to but what can be explained, and I would not have said ‘ where does the first spore of the season come from ? the two important communications on the subject of as I see he aeeounts for that as coming from diseased Hemileia vastatrix which will be found elsewhere. Mr. leaves on the ground. Stephen Wilson has brought to his investigation of our “ In course of our talk he said: ‘ It is an assump coffee-leaf fungus considerable experience and acknowledged tion to say the mycelium entere the stoma, as no micro ability displayed in pursuing a very similar enquiry into scope can sho^ it doing this. The leaf being opaque, three of the great enemies of British agriculturists, a high power prevents this being seen, and with a low power you eannot see the mycelium at all. namely, club-root in turnips, rust in wheat, and the potato disease. He has interested himself in our local “ Damp and steamy atmosphere promotes fructific ation of Hemeleia. Mr. Ward treated a leaf or leaves pest purely as a scientist accustomed to investigate fungoid to steamy atmosphere in a wardian case plus a sowing life, and the very modest relation of the result of his of spores, and, on seeing disease fruit, concluded his study of the “ leaf-disease literature ” and of the ex spores dit it. To have made his proof absolute be would amination of the leaves and spores sent to him from have to treat a leaf of the same plant to the steam Ceylon cannot fail to be interesting. It will be observed ing atmosphere of the wardian case minus he speors and noted results. that Mr. Wilson has felt himself justified in applying “ If the Planters’ Association would minute thanks to “ this most important fungus ” what he believes to to Mr. Wilson, and send him a copy of the minute, be “ the true life theory of a great many fungi which I am certain he would be gratified. It might stimul become parasitic in the tissues of higher plants.” At ate him to undertake experiments of a cultivate kind. the same time, he guards himself against being supposed Unfortunately he is nothing of a chemist, but accurate to have made a complete substantive investigation of microscope examination may be more essential for such experiments than knowledge of chemicals. Of course, the coftee fungus, seeing that he has had no access to he has not coffee to experiment on, hut he might try the living plants, and he refers to the labours of Messrs. something on potatoes. ” Abbay, Morris and Ward as rendering such an investig A vote of thanks formally' conveyed would, indeed, be ation unnecessary on his part. “ Side-lights ” have been an easy way of acknowledging Mr. Wilson’s services all Mr. Wilson hoped to cast on the coffee pest, and and of stimulating him to further investigation: we yet it seems to us, as non-scientists, that this gentleman’s commend the suggestion to the Committee of the Planters’ theory of “ Apogestatiou ” affects very materially the Association. life history as finally laid down by Mr. Ward. It would But. we may now turn" from Mr. Wilson’s scientific seem, for instance, as if Mr. Wilson afforded the ex investigation and interesting theory of apogestation, to planation of the experience of Captain Bayley at Monrovia, the paper in which Mr. Schrottky is understood to Galle, where the existence of the disease was apparent sum up finally the results of his experiments in checking on his young coffee (from imported seed) almost before and eradicating the disease on a plantation in the a pair of fully-formed leaves were developed. The practical Dumbara Valley. Since April last year, a fair trial lesson, however, that Mr. Wilson would wish to convey . has been given to the treatment with carbolized powder is the uselessness of protecting the full-grown leaves on Gangapitiya, the estate in question, and with the from the disease-spores “ atmospherically conveyed ” when reports before us dating up to the 2nd instant it is the germs of the fungus are already within such leaves difficult to see how the value of the application can from their very earliest stages. Nevertheless the practical be denied. We learn that, with the exception of Ganga value of endeavouring to starve or to prevent the germ pitiya, not an estate in Dumbara is at present escaping ination of the pest is fully acknowledged. We regret one of the worst outbursts of the fungus that has been that we cannot reproduce the tracing of the various witnessed for some time back. Why should this estate stages of the fungus,sent us by Mr. Wilson : to attempt be comparatively exempt ? There is nothing in its con to lithograph the figures with the means at our command ditions of soil, age of coffee, or surroundings, to ex locally, would, we fear, only afford a misleading represent plain the difference, and assuredly there is no evidence ation ; but we shall be glad to shew the tracing to any after nearly nine months’ experience of the carbolized one interested. Mr. Wilson endeavours to represent in powder doing harm to the roots of the coffee trees. it the life-cycle of Hemileia divided into its parasitic On the contrary, the coffee is described as luxuriant and non-parasitic systems. Mr. Ward’s final Report only and in splencjid condition, as compared with neighbouring reached Mr. Wilson after he had written his letter; estates,, for the blossom which is now appearing. No but our “ Aberdeen Correspondent ” enables us to infer thing succeeds like success, and of course the planters that his opinion is not specially affected thereby. Our will be glad to welcome satisfactory practical results correspondent writes more than the most interesting scientific theory. If “ Mr. Wilson’s letter anticipates the publication of this paper on Potato Disease. It is not ready yet but Gangapitiya fulfils its present promise and passes through will have to be in print before the Observer with the the blossoming season satisfactorily, we may be sure letter comes to this country. It is to be sent to the that on a good many more properties the application London Times ‘if they will accept of it ;’ so will likely of carbolized powder will receive a systematic trial. March be bagged by your London correspondent for you. and April, Mr. Schrottky tells us, are the best months '• I sent Mr. Wilson Mr. Ward’s Report., and two days later I had a mile and a half’s walk with him. I told him to begin, and a supply of the material must be provided you wanted his opinion on it. He said 1 It would hardly in time. Gangapitiya therefore should be once more do to criticize another man’s work. 1 might bring a nest visited about the end of this month by representatives of the Planters’ Association with the Chairman at their j only consonant with reason that very young renewed head, for if it be, as described, an oasis in the midst j bark should not be compared with mature natural bark. But surely the shaving process has now been long of an epidemic of disease visibly spread over all the other ; enough tried in Ceylon, to allow of renewed bark of coffee in the district, it should be at this moment the | one and two years growth, subsequent to the shaving most interesting spot in the island to our coffee planters, j process, to be gathered and its value in alkaloids ascertained ? If not, it is certainly time the question “ FROM THE HILLS’’ OF CEYLON. were settled either by analysis on the spot or by sale Cin c h o n a a n d B l u e -G um s to replace n a t u r a l j of the bark in London. A planter whom I met in forest ; B rew ing. ! Nuwara Eliya has promised to supply a well-grown January 1882. sample of bark renewed after the shaving process, as Nuwara Eliya has lost one of its haunts richest in ; also details of the ingenious but simple and effectual beauty aud botanical interest, a strong responsibility ] mode of removing bark from cinchona twigs, by the rests on the workers of the ruin (estimable in all the ; application of a bottle filled with sand or earth. The ordinary relations of life) to repair that ruin as rapidly j introduction of this simple process of rubbing the pol as possible by the growth not only of the cinchonas i ished surface of the weighted bottle down the twig and blue-gums which have already gone far to reclotlie j has largely economized labour while securing the max “ One Tree Hill” but of other exotic and natural plants, : imum of bark. combining beauty with utility. Cinchonas and blue-gums i From Cinchona Bark to Beer Brewing is not so in combination have certainly done much to redeem the ; violent a transition as might be imagined, for some steep-hill side beyond the “ Lover’s Leap” waterfall. | of the German brewers are said to use the bitter bark To us, who, so many years before this plantation was as a substitute for hops. My friends in -Australia formed, urged the liberal use of eucalypti, grevilleas | told me that trials there resulted in a decision favour and other Australian trees as breakwind*, and with re- ; able to the orthodox use of hops, of which splendid ference to the ultimate value of the timber, it was very j specimens were shewn at the Melbourne International gratifying to see and hear of the success of the ex- f Exhibition, some grown by the aborigines of Victoria periment of running rows of such trees between fields I under European superintendence at Corranderk, en route of cinchonas. In the case of the “ Lover’s Leap” plant from Melbourne to Fernshaw, The plant flourishes in ation, it is very striking to see the effect of the long I the alluvials by the sides of the beautiful Mitchell river, rows of bluish-green eucalyp.i running straight down j near Bairnsdale in Gippsland. It was winter time hill, contrasting with the rich green of the fever trees, j (July) when I saw the Gippsland hop fields, and These latter, we have been assured, have benefited ; the most striking objects were the pyramidal stacks greatly, not merely by the shelter of the gums but i of poles, made from the ti (popularly tea) scrub, by the mechanical action of the roots of the Australian 1 which flourishes in swamps so as to be, in the temp trees, in loosening and rendering free the soil, for the j erate regions of Australia, the equivalent of the more tender roots of the American plants. If,.ultim- ' various species of mangrove in the tropical latitudes. ately, stiff soils, where at present cinchonas refuse j Finer and straight- r poles than are yielded by the to grow, can be rendered suitable for their cultiv- j swamp-growing ti trees (there are several species, one ation, then the benefits conferred on us by the j of which lines the banks of Hobson’s Bay, and is beauti introduction and growth of the so-called “ gum-trees” ' ful when covered with white blossom) it would be of Australia will be greater than most of* us anticipated, i difficult anywhere to find, and from Victoria and The difficulty is that on such soil, in exposed situations, : Tasmania there is a large export of poles for fencing the blue-gums themselves are sometimes slow of growth ; purposes to those parts of New Zealand where timber and apt to die off. Probably deeper aud wider holes i is scarce. The various colonies are competing with may largely remedy this difficulty. Certainly the each other in the growth of hops, and the largest rapid and effectual manner in which blue-gums have ; growers in Australia (having been the first to go into restored the shelter of forest to the eyrie on Oliphant, ! the enterprise), the M essrs Shoobridge of Norfolk Valley, at an elevation of about 6,600 feet above sea-level, Tasmania, are heavily handicapped by the" protective shews that these singularly cosmopolitan trees are ! duty which, according to her narrow policy, Victoria capable of flourishing where altitude is great and has imposed on their produce. A similar duty on exposure to wind extreme. They are, however, impatient fruit ruined the once flourishing orchards, which may of.the transplanting process, and if proper weather could still be seen studding the sides of the Tamar as be calculated on, no doubt the most successful mode of Launceston is approacl.ed. It says much for the growing them would be in situ, spaces at proper