INTRODUCTION. but at the end of every half-year a thoroughly useful and complete Index will be appended, so as We have already announced that our “ H a n d ­ to make the information under each topic, or b o o k o f I n f o r m a t i o n f o r C e y l o n ” published this respecting each product, readily available. year is the last bulky volume of the kind that will The publication will be made as soon after be issued from our press. the first of each month as possible. Our present In future, we trust to present annually a compact preliminary issue, which we distribute gratis to D i r e c t o r y volume with every-day information the number of 2,000 copies, cannot be taken as which is needful to the planter, merchant, civil serv­ a fair specimen of what will follow either in ant, &c. This will necessitate the exclusion of respect of contents or punctuality; indeed the papers bearing on planting subjects such as have second issue is, at this date, almost ready for publi­ occupied a prominent place in successive Hand­ cation. It will be our endeavour to find a place books during the last twenty years. The difficulty in these pages for everything bearing on the has always been to find space for the information practical work of a tropical planter, our space which we would fain publish for the benefit being no more restricted than our will to serve of our readers. Almost every issue of the our constituents. It will be observed that our Daily and Weekly Observer contains informa­ contents on the present occasion include papers tion which the planter would be glad to preserve and much useful practical information on the in a convenient form for reference, and we have i following among other subjects :— been frequently pressed to supply this want by The Cultivation of Cinchona, Tea, Cacao, Liberian an issue separate from the Directory. There is Coffee, India-rubber, Tobacco, Vanilla, Fig, Aloe, &c. ; on the Preparation of Tea ; Adulteration of Tea and also a great deal of information bearing on Coffee ; Manuring of Plantations; the use of Lime; the cultivation of new and old products to the Coffee Leaf Disease; on Apiculture and Ceylon he found in Home and Colonial periodicals Bees; Tea and other Products at the Melbourne Ex­ which we should like to make generally known, hibition ; Planting in Natal, Jamaica, &c. but. for which it is impossible to find space in I n our second and third numbers we shall the pages of an ordinary newspaper. endeavour to find space for the portions of It is to provide a fitting medium for all the past letters of the Commissioner at Melbourne such literature that we have determined to pub­ for Ceylon, which Tea planters and merchants would wish to keep by them. We lish “ T h e T r o p i c a l A griculturist .” This will be shall be glad to receive suggestions from any issued monthly, and, as may be observed, in a of our readers for the benefit of our new venture. form suitable for easy reference, and for binding We have endeavoured to make the subscription in either half-yearly or yearly volumes as may as low as possible to Observer subscribers, an be desired. average issue of from 70 to 80 pages being Prefixed to each issue a table of “ Contents ” is guaranteed monthly. given which is of little more than nominal value, “ O b s e r v e r ” O f f i c e , 24th June 1881.

“ THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. ”

FORM OF ORDER. TO THE PUBLISHERS,

" Ceylon Observer ” Office, Colombo, Ceylon. 1881.

D e a r S i r s , —Please enter my name as a subscriber for “ The Tropical A griculturist" (monthly) at eight rupees per annum (being a subscriber to the Daily or Weekly Observer), or at twelve rupees per annum (not being a subscriber to the Daily or Weekly Observer). Yours truly,

(From April 1 to A p ril 9 .) cultivation to be a success, an analytical and manu­ facturing chemist, Mr. Broughton, was sent to Madras, THE MADRAS GOVERNMENT AND THE just as Mr. Wood was detached on a similar mission CINCHONA BARK MARKET. to Sikhim. Mr. Wood was encouraged in every possible The Managing Director of the Scottish Trust and way by the Bengal authorities, and the consequence Loan Company of Ceylon deserves the thanks of our was that he established a successful local manufacture, cinchona planters for coming forward in so timely and which continues under his successors, to absorb all practical a manner to endeavour to stop what has be­ but an insignificant proportion of the bark cut; while, come a serious and undoubtedly an improper inter­ in consequence of the bad treatment received by ference on the part of the British Government with Mr. Broughton and his consequent disappearence, the private enterprise :— Nilgiri bark has been regularly shipped to the London C i n c h o n a B a r k f r o m I n d i a . market to compete with the produce of private Scottish Trust Loan Company of Ceylon, Limited, enterprise. At Sikhim they now manufacture 200 lb. 123 Bishopsgate St. W ithin, of febrifuge weekly, absorbing nearly 300,000 lb. of London, M arch 2, 1881. bark per annum, while the Nilgiri crop of bark may Sir ,—As a matter of great interest to the planters of India and Ceylon, I beg to draw your attention be said to be all exported. Mr. Clements Markham to the following remarks: has most consistently and urgently protested against The circumstances under which the Government the mistaken policy of the Madras Government, and of India commenced the cultivation of the cinchona Ceylon memorialists would find in him a strong plant are well known to all, and their success in obtaining a febrifuge for their army as well as for supporter of their petition. From Mr. Markham’s the population of India, is in the highest degree “Chinchona” book lately published we quote sufficiently commendable. to shew how strong a case he makes out against the They are now, however, far beyond this point, and practice which Mr. Dickson attacks :— whilst the planters of Ceylon, struggling against “ No correct judgment could be formed of the financial adverse seasons and a dire pest, which has seized result of the Nilgiris enterprise until the factory [Mr. their plantations, added to the competition of over­ Broughton’s] was in full work, and turning out 800 whelming slave-grown crops from Brazil, and adul­ pounds annually, or more. The ingredients, except acid terated concoctions here, are looking to the future and caustic soda, were obtained in the country, and their of their cinchona plantations to aid them in their cost was small in comparison to the work done. But the troubles, they find the Government of India, un­ outlay, as regards labor and many other items, in the fettered by want of capital, and the wide difference same whether the out-turn is large or small, so that no that lies between private parties and a mighty Go­ reliable calculation could be made as to the real cost, vernment, sending such ever-increasing quantities of until the factory was working up to its full power. cinchona bark into the London market as fill them Moreover, experience would have suggested improve­ with anxiety for the future. ments in the arrangements for pressing the bark, for The steamer “ Eldorado” just arrived has 196,000 preventing loss of alkaloids, and other details. Un­ lb. of Government bark on board as one shipment fortunately this hopeful experiment, so fraught with, or 20,000 lb. in excess of the aggregate shipments benefit to the people of the Madras Presidency, from Ceylon for the current season. was cut short prematurely, and before a fair trial If the Government of India is to compete in the had been made. English market with private enterprise, an unpleasant “ A Committee was appointed by the Madras Govern­ outlook for the Englishmen whose welfare depends ment to report upon the financial result of the manu­ upon their labour in the torrid zone—let both sides facture before any correct conclusion could be formed. be equal—the Government of India paying a high In their report, dated November 28th, 1874, they price for their lands and labour, eight to ten per cent submitted a calculation by which it was made to for their money, no assistance from Government appear that the * amorphous quinine ’ was produced Chemists and collectors and the multitudes of ad­ at a loss. In the years 1872 and 1873, the quantity vantages which they can indirectly obtain from being produced was 445 pounds. By arbitrarily charging the paramount power, and we shall then not feel the factory with £2,500 for the bark, and £583 for ourselves over-matched.—Yours truly, the cost of working, and interest on plant and build­ Thomas Dickson, ings, they made out that the 445 lb. cost £3,083, Managing Director. and they placed its value at £1,500. By these figures Mr. Dickson intends to send a copy of the letter to they made out a lose of £1,583. Their calculations the London papers, and he is anxious to follow up this are misleading. It was quite premature to attempt any calculations at so early a stage. The legitimate protest by a memorial and deputation to the Secretary profit from the sale of bark to pay off the capital of State for India and the Colonies, provided the Ceylon charge would, in a few years, have secured a net planting and mercantile community take the necessary result obviating all pretext for charging anything for action. There can be no doubt that the case against the value of the bark against the factory, while the the Madras Government—by far the worst offenders— actual charges would have been lowered by improved arrangements, the results of experience. The is a very strong one, and we may expect in any move­ capital charge, with interest, has now actually been ment of this time to find allies in unexpected quarters. paid off, and the only legitimate charge against a It is not generally known that the Madras authorities, factory, is, therefore, the cost of cultivating the in shipping their bark to London, have entirely departed bark. The cost to the Government of producing one from the understanding which prevailed at the time pound of bark, as proved by experience in Sikkim, the cinchona enterprise was commenced in the Nilgiris. ought not to be more than 5d; and the factory would as soon as it was in full work, have turned out one The full intention of the Home Government was to pound of the febrifuge at a cost of six shillings, as in produce bark in order to manufacture on the spot a Sikkim. So that the febrifuge could have been sold, febrifuge which would be available for the mass of at a profit, for less than 1 rupee per ounce. But the the population. So soon at Mr. Mclvor proved the whole system of manufacture would eventually have become more economical in proportion to the in­ planters require is the assurance that no more bark creased production; and Mr. Broughton had certainly from the Indian Government plantations will be sold made a most promising beginning of a useful work. in the open market. “ The Committee’s Report had a most disastrous effect. Mr. Broughton resigned his appointment, and left India in December 1874. His place has not been filled up. All attempts at producing a cheap febri­ COFFEE MARKET REPORTS. fuge for the use of the people were at once put a The market reports received from London seem, stop to. The great objects of the enterprise were in some respects, to read conflictingly. But between abandoned. The Nilgiri plantations have, especially the estimates of Messrs. Rouse & Co. and Messrs, since Mr Mclvor’s death, been sadly mismanaged. Rucker & Bencraft in respect of the coming Brazil The only object has been to obtain harvests of bark to sell at a profit in the London market, without crop, there is not much discrepancy. The difference regard to the renewal of gaps, and to keeping the in their estimates is not more than 100,000 bags. plantations up to a proper standard. There has been Although the next Rio crop is expected to be less by undue destruction of valuable trees. I have reason 900,000 cwt., yet it must be noted that in Santos to fear that there has been miserable waste and coffee, the kind which is chiefly sent to Europe and havoc, to secure large present results, without regard competes with plantation, there is an anticipated in­ for the future. “ Yet the trees remain, though in diminished num­ crease of 600,000 cwt. The statistical return of Messrs. bers, and flourish. The work can be taken up where Rouse and Co. for the three chief coffee-producing it was unwisely dropped, at any time, when a fu­ countries is as follows ture Government is better advised. The good work B r a z i l . cannot be altogether undone. A scientific superintend­ Exported 1st July to 28th February. ent of the plantations, combining chemical know­ 1880-81. 