MARKETS FOR INDIAN TEA IN THE of the Tycoon to enter into “ the comity of the UNITED STATES AND CANADA. nations.” Our first taste of the amber-coloured, burnt Our readers will have noticed that Messrs. Doane flavoured tea, which is such a favourite with our & Co. of Chicago estimated the consumption of tea in Yankee cousins was in Paris, a good many years the United States at 72,000,000 lb. Mr. Sibthorp’s ago. It was provided for us as a treat by the then calculation is not so high, his figures being a little correspondent of the Daily News, but we could not under 70,000,000 lb. The population of the United honestly say that we admired it. Taste in regard States being fully fifty millions, it follows that the for tea is, however, very much a matter of educa consumption of tea is considerably under 1J lb. per tion : some people do not take kindly to Indian caput. In Britain, the consumption of tea last year tea at once, and a few persons are so depraved in taste exceeded 160,000,000, lb., which, for a population of as not to admire even the Ceylon leaf, until the second thirty-five millions, gives, for each individual, over or third time of tasting. The extreme cold of the 4£ lb. In regard to coffee, the position of the two climate in Canada and parts of the United States, countries is more than reversed ; for the pe?ple of may, perhaps (?) account for the preference given to Britain have been so thoroughly cheated and disgusted highly -fired and green teas, which have almost ceased in the matter of coffee, that they do not now consume to be used in Britain and which, recently tried on anything like a pound a head of this beverage. England the Melbourne market, found but scant favour. The is as eminently a tea-drinking country as the United “ Japs ” are an enterprizing race, and they'are strain States people are coffee drinkers; but, unhappily, ing every nerve to push their peculiar teas and their while it can be said that in the United States the imitations of China and Indian produce. India, how consumption of tea is increasing, of England it must ever, (including Ceylon) is likely to take, ere long, be confessed that her consumption of coffee—that is first place in the tea markets of the world. Ad of true coffee is decreasing. Mr. Sibthorp shews that mirers of the American ladies must grieve to learn the Canadians in adhering loyally to Britain have that they are not good, honest, orthodox tea drinkers preserved to a good extent the national predilection and tea dispensers, like their English sisters, but for tea. Canada with a population of only 4£ millions that they take the infusion of the fragrant leaf in consumed last year 13,400,000 lb. of tea, or, as nearly the shape of an iced drink! If it be true, as stated, that as possible 3 lb. per head. In Canada, however, the the people of the United States,and especially the female consumption of tea is not now increasing at the same portion, are of defective physique, it ought to be rate as prevails in the United States ; but, if Indian matter of serious consideration whether improvement teas are “ pushed,” which they never yet have been, might not be secured by abandoning the limited aud Mr. Sibthorp believes that Canada will afford a perverted use of tea and consuming it as it ought splendid market for them. It may be interesting to to be consumed in large quantities and after the see what the consumption of tea by the leading orthodox fashion ! It is a maxim amongst chemists countries inhabited or colonized mainly by the British that the degree of civilization to which a country has race (Anglo-Saxon, Celtic. &c.,)amounts to. We have attained can be tested by the quantity of sulphuric not the exact quantity for Australia now beforeus, but as acid it uses. A still better test, we submit, would the figures were 15,000,000 lb, a couple of years ago and be the aggregate consumed by the population of such the imports in 1880 were over 22,000,000 lb., we do “ diffusive stimulants ” as tea, coffee and cacao, to not think we can err greatly in taking the consump the displacement of alcoholic drinks and narcotics. tion by 2| millions of population in 1881 at 18,000,000 It is evident that during last year an exceptionally or 6£ lb. per head. If, as we believe, we are near the large proportion of low class, inferior aud positively mark then we get for exhausted or deleterious teas were shipped from China, The United Kingdom ... 160,000,000 lb. to the markets, not of Europe and Australia merely, The United States ... 70,000,000 ,, but to those of the western continent. The result Australia ...... 18,000,000 ,, Canada ...... 13,000,000 ,, was for a time, to lower the standard of prices of Indian as well as China and Japan teas; but the Total ... 261,000,000 lb. Indian article has at length asserted its superiority Figures, these, which are capable of great expansion, if the beyond all doubt, and the shippers of the cheap peace of the world can be preserved and its progress rubbish from China could not have acted better if in population and wealth allowed to go steadily on. their direct object had been to promote the sale and There ought to be no stronger opponents of the consumption of the superior tea. Such is ever the wicked war spirit than producers of articles which result of “ways that are dark and tricks that are enter larger into the food of human beings. China vain ” as opposed to honesty, which is the best policy still supplies the vast proportion of the tea con in trade as it is the right course in morals. For sumed beyond her borders as well as about 1,200,000,000 the present it is Japan tea as against China, which lb. said to be used internally. But Japan and India, is finding increased favour in the United States (al are competitors with the Celestial Empire, the pro though last crop is complained of as inferior) but gress of the latter, in the western as well as the when Indian teas are really “ pushed ” as they are eastern world being clearly destined to be great and about to be in the United States as well as Canada, rapid. Why the Americans should have taken so the superior quality of the new candidate for favour specially to Japan teas, which may be described will be recognized in America, as it has been in literally, as “ all-fired” teas, we scarcely see, unless Britain and is daily more and more the case in the it be as atonement for having compelled the land British colonies of the south. As to America grow. 137 ing her own tea, no doubt that vast country has year, but which the Trade Review accounts for suitable soil, if not climate ; but unless the working in the following words :—“ The statistics given show an apparent decrease in consumption from the Port of New classes abandon their attachment to good wages and York during 1880 of about 8,500,000 lb. but, in analyz their hatred of the “ Heathen Chinee”—welcoming ing these figures in connection with the general course hordes of the latter to their land and their bosoms— of trade throughout the year, and the indications of con the question of cost of labour stands an impassable tinued prosperity in the country, to say nothing of in barrier in the way. The wages of 10 cents per creased population, it is impossible to adopt the con diem, which the American journalist mentions, is, of clusion that there has been a falling-off in the consump tion of this article of food. The distribution in pro course, composed of cents of a Spanish dollar. It gress during the year has developed the fact that very is, therefore, whether applied to wages or the prices considerable quantity of stock, withdrawn from first of tea, somewhat more than twice the value of two hands during the year 1879, under the influence of the of our cents : say 1 American cent = 2J Ceylon cents, “ boom” which led to such an inflation of the volume of Will experts in tea, excusing our ignorance, inform busin'ss, as well as of values, had not been consumed us what is the precise meaning of “ basket fired” on the 1st January as was th-n supposed, but was in reality carried over, and formed an important part of teas and whence their superiority ? We should also the actual available supply for the year under review. like to know if any considerable proportion of tea In other words, the sudden spirit of speculation infused planters or tea experts in Ceylon have abandoned during the Autumn months of 1879 led to an extensive the old idea that the special fumes of charcoal are stocking-up by second-hand dealers and small traders essential to the good quality of tea, and accepted the throughout the country. The sluggishness of the dis tributive demand all through the year has made this conclusion that teas dried by “ Sirocco” or other fact more and more apparent, thereby demonstrating machines, or by mere artificial heat, without charcoal that the business, which ordinarily should have been fumes, are as good or better than teas roasted over spread over six months, was, in the prevailing excitement, charcoal fires crowded into as many weeks. Unquestionably, there fore, a large percentage of the consumption heretofore We again attract attention to the fact that, in the set down to 1879 must be credited to 1880. ” United States and Canada, as in Australia, packages The bulk of the tea is sold on this market at not larger than from 381b to 451b find most favour; prices ranging from 20 cents to 30 cents per lb., but while the dealers desiderate attractive boxes in all during the last year a great deal of low class tea cases. The tin boxes are always nice-looking, and from both China and Japan has been sold at 10 cents to 12 cents per lb. Formosa Oolongs with fine wooden boxes can be made so by pasting over them quality command high prices, as also do fine Japan paper adorned with neat printed or lithographed designs. uncolored and basket-fired, sometimes ruling as high as We copy below the main portions of Mr. Sibthorp’s 80 cents per lb., but this is considered a fancy price, and interesting r e p o r t:— can only be obtained for small quantities. The bulk R e p o r t o n t h e T e a T r a d e o f t h e U n it e d S t a t e 8 of the Congou sold here is of fair quality, selling at from 12 cents per lb. for common, up to 40 cents per a n d C a n a d a , b y D. A . S ib t i i o r p , E sq. lb. for fine tea. Sometimes it is mixed with green tea 130, Water Street, New York, 7th Dec. 1881. and sold under the name of “ English breakfast tea,” B. R . M a g o r , Esq., Honorary Secretary, but this mixing is done mostly on this side by the Calcutta Tea Syndicate. retailer. The retail price for all kinds of tea ranges The Americans cannot be called a tea-drinking na from 30 cents to 80 cents per lb. Small quantities tion, for, with a population of 50,000,000 persons, the are sold as high as a dollar per lb. by some of the imports of tea last year only amounted in all to fashionable dealers. 69,765,000 lb., of which the proportion of Congou The following are the latest market quotations:— was very small indeed, viz, only 5,154,000 lb., the Greens, finest chops, none, 34 to 36 cents; fine Teen- balance, 64,610,000 lb. being Japans, China green kai and Moyun, 28 to 32 cents ; Ping Sung, 27 teas and Oolongs, while Canada with a population cents: Medium chops, 23 to 25 cents; common, 19 to of only 4,500,000 persons consumed last year 21 cents. Japans, choicest, 48 to 50 cents; choice, 40 13,400,0001b., the proportion of black tea being to 43 cents; finest, 35 to 38 cents; fine 29 to 32 cents; 5,560,000, the balance as in the States, vis.. Japans, medium and good, 17 to 26 cents; common, and good China Greens and Oolongs. common, 12 to 16 cents. Formosa Oolongs, choicest, 55 to 65 cents nominal; choice, 43 to 48 cents; finest, “ Tea” with the trade of this country means Japan 36 to 38 cents; fine, 33 to 34 cents; superior, 28 to and China green tea, just as a home dealer would 31 cents; good cargo, 22 to 25 cents; fair, 18 to 20 cents, mean black tea or Congou ; if they want to speak of good common, 16 cents. Amoy Oolongs, fine, 25 to 26 Congou they name it, just as we in England would name cents; superior, 22 to 23 cents; common to fair, 12 to “ Oolong” or “ Scented Orange Pekoe.” This will per 16 cents. Foochow Oolongs, choice to choicest 50 to haps give a better idea than the statistics do of the 60 cents; finest, 37 to 40 cents; fine 30 cents; superior, hold that Japans and green teas have on this market. 24 to 26 cents; fair 18 cents. Congou and Souchong, There being no duties on teas in the United States, choice, none; finest, 37 to 40 cents; fine, 28 to 30 cents; (except on those imported from countries other than superior, 23 to 24 cents; good cargo, 19 cents; fair, 17 t e place of growth, which are liable to a 10% advalorem cents; common, 12 to 15 cents. duty, in consequence of which there is little or no Some small parcels of fair liquoring Indian teas, dir trade with Great Britain) it is impossible to do more ect private shipments, have been sold on this market at than estimate the actual consumption of the country, from 23 to 45 cents per lb., but being small quantities I as the usual guides, viz., the Custom’s returns, are here cannot take the prices obtained for them as a guide to entirely wanting. what may be expected for the first shipment of the Syn New York is the largest and most important market dicate, but the prices are, I should say, satisfactory. for tea in the States, supplying, it may be said, Chicago is an important and rapidly-increasing market the whole of America. Following is a comparative of all kinds of teas. It is impossible to report the ac statement for the past three seasons, which shows tual business done here, as a great deal of the tea sold » considerable falling-off in th e consumption last is purchased on the New York and San Francisco markets, the actual quantity imported direct from China teas from Shanghai, but the samples were only experi and Japan last year being 6,975,223 lb.; but this is only mental, and the high cost of labour in this country will a smalt proportion of the trade. From Chicago all the always, I imagine, prove an insuperable bar to the suc great Central and Western States of America are sup cessful production of American teas. Reviewing this plied with the tea consumed, the quality and price subject, the authority I have before quoted from says :— being almost identical with New York ; as all the large ‘6 The experiments of Commissioner Le Due, in his efforts New York dealers, or “ jobbers” as they are here called, to prove that the tea plant can be grown in this country have travellers constantly on the road. The quantity and the leaf successfully prepared for use, have attracted of tea sold through Chicago is variously estimated at a good deal of newspaper notice during the past year, from 10 to 1 > million lb. yearly, but, as there are no and some of our local cha szees have enjoyed the privil guides to go by, it is impossible to say exactly. ege of tasting the beverage drawn from this home pro Indian teas have been sold by Messrs. J. \V. Doane duction and been asked to vouch for its character, but & Co., the Agents of the Syndicate at Chicago, at, I it will probably be many years before the tea crop of believe, satisfactory prices, but they were private ship the United States will become of sufficient importance ments, and I have no particulars. The first consign to more than merit the notice and approval of the ladies ment from the Syndicate is now in their hands, and of the White House, who, upon their accession to the I hope shortly to be able to report sales. I expect honor, have heretofore been presented with a cup, and, as samples of the breaks daily, and on receipt of them requested, have given the enterprize their support. The will forward you a report immediately. expensive efforts of the Agricultural Bureau may thus far San Francisco is an important market for tea, for have been highly successful as landscape gardening and through it the whole of the Pacific States and Territ in the interests of fancy agriculture, but, as for provid ories draw their supplies. The amount of all kinds ing a beverage for the people, the experiments have of tea imported la-t year was 4,210,000 lb., of which proved futile. Until the American labourer is content only 760,000 lb came from China, and the balance with wages not exceeding ten cents a day, it is hopeless 3,450,000 lb. from Japan. The consumption of Japan to think of competing with the heathen Chinee.” tea is steadily increasing, while that of China tea is Tea is not yet the important beverage in America falling off. China green teas are used very little west that it is at home, and in the Australian colonies. of the Rocky Mountains, Salt Lake City being the only Such a thing as an afternoon tea is almost unknown in place to which they go. Congous sell in San Fran purely American society. Ladies—always the planters* cisco at from 20 cents to 30 cents per lb., for the best friends—are here seldom confirmed tea drinkers lower grades, and for the best kinds as much as 55 such as one meets in other English-speaking countries ; cents per lb. is obtained. Oolong teas from Formosa the little tea they do drink is generally Oolong or are popular, selling readily as high as 60 cents per Japan tea made very weak, and well iced, taken with lb., and they are gradually taking the place of Eng out milk or sugar, generally out of a tumbler, and a lish breakfast teas, which were at one time in great very fair drink it is for the hot weather, although my demand. The prices ruling for Japan teas range from “ insular prejudice” compels me to confess to a prefer 15 to 25 cents per lb. for the lower, to as high as ence for a cup of good Iudian tea with cream and sugar. 45 to 55 cents per lb. for the finest grades. The Canadian tea trade, as before noted, bears a much I could find no trace of any sales of Indian teas on the better proportion to the population than that of San Francisco markets during my stay there, the samples America, for with a population in 1830 of 4,350,933 I had with me were admired, but small hope of business persons the total consumption of tea was 13,400,217 lb., was held out I hope that the shipment now on the but the trade in Canada is not increasing nearly so water will do well and lead to further business. rapidly asit is in America, as ten years ago with a popu The other large cities of the United States import lation of 3,670,400 the consumption was 10,959,000 lb. very little tea ; they do most of their business with Montreal and Toronto are the two great markets New York, Chicago or San Francisco, so the particulars for tea in the Dominion, the city of Quebec doing given respecting these markets are a guide to the whole little or nothing, but nearly all the Provinces import tea trade of the United States. a little. [Table omitted.] Auction sales may be said to command the New York The above figures show that the Provinces of Ontario market now. Speaking of this the Review before and Quebec, of which Toronto and Montreal are res quoted from says : “ An important feature in the pectively the centres, do the bulk of the business, business of the last year has been the increased dis Ontario being a good deal ahead, as the greater part tribution through the auction room. Not only have the of the black teas of the better kinds imported to offerings been much larger, but the year has witnessed Montreal is sold in the Upper Provinces, and the du^y the establishment of a second firm who make a speciality being paid in Montreal, further trace for statistics is of this mode of distribution. In 1879 there were sold lost. You will doubtless remember that it was for by public auction 149,167 pkgs. of sound tea, while this reason I recommended Toronto as the head-quarters during 1880 the quantity so disposed of increased to of the agency for the Syndicate in Canada. 232,375 [jkgs., comprizing one-fifth of the total dis Black teas sell in Canada at prices varying from tribution from the Port for the year. This method of 12 to 15 cents per lb. for common, up to 50 cents for selling has undoubtedly grown in popularity with that finest, and Japanese and green teas sell from 10 cents class of buyers who can afford to wait at the unreserved per lb. for low class up to as high as 60 cents saies for values to reach their limit, but the problem per lb. for the highest grades of basket-fired teas, yet to be solved is whether in the long run this which have a fast growing popularity with the nu-thod of selling will prove as remunerative to Canadians, as also have Oolongs which sell at prices the importer as well as the jobber, as the system which varying from 20 cents to 60 cents per lb. These prices here'ofore required the services of a broker. Undoubt do not include the duty, which is on, green teas 3 edly the auction sales have thus far had the effect of cents per lb. and 10 per cent, ad valorem, and on black concentrating the demand in New York from a much teas 2 cents per lb. and 10 per cent, ad valorem, also larger number of interior buyers, and in this way in an additional 10 per cent, ad valorem on all teas im creased the importance of this market as a distributing ported from countries other than where grown. These cen tre.” duties the present Government have pledged them American grown Teas.—I have seen some fine sam selves to take off in the coming session, but I doubt ples of these grown aud manufactured in the State of if they will withdraw the 10 per cent, leviable Georgia, The black tea resembles our Assam makes, on the other than direct shipments. As things stand and the green teas imitate closely fine liquoring Moyuu at present, the importer sells his tea at a duty-paid price, he paying the duty and recovering the amount with the Japanese in this, and that the trouble taken along with the value of the teas on the same terms be well repaid 1 have not the would slightest doubt. —I as in the United States, viz. four months. am, dear sir, yours faitfully D, A. Sib t h o r p. .Most of the large London dealers have agents in Canada, as also have many of the Xew York firms, am! some of the Canadian houses have branch offices E x po rt of I n d ia n T ea to A ustralia and N e w in this city ; there is, in consequence, a considerable Zea land.—The quantity of tea exported from Calcutta business done notwithstanding the extra 10 per cent. to Australia and New Zealand in the months of The agents of course have a constant supply of sam January and February last was 126,657 lb. Last year, ples of all kinds of tea, including Indian teas from 135,8991b were exported in the same period.—Calcutta the London market, in which there has been a small Englishman. trade done at prices equal to London quotations. The Cin c h o n a .—A consignment consisting of 138 bales trade has never been really pushed, and there is hero of cinchona bark, weighing in the aggregate 24 tons, a splendid opening for our teas. from the Government cinchona plantations, Dodabetta, Following is a comparative statement of the export Nilgiris, were shipped to London during the past of all teas, from China and Japan to the United States month, and intimation of the same conveyed to the and Canada for the past three years up to 3lst Octo Secretary of State. —Madras Times. ber. These figures I have compiled from the latest T obacco in K a ffr a r ia . —Our contemporary, the advices from China aud Japan, and are, I think, to Colonies and India, says tobacco has long been grown be relied upon. They will serve to point out how successfully in Kaffraria, and its cultivation is rapidly rapidly the tea business is growing in this country, extending. On a farm about 15 miles from the mouth and should prove a powerful incentive to all interested of the Kli, Mr. Keighley is planting out about 9,000 in the development of the Indian tea trade to make plants. In virgin soil the weed grows most luxuri an effort to secure a footing on these markets, which antly, quite rivalling anything produced in America as yet may be said to be only in their infancy, and or elsewhere. which will, before a great many seasons have gone D r . F orbes W atson. —This gentleman, who was for over our heads, be as important as any in the world. several years Director of the Indian Museum at South [This table is omitted as its results are indicated.] Kensington, and who arrived in Madras last week from The falli ng-off in the shipments from Japan this year is Calcutta, will leave Madras tomorrow for Dharwar accounted for by a late crop, but it is expected that when and Bombay, whence he will proceed to England. He the season closes the exports will be quiteequal to those has been engaged on enquiries into the production of of 1880. rhea fibre ih Upper Bengal, and in gathering informa Tea is tested here in an odd way, and, instead of tion about the cotton trade in various provinces.— weighing the sample to be tasted into a tea-pot and Madras Mail. allowing it to draw for five minutes, as we do, the pot is discarded altogether, and the tea turned directly M anitoba.—T he Liverpool Journal of Commerce into 1 he cup, the boiling water then being poured on. says :—“ The land fever in Manitoba remains unabated, When it has sufficiently cooled, the taster commences and Brandon is now the centre of attraction. A three taking out a few of the leaves on his spoon to examine nights’ sale by the Canadian Pacific Railway, of lots in them, and when satisfied, returns them to the cup, that town realised 8133,000, and it is said that one and so continues through the “ batch.” The weight speculator has cleared $60,000 by a quarter section used is not so heavy by nearly half as ours, and it just added to it. Brandon would rapidly become a would probably be equal to the weight of a four- town of considerable extent but for the want of build penny piece The plan is a more speedy one than ing material. A new town, named Garfleld, has been ours, but I do not think it is possible tobe so accurate. formed twenty-five miles from Winnipeg, and town lots are being offered by auction in that city. It is No doubt the most rapid way for our Indian teas, reported that the travelling over the St. Paul and to obtain a footing on these markets would be, as I Manitoba road to Winnipeg is 100 per cent, over that I advised you in July last, to manufacture them of last year at this season. Wheat has been selling in to assimilate as far as possible the teas already in Winnipeg at 95 cents., and oats 70 cents, per bushel. demand, but I am inclined to agre with the decision The high prices are due to local consumption, the sup of the Committee of the Syndicate, that it is better to ply not being equal to the demand.” allow our teas to stand on their merits, as I think it may be assumed that the reason the consumption A gricultural Schools should be established in of tea is so small in this country is due to the fact Ceylon as in India, where the pupils can acquire that the article now offered to the pub'ic is, on the a knowledge of improved methods of culture. New whole, an inferior and not very palatable one. implements of cultivation, used in England, America Before I close, one thing I would like to impress and other places, should be introduced and facilities afforded for poor cultivators to huy them as cheaply strongly on those who take an interest in working up these foreign markets, is, that the present style of as possible. New products and’,better seed-plants suit packing considerably retards the sale of indian teas. able for different soils with directions as to their culti- Large packages arc unsaleable, except at a considerably vation should be distributed broadcast over the land. reduced price, hatf chests containing 28 to 45 lb. nett Agricultural shows should be made in the chief towns will sell most rapidly. They should be neatly finished periodically and prizes awarded. These are obvious and legitimate duties of Government, much more, that of one aud marked, so that, instead of being, as they are considered here, an eye-sore in the retail dealer’s shop, whichprofesses to be paternal. It cannot be pretended they would prove an attractive ornament. There thattlie functions of a paternal despotism like that of is a stronger feeling here against rough packing (of any Ceylon should be passive and restrictive, as in more kind of goods) than I can give you any idea of. A civilized countries—particularly, in matters which touch retail dealer will not purchase a rough package as the very existence of the people. Spontaneous growth he “ calculates ” it would be likely to keep customers of the natives in these things will be at best a thing out of his “ store.” One reason, I think, why the of the distant future. Hence, active encouragement Japanese have got such a strong hold on these of Government is all-important. Without offering markets is the remarkably neat way in which their such aids or encouragement, Government may waste packages are made up, they are neatly matted and enormous sums of money in the repair of tanks and papered with a stylish label seteing forth the class they anicuts, and wait for centuries before either they them claim to contain, I cannot see why we should not vie selves orthepeople reapa ny benefits. —• Lanka Snahan. COFFEE ADULTERATION. best stay for labour, and the right substitute for that beer against the use of which he is so constantly warned. With my last there was enclosed the extract of a It is to the extension of a system so detrimental to our letter from the Globe relative to coffee adulteration, people that the recent Treasury Minute referred to in my Its publication was followed almost immediately by former letter lends the further aid and countenance of the an article in the same paper on the 11th in comment Government.—I am, sir, faithfully yours, upon it, of which the text is subjoined : — A r t h u r F o l k a r d .
“C h i c o r y a n d C o f f e e /’ Thatched House Club, St. Jam es’s, S. W., February 14.— Globe, Feb. 15. A correspondent recently complained grievously of the compound now so generally sold instead of coflee. The The more the subject can be ventilated by the lead pure article, he affirmed, is being driven out of this country, ing journals of the home press, the greater the and certainly recent statistics appear to bear out the state chance will be that members of the House of Com ment. The Board of Trade returns for the first ten months mons may be disposed to advocate some legislative of the year 1879 are now before us, and they restriction upon the disgraceful proceedings which show that home consumption of genuine coffee are now so common. In a conversation held with a was 265,083 cwt. For the same p -riod in 1880 the gentleman, who disputes that there is any hardship amount was 243,277 cwt. and last year the first ten months in permitting what he cabs “ freetrading ” in these showed only 240,369 cwt. During the same period* the mixtures, I learned the views entertained by what home consumption of chicory rose from 87,217 cwt. to 93,101 cwt. and than to 94,959 cwt This show clear that may be termed the opposition party, which is mainly while we are drinking every year more “ coffee,” our im composed, it may be suspected, of those who have port is declining and our consumption of chicory is increas some direct or indirect interests to serve by the main ing. The real facts are probably much more serious than tenance of the existing scandalous state of things. these figures show, because the Board of Trade, we believe, He considered that coffee is really better than the take cognizance only of foreign chicory, the “ home con substitute offered for it,—it must in the end triumph— sumption ” being arrived at by deducting exports from im and that any limitation placed upon the sale of ports. It is well known, however, that while all our coffee mixtures will be an interference with the liberty of the is imported and can be accounted for to a pound, only apart subject. Precisely : the liberty to pay for stuff, which of our chicory comes from abroad. Large quantities are cannot be considered innoxious, and certainly can grown in this country. Indeed, if we are rightly informed, the best of our chicory is home-grown and usually fetches possess no nutriment, a price which, in the long run, a shilling or so a hundredweight more than the foreign. It is dear, as compared to that of the real article. By grows wild in almost all par.s of Europe, but the north such means, the use of coffee is discouraged, for of England appeais to suit it admirably, and it is grown people buy and drink most of these mixtures under in Yorkshire very extensively. All authorities, we believe, the belief that they are drinking “ coffee,” and find agree that a decoction of the root is harmless enough, and ing none of the benefits expected, but rather a sicken that it affords a good deal of nutriment in the shape of ing result, will turn from its use altogether. No sugar. They are equally agreed, however, that it has none sane or disinterested man can, it must surely be believed, of that invigorating character which alone makes coffee fail to see how great an evil it is that the food sup worth drinking. The best that can be said for it is that it plies of the nation are not what they profess to be. is harmless. Yet we are assured on good authority that A p ro p o s of this matter, it is to be noted that that much of the article bought by those who consent to take a “ mixture of chicory and coffee ’’ contains not more than horrible date coffee is again the subject of litigation. one part of coffee, good bad, or indifferent, to seven parts An application has been made this week to wind up the of chicory. “ German Date Coffee Company.” Wiser than our own It was new to me to learn by this article that so authorities, the Government of Germany has declined much chicory is grown in England, aud that the home to grant a patent for the manufacture of this, to me, production is considered so superior to that of nauseous mixture, and does all it caa to discourage the foreign importation. The figures quoted in the Globe sale of similar impostures. The Judge’s remarks when from the Board of Trade returns show conclusively granting the winding-up order are worthy of preserva how extensive the evil is, and the necessity that some tion. As he then pointed out, how could the Date steps should be taken to check the increasing practice. Coffee Company sell a right to manufacture euch a On the 15th, the Globe published a second letter hav mixture in Germany ? There was and is nothing what ing reference to the points raised in this article of ever to prevent anyone grinding any rubbish they like the 11th, a copy of which is as follows :— and calling it coffee in that country, and yet—it scarcely seems possible—this German Date Coffee Company ADULTERATED COFFEE. had agreed to pay the English Date Coffee Company no TO THE EDITOR OF THE “GLOBE.” less a sum than £50,000 for this presumed right. S i r ,—May I ask the favour of some small space for No wonder, as the judge observed, that the sharehold an extension of my former remarks under the above head ers in t' e former Company objected to such a pay ing which your article of February 11th renders desirable ment, and that the application to close the affair was in the interests for which consideration is sought? As before him ! This fact shews pretty conclusively regards a certain admixture of chicory with coffee, it how the dividends declared by the English Date Cof suits so many people’s taste that it will probably al fee Company have been earned, for many other such ways be practised to some extent. The present system branch Comp .nies are said to have paid heavily for of allowing the mixture to be sold without any guaran tee as to the proportion of the ingredients, leads, how similar illusory rights. At the same time, it is with ever, to that excessive adulteration to which your article great regret to be noticed that this nasty compound referred. But, even supposing such guarantee given, what sells here with a freedom that its merits certainly do ordinary purchaser, can test its genuineness ? And if not warrant ; but the iact affords strong evidence of the fraud be discovered, what obstacle is a fine of forty necessity of legislative restrictions.—London Cor, shillings, as recently imposed, to the dishonest trader who can make 100 per cent, on every transaction ? REVIEW OF THE COFFEE MARKET. But the evils of adulteration go far beyond the compara With reference to the Brazil crop of 1882-83, several tive innocent chicory. From abroad come all sorts of Brazil firms estimate the preparations which the best authorities in the trade state to be composed of roots, fruit stones, turnips, carrots, Rio crop at a minimum of 4,000,000 bags acorns, and cabbage stalks. Freely advertised under high- And the Santos crop at 2,000,000 ,, sounding names, and exhibited in temptingly-coloured packets this worthless stuff is palmed off on the English working Together 6,000,000 bags man as the coffee which he is told on all sides is the But Messrs, R. Wursten & Co. estimate the total means permit of the indulgence of wearing such a quantity available for shipment from the two places at comparatively costly textile fabric. Sericulture is only 5,000.000 bags. now extensively practised in various parts of the As regards the effect of low prices upon production world, temperate and tropical. The conditions which of coffee in the Brazils, Messrs. YVursten & Co. write : favor the plant are prejudicial to the insect, and vice —“ YVe have not as yet arrived at prices which cease versa. The Mulberry thrives better in a cold climate, to be remunerative. YVith intelligence and economy which implies a larger size of tree bearing a more the planter finds, even at present prices, a moderate abundant crop of leaves than in warm regions. But profit. Whatever may take place, we are inclined to in these latter the silk-worm develops more rapidly believe that the low prices will have the effect of in and obtains maturity in less tban half the period creasing the production, as no other article of export in the former or colder localities. This is an over rivals coffee, and all parties interested are endeavour whelming advantage, as it minimizes attendance and ing, by every means in their power, to increase their risk by & saving of more than three weeks. Cards production, in order to repair the losses made by the of seed carried from China and Japan have been continual decline in prices.” found to reproduce successfully in those countries Messrs. Kern, Hayn & Co. write that a fair aver where the mulberry can be cultivated. The silk age Rio crop must now be calculated to be from worm has been introduced into various parts of 4,000,U00 to 4,500,000 bags, but that, as long as present A merica with favorable results; but the most in low prices last, the low qualities will be kept back teresting sericultural experiments of the period are in the interior in expectation of better times. those now undertaken in reference to the acclima In Mr. Schbffer’s celebrated circular of 1879, he tisation of the insect and plant in Australia and gave the following table of the average production of Ceylon, in both of which countries there are reason coffee during two periods of 5 years ending respect able grounds for believing that silk-growing may in ively 1872. 1879. course of time prove a profitable industry. “ In Brazils 200,000 ... 283,000 Europe the silk-worm takes about forty-five days to Ja v a ...... 65,000 ... 90,000 obtain maturity, but it has been found by experience C e y lo n ...... 47,000 .. 45,000 that in the temperature of Colombo only from twenty- East India and Manila 20,000 ... 23,000 three to twenty-five days are required.” This quo St. Domingo ... 20,000 ... 30,000 tation supports what we have already stated on this La Guayra ... 16,000 ... 40,000 subject. It is a most important consideration, as Costa Rica and Gua the shorter period reduces the liability of loss from temala ... 10,000 ... 27,000 disease, and other well-known causes which prey Porto Rico and upon the worm, as well as lessening the cost and Jamaica ... 4,000 ... 6,000 trouble in looking after it. YVe have been induced Mocha Africa ... 5,000 ... 6,000 to dwell upon this subject from the apparent fact that local products, which at one period were almost 387,000 ... 550,000 exclusively confined to China, have been produced Since Mr. Schoffer’s circular was written, the pro successfully elsewhere, and, in some instances, left duction of coffee in the Brazils has further increased, China far behind in the competition. This is parti say 100,000 tons, and the other countries of pro cularly conspicuous in the matter of porcelain wares. duction, taken as a whole, will probably also now The chief exports of China are, as our readers are yield more than in 1879, but no corresponding in doubtless aware, tea and silk. India is fast assuming crease in consumption has taken place, and no large a position in reference to China tea that, judging increase is likely to take place, till there has been from the progress made during the past few decades, some continuance of low prices, and until the low there is every possib lity in the immediate future of prices reach the consumers, which we hardly think its becoming something more than a powerful rival. they have done so far. In silk, China will have to dread a more wide-spread The fact that stocks in Europe have been steadily competition. It forbodes ill, as regards the future increasing for the past 4 years is an undoubted proof of this industry in China, that sericulture is com that the production of the world is in excess of the mencing to be developed in intertropical countries, comsumption ;tbe equilibrium can only be re-established which will preclude China from monopolising the by a contiuuance of low prices.—Robert Von Glenhn advantage she possesses re cheapness of production. Hyson lid. this country, but as the means of travelling increase 13 cases (each 100 1-lb packets) Jap an the numbers of those privileged to witness such mar pekoe, handsome small even wiry black leaf vels increase likewise. The mode of formation of very full rich ripe true mellow pekoe Is 3fd these buttresses and the reason are not generally 25 cases (each 18 5-lb boxes) Japan pekoe small even wiry black handsome leaf, pekoe understood, and would form a good subject for further tips, choicest full rich mellow.pekoe Is 3£d investigation. They are not confined to figs, but oc 9 cases (each 30 5-lb boxes) Japan pekoe cur on many other tropical trees, as may be seen in smalll even wiry black handsome leaf pekoe, several fine sections in the Wood Museum at Kew. tips very strong full rich mellow pekoe Is l$d A figure of these buttresses, taken from an isolated 8 half-chests Japan pekoe dust. Japan tree, was given at p. 681 of our volume for 1873, pekoe siftings 5d after a sketch by Captain Oliver. The Japan Black Tea Company, the catalogue states, has been specially formed with the co-operation of the Japanese Govern A n A m e r ic a n V ie w o f M a n ito b a .—Mr. Horatio Sey ment, for the purpose of growing, manufacturing, and packing teas suitable for the Australian markets. mour, ex-Governor of New York, a gentleman whose S lavery in Br a zil.—We take the following from the position renders his utterances of more than ordinary A nglo-B razilian 'l imes of January 8th.—“ The Legisla value, has paid a visit to Manitoba, and has conveyed ture has continued the tax of 1,500 mils, on the registra the result of his experience in the form of a letter to tion of slaves brought into the province, including those a friend. He declares, without fear of successful con brought in under colour of mere contracts for hire. The tradiction, that if Great Britain were to impose a tariff tax on the transmission of slaves has bden raised from of 10 or 20 cents per bushel upon American wheat and 30 mils, to 50 mils., but that on transfers to another grain, allowing Canadian wheat and other products to municipality has been abolished. The tax of 1,000 enter her ports free, she would bankrupt the farmers of mils, on slave dealers has been continued. All these the American north-west. He saw thousands of acres taxes go to emancipatory purposes. The municipal of wheat clearing 40 bushels to the acre and weighing ities have been authorized to impose 1,000 mils, to 63 lb. to 65 lb. to the bushel. People, he says, are 3,000 mils, annual tax, and exact security, besides, crowding there rapidly, and towns are springing up as for 2,000 mils, on country stores and liquor shops if by magic. The Great Canada Pacific Railway will be away from seltlements and State and provincial roads, at Puget Sound before the North Pacific of the United as a check on the illicit trading with slaves which States, and the distance to Liverpool will be 600 miles encourages the prevalent serious nuisance of theft by shorter that any American line which could convey Dakota slaves. The Custom-house of Bio de Janeiro collected wheat for shipment thither. The best steel roads are in 1881 from taxes on imports and exports 41,567,576 being placed on the road—100 tons to the mile at $56 mils, against 42,835,564 mils, in 1880 and 41,7( 5,322 per ton, whilst on the parallel American line, the North mils, in 1879—viz., from imports 32,346,178 mils, Pacific, the same rails cost about $70—a difference of against 33,314,931 mils, in 1880 and 31,903,964 mils, $1,400 in rails alone in favour of the Canada Pacific. Mr. in 1879; and from exports, 9,221,437 mils, against Seymour is equally demonstrative on other points, and 9,520,628 mils, in 1880 and 9,801,323 mils, in 1879.— he has evidently been strongly impressed by his visit,—■ JSrazil and River Plate Mail. Field. I great gathering was the decision of the Government to | send an embassy to China to negociate a treaty of commerce, and get the sanction of the Celestial Go To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. vernment to Chinese immigration. This latter measure was considered the best means of averting the inevit COFFEE CULTIVATION AND SLAVERY IN able crash which must fall on the agriculture of the BRAZIL No. V. country, should anything happen to accelerate the Dollar, N. B., 26th Jan. 1882. emancipation of the slaves. The allowing of the vote G e n t l e m e n , —The returns given, although relating necessary for paying the expenses of this mission was to only eight ot the provinces of the Empire, give warmly opposed by Deputy Joaquiin Nabuco, who was us a pretty fair idea of the working of the emancipa supported by other able men in the Chamber of Depu tion fund for the whole twenty provinces into which ties in Rio de Janeiro. The vote was allowed ; the Brazil is divided. Your readers, however, as coffee Government promising not to bring, in Chinese coolies planters, are more interested in knowing how the by any Government scheme, their object being to labour market of the three great coffee-producing pro pave the way for their introduction by private enterprise. vinces can be affected by it. A decrease in the labour This discussion and the subsequent arrival of the supply of these would very sensibly diminish the envoy in London, on his way to China, attracted ti e exports of coffee from Rio de Janeiro and Santos. attention of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Sociely, I mentioned that, for the last eight years, there had and this body not only sent a petition to the Chin- se been a general migration of the slave population from Minister in London against the Brazilian movement, the northern, to the three coffee-producing provinces, but wrote a letter thanking Senr. Nabuco for the stand jlio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Minas Geraes, and he made against the introduction of Chinese labourers Shat this movement corresponded with the gradual into Brazil. Deputy Nabuco, in reply to the British extension of new coffee fields, and the increase of the and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society dated 8th April 1880, shipments of coffee. An agitation was started against declared his intention to it- roduce a bill into the this interprovincial slave trade, and, strange to say, Chamber of Deputies in Rio de Janeiro establishing was carr ed on principally by the class who had the date ot 1st January 1890 for the entire abolition of benefitted most by it—the S&o Paulo planters In slavery throughout the Empire. Here is what he said 1879. a law was passed by the Provincial Assembly himself :—“ I hat bill will not be convened this yea: at San Paulo, imposing a tax of 1.0008000 (£100) into law, but introduced every session in a Liberal on each slave entering the province of Sao Paulo from house by myself or some of my friends, and in a Con another province. This law was vetoed by the Go servative house by some prominent Conservative aboli vernment as unconstitutional. In 1880, the Provincial tionist like Mr Gusmio Lobo ; increasing every year in Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, when passing the supply votes, it will triumph at last. The date remaining bill, included in it a tax of L1.5"0$000 (£150) on immoveable, every delay would render the transition each slave being registered, coming from another p-riod shorter, but it would not be our fault. The province, and this part of the bill passed almost un frontier of next decade, I hope, will not be passed by noticed, and became law on 1st January 1881. The any man calling himself a slave.” This letter, as might province of SSo Paulo immediately followed with a be expected, caused a great commotion throughout the law, imposing a tax of R2,000$000 (£200) to come E m pire. in force in February, and Minas Ger*es with one for True to his word, Nabuco commenced his campaign in the same amount to come in force also in February August 1880 by a forcible speech in the Chamber of Depu 1881. These taxes were to be paid on registration of ties when the voting of supplies for the department of slaves coming from one province to another, except agriculture came on for consideration. He denounced ing only three to accompany each family and ex the sale of slaves imported since 1831, the misappro empting those that came by inheritance and through priation of the emancipation fund, the public whipping judicial execution. of slaves at the request of their masters and other The law of 1871 regulated the machinery for cruelties. A fortnight afterwards he brought for collecting a tax on the transfer of slave property, ward his bill for emancipation in 1890. The Chamber and, as sales took place, an entry was made in the fixed the 27th of August for the discussion of it, two collector’s book. These new provincial laws were pro of the ministers voting in the majority granting leave. hibitory, inasmuch as tho tax was much more than The minority, however, pressed the Prime Minister ; so the value of the properly, the value of a field hand that next day he announced that, if the discussion being about £200. The collector is liable to a fine of such a measure were forced on, the Ministry would of 3,000$ (£300) for each slave neglected to be so resign. The Chamber thus bearded by the Minister, registered, and the owner liable to a fine of 1.000$ and having fixed the 27th for the discu-sion by ils (£100) if he exceed tho time allowed for registration, vote 011 the 24th, did not hold sessions on 26th, 27th, namely, thirty days. and 28th August. On the 30th Nabuco again asked It is difficult to conceive the motive which prompted leave, but the Chamber this time rejected the m ition the introduction of these laws, for the planters of for the introduction of the bill by 77 to 18. The Prime these provinces were loud in their outcry about the Minister, on being pressed for his reasons for making a scarcity of labourers, and they were the people who Cabinet question of the introduction of the bill de bent fited most by the entry of slaves from the Northern clared that the Emperor and the Government had province. It seems uncharitable to suppose that the made up their minds that slavery was to remain as real object the lawmakers had in view was the exten it was fixed in 1871. sion of the time when slavery should be extinct. There Congratulations came pouring in from all parts of is strong circumstantial evidence to show thatitwas so. Empire. The minister had saved the country. Agri I am unwilling to inflict on your readers a prosy cultural Societies were formed for the purpose of review of the events which agitated the public mind residing any attempts at upsetting the arrangement previous to the passing of these provincial acts, but they made iu 1871, and at all these meetings addresses will have a better idea of this Brazilian slavery quest were framed thanking the Government for the stand ion if I do so. You will remember that a congress of they had made. agricul urists, called together by the Government, was It was thought that this slave question was settled, held in Rio de Janeiro in July 1878. This, congress but Nabuco, nothing daunted by his d feat in the was to consider the various questions that were de Chamber, called his friends together at his own re pressing agriculture, and the principal outcome of this sidence, and formed an Anti-Slavery Society, 198 A manifesto was issued on the 7th September 1880, gaps made in the estate gangs through death and the ninth anniversary of the passing of the slave law. emancipations up till 1892. Some able men joined this Society and Branches were The physical condition of the slaves in the coffee established in some of the other towns. The agri producing provinces is good. As a class, they are robust cultural interest was entirely against the movement. and healthy. The slaves brought from Africa were The American Minister in Bio de Janeiro wrote a generally young. The most of the native Africans one ■ letter detailing the prosperity of the Southern States meets were brought over when they w’ere boys and in Norih America since the abolition of slavery there, girls of 12 to 18 years old. The gaugs of slaves and a banquet was given to tbi< gentleman, Mr. Hil brought from the Northern Provinces to the South, liard, by the Anti-Slavery Society. The speeches on were young. The dealers would buy only those that this occasion, particularly that given by the American would sell highest to the planters of Sao Paulo and Minister, enraged some of the members of Parliament. Bio Janeiro. The purchaser had to calculate in his The Government was called on to interfere, for here own mind how many years work he could get out was a minister of a friendly state interfering in their of the negro before he bought him. domestic affairs. The debate was an angry one, and Looking at a gang of slaves working on a coffee showed how they would resent outside interference, plantation, one is struck with the large proportion of and how they could abuse nations and individuals, young and strong-looking people amongst them. Were who did not respect the time-honoured institution of I asked to say what would be the average number slavery. The Government, however, saw no reason of years of work that could be got out of the gangs either to praise or blame the American Minister, and, I have seen working on the coffee estates—very few in justice to the Prime Minister, we mnst give him being above forty and most of them between credit for saying that, although the Government were the ages of 15 to 30 years—I would te safe in calculat for slavery remaining as it is, they respected those ing thirty yea-s as the average workable time. As. who held opposite opinions. It was during these I said before, the diminution from deaths and emancipa stormy times that the provincial laws were passed tion can be made up from the young under twenty- putting a stop to the inter provincial slave trade. one years. It is a matter of opinion to say that Can it be said then that it was a step towards aboli slavery can continue for thirty years : that is to tion ? During these deba'es. the Northern Provinces suppose that the settlement of 1871 can last until were accused of being anti-slavery, and the Deputies th a t tim e. from the South, while openly declaring themselves as It int rests us Ceylon planters to know if there is any on the pro-slavery aide, used threats 10 compel those probability of that settlement being disturbed. I have from the North to hold on to the arrangement of 1871. before said that, iu the evenc of any political disturbance One illustrious orator from the South used these words : the slave may beuefic by it. But there is little prospect — “ You wish to sell your slaves to us, and then you of any serious question disturbing the public mind until will by-and-bye ask us to liberate all slaves, within the Emperor dies, and he is 57 now. the Empire.’' Another said, alluding to the Deputies The Brazilian nation having been colonized from from the North:—“ I look on these people as high Portugal, Brazilians are a quieter race of men than waymen, and for such as these I have my revolver.” those which form the other South American States. We must look to the stoppage of the inter-pro Although internal troubles do not occur in connection vincial slave-trade as putting a check • on the labour with the election of rival presidents, owing to there supply to the coffee-producing provinces, and putting being a constitutional sovereign, at the same time a limit on the exports of coffee from Bio de Janeiro party feeling runs very high on very insignificant and Santos. The Ceylon coffee planter may console questions. himself that the competition in that direction will not There is a party composed of the shopkeepers in the be more than it. is at present, but, if slavery is not towns in the interior that would benefit by the land being reduced more rapidly than the death-rate, and the cultivated by free men receiving wages; these complain working of the Emancipation fund has shewn during of all the money drawn from the produce of the soil being the last ten years, we will have to wait some time spent in the large towns at the coast or at the capital. before there is much diminution in the coffee exports. The professional classes would also benefit by it, but all We have also to consider that, although all the these are too much dependent on the wealthy coffee children are nominally born free, they are really slaves and planters to openly stand up for abolition. In the event are of the same value as slaves to the coffee planter, until of a revolution, these would side with the negro. they are twenry-one years of age. Slavery, we may say The free labourer of the present day is also a pro then, will remain in the same actual condition until the slavery man. He thinks it the negro were free he year 1892, when those born of slave mothers in 1871 would work for small wages, and therefore lower the will be released from bondage. The death-rate and labour rate. The free labourer looks down 00 the slave the liberations through the emancipation fund taken and does not like to look forward to the time when together is not more in these days than the death- they will be on equal terms. Even the free negro is rate alone was in former times, when there was not despised by the half-Indian camarada. T he free a prospect of slavery becoming extinct. This latter labourer now and then comes in for a handsome sum fact has made slave-owners see well after the health for catching runaway negroes. Supposing he were for of their slaves, and very strict precautions are taken humanity’s sake in favour of the slave, and would to lessen the death-rate among the negroes. The like to see slavery at an end, he is afraid to tamper rate now, as we have seen in examining the returns from with the negro in the way of pointing out to him the eight provinces, is for death and liberation by the benefits of freedom. He knows that the punishment fund together 25 per 1,000 annually. But supposing would be death, if he were found intriguing. the fund were increased by a tax on slaves, which It is well for the Fazendeiro that the free labourer is has not yet been imposed, although mentioned in the a pro-slavery man, as he could do incalculable mischief law of 1871 as the first factor in making up the fund if he were not. A few free labourers by entering the —and suppose that the fm d were better administered lock-fast slaves’ quarters, on a few estates, and telling and that including the death-rate the number would the slaves how easily they could get freedom, if they reach thirty per thousand, this calculating 1.800,000 would revolt, could put the whole country in a blaze. as the number of slaves at present (a very low cal There is no police force that could quell a slave dis culation) the decrease would be only 40,000 per an turbance. Around the town near where I lived, there num. Against this we have to set off' the children, were five thousand slaves. There were only some which are said to be born free, who will fill up the , twelve policemen that could be taken to help the authorities. These policemen were used for nothing food—Indian corn, beans, rice, mandioca, and pork— but to keep watch over the jail. It would take two he produces every year, whatever the price of coffee days to get some two hundred soldiers from the capital. may be. He can grow some cotton and rig up the The slave does not know how easily the thing could be old spinning-wheels and the looms which have been done, else he would free bimselt. Slaves are locked concealed in a corner of the coffee store for the last up at night, and the eye of the overseer is over them few years while coffee was selling high, and make all day ; so they have no way of knowing anything. clothes for the negro men and women The Brazilian Government do not calculate on such an The planter, who has his estate and slaves mortgaged, event as a negro insurrection, and are not prepared for will not be able to bear up at present prices of Brazil it. The slaves would succeed with no other weapon ian coffee. Interest must be paid and that is not under than their own hands. There is a very small organized 12 percent, per annum. That charge can only be paid army to bring against them. The police force is so by coffee, and coffee has.to bear transport to the sea-port, small and inetticieut that the beginning of a disturbance, and municipal taxes and church taxes taking up on all however small, could not be stopped. about 20 per cent of its selling price. Before it is ship A slave rebellion will not happen, unless influences ped it. bas to be further taxed 13§ per cent on value. from outside the plantations were brought to bear I do not know of anything to take the place of coffee. on the minds of the slaves. That is not a likely event Cotton is produced cheaper in the United States than it for some time. It is but natural to expect that those can be in Brazil. Sugar cane will not grow well in many b »rn of slave mothers since 1871 will try to free of the ccffte lands; and, supposing it did, the capital their relations and old friends, but, as they have to required for the en-ction of machinery and buildings be slaves under their mothers’ masters until they are necessary would not be forthcoming. Coffee is the twenty-one—the first of these—(and only those born in entire support of the Brazilian Government; as the duty ^1871 can be liberated in 1892) it is very probable on it is ad valorem, the low prices affect the revenue. that some measure will be brought forward before that We have been accustomed to look at the labour ques time to have these kept under police inspection for tion only, as influencing the future of Brazil. This, it will, some years after being set free. in time, do, but unless some other settlement of the The Emancipation Society, which was formed a year slave question than that of 1871 is come to, we cannot ago, and so ably supported by Senr. Joaquim Nabuco expect it will not do so for some years. could have done a good deal in the way of disseminat We have to seek for other causes and the only one ing anti-slavery opinions. Although Nabuco and the at present is the low price of Brazilian coffee. other able men who started the Society have courage This will t^nd to embarrass the Ceylon planter enough to carry through what they intend, there is also, but not to the same extent. Ceylon seems to have a great want or moral support from among the public a market of its own, which Brazilian coffee cannot well men in Brazil. Toe influential people of the nation supply, and Ceylon coffee has not fallen in the pro seem to disregard it. Nearly every Brazilian who can portion that Brazilian coffee has. afford it has slaves ; if he has not, his relations and A. SCOTT-BLACKLAW. friends have. The question of property is an important one. The leader of the movement visited Europe last No. V I. year. He was entertained by those of anti-slavery opinions in all the countries that he visited, and the Dollar, 1st February 1882. British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society in London G e n t l e m e n , —I intended to have finished these papers gave a breakfast in his honour. But on his return to without saying more, but, as I have mentioned the low Brazil he was looked on as a traitor, and accused of price of coflee as one of the reasons likely to diminish the the worst of all treason, that of asking the aid of exports from Brazil, your readers will expect that I foreigners to further revolutionary movements. Not should give them some idea of What is the lowest long after his return came the general election under selling-price at which Brazilian coffee will give no the new law, and neither Senr, Nabuco nor any of bis profit to the. grower. anti-slavery followers were elected. Either in despair This leads us to consider the amount of capital in of doing anything to forward abolition while residing vested in and the cost of labour employed on a coffee in Braz 1, or thinking that, he could aid the cause more estate in Brazil. The labour has been pi o lounced a by remaining out of it. he went to practice his failure. It never can exist alongside slave labour. At profession of lawyer in London. I leave your readers 3s a day for labourers, your readers at once will pro to form their own opinion on the slavery question nounce free labour impracticable. In any case, it is from the facts I have set before them. by slave labour that Brazil’s large crops are picked, I shall no doubt be asked : “ But is there nothing and we must confine our calculations to it. The else that can interfere to check the heavy exports of average size of a Brazilian coffee plantation is 200,000 coffee from Rio and Santos” ? # coffee trees; these planted at 16 palm as (11J feet) apart Pos>ibly the low* price of Brazilian coffee may have give 333 trees to the acre. Coffee land represents some effect in withdrawing labour(from the cultivation of about a third of the estate, two-thirds would be it. The low price of cotton, and the large export duty pasture land, and low-jungle for growing corn, beans, put a stop to the cultivation of it, and the planter sought rice, mandioca, &c. The whole estate may be about another agricultural product and gave his attention 2,000 acres, 600 acres being planted with coffee. to coffee. The same may be said of sugar planting. Many planters count on a slave for every 5,000 Improved machinery and a better mode of cultivation trees. This is too much, however ; most of those of have been applied to sugar cane since with success. my acquaintance calculate on 3,000 trees to the fixed Both cotton and sugar are yearly plantings and har hand, and, if the crop is large, it will not be all vestings. Coffee, on the other hand, is a p'ant of five picked without extra assistance. We will, however, years’ growth, and has a capital equal to five years’ take this as a basis to go on. expense of cultivation lying on it, and it cannot well For 200,000 coffee trees there will be 80 slaves re be thrown out of cultivation like cotton or sugar quired, th u s :— cane without great loss of capital. Even with low For field work at 3,000 trees prices planters will continue to cultivate their coffee per hand ...... 65 slaves fields with expectations of a rise in prices of coffee. House-servants, cattle-men, horse- A Braz lian coffee planter free from indebtedness keepers and sick .. ... 15 ,, 80 slaves. can easily wait. The expenditure on his estate is represented by food and clothing for his slaves. The The average crop from such an estate is 10,000 arrobas* The present price of good coffee in Rio and Santos The present price of Rio and Santoscnffee in the United is 4$000 per 10 kilas., say (>$000 per arroba ; for States is 10J) cents p er lb. No doubt coffee was pro calculation we will take the milreis at the value of duced formerly at a cheaper rate in the Province of 3». T he value in gold is 27d, but at present rate of Rio de Janeiro, but the bulk of the crop was grown exchange currency , is only 21 to 2 2 /. near the coast on hills around the city of Rio de The arroba, by which all Brazilian calculations are ; Janeiro on ground now abandoned. Formerly a slave made, is 32 lb. (3| to the cwt.), although sales take could have been bought for £30 or £40; now a good place by. lo kilos., and a sack of coffee is 60 kilos. negro cannot be got under £200. At that time little Value of an estate with 200,000 coffee trees :— coffee was grown in the Pro vine of Sao Paulo, owing Pasture, land for growing pro to the distance from the sea, of land fit for growing visions, houses, machinery, cattle, coffee and the rugged range of mountains that had horses, mules, &c...... it300,0008000 (£30,000) to be crossed. The same applied to the interior of Value of SO slaves at 2,000$000 the Province of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Geraes each ...... 160,000$000 (£16,000) where the coffee crop now shipped at Rio grows. Rail ways have changed this state of things. Total value 460,0005000 (£46,000) 1 have said that only those who had no indebted ness would be able to carry on at the present price Yearly expenditure, clothes of coffee, and that those who were working with bor for negroes .. 1,6005000 (£160) rowed money would become insol ve t. I do not re Medicines for do. 4008000 (£40) quire to demonstrate to the Ceylon coffee planter Boss by death amor get the hopelessne s of the coffee estate proprietor’s case, negroes 2k% ... 4,0308000 (£400) 6,0008000 (£600) when he gets into difficulties with regard to money matters. I shall content myself by saying the case is Repairs to machinery, a great deal more so in Brazil, where money cannot btt. wages of mechanic and got under 12 per cent per annum, even by giving engine-man ... 3,0008000 (£300) good security. Repairs to build The proceedings of the Congress Agricola, held in Rio ings, &c...... 5:000$000 (£500) de Janeiro in February D78, showed not only that Administration, a great many were wishing for some relief financially, overseers, &c. ... 6,0008000 (£600) 14,0008000 (£1,400) but the majority were really feel ng embarrassed, and were pressing the Government to take in hand Transport, say 10,000 arrobas the formation of Agricultural Banks, or establishments (2,857 cwt.) at 18500 for advancing money on the secur ty of agricultural per arroba ... 15,0008000 (£1,500) holdings. In fact the settling of the financial ques Commission, &c. tion seemed to be considered the principal—indeed atsea-port at 300 was to be the great cure of—agricultural depression. arrobas ...... 3 0008000 (£300) 18,000$000 (£1,800) The minister of agriculture said, in his report in February 1877 :—“ The want of money still continues Total expenditure on crop of to aggravate the difficulties of the planters, especially 10,000 arrobas ... 38:0008000 (£3,800) those of the north, who have had to pay in some provinces 18 to 24 per cent, and in some cases even value of crop at present prices 48000 per 10 kilos, or 68000 48 to 72 per cent. The obligations of the Bank of per arroba (2,857 cwt. at 43f.) ... 60,000$ (£6,000) Brazil to lend 25,000,000$000 (£2,500,000) in long Deduct expenditure as above ...38,000$ (£3,800) loans to planters has rendered much service in the provinces of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Minas Geraes, Leaves profit ...... 