superior quality of the hops produced- at Bushey Park, distances being prepared and a few seeds dropped into on the side of the noble Derwent and close to the each. Then the most robust and promising of the dark waters of the appropriately named Styx, that resulting seedlings could be retained. they are able to hold theii own in Victoria notwith But to revert to cinchonas. The shaving process, so standing a duty, the intention of which was to shut simple and, when only applied to one side of a tree them out; while in England Shoobridge’s Tasmanian at a time, productive ol so much less of shock to (Bushey Park) hops take rank with the very best vitality, than stripping, is, naturally, largely resorted Kentish. Visitors to Messrs. James Henty & Co.’s to. Some do not apply any covering, in which case the office and stores in L ittle Collins Street, Melbourne, bark, as it renews, is liable to become cracked and will be struck with a sweetish odour, more apparent perhaps corky. Others, and amongst them a neighbour even than the aroma of their specimens of fine teas. of mine who has given considerable attention to the After a time we learned to recognize this odour as subject, insist on a covering of grass or straw : mana due to the magnificent specimens of Shoobridge’s grass can generally be procured. But I have been con hops which were always on show aud the transactions cerned to hear that Mr. Whiffen, the quinologist, who in which were large, for the supply of lodal brewers. has recently been travelling amidst the cinchona plant Prominent amongst these is the Hon. Nicholas Fitz ations of Ceylon, and has been, on the whole, favourably gerald, son-in-law of Sir John O Shanassy (and formerly impressed, has been advising planters not to shave connected with the firm of Parlett, O’Halloran & Co., their bark, on the ground that the succeeding Colombo) whose “ Castlemaine Brewery” ales are famous crop is far inferior to the first. If Mr. Whiffen all over the colonies. It was New Zealand ales, how has been correctly represented, the question arises ever, which won the first prizes at the Melbourne whether the secondary bark he has tested Exhibition, the colder climate probably giving them bad .Leen allowed sufficient time to mature, It is superior advantages. If we have judged rightly, then the fact may he quoted as a favourable augury by shall not be imposed upon the beer brewed and sold. the projectors of the Brewery in Nuwara Eliya. With We certainly think that a period of three years, at reference to the probable success of this enterprise, least, should be allowed for the encouragement of a planter close by iu Udapussellawa is trying an the local enterprise. We were much interested in all experiment in the growth of hops, having, we believe, we saw and heard, and not least, of course, in the obtained plants from Australia, probably from the intimation that a few sample bottles of Nuwara Eliya ale, Bushey Park hop grounds in Tasmania. My visit brewed some eight months ago, are lying at a bungalow to the extensive orchards and grounds there was un three miles away waiting for our presence to be opened fortunately in the winter. Still I saw the mode of and tasted ! W e' were not able to try and judge cultivation and carried away one curious and important on the present occasion, but all in good time, and as fact, established by long experience. From the stools people will drink beer, and the Ceylon Brewery Com a considerable number of “ bines” sprouted, just as pany Limited promise to supply good stuff, our suckers rise from a copiced cinchona tree. But instead readers generally will j oin us in wishing them success. of preserving the most robust stems, as the cinchona plnater does, the intelligent hop grower, taught by COFFEE LEAF DISEASE: MR. SCHROTTKY’S experience, sacrifices the thicker shoots in favour of the more slender, knowing that tbe latter will yield EXPERIMENTS. ■ hops of a far finer flavour,—hops being chosen by The following report by the Chairman of the Plant the sense -of smell, as much as tea is . Appearance, ers’ Association, and extracts from reports by the visit too, goes a long way, however, specimens of well pre ing agent and manager of Gangapitiya estate, have pared hops constituting ornaments worthy of (a lady’s been placed at our disposal for publication drawing room. There is a Ceylon shrub, plentiful I. in the lowcountry and lower hill ranges, with masses K andy, 5th December 1881. of curious bracts or seed vessels, which resemble tufis At Mr. Schrottky’s request, I accompanied him with of hops, and in crossing a piece of forest between Mr. Munton and Mr. C. Y'oung, on the 2nd inst., Nuwara Eliya Plain, proper, and “ the Barrack Plain,” to inspect Gangapitiya, for the purpose of observing in order to get to the Brewery buildings, I could not the condition of the estate as regards leaf-disease, but be struck with the reeemblance to hops of the and noting what elfect (if any) had .been produced developing blossoms of a species of nilu, large white by the treatment of carbolic powder, since the be blossomed. I do not suppose that either plant has ginning of April last. any of the qualities of the hop blossoms. If any On our ' way to the estate, we passed through part substitute is ever tried, Messrs. Bremer and de Bavay of Pallekelle, Ambacotta, and Lower Rajawella, making will doubtless resort to the bark of some of our frequent observations of the coffee as we went along. cinchonas. ' One thing is certain, they will avoid the There was more or less of the disease in the condi error committed on the Nilgiris of using malt made tion of mature, and healthy fungus, and also “ pin- from Indian barley. They will import the best spots,” on all these estates, especially on Ambacotta, English or Australian malt and hops (unless the where it was abundant, on every tree we examined, latter are locally grown) in air-tight vessels. The and almost on every leaf. There was less on the climate is favourable and the water everything that young coffee on Lower Rajawella, but even there, could be desired : ever cool in tem perature and whole branches on some trees were covered with so pure in quality that the nitrate of silver test shews the disease aud, though the trees presented, at first no precipitate. The proprietors of the Brewery have sight, a luxuriant appearance, there was no difficulty secured ten acres of land in elongated strips on each in finding diseased leaves on raising the branches, side of the stream which forms the locally famous and I- should think that 50 per cent of the trees were waterfall of “ the Lover’s Leap.” The water has its more or less affected. source in the top of a forest-covered mountain, so that Ou reaching Gangapitiya, a most marked difference pollution above is impossible, and fears of pollution presented itself. The 30 acre flat looked luxuriant below the Brewery may be dismissed, because it will . and healthy, and it was only after considerable search be the interest of the Company to utilize all the “ bye that one tree, here and there, could be found at products,” and these are such as to be eagerly competed all affected by the disease, which was confined to for in the local market. Indeed, a couple of planters, one leaf on a branch with generally only one spot whose cattle establishment costs them R15,000 per on each leaf, and no “ pinspots. ” On ten or fif annum, have already made an offer for all the “ grains” teen acres, where the powder had not been applied which can be supplied ; while the market for yeast since July, there was rather more disease to be may be estimated by the fact that one baker in Nuwara found, but even there it-had to be looked for, and Eliya uses coconut palm toddy, got up from Colombo, the trees affected were quite the exception. The to the value of R 1,500 per annum. There will, we only portion of the estate, where the disease existed to suppose, be some demand for hospital purposes. The any serious extent, was about 10 acres close to the great desideratum is that the Company produce good river.* I should mention that this field is situated to beer, and on this head Messrs. Bremer and de Bavay leeward of a native garden. are confident,—the latter being an experienced brewer Without venturing to express a decided opinion on and a good chemist. In the face of considerable diffi the general merits of Mr. Schrottky’s system, I must culties, the necessary buildings are advancing to com say that I was considerably impressed by wbat I saw, pletion, and a striking contrast they are to the specially and am bound to believe is the result of his treat dilapidated and wretched Government pioneer lines close ment on this estate. by. The brewing plant, we understood, had reached The prevalence of the disease on all the estates in Colombo, and, although too large a proportion of the the immediate neighbourhood—(we passed through Raja shareholders bad failed to respond to calls, operations wella, No 2 and No. 1, on our return,)—and the will soon be commenced. There is a duty or. malt, almost total absence of it on this estate, seem to imposed when the Brothers Baker attempted a previous indicate that its immunity is due solely to the remedy experiment, and of which they grievously complained. We understood that the directors of the present enter * This part has been specially treated and the dis prise do not so much complain of tbe duty on malt ease has been successfully got under, and this field was as of the refusal of the local Government to promise found by me on my last examination of the estate that, for such a period as will be necessary to settle (12th January 1882), not to have suffered to any ap the question of the success of the experiment, an excise preciable extent.—E. C. S, applied, for I may mention that the estate has not . The elements of success here have been :— been recently manured, and has certainly no advant- 1st. Systematic treatment of the estate during the early age in climate, soil, or general cultivation, over the part of the year. other estates in the district, with which it is com 2nd. Unremitting attention on the part of the manager, Mr. P. A. Raymond. pared, and previous to Mr. Schrottky’s treatment it The months during which the fungus can be most had not suffered less from Uemileia. successfully battled with are, in most districts this side I should add that no injury whatever from the of Nuwara Eliya, March and April; very litjble head powder could be seen on the tenderest leaf. way can be made against it at a later period. At Whatever the ultimate result of the experiment may Gangapitiya estate we succeeded in virtually stamping out be, the most sceptical observer must admit that, on the disease bythe end of May, and the benefit derived from this estate, it has been so far highly satisfactory, and the treatment I am bound to consider mainly due to this. such as to justify, at least, further continuance of We had of course to gain experience as regards time aud same treatment. J. S h ip to n . mode of application, and the thanks of the planting com munity are due to those of tlieir number who, at a con siderable expense, have carried on experiments which con n - Extract from Mr. Young’s, the Visiting Agent’s, report on cerned the whole community; for in not every instance Gangapittiya estate, dated 3rd Dec. 1881:— has the benefit derived from the treatment been great enough to pay for the trouble and expense. And this " I visited this estate on the 2nd Dec. with Messrs. applies more especially to estates where the treatment Sehrottky, Shipton and Munton- All the coffee was look was commenoed at what we now know to be a wrong ing remarkably strong and vigorous. In fact, I do not think time of the year. 1 have ever seen it looking better ; leaf-disease was The carbolized powder possesses one great defect. scarcely to be seen, and it was only after a good deal of It cannot be used with commensurate benefit against searching we found diseased leaves lure and there, while the fungus when it is most wanted, i. e. during the on neighbouring estates there was more or less disease on