1879-80. ledge, like Mr. Moens in Java, is urgently needed. Tons. Tons. There have been checks and disheartening delays. Rio to Europe 71,500 ... 41,000 But the plantations are still safe. Sooner or later ,, the States, &c. 98,500 ... 90,500 the broken continuity will be restored, work in the right direction will be resumed, and the great object Total 170,000 ... 131,500 of the enterprise will be finally secured here, as elsewhere. Santos to Europe. 38,200 33,200 “ Meanwhile the whole interest of the experimental ,, the States 10,000 8,300 manufacture centres in the Sikkim plantations, where more enlightened views have prevailed during recent Total from Santos ... 48,200 41,500 years, and where the true object of cinchona cultiva­ The Rio crop now coming forward is estimated at tion is understood and appreciated. about 4 million bags (- 237,000 tons), and Santos 11/4 “ After this, it only remains that those concerned— million bags ( = 74,000 tons). The Rio crop of 1881-2 and particularly Ceylon planters—should begin an is expected to be about 31/4 million bags ( = 193,000 agitation in order to see a stop put to the present ship­ tons), and Santos 13/4 million bags ( = 104,000 ions). ments of bark from the Government cinchona plant­ ations on the Nilgiris at an early date. C e y l o n . Exported let October to 6th March. The above was written on the receipt of Mr. Dick 1880-81. 1879-80. son’s letter. Strange to say before it appears in print Tons. Tons. we receive information which almost supersedes the Plantation 11,200 ... 16,100 necessity for the complaint and protest. The Madras N ative 1,000 ... 1,000 M ail of the 30th March, contains the following im­ portant intimation :— Total 12,200 ... 17,100 “ Cinchona.—As a great deal of Cinchona is now The present crop will, it is stated, be only about being raised by private enterprise, the attention of 20,000 tons, or 13,000 tons less than the small crop Government has recently been directed as to what of last season. Of Plantation East India the advices would be the best means of dealing with their continue equally unfavourable. own plantations, so that they may not compete with private enterprise. It has been decided to send the J a v a . ark to England, not to be sold in the market, T h e G o v e r n m e n t C r o p . but for the manufacture of alkaloids for use in In­ 1880. 1879. 1878. dia. The work has been undertaken by a London 618,000 bags* ... 1,260,000 bags ... 826,300 bags chemist, who has had the good fortune of coming or or or across, in the process of extraction of alkaloids, two 36,700 tons 74,800 tons ... 49,000. tons other alkaloids which are cheaper, and just as effici­ * Latest official estimate. ent febrifuges as the quinine now used,” Messrs. Rucker &, Bencraft report under the same We cannot understand why, if all the bark is to be date, 10th March :— utilized (as it ought to be) for the medical department “ C o f f e e . —Our surplus European stock on the 1st of the Indian Government, it should be thought instant was 17,500 tons against 25,300 tons on the 1st of February. The stock itself has rather increased necessary to get the febrifuge manufactured at home. during the month, but in nothing like the same pro­ Probably the Madras authorities are determined not to portion that it did in February last year, hence follow the example set in Bengal, and will plead that the great improvement visible when the past and better manufacture with complete extraction of all present year’s stocks are compared together. Our the alkaloids will more than compensate for the cost readers will remember that last year the European of freight of bark. That is their look-out, however. stock ran from 84,700 tons on the 1st of March to 116,660 on the 1st of May, and that then for some We have no doubt eventually that local manufacture months it remained about steady, It is hoped and will be established on the Nilgiris as at Sikhim. believed that the improvement made in the relative Meantime all that our correspondent and the Ceylon position will be increased, and the more sanguine ones affirm that before very long our surplus stock states it as his opinion that the price of fair Rio in will disappear altogether. To put Coffee in Europe New York should fall to 104 cents before 1st July. on a better foundation, it is necessary that not only We will not class with exaggerations such as this should the surplus disappear, but that a very decided the opinion expressed by some of the Rio firms, that deficiency should be apparent, as it must ever be receipts will continue up to 30th June at an average remembered, when comparing this year’s statistical of 15,000 bags per day, and we advance with some position with that of a year ago, that the stocks in hesitation an opinion contrary to such authorities, May, June, July, and August last year were unhealthily but we do not believe the Rio receipts will con­ large. As regards the current Ceylon crop many of our tinue on so large a scale, and we know that our friends advise us that the total will be even less than opinion is shared by the most competent authority is expected. There can be little doubt but that the on this side of the Atlantic. smallest crop known for many years is now being As regards the future of the Coffee market, we shipped. It is therefore with great satisfaction that think there are unmistakeable signs that we are ap­ we note that the crop for next season promises to proaching the turning point. In the first place, be a good one. The last Dutch sale was, say J to present low prices are evidently everywhere stimulating 1 cent below valuations. Good ordinary fetched say consumption; witness the increase in the deliveries 351/2 to 361/2 cents, or say 11/2 to 2 cents under the for the month of February. prices paid at the last sale. Such a low price has From London 902 tons Plantation Coffee, against 504 not been known for ten years. Stocks in Rio and tons in February, 1880. Santos are fairly heavy, and the daily receipts in From Holland 87,000 bags coffee against 64,000 bags the former port are for the time of year unusually in February 1880. large. The estimates for the 1881-82 crops are about From Havre 85,799 bags coffee against 56,535 bags 3,200.000 bags from Rio, 1,500,000 bags from Santos, in February, 1880. 200,000 bags from Nord, giving a total of 4,900,000 From Trieste 11,130 quintals against 9,150 in Feb­ bags. The market on the spot is very quiet, and ruary 1880. the auctions daily are in favour of buyers. Privately Secondly the large crops of 1880-81 are rapidly business recently has been of quite a retail character. coming to an end, and our stocks in Europe show it is As of still greater interest to our planters, we give true an excess over last year of 20,000 tons, but the prominence to the monthly coffee report of Messsr. crops of 1881-82 do not promise to be anything like Robert von Glehn & Sons. This firm makes the pro­ so abundant as those just coming to a close. bable deficiency in the coming, as compared with the The following statement shews the difference between some of the principal crops of coffee just coming to last, Brazil crop equal to 1,200,000 cwt., and shews a close, and the new crops :— altogether a total deficiency of coffee crops in 1881 82 Crop 1880-81. Estim ated crop Deficiency. of 2,270,000 cwt. 1881-82 “ L o n d o n , M arch 7th, 1881. Rio ...4,570,000 bags 3,200,000 bags — Since the date of our last circular, prices of coffee Santos 1,356,000 ,, 1,700,000 „ — have declined as follows :— Middling Plantation in London from Brazil...5,926,000 bags 4,900,000 bags 60,000 tons 92/6 to 90/ ... say 3 per cent. Good ordinary Jamaica in London Java ...1,259,960 piculs 618,000 piculs 38,000 ,, from 56/ to 53/ ... 6 per cent. Ceylon 31,000 tons 25,000 tons 6,000 ,, R io Coffee in New Y ork 13 cents to 12 cts. 8 ,, Manila 90,000 piculs 70,000 piculs 1,250,, Good ordinary Santos Coffee in Havre E a s t India— 70 cents to 65 cts. 7 ,, Plantation 10,000 tons 4,000 tons 6,000 ,, H aiti Coffee in Havre 67 ,, ,, 62 ,, 8 ,, Native 7,000 ,, 5,000 „ 2,000,, Santos Coffee in Ham burg 60 „ ,, 57 ,, 5 ,, Java Coffee in Holland 38 ,, ,, 36 ,, 5 ,, Total 113,500 tons The causes of this decline are not far to seek. Allowing for exaggerations and increase of produc­ Hopes had been confidently entertained that during tion of coffee in some of the other countries of growth, the present half year the receipts of coffee at Rio from which returns are not so easily obtained, we and Santos would fall off, and th a t under th e in ­ contend that we have enough before us to show fluence of small stocks in New York and reviving conclusively th a t the production of coffee has not out­ trade, the bulk of these reduced receipt would be stripped the consumption of the world. taken for the United States Markets. These expecta­ tions have not been realized and during the last five New Galway. —Some days ago I saw a note of week receipts of coffee have amounted at Rio to yours in re “ Tea from Uva, ’ in which you said 14,950 bags per day, against 5,223 bags per day in you thought the tea referred to would be the first February last year and against 13,650 bags per day shipment from Uva. The first shipment from Uva, during the last 6 months of 1880 ; at Santos to 4,450 I believe, was from this (New Galway) district. bags per day against 800 bags per day in February In the beginning of 1880 or late in 1879 New Corn­ and against 3,327 bags per day during the last wall sent some. Early in 1880 Warwick sent some to 6 m onths of 1880 ; and moreover so far from England. I also sent a packet to Ireland, and this the United States taking more, they have taken year Warwick has sent some more. We have bad a less than their usual share of the supplies of Brazil fine blossom out for the last few days, and some nice coffee, in consequence no doubt of the stringency of showers to set it. Cinchona same as last. Tea, a the New York money market, and the shipments few trees dying out. No other new products. Can to Europe have therefore increased in proportion, you suggest any that would pay at this elevation ? causing a temporary glut of this kind of coffee in Elk fearfully destructive to cinchona and grass. Ele­ the European markets. There have not been want­ phants, a few seen now and again. There are some ing, besides, the usual exaggerated reports of the cheetahs in the neighbourhood. Occasionally we hear of future supplies which always accompany times of de­ a bullock or cow being killed. I caught a cheetah a short pression. Take as an example the letter signed time ago, 7 feet 6 inches from tip of nose to tip of “ Common Sense” in the Shipping and Commercial fail. Bug is gone on the hills and will nae come List of New York, in which the writer predicts -back again (I hope). Leaf disease, none to apeak that " we shall enter upon the crop of 1882 with a of. Grub, catch ’em if you can. Railway, a long time surplus of over 3 million bags of Brazil coffee,” and coming. General prospects, fair. CEYLON AT THE MELBOURNE Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Mackwood A Co., Galbodde Estate ; G. A W. Leechman, Agra­ EXHIBITION, watte Estate ; G. H. D. Elphinstone, Windsor Forest Estate ; Ceylon Company, Koledenia Estate. COFFEE AND TEA AWARDS. BROKEN PEKOES.