22,0008000 (£2,200) Esperito Santo and Santa Catherina. ” This would be 4£ per cent on capital 460.0008000 At the Congress a great many speakers lamented (£46,000) invested. Some will say that 10,000 arrobas that the law of 1875, giving a Government guarantee is a very small crop considering that a great many give to the Bank of Brazil for advancing money to agri an arroba for every 10 trees. With young coffee 6, culture, was a complete failure, owing to the strict 7, 8, and 9 years old this can be got, but only when ness of the conditions under which loans to planters the cultivation is good, i. e., when the coffee is kept could be given. clean. Most of the estates are kept in a dirty state, But you will ask : “ Are there many of the Brazilian ana a great many do not give over an arroba to thirty coffee planters really in money difficulties?” This is a trees. 35 arrobas per 1,000 trees was given as the very difficult question to answer. Many amonest average crop by a planter at the Agricultural Congress; those who live in great style in the cities of Rio and, although many people cried out “ not so” the de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are said to be owing money, speaker was not publicly contradicted. Taking the and the affi#rs of deceased persons often exhibit a state average for a number of years1 more, estates give un that one would not have expected of the principals der the estimate I have given than above it. As re when in life. Planters, whom popular opinion believed gards the price of coffee sold in Rio or Santos that to be rich, have been found to have had estates and can give a profit to the grower, Mr. Robert Clinton slaves heavily mortgaged. Wright, a coffee merchant of nio de Janeiro, who had The old Fazendeiro, who' made money at cotton, an experience of over fifty years in the country and growing during the American war and left the culti died about a year ago, gave 78500 the arroba as the vation of that in time to have coffee in bearing during price required to give 6 per cent on capital in 1875; the period that high prices ruled, in 1872-73-74-75, is my figures, as stated above, 68500 per arroba would well off. But during the last five years a great many give 6 per cent. This shows that I have not over estates have changed hands. The sales were generally stated the expenditure of the Brazilian coffee planter. time bargains, and at very high valuations. The new The late Mr. Wright also stated that at 7$500 per proprietors of these must feel the effects of the arroba and adding 13 per cent export duty cost of low price of coffee; a great many of these will go bagging, shipping expenses, commission freight, and to th e w all. insurance involved a sale price in the United States Under this head we must not forget to note that of, of about 18£ cents per lb. without profit to the shippers the 850 miles of railway open in the province of Sao —meaning thereby the coffee buyer in Rio de Janeiro Paulo, 800 miles were made by local capita], and the and Santos. original shareholders were the coffee planters, But the labour is in the country. Supposing coffee to tion of demand, the wish of holders to realize, drooping be at a price that cannot pay the Brazilian planter, prices in Brazil, and downward tendency in New York, what can the labour be employed on, if taken olf the inactive position here is sufficiently accounted for. coffee cultivation? This can only be answered by The turn of the year has brought forward a good many asking another: what was the labour employed on, annual circulars from competent authorities, which go before it was concentrated on coffee-growing? fully iuto the prospects for the ensuing year. All Cotton was only grown in Brazil during the Ameri agree in ascribing the present situation to over-sup can war and for two years afterwards, but ply, but it is stated also that consumption is increasing now the production of cotton by free blacks in at a considerable rate and that the reduced prices must the United States is greater than it was before needs greatly restrict the use of all substitutes. Re the war and before the slaves were emanci markably enough, however, this country makes one pated. Already in the valley of the Parahyba, in exception from the experience as to the world at the Province of Bio de Janeiro, many coffee drinkers lai-ge, the consumption of coffee having, during the are devoting their attention to sugar-cane growing. p ist thirty years, rather decreased a little, while that This shows the direction to which agriculture would of tea has augmented manifold This is a fact which incline The coffee lands are all suitable for sugar should not be lost sight of by those engaged in the cane. Those in S&o Paulo could be very ea-ily culti younger industry. As the excess in preseut stocks in vated by the plough. No doubt coffee fields that are get the United kingdom is estimated at as equal to only ting exhausted will be abandoned, and somethng about one month’s consumption, the situation does not else will be cultivated. We would-uppose that coffiee look so gloomy; only the uneven location of these clearings will fur a time be neglected, while coffee stocks will render their distribution and absorption does not show prospects of giving a profit on capi a m atter of greater time and difficulty. tal invested. There is nothing to report in the quinine market, I must now draw my remarks to a close. I hope nothing worthy of note having been sold. Sulphate I will not be understood to have advanced opinions of quinine continues quiet, Howards is quoted at 10s, of my own as regards the future of coffee planting. French 10s, and G erm an 9s fid per oz. My object has been to place the fa c ts concerning the We have received from Barranquila, South America, coffee enterprize in Brazil before your readers, leaving the following information in reply to our inquiry for them to form their own opinions. They will par- rubber and cinchona seed :— ticul..rly note that the emancipation law, which we “ We shall with much pleasure try to comply wilh all looked upon as having an effect on Brazil’s lab iur- your wishes This, however, will only be partly possi supply, has not answered the expectations formed of ble, as you will see by the toliowing information, which it at the time it was passed. Tnis need not sur- we take the liberty to give you on the subj ct. The * priz- us much, when we see that th ■ tr aty of cinchona ledgeriana originates from seeds of Peruvian 1825 with Gn at Britain for the suppression of the slave calisaya by fructification with other kinds, and is an trade; the law passed, in Brazd in 1831, declaring irregular hybrid, which very seldom gives seeds, and all Africans imported after that date free ; and is, theiefore, to be propagated by cuttings. The cin a similar one in 1850, were all wilfully evaded. chona calisaya Sta Fe has nearly been extirpated, years I do not require to draw the attention of Ceylon ago; therefore no seeds can be got of this kind. The planters to the railway system of Brazil, for you seeds we could get you would be of the •cuprea,’ yourself have over and over again done so. We have but this species, as well as the ‘quina of Payta,’ here a convincing proof of what railways can do for which came to the markets a few years ago, are not new countries real cinchonas, and are the only false cinchonas You will note also that, since the production of Brazi (cisc-irillas) which contain quinine, and it is there lian coffee has so exceeded the demand for consumption, fore probable that the cupreas from seeds are the price lias fallen. It will be expcted, if the cost valuele-s. The seed of the cinchona lancifolia, the of production amounts to more than the selling price only valuable kind which grows here, is very difficult of the art'cle, the producer will transfer his skill, to get, and then in a condition that does not energy and capital to something else. germ inate. I noticed before that Ceylon coffee has not fallen “ With regard to rubber, it is found in' some a- in the same proportion as Bri zilian. Ceylon with her bundanca and of good quality throughout the Central cheap labour and her freedom from export duties, if Andes, which form the western boundary of this state, it could get rid of leaf-disease, could afford to wa't and grows at an elevation of 5,( 00 to 7,000 feet. The for prices to rise again. I do not apprehend such best class is found near the latter figure. We have disas'rous effects on her ag iculture, as 1 fear for that desired several of those who bring in the rubber to of Brazil, owing to the present low price of coffee. procure the seed you wish, and hope to send yon It will be well for us all to watch carefully the some at an early date. course of events. A. SCOTT-BLACKLAW. “ A gentleman brought at one time some seed of 1st Feb. 1882. the 1 Lancifolia Roja,’ which is one of the best varieties, P. S.—The latest returns I have seen' from Bio de and has started a plantation on the high plains. We Janeiro give the total exports for year ending 31st hope to receive some seed from him per return post. Deer. 1881 at...... 4,217,600 bags W ith regard to Ceylon tea, there has been a little sold I have not seen returns but, Santos during the last week B, 1881, 33 cases (tin canisters) and other ports will be ... 1,500,000 ,, pekoe souchong at 6£d per lb.; Agarsland, 27 boxes pekoe souchong atllfd per lb. For sale next week, 5,717,600 „ there are 14 half-chests souchong under mark Court- equal to 6,700,000 cwt. There is over 600,000 cwt. Siopo, Bosanquet & Co. The tea first-mentioned under stock on hand in Bio and Santos. mark R was of very bad quality and make,—Yours faithfully, HUTCHISON & Co. CEYLON PBODUCTS—NEW AND OLD—IN LON- DON. BOBER IN COCONUT TREES. London, E. C., 16th February 1882. Noakhally, Bengal, 23rd Feby. 1882. D e a r S i r ,— We have to report a continued dullness To the Editor o f the “ 7Y, :I D e a r S i r ,— I have read with considerable interest No. II. Mr. Storck’s paper published in your issue of yes Kelburne, Haputale, 10th March 1882. terday. His mode of using the carbolic acid is, of course, extremely simple and is indeed identical D e a r S i r , — I have seen the letter from your corre with my own, in principle, differing only in the spondent “E. S. G.” which appears in your paper of 7th form of application. When aftT some months of instant. It is alleged that this Dikoya tree was about 14 constant experiments I stated, early in 1881, that “ u n years old, a single stem 42 feet in height with a girth mistakable evidence had been collected, that so long as of 3 feet 3 inches it a point six feet above the ground. the atmosphere was tainted with the vapour of this One of the large trees I measured was about 20 years most powerfully antiseptic chemical, leaf disease could old, a single stem, 441 feet in height, with a girth of make. no progress," Mr. Wm. Smith, one of your oldest 4 feet at a point, free from knots, one and a half feet and most experienced planters, asked me whether or not above the ground. There is accordingly little difference some such method as exposing carbolic acid in vessels in the size of the trees and I have no doubt mine could he made to answer the purpose. After the pre was the larger tree. I did not root up my tree. The liminary experiments I had one goal before me viz : figures for bark, which “ E S. G.” quotes, are as follow, to devise a practical method by which with the and I set mine beside them :— m inim um expenditure in Carbolic Acid, we could ob Wet bark. Dry bark. Wet bark. Dry bark. ta in m axim um and sufficient results, and the programme lb. : lb. lb. lb. I outlined for this year’s operations has been drawn Stem quill 142 joJ 70 Stem quill 75 26 up with that chief object in view. I would have B ranch 40 12 B. & twigs 42 11 been glad to borrow anything from Mr. Storek which might have tended to more absolutely ensure 182 H 82 117 37 the success of my » ork, but apart from a certain want of practicability and the danger of giving the pure How is it to be accounted for that this tree in Dik strong acid into the hands of the cooly, Mr. Storck oya gave more than twice as much stem bark as mine ? uses carbolic acid in the least economical form in I observe that my wet stem bark loot 65^ per cent which it can be used for a perm anent treatment. The weight in drying against 50§ in the case of the I >ikoya large expanse and contiguity of coffee estates in siem bark, and my branch and twig bark lost 74 Ceylon would necessitate here the use of a much larger per cent as against 70 per cent in the other case. It quantity of carbolic acid than Mr. Ktorck found suffi is curious to note that the branch bark was almost cient in Fiji.—yours faithfully, of same weight in both cases. ______E U G E N E C. SC H R O T T K Y , I have still standing some old trees which I feel very confident cannot be matched out of Haputale. P e a r l O y s t e r s a n d S h e l l s —There are on oysters Mr. G. Maitland freqently stood under them, and pro and scarcely any pearl shells on the Barbadoes nounced them the finest in Ceylon, and I have yet to reefs, but a good pearl is now and then, at long be persuaded that the “ champion ” tree of Ceylon is, intervals, got from the conch, some of which have or was to be found in Dikoya.—Yours faithfully, brought £5. Mr. Archer has heard of one th a t was JOHN H. CAMPBELL. valued in London at £50. — Trinidad Chronicle. I nsects.—The Doctor’s Correspondence, in the Am eri can Agriculturist, contains some amusing as well as useful SEW PRODUCTS vs. CEYLON CLOVES information respecting insects and their habits. Persons were rather astonished to leam that one of the cock SELLING WELL. chafers spent three years of subterranean life before Colombo, 14th March 1882. seeking daylight, but some of the cicadas, it appears, D e a r S i r s , —At the suggestion of Mr. Peter Moir, spend from thirteen to seventeen years underground 1 We we beg to hand you c >py of a letter addressed to him by quote as follows :—“ As usual in summer, the letters from Messrs. Brookes and Faith, London, with respect to the my young friends are, almost entirely, about insects. It sale of a parcel of Ceylon-grown cloves. Mr. Moir is very natural that this should be so, as there is noth thinks the communication may perhaps be found suit ing concerning which less is known, than about our able for insertion in the “ Tropical Agriculturist.”—We most common insects. These appear in such a manner are, dear sirs, yours faithfully, GEO. STEUART & Co as to attract cur attention merely as objects of curiosity, or they may come upon the plants in our fields and gardens in such numbers, as to make it necessary for Copy. something to be done to check then- ravages. I am always glad when a boy or girl asks me about an in 25, Mincing Lane, E. C. London, 15th February, 1882. sect, for two reasons: I am glad that it shows a desire P e t e r M o ir , Esq. on their part to know something of the common things D e a r S i r ,—We beg to advise that at to-day’s sale about them, and secondly, it. often leads me to study the first parcel of cloves grown in Ceylon was offered, up and learn about the insect myself. You must not and consisted of 8 cases tine bright heads and short stems, think that “ The Doctor ” knows about everything; in bearing a great resemblance to Penang and sold with a tolerably long experience, the most that I can claim strong competition at 2s. Old to 2s Id per lb. This, we is a fair knowledge of the means of finding out about believe, is the first shipment that has taken place to any the things I do not know. The men who knew the most port and we are given to understand that the trees have about the greatest variety of things, of any persons I been imported from Penang, from which place we receive ever met, were Prof. Charles Pickering, and Prof. Louis the best quality. Agassiz, yet, I have had both of these say to me, “ I We think the prices realised must be very encourag don’t know.” So when the most learned of the world ing and remunerative to planters, and as the supply from can say “ I don’t know,” you and I need never feel Penang is at all times, small we think there is plenty of ashamed to say the same. But that should not be the room for moderate shipments.—Your obedient servants, end of it; the fact that ice “ do not know," should set (Signed) BROOKES & F A IT H . us at once to finding out.” NEW PRODUCTS: CANDLE TREE (PARMEN- S a n d w ic h I s l a n d s C o f f e e .— The coffee of the TIERA CERIFHRA) IN TRINIDAD. Sandwich Islands, known by the name of kona coffee, From Mr. Prestoe’a long and interesting Report on is of excellent quality and easily cultivated; it is sold the Botanic Gardens, Trinidad, we quote as follows in at the rate of 12 cents the $ tti in the country. It reference to a tree which has been already introduced into ik consumed without mixture ; there is no need of an Ceylon, although not much is known of its products :— auxiliary, as with some kinds. Its export, which rose It is now snme seventeen years ago that Mr. Bull in 1878-9 to 180.000 kilograms, decreased in 1880.— of Chelsea introduced this rather peculiar tree to the Journal des Economists.!;. attention of cultivators, having obtained it from Panama. It received its name from the resembl nee T anks for the reception of liquid-mannre from the of its fruits—borne in masses from the stem and stables or cow-houses and for house sewage are useful larger branches—to hanging candles. So far, I do adjuncts; especially is this the case where the supply not find that any use has ever been made of this of ordinary farmyard manure is limited in quantity, and tree in cultivation, not even that special one as for use on fruit borders, where it is considered unad- fodder for horses and stock of all sorts, and for visable to fork in much manure, because of the number which it was originally recommended. The tree now of surface roots, and where continued surface-dressings well established in the Orchard and Nursery Grounds may be raising the borders higher than is desirable. has the hab t of an erect-growing and thinly-branched Heaps of loam or compost in stock may be thoroughly English plum-tree. Of moderate habit or rate of enriched by being frequently favoured with a supply growth, it is eminently adapted for field cultivation when available. Where the subsoil is a retentive clay, where the ground might be too uneven or stony for tanks may be constructed at a trifling expense, as a annual cropping. It is also well suited for hill side 11-inch brick-wall, set in cement, will generally be found positions. The highly satisfactory manner in which sufficient for the sides, provided they are well puddled this tree has thriven and produced its highly nutritious around: but on light soils and stony ground two such fruits—together with the fact that all kinds 01 stock walls may require to be built with a half-inch cavity devour them greedily—induce me to give it special between, which can be filled with cement.— Gardeners' mention here as a fodder-plant specially adapted for Chronicle. tropical or sub-tropical countries where the annual Coffee-leaf D is e a s e .—Mr. Marshall Ward has made or occasional severe drought occasions a scarcity of his third and concluding report on the Coffee-leaf dis fodder for certain periods, such indeed as occurs ease, which has caused so much mischief in Ceylon. and is a notable drawback to prosperity in some The disease is caused solely by the Hemileia, a parasitic parts of India, tropical Australia, Natal, &c. In fungus originally described in these columns by Mr. this latter colony it is stated on good authority, Berkeley. The whole direct damage done by the fungus that the one great obstacle to breeding s ock is the is loss of leaves, whence, of course, arise evils conse scarcity of fodder for a few weeks annually, aud quent on starvation and suffocation. The spores are occasionally for longer periods. It appears to me that carried by the wind, germinate in moist weather, and this tree is well adapted to meet this vital want as run their life cycle in about three weeks, to begin again it exists in Natal. The one drawback with its their course of destruction. External applications, owing cultivation in the rough and ready style of farming to the countless number of spores and the impossibility in the colonies, and the absence of fences is, that of reaching them all, are useless, nor have the attempts owing to the fondness of stock for the leaves and made to combat the fungus while growing within the branches as well as the fruit, young trees would tissue of the leaf been of any service. Mr. Ward re always be in danger of being injured or devoured commends the collection and destruction of diseased if left unprotected. There appears, however, to leaves, not by burning, but by burying them and cover be a set-off to this drawback in the character of the ing them with caustic lime, sheltering the plantation fruit. It is usually 18 inche< long, and one inch or from spore-laden winds, and cultural proceedings so con more thick, and of so firm a texture as to admit trived that there may be as little young foliage exposed of being tied in bundles, and in this form would be during the time when the monsoons prevail, and the quite capable of bearing transport in waggon or by spores are most blown about.— Gardeners' Chronicle. rail 3 or 4 days without injury, provided ordinary precaution be taken against immediate heating. T hus P a l m s.—One of the prettiest novelties among these is the the fruits might be grown in one quarter out of new Caledonia* Kentiopsis divaricata, which has pinnate reach of cattle, and be conveyed to another quarter leaves, the leaflets of which are broadish and alternate ; for consumption. The tree is evidently not particular the leaves when first developed are of a rich brownish- as to soil, but like most trees it thrives best in good red colour, and in this stage the plant is very effective. soil. Yet it is heavily fruitful in very poor soil, Another new pinnate Palm is the Pinanga patula from such as that in which it grows here. It may be Sumatra, which has a dwarf, slender stem from 5 to said that it is never without, some fruits, but a strong 6 feet high, the leaves 4 to 5 feet long, with broadish point in its character is that of fruiting most heavily leaflets. In Synechantkus fibrosus, from Guatemala, we just at the approach of and through the dry season. have another dwarf and graceful species, with a trunk With these characters I regard the tree as being 4 feet high, and a crown of pinnate leaves, the linear- capable of supplying the* tropical dry season with a lanceolate leaflets of which are from 1—1J foot long ; source of fodder for stock, just as the temperate the flowers of this Palm are succeeded by orange-red winter has its supply of fodder in mangles, and drupes. Ravenea Hildebrandtii, from Johanna Island, swedes, &c. As to yield according to what the trees attains to 10 or 12 feet in height, and its pinnate bear—in the December and January crops—and which leaves arc made up of numerous narrow lanceolate is less than half for the year—25 to 30 tons weight leaflets. In Nunnezliaria tenella we get what has been of fruit to the acre may be regarded as the average for designated as perhaps the dwarfest known Palm, the 10-year-old trees. The deciduous character of the tree entire plant, in a fruit-bearing condition, being only 9 in dry weather, and its readiness in producing foliage inches high; its obovate-oblong nervose leaves arc bifid and remaining green when the weather is not excessively at the extremity, and the yellow flowers are produced dry, lead me to conclude that the natureof the plant is in long drooping slender spikes, almost as long as the decidedly accommodating, ie ., it will thrive and be fruit- I plant itself. The beautiful Pritchardia grandis, which ful under much greater extremes of climate as to tern- I has figured with such excellent effect in Mr. Bull’s perature—than it has to bear here, but still a minimum I prize collections, has been named Licuala grandis by should not be below 60° Fah,—T rinidad Chronicle. ' Mr. Weudland,—Gardeners’ Chronicle. GORSE AS FOOD FOR STOCK. treated like the must of the grape, produce an equally It is worthy of note that gorse takes but a small luscious beverage ? In fact, this has been done; the percentage of minprnl ingredients from the soil, in com very sweet red beetroot produces by fermentation a wine parison with other fodder plants. This is clearly shown quite as good as many of the soi-disant wines of our by Johnstone, whose statement may well be reproduced: southern vineyards. It possesses the additional advant age of accommodating itself to all soils, and flourishes Green. Dry. Green. Dry. in most climates. 1. L ucerne...... 2-6 9'5 3. White Clover 1- 7 91 We wish, then, to make this fact known, if it be 2. Red Clover .. 1-6 7'5 4. Gorse ...... 0-82 3 1 oi#y to stimulate new discoveries or develope further In Ireland gorse is much grown for purposes of stock- resources in wine growing. feeding. In the western part of County Cork, and, in With the view of popularising this plant, the propa fact, in many parts of north Ireland, it occupies a gator places himself gratuitously at the disposition of prominent place as food for both horses and cattle. One agriculturists, to furnish them with the seeds they may large farmer has been known to feed for many years require. Application can be made to M. Auguste Deleuil, two or three hundred head of cattle from Nov. 1 to Agronomc, a Gardanne, pr6s Marseille, France.—F ield. the following May on chopped furze only, Sunday ex cepted, when they were regaled with turnips. And these cattle were said to be as fine and healthy as any in DATE COFFEE. ■ the country. But, generally speaking, horses in work, In view of the efforts now being made to popularize or cows in milk, are not fed conclusively on gorse by date coffee in this country, the following opinion of a farmers who have experimented with it. Youatt used chemist who has recently given the subject much atten to say that, “ If 20 lb. of furze are given to a horse, tion will prove of interest. Coffee, says he, referring 5 lb. of straw, the beans, and 3 lb. of oats may be to the genuine article, is eminently the beverage of the withdrawn.” Experience has shown that horses thrive masses and one of those things that should be kept in well 011 gorse and a feed of boiled potatoes once a day. the best manner, at the most moderate price, for the In every case where furze-feeding is practised, it is sake of common commercial morality. It is by all food desirable to mix a small quantity of salt with the other authorities claimed to be a powerful respiratory excitant, food, particularly for horses, as furze is of a heating and has a crystallized nitrogenous element, called caf nature. Furze-fed cows yield milk rich in cream, and feine, upon which the action chiefly depends. It decreases the butter produced from it is of a line natural colour the vaporizing action of the skin, and therefore dries —far superior to that made from the produce of cows that organ; it lessens the loss of heat of the body, fed 011 hay and turnips. and increases the action of the heart. For these rea The following table will be serviceable as showing the sons coffee is also eminently the drink of the poor and high rank which furze takes, among different kinds of feeble, because it augments energy and pulsation. But winter fodder: in date coffee the vegetable fibre strongly predominates, Flesh-form- Fat-form- Flesli-form- Fat-form and but for brown extractive matter and sugar, little ing matter, ing matter. ing matter, mg matter. volatile prop rties can be expected. On trial, the chemist Furze 3-21 9-38 Swedes ..1-94 5 93 above refei red to found that it coloured well, but pos Cabbage . .1 63 5-00 Carrots . .0 60 1'018 sessed a taste not agreeable, and a burnt flavour of a Kohl Rabi..2-75 8-62 I Turnips ..1-80 4-43 peculiar character, rather sickly than otherwise. In his Mangolds .. l'ol 8-60 | • opinion, all other known combinations in which coffee It is matter for surprise that English farmers have plays a part, such, for instance, as the Eichel coffee of not long ago extensively brought into use such a valu the Germans and others, have a more aromatic taste able food for their stock. Probably the true explanation than this peculiar offshoot of the brain of an enterpris is that they are, as a body, ignorant of its suitability ing man. “ There have been testimonials given that for this purpose.—G. G.— Fietd. [Gorse or furze (in date coffee is a healthy beverage,” says he, “ but these Scotland whins) grow freely at Nuwara Eliya.—Ed.] testimonials are not comprehensive enough to make us change our grand old beverage for one which is far in A PLANT TO REPLACE THE VINE. ferior, really does not carry out the purpose it is in tended for, and need not he fetched so far at an immense We have received the following communication from expense. The Arab has the date atid coffee, but he pre M. Auguste Deleuil, agriculturist, member of the Agri fers the latter as a beverage when he can get it; and cultural Society of France, e exercised in watering no longer be forced in trenches but soakel for a few when there are many fruits ripening on the plants, as hours only in the solution. they are very liable to crack w ith a sudden dose of water, * * . . . especially if the plants have been allowed to get very The properties of vitriol, as an agent for imparting dry, but the most prolific cause of crashing is closing x itality to wheat seed and also as a preservative against the house, and watering and syringinjFthe plants at the the charcoal-like appearance of the ears of the corn, same time. are well known to some of the agriculturists of the The varieties of Tomatos to select, from are now plen Eouth of France. The latter say that wheat seed, scalded tiful enough; our favourites are Hathaway’s Excelsior and Trophy. The former is a handsome variety of me j not kept them informed upon it. When we published* dium growth and a sure fruiter; the latter is one of a few years ago, the remarkable destruction which the largest varieties, very prolific, and perhaps unsur we witnessed upon the lawn of one of the finest passed in quality. Seed of some approved variety should places in New England, described the grub, and gave be sown at once in brisk‘heat, shifting them 011 as they the remedies that seemed to be the most useful, it is fill their pots with roots, and confining them to single probable that our friend took but slight notice of it, stems till they reach the height of the trellis to which as it was so far away from home. So to begin anew, they are to be trained, when they should be allowed to and answer the question, “ where do these grubs come grow as single or double cordons.—F. R o b e r t s , Gun- from.?”—They are the lame or grab state of the brown nersbury.— Gardeners' Chronicle. beetle, that is commonly known as the “ May-bug," “ June-bum” or “ Dor-bug,” which, when it enters the house, attracted by the light in May and June, bounces THE COFFEE AND SUGAR PRODUCING about and knocks its head against the walls and ceil COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. ing in such a manner as to attract notice. When a few of these enter the house, it is probably that there IIAYTI. are many more elsewhere. If the fruit trees in the This island was discovered by Columbus in 1492, and neighbourhood be examined, no doubt but large numbers is next to Cuba the largest of the West India islands. may be found; they especially harbour in cherry trees. It is upward of 400 miles in length, from east to west, In early morning, when they are torpid, large numbers and averages more than 100 in breadth, covering an area may be shaken down, caught upon cloths, and killed. of 29.540 square miles. During the past sixty years Every female beetle thus destroyed prevents the laying Hayti has at times been a kingdom, an empire, and a of over 100 eggs, some say over 200. The eggs are republic after a series of revolutions, which finally, some laid in the ground, and the grabs require three years forty years ago, enabled the Spanish portion to separate to complete their growth. They feed upon young roots, from Hayti and set up 'as an independent republic. but they do not appear to be large enough to do their Sugar-planting has never revived in Hayti, but coffee- worst mischief until their last year, when their work planting has. In a good crop year Hayti produces 30,000 upon the grass roots is often most disastrous. Our tons of coffee, against halL that much thirty years ago. friend is right in saying that the “ grub question is a On the whole Hayti coffee is prepared for market sloth- most serious one,” and it appears as if it were to be fully, containing most of it little stones which have to come to our farmers what the “ Cockchafer question” be picked out by hand, too expensive a method for is in England, and the “ Hanneton question” in France. this country. Hence the bulk goes to Europe, and even In those countries, . a closely related insect, with very the greater portion of what arrives here is reshipped to similar habits, is such a pest that prizes are offered Havre, Antwerp, and Hamburg. Its quality is tolerably by Government, in France at least* for its abatement. pure, but in appearance it is irregular, and in Europe, With us the complaints are each }-ear more numerous, we presume, it is greatly used, to be mixed with other and the plague appears to increase rather than diminish. sorts. The present government is prevailing upon the But a few days ago, a fruit grower came to us with a petty planters in the interior to bestow more care and doleful face to tell of the complete ruin of his straw attention .upon the preparing for market of this, the berry plantation from this cause. What can be done? chief product of the island, and issued a circular the The presence of the grub itself is not suspected until other day to its consuls abroad promising a notable im the mischief Is done. The most effective help against provement in this respect in the future. the grub is the crow, bnt that, should it be seen after That in this item President Solomon and his cabinet a grub -and its keen senses allow it to go for and may have then* efforts crowned with success, we sin destroy it—would lie at once shot or driven away. Crows cerely hope. ‘ Various sorts of Hayti coffee are very are the most active helpers, and should be protected fine indeed, not only in point of flavour, hut in looks, by law. That unpopular animal, the odoriferous Skunk and with a more diligent and intelligent planting, pick is another friend of the farmer, bnt war is declared ing and preparing, the e entire crop may in the course against him, because he is suspected of varying his of a few years show a great improvement, and easily diet of grubs with an occasional spring chicken. No average 10 to 15 per cent more, which would be an hum an help can avail while, the insect rem ains in the annual gain of .$300,000 to $500,000, not to he despised grub state. Aside from shaking the beetlps from the in a comparatively poor country. trees, they may be caught by means of lamps, so placed Cocoa production does not amount to much in Hayti, in lanterns that tlie beetles in flying against them, will the quality being too bad; 110 doubt likewise suscept drop into water. We gave a year or two ago a method ible of improvement by better treatment. The next im employed in Texas for thus,trapping the beetles.— Ame portant export to coffee is logwood, and there is some rican Agriculturist. honey, a good deal of fine mahogany and some other woods.—Rio News. TREE PLANTING. It will no doubt be readily admitted that the best THE WHITE GRUB ON PASTURE. time to plant deciduous trees of all kinds is soon after E. M. Beach, Saugomon Co., 111., writes us an account the leaves have fallen. It may hardly be necessary in of the pasture of his neighbour, “ T. H. E.” The writer all cases to wait for tjiis event taking place, but where states that the pasture, several years established, had planting has to be done in a large scale, the planting never been fed very close, and last year, especially, the season has necessarily to be considerably extended, and grass made quite a strong growth. This year about one- planting may be successfully performed at anytime from half of the pasture is quite killed by the White Grub. the end of October until the beginning of March, when In places every root is so completely destroyed that the condition of the weather will admit of its being the grass can be swept off “ as you would sweep snow done. Few seasons have hitherto proved so favourable from a plank.” He asks, “ where do these grubs come for planting operations as the present. It will also be from?”—and “ will the pasture rest itself, or must it admitted that the Lest method of preparing the soil be brokqn up and resown?” He concludes his letter for the reception of young trees is to dig or trench it by saying: “ The grab question has become a serious at least two spits deep, and if poor to g*ve it a good one, and our people do not understand it.” If our dressing of manure or fresh soil if it can he obtained, friend’s neighbour’s do not understand the “ grubquoS- which is not often the case. We may ah r> here allude tion,” it is not because the American Agriculturist has to what is possibly the worst method of “phrting trees, and which is unfortunately the one too frequently prac as he (the agent) desired, which was accordingly done- tised, viz., that of digging a hole or pit so exceedingly The weather during the following spring months prov small that the roots of the tree can with difficulty be ing dry, the result was iu all respects a complete fail crammed into it. This method is infinitely worse than ure.— Gardeners’ Clu-onicle. what is known as the J form of planting, which is sometimes practised on poor rocky soils in Scotland and elsewhere with tolerable success; and where anything FLOWERS OR SHOOTS. in the form of digging • or trenching is out of the In the Gardeners' Chronicle of January 7, there is a question. very interesting and suggestive extract from Count du Trees planted in this- way must necessarily he of Boyson, which I would like to notice. Gardeners very- comparatively small dimensions. The operation itself is well know that whether plants will flower profusely, exceedingly simple, and consists of the operator merely sparingly, or not at all, depends to a great extent on making a slit in the turf with his spade, and*hen in the state of maturation to which they have been brought serting the same at one end of the slit, at right angles previously. This is true alike of Apple trees, Rhodo with it, and by pressing down the handle of the spade dendrons, or Orchids, and almost all flowering plants the slit will be forced to open more or less, when the cultivated in gardens, as well in the open air as under assistant passes the roots of the tree into the opening glass. The idea that after flower buds are formed they thus made, and a slight amount of pressure with the may be changed into leaf shoots is, to me, a new one, foot is all that is required to steady the tree, care and so extraordinary that I venture to think some being taken to leave it in an upright position. By this misinterpretation of the facts has occurred [and so do method an immense number of trees can be planted by we]. We are all perfectly aware that when shoots, a man and a boy in a comparatively short time. bulbs—what you will—of Dendrobes are imperfectly- In cases where pits or holes are dug out for the ripened, they in many instances, notoriously so in the reception of trees, the same should always be of con case of D. nobile, produce leaf-stems where flowers gener siderable dimensions as regards width as well as depth, ally appeal-. This results, as has generally been under and corresponding, of course, with the size of the trees stood—and as I, for one, still Tielieve—not because of about to be planted, but always sufficiently large to any particular treatment the plants receive after the admit of the roots of the plants being spread out to buds begin to grow, but because of the want of due their full extent, and sufficiently deep to admit of a exposure to the light the prqjious autumn. portion of the best of the soil being placed in the Many, very many, plants have the power of modifying bottom of the pit, in order to raise the bottom to the their manner of propagation according to the circum requisite height, and to allow* the roots of the tree a stances under which they are placed. Common Leeks, portion of friable material into which to extend them for instance, in cold climates produce many- miniature selves. bulbs on the top of the flower-spikes instead of the seed But it is to the planting of trees in properly pre which they form under more favourable circumstances; pared soil—that is, iu soil which has been drained and not because of an extra snpply of nutriment, but because dug, or trenched, that these remarks are intended prin of the want of enough light and heat. Other instances cipally to apply. Too deep planting of trees on such your readers will readily- recall. The idea presented to prepared soil has been no doubt deservedly condemned; me in the extract referred to is that a certain measure but it is to be feared that some planters in their en of starvation will make matters right. So far as regards deavours to avoid Clmrybdis have fallen upon Scylla, plants growing under climatal conditions which we can and on some kinds of soil too shallow planting is as not modify, such is the only course left us, and has necessary to be avoided as too deep planting. On heavy been pursued by us for many years; for it is with this and imperfectly drained land deep planting should by- end in view that u-e have used grit in our fruit tree all possible means be avoided, and the trees may in borders, and have employed loam without much manure, such cases with advantage be planted on a slight mound, and have rammed it hard to prevent a too rapid taking or slightly elevated above the level of the surrounding up of even what limited supplies of food were available. soil; while on very light land the converse of this prac And when I did feed it was by surface-dressings, which tice should rather be followed, as in the event of con would encourage the roots to seek the sun-warmed food, tinuous dry weather setting iu several inches of the so that no lowering of the temperature of the trees surface of such soil becomes perfectly desiccated, and might occur through cold sap. All this I have done, before the roots of recently planted trees can penetrate and so far it agrees with what is hinted, excepting that the soil to a greater depth, many of them must in we never dreamed that a wet spring would change our evitably perish. Many years ago we had occasion to blossom-buds into “ leaf-shoots,” although it might spoil know something of a large estate, a portion of which the flowers that did form. consisted of very light poor-land, and a considerable It is, however, more particularly to house plants, and part of this about the time alluded to was being planted especially Orchids, that the Count refers. As we difler with forest trees of various kinds, chiefly Larch, and altogether from the opinion that extra supplies in spring the planting of which was entrusted to an old trust do the mischief, we think that, generally speaking, any worthy man of great experience in such matters, whose degree of starving should he avoided, because we have invariable practice was to plant somewhat deeply, and the climate of hot-houses in our own hands to a great in addition to this to form, as it were, a shallow basin extent. I by- 110 means mean by this that Dendrobiums round each tree, as is done in the light soil at Kew, at all stages of their growth should le liberally sup thus securing for it as ample a•share of the rainfall plied with water, either in the soil or the ah-, for such as was possible, or. at all events, to effectually prevent would certainly- defeat our purpose if flowers were our the same running from it during sudden or heavy falls ■aim. At the same time I think that it is not good to of rain. This practice was generally attended with every starve in any degree. The right thing in the case of success that could reasonably be expected, considering Dendrobium nobile, and many other plants—Vines, for the nature of tie soil aud the prevalence of ground instance, is to start early in the season, so that the game. But a change happened to occur in the manage growth may be made up early, aud fully matured under ment of the estate, and the new manager, or agent, the influence of the sun ere yet the sun's beams have chanced to be one of those who fancy they have nothing lost their power to mature. No plant requires the same to learn, and who had possibly been accustomed to land moisture at the root wliile ripening that it does while of a different character, So he demurred to this method pmshir.g out shoots and leaves rapidly, and in many of tree planting, declined to discuss the matter wih instances disaster will result if growing conditions are the old planter, and peremptorily ordered liini tv plat maintained for ripening plants. THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST.
..... • In the case of Deudrobium nobile and many others, a part just now in regard to foreign treaties in Eng we find that when the growths are fully made up by land, it is important to hold correct idea concerning August, in a house not too moist or shaded, and after the prospects of Sugar-growing in the West Indies. Out wards exposed to the full sun and abundance of dry here people have been much exercised at the behaviour warm air, that a very free state of flowering results. of the Home authorities. For, instance, the Board of When the growth is made up late, and in moist shady Trade letter to the Refiners’ Working Men’s Committee quarters, the result of this drying aud exposure later has been read with very qualified satisfaction. The on is shrivelling, debility, a scarcity of flowers, and a allusions to the Sugar Colonies are neither flattering, predisposition to produce “ leaf-shoots ” in spring, no nor do they exhibit a proper grasp of the facts of the matter what conditions they are then subjected to. case. We read, “ It would he unfair to ask the con This year our Dendrobiums are flowering less profusely sumers of the mother country to forego cheap Sugar,” than they did last, year, and yet they had both years in order to encourage Sugar-growing in the colonies, the same treatment. The seasons, however, were in this for to do so would be “ to make the possession of the district very different: 1880 was fairly sunny, while the colonies a burden, and not a gain, to this country.” autumn was particularly bright; 1881 was cold and dull, Such language not only savours* of the old-world colo especially in autumn. The consequence of this was that nial policy which it was supposed England had discarded all our indoor plants, even although helped by extra for ever—a'policy which, contrary to true and wide fire-heat, were later in making up their growths, and principles of economic science, regarded colonies and finished them under unfavourable circumstances. In mother countries as rivals, and not as allies—but also the case of our Vines we fired on later to make up savours of a trust reposed in representations made in for deficiencies; but our Dendrobes (for want of sun in England which have in truth little connectioi^vith the autumn, not because of too liberal supplies now), are actual state of affairs out here. ™ producing flowers less freely than usual, and many more It is, perhaps, well that we can take Jamaica as a leaf-shoots.” Those later on, as with the Count’s, sample of West Indian Sugar-planting, for the reason produced more freely at the tops of the bulbs, while that Jamaica is generally allowed to be the worst off the former are, like his, produced lower down. This, and the Sugar industry there is painted as in a decid we consider, is .owing to the tops being less fully ripened, edly “ ruinate ” condition. The question remains, does and not to any special determination of sap to the tops. this particular industry, even though in such bad repute, Such a flow of sap may help to produce larger, finer either need or [claim any self-sacrifice 011 the part of flowers, but I cannot ‘think it would change flowers the consumer at home to enable it to survive? And into shoots. the question is completely answered, and altogether in In the case of many other orchids which grow freely the negative, if we regard the price per ton at which but flower sparsely, or not at all, all they want is more Sugar can be grown here. air, more light, and more heat, rather than a with But the answer has to be arrived at through an im holding of supplies. Odontoglossum cirrosum, which, in mense amount of misconception that extends even among a cool, moist, shaded house grows so very freely, and people who live in Jamaica. The very planters are, throws up long spikes which never flower, or only pro many of them, entirely misinformed as to their actual duce one or two blossoms to the yard of spike, change position. Some of them are indignant, for instance, if for the better when grown in a light, airy position in asked to believe the fact that year by year Jamaica is an intermediate house, but they will grow less freely. exporting more and more Sugar and Rum. Yet these As a matter of fact, Nature strives to reproduce the are the official figures of amounts exported:— species by seed, and when the atmospheric conditions Total tons Total Puncheons for that are unsuitable, "she falls back on the vegetat Years. of Sugar. of Rum. ive method as a last resource. Taking advantage of 1850-59 .. .. 320,000 . .. 170,000 this fact we can produce the majority of plants at will ' 1860-69 .. .. 330,000 .. 180,000 by whatever mode promises the best results. Taking 1870-75 .. .. 350,000 .. 201,000 advantage of this we improve the artificial climates in Thus, since matters have arranged themselves after their our vineries by firing—not by starving—so as to prepare upsetting in the abolition of slavery, the Sugar industry the Vines to propagate themselves by seed to as great has shown steady growth. an extent as possible. Taking advantage of the know There is, indeed, one great apparent contradiction to ledge painfully and slowly acquired, we limit the food these figures, and that is the constantly quoted fact of supplies to our outdoor trees, where that is necessary, the abandonment of Sugar estates. This process has and secure the same result; when the trees are young been proceeding until quite recently, but local experience and scarce we follow the opposite course to secure, not yields the true explanation that it is a process alto seeds, but “ leafy shoots ” to graft with. gether beneficial, and in truth a putting off' of the old It is the same with all our fruiting and flowering system, and not a failing of the new. It is true the plants, Orchids not excepted. It is this knowledge which older planters themselves see but little consolation in causes us to adopt so very different practices where the dismal fact that where once they aud theirs reaped different results are wanted; and this which makes us fortunes now all is worthless scrub. But if we remem adopt quite different modes, according to the subjects ber that in the old days Sugar was at £60 a ton, and we cultivate and the latitude in which we practise. It that now £20 is the price for the same, we shall see is this which shows one course to be right under bright some reason for a change. The fact was that in those skies and in dry localities, and wrong when clouds lower good old days vast areas of soil were cultivated at and rains reign, and rice re rm .— P r a c t i c a l .— Gardeners' enormous profits, which areas at present prices can yield Chronicle. none at all. That these areas should get out of cul tivation is a gain and not a loss to the industry. In SUGAR PLANTING IN JAMAICA. those tlays the “ margin of cultivation ” was lowered to a degree altogether untenable noov; aud it was, more [This article is so able and good that we give the over, incidental to Jamaican affairs that long after the whole. It is an entirely new view of things in Jamaica, real conditions of their prosperity had passed away, especially in regard to cooly immigration, compelling many of these estates cpntinued in cultivation— at the the negro to work. It has also a bearing on Ceylon in first, in the hope of better days; in the end, because such estates had for the most part fallen into the hands some things.— E d .] of mortgagees or holders of jointures and charges upon K in g s t o n , J amaica. them. Thus, as a rule, two or more estates came As the Sugar Bounties question is playing so prominent uudtsr tilts same absentee ownership, and what was lost on those that ought to have been at once put out of : machinery is being introduced for the crushing of the cultivation was more than made good by the profit from cane and the manufacture of the Sugar; in fact, the. the others more favourably situated. But this was obvi very ruined windmills and water-mills that one meets in ously a serious drag on the aggregate prosperity of the the country are the evidence of the introductian of the industry. And of late years a wholesome change has more economical steam-power. come. The mortgagees have been largely realising, and The actual cultivation is also capable of vast improve' a new class of unfettered and resident proprietors has ment. At present the tendency is to cultivate too much arisen and bids fair to increase. These men will not soil: this is plentiful and cheap, and the temptation to grow Sugar unless the soil and aspect are sufficient to cultivate roughly is stronger than the reasoning which make the cultivation pay at present prices. And some shows that such cultivation enhances the evils, and fails of the shrewdest local men are investing largely in such fully to utilize the advantages of the work. The diffi cultivation. It is the inauguration of a new order of culties of weeding, of planting, of hauling, of manuring, things, in thorough and wholesome keeping with the of irrigation, all implying extra labour, arc simply in times and their needs. • creased by this system of working roughly a large area, There was much that was altogether wrong and “ un rather than carefully cultivating a smaller area. It has economical ” in this survival of a state of tilings hope been repeatedly proved that the smaller area, if really lessly out of accord with the times. The case was pithily • thoroughly cultivated, will often yield two, three, and put to me the other day:—“ Each estate of 300 acres even more tons to the acre, whereas by the rough-and- is expected to keep five carriages—the owner in Eng ready method barely one ton will result, while all the land mus^have his brougham; the merchant in Eng necessary expenses, as above detailed, will increase rather land mils®drive his barouche; and the merchant in than be lessened. This item of improvement alone would Kingston, the owner’s attorney, and the overseer on the double profits in many cases. estate must each of them maintain his buggy.” In the , Thus, the reasons for entertaining high hopes of yet old days of £60 a ton such maintenance was perfectly cheaper production of Sugar in Jamaica are many. They practicable, but when receipts fell from £18,000 to are greatly dependent on the fact that Jamaica has, £5,000 per annum, such claim on the resources of the since the old state of things was definitely done away estate could no longer be met, for expenses at the least j with, become more and more a flourishing community in remained (lie same as of old. And now each one of ; itself, and less and less a mere exporting farm existing these five classes, from liis own point of view, declares for the benefit of distant proprietors. Thus, though Sugar-growing hopelessly ruined for ever. It has now ; Sugar continues to increase in output, it- does not do been found that when the profits are lowered by two- i more than keep pace with the increase in other Jamaican thirds similar profits are still to be made, provided the I products; and so the planter is now enabled to cultivate number of those who share in these profits is reduced ; in other crops large areas that were valueless unless pro tanto. And this discovery is the secret both of the j they could he devoted to Sugar. Pimento, logwood, calumniations and of the present prosperity of the Sugar- i coffee, and more especially fruit of all sorts, have largely imowing in Jam aica. developed as articles of export. The breeding of cattle, Thus, if we penetrate these and other misconceptions, too, has become most profitable, chiefly because of the we shall appreciate aright both the present actual cost rise of a local demand, which already consumes over of production of Sugar and, above all, its future pros 1,000 beasts per annum, and there are prospects of a pects. These costs divide themselves under two great large export trade to Cuba and other neighbouring islands. heads, respectively dealing with cost of cultivation on The consequences of this new-born activity is that the one hand, and cost of transferring the commodities the negro population is in a condition of much material and putting them up for sale in the English market prosperity. Its numbers increase year by year, and that on the other. In reghrd to the present cost of cultiv they are successful is seen by the fact of their in ation, a wide experience of estates leads to the decided creasing expenditure iu “ luxuries.” They buy largely opinion that so long as Sugar commands £12 or £14 a' the beef above alluded to, which fetches (id. a pound. ton in the local market fair profits are made by the ! They are large consumers of bottled ale and stout, and, ■mowers. Beetroot-growers should pay attention not only I the crucial fact of all this in regard to Sugar planting to this fact, but to the further consequent fact that ' is that this wholesome growth means an increasing and there are many improvements in prospect, or at all j reliable supply of labour. Even at the present it is events possible, that will considerably modify even this | difficult to find a district where negro labour cannot low first cost of Sugar grown in Jamaica. | be had for under Is. a day. This is an advantage of For some time past there has been a forward move no mean significance when we find it reported that ment in Jamaica iu regard to Sugar-planting, and those similar labour in the Sugar States of the United States who enjoy local knowledge are fairly nonplussed at some costs over 2s. a day. The negroes are well known to of the evidence tendered to Mr. Ritchie's committee as be capable workers ; the sole difficulty hitherto has been to the backward and unintelligent state of Sugar cul to prevail upon them to .work. However, both the in tivation here. It is true that in Jaulaica there is a centive and the threat have been discovered in the greater variety of estates than in other colonies; this importation of coolie labour. The present Government is due to the fact that they extend over a far greater of Jamaica has wisely seen that this coolie labour is area, and an area of far greater natural variety. Con not of mere direct use to those who actually put coolies sequently, there is no one uniform type of procedure, on to their estates, but that it is far more than this— and on many estates it is reckoned far more profitable that it is of high benefit to the whole community, black to produce the coarser than the finer types of raw Sugar. as well as white, in rousing the negro to exertion in This is specially so on estates where a large proportion his own interest. Iu this respect the importation of a of rum is made. But every year more care is being few Chinamen would, no doubt, add additional stimulus. ,riven to improvements. Tho great item of cost, “ haul The negro can and will work, and work well, provided ing” the cane from the fields to the works, is now he can be roused from its natural inclination to “ save receiving much scientific treatment. Tramways and wire his strength,” prone on the broad of his back in the railways] laid down steep slopes and over ravines, are sun. being introduced for this purpose'. It was no uncommon Thus the prospects of reducing the cost of cultivation thin" in the old days for the working beasts to survive are good and sure; but there is also a very good pros for but two, or at most three, years. Now on many pect of reducing the other item—viz., the cost of put estates, by better handling and more skilled treatment, ting the Sugar into the English market. Steam is the oxen work for six and seven years at a stretch, assisting greatly; and it is now possible to transfer thereby reducing hugely the cost of production. Better Sugar cheaper by steam than by sailing vessels, even though freights are nomimlly higher. The shorter the. countries that give them, and the only and sole passages of steamers do away with a great deal of that method of retaining them in those countries is persist drainage that so lessens the' bulk or value of many of ently and eloquently to point out to the growers of Beet the coarser-made Raw Sugars. Then, too, Jamaica is that the bounties are destroying the production of Sugar a large island with many ports. The Sugar estates near from Cane. To persistently and eloquently urge that these ports ship their Sugar from them. In the old this is their actual effect seems to be the strange policy sailing-ship days, such was the expensive delay of load adopted by the present representatives of the West Indian ing from port to port—a few hogsheads at each, and Sugar industries in England. It is to be hoped others subject to every change of weather—that freights from will now come forward, establish the facts of the case, the north side of the island were actually £1 more per and so put forward the opposite argument. These will ton than from Kingston. The present Governor has in a at once show that so far from destroying rival in great measure obviated this dithculty by his inauguration dustries in British colonies, the bounties, even if we allow of weekly and regular steam service round the Island. them their full effect, have been altogether unable to Rut where most hope is looked for in regard to this lower prices even to the level of the profitable cost of transference to li(p markets is in a coming era of new production of Cane Sugar possible in the fertile soils commercial freedom, which shall emancipate the new and genial climates of the West India Islands. Thus, order of proprietors from that complex commercial sys even setting aside the asserted plea that so long as tem by which the transference of all Sugar to the Eng we consume Moist Sugar so long must we grow Cane lish market fell to the monopoly of a group of indi Sugar, we find that in Jamaica, at all events, Cane viduals in England. From the days of slavery down Sugar can be grown cheaper even than “ bounty-fed” wards capital has been advanced to planters from ex Beet Sugar, and that so far as the bounties have been traneous sources, and in course of time estates became intended to destroy Cane-growing in the West Indies, in not only mortgaged heavily, but encumbered with jointures so far they have resulted in signal failure.—Ijondon Timex. and charges of all kinds. The capitalists held to their liens, and the intervening merchants, both in the supply TEA CULTURE: THE BEST MODE OF of stores and machinery to the estates and in the RETAINING TIP. caftiage of the Sugar to England and its sale there, found scope for the making of great profits. But the TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ INDIAN TEA GAZETTE.” low prices that have come in late years show that there D e a r S i r ,— In reply to “ H. T. C. K.’s” queries anent * is no longer sufficient profit for all, and the middleman “ Tip,*’ I have found that the best way to get tip is must be content to transfer much of his activity to other to pluck it separately and spread it out thinly on mats fields. His profits 011 the cost of transit alone have to dry in a warm atmosphere. When there is sun, an been placed by good authorities as high as ‘2s. a cwt. hour or two’s exposure to it’s rays gives it a good lint already this system is passing away. The mortgagees finish; otherwise finish off the drying process over a are selling for what they can get; old proprietors are slow fire by thinly spreading the leaf on a dolla, covering setting their houses in order to meet the new necessities U|> with another, and not touching it again until it is of the times. Thorough'change is necessary, and even ready. If the tips be rolled at all; they will lose th$ old planters have already so far thrown off their tram silver “ spangle,” which will turn golden and then black mels as to be enabled to ship their Sugar direct to according to the amount of rolling, which causes the the United States market—a market at present highly juice to ooze out aud discolqy the leaf. favourable for coarser raw Sugars. Some of the most Pure Assai^ plants give the best silver tip, and pure shrewd and most successful local men are buying up China the best golden tip. You can’t roll together all old Sugar estates under the new free conditions, and your leaf (especially if you pluck five leaf shoots) and tiiere seems every pio^pect that Sugar will soon be pro expect to get much tip, but in such case I should advise duced in Jamaica at even cheaper cost than at present. heavy withering (spreading the leaf thinly), rolling slightly, There are authorities in England who have lately been fermenting to an even copper color, and quick firing.— speaking “ on behalf of proprietors interested in the West Yours faithfully, 1 S i l v e r Tii-.’ Indies,’* but there is arising a new class in Jamaica of pro prietors, not only interested in, but actually resident in the West Indies; and these men will have a different, an alto TEA PLUCKING. gether different, argument to put forward in regard to the S i r ,—There seems to be some diversity of opinion 011 bounties about which so much has been said and written. the subject of plucking, so as to obtain the greatest These men notice that the most extreme leaders in amount of leaf from one’s bushes. The question is, this bounty agitation allow two points—one, that a whether it is be*t to pluck two or three whole leaves duty of 2s. a cwt. 011 Sugar from bounty-fed countries and the bud, as the cause jnay be, or to pluck two and would altogether countervail all the efforts of the bounties; a h a lf or three and a half,, and half the one below if the other, that of 700,000 tons of Sugar we annually soft, leaving the axis of the third and fourth leaves and import, only 250,000 tons come from bounty-giving the interlode or stalk between them. I am an advocate, countries. In other words, bounties, even if the after worse years of fair trial of both systems, of the second case be made out of them, lower the price of West plan. My reasons are briefly these :— Indian Sugar only to the amount of fid. a cwt. Even l.sg. The rapidity with which the next flush comeson. so the price has not as yet been forced down to the 2nd. The absence of unsightly stalk in the tea. lowest level at which Sugar can be now grown in 8/7/. The greater facility in sorting the roll before Jamaica at a profit; and, as we fipve seen, any single fermentation, and separating the tine from the coarse leaf, one of the numerous improvements in producing actually so as to be able to treat each according to its require promised in Jamaica would far more than counter ments. balance the asserted effect of these bounties, and all the The first reason is the most important as the differ other body of improvements would be so much clear ence in yield I think is very marked. By leaving a gain, it may, indeed, be argued that it would be a whole leaf below, experi^hce shews that that leaf must, great benefit, to Jamaican planters if this temoorirv effect I aud does fully mature itself before the new shoot breaks on the bounties bhould rouse them to improve their i away, wheieis, by leaving the axis with a small portion methods of production, for in bringing about such im j of the third leaf, the sap of the plant goes directly to provements, far greater advance would be made than i nourish the young shoots, instead of wasting itself on would be sufficient to countervail this small ette^t. I maturing the whole leaf left In Jhe other plan. A not To tnose who have scuuied the case it is well known j uncommon anpearanee is to see -he whole plucking sur th at tut* uuuniic-o are no where more unpopular than in face of a hush covered with hard dark gieen leaves which go on maturing and absorb all the vitality of the per maund. The an aly st of the above comes to this—* bnsh, and keep back the young flush until they are R . A. P . satisfied, and as hard as leather. Charcoal drying ... — 1 1 0 The difference of the two systems is very marked at Coke ,, ... = 0 10 8* the beginning of the season, when the bush is recover Wood fire ,, ... =038 ing from its pruning. I have known five weeks to Wo read of machines drying with any fuel, and doing elapse between a first plucking and the second, when double the tea of w'hat I have estimated above, and hushes plucked two and a half leaves have gone on how people can still stick to charcoal, beats me. growing without a check. Again we generally see large gardens furnished with If a whole leaf is left, this maturing process goes drying machines : surriy it is the small gardens that on repeating itself after each plucking, always delaying want them most.—Yours faithfully, A. C. J. the new flush and retarding the growth of the plant. • P.S. — Price of the “ Sirocco'’ is £85 f. o. b. in Liverpool, which m eans R l,0 2 0 —at l.s. Sd. exchange, The only argument I have ever heard brought for and the cost of carriage out to India #xtra to pay ; still ward in favor of leaving the whole leaf is, that it strength the machine, if it does 5 mds tea in 10 hours, should ens the bush. This may apply to young gardens being pay itself in one year, always considering it turns out plucked for the first time, but cannot to old established well fired and no burnt tea. But there are better bushes. Even the most bigoted upholder of this theory (or anyway cheaper) machines then the “ Sircocco,” ought to be satisfied with the four or five leaves always I see, advertized, i j the Englishman of the 8th instant, left on the first shoots after the pruning, and those viz., a description of Robert-on's “ Typhoon,” doing usually left after each plucking, for the good of the £ md. tea per hour, and probable cost to be R300. plant. And in your issue of 3rd instant a machine (Allen’s Reasons two and three are also important, but I will patent), but, the cost is net given, doing one maund not encroach further upon your space, per hour, and burning any furl. E x p e m e n i i a d o c e t .