rainy season. The rain washes it into the soil, before it most of the trees.” can affect the fungus to any appreciable extent. I have, however, devised a method of developing the carbolic III. acid vapour, which will make it more active and permanent Extracts from estate reports sent by Mr. P. A. Raymond, during this critical period; and I shall carefully test it the manager, tb Messrs. Whittall <& Co.:— before I leave the island. But,.during the dry season, with 12th December 1881. sufficient dew to supply moisture for contact, no form “ The estate books very well indeed. There is more or of carbolic acid will, I am of opinion, be found to give less leaf-diseaso here and there about the place, but as better results at such a small cost, as the carbolized powder yet it has not spread and there does not appear to be used by me. more now than there was when Mr. Yonng and Dr. In the resume of my preliminary experiments, dated 7th Shipton were here.” June 1881, 1 stated as my conviction that “ i f an estate is 21st December 1881. dosed in a proper manner, and a -proper time, with this carb olic acid powder, it may be carried through the period of n Loaf-dieease is showing on various places in Ganga- an attack with little appreciable damage:” and I think it will pitiya, it has increased during the last ten days, but as now be. admitted that this has been proved. It cannot yet it is very little, when compared with the other estates reasonably be doubted any further that, with some modi jn the district.” fication so as to ensure greater permanency of the action 2nd January 1882. of the carbolic acid vapour during rainy weather, the “ I am gla-1 to be able to report that, during the last treatment recommended by me has some claim to be ten days, there has been no visible increase of leaf-disease considered a useful and cheap remedy against coffee leaf and no perceptible fall of leaves has taken place. The disease. coffee looks remarkably well and the new wood is growing EUGENE 0. SOHROTTKY. apace and as yet has resisted the disease so welt that I Colombo, 16th January 1882. hare great hopes Gangapittiya will pass through the season with the minimum evil-effect from leaf-disease. “ALL ABOUT THE COFFEE GRUB.” Mr. Schrottky’s comcluding notes : — We given the following remarks as the critique The north-east mon ton has passed away, and with in of one of the few who refuse to believe that the the time during which serious attacks of leaf-disease take place. We know from experience that during January (or grub attacks healthy rootlets and who hold that in fact during any dry part of the year) we can keep the grub is rather a useful scavenger to clear away the disease successfully within bounds by the carbolized deleterious matter. The writer’s • sentiments are deserv powder treatment, and I feel therefore justified iu finally closing the results of these experiments. ing of respect, but he is no more infallible than The above reports on the result of the treatment at we are in feeling ourselves compelled to arrive at Gangapitiya estate should be read together with those a very different conclusion:— previously published. I have perused with interest your useful little The estate is one that for years past has been chronic ally suffering from leaf-disease, most severely during publication, *' All About Grub,” being the observ the mouth of September, October and again during December. ations of Mr. Haldane. It consist of 24 pp. of letter Leaf-disease began to show in surrounding estates during press and 4 plates hand-painted. July, and from tint time forth a series of attacks took place, With respect to the cause of grub, surely we have the most severe of which occurred in the middle of Dec. not planted more suitable food for the grub than The comparative freedom from disease enjoyed by that which was its natural food. If so, why then Gangapittiya estate leaves no room for doubt as to the I does not the grub like the young tender rootlets of merits of the carbolized powder treatment. '1 be carbolized : coffee, under the age of four years ? powder on the es: ate being finished and no more proctt able i In the primitive state before coffee was planted, in the island,we could not prevent,even if possible, the enorm I food for these creatures must have been more ous mass of spores supplied 1 y the surrounding estates affecting Gangapitiya to a small extent during almost t e I abundant than it is now. At the sanie time we very last week of (for the development of the fungus) | must remember that birds and other creatures, which favourable weather : but nothing can now qualify or ; kept them in check, were much more plentiful, reduce the importance of the established fact, that the j The aour and disordered condition of the soil referred carbolized powder treatment has kept this estate, pract i to in the essay, has probably more to do with it than ically speaking, free from disease for six months, during anything else,as being inducive for them to scavenge and all which time it was prevalent in adjoiuiug estates. i so cleanse and purify the soil, -Note D in the appendix confirms this. It is suggested that very likely the soil 2. Cutting down forest, burning and clean is deficient in alkalies. It is indeed in many cases more ing ready for planting (contracts according to of an acid nature, and is exceedingly deficient in lime. nature of forests and locality). Some as low Decaying timber, and the still more tender decaying as £2 per acre and some as high as £5, say 4 10 0 rootlets of patana grasses, of coffee trees, and a host of 3. Lining. 8s peracre; Pegs, (3s per 1,000) other plants, are the great attraction. On several 10s 6 d ; Holing (50 large holes for Is), £3 15s 4 13 6 occasions I have seen grub dug from places which 4. Plants, 3,500 to the acre ; if raised in were of a swampy na'ure. That the primaries and nurseries on the Plantation itself about 25s secondaries do die back is too true—a sad sight—but or 30s per 1,000 ; if bought probably 40s to poor grub is not always the cause of this. In several 45s per 1,000. Cost say for a# acre of 3,500 districts, the same thing occurs from other causes, and plants ...... 7 0 0 there is no doubt that, if the grub could only find these 5. Planting by day labour, shading, &o... 3 0 0 out, he would be quite satisfied with their condition. 6. Staking, weeding and supplying to end It seems strange that estates, after being severely of first year ...... 250 punished by an attack of grub, recover. Is it not 7. Share of Superintendence...... 1 7 0 because the scavenger has done his work and put the 8. Barracks, house for headman, roads and soil in better order ? field paths, weeding and supplying up to the In the last para of p. 13, a most valuable remedy end of the 4th or 5th year when Plantation is proposed : remove the sourness and they will quit begins to yield, say ... ' ...... 6 19 6 the place, but on p. 14 we are told that lime is no remedy. Why should draining, the great loosener and Total outlay on Plantation up to the 4th aerator of the soil, be recommended, for, on p. 10, we or 5th year ...... £30 0 0 are told that the excessive rainfall has loosened the As to the returns from the Plantation—the earliest soil and made it easier for the grub to work in ? Will crop of bark may be yielded by thinnings or up not draining have a similar effect ? On the same page, rooting of weakly trees at the end of the 4th year. we are told to prune heavily to cause the tree to send Taking these at 25 per cent of trees planted, and out fresh rootlets, for what,—to be devoured. yielding 6 ounces of dry bark per tree, we have say What is the instinct of the beetle, and what is the food 330 lb. of bark at 3s per lb. (less lOd per lb. cost of of the grub? We want to have the conditions present barking, drying, shipping and broker’s expenses) yield which are necessary for their enticement and for the ing a net return of say £35 per acre. This it will be sustenance of the grub and at the same time be noticed will more than cover expenses of the Plant exempt from its attack. A very good use of the grub ation up to the end of the 4th or 5th year. is referred to on p. 16 : that is, as a manure. Then There will then be left some 2,400 trees to the acre, follow very good descriptions of the various cockchafers well established, and capable of yielding regular crops and notes regarding experiments. of bark at the rate of £30 to £60 per acre up to On the whole, Mr. Haldane must be congratulated the time W'hen the whole plantation is cropped. on giving his attention to the subject and noting The total yield of the Plantations (deducting cost down so carefully his observations and furnishing us of barking, curing and shipping expenses, up to the with drawings of the various beetles and their larvae end of the 9th year) will probably be not less than which will serve as a basis for future observers. £175 per acre, against a total outlay for planting oper [In an appendix the latest information on the sub. ations for that period of about £40 to £45 per acre. ject is given.] The estimates in all these cases are based on that price of Creole labour as at present existing in Jamaica, viz., men Is to Is 3d per day ; women 9d to Is per CINCHONA PLANTING IN JAMAICA. day. The weeding is entirely by hand, done mostly (By Mr. D. Morris.) by children and women at rates varying from 4Jd to With regard to Cinchona Planting in Jamaica, the 9d per day. question is often asked : W’hat will it cost per acre to start a Plantation in the Blue Mountains and es tablish it, up to the time it comes into bearing ? SEEDS OF SUPERIOR CINCHONAS FROM This question is one which cannot be definitely an THEIR NATIVE HABITAT. swered in all cases. But as an approximate statement, based on actual experience, we have been supplied We publish the following letter from Mr. Thomas with the following by the Director of Public Gardens Christy, and we trust he may succeed in the intro and Plantations. It is understood that the land is duction of valuable species of cinchona. It is hard to taken up under the recently published system of Grants suppose, however, that anything can excel trees, the made by Government, and that no buildings are re bark of which yield up to 13 per cent of quinine. quired beyond labourers’ barracks, sheds, and a small Mr. Moens got that in Java; and Mr. W. Smith from house for the Headman or Overseer. The plants are Matakelle, from trees much younger, got 9 per supposed to be Cinchona Officinalis planted at 3J feet cent. If Mr. Christy can do better than this, he will by 34 feet, giving 3,500 plants to the acre. If only be a public benefactor. about 5 acres are intended to be opened, the relative To the Editor “ Ceylon Observer.’’ cost will be a little more than the following Whereas if a larger urea is opened and nurseries established on the London, 7th Dec. 1881. spot, the relative cost will be considerably less. Also, S i r ,—Having carefully followed the history of the when theplanlation is opened from a neighbouring plant introduction of the “ Ledgeriana” seed, which has ation, the cost of superintendence will be much reduced. appeared in your paper, and also in the transactions Detailed Statement of expenditure on a Cinchona of different scientific Societies, 1 applied, through a Plantation in Jamaica for planting 5 to 50 acres of house in the city, who was working direct with East Cinchona Officinalis 3J feet by 3J feet, with 3,500 plants ern Bolivia, and, on placing sufficient data before them, to the acre. I begged of them to endeavour to open the question P er acre. of obtaining for me seeds from the district in which £ s. d. the Ledgeriana was originally obtained. 