P r o s p e c t s o f C e y l o n T e a i n t h e M e l b o u r n e First Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Co.,

M a r k e t s . Loolecondera Estate; Ceylon Company, Sogama Estate. Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Mackwoods A Co., Melbourne : March 14th, 1881. Galbodde Estate ; C. S. Armstrong, Rookwood Estate, Dear Mr. Bruce, —When I telegraphed and then Deltota ; Mackwood A Co., Galbodde Estate. wrote to you the result of the jury awards respect CONGOU. ing Ceylon coffee, as communicated to me, I could not Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—J. A. Smith, Lon doubt that ere the departure of the mail for which may Estate; Keir, Dundas A Co., Loolecondera Estate. I am writing the full details would have been published, MIXED TEAS. so that we might see how we compared with India, Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—T. C. Owen, Oonoona Fiji, Ac. As yet, however, there is nothing made public gala Estate. regarding coffee or cinnamon. You in Colombo, there­ BLENDING AND PACKING. fore, will have known the awards for Ceylon coffee Second Order of Merit, Melbourne.—Ceylon and Foo­ some three weeks before those awards are made public chow Company. COLLECTIVE EXHIBITS. in Melbourne. I have heard the delay in publication First Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Co., attributed to the loss by a juryman of some papers, Loolecondera Estate, Upper Hewaheta. but I am assured that no alteration is likely to be Second Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Mackwood A Co., made in the awards as communicated to you. It is Galbodde Estate. possible that in to-morrow’s paper the coffee and cin­ namon awards may appear, or at any rate in the Argus India takes 35 First Orders of Merit, Ceylon 11, of the 16th, so as to enable me to see what Japan 1, Melbourne 1 (blending and packing). India takes 77 Second Order of Merit, Ceylon 3, the comparative position of Ceylon is as regards coffee. * Japan 2, Melbourne 1 (blending and packing). The proof of the tea awards having been brought to India takes 104 Third Order of Merit, Ceylon 22, me for correction I was able to telegraph to you Japan 14. “ Tea 36 awards, 11 being Firsts." I now forward a India exhibits 339 samples, 216 awards ; Ceylon 78 copy of the Argus of March 10th, in which the thirty- samples, 36 awards ; Straits Settlements 1 sample ; six awards are underscored. Enclosed you will find Japan 35 samples, 16 awards; Melbourne and China separate list of Ceylon awards and synopsis : 54 samples, 2 awards. MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1880-81. COFFEE. Jury.—E. S. Harley, W. P. Brown, M. Benies, J. T e a A w a r d s . Hutchens, R. W. Wilson. Jury.—Messrs. D . Gibson, J. Everard, W. J. Cow First Order of Merit. —Ellembellary Estate, deroy, A. Harvey, W. Pitt Brown, and E. S. Harley. Madras ; Cootamundra Estate, Madras; Hillgrove orange and flow ery pekoes. Estate, Madras ; Nedembally Estate, Madras ; Seaforth First Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Co. Estate, Madras; Glen van’s Estate, Madras; Ingle­ Loolecondera Estate, Upper Hewaheta : wood Estate, Madras ; Stanes and Co. Estate, Madras; Do do do Balmadies Estate, Madras; J. T. Baker, Yakkabenda Do do do kelle Estate, Ceylon; Lee, Hedges, A Co., Ceylon; Do do do Colombo Commercial Company, Ceylon; Whittal A The Ceylon Company (Limited), Koledenia Estate, Co., Ceylon ; Mackwood A Co., Ceylon ; Loolcondera Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Estate, Ceylon ; Courthope, Bosanquet A Co., Ceylon. Co., Loolecondera Estate, Upper Hewaheta ; G. H. D. Second O rder of M erit. —Waverley Estate, Madras; Elphinstone, Windsor Forest Estate ; Mackwood A Hallacarey Estate, Madras; Chowdikadu Estate, Co., Galbodde Estate ; Keir, Dundas A Co., Loole­ Madras; Eliza Estate, Madras. condera Estate, Upper Hewaheta. Third Order of M erit. —Sussex Estate, Madras ; PEKOES. Goatfel Estate, Madras ; Thottullgalla Estate, Ceylon; First Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Haldane and Anton, Delmege, Reid, A Co., Ceylon ; Langdale Estate, Calsay Estate, Dimbula ; A. J. Stork, Blackstone Estate. Ceylon ; Kintyre Estate, Ceylon; Tillicoultry Estate, Third Order of Merit, Ceylon,—A. J. Stork, Black- Ceylon ; Armitage Bros., Ceylon. stone Estate ; P. R. Shand, Dunedin Estate ; Mack- PURE PLANTATION GROUND COFFEE. wood A Co., Galbodde Estate. First Order of M erit. PEKOE SOUCHONG. —R. Harper, Melbourne ; First Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Co., Parson Bros, Melbourne; J. F. M’Kenzie and Co.; Loolecondera Estate. Gregg and Co., New Zealand. Second Order of Merit, Ceylon.—P. R. Shand, Dun­ ESSENCE OF COFFEE. edin Estate. First Order of M erit. —Dunn and Hewett, Lon­ Third Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Mackwood A Co,, don ; A. Elder, Edinburgh; E. Delacre, Brussels. Galbodde Estate ; G. A W. Leechman, Agrawatte ROASTED COFFEE. Estate ; Ceylon Company, Hope Estate ; Ceylon Com­ First Order of M erit. —Parsons Bros., Melbourne pany, Sogama Estate ; G. H. D. Elphinstone, Windsor (Ceylon Plantation, Peaberry, Jamaica, and Java.) Forest Estate. Second Order of M erit. —J. F. M’Kenzie and Co., SOUCHONG. Melbourne (Ceylon plantation) ; R. Harper, Melbourne Second Order of Merit, Ceylon.—Keir, Dundas A Co., (plantation and peaberry). Loolecondera Estate, Upper H ewaheta. * 15th March. The coffee awards are in to-day’s CORAL AND SHELLS, Argus. Hon. M ention. —Ceylon Government, coral and shells. MINERALS, ROCKS, AND FOSSILS. right in regarding as our staple tea:—pekoe-souchong. Jury.—O. R. Rule (chairman), George Foord, H. Y. For souchong they obtained a Second Class award, and, L. Brown, Jas. G. A. Stitt, and R. H. Bland ; Nor­ for broken pekoe a First. Besides their four First Class man Taylor, expert. awards for the special or fancy teas, orange and flowery Second Order of Merit.—W. A. Fernando, Ceylon, pekoe, Messrs. Keir, Dundas & Co. obtained two Third plumbago. class awards for the same class of teas. A Third Class award Third Order of Merit.—Delmege, Reid and Co., for congou makes up 10 direct awards, to which must be Ceylon, plumbago; Armitage Brothers, Ceylon, plum­ added an additional or collective award for general bago ; A. C. Dixon, B. Sc., F.C.S., Ceylon, collection excellence. With 11 awards in all, of which 7 are of rocks, minerals, gems, &c. First Class, Messrs. Keir, Dundas & Co. take first rank Fourth Order of Merit.—A: M. & J. Ferguson, not only amongst Ceylon exhibitors but also in com­ Ceylon, plumbago, enclosing quartz, showing what care parison with India and all comers. This must be must be taken to separate foreign matter. gratifying to those immediately interested, especially to him who may be regarded as almost the pioneer CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS. of tea growing and tea manufacture in Ceylon,—Mr. James Taylor. Jury.—C. R. Blackett (chairman), M. Galloy, H. Next in order to Messrs. Keir, Dundas & Co., tested Brind, P. R. Challen, Sydney Gibbons, W. Johnson, by number of awards, come Messrs. Mackwood & J. Kruse, J. Robertson, S. H. Roberts, J. G. A. Co., who received 6 Third Class awards and a col­ Stitt, R. G. Wilson, Dr. Renzio, and Baron von lective award for general excellence, or 7 in all. One Mueller ; expert, Geo, Manley Hopwood. of the awards for orange and flowery pekoe, one for MEDICINAL OILS. pekoe-souchong, one for souchong, and two for broken Third Order of Merit.—D. A. T. Dessanaika, Ceylon, pekoe. To these 6 Third Class awards is added a medicinal oils. Second Class award for general excellence. If any MEDICINAL BARKS, &C. person is inclined to undervalue Third Class awards, I First Order of Merit.—Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, may say that one of the jurymen told me that the collection of cinchona barks; Government of Madras, standard of marks set up was so high that admittance Madras, cinchona bark, jalap, &c to the Third Class involved a very severe ordeal. Fol­ Second Order of Merit.—E. H. Cameron, Ceylon, lowing Messrs. Keir, Dundas & Co. and Messrs. Mack- cinchona barks ; Lee, Hedges and Co., Ceylon, cin­ wood & Co. in number of awards comes the Ceylon chona bark ; Mack wood and Co., Ceylon, cinchona Company (Limited) with five awards. Of these two bark ; T. C. Owen, cinchona barks. are First Class : one for orange and flowery pekoe and Third Order of Merit. —Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, one for broken pekoe. Two Third Class are for pekoe- collection of medicinal and other barks. souchong, and one Third Class for souchong. Fourth on the list as regards number of awards VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES USED IN TANNING AND DYKING. comes Mr. G. H. D. Elphinstone with three Third Class awards. One was for orange and flowery pekoe, Honourable Mention.—Dissanaika, Ceylon, tanning one for pekoe-souchong, and one for souchong. I barks. hope this result will not be disappointing to Mr. Elphinstone and to the practised Indian planter who SYNOPSIS OF CEYLON TEA AWARDS. superintends the manufacture of his teas. With re­ T. C. Owen...... 1 3rd award ference to the whole of the awards the composition G. H. D. Elphinstone -.3 3rd of the jury must be kept in view and the tendency C. S, Arm strong... 1 3rd in Melbourne to judge teas largely by outward ap­ Keir, Dundas & Co. ..6 1st ,, And 1st award pearance. One juryman said to me, not with reference do .1 2nd ,, > for collective ex- to Mr. Elphinstone’s teas, but as accounting for the do . 