R a is in g S e e d l in g s .—Mr. Peter Henderson’s method TEA DRYING-MACHIN ERY FS. CHARCOAL. is thus described in the American Agriculturist:— “ Mr. e Peter Henderson having hit upon a method which greatly D e a r S i r , — Tea drying by machinery v e r m s tea increased the certainty with which he could raise seed drying by charcoal fires over choolahs, is, I believe, ling plants, not only of such rapidly growing things as still discussed as to the relative merits of each. 1 will Cabbages, but of slower starting greenhouse plants and try and give you a fair estimate of cost, and speak of shrubs, employed it in his own establishment to his from experience as far as I know relative to the merits, great advantage. It is very simple, as most valuable ills, Ac., &c., of bnth modes of firing. things are. In his seed-beds, or seed-hoxes—1st, he 1st.— Charcoal finny and its merits.—Except for those puts down a layer of good loam, run through a half who persist that the fumes of charcoal are necessary inch sieve, and patted down moderately firm. Over to make good tea, I can see no merit whatever in this about one-fourth of an inch of dried spaghnnm— charcoal drying, either in cost, quality, rapidity, common peat moss, such as is used for packing, tho saving of labour, or anything else, o^er machine- roughly dried, and run through a wire sieve about as dried tea. fine as a mosquito-wire gauze—this powdered moss, Cost per maund tea of tea dried over choolahs by charcoal. about in the condition of fine sawdust, being evenly As. P. spread. Upon this moss is placed a coating of loam Charcoal at R annas per md. 1J mds. = 12 0 about three-fourths of an inch thick, and well levelled. 1 Battiwallah at ans. 4-6, kutcha firing = 4 6 The seed is sown thickly- on the loam, pressed down Do. do. pucka firing say = 0 6 by a smooth board, and fine moss sifted on sufficient to cover the seed, and the whole watered with a fine Cost of firing by charcoal R 1 1 0 rose. The top layer of moss keeps the surface always moist, preventing all drying and barking, and allows N . B .—Notice the labour staff required for 3 months the young plants to easily reach the light. The layer in the year to make charcoal. The imm nse space of soil below it affords nourishment to the seedlings, (and heat) taken up by choolahs. Cost of timber which, as soon as their roots reach the layer of fine used for charcoal. The number of trays, geuz-, iron, moss below-, form a m ass of fibrous roots. No one Ac., iVc. required. The masonry and carpenter’s work familiar with raising seedlings need to have the advant always more or less out of repair. Loss of small tea ages of the method pointed out.”— Gardeners’ Chronicle. falling through trays, &c., &c. M e x ic a n C o f f e e . —Much has been published of late Now let us take in regard to the probability of Mexican coffee becom Cost of machine-dried tea per maund. ing a dangerous competitor of Brazilian coffee in the As. P. United States, the greatest consumer of the Brazilian 1st. Those, machines which dry by product, and that there is serious basis for the grave coke, say cost of cuke = 8 0 fears expres-td is proved by the following extract 3 men at as. 4-6 per 5 mds. tea = about 2 8 from a letter received by one of our leading export houses, and dated New Orleans. 1st June, 1S81:—“ The Cost of drying per maund tea for a receipts of Mexican coffee at this port since the 1st machine, drying by coke 5 mds. in January are in excess of previous seasons; and one 10 hours ...... 10 8 firm alone expects to receive 100,000 bags of 1001b. each out of the present crop. The same firm has I now give an estimate of cost of 1 md. tea dried had cargoes of 5,000 to 6,000 bags arrived to them by a machine of similar capabilities, but drying with this spring. The demand for this coffee is mostly any sort of fuel—coal, wood, grass, bamboo, Ac., say from Chicago and St. Louis, but a fair quantity is 2 mds. of firewood at 6 pie per md. = 1 airai per sold here 'o grocers at 1 to 1J cents above the price 1 m d. tea. of Rio coffee!”— Anglo Brazilian Times. J f. B .—Price of firewood at 3 pie per maund should be nearer the mark. * I should be glad to be set right if I have not 3 mens’ pay as. 4 6 for 5 mds. in 10 hours— as. 2-8 rightly calculated the price of coke.—A. (J. J. THE NUTMEG IN TRINIDAD. some qualified botanist might have passed judgment The Nutmeg trees, always a striking and beautiful as to the family to which the tree may belong. Any feature in the Gardens, have conspicuously benefitted other of your readers who may send similar specimens by the mild character of the last dry season, and should forward the fruit, leaves, or wood of any plant, the younger ti#es planted in 1873 and 1874 developed so that it may be readily identified with known species. rapidly into the fruiting stage. The yield per tree, Judging from the texture, colour, and taste of the nett in the market, of those in bearing, has again bark before me, my own opinion is that it is closely been over twenty pounds of prepared nutmegs, with allied to the mimosa, and is probably an A cacia. I t an average price of two shillings and two pence per much resembles the Acacia Dealbata, of which large pound during the year. This gives a surprising return quantises reach us from Australia, the best mimosa per acre per annum. For instance, trees at the giving 24 per cent of tannin. This new variety, if (ultimate) distance of 30 feet, would stand 50 to the it be so, yields 13 55 per cent of tannin; and if • found acre. Allowing only 30 of these to be female or in sufficient quantity might be worth exporting to fruiting trees, the value of the yield would be £60 England. If roughly ground, to economise space, it per acre per annum. It is somewhat, remarkable that would probably be worth 91. or 10/. per ton. there has not been any considerable fluctuation in I have also received from India specimens of the price during the last 15 years, but on the whole, bark of the babool tree (Acacia Arabica), which gives the price has risen. That the nutmeg tree is per a percentage of 18 '95 of tannin. One fact worthy of fectly at home in Trinidad needs no further con notice with this bark is the beautiful creamy white firmation. It might be desirable however for persons colour it gives when precipitated with gelatine, this contemplating the planting of Nutmegs to examine being at present the only bark or tannin material the trees at the Gardens carefully, as also account- that gives that colour. The babool is very abundant sales at my office. It might further be mentioned in India, and might be worth sending to England, that a batch of young trees planted in August 1878— were, for the best kind of work, it would probably 25 inches high—from bamboo pots, are now five feet be worth from 12/. to 14Z. per. ton. high and stoutly branched.— Report Trinidad Gardens. Thanking you for the space accorded to this letter, I beg to remain, Yours truly, W. N. E vans. Tanners’ Laboratory, 13, Canon Street, Taunton, THE COFFEE AND SUGAR PRODUCING COUNTRIES. FELLING TIMBER. M e x ic o . TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ MADRAS MAIL.” Coffee production in Mexico is at present confined to the mountain plateau, most of thp plantations being S i r , —In a late issue of the M ail, there appeared situated in the valleys which stretch out around a letter from a correspondent of your signing himself Orizaba and Cordova. It grows on volcanic soil, always “ Bob Sawyer,” asking for information as to the the best for coffee so far as requisite flavor is concerned. proper time of felling timber, and as I have seen Both in point of outward looks and superior quality, no answer to it, the following remarks may be use Mexican coffee from those localities need not shrink ful :—The old received idea in Europe is that the from comparison with Costa Rica. Production does w inter, i.e., the time of inaction, when the sap is not now exceed 20,000 tons, about one-third of which out of the tree, is the proper time for felling, be is exported, mostly to the United States, where it is cause then the wood having the minimum of sap very much liked. Should American capital ever take in it, and the drying of the wood being more gradual charge of this agricultural branch, even but to a than in hot weather, it is less apt to crack badly moderate extent, the yield would soon be carried to in seasoning. It is therefore usual to fell in winter. five times what it is at present. And this is one of the But on the other hand, many proprietors fell in sum possibilities, not to say probabilities. Indeed no better mer, and assert that provided the tree is barked investment could, we believe, be made, provided always immediately on its being felled, the timber turns out the revolutionary period is closed for good. better than that felled in winter. “ Bob Sawyer” The expense of transportation on m uU back, will thus see that the question is not settled even especially (luring the rainy season, was too Wavy to in Europe, where there have been Forest Depart foster agriculture and mining in most parts of the ments for centuries; so it is to be hoped he will country with a view to export, except so far as vanilla, not be very hard on the Indian Forest Department cochineal, indigo aud rich argentiferous ore were con if it is not able to give him cut and dried rules, cerned. Even for coffee the overland freights down as it has not been going for as many decades. Nob to the coast were excessive till the railorad from Vera being aware of any such rules I can merely give Cruz to Mexico was built, which traverses the main him my ideas on the subject. The old practice coffee region. pursued in Europe will not apply out here. The Our imports from Mexico last year amounted to hot weather is the dead season for most of our §14,524,898, including 89,115,824 worth of species, while deciduous trees. The consequence of felling then we exported thither §6,069,315 worth of domestic goods. would be a too speedy drying under the fierce heat Coffee was received from there to the extent of 4,400 of the sun, untempered by the foliage of the sur tons, being more than five times our import thence rounding trees which has then fallen. The timbhr eight years ago^ this certainly promises well.— Rio would consequently crack badly. It seems to me N ew s; then that the best time for felling is the monsoon and cold weather, when the drying goes on more gradually, I would recommend too that the bark and NEW TANNING MATERIALS. white wood be cut off immediately after felling, by TO THE EDITOR OF “ THE BRITISH TRADE JOURNAL.” which means the portions charged with sap would be got of. , J u n g l e M a n . S ir ,—As a result of the offer made through the medium of your journal in June last, I have received a sample of the bark of a tree growing in the upper T H E SAM AN T R E E IN T R IN ID A D . provinces of Buenos Ayres, known by the natives as The great Saman trees occurring in the ravine, ever “ Cumpoe.” Unfortunately the senders did not enclose extending thefr gigantic arms more widely and with the bark whole, or auy portion of the wood, lest denser growth, have rendered the larger part of the 200 ravine unavailable for the growth of trees requiring ripened (Eschscholtzia Californica, Delphinium ajacisj. sunlight for the development of their flowers or fruits. When the flowers are very few and the leaves Many of the Coffee trees there are in consequence , num erous (Papavera somniferum, Hesperis maritima, non-productive. This fine tree has lately attracted j Silene pendula), the dry matter increases in weight some attention from having ascribed to it in South during the ripening of seed.—Pharmaceutical Journal. America the peculiar capacity of exuding a moisture in the form of fine rain. It thus became invested SOME EFFECTS OF HEAT AND LIGHT with the name of Rain-tree. The trees in this quarter however have never exhibited any such peculiarity. ON VEGETATION. Its character as a pasture tree is in high esteem A curious modification of the normal structure of everywhere, bearing as it does large quantities of plant stems has been observed by M. Prillieux on highly nutritions beans which are an excellent fodder making the temperature of the ground about the plant for cattle, and ripening at a time, February and March, higher than that of the air above. Beans and pump when grass is most scarce—except that, by their kins gave the best results. The seeds were placed in astringency apparently, they certainly have the effect earth in a large dish, in which was inserted part of of diminishing the yield of milk in cows. There a brass rod bent at a right angle and having a gas would appear to be an erroneous notion abroad as flame applied to its horizontal end. The chamber was the character of its wood, conclusions having been moist and cold. The seed germinated well; but on arrived at from the study of the character of wood coming above ground the plants acquired a peculiar found in young trees—say below 20 years, and the shape, they grew but little in length and became wood had been pronounced sappy and worthless. unsusually thick, the latter growth involving much Such, however, is not the case with wood of matured tension in the surface layers, so that deep rifts before trees. In such, the wood is almost exactly that of long appeared (mostly transverse) and made further old chestnut, and that too with a very small amount growth impossible M. Prillieux found the enlargement of sap-wood. Moreover the wood is specially valuable traceable mainly to an increase, not of the number, as check blocks for the Railway brakes, and indeed but of the volume of cells in the interior (cells of for any purpose in which non-liability to wrap even the cortical tissue and the pith). The excessive growth in our suo, great strength, combined with toughness, of these cells occurred not only in the cell wall, but and durability above ground are essential. The saman in the nucleus, which was often multiplied. The excess trees raised from seed and planted in the Queen’s of temperature of the ground over the air was about Park in 1866—14 years ago, now measure at 5 feet 10 deg. Again, the view adopted by the older botan from ground nearly 8 feet circumference, and with ists that light is either without effect on germination, a spread from opposite aides of 96 feet. This about or as an adverse effect fails to harmonize with some equals the size attained by Elms in Europe in 50 or results lately arrived at by Herr Stebler, in the case 60 years. The young trees planted on the western of many seeds of .agricultural importance, such as side of Belmont pasture 18 months ago, have done varieties of meadow grass (p o a ). the germination of well, and now make some effect: Inga saman is 20 which he finds to be favoured considerably more by feet high.—Report Trinidad Gardens. light than by heat. Thus, with two groups of 400 seeds each of Poa nemoralis, in one experiment, there germinated in light 62 per cent, and in darkness 3 CHANGES ACCOMPANYING THE RIPENING per cent. Similarly with Poa pratensis in light 59 per OF CERTAIN PLANTS.* cent;- in darkness 7 per cent, and so on. Sunlight being a very variable force difficult of determination, BY P. P. DE'h b ' r a IN A N D B R e ' a l . experiments were further made with gaslight, and D6h6rain explains the loss in weight of dry matter with the same result—that light favours the germin which occurs during the maturation of the seed in ation of certain seeds, especially grasses, and that the cereals and other plants. The formation of the these germinate either not at all, or very scantily, seed involves the transport of carbohydrates and in darkness. The fact was verified by Herr Stebler nitrogeneous bodies from one part of the plant, to in quite a series of seeds, Pestuca, Cynosurus Alopecm-u,s, be afterwards stored up in another part. In the &c. In the case of seeds that germinate quickly and case of the carbohydrates, this transport does not easily, as clover, beans, or peas, be thinks light necessitate any loss in weight, since they exist in is prob^Sy not advantageous.—Planters’ Gazette. the form of reserve materials (starch, etc.), which take no active part in the phenomena of growth. MATE. But in the transport of nitrogeneous bodies a certain quantity of protoplasm has to disappear from the Mr. L. Gouty, after a special visit to South America, living cells in the form of asparagine, to reappear in contributes to the Revue Scientifique an article giving the seed as legumin, glutin, etc. Assimilation then the results of his examination of the food question on ceases in the cells thus deprived of protoplasm, but that continent, especially with respect to nutrious oxidation still goes on, and thus a loss of weight is beverage known as matd, which he believes is destined produced. The authors distinguish three cases. In to replace qpffee and alcohol to a gnat extent. The those plants which flower rapidly and bear simul leaves are derived from the Ilex Paraguayensis, w hich taneously, a large number of flowers in proportion to grows to a height of from three to six metres, and covers the size of the plant (Sinapis nigra, Coltvsia bicolor), acres of ground throught Paraguay, Rio Grande,Parana, there is always a loss in weight of dry matter; and the province of St. Catherine. This represents assimilation suddenly ceases throughout a large por an extent of country larger than France and Germany tion of the plant, but oxidation still goes on. In combined. The leaves, which are thick and oblong in plants which do not produce many flowers at once, shape are only picked every three or four years. They nor in too great proportion to the leaves, ripening is are dried by artificial means in the woods by the accompanied with only a temporary loss of weight; peasants themselves, who send them in a rough state a sufficient number of chlorophyll granules remain to the factories. Here they undergo a separating intact to carry on the work of assimilation, which process by means of sieves, and are afterward packed proceeds with renewed vigour after the seeds have ready for sale. In preparing the beverage the leaf is boiled for one or two minutes, the liquid furnished * Ann. Agronomique. vi., 398—400. Reprinted from being less limpid than tea, and not so dark as coffee. the Journal of the Chemical Society, January 1882. The aroma is les» pronounced than that of good tea, and the mate is sweeter to the taste than coffee, and sugar if desired, aud the drink is ready when it has may be drunk without sugar. Moreover, it may with stood (say, one minute). Each “charge” will bear advantage pass through seven or eight successive boilings watering perhaps three times, after which it should each time in fresh water, and the last infusions will be cleaned out. I fear that some Europeans will be be better than the first, but in this case it must not inclined to object to the process of drinking, which be allowed to get cold. is as follows:—The servant, either black or white, This product is now sold at the rate of 5s 6d and always has first suck (in order to clear the tube of 6s 6d per 15 kilogrammes (33£ lb.), delivered at dust), the “mat6” is then handed to the party one Antonine, a shipping port in Parana, and as each by one, and all draw in the liquid through the same kilogramme furnishes 40 litres (about 36 quarts) of a pipe. But use accustoms one to anything, and I have strong infusion, the cost per litres is less than a farthing. drunk contentedly from the steaming cup in very But this rate would be still leas if there were proper mixed and somewhat questionable commny ere now, means of traffic from the woods, carriage being three upon the prarie, and should be quite re ™y to “repeat times as expensive as the original article. A great the dose.” The drink has one great advantage—it reduction might fairly be anticipated if railways or is cheap; if my memory fails me not, it is about even good roads were constructed; but at present the Is. per lb. The mate and bombilla cost, say, IQs. transit is made by means of mules along swep and I believe moreover, that it has great “staying powers.” rugged paths. From a chemical analysis of this plant, The Gauchos in South America say that if you want it appears that it contains the same properties as coffee, to ride “long and strong” take a piece of bread and an alkaloid, with oleaginous essences and resinous a “mate.” A Chileno I once met on board ship said gums, but as the quantity of the latter present is much that he went through the famine of the Commune greater than in coffee, the nutritive element is superior. in Paris on “mate.” Possibly, like Alexander Selkirk, This analysis is confirmed by experience. The in “his right there was none to dispute,” and while his habitants drink nothing else, and with mate and meat hungry but unenlightened fellow-sufferers would have they live well, without experiencing any desire for quarrelled over his boots, they allowed him to take bread or vegetable, although the country is favourable his cup in peace. Apologising for consuming so much for the cultivation oi maize and potatoes, if necessary. of your space in singing the praises of “ another The cattle tenders often remain absent for days from drink, ” I remain yours, all human habitation with their herds, and are con E r n e s t G e l d a r t . tent to forego their usual meals if only they have a Little Braxted Rectory, Witham. good supply of mate, which thus appears to be an — South American Journal. active element of food, and, unlike coffee, produces •neither sleeplessness nor palpitation.—Planters' Gazette. SOMETHING ABOUT THE POTATO. The general cultivation of the potato, as made MATE DEINKING. known to us by the chemists who have been study ing this branch of the tuber. Generally speaking, The following communication has been addressed to large seed produces more large potatoes than small ^ c o n te m p o ra ry :— Seed. Most people might take this for granted, with S ir ,—For some two or three years I have been a out corroborating the supposition by numerous ex “ mate drinker,” and am delighted to find myself not periments, as the chemist does, for the chemist must alone in my “ indulgence.” Considering the easy com bring forward positive results only to bear out his munication and frequent intercourse between England suppositions. and the Argentine Republic,, it has been a source The influences of the blossoms makes a great deal of wonder that the drink of Paraguay has not long of difference in the yield of the crop, as the follow ago been popularised in this country. In the Paris ing results show :- 208 eentrs. 19 lb. of tubers were Exhibition of 1878 the “ yerba," as it is called, was obtained from plants from which the blossoms had sold, but, juding from an extremely musty and stale been removed, and only 181 eentrs. 48 lb. from plants specimen which I saw in a friend’s hands, was per not so treated. I do not think many readers of haps not calculated to inspire confidence. The tea Knowledge would have thought that the difference (or herb rather) will keep in perfectly good condition could have been so great. . for a long time, if preserved In a cow-skin bag in It has been found that the growth of sprouts on which it is sold; in fact, I have some by me now potatoes depends on their nearness to the apex of three years old. The chief difficulty is to make the the tuber; if they are treated with water in sun tea. Although, to quote the advertisements, it is done light, the growth increases forty or fifty times, by “ simply pouring boiling water,” yet this requires although this not the case in the dark. Absence of to be done very deftly, or else the pipe through light is necessary for the growth of young tubers. which the drink is sucked becomes clogged with dust Heat produces very beneficial results to the grow and twigs, and the cup which does “ not inebriate” ing plant. On this account too early planting is fails also to “.cheer.” The process of making, to be injurious, for potatoes require the same total heat successful, is thus performed:—Having procured your to. bring out the leaf buds ; so, should the plants “ mate,” which is the small gourd from which the be planted too soon, it would require, as experiment tea is drank, put into it two or three spoonfuls of shows, perhaps forty days instead of fourteen to bring the “ yerba,” or tea, and then closing the top of the them to this stage, but it is well, at the same time, matb with the hand, turn it upside down, and shake to t>ear in mind the fact that if they are left too it well. The object of this proceeding is to bring the late, the ground will become equally unsuitable. dust to Ihe top and the twigs to the bottom (when Potato rot is the next point to be .^nsidered, of the cup is returned to its normal position). Having which there are three kinds—viz., dry, wet, and shaken it thus, turn the gourd slowly round till the sweet rot. In the dry and wet rot it has been found “ yerba" has fallen back just enough to enable you that the potatoes with the maximum starch resist to remove your hand from the orifice without spilling the disease most effectually. Potatoes grown on moist the contents. Then take the “bombilla," a silver soils and soils containing much organic matter are tube with a pierced bulb at the end, and ship the most liable to the disease. The starch iu diseased same carefully under the “ yerba,” and turn the potatoes is yellow, but can be used for manufacturing “ mate" upright, being very careful not to shake the a sesond quality of dextrin. In dry rot the tuber contents. Then “pour the boiling water,” adding is loose and spongy, coated on the outride with mould. The disease is originally due to Bacteriae, and GOVERNMENT GARDENING AND FARMING- another para-ite is often present at the same time. The report of the progress and conditions of the Wet rot, I forgot to say, diflers from dry rot in Government Botanical Gardens as Saharanpur and this respect, the interior of the tuber is partially Massoorie is an interesting record of the progress of liquid and the outside coated with mould. During botanical science in Northern India. Mr. Duthie rotting, the potato lo«es half its nitrogenous con remarks:—“ There is no hard-and-fast line of di stitutions and the whole of the sugar. vision between results of scientific and those of practical The Sweetwort is formed by a parasite called M ueor interest, so that one set of facts could be grouped mucedo. The mycelium of the parasite travels to a cert as scientific, and another of practical, for science ain distance inside of the potato, and then disappears. does not cease where practice commences, but is Bacteria rapidly destroys the plants. There is another rather made manifest by its application. There are, parasite, called Aspergillus niger, which produces a of course, certain subjects which may be rightly similar result* It seems rather uncertain as to termed practical, and others unmistakably scientific; whether cane sugar or glucose is formed : some chem there is also a third set which may be said to par ists say the one, others the latter. take of the characters of both. It is the preponder We all are familiar with frozen potatoes, but not ance of ^ is latter in my present report which has many of us know in what manner the frost affe ts them. made itWnposaible for me to divide it satisfactorily Frost has the effect of doubling the amount of sugar in into the two sections as desired.” the tuber, the starch diminishing in proportion ; part With Australian grasses we note the usual failure of the protein passes from the congulable to the in an economic point of view, none of them equalling soluble form. the common Indian dub, or hurrialee. Indeed, when To prevent rot in potatoes, the tubers, whether properly treated it would be difficult to find its equal, sound or diseased when taken from the ground, are either green, or as hay in any country, for though left in a weak solution of calcium chloride—one part we miss in it the sweet Authoxanthum oderatum of to a thousand of water—for half-an-hour. They are English pastures, we know its aroma to be excellent, then transferred to a soda solution of the same strength, while its nutritive qualities are incontestable. In the after which they are washed with clean water and hotter parts of Australia which most resemble India, air dried. Half kilo of calcium chloride and the same both dub and guinea grass are decided acquisitions, amount of soda is sufficient for 250 kilos of potatoes. so it is doubtful whether any great assistance can A kilo is a little over 2 lb. 3 oz. be given from the Adelaide Gardens to those in Even though potatoes are badly diseased, they are India in furnishing improved forage or fodder plants. still useful for cattle food-. T hey are best c u t u p In South Australia one is struck with the fact that and boiled or merely scalded, mixed with chopped the fields once ploughed are for years weedless, and straw or chaff, and stored in narrow trenches covered only at length become weedy with the inroad of up with clay. So stored, they will keep for many imported plants run wild ; yet the greatest friend to years. If steamed, they should be kept in casks, as th e hurrialee is the plough, when used in moderation. there is more adhering moisture. If it is not con But if Dr. Schoinburg cannot send grapes from his venient to heat them as above, they should at once lovely Gardens at Adelaide, he has contributed in the be sent to the distillers. earth almond what may be a most desirable tubes* With regard to the best kind of potato for yield Although Australia has not so far yielded a grass and quality, there seems to be a good deal of differ of marked value we note no deficiency from other ence in opinion, as the following examples will show. countries. The guinea grass, for which Jamaica now 1. For quality and quantity : Champion, Richter’s pays taxes on over 100,000 acres is at Saharunpore, Imperator, Eos, &c. 2. Richter’s Imperator for yield as elsewhere in India a success, just in proportion is far the best; iS of a hardly nature, smooth, and to the attention it receives. Tambokie grass is also the stalk is tall and straight. Next in order are reported favorably on, as having been received from Violet, Victoria, Irlachin, Richter’s Snowrose, &c. the Cape of Good Hope, and as being relished by 3. For starch and yield: Eos, Aurora Alcohol; cattle, and Lucerne is valuable as a perennial. lower in yield but very high in starch, Achilles and We now turn to the report of the Cawnpore Ex Ceres. Richter’s Imperator Early Rose, &c., very perimental Farm Operations for 1880-81, and learn heavy yields. The -above forms three Opinions of that during the Rabi season, the farm was the means three chemists; they all seem to agree that tlie Im of bringing to light .some interesting agricultural perator is the largest yielder. facts. With a rainfall amounting to only 2'21 inches in eight months, irrigation had to be employed to The most successful way of manuring is to partially germinate the crops, most of which were sown be dig the manure into the ground. The application of tween October loth and November 7th. As a natural nitrogenous and phosphate manures without farmyard consequence ‘ patchy’ crops were the result, a defi manure is much less to be trusted on a poor soil ciency of the moisture in the subsoil being inimical than on a rich one. Manuring on fertile soil is not to healthy root growth. The effect of two kinds of productive of any great gain. Sheep-dung produces manure were brought very prominently! into notice, a yield of 50 per cent higher than any other arti both of this being nitrogenous. These were, first ficial manure, aud 60 per cent higher than if no enriching the land by green soiling, that is ploughing dung be applied at all. Extra supplies of ammoniacnl a leguminous crop into the land before it begins to and superphosphates produce no increase. Compost form seed; and secondly, using human excreta. As has the same effect as if the land were unmanure^l, except that there is an im--rea=e. of starch. The nn- both were highly successful, aud were contrasted with cattle dung, and the ashes of cattle dung as manured plots are highest in disease. A good mixture well as other manures, the following results of the is Chili Saltp^re and Baker's superphosphate in the expermeut are worth attention. The figures show the propotion of one of the former to two of the latter mixed with stable manure. Bone meal, one author increase per acre. says, increa-es the weight of product, and it is also Per cent in gross outturn. G rain. Straw . Net profit. very likely that the whole plant likewise increases in Manures yielding nitrogen R. a. p. weight. There is another substance which has been Green soiling 151 91 26 0 9 tried viz., peat, and good peat is found to give even Poudrette . . 166 109 25 4 5 better results than good stable manure.—F. C. S.— Cattle dung 83 47 6 0 2 Cattle dung plus gypsum 73 39 Loss Rl-1-1 Knowledge. Manures without nitrogen Grain. Straw. Net profit. for the ryot in lieu of persuading him to carry out Ashes of cattle dung 56 23 Loss,,0-2 5 the ordinary agricultural practice of an enlightened Bone superphosphate 33 8 Loss per acre age, deep cultivation, the use not the abuse of water, Bone dust ... 12 Loss 5 Loss R2-2-4 the conservation of manure, selection of seed, and The most prominent fact shewn in this table is so on.—Madras Mail. the great superiority of the nitrogenous over the non-nitrogenous manures. Under the heading Irrig THE SUPPLY OF CINCHONA BARK. ation the value of a late watering is prominently brought forward, rfor while one, two, and three Though the enormous advance during the last few waterings gave increases in grain of from 300 to 370 weeks in the price of quinine sulphate and of the per cent over a plot unwatered which was a total bark from which that important medicine is manu failure, a fourth watering ran up the percentage to factured has been caused probably by speculative 500 in grain, and 350 in straw, or in other words operations, the fact is suggestive of the necessity for an extra watering, costing R4-14-0 per acre, gave an a more assured regularity in the relation between increase of R20 in the total produce. Again, a the supply of the raw material and the demand for useful experiment is recorded as an off-shoot of this, it. At present the South American sources of supply, although it is given as a difference of ploughing time, though naturally abundant, are under conditions which as in the one case ploughed-up land received and leave room for some apprehensions as to their con retained the rain, while it would to a great extent tinuing to be available in the same manner that they be wasted on unploughed lands :— have been hitherto. The cultivation of cinchonas has indeed been undertaken in some parts*of the country, Outturn per acre. Grain. Straw. Value. but from the unsettled state of political affairs and lb. lb. R. a. p. the insecurity of property, it may be a long time Portion ploughed in July ... 1,630 2,676'4 55 9 10 before this work is so generally entered upon as to N o t ploughed till S ept. 983 1,493 8 32 13 10 provide a more constant supply of bark in place of Hence the difference in value of outturn made by that derived from the natural forests. early ploughing amounted to over R22 per acre. Under these circumstances the cultivation of cin Following on as a natural .sequence, we learn that chona in India, Ceylon and Java acquires an especial a crop of castor oil grown on the Farm on deeply importance, and any step that promises to conduce cultivated land, was the only crop of any kind to the successful.prosecution of this enterprise deserves gathered from land of the same description for miles to meet with encouragement. In this relation we are around. glad to mention the publication of a small work in • Of new staples tried we may dismiss Cape oats as Ceylon, under the title of th.e ‘ Cinchona Planter’s th6y do not thrive in Southern India, with the re Manual,’ in which the author, Mr. T. C. Owen, has mark that they yielded remarkably well, giving 2,299 furnished a risum e of the information, scattered through lb. of grain and 3,993 lb. of straw per acre. Some blue books and other difficulty accessible works, con trials were made with acclimatized American corn, cerning the experience which has been acquired since of such a variety, named the American Canada corn the attempt to cultivate cinchonas was first made by yielded no less than 4,382 lb. of hulled corn per the Dutch and British Governments. Within the acre, giving the handsome profit of R64-8-7. This space of 203 octavo pages, Mr. Owen has given a should not be overlooked by Eurasians who would very lucid account of what is known on the subject, be agriculturists, for in Southern as well as Northern free from scientific technicalities and well adapted for India maize under competent management yields one guidance of planters engaged in the cultivation of quinine-yielding cinchonas. of the heaviest possible crops, as those who re member the late Bangalore Experimental Farm can In preparing this manual the works of Dr. King, testify. In the section devoted to the development Dr. Bidie, the late Mr. Maclvor, and the reports and construction of Improved Agricultural implements, on the India and Java Government plantations have we are amused at the account of an attempt to been laid under contribution, while a most useful introduce a winnowing machine. First an English classification of such members of the cinchona genus winnowing machine costing R200, and therefore as. are of interest, to planters, with the characteristics beyond the means of the average ryot, was tried; of each, has been furnished by Dr. Triraen, the then an implement of Farm construction value R35 Director of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. was used; and lastly the native method was tested. After giving a concise sketch of plant physiology The following results are record :— and a general description of the cinchona alkaloids, as well of the species and varieties of the alkaloid- Time to Cost of yielding cinchonas and of the results obtained by their Method of Num- winnow winnow- cultivation in India, Ceylon and Java, Mr. Owen winnowing. ber. Cost. 100 mds. ing. proceeds to treat of those matters which demand the English winnower 4 Men. 6£ An. 18/i. 58m. 15 4 Ans- special consideration of the planter, such as the Farm ,, ... 3 ,, 5£ ,, 32,, 16,, 21 * 1 ,, choice of land in regard to soil, situation, climatic Native method ... 3 ,, 5| ,, 28,, 33,, 18'7 „ conditions, elevation, etc., the several operations of English winnower 4 ,, 6£ ,, 20,, 50,, 16'9 ,, clearing, weeding, laying out of roads, draining an I Farm „ ... 3 „ 5£ „ 40 „ 39 „ 26 6 „ planting. Then follows a chapter on the management Native method ... 3 ,, 10£ ,, 51,, 41,, 67 8 ,, of nurseries, on manuring, and harvesting, while in The idea that wind can be usefully converted into the succeeding part of the woik the diseases and a nlotive power by means of an American ^mdmill enemies of the cinchona trees are dealt with. is disproved, and the experiment is cons^tently In speaking of the important subject of hybridiz valuable in exploding a widely entertained idea. The ation, Mr. Owen endorses Mr. Broughton’s opinion working of the windmill, costing when delivered that the numerous so-called hybrids are in many R300, was, with the wages of a boy to look after cases rather sports or forms developing into races it 5 annas a day, which is proved to be more than which probably occur in South America. Thus trees the dhenkoli, worked by two men, and the windmill of officinalis obtained by cuttings from two apparently was totally disabled by a dust storm, apparently of identical plants showed all the varieties known as no more than ordinary velocity. This windmilll was officinalis, Condaminea, Uritusinga, crispa, etc., the obtained at the suggestion of the Government of India tendency to vary being so strong that even a twig who are ever on the look-out for a happy panacea in a tree showed foliage different from the parent types. This seems borne out by the fact that in importance, having declared it to be, together with plants on a twig of which variegated leaves have the bitter taste of the bark, the greatest safeguard been developed, other twigs of the same plant, when of the chemist against deception and the strongest grown as cuttings, will not develops variega'ed proof of the identity of the parent tree. He shows leaves. A writer in the Ceylon Observer states that that bark possessing this appearance will realize as much at the intermediate zones, where climates of inferior as 50 per cent, or sometimes even 100 per cent, suitability to the growth of various species are mot above its intrinsic va ue. This is because the drug with, a large number of hybrid forms have developed, gist may be said to buy on appearance only, and better suited to the climate they grow in than the with little reference to the intrinsic value of the parent trees. Dr. Trimen also is of opinion that b ark . some of the so-called hybrids may be new or at These remarks are very instructive and show that least previously unobserved forms, while others are this little work is well worthy of perusal by the more or less similar to tbdke already noticed in Sjouth wholesale and retail druggists as well as by the America. The true relationship of the various forms, cinchona planter. There is no doubt some truth in the however, probably requires a wider consideration, in remarks that are quoted above.—Pharmaceutical which the microscopical structure of the bark and Journal. the alkaloids yielded by the different forms, making allowance for difference in climate and elevation, are TRADE AMONG THE DYAKS OF BORNEO. each allowed due weight. Mr. Owen expresses his opinion that locally pre As considerable attentinon is being directed to the pared febrifuges will never be able to compete with prospect of increased commercial relations with Borneo, the cheaper crystallized alkaloids prepared in Eng owing to the grant of a charter to an English land, the great manufacturers having appliances and colonising company, whose operations will be conducted probably secret processes which give them enormous on the east coast of that island, we extract from advantages. Thus while Sikkim febrifuge was being Carl Bock's work, just published by Messrs. Sampson sold for 20 rupees per pound, sulphate of cinchonine Low & Co., entitled the “Head Hunters of Borneo,” could be bought for 5 rupees and sulphate of cin- the following paragraphs descriptive of the commercial chonidine for 17 "50 rupees in E ngland. H e also products of the island «t present utilised by the believes that there is but little fear of the supply n a tiv e s:— of quinine yielding barks exceeding the demand, “ During the dry season the Dyaks, especially the whilst if the local preparation of febrifuge from women, go out in numbers and collect dam ar, a sort the red barks proves a success there will be less of resin, which is produced in abundance by ^rtain fear of the latter flooding the market. Mr. Gammie, kinds of trees, three different kinds being reedgnised of Rungbee, is said to have discovered a cheap pro —viz., dark brown, yellow, and nearly white add cess, whereby the sulphate of quinine, mixed with a transparent. The ‘damar’ runs from thie trees to the small proportion of cinchonine, can be extracted so ground, and is often mixed with earth and very dirty. as to be sold at about the same low price as the When this is the case the natives make a sort of Sikkim febrifuge. The great difficulty experienced, putty which they call doempoel, first pounding the however, is the thorough exhaustion of alkaloid from resin, then adding to it a little chalk and cocoanut-oil. the bark. When packing up my collections of birds, &c., I In speaking of the use of bark for pharmaceuticalfound that the%ood was split in several places, leaving purposes, Mr. Owen remarks that sometimes the cracks sufficiently wide to admit ants and other large druggists are obliged to buy officinalis. W hen destructive insects. Observing this, a Dyak made me this happens they usually resell the bark to the some ‘doempoel,’' and filled up the crevices, making manufacturer, after extracting by their method a the case prefectly tight. This putty hardens quickly part of its contents, and it not unfrequently happens after it is applied, and is very durable. The ‘damar’ that the bark proves to be almost as rich in quinine is also used in the manufacture of torches, which are as it was before it had been subjected to the treat made of bundles of leaves mixed with powdered resin. ment of the druggist. His method fails to extract When burning, these torches emit a very feeble light, the whole of the quinine, or even of the inferior alkal but a very strong smoke and smell. The superior oids. It is obvious tha$ the chemist does not want advantages of petroleum will, no doubt, soon be a valuable quinine bark, but rather a softer bark, appreciated among the Dyaks, as they are already among like th e succirubra, rich in total alkaloids, which the Malays, who have for some years burnt this oil, are separable by his method, but comparatively poor which they call minia tana (earth oil). in quinine. Though the alkaloids are not completely “ The cutting of rattan is, however, the chief occup extracted by the process he uses, they yield to in ation of the Dyaks. This is carried on in the rainy fusion sufficient to justify him in styling the result season, when they make excursions to the very a “ tonic mixture.” As a cheap bark, but yet rich numerous rivers and creeks, on whose banks the several in the more easily separable tonic and febrifugal species of this valuable prickly climbing plant are matter, the succirubra may then rightly be termed, found growing in great abundance. There are three par excellence, “ druggists’ bark.” sorts in special demand in trade—the Rotan irit, w hich The features which Mr. Owen describes as having is the best, the Sankolirang, and an inferior variety. most weight with the druggist are the boldness and The price at Samarinda varies from ninety-five florins firmness, the regularity of the roll, the length and to twenty-five florins for 100 ikkat or bundles—each evenness of the quill. With a quiet irony he ob bundle containing forty rattans. The apparent differ serves that these points are■ “ evidences of care in ence i^euality is so slight that it requires an ex- “ preparation of the bark, and they therefore in- periencCTPeye to detect it. The rattan is sold to Malay “ directly testify, for the satisfaction of the chemist traders, and by them brought down to the shipping “ and his customers, to the identity and, as a ports on immense rafts—those on the Bari to river “ necessary corollary, to the medicinal virtues of the sometimes measuring 300 or .400 feet long and 60 or “ b a rk .” 70 feet wide, made of a number of large trees tied Anothef point to which he calls the attention of firmly together by means of rattan rope...... exporters, viz.. the presence of a silvery coating of “ Besides forming -the chief article of trade in its the epidermis of the bark and if possible the pre raw state, rattan furnishes the material for the manu sence of crnstaceons and stringy lichens, to which, facture of an endless variety of useful objects. Take he goes pn to say, tradition has given a fictitious away his bamboo, and you take away the Dyak’a house. Take away his rattan, and you deprive the to the Boegis, who re-sell them to the Chinese Dyak of half the articles indispensable to his existence. medicinal purposes, and are sold at fabulous prices. What crochet-work "is to the ' European lady, rattan There are two sorts, the galiga landah and O. boeliis. plaiting is to the Dyak housewife. She is always The former, the more expensive of the two, are derived manufacturing either sleeping mats, sitting mats, sirih from an externaj wound on the porcupine. They are boxes, baskets of all shapes and sizes, and for all very light in weight, and of a brown colour. They kinijs of uses, besides long pieces of plait to be used taste exactly like quinine; and so strong is this as cords, ropes, or threads, in dressmaking, house property that when a piece is held inside the hand, building, raft construction, and the hundred and one aud the tongue applied outside, the bitter taste can other purposes of daily life in the forest. be detected. It appears to me that these galiga are “ In some parts of the interior I have seen baskets composed of bits of leaves, &c., gradually collected made from the bark of the trees which are prefectly on the wound, and formed into a ball by the congealed watertight. blood. The other sort, the O. boeliis, are found at “ The next product which claims the Dyak’s attention, times, the Dyaks tell me, in different parts of the and is largely exported, is gutta-percha (rnallau), which body of the bnehis monkey (Semnopithecus cristatus), is yielded by many different species of trees. The called in the intericr boehis. .They are of a greenish- tree yielding the best gutta percha is called by the brown colour, often beautifully polished, and are mostly natives KomaXlau Durian from the resemblance of its kidneyshaped, though varying in colour. They are leaves to those of the Durian. Another variety is nothing else than gallstones, similar to those found known as the Komallau Bamas. The natives eat the in human bodies. The Chinese grind the galiga to fruit, which is somewhat sweet in flavour, The juice a powder, and take a little of it in a tumbler of when first extracted is of a milky-white colour; but water. The curative properties attributed to this it turns chocolate-brown as it hardens by exposure draught are legion; there is not an ailment that it to the air. The Dyaks have not yet graduated in is not able to cure. It may, indeed, be called the the science of forest conservation. Instead of making ‘ Holloway’s Pills and Ointment ’ of the Chinese, rolled incisions it regular intervals in the bark of a tree, all into one.”—Colonies and India. and extracting a portion of the juice at different periods, by which its further growth would not be prevented, they usually adopt the radical expedient of cutting THE ALKALOIDS OF CUPREA BARK. the whole tree down. The consequence is that the Mr. David Howard’s letter, in reference to a note material is becoming more and more difficult to procure, which appeared in the Chemical News last week, gives and will eventually become scarce, if not extinct, in good reasons for withholding assent the sugges th e island. . . . tion that the crystalline alkaloid, observed in cuprea “ Another occupation is gathering wax (Wing) from bark simultaneously and independently by several the nests of the indigenous bees. Along the banks of chemists, is merely a compound of quinine and quin- the rivers may be seen hundreds of high straight trees, idine. If that were the case we should have to admit covered with from twenty to sixty nests. It is a that by the combination of these two alkaloids the curious fact—at variance with the almost universal capability of one of them to form a very sparing habit among all animals to conceal their nests as hydriodate was obliterated, and that by the union much as possible—that the bees always select* for of a dextrogyrate alkaloid with one of laevogyrate their nests a tree with a light grey bark, against action the rotatory power was augmented in one direc which their dark-coloured homes stand out very tion instead of being reduced to nothing, as analogy conspicuously. These wonderful architectural structures, would suggest in such a case. Moreover the occur- again, are always placed near the river, never in the rence of quinidine together with quinine is not a interior of the forests. If this is done by an instinctive circumstance peculiar to cuprea bark, but is frequent desire to protect the nests from the ravages cf monkeys in other varieties, though the crystalline alkaloid and other animals inhabiting the woods, it is strange obtained from the former has not been observed in that the insects should defeat this object in the colour them. It seems to be unquestionably peculiar to of the nests. I was told by the Dyaks that the cuprea bark, and from that point of view to rank Orang Poouan* (the forest people) are the chief collectors with the unusual crystalline form of the sulphate of wax, pulling down the nests in the night, when obtained from this bark as one of several reasons it is very dark, and driving away or suffocating the for believing that it contains a hitherto unknown insect communities by means of their smoke-producing alkaloid.—Pharmaceutical Journal, January 14. damar torches. They often get stung during the operation, but bear the pain with indifference. The honey (madoe) is nearly all kept by the natives for NOTE ON A COMPOUND OF QUININE AND home consumption, and the wax exported, the price, AND QUINIDINE.* uncleaned, being 80 florins per picol of 120 katties. BY C. H. WOOD AND E. L. BARRET. “ The natives, and especially the Orang Poonan, also make it a regular industry twice a year to (Pharmaceutical Journal, 21st January 1882.) visit the caves in which a species of swallow, t':e The discovery of a new alkaloid, closely resembling Hinindo escultnta breed, and to collect their nests, quinine, in that description of cinchona bark known which form the basis of the celebrated Chinese dish in commerce as “ cuprea bark,” recently made by of birds-nest soup. These edible birds-nests (sarong D. Howard and J. Hodgkin, and almosst simul boeroeng) are of two varieties, and fetch high prices, taneously announced by B. H. Paul and A. O. the whiter kind realising from 160 to (80 florins per Co-vuley, and by \V. 61. Whiffen, will doubtless six katties, and the coloured or inferior quality selling attract much attention. As these chemists all de for from 110 to 115 florins per six katties. scribe this newly discovered alkaloid as chiefly re “ A curious industry is the collection of galiga, or marked for its property of crystallizing from an bezoar stones, which are also mostly secured by the ethereal solution, it may be of interest to briefly Orange Poonan. These galiga are highly prized for refer to a peculiar crystalline body which we also first became acquainted with in working on samples * A race of fair-skinned Dyaks, described and of these cuprea barks. sketched in his book by the author, A’ho was the WhenAmprea bark first cm n e into the market, we first European to penetrate into their forest homes, noticed that an ethereal so'u on of the total alkal- and to see the women of the tribe. * From the Chemical New. , Ja n u a ry 6, 1881, oids extracted from it would frequently furnish a In reference to the foregoing Mr. David Howard notable quantity of crystals that did not resemble wrote in the next number of the Chemical Neios, th a t those of any of the known cinchona alkaloids ob the note by Messrs. Wood and Barret did not explain tained under like circumstances. As the analysis of the new alkaloid described by three independent the total alkaloids, however, had not revealed the papers, since all who have found it agreed that the presence of any distinctive base, and* as the cupreas neutral sulphate recrystallized unchanged from water, are chiefly remarkable for yielding an unusually large the mother liquor giving no sign of the presence lof quantity of quinidine, * it seemed probable that these quinidine, See also the following letters from Mr. crystals were a compound of the quinine with the £>. Howard and Mr. W. G. Whiffen and Mr. C. H. quinidine. We, therefore, took two grains of the W ood. pure quinine and one grain of the pure quinidine, both yielded by the bark, and dissolved them together T h e A l k a l o id s o f C u p r e a B a r k . in ether. The solution furnished an abundant crop of the same crystals. These crystals, when collected, S i r ,— A note of Messrs. Wood and Barret in the washed with ether, and converted into neutral sulph Chemical News of last week may seem to throw doubt ate, furnished a quantity ef pure sulphate of quinine, on the existence of the new alkaloid observed in and the mother-liquor from which the sulphate had cuprea bark, and described in the paper read at the been separated yielding a like quantity of quinidine. last meeting of the Chemical Society. The specimens, The quinine and quinidine used in the experiment however, which we have experimented upon before had been carefully tested, they had each given the publishing the results cannot have been such a com correct angle of rotation to a ray of polarized light, pound of quinine and quinidine as is described in the one to the left and the other to the right, and their note, as the sulphate or repeated crystalliz the quinine had remained dissolved in ether for some ation showed no signs of separation into two bodies, weeks without furnishing a trace of crystallization. but remain unchanged in solubility and action on To satisfy ourselves that the power of forming this polarized light. The alkaloid also failed in all cases crystalline compound was not peculiar to the quinine to give the familiar hydriodate of quinidine and and quinidine yielded by cuprea barks, we took some yielded a tartrate of extreme insolubility. If it be pure quinine prepared by ourselves from South American proved to possess these characters and still to be a yellow bark, and also some quinine made in India molecular compound of quinine and quinidine it is from the calisaya grown in Sikkim. We fortunately a very remarkable phenomenon. Undoubtedly in estim possessed some pure quinidine that had been purchased ating this alkaloid we must be on our guard against from an eminent maker some time before cuprea such a combination as may easily be mistaken for it. barks came into commerce. Either of these quinines D a v id H o w a r d . dissolved with the quinidine in ether furnished a crystalline compound identical in all respects with S i r , — 1 1 1 a note by Messrs. Wood and Barrett in that just described. There could be no doubt, there th e Chemical News, of January 6, they refer to the fore, that ordinary quinine and quinidine possess the new alkaloid found in cuprea bark as being “ chiefly power of combining together to form a crystalline remarkable for its property of crystallizing from an compound very sparingly soluble in ether; also that ethereal solution.” A reference to the papers already the compound is easily separated into its constituents printed in your. Journal on this subject will shows by converting it into neutral sulphate, when the that it is more remarkable in the similarity of its quinine sulphate crystallizes out by its greater in salts to those of quinine, and in the great action its solubility, the quinidine sulphate remaining in solution. solution exerts on polarized light. The compound ot quinine and quinidine which these Perhaps the easiest way of obtaining this compound chemists have noticed in their analysis, and described is to dissolve 1 part of pure quinine in 30 or 40 in the note referred to, does not resemble the new of ether, and add to the liquid a saturated ethereal cuprea alkaloid in any respect, and I should not solution of a like quantity of pure quinidine. Upon expect it to be mistaken for that. Moreover, a com mixing, a crystalline precipitate of ihe body forms pound of equal proportions of quinine and quinidine, in abundance. Its solubility in ether is much less such as they describe, should exert a slight right- than that of either of its constituents, 100 c.c. of har.ded Rotation, whereas the cuprea alkaloid is power eiher at common temperature only dissolving 0'5 grm. fully lasvogyre to the polarized ray. of it. In my experience the new base is contained in It is more soluble, however, in ethereal solutions varying proportions in almost every sample of cuprea of quinine or of the amorphous alkaloids, and these bark, and from a sample which arrived in London solutions frequently exhibit supersaturation very well, in February last I have obtained as much as '9 per remaining clear for some hours and then suddenly cent, of the sulphate of the new base. giving an abundant crystallization. The compound, W . G e o r g e W h i f f e n . when isolated, may be re-crystallized from ether, apparently without change. Our results up to the S i r , —Mr. Howard in his letter in your current present moment indicate that it contains the quinine and number says, that “ the note of Messrs. Wood and Barret quinidine in equal proportions. Pressure of other work in th e Chemical News of last week may seem to had much retarded us in the study of this compound, throw doubt on the existence of the new alkaloid and the announcement of the newly-discovered alkal observed in cuprea bark.” I would point out, there oid by the chemists above-named took us somewhat fore, that we did not make this suggestion, and did by surprise. We at once commenced the examination not in any way question Mr. Howard’s results. of all the alkaloid products we have accumulated We simply described a combination of quinine with from several hundred samples of cuprea batk in the quinidine that is crystalline and very slightly soluble hope of getting some of the new base, but as yet in ether. It might be mistaken from the new alkal our attempts have been unsuccessful. W e have thought oid, as Mr. Howard states in his concluding sentence, it best, therefore, to publish our results thus far, for it easily crystallizes from an ethereal solution of and reserve fur'her particulars for a future commun the total alkaloids of many cupreas, and it can yield ication. • a crystalline sulphate which, when isolated, may be as lsevogyrate as quinine sulphate and give no hydio- * We have met with sevaral samples yielding over date of quinidine. 1 per cent of crystallized sulphate of quinidine. Yet, I may add, the improbabilities that you put forward in your editorial note are not involved ; these The railway carriage is exact. The Calcutta Agents’ are fanciful suggestions of your own that find no charges are calculated on the tea selling at 10 annas warrant in our article. C. H . W ood. per lb., and not at 8 annas as represented; so this [*** If the purport of Messrs. Wood and Barret’s item can also be considerably reduced. note was different from what Mr. Howard and others The estimated cost of the factory is a very liberal have understood, it is to be lamented that they did not one for a 300 acre garden. furnish the explanation of its meaning before. We Charcoal, oil for lighting and for engine and wood have their own assurance that they failed to obtain for engine are merely estimates, but even if under the new base, and a comparison of the above letter estimated they would not affect the total much. The with their original note shows that they may have manure statement is made from actual experience. made the mistake referred to by Mr. Howard as I have allowed R10,000 for Rolling Machinery, &c., possible and requiring to be guarded against. At —a very ample allowance I consider. « any rate, we have their own authority for the in If any one with a knowledge of the subject will ference, since they describe the molecular compound take the trouble to go over the different items, I feel of quinine and quinidine which they “ first became Hire that he will confess that every one of them is acquainted with in working on samples of these over-estimated, and that the garden could be got up cuprea barks,’’ as being separable—by crystallization for a smaller capital than I have fixed. In your Assam from water in the state of neutral sulphate—into correspondent’s letter I notice very heavy charges “ crystals of pure sulphate of quinine” and a “ mother for labour, but as the men oome up to us for nothing liquor” containing the quinidine ; while we now learn from the N. W. P. (or if we bring them up, their on the same authority that this compound “ can railway fare only costs R5 per man), we have none of yield a crystalline sulphate which, when isolated, these heavy expenses to meet. may be as ltevogyrate as quinine sulphate and give no hydriodate of quinidine.” The possibility of mis It may be objected that the yields per acre in the taking one thing for another is therefore the only 8th, 9th and 10th years, viz., 400 lb ., 450 lb ., and point on which we, like Mr. Howard, can agree with 5001b., is too high, but it must be remembered that the class of plant is Assam Hybrid, which is supposed Messrs. Wood and Barret.— E d . P h a rm . J ourn.]. to yield better than the China variety. I have a large area of 8 year old China which will this year ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF MAKING A 300 yield 400 lb. per acre, and I know of another garden where the 8 year old plants are expected to do more ACRE TEA GARDEN IN DEHRA DOON, INDIA. th a n th a t. I have read with much interest the statement in I know a large area of old China bushes, the manager your late issues of how to start a garden in Assam of which assured me that last year they yielded over and make it pay. As the cost of starting a garden 800 lb. per acre. I don’t think that any critic will in the Dehra Doon, and the probable profit to be quarrel with the rate at which I have estimated the obtained from it. might be interesting to some of tea to be sold' at, and considering that the variety is your readers, I have been at some considerable pains Assam Hybrid, it most likely would bring one or two to make out a true statement of the cost of afSUO annas per lb. more. acre garden, and the profit to be obtained by the end of the tenth year. As some of your numerous In conclusion, I beg to point out that the Doon is readers may have objections to urge with regard to in no way behind As«am in the point of profit from some of the items, my best plan will be to refer to tea, and considering its delightful, healthy climate, is them one by one. First we have rent. Although I consider infinitely preferable to it. only 300 acres are to be planted with tea, I have allowed an extra 50 acres for buildings, roads, &c. PROFIT ON 300 ACRE GARDEN IN 10 TEARS. Land fit for tea can be obtained in the Doon for R3 4 per acre, but as land is rising in value, I have considered 1st Y ea r . it advisable to estimate the rent at R5 per acre R. per annum . Rent of 350 acres at R5 per acre ...... 1,750 Establishment.—The pay of bildars in the Doon is Establishment—Manager at R 150 = 1,800, R4-8 per mensem, but as there might be difficulty Horse allowance at R20—240, M;ili at R6= in getting a large body of men together in a short time 72, 3 Tindals at R8=288, 150 Bildars at at that rate, I have given their pay as R5 per mensem. R5=9,000, 1 Carpenter at R10—120...... 11,520 The cost of Assam seed, thatching seed-beds, &c., is 250 mds. Assam Hybrid seed, landed here at taken from actual accounts slightly increased. The R60 per md...... 15,000 supply of tools is very ample, and the cost is taken Grass and sticks for thatching 25 acres of seed from actual accounts. The cost of the bungalow is beds at R72 per acre ... 1,800 only an estimate, and I think a liberal one. The cost Tools : 200 Pharrahs —335 0, 100 Coorpas = of the bildars’ lines is taken.from my books. Contin 20,600 Pharrah handles =37-8 ...... 392 gencies are meant to cover little petty expenses, such Buildings—Bungalow and Out-houses for as stationery, postage, &c., &c. Bullocks food is estim Manager, 3,000, Lines for 200 bildars, (mud ated for the whole year, but as they are not fed on walls) 1,050-0...... 4,050 Sundays and 011 days that they do not work, the Contingencies, say ...... 1,000 charge for this item can be considerably decreased. Three pies per pound is the amount paid in the Doon Receipts nil. 1st Year’s Expenditure ... 35,512 to coolies for plucking leaf, but as the weighing is never so exact as I have represented it to be, a saving R em arks.—One acre of seed-beds will plant out 12 acres will also be effected here. of ground 4’ x 4' allowing for fair germination, so 25 I believe that in Assam five coolies pick a maund acres of seed-beds will be required to plant out 300 of tea per day, but as our tea has evidently more acres of tea. 10 maunds of seed sown 6" x 6" four stick in it than the Assam, I have allowed double seeds will sow one acre of seed-beds, therefore 250 thaf number per maund. maunds of Assam Hybrid si ed will be required. The cost of the tea boxes and lead lining is slightly Bildars employed this year in trenching, making, sow exaggerated, as they cost at present R2-9, and not ing and thatching seed-beds, keeping beds clean, lay. R2-10. ing out roads and digging 100 acres of pits. 2n d Y e a r . Food for cattle, same, as last year ...... 360 Rent ...... ••• ... 1,750 Coolies for plucking 44,’oOOlb. of leaf at 0-0-3 perlb 687 Establishment, same as last year ...... 1,520 Do ,, picking 12,0001b. teaat 1^ annas per 81b 137 5 acres of seed-beds=50 mds. Assam Hybrid Each box contains on an average 85 lb. of tea, seed at R60 per md...... 3,000 therefore for 12,000 lb. tea, 141 boxes re Grass, sticks, &c., for thatching 5 acres at quired at 2-10 per box and lead lining ... 370 R72 per acre ...... 360 Each box on an average weighs when full 115 lb. Tools, same as last year ...... 387 Total weight of 12,000 lb., = 16,315 lb. Contingencies ...... 1,000 Carriage from S’pore to Calcutta at 0-0.7 peri b 594 Calcutta Agents’ charges on 12,0001b. at Receipts nil. 2nd Year’s Expenditure ... 18,017 0-0-5 per ib...... 312 Add 1st „ „ ... 35,512 Buildings—Factory, Leaf shed, &c...... 11,000 Charcoal for firing tea, 200 mds. at 2| mds. Total Expenditure to date... ' 53,530 per Rupee ...... 80 Oil for factory, say three tins at 5-0 each ... 15 5 acres of seed-beds are necessary for filling up vacan Contingencies ... 1,000 cies. Bildars to be employed this year in trenching, making, sowing and thatching 5 acres of seed-beds; 5th Year's Expenditure ... 32,329 keeping seed-beds clean and digging 150 acres of pits. Subtract yield of 300 acres at 40 lb. per acre = 3rd Y ea r . 12,000 lb. tea sold at an average price of 8 annas per lb...... 6,000 Rent ...... ••• 1,750 Establishment.—Manager at R200 = 2,400, 26,329 Horse allowance at R20= 240, Mdli at R6= Add let, 2nd. 3rd and 4th years’ expenditure 99,995 72. Moonshee at R12=144, 4 Tindals at R8=3r4, 2 Carpenters at R10=240, 1 Black Total nett expenditure to date ... 1,26,324 smith atR10—120, 200 Bildars atR5=12,000 15,600 Additional labour required for two months to 6 t h Y e a r . plant out 300 acres of tea.—400 bildars at 5-0 for 2 months =4,000. Bringing them Rent ...... from the plains at 5-0 each =2,000 ... 6,000 Establishment, same as last year, Manager’s 1,750 Cost of 10 carts and 10 pair bullocks at 100-0 pay being raised to 250-0 per mensem = ad per cart and bullocks ...... 1,000 ditional 6U0-0 ...... 16,200 Tools—200 Pharrahs=335, P. Handles=37-8, Tools.—200 Pharrahs=335-0,600Handles=37-8 372 Spades for digging out seedlings, 200 at 8 Food for cattle, same as last year ...... 360 annas each = i00, 400 baskets at 2 annas Buildings.—Repairing bungalow and Line each R50 .. ... 522 thatches ...... 200 Building.—Grass huts for additional men=700-0 Manure for 300 acres, 12,000 cart-loads at Repairs to bungalow and lines, thatches 0-6-0 per load ... .. 4,500 200-0 ...... 900 Cfclies putting down manure, and baskets at Bullocks’ food during year at 2 seers per pair 4 0 per acre ...... 1,200 per diem ...... 360 Coolies plucking 1,00,000 lb. leaf at 0-0-3 per lb. 1,562 Contingencies...... 1,000 Do. picking 30,000 lb. tea at 1J annas per 8 lb. 351 For 30,000 lb. tea, 353 boxes required at 2-10 Receipts nil. 3rd Year’s Expenditure ... 27,132 per box and lead lining ... 926 Add 1st and 2nd years’ Expenditure... 53,530 Weight of consignment 40,595 lb., carriage to Calcutta at 0-0-7 per lb. ... 1,480 Total expenditure to date ... 80,662 Calcutta Agents’ charges on 30,000 lb. tea at 0-0-5 per lb...... 781 Bildars to be employed this year in keeping seed Pruning knives, 50 at 1-0 each ... .. 50 beds clean, digging 50 acres of pits, cleaning out 250 Charcoal for firing tea 500 mds. at 2J maunds acres of pits, planting and deep hoeing 300 acres of per Rupee ...... 200 p lants. Oil for lighting Factory, say 10 tins at 5-0 each 50 Contingencies ... 1,000 4th Y e a r . Rent ... ••• 1,750 6th Year’s Expenditure ... 30,984 Establishment, same as last year ...... 15,600 Subtract yield of 300 acres at 100 lb. per acre Tools—200 Pharalis=335-0. Handles 37-8-0, =30,000 lb. tea sold at an average of 8 Baskets 50 0 ...... 422 annas per lb. = ...... 15,000 Building.—Cowshed (should have been in 3rd year’s account) ...... 200 15,914 Food for cattle, as last'year ... 360 Add nett expenditure of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Contingencies...... 1,000 5th years ...... 1,26,344