1. Prime cost of land (2s per acre) accord After some years, and an immense amount of cor ing to terms offered b f Government and in respondence, we obtained a package of seeds in the cidental expenses for Surveyors’ fees, &c.... 0 5 0 Ifusk. The tin-lined case ran through many viqissi- 173 tudes, being seized by the Chilians, and by them Civil Medical Department then in Ceylon, and so, liberated and forwarded to the address on the we fear, the file for that year will not be found in bag. It shewed marks of having been opened the island. If not, we must just do the best we can several times. As the export of seed is entirely w ith the MS. as it stands. Dr. Trimen writes re prohibited, the greatest precaution was taken not to garding it :— identify the sender in any way, aud an extremely Mr. Dobree sent me the enclosed MS. sometime scanty description was sent with "the seed, saying back, and asked me when I had read it to send it th. t it came from one of the best varieties of cinchona on to you that you might use it for your Tropical trees. This seed I tested, aud found to germinate Agriculturist if you pleased. well ; so I put it into circulation at once amongst “ It refers to the cultivation of nutmegs aud cloves your planters. From suggestions I received from many in South Sumatra (Bencoolen) at a time when that of th m, letters were sent out, begging that leaves district was part of the British Empire (1819-20); and and ilowers, as well as specimens of the bark, might contains much interesting and valuable information as to be sent home with full descriptions. The leaves arrived the first introduction aad early culture of these spices. W'itb the names that the trees were known by locally. “ I am, however, under the impression that part I then sent out a copy of a map of the district, shewing or the whole has been already published : I think the hills and valleys, at the same time asking that in the Pharmaceutical Journal for 1852. Is there a some of the seed might be collected and sent home file of that journal in Colombo ? from the actual trees that the former supply was “ Lumsdaine’s remarks on the proportions of the obtained by Ledger’s men. sexes are important, and his expressions very amusing. This request has been at last complied with, and The influence of the Linnean system of classification seed is now on its way home to me, which I expect was then supreme, and writers did not hesitate to to arrive any day, if no mishap befalls it. write about the sexes of plants in terms as warm By a singular accident, a gentleman has lately arrived as those he uses. I have not noticed any monoecious here, from this very district, and he has brought trees myself, nor do I recal any notice of them; with him specimens of the bark taken from the but in other dioecious plants, notably the hop, such different varieties of trees which he considers to yield an admixture of the flowers of both sexes on the the best results commercially. The local names of same plant is not very unusual. these trees we have compared with those yielding “ The first two pages are beyond my powers of the sample of the leaves that was sent direct from restoration, and all the paper is very brittle. Should a planter in the same neighbourhood, and he at once you print it, great care will be needed.” explained to ns the distinctive marks by which the trees were known. The leaves in only one instance corresponded LIBERIAN COFFEE CULTIVATION IN CEYLON : with the names on the samples of bark that was pro AT A LOW ELEVATION. duced, thus shewing there were several valuable varie We received some days ago a sample of very fine ties. This gentleman perfectly well knew where the large cherriis picked from a Liberian coffee tree on Ledger seed was obtained from, but his opinion is Udapolla plantation, between Polgahawela and Kurune- that the Joark and the leaves representing different gala. From this one tree there were gathered at varieties of cinchona yield a larger percentage of one picking, previous to the 1st instant, as many as sulphate of quinine than the trees, which, for the sake 2,600 cherries from a blossom that came out on 21st of distinction, we will call the “ Ledgeriana.” Hearing January 1881. But this is not all, for the same*tree this, we have begged that supplies of the different varieties still carries 2,900 cherries which are ripen of see i may be collected and sent home. Taking an ing up satisfactorily along with the crop generally entirely commercial view of this subject, I followed on the place. The tree which has thus been singled up the question to find out where this bark went to, out for this calculation is by no means an exceptional and I asked my friend, Mr. E. M. Holmes, Curator of one. It was an ordinary tree in the field and re the Pharmaceutical Society, to be present at one of ceived precisely the same treatment as the rest. The the interviews. Mr. Holmes examined the samples result of the reckoning is that with about 800 trees of the bark, and, without an analysis, he pronounced it to the acre planted 8 by 7 feet the crop at the to be a very high quality. We learned that this above rate would be equal to two tons o f coffee per bark was principally sent to Germany. We also extracted acre. The unusually wet season has been very fa another piece of valuable iufo'rmation, viz, that, al vourable to the ripening up of crop in this district, though the bark of certain varieties of trees yielded but there can be no doubt of the margin for profi a larger percentage of sulphate and fetched con table cultivation, shewn by an experience like theabove. sequently7 a higher price per lb., yet, for a planter, some of the varieties yielded a much larger percentage of FLOURISHING AT 4,200 FEET ABOVE SEA-LEVEL IN b irk, by having a more robust habit and consequently CEYLON. for a planter was a more economical tree to grow. Some 2.| years ago the senior editor of this paper 1 am trying to ascertain if the cinchona tree is handed two Liberian coffee plants to Mr. YV. I. governed by the soil, as the cocoa tree (“ Theobroma Cotton for trial in the district of New Galway, ex cacao”). As far as I can leain at present this is not acting a promise that the result should be reported. the case. They do not judge the trees by the flowers, Mr. Cotton has parted with his interest in the land but by the colour of the leaves and the veins in them. in which the plants were placed, but the present Should I be able to gather any more information proprietor states that the plants have blossomed and of an important nature, I shall send it to you.—lam , the berries set. The plants 011 which berries have sir, your obedient servant, T. N. CHRISTY. thus set cannot be much over three years from the period of germination. Allowing for the fact that NeW Galway, like all the districts on the Uva side, NUTMEG CULTIVATION. possesses a specially genial climate, we think’ Mr. This morning’s post has brought us from Pera Cotton is largely justified in writing :—“ There is no deniya Mr. Dobree’s promised MS.—which bearsdecided saying at what elevation Liberian coffee will not marks of age and decay—and we take the liberty of I grow and fruit.” It may be that the seed may be quoting from Dr. Trimen's accompanying letter in j so acclimatized as to enable the tree to flourish at order to see if any of our readers can help us to high elevations on the western side of the mountain the Pharmaceutical Journal for 1852. There was 0 0 I zone, as well as in Uva. TRIAL SALE OF NILGIllI CINCHONA tons and ended with 59,000, the figures in the in BARK. terval rising so high as 96,000 tons and going down (Madras Mail.) so low as 42,300 last year. As in our own case, the lowest figure was considerably less than half the Under instructions from the Deputy Conservator of highest. The averages have been 67,800 tons for the Forests in charge of the Government Cinchona Plant first five years of the decade, and 63,620 for the ations, and in conformity with the direction of the second quinquennium. The decrease has been 4,180 Secretary of State to the Madras Government to test tons, or about 6 per cent, a trifling falling-off when com the Indian market, Messrs. Oakes & Co. yesterday sold pared with ours. 10,000 lb. of cinchona crown and red barks in lots of While thus the second and third coffee countries about 100 lb. each. This is the first sale of the kind in the world have been losing ground, the pro in India. The following prices were obtained per bale:— gress of w hat is beyond compare the first coffee D odabett a Upset price, Sold at country in the world has, especially in the latter half 6 bal;^ natural crown .R.242 R.243 of the decade, been not only steady but beyond pre 2 do do ... 212 221 6 do m ossed ... do ... 318 340 to 345 cedent rapid. To a practically unlimited area of suit 2 do trunk mofiSfd do ... 265 270 able land was added, in the case of Brazil, a large 4 do renewed crown do ... 353 354 to 358 supply of slave labour, which she could and did con 2 do tru n k i enewed do ... 303 316 t ) 321 3 do branch crown do ... E5 60 centrate on coffee, when the culture of that product Ncddiwuttum. became profitable far beyond sugar, tobacco, or 5 do natural crown do .. 232 236 any other of the old staples. The factor of rapidly 5 do branch crown do ... 149 150 added railway facilities, too, in Brazil, must be taken 30 do truok red do ... 138 139 to 151 into account. Under their influence, largely, Santos 2 do mossed red do ... 133 147 to 151 5 n a tu ra l do ... 106 111 to 120 the second great coffee port of the South American 8 do b ran cn do ... 72 73 Empire, has raised her export of coffee (much of which P y k arra. competes with Ceylon plantation in quality), from 20 do b ran ch .do ,... 80 81 to 83 29,700 tons in the first year of the decade to 70,160 [The highest price, 358 ru p e e s per bale is e q u a l in the last. Santos began with figures far lower than to R 3 58 cents per lb. for renewed crown : the lo w e s t those of Java and Ceylon : she ends considerably ahead realiz-d is GO cents for branch ; red bark realized as high of both. The averages in this case have improved as R 1£ per lb.—E d . C. O.] from 35,670 tons in the first five years to 59,775 in the second. The increase has been 24,105 tons, or 70 per cent. The increase in the case of Ilio has been THE THREE GREAT COFFEE COUNTRIES. simply enormous : from 123,300 tons to 254,400, or IN THE WORLD: BRAZIL, JAVA, AND considerably more than a doubled export now com CEYLON. pared with ten years ago 1 But 1880-81 was excep tional, so let us look at the averages, rising from We reprint elsewhere an article which has appeared in 151,S51 tons to 189,390. The increase has been 37,839, th e Statist and which has a painful interest for readers or 25 per cent. The joint averages for Rio and Santos, in Ceylon. Up to 1869, the year in which the fungus which practically repnsent Brazil, were 187,221 tons, pest first invaded the cultivated coffee of our island, the rising to249,165. Tiie increase has therefore been 61,944 progress of our planting enterprise was steady until in tons, or nearly 33 per cent. that very year (calendar) the export of coffee ex- The contrast is far more striking when we take ceeded 53,000 tons, and the reasonable anticipation the figures for the opening and concluding years of seemed to be that Ceylon would speedily overtake the decade. In 1871-72 Brazil exported :— if she did not overpass Java as a coffee exporter. But the figures quoted shew that the course of both From Rio ...... 123,300 tons. the Eastern countries has been downwards, leaf-disease ,, Santos ...... 29,700 ,, telling on Ceylon after a fashion from which Java may possibly be saved to a larger extent by its T o ta l...... 153,000 „ mamiticent soil. The effects of the fungus were In, 1880 81 the exports were :— obvious in Ceylon coffee exports in the first year of the decade ending 1880-81, and, although, in 1872-73 I From Rio ' ...... 254,400 tons. the highest previous figure was approached, and at „ Santos ...... 