3 3rd ,, ) hibits. number and class of awards for Ceylon teas generally, Haldane and Anton .1 1st that some of the teas were “ out of condition. ” As Ceylon Co., Koladenia ...1 1st ,, the teas were in good order when tested by Messrs. do do ..1 3rd Moody and Sibthorp, any change for the worse, if do Hope ..1 3rd it has occurred, must be attributed to delay and ex­ do Sogama ..1 1st posure, the result of Mr. Everard’s pig-headed ob­ do do .1 3rd stinacy in so long resisting the presence of Mr. Brown. Mackwood & Co. ..6 3rd Had I known at the first all I know now, 1 should A . J. Stork ..1 1st ,, } And 2nd award have protested against the appointment of Mr. Everard do ...1 3rd ,, | for collective ex- as juror and especially against the samples being P. R. Shand... ..1 2nd ,, [hibits. taken to his office and lying there during the long do .1 3rd delay which his obstructive action involved. Mr. Sibthorp, G. & W. Leechman 23rd ,, in the official letter in which he requested the execut­ J. A. Sm ith...... 1 3rd ive to add Mr. Brown to the jury on tea (of which Mr. Everard was really chairman, Mr. Gibson being S u m m a r y . chairman of the general jury which took in tea, 1 0 1st awards. coffee, &c.) stated distinctly that Mr. Everard could 2 2nd be objected to as agent for Japan tea, and that 22 3rd the objection would only be waived if Mr. Brown’s 1 1st for general collection. presence was allowed. Mr. Brown was then allowed 1 2nd ,, do to act. I have nothing to say against Messrs. Cowderoy, Harvey, and Hurley, except that they are In all 36 awards. naturally swayed by the traditions of the Melbourne From the latter it will be observed that, out of the tea market. This person wasted the time of the jury at 36 awards, the teas exhibited by Messrs. Keir, Dun one sitting for an hour by personal abuse of me, das & Co. obtained 11 (including the collective and he has favoured me with a characteristic award) or very nearly one-third of the whole. Of the letter, because of my efforts to get justice done to 6 First Class awards gained by this firm, 4 were for Ceylon. I have not replied to Mr. Everard, and I special teas classed as “ orange and flowery pekoes.” only mention him and his animus now, to say They also, of all the exhibitors from Ceylon, obtained that, considering all the circumstances of the case, the only First Class award for what I suppose I am we have only reason for surprise that the jury awards for Ceylon tea are so favourable as they stand. this appearance will not suit this market.” I have Of course the previous verdicts of tea-tasters and little doubt the tea will be sold at a large profit by analysts will not be forgotten. the cutters and mixers. Next to Mr. Elphinstone comes Mr. A. J. Stork Mr. J. A. Smith of Lonmay estate, it will be seen, with two awards, one of which is First Class for pekoe obtained a Third award for congou. and one Third Class for the same kind of tea, They Mr. T. C. Owen obtained a similar award for what evidently know how to prepare fine tea on Black- the jurors have classed as “ mixed teas.” Whether stone estate. Mr. Owen’s tea was really a mixture of different teas, Messrs. Leechman & Co. are the recipients of two or merely a “ One kind” tea, I do not know, but one Third class awards, one for pekoe-souchong, and one day it was remarked to me :—“ The more teas are for souchong, regarding which my remarks already mixed the better. If several teas, each of which made as to the standard insisted on should be noted. may have an objectionable flavour, are blended, the Windsor Forest, Gallebodde, Agrawatte, and Black- result is a tea which takes greatly with consumers.” stone, are all situated in the old and rainy districts It has, therefore, been recommended that persons or of Dolosbage and Ambagamuwa. firms in Ceylon should lay themselves out to pur­ Mr. P. R. Shand received two awards, one of which chase and mix high and low grown teas and teas was Second Class for pekoe-souchong, and one Third of different flavours and qualities. One of the brokers for pekoe. controverted this view and said the mixing could be The other Ceylon exhibitors on the list obtained much better done here. But the motive for this each one award, that against the name of Calsay opinion is obvious and I agree with Mr. Moody. I estate in Dimbula (Messrs. Haldane and Anton) being have no doubt some of our merchants will soon try First Claes for pekoe. the experiment of buying and blending teas. Brokers Mr. C. S. Armstrong obtained a Third order and dealers in London and Melbourne may offer objec­ of merit for broken pekoe. This gentleman must tions, but the taste of the consumers must rule in the have learned the secret of having made the end. As tea grows in Ceylon from sea-level to 7,000 kind of tea which pleases the eye of the typ­ feet, there must be large scope for a judicious mix­ ical Melbourne broker, for I heard but one ing of the delicate mountain teas with the ranker chorus of admiration of the appearance and especi­ produce of lower levels. ally the packing of a consignment of Rookwood The general result is that for 78 exhibits of tea tea sold on the 8th of this month by Greig & Ceylon has received 36 awards, or not far short of 50 Murray. The verdict was that the packing was per cent. Of the awards 11 were First Class, in­ greatly superior to Indian. Whether the prices will cluding 1 collective award; 3 were Second Class, satisfy Mr. Armstrong’s expectations, I do not know, including 1 collective award; while 22 were Third Class. but they are considered good with reference to the Of course the fact will be noticed that the majority present state of the market. I believe the bulk of the awards are Third Class, but that still means, was purchased by Mr. Walker a dealer who has laid according to a member of the jury, a high order of himself out to sell Indian and Ceylon tea. He most merit in the tea. Considering that tea manufacture Strongly believes in the superior quality of the latter. has been carried on in India for well nigh half a He has asked permission to distribute specimens in century, while our enterprise, as a serious matter, the Ceylon Court, permission which of course, I does not date back more than a fifth of that period, shall be only too happy to grant. I enclose the and considering also that on this occasion India from leaf of the catalogue in which the Rookwood teas are the Brahmaputra to Cape Comorin, sent the best speci­ described and the prices at which they sold are noted. mens of her produce, I think we ought to be if not S a l e o f C e y l o n T MA. contented yet encouraged by our “ good second" Under instructions from the Importers. Ex R. M, position. Steamer, from Ceylon, Season 1880-81.—Rookwood : India sent no fewer than 339 samples of her best 44 quarter-chests Ceylon pekoe souchong 20 lb., teas to the Exhibition and the awards were 216, in blackish well made wiry leaf, very brisk strong rich the proportions of First Order of Merit 35 malty flavor 1 / 11/2 Second „ 77 40 quarter-chests Ceylon pekoe souchong 20 lb., Third ,, 104 even twisted blackish even leaf, strong ripe rich malty For First Class awards in proportion to total samples, pekoe flavor 1/11/2. Ceylon is considerably ahead for India :—one-seventh 20 half-chests Ceylon broken pekoe 44 lb., hand­ against less than one-tenth. In -Second Class awards some small very even leaf pekoe tips, rich and full India scores victor. In the proportion of Third. ripe brisk pekoe flavor 1/3 1/2 Class awards to total exhibits, the two countries 7 quarter-chests Ceylon broken pekoe 25 lb., small are about equal. Ceylon, therefore, considering her com­ even handsome wiry leaf pekoe tips, rich full strong parative youth, has come in a very good second to India. and pungent pekoe flavor 1/5. The total exhibits of tea you will see, was 507, 6 half-chests Ceylon broken tea 21 lb., fairly twisted China not being directly represented at this Exhibition. brownish black leaf, strong brisk full flavory 1/2. Japan is and very efficiently by my good friend Mr. 44 quarter-chests Ceylon pekoe 21 lb., wiry small Tokio. Japan tea (“ Oolongs") seems to be as much handsome pekoe leaf, choice full ripe strong malty appreciated in Melbourne as in the United States, judg­ pekoe 1/6. ing by the awards, which are in the proportion of 16 to 12 half-chests Ceylon fannings 44 lb., small even 35 exhibits. But of the awards only one was First Class reddish brown open broken leaf, pungent strong brisk and one Second, while 13 were Third Class. flavory /91/2. The China teas were, I believe, shewn by Mr. Glad­ On the 1st of this month occurred a sale of Cey­ stone of the Oriental Tea Company, which Company lon tea by no means so encouraging :— obtained First and Second Class awards for “ blending 61 half-chests of pekoe-souchong sold at 1s Id per lb. and packing.” The unmixed China teas (“ pure and 19 ,, souchong lid ,, simple”) seem to have been shut out because not ex­ 1 ,, congou 7d ,, hibited by any one directly connected with China, Mr. Mr. Moody shewed me a specimen of the tea which Gladstone is to protest, and I do not see why his pro­ realized only 7d and he predicted a low price. The test should not be successful. If so, according to his leaves resembled beans with loose tissue. I said : information, five of the China teas will be classed for * It is very hard : that tea is made from good Assam first awards. * You will see that Melbourne blended hybrid, the flush of which is large. The liquor is probably good," The reply was: “ No matter: tea of I *15th M arch: See remarks in to-day’s Argus. teas and China teas numbered together 54 samples. merce is progressive, but some of its branches are The Straits sent one sample which does not seem to stringently conservative. Of this we have had strong have obtained an award. Java did not shew. At the proof in the recent refusal of brokers and dealers next World’s Show all the world’s teas and especially to bid for the Syndicate Indian teas at Sydney and those of the mother country of tea, China, ought to be Adelaide. But this kind of passive resistance to exhibited. The Straits, Fiji, and the tropical regions change for the better will ultimately give way before of Australia, are sure to compete, but what with soil, the efforts of men like Mr. Moody of the firm of climate and labour supply (this above and beyond all/, Messrs. James Henty & Co., of Melbourne. I have it will go hard if India and Ceylon do not hold to the before me as I write a catalogue of a sale which Messrs. high rank they have attained. Greig & Murray are to hold on the 18th, “ under A considerable proportion of the Ceylon teas which instructions from Messrs James Henty & Co., Agents have received awards are high-grown, in Upper Hewa­ for the Calcutta Tea Syndicate in connection with heta, Dimbnla, Pussellawa, &c. In looking over the the Government of India, and B. A. Sibthorp, Esq., Indian list of awards the proportion of high-grown teas, Commissioner.” This catalogue includes 3,026 half­ in Darjeeling, the Nilgiris, Kangra Valley, Kumaon, chests of the teas of Season 1880-81, “ from the &o., is still more striking. Of the eight teas from celebrated districts of Assam, Cachar, Darjeeling, India which obtained First Class awards for orange and Chittagong and Kangra