MARKETS FOR INDIAN 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 , 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 , 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 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 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 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 130, Water Street, New York, 7th Dec. 1881. and sold under the name of “ English 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 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 “ ” 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 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, , 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.

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 , 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 : 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.” 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. . 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 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 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 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 , 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.