70,160 ,, tem pts made to reach it in 1874-75 and 1876 77, de cline has been the rule even in the face of the greater Total 324,560 ,, breadth cultivated, until 1880-81 gave considerably The increase has thus been 171,560 tons, orabout 1T2 per less than half the figures of nine years previously, cent. While in the past five years the production of 23,000 tons against 49,750. "The average for the Ceylon and Java fell off by 9,180 tons average as first five years of the decade was 40,700 tons : for compared with the preceding five years, Brazil not the second five years it went down 35,150 tons, a only made good this deficiency but threw 52,764 tons in reduction of over 5,000 tons or more than 13.J per excess ot it into the consuming maikets. In truth, cent. That is the history of the coffee enterpr.se in Brazil has in the past three years swamped the Ceylon, during the period in which hemileia vaslatrix crffee markets of the world, and, if she could possibly has compelled attention to its “ life history.” go on at the same rate for three years more, other Let us hope that we are now about to enter on a dec producing countries would have to retire from a com ade, the record of which shall be very differentin regard petition which to them wou.ld mean inevitable ruin. to coffee and its most insidious and formidable foe. But the main cause—the concentration of slave labour Amongst the causes which have affected the export almost entirely on coffee, which has led t-> such of coffee from Java in the same period, the undoubted enormously increased production in Brazil is obvi existence of the leaf fungus has not, as yet, told ously no more permanent than, we hope and believe, materially, although in some places its influence has will be the depressing effects of the leaf fungus in certainly been felt appreciably. From other causes, Ceylon. That led to decreased production modified as much political, perhaps, as meteorological, the Java by high prices. The high prices brought Brazil with coffee crops have fluctuated, and the exports have, her ten thousands of fat acres and her hundreds of like our own, decreased, though not in the same de thousands of slaves into action, and now not only gree. The decade began with an export of 68,000 is production low in Ceylon but prices also : the * fungus mainly responsible for the one effect; Brazil lon. There were ho trees of other species of cinchonas entirely for the other. There will be a reaction in near them. The highest succirubras were on an Brazil, the natural and inevitable effect of her ex opposite hill, about a quarter of a .mile away, and travagant action. We look for a reaction here, also, officinalis trees were still further off. The resulting but in a very different direction. We have but to plants were, in foliage, so like succirubras, that I hold on tenaciously, persevere bravely for a few years as-ked my superintendent if he had not put out longer, and the cloud will not only shew a silver the wrong plants alongside a path. There was 110 lining but brighten all over with the light of re mistake ; but, to quote Wordsworth, “ Oh ! the dif stored success. We have seen dark days before now, ference to me.” The plants have developed into and they have passed away. Have we not a right everything except pure calisayas. It is vain to resist to look into the future by the light of the experience the evidence of one’s senses. Variation has its bounds, of the past ? Thirty-five years ago, all the probabil but hybridization plus sporting Jias apparently none ities seemed to support the conclusion that the scale For one plant which conveys the idea of calisaya insect pest and low prices combined would snuff out there are a dozen shading off from officinalis to t the coffee enterprise in Ceylon. But coffee recovered suecirubra, with new and astounding varieties, some from depths of depression then, lower than our lowest specially robust, but nearly all seeding prematurely, depth now, and it is surely only reasonable to look between. Very reluctantly do I become a believer in the for a like process in the near future. As a Haputale crossing theory, but the evidence of my senses, added proprietor (Mr. H. C. Bury) now on a visit to his to the testimony of scientific experts, is conclusive fine properties, said to us yesterday There is far Take the one fact, that, the progeny in Ceylon of seed too much outcry ov*r the falling-ofi in Ceylon coffee sent by Mr. Moens himself from some of his best Ledger- production. Taking the estimate for the current imas were nearly all condemned as in erior on his visit season of 600,000 cwts. and contrasting it with our here by the Dutch quinologist, who, to secure the purity of the superior trees, lias got his government to consent highest outturn, the decrease is not much more than to the extirpation of Calisiya pahudianat hasskarliana a third. Now what would British farmers say schuhkraffjr-s> phiana, javanica, &c., from the Java cinchona if they could during their cycle of depres plantations. Meantime he has resorted to the grafting sion point to crops of even one-half those they process, about which, and an important Ceylon improve harvested some years before. Ceylon is not alone in ment upon it, we hope lo have something to say at an her planting depression ; agriculture all over the early date. * The dwarf habit and rudoy tints of the world (save perhaps in certain favoured portions of calisayas above N uwara Eliya seem to shew that elevation North and South America) has been suffering; but is too high, exposure to wind too much, or soil unsuitable a turn in the tide must be approaching. It cannot, surely, for this species. A group of succirubras, on the other be in the designs of Providence that the fungus hand, at the foot of the range behind Barnes’ Hall, look should be permanent in Ceylon, any more than flourishing, although naturally, at an altitude of 6,300 feet, they are somewhat slower of growth than the officinalis that the iniquity of slavery should continue to exist species, which flourish abundantly all over the eastern face in Brazil. The latter is doomed, and so, we hope of the range which bounds the plain on the westward, up and believe, is the former. to 7,000 feet altitude. How little General Frase*, Major As regards consumption, while Britain (largely Skinner and Capt. Galwey imagined, when, in the ourse owing to the iniquitous and semi-legalized system of of their triangulations, they fixed the first “ trig-point” adulteration) is worse than stationary, looking at the on the summit of “ One Tree Hill,” that the name would great increase of population, America is largely increas be rendered a misnomer by the invasion and presence of ing her use of coffee. So is the Continent of Europe, trees from the far-off Andean regions of the great Western even in the face of a policy which wastes national Continent! There has been so much of the unexpected wealth in bloated armaments. in the-past, in the introduction of the fever trees, the cocoa and the “ rubber ” trees from the Americas; a new species of coffee from Africa; cardamoms from India, and “ FROM THE HILLS. ” fast-growing forest t ees from Australia, that we ought, on the soberest grounds, to be sanguine and hopeful for the future of S h a d e a n d S h el t e r trees for N uwara E l iy a . agricultural, horticultural and aboricultural enterprise in It is natural and justifiable that the destruction of Ceylon. We have a vivid recollection of the emphasis trees in and around Nuwara Eliya should be regretted with which Sir Wm. Gregory, in the course of the dis by other than ethereal beings, seeing that the great cussion he originated on the permanency or otherwise of want of the Sanatorium is the shelter which well-grown coffee, repudiated the idea that eyen if coffee disappeared trees can give. The difficulty is to get trees to grow from the list of its products Ceylon would be played out. in the exposure and on the grass-peat soil of the plain. He anticipated a process of whicli he saw the beginnings, which is going on, and the end of which no one can Dressings of caustic lime would probably help. On foresee, ot the intr duction and culture of new produc s the sides of the hills, in what was forest land, the sailed to our soil and climate. Not the least valuable blue-gums are growing splendidly, and the contrast of addition to our exotic sylva has been the introduction of the strange bluish-green hue of the long straight rows the Australian eucalypti and acacias, with some of its of eucalypti with the normal gieens both of the native auracarias. The blue-gum flourishes to the highest f.rest trees and cinchonas is very striking. When I altitu-.e in Ceylon, and it does not seem so liable to be speak of the normal green of cinchonas, I must not infested by that insidious parasite the loranthus (close forget the red tints of withering or withered leaves of relation to the English roisletoe) so prevalent on aud so suecirubra and officinales, or the brilliant scarlet destructive to the acacia which is known as the black of the calisayas. The scarlet colour as well as the wattle. So highly is this fine timber tree valued in bewildering variety of type in the yellow barks can Australia, that, when all other trees on “ runs” are ringed and burned, these are spared. Besides its value be seen to perfection in the plantation up the Pass, as a timber tree (blaekwood of Australia) the frequent on the road to Ramboda. The “ sporting ” propen pyramidal lmbit „of the black wattle renders it very sity of the calisaya is so well known, and nayire, ornamental, and as it preserves its lower branches as a general rule, is (Tennyson to the contrary not and their thick foliage up to maturity it is most valu withstanding) “so careful of the type/' that I long able for shelter purposes. Amongst the most striking resisted belief in the hybridizing theory. But “facts sights in Ootacamund are enormous single specimens of are chiels that winna ding,” and, besides what my this tree, and we recollect a closely planted avenue of good friend Mr. Moens shewed and told me of the black wattle tree which was very effective. In Ootaca doings of butterflies and bees in Java, there is my mund the loranthus attacked these trees with such de oWa experionce. I got seed from what I considered structive effect that Dr. Bidie was, some years ago, specially a fairly good description of calisaya growing in Cty- deputed to enquire and report on the subject. There, as in Nuwara Eliya, trees have been, in too many cases, Auracaria Cookii closely resembles that which justly bears exhausted of their juices by the loranthi and destroyed. the name of excelsa and the cruciform habit of the We have s6en casuarinas and even jak trees killed from branches of which is so striking. Auracaria Cunninghamii the same cause at Colombo. But the parasites were allowed is different from but still resembles the other two. But to have their will, instead of a cooly being occasionally very different, quaint and curious is the growth habit of sent up the trees to rid them of their enemies. Instead auracaria Bidwillii, popularly “the monkey puzzle,” of of climbing the trees, the cooly could use a long pole with which we saw a couple of fine specimens, a proper dis a sickle or crooked knife at the end, and could so clear tance apart, in the grounds where the finer species the trees and keep them clear of the bird-carried para were so crowded, and the tree is to be found near many sites. Superior, perhaps, in the brighter species of beauty plantation bungalows. It is, we believe, almost confined, is the other form of Australian acacia, grevillea rohusta, in Australia, to particular portions of Queensland, and it with its fem-like leaves and its tufts of fragrant orange- is strictly preserved by Government on account of the blossoms. We are glad that many specimens of this value of the seeds of its huge cones as food for the “ silk oak ” are yielding seed in Ceylon, for it is not easy aboriginals. Once in three years, generally, there is a to get seeds in Australia. The special habitat of the tree grand harvest, and the blacks assemble from all quarters. is Queensland, but neither in that colony nor in any of They eat and are filled and go away as fat as pigs to resume the others did we see grevilleas to compare with our own their precarious diet of shell-fish, screw-pine fruits, varied in Ceylon. This is the tree for staves for tallow casks, by an occasional kangaroo, wallaby, native bear, or opposum. and the silk oaks have been so used up for this purpose, Many of them would gladly add not