Valley.” The collection is so flowery pekoe, four were Darjeeling teas and one a large and so well assorted with reference to this Nilgiri tea. Of the collective First Class orders of merit, market, that I feel confident the teas will go off with only one was given for low-grown Assam and Sylhet good competition. There are lots to suit small as well teas, while high-grown tea obtained three : two Dar­ as large dealers. For instance 5 quarter chests Assam jeeling and one Ceylon. pekoe of 20 lb. each ; 5 similar packages of pekoe While, therefore, plenty of good tea can be produced souchong; 20 half chests of Cachar orange pekoe of at low elevations, the result of these Melbourne Ex­ 50 lb. each ; 39 chests of Cachar broken pekoe of 96 lb. hibition awards ought to afford encouragement to those each ; 15 half chests Cachar pekoe of 45 lb. each; but who possess tea estates at such high elevations as those the great bulk of the teas are in those 38 lb. packages around Darjeeling and Ootacamund in India, and which Mr. Moody so strongly recommended as the Nuwara Eliya in Ceylon. The Calsay pekoe which most suitable for this market. The lots of such half- gained a first order of merit was grown at an elevation chests run from 20 to 60. This sale of exclusively Indian of about 7,000 feet. Mr. Elphinstone, with tea culture teas will rival in quantity the great sale of Foochow extending from sea level to nearly 7,000 feet on Oli teas which took place a few days ago. Much of phant, ought to be able to send perfect mixed and that tea was of very low quality, while the Indian blended teas into the markets of the world. And so teas, presented in quantity never before paralleled with others in Ceylon, for whose tea enterprise there is in Australia, are all pure and good. At twice the I believe, a great future. cost of the low quality Foochows they will be com­ But tea from the same estate and prepared under the paratively cheap, looking at the quantity and nature same superintendence is far more capricious than cof of the extract they yield. That good teas can be fee. Climatic changes have much to do with this, as obtained from China, I have repeatedly admitted; but tea is specially sensitive to atmospheric influences. there can be no doubt that the bulk of the Foochow But, following the case of Java with its rich volcanic teas (especially this season) are inferior and rubbishy. soil, the question arises whether the sudden fall in In buying Indian and Ceylon teas, the Australians value of tea from the Terai and Dooars estates in In­ will have guarantees involved in the fact that the dia may not be owing to the same cause: a deficiency producers and manufacturers are their own country­ o f iron in the soil ? Iron is not a fertilizing substance, men, honest and reliable. Even if slowly at first, but the ferruginous clays of Dimbula &c., which are therefore, yet none the less surely will the rapidly fatal to cinchonas, seem to suit tea well : better than increasing population of Australia take the bulk of soils which are apparently richer, finer and deeper. their teas as they now do their coffees from India I suspect Col. Money’s preference for rich-soiled low and Ceylon. In this and in other directions, the insalubrious places for tea cultivation is liable to large bonds of union will be drawn closer between the qualification. I hope the Ceylon press will publish great colonies of the south and Britain’s widespread the whole of the Indian awards, to that tea growers eastern possessions. may be able to test the correctness or otherwise of 15th March.—Coffee having been mentioned above, the inferences I have drawn, as well as to learn lessons I may now say that the coffee awards have, at length, which do not present themselves to me at present. appeared in this morning’s Argus. Considering the Through the courtesy of Mr. Moody, of Messrs. James efforts made by the planters of Southern India to send Henty & Co., I am able to forward several copies of numerous and carefully prepared specimens of their the pamphlet in which he his embodied in a clear i very best produce to this Exhibition, I am not sur­ and convenient form the whole of the tea awards. prised to see “ Madras ” leading, with 9 First Orders [Distributed as far as possible to Tea exhibitors.] of Merit against 7 awarded to Ceylon. Madras estates The “ Ceylon and Foochow Company, Melbourne, ” get, in addition, 4 Second Class awards, against none which figures for second order of merit under of that class for Ceylon. Madras figures for two “ Blending and Packing,” is, I understand, Third Class awards, and Ceylon for 6. I take it for Messrs. Mackenzie & Co. under another title. That granted the Ceylon press will republish the whole of title clearly indicates that our fine Ceylon teas are the coffee awards from the Argus, including those used to improve those obtained from China, and the given to Melbourne dealers for Ceylon plantation compliment ought to be appreciated by Ceylon tea coffee, which, when counted, tend to more nearly growers. In truth, the result of the Exhibition awards equalize the positions of Ceylon and India. On what but faintly indicates the growing favour with which principle the coffees exhibited by Messrs. Delmege, Reid Ceylon tea is now regarded. Of course there are & Co. and Messrs. Armitage & Co. were ranked Third dissentient voices,—some interested and prejudiced Class, I cannot say. I only know that in a letter and others of honest people whose tastes require to addressed to me by Messrs. Delmege, Reid & Co. be educated in a right direction. Most sincerely do they stated that the produce of Langdale, Kintyre I trust that this Melbourne International Exhibition and Tillicoultry estates, which they got ordered out and my own efforts in connection with it may result from London for the purpose of this Exhibition, sold in securing a ready and profitable market for Ceylon in Mincing Lane at 112s per cwt. Taking the awards teas amongst the specially tea-drinking colonists of as I find them, it appears that Southern Indian coffees these great and advancing lands of the South. Com- | obtained of First Class awards . 9 S e c o n d O r d e r o f M e r i t :— Second „ ,, ... 4 E. H. Cameron, Ceylon, cinchona bark. Third ,, „ 2 Lee, Hedges & Co.. do. Mackwood & Co., do. Total ... 15 T. C. Owen, do. This was out of a much larger number of totalYou ex­ will thus see that all the cinchona barks ex­ hibits than Ceylon sent. For her more limited num­ hibited in the Ceylon Court obtained Second Class ber of exhibits, Ceylon obtained awards, being ranked second only to the fine and First Class awards ...... 7 extensive exhibits from British Sikhim and the Third ,, ,, ... 6 Nilgiris. In the same paper you will see the awards for Total ... 13 minerals, rocks and fossils. I regret that a First Class Over and above this number of awards, Ceylon canaward was not given to Mr. Fernando, and I have claim the principal credit for the coffees which ob­ written to this effect, attracting special attention to tained awards as follows :— the [enormous block of pure plumbago exhibited by “P u r e P l a n t a t i o n G r o u n d C o f f e e . him. As matters stand the awards to CeyIon exhibits First Order of M erit R. Harper, Melbourne ; in this class are : Parsons Brothers, Melbourne; J. F. Mackenzie & Co., S e c o n d O r d e r o f M e r i t :— Melbourne; and Gregg & Co., New Zealand.” Largely, if not exclusively, the coffee for which the W. A. Fernando, Ceylon plumbago. above awards was given was plantation Ceylon, T h i r d O r d e r o f M e r i t :— Then we get:— Delmege, Reid & Co., plumbago. “R o a s t e d C o f f e e . Armitage Brothers, do. First Order of M erit. —Parsons Brothers, Mel­ A. C. Dixon, B. Sc., F. C. S., collection of rocks, bourne (Ceylon plantation, peaberry, Jamaica and minerals, gems, &c. Java). F o u r t h O r d e r o f M e r i t :— Second Order of M erit.— J. F. Mackenzie & Co., A. M. & J. Ferguson, plumbago enclosing quartz, Melbourne (Ceylon plantation) R. Harper, Melbourne; shewing what care must be taken to separate foreign (Plantation and peaberry.)” m atter. Ceylon ought to get credit for the vast majority I am sorry to see exhibits in the Third Class which of the above awards given to the leading Melbourne I hoped to see higher up, but I suppose our Ceylon importers of and dealers in coffee; and it is more plumbago was compared not with any exhibits of the than probable that from Ceylon coffee was obtained same mineral but with the large, complete and valu­ the able collections of more precious minerals in the “ Essence of C offee,” Exhibition. I need scarcely say that I did not for which awards were given, thus :— expect any award for the piece of plumbago enclosing “ First Order of M erit.— Dunn & Hewett, Lon­ quartz. Mrs. Guille used the language, when shewing don ; A. Elder, Edinburgh ; and E. Delacre, Brussels.’ the specimen, which the jury adopted. I feel that As Fiji is not mentioned in the list of awards in Mr. Dixon’s collection of Ceylon rocks and minerals th e Argus, I cannot help thinking the list is incom­ deserved recognition in a higher class, but we cannot plete, I certainly understood that at least one First get all as we could wish. For medicinal oils you will Class award was given for Fiji coffee. Before the see that Dassenaike Mudaliyar obtained Third Order of 22nd, the day on which the Marquis of Normanby Merit, and also “honourable mention ” for tanning is formally to deliver the awards, complete lists will, barks. The Government of Ceylon also received no doubt, be available. Meantime, I copy the Ceylon “ honourable mention” for an exhibit of hal resin. awards as they appear in to-day’s A rg u s:— In the A rgus of the 10th, in addition to the tea First Order of M erit. —John F . Baker, Pol watte awards, you will find a Fourth Order of Merit awarded mills (coffee of Yakkabendekelle estate); Lee, Hedges to the Ceylon Government for printing; while “ special & Co. ; Colombo Commercial Company ; W hittall & Co. collections of books” are “ commended,” thus :— Mackwood & Co. ; Loolcondera; and Courthope, Government Agent, Kandy, Ceylon, styles and books. Bosanquet & Co. A. M. & J. Ferguson, ,, printed books. There are thus seven First Class awards, instead of Rev. C. Alwis, ,, printed book. six as I was led to telegraph. Loolcondera estate For walking-sticks there seems to have been no First does not seem to have been included in the list fur­ Class award. Wijeynarayane, of Ceylon, therefore nished to me originally. It is well to have a correc­ comes first with a Second Order of Merit. tion to make on the favourable side. To continue In the Melbourne Argus of the 12th are the Fine copying the Ceylon awards :— Arts awards, with reference to which I may say that Third Order of M erit.