Receipts nil. • 4th Year’s Expenditure... 19,332 Total nett Expenditure to date ... 1,42,309 Add 1st, 2nd and 3rd years' expenditure .. 80,662 7th Y ea r . Rent ...... 1,750 Total expenditure to date ... 99,995 Establishment, same as last year ...... 16,200 Tools, same as last year ...... 372 Bildars to be employed this year in cultivation 300 Food for cattle ...... 360 acres of tea and filling up vacancies in tea planted last Coolies plucking 2.000,000 lb. leaf at 0-0 3 per lb 3,125 year. Do picking 60,000 lb. tea at 1£ annas per 8 lb 703 5th Y ea r . For 60,000 lb. tea 706 boxes 20" required at Rent ... ••• ••• 1,750 2-10 per box and lead ...... 1,853 Establishment, same as last year ...... 15,600 Weight of consignment 81,190 lb., carriage Tools &c., same as last year ... 422 j at 0-0-7 per lb, ...... 2,960 Calcutta Agents’ charges on 60,000 lb. at Oil for lighting Factory ... 50 0-0-5 per lb...... 1,562 Contingencies ... 1,000 Pruning knives, 50 at 10 each...... 50 Charcoal for firing tea, 800 mds. at 2J mds. 9th year’s Expenditure ... 50,534 per Rupee ...... 320 Subtract yield of 300 acres at 450 lb. per acre = Oil for lighting Factory ... 60 1,35,000lb. of tea at 8 annas per lb. ... 67,500 Contingencies ... 1,000 Profit ... 16,965 7th Year’s Expenditure ... 30,306 This profit:—11 j per cent on C a p ita l. ------Subtract yield of 300 acres at 200 lb. per 10t h Y ea r. aqre=60,0001b. tea, sold at 8 annas per lb, 30,000 Rent ...... 1,750 Establishment, same as last year ...... 17,040 306 Tools, same as last year .. 422 Add nett expenditure of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Food for cattle ...... 360 and 6th years ...... 1,42,309 Coolies plucking 5,00,000 lb, leaf at 0-0-3 perlb. 7,812 Do. picking 1.50.000 lb. tea at 1£ ans. per 81b. 1,757 Total nett expenditure to date... 1,42)615 For 1,50,0001b. 1,764 boxes required at R2-10 Capital, say R l,4 3 ,0 0 0 . ------per lead-lined box ... 4,630 Weight of consignment 2,02,860 lb., carriage 8th Y ea r . at 0-0-7 per lb...... 7,396 Rent ...... 1,750 Calcutta Agents’ charges on 1,50,000 lb. at Establishment, same as last year plus Native 0-0-5 per lb...... *... 3,906 Engineerat20-0 per mensem=additional 240-0 16,440 Wood for engine at 1 md. per 100 lb. tea=l,500* Tools.—200 Pharrahs =335-0, 600 Handles 37-8, mds. at 1-4 per 12 mds. ... 156 Pruning knives 50 0 ... 422 Oil for engine ...... 40 Rolling, Sifting and Drying Machinery ... 10,000 Charcoal for firing tea 2,000 mds. at 2J mds. Food for cattle ...... 360 per Rupee ...... 800 Coolies plucking 400,000 lb. leaf a t 0-0-3 per lb.* 6,250 Oil for lighting ...... 50 Do picking 1,20,0001b. tea at l j ans. per 81b. 1,406 Contingencies ... 1,000 For 1,20,000 lb. tea, 1,412 boxes 20" required at 2-10 box T lead ... 3,706 10th Year's Expenditure ... 47,121 Weight of consignment 1,62,380 lb. carriage at Subtract yield of 300 acres at 500 lb. per acre= 0 0-7 per lb...... 5,920 1,56,000 lb. of tea at 8 annas per lb. ... 75,000 Calcutta Agents’ charges on 1,20,000 lb. tea • at 0-0 5 per lb...... 3,125 Profit ... 27,878 Wood for engine, at 1 maund per 100 lk tea = This profit equals 19 per cent on C ap ital ------1,200 m nds. a t 1-4 per 12 m aunds ...... 120 R . B. M. Oil for engine at say 4 annas per day for five —Indian Tea Gazette. months ...... 87 Charcoal for firing tea 1,600 mds. at 2j mds. per Rupee ...... • ... 640 TREES TO PLANT FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES. Oil for lighting Factory ...... 50 The most widely distributed of North American Coni- Contingencies ... 1,000 ferro, and one little changed in appearance, is the Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana). This tree is found as far 8th Year's Expenditure ... 51,232 north as latitude 50°, aud south to the Gulf of Mexico, Subtract yield of 300 acres at 400 lb. per acre= extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. At its ex 1,20,000 lb. tea at 8 annas per lb...... 60,000 treme northern limit it is only a shrub ; 011 our own sterile hills it becomes a rugged tree, and is of no little Profit on 8th year’s working .. 8,767 economic value for many purposes; while in the warmer On Capital of Rl,43,000 this profit= 6 per cent.------climates of Florida the same species is banished to the swamps, and furnishes that clear, soft wood used the 9t ii Y e a r . world over in the manufacture of the best lead pencils. Rent ...... s ...... 1,750 The Douglas Spruce, which is one of the most valuable Establishment, same as last year with increase of American forest trees, has a less extended range. It of R50 per mensem to Manager, making his is common from British Colombia to Mexico, extending salary K300 per annum --additional R600 ... 17,040 east into the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The most Tools, same as last year ... 422 interesting point is tk»: children inherit the character Food for cattle ... 360 istics of their parents; and even the seeds of trees carry Repairs to thatches ... 200 with them and perpetuate the constitutions, delicate or Manure for 300 acres 12,000 cart-loads at 6 strong, that the region in which they were produced annas per load ...... * 4,500 developed in the parent plants. The seeds of the Douglas Coolies putting down manure aud baskets at Spruce from the Rocky Mountains produce trees which R4-0 per acre ...... 1,200 are as hardy here in New England as the Cedars 011 Coolies plucking 4,60,0001b. leaf at RO O-6 per lb. 7,187 our hillsides ; while plants raised from the seeds of the Do. picking 1,35,0001b. tea a t 1§ ans. per 81b. 1,582 same tree growing in the milder, moister climate of the For 1,35,0001b. tea 1,588 boxes required, at Pacific States, fail entirely to adapt themselves to our R2-10 per box and lead lining ...... 4,168 New England climate, as, indeed, do all the trees, with Weight of consignment 1,82,620 lb., carriage at • hardly an exception, from the region west of the Rocky 0-0-7 per lb 6,658 Mountains. Therefore, having an insufficient knowledge Calcutta Agents’ charges on 1,35,000 lb. at of the distribution of a species, we cannot say that n.o.s «“»1b...... 3,515 any particular tree is hardy, and will serve our purposes Wood for engine at 1 md. per 1001b. tea -1,350 as material for forest or ornamental planting; but we mds. at Rl-4 per 12 mds. ... 140 must know, in the case of widely distributed species, Oil for engine ...... 40 the exact physical conditions of the particular locality Charcqal for firing tea, 1,800 mds. at 2J mds. from which the individual was obtained. The European per 1-0 ...... 720 Larch is said to be a better timber tree in New Eng land than the American variety, the English Elm (Ulmus SOME FACTS ABOUT CONIFERS. campestris) in dry situations than TJ. americana, and E conom ic V a l u e .—The economic value of the Conifer® Salix alba than the American kinds. The trees of North surpasses that of all other forest-trees together, supply eastern Asia, Northern China, and Japan are as well ing a larger proportion of timber used. The woods of suited, it seems, to the North Atlantic States of the the Fir, Pine, and Cedar are valuable for all purposes, Union as to our own climate. Of Rocky Mountain trees, and some of them are of immense durability. The the Blue Spruce—Picea pungens—better known as P. money value of the Fir timber imported into Great Menziesii, is a tree of rapid growth, great hardiness, Britain into 1879 from Scandinavia and Russia alone and of a peculiarly charming blue-green colour. We was about £5,000,000 sterling, the total value of the cannot say as much of it here either as to colour or imported coniferous wood in this country being about hardihood, for in some places it has been severely in £9,000,000 per annum. Most countries of Europe de-. jured by recent winters.— Gardeners' Chroniele. pend largely for fuel and timber upon their plantations of Fir and Pine. Even in our own country Pinus sylv- estris, which formerly spread over a great part of ADULTERATIONS OF COCOA. Scotland, has been a source of wealth to its owners. The forest of Rothiemurchus, between Cairngorm. and Cocoa is a seed of a tree called Theobroma cacao, the Spe'V, 16 miles in extent, produced, according to which is cultivated in Mexico, West Indies, South Sir T. D. Lauder, sometimes as much as £20,000 per America,. and various tropical parts. The tree is an annum in Pine timber. From the adjoining forest of evergreen, and grows about 20 feet in height. The Glenmore, sold by the Duke of Gordon for £10,000, leaves are dark green, and about 6 inches in length were produced forty-one sail of ships of upwards of by 3 inches in breadth, the flowers are small and 19.000 tons burthen.* The indigenous Scotch Fir is white. Thd fruit somewhat resembles a cucumber, now, however, to a great extent superseded by the Larch. and is about 6 inches in length and 4 inches in Between 1759 and 1830 the Dukes of Athol planted diameter, although some are much larger. These pods 10.000 acres with Larch alone, and on their Blair and generally contain about 25 to 30 seeds, although Dunkeld property the total number planted was 14,096,719, some contain more. These seeds, after drying, roast calculated at the time of planting to produce at the ing and winnowing from their husks, are broken into age of * severity years £6,500,000 as .timber for naval coarse fragments and known as cocoa-nibs. purposes. An instance of indirectly remunerative Fir Cocoa, as a food, is highly nutritive, and. will some planting is shown at Bournemouth, "where some years times nourish when all other things have been tried ago plants of Pinus maritima were introduced in marshy and failed; but cocoa, as prepared direct from the land between Christchurch and Poole, which, spreading nibs, by boiling, is apt to disagree with some per in all directions, partly by its own seed and by plant sons on account of the large quantity of fat it con ing, soon gave the country the appearance of an Amer tains. This, in a great measure, was overcome by ican Pine barren. The shelter and presence of these mixing starch and sugar with the cocoa in such trees has been found so beneficial to invalids that one proportions as to make a very palatable article ; but of the largest watering-places on the south coast has this was soon followed by adding the starch and sprang up with almost unexampled rapidity, and sites sugar in such very large proportions to a very small which' were formerly worthless hive recently become quantity of cocoa and red ochre that it was very extremely valuable. Similar plantations have been made difficult, except by analysis, to know what was elsewhere. M. Javal has planted 80,000 acres of the soluble cocoa and what was a mixture of old sea barren Landes of Gascony with seedlings of Pinus mari biscuits, sugar, red ochre and cocoa husks. tima. Others have planted lesser areas. In Madeira the same Pine has been introduced, and now covers all the For the detection of adulteration of cocoa the southern slopes above 2,000 feet, the inhabitants being microscope plays an important part, and in many almost entirely dependent on it for fuel. cases a microscopical examination will be found suffici In other parts of the world the Conifer® are of equal ent for all ordinary purpose*. For the examination importance. The quantity of Deodars, for instance, used a small quantity should be placed upon a slide and in India is immense. The Punjab Forest Administra a little water added, and then examined with a i tion Reports show that between 1874-75 40,000 logs of inch o. g., when the structure of the cocoa-bean will Deodar, besides those of Pinus excelsea and other Coni be plainly seen, also the presence or absence of fers, were floated down the Punjab rivers. In 1870 over starch; but all cocoas that thicken in the cup con 100.000 cubic feet of the timber of Araucaria Cunning- tain starch. The sugar can be estimated either by haini reached Sydney market per * week, and about as standard solution ot copper, 01 by first mixing a much more was exported to Melbourne and elsewhere. weighed quantity of the cocoa with water and filter The seeds of many of the Conifer® are edible, those ing ; the sugar will dissolve, and^ pass through the of the Chilian Araucaria especially forming the staple filter, while the starch will remain behind, and the diet of the Indians of Chile, and in Italy the seeds of filtered portion can be evaporated and weighed. For the Stone Pine are made into cakes. The sweet and the estimation of the starch, it should be converted nutiitious nuts of Pinus Sabiniana are great favourites into sugar by boiling it with a few drops of hydro with the Indians of North-West America, who collect chloric acid. You may know when all the starch is vast quantities of the cones. A sugar exudation occurs converted into sugar by testing it with a little iodine ; from the bark of the Sugar Pine. The leaves of the the red ochre can be detected in the ash. The ash Himalayan Yew are dried and used as tea, while the of pure cocoa when thoroughly incinerated should be bark of P. sylvestris is formed, in years of scarcity, nearly w hite; if red, it show’s the presence of bole into bread by the Norwegians. A species of Juniper Armenian. The copper test is made in the following (J. squainata) is used in India in the preparation of an manner :—Dissolve OU gr. of sulphate of copper in 276 intoxicating liquor and for making yeast, and in Europe gr. of distilled water; add to this • 276 gr. of a the common Juniper berry is used for flavouring gin. saturated solution of tartrate of potash, then add SO A large number were formerly, and several are still, gr. of sodic hydrate, previously dissolved in 1 ounce used 111 medicine, and the Larch for tanning. of distilled water; shake well together, and place it The value of the various giuns and resinous and other in a vessel holding 2,000 gr., graduated into 1,000 productions of the Conifer® is also large. The chief im equal parts, aid fill up with distilled water: Every portations in 1879 were—of Kawrie gum 50,439 cwt., 260 gr. of this will decompose 1 gr. of glucose.— Albert Smith .—Oil and Drug News. * Selby, Hist. Brit. Forest Treest 1842, p. 401. * value £122,901, from New Zealand; pitch, 57,188 cwt., Sonthal h'lls, and when new is of fair strength, stronger value £12,979; tar, 140,507 barrels, value £93,482—the than coir, but inferior to Manilla or Calicut hemp. greater part of these products from Russia ; Spruce-beer, It is, however, incapable of resisting the action of 1,756 barrels, value £12,027 ; resin, 1,155,523 cwt., water without serious injury, becomes black and un value, £328,021; turpentine, 258,054 cwt., value £290,647, sightly, and soon ceases to be a rope on which nearly the whole coming from the United States. Other dependence can be placed. Natives manufacture this products are amber, Canada and a large variety of bal material by hand power into rough ropes, and these sams, creosote, frankincense, sandarac, &c.—F. S t a r k ie are extensively used for the haulage, mooring and G a r d n e r .— Gardeners' Chronicle. running gear of country boats, but presumably only for its cheapness. Jute.—We manufacture this for the Marine DepIrV INDIAN FIBRES. ment for maroons used on board the Light Vessel The following Memorandum by Messrs. Ahmuty & at the Sandheads, and also in considerable quantities Co., Calcutta, has been published in the Gazette by for export to Australia, where it is used for packing the Government for general information :— loose wool for transport to the coast. It is also very Coir.—This fibre is very valuable for its extremely extensively used about Calcutta as lashings for jute elastic qualities, and in cases where “ give and take ” bales. The fibre does not possess much strength, is required, no other known rope fibre, except hair, is unfit for heavy lifts or hard usage, and quickly can approach it. This fibre, of good quality, will rots if kept wet or even damp. not grow beyond the influence of sea-air, and cannot Cotton.—This we manufacture into tent ropes and for any great length of time be preserved beyond lines and into fine cord for driving gear for cotton the influence of salt-water. ’ Immersion in fresh water and jute spinning machinery. The yarn we obtain without immediate dry age re-ults in deterioration from the local cotton mills and lay up to any size and ultimate rot, while constant or occasional immersion to order, but its high price prohibits its very extensive in salt water will, with fair wear and tear, preserve use unless in the case of mill gearing, where smooth it for probably three or four times as long as a running is a desideratum. rope of any other fibre wonld, under the same con Cannabina hemp pineapple. Fibre.—About up to thirty ditions, last. Where a dead strain or heavy lift is years ago there was considerable demand for cordage required, coir is not recommended as a safe or reliable made from these fibres, but they have been superseded rope, the fibre being too short and elastic. Coir is by the introduction of Manilla hemp and by the very largely used by the Marine Department for riding greater facilities for obtaining Calicut and Jubbulpore cables and springs for the Light Vessels and for hemp. The fibres are,however, of considerable strength, towing hawsers, warps and running gear for the and will stand a deal of hard handling. This manufact. Marine Service. For the Marine Service, the Super ure is now confined to nativ^hand-laid lines for cargo intendent of Marine annually invites tenders for the boat and household purposes. manufacture of coir ropes and cables, and the Marine Steel wire rope, iron wire rope.—This wire is imported Storekeeper supplies the successful tenderer with coir from England and is laid up to order. The quality yarn, which is laid up to order, and returned to is the best procurable. These we supply for bridge- the Dockyard. We may note here that we at present work in the hills and for standing rigging for vessels hold this contract, and, with the exception of two of the Marine Service. years, have done so Since 1858. We attach some A e would condense the foregoing as follows, viz :— certificates from the Marine Department regarding our Coir.—For marine uses, light work, rough usage. supplies of coir ropes and cables. Manilla Hemp.—Hard work, heavy lifts, and where Manilla Hemp.—Is the strongest of vegetable rope great strength is required. fibres, and where heavy lifts of hard usage are re Calicut Hemp.—For fine lines and ropes, heavy quired, is the most reliable of ropes. During the purchases, and where great strength is required. recent campaigns in Afghanistan we supplied large Jubbulpore Hemp .—For heavy ropes, rough work, quantities of this rope for contractors in Bombay, hard usage, and where great strength is required. Kurrachee and the Punjab presumably for the Ordnance Sunn H em p— Engine packing, baling lines little and Commissariat Departments for the •haulage of strength. guns and stores over the mountain passes. For such A loe Fibre.—Cargo boat uses, gooning lines. purposes it is admirably adapted. It is lighter, stronger, Jute Fibre.—Maroons, baling ropes and lines, very and more endurable than ordinary hemp rope, and little strength. weight for weight per coil*is about the same price. Cotton Staple.—Tent ropes, mill gearing, driving Calicut Hemp.—Is grown on the Malabar Coast, bands for machinery. and is of very great strength and fineness, and is es Cannabina hemp pineapple Fibre.—Almost obsolete. pecially suited for small ropes and lines. It is very Boat ropes and lines, household purposes. little inferior to the best Russian hemp, and is a Steel wire rope, iron wire rope.—Bridge work across most reliable rope for heavy purchases, second, in khuds. Standing rigging. - -Madras Mail. this country, where Russian hemp is not used, only to Manilla. Jubbutpore Hemp.—A much coarser fibre than the O l d O r c h a r d s on grass frequently become worn out above is in general use for heavy cordage. In utilizing for want of some such assistance, for which time and this materi d there is much wastage, but it tjirns out manure cannot often be spared. All crowding of branches a very satisfactory and reliable rope, is tough and should be prevented by regular attention, for the sudden strong, and will stand much rough usage. Hemp ropes removal of quantities of wood is not unfrequently at are largely used by the Marine, Ordnance, Commissariat, tended with loss of crop and impaired energy for years and Public Works Depaitments. after; therefore, where necessary, remove annually a few Sunn H em p.—This fibre is of a soft and somewhat , of the worst of the crossing branches, and prevent other silky texture, and when laid up into cordage looks young ones from proceeding in wrong directions by well, but has not the advantage of possessing much cutting back or removal. Where it is necessary to re strength. It is usually made up into spun yarn for plant any trees, see that the old roots are carefully engine packing, or into light lines for packing dried grubbed out, and that the fresh stations are trenched fish, or for baling hides in the interior for transport and enriched with manure over as large an area as may to screw presses. be consistent with due care for the preservation of the Aloe Fibre.—Is produced in large quantities in the roots of adjacent fruit trees.— Gardeners’ Chronicle. M r . J a c o b R e e s e , is a paper read before the En B e e s a s F l o w e r F e r t i l i s e r s . —Mr. Donbavand is gineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, remarks: mistaken in supposing that bees never visit butter “ The great want of the present age is a process cups. Whether the hive-bee in particular does so, by which the static caloric of carbon may be set free I cannot say with certainty; but I am sure that by non-luminous combustion, or, in other words, a the common bumble-bee is often found among the process by which coal or oil may be oxidised at a flowers. Of course, other insects also aid in fertilis low degree within an insulated vessel.” This cannot ing them .— G r a n t A l l e n .— Knowledge, be too prominently brought forward. ** If it can be T h e G o v e r n m e n t E xperimental F a r m a n d A g r i accomplished,” as Mr. Reese says, “ we would be c u l t u r a l C o l l o e . —The section selected for tbe Go able to produce from twelve to fifteen million foot vernment Experimental Farm is about six miles from ymnds* of electricity from one pound of petroleum, Gawler and three from Roseworthy Station. It con or fran ten to twelve million foot "pounds of energy tains 728 acres, 100 of which are still uncleared scrub, from one pound of good coal.”— Athenaeum. another portion being light poor soil, and the re T h e O r a n g er y in E n g la n d .—Perhaps of all fruit mainder fairly representing the ordinary soil of the trees Oranges are the most easily managed, if only they district, which has been cropped for many years, thus can be kept clear of insects. They require pretty much beiug well adapted for experiments. The situation near the same treatment from week to week, and when the the Roseworthy Station is central and easy of access fruit is ripening a high temperature, whether it is win from different districts, it being a little over one hour ter or summer, and as far as my experience goes the by rail from Adelaide. Should an institution be fruit is of as good quality in midwinter as it is at mid established in connection with the Experimental Farm summer. The main features of success are to obtain for the training of young men in practical and scientific good varieties and good healthy trees to begin with; agriculiure, it is impori ant that the College should be and not only so, but they must be grafted on the right near Adelaide, especially as it may be necessary to stock. The Lemon stock is the best, and gives the most obtain assistance in the instruction of students from vigorous trees, which are quite fruitful enough. They gentlemen residing in Adelaide. We presume that as never lack a sufficient quantity of blossom. The fruit soon as the land van be cleared, a series of experi will not be good if it is ripened in a low temperature ; ments will be commenced with the object of obtaining 65° as a minimum is the best, and when it is ripening results likely to benefit the farmer, and of procuring do not allow too much moisture in the atmosphere, else accurate and positive information on disputed points the fruits will not be firm and good; and at that time of great m om ent.— S. Australian paper. the trees require more care in watering. Good turfy S. A u s t r a l i a : T h e N o r t h e r n T e r r it o r y .— T he maiden loam is the best potting material.—F. D ou g la s.— North-rn Territory Times of pecember 10 states :— Gardeners’ Chronicle. “ Private advices from Adelaide by the “ Tambora” state R o s es on t h e ir O w n Rooep.—I myself for the last that a Company, called the North Australian Company, five years have tried Rose cuttings, and I think I may has been formed in that city by a few gentlemen, acting say, on the whole, with a fair amount of success. My in conjunction with European capitalists, wno believe first year was a failure. I placed the cuttings in pots that the Territory offers a legitimate and profitable field in an old Melon-pit, and the result was they nearly all for the judicious investment of capital in mining, agri damped off. The following year I tried again, but tiiis cultural, and pastoral ventures. The shareholders have time placed the cuttings in the open ground. In Novem nominated one of their number (Mr. Thomas Harry, ber I gave the ground a good coating of burnt earth; who arrived here by tbe “Tambora”) to inspect and forked it in, and when dry on the top made it quite report upon the resources of the country. Mr. Harry firm, like an Onion-bed. I then put in the cuttings by informs us that he proposes to proceed to Hongkong thrusting them into the ground as deep as I could get and thence to London, after spending a few weeks them. I find this is a much better plan than using a in the Territory. One very good feature in connection dibble, which is liable to leave a vacuum round the base with the Company is that some of its most prominent of the cutting, and if this happens, the cutting, of shareholders have resided in the country for years, course, dies. It is necessary to use a good* thick pair and are well acquainted with its great capabillities. of leather gloves to plant the cuttings in this way. The present Government appears very anxious to do Last ivinter, in spite of the cold, about 60 per cent of all in its power To further the interests of the Territory, the cuttings rooted (they were protected by a little short and will no doubt make such arrangements as will litter), and most of them bloomed last autumn. I am facilitate the Company’s projects.” trying the Baroness this year for the first time; at T h e P a r a o r B r a z il N u t .— Mr. Morris, the Director present every cutting looks as healthy and fresh as poss of Public Gardens, make the following remarks on the ible. Teas I am trying in pots, in a cold frame on Para or Brazil Nut, the seeds of which he has been cinder ashes, and at present I am satisfied with them. endeavouring to distribute throughout the island, and There is no doubt that the great secret of getting Rose have propagated as an article of commerce. He says :— cuttings to do well is to select ripe wood. I am quite To those who have lately received supplies of seeds aware that one does not get a splendid maiden bloom of this valuable tree from the Bitancial Department, from a cutting; on the other hand I find that Roses on it may be well to mention tnat owing to the horny their own Roots come in rather later than budded ones, character of the shell and tbe nature of its contents, and are very useful for a late show. On my soil (stiff they will probably take several months in germinating. clay) I never could get Charles Lefebvre to grow, either Care should therefore be taken that the seeds are budded 011 a standard or on the seedling Brier. I tried not neglected till all hopes of germination have passed cuttings, and it grows “ like a weed,” and gives me away. The‘Para Nut— Bertholletia excelsa-comes into splendid blooms. The following Roses I find do well be iring in some p .rts of Brazil, according to Dr. Hansen on then- own roots :—C. Lefebvre, Marie Baumann, Miss Erch, in ten or twelve years, and it mat be mentioned Hassard, La France, Thomas Mills, Madame Nachary, that in addition to the value attached to its fruit, Countess Serenyi, Marie Rady, Alfred Colomb, Captain the tree itself is described as one of the most majestic Christy, Jules Margottin, Edward Morren, Mad. S. Fro- in the South American forests. Should the climate of pot, Sir G arnet XVolseley, Madame V. Verdier, Auguste this Island be found suitable for the growth of this Rigotard, Dupuy Jamain, Abel Grand, Ac. To sum up, desirable tree, there is no doubt that together with I consider Roses on their own roots a great help to the export of the fruit for purposes of desort, a the amateur; but he must bud too, if he wants fine valuable oil might be obtained by pressure from the maglen blooms for exhibition.— E dw ard L. F e l l o w e s , seeds. The fibrous bark of the tree is also used for Wimpole Rectory, Royston.— Gardeners’ Chronicle. caulking ships as a substitute for oakum,—Australasian. The Future o f Solar Physics. — The fundamental 1 the wealth to be derived from 35,584,000 acres of problems now pressing for solution are, “ first a satis- j water, properly stocked and cultivated. Can any man factojy explanation of the peculiar law of rotation on j set‘a limit to the valne of the aqueous product ?—Field. the sun’s surface; second, an explanation of the j B e t b l - n u t a n d F e v e r . —In No. 12 of Knowledge, periodicity of the spots, and their distribution ; third, j I find betel-nut chewing given as a specific against a determination of the variations in the amount of fevers. The Jav%uese and Sundanese are inveterate the solar radiation at different times and different betel chewers, and yet they have been dying literally points upon its surface ; and fourth, a satisfactory by thousands during the past few years from fever. explanation of the relations of the gases and other When I left Samarang, Java, in September last, the matters above ttie photosphere to the sun itself—the natives were dying by hundreds of fever. My ex problem of the corona and the prominences.”— T he perience, extending over nearly four years in various N ation. parts of Asia, has been, that the natives who uni versally chew betel (with lime, and the leaf of the T o ba cco has the same effect upon the nerve-cells sirihpepper-plant), are much more easily affected by that water has upon a coal fire. Apply water in fever than are Europeans.— E d w i n S a c iis . — Knowledge. small quantity, and your fire will burn more slowly ; P r e s e r v in g F r u i t f o r t h e W i n t e r . —Dry sand of apply a large-enough bucketful, and it will cease to all substances is found, from the experiment of P . exist. When the cook rakes up the ashes, and covers Sarauer, to be the best in which to preserve fruit her fire before going to bed, she performs the same for the winter. The germs of mould attack the rough physical experiment as her master, who soothes his portion of fruit packed in paper, w'ith great avidity, nerves with tobacco before retiring for the night. through the openings in the silk paper. If packed The cook wishes her fire to smoulder during the in straw, the least dampness of the straw imparts night. She therefore applies an agent which will a musty flavour to the fruit. Sand has another ad check combustion b$ partially excluding oxygen from vantage, which is that the damaged specimens do her fuel; her master applies to his nervous system not infect their neighbours. Choose the most per an agent which diminishes oxidation, and thus seriously fect fruit with the waxy covering perfect. Leaving interferes with vital action. In both cases there will the stalks on makes the fruit shrivel up quickly.—F.C.S, be less material burned, less coal and less explosive —Knowledge. . food. But is this a real advantage to the usefulness T a r a x a c u m . —During the year 1880-81, several inter of the fire or of the human machine? The cook esting experiments were tried at the Saharunpore would be very late with- breakfast if she trusted Botanical Gardens. Not the least interesting was one such a fire to boil the kettle, and the work accom w ith Taraxacum officinale. An indent for 2001b. of plished by a brain much affected by tobacco is both the extract having been received from Calcutta, an small in quantity and inferior in quality. It is as attempt was made to grow the plant and prepare difficult to send proper messages along a nerve which the extract on the spot.. It is satisfactory to find is under the influence or tobacco as it is to fire a that the experiment was thoroughly successful. From train of damp gunpowder. “ Praise God, and keep half an acre 109 lb. were made, at the following your powder dry,” said the great Oliver Cromwell; “ Praise God and keep your brain clear,” would have c o s t:— To cultivation, &c...... 13 8 0 been hie burning advice bad he lived in these latter ,, preparing extract ...... • 62 8 0 d ays.—Knowledge.
W a t e r A r e a s o f t h e U n it e d S t a t e s . —A n in te re s t Total 76 0 0 ing table appears in the American fie ld , extracted or 11'156 annas per lb. The avarage price of the drug from the U.S. census returns of 1880, which gives in England is 2s.-2d ., so that when freight charges the water area of each State in the Union The and loss by exchange are added, the cost in India gross areas included are 3,025,600 square miles i will not be less then 1 rupee 8 annas per lb. From Alaska—placed in the census of 1870 at 577,390 square this experiment it will be seen that an acre will miles—not being here reckoned. The total water area produce over 200 lb. of the extract, and as improved is .15,600 square miles, or 35,584,000 acres. The re modes of preparation will no doubt be found out, lative proportions of water and land vary considerably. the cultivation of this valuable medicine will become New Mexico, for instance, with an area of 122,580 one of our industries.—Indian Agriculturist. square miles, has a water surface of no more than M a n u r e . —The value of human excreta has been 120, and Arizona only 100 to its land surface of repeatedly brought to notice, but we almost despair 112,920. Florida, in the extreme south-east, contains of making any progress in introducing this valuable the largest water area of any of the States, manurial agent to the notice of the Indian rayat. 4,440 square miles, and is followed, next in rank in The only form in which they will use it, is iu the this respect, by Minnesota, with 4,160, located in the form of poudrette. At the Cawnpore Experimental extreme northern part, and well to the westward. Farm a careful experiment was tried, with marvellous Then comes Texas, with 3,490 square miles in the results. The crop grown was barely. The following extreme south-west; North Carolina, wiih 3,670, on were the results :— the eastern sea coast; Maine, with 3,145, in the Manured. Unmanured. extreme north-east ; Louisiana, with 3,300, bordering G rain ...... lb. 2,851 1,842 on the Gulf of Mexico ; and pursuing our course Straw ,,3,603 1,968 to the western boundary, we pass through Utah, wiih Value of crop ... B.66-7-1 40-12-9 2,780, reaching California, with 2,380, and Oregon The manure cost practically nothing beyond the labour with 1,470 square miles of water area. Then take of incorporating it. The cultivation in both cases was the inland states, and we find a very uniformly gold, and if the prejudice held by the rayat against defined water area, ranging from 300 to 600 square this manure were got rid of, much good would result. miles in each. “ Nearly all of this immense ext, nt Tiie example set our Municipalities by Poona and of water,” says our contemporary, “ is susp-ctible of Umritsur, might be followed with advantage all over cultivation by the intelligent fish culturist, and can the land. Umritsur conveys the excreta, deluged be made to yield a much larger proportion of market with water to la-g« tanks where it is precipated, but able product than the same quantity of land of Poona goes to the root of the matter, by changing average quality. We, as Americans, are prone to the excreta into poudrette. in which form it loses all boast of our country’s resources, and with good reason; it- noxious properties, nud i- valuable as manure,— but how many have ever taken into consideration I hid. v The proper time for plucking tea leaf ia of importance work of roots render it a reservoir of the rainfall, to tea planters, the time, however, when a flush is to be gradually utilised by the leaf surface above. ready to be taken off depends so much on climate This humidity imparted to the atmosphere Ijpnds to and cultivation, that a hard and fast rule must fail. equalisation of temperature by preventing undue radi In Darjeeling a correspondent of a contemporary in ation of heat; and though it cannot increase the forms us that “ a shoot from the axil of a leaf just general rainfall—rain being generally formed from plucked is about i to § of an inch long eight days one to two miles above the surface of the earth—yet after, at 20 days it is about an inch long, at 30 days there seems reason to believe that light local rains are 3 inches, at 40 days 6 inches. On these Hills, if the really increased over forest land, besides the abundant pruning has been well done and weather favourable, dews by which it and its vicinity are visited. Ex the young shoots ought to be nine inches high in six periments of two French observers are cited, which weeks, when picking should commence. The shoots gave a total rainfall for six months over forest land should not be picked off too quickly, or the tea will of 192£ millemetres, and of 177 in the open air, be too tip p y .—South o f India Observer. showing a difference in favour of the forest of 15J. T h e S c a r c it y o f I n d ia r u b b f .r .—Unless some means The action of forests is, of course, more or less are speedily taken to prevent the reckless destruction local; and therefore their distribution, as sources of of the rubber trees, this important and now world- humidity, as well as for the shelter they afford from *wide manufacture will be greatly retarded owing to sweeping wind, is a matter of much importance.—Field. the scarcity of the raw material. The great and grow B if a c ia l O r a n g e s .—-In the Provence Agricole M. ing demand for rubber has stimulated the rubber hunters Heckel tells us how the fruits which on one side pre of Central and South America to supply the same, sent the characteristics of Oranges, and on the other but the result is, in their eagerness tp meet the extra demands, they destroy the greater portion of the tree. those of Lemons, are produced. A nurseryman at In many places where the rubber trees were seemingly Cannes, M. Tordo, takes scions* (bourgeons) of various exhaustless a few years ago, the forests have been species of Citrus, Orange, Lemon, &c., and grafts them decimated. The result is that the rubber gatherers circularly along »the trunk of a Citrus, arranging the have to go further and further into the interior and scions closely together in pairs so as to bring about .to the mountains for the present supply. Unless the complete fusion of the scions. When the grafts have Government of Colombia and South American States do something for the protection and propagation of adhered the tree is headed doyvn to within a short dis this valuable tree, the export of raw rubber from these tance of the grafts, and 'in spring branches are seen countries will cease iu a few years.—British Trade which give rise to monstrous fruits, having the charac Journal. teristics of the different grafts blended together. The I n s e c t -D e s t r o v e r s .—Some years ago the Massachu branches which originate from the ingrafted shoots pro setts Horticultural Society .offered rewards for a cheap and effectual method of destroying the rose fly or aphis. duce leaves which are greatly changed in form and differ This brought forth a preparation in the sbape'of whale- from those of either species, thus affording a striking oil soap, with the dictum that it would destroy the proof of graft-hybridization. The flowers of the two insect whatever state it was in. The recipe is to species are also fused.— Gardeners’ Chronicle. dissolve 2 lb. of whale-oil soap in 15 gallons of water, T h e D i v i d i v i P l a n t .— The Divi-divi po Is are em or if the soap is of a weak strength, diminish the ployed for tanning purposes, as they contain 50 per proportion of water by two gallons. The method of cent of pure tannin. I have been told that in Bangalore using it is to strain the liquid through a fine sieve, there is a large plantation of this tree, and that its when the composition is dissolved, and then apply pods are largely used forgiving the skins that superior with a syringe to the leaves and shoots affected. It smoothness remarkable in the Madras and Bangalore is asserted that the remedy is effective also for thrips, skins. I have also used Divi-divi in dyeing, and 1 have red spider, canker worms, and tiie mildew on trees. employed a solution of acetate of iron after the bath in As the remedy is so simple it might be applied to Divi-divi tincture. The ink used in most of the Go orange trees affected with scale, as at the above strengtn vernment offices in Fort St. George is made with this it is quite innocuous to vegetable life, and as it can plant. The cultivation of this elegant shrub is very be used ad libitum any falling on thejground will act as easy. The seeds should be sown in March, and the a manure. Considering how troublesome the brown young plants can be removed from the nursery during beetle is on fig-tre s, it might be yn ployed in de the following rainy season ; they require some watering stroying those pests.—Australasian. till they have attained the bright of three feet, after I n f l u e n c e o f F o r e s t s o n R a in f a l l . —In th e American which no more care is necessary. This plant grows N aturalist for January appears an article by Dr. luxuriantly in a clayi-h calcareous soil, but very Anders on the influence which forests exercise upon slowly in red soil, as I have observed at the Red the rainfall. The practice of ringbarking has lately Hills near Madras. I think the difference in the growth been advocated in Australia, on the ground that the in the two soils results from the clayish soil retain amount of surface water is thereby increased, though ing moisture for a very long time in the summer, while this effect is not demonstrated to be anything but in the latter the young plant is exhausted by the temporary—indeed, by the nature of the case, it strong dry winds blowing then. But I think it still would seem self-evidently so—and the effect of this possible to cultivate this shrub in red soil with some scanty surface water upon the humidity of the atmo success by adding dry mud from tanks to the soil sphere would be nearly nil. How forests affect the before r planting the young tree from the nursery. humidity it was the object of the writer’s experiments Gow dung ashes will prove useful round the plant. to show; and his experiments appeared to prove The great difficulty to contend with, however, in such that, while no moisture is absorbed by plants from soil is the want of water. The cultivation I have the atmosphere, they yield to it a considerable quantity made for the last few years is quite a success, and by transpiration of water gathered through the roots— I have made experiments in both soils, clayey as well the rate at which aqueous vapour is given off by as red. I shall feel obliged if apy of your readers plauts amounting to more than an ounce and a will give me some information regarding the market quarter per square foot of leaf surface in the twelve current price of this dye in London or elsewhere. I diurnal hours. The evaporation from a forest area think that the high rate of freight from India to is probably more than from an equal area of water ; Europe will not allow a margin of profit in the ship. • and the conditions of the soil penetrated by the net ment of Divi-divi husks.—Searcher. — Madras Times. LIBERIAN COFFEE, COCOA AND INDIA jak as the most suitable tree I know, for shelter belts RUBBER. in the lowcountry, but there may be others of equal value. In soil fit for Liberian coffee or cocoa A correspondent, dating from a “ Lowcountry Pro cultivation, it will reach a height of 20 feet in three ducts ” estate about twenty miles north-eastward from years; branches low, has dense foliage, and is worth Colombo, writes : — money, in the course of 20 years, to say nothing of the fruit it bears in the mean time. I have been February is usually the driest month in the year thinking about the ceara rubber for this purpose, but over all Ceylon. On the present occasion, and in this its appearance is not favourable to the idea ; it has locality, it could not be called a wet month; but not the look of a good wind-resister, with its sparse there was rain enough to prevent any check in the foliage, and brittle'looking branches. We will however growth of our cultivated plants. Indeed, if I were called see how it behaves when further advanced. T he H em ileia has not been spreading lately, and on to name the period of most rapid growth, dur some of the plants formerly suffering seem to be ing the last twelve months, I would say, from the throwing it off. There are however many to which middle of January to the end of February. The it still clings, and which will furnish abundance of coffee trees, in their second year in the field, have spores when J;he suitable season for its propagation in that time, added two pairs of branches and two arrives. pairs of leaves on all those pre-existing, and such It is said that leaf-disease has not killed out one of the cacao trees as were previously thriving have Arabian coffee tree in the island, but it killed many made much wood, and got more and more into form. young Liberian plants here, all grown from one The older coffee has had a heavy blossom every batch of seed highly recommended. I have no doubt ten days during the month, and there has been a the liability was inherited from the parent trees, considerable sprinkling on that in its second and, whatever others may do, I accept the warning, year, and more is still to come. There are no never henceforth to take seed from an affected abortive flowers. All that open, set, and, on trees planted plant. in November 1879, 2,000 fairly-established cherries are I saw a curious whirlwind here the other day, an exceptionally small crop, many of the larger trees travelling across the estate from south to north, at having or promising more than double this standard. the rate of about three miles an hour. It was some The larger cocoa trees produce masses of blossom con 15 feet in diameter at the base; it picked up all tinually, but the few pods that have formed drop the loose leaves in its course, carried them fifty or before they attain the size of a coffee cherry. I have sixty feet high, where they gyrated like a flock of about 800 plants, of the Carracas variety, thriving in swallows, and then gradually settled down, as they baskets, to fill in vacancies ; but I live in terror of passed out of the influence! of the storm. I have seen the white ants, when I am obliged to plant them out. the same sort of thing before, but never had so long The rubber plants, resulting from seed obtained four or so good a view of it. months ago, are now four feet high, most of them in Our readers will notice that our correspondent’s experi flower, and some of them with pods that bid ence of the rapid growth, and precociousness and heavi fair to ripen their seed. There is now no ques ness of bearing of Liberian coffee is consistent with that tion about the success of the .plant. It only remains of others, including Mr. Pres toe of the Trinidad Botan to be settled whether the produce will pay for collecting. ical Gardens. • In a very interesting report on Liberian Should experience decide this question in the affirmat ive, Ceylon will be able to allay the anxiety felt coffee, which we hope to publish in an early issue, in Europe about where the rubber of the future is Mr. Prestoe says his fear is the trees may ex to come from. As the rubber is not a pernickety p lan t haust themselves from bearing too heavily in the early as to its treatment, or the soil it grows in, it may years of their existence, and he suggests thinning out be extended over all the abandoned coffee, in the the cherries. Of course this would mean taking away lower districts, where the soil is too much exhausted for tea, cocoa or Liberian coffee, to say nothing of the the smaller cherries, if the crop came on at once, as vast plains of the north and east. in Arabian coffee, but in the case of this wonder Cardamoms are rather slow coaches in the early ful coffee, the ordinary process of picking must be stages of which alone I have any experience; extremely one of constant thinning out. But, no doubt, what tender as seedlings, of slow growth, and the prey of Mr. Prestoe means is that all the cherries should very minute insects. They seem now, however, inclined to make a start, and so far as I learn, how. shall not be allowed to ripen. In the case of cocoa, nature meet with all due encouragement. I am advised to seems to interfere so as to prevent the evil effects plant out under shade and will do so, though no friend of premature bearing. But, if we understand our cor to the system of hiding away cultivated plants from respondent aright, Ceara rubber trees excel all others the light of the sun. In Ceylon, the Arabian coffee in precocity. Trees four months from the seed, four has long placed the question of shade beyond the feet high and most of them in flower ! Does this ex region of debate, aud the Liberian is asserting a like predilection for solar influence. Under even moderate perience square with that of other growers, and shade it becomes a large, open, long-jointed, large- what degree of longevity can be expected for trees leaved, brilliantly-green tree, but it yields little or which flower and even fruit at four months from no crop. Shade for cocoa is still an open question, germinating and which will be tapped for the juices but the decision will probably turn out the same as of their bark ? What our correspondent says about for coffee. Everyone who attempts to grow this plant where wind blows soon leariis that shelter for the jak trees for shelter belts is worthy of attention. young plant is a necessary element of success, and, The primings for fodder will be useful as well as young or old—so far as my observation has hitherto the fruits for food, while the tree is maturing for enabled me to judge—it is as much a sun-loving plant timber purposes. But mangoes and oranges might as any of its fellow s. Shelter, by all means : tem also be put in with reference to supplying the Colombo porary shelter for the young plants, and closely-planted markets, which will be heavily drawn upon by the lines of jak would answer, or any other valuable timber tree with heavy foliage at regular passenger and mail steamers about to resort to the spaces across the course of the wind. I name port in increased numbers. 202 AGRICULTURE • ON THE CONTINENT OF malady, while those non-vaccinated fell victims to EUROPE. that plague. M. Pasteur, and other who have corrobor ated his view, lays down that the effects of his (Special letter.) preservative vaccine do’mot last longer than eight P a r is , 25th February. months ; so that vaccination must be repeated annually, At the end of May, the sugar manufacturers intend and that April is the best month for executing the operation. to hold a Congress, when, among other matters, will Perhaps there is no city in tbe world, where so be discussed the comparative value of beet pulp by the two processes for extracting the juice and refining much is made out of the soil in its vicinity as Paris; its early kitchen garden delicacies are pro- the latter. In the meantime, the sugar beet growers verbial ; there are veritable fields of asparagus, peas, have met aud exchanged views as to the best means for cultivating the root &c. In point of practical strawberries and violets Of fruits I say nothing ; only utility, the Congress was very remarkable. What that they abound. Of late years the cultivation of are the most favorable conditions for the culture of violets has taken an enormous extension, as also of sugar beet ? Deep tillage, in order to have roots figs in pots. Nice and Parnia violets have more than uniform and not forky; abundant manuriugs, but a rival at present in the rich market gardeners of manures easily absorbed and not riclf in nitrogen, the suburbs. It is not the less singular than true, for excess of nitrogen produces roots poor in sugar that the inhabitants of the suburbs have to obtain and difficult to be worked up; sow as early as their vegetables purchased in the city markets. possible, when frosts are no longer to be feared, and From 1,500 to 2,000 fr. per acre is the net average produce of a kitchen garden. The commercial cultiv the soil has been dried after the winter; select good seed ; no supplemental manures during the growth of ation of flowers is also becoming very productive, the plant, as such develope the bulb at the expense and, as for mushrooms, they are a veritable “ gold- of the sugar ; above all, no stripping of leaves during diggings.” France alone consumes the esculent to summer and autumn. Eleven roots to the square the value of nine million francs per year. yard are considered fair spacing, and it is better to The irrigation of vineyards in autumn is universally have the rows rather distant, and the plants rather recognized as efficacious against the phylloxera. Some close. Good seed is essential, and to obtain such, proprietors now resort to summer irrigations, and the bulbs for bearing ought to be selected under small doses of sulpho-carbonate. At best, such can normal conditions of growth and analyzed to test be but a check, as water is an insecticide, and in summer it augments the vigor of the vine, by causing their richness and purity of juice, for it is possible by special conditions of eulture to produce a bulb it to throw out fresh rootlets: but no process can exceptionally rich in saccharine matter, without the so far place the vine beyond the reach of re root being able to transmit that quality hereditarily : invasions of the insect, under the form of swarms further, such culture might produce an unbranching and the hatching of its winter eggs. root, yet the next generation would display all the Coco-nut cake is being tried for feeding purposes. The analysis of Petermann shows, that it is rich forkiness. Beet extracts a great deal of potash from the soil; (20 p. c.) in nitrogehous substances. so the necessity of restoring that salt is urged upon The reports respecting winter crops are satisfactory. the attention of growers. A deficiency of potash in No complaints are made respecting wheat, which bears the soil induces a premature fall of .leaves; holes up well. Indeed farmers are here so contented that in the neck of the root, and a resumption of vege their attention is chiefly given to agitations for the tation in September—which revival takes place at suppression of several small and vexatious taxes, the making of good roads, and the reduction of railway the expense of the sugar-eells. Phosphates are ex transport rates. cellent, and the more so if wheat be intended to follow the beet. Some recommend applications of magnesia. Respecting the period of sowing: in cold EXPERIMENTS WITH MANURES. regions early sowing is to be recommended, while, Here is a paragraph on the relative value of some in warmer districts, the plant is held to resist the manures you may think worth preservation in the beat in proportion to its youthfulness. It was ever Iropical Agriculturist:— a knotty point what ought to determine the monetary E x p e r i m e n t s w i t h M a n u r e s ,— Mr. Cardno, Fraserburgh, value (if beet, for till lately it was the only agri has sent us the following result of experiments with manures cultural product where quality was ignored ? To test made by him for turnip crop grown on Kin bog Farm, season the industrial value of the root was not less an 1881, w ith o u t du n g , fo u r d rills 12 y a rd s long by 27 in c h e s w ide, in centre of field, the proportion given per acre in each case essential factor in price than determining tbe weight. being seven cw t.:— Two methods were proposed ; estimating the density W eig h t of the juice, and that is now generally employed, and T u r- E q u a l C ost C ost analysing its richness—a process abandoned as being p e r p er Description of 1 2 t h ’ A cre to cw t. acre. Manure used. laborious and unreliable, although the densimetric Dec. standard has also its drawbacks. Lb. T. Cwt. Q. L. S. D. £ s. D. The question of pulp did not raise serious dis 106 25 8 3 24 3 9 1 6 3 Odam’s Super phosphate. cussion, as practical stock fatteners corroborated the 73$ 17 12 3 18 4 0 1 8 0 Huon Guano. scientists: when the pulp is too aqueous, correct the 71 17 0 3 18 6 6 2 5 6 Dissolved Bones. defect by dry rations in increased proportions. The 68 16 6 2 0 7 3 2 10 9 Bone duet. sugar interest of Fiance has two grievances : the in Prices of potatoes continue ruinously low. Retail land duties and foreign importations. It is proposed dialers offer to deliver orders at 4d per stone. to double the tax on the bounty sugars of Russia, Large consignments are being shipped for America. Austria, and Germany, and reduce the tax on the A cargo by .steamer is to go from Aberdeen to New consumptive home product still farther. As to levying York; another cargi from Dundee to Baltimore; a the other inland impost, on the beet-root, as in Ger third of 1,700 tuns from Invergorden to New many, instead of at present on the brut sugar in York, the last costing less for fi eight to New the factory, it was agreed to leave that subject as it is. York than railway carriage to London would Since June last M. Pasteur has vaccinated 90,000 have been. Large shipments continue to be made bead of stock,, among which were 10,000 oxen, cows, at Glasgow, and Ireland has been exporting surplus and horses. In every instance his process was suc crops of her staple tatil. The Belfast correspondent cessful : the animals vaccinated escaped the charbon ,of- th e North British Agriculturist w rite s :— “ T h» exportation of potatoes to America this year is some readily, the demand from the Continent having been thing extraordinary. The State Line alone during one much better than for some time past. The weak points week shipped from Glasgow and Larne 3,000 tons of of the market are still the excessive stocks held upon potatoes for the American market and have been obliged the Continent, and the continued enormous production to refuse cargo. The steamship ‘ State of Florida, ’ in Central and South America. Until, therefore, the which sailed from Larne, took with her the largest production is reduced, or the consumption very mater cargo ever shipped from Ireland to America.” ially increased, there is little probability of prices The local presbyteries of the Established, Free and bemg much higher than they are at present. It is true United Presbyterian churches recently appointed that the consumption on the Continent increased during committees to consider the proposal to abolish last year about 6 per cent.. but the imports also in fast-days. These committees held a conference and creased at the rate of 7 pre cent. compared notes. The United Presbyterians were The ferment among the importers on the subject of unanimous for abolition, the Frees by 21 to 4 were the adulteration of coffee has gathered strength through also in favour of doing away with the fasts, but Old a recent Treasury minute permitiing the importation Zion by a large majority objected to any change being of roasted coffee mixed with other commodities, on pay made. Considerable discussion took place and adjourn ment of coffee duty. The exact object of this per ment, without any resolution being come at. mission is unknown, but those who have asked for it A Company has been formed here that is about to have, of course, their own interests in view. Tin im- . commence steam trawling. A tidy little steamer of porters of coffee think that these interests must be 75 tons register and 100 horse-power has been pur inimical to their business, and they ask why the Go chased for the undertaking. vernment should treat their commodity so differently to what they do tea. If tea, mixed witli other sub stances, is imported, it is seized and destroyed by the A COFFEE EXCHANGE- Customs’ authorities, whom the Treasury now allow to A coffee exchange is in the process of organization. sanction the importation of coffee mixed with any ex It will be the first of its kind in the world, and bids traneous matter whatever, so long as the importers pay fair to be an important addition to the trade of this the duty. The revenue officers, apparently, will not city. Articles of incorporation have been drawn up even require the most general declaration that the coffee and signed by a majority of the brokers and some is admixed with anything else, but will content them of the jobbers and importers. As soon as the signat selves with receiving the money. Yet, if a retail grocer ures of the others are secured the organization will received money for a commodity marked coffee, and be proceeded with. There is no opposition to the made no declaration of any existing admixture, he could enterprise, aud the idea appears to be well received be sent to prison for the offence, even with an art'cle throughout the trade. with which such extraordinary “ substitutes ” are The intention is to organize an Exchange on the apparently legal. The action of the Treasury has naturally model of the Produce and Cotton exchanges, and to intensified the feeling of the coffee trade as to the way enact uniform rates of commissions and rules pres their commodity is alio* ed to be treated. They fear that cribing grades for coffee imported. Samples of coffee the result of the recent order will be that tne market will be exhibited by all the jobbers; “calls” will will be Hooded with cheap foreign imitations of coffee, be instituted, and coffee sold for future delivery, the and that the public taste will be still further depraved. same as cotton and grain. In any action that may be taken, it is seriously ques The object sought is not so much to facilitate specu tioned whether the growers of chicory should not be lation, though this is a feature of the enterprise, asked to join, for even chicory appears too dear for as to revive and restore the trade of New York, j modern “ coffee,” and it is quite possible that the Western cities are now importing direct aud often I recent Treasury order may prove even more injurious undersell New York. Rio de Janeiro, by its cable I to chicory than to coffee. communication, thoroughly understands our m arket; ! No doubt, vested interests have been created by and her merchants, instead of selling to our importers, I the admixtures which have been allowed with coffee, are consigning goods to this market and disposing of I accompanied by only the vaguest declaration to the pur them through agents Then, auction sales have been j chaser of the kind of goods he was buying, and people instituted, which the brokers claim will drive them , know more or less that they do not get pure coffee, out of the business. Altogether, the trade is said to 1 aud both the seller and the buyer have got used to be in an extremely unsatisfactory condition, and is j the idea. But the coffee importers argue that it rapidly decreasing. The exchange will, it is believed, would be no more just to allow a baker when asked harmonize all interests and furnish a powerful induce for bread to supply beans, or for a draper asked ment to outride buyers to purchase iu New York. for silk to supply flannel, than for a shopkeeper asked '1 here has always been more or less speculative for coffee to supply something entirely cliff-rent—how -trading in New York, and cargoes are now sold to ever nutritious, or medicinal, or valuable in other nays arrive months ahead. This has, also, to a certain ex the other commodity may be. If other roots, or fru is tent, been done abroad. The Exchange will facilitate or seeds, or woody fiures, improve coffee, the im future tradiug as well as increase cash transactions porters of the latter commodity argue that the fu.l The dffee trade is very large. About SSO.U00 000 declaration of the impiovers used, could only do good worth of coffee is imported annually.—New York to the vendors. If aumixiures, on the otner hand, Commercial Bulletin, November 30th 1881. spoil coffee, instead ot improving it, it is argued that the public ought to be put on its guard. These are some ot the arguments freely used in the coffee market, COFFEE AND ADULTERATION. but the practices complained of have reached such a A slight improvement in the Havre markut at the height, aud so many similar things are done under commencement of the week imparted some, firmness the cover of a simple declaration of admixture, that here, aud prices lightly recovered for all descriptions. very great difficulty would be encountered iu any Towards the close, however, the public sal.es showed attempt to apply to coffee something bke the b'leacfi much irregularity, for, while the finest parcels of law, ny which the proportion of admixture has o be Plantation Ceylon have advanced from 2s. to 4s., low declared. On the othc.r hand, the Jingl.-ii law appears to middling grades have slightly given way, and good to go a long way iu the other direction, for it seems medium qualities have sold without m uci change. to cover ninety per cent, of so-called admixture ’ Other kinds have been more inquired for arn-J h,ave sold so long as, on some portion of the label, ihe tact is stated that the commodity is not pure. Whatever statements, but they are apparently mere statements, difference there may be as to any proposal for a change unsupported by any tests ; either of the facts them io the law—and the subject is too intricate to be selves, or of the cause having certainly been the dealt with here—everyone will agree that the carbolic vapour—post hoc does not necessarily mean propter coffee trade is justified in feeling uneasy, when hoc, and our past experience shows so many cases even the Revenue officers turn against it, and sacrifice of similar appearances, that the facts could only be its interest to those of cheap substitutes. The Board of accepted as effects of the particular cause, after Inland Revenue has been the main defence of the genu they have been themselves proved and the connexion ine coffee trade for many years past, but with what coun established. I well remember a case where the a ppear tenance can their analysts continue to search for, and ance of the spores in six experimental sealed cases report, on spurious coffee, when the Lords of the Trea was the same in all! The spores in the case where sury themselves have signed a minute allowing its impor no remedial or other process had been carried out tation ? Is the retailer to be prosecuted for selling were exactly the same in appearance as the rest; I “ coffee as in Kamecatka, specially examined by Her still consider, after reading Mr. Storck’s remarks, Majesty’s Customs, and found to contain all the aroma that the first step towards a settlement of the ques- of the berry, and to be improved by the addition of tion is to prove that mild vapour, harmless to coffee, highly nutritious and delicious substances” ? Supposing does actually and undoubtedly kill the spore. I have • that a retailer were prosecuted, and it was found that seen the appearances Mr. Storck describes where no the packer, without tbe knowledge of the shopkeeper, treatment whatever had been applied. I have also had put in 90 per cent, of charred cabbage stalks or of seen spores yellow as guineas, when strong vapours burnt peas, what would the public think of such a go had been long surrounding them. If any of our plant vernmental imprimatur, followed by the prosecution and ing friends should think it strange that the spore acquittal of the grocer ? The latter would apparently, should be materially more proof against treatment even in this extreme suppositious case, be quite protected than the mycelium, they might be reminded of the by the declaration of admixture on the label.— Produce difference between a seed of ceara and a growing leaf M arkets' Review. aud of the same ! ”