only “ cold missionary” that a gentleman in Australia, when I told him how well but roast white man generally, to their cuisine, but for the tree grew with us, seriously suggested the idea that the emphatic manner in which the whites have expressed silk oak timber might yet be exported from Ceylon to their objections to such marks of affection. It is only Australia for the manufacture of casks! Talk of “ sending metaphorically that the blacks are being “ eaten up” by coals to Newcastle ” after that. The river sides in Aus the whites. The aboriginals might quote Shakspere, if they tralia were blazing with the bright, sweet flowers of the could, and say:—“ You take my life when you do take golden wattle when we left in August, aud it was in that the means [the hunting-grounds] by which I live.” But very month we saw these trees in their glory at Queen’s Cot as our subject is not the race which roved the forests tage and other places in Nuwara Eliya. I was glad to see of Australia, but the trees of the forest, we may express that specimens which had been planted by Mr Murray, our regret that one of the most beautiful and dense about three or four years ago, opposite the new build growing of the Australian casuarinas, is short-lived in ings between T h e P l a in proper and Barrack Plain, have our hill regions. But for this it would be invaluable grown well. No tree can be more beautiful when its for shelter purposes. I may here again say that masses of golden and fragrant flowers contrast with its I did not see a casuarina in Australia, (and I saw them separated green leaves, and the bark is useful for tanning lining the banks of streams), to be compared in height to purposes. So is that of the more common kind, acacia the fine specimens in the grounds of the Galle Face Hotel at dealbata, against which a prejudice has arisen from its Colombo. Indeed the giant eucalypti, the tallest trees in habit of sending up fresh trees from its roots, and so the world, as the California trees are the trees of greatest spreading into groves. So rapidly has it spread and so diameter, are only to be found in damp, rich-soiled sites prevalent arc groves of this tree in Ootacamund, that such as exist in Gippsland and especially at Femshaw. serious efforts are to be made to extirpate it on sanit In the mountain valleys at the latter place the closely ary grounds! But surely lanes at right angles could be set, white-barked, tall, branchless stems resemble the cut through the thickest groves; good firewood being pipes of a grand organ built for the Anakim. I saw thus obtained, and the spread of the tree could be specimens 350 feet high, and it seems certain that some checked by drains. We cannot conceive of anything have reached 500 feet, for a fallen one, of which the top better suited to bind banks, if kept closely cut down, was gone, was measured to 474 feet. Old Dr. George judging from what we saw in the South India sanatoriam. Bennett of Sydney poohpoohed such an altitude, point To bungalows in Nuwara Eliya this plant affords valuable ing to the 150 feet high tree in the Sydney gardens and shelter, which, in a place so liable to strong, cold and exclaiming : “Just fancy a second tree of the same height often rain-ladeu winds, is, after a time, desiderated even placed on the top of that!” It did seem astounding, but at the expense of extensive views; the still more indis- absolute measurements afford evidence not to be resisted pensible requisite of a plenteous supply of water, by for what is incredible to those who have not seen what gravitation or in wells close at hand, has decided the Revd. Mr. Abbay both saw and described. Baron von position of most dwellings at the foot of knolls instead Mueller, the first authority on the subject in the world, of on their tops. ' The majority of the villas we have accepts the height which to my good friend, Dr. Bennett, visited are so snugly sheltered by spared natural forest, seemed incredible. But lower trees will suit us in Ceylon, or exotic ornamental trees obtained from the Government and, although auracaria exceha is valuable for shelter gardens at Hakgala, that the fine views as well as the purposes, it is not in this respect to be compared to fresh air of the mountain sanatorium must be sought pinus insignis, which I found to be the favourite for out-of-doors. The collection of eucalypti, acacias, cypres sheltering dwellings and orchards in Melbourne. But I ses, junipers, firs, casuarinas, auracarias, &c., around a must draw this already too long communication to a bungalow I visited yesterday was rich and beautiful. close. Trees for shelter are wanted all over our bill plant But plants of auracaria exceha (the Norfolk Island pine), ations ; but especially are they wanted on the cold and one of the noblest trees in creation at its full height often windswept plain which will soon by means of the of 300 feet, must have been in plentiful supply when the railway be the central station of Ceylon. Those who grounds were laid out, for half-a-dozen of these trees contemplate building bungalows need not be in a special are placed as close together as they can stand. It would hurry with their masonry anti carpenter work, but they be wise, if possible, to separate them. Two Norfolk Is cannot at too early a date lay down their groves of land pines, one of them 150 feet high, form the sheltering trees, of which we have indicated the names central objects in the exquisitely beautiful Botanical and characteristics of a few most likely to .succeed and Gardens on the shores of Sydney Bay. The space their be useful. branches shade, over which many seats are placed, is probably equal to the whole of the grounds , in which we .saw six trees of auracaria exceha wasted by being NEW PRODUCTS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. packed close together. If any proof were wanted of the close observing powers of the great Captain Cook, it will be GENERAL REPORT: THE EXPERIENCE OF 1881 ; LIB ER IA N found in the fact that he insisted on the specific differ COFFEE; LEAF-DISEASE; RUBBER ; CARDAMOMS; ence of another auracaria which Banks and Solander classed PIMENTO ; CQCO. as a mere variation of auracaria exceha. Nearly a cent ury after the death of the great navigator, Mr. Charles 12th January 1882. Moore, of the Sydney Botanic Gardens, procured the cones In that section of the Western Province, lying of the tree from which Captain Cook obtained masts and between the Kelani and Mahaoya, the year 1881 has spars and confirmed the opinion of the shrewd mariner. been specially favourable to the planter of new j>ro« ducts, who was prepared to avail himself of it. 21 the last developed pairs, has more or less of the pin- days was the longest period without rain, and the spots, yet this tree has not dropped a leaf from this other spells of dry weather were fifteen and eight: the cause. Other trees of the same variety do drop leaves, latter on two occasions. The fact ir that, for nine but none of them get utterly denuded. Another months, planting might (with proper precautions) have variety, not originally so hospitable to the uninvited been done any day, with perfect safety. Ij am only guest, as the above, drops every leaf within two or sorry that in my individuality I had not many plants three months of the first spot appearing. This is an to put out, unfortunate circumstance, for the variety in question I planted some thousands of Liberian coffee plants is otherwise one of the most desirable, branching low, on the two last days of 1880, and they are now flowering early, and bearing heavily. I cannot assert from 2J to 3| feet high (not meters), and some of them that any of the varieties are absolutely* proof against have flowered more or less, though I had no plants the disease, but there are two that have hitherto with more than three pair over the seed leaves. kept it at the stave’s end : whether I may be Plants of the same size, plantal in July and August able to say the same twelve months hence remains last, are now one foot high, and many of them more. with the future ! It is not, however, the inches of rain that fall between Among the newer products, out of three-quarter lb. the two ends of the year that constitute a good of Ceara seed I have had 85 plants, of which I lost 10 planting season. We could do with much less than our in the nursery, and 8 in the field. Those that remain average amount of rainfall, would it only fall at the right are getting on tolerably, some of them being two time, and not too much. Unfortunately, the most com feet high in two months from sowing. mon season here is a mighty succession of heavy showers, The Cardamoms have given 75 per cent for seed, but for one, two, or three weeks, and then not a drop for they are very tender things at first, and are liable to one, two, or three months. I fear we may wait and be washed out by the usual watering with a common wish long for another year like 188 L pan. Out of 1 lb, of Pimento seed, I have possibly If Mr. Ward’s dicta are to be accepted, that the one plant, but am by no means certain. hemileia needs wet weather to obtain a settlement, The Cocoa that was so troublesome and costly during there has been one evil attending the frequent rains the first two years, and promised so little, is now of the past nine months. I was aware, nearly a year getting on, and 1 have better hopes of it, especially and a half ago, of the presence of the pest, but it as the oldest plants are coming into bearing. I now only began to extend with . the rains, and there are feel inclined to give it another trial, instead of putting now hundreds of plants, of all ages, more or less other products on the spots where it failed— affected. I thought at first to circumvent it, by at least, on the spots where the survivors are now stumping every young plant I found affected, but the flourishing. small percentage* of those so treated, that did after I think we are now in for a spell of dry weather ; it long delay send out a sucker, had spots on thq very is what we have to expect, and is seasonable. The first leaves opened. I have nothing new to offer on a mornings are cold, the sky clear, and the sun fear subject that has engaged the attention of so many fully hot; but the wind is not so constant and hundreds of my brother planters, for a dozen years; steady as the January winds usually are. This is but it is impossible to stand by and do nothing, or the more satisfactory, as the dry breezy wind is as to follow the costly, all but impracticable, and, on the important a factor in injurious drought as the sun face of them, necessarily ineffectual, recommendations itself. So far, however, all cultivated plants seem to of Mr. Ward. If hemileia finds its way to the most benefit by the suspension of daily rain. It is only remote coffee fields, and even to single plants, grown after two weeks of hot, dry weather, that even the from imported seed, and no other of any variety within youngest plants in the field begin to show symptoms many miles, small service will be done by destroying of distress. a few local millions out of the hundreds of thousands 18th January. of millions of spores carried by every wind that blows, We are having the genuine January weather : hot to every square foot of the island’s surface. It is easy to sun and strong wind. This is only the 13th day, but understand, how a given space may be cleared, by the it is beginning to tell on the weaker plants, those application of a vapour that has been found capable especially that were affected by hemileia. Since the of destroying the vitality of the spores it comes into dry weather set in the pest has ceased to extend its contact with, but it is not easy to see how any vapour operations, and all the diseased leaves are dropping, I that is not heavier than atmospheric air can effect have at length the promise of a few pods of cocoa. I even so much. Suppose that such a remedy is found, have finished my felling and hope to burn in a week. its effect must only be temporary, because, though you I am putting out my young plants from the sheds and have