— Thotulagala estate ; Del- I could not obtain recognition of the plumbago mege, Reid & Co.: Langdale estate; Kintyre estate; elephants sent by Messrs. Fernando, Delmege, Reid & Tillicoultry estate ; and Armitage Brothers. Co., and Armitage Brothers, as sculptures. As a yellow As Mr. Harley, who, in effect, judged the coffee, was primrose was nothing more than a yellow primrose in also judge of the cinnamon, I expected the awards the eyes of Peter Bell, so the model of an elephant for each to be published simultaneously. But as in our Ceylon carboniferous mineral was merely “ black nothing is said of our old staple bark, I turn to our lead” to the Melbourne jurors. And the Melbourne new. I told Mr. Blackett* that I was disappointed exhibits from Ceylon did not include any pictures to get only Second Class awards for our Ceylon cin­ except the Kandian specimens of scenes from Hindu chona bark, but he assured me that the quantity mythology. Our photographs atoned for all. In that as well as the quality of the Indian Larks left no branch of the Fine Arts, however, represented by other result possible. The awards for Medical Barks “ general furniture” you will see under Second O rder appeared in the Argus of the 8th, with the result of M erit :— that India obtained two First Orders of M erit, D. F. de Silva, Ceylon, carved ebony stand and thus :— brackets. Botanic Gardens, Calcutta, collection of cinchona A mistake has been made here, which I have barks. brought to the notice of Mr. Newberry with the Govt, of Madras, Madras, cinchona bark, jalap, &c. repeated expression of my hope that the elaborately carved ebony couches may receive the recognition * Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Jury. they deserve. The carved ebony chairs exhibited by Don Andris of Galle have secured a Third Order of I Trusting that the intelligence respecting awards, Merit, while Mr. Sumps’ rattan lounging chair and | &c., will be acceptable to the Committee, as well tea-poy are awarded the Fourth Order of Merit. as to the Government and people of Ceyli n, be­ In the Argus of the 14th you will see that Mr. lieve me, yours truly, Kyle’s exhibit of Breakwater concrete receives honour­ A. M. FERGUSON able mention. I drew special attention to his plan of and report on the breakwater, which, as I wrote long ago, I submitted to Sir Wm. Jervois, &c. AWARDS FOR COFFEE, TEA, AND CINNAMON. Under “ Building Stones,” honourable mention is Melbourne, 16th March 1881. made of “ Graves, Cotton & Co., Ceylon.” This is Dear Mr. Bruce, —In this morning’s Age appears a mistake which I must get adjusted. I suppose the report of the sub-jury on tea which I enclose. that really honourable mention has been awarded to As regards sample 528 the probability is that it was the breccia or cabook, or both, sent from Ceylon. lost by the breakage of the bottle iu transit from l n the Argus of to-day (15th) you will find in Mr. N ew berry’s office to Mr. Everard’s. The fact addition to the coffee awards “ honourable meution” that special attention was drawn to this sample— made of the Ceylon Government for an exhibit of Mr. Taylor's underfermented tea—shews that it was “ coral and shells.” The Fiji Court opposite us has, dispatched from the Ceylon Court audits disappeaianee in addition to lovely shells, a most exquisite collec­ probably deprives Mr. Taylor, Messrs. Keir, Dundas tion of corals. But the only exhibit in the nature & Co., and Ceylon, of an additional First Class award. of coral which stands in the Ceylon Court is the I have consulted Mr. Moody about sending in a fur­ so-called “ black coral” sent by an Italian who be­ ther sample of what remains of this tea, but he lieves that the true red coral exists in deep water 1 thinks it better, in view of all circumstances, not to off Ceylon ! I must see whether a mistake has not move further in the matter. You will see what the again been made. jury say about teas getting out of condition, and no I see that “ honourable mention” has been made doubt the tea exhibits have suffered materially by of the collection of African elephants' tusks made by delay, first in the appointment of a jury and then Mr. Chirnside and Mr. Adams. The latter I met at in the conduct of the major part of the suh-jury their really grand exhibit case a few days ago andunder the inlluence of one of their membeis. You will had a long talk with him about the African elephants see that the number of samples of teas submitted and their wealth of ivory. He told me that the to the jury was really 823, the largest number, I mounting of the truly magnificent tusks cost many suppose, ever shewn at any Exhibition. Notwithstand­ hundreds of pounds, and I can well believe it. The ing delay, exposure and their consequences, I think beautifully white ivory is rich with gold carving, and | the position attained by Ceylon is most encouraging. two tusks form the frame of a unique mirror. There Of the fine quality of our teas there can be no doubt. is one tusk which a powerful man would soon tire The great point is care in preparation. of carrying. Our poor yellow tusks compare un­ With reference to the shifting of the coffees ex­ avoidably with this superb trophy of ivory, but I hibited hy Messrs. Delmege, Reid & Co. and Messrs. think “ honourable mention ’ ought to be awarded Armitage Brothers from the second to the third class to Mr. Templer’s elephants’ skulls. I have written since the original memorandum was furnished to me, to th at effect. enquiry will be made. I have reason to believe, however, that class was decided by size of bean. I have spent the best part of two days going over, The coffees in question were good in colour and copying and commenting on the numerous and on bloom, but smaller in the bean than others. the whole gratifying awards received by exhibits in As I anticipated, this morning’s Argus contains the the Ceylon Court and published during the fortnight, awards for cinnamon, and, as I expected, Ceylon here since last mail left. To-morrow morning, it is prob­ stands beyond competition. As regards Ceylon ex­ able, the cinnamon awards will be published, so as hibitors, this is the order in which they appear :— to enable me to indicate their nature, and then little , more can be expected. As matters stand, our com­ C i n n a m o n . paratively limited collection in the Ceylon Court has First Order of M erit.— S. Rajepakse, Mudaliyar ; received, I believe, not less than 120 awards, and a . J. F. Drieberg, Ekelle Estate. very fair proportion of these are First I lass. I have Second Order of M erit. —H. D. Silva ; Lee, considered it only honest to put up all the awards, Hedges & Co. low as well as high, and Sir Herbert Sandford said I suspect it was the smallness of the exhibit sent he wished others acted on the same principle. With by Messrs. Lee, Hedges & Co., which shut it out of the the array of award cards, of a good size mid printed First Class. Mudaliyar S. Rajepakae’s cinnamon was in in colours, the effect of the Court is quite striking, full bales of all sorts, from Third to Very Superior. and before we commence to dismantle I may, per­ I am sorry that Mudaliyar Jayetilleke’a vanilla did haps, decide on having one more photograph taken. | not obtain recognition (Mr. Vollar's was spoiled). I feel pretty certain that no Court of its size in the But the Mauritius samples were large as well as Exhibition has secured so many awards, and few tine. Succulent vegetable matters are so apt to get Courts of any size. Mr. Dawson has been always 1 “ out of condition. ” Mr. Bawa’s preparation of coffte ready to give information to visitors and jurors, and and milk was soitr when opened. Mrs. Guille since she joined the Court as caretaker You will see that the Government Agent of Kundy has done excellent service, not only in arranging and g ts a eecond order of merit for seeds, and that keeping everything nice but also in giving informa­ Messrs. G. & W. Leecliman receive honourable tion to visitors and jurors, her knowledge of French | mention for their enterprise in tending a living and German being particularly acceptable to the coconut palm. numerous foreigners at the Exhibition. I have felt This, I suppose, about exhausts the list fur Cey­ that vt-ry frequently I could be of more use to Ceylon lon, unless my representations about the colltcions out. of the Court than in it, and it is only just that of Dr. Trimeu ; the Government Agent, Jaffna (palmyra I should acknowledge my obligations to the Assistant palm products) ; and Messrs. G. & \V. Leechman Commissioner and to Mrs. Guille. (coconut palm produote), are attended to. By next mail Through some mistake on the part of Mr. Caire I may probably be able to send you a copy of the I have not yet received the additional sets of photo- | corrected aud complete list (a long one) of uwurds to giaphs you asked for, but I hope to send all by i Ceylon. —Yours very truly. next steamer. A. M. FERGUSON. The following is the report of the Sub-Jury No. 2 THE COMMERCE OF JAMAICA. on Tea, consisting of Messrs. Everard (chairman), A Supplementto the Jamaica Gazette of Jan. 20has been Cow-ileroy, Harvey, Brown and Harley :— sent to us by Mr. Morris, containing the annual report “The sub-jury appointed by sectional jury 31 to re­ of the Collector General, with accompanying statements port on tea have concluded their labors, and have of customs revenue, imports and exports, & \ for this now to say that sample bottles of all teas on Exhibi­ West Indian Colony. With regard to import duties we tion, numbered from 1 to 823, were sent to the tea learn that the amount collected in 1879-80 was £'25,000 salesroom of Messrs. Everard and Co. the country in excess of the previous year, the collection being and exhibitors of the teas not being disclosed until the largest made since 1875-6 : this result was the whole of the samples had been tasted, and the partly due to the drought experienced at the end awards made. We had some difficulty in deciding of 1379 and beginning of 1880, causing a large how