TEA CLEARING. MR. GRAHAM ANDERSON ON FUNGUS-RESIST The new Customs regulations will, it is anticipated, simplify the payment of duty upon tea, and the ING COFFEEj “ G. W. ” ON THE “ CARBOLIC opportunity is thus a favourable one for considering ACID ” EPPERIMENTS. how far the present system of delivery, with the endless Mr. Graham Anderson of Mysore is a coffee planter delays to which it leads, can be improved. In the tea trade the “ wright-note,” a document abandoned in of such wide experience, so close an observer, and, most other businesses, still forms the key-note of manifestly, so careful a student of plant-life and the system. A tea weight-note,, as is well known, is behaviour, that anything from his pen on the subject an extremely complicated document, for, in addition of coffee culture, is deserving of respect and attention. to containing full particulars of the goods, it forms a In the midst of depression such as never before contract, an invoice, and a delivery order. In theory, all this is very perfect, but in practice there is so affected the coffee enterprise in Ceylon, it is cheer much routiue that despatch in delivery becomes im ing to find this experienced and intelligent Mysore possible. In times of pressure the tea trade comes planter uttering words of confident hope for the future. almost to a deadlock, and, even when the deliveries He, at least, does not despair of the revival of the are small, the delays are quite out ot proportion to sorely-tried Arabian coffee enterprise. No planter or the work done, simply because of the complication of intelligent observer can possibly dispute Mr. Ander the system. One of tbe reforms wanted in the tea trade is the son’s statement that, in the vegetable world, as in the abandonment of weight-notes. Payments on account animal, there are causes and conditions which pre should also be made to the actual holder of the dispose to disease. When cholera, for instance, be-' warrants, and the balance be settled w ith him at tbe comes epidemic, it finds its first and its most prompt. Deliveries, as with most other trades, numerous victims in subjects debilitated by drunken should be made by sub-orders, aud the whole of the present complicated system of clearing or delivery ness, wasting disease or innutrition. But unfortun should be rendered as simple as that in use in coffee ately the epidemic does not stop there, but proceeds, or sugar. The tea, trade, however, is the most con • as it increases in virulence, to strike down the servative in its ways in the Kingdom, aid there is strongest and those who have most religiously ob little chance of such sweeping reforms being carried. served the laws of sanitation in regard to body and As the subject will sh -rtly have to be discussed in connection with the new Customs regulations it is abode. The deadly fungus has visited our coffee with quite possible, nevertheless, that some improvements all the destructive effect of an epidemic, and, while may be effected.—Produce Markets' Review. trees originally weak, or which have become weak from improper I reatment or want of culture, including the application of fertilizing substances—while these LEAF-DISEASE AND MR. STORCK’S CURE. suffered first and worst, the must vigorous and most care- A correspondent w rites : —“ I see the editor of the iuily and scientifically cultivated do not finally escape. Gardeners' Chronicle, in his preliminary observations, says that success depeuds on circumstances ‘ which A s heniileia vastatrix seems to stop short of absolutely should induce cautious 'p-periment on a small scale killing its victims, contenting itself with reducing before embarkation on a large one.’ He, therefore, vitality and fruitfulness to the lowest ebb, of course does not regard Mr. titorck’s statements as conclus the analogy with cholera cannot be pushed too far ; ive. These are : ‘ that the spores turned dirty yel- but it is close enough, and it might he better for the lo-v aud incapable ot propagation’ that, if it did planter in the end if his plants were at once killed not ‘ immediately kill the spores, it effectually iu- caoacitates them from germination’ aud ‘ all disease utright, rather than reduced to an invalid condition, ie dead before the fall of leaf,' All these are strong equiring .constant and expensive treatment with but poor and unremunerative results. If, at the commence Anderson’s theory of fungus-resisting trees. Our re ment of the plant pestilence, some thirteen years ago cent visit to Udapulla, as well as reports of experi now, (Tytler's cycle), the plants had been killed, they ence on other places where the plants are cultivated, might have been replaced by the seed of those disease- all tend to the conclusion tnat trees of a specially resisting varieties for the existence of which Mr. luxuriant and dense habit of growth, do resist—at Anderson so strongly conttnds. As matters stand, the least have as yet resisted—the fungus, which may existence of such varieties, none of which seem as yet prevail in a virulent form on trees in close proximity to have reached Ceylon, (unless Liberian coffee prove to those which can claim a clean bill of health. We an exception") can benefit only those who have the ought also to add that, in Capt. Bayley’s experience, courage now to commence a pursuit on which so much coffee trees from seed obtained from Mocha are of disaster has fallen. The question at issue is the specially vigorous and disease-resisting. Seedlings from existence of disease-resisting plants. Mr. Marshall West Indies seed, on the other hand, were at once W ard’s contention was that trees which had apparently and badly attacked. resisted attacks of the fungus, owed their temporary Mr. Graham Anderson does not, in the present immunity merely to position with reference to prevail letter, indicate the coffee of any particular district ^ ing winds and he recommended tree-planting not for as noted for its disease-resisting powers. A writer in shade, but for shelter. Mr. Graham Anderson, with th e A sia n (a Calcutta paper) is, however, positive and all his faith in the processes of cultivation aud manur definite, as will be seen by the letter which we quote, ing, has, it will be observed, no belief in the possi placing it after Mr. Graham Anderson’s elaborate ar bility of warding off attacks of the fungus bygument. -The habitat of the disease-resisting coffee is such “ mechanical” means as shelter belts. In this, the district of Nalkhuaad in Coorg, and curiously we hope, he may be mistaken. We surely, all enough this coffee resembles the Liberian species in of us, in Ceylon, fully believe in the value of great size and deep colour of foliage. The habit of the ground treatment of the coffee plant, even if, asthe branches, however, is drooping, or what planters- Mr. Marshall Ward said, a certain portion of the foodcall “ umbrella ” shape, much as we remember Hapu- supplied to the tree roots went to feed the fungi in the tale plants in 1874. The Coorg plant is said not only to leaves. As for root-pruning, the cockchafer grubs resist disease but to give crops larger by 25 to 30 per have done and are doing only too effectually what is cent than ordinary coffee. We believe coffee from seed equivalent to that process, and we trust that ultimately of this variety is now growing in Ceylon, (imported in all estate! in the colony will benefit, as some have 1880) aud we should m uch like to know liovv far it has already done, when the insect pruners have ceased to fulfilled the conditions claimed for it ? The state graze on the feeding rootlets of a plant, the leaves of ment as to its superiority in Coorg is strong and which are simultaneously used as food by the fungus. unqualified. Has any Ceylon planter visited Mr. Light pruning too, we imagine, is the rule in regard Chisholm’s estates ?* All possible information is calcu to trees which have not strength enough left to put on lated to be of value, although at present our hopes sufficient wood for a profitable crop. But surely due of revival for our old coffee, as a whole, rest more on the attention to the root-culture of the plant ought not to “cycle”and “effluxion of time” theories than on anything justify neglect of topical treatment, especially when, as else. Let us adopt for our motto, however, Mr. in the case of Mr. Morris’s lime and sulphur and j Graham Anderson’s sentiment : “ Nil desperaiulum.” Mr. Schrottky’s carbolate of lime, the topical ap- I Since the above was written the letter of plication must benefit the soil and so the roots of the 1 “ G. W .”, a well-known veteran writer on planting plants. The vast majority of those connected with topics, has come to hand. His object, it will the coffee enterprize are much more anxious be seen, is to shew that as regards the efficacy to know what will cure Ihe plants already in of carbolic acid in cheeking and destroying the leaf fungus, we are still at the very A. B. C. of scientific the ground than to learn that “ fresh blood,” in the investigation. This coucludon of our correspondent shape of seed from distant sources, might give them to 'k us by surprise and we directed his attention fungus-resisting trees. That involves beginning de to Mr. Ward's last report aud to Mr. Storck’s paper novo. Alkalies and phosphates were deficient in the in th e Gardeners' Chronicle with the result given in period anterior to 1869, and yet there was no visita the postscript to his letter. But “ G. W.” must remember that a grave reflection will rest on Mr. tion of fungus. Indeed it is certain that never in its Ward himself if he gave up his special mission history had coffee received more justice in the shape in this island, declaring he had done all that was of cultivation and manuring than in the period when in his power to investigate the H emileia and th e hemileia voMo.tr ix first developed over the Ceylon means of fighting it, while at the same time he estates. If the coffee planters violated any law at all, hild not given careful and due attention to the it was that, if it exists, in nature’s code, which forbids virtues of an antiseptic universally admitted to be of so much efficacy as carbolic acid. The very ex- extensive areas of one particular culture. Certainly the effect of the visitation has been to break up unifor * Mr. R. H. Elliot (“ the Mysore planter”) attributed mity and direct attention to new and varied products. the freedom of his coffee from the fungus to “ shade” !: far more probable causes are the isolated position of his In one of these, Liberian coffee, there seems to exist, as property surrounded by forest and the long dry season yet, very strong evidence in favour of Mr. Graham experienced in Mysore. Mr. J. S. Middleton, an old Ceylon planter, now holding property in Mysore for twenty years, * We believe small consignments have also been mentioned how an estate of his planted with ordinal--, coffee received here of Nalkhanaad seed : Mr. J. S. Mid was snuffed out, aud how he had planted again with the dleton of Mysore in 1880 having first called local “ Nhakanaad" variety and which successfully resisted leaf attention to this variety. disease. periments which “ G. W .” desiderates, are just those Another experiment throws The ripe spores with which for which we should like to have the aid of the light on this subject. A thin the plants, then some nine Cryptogamist. There is however, a very striking layer of the mixture of car months old, were fairly reck contradiction been the experience of Mr. Ward as bolic acid powder and lime ing, began to change colour given in his Report (page 523, “ Tropical Agriculturist,” was sprinkled on the surface from the wellknown bright vol. I.,) and the statement of Mr. Storck (who was of the mould around two orange to a dull ochre, until Assistant to the well-known Botanist Dr. Seeman,) coffee plants, and at once they subsequently turned into dirty yellow and then greyish which is corroborated, says the editor of the G ard watered. The watering was continued at intervals for white. They all, instead of eners' Chronicle, by independent reliable authority :— three weeks, when one ot as usual dispersing, remained (this will be found on page 911 of the “ Tropical the plants had but one yel in a manner glued to the A griculturist ” seq). We give the two passages for low leaf left, and the 1 leaves, and afterwards drop purposes of compaiison :— of the other were pale and ped with them, dead, harm M r. Ward. Mr. Storck. drooping. The effects of even less, incapable of propagation. Carbolic acid is very slowly An acre of coffee laud con a dilute solution of carbolic As time went on, all rust volatile, and with difficulty tains thirty-six centres of acid at the roots are disas which came out began to look soluble in water, and where vaporisation formed by tin trous, though in the case of dull in colour and sickly, quite drops of the acid touch a vessels to be mounted upon a large strong tree they may different from a healthy crop leaf, &c., destruction of the short sticks, and covered in be to a certain extent marked of spores. By degrees pale ^tissues ensues. Carbolic acid a peculiar manner, to protect by other changes. rings round the rust patches has, moreover, a powerful the contents from rain and But observations 011 whole began to show, indicating the odour, and it appears to be rubbish, thereby preventing estates prove the same, aud circumference of the mycelia assumed in the experiments waste and undesirable dilution I have failed to discover the and where their farther that the odour is a measure by rain of the tiuid contents good effects said to have development had been arres of so much vapour passing of the vessel. They consist been produced on estates by ted. In the third month a off from the mixture to be of a mixture of carbolic acid the treatment. That the ger large proportion of the spots dissolved iu the water on the And water in the proportion minal tubes are killed where- appeared pale green, whitish leaf. I do not find, however, of from 3 to 10 per ctnt. of ever a solution of carbolic round the edges, and as if that the destruction of Hemil Calvert’s best No. 5 acid, at acid comes in contact with frying up iu the middle; eia spores in the neighbour the option of the operator. them is true; but such a solu some pushed out a few sickly hood of the mixture is com Any strength not exceeding tion is not produced in the spores, but very frequently mensurate with the alleged 25 per cent, may be used, since way described in the expert none at all. The spots turned results. It is true that, where nothing touches the plants or ments on Peradeniya, Glen- into dry tissue, and most of water is in contact with the the soil, nor injures the ten- eagles, Pallakelle, &c. those leaves, unless too se powder, a solution is obtained derest young leaf or flower- If carbolic acid powder verely attacked, remained on sufficiently strong to kill ger bud. * * Two Liberian trees could be used with safety, the trees. Thenceforth a little minal tubes, but the diffusion I simply furnished with a it would be more efficacious dirty-looking rust still con of this over the leaf is a very small bottle each, partly filled without the lime, which could tinued to appear, but the slow process. Under any cir with iny mixture of only 3 be used with benefit as a presence of the disease, up cumstances the results of ex per cent., hung into the angle manure; but in face of the to its complete disappearance, periments with carbolic acid of the lowest branches. Both fact that whatever external was chiefly indicated by dead powder are not as yet en trees have now been per application were used, it would and dying mycelia. From couraging, though I am of fectly free of the fungus for have to be repeated at least what I have witnessed, hare opinion that more might be some weeks, and not a single every three weeks or so, it contact with the vaporised done with some modification one of their close neighbours would be highly injurious to atmosphere seems, i f not imme of it,* if it were not for the has been infected. They permit such an increase of diately to kill the spores, to fact that the accumulated, prove to have been completely carbolic acid in the soil as effectually incapacitate them powder and solution are a source isolated by the treatment, not would be the case here. frpm germination. From mov o f danger at the roots. ing round in the nursery, a single spore living to reach Storck. (Continued.) I will pass on to the des and infect the others, al examining the effects of the cription of a few illustrative though in some instances mend a density of 10 per treatment, as I frequently experiments before reporting almost touching. With the cent. The effects of the first did, I would often go in further on the larger ones. nursery, covering about three- week’s dense vapour will among healthy trees, handle A sturdy coffee plant, of quarters of an acre, I pro amply repay the extra out their leaves, pull suckers and which two leaves were dis ceeded in the following lay iu striking a deathblow, the like, but not a single eased with “ rust patches,” manner:—Judging that with not only against the rust in instance of further infection was placed in a small war so small an area as the above full development but—whith took place among those trees, dian case, the whole of the I should be working at a dis is the greatest triumph oi Liberian and Arabian, which inside of which was painted advantage through the gas my system—against the my were healthy when the pro with a saturated solution ol escaping beyond the limits of celium of the fungus. This cess was started. With grown carbolic acid in water. In the the area and going to waste first blow will under these trees, having leaves of denser overpowering atmosphere pro in every direction, I arranged circumstances save a large texture and more uniform duced the plant was tightlj my centres of vaporisation a proportion of the foliage, un age than nursery plants, enclosed. A fter 24 hours 1 iittle closer than would be less too far gone, by instantly which are almost always grow opened the case and removed necessary on a large field, and arresting the development of ing, the effects, although ap the plant: the odour of car put them 8 yards apart each the fungus, and killing ah parently slower at the begin bolic acid was so strong, that way. The receptacles of the that may be sti,l alive on the ning, are in the end still more one could with difficulty hold fluid and their covers were dead aud dying leaves strew pronounced. They lose a the head in the enclosure represented by ordinary cups ing the ground. If the dis greater proportion of leaves Nevertheless, spores taken and saucers, pressing the cups ease is not visibly present, at the start, but all dissase from one of the patches ger slightly into the ground and all the better; the carbolic upon them and in them is minated nominally in 24 hours, mounting the inverted saucers vapour will in a short time dead before the fall, at once It is thus clear that iu using upon three or four short force it to show itself, chiefly neutralising a fruitful source carbolic acid (as with other sticks stuck closely round the the character of dying of re-infection. In the case reagents) the germinal tubes rim of the cups, I left a | mycelia, and save still more of fairly vigorous trees a new will have to be attacked witlvc]ear space of about I inch ; or all of the foliage which coat of clean foliage, never a solution of the acid. |jn depth between the rim of would have gone in the next'again to be soiled by the * As, for instance, usiug tiiejthe cup and the cover. They attack of disease. ***CINCHONA AND CINCHONA HYBRIDS. ON THE HILLS OF CEYLON. Amongst papers which have accumulated we find a Beyond aud around. Nawalapitiya is the re letter, from which we quote as follows:— gion of tea, extensive plantations of which are pre I have been somewhat amused at Colonel Beddume’s paring traffic for the railway which is scoring the hill report upon cinchona. I cannot see what benefit sides and passes through many abandoned coffee estates. can arise from biinging new men continually upon old Sir. Wm Gregory, in the discussion on the precarious subjects. For my part I can show every connecting ness of coffee, took care to say that in his opinion link from a succiruba pure aud simple in every we were only at the beginning of discovering the gradation until we reach an ordinary officinalis, various products which could be cultivated in Ceylon. calisaya what else you like. I have also had bark from Our late Governor would have been delighted had he seen both the pubescent and glabrous leaved hybrids what we saw at “Strathellie” two days ago : 300 acres of analyzed with the averageresult of the pubescent form luxuriant tea and a Jackson’s tea roller at work on proving the richer in quinine, often as much as 1 per the green leaf, which a Davidson’s Sirocco was con- cent, above the i-mooth leaved or glabrous f >rm, the verting into dry, of as good or better quality than analyses having been made hy Dr. Paul. I look upon that fired over furnaces of charcoal. To get to Mr. P. these new- (?) questions as.matters settled by Maclver R. Sh«nd’s property the traveller proceeds to Gini- 10 years ago, now to be theorized and brought gathena; then about a couple of miles down the up as m,w again, owing to the inexperience Yatiantote road, and finally along an estate road to and want of discrimination of one man. My experi the right: 9 or 10 miles in all from Nawalapitiya. The ments, as regards results, prove Mac Iver to be right pUce is in old Ambagamuwa and was blazing hot in all his points, except in extent, wherein alone, I when we walked over and admired i t ; perfect contrast think, he is wrong in a sli ht exaggeration of the as it is to the comparatively low and level tea land we qualities of his pots. Remove this, and the main facts saw in Java. But it can rain there, to the extent of coincide with my knowledge, far more than with eii her 220 inches per annum. Tea can grow with 60 inches, Cross or Beddome. Cinchona, as a wild plant, is >'S m uch but it flourishes under from 100 to 250. There is no removed from cinchona as a cultivated one as an un question as to the actual success of tea here and at educated rustic is from an educated man. I am very Galbodde, or the prospeciive suc-ess of the large acres much mistaken if cinchona has not the power of cross on old Carolina, Mount Jean, &\ Up here and all the way between, as also all tbe way down to sea-level, them. Seeking as they are to find some new article to tea is e qually successful, and Ceylon will yet be a grea add to the producing powers of the country, it behoves tea country. Of that there can be no doubt. Tea drying by the Government to give them all the aid that is such machines as the “ Sirocco” removes one of the possible, and, in view of the losses sustained in recent great objections, that of hot, night work, which formerly years, nothing should be left undone which will con weighed against tea in comparison with coffee. I duce to a revival of prosperity. Moreover, the was sorry to learn, en route, that coffee grown in expense to be incurred in making such a collection is Ceylon from seed obtained from Nalknaad, in Coorg, very small, and can hardly be reckoned as anything possessed no immunity from leaf-disease. The ques- | beside the possible beneficial results. It is not too tions now are, if the variety of Liberian coffee which much to ask tbe Government to see to this, but there resists di-ease can be grafted on Arabian and up to 1 seems an amount of supiness and lack of energy in what what altitude it will grow '! In Kottiagalla Oya j should be the guiding star. They should encourage in valley I saw the great contrast between still vigorous every way the opportunity for bringing to the notice of old coffee, and some only six years old, but from the planters all and every product which may be in seed of trees enfeebled by leaf-disease. For tbe troduced with success into the island.— L. & C. Express. present, the planting of Arabian coffee is at a stand still, unless there are small exceptions in LTva. MR. EDGAR LAYARD IN NEW CALEDONIA. I have now paid my third visit of inspection to • Ledgeriana grafts placed on succirubra plants in situ From a long paper in the Field of Feb. 4th, we extract and in the open air. There can be no further doubt a few sentences of some local interest as much on account of the perfect success of the discovery which, and of the writer as. of the substance :— all the consequences that must result to the planting ; In The Field of the 16th April last will be found an enterprise of Ceylon, the country owes to Mr. VVm. account of the unexpected fishing I met with in the, Smith. Mr. Moens deals with stocks in fiower-pots, to me, then unknown river at Moindou, on the west uses only the tips of Ledgeriana branches, and not coast of this Island. I there and then “ promised only one covering of glass, but two are desiderated and vowed three things in my name,” and I now in his process. Mr. Smith grafts in the open air, intend to redeem my promises better than most god with no shade beyond a bottomless, up-turned basket fathers ordinarily do. and a bit of sacking. He can graft ripe wood on First, I promised, if I lived, to go back again; well-grown trees, and not the tips merely, but all secondly, to try the fish with spinning bait and the branches of a good Ledgeriana tree are available. artificial fly; and, thirdly, to write and tell my I hope soon to dial fully with this grand discovery j brethren of the angle all about it in The Field. which, while conferring incalculable benefit on Ceylon, . I wanted to revisit Moindou in the months of will, I trust, result in fortune to the owner of the 150 August and September, when the huge old Erythrina fine Ledgerianas which he says he owes to seed I gave trees that grow on the river bottom, or flat, through him. Apart from the wonderful analyses, which are which tbe river meanders, were in all their glory— the true tests, I can say that the foliage-features of the one gorgeous mass of scarlet and gold, and, as my trees are just perfect reproductions of Mr. Moens’ kind friend Mens. Boyer toid me, swarming with parrots. celebrated Ledgeriana grove in Java. The precious I wanted to find one special kind of parrot—Glossop- seed of the Mattakelle trees is being carefully collected sitta diadema—which I have not yet seen, and which by means of calico cages which envelope stems and is very rare Alas 1 man proposes, but God disposes. branches. First, I got pitched out of my phaeton, and dis Close by them, in a beautiful shady piece of the abled my left arm, which leaves me with a perma original jungle, the genial owner of the Ledgers (one nent stiff wrist. Then ray “ better half ” had a serious of which he values at £5,000, which, in fact he would not illness; and so it was not till the first days of part with at that sum,) gave, a few days ago a ladies’ October that I found myself steaming along in the and children’s party which was a delightful success lumbering old “ Croix du Sud,” with her head pointed in the large numbers present and the perfect enjoy, to Tdretnba. Our voyage was not a very eventful ment which prevailed. The Laird of Mattakelle one. It was a dead calm, and the only living things is not one of those whp despairs because visible were dozens of a brown-coloured sea-snake, depression has overtaken tbe old coffee enterprise. which surrounded us on all sides for miles. Some He believes as I do that there is life in the old were swimming lazily along, others lay motionless colony yet, and that robust vitality will fully return. and heedless of the steamer as she ploughed past them ; some extended at full length, others coiled up. EXHIBITION OF CEYLON PRODUCTS. I see a discussion in The Field as to the climbing powers of these reptiles. 1 cannot say I have ever We are glad to see that our frieuds in Ceylon are actually seen them climb up a hawser or rock either; setting themselves to work to secure in the museums of but I have heard so often of their being found on the island space for the exhibition of the different kinds board vessels lying at anchor that I have no doubt of coffee produced in various countries. Their efforts they can climb up a hawser or chain, and I have have been backed up, and there has not been much both heard of and seen them in places on land to difficulty in obtaining the required concession. One leach which they must have had some power of would have thought that it would have been hardly climbing and locomotion. Here they are not dreaded necessary to ask for room, because coffee is a produce as venomous; but in the eastern seas I have heard ot such interest to Ceylon that every assistance to of many accidents. * * * * examine what grows in other places ought surely to In my former account I mentioned that one of have been tendered by the Government As we have I the fishes I caught, a kind of fresh-water herrino, often remarked, private enterprise does a great deal, : was said to be very abundant in the marshes and ponds. »ml will do more, but there are little things iu which There was a lovely pond, or “ tank,” as we should the authorities can show an interest, and which act as have called it in Ceyloo, within view of the house. a stimulus to efforts temporarily checked by bad seasons It lay right on the boundary line of the coffee plant and unfavourable circumstances. The collection of ation ; so one side had been cleared of all but ilie natural produc s is one of these ways of showing gigantic erythrina trees, the other was still covered interest, and from the means at the command of the , with fine forest, the branches of some of the trees Government it is very easy for them to bring within the j sweeping down to the water. The big trees were observation of planters many things of great use to j still in flower, a grand mass of colour ; and, as tbe Bett'ng sun shone on the placid water, lit up the scarlet and hence meet the want now much felt in the manu of the flowers to a brighter flime, and renderedthe dark facture of wine. Every domestic animal has degener sombre shade of the forert doubly dark by contrast, ated in Egypt, save the ass, owing to want of I thought I had rarely seen a more lovely bit of scenery. adequate food, suitable care and healthful conditions. Day’s latest glance on the brown hill beaming Green fodder is much needed in the warm weather, Lingers like lover, loath to say farewell, and trench-preserved food would admirably fill the Cradled below, the lake lies calmly gleaming. void. Ordinarily, there is not more than one head of cattle for every 30 acres, while in farming districts, I bade adieu to my kind friends, rode into Tdremba in other lands, one beast is estimated for 2 to 3 again, slept under the hospitable roof of the com acres. The drawback is the taxation, which amounts mandant, and at 4 a.m. boarded the old “ Croix to about one-fourth of the total revenue of the land : du Sud,” and “ screwed” back to Noumea. The rain some holdings, and where the soil is of identical that had bothered me almost every day of my stay quality, pay four times higher taxation than the other. accompanied me to the last. I saw a heavy thunder But this is the result of mal-administration. storm travelling parallel with us along the mountains, M. Ladureau, Director of the Agronomical Station at and as we sighted Noumea it burst over the town. Lille, has published his annual report on experiments with Such a violent downpour has, 1 believe, never before beet, to show that richness in sugar and relatively visited the place; and three flashes of lightning and large-sized roots are not incompatible. These desi accompanying thunder (of which we rarely have any) derata can be obtained by cultivating the plants at will long be remembered by the inhabitants. My box close distances, securing good seeds, and selecting was full to the brim with birds ; I had several new appropriate manure, superphosphate of lime especially. birds’-eggs and nests, a lot of land shells, a stock These conditions fulfilled, the meteorological draw of health, and, above all, fulfilled my desire and killed backs can be counteracted. A question has been fish with the artificial fly in New Caledonia, raised, whether the pulp, the result of extracting the E . L. L ayard, juice by the now general process (in France) of British Consulate, Noumea, Nov. 1881. diffusion, instead of the old practice of pressure, demands an increase of dry matter, such as hay, AGRICULTURE IN EGYPT AND ON THE chaff, cut straws, &c. The pulp from the press con tains but 70 or 75 per cent of water, while that from CONTINENT OF EUROPE. diffusion is as high as 88 or 90. Tbe augmentation (Special letter.) of hay, Ac., ought then to be about 25 per cent. Attention is being drawn to Egypt as a country M. Desprez, on his farm of Cappelle, near Lille, admirably suited for agricultural emigration. Despite established a laboratory ostensibly to control the rich the bad administration of the country, the advantages ness of the root cultivated on 250 acres, grown simply are many and real. In point of climate, it would be for seed. Some 2,000 to 3,000 analyses can be made perfection for the farmer. It never rains, hails, snows daily, and the beet found richest in sugar is kept for or freezes. The water necessary for irrigation is seed : from 12 to 15 per cent of sugar is what is stored in reservoirs and distributed by canals; so the anticipated: roots yielding less are thrown aside. cultivator can have the equivalent of rain when he Indeed it is every day becoming more and more a pleases. The Nile marks the limit of fertility : where certainty in beet culture that success depends chiefly its waters reach not, there the desert commences. on the quality of the seed. This secured, the r iots The soil is in great part derived from the sediment of ought to be purchased proportionate to their richness. the Nile : it is relatively deep, and, by a little amel The French Government organizes and subsidizes a ioration in tilling, could be made to yield three series of regional agricultural shows annually; they times more than at present. Hand labor is abundant, are official and so have many drawbacks, one of tbe and costs only half a franc per day, and no food. chief being the constkntion of the juries. The Land can be bought out for fs. 500 an acre, and far number of jurors is five, being two, too m ny, and ming pays about 5 to 6 per cent on capital. The the jury that avvaids prizes to sheep does the same system of cultivation is simple. When the Nile com duty7 toward:, pigs and barn door fowls. In the case mences to rise in the middle of June, rice or maize, of black cattle, matters are still worse : the same jury &a., is sown; in autumn, wheat, beans, or clover ; and awards prizes to several different races of stock. It is in March, cotton or cane-sugar. Agricultural operations proposed to nominate jurors with a special knowledge can be effected at all seasons, since there are no of each class of animals exhibited. It would be well to meteorological drawbacks. No manure is employed, exercise greater severity towards exhibitors who meiely for the natives dry the excrements of animals for the purchase stock to fatten and carry off a blue ribbon. purposes of fuel. The same kind of plough is employed M. Lemorie has conducted a curious experiment to today, as in the time of the shepherd kings, say, determine the ratio between the food consumed by barn 8,000 years ago : the soil is scratched to the depth door fowls, and the quantity of manure produced. He of two inches : the plough is drawn by two bullocks, enclosed a cock and six hens of the Dork.ng breed. A or a camel and an ass : no care is observed in the hen, it appears, consumes annually 374 lb. of food, of selection of sewing seeds : the grain is never cut till which it excretes 272 lb.: the remaining 102 lb. repre it commences to self-shell; consequently threshing senting that serving for the sustenance of the body. operations are easily conducted : the latter are effected The value of the manure was only one franc! in two manners ; bv a kind of roller armed with knife- The phylloxera continues its ravages, and some teeth, when the grain is intended for human con- vineyard proprietors flatter themselves to have con sumytivu and exportation ; the second consists in quered the foe. The Government is certainly not trampling it under the feet of oxen, where the excre niggardly in its grants to experiment on all agents ments of the animals also mingle. Cotton is the most reputed efficacious to destroy the scourge. A very protitabb product to cultivate: but it is very exhaustive, complete history of the plague has appeared, replete become rone of it is ever restored to the soil : the with illustrations of the insect in all its stages: its fibre and the oil are not exhausting products, but mode of propagation, of attack, and of its ravages : the seed or cake, which contains the fertilizing soil healthy and diseased vines are so grouped that it is elements, are also exported to other countries for impossible even for a child not to take in the history cattle feeding. Mulberry trees could be grafted and so of the calamity. The volume speaks to the eye, and produce food for silkworms, while the vine could must be invaluable wherever a vineyard exists, or be made to yield fruit capitally suited for raisins, natural history is taught. 203 PROFITABLE GOLD MINING IN AUSTRALIA. for work, the wire rope forms a triangle, of which Mr. Thomas Cornish, m.e., in the Mining Journal-. the engine movable and stationary anchors are the —The late accounts of gold mining from Ansi i alia, corners. whether in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, The plough works between the engine and the move- Tasmania, or New Zealand, are of a most encouraging able anchor, and on its arrival at the latter, by a nature, and tend to show the rapid progress the colonies neat arrangement it is carried forward a distance of are making in developing their resources, and the eight furrows, and likewise when it reaches the engine, ample room there is for legitimate investment in gold it (the engine) being a traction one as well, moves mining with every prospect of profitable returns, and forward the same distance. The work we had the I can but think if capitalists and investors would but pleasure of seeing performed was in every way satis- turn their attention to Australian gold mining invest , factory and much superior to what could have been ments they would be more certain of obtaining sub done by the best Chinese coolies both as regards stantial results in the shape of good dividends than quality and quantity; it was done apparently at a they are likely to get from other countries which ap moderate cost, and it was a pleasure to see the Lalang pear to obtain their special favour. The colonies that grass so ruthlessly torn up and exposed to the sun. have produced such an enormous amount of gold During the day of ten working hours it finished the during the past 30years, amounting to over £275,000,000, creditable area of nearly seven acres. and the gold-fields which are still producing such ex We will now place before our readers a rough cellent results, are worthy of mote serious attention estimate of the cost per mensem, as well as the cost per than has hitherto been paid them. The Australasian orlong, incurred by ploughing with steam ; in all our Insurance and Banking Record, of Nov. 10, 1881, gives calculations we take as our data that the plough can the following as a portion of a list of dividend pay only work nine months during the year and twenty ing mines in Victoria :— days per month. Estimate of expenses of steam plough Name of Company. District. per month. Long Tunnel ...... Walhalla £12,000 £786,000 Depreciation on cost §6000 Pleasant Creek Cross Reef...Stawell 21,250 780,742 at 12 per cent, per annum ...... § 60.— Garden Gully United ..Sandhurst 21,614 680,949 Interest ...... 9 ... 4 . — New North Clunes ..Clunes 37,008 487,734 Engine Driver’s wages ...... 35 — *Baud of Hope & Albion Coolies &c. he...... Consols ..Ballarat 449,000 413,640 36,— Great Extended Hustlers ,...Sandhurst 24,500 336,300 Firewood at 800 pieces per day ... .. 120. — f Egerton ... ..Egerton 93,750 219,680 Oil, T allow , &c...... 20.— Great Extended Hustlers, No. 1 Tribute ...... Sandhurst 4,200 194,600 §320. Queen’s Birthday ... ..Dunolly 6,750 186,750 United Hustlers & Redan ,...Sandhurst 4,800 109,200 20 days’ work at 8 acres per day 160 acres Extended Cross Reef ..Stawell 37,399 95,089 Cost per acre ...... 82.— Clunes ..Clunes 30,000 109,438 Cost per day ...... §16. John’s Reef ...Sandhurst 69,300 130,199 To do the same work per day it would take 200 Lazarus No, 1 ...Sandhurst 48,375 75,375 Chinese coolies, and, calculating their wages at the New Chum Consolidated ...Sandhurst 14,000 71,400 lowest figure at 20 cents per day the cost would be South Clunes .. ...Clunes 40,000 71,tOO forty dollars, or more thau double what it cost by Ellesmere .. .Sandhurst 14,616 73,850 North Old Chun ...... Sandhurst 16,200 68,175 the steam plough. North Johnson’s ...Sandhurst 825 64,425 Besides ploughing, the engine can be used for har Old Chum ...Sandhurst 10,800 59,062 rowing, pumping water for irrigation, and thrashing, Lazarus Company ...... Sandhurst 47,250 51,750 if necessary. Eilenboro ...... Sandhurst 15,30 I 51,300 We have considered and looked at the bright side Black Horse ..Egerton 12,750 62,250 of the question. As we have said every thing worked There are many other companies not mentioned, such satisfactorily, the soil was dry and not over stiff, the as the Port Philip and Clunes Companies, which have weather favorable; but on a previous occasion, when raised bold from their mines to the value of £1,625,529, we saw it at work, frequent stoppages had to be made and paid in dividends slid royalty £366,166, as men owing to the plough sinking into soft soil : this might tion d in the n ports ending June 30, 1679. be remedied by constructing a lighter machine, but at the same time equally as strong; this is, however, a matter for the consideration of the manufacturers. PLANTING ENTERPRISE IN PROVINCE In addition to the steam ploughing machine above WELLESLEY : THE STEAM PLOUGH. mention d, Mr. L. C. Brown, of Glugor. Ii ,s lately imported what is called the l.alaug grass cutter, (From th e Straits Times, M arch 18th.) which is a machine intended to be worked with either The steam plough has, it appears, been introduced a pair of bullocks or a single buffalo, bat, judging into Province Wellesley by Mr. Daniel Logau, Soli- fro II a trial recently made in a plantation at Balow, citor-Gi neial for the Straits Settlements, and who buffaloes would no doubt be more suitable for work is also, the Pinang Gazette say s, an euterpriziug and ing the machine. persever ng agriculturist. The steam plough under In a little under two hours, one orloug of tnick notice is what is called the “Single Engine Set'1 and Lalang was clear d, which was deemed exceedingly is menu actured by the well-known firm of Messrs. satisfactory. Owners of coconut plantations we.l Ko-vler & Co., Leeds. The mode of working is as fol know the difficulty and expense of keeping their lows. To the plough (which is a four-furrowed one) plantations clear with cattle, now iliat disease is so is attached two steel r. pes, one of which works direct rife; and, Indian labour being expensive and scaice, into the back winding drum of the engine; the this machine is no doubt of great importance, seeing other crosses to the opposite side of the field aud that it can be managed by three coolies and .me pas-cs round a pulley fixed to a movable anchor, buffalo, aud. in a fair day’s work, four to five orlviigs from there it runs at right angles passing through an could be cleared, although we underhand that iu several ingeniously fixed anchor aud then back again to the plantations some expense would first have to be in front winding drum on the engine. From this dee- curred in levelling the ground and getting rid of the pription, it will been that, when the engine is ready white ant neato, which are very numerous and eo hard as certainly to break the knives of the machine Lf.dgeriana Seedlings and a Snail Enemy.— should they come in contact with any of the mounds. Some of the merchants in Colombo who went to There is another use to which this machine’ may pro expense and trouble to give a fair trid to the bably be put, i. e., in gathering the paddy crops. coffee bean contains carefully-selected seed of hardy varieties, which will potash, lime, and magnesia, together with phosphoric at any rate to a certain appreciable extent, have dis and sulphuric acid, and we are taught that these ease-resisting powers. constituents are required for certain physiological Having maintained in all my essays and letters purposes in the economy of plant-life, and, although during tbe last six years that constitutional debility, it were impossible to gain accurate information re either hereditary or acquired, renders the plant more garding the likes and dislikes of H em i eia, I entirely liable to disease, and that this susceptibility increases fail to comprehend why the investigation connected in a corresponding ratio to the persistence with which with the nutrition of plant-cells, even though it should we continue either to propagate from a deteriorated require the “ appliances only to be found in the stock or maintain a system of imperfect cultivation of well-equipped laboratories of Europe,"’ should be for the soil, or neglect to supply those constituents which an instant considered as unworthy of peculiar atten frequent crops of coffee are known to remove from the tion, when making further research relative to the land, I do not desire to escape from a just share of pest under notice. any censure which I may deserve for continuing to The following extracts from Sach’s Text-book on believe that all remedies must go into and affect the Botany explain what I mean :— soil so as to strengthen and invigorate tbe constitution “ The combinations of food-materials must be sub of the plants. ject within the tissues to progressive changes of posi As you are aware, I have advanced a theory that tion in addition to and in consequence of their chemi Hemileia Vastatrix finds the beat conditions for its de cal transformations.”—“ The nutrition and growth of velopment during the abnormal continuance of an all plants hitherto examined for this purpose is impos otherwise transitory condition of the starchy and sible or abnormal if any of these elements are want sugary constituents of the cell-sap, and I have ventured ing.”—“ The constant occurrence of compounds of to assert on the authority of certain humble attempts phosphoric acid in company with albuminoids as well at experimental observation, that a want of alkalies and as of potassium salts in organs containing starch and phosphates in £u available form, at certain seasons of sugar, points towards definite relations which they may the year in a soil iu defective mechanical condition, possess to those chemical processes that immediately is at least one of the principal causes of our troubles. precede the processes of construction in plants. As fungi without exception present the pi culiarity “ Nobbe has recently shown that if plant-materials, of never forming starch (Sach) 1 have concluded that otherwise complete, but possessing no potassium, it is probable fungoid parasites obtain their food in are supplied to plants (as buckwheat) they behave the most suitable form from such hosts as are tempor as if they were absorbing only pure water instead of arily (if I may be permitted the expression) either of a solution of food-material. They do not assimilate a lymphatic temperament, or 11 re unable to obtain a sup and show no increase in weight because no starch can ply of some staminal principles in sufficient abundance be found in the grains of chlorophyll without the for their requirements. assistance of potassium.” I am far from believing that our soils arc suffering Professor Worthington Smith on Peronospera In- from absolute exhaustion, but I venture to think that festans eays :—“ I haxy got my must abundant each variety of plant of the same species undoubtedly materials from the tuber when soft and almost trans possesses different powers of collecting from the land parent like painters’ size ; in this state the starch is an adequate supply of inorg nic plant f od ivce.-sary utterly destroyed and what is more curious there is to maintain certain obscure functions in healthy ac no offensive smell. The tuber frequently decomposes tivity. vVe know that lnalthy plants contain more with a horrible fcetor and turns whitbh inside ; the alkalies than weak ones (Harman) and agricultural starch is then all present and not much injured and chemistry clearly points out that it is rather the con very little indeed can be seen of the fungus.” dition than the quantity of the elements of plant- “ Predisposition to infection implies that the tree food which influences fertility. must have undergone some profound in ernal change I have carefully perused the able aud elaborate re before it could be attacked * * * Healthy coffee is as port of the Government Crypfogamist, toge'her with easily infected as any other.” the interesting explanatory letter which appeared in The analogy winch exists between the life of a your issue of the 13th December, and I feel thai every plant and that of a human being must of course be planter is placed under the deepest "obligations for the treated with caution; but is nevertheless useful for untiring zeal aud ability winch has been brought to explanatory purposes. The various works I have con bear on the investigation of the scourge, aud for the sulted lead me (however erroneously) to believe that courteous manner in which the arguments aud suggest the w ord preHsposilion as generally understood does ions of others, who have interested themselves in the not imply the absolute necessity for any such extreme nvr'er, are dealt with. condition; but may simply mean either an acquired Taking advantage of the encouragement offered, I or hereditary fitness, liability or adaptation to admit am induced, alth ugh with the greatest diffidence, to of any change, affection or influence under certain favor venture a few remarks ou certain points touched upon, ing conditions, which, under ordinary circumstances, in the explanatory letter above referred to, which would have been insufficient to admit of a similar effect. Thus we read in Harper’s—“ Physician’s Vade seed, while every uninviting collection of plants at Mecum “ There are original and acquired differences tacked with H em ileia is found to belong to that var between man and man consequent on the various and iety which has been persistently propagated from complicated influences to which the body is exposed old trees which have been growing in the same soil in all states of society” and there are certainly for the last 25 years. analogous distinguishing peculiarities among plants of It is quite true that even the hardiest varieties the same species. some'imes get slightly attacked later on in the season; In the same manner, therefore, as in the human but generally only during, or after, a heavy crop, or being. “ a want of power to assimilate one or other in places where there is either an undoubted want of of the staminal principles may often be traced to manure or of some measures for mitigating those re hereditary predisposition or to those causes which impair sults which are clearly attributable to peculiarities the general tone.” (Harper). Is it unreasonable to sup of the mechanical or physical condition of the soil. pose that, certain obscure functions of the plant may be Under these circumstances, I fail to see why it should influenced by errors in cultivation, or by long-con be either rash or unreasonable to infer that the hard tinued neglect of those precautions which are known ier variety has certain disease-nsisting powers, which to every horticulturist as calculated to prevent the are only placed in abeyance when the constitution of gradual deterioration of stock ? the plant is obviously suffering from debility; or to “ A residence in large towns tends to reduce the think that the older class of trees has suscepti strength and vigour of the frame and predisposes to bilities which are more readily influenced by disease characterized by want of rone and power. Next less perfectly understood causes. to impurity of air as a cause of diminished health and Be it simple recuperative energy' or actual disease- vigour comes scanty aud unwholesome food * * *. resisting power, it matters little, so long as the fact A diet not merely unequal to the wants of the frame remains that one tree is virtually free Irom disease but unsuitable to the age or destitute of some essen at the most critical period of ils growth, while the tial element of the growih of the body.” other is unable to ma'ure a crop owing to the im “ The constitution may have been brought by the mense loss of foliage. continued action of one or more causes into a state which If the experiment of growing coffee plants in “ baked shall cause the disease itself to assume a more or less soil from England ” was not calculated to weaken the severe form or even to depart in some respects from constitution of those plants, on the leaves of which its usual characters and course.” (Harper.) the fungus was success 1 ally cultivated, planters, how. I presume all will allow there are such things as ever reluctantly, must in the future believe that any deteriorated stock, hardy varieties, &c. My own ex sort of soil will do for coffee. perience of 19 years as a planter leads me to entertain Personally I am led to take a most favorable view the opinion that the benefits resulting from a change of the future of coffee cultivation and cannot for all of seed and variety have only to be known to be pro instant bring myself to believe that H em ileia is an perly appreciated. When we have to deal with ordin unconquerable enemy. Just as there are hardy and del ary well-conditioned coffee, much may be done to icate varieties of garden plants and vegetables, so are modify even a constitutional tendency to disease, and, there several different sorts of coffee which can be in as a proof of this, we have only to notice the superb troduced without any very great difficulty. Each variety improvement which follows even the holing operation differs in appearance, bn bit and requirements. At iu a field of very old coffee about to be entirely re- the same season of the year, in cb>se proximity to planted, or the beneficial effects resulting from efficient each other in the same soil, and subject to an identical digging, draining and mixing of the soil. system of culture, the representatives of one sort in All these operations, however, can at the best only dulge in vigorous growth, while those of the other sort, be regarded as measures calculated to give temporary although quite as healthy in appearance, are at a success by assisting nature the more rapidly to give stand-still. Earlier or later on in the season, no such up to our trees the store of plant food in our soil. difference is noticeable. Under any rational system of coffee cultivation the This murt certainly be the result of some peculiarity use of phospho-nitrogenous and alkaline manures must of constitution and doubtless disease-resisting power have special attention ; otherwise sooner or later a may be attributed to a similar cause. want of tone or some other indication of decreased It is well, while considering this subject, to carefully vitality will inevitably result. regard assimilation, growth and nutrition as distinct Owing to the varying conditions of climate and processes. the immense number of poorly-worked native estates, Experience clearly proves that hastily-grown ill- Mysore is peculiarly well suit'd for making accu nourished plants possess the least disease-resisting rate observations relative to the influence of culture power, aud we may therefore often truly say that trees generally. which are outwardly the picture of health are just Even the most casual inspection of one or two as liable to attacks of fungoid disease as any others; densely shaded native properties will at once dispel but who shall be the judge as to whether constitu the idea that there is any chance of mechanically tional vigour actually exists or not ? It is surely preventing infection. reasonable to believe that, while assimilation, growth I have had under my observation several large fields and nutrition proceed simultaneously, parasitic fungi of apparently magnificent old coffee under which the new have less favorable conditions afforded for developing varieties have long since been successfully established. in the living tissues of our trees. Visible lethargy Leaf-disease annually attacked the old trees in frequently succeeds a period of excessive growth, and September, but the plants below, although in a posi douotless when a heatthy-looking plant is suddenly tion to catch every spore that was shed from the attacked with disease it is during the period when vital umbrella above, generally remained perfectly free activity is diminished. from disease. The use of tonic and alterative manures would If therefore plants which have been raised from therefore appear to be clearly indicated, and al a change of seed do not possess some peculiar dis though slowly acting preparations, which would neither ease-resisting power, it is indeed strange that force the plant nor fail to give it support at critical among the thousands of plants under my careful periods of its growth, are of paramount importance observation it should be invariably found that every for use e»rly in the season, stiff we must also keep sheet of luxuriant coffee in September is composed of in hand some rapidly acting agent for all cases of trees raised from carefully selected and imported emergency. Each operation of culture must also be arranged so as to help the plant to tide over that brief still call England “ Home.” Now the legend in Coorg period during which leaf-disease does so much damage. is :—In prehistoric ages some of these Moplahs, who Heavy pruning, which induces the rapid extension of had obiai ied Mocha c.ffee seed from the Arab sires, immature succulent shoots, must assuredly be discon sowed it in the wilds ot Nalknaad. For long years tinued as calculated at least to cause subst quent de the Moplahs trbd hard to keep this industry in their bility. Although much mischief has been done by own hands. They told wild legends of the fearful hacking and cutting the roots, still this should not death and doom which would descend on any at prevent systematic root-pruning being regarded as an tempting to interfere with it except true believers. indispensable operation of culture, although one which, Richter, in his history of Coorg, says “ Its suc to perform properly, requires a little extra supervision. cessful and profitable cultivaiion was at first con Having read the superb lecture recently delivered by cealed from the Coorgs But these were shrewd Professor Pasteur on the wonderful influence of oxygen enough to find out for themselves that, whilst none of in maintaining “ a myeelieune culture ” of the minute the fabled fatal consequences followed the cultivation organisms which are associated with arithracoid disease, of the shrub, there was a ready and lucrative sale for and Professor Claude Bernard’s graphic account of the the produce.” destruction of the yeast fungus by the same agency, When Stewart, Mann, &c., settled in Coorg about the idea suggests itself that it may yet be found 1854-57, they introduced the Ceylon and Manzerabad that the oxygen evolved from the stomata of healthy seed, and the whole of Coorg—in European hands— leaves during the process of assimilation has at least was rapidly planted up with these varieties. For a some power of restraining the advance in the develop time all went comparatively well, but about 1866 ment of those vegetative processes of H em ileia w hich came the borer. This pest, often iu a single season, not being parasitic are comparatively harmless. Al lelt whole estates filled with nought but bare sticks, though, owing to my limited experience relative to that might never bud nor blossom more. Then in the use of chemical manures, I am naturally desirous 1871 th e terrib le Hemileia Vaslntrix, or leaf-disease, to express my views with the greatest possible diffi attacked the plant in its lungs, weakening it till it dence, yet the humble experiments which 1 have could barely live a faded, feeble life, unable to already* conducted have given me very great encour ripen crop. agement to continue my study of the effect of phospho- Over twenty years ago, at his residence in Mer- nitrogenous and alkaline preparations in checking cara, Mr. Mann planted a garden, one acre in extent, fungoid disease, and in conclusion I would venture to with s-mdlings from Nalknaad. This one acre has con hope that, before my brother-planters agree to ac tinued to give crops of from ten to thirty cwt. to know ledge H em ileia an unconquerable foe, they will date. It now seems in full health and luxuriance, and at least try on a small scale some of the remedial all this time has never been, so to write, either sick measures indicated by me. or sorry. In 1867 a 64-acre block was planted on an GRAHAM ANDERSON. estate called Pallikeny with seed from this garden. Barguai, Mysore, February 1882. In 1872, Mr. James Chisholm, of Elk Hill, planted Hunchi Betta coffee estate with seedlings from the COFFEE: “ NALKNAAD.” Pallikerry clearing. This estate—Hanchi Belta—the present writer has seen, and can speak to the fine TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ ASIAN,” appearance it has ever had, even to a superficial observer, Silt,—Though, in the heading of your paper, only while its cops have always been the highest in the tea and indigo of planting industries are mentioned, I district. When sold after the late Donald Stewart’s hope you will accept a letter about coffee, in which I death, it brought a price, I believe, unparalleled in will give some slight account of a new variety, which India. seems likely to produce a revolution in the planters’ As Mr. Chisholm was the first to discern the super favour. iority of this variety to all others, so he has been This variety is termed the “ Nalknaad,” having first the most energetic in its cultivation. On writing to him been found in the district of Coorg. The leaf is broader, for information he replies :—“ Since 1874 I have planted thicker and of a darker green than any coffee leaf 1 nothing e se, and have now over a thousand acres have seen, except that of the Liberian. The branches growing the same umbrella-shaped tree.” He further neithi-r sweep upwards, like the Maezerabad variety, writes, that the demand for this variety is yearly nor are they horizontal, as in that of Ceylon, but droop increasing, and that he has had enquirers from such all round the stem like an umbrella. This gives each out-of-the-way places as Fiji and Perak, as .well as shrub the appearance of a sm 11. softly-rounded hil Ceylon, and all the planting districts of India. lock, clothed with intense dark green : in spring covered 1 tiiink the subject well deserves tbe attention of coffee by the bridal veil of blossom, aud iu autumn, like “ the planters everywhere. It may be that by this means rowan ree,” with beiries red. This variety has the long unprofitable lane in which they have been hitherto resisted the leaf-disur energetic or d y is not mentioned, he undoubtedly means old Ceylon pi .nters procured either C. Verde or C. Morada full-grown trees:— seed, and, if so, would they kindly give their neigh Gironda and Martinez told me that there were three kinds bours a wrinkle as to their success or otherwise and of Calisaya trees; namely, the Calisaya Jim (C. Calisaya a tlcvatiou at which they thrive?—lam , dear air, yours vera, Wedd), the Calisaya morada (C. Bolivana W edd.), truly, MAHSEER. and the tall Calisaya xerde• They added that the latter P.S.—I enelos* iny card. was a very lurge tree, without any red colour in the veins of the leaves, aud generally growing far down the valleys, almost in the open plain. A tree of this variety yields NO. II. six or seven quintals of bark, while the Calisaya fina only CINCHONA CALISAYA VERDE AND HYBRIDS. yields three or four quintals ; and Gironda declared that he'had seen one, iu the province of Munecas in Bolivia, U va, M arch 7th 1382. which had yielded ten quintals of tabla or truuk-bark alone. D e a r S i r , —The following is an extract from the — E d . ] columns of a local contemporary headed “ From Our Lo idon Corresp indent” : — I If FORMATION ABOUT MANITOBA FROM It is difficult to credit all that has been said ot late in cert ain periodicals at home, as to the marvellous yield of the latest M R . R E A . new variety of cinchona, the Calisaya Verde, but however this mty be, we are assured that there has been quite a scramble Lindula, March 10th, 1882, for'a small parcel of the seeds imported by a London firm. The S i r ,—My attention has been directed to a letter price was £10 per oz., and yet we are assured the importers had two offers fur the whole lot, one from the Butch Government iu th e Observer of the 28th ultimo, in which further and the oth-. r from a Mincing Lane firm. The price looks heavy information regarding Manitoba is required. 1 shall at first signt, but considering that an ounce contains about 65,000 endeavour as brolly as possible to answer your cor seeds, it dues not really amount to very much after all. We learn that several little parcels of this seed will find their way respondent’s questions, and then offer some observa to Ceylon. tions of my own on Manitoba and its advntages. Iu your cmu columus or elsewhere, I have seen it The winter in Manit- ba is no doubt long snow stated tnat trees of this variety of cinchona (Calisaya setting m generally from the beginning of Dtcember, Verde) yield each ooer a ton of wet bark or from 500 lb. or even from the middle of Novembe and remain to 600 lb. of dry bark from each tree. Can you tell ing on the ground till the month of March, when me, if such statements have beeu made on reliable it rapidly disappears, and by the 1st April ploughing authority, for, if so, we ought to know without lo»s is general. Although the thermometer records a much of time more about this extraordinary variety of greater degree of cold than in England yet the air is so dry and bracing that little inconvenience is ever bour is only 400 miles from the edge of the felt. Several men, whom I know in the old country,told great Wheatfield. A line ot railway of 30 miles, me that, after an experience of t »o or three seasons, they will connect this port with lake Winnipeg, aud hence preferred the winter of Canada to that of Great Britain by navigation to Winnipeg city, or by a comparatively So far from the winter being a dread, the Canad short wanch from the head of lake Winnipeg, it will ians seem proud of it, and have quite a round of connect with the railway system of the North-west visiting and amusement. Unless there is some chronic Supposing there be only four months of open naviga disease I am confident the climate of the North-west tion iu Hudson’s Bay and Hundson’s Straits ; thi- is the best that could be elected by oue whose health line is probably destined to become the most imports had been undermined by a residence in the Tropics. ant, for its length, on the continent. One man told me that, on arriving in Canada, he I ommitted to say that the Nelson Valley Railway was not expected to live many weeks. “ Now, ” and Transportation Companies have selected Churchill he said, “ I am as well and strong as anyone could be.” harbour as their point of junction between the rail It is difficult to say whether a man going out way and navigation. with a capital of £300 could retire on a competency A man with two or three grown-up sons, all deter in 12 years. I can safe y say many have been able mined to work, cannot fail to succeed in Manitoba. to retire in that time on a competency. A man's suc The following is the expense of starting a small farm :— cess depends so much on himself ; his shrewdness and One yoke of oxen ...... § 120"00 energy. One man will become rich, when anoth r man One waggon .. ... 80 00 will starve. From what I have seen of Ceylon, 1 think Plough and harrow ...... 25 00 the settler in .Manitoba would be much better off Chains, axes and shovels ... 30 00 for neighbours than here. In the one country he is sur Stoves, bedsteads ...... 60 00 rounded by half nak' d coolies; in the other by Lis House and stable ...... l'O-OO own race, and tongue, who are invariably most kind, Provisions 135 00 civil, and hospitable to a stranger. In my opinion no one should go to Manitoba who is not prepared Totsl ... § 600 00 to tough it for a year or two; after that it is A settler can get a grant of 160 acres of free land plain sailing. I never met with anyone who could from Government. Tiiis, however, can only be done be induced to return to England to farm. w here land is not yet selected, either far to the west The Chicago Tribune U. S. paper, says: —“ The wheat- or rein ved from railway accommodation. I should field of the Great North-west of which Winnipeg is recommend, rather than this, that he invests in good the key comprizes 200,000,0 0 acres which in full land, where railway and market facilities exist. crop would yield 5,21:0,000,000 bushels of wheat, more Plenty of sucii land can be obtained at from 20 than tenfold the greatest wheat crop ever raised by to 40 shillings per acre. the whole United States. This reckons the average The best houses for settlers are made by Wade & yield at 26 bushels. The average yield of barley is Co, Washington, St. Chicago, and are sent reaoy to about 40 bushels, oats 5 , potatoes 300. The Syn put up. Two men will in four days put together a dicate that is building the Canadian Pacific gets comfortable double wood h'.use of four rooms with §25,000,000, and 25,000,000 acres of corn It will, when doors and windows complete. This will cost even done, not only control the trans-continental carrying with rail-’ay carriage less than the common log-house t ade up north, but dominate the wheat market of the of the country. 1 should advise the settler immed w o rld ! The road is being constructed, and its land de iately on arriving in Manitoba to go to Mr. Hespeler, partment is already in receipt of thousands of applica- or any other Government Agent, who will be glad to ations for laud. Winnipeg is at the confluence of the give every information to the new comer. But above Red and Assinniboine Rivers. I he Canadian Pacific will all things, let him beware of the confidence nun w ho have its general offices there. The Northern Pacific, are often to be found prowling about stations and too St. Paul, North Western, Burlington and Kock Island frequently rid the emigrant of his hard-earned cash. roads will all eventually build into the world’s great In some cases, it is advantageous for the settler wheatiields. Mind may not conceive, nor fondest to place his money in a bank where be will get good anticipations foreshadow the future of this magnificent interest and look about the country before he finally country equal according to all accouns to four 1 1 all- , decides upon a locality, or he may engage him self to supposing every acre of land in Utah to be equal a farmer giving his services for his boaid, and pursued, to Colonel Winder’s farm, or any of the farms bor thus become acquainted with the mode of operations dering Salt Lake City or any of the laud at Bounti I need scarcely say that the settler must be careful fu l.” To quote Lord Duffern (no m an authority) to adapt himself to those methods of cultivation which “ Wherever 1 have gone, 1 have found numberless per experience has found to be the best rather than try sons who came out without anything, and have since to farm on a new country those practices which he has risen to competence and wealth. I have met n^one been accustomed to at home. who did not gladly acknowledge himself better off I shall only mention, as an instance, the necessity than on his first arrival : and amongst thousands of of a light and wide furrow in breaking up prairie persons with whom I have been brought in contact land iu June or July, and the bark setting in the no matter what their race or nationality, none seemed fall of the year. Laud thus prepared is ready for ever to regret that they had come here.” To give a sowing in the following spring :— short sketch of the new railway route to Churchill The probable profits on a farm of 160 acres may Harbour on the side of Hudson’s Bay, may also be thus be p u t dow n :— interesting. It is undeistood to be the best harbour 160 acres of wheat at 25 'i on the bay ; is entered by a channel about half a mile bushels psr acre and 75}- ... .. $ 3,000. wide and twelve fathoms deep. The east side affords cents per bushel ..) admirable sites for wharves, etc. 160 acres at § 5 = § 800 How important this is, may be estimated from the Ploughing and fact that the distance betw een Churchill harbour and sowing ... §6 = §960 Liverpool is only 2,926 miles, while from Montreal Harvesting and bringing to , via Cape Race it is 2 910 miles, aud from New York, market ... §4 = §640 ...... § 2,400. via Cape Clear 3 040 miles. This will furnish a sea port 1,500 miles nearer than Quebec to the cen Profit ... §600 tre of the North-West territory. Churchil Har with land free for ever. chicory is grown in England to any great extent. The above figures are regularly paid by contract To shew that the growth of chicory as well as the in working land and bringing the produce to markets. adulteration of coffee has been flourishing (?) for 75 cents is low ; in October last, wheat was 90 cents considerably over thirty years, I send you an extract per bushel. CHARLES REA. from Household Words, Saturday, April 12th 1851. P. S.—Since writing the above, I have had put into Extract referred to :— my hands your paper of yesterday, containing some Grocers wanted power, now, to sell chicory and coffee very valuable information regarding Manitoba, and mixed. They got that inestimable privilege. Nobody could am glad to find that the views therein expressed are be sure, when he paid for “ Mocha,” that he was not nearly identical with my own. I am happy to say paying for a mixture of two-thirds chicory. At once the I saw no signs of grumbling amongst the farmers in British farmer bestirred himself; foreign chicory (taxed the autumn of last year. On the contrary, the crop six-pence) was driven out of the market, and now the was most prolific and the quality unsurpassed I also home crop is a mostt important agricultural production. Ceylon soon found itself, (like Frankenstein) bearded by saw many excellent machines made in the Winnipeg its own monster “ Protection.” It was opposed by a rival factories. C. R. at home worse than the foreigner against whom it was “ Protected!” The feelings of the Ceylon coffee-growers, HOW TO SELL CHINA TEA. when they found their own “ Protection” had driven us Kandy, 16th March 1882* here, in England, to drink decoctions of home-grown chicory, must have been very like the disgust of Poly Dear Sir,—I have taken the following advertise phemus’s butcher when the monster took to dining off ment from a recent number of Chambers’ Journal:— pine tops. Mr. Armitage, in forwarding the last of their EA Dealers can save money and obtain good sound memorials, says, that “even the most benighted of the T teas by purchasing of the London and China tea colonists, are, at length, awakening to a conviction that Company. Chests, half-chests, Caddies, and packets. Prices, any further clamour for protection is worse than useless,” duty paid, 9|d and upwards. Circulars, Price List, and and that “ many of the coffee planters are nearly ruined.” samples free, by addressing—C. D. STOTT, Manager, 8 The memorial complains that “ chicory and other adult George Street, Minories, E.O. F 3 erated substances”—being “ sold as coffee”—are “ subject Your will notice the very moderate cost at 'which to no customs duty or excise, iu Great Britain; while sound (?) China tea can be bought. Why,- th£ duty coffee itself is burdened with an import duty of nearly forty alone is almost double the cost of the tea. shillings per cwt. or one hundred per cent on its average It is an imposibility that these can be sound teas; value.” The melancholy gentlemen wish no persecution but grocers no doubt find that, with the addition of of the “ cliicorian ” sect: they are for fair toleration : free coffee ; unadulterated coffee ; or taxed chicory. At a backbone, in the shape of a pure Indian or Ceylon the words “ other adulterating substances ” the reader (who tea, the mixture is saleable, and, as the profit is large, has just breakfasted on old “ Mocha:” and perhaps, be the system of mixing up our teas with rubbish of ing of a fanciful turn, has been thinking of Mecca, with this sort will always find favor with a certain class a distant view of a mosque) turns pale. But let his imag of shopkeepers. It is satisfactory, however, to think ination carry him as far as it will in conjecture on the of the probability of loss which the producer of those subject, it will fall far short of the realities. It is not “ sound” teas has incurred. Even a Chinaman could enough that simple chicory should adulterate coffee; but not do much manipulation and pay shipping and other even that must he villainously compounded, the adultera charges for 3^d per pound COULD HE ? tions itself being adulterated. Chicory begins but worse— that is to say, beans, corn, potato-flour; horse-chesnuts, acorns, dog-biscuit, rope yarn, Russian glue, brick-dust, THE LARGE CINCHONA TREES ON GLEN- mahogany saw dust, rotten coffin wood, soot, and “ other CAIRN, DIKOYA. manures ”—remain behind. It reads like a bill of some Falstaff of tragedy—one halfpenny worth of coffee to this Glencairn, Dikoya, March 21st, 1882. intolerable deal of adulteration1 A competent authority D e a r Sin,—Mr. Campbell appears to think there tells us of cases which came under his special observations: must be a discrepancy in the account given ' of dry —first, of a large quantity of beans—which decomposition bark as compared with wet. Perhaps it would ex had animated' into an unfit state for feeding horses—being plain matters if I mentioned that much of the wet sold to a chicory grinder: and, secondly, of large quan bark was fully £ of an inch thick.