destroyed the vitality of every germ produced on fully testing what shade and water can do. Not one of your own estate, every wind that blows brings you them has turned a leaf. There is very little blossom germs from a distance, with which you have to continue out yet, and it is not progressing lately. How long it can the war. It is not the business of a practical planter, remain in spike it is hard to say. The coffee to be who probably never spent an hour of his life in a gathered this season is very little, but little as it is it laboratory, to make haphazard experiments with chem makes no advance towards ripening. That which icals, but the planter is supposed to know the treat coloured a month ago remains precisely the same : no ment that conduces to the health of his cultivated softening of the pulp ; no deepening of the colour. plant, and this knowledge it is his duty to apply, so I would be glad to have more lime, and must get it, far as power and his means extend. It may be, prob ' not by rail, but by cart, which costs less and gives lees ably is, true, that all coffee, is liable to the intrusion trouble. The two tolls still remain between us and of hemileia, but I think the bulk of planting opinion the station and have become even more stringent with tends to the conclusion that all coffee trees are not the new year. equally liable where all are equally exposed. I have here, at least, half a score of well-defined THE COFFEE PRODUCTION AND TRADE varieties of Liberian coffee. One of those varieties (of which I have several hundreds) scattered all over the OF THE WORLD. estate gets the disease early, and keeps it. Not We extract the following review of the Coffee trade one specimen escapes, but the effects are different from the Statist. The writer does not hold out any on different points. One special tree has had the hopes of a rise in price during the season of 1881-82, disease for fifteen months, and every leaf, except as there is no immediate prospect of a reduction in stocks. There are, however, many disturbing causes coffee (and chicory !) consumed in this country during to upset the most elaborate figures and the pro- the last six years, in tons, has been as follows :— foundest forecasts. We arc hopeful of the future, 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. 18^6. 1875. and believe that, when the temporary causes of de Coffee ..14,540 15,489 14,970 14,656' 14,884 14,520 pression have ceased to operate, Coffee will rise Chicory 5,709 5,295 4,772 4,971 4,741 4,708 again and proclaim its title to continue .“ King.”— For the nine months ending Sept. 30th, the comparison ” For the last twelve months Mincing Lane brokers in tons with the corresponding periods of 1880 and have been complaining of the continued depression 1879 is as follows : — in the coffee trade, and apparently with reason, as 1881. 1880. 1879. the average price of 1881 is much below that of any Coffee ...... 10,841 10,843 11,696 year since 1872. The course of the price of coffee, Chicory ...... 4,302 4,213 3,933 like that of many other commodities, is partly affected One of the most extraordinary facts connected with by the quantity of stock held, but to a greater extent coffee statistics is that coffee as a beverage does not by the volume thrown upon the market from time gain ground in popular estimation. One cause is to time. Other considerations affecting the market that so few persons in this country really know how are the abundance or otherwise of the crops, excel to make a good cup of coffee. F'orty years ago the lence of quality, increase or decrease of consumption, consumption in Great Britain was 1 ’08 lb. per head of position of the money market, &c. From 1807 to population. In 1847 it increased to 1 ‘34, by 1850 it 1871 inclusive, prices, it will be seen on reference to had dropped to 1 '13, again rose to 1'35 in 1854, and the chart we give, were low, owing to the three has since gradually declined, until, last year, the successive large crops in the Brazils, which caused consumption was only equal to 0'92 lb. per head. The stocks held in Europe and the United States to ac other two beverages, tea and cocoa, show a very cumulate. Frum 1871 to 1873 there was a continuous different movement. Tea, in 1840, was 1 '22 lb. per strong rise mainly due to the very small Brazilian head of population; last year it was 4'59, and in crop of 1871-2. Stocks were drawn upon so largely 1879 had been at its maximum, 4'70 lb. Cocoa has that at the close of the year 1872, they were a t the increased from 0 08 lb. in 1840, to 0'31 lb. last year. lowest point—viz., 64,811 tons—of the fourteen years for which we give statistics. The rise in prices The comparison of the duties is as follows :— and a bettter crop caused very large arrivals in the 1840. 1881. early months of 1874, and owing to reaction from the Tea ...... 2s. 2jd. per lb. 6d. per lb. excessively high points to which speculation had driven Coffee foreign ... 9d. ,, 1 . , , them, prices in about two months dropped 35s. per ,, British possessions 6d. ,, j ^ ” cwt.—equal to a loss of a quarter of the January In Germany the consumption is estimated at about quotations. The maintenance of consumption and smaller 100.000 tons per annum. The next country of im imports during the year again brought the stock down portance is France, which shows a steady increase. to a very low point. In 1876 stocks again fell off, The quantity used in 1878 is estim ated at 53,300 but were rapidly replenished in the first four months tons, increasing in 1879 to 56,000 tons, and last year of the following year, the large arrivals causing a sharp to very nearly 57,000 tons. Austria consumes about fall in price. The average stock since 1877 has been 35.000 tons ; Holland, owing to its imports being free greater each year, and at the end of May last was of duty, uses 34,000 tons. Its consumption per head very nearly double the amount held at the same date in of population is the largest of any country, and is 1873. At the same tim e we must remember that consum about sixteen times that of Great Britain. The total ption on the continent, and more especially in America, European consumption has been placed by authorities has grown, and the stocks now are comparatively less as about 350,000 tons to 360,000 tons per annum. excessive than they were ten or twelve years ago. The chief sources of supply of coffee are Brazil, For the four years ending Dec. 31st, 1878, the average Java, Ceylon, India, Jamaica, and Central America. price was about M)4s. per cwt. for ‘low middling ’ The berry is grown in other parts of the world, but Ceylon plantation coffee. From Aug. 1878, to July the production is unimportant. According to Messrs. 1879, there was a fall of 24s. from 105s. to 81s. A Wilson and Smithett, who have compiled, as far as recovery took place in the last half of 1879, owing possible, their information from official sources, the to sympathy with the general rise in prices in all crops of Brazil, Java, and Ceylon coffee since 1871-2 markets, and was maintained for just four months to the have been as follows :— end of February last year. A slight fall and hesi Bio. Santos. Java, Ceylon. tation in movement left the price at 82s. in October, Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. and in two months a further fall was shown, till 1880-81...... 254,400 70,160 59,000 23,000 70s. was reached in December 1880—the lowest point 1879-80...... 172,780 61,530 42,300 33,480 in any year since 1871. During 1881 there has been 1878-79...... 210,460 70510 86,800 41,225 a slight temporary recovery, with a rather sharp rise 1877-78...... 150,000 58,950 59,000 31,015 early in August, partly due to buying by French 1876-77...... 159,310 37,720 71,000 47,050 speculators. Since then prices have generally been 1875-76...... 165,030 44,590 96,000 36,020 weak, and are now tending downwards, owing to the 1874-75...... 180,775 48,500 45,000 48,450 heavy arrivals in the Brazils. 1873-74...... 119,050 38,900 75,000 30,750 The reason for the present low level of prices is 1872-73...... 170,600 31,660 55,000 49,750 that the increase of cultivation and the recent extra, 1871-72...... 123,300 29,700 68,000 37,900 ordinary good crops in the Brazils, from whence about The shipments of Brazil coffee to Europe in the two-thirds of the world’s supply is derived, has caused crop year ending June 30th, 1881, is returned as 169,000 production to be in excess of consumption, and tons, or 66,000 tons more than the previous year. The authorities consider that there are no signs of a falling- above figures show how enormously the production of off in supply for the immediate future. Brazil has increased during the last ten years. It There is a general impression that, owing to the will be seen that in 1871-2 the total production of spread of the temperance movement in this country, the country was about 150,000 tons, which compares we are using much larger quantities of coffee. An with just 325,000 tons for the year ending June 30th, examination of the Board of Trade returns does not 1881. Java remains about stationary, and Ceylon de confirm this, for, in spite of the reduction in price clines, owing to the leal-disease. and lower duties, the consumption is only about the For the particulars respecting the stocks held in same as ten or fifteen years ago, The amount of Europe and the United States, we are indebted to Mesgre. Jam es Cook & Co. The actual figures of the seeds and plants rises by capillary attraction August 31 in each year are as follows:— | through the soil of beds which are well raised, and • Tons. Tons. ! over which is spread a coating of the ashes of burnt 1881 175,000 1883 100,871 ! timber, weeds and earth. The careful shading origin- 1880 147,266 1872 90,935 ally resorted to has long been entirely abandoned, 1879 133,218 1871 132,786 \ the discovery having been made that tea, instead of I87S 116,259 1870 129,182 being a tender plant, is one of the most robust and 1877 122,572 1869 139,944 tenacious of life we can grow,—provided it is not 187G 114,377 1868 142,677 poisoned by the symplochos. 1875 114,253 1867 102,693 P.S.—3 p.m. Raining steadily. 1874 110,685 These stocks include the amount in warehouse in CEYLON PRODUCTS. the whole of France, Holland and England, and (To the Editor of the London and China Express.) the ports of Hamburg, Antwerp, Trieste, Genoa, and Bremen, and in the six principal ports of the United S i r , —In your issue of the 21st Oct. last you were States. The stock held in France has increased very good enough to insert a short article under the above considerably of late. In 1879 it ranged from 30,000 heading, with a view to induce Government to assist the to 45,000 tons; in 1880, from 36,000 to over 47,000 planting enterprise in our island, by sending ua scientists tons/ but this year the stock, which at Dec. 31 last to discover the cause of certain so-called failures in the was 41,000 tons, has accumulated, and at present culiivation of various products. The article was writ is about 73,000 tons. This is mainly due to the action ten in a kindly spirit, for the benefit of our planting of French speculators, who bought largely in the spring, community, and, indeed, of all interested in Ceylon, and notwithstanding the stock being equal to about nine we must give you thanks for taking up the cudgels on months’ consumption, irrespective of exports. our side; but it is unfortunately 'very misleading, and The effect of the lower values received for their calculated to make would-be investors hesitate before produce sent home by the Coffee Companies is seen embarking in any new enterprize in Ceylon, and I vent in the reductions of dividends paid by three joint stock ure to hope you will give space to the following remarks, Companies below. The dividends paid are much below and allow me to contradict your statement, “ that little those of four or five years ago :— success has attended the cultivation of our new products Company. 1880 1879 1878 1877 1876 1875 in Ceylon.” It is no secret that the ravages of leaf-disease Hunasgeria (Ltd.) nil nil 5 5J 5£ 7 (litmikia vastatrix) and other causes have injured th*e Moyar (Ltd) 2J 2J nil 4 5 12 enterprize in coffee arabica, and planters have been turn Ouvah (Ltd) 8 8 3 12 12 15 ing their attention to other products, but you will find —South o f India Observer. that all those that have been started long enough for us to judge of their results have been successful in a very remarkable degree, and that there is nothing to CINCHONA AND TEA. lead us to fear that others will not not prove equally successful. Lindula, 19th Jan. 1882. Whilst the old ent rprize in coffee arabica is under The fall in the minimum temperature to 51°, as a cloud it is of importance that capital should be at noted yesterday morning, betokened rain, and during tracted to the island, and I believe there are no better the day masses of vapour gathered and slight drizzle openings for capitalists in the world than they can fell, resulting in "16 of an inch as gauged. During now meet with here. Even planters of long experience the night the conditions favourable to rain increased, who have pinned their faitb to coffee arabica for the and this morning we found that the figures for maxim last twenty or thirty years will tell you that the pro um temperature had gone down from 74° to 72°, spects now offered by new products are far better than while the minimum had risen from 51° to 54°. The any that the most sanguine could at any time expect morning rose close, misty aud drizzly, and we had a from coffee arabica. I need not tell you that cinchona few showers of most grateful and welcome rain. They (perhaps the oldest of the new products) is succeed have freshened up the face of nature wonderfully, and ing very well in the more elevated districts, but will there is a decided promise of the continuance of this pass on to weather. “ The January rains,” occurring in the Liberian Coffee.—Several estates have come into bear latter portion- of the month, are indeed a reg ing, and I am told that on one estate the estimated ular institution and relied npon by many crop this season is 24 cwt. per acre, ot which 11 cwt. for planting out cinchonas, gums, &c. It will require have already been picked. This is a lowcountry pro a week yet to decide whether the experiment can be duct, and it is doubtful whether it will ripen its crop safely tried. Of the beneficial effect of the rain on properly at an elevation over 1,500 feet No doubt tea bushes and their flushes and ou tea seed put into those who have tried it at. a higher elevation may beds, there can be no doubt. XVe are now, at length, have discovered this, and have, therefore, condemned after a lapse of five to six years from the sowing of it as a failure, but if you could interview the owners best hybrid Assam plants, obtaining a plentiful harvest of Rutupaula Estate (Kalutara), and one or two others of seed. While the best quality is thus slow of seed I could name, you would soon lose any fears you may ing, the difficulty is to prevent the inferior kinds entertain regarding the success of this cultivation, and from blossoming and bearing seed in their infancy. the recent sales in London and New York point to a I suppose others, besides myself, were unfortunate ready market at top prices. enough to be supplied, in the early dais of the en Cardamoms are doing well wherever they have been terprise, with seed from Hakgala of a variety which tried, and on one estate, in a very unfavourable dis throws all its energies into fruit, and which would be trict for coffee, indeed on which the coffee (arabica) valuable were tea seed desiderated as food for cattle has been abandoned, they are now yielding very large (the coolies eat them), or were tea seed oil an article profits. of commerce. We saw the effect of low ilevation Pepper and Eutmegs promise almost fabulous returns! (1,500 feet) and hot jdry climate with a stimulating The managing director of our Company' has recently soil in Java, where Assam hybrids, grown with con made a visit to the Straits, for the sole purpose ot siderable difficulty, were bearing seed a t-34 years old. inquiring into the cultivation of these two products, We have found by experience that the best sites for and expresses it as his opinion that they will yield tea nurseries are fiats or swamps, where moisture for very large profits, as they are there doing. Tea.—Although our labour is dear, cheap transport Chemical Society 0 1 L o n d o n .— At the meeting o n and large crops will enable planters to compete suc Dec. loth, a paper was read “ On a new Alkaloid from cessfully with-Iudia and China. The competition, how Cinchona Bark,” by Messrs. D. Howard aud J. Hodgkin, ever, is so great that large returns cannot be looked for. The authors have extracted from the bark of the Cocoa.—S'ime difficulty has been experienced in get- China Cupraja an alkaloid closely resembling quinine in iug this plant past its infantile stage, owing to the its general properties. It differs in the solubility attacks of its inveterate enemy, the white ant, but of its salts and the readiness with which the this will soon be overcome, and when once past this alkaloid crystallizes from ether. They have named danger succe.-s is assured. This is one of the casea it homoquinine.—Athenaeum. in which the services of able scientific men G r a s s e s a n d C in c h o n a C u l t iv a t io n .—W e under will be invaluable, and the appointment of stand 1 hat the next annual report of Dr. George King, such persons will be of great assistance‘ to us ; supverintendent of the Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, but 1 emphatically deny that our new cultiv will he of special imporiance for its bearing on the ations have any of them been proved to be failures. vexed questions of the growth of grasses for paper On the conti ary, many have proved very successful, fibre, and also of cinchona cultivation for quinine. aud I could enumerate many more which show pro In a paper just received from Dr. King, in which he spects of great success. Certain soils and certain dis gives a special account of his examination of cinchona tricts arc suitable to the growth of certain plants, cultivation in Java, he suggests Burmah, the Andaman and until experience and science teach us how to Islands, and the Khasia Hills as new sites for the avoid planting new products in unsuitable places an cultivation. A cinchona plantation, we may remark, occasional failure must be anticipated ; but I trust that has already been tried at Nongklao, in the Khasia all who have formed an opinion that our new products Hills, and abandoned.—Academy. have met with little success will be soon disabused C o f f e e B lo sso m P r o s p e c t s .—The weather has se of such an error, and will believe that we have met in fan* all over the country according to today’s [lOtli with a good deal o f success. Should any doubts still January] telegraphic report, and so far as the coffee dis exist in their minds, I shall be very glad to give them tricts are concerned the change could not come more any further information they may require. opportunely. The rain of the past three months has At an early date I shall send you some further been most beneficial; but high, as well as low particulars regarding our new products, showing in districts now require dry wreatlier to “harden” the detail what results have been obtained.—I am, &c., wrood preparatory to blossom. Indeed, in the lower districts there w'as risk if wet weather continued A S h a r e h o l d e r i n t h e C e y l o n L o w C o u n t r y longer of blossom being lost: some in spike going P r o d u c t s C o m p a n y ( L i m i t e d ). into ‘ brush *; but we have 110 doubt now, early and Galle, Nov. 28th. good blossoms will be seen in the low as well as high districts if the dry weather continues. So far THE SEASON IN INDIA. everything is most favourable for a really good season {For the weekending the 10th January.) throughout the Ceylon coffee districts. So mote it be! G a n g a p itiy a E s t a t e , in the Dumbara Valley, was Scarcely any rain fell during the week under report the test plantation we referred to a few wreeks back in any part of Bengal, the North-Western Provinces in reference to Mr. Schrottky’s system. In the middle and Oudh, and the Punjab. In the two latter Pro of December there was some room to apprehend a vinces rain is much wanted, as the cold-weather crops general attack of leaf disease; but subsequent reports on the unirrigated lands are suffering from want of shew that the apprehension was groundless, no attack moisture. In the Central India States there has been having developed. On the 2nd instant, zthe report no rain, but the crops are reported good. In the was to the effect th at:—the coffee looks remarkably States of Bajputana and in the Central Provinces well, and, as yet, has resisted the disease, so that showers fell in a few places and prospects are favour there is good reason for anticipating that the estate able. In the Bombay Presidency the outturn of the will pass through the blossoming season with the rabi crops is expeced to be poor iu two districts and minimum of evil effect from the fungus. Isolated in others gene ally good. In the Nizcm’s Territories trees are still found with the disease; but, although the rabi has much benefited by slight showers. In the weather was more or less showery all through the Madras Presidency the rainfall has been more December, it lias not spread. This is certainly a general during the week under report, and prospects striking fact and worthy of careful attention. are 011 the whole good. In other parts of the country, T h e C e y l o n I n v e s t m e n t A sso c ia t io n L im it e d .—We i.e., in Berar, Coorg, Assam, and British Burmah, have received this afternoon a copy of the report of prospects continue favourable. the above Company for the year ended 30th Sept. M adras.—No rain in Kistna ; general prospects good. 1881, which will appear in full tomorrow; but mean time we may mention that the result of the Company’s T h e S uperintendent of the Government Gardens operations is a dividend of 6 per cent to the share at Saharunpore has, during the past yar, been en holders with £800 earned to a reserve fund. Considering gaged in the production of vegetable drugs, for the the hard times, this must be regarded as satisfactory. .Medic d Department. Besides henbane, he has been The Company’s investments in Ceylon now amount able to prepare taraxacum at a considerably lower to £87,114, of wiiich £16,333 have been made during cost than its purchase iu England entails.—Madras Mail. 1880-81, while £3,946 had been repaid in the same J a f f n a a n d C olonization . —In our opinion the only time. One paragraph from the Directors’ report we give at feasible method of ameliorating the condition of the once to shew their opinion of our planting Industrie:__ people of Jaffna consists in emigration towards the The Boaitl obtained much benefit from the information Eastern and Central portions of the island, and in received from their Secretary, Mr. Kirwan, as the result colonizing the fertile districts watered by the Mahavile of his visit to Ceylon. While in the island, this gentle Ganga or situated in proximity to the large tanks like man made a careful inspection of all the estates in which the Association is interested, and his report may be held Kanthalai aud Giant’s Tank. A colonization conducted as extremely satisfactory. Prospects in Ceylon are reported on a large scale would not only releive Jaffna of ils to be slowly, though steadily improving. The cultivation surplus inhabitants, but convert, in a short time, fever- of new products is being rapidly extended, and the suc s'ricken jungles into smiling villages and fields teeming cess which has already attended the growth of these with a rich, contented and thriving population.—“ Lanka promises well for the eventual rise in the price of land Snahau,” i in the colony. 174 than food, and we also know that wThat may kill $otit;e$p 1,506 the coolie costs the planter £18 10s. per annum, while the Kanaka costs only £13. It would, however, be idle •saoiBjjna