we should give the awards, but we ultimately demand for foodstuffs. The severe storm of August concluded to judge of each description of tea iut rna- 1880 occurred too late in the financial year to ma­ tionally, giving an award to the best of the various terially affect the collections fo" that year, but the kinds of tea, and if we found afterwards any special current year will show a large increase in the importa­ exhibitors well up in nil classes of tea, to give such tion of flour, meal, rice, salttish, &c. The amount of collective exhibit a first award, &c. In going through export duties was in excess of the previous year by the various exhibits we found several samples of China only £43, a decrease having taken place in rum, teas, but as we afterwards found they were exhibited coffee, and dyewoods, as against an increase in sugar. by the Oiiental Tea Company and the Ceylon and The aggregate value of the exports was over 1 j Fno Chow Company, but not being the manufacturers million pounds, being an increase of £155,000 over or producers, we were unable to give them any awards the previous year and £170,000 over the average but it is only right to say that if such exhibits had of the three previous years. Of the total been eligible we should have given first awards for amount £1,512,978 19s 3d the island is credited Souchong, Congou, Pouchoug, Oolong, yellow Pekoe. with £1,427,000 19s lid, or an increase of 13 per Tea consumed by natives and scented orange Pekoe, cent, and foreign produce and manufacture with very fine- It is much to be regretted that official £85,834 19s 4d, or a decrease of 9 36 per cent. The exhibits from China and Java were not made, as we principal articles in which increases have taken place could then have demonstrated the relative positions are as follows : — of all the tea-growing countries. We much regret that mauy of the samples had gone off in qualities Articles. Quantities. Values. and lost much of the aroma which would have re­ £. s d. mained in fresh drawn samples, and this probably Beeswax 476 cwt. 462 2 9 causes some of them to be placed in a lower position Cocoa 1,151 „ 4,286 13 6 in the awards than would otherwise have been the Ginger 1,073 „ 4,036 1 3 case. Where possible we have made allowance for this Honey 1,070 „ 1,070 11 9 but many of the samples were out of condition from Pim ento 38,699 ,, 66,174 14 9 improper curing and other causes. Cue sample, No. Sugar 2,966 hhds. 82,420 3 7 528, exhibited by Keir Dundas (Ceylon ^court), and Cigars 6,030 lbe. 3,489 10 0 to which special attention was drawn, never reached Hides 230,272 „ 2,356 6 10 Bananas 111,689 bunches. 6 660 6 us.—For the jury, J. E v e r a r d , chairman. Melbourne, 17 Cocoanuts 4 th March, 1881.” 2,384,607 no. 7,553 8 5 Oranges 5,184,732 „ 5,090 10 3 Coffee Decrease in quantity.. 5,583 9 11 C i n c h o n a . — We are informed that probably the Rum ,, ,, 11,767 0 0 experience gained on Summerhill estate, Nuwara Eliya Among the articles which shew a decrease is lime district, wdl afford a satisfactory answer to the ques­ juice 37,641 gallons of the value of £1,825 Is 7d. tion, “ Will cinchona grow successfully on the same It will be noticed that coffee and rum show a de­ land for the second time ? ” On this estate some crease in quantity though an increase in value, the 16,000 trees were cut down and rooted out last year latter due to better prices. The decrease in coffee was and the land planted over again, the result being a equal to 574 cwt. A new item of export was cinchona, growth so far which is very satisfactory. the total quantity shipped in 1879-80 being 23,981 lb Coffee Lf.af Disease. —We call attention to the of the value of £7,302 14s. It seems that the trade in opinions quoted by our Loudon correspondent at first cattle and horses with Cuba, which promised at one Land from Mr. Cooke, one of the great English au- time to become an important item in the export thorit es on Fungi. Mr. Cooke is much interested in Mr. trade of the colony, has been checked to some ex­ Marshall Ward’s work, more particularly as he is tent by a rise of 12 per cent and upwards in the market himself engaged iu investigating a disease which has value of stock, and also by the enforcement of strict stacked the coffee in Venezuela and Porto Rico. We quarantine rules. The distribution of the export trade shall lake care that Mr. Cooke is furnished with was as follows :—67 "3 per cent to the United King­ copies of Mr. Ward’s further reports as they are dom, 20 1 p. c. to the United States, 5'2 p. c. to published. Our Scottish correspondent has also some Canada, and 7 '4 p. c. to other countries, the first and interesting remarks on the subject which will shortly last showing a decrease, and the other two an increase, appear. the latter being due to direct or additional steam L)ate Coffee —In a paper received this muining communication. The fruit trade with America from London, there is an account of a lecture by increases annually, and promises to form in a few Dr. llic hard son, in which he speaks iu highly favi ur- yea's a large proportion of the export value of the able terms of what is known as ‘ date coffee’:—“ The colony. 74 5 per cent of the value of the total exports is lecturer also briefly alluded to the date coffee, w hich made up by the four great slaplcs, viz. sugar 32 9, has recently been thrown upon the market, and ob­ rum 13 8. coffee 16-8, and dyewoods 11 per cent. served that it was undoubtedly a highly nutritive Pimento amounts to 9'6, and fruits including coco­ article of die', and largely flesh-forming.”—Oor. [The nuts 4 "8 per cent, while all the other items together Company advertise the opinions of several analysts amount to 11 '1 per cent of the total production. The and medical men. but one question is what kind of export of aunatto has risen from 22,435 lb. in 1876 samples were laid before these gentlemen, and another valued at £560 17s fid to 91,890 in 1880 valued at why be allowed to apply the term coffee to a mix­ £1,531 10s. The export of beeswax has not varied ture chiefly formed of dates ?] much, 1876 showing 1,017 cwt. 3 q. 5 lb. of the value of £6,042 Xla 11(1, and 1880 1,540 cwt. 0 q. 9 lb. valued tons and £159,821 5s, are almost identical with those at £6,468 6a 9d. The i|iiautity of cocoa exported in for 1877, the amounts being greater in the other 1876 was 469 cwt. 1 q. 27 lb. of the value of £1,286 11s three years of the series. The value of the maho­ 6d, while last year the amounts were 3,304 cwt 2 q. gany exported iu 1880 was £277 5s, against £30 9 lb. and £10,918 6s 7d. We hope the export of this only in 1879 : in fact there appears to be a regular in­ article from Ceylon (121 cwt. last year) will increase crease and decrease each altermte year. The last article equally rapidly. Coconuts also show a considerable mentioned in the export table is yams, aud these show increase, the figure for 1876 being 1,840,315 valued a steady decrease in quantity from 1,014 cwt. 29. at £5,520 18s lOd and for 1880 6,315,475 valued at 26 lb. in 1876 to 269 cwt. in 1880, the value having £20,525 5s 8d. The export of coffee last decreased from £331 11s 1 Id to £80 14s. As the year was 90,972 cwt. valued at £254,722 against value of this article seems to have increased, how­ 96,715 cwt. in 1879 valued at £249,138, there ever, this year may show an improvement in the thus being as we have said an increase in figures. value though a decrease in amount. The export of The last statement appended to the Collect­ cinchona we have already mentioned : it remains to be or’s report contains a precis of reports of the col­ seen whether this article will have such a rapid in- lectors of taxes on the condition of the trade and crease in Jamaica as has been the case with us. The agriculture in the several parishes of the island during fruit exported comprised bananas, limes, mangoes, 1879-80. In the parish of St. Thomas, we learn the oranges, pineapples, plantains and shaddocks. Of the cultivation of chocolate for export has been com­ bananas the number of bunches exported in 1879 was menced, and also an acre of Liberian coffee as an 132,832 and in 1880 440,642, the values being £13,283 experiment. In St. Catherine also a commencement 4s and £38,556 3s 6d respectively. The export of limes has been made in chocolate, oranges and Liberian is very variable, last year showing 1,210 barrels coffee for export. Of the parish of St. Ann we valued at £484, being a decrease as compared with read :— 1878 but an increase of 100 per cent over 1877 and “ The result of Agriculture has been this year con­ 1879. Mangoes also show fluctuations, though there siderably checked by severe drought. It is remark­ has been a steady increase the last three years : the able that with seasons so detrimental to other culti­ export lor 1880 was 37,360 valued at £28 0s. 6(1. vation the coffee crop now being gathered promises The expoit of oranges also varied somewhat, though to be one of the largest known for years past. The last year showed a large increase or any of the Pens are in good cultivation and steadily maintain previous four years, the amount being 14,609,489 their! value and breed of stock. An exportation of valued at £11,687 16s lOd. (In this connection we 133 head of cattle to Cuba has taken place during the may mention a case reported in the Trinidad Chronicle year. The supply of fruit was plentiful until I he at the end .of last year where the captain of a small Cyclone of the 18th August which destroyed many American vessel engaged in carrying fruit from the valuable trees and several Chapels, School Houses West Indies to the United States made an offer f r Wharf Stores and other buildings—this, together with 100,000 to 120,000 oranges to be delivered in ten days. the drought, has caused unusual scarcity in ground Pro- The Chronicle commenting on this showed that the visions. The fruit trade with America is thriving. price to be paid for the quantity would only amount “ The regular trading of Steamers to the several Ports to a few hundred dollars, but hoped that as in the of the Parish has been of great advantage, although case of Jamaica a large trade would spring up.) Pi­ the Merchants complain of dull times and stagnation mento shows a rapid increase during the 5 years, viz. of trade. The lake near “ Moneague ” shows no signs from 391,952 cwt. in 1876 of the value of of abating, although it does not