—Yours faithfully, tities of “ spent tan ” (the refuse of tan yards) being systematically ground up to form part of these floating F . F O W K E . masses of commercial pollution. There lies on our table, as we write, a red powder, (red ochre) commonly used to CEYLON CLOVES AND OTHER NEW PRODUCTS ‘ colour ” the floors of cottages: it is known that waggon FOR COFFEE LAND. loads of this have been seen discharged at the door of a well-known and extensive, “ coffee m anufacturer ” !! Look March 21st, 1882. at the summary of the results: The colonists complain ; M y D e a r S i r ,—A short time since, about a fort the shopkeepers become fraudulent and the poor suffer night ago, I saw a sale of Ceylon cloves which quite E. topped the market, and ever since then I have felt somewhat curious to know where these were grown. C O F F E E L E a F-DISEASE : CARBOLIC ACID Possibly, through the medium of your paper, the public AND MR. SCHROTTKY’S EXPERIMENTS. might be informed, and more particulars of this agree able surprise may be placed at the disposal of all. D e a r S i r ,—It is probable that the planters will From what I can see in my travels, every plant which be asked erelong to recognize in some substantial pays deserves a trial, especially in coffee land.—Yours manner the services of Mr. Scbrottky in his efforts truly, W. FORBES LAURIE. to cure the leaf-disease, and, whenever they are so [Mr. P. Moir has been written to, to say where the called upon, their general wish will be to do justice parcel of Ceylon cloves which sold so well, was pro to whatsoever claims that gentleman may reasonably d u ced.— E d.] establish. Mr. Scbrottky and his method have been before the planters now for a considerable time, and the experiments that have been carried out under Mr. COFFEE ADULTERATION. Schrottky’s own supervision and direction have been D e a r S i r , —Your London correspondent, in his letter numerous and extensive. In some instances, a certain of February 17th (appearing in the Observer of M arch I degree of success has been admitted ; in others it has 16th) asserts that it is a fact new to him that I been altogether denied. There have been cases, in 204 fact, in which Mr. Schrottky’s own treatment has The tenacity of life in those low organisms is mar been declared to have aggravated rather than abated vellous. I germinated hemileia spores after they the disease. In the present state of matters, any had been subjected to fumes of sulphurous acid equitable decision is simply impossible. There are which would have killed the coffee, root and branch ! probably few planters who would altogether reject Mr. I remember my old friend Tbwaites putting some Schrottky’s claims, but there are fewer still who would acari under his microscope after they had been im admit them, unless, perhaps, to some very limited mersed iu spirits 50 per cent, over proof for many extent, as a sort of compromise. How then shall the hours and they quietly walked away under his eyes! planters determine as to the fact of success or its Likewise the germs and spores of some infusoria measure, and adjust the balance fairly between the possess a vitality which is proof against conditions two parties ? That is the question. usually regarded as absolutely incompatible with life. If fairly and scientifically treated, the question ad I wonder whether Mr. Schrottky knows what strength mits of an easy and conclusive aqswer. There is no of carbolic acid would kill a spore of hemileia, doubt whatever as to the efficacy of carbolic acid as and what effect that same strength would have on a powerful antiseptic. I suppose that there are few, coffee ! But until that is definitively known, nothing if any, planters who have had the least doubt as to whatever can be said to have been done effectually in the fatal effect of carbolic acid 011 all living vegetable regard to the cure of hemileia by carbolic acid fumes. ti-sues. It may, therefore, be assumed without ex- G. VV. periment or question that this agent, if applied to P. S.—I thank you for directing my attention to grow ing hemileia would destroy it. It is equally Mr. Ward’s last report and subsequent letter; and certain that it is capable of destroying growing coffee. also to Mr. Storck’s rem arks; which I have read since The problem for solution, therefore, is so to apply car writing the above letter. The highly dangerous nature bolic acid as to kill the hemileia without materially of carbolic acid, as pointed out so forcibly by Mr. hurting the coffee also ! Ward, and the doubtful results of most of the experi Mr. Schrottky has certainly succeeded in applying ments which have been made with this agent on a large carbolic acid in such measure and manner as to do scale, seem to confirm strongly my recommendation no appreciable harm to the coffee; but it has yet to to study the treatment, and to work out the results be shown that in these cases he killed the hemileia. to a definite issue, on a small scale, before attempting He thinks that he did, but in nearly all the experi further •extended application. Mark also that Mr. ments he has tried, he certainly failed, and in a few Ward actually germinated spores which had been for only has partial success been claimed. Iu the moat 24 hours subject to an “ overpowering atmosphere” of favourable case for Mr. Schrottky’s claim, that of carbolic acid, thus confirming the suspicion expressed Gangapitiya, it is a matter of opinion, and the very in my letter to the same effect. judges themselves are doubtful. In fact, the question cannot be settled by any such experiments as have NEW PRODUCTS PATCHOULI; INFORMA yet been publicly tried. The scientific procedure would be to subm it spores and growing hemileia in the la TION WANTED? boratory to acid of ascertained degrees of strength, Maskeliya, 21at March 1882. and to test the vitality or otherwise of the my D e a r S i r , — I shall be much obliged if you, or any celium and the spore by subsequent microscopic ex of your numerous correspondents, can give me some aminations. If mild fumes such'as inflicted no injury information about the cultivation and preparation of on the coffee plants in the laboratory were found to patchouli. have destroyed the vitality of the hemileia or its spore, I procured a few small patchouli plants from Pera- both or either, then one important step in the in deniya about 18 months ago, aud they are now shrubs quiry will have been established. The only remain from 18 ft to 22 ft in circumference, a mass of foliage, ing question would then be as to whether the same but with no sign of flower or fruit. treatment could be practically and economically car Is the scent extracted from the leaf, seed or root ? ried out on a large scale in the field which had suc How is it obtained ? What is the market value of ceeded in the laboratory. the produce? And what is supposed to be the yield Up to this time, however, it does not appear that of each bush or 100 bushes ? Also, could it be grown any one knows whether fumes of carbolic acid, mild at a profit in a wet district, elevation 3,000 ft? enough to be harmless to coffee, would be fatal Answers to any, or all, ot these questions will greatly either to the hemileia or its spores. Until that question oblige.—Yours faithfully, W. T. M.K. is settled the application of such fumes to hundreds of [All we can give is from the “ Treasury of Botany” acres of coffee is simple folly, neither more nor less. as follow s :— Carbolic acid in powder was one of the very first remedies tried for leaf-disease before Mr. Schrottky Pogostemon.—A rather numerous genus.of Labiatce, con ever came to the country. It would be interesting to sisting of tall herbs found in various parts of tropical Asia, but principally in India and Ceylon, They have opposite know why it was abandoned by the original experi stalked leaves, and. flowers collected into dense clusters or menters. Was it found that even in strength sufficient whorls forming terminal interrupted spikes or close panicles. to seve ely injure the coffee the hemileia spores came The flowers have an unequally five-toothed calyx; a some off scatheless? 1 rather think so. what two-lipped corolla, with the upper lip tbree-lobed You will remember that, when Mr. Morris tried his and the lower entire and rather longer; and four nearly sulphur cure, his first step was to examine its effect equal stamens longer than the corolla, and sometimes on the spores and filaments, and the result was the slightly bent dowi.wards, the filaments usually covered discovery that the spores retained their vitality and with long hairs, and the anthers one-celled. the filaments only were killed. It was this effect P. Patchouly affords the celebrated Patchouli perfume on the filaments that inspired faith in his treatment or Pucha-pat of ‘th<- Hindoos. It is a shrubby herb about and encouraged many planters to prosecute experiments two feet high, a native of Sylhet, Penang, and Malacca ; on a large scale. And the last phase of the Morris and has broadly egg-shaped stalked leaves between three sulphur and lime cure was that the application must and four inches in length, with the margins slightly lobed and round-toothed , and both terminal and axillary dense be so timed as to kill the filaments. To kill the spikes of small whitish flowers tinged with purple. Al spores was proved impossible by any ruch means We though the odour of Patchouli is certainly peculiar, and all now know that in fact the filaments had nothing even disagreeable to some people, it is highly popular to do with hemileia at all; and there was an end not only in Europe but in India, wheie it is one of the of the sulphur cure, commonest perfumes found in the bazaars, f he odoriferous part of the plant is the leaves and young tops, and by aged cocoa trees all bearing largely, most of them distillation these yield a volatile oil from which essence averaging upwards of 100 pods to the tree. At Of Patchouli is prepared; sachets of Patchouli, however, Baddagama, in the Galle district, a few years ago, are made of tho coarsely-powdered leaves. Genuine Indian I saw trees said to have been planted by Mr. Winter shawls and Indian ink were formerly distingui hed by their forty years ago bearing heavily, and of great size and odour of Patchouli, but since the perfume hue become common girth. On l’allakelly. the oldest cocoa is reputed to in Europe the test does not hold good. Ill effects, such as loss of appetite and sleep, nervous attacks, &c, have been bear at the rate of one ton an acre. In the Mudal- ascribed to the excessive employment of Patchouli as a iyar’s garden at Kurunegala, there is an old tree perfume. [A.S.]—Ed .] which yields nearly an hundred pods yearly, and in other places at Kaduganawa, Saffragam, and iu Haputale, “ JAK” TREES AS SHADE FOR COFFEE; WIND without any special care, and, in some instances, where the coffee around it has become “ all stem aud sticks” BELTS AND LEAF-DISEASE. aud almost all gone out, the cocoa retains its vigour and 24th March 1882. goes on bearing. All these facts any one who chooses to travel and make inquiries can ascertain for himself. The D ear Sir ,—I hope some more experienced pen than one great objection in the eyes of many will be its slow mine will take up, pro bono publico, the question of ness in coming into bearing. In the lowcountry for the benefit jak trees afford to coffee, or any other cul three years no crop can be expected, and in the fourth tivated thing beneath them. year it will only yield sufficient to pay expenses for Meanwhile I submit, with all deference, my opinion that year’s cultivation. After that, however, it will of this tree, viz., that it does far more harm than steadily yield paying crops, and will year by year good on a coffee estate. Has any one known coffee increase in its yield probably up as far as say to the bear heavily, or even fairly well, when under the 10th year. As far as any experience goes in the influence of the artocarpaceous foliage ? I have not. North Western Province, I find that R50 per acre will This I w ill say, that, where jaks are encouraged, coffee pay all expenses of cultivation and upkeep, except what w ill fail. is necessary for securing the crop, and which should Years ago I remember being struck with the lux not, as far as I can calculate exceed R3 more per u ria n t foliage of some coffee (Arabian) which was cwt. Thus, a crop of 5 cwt. the acre should be growing beneath these trees, but crop there was none. placed in Colombo at about 1180 per acre and would at The constantly falling leaves too choke up drains and present prices realize R200, leaving a profit of R120 litter the ground for a considerable space around. per acre, i. e. R12,000 for 100 acres—which is not a As for the value of the timber in 20 years’ time, very sanguine expectation when compared with the that is as problematical, not to say ridiculous, as the bearing of the many matured trees before referred belief that half our island’s backbone will retire to to. There will, however, always be great care neces the old country curing 1882 millionaires. No! noil J a k sary iu selecting land for its growth ; windy ridges trees may be all very well for a year or two, and must be avoided, and rich sandy loam above all other promise to do as much as the bubliest of bubble soils suits it best. Companies, but after that period has become incor As far as our experience goes, we have been far more porated with the past, and their roots begin to know successful in growing it under shade, our best clear their way about, look out for your coffee near them, ings being where the large trees and underwood have and wonder till doomsday, if you like, why it never been removed leaving sparse shade of jungle from 20 bears and appears to be fading away. to 30 feet high. The drip and roots of the larger It may seem ridiculous to say so, but, I take it, forest trees are decidedly injurious and harm the you require to sacrifice 10 acres for windbelts to young cocoa. The shade left would average about 20 secure to half that a r e a of coffee immunity from wind. feet apart at first, and we have found it better • Many thiuk that leaf-disease may be shut out with to supplement these by a few planted Halmalila the wind. Even if this be granted, will it pay ?— jaks, to take the place of the irregular forest trees Yours truly, P. T. L. and forming the earlier shade. Planted thus we have found the cocoa grow stronger and faster thau in CARBOLIC ACID AND THE COFFEE LEAF FUN open clearings, where its progress appears to be contin GUS :—MR. SCHROTTKY’S EXPERIMENTS. ually stopped by the heat of a wholly unshaded sun. Next year we hope to have 250 acres yielding 4 cwt. Colombo, 2oth March 1882. the acre, and the following year's crop will no doubt D ear Sir ,— Your esteemed correspondent “ G. W .” very much exceed that. 1 have had no experience of has overlooked the circumstance that all during Nov what cocoa will do in old coffee, but from what I have ember aud December 1880 and the early part ot 1881, seen in Doombera, where the soil is good, it certainly I did very little beyond watching and observing ia appears to thrive and carry out what Mr. Fraser says detail the effects of carbolic acid, used in various of it, “ that cocoa will make the soil.” The great ways, in solution in water, as vapour, etc., upon the drawback to its growth upon new land will always be different forms of the fungus, both in the field and the length of time before it comes into bearing. Yet under the microscope, and that I recommended the with all those who can afford to wait, they certainly use of this agent only after careful comparison with cannot do better than benefit by the first full crops the effects on the fungus of neaily all other chemicals secured by a plethora of plant food, which can only that I, as a chemist, could think of as likely to prove be found on new land. From the information ad useful remedies against coffee leaf disease.—Yours duced it would appear that, practically speaking, cocoa faithfully, EUGENE C. SCHROTTKY. is a permanent tree, which would in no way fall off in its bearing qualities for sixty years at least. W .F.L. COCOA CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. [N. B.—VVe use the word “ cocoa” instead of cacao and spell “ coconut” without the ‘fa ” to distinguish D ear Si r ,—No doubt whatever can exist in the the palm.—E d.] mind of any one that cocoa will grow and grow pro fitably, in any well-selected locality in Ceylon. It has no very serious enemies to contend with, and CEYLON TEA IN LONDON. what there are, appear only to attack it to any degree during the two first years of its growth, and as it gets 33, Basinghall Street, London, e .c., 3rd March 1882. up, their harmful influences decrease rather than Dear S ir,—The tea market is still very quiet, but the extend. Throughout Ceylon there are several well demand is better thau it was. The following Ueylon tea lias been up in public sale since we last wrote, fetching T i i e S i l k I n d u s t r y in Bengal has for some time fairly good prices:— past been in a languishing state. The immediate cause s. d. is believed to be the degeneracy of the Bengal worm Dunedin 24 half chests Pekoe Souchong 1 3 i through want of care and cleanliness on the part of 12 do llrok. Pekoe 1 4§ the native rearers. At one time silk producers and Kuanwella 8 do Pekoe Souchong 1 2 silk manufacturers prospered. The supply of “ eggs” 7 do llrok. Pekoe 1 2 M .R . 24 chests Pekoe Souchong 1 3J aud the reaiing of the worms till the cocoons are spun 1 half chest „ „ are left by the European manufacturers entirely to 18 do llrok. Pekoe 1 2 native enterprise. And from indolence and the desire Sembawatte 10 do Pekoe Souchong 1 31 to avoid any outlay that does not appear to be absol 0 do llrok. Pekoe 1 2| utely necessary, the native grower goes on annually The tea under the mark M. K., which sold so badly in rearing worms from seed that is degenerating.— M adras December, has evidently been improved upon. There is, we M ail. hear, some Rookwood tea up next week, which will proba F l e x ib l e . I v o r y ,—Ivory, which in its normal state bly go cheaply, on account of tbe accident to the vessel is so hard and rigid, can nevertheless be softened-arti- bringing it home, although this has not, we hear, affected ficially by the following process :—It is to be first the quality of a large consignment of Indian tea by the immersed in a solution of pure phosphoric acid of same steamer,—Yours faithfully, HUTCHISON & Co. specific gravity 13 until it loses, or partially loses, its opacity, and becomes translucent. It is then washed Remedy fob Scorpion Stings.—A very simple, in clean cold water, and dried, when it will be found but eflectual, remedy for scorpion stings is to apply as flexible as leather, but it speedily hardens on ex heat to the part affected. I have tried it for several posure to dry air. Dipping it in hot water will, how years, and never on a single occasion found it to ever, soon restore its pliancy and softness. Another iajl.-T-Madras Mail. method consists in plugging the ivory into a mixture S c o r p io n S t i n g s .—With reference to a small ex of three ounces of nitric acid and fifteen ounces of tract from the Madras Mail, which appeared in our water, and leaving it to steep for three or four days, issue of tbe 2'2ud instant, we are reminded by an during which it soften.—Home Paper. old correspondent that moistened quick lime, or C a l is a y a Y e r d e . —The seeds of some valuable new ehunam, as it is called in Ceylon, if applied at once, species or varieties of cinchona that have not, it is a sovereign remedy for all stings including the seems, as yet been introduced to the Indian plan s*ing of a scorpion, and the next best thing is a tations, have recently been consigned to Messrs. Christy poultice of ipecacul a 1a. Of course this remedy does not & Co. of Fenchurcli St. These new forms are very apply to the stings or rather bites of snakes, in which rich in quinine. It is said that better results are to case excision of tbe bitten part is all that can be done. be obtained by cultivating the calisaya verde th a n th e C hasericultcre is a new term used to describe calisaya fina, because although the former yields only the combined industries of tea and silk. It includes 64 to 9 per cent, of pure sulphate of quinine, yet it the planting, cultivation, and the manipulation of yields twice the amount of bark as the Jina or tea and the mulberry, and the rearing of the silkworm. ledgeriana. The produce of the calisaya verde in “ Cha ” means the dry prepared leaves of the tea- equivalent to from 13 to 18 per cent of quinine. plant; ‘‘ seri ’’ comes from eericum, silk j and the Moreover from the fact that the calisaya verde is a remaining word is obvious. Tea and silk are advan more vigorous tree than the delicate ledgeriana tageously cultivated together, hence the compound and will grow at a lower elevation, it is obvious that it term .—Chemist and Druggist. [Mr. Wm. Cochran, can be cultivated to a much greater extent and may be brother of Mr. M. Cochran of Colombo has been ad extremely valuable for grafting the ledgeriana upon vocating attention to these industries in New Zealand more especially since the attempt to graft the ledgeriana In a paper read before the Society of Arts from which on C. succirubra has proved unsuccessful.—N a tu re_ we mean to extract.—Ed.] I n d ia n S t u d e n t s o f A g r ic u l t u r e a n d L a w .—A S a l e o f C in c h o n a B a r k . —The Deputy Conser resolution was passed in 1879 by the Government of vator of Forests, in -charge of Cinchona Plantations, Bengal for the establishment of agricultural scholar Neilgherris, in a report to the Conservator of Forests, ships for the benefit of natives, graduates of the Uni dated 18th January last, says that the auction sale of versity of Calcutta, at the Royal Agricultural College, cinchona bark took place on the 11th instant at Cirencester. The first two scholars entered this college Messrs. Oakes & Co.’s sale-room, Madras; the at- in January 1880, and are now making there a very tendence was fair, and Messrs. Croysdale & Co., successful career. These were Babu Ambika Charen and Parry & Co., were the only purchasers. Sen, M.A , and Syod Sekhawat Hosein, B.A. The According to the list of prices realized, one hundred Indian Daily News states that the two new students bales were sold for Rs. 16,106. T ie upset price of appointed by the Bengal Government to enter at the above fixed in accordance with orders of Go Cirencester in January next are Baboos Brojobullub vernment being Rs. 15,106, there was a surplus of Dutt, M. A., and Greesh Chunder Bose, M. A. The Rs. 592, considered as pure gain over the net sale former is the head master of the Sreebeur Bungshe- proceeds, which the 100 bales would have fetched in dhur School at Nawabguuge, and is the Gold Medallist of the London market. The Deputy Conservator con 1880 in Physical Science, and latter a lecturer on siders the experiment of a local sale satisfactory. He chemistry at the Cuttack College. An allowance of does not think there is any advantage gained by sell £200 a year—tenable for two and a half years—will ing bark in the country; in fact the reverse. On be granted to iach of these candidates, and an the above report tbe Government passed the follow outfit allowance of l,000rs. has also been sanctioned ing order. Individual applications were being made to each of them. Mr. Muncheerjee Dadabhoy Dady- to Government for the bark, and it was resolved to sett, a Parsee gentlemen from Bombay, late magis try a few auction sales with the object of develop trate and sub-judge in Baroda, and now of the ing a local demand, which private growers might Middle Temple, who was awarded, in January 1881, supply. The present is the only sale that has yet the second prize, worth £25, iu Common Law, was taken plaee, and the net result shows more profit yesterday again awarded by the Council of Legal Edu- than if the bark ‘ had been sold at home. A couple cation a further prize of £25 in Common Law. Mr. mure sales should be made in the course of a year, Dadysett is ihe first native of India who has twice and the results published for the information of private succeeded in a competitive examination annually held dealers,—Madras Times. by the four Inns of Court.— Colonies and India. B ic e , —The Bengal Government estimates the stocks T h e C o s t o f c o n v e y in g M a c h in e r y t o t h e G o l d of rice in and around Calcutta for the first week of M i n e s i n S o u t h e r n I n d i a is thus noticed by the March at 22,22,308 maunds, of which eleven and a Nilgiri paper:—We know of one case in which, half lakhs were available for export.—Madras Times. in addition to draught cattle, two elephants were T h e S h i p m e n t s o f C o f f e e from Venezuela to employed at the rate of a hundred rupees a day to tug the United States in 1880 amounted to 44,415,994 up some heavy machinery. The draught cattle and pounds, against 28,676,541 pounds in 1879—an in supervision cost as much again, and this expenditure crease of nearly 55 per cent.—R io News. of two hundred rupees a day continued for no less T h e D u t ie s o n T e a i n t h e A u s t r a l ia n C o l o n ie s than seven weeks, when the machinery arrived at its vary from 3d per lb. in Victoria, New South Wales, destination on the trunk roj,d. Such expenses as these, and South Australia, to 41 in Western Australia and and such difficulties, have had to be incurred and New Zealand, and up to 6din Queensland and Tasmania. encountered, and those who were not eye-witnesses cannot form any idea of the difficulties overcome. C o n r o y ’s M a l t C o f f e e . —This preparation has been brought before the trade by Messrs. Evans, Sons & P a p e r f r o m E l e p h a n t G r a s s . —The Bally Paper Co., of Liverpool, and the process of its manufacture Mills recently tried an experiment in paper-making has been devised by their well-known chemist, Mr. from specimens of elephant grass received from M. Conroy, F.C.S. It contains no ingredients except the Chief Commissioner of British Burma. The malt aud coffee, and the former is certified by Mr. specimens consisted of 144 bags of the grass, weigh Edward Davies to contain malt diastase in an active ing 45 maunds, or 3,6901b. The grass had been col forifi, that is we suppose, the malt has not been roasted lected by Mr. II. Buckle, Deputy Commissioner, with the coffee. The combination appears to be a happy Maoobin. The upper half had been cut off and thrown one, as coffee is generally taken with starchy foods, away, and the lower half crushed and washed in the digestion of which, it may be expected, in this water and dried, undergoing in the process a loss in form, to aid. We can testify to the excellent flavour weight of 62 per cent. The dried grass, on receipt of coffee made from this compound, while the style in at the mills, was boiled in caustic soda at 20 per cent, which it is put up for sale leaves nothing to be de and bleached with bleaching powder at cent percent. sired .—Chemist and Druggist. The paper made was pronounced a fair simple for a first trial, though the colour, it was said, did not O l e u m B i c i n i I n s i p i d u m . —Pharmacists in no way “ come up particularly good.” The stuff' is described justify their existence in the community better than as easy of treatment. The authorities of the mills by improvements in the preparation of useful medicines, suggest that better results might be obtained by greater rendering them less nauseous or more convenient for care in the production of the fibre.—Pioneer. administration. By producing a tasteless and odour W a t t l e s .—Some interesting facts in connection with the less castor oil Messrs. Allen & Hanburys may be con wattle bark question were elicited yesterday during the gratulated on having achieved a really notable triumph prosecution of the inquiries which are at present being of mind over matter. Their product certainly has no instituted by the Tariff Commission relative to the trace of odour, and it is as free from taste as pure leather industries, Mr. Frederick Win, Beed, tanner, olive or almond oil. It is rather difficult to exactly endorsed the evidence given on the previous day appreciate this fact, and it is probable that the present relative to the rapidly-decreasing supply of the necessary generation will hardly fully understand what has been article, and suggested as a remedy the imposition of done for them. Castor oil has an evil reputation an export duty. Mr. Bosisto said that magnificent clinging to it, which it is impossible for any of us returns had been obtained on capital invested in to forget as we approach it. It is only necessary, wattle planting, and suggested that the tanners them however, now to dismiss all prejudice from the mind selves should embark iu the cultivation of the trees. and a dose of castor oil need no longer inspire the He further observed that the Government of the da# dread which clusters round its name in every house had taken immediate action on the report of the royal h o ld .—Chemist and Druggist. commission appointed to inquire into the question, T h e “ C l e r i h e w ” P r o c e s s a p p l i e d t o H a y a n d and acres of trees were planted along the railway S t r a w . —A Correspondent of the London Times lines. Subsequent Governments had ignored the com writes :—Two methods of artificially drying wet grass mission’s suggestions, and wattles were becoming scarce. and corn are now before the public. By years of labour In the Geelong district the trees planted would be and heavy expenditure of capital Mr. W. A. Gibbs, ready for barking in three years’ time, and would of Gillwell-park, Chingford, Essex, has perfected his yield the Government 100 per cent, on their outlay.— apparatus for instantaneously converting grass into hay, Australasian. or as quickly drying grain in the straw, load by load, Improved Farming at M adras.— A very interest as fed into his hot-air machine, and finished in proper ing experiment has been attracting attention at Madras. condition, open to inspection before being delivered Some land had been thrown out of cultivation in con upon the stack. And I believe that a Company of sequence of the famine. This land was taken up by influential shareholders proposes to extend the use of Mr. Sabapathy Mudaliyar, who determined to try the these machines either by supplying them to hay and effect of deep ploughing, and manuring with Towu corn growers or by purchasing grass next summer and Sewage, on the cotton and cholum crops, which are making it into first-quality hay undamaged by storms, the ordinary staples of the district of Bellary, iu which which would be a profitable adventure in case of a the experiment is being tried. The results were so rainy season. Lately, however, another system known effective, that the neighbouring ryots hive been at once as “ stack-sucking ” has been spoken of, in which tbe converted to Sabapathy Mudaliyar’s mode of cultivation, wet grass or corn is dealt with in bulk by its own and they have gone to him with orders for 300 ploughs fermentative heating in the stack, from which the ex of the same description as that he himself had been cess of heat and vapour is drawn out by an exhaust using. This is a repetition of what we have often found fan. The mechanical apparatus is of two kinds, port in Bengal, viz. that the ryot is wedded to his own able and fixed. The success of Mr. Gibbs’s plan has systems, only so long as he thinks those systems will been demonstrated on many farms. It remains to be give the best and most profitable results. The Indian shown on authoritative trial whether the other is safe, cultivator is by no. means blind to his own interests, economical, and satisfactory in the condition of the and if he can be convinced of the value of a change, hay or corn treated by it, and if so, which of the experience has shown, both in Bengal, Madras, and two systems may be offered with the greatest confid Poona, that he is by no means slack to adopt that ence to farmers. change.—Indian Daily News. CALISAYA LEDGERIANA IN CEYLON. bark from this estate, made by Dr. B. H. Paul, of London, will be of interest to your readers:— We delayed the letter, given in another column, from Mr. North Christie, with the intention of em Crystallized Quinine CrystallizedCin- Cinchonine S ulphate. bodying it in a comprehensive notice of the Ledgeii- chonidine sulphate. anas, which we have not been able as yet to over No. 1 11 "55 1 0 4 take, We, therefore, now publish Mr. Christie’s in .. 2 12 03 0"30 „ 3 12-79 0-40 teresting and important facts. As Mr. Christie, like our ,, 4 4"63 0"64 selves and others, obtained his seed from the late Mr. „ 5 1110 0"40 Mclvor, there can be no doubt now that the Neddiwuttum „ 6 10 20 0-84 plants, in which Mr. Howard could not trace the charac „ 7 11 09 1-52 teristics of Ledgeriana, were yet true Ledgerianas, » 8 7"65 2-84 altered in character by adverse climatic conditions. | Omitting No. 4, which was sent as a curiosity, it The bark of the spindly bushes realized 12s 8d per : being from a solitary tree of peculiar type, which has never blossomed, the average of the samples is almost lb. and seedlings from them, planted at a suitable 11 per cent sulphate. As the trees were but five elevation, have resulted in such extraordinary results years and four months old, and never manured when as Mr. Christie sends us. It is important to see the samples were taken, I think this result is second that seed in this case and in that of Mclvor’s hybrids to none. Dr. Paul remarked about No 4 that it was has come true to type, for seedlings have the great remarkable for the redness of the bark compared to other Ledgers that he had examined and concluded merit of being rapidly and cheaply propagated. What (erroneously) that this redness must have been due to the result of seeds from Mr. Christie’s trees may be, manure or soil. With a little care in* selecting a we should be curious to see. good type of tree, I have no doubt that a Ledgeriana Our readers are already aware that Mr. Wm. Smith, clearing would at six years of age, average 11 p er cent. of Mattakelle, obtained results equally good with Next to Ledgers, though at a distance, follow hybrids, those obtained from the Maskeliya plants. A second and from their robust habit they will doubtless oust the much abused ephemeric officinalis, for the growth set of analyses have reached Mr. Smith, which give for of which Ceylon, as a rule, seems about as unsuited Crystalized Crystalized as Java. The analyses of two 4J year old “ hybrids” Quinine Cinelionidine grown here are :— Sulphate. Sulphate. No. 1 5 33 sulphate quinine. B 12 1 6 0-74 8"60 0 4 8 No. 2 6 "35 total alkaloids, 315 sulphate quinine. A In forwarding them, Mr. Symons said :—“ No. 1 is J 6"84 trace 9"46 0"66 very fine, and 1 venture to think it is a Ledgeriana, C aud of a very good type, as it contains but little of R 7"13 1*10 7 34 0"70 the inferior alkaloids, particularly cinelionidine. If the Q tree is seeding it is well worth taking care of and M N 7"90 0"30 8-78 0-60 protecting from adjoining blossoms that might cause E hybridization. Of course I cannot say positively that F 11*9 0"16 10"31 0-92 it is a Ledger but it gives all the appearance of being G one, during analysis. No. 2, although good is quite a H 8 04 0 6 0 8-90 0-34 different species and contains a large quantity of K other alkaloids.” I 7"82 1-42 The analyses of these trees are interesting because, Mr. Smith, in sending us Dr. Paul’s analyses, as far as I know, they are the oldest hybrids, planted w rote :— out as such, in the island and the only known progeny “ I have got 12 more analyses from London by Dr. of a hybrid, yet analysed in Ceylon. They were grown P aul, they range between 7 "50 to 12"16 percent sulphate from some ot the seed from Me Ivor’s original hybrids, of quinine. This is very gratifying, considering they given to me by himself, and it is gratifying to see were from trees rejected by Campbell and Fairlie. that with good hybrid seed the value of the parent Taking the 30 samples which are now in Messrs. tree is transmitted. At maturity No. 1, would, I think, Howards’ bands, this 12"16 per cent is the highest show quite one per cent sulphate for every year of we have attained to, being from a strong robust tree its age. But of some 2,000 trees raised from Me Ivor’s without seed, which will afford a splendid lot of seed, there are very few exactly alike and this fact, rafts. ” together with their hardy habit and rapid growth, t is now quite clear that Calisaya Ledgeriana has proves, I think, their hybrid origin, or rather that been established in Ceylon and that the bark is likely they are the result of the cross-fertilization of two to give results equal to the average obtained in Java. varieties. The fact is of great importance to the future of our The opponents of the “ hybrid ” theory, in its tech planting enterprise in connection with what we hope nical sense, could hardly deny that a mongrel between a succirubra and an officinalis was just as possible as will be only the partial and temporary failure of the a mongrel between an English and an Indian sheep.— Arabian coffee enterprise. The grafting process has j Yours faithfully, THOS. NORTH CHRISTIE. been here even more successful than in Java, as we have already mentioned. COFFEE ADULTERATION. CINCHONA CALISAYA LEDGERIANA IN We call attention to the interesting and weighty CEYLON. j letters on this subject in another column, That of St. Andrew’s, Maskeliya 23rd March 1882. Mr. Pasteur, the well-known London Broker, appeals To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. more particularly to the home public, while “ G. W.’s ” D ear Sir ,—T he following analyses of Ledgeriana review of the case is calculated to revive the local in. terest of planters and merchants at a time when the the good-natured retailers substitute. We are asked fortunes of our staple are apparently at their lowest ebb. to believe that the sale of our genuine, wholesome coffee is prom oted by the well-meaning, kind procedure Surely in the face of the analyses now produced and of of those who cater for the British public; and that, the evidence of further mischievous intermeddling on the if it were not for the ingenious devices by which it is part of the Lords of the Treasury with the legitimate commended to the palate of the people by association trade in coffee, there will not be a single dissentient with horsebeans, filings, and such like toothsome voice on this side of the water, to the claim preferred articles, our coffee would fall in o utter disrepute ! This argument, were if it worth answering at all, for redress. Shoulder to shoulder, the members of the would be sufficiently refuted by a reference to the way Planters’ Association and Chamber of • Commerce ought in which the consumption of real coffee is proved to to put forth their whole strength to make the appeal as have declined in proportion as these practices prevailed. forcible as is compatible with the respect they owe to But, though the argument itself is utterly unworthy the home authorities concerned. Ceylon far more than of any notice, and could only originate in ignorance or in the defence of fraud, the fact on which it rests any other coffee-producing country perhaps, has suffered its only claim to common-sense cannot remain un through the abominable and long-continued English contradicted but must be proved to be a great mis adulterations. London is still the great depot for our take. It is certainly true that the existing law pro coffee, aud if the home consumption had been a healthy vides for the supply of genuine coffee, and for the one uninfluenced by mixtures and adulterations as is punishment of its fraudulent adulteration; but it is also true that the protection the law affords against the case with tea, we may feel sure that our fine coffees fraud applies practically to only a very few persons, would have been in greater request. The sooner the who do not need it; and is utterly unavailing to the undeniable mischief of the present system is remedied million. whom it should benefit. The fact is that the better: the immediate effect may be slight, but customers of the higher class applying at the best unless the English coffee trade is placed on a sound shops for coffee would certainly be supplied with the basis once for all, the decrease in consumption which genuine article, because, in that case, both vendor and vendee are aware of the penalty for a breach of has gone on for several years back will continue until the law, but the working man asks for coffee, and only the most trifling quantity of the genuine bean is is supplied wib substitutes more or less vile, at required for Great Britain. We trust the hands of prices little, if at all, below the value of the genuine Messrs. Pasteur, Dickson and other friends of Ceylon article. The fact is that the m illion do not in this matter, will be heartily and unitedly supported receive genuine coffee even when they ask for it. They are supplied with a mixture or a substitute, henceforward by the local public until a grave injustice either in bold defiance of the law, (what avails legal and a scandal to honest fair trade is removed. redress to a customer of this class whose dealings are in ounces and whose means are in pence!) w ith o u t COFEE E ADULTERATION AND MIXTURES. label or description; or under shelter of a precaution To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. ary label, perhaps in type too small to be noticed. Sir ,—I t is satisfactory to see the energetic aud In inviting the attention of friends at home to this effective manner in which this subject has been taken subject on my recent visit, I laid much stress on up by our enlightened friends at home. Their action this aspect of our case; I begged them not to rest contrasts strongly with that of the Committee of our satisfied with the analyses of samples purchased by local Chamber of Commerce, who did not think the messengers of respectable appearance, or who might matter of sufficient interest or importance to be re be suspected of an object. In order to ascertain what ferred to the members of the Chamber, but disposed is regularly supplied to the million in the name of of it themselves in a curious and discrepant style. coffee, I pointed out the necessity for obtaining samples Our good friends at home must not be left to fight purchased by persons of that class, at the shops to the battle alone, however ; for victory will not be which they resort. Acting on this principle, I obtained easily or quickly won. The retailers are a large, samples from London, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, powerful and unscrupulous body', who exercise a great Chesterfield, Preston and other large towns ; and our iafluence at the poll. Ministers would be very chary London friends also have obtained samples from London of exciting their opposition or displeasure. Moreover, and its environs. In all these cases the purchasers the profit gained by the substitution of spurious and were instructed to ask for ground coffee, and to accept, worthless imitations which are sold in the name and without question or remark, whatever should be given, often also at the price of genuine coffee, is far too large and to pay the price demanded. And what was the to be conceded without a desperate struggle. We ought, result! Of 37 samples purchased as coffee by our London therefore, to buckle on our armour, and enter the friends, two only were genuine ! 18 were mixtures, and lists in hearty support of those who have so vigor were so labelled for the protection of the vendors;—3 ously espoused our cause and commenced the siege of werelabelled as specialities, but even these were not what the enemy’s stronghold. they professed to be ! They were adulterated substi The existing law, 'as now administered, is entirely tutes ! The remaining 14 were handed across the a -ainst us; and offers the greatest facilities and en counter, without any attempt at disguise, in open couragement to the fraudulent dealer, who can palm defiance of the law, and proved to be mixtures in off iu the name of coffee any trash whatsoever, how which the proportion of real coffee varied from 7 to ever worthless it may be, not only with impunity, 04 per cent 1 The rest of their constituents were but under the direct sanction of the law, provided chicory, finings, dates, dandelion and some other un only that the composition or substitute he labelled a recognized substances. Such are the articles the work “ mixture,” and contain a proportion, however in ing man receives from his purveyor when he asks fo r significant, of genuine coffee. There are those amongst coffee! Such in practice is the operation of the law ui who would have us believe the dealers are our as regards the retail trade in coffee ! frien d s, and that the mixtures they vend are intended As regards the samples obtained from the towns in to make our coffee palatable 1 These credulous persons the country, 48 in number, a preliminary examina contend that the consumers buy these mixtures by tion of about 20 proved them all to be mixtures. Not preference; that they could easily procure genuine one of the 20 was genuine ! Further examination coffee, but they prefer the dear and dirty stuff which and analysis was precluded, as my eyes would not bear the strain of microscopic research. The samples 60s per cwt., it is 4 lb. per head. In England it was will therefore be handed to the Planters’ Association nearly 2 lb. per head in 1847 with a duty of 36s per cwt., to be made such use of as they may deem proper. but now, with a duty of 14s per cwt. it is less than 1 Be it remembered that the samples above mentioned, lb. per head, and yet we import annually some 70,000 those which were bought in London as well as those tons of coffee or five times the quantity consumed. The from the country, were supplied as coffee. T hey th e re reason of the growing disfavour for the article is- solely fore represent what the million receive as coffee and entirely owing to the wholesale system of adultera and accept as exponents of the flavour and qualities tion, which flourishes under the regulations permitting of the genuine article! The working man’s taste the sale of, and since the 20th January, the importation and opinion of coffee, based 011 his experience of of any hind of stuff mixed in any proportion with coffee. the stuff sold to him as such, is not likely to be That the regulations hitherto in force did not protect very high ! No wonder he complains that “ coffee” the revenue is amply proved . by facts ; the duty on does not agree with him. A gentleman who pro coffee yielded £216,800 in 1879, £203,500 in 1880, and cured some of the samples for me, said that his work £199,600 in 1881 ; and the aggregate received in 1881 people had ceased to drink coffee, because it dis for duty on coffee and chicory is actually less by some agreed with them ! No wonder that the genuine article, £4,000 than the amount received in 1880. Do the Lords as so fraudulently substituted has fallen into disuse, of the Treasury believe that, by extending the duty to and that the trade has become almost monopolized other vegetable substances imported mixed with coffee by proposed substitutes. The great bulk of the retail and chicory, they will protect the revenue under that trade in coffee in the United Kingdom now consists head ? They might know, and they ought to know, that of substances which do not even profess to be genuine the result will be exactly the reverse ; the public will coffee. They are advertized in flaming posters in leave off more and more drinking the wretched stuff almost every grocer’s shop, as French, Date, Dandelion, which is sold to them under the name of, or coupled or pig coffee, or as Pearson's, Brauston’s, Prank’s with the name of coffee, aud they will take to beer and aud everybody else’s coffee, except Nature's own. In spirits instead. all these substitutes the proportion of real coffee is But, setting aside the question of revenue, another as only just so much as will serve to palm off the other pect of the case appears to have entirely escaped the at constituents. The proportion which the trade in real tention of their lordships. Is it just, or right or fair, coffee bears to that of its substitutes may be inferred that the name of coffee should be used as a sort of de from the fact that, at the great Food Exhibition in coy ? and that, by tacking to it some other name or the Agricultural Hall in London last October, I could epithet such as chicory or French, Jersey, Date, or T ig see only one poor plate of coffee beans with about coffee, any kind of worthless or nasty substances should half-a-pound of genuine coffee on it, though the counters be allowed to be mixed with it for the sole object of groaned under piles and pyramids of canisters, with getting a profit which could not be got, if those articles flash labels, representing many tons of. substitutes were sold under their proper name. The public are and mixtures, all deriving such virtue as they posses powerless to protect themselves against those practices al sed from the small admixture they contained of the though we are gravely told that the persons who infringe article they so effectually supplant. the regulations of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act render Let struggling coffee planters form their own themselves liable to prosecution ; the endless formali opinion from the foregoing facts as to what is the ties required, and the expenses of analyses, &c., are such practical effect of the existing law as regards that the offending person is almost sure of immunity, coffee adulteration and mixture, and let them join or at tbe most, if prosecuted by the excise officers of a hand and heart in the effort now on foot to obtain fine so light as to be a matter of perfect indifference to some amelioration of the present condition. The argu him . ments set forth in the draft memorial, submitted to The Government can scarcely disclaim any idea or in- the P. A. last year, are substantially the same as tention of inviting adulteration by their recent action. those adduced by Mr. Pasteur and his energetic allies ; If proclaiming to the world that henceforth permission and they are more than confirmed by the facts of the is given to import any hind o f vegetable substances m ixed Case, as recently ascertained. Let the planters ex with coffee, without any restriction as to the proportion hume that draft, and amend it if they please; but of the mixture, is not an invitation to adulterate, then let them not indulge the delusion, which led to the words must have suddenly ceased to have the meaning shelving of the movement last year, to wit : that they have always had before. In fact the foreigner is the million in our country know the flavour and quali told : - “ We allow you to mix any quantity you like of ties of genuine coffee, and buy the substitutes with saw-dust, of acorns or roast carrots or cabbage stalks that knowledge in preference !—Yours faithfully, with coffee or chicory, and you may import them here ; G. W . our customs officers will charge you a duty of 2d per lb. ; but, as you will be infringing the Adulteration Acts our Board of Inland Revenue officers may then COFFEE ADULTERATION. proceed against you or your agents, and levy fines for The following is Mr. H. Pasteur’s second important- such infringement.” letter on this subject:— The Treasury allow the importation of stuff which L ondon, 20th Feb. 1882. they know to be spurious and of no value, and unsale The more the late order of the Treasury concerning able here or anywhere else, except under a fictitious the importation of coffee, chicory, and mixtures is con- name. I repeat : is it right or just, or moral ? Why sidered, the more unfair and unjust the action of Go countenance or allow the importation of those mixtures ? vernment must appear, not only to those engaged in the What are the interests which appear to Government so coffee trade but to the general public. To state that worthy of being encouraged and protected at the ex coffee is one of the best and most useful of beverages, pense of the British public and of all those engaged in and that its use ought to be encouraged on economical an important article of trade ? It cannot be for the as well as sanitary and moral grounds, is to repeat a sake of placing within reach of the million a wholesome truism It is esteemed as such, and its use encouraged and pure beverage at a a reasonable price; for those in all countries, save one, and its consumption is steadily wretched mixtures are sold at Is per lb., whilst good increasing every whir except in Great Britain. In pure coffee can be bought in the shops, roasted and America the consumption is at the rate ot over 8 lbs ground, for lOd or lid per lb. per head per annum ; in Germany, with a duty of 21. We are told that mixtures and adulterations can be per cwt., it is 5 lb. per head ; in France, with a duty of prepared here privately, wdthout paying duty, on the retailers own premises. This is bad enough, but is it a 30 A mixture of coffee reason why Government should open the door to the and chicory. 50 do do. and probab foreigner so as to double or treble the quantity of ly dates. spurious stuff with which our towns and villages are 31 A mixture in which already inundated ? Cheap and free are two grand no injurious ingre words applied to trade, but on condition that they are dient has been used. 44 Adulterant, chicory. not supplemented by the words nasty and adulterated, 32 23 do. do. and finings. which legislation, during the past thirty years, has 33 39 do. do. and so - called finings. done its best to tack on coffee. H. PASTETJE, 34 A mixture of coffee 38, Mincing L.ane. chicory. 10 Adulterant, chicory and large L o n d o n , 21st February 1882* proportion of some other— probably dandelion. E esult of analyses of samples of coffee purchased at various 35 A m ixture of coffee shops in and about London, February 1882, anti submitted and chicory. 10 Adulterant, chicory at least to Messrs. G. W. Wigner and R. H. Hariand, Public Analysts, 90 per cent. of 79 Great Tower Street, City. 36 D ate coffee. 57 Adulterants, roasted date N. B—In nearly every instance the article asked for was and chicory. coffee. 37 Dandelion coffee, none. Dandelion root and probably Number Estimated some other substances. of Labelled. percentage Sample. of Remarks. The names and addresses of the vendors, represented in Coffee. the above table by numbers, are in the possession of the 1 52 Adulterant, chicory. Analysts. 2 25 do. chicory and some so- H. P asteur, 38, Min cing Lane. called finings. 3 A mixture of chi- 32 Adulterated with chicory cory and coffee. and probably dates. COFFEE ADULTERATION. 4 do 31 A dulterant, chicory and fin ings. (From a London Correspondent.) 5 Specially prepared There is yet more to add this week to the subject to French coffee. 34 Adulterated with chicory which so much space has of late been given in my and finings. letters, viz., the coffee adulteration question. As regards 6 Taraxacum. 10 Dandelion and some chicory 7 26 Adulterated with chicory notices in the public press, they have been confined and finings. this week to Colonies and India, and, although aware 8 21 Adulterated with chicory that you received this paper and have probably seen and dates. the reference referred to, it may be as well just to 9 12 Adulterated w ith chicory, quote it here before passing to my own experiences dandelion and some dates. during the week relative to this matter. The paragraph 10 37 Adulterated with chicory runs th u s :— and finings. “ Strong as is the case of the sugar-growers in 11 10 A dulterated with 90 per the colonies and of sugar-refiners at home, the case cent, of chicory, of coffee-planters and coffee-coneumere is, perhaps, [containing some dates.] 12 A mixture of chicory even stronger in their protest against the new Treasury and coffee. 32 Adulterated with chicory, order, allowing rubbish of all kinds, so long as it is 13 100 Genuine coffee, called “ coffee,” to be imported on paying the same 14 A mixture of coffee duty as pure coffee. Hitherto an additional duty and chicory. 47 Adulterated with chicory and has been imposed on coffee mixed with chicory dates. and on the pseudo-coffees which have lately come into 15 A mixture of coffee prominence : but now the admission of coffee adulter and chicory. 41 Adulterant, chicory and so ated to any extent with chicory, beans, sawdust, or called finings. any other trash, is to be allowed on the same terms with 16 7 Adulterant mainly but not the pure berry. Surely the interest of the authorities entirely chicory. in the health of the people, if not in the welf areof the 17 This compound con tains no injurious colonies, is great enough to lead to the abrogation of ingredient. 57 Adulterant, chicory. this most impolitic regulation. The admission of spurio1 s 18 A mixture of coffee articles of food should be placed under greater dis and chicory. 31 do. do. abilities, instead of being made more easy than ever.” 19 A m ixture of coffee There is an error in the above paragraph relative and chicory. 41 do. do. and finings. to the duties on coffee and these mixtures being 20 A mixture of coffee identical, the pure bean paying only ljd per lb, while and chicory. 38 do. do. do. the latter are charged 2d. The difference, however, can 21 36 do. do. and dande lion. in no way compensate for the disadvantage of coffee 22 54 do. do. finings. being exposed to competition with valueless com 23 A mixture of coffee pounds. During an interview, with Mr. Thomas Dick and chicory. 17 do. do. probably son this present week, he informed me that a petition dandelion. for consideration of this question has been signed by 24 A mixture of coffee 130 of the leading brokers and others concerned in the and chicory. 28 do. do. and finings. coffee trade. It was intended to have sent this to a 25 Admixture in which certain Government Department, and to have sought an no injurious ingre interview with its head by a deputation, but it became dient has been used 14 do. do. at least 85 known to those interested that that head is largely per cent. interested in a concern by which a cer.'ain mixture is 26 A m ixture of coffee manufactured in Jersey. It was, therefore, thought to be and chicory, 37 do. do. 27 26 do. do. and finings. impolitic to present the petition in such a quarter, and 28 100 Genuine coffee. it has therefore been forwarded to the Treasury. W hat 29 A mixture of coffee its fate will be there, it is impossible- to say, but, as and chicory. 68 Adulterant, chicory. Mr. Dickson has secured the prtimise of co-operation from a considerable number of members of Parliament, I about to turn (as some appear to think), from the and has also been assured of the sympathetic action drinking of adulterated alcohols to the consumption of of all the leading Chambers of Commerce in the North, still worse adulterated “ coffee.” One well-known it may reasonably be hoped that this petition will firm that deals in coffee incites the Britsh public by not be burked. To the letter addressed by Mr. Dick its advertisements to “ call a spade a spade ”—a whole son to Lord Cairns, he has received no reply. This some doctrine, and we trust it will soon be penal to cannot but be considered discourteous, but it is thought apply the name of coffee to anything but the genuine that his lordship probably considers that coffee adulter, article ; for it is not well that the public should pay ation and fiscal arrangements properly come only under Is. 4d. or Is 6d, per lb. for materials which are dear the jurisdiction of the House of Commons, and that at a quarter of that price. We have heard much on that ground he deems it wiser not to commit him in times past of a “free breakfast table” ; we self to the expression of any opinion. Mr. H. Pasteur, hope soon that it may become an unadulterated of Mincing Lane, has issued a further notice concern breakfast table, and that those who have a fancy for ing the late Treasury order, and you will find it drinking decoctions of strange things will be able to enclosed. It reviews the facts of the case with much do so without the expense of having the name of strength and clearness, and you will probably like coffee given to whatever may happen to be able to to reprint it in full. You will also receive with this impart to boiling water a brownish colour and a the result published by Mr. Pasteur of the analyses bitter taste.— Lancet, of 37 samples of coffee purchased at various shops in and about London. Of these, as you will per ceive, only two were genuine coffee, the adulteration THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN BRAZIL. of the others varying from 32 to 90 per cent ! One instance, indeed, exceeds even those figurese, the sample We now quote the whole of the document alluded containing no coffee at all, but then it was sold as to as mentioning “ the plague ” in coffee. It is a re “ Dandelion Coffee” ! markably outspoken paper, and, although its authors Passing along the Strand this week, an announcement look to Government for a central sugar mill, as well in the East India and Colonial Tea Agency’s window as roads and instructions, they yet deplore the want of struck my eye. It was simply a placard announcing private enterprise and the selfishness of the "wealthy “ Ceylon Tea, 2s 9d per lb.” Now, as very recently the same window announced Ceylon tea at 2s 3d per lb., classes. Neither do they spare the free population for it is evident that it is rising in public favour, and leaving most of the production to slave labour. The its sale extending. A tremendous future (this is not picture drawn of the state of a society where the slave too superlative an expression) lies before Ceylon tea. population considerably outnumbers the free is not flatter ing, and to those interested in the future of Brazil not reassuring:— COFFEE ADULTERATION IN ENGLAND. In an extra session of the Municipal Council of An interesting and most important document relating Santa Maria Magdalena, the following address to the to the consumption of coffee in the United Kingdom has president of the province of Rio de Janeiro was ad recently been issued by Mr. H. Pasteur, of Mincing- opted ;— lane. It appears that in 1847 and 1848 duty was paid Sib,—In compliance with the orders of Your Ex upon over 37,000,000 lb. of coffee for home consumption, cellency in the official letters of the 21st of last month and that, during the past year, with an increase of and of the 11th of the current month, in which you population on 1848 of at least 10,000,000, the home ask for information regarding the state of agriculture, consumption of coffee was just under 32,000,000 lb. stock-farming, silk and hee-culture in this municipality, There can be no doubt that the consumption of “ coffee” the Municipal Council have to say as follows:— (the inverted commas are very necessary) is much more The lands of this municipality are in general ex general now than it was in 1848, and that the consumption tremely fertile and are suited to a great variety of of genuine coffee has fallen off to the extent of prodnots, such as coffee, cereals, sugarcane, tobacco, 5,000,000 lb. is a startling fact which every purchaser grapes, cotton, mulberry, potatoes, rice, mandioca, etc. of coffee should take to heart. The consumption of The only article of export from the municipality, spurious coffee is likely to increase still more, for a however, is coffee. The production of corns, beans and Treasury Minute was issued, on January 20th, 1882, sugar is scarcely sufficient for home consumption, and directing Her Majesty’s Board of Customs to permit already there has commenced a considerable importa the importation under a duty of 2d. per lb. of “ coffee, tion of sugar, rice, tobacco and rum. chicory, or any other vegetable m attter applicable to the uses of coffee or chicory, roasted or ground, mixed with The cultivation for export in the municipality is out reference to the proportions of the mixture.” Those therefore limited to coffee, and this cultivation is who like to know what they are buying will do well carried on in the rudimentary routine system which to buy their coffee whole and raw, and to roast it and leaves much to be desired both as to the quality of grind it for themselves. Coffee contains an alkaloid, the product, and the quantity produced in relation to caffeine, and certain aromatic principles which gave the population. to it its stimulating and pleasant qualities, and The number of slaves in the municipality being 13,010, the larger or smaller proportions of which in the and supposing that only 10,000 are employed in the various samples imported determine the market value. cultivation of coffee, there might be produced, giving It certainly seems odd, to use the mildest an average of 150 arrobas for each laborer, 1,500,000 term, that the importation of chicory, turnips, arrobas; the exportation is however only 900,000 to carrots, cabbage-stalks, and various other vegetable 1,000,000 arrobas. The free inhabitants, numbering rubbish which our continental neighbours choose to 10,366, might very well produce, if nothing else, the roast and send to us, should be encouraged by the articles of home consumption, as we have no other Government, to the detriment of the dietaries of the industry, no important trade, nor mechanic arte. masses, and the business of colonial merchants who The planters whose profits can be calculated at have a soul above vegetable refuse. It seems little more than 10 per cent, are rare, and these live rn short of disgraceful that the tine coffee of Ceylon exceptionally good lands and consume but little In should find a readier market on the Continent than general the planters obtain from 8 per cent, down in the parent country,.the good people of which are ward. It may be added that a terrible disease, called the plague, is progressively destroying the coffee trees that we have are of very ordinary stock and only serve and is assuming alarming proportions without the as food for invalids, the w ool and hide being thrown cause of the evil or the means of combating it being aw ay. discovered. Bee culture is only carried on by a few for their own As the municipality has excellent lands for sugarcane, use, and silkworm-breeding is entirely unknown in the it would seem to be of great advantage for the Go municipality. vernment to encourage the planters, where the coffee Our best public establishment, although it has not trees are being destroyed by the, plague, to plant the necessary accommodation, is the municipal hall. cane by giving an interest guarantee for the estab The churches of this village and of Sao Sebastiao lishment of one or more central sugar mills. With do Alto are in ruins, although this last has 100,000$000 there might be established a mill with been somewhat improved at the expense of the parish American machinery with a capacity of 400 arrobas ioners, The few schools that we possess are in per day, since the Figuera mill in Campos, belong houses without sufficient accommodation and with ing to Jose Pereira Pinto, with a capacity of 200 out furniture. There is no benevolent institution arrobas per day, cost 50,000$. in the whole municipality. A small jail is being It would also be advantageous for the Government constructed in Sao Sebastiao do Alto : the jail of to encourage the planters by means of diplomas and this village is intolerable. money prizes, to establish free labour and to give at Such is the state of this municipality, its agricul tention to the cultivation of cereals and stock-breed ture and industries, its drawbacks and its most pressing needs. ing, especially the breeding of swine, indepen dent of coffee and cane. By reducing to the Santa Maria Magdalena, Nov. 23rd, 1881. lowest possible figure the railway freights on these products, the Government could also con tribute in favor of the division of labor. INDIAN TEA DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION. There are many obstacles to the development of agriculture in the municipality which, although due The annual meeting of this Association was held at the to various causes, may be summed up in two prin offices, 14 St. Mary Axe, on Feb. 22, Sir Douglas For syth, K. C. S. I., C. B., president of the Association, cipal ones : lack of roads and schools. in the chair. There was a good attendance of mem With the exception of two kilometers of the Barao bers, including Col. R. H. Keatinge, V, C., vice- de Araruama railroad belonging to a private Com chairman ; Mr. H. Wimshurst, of the Assam Com pany there are no railroads in the municipality. We pany ; Mr. W. Roberts, Mr. Burkinyoung, Mr. Parke have not even waggon roads which will enable us to Pittar, and Mr. Sangster, of the Jorehaut Company; abandon the pack mule, “ our best vehicle.” This Mr. Carpmael, Noakacharee Company ; Mr. R. Lyell, lack, which in a rich municipality can only be en- of Messrs. George Williamson & Co., representing dftred through ignorance or extreme resignation, the Borelli, Dejoo, Luckimpore, and Mungledye Com prevents our varying products or attempting a divi panies ; Mr. D. H. Sefton, of the Land Mortgage sion of labor which must be our means of obtaining Bank of India; Mr. A Lawrie, of Messrs. Alex. Lawrie the maximum production and perfection of agriculture, & Co, ; Mr. J. H. Williamson, of Messrs. Wil and which might lessen for some years to come the liamson, Magor & Co., Calcutta ; Mr. Samuel Ward, lack of laborers that is already beginning to be felt. of the Lebong Compony ; Col. Probyn; Mr. George Koads are a prime and inherent necessity in a Seton, of MeSssr. Octavius Steel & Co. &c. The no mountainous and eminently agricultural municipality tice convening the meeting having been read by the such as this. Your Excellency will pardon the Secretary, the Chairman briefly introduced the report. frankness, born of the confidence that the good Commenting on the law relating to the inland emi judgment of the president of the province in- gration of labour to the tea districts, the speaker spires in the municipal council, with which we congratulated the meeting upon the result of the say that the attention of the Government has not labours of the Commission appointed to inquire into yet been awakened to the roads of this municipality the matter—viz., the passing of the Inland Emigra The same may be said of our people who appear tion Act (1882), on January 5th. He thought that to ignore the fact that private enterprise is an in this Act would promote the interests both of em dispensable factor in the prosperity of any country. ployers and labourers, although it had been unfa No one knows better than Your Excellency that vourably criticised by the native population of Cal the people must have instruction in order to under cutta. The Chairman said that, by a minute of the stand their duty as citizens and to labor best in the Governor-General referring to the Act as a whole, interest of Society and in their own private interest. the Government of India observed that it was of Our capitalists although possessingabout 8,000,000§000 necessity a measure intended to meet a transitional of available funds prefer investment in ti per cent, state of affairs. The main reason for maintaining government bonds, to embarking their capital in at this date a special law was that communications industrial enterprises, and thus the spirit of associ between most of the labour districts and the rest ation, which might contribute powerfully to the de of India were still imperfect. The improvement of velopment of the industries of the municipality, re communication with Assam was engaging the earnest mains unproductive. attention of the Government, and, with the gra The stock-raising industry is here very backward dual attainment of this object, it was hoped that and of limited proportions. The cattle are neither it might become practicable to leave both the em good for work, milk, nor beef. All the carne secca ployers and the employed to settle their relations consumed, and the quantily is not small, is imported ; in all cases under the ordinary law, as they do in and for the last six years the price has varied between other parts of British India. Steps might be taken 6 and 9 milreis. Butter-making is almost unknown, under the fourth section of the Act leading to this and the small quantity of cheese that is made is of poor result. Local Governments are empowered, with the quality and not readily salable. previous sanction of the.Governor-General in Coun Only a few amateurs, and these rare, have attempted cil, to declare that any labour district within their to breed a horse or so, of a badly made and degenerate respective territories shall cease to be subject raee. Perhaps this neglect of horse-breeding is due to to all the provisions, or any specified provision of our bad roads for which mules are more suitable. the Act. The successful introduction of a sys'em of Sheep-breeding is almost unknown. The few sheep I free emigration will fulfil the wish of the Go- vernment of India to gradually withdraw the ap mulation of coffee in those ports which has not yet plication of a special law. The next tiling note entered the market for consumption, and which re worthy in the report was the establishment of an presents nearly twice the normal export there from Indian Tea Association at Calcutta. This was ad this country. Some of this coffee has been held for vocated in the first instance by the Home Associa two years, and now represents an enormous loss. It tion. It was working on the same basis, and there is reasonable to presume that these stocks can not fore should meet with approbation. Eeferring to the be held much longer for a better market, because the general state of the affars of the Association, the stocks already accumulated and the constantly in Chairman said he had mnch pleasure in inform creasing production all tend to keep prices at the ing them that they were in a good position. Last minimum—even at rates lower than those now ruling. year one of the members proposed some form of pro These accumulated stocks in Europe represent about tection for Indian tea in its competition with that of five months’ consumption there, and if thrown upon China ; but he believed that the time was not far the market early this year, as they undoubtedly will distant when the populirity of Indian tea would be, they will cause a heavy decline in imports. More render all movements of this kind unnecessary. He than that, they represent an aggregate loss which can congratulated the meeting on the improved tone of not fail to cause widespread disaster in the trade, the tea markets of late. With reference to the great of which Brazil must unavoidably bear no small share. injury done to tea by exposing and bulking it at We do not expect ministers of finance to take any the Custom House, the Chairman said that this had account of these ominous facts, but merchants and been, and still was, a subject of discussion, and a planters will do well to take them into thoughtful very important one, Memorials asking for some re consideration.—Bio News. form had been frequently sent to the Commissioners of Customs, but hitherto without success. He hoped, however, that they would eventually obtain redress. COFFEE AND SUGAR IN BARZIL. He thought that it was a very difficult matter to The official value of ths exports of Rio de Janeiro, in procure boxes of a uniform weight, as in most of the past year, was 97,251,128 mils,, of which coffee re the tea districts, the wood was difficult to deal with.presented 94,465,116 mils.; sugar, 880,676 mils.; hides, The report of the meeting having been seconded909,598 by mils.; tobacco, 535,050 mils.; rosewood, 309,685 Col. Keating, it was unanimously adopted. Mr. Sangs- mils. The export of gold and silver from Rio de Janeiro ter remarked that he advocated the same policy he in 1881 amounted to 4,113,078 mils., of which 2,816,340 had pursued at the last meeting of the Association— mils, was to England ; 189,168 mils, to France; 963,663 namely, to have the duty on Indian tea reduced to mils, to the River Plate ; and 140,906 mils, to Brazilian 3d. per pound. He thought also that it would be ports. advisable to give reports of the meeting to suburban The export of coffee last year was 4,377,418 bags of grocers, and push trade with them. He was of opinion sixty kilograms, being 814,364 bags more than 1880 that Indian tea ought to be represented at the In Of this quantity the United States took 2,241,976 bags, ternational Exhibition in Melbourne. He suggested and Europe, etc., 2,135,442 bags. It should be noted also that some reduction might be made in the cost that, of late years, the United States would seem to be of the making of Indian tea, as the present rate “ taking proportionately a decreasing quantity of the was too high. Mr. S.ingster said that he had re Brazilian crop. ” The prices realized per kilogram last ceived a letter from Mr. M elver, the member for year, as compared with 1880, show a very serious re Birkenhead, who would give his assistance in Par duction for all qualities, as follows :— liament on the duty question at a favourable op First half 1881: First half 1880: portunity, as the subject was one which had long F irs t g o o d ..... 430 to 505 reis 560 to 635 reis occupied his attention. The Chairman said that it Second ordinary .. 390 ,, 475 ,, 525 ,, 605 ,, would be a very useful thing to get a protective R e g u la r...... 335 ,, 435 ,, 490 „ 590 ,, duty of 3d , but he couhl see no prospect of that T h ird g o o d ..... 275 ,, 380 ,, 440 ,, 590 „ object being attained. Referring to the proposed Second ordinary... 230 ,, 330 ,, 390 ,, 470 ,, American agency for India tea, he reminded the meet Second half of 1881 : Second half of 1880. ing that the Calcutta Syndicate was established for First good ... 415 to 505 reis 450 to 600 reis the purpose of creating a trade with Australia and First ordinary ... 370 ,, 460 „ 420 ,, 570 ,, America, and he thought its operations would be Regular ... 335 ,, 400 ,, 375 ,, 525 ,, successful. A discussion then arose on the advisa Second good ... 280 ,, 335 ,, 350 „ 470 ,, bility of leaving the question of Parliamentary ef Second ordinary 240 ,, 290 ,, 300 ,, 410 „ forts to a working committee. Messrs. C. Sander His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil has been system son, Octavius Steele, and P. It. Buchanan were una atically visiting and examining the factories and work nimously elected members of the general committee, shops of Rio de Janeiro and its vicinity, with the and the meeting separated after giving a vote of object cf judging, by personal investigation and by thanks to Sir Douglas Forsyth for presiding.— Over hearing the views of the proprietors and experts, of land M ail, March 3rd. the claims put forward by the manufacturers for higher protective taxation of foreign products of a similar kind, and for the reduction of import taxes on sub BRAZIL COFFEE PROSPECTS, stances employed in the Brazilian manufactures. An error in our last issue made us s>y that the To the friends of Brazil in this country it is very aggregate stocks of coffee in the principal ports of satisfactory to observe any movement in the Empire Europe 011 the 1st of January last were “ over twice favourable to the extended cultivation of additional t ie normal export there from Brazil.” We should have articles of export to the consuming markets of tl e said nearly twice the normal export. Although the w'orld. The soil and climate of many of the provincts average export during the last eight years has been are suitable for the production of tea, vines, and silk 1,235,230 bags, the normal export has been between worms, as well as sugar and coffee. W ith regard to the one million and eleven hundred thousand bags. The latter, we quite agree with a correspondent, who writes extraordinary large shipments for 1881—1,905,241 to us as follows :—“ Coffee has seen its b st days. They ba s—which was due to speculative influences rather now mix seven parts of chicory to one of coftee with it, than to any actual demand, increased the average for the and many people prefer the compound. Many doctors ei"ht years since 1874 to over twelve hundred thousand say it is more wholesome, as pure coffee heats and b.°- , Our purpose was to show the enormous accu thickens the blood too much in cold climates,” There ig also the practical fact tha1 the prOj THE “ NEW CEYLON THE DIFFICULTIES duction of the world is in excess of the consump OF PIONEERING. tion, according to the most reliable statistical in formation attainable, by so much as 90,000 tons an Ludvig Verner Helms, a traveller who has spent nually, being equivalent to 1,500,000 bags of GO something like 25 years of his life in the most im kilograms. In view of this it is not surpi iz'ng that portant islands of the Ea-tern Archipelago, who has the prices of coffee have been so seriously reduced as visited China and Japan, traversed the Northern to render its cultivation almost unremunerative to the Continent of America, and explored the mineral growers. Undoubtedly the Brazilian Government has treasures of Lapland, ought to be able to give an acted wisely in promoting the larger production of opinion on “ Fione ring in the Far East.” The forma sugar by the granting of guaranteed concessions for tion of a new English Company to develop the re the creation of central sugar factories where likely sources of North Borneo is a step which the author to prove commercially successful and of real service says is, at least from a philanthropic view, deserving to agricultural industry. Unlike coffee, the con. I of sympathy and success, but the task of the Com sumption is in excess of the supply, and is steadily , pany will not prove an easy one He remarks :— on the increase. It is encouraging to observe that In many respects, doubtless, the northern part of the Brazilian production and export of this important the island may be considered the most valuable...... article of merchandise is assuming larger proportions. Still, if the Company anticipate an easy conquest of The Journal de Commercio in its able commercial review S their difficulties, they have not read the chronicles for the past year, makes the following statement :— | of Borneo aright. It is true that Sir James Brooke, In 1881, compared with 1880, there was an in- 1 his followers, and successors have, to a great extent, creased production of sugar in the province of Rio de ■ cleared the ground for them. The natives have learned Janeiro, and also in the northern ones, a result to associate the English name with the noble work . which must be largely attributed as to the sopth to done by them, while the mighty advance of com the central sugar factories, which permit of a more merce during the last decades has been gradually en advantageous and rapid treatment of the cane, and J circling this stronghold of barbarism in its irresistible as to the north, to the use of new apparatus and folds. But, even so, savage natures will not easily improved methods of working, together with increased yield to civilizing influences which make rapid strides planting, encouraged by the firmness of sugar abroad j only when paying their way. Steamships, telegraphs, and its greater consumption. and railways are costly things, which a savage country According to the “ Economiste Frauqais ” the beet with a scanty population can ill support. resources of 1881 were only 348,042 tons against Mr. Helms points out that the 20 000 square miles 385,630 tons in 1880, whilst the consumption is steadily the Company holds contain a population of upwards enlarging, so that the prospects of the sugar-makers of 100,000 aborigines and Malays, who, it may be are auspicious. Dr. Paes Leme has put down the assumed, will contribute but little towards the labour production of sugar cane at 1,875,000 tons, viz : or development of the country. “ The sponge must C uba ...... 700,000 indeed have been squeezed dry when such rulers as British West Indies ...... 250,000 the Sultan of Brunei and his ministers consent to part J a v a ...... 200,000 with it and the author is much mistaken if trouble Brazil ...... 170,000 and intrigue do not result, particularly if the Com M anilla ...... 130.000 pany become monopolists. Sir James Brooke’s great C hina ...... 120,000 influence over the natives, he remarks, was in a great Porto Rico ...... 80,000 measure due to the fact of his standing aloof from L ouisiana ...... 75,000 trade, and if the Company’s position and status are P e r u ...... 50,000 different from those of Rajah Brooke, the condition Rio imported in 1881, chiefly from Camp is and the of their respective countries also materially differs as north, 633,526 bags against 407,778 in 1880. The Sarawak po.-sessed advantages which North Borneo quality, especially of that from the north, showed in does not. Mr. Helms thinks that it is to China that 1881 no appreciable improvement. The Burcellos fac Borneo will look for population and labour, and this tory improved and the Quissaman maintained their will help the Company, but when the Chinaman be quality. It is said that many planters, especially in gins to feel his strength the anxieties of government tiergipe, are disposed not to purge their sugar, the will be felt by them. The author continues :— extra price not paying for labour. But if the Company is paving the way for a great Bor The export from Rio was 84,635 sacks, being much nean Empire, under the British flag, it will be doing a more than in 1880, which was one of the best export good and useful work. A settlement that should em years. Among' the shipments from Rio was a lot of brace the territory ceded to the North Borneo Com white to London, an unprecedented occurrence, and pany, as well as Brunei and Sarawak, would prove a small cargo of white wer.t from Maceio to the same no contemptible acquisition to the British Crown, and place. The export to the River Plate has to straggle has, unquestionably, much to recommend it ...... with the cheaper sugar of Europe and with the pro A glance at the map will show how very important ducts of the Argentine province of Tueuman. the harbours of North Borneo anight become to an A development of the culture of tobacco is also noted English fleet, if the day comes that England has to by our contemporary, which remarks that “ both the fight to protect her commerce in the China Sea, or Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul tobaccos are in a rela the Pacific. These harbours are backed by vast coal tively prosperous state.” fields, the country is healthy, with a moderate tem A plan for completing the Rio Grande do Sul rail perature, and the island possesses unrivalled resources. ways has, it is said, been drawn up by Mr. Edward What is wanted is population, and under a strong de jMornay, who has asked permission to make sur Government the country would very soon be entitled veys for a line from Taguuy to Torres, on the sea- to the name of “ New China,” rather than “ New coast, and for the construction of a port at the latter. Ceylon,” as some writers already call it; for to the Mr. de Mornay has also asked the Government to I Chinamen, and the race which will spring from their declare the projected works to be of public utility, union with the Dyaks, and not to the decaying Malays, with a view to obtaining the legislative sanction to belongs the future of Borneo. an appropriation for the payment of a guaranteed in According to Mr. Helms, therefore, the British terest on capital raised for their realization.— South North Borneo Association has a difficult and delicate American Journal. task before it, but if it succeeds in raising the island from its present condition, and in extending the com A R h e a M a c h i n e . —The Government of India have merce of the Eastern Archipelago, it will do good work. asked the Secretary of State, to send out to this — Brit^h Trade Journal. country a rhea machine, by Messrs. Martin, Dennis and Albert Angell, for the preparation of the fibre of jute, for the use of the Government experimental farms, BRAZILIAN REVIEW FOR 1881. as soon as the machine can be procured.— Madras Mail. During the year slavery, sapped by the Free Birth I n d ia n T o b a c c o . —All interested in the growth of of 1871, by official emancipation, by the five fold more tobacco in India will be glad to learn that a late energetic operation of private benevolence, and by the shipment of thirty tierces of Pusa tobacco to London silent but rapidly progressive action of death, con has been pronounced by the experts, both merchants tinued its accelerating march towards extinction. The and brokers, to be of excellent quality, fully" equal year was also made notable by the prohibitory meas to American, and that good prices were realized.- — ures. against the introduction of slaves, adopted by C alcu tta Englishman. the central provinces, measures « hich have practically W h it e B u g on C in c h o n a .—Mr. Smith of Mattakelle destroyed the interprovincial trade in slaves, and by has sent us a number of cuttings of cinchona (?) the open extra-legal popular opposition in Ceara against branches and stems terribly “ bugged” (with the obnoxious export. Moreover, the general sentim white bug), but the stems are also freely covered ent of the cities appears favourable to a revision of with the larvae of the lady-birds which have been the law of 1871, with the object of hastening the feeding on the bug and which will no doubt do much happy day when Brazil will have shaken oil the to clear off the enemy. shackles of her inherited curse of domestic slavery. [T he B io N ew s gives a far less creditable account W a t e r . —In seeking for a substance which would destroy the microscopic < animals in water without of the slavery question and the state of public opinion injuring it for drinking purposes, Dr. Langfeldt found in regard to it.—Ed.] that oitwc acid (one half gramme to every litre of Agriculture during the past year was prosperous, the water) killed all the living organisms, except the crops of our main staples, coffee and sugar, being cyclops and those with thick epidermis, within two considerably beyond the average. Unfortunately, the m inutes.—Chemist and Druggist. low prices of coffee gravely diminished the receipts of coffee planters, affected trade generally, and curtailed T h e B a rk S p e c u l a t io n .—The principal of the Milan the Government collections from that chief source of Quinine Works writes to tho Pharm: Zeitung, export revenue. The cattle industry of the south con to contradict a statement which had appeared in tinued in its decline, and grave losses occurred in that journal to the effect that that firm and a few Rio Grande do Sul through droughts which prevailed German houses had formed a syndicate to buy up a during the early part of the year. But the extractive large part of the London stock of bark, with the industries* of the Amazonian valley proceeded in an object of forcing up the price. He says :—‘ ‘ The ascendant march throughout the year, extending their present advance is the exclusive work of a London arms widly into rich and virgin fields of exploration. import house, and we have in no way shared in it. Of the finances of the country we are as yet without On the contrary, we consider it ruinous to the trade, definite information, no meeting of parliament having if the article should fall into the hands of speculators, led to the customary publication of official returns. and wo believe it is the interest of all manufacturers But on the whole, the revenue collections are likely to prevent, so far as possible, all such arbitrary ad to have exceeded the estimates, inasmuch as, though vance or depression in the price occasioned by specu the receipts of the Southern provinces have at best latio n .”—Chemist and Druggist, been stationary, from the causes already touched upon, C o n s u m p t io n o f C o f f e e . —It is generally thought those from the northern half of the Empire will in England that the French are the greatest con undoubtedly show a considerable increase. Economy sumers of coffee, but it appears that this is far from has also been the order of the day in the “ ordinary” being the case. From reliable statistics we learn that in expenditures, and we shall not be surprized to find Englai.d, in spite of the great consumption of tea, every in the coming exposition of the Ministry of Finance person consumes 1J lb of coffee every year, in Germ >ny that Senor Saraiva has already attained his desideratum the average consumption is 4 lb a-year, in Denmark f>.) of a balanced ordinary expenditure and income, not lb, in Switzerland 0 lb, in Belgium 8J lb, in Holland 10J withstanding the rather considerable increase in the lb, in the United States 7j lb, whilst in France it is former by the depreciation of exchange and by the only 2| lb. With the exception therefore of England, interest on the floating debt, incurved chiefly for the there is less coffee consumed in France than in any of service of the Government works of internal improve the other countries above-mentioned ; the highest ment in hand, and in part for the acquisition of naval average, however, is found in California, where 20J lb and military material in view of the increasing ar are consumed per annum —La Patrie. [The consump maments of the Argentine nation. tion of coffee in England now is less than one lb per [Then follow long details of a wonderful series of head per annum !—Ed.] railway lines which will open up the Empire,] T h e S a n t o s C o f f e e C r o p d a m a g e d b y R a i n .— Taken in all, the various lines in traffic fall little T he Provincia de Sao Paulo of the 4th Feb. extracts shoit of 7,000 kilometers and many hundreds of the following from a private letter written by a planter kilometers more are in a condition of advanced con in the interior of Sao Paulo :—“ The continued rains, struction .—South American Journal. often torrential, are injuring, in a discouraging manner, the next future crop of coffee. For more than thirty A r t i f i c i a l I n d ia -r u b b e r promises to be soon a days the rain has not stopped, there resulting from fact. Bouchardat has found a compound by treating such continued humidity the rotting of the peduncle isoprene (C5 H8) with hydrochloric acid, that has all of the coffee fruit and, in consequence, its destruc the properties of rubber.—Chemist and Druggist. [W e tion. We have seen coffee orchards strewn with fruit, have no fear of artificial rubber any more than of in great part nearly matured, and beside that the fall of these had been caused not only from the trees most artificial quinine— E d .] loaded, but also from those where the fruit is scarce. * Extractive industries ” ? We suspect that not min If the weather does not improve shortly, great, very ing India but rubber collecting and similar pnrsnits are great will be the loss of the cultivators of our already referred to.—E d . too greatly depreciated product.”—B io N ew s. P a t c h o u l i o r P u c h a -p a t . —A herb named Pogos- To k e e p M a c h in e r y f r o m R u s t in g : take one-half temon Patchouli (Nat. Ord. Labiatae.) The diied ounce of camphor, dissolve in one pound of melted tops with leaves and flowers are imported in bundles lard ; take off the scum and mix in as much fine black about one foot, in length. They yield, by distillation, lead as will give it an iron colour. Clean them achinery an essential oil, in which form the perfume exists, and a id smear with this mixture. After twenty-four hours, by digestion in weak alcohol, a tincture called essence rub clean with a soft linen cloth. It will keep clean of Patchouli or Patchouly. It is imported from India, for months under ordinary circumstances.— Exchange. in chests and half-chests, the former weighing 110 lb E u c a l y p t u s L e a v e s a n d I n s e c t s . —We have heard each.—M. M. much of late years of the virtue of the Eucalyptus S e v e r a l B a g s o f C l o v e s received in London lately tree ; but, according to recent reports from Australia, from Zanzibar were actually found on .arrival to con its good qualities are by no means exhausted. We tain artificial cloves neatly manufactured by machinery r.ow learn that it is held in so much awe or dislike instead of the real spice. These cloves were made by fruit-loving insects, that a few of its leaves spread of soft deal, stained a dark colour, and soaked in a round the trunks of the trees will protect them from solution of essence of cloves to give them the re spoliation.— Graphic. quired sent; They were traced as having been im T o b a c c o .—The export of tobacco to the Malabar ported into Zanzibar from America.— Madras Mail. Coast in India is carried on very briskly and hurriedly', M a n u r e f o r T e a E s t a t e s i n t h e D u n . — Baring, as the North-East monsoon is approaching to its close. in his fiuancial statement for 1882-83, gives the The services of all sailing vessels are availed of and olio wing figures as the tea exports for 1880-81 :— after the end of this month cargo to those ports must Quantity ... Lb. ... 46,413,510 be sent in steamers till September next. The B. I. V alue ... £ ... 3,054,240 steamers will call here as we require their services from time to time.— Cor. [Surely here is an opening Average declared j g JX g s''at averse for the “ Lady Longdon.”— E d . C. P.]—“ C. Patriot.” value per lb., , exJhange L§g D ig g i n g b y S t e a m . —The principle of the Darby Exports for the lirst ten months of the year, from steam-digger, referred to in these columns some time 1st April 1881 to 31st January 1882 :— ago, has been improved upon by different manu Quantity .. lb. ... 43,667,412 facturers, and a new digger made by Messrs. Proctor V alue .. £ ... 3,261,579 & Co. has just been subjected to a very thorough Average value per lb. ... 0-11-11.— trial at Stevenage, Herts, with successful results. Indian Tea Gazette. The machine is sufficiently light in its construction A n A gricultural C o m p a n y f o e T r a v a n c o r e .— to go upon any land in a fit condition to work, and W e (Pioneer) learn that an Agricultural and In the digging appliances are quite distinct from the dustrial Company, with limited liability, has just been motive power, so that I he engine can be used for trac formed in Bombay, under influential auspices, the tion purposes when not digging. The digger, when at principal object of which is the cultivation on a work, travels at the rate of 1,250 yards per hour, large scale of coconut, sugarcane and cinchona in and as it digs 12 feet wide it can cultivate more than Travancore, where the soil is peculiarly adapted for one acre in that time, allowing for turning, &c. The the purpose. The shares are nearly all taken up, machine can be easily managed by a man anda boy, and it is believed that the Company will receive every and works equally well at various depths—1 foot, encouragement from the enlightened Maharajah of 1^ feet, &c.—Colonies and India. Travancore, who, not long ago, wrote a pamphlet on S t i c k P r u n i n g —Our correspondent “ F.” refers the agricultural and mineral resources of Travancore, to what he conceives to be a mistake in de in which he strongly advocated the cultivation of the nuding hushes of their leaves. We entirely agree sugarcane and the manufacture of sugar by modern with him, and can find no ground, theoretical or appliances. practical, to justify the practice. At the same time C h in e s e E x p o r t s consists of tea, silk, sugar, and it may be said that few agree on the subject. Still sundries. Tea is still the. chief export, accounting it may, we think on grounds of common sense, be for over 45 per c-nt of the gross value In earlier safely affirmed that to deprive a bush entirely of periods it constituted more than one-half the entire its leaves is virtually to kill the plant, and render commerce ; but, during the last five years, it has been it valueless for the purpose for which we desire to run close by the silk trade, which is averagely worth use it. Pruning, which aims at cutting out dead or 40 per cent of the whole. Sugar accounts for 3 per cent, unprofitable wood, or with the object of producing and the residue is apportioned between a number of a larger flush, is one thing, and can only result in minor items. Of the tea sent away in 1880 (2,204,754 good, since we do not cultivate the ten bush as a piculs) by far the greater portion (1,456,747 piculs) tree, but as a leaf-yielding plant; but denuding the bush was taken by Great Britain and her possessions, the of its leaves in the hope of stimulating vitality, we hold former alone taking 1,112,874 piculs. Hongkong and to he an utter mistake.—Indian Tea Gazette, March 21st. Australia were the next best customers, with 168,467 C a l is a y a B a r k .- -The Belgian Consul at Arica (Mr. piculs and 143,870 piculs ; while India—to carry out E. Wichtendahl) states that the total annual produc the old adage of “ carrying coals to Newcastle”—took tion of bark from the chitichona calisaya in Bolivia is 13,297 piculs. Among foreign nations Russian orders between 8,000 and 10,000 quintals. The price has, on immensely predominated, no less a quantity than 464,961 account of the great destruction of the trees, grad piculs being imported into that empire, while, prac ually risen from 50 sols in 1866 to 104 sols per tically, the whole remainder went to the American quintal at the present time. The continued difficulty States. With regard to the silk trade, the best cus of obtaining the hark has directed attention to the tomers are Western Europe—France, in reality, as she cultivation of the tree, which has been found so suc takes nearly the whole continental supply—England, cessful in the East Indies, and there are several such Hongkong, and the United States. To the world’s plantations now existing in Bolivia which promise other quarters the exportation is extremely small ; well. A German firm of La Paz have bought large India, however, bnys about a thousand picnls per estates near Majuri in which they intend planting annum. Chinese sugar goes principally to France and 900,000 trees, part of which will be ready for barking England, but a fair amount finds its way to American in one or two years. The Consul goes on to say ports, Bombay, and the Straits. Other features of that the cultivated bark gives a far better result than the commerce of these interesting people must be left the wild form, some of the former yielding as much as 5 to another and fitter occasion to discuss.— O, Mail. per cent, of sulphate of quinine,—British Trade Journal, T h e T r e a t m e n t o f J u t e . —At the Atlanta Exp isis as an article of food. Its nutritious qualities are well tion a Loui-iana gentleman had on view three haled known, and if the poor find that they can obtain a of jute, which were almost white, and had been treate- sustaining food at rates much lower than have hitherto only by water. The jute was simply put into water prevailed, they may, perhaps, be induced to overcome and allowed to rot, a process requiring from seven to the prejudice which exists among so many classes nine days in stagnant water, and above 20 in running of people regarding changing ordinary articles of diet. water. After this p oeess the jute comes from the The last administration report for the province showed water without a vestige of bark, and with the fibre that Burmah rice had penetrated to Iceland, and, if thoroughly separated. After washing it is ready to in such a cold climate rice is generally used by the be manufactured.—Brisk Trade Journal. people with advantage, it would surely be a valuable food for the labouring classes in Great Britain and Y o u r (late) staple, C o f f e e , is undergoing a further Ireland. And yet in how few households at home is trial of endurance. A bill has been introduced into the Austrian Parliament heavily augmenting the duties rice ever seen on the table, unless in the form of rice pudding, or unless it is cooked in honor of come on tea and coffee, and, as the bill is sure to pass, Anglo-Indian who happens to be at home on fourlough. every effort has been made by importers to push both —Friend of India and Statesman. these articles into the empire under the existing tariff. To such a pitch have these efforts been carried, that S trawberries . —It is estimated, says the N ew York .20,000 tons of coffee were introduced in a fortnight ! Tribune, that during the “ Strawberry month ” Chicago To permit this evasion of future duty proceeding any receives 10,000 bushels of this fruit per day. further, on Wednesday last a special bill was carried V i n e -g r o w l in g i n G e r m a n y .—I was very much in in the Austrian Parliament declaring all such impor terested this year in the different modes in which tations after yesterday liable to the higher rate of they grow vines in the wine country which fringes duty. It is to be hoped that the recent improvement the Rhine for so long a distance. I observed them in the price of coffee is not alone due to the heavy chiefly at Newhausen on June 10, and found two buying u-hich the importations above referred to has modes of culture pursued. In the first instance the occasioned. It may have considerably influenced, it.— vines were trained up a 6ft. pole, and stopped at London Cor. that height. Six or seven stems were trained up the pole from the same root, encouraging side growths A g r ic u l t u r e i n B u r m a h . —The Burmese agricult for the fruiting wood. In the other method, one urists in the interior will have very little surplus leading stem was grown up and bent down, and tied cash to spend, and they can hardly yet realize that to the footstalk, so as to form a hoop, round which the price of paddy has gone down to something like the growth was made and the fruit borne. — J. A l l e n . the price it stood at ten or twelve years ago. Gener —Australasian. ali}7 in the month of March, eager buyers from Ran goon, Burmese, Chinese and natives of India, flocked E x p o r t s i n t h e s h a p e o f C o c o n u t O i l of a su to every village on the banks of a creek, and outbid perior quality, sleepers, and logs of timber, from the each other to get paddy at rates varying from R75 Andaman Islands, are gradually increasing. The oil, to R85 j er hundred baskets, according to the rates by the way, comes originally from the Nicobars, ruling in town. The buyers being so exceedingly where the islands are belted with coconut trees. It anxious to get grain, Jack Burman, of course, ac is a curious, though well-known, fact, that the coco commodated them, and insisted on measuring with nut, indigenous to the Cocos Islands to the north, a small basket, whilst he took no great trouble to and to the Nieobar Islands towards the south, was sift the grain, and dirt and paddy husk formed a not to be found some years ago in the Andamans. proportion of every 1 oat-load sent to Rangoon. When Every coconut tree in the settlement owes its exist there was such a brisk demand, what need to take ence to our colony. The wealth of the Andamans extra trouble to clean the grain, and if buyers did in other kinds of valuable timber fully makes up, not mind paying a high price, there was no reason however, for the absence of the coconut palm.— not to measure with a heap, mixture of a few baskets Pioneer. of husk and earth from the paddy-field which in T h e M a u r i t i u s S u g a r E s t a t e s We have more creased the bulk. All this is changed now. A than once said that almost the only means of Burman cultivator, who recently ariived here from setting the sugar-making interest on a sound and solid Mawoon, one of the richest paddy districts, tells me footing is the creation of Sugar Estates Companies. that at R45 per hundred baskets last week there By this means all mortgage debts will gradually were no buyers in his village, whilst, where specu be liquidated ; the Colony will not pay so much lators had come up from Rangoon to purchase, they interest to the capitalists of other countries; the were most particular in seeing that they got good estates will be administered at a much cheaper rate, measurement, and also that the grain they bought and the public will be more generally interested in the was really grain without added husk or dirt. This chief staple of the colony. A large number of persons man seemed to think that cheap rice meant whole who can command only a few hundreds of rupees sale ruin and desolation to the people. Where nearly or dollars will be able to take a few shares The every one cultivates either for sale or for his own rivalry among the Estates Companies will be of the use, it no doubt means that there will be very most legitimate kind; it will be, which estate can pro little surplus cash at the end of the season duce the largest quantity of sugar of the best quality. to spend in finery, or in visiting distant pagodas, or What has given the impulse in this matter has been giving ft asts and theatricals to friends But with the success of, we believe, the first company, the Sugar low prices, perhaps, we shall get more honesty and Estates Company of which Dr. leery is the manager. less fraud and deception in the rice trade, and those Another Company is now forming to be called the who do not cultivate, but have to buy their daily Central Sugar Estates Company, ft will comprise the food, viz , the residents in towns, «ill benefit from following estates, viz :—Bonne, Veine, Esperanee, N ew cheap food. The Burmese cultivators have for so many Grove, Rose Bette, Mare d’Albert. We perceive by an years had high prices and a brisk demand for paddy advertisement that At on Trcsor is selling off every and rice, that they hardly understand that the European thing. We are sorry to learn this. If it had formed market is overstocked, and that it is only low rates part of a Company this might not have happened. The which can induce shippers to send more rice out of Northern Sugar Estates Company and the Highlands the country. Another good result which will doubtless Co., are very successful. Thirty shares of the Northern follow from low prices is that the poorer classes in Company were withdrawn on the 26th instant at Europe may be induced to use rice more generally R286.—Mauritius Mercantile Record, TROPICAL FRUITS. it is specially interesting for the manner in which the # plant changes 111 appearance as it developes from its TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ FIELD.” juvenile state with small entire leaves, to its adult S i r ,—Acting upon the suggestions of F . T. P. anil flowering state with large pinnatisect leaves; as well as T. D. M., I have made inquiries at the fruiterer's (Por for its medicinal qualities, which appear to have long ter, 278, Oxford-street), and find that the mangoes came been known to the natives of the countries the plant from Madeira ; so my supposition that they were from inhabits, since Rumphius in liis Flora Aniboineusis, vol. Bombay was erroneous, which shows that people should v., p. 489 (where at t. 183, f. 2, a very good figure of not jump at conclusions. The lot I saw arrived late the plant is given), states that the natives of Java and in November. Their price is from sixpence to a shilling, Baly cook “ the horns” (terminal buds of flowering which strikes me as moderate. stems) a little over a fire, bruise them and squeeze out F. T. P. mentions the custard apple and liecliie. I the juice, which is given to lean and feeble horses and saw one variety (Anona reticulata, similar to what is cows, and it is said to cure them and bring them into called in Java “ buali nyonya ”—ladies’ fruit) of the a fat and healthy condition. The internal substance is former and the liechie in a dried state at the same • pounded and used in the form of a poultice as a remedy shop. Also the avocado pear (Persea gratissima), and for sprains. It is also used as a dentifrice to whiten a thing called the chew-chew, a substitute for the veget the teeth, the heart or internal substance being chewed able marrow, both from Madeira.. After the mistake I with Pinanga and chalk. Cows feed upon the leaves, made in the case of the mango, it is needless to say especially during the hot months when the fields are that I have never been to Bombay, but I have eaten destitute of grass; they seem to be veiy fond of them, the mango in Ceylon very early in February. They and also of the stems, as they are not acrid. Alto were not quite ripe, though. I had always cherished a gether the Tonga plant appears to be a rather useful hope that mangoes and mangosteen could be brought one, all the more so considering the order to which it over in a frozen state. I mean literally frozen—not belongs, whose members are more noted for their doubt merely put in an ice-house. The case quoted by T. D. ful and poisonous qualities than for their good and use M. seems to explode this idea. ful ones. I am by no means sanguine that the mangosteen could The following is a description of the Tonga plant, be satisfactorily reared in European hothouses. I say chiefly compiled from Mr. Bull’s specimen, omitting licro this from my knowledge of the fruit, and not from my the full synonymy :— acquaintance with hothouses, which is nil. T he only places where it reaches perfection are Malaya and South Amer Epiprkmxum m irabile, Schott, Genera Aroidearuni p. 79.— Stem climbing, in juvenile plants slender, about one-tenth inch ica. In Malacca it grows absolutely wild in the centre thick, in adult flowering plants about 1 inch thick, clothed to of the peninsula. Attempts have been made to grow it wards the apex with the persistent fibrous remains of the scale- in Burmali, with but scant success. It is impossible to leaves.* Smallest leaves of juvenile plants, with a petiole —1| inch long, vaginate for about half its length, and a lamina 1—1* say what are tlie climatic or other conditions at the inch long, J—1 inch broad, obliquely cordate-ovate, acute or shortly bottom of all this, just as it is impossible to say why cuspidate, entire, without perforations; as the plant gets older the Primula imperialis will only grow to perfection on the petioles elongate ami the lamina increases in size, becoming the solitary mountain-top of the Pangerango, Java, and obliquely oblong-ovate, or lanceolate-oblong, acute or shortly acu minate, with small perforations or pellucid spots, mostly arranged deteriorates when transplanted to other mountain-tops. along the sides of the midrib; from being quite entire these F. T. P. mentions grapes and peaches from India and gradually pass to n more and more pinnatifidly segmented form, Assam. Does* not this suggest that it would be far more until the adult stage is reached. Petioles of adult leaves, stout, 8—15 inches long, including the 1—1$ hich long genicules, convex to the purpose to introduce these fruits into Asia where 011 the back, channelled down the face, and vaginate nearly up it is proved they would llourish, and thus provide a to the geniculus. Lamina 11—20 inches long, 7—12 inches broad, really needed luxury for the sweltering Anglo-Indian in shining dark green, oblong or elliptic-oblong in outline, acute, the plains ? What would one not give for a bunch of cordate or subcordate at the base, more or less oblique, pinnatisect nearly to the midrib, and having numerous small perforations good grapes in Calcutta in June ? At Mandalay, Upper and pellucid spots scattered along the region of the midrib, but Burmaii, I have seen a grape vine as fine as ever I not confined to that p irt; segments varying from 4—10 in nnm- saw it in Germany; and 1 was assured that the crop l>er on each side, but more numerous on one side than on the other, straight or somewhat falcate, all except the lowest of about, was splendid. When I arrived there was not a bud to equal breadth throughout their length (usually 1—2 inches broad), be seen; and when I left, a month later, the vine was apex truncate or somewhat convexly truncate, the upper edge covered with tiny bunches of fruit, so rapid was the produced into an acuminate point; the terminal lobe more or less diamond-shaped, much larger than the rest. Primary lateral growth. The vine was the only one in Mandalay. In nerves 2—3 in each of the basal segments, one only up the centre the same garden were some fig trees, the fruit of which of the other segments, or sometimes two or more, when two or I tasted, and found it perfect. This was in the month more segments are united into one, spreading, running out straight of September. As a proof that vine culture would pay • almost to the margin, and then curved into the acuminate point; midrib and nerves rather impressed above, very prominent and in India, I may mention that the owner of the Man rounded beneath. Peduncle 4—9 inches long, terete. Sjiathe 4—44 dalay vine was offered fifteen hundred rupees for his inches long, ovate, boat-shaped, shortly cuspidate-acute, green 1877, ’78 crop.—E. T. S. outside, puce-coloured inside. Spadix sessile, much shorter than the spathe, cylindric obtuse, green, about two-thirds of an inch thick. Ovaries cuneate, suVhexagonal, truncate, one-celled, with a septiform placenta projecting one-third across the cell, bearing two ovules, one on either side at its base (rarely only one ovule); THE TONGA PLANT. stigma sessile, linear.—Schott, Prodromus Aroidearum, p. 3 88. Eugler, in DC. Monog. PJianerog, ii,, p. 249! &c. (E h p r e m n u m m ir a b il h , S c h o t t .) Widely distributed, inhabiting Java, Sumatra, Baly, “ Tonga, the specific for neuralgia.” Such is an ad Amboina, Timor, Fiji Islands, Tropical Australia, and vertisement of Messrs. Allen and Hanbury’s that has in the Kew Herbarium is a specimen of what I take now been before the public for many months past. Tonga to he the same species from Whampoa, China (Hance, is a vegetable drug, and the material from which it is No. 15,600)—N. E. B r o w n , Herbarium, Kew.— Garden prepared is stated to consist of a mixture of bark and ers’ Chronicle. fibrous matter, the botanical origin of which was for some time unknown. The Tonga plant.itself is an orna * If I understand the descriptions aright of the various authors mental climber of rapid growth, with bold dark green who have described this plant I think they mean to imply that pinnatisect leaves in the adult stage, and large inflor these insistent fibres are the remains of the vagina of the foliage- escences, resembling those of a Monstera or Rliaphi- ieaves; but this is not the case, for they are the remains of dojdiora. It is a very suitable plant for training up vataphyllary leaves, which are not developed until the plant dowers', and accompany a change from a monopodial to a sym- pillars, trunks of Palms, Tree Ferns, the wolves about 80 or 90 years, and live to the age of 120 years, off; but the mosquito is an undaunted brute. though by this time the produce will dwindle con May 16.—The tract we have entered is decidedly hilly. siderably. Toddy-drawing for the first three or four From the Bengkoka river we rose to 1,350 ft. in a steep months after blossoming, is considered beneficial to the pitch, and then, from a comparative clearing, we could trees in that the treading down of the branches is see that there arc four different ridges in the east, calculated to give them fresh life, but if continued, the with their main axis running north and south. annual income derived thereby will in no way stand The village of Penenian, situated to the north of comparison with that obtained by the sale of nuts. the path of Toyon, is a little community rf Mamagnn Beetle and other insects sometimes eat up the tender Dusuns, who live a quiet existence on the rice and shoots of the young coconut tree. These arc carefully vegetables they grow, oil the fowls they rear, and never removed by means of a sickleshaped pointed iron instiu- bother themselves about indiarubber and the outer world. ment, and the part affected well stuffed witli salt, ashes Ascending from Penenian to the south-eastward, we and sand which cure it in no time. If this means be came through a heavy timber forest, the highest level not resorted to, the tree will wither and die away. above sea being 2,300 ft.; and we are now in the Son- Leaving this out of account, we know7 of no other zogan country7, the source of nearly all the gutia percha baneful agencies to the trees, excepting of course such that finds its way over to Marudu. natural causes as lightning and excessive drought, over Emerging from the thick forest, what a burst of which human precautions, however, can have 110 control. landscape! How the mountains crowd towards this penin The data given above arc, we hope, sufficient to enable sula ! A coffee planter would find it worth while to ex those interested in this cultivation to draw their own amine it. He could select his elevation up to 3,500 ft., conclusions as to the paying character of the enterprise, and the Bengkoka offers water carnage. The forest is which is all the more to be pursued, as it is a well- partly the same growth as on the range between Tam- known fact that there is not a single part of the tree ■ bunan and Papar. The soil is very porous. that is valueless.—Madras Standard. May 17.—The ridge along which we are moving con- ; nects those mentioned before; we already passed two of them. The slopes are steep; no water is to be had for THE NEW CEYLON AND ITS PRODUCTS: THE 1 miles, and there is no liiglier animal life noticeable in GUTTA TREE. 1 consequence. The rainfall, during the other seasons, The following extracts from the diary of Capt. Witti must be copious; this is shown by the presence of (for which, as before, we are indebted to the directors s gutta plants. We travelled seven miles more through of the North Borneo Company) describe the chief feat 1 timber forest. The soil is open aud porous, with almost no signs of surface drainage, and the gullies are at this At Tampassuk the season is not so advanced; there season all overgrown. Whenever a spring occurs on the they just commence to dress their rice fields. On the hillside there nestles a village close by, but villages are other hand, "the rains “ behind” Kinabalu—that is, to few and far between. This comparative paucity of water the S.E.. E., and N.E. of it—set in much later than applies by no means to the valleys. on the west coast. Around Tinaan a considerable space is under cultiv Having had occasion to observe Tamhanuas in four ation, while with the other villages the planting grounds different rivers pretty far apart, I can safely assert lie at a distance. These people live on the Dioscorea them to be superior to the Dusuns proper in several bulb (yam), but they grow rice for sale. The grain is respects. Industry and quick perception arc common not to be had at a short notice ; our hosts were busy to all the aborigines in northernmost Borneo; but the during the night in husking the padi for our consump Tambonua is free from drink and dirt, and there is tion. The Bajows coming from the coast only buy the about Tambonuas not only nothing ferocious known, but padi for the sake of a triflng profit, and to give their they are possessed of the only redeeming feature of women at home something to do. the pure 5lalay race, namely, a sense of decency and May 18.—The country traversed today is watered by politeness. the Bonzogan rivulet, an affluent of the Bcngkoka, and Juno 13.—On the way to the Kiuabatangan we counted is a dense jungle instead of timber forest. In it we no more than twenty-five houses, scattered over five saw both the gutta creeper and the gutta tree. The miles of the river-course. The remaining portion of the latter, a Spotaceous plant, yields the stiff variety known latter was found today fifteen miles and a half long. in the Singapore market as “ Guttah kras,” or “ Guttah That gives the whole Lukan river twenty miles through merali ” (gutta perclia). From the former, representing out—at floods, even for a steamer drawing 10 ft. To “ Roxburgh’s Urceola elastica," is obtained the “ Guttali that the ICoun Kouii would add, for smaR craft, thirty- licliak,” or “ Guttah susu,” the indiaraubber proper, I six miles, of which, however, only eleven are below the believe. It is a pity that these Dusuns cut down the rapids. It is, on the whole, a respectable waterway into tree just as they do the creeper. They extract the milk the zone between Kiuabatangan (Meliao) and Labuk by a number of circular incisions from eight inches to (Linogn). I understand the L ukan Komi IvOun to be one foot apart. The milk of tho “ Urceola” we found the most considerable of all affluents to the Kinabatan- snow white, but of little consistency at the time. The gau, keeping its head-waters apart. stem in question was one foot in diameter, and but That the long stretch of country between Labuk and recently tapped. Among the Dusuns to the south of Kiuabatangan is almost uninhabited will hardly prevent Kinabalu a tine is imposed for cutting a tree down; at its being resorted to as a source of gutta, rubber, cam the Upper Kimanis the offender lias to pay a buffalo. phor, beeswax, and rattans. There is but a small tract As gutta collecting gradually comes under the practical on either end of the Komi Komi where collecting pro control of the company’s officers, a sort of jungle-con- duce lias been initiated, but that scarcely breaks into servancy might he established with advantage. Thus, such a vast field. the collector's ought to be taught the South American On the general appearance of the Kiuabatangan shores, (Para) method. Dusuns arc a tribe open to sensible &c., I have little to remark: the jungle is less impos advice. ing than that up Ivoun Koun, the Linogu and Sugut, The rock here is sandstone. In the Sonzogon we but will be so much the easier cleared of for agricultural found nothing but crabs, which however delighted our purposes; and the constant accession of fresh soil should men, wlro are very keen on them. guarantee great fertility. Just now the banks are flooded May 10.—111 the jungle today we saw trunks of the and a considerable area seems converted into a lagoon ; gutta-percha tree having a girth upwards of six feet and the sediment is of truly Nilotic proportion. By estim nearly a hundred feet in height. One of tlicnr seemed ate the river has here (below the Lukan fork) 30,200 to overbridge a crevice. Wo halted at Palin, the last cubic feet every second, and the Lukan has about one- village in the Sonzogon country. These Dusuns have twelftli of that quantity. Dry and rocky spots arc but the peculiarity of pronouncing the yo , ;/«, as zo, za. few, and on them I cannot discern flood marks above But tlrcir indifference to the use of salt is much more the present level. The river is seven • to ten fathoms peculiar. A briue-spring in the vicinity of Palin is deep; it strikes one the more to see in mid-stream scarcely ever resorted to, and they never give anything some grounded log peeping out like a hippopotamus.— for salt brought to them from the coast. This applies F ield. to the whole Bonzogan people, who live, as already stated, on sweet potatoes ami water. The returns for MANURE ADULTERATION IN SCOTLAND. tlicir rice and gutta they hoard up in the darkest re cesses of "the bush, consists of. brass in every conceiv (Field, 11th February, 1882.) able shape—the only thing tlicir heart is set 011. During the last few years the greater part of Scot May 25.—Between Nolumpis and Kagasingan the land has been covered by the operations and influence country does not rise to more than 1,100 ft. It is of district analytical associations— i.e., associations formed mostly covered with old forest., and well watered. I11 in the various districts with tlio view of checking man tl.c fields around Kagasingan the Nicotiana strikes the ure and fecding-stuff’ adulteration by providing increased eye most; badly cured, it yields a good sccond-class facilities for analysis. While the operations—indeed, tobacco. the bare existence—of these associations afforded farmers Juno 12.—Where the nominal alteration of the river a considerable degree of protection from the dishonest occurs, there stood formerly a village, Sapaan, and manure manufacturer and the unscrupulous agent or there also joins a rivulet, named Luon do Parei, on the disseminator, it was found by tho more intelligent in left shore. Below there the shores arc flat, and the dependent farmers that something of a stronger character jungle" is interrupted by abandoned planting ground. was required—something of the nature of a central The stream is fifty yards wide, easy, and too deep for organisation. Accordingly, the Highland Society was snags. The principal growth is rice and sugar-cane. moved to reorganise its chemical department, so that The Tamhonuas know how to prepare raw sugar. The dishonesty might be not only detected, but also exposed, welcome gift of Orang Kaya Binua consisted of a cup as was done by the Royal English Agricultural Society, ful cf molasses and a lump of bay-salt. The quality so fearlessly and effectually. of tobacco is even lower than the grounds whereon it Last year was the first under the new regime of the is grown. I quite understand the troubles we had with Highland Society’s supervision over the whole of Scot the rain (which I hear from Mr. Pryer was rather un land, and it has revealed an amount of fraud that few seasonable), on seeing the rice stalks here two feet high. expected could at this of day be practised with impunity. The local analytical organisation? are not only continued, them one more proof that their sentiment on this score but are subsidised by the national society. The High is being taken advantage of by unscrupulous merchants, land Society give a money grant for each analysis to who sell as bone manures that which really contains the local societies who conform to certain conditions very little bone. laid down by the central society. Thirteen of the dis Experimenters and experienced chemists have in recent trict associations were able to avail themselves of the years endeavoured to persuade Scotch farmers that they Highland Society’s aid the first year, and many more need not trouble themselves about the sources of the are about to qualify for the grants. phosphates and ammonia they use as manures, provid These thirteen Societies, representing the counties of ed they get an article showing a reasonably good com Forfar, Perth, Caithness, Aberdeen, Inverness, Roxburgh, position. Dr. Aitken now1 tenders further advice in the Kincardine, Lanark, Ross, and Orkney, had last season same direction when he says: “If a fanner gets a 195 analyses of manures and 26 of feeding stuffs made, manure with 20 per cent or upwards of soluble phos and the Highland Society’s chemist (Dr. A. P. Aitken) phate, and 2J per cent or upwards of ammonia, he summarises the results of these analysis in an interest need not trouble himself to inquire whether it was de ing and instructive fashion. The Highland Society’s rived from bones or not, and the less bone he is able contribution for each full analysis is 5s., and for each to see in it the better. Visible fragments of hone in partial analysis 2s. Gd.; but the total sum thus spent such a manure may seem a satisfactory thing to a farmer by the society is at present limited to £250 a year. who has a respect for bones, but they are really an With reference to the undissolved bone manures, the indication that the bones have been imperfectly dis chemist found good value sold as a rule, though a few solved, or perhaps added to some other phosphate of samples were from 18s. to 30s. per ton short in estim different origin.” The dissolved phosphate in bone is ated value, according to ascertained composition. The at last believed to be no better than any other dissolved average composition of undissolved bone samples repre phosphate, and the ammonia in bones is slower in action sented 51 per cent of phosphate and about 4J per cent than ammonia in some other forms. of ammonia. Some samples sold as bones, however, con The samples of suplierphosphate analysed showed a tained less phosphate and more ammonia than genuine high range of quality, averaging about 30 per cent of bones would yield, while a few others contained too soluble phosphate, and costing only about £4 15s. per high percentages of both. They had, in Dr. Aitken’s ton. With three or four exceptions, the samples were opinion, been mixtures of nitrogenous and phospliatic quite up to the guaranteed analysis. One sample from substances, evidently not pure bones, and costing about the Buchan district of Aberdeenshire, costing £4 5s. per 20s. per ton less than genuine bone meal. Such mix ton, was so inferior in quality, that it was still about tures may be good enough manure, but Dr. Aitken very £1 12s. per ton above its value. A sample from Easter properly suggests that they should be sold only as what Rossa was £1 15s. per ton over its value. they are—nitro-phospliates or bone-nitro-pliospliates. The Peruvian guano was well sustained in phosphates, Next came dissolved bones, which formed the largest but fell considerably short in ammonia. Almost all the portion of the manures tested. It was found that a samples were at least 1 per cent short, and some were great deal of stuff was sold under that designation which as much as 3 per cent under the guarantee, represent had 110 claim to the title. The practice is still common ing an overcharge of £2 per ton. One sample from of selling nitrogenous matters in combination with solu Lanarkshire contained only about half the guaranteed ble phosphate as dissolved bones, with very little bone amount of ammonia, and was valued at £3 8s. Cd. less in it. It is here the unscrupulous manufacturer or dealer per ton than the selling price. Some of the samples obtains his big slice of profit. Dr. Aitken suggests that of guano dissolved in sulphuric acid showed very un those mixtures which are palmed off as dissolved bones, favourable results. Their composition indicated an over but have not much trace of bone, should by chemists charge in price of about 50s. per ton. One sample of and manufacturers be designated nitro-superpliosphate. dissolved Peruvian guano from the Strathcarn district Dr. Aitken’s conclusion is that farmers pay too" dearly of P erthshire, sold at* £11 8s. per ton, was value for for then' bit of sentiment in favour of the term “bone only about £6 6s. The application of sulphuric acid manures.” Great difficulty is experienced by chemists to Peruvian guano is "discouraged by Dr. Aitken, and in determining whether samples are made from pure seemingly is not a cheap means of applying fertilisers bones or not, unless the mixture of the substitute for to the soil. bones has been unskilfully made, and then the distinc The so-called special manures, however—such as potato tion is quite easily traced. Sixteen of the samples of manure, turnip manure, oat manure, grass manure, &c. so-called dissolved bones which came under the chemist’s —gave a yet more unsatisfactory result. Talcing the notice could not have been pure bones dissolved in turnip manures first, Dr. Aitken found that for these sulphuric acid. They had too low a composition for about £1 per ton more was paid than the corresponding that, and had been evidently manufactured from cheaper value of dissolved hones could have been obtained for. material; while the average value of the samples con Potato manures arc still more deficient. Calculated on forming to genuine dissolved bones was £7 9s. per ton. the same scale as the composition of dissolved bones, That of the mixed samples, calculated on the basis of it was found that the potato manures which cost on composition, was only £5 8s., and their average selling the average £9 7s. per ton were only value for £7 Is., price was £6 17s. per ton; so that fanners were paying showing an overcharge of £2 6s. per ton. One potato at least 29s. per ton too much for the manure. With manure from the Carse of Gowrie had been valued at several of the samples there was an overcharge of £2 £3 8s. per ton below its selling price; another from per ton, or about 25 per cent. Dr. Aitken finds that, Stratheam, sold at £11 per ton," had only value for if the Caithness Association has paid £7 per ton for about £6 15s. So-called barley manure in Stratheam a manure called vitriolatcd bones, whose value is £5 has been yet more disappointing. One sample, costing per ton, the Stratheam Society in Perthshire has paid £9, was at most worth 110 more than £4 17s. per ton, £7 8s. for a manure whose value is • £5 2s.; and the indicating an overcharge of nearly one-half. A few of Lanarkshire Association has actually paid £8 10s. for a the special manures are up to, and one or two over, manure whose value, reckoned at the highest, is only the guarantee; but the greater proportion have been £5 6s. per ton. The Carse of Gowrie Society paid £9 charged far over value. The average overcharge Dr. 5s. per ton for so-called dissolved bones, which were Aitken found to be about £3 per ton. only value for £7 2s. These results should read an invaluable lesson to In Scotland, more perhaps than in any other part of fanners who persist in buying special mixtures, instead the Kingdom, farmers have almost a slavish adherence of purchasing the standard manures and mixing for o the word “ hone ” in manures. Dr. Aitken now gives themselves. The whole of the standard manures, lor instance, analysed by the Stratheam Association, showed Cape of Good Hope, has contributed in the form of a deficiency in value of 3s. 6d. on the average per ton; a letter to 'the Agricultural Society particulars of while the special manures—turnip, potato, barley manure, an interesting character in relation to the conduct and ' dissolved guano—indicated on the average a defi of the industry. The Observer quotes Mr. Jones as ciency of £2 13s. 5d. per ton. The . oldest analytical follows :—“ Good breeding birds may now be obtained association in Scotland (that at Kelso) seems to have at an average of £150 a pair. So-called ‘breeding banished the unscrupulous dealer from its domains. birds’ may be bought for less, but birds of six 3 ears The manures analysed for it last year yielded results old and upwards are not easily obt lined. For. export on the average 12s. per ton over the buying price in birds should be not uiuhr five years old, and should value. have bred at least two seasons, as these birds are Dr. Aitken remarks: “ One is apt to conclude, from much stronger and are not so easily impaired as a consideration of these analyses, that if manure is younger birds. The latter are very apt 011 being re made to contain a little of everything, you may call it moved to cease to breed. This pairing of birds is what you like. If it is called dissolved bones, you may a matter involving much cire, as the ostrich is very get it for £7 per ton; if it is called turnip manure, fastidious in choosing its mate, and sometimes it is you may pay £8 per ton for it; while, if it is called necessary to change the bird three or four times before potato manure, you will probably require to pay £9 per pairing takes place. A pair of ostriches landed in ton for it, or perhaps a little more. The chief differ Adelaide by Orient line would cost at least £200, ence seems to lie in the name, and the name commands unless a reduction of freight could be obtained by the price.” exporting a considerable number ; but of course if a It is to be hoped that the farmers, not only of Scot sai.ing ship were chartered the cost would be less. land, but of the United Kingdom, will profit by Dr. Assuming the larger price, say 50 pairs at £200 each, Aitken’s investigations and reports, of which, for 1881, £10,000; a farm of 100 acres at £25 per acre, and the above is a summary. necessary buildings, £4.000. The buildings required Briefly stated, his advice to farmers is to buy arti would be of a cheap character if constructed under ficial manures only by guaranteed analysis, to purchase the superintendence of a practical ostrich farmer. the standard articles and mix for themselves, to avoid About 20 incubators would be required. A pair of so-called “ special manures,” and not display such an good birds would produce, stating a low estimate, GO attachment to the word bone. eggs per annum, of which at least 75 per cent would be hatched, giving 45 chicks per annum per pair, equal A CHEAP APPLIANCE FOR SULPHURING to 2 250 for 50 pairs.. Fiom this 2,250 take off 20 per cent for loss during the first three months, leaving VINES. 1,600 young birds, worth from £7 to £7 10s. each. The following letter has been addressed to the Editor This mortality may be greatly reduced by properly of The (Melbourne) A rg u s :— constructed buildings to guard against sudden changes S i r , —Allow me through your columns to make of temperature or rain, which latter is most injurious known to my fellow vignerons a very simple and to young birds. The returns would thus show 1,600 effectual contrivance for applying sulphur to vines. birds at £7 each, equal to £11,200. The food necessary Anyone who has sulphured on a large scale with for a full-grown pair of breeding birds is 71b. of oats bellows knows how unsatisfactory they are. Expensive or barley per diem, and about a bushel basket full to begin with, they always get out of order. The of cut green food, cabbage leaves, lucerne, clover, green thin wire gauze which covers the narrow outlet be barley, or anything of this description. The best comes constantly choked with sulphur, and besides, place for keeping ostriches is on a light soil, sandy on account of the force of air ■wanted to get it out, in patches, sloping down to a liver, so that gre<-n most of the sulphur is sent beyond the vine it is food—an absolute necessity—can be depen dt-d on all intended for. the year round. During the late long-continued drought Some Italians in my employment suggested to me in the Cape Colony birds have dieci in large numbers last year small bags of cheese cldth, filled with sulphur where no water was to. be had, but on farms near and shaken over the vines, something of the kind water they have not suffered at all. Young birds being used in their country. This, however, did not should be kept for feathers, as it is not advisable answer for any length of time, the cloth becoming to pluck breeding birds. A few long feathers may soon closed up by sulphur. be taken from the cocks, but they are not of much value The idea struck me to take four pieces of deal, owing to the habit breeding birds have of moving each Sin. long and Gin. broad, and to nail them in a peculiar manner, which spoils the feathers. The together into a box, top and bottom open, Sin. high, value of bathers is about as follows : —About eight and 4in. or 5in, inside. I closed the bottom part months old the feathers cut are worth about 13s. to with a square piece of very strong wire gauze, 144 16s. per bird ; at 16 months, about £4 per bird; at squares to the square inch, and nailed across the 24, about from £ 5 to £7 per bird, and thereafter open top a round piece of wood to be used as handle. about from £5 to £8 per bird every eight months, This answered admirably. The sulphur only comes according to quality.” out when shaken. The man who applies it holds the T he Bainisdale Advertiser mentions, as showing the box with one hand over the vine, or alongside, if confidence evinced in the hop industry, that the area there is any breeze, and a tap on the side of the hitherto planted has been about doubled this year, box with a ttick in the other hand, just causes an making a total of close on 200 acres under cultivation even spray of sulphur to fall through the wire gauze. at the present time. All the growers are now busy I have just sulphured 20 acres with this simple poling, and if the yearlings yield as expected there machine, using about half the quantity of sulphur will be plenty of employment for a large additional which the same amount of ground required in former number of pickers at the beginning of next year. years, and yet this time the vines were more thoroughly — Australasian. and more evenly sulphured.