continue rising it £39,973 12s lOd to 91,209 cwt. in 1880 valued monopolizes a considerable quantity of grazing land,” a t £145,570 12s. 3d. The value of walkingsticks In the parish of Clarendon there was an increase exp'orted was £652 8s, being an increase over in the export of coffee owing to heavy crops, but the any of the previous four years, though the number prospects for the coming year were very discouraging. of bundles was considerably less. Tamarinds show a marked decrease in value, the 4,550 lb. exported in 1880 being valued at only £56 17s 6d, whereas CEYLON BEES : 3,479 lb. in 1876 were valued £173 19s. The value of COLONIES OF “ APIS DORSATA,” THE MOST WONDERFUL the cigars exported has increased greatly during the five years, the 2,633 lb. of 1376 valued a t £282 15s BEE IN THE WORLD, TAKEN BY MR. BENTON IN having grown to 9,826 lb. in 1880 valued at £4,913. Of THE KURUNEGALA JUNGLE. manufactured tobacco there was a very large decrease in We are glad to say ' hat M r. Benton has at length quantity and value ir. 1880 as compared w ith 1879, been successful in capturing the “ Apis dorsata” from 135,051 lb. valued a t £8,440 13s 9d to 35,271 lb. (Sinhalese “ Bambara”), which he desc ibes as “ the valued at £1,322 13s 3d. The woods exported comprise most wonderful bee in the world.” Mudaliyar Jaye- brazilletto, candlewood, ; ebony, fnsticweod, lignum- tilleke secured a party of Sinhalese bee-hunters who vitae, logwood, and mahogany. The export ot bra­ guided Mr. Benton to the Bambaragala, a mountain zilletto has risen from 3 tons valued at £4 10s in rock some 30 miles from Knrunegala ill the jungle, 1876 to 197 tons valued at £394 in 1880. Of candle- and there, after a very interesting and exciting wood there was no export in 1877, 1878, or 1880, experience, which Mr. Benton will probably but there was a decrease in 1879 as compared with relate for the benefit of our readers, two colonies of 1376 from 75 5-20th tons valued at £ 124 10s to 19) the "dorsata" were secured. So much importance does tons valued at £19 10s. Phony shows an increase Mr. Benton attach to his work here, now' that he has over 1879, but a considerable decrease as compared seen this bee, a splendid honeymaker, that he is with the previous three ye irs : in 1876 the amount to postpone his departure lo Cyprus for another fort­ was 498 l-20th tons valued at £1,494 3s, whereas night, returning to Kurilncgala to morrow morning. last year only 230 tons valued at £644 were ex­ He has left specimens of I he new bee in spirits which ported. The amount of fustic wood exported in can be seen at our office. The Sinhalese were much 1880, viz. 1,699 tons valued at £5,097, was only astonished to see the way in which Mr. Benton handled half th at of sent out in 1879, the value having dim in­ bees which, wrongly used or biown upon, are so savage ished in the same ratio. Lignumvitae which in 1876-9 that they will pursue the cffe ders for miles, and showed pretty nearly the same figure, 71-65 tons, Mr. Jayetilleke declares that he has got more pract­ last year took a rudden bound to 953 tons valued at ical information about bees from Mr. Benton in a week £632 10s. The figures for logwood in 1880, 46,325 ill an he had from all other sources in many years. “CINCHONA” AND “ CHINCHONA.” @ o t;t;G s p o n d e n s e . 28th March 1881. D e a r S i r , —In his book on the Peruvian bark tree To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. the author has exercised his right and spelt the Spanish-Latin name as he thinks it should be spelt, “ EMPTY IRON TIN, PRESSED DOWN CRAMMED and surely no other English writer can be supposed FULL WITH COCKCHAFERS.” i to know better, for none have given so much time D e a r S i r , —“ Just a line” to request your corre­ and study to the subject of chinchoua in all its bear­ spondent “ Cockchafer” from Dolosbage to kindly in­ ings. Nevertheless he must be aivare, as those are form us what his empty iron tin crammed full of who have been like himself among Spanish Americans, cockchafers was composed of? When I was at Dimbula that the word is by them written and printed “cincho­ two years ago we never knew a man (even an Irish­ na,” and this not out of mere whim, but on the recom­ man) who paid at the rate of sixpence for such an mendation of the Madrid Academy, than which there is article. In this manner we cannot conceive how your no higher authority in all Spanish-speaking countries. correspondent (vide Observer 31st) was able to secure With legard to the pronunciation, I wish to point 600 beetles for the amount. As for the “ boiling water : out that here in Ceylon you are at fault. As is ready at 4 o’clock in an asphalle boiler,” we are almost invariably the case in adopting a word from ready to believe anything al ter the empty iron tin &c. , another language, the English have again used a little —Yours faithfully, NO COCKCHAFER. license and given the word a sound to suit them­ selves, as when on the introduction into England of WILD THYME AND COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. I the Portuguese and Spanish wines Oporto and Penryn, Cornwall, 4th M arch 1881. Xeres they made so free with the names as to call D ear Sir,—Enclosed are two slips about wild them respectively, Port and Sherry. The correct thyme. May not some use be made of it in connexion 1 pronunciation in this case is “ cinc/iona,”—ch being the with coffee leaf diseae, growing it amongst the coffee, same as in chick, chip, chum. This is a more import- or otherwise ?—Yours faithfully, F. CUMMINS. I ant matter than the spelling, because if pronounced “cinXona” for instance the word would be as completely disguised to the ear of a Spaniard as the word chaff T h v m o l , t h e N ew 7 A n t i s e p t i c a n d D isinfectant . I would be lo that of an Englishman if pronounced Thymol, a newly discovered Crystal prepared from I kaff (lo a North Briton perhaps there would be no wild thyme, is pronounced by Chemists and Physicians | difficulty), and would certainly not be recognized by a to be far superior to, and stronger than Carbolic Acid, CASCARILLERO BOLIVIERO. coal tar, or any other of the antiseptics and dis­ infectants hitherto known. It has been shown by COFFEE AND GRUB. ~ ’ Lcwin & Bucholtz, to be about eight times as powerful . Lindula, 31st March 1881. as carbolic acid. , D e a r S i r , —I must thank “ A. L. C.” for answer­ It has the very great advantage of being quite harm­ ing my queries respecting grub, but surely he has less, and possesses the delicious and fragrant odour ; made a mistake in mentioning 6c. as a fair sum of wild thyme. to be given per 100 beetles ! Until I learnt the ex- | perience of others I had settled to give 12c. per Cornwall is certainly at its best in May. In autumn bottle containing on an average 2,000 of the small the light granile-sand soil is apt to be parched; and speckled beetle or the small brown cockchafer, or there is but little heather in the mining parts, so in­ 12c. per 100 of the large patana cockchafer (Leuco- dustriously is the surface soil “ skimmed” for fuel. pholis pinguis), or the stag-beetle. Perhaps it is to The furze mostly blooms twice a year ; but its autumn the latter “ A. L. C.” refers ? I am glad to say blossoms are few indeed compared with the abundant that I am not yet much troubled with beetles or glory with which it clothes all wild places in spring­ grub, but as they increase (as I fear they will) the time. Then, again, the hedges in autumn are dry pay will decrease in proportion. and brown ; while in spring a Cornish hedge—a stone And with regard to the enemies of this insect pest: wall generally w ith a good core of earth—is not only the problem seems to be to discover what birds or a botanical study, but is something for a painter to animals (besides Sinhalese) take a delight in chewing pore over. In some of those hedges you may count a beetle so, as every little helps, I give my unqualified score of different kinds of wild flowers. Sometimes support to the green lizard (erroneously dubbed for miles they are covered not only on the sides but 1 bloodsucker’), which at present swarms in thousands, ah nr the tops with primroses, set so thickly that and which is called in Tamil diian, pacchdnthi, the leaves are scarcely seen. Sometimes they are karattondn, or more commonly karattdn. It is per­ ablaze with foxgloves and red campion. The flowers fectly true that iu the low-country a little speckled arc not of rare kinds. You look in vain for any lizard plays havoc with the young shoots of cacao orchis except the commonest, or for the large vetch and Liberian coffee, and richly deserves, therefore, and purple flag which now and then light up the to be hunted to the death; but he is herbivorous, gloom of a deep Devonshire lane. Rut what with while, as far as my careful observation has gone, our patches of lichen, and three or four varieties of liawk- green friend is putely carnivorous. I have often weeds and ferns small and big, and flesh-coloured stone- i watched the latter creep up a petania or verbena crop, and wild thyme, so abundant as to colour the whole plant aud quietly gobble down a small beetle that face of the stone for many yards, a Cornish hedge 1 had alighted to eat the flowers, but only last week iu the spring is something not to be sem elsewhere. had I the pleasure of seeing one with a beetle an And all this, combined with a sense of freshness un­ 1 inch and a half long in its mouth. And here I may attainable at any other season, you lose if you put . draw Mr. Haldane’s attention to the fact that the off your Cornish trip till the usual time. You don't ( victim was one of the squeaking beetles, which I think even have the compensation of better weather; for , he has not described. A f.ieud (not a planter), hear- mostly—though last year was an exception—May in ing the other day that a blue-gunr was black with Cornwall is often drier than July. After the long beetles feeding on the resinous exudations, asked if wet of winter there comes a month or more of steady there was any connection between the increase of sunshine, w hen you may be sure of smiling seas and grub and the introduction of eucalypti. I suppose warm seaside nooks day after day. And if you miss I was correct in denying the soft impeachment ? the great caiches of pilchards, you c)me in for mackerel KAROLY FURDO. w luffing, work in which you may take a personal share [There