—I am, &c., V i g n e r o n . RASPBERRIES IN TRENCHES. In the following, from the Journal of Horticulture OSTRICH FARMING we think many of our readers may find a method* The subject of ostrich farming has been engaging of growing raspberries successfully in the metropolitan a good deal of attention in South Australia. Mr. YV. and other rather warm and dry districts :— Jones, who has lately returned from a visit to the Some years ago an account appeared in your columns of how a gardener formed a most fruitful raspberry THE ESPIRITU SANTO PLANT. bed, by opening trenches and burying a large quantity Of all the orchidaceous plants that grow on the of vegetable refuse, I think. Will you kiudly repeat Isthmus of Panama, there is none that appeals to the the advice as an appendix to the article 011 raspberry religious sentiment and popular imagination so strongly culture last week ?—J. E. as the celebrated dove plant or Erpiritu Santo orchid. The following is an extract from the article referred The exquisite mimicry of this class of plants is seen to, which was communicated by Mr. Luckhnrst. We in this sp.-cies to take the form of a dove wish out- saw the raspberries in question when in full bearing, sp'read wings, sheltered in the bosom of the Hewer. and the canes and crop were rennrkable:— While other and mere gaudy orchids excite the wonder “ Having had occasion to pay more than ordinary and curiosity of the beholder in seeing the wonderful attention to the culture of this fruit, a few words likeness to bees,' butterflies and other insects, the concerning a failure and its remedy may prove useful Espfritu -Santo appeals to a higher and nobler senti to others. In planting a few row's about four years ment. Tho plant produces a long spike of yellowish ago no particular care or preparation of stations was white waxy Hewers, yielding a very peculiar fragrance. thought necessary', although the soil was obviously On looking at the flower the centre of it exhibits a column which, with its summit, and the projecting the reverse of rich. Unbroken success had very likely given me an impression that the raspb rry would gland of the pollen masses, bears a very striking thrive anywhere and in almost any kind of soil, and resemblance to the figure of a dove, whence the English name of the genus. this feeling was strengthened by tho sight of a bed The Spanish ladies, with that respect for the imagery of ‘wild’ rasps growing luxuriantly in an alder swamp of the Roman Catholic Church, in which the dove within 100 yards of the garden. The soil was therefore simply trenched, manured heavily as for vegetables, takes so prominent a place, associated the name with the bird selected by the Holy Spirit to witness the and the raspberries planted. A tolerably vigorous Baptism of our Saviour, and by this name it is still growth yielding -fruit in due course was the result. known. To call it the Holy Ghost flower sounds But I was not satisfied; the fruit was neithet so harsh and even irreverent to Protestant ears. The large nor plentiful as was required, and I resolved effect of the Espfritu Santo flower is at once devotional to start afresh, reserving the old plants for present and poetical. That it should form a striking subject exigencies. for the exercise of some of the Spanish American poets, In making the new bed particular attention was who have seen the plant in its native wood is natural given to ensure a robust growth, which in the rasp and to be expected. They have not only celebrated berry implies an abundance of fruit, and to arrange the flower in tbeir verses for its natural beauty, the whole so as t) make it an easy matter to protect wonderful structure and fragrance, but have seized the fruit from the ravages of birds. This was managed on it to express and mourn over the sorrows of poets successfully by making the rows side by side 5ft, in general, to whom the gift seems inseparable, from apart, and with the plants. J ft. apart in the rows. worldly disappointment and privation. Many of them, Trenches a yard wide, 2ft. deep, and filled w ith the in order to produce the works that continue to charm soil—leaves and dung of some old hotbeds well chopped the world, “ had no time,” as the lamenled Agassiz and mixed, being prepared for each row. Large frnit said, “ to make money.” Thomas Martin Fuillet, of and plenty of it was the object in view', and Prince Panama, who wrote some exquisite pieces of Spanish of Wales was chosen as the best kind for culinary poetry, and died young, has a poem on the Espfritu purposes, its fruit being very fine; but as it is not Santo flow'er of Panama, addressed to a lady. In the so sweet as some it would probably not be generally two last verses, he expresses a hope, when he is laid liked for a dessert fruit. t > rest in the grav-*, that all hough he expect no one “ It was reasonable to suppose that, this careful to shed a tear to his memory, some kind hand will preparation of the bed would produce proportionate lay on the black pall that covers his coffin a few results, but I must confess I certainly did not expect flowers of the. Espfritu Santo. The verses are as follows:— to see anything like the extraordinary vigour of the “ Ah! Cnando h fuerza de tormentos horridos first year’s growth. Not only did the roots spread Cese de palpitar mi corazon : over the trenches, but they quickly met and became Cuando deje esta vida triste y mfsera, interlaced in the alleys, the entire surface soon bristling Para dormir tranquilo en el panteon, with suckers, which could only be kept under by Yo s6 que nadie verterii una litgriina; repeated hoeings. The canes left to grow in the I ojalit que siquiera por favor, rows were wonderfully robust; and the old caues, Alguien coloque en mi enlutado fcretro which had been shortened to about a foot at the Del Espfritu Santo alguna flor ” time of planting, put forth some shoots bearing such The love of flowers is very common in Panama, good fruits as to cause one to regret having shortened and few balconies are without them. them so much. I do not, however, think it good The Espfritu Santo plant or Periateria data w as a practice to leave the canes of a new bed unpruned favourite of the Nuns, but eanont be made to go 011 as is sometimes done, but would always reduce them flowering in Panama. The bulbs may be preserved to 1ft. or 2ft. In autumn when the leaf had fallen alive for a long time, but they refuse to produce two wires w'ere strained along each row, one 2ft. flow ers. They must have a period of rest .in a com from the ground, and the other about 3ft. Gin. ; the pare fi vely cool atmosphere, but during their growth canes were then pruned a uniform height of 4ft., and flowering they require a cool and very moist tied upright to the wires, and the work was complete. atm .sphere. The hot and dry seasons send them to “ The bed has now been in full bearing for two sleep, and sleep on they will in the air of the const seasons, the fruit being both abundant and fine. A and city, while such conditions of the requisite moisture heavy annual top dressing of manure is given to the and temperature are kept from them. alleys. The soil is never disturbed, but remains intact The supply, however, is kept up by several Jamaica- just as it was left after the planting. As the fruit meu, who make it a business to seek for them in the ripens the bed receives one or two thorough soakings forests that skirt the higher regions through which of wa'er or some liquid manure, which proves very Railroad passes, especially about Lion Hill Station. beneficial to the crop, making the latest pickings of They are not, found so far a we know in Yeraquas fruit quite equal to the first in size and colour.” or (Jhiriqui, though the Cordill ..'•s of both these depart —A usiralasian. ments abound in exquisite ai d rare orchids. These plants are often offered for sale in the streets and can look; and that if vigorous vitality can fight before the Grand Hotel of Panama, where passengers ob disease, these trees hore are bound to do it. tain them at from three to five dollars the dozen of But it is to the new products such as cocoa and bulbs in flower. They flower in July, August and Liberian coffee to which attention is more particularly September. Though the Espfritu Santo plant belongs drawn. On passing through this estate one might to the terrestrial orchids its bulbs should never be well imagine on looking at the splendid cocoa trees covered w ith ear:h as is generally clone. T hey should now bursting into fruit, that they have been planted be put in pots when they begin to grow, and though in virgin soil. The red ripe fruit on the Liberian they require a stronger compost than those that adhere coffee have a cheerful, pleasant look, and assures us to trees, do not need so much drainage as the latter. that there is something good in store, and one only The Espfritu Santo is best grown in ppis with fibrous regrets that something of all this was not done a loam, leaf mould, and sandy peat, with a good quant ty dozen years ago instead of so recently. This, it must of water during their period of growth after which he remembered, is in a district not over-favored with they must have a good season of rest, and kept rain, and in that respect very much the reverse of nearly dry at the roots ; if allowed to get wet during the conditions to which new products in low-country their rest they are apt to rot. In the hothouses in districts are cultivated. Europe this plant continues blooming for two months One of the newest opened, and certainly one of the when the flower spikes are strong. In Chiriqui the most flourishing of the lowcountry districts is that species there called by the same nams is a Cycnoches of Kalutara, where, although the first Liberian coffee having no resemblance at all to the Espfritu Santo estate was opened three or four years ago, yet the plant of Panama, and is an epiphyte growing on district itself is comparatively of recent date, and trees, aud so named from the flowers taking the form much of the land is still being opened and planted. of a swan. There exists on the -Isthmus a variety The only product which does not seem to have of the Espfritu Santo with yellow flower, and the dove thriven in this district is cocoa, which has hitherto a fawn colour.—Journal'of Applied Seience.—[In Ceylon been a failure. Opinions are somewhat divided as to the Pigeon plant is common, cultivated on the stems of whether this is owing to too much wind or an in coconut palms or other garden trees.— E d . T . A .] sufficient depth of soil, but its non-success is a fact all the same. The first estate 011 entering the district is that of Putupaulla, now a thriving Liberian coffee TWO “NEW PRODUCTS” DISTRICTS IN CEYLON. estate, almost in full bearing, and shewing a crop on the trees that is-refreshing to look upon. There Some information regarding two districts in which is no sign distinguishable of hanging back or refusing new products are being cultivated with undoubted to ripen, as asserted by some writers ; and those who success; oue of them being an old district rejur- are interested in the property declare they are well venated with new products : and the other entirely satisfied with the result of the venture. Perhaps we new, being cultivated with Liberian coffee and tea, can mention no more certain indication of confidence with a little rubber here and there. The first of in new products in this district, than the action of these, namely the district of Matale gives -promise one of the latest pioneers,—one of the contractors of as good results as any other part of the island ; for the Nawalapitiya and Kalutara Ptailway lines, and all who have witnessed the cocoa and Liberian who has purchased four or five hundred acres in coffee which are the principal products there cultiv this part of the country, and intends to open the ated, agree in opinion that these could be nothing whole of it out for Liberian coffee and tea, as being finer than is to be seen there. How it comes to pass the most promising products for lowcountry cultivation. that estates that have for years refused to yield Nothing could possibly surpass the appearance of profitable returns in the “ Arabica” variety of coffee, the Ceylon Company’s tea estate in this district. The are doing so remarkably well in other products is, trees are strong, healthy, and with a magnificent a matter with which we do not intend to deal; our show, of wood and leaf-just what one would desire sole object at present being to set forth the progress for a good paying tea estate, and there is no doubt made in these new industries, and what is likely that the Company is fortunate in possessing this to be obtained from them. Although we have said property. There are other products cultivated in this that the old-fashioned coffee A rabica has not been district, such as cardamoms, rubber, &c., but these answe ing expectations of late years, much of it is are at present of email extent. All that this district undoubtedly at the present time promising remark now requires for its development is a good road, ably well, and in a number of instances will give which shall open up the bulk of the estates, and larger crops than most of the estates in the new connect them with the blocks of Crown land situated districts. The estate to which attention is particularly beyond them, in an easterly direction, where a large directed is situated about three miles from Mate.le, extent of fine forest is available. By the end of January in a north-easterly direction. For a year or two the the road being completed, a visit to these proper old coffee on this estate suffered terribly from the ties will form a pleasant excursion from Colombo, and inroads of hemeleia, and most proprietors would have we can imagine no more attractive objects than the lost heart by successive failures of crop, and probably number of new products in high cultivation and yield, have abardoncd the estate, or at an37 rate ceased to which most of these will shew next year.— C. I'imes. to have any care for it But not so the stout hearted proprietor who has never lost faith in the ultimate results of careful and systematic cultivation : P h y l l o x e r a . —According to the Queenslander > a not the -cultivation which means simply pouring in remedy for phylloxera is claimed to have been dis cart-loads of manure, but the cultivation which is covered by a Mr. D. M. Johnson, of Pelham Manor, directed to mortal combat with hemileia, and this New York, who states that he finds crude petroleum object has ntver been lo t sight of on the property au excellent destroyer of the insect. He makes nume ous of which we are now writing. Diseased leaves have holes in the ground with a sharp-pointed stick all been carefully gathered and dug into the soil, 1 ''o about the vines, and into each pours about one ounce trees have been carbolised not pr ifusely, but suiii- of the oil, which soaks into the soil and destroys ciently, and the result, after an interval of time, is the insects on the roots of the vine. Mr. Johnson quite sufficient to encourage the proprietor 10 per intends to claim the reward offered by the French severe in his efforts. Every one who has visited this Government for a practical phylloxera destroyer.— property admits that the coffee looks as well as coffee Australasian. ANALYSES OF CINCHONA BARK. useless for general comparison. An average analysis of the bark from the district should be made. There is now a very general consensus of opinion Each planter should be asked to send a small piece that, however much distinctive characteristics of flower, of bark ol a certain weight, from a certain height fruit and foliage (in the Ledgeriams, for instance) may on the tree, from an average tree (of course keep indicate the probable quality of the bark which trees ing varieties separate) or trees, with different as pects on his estate. He should give a separate sample will yield, the only certain tests are analyses of the from trees grown at 2.000 to 3,000, from 3,000 to bark of typical trees at different ages and in different 4,000, and 4,000 to 5.000 feet and so on ; and of 2 circumstances of soil, elevation, aspect, &c. These we years old, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and so on at these several might more correctly than the writer of a short editorial altitudes. An analysis should then be made of ihe in our local daily contemporary call “ features” : only mixed bark of the two year old at 2,000 to 3.000 feet we cannot well see how “ records kept by the various do do 3 000 to 4,000 ,, and so on, and also of the 3, 4, 5 &c., years old at “ District Associations of the results of analyses of various altitudes. The result would be a fair average “ bark * * * would form a very interesting and instructive of the district for the several elevations and ages; '‘feature, which [the feature, of course] might properly and then, and then only, could comparisons be made. “ be communicated to the parent body and printed [the A planter could send his two or three year old “ feature] for general information in the annual volume bark and have it analyzed, and the result would show him if he were up to or better than the “ of proceedings” ! The objection to frequent and numerous average of his district, and what his bark would analyses is the heavy expense, but, if a “ feature ” is eventually be worth. to be printed, the cost of a photographer’s services In taking the samples, the season of the year will have to be added to that of the chemist’s analyses. must be taken into consideration, as I think it The same writer states that has been clearly shewn that harvesting bark to the best advantage for the grower cannot be done hap It has further been noticed by those engaged in hazard at any time of the year. systematic analyses of cinchona that the act of separ ation of the bark from the tree has frequently the No doubt Mr. Symons’ doctrine of averages is correct, effect of increasing the secretion of quinine in the but what is really wanted is a system of very simple removed bark, which has been found to yield a analyses, for quinine and cinchonidine only, which would higher percentage of the alkaloids three months after be so cheap as to enable each particular planter in a removal from the tree, than at the time of separ district to have his bark at all ages and in all situations ation. examined and reported on. If 20 or 30 planters in a We have had some experience of cinchona, but this district got a series of such reports, those reports could fact is entirely new to us. If bark increases in yield periodically be combined and compared in a general of alkaloids up to three months after removal from the report, and then deductions of great value, founded on tree, the rate of increase may be so great with each extensive and reliable experiments, could be made. There succeeding month, that it might pay to keep bark in can be no donbt that on many an estate trees of great estate or Colombo stores for a year or more. All would value, Ledgerianas or “ hybrids,” exist, the true worth depend on the rate of increase, and we desiderate in of which is unknown to the proprietor because he cannot formation as to the percentage at the end of three afford the expense of analyses. What is wanted is a months. Bark absolutely removed from the tree is system by which the chemist could be fairly remunerated evidently meant and not bark partially separated, as by a very large number of analyses, instead of trusting in Mr. Karslake’s process. That process had in view as at present to payments on a high scale for testing the protection and improvement of the renewed bark samples few and far between. and not any improvement in the partially separated strips of original bark. In favourable weather, however, FORESTRY IN INDIA AND CEYLON. we should think that strips adhering to a tree at both Our readers are well aware that we are not of ends would be more likely to improve in alkaloids those who believe that in regions such as Ceylon than bark finally removed from all contact with the and Western India, exposed to the influence of mon juices which fed it and circulated through its cells when soon moisture and with cloud-attracting and moisture- alive. We do not dispute the statement made : we only condensing ranges of mountains and hills, it is poss say we do not understand it in connection with the ible by denudation of forest to lessen the absolute “ shock to the tree” theory, and we should like to have amount of rainfall. We do not believe that this further information. Has bark been known to improve would be the case, even if nothing were substituted in quality between analyses in Colombo before dispatch for the original forest. So long as the hills and and analyses in London before sale? Mr. C. E. H. Symons, mountains exist, they will squeeze out the moisture with reference to a question asked in the local Times borne inland from the sea. On the ranges of Ceylon replies as follows:— large areas have seen coffee bushes only 3J feet high I must say that, without tables for comparison, I do not think the analysis of bark of a two year old take the place of forest, averaging 40, or 50, or 60 tree would be any guide as to the value of the bark feet in height; but, instead of complaints on the score at maturity : but, with tables for comparison, such an of diminished rainfall, it is excess of moisture, with analysis would be of great value and satisfaction to its consequences, which is charged with much of the the planter, and I would offer the following sugges disaster that has overtaken the coffee enterprize. tion to the District Associations, explaining at first Excessive moisture has generated fungus and destroyed that a comparative analysis of one estate bark would be no criterion of the value of another, as altitude blossom and so reduced crops to a minimum. With soil, aspect, wind, and many other things incidental coffee, tea, cinchona and other products of a similar to a plantation, would make such an analysis simply nature, planted where the primeval forest stood, and 207 the ground tilled and kept open, the really injurious In Coimbatore, which lies extended below the Nil- consequence of forest denudation on mountain sides giris, even the coconut palms are grown by irrig —the rapid escape of the rain in the shape of floods ation, and up to a certain point, irrigation streams and —is reduced to a minimum. Of course, if estates are tanks should be scenes of tree-growing there and abandoned and no trees have been planted on them, here. Although we do not believe that trees, grown this objection would apply. There is fanaticism in with great difficulty in arid regions, can create rain, Forestry, as in everything else, and, if Mr. (? Dr.) any more than tree denudation can lessen rain in Brandis, in the lecture, report of which we quote hill regions—and while we hold that, over large re from a Madras paper, was deprecating the destruction gions, trees do not exist because there is no rain, in of forest in a river valley for purposes of coffee or stead of the popular notion that the absence of trees tea or cinchona culture, our sympathies do not go with is the cause of the absence of rain—yet we most him. We rh'nk the Government of a country quite thoroughly believe in the beneficial influence of belts jueiified in preserving the forest on the tops and ridges and groves of trees in modifying and improving of mountain systems. Such a course is beneficial even climate locally'. Our heartiest good wishes, there to cultivated lands at lower elevations on the sides of fore, go with the efforts of Foresters, free from the mountains. We al.-o believe in a rule, not for the fanaticism to which we have alluded. Trees preserving the original forest on the sides of are so valuable as well as beautiful, that much rivers—experience bus proved that device to be enthusiasm is commendable in those whose object it is of little use, as the isolated belts rapidly to preserve, improve or create forests and groves perish, besides being nests of weeds and vermin. and avenues of trees. And by no means can the Bnt planters should be bound to plant up one or great object be better attained, where forests exist, two chains on each side of considerable streams with than by the judicious removal of old trees, so ad fast growing trees, such as Australian gums or acacias. mitting light and air and encouraging the growth of Such trees Government ought to supply for the pur young and healthy saplings. Bnt men of one idea pose at moderate rates. With such precautions, the can do harm as well as good, and, if Mr. Brandis great planting enterprise, so beneficial to the country, meant that he would not allow a tree to be cut in ought to be allowed to run its course. a mountain valley through which runs a large river, 1'estrietiou of what in India is called “joom” cultivation we certainly dissent from his views, and for the ai.d in Ceylon chena (or, as the learned pundits will have reasons already given. As far as the Ceylon plant it, Itera) is far more called for, because, in this case, ing enterprize is concerned, it is probable, now, that forest is absolutely destroyed for the sake of one or one of the great benefits it will confer 011 the island perhaps two poor crops. The limit of restriction will be the introduction and culture of exotic trees, should be where danger of famine might occur. But faster growing, and yet quite as valuable as many of with the spread of railways, roads and canals, in our indigenous forest trees. There are many hundreds India and Ceylon, there cannot be much danger in of thousands of beautiful and valuable trees scattered this direction. The question has, we know, been hotly over estates already, and we believe that an increase debated, and the native side in the chena controversy of the number would be good for estate owners warmly supported by good well-meaning Europeans. and for the whole country. But here, as well as in regard to the wasteful and dangerous custom of setting fire to forest grasses, MB. BRANDIS ON THE FOREST QUESTION. Mr. Brandis's arguments of present convenience being (From the Madras papers. ) postponed to future good comes into full force. We Mr. Brandis, c 1. E., Inspector-General of Forests arc, of course, talking of firing forest and grass in with the Government of India, at present on depu lands, which are still the property of the Govern, tation in this Presidency, delivered a short lecture ment ; that is of the general community. If a man on some aspects of the forest question at Coimbatore on Saturday last. Amongst the audience, w'ere Mr. has purchased a piece of land outright, we suppose Stuart, the Acting Collector, Major Campbell Walker he may do what he likes with his own and indulge Conservator of Forests, Mr. Peel, Deputy Conser his taste for conflagration, so long as he does not vator, Mr, Wedderburn, Assistant Collector, Mahomed so act as to endanger the property of his neighbours Ally Sahib, Sub-Assistant Conservator, a number of or that of the public. Those who have not travelled the judicial and revenue officials, and most of the leading members of the native community. The Act in India, in the dry season and at night, can have ing Collector, in introducing Mr. Brandis, drew atten but a faiut idea of the brilliant lines of fires which tion to the Governor’s remarks on his recent visit light up the darkness and define the features of the regarding famine, and the influence of forests on hill and mountain ranges. On some mountain ranges, the climate, and supplies of fuel and fodder. Mr. as in the Eastern Himalayas, below Darjeeling, the Brandis had had g; eat experience throughout India, and had kindly agreed to give them the benefit of explosions of the air-filled large bamboos add the idea his opinions, before leaving the district. Mr. Bran of battle to that of uncontrollable conflagration. Absol dis said :— utely to restrict or propetly regulate such practices, so “ I regret that my visit to Coimbatore has been that forest reserves may be enabled to yield regular sup very short, and, as I am leaving by the train this plies of good timber, a Forestry Department is of great morning, my remarks must mcessarily be brief. Coimbatore is a beautiful place, but it might be a value ; as also for the purpose of growing and distrib desert. The climate is dry and hot; th;. bills dry, uting plants and encouraging their growth, wherever rocky, and devoid of trees. The great beauty they can be made to grow, as in the dry regions of Coim of Coimbatore is due to the fine stretch of batore and in the north and east of Ceylon. paddy cultivation, and the palm forests. I have been told that these last yield from E. 50 to R. higher parts of the district between the rivers *00 per acr-, but 1 think even R. 200 would not bo an N<>yel and TJmravutti. A man who plants a tope, excessive estimate. These form the sources of the or even encourages the growth of trees and shrubs wealth of Coimbatore, and are dependent on water for oq his graz ng waste, confers a lasting benefit on th-'ir permanency. But whence does the water come ? the community. You are doubtless aware that yo.ur Not from the rainfall, which is very small, but from the collector has proposed a system of ‘fuel anti fodder Noyel river. Tuis river eo called, though really it is reserves’ throughout the district, and I know of only a small stream, is the source of fertility, pleasure nothing more likely to promote your ha piness and and happiness to Coimbatore and its people. It is a prosperity, and to mitigate, if indeed it d;»es not most remarkable streauV As you are aware, it takes its prevent, the effect of future famines. The Noyel rise in the Bolauipatti Valley, and it is on the rain river already irrigates a very large area, considering which falls there, and on the mountains which sur the small extent which it drains; but 1 have little round it, that the prosperity of Coimbatore depends. I doubt that, with careful conservancy and extension examined the valley the other day with mixed feelings 0? the woodlands, that area might be increased, of grief, disappointment and pleasure: grief at the and the water-supply rendered more certain. My destruction of for sts, which I saw on every side; dis visit to Coimbatore has afforded me great pleasure, appointment that such wholesale alienation had nob been and T hope you may continue prosperous and happy.” prevented; and pleasure that there was still something Mr. Stuart on behalf of the audience thanked left, and that the damage was nob irreparable. The Mr. Brandis for his interesting lecture, the gist of effects of heavy rain falling on hillsides devoid of which he trusted the native gentlemen present would fore'ts is well known ; the water rushes off as it falls, not fail to communicate to those who, through want causing disastrous floods, and none is retained to ensure of knowledge of English, had been unable to under a moderate and permanent supply. The certain result stand, and to the people of the town aud district of the destruction of the forest remaining in the Blum* generally. putfce valley would be that the water in the river Noyel during the dry months would become gradually less and less, and Coimbatore would become a desert. COFFEE ADULTERATION AND MIXTURES. It is a very pretty, I might say, a grand sight to The following is the Memorial got up in London see the hillsides round your towns lit up at and the reply received this season each night by forest fires, a lovely To the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury. sight, bub ruinous to the for sts. The fins London, 6th February 1882. gradually but surely, eat into them, destroying twenty The attention of your memorialists has been drawn to trees tlus year, ten the next, and killing all youth a minute of Treasury dated 20th January, 1882, which till the sponge, which retains the moisture, will directs H.M. Board of Customs to permit the importation, gradually cease to exist. These fires ore supposed under a duty of 2d per lb., of coffee cr chicory, roasted and to be necessary, and have h- come an annual institu ground, mixed, without reference to the proportion of the tion. It is said that they are necessary to enable m ixture; and the permission to extend to any other vegetable the cattle to get fresh fodder. There is a good deal matter applicable to the use o f chicory or coffee. to be said in favor of the argument, hub I think we Your memorialists beg to submit to the consideration can effect the same thing in another way Forests of your lordships the following objections to the above in other parts of India have been protected from fire, o rder:— and the food for cattle has improved both in quality 1st.—That it is most unwise to give such sanction to and quantity. The great difficulty which is every practices which tend to deteriorate so valuable aud whole where experienced in this, as in most other matters, some a beverage, so well fitted to advance temperate is that the pieseiit has more weight with ns than habits among the people. the future, uud it is uot easy to forego present gain 2nd — That the legislator has been most desirous of protecting the food of the people from adulteration, and for future benefits ; but you have children and I that the order just issued by the Treasury is in contra would ask you to think of them, and what will be diction with the letter and the spirit of the Acts of their condition, if this lovely Coimbatore of ynurs, Parliament 38 and 39 Victoria, chap. 63, clauses 6 and 8. with its fertile fields and palm, groves, he reduced 3rd.—That the substances whicli it is proposed to admit to a desert, with the tanks, which are reservoirs in in a mixed state with c- ffee would of themselves find no which the water from the hills is stored, empty favour, bt-ing of comparatively small vain-; and it is only and the river dry ! It is necessary to put up with becau-e they assume the name of cnfFee, or ore foun i in a little temporary inconvenience for future benefit, association with this name, that they become saleable. and the permau-ut welfare of yourselves and your 4th.—'th a t no good reason can be shown why coffee descendants. I would next call your attent'on to the should not deserve as fair a treatment as other articles of benefit of trees in a hot and dry country. I have Indian or Colonial produce, such as tea for instance, where regulations prohibit the sale of the pure article, with any seen forests which formerly consisted of only a tree mixture whatsoever, and even with “ exhausted tea ” here and there, become thick, close, and moist. 5th.—That the chief reason why coffee has fallen into The effect extended to fields in the neighbour disfavour in this country, is the systematic way in which hood ; where formerly only one poor crop has been it lias been adulterated, and the consequent difficulty ex obtained, two good crops were obtained after the perienced hy the great mass of population in obtaining protection of the adjoining forests. The tempor not merely a pure article, hut a wholesome and palatable ary inconvenience was well repaid by the per beverage suitable to their mea s. The poor classes, pur manent advantage. It has been said that forestry chasing coffeo in small quantities, will always ask for it is an exotic, and not necessary or suitable for ready ground. India. This is not the case. 1 have seen forests 6th.— T hat coffee is grown in the British Posses in other parts of India, which have been carefully sions in India, Ceylon, Jamaica, and other Co’onies, at the cost of many millions of English capital, its protected and im proved by n ative chi« fs w ith (he cultivation and preparation giving employment to best results. I would instance Keshilghnr, in Raj- many thousands < f Hr tish subjects ; that Ceylon putana, where the reserves yielded a plentiful sup in 1877 exported 105,000,000 lb. of coffee, and B ritish ply of grass and leaves for fodder during the dis India about 50,000,000 lb.; th a t by far the larger of those astrous famines of 1867-68 and ’69, whilst the sur crops used to find their way to this country, which con rounding country was devoid of the scantiest veget sumes chiefly Ceylon and Indian coffee; that London is ation. Besides conserving the existing forests, great gradually losing a portion of its trade, es the crops are benefit would result from planting the drier and shipped now more and more to the Continent direct, to the detriment of British shipping, and of English importers, Bosanquet, for placing the results of his experience at dealers, brokers, and others interested in this article. the disposal of the whole body of planters. We suppose 7th.—That the consumption of coffee in this country, which, in 1347, with a duty nearly three times as heavy as however, that many will share the wish we feel to the present one, was 37,472,163 lb. or about 2 lb. per head know the constituents of the “complete manure.” of population, has now declined in 1881 to 31,943,400 lb. It is probably prepared after one of the formulae or less than 1 lb. per head, notwithstanding the large in crease of population, and they believe that the consump in the book of M. Ville, which we copiously re tion, if it had not been checked by unfair legislation, would viewed in the Observer about three years ago. In probably exceed now 60,000,000 lb. that case, we should think the modifying influences For those reasons your memorialists deem the effect of this Treasury order to be of such injury to the consumption of tropical sun and rains must be taken into account ? of coffee, and the well-being of the community, that they In any case, there is the great lesson :—use twice feel constrained to urge its withdrawal. as much bones as castor cake, and in all except very R e p ly :— high places remember that bulky matter resulting in ‘ ‘ The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury humus is an essential to good manure. have carefully considered the statements made in your As Mr. Hughes has been referred to, we cannot help memorial, which reached them on the 6th ultimo, com recalling his fearful calculation, founded on observa plaining of a recent order whereby coffee and chicory mixed were permitted to be imported upon payment tions by the Rev. Mr. Abbay. The computation is of the duty charged upon coffee or chicory separately ; that one ton per acre of soil is washed away from and they have communicated it to the Board of estates by every 12 inches of rain. This means 5 Trade, upon whose recommendation the concession tons per acre per annum, where the annual rainfall was originally made. I am to explain that the effect is 60 inches; 10 tons per annum where the fall is of the Treasury order is simply that the articles, which formerly might be imported separately, and 120 inches; and 20 tons per annum where, as in then mixed and sold in England, may now be mixed some places in Ambagamuwa, the rainfall is 240 outside England and imported together. This per inches ! In the face of such figures, apart from mission was given, because there appeared to be a combustion by solar heat, how utterly insignificant trade demand for it, and my lords deem it their are the quantities of fertilizing matters we are able duty to remove restrictions on trade where practic able. It involves no alteration of the conditions under to add to our properties, much of which, with the which mixtures of coffee and chicory may be sold richest particles of our soil, goes down to the sea in England. The question of the advisableness of to be upheaved. for the benefit of a posterity so allowing the sale of mixtures under prescribed con distant as some millions of years, probably. If Mr. ditions is one which should be considered rather in Hughes’ calculations are not exaggerated (?) no w onder connexion with the adulteration Acts than with the Customs tariff.” though estates, especially those with steep features, get exhausted. But the calculation is surely far too high ? What have Mr. Bosanquet and other planters HIGH CULTIVATION OF ESTATES. to say to it ? In the midst of all the depression around us, it is refreshing to receive, from Mr. Wm. D. Bosanquet, THE HIGH CULTIVATION OF COFFEE letters of such cheer, confidence and commonsense, as those in this issue, following others of a like PLANTA'I IONS. No. I. nature. Some profess to have lost faith in manure, To the Editor of the “ Ceylon Observer. ” but the large majority of planters are simply unable Yuxford, Dimbula, March 31st, 1882. to cultivate, as they could wish if means were avail D e a r S i r , —It has been borne in upon the con-ic- able. Crops are low, because the trees are enfeebled ; tions of most planters, and would be an opinion now and because of low crops planters cannot afford to generally accepted by the agents but that they are pay for the fertilizing substances they would gladly frequently ill advised by those who should be better apply. Happy those who, like Mr. Bosanquet, can instructed, that the future W'ell-being of coffee in Ceylon depends mainly upon high cultivation and carry out, even in such “ hard times ” as the present, liberal manuring. what they believe to be the right principles of cult As the general teaching of my experiments on Yox- ivation, and all honour to him for giving his fellow- ford seems to have been by many but partially ap- planters the benefit of his valuable and costly experi rehended, and, as it is most desirable that there should ments. Apart from the commonsense about bulky e greater clearness of view as to what constitutes a safe system of manuring, I am constrained to publish matter and its value, the great point now in what my experiments and general practice have led sisted on by Mr. Bosanquet is the reversal in me to regard as the true course to pursue, in order manuring of the popular formula of two parts that others may compare their practice with mine and of castor cake to one of bones. He would use two see in what points we differ, and in the hope that of the phosphatic manure to one of the nitrogenous. discussion may tend to throw additional light upon a subject which has such a deep interest for all of us. It is not the bones but the nitrogenous manure to In the first place, I consider that the perfection of which over-forcing is due- This quite accords with manuring is attained by mixing bulk in some form, experience related to us by the late Mr. Anton, who i. e , cattle manure, pulp or decayed vegetable matter •believed in the value of steamed bones alone. As a of any kind, with artificial manure, as the vegetable “ complete manure” Mr. Bosanquet recommends that matter, by providing a constant source of carbonic of Messrs. Crossman and Paulin, and his recommend acid in the soil, gives the fertilizing properties to the roots in the most readily available form and makes ation will carry weight with his brother-planters. the manure doubly effective and lasting. Therefore There never was a crisis when wise manuring was I say instead of using a full basket of cattle manure more required than now, and gratitude is due to Mr. alone to each tree, add J lb. of bones to half the quantity, and you will get a better result with less ex There are certain estates or portions of estates which haustion to soil and tree. W ith pulp or simple vegetable from climatic or other influence are outside the line compost, use -j 11). of a complete artificial manure. In of high production. To such as are above the line, I manuring low-lying estates, I would never apply an would say, pin your faith to Cinchona Robusta, and ounce of artificial manure without some vegetable to those below-, to some product w hich you have addition. On estates at high elevations I believe that found to suit your elevation. Then will the future this is of less importance, as the exhausting power of prosperity ot Ceylon be assurd, and, in a few years, the sun is less felt by the vegetable matter originally investors and mortgagees will alike agree that there existent in th-> soil. is no country equal to this of certainty of interest. Iu the second place, instead of using the customary That the number of the latter class may then be few mixture of 2 of castor cake to 1 of bones, I would advo is the earnest wish of,—yours faithfully. cate the reversal of the proportions, adding 2 of bones W m . 1). BOSANQUET. to 1 of castor cake by weight. It is, I believe, the popular delusion, and one that I certainly laboured N o. II. under a short time back, that the ill effects following Yoxford, Dimbula, April 1st, 1882. the use of any large application of the former mix D e a r S i r , —I have by this mail received a letter ture are due to the over-forcing power exerted by the from Mr. John Hughes, disclaiming the association bones : this I now beli ve to be entirely erroneous. of his name with the mixture used on plot No. 4 We have, most of us, ei her heard of or seen for our of my published experiments. I must offer my apolo selves the fatal effect of doses of guano, when applied gies to Mr. Hughes for making use of his name, alone to coffee, and y-1, 1 believe, that, iu making use l.ut my reason for calling the mixture his, was that, of castor cake and bones in the first proportions, we are in a special report to the Ceylon Company, Limited, following, though at a somewhat slower pace, an equally he had advised the mixture as best for application suicidal policy ; that we are in fact obtaining increased on the neighbouring estate, Meddecumbra, the soil of crops at the expense of the future. It has been gen which I had concluded was generally similar to that erally admitted that large applications of nitrogenous of my manure plots. manures tend to the future exhaustion of the soil. The misunderstanding arises from my overlooking With cereal crops the effect of nitrogenous manures the fact that Mr. Hughes and myself are working is to stimulate the plants to take up excessive supplies in opposing lines: Mr. Hughes teachi-s that the la of mineral matter from the soil : equally so with cof boratory will tell us by analysis what manure to fee, but being a perennial, the action of manure upon use; while I, as a pupil of M. Ville, hold that the it is more complicated. My explanation of the ex only satisfactory analysis of the soil is the manure haustion following the use of large applications of itself. Perhaps some of the estate managers of the castor cake and bones in the usual proportions is this : d fferent estates, whose soil was analyzed by Mr. The effect of the nitrogen in the castor cake is to Hughe-, and for which special mixtures were recom stimulate the tree into unusual activity, and it conse mended, will publish the result of the applications. quently sends out roots in all directions in search of Such information w-ould be very valuable to the public. food. As long as the supply of mineral matter is well —Yours faithfully, W m . D. BOSANQUET, sustained by the manure and soil the tree flourishes, but there comes a time when the phosphate of the THE PAPAW TREE. bones or the available potash of the soil is exhausted. The nitrogen of the castor cake from being in excess (From th e Straits Times, March 28th.) still, however, continues its stimulating action upon the The following is a translation of an article on the tree, but it is unable any further to supply itself w ith papaya tree appearing in the Padang HaixdeUblad of all the mineral matter it requiries either to sustain the 16th Feb.— the crop or to keep the tree itself in good heart, The P apaya .—T he Parica Capaya (in Javanese and exhaustion sets iu in the tree itself; it is in fact Kates, M alay, Pisang Pelo, and Nias, B ala) is a starved in respect of some important constituent of its tropical plant which, on account of its hygienic pro food. If, on the other hand, the proportions are re perties, has, of late, been attracting the attention of versed, and two of bones used to one of castor cake, medical men. If it be true, of which we have no the nitrogen exerts but a moderate stimulus iu pro doubt, that the juice of the papaya tree possesses portion to tho mineral matter available, and. should digestion-promoting properties, every one who stands the nitl'ogen of the castor cake become exhausted, in need of it should give the preference to “ papaine,” there is still sufficient left in the bones, together with the vegetable pepsine, prepared from papaya, over that which is naturally supplied by the rains, to en the animal one, which those aware of its origin may able the tree to perform its due functions without find it difficult to swallow. The papaya is a hand any feeling of starvation. some tree, which may best serve as an ornament to 1 shall be told that this is all theory and not gardens, where, however, it allow-s very little room practically proved. It is true that I have intro tor the growth of shrubs and bushes, from its absorb duced this theory to account for the fact, but, as to ing an incredible quantity of moisture. When not the fact itself, my own experience seems to prove topped, its cylindrical stem attains a height of 10 to me beyond room for doubt that, in the one to 20 feet, crowned by a number of large leaves. case, there is over-stimulus and subsequent exhaus These fall off when withered, and where the hoof tion, while, by following the course 1 recommend, shaped ends of the stalks had been attached to the no ill results ensue. trunk, leave marks, which being symmetrically arranged Thirdly, though it may be safe to apply such partial and consecutive, the tree b-ars the appearance of being fertilizers as castor cake and bones, where the re lined with rings more or less regularly. When tho p ipaya quirements of the soil are well understood, I should attained its full growth, a very pale green flower recommend for general use a complete manure ; that appears on the stem at the foot of e ich leaf stalk. is one that contains every necessary element of food, The flower unfailingly becomes a fruit, so that, al such for instance as the pat-nt of Messrs. Crossman most daily, every period of growth from the bud and Vaulin, which, with me, has had such a fine effect to full ripeness may be observed on the papaya for, if the tree is insufficiently- supplied with any, tree. Native cookery comprises several different kinds necessary element, it canuot fail to suffer. of ta siy curries and sam hals prepared from the an. Lastly the axiom n.ust not be forgotten, that where ripe but not too young fruit of the papaya, while, coffee bears well, there manure will make it bear better. as dessert, the ripe fruit, in its turn, affords us that relief alleged to be given by vegetable pepsine useful in other respects, but also possesses much The seeds are sometimes taken as a remedy against healing power. When we no longer need receive from worms. There is another variety of papaya, which abroad preparations from a plant so abundant in these differs from that described above, by bearing flowers, countries, there will be fulfilled the wish of one or two feet long in clusters, the .unripe fiuit L u d w . H.A.S.” it bears being Used in preference as presei vrs. Of the former variety no male trees exist < r are known, wiiile the latter one has them. From the leaves of THE SEASON IN INDIA. both sorts of papayas, a d from the flowers of the (For the week ending the, 28£/i M arch.) second one, many tasty kinds of cumies and 8irnbals x Slight ruin has fallen in some of the districts of the are prepared in native cookery. Previously, however, Madras. Bombay and Bengal Presidencies and in parts their bitterness can be removed by boiling them of the Punjab and M s<>re and Ooorg ; in Assam there thoroughly with the leaves of the Jamboo-bol and has been a good general rainfall. Harvest opera*ions Jamboo-ayer (two species of Eugenia) and those of are in progress throughout Madras, and general pro the Sikadndu, whereby an article of food is ob spects are good; th. re is a good deal of fever and tained, which in bitterness is not inferior to endive stnall-pox about, as well as some cattle disease. In The effects brought about by the use of the leaves and Bombay the rabi harvest is still in progress in some flowers of the papaya are again confirmatory of of the distriois: scarcity of drinking water in Dhar- whatever has been written in recommendation of war continues, and th’-re is slight fever and cattle pepsine, for those who have experienc d them can disease in parts ; cholera continues in Thana. In Ben bear witness that these leaves and flowers actually gal rain is wanted to facilitate ploughing and for possess digestion-promoting properties. Hence the crops on the ground ; owing to the scanty rainfall natives make irequent use of di-bes prepared from during the cold w ather, the rabi harvest is not ex the papaya, especially those who consume muoh pected to yield a very good crop this year; cholera animal and heavy food. It is, however, less to be and small pox. continue in part4, but no cas« s of cattle recommended for persons of weak constitutions, diseases are reported. Harvesting is nearly over in because on them, afier use, the pepsine woiks in a the southern di-tricts of the North-Western Provinces disquieting manner, bringing on diarrhoea, which and Oudh, and the outturn is generally fair; there sometinivs may degenerate into dysentry. This may is some sickness in Allahabad and four oth^r districts serve as a warning. From the sterna* well asftom otherwise public health is good; cattle disease con the blossoms and unripe fruit of the papaya, a tinues in Jhansi and Kumaun, and there have been milky juice may be obtained, which, after being some fresh cases of cowpox at Benares. In the Pun exposed a short time to the air, coagulates. Bofcii in jab harvest prospects and health are generally good, a fluid and coagulated state it causes a burning although there is some small-pox in Delhi city, and sensition when placed on the unprotected skin, fol fever and small pox in two t-ihsil of the Rawalpindi lowed not unfrequi ntly, by blisters. Should by ill distric-. R abi harvesting continues in the Central luck a single drop of it fall into the eye total blind Provinces, and pmspec’s are generally good ; but ness is the unavoidable result. This fluid has been small pox and cattle disease are somewhat prevalent. used with remarkable success in routing out corns In British Burma there is a little small pox and and warts. If the stronger outward portions of our cholera, and cattle disease continues in Henzada. bodies are so greatly affected by the raw. unprepared Akyab and Tuungoo. Prospects are good in Assam, juice, what may not be the consequence of injudiciously Berar and Hyderabad, Central India, Rajputana, and administering and using it ? The writer of this hence in M)sore ami Coorg; but rain is still much needed earnestly hopes that the,French apothecaries, who, by their in North Coorg. prepara ion of the papaya, aim at benetittiog sufferers from indigestion, have taken or may take the fore M adras.—No rain, except in Ganjam and Bellary ; going into consideration. One comfort remains, how general prospects good. ever, to us. Tne ripe fruit of the papaya is a sovereign B engal.—There has been rain in several districts remedy against dysentery. It is a native remedy in Bengal Proper and in parts of the Bhagulpore (hence probably de-pised on that account) but the Division ; elsewhere rain is much wanted to facilitate writer has exper.enued its healing powers. Not very ploughing, aud lor crops on the ground; rabi harvest leng ago a schoolmaster here laid many parents is not expected to yield a V v r y good crop this year under deep obligation to him for curing their children owing to want of rain during the cold weather; in Buffering from this dreadful disease, and whose recovery i some places the crop is said to be much below the the doctor in attendance had despaired of more or average, and in others it is only fair; mohua crops less, Bolely and exclus4vely by admmistvriug to them in Chota Nagpore and tionthal Perguimahs, and mango ripe papaya fruit. Whether this doctor profited by crop in many places, are very poor ; cases of cholera it is doubtful. At least the remedy has not yet been and small-pox continue to be reported from several made widely known. Yet it is an efficacious remedy. places. A decoction of papaya leaves is also a wholesome medicine in obstinate inward fevers. A friend of mine, the late Mr. Ahrens, was once fully cured by means G e o l o g i c a l —Amongst other useful work done by of it. That it is an exclusively native remedy may the offic* rs of the Geological Survey of India dur be inferred from the fact that it was prescribed for ing last year, the following results have been ob- my friend by bis mother-in-law (a native) and that i tamed :—An examination of a tract of gneissic up. the d- ctor in attendance stepped his visits 011 it land in Travaucore dispelled the belief formerly being administered, on the ground that he would not be j entertained that the rocks were auriferous ; some a witm-ss to the death of the patient in consequence of good coal seams were traced in the South Rewah the use of the papaya which tie had been consuming. ■ basin, unfortunately at present too far distant from The loot of the papaya rubbed fine and laid as pap ; any line ot railway for an attempt at woiking them on the forehead has b -en used with good t fleet against 1 to prove profitable ; and some copper beds in the acute headache. It is also an excellent substitute j Darjiling district were examined. the Government for akar kelor in foot baths, and likewise does duty ; of India has reviewed the annual report of the de for mustard plasters, when prescribed. May this j partment, and expresses satisfaction at the efficient article draw the ettention of Netherlands India medical | manner in which Mr.Medlicott and his subordinates have men and chemists to the papaya, which is not only i discharged iheir important duties.—Bombay Gazette, a mixture of good mould and river sand, equal parts ; $otHjespontienoe. a piece of flannel spread on the mixture and pressed --- closely down. To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. The seed is then laid on thickly and warm water ME. STORCK’S CURE FOR COFFEE LEAF- poured upon it, until the soil is thoroughly saturated and the water rises just above the seed. The lid is DISEASE. then pkmed on the box and held down by a weight. Upper Rewa, Feb. 10th, 18S2 The box should be placed in a warm sunny place Sik ,—I n one of your November ie=ues I am in and looked to every four or five days as in hot weather more formed that it is my intention to visit Ceylon via water may be necessary, but iu ordinary weather the Java, but I am not aware of having authorized any watering process will go on of itself for many days, one to make the statement. [It appeared first in a if the lid be properly kept down. Java p-per.—E d .] The seed germinates (for cardamom seed) very quickly You also suggest that, in that case, I should have, under this process, in from 17 to 21 days. an opportunity provided for proving my me:hod simul taneously and under even conditions with those of When all are well germinated the flannel is removed Mr. Schrottky and Mr. Ward, which 1 take to mean with the seed adhering to it, and held ovor an ordinary a sort of public competition. I do not fear competi roofed nursery bed, aud tapped on the reverse side. tion and would court a trial, for which I have little This will shake off the seed, which should then be scope in this country; but what is the substantial very lightly covered with sifted soil. I have grown inducement, the award to be made to the succtssful man many fine healthy plants in this way,- but only for because of barren honors I have had plenty ? the sake of experiment; as I find after all that sow Let the Planters’ Association give me guarantees for ing well-soaked seed “ at stake” is both the most expenses, which, on an award being made me, I would satisfactory and cheapest plan.—I am, yours faithfully, undertake to refund. E . G. R. After what I have written to the Tropical Agri culturist, and since again to the Gardeners' Chron icle, on my “ Method of Permanent Vaporisation,” COFFEE ADULTERATION AND THE ENGLISH I cannot conceive that any one could doubt the bona fides of my statements ; the very publicity I have CONSUMERS, given the matter must be my pledge.—I remain, sir, Agraa, 4th April. your obedient servant, JACOB P. STORCK. D e a r S i r ,—I have read with interest in your paper [We are glad to learn that a Cex Ion proprietor of tn e eff >rts bving m ade in E ngland by M e-srs. has already written to Mr. Storck direct, that lie Dickson, Pasteur, &c. to try and stop the adulteration is prepared to pay him the sum of £200 it lie keeps off of coffee, and the letters of your co 'respondents bearing Hemileia vastatrix from his coff-e estate for one year. on the subject, but I have never seen what has always There are other ‘Ceylon proprietors no doubt pre appeared to me the real evil, even alluded to. pared to pay iu the same proportion, provided the The fault chiefly lies with the British public, which, condition stringently interpreted is exactly complied from ignorance aud laziness, persist iu buying coffee with. If Mr. Storck is certain of success, there can be ready roasted aud ground, or else some horrid prepar no doubt of a good field for him in Ceylon ; but we ation in bottle or tin, labelled Coffee Essence, French would advise him first to try the cure on the largest Coffee, Coffee and Milk, &c., &c., thereby putting a fie d of coffee available iu Fiji for a year. We have direct premium on adulteration. In addition there had wonderful “ cures ” iu Ceylon la-ting over a is a widely spread idea that pure coffee is unwhole few months, but nothing permanently successful as some and that a mixture of chicory or dandelion is yet. What has Mr. A. J. Stephens t > say of Mr. highly beneficial. Storck’s remedy?—Ed.] On the continent of Europe (I speak chiefly of France and Italy) the poorest Kborer who can afford to CHAMPION COCOA PODS IN THE PAX- drink cofUe at all, roasts and grinds it himself. It WILA DISTRICT. is true that oftm roasted beans and peas are added ; G oonam bil estate, M arch 31st, 18S2. but that is from necessity, not choice. Until the mass of consumers can be brought to recognize that cofiee D ear Sir , —In my letter to you, dated Nov. 26th, is not worthy of the name, unless freshly roasted and I inform d you that I got '43-41 seeds respectively ground, there will be no appreciable increase in the out of two cocoa pods and which in your note consumption. Cheap cookery schools are doing an below you said was extraordinary and quite unpre- incalculable amount of good among the manufacturing cedtnted. I have now the pleasure to inform you that classes in Scotland ; but 1 do not know if coffee- today I cut two more pods from the same ttte making is included in the instruction given. From and found in them 44 and 41 s< eds. From the last i he several prospectuses and class lists I have seen, lot I wrote you about 1 have 80 fine plants in the I fear not. nursery. I find the average from the pods from Gangwarily and other estates is about 23, but then That the value of these courses of practical instruc they are not the same kind as the tree 1 am getting tion i i cheap household cookery is only beginning to mine from.—Y mrs faithfully, H. A. GILL!AT. be felt, I ktt°w from the papers of the Glasgow society which is tiie centre of the movi ineut in Scotland, and GERMINATING CARDAMOM SEED. I fee! convinced iliat b-fore long the schoolboards will include simpl-' cookery among the subjects of com (Ellagalla) Rattota, 3rd April 1882. pulsory education. In the meantime, if the directors D e a r S i r , —The following plan for germinating of the many s-cieties for the impiovement of the cardamom seed may be ust ful to some : after various working classes were to impress on the people the experiments I have found it the most successful. a vantage of preparing their coffee themselves, more All that is required is a shallow and watertight w-'uld be gained in m.mths than by yeais of parliu- open tin pan or box; say four to five in- hes deep, wi.h its meutat y vgitation against vested trade interests, with edges cut level, aud a flat piece of tin to cover it. which ail Governments are equaliv loath to interfere.— The tin box is filled to within 1 inch of the rim with I remain, yours faithfully, H. DYCE PATERSON. CINCHONA DYING OUT A HINT. LLAMA SHEEP INSTEAD OF CATTLE ON 5th April 1882. COFFEE ESTATES—HOW WOULD THEY DO. Dear Sir,—Having lately heard, in many places, D e a r S i r , —In lo> king through your columns of the that cinchonas a year old and upwards are dying out 3rd instant, I was struck by an advertisement that to a great extent, I would offer a suggestion to cin at once fired my imagination as the expression of a chona planters, who consider that their trees are long missing need which has for some time lain dor dying out from excessive moisture at the roots, caused mant in my mind for want of a practical solution. by a clayey or retentive subsoil, viz., to dig a hole The advertisement in question was “ Auction sale two feet deep, immediately below and as near as pos of Llamas” but 011 running my eye through its par* sible to the stem of the tree. I have found this ticulars I was disappointed to find that it was not succeed admirably, as trees about 18 months old, to the animal so-called that allusion was made, but which were almost dead from stagnant water, re to some sort of clothing material of a green and vio* covered in a very short t ine after the deep hohs let description, of which Messrs. Auwardt are the pro were cut below them. viders. It was, however, on the animal and not on Of course, millions of cinchona have died out through Messrs. Auwardt’s mateiial that my thoughts turned, the plants having been raised from seed off immature for 1 have often been told by those whose profess a trees, and, in my opinion, nothing can save such from knowlege of natural history that the hairy fluff of d.ving young. Referring to hybrids, I have planfed the Llama is the finest material from which cloth pubescens and succirul ra side by side on patna lands of the Cashmere descrip ion can be made. at an elevation of about 2,500 feet, and the hybrids have Now, 1 am not aware of the climate or country to beaten the succirubra in growth.—Your faithfully, which this animal is a deniz m, though it has a sort R O B U Sl'A . of vague association in my mind with Thibet, but then again I have an equally vague idea that the COCOA CULTIVATION; . AND CURING. Llama of Thibet is a mythical personage connected with Tales of Travel. Indeed 1 do not know where Thibet is. Gang Warily, Dolosbage, 6th April 1882, Assuming, however, that the habitat of the Llama D ea r Sir ,—Referring to Mr. Gilliat’s letter of 31st eheep is a tropical or semitropical country and assum March in which this estate is specially mentioned I ing also that the wool-bearing qualities of the would like to state that I think he is wrong in Llama are as correct as those whereby I am alone the average of seeds contained in my cocoa pods. familiar with it, namely, its habit of expector Thirty, I consider the average number; and this ating freely when stirred up with an umbrella is borne out by what a friend writes: “ In the at the zoo, it appears to me that it would Observer to band this evening I notice a letter signed be a most useful creature to introduce into this coun H. A. Gilliat, re I erring to the growth of cocoa on try as a supplement to our coffee industry and a sub Goonambil esiate and the number of seeds contained stitute for our cattle es ablishments. Of course it in each pod. I am glad to hear of the successful cul would be ridiculous to im’aginethat any individual would tivation of cocoa anyv here in the island, but Mr. Gil go to the expense of importing a herd of Llamas, but liat’s experience of Gang Warily pods must be very we are so constantly reminded of the blessings con limited if he ha* only got an average of 23 seeds. ferred on us by our paternal government (which ad I have bad ahout 4,000 pods from Gang Warily and mits of no private enterprise in railways and has in all the lots 1 have counted the average has given such abundant evidence of its paternity in pro been over 30, generally about 32. ” viding us with a Museum and an Alfred Model Farm), But too much stress need not be laid on the num that the suggestion that it should employ its sleep ber of seeds per pod. (I am glad Mr. G. has xtt ined ing faculties in the direction of a Llama establish a maximum of 44 this time, and I hope he will get ment towards encouraging the production of this much 54 next time.) I have frequently noticed that my desiderated wool on our estates may not be out of place. sec .md class pods contain more seeds than the first class. Indeed, that useless incubus of stinks, the Model Farm, might be as well adapted to Llama culture as it I consider jak belts useful as break winds where is to the breeding of mosquitos and malaria, and, cocoa is concerned, or jak trees planted at regular since a general recreation ground is so much needed distances, say a chain (66ft.) apart for shade purposes, &c. in Colombo, it would, I am sure, form a pleasing re They may be planted closer at first, and then thinned sort for all classes ou a Sunday afternoon. out. A correspondent object* to the litter of leaves. My suggestion is a crude, and may perhaps be a All the better, they form a covering of organic ridiculous one, but having vented it on the public I matter to the soil; and with the addition of lime, leave them to appreciate or not the idea of a good manure. Another correspondent thought the WALKING IN THE ZOO. shade would be too dense for c-coa, but remember you can lop judiciously to suit all practical purposes. In showery weather I daresay curing will be L ib e r ia n C o f f e e .—We are pleased to learn that troublesome, i>nd some modification of a “ Sirocco,” another small consignment of Putupaulakande Libe or drying apparatus necessary. I have not been rian coffee, sent by Messrs. Aitken, Spence & Co. to able to give curing a fair trial vet, most the New York market, has just been sold for 18£ of my pods being despatched hither and th ther for cenis, the equivalent at the ruling rate of exchange seed purpose*. The more experience I gain in cocoa of 80s 3d in the Lundon market. This is an exceed cultivation 1 like it the better. As it blossoms a ingly encouraging quotation : the American market is number of months in the year it will not be such a evideutly the right one for Ceylon Liberian coffee. precarious crop as Arabian coffee. Judgment is required I m p o r t s o f C h in a T ea t o I n d ia .— The In d ia n Tea as to the places you plant with this product. Eleva Gazette, says th e C alcu tta Englishman, p'odnces tion, roil, .-'lid shelter have to be more taken into some startling figures to show the tendency to in account than in the case with c< ff c or tea. Whit e crease the imports of China tea into this countn. ants are my great enemy, but with frequent supply Instead of having been almost driven out of the ing I attain a good measure of success. Though t market by the local product, as we suppose to be requires a good deal of c >axing whilst young, the the case, its consumption has nearly doubled during only way is to persevere— and, you will conquer, nev.„r the 1 tsr three years, the imports for 1880-81 being fear !—Yours truly, JOHN DRUMMOND. 3.322,407 lb. as compared with 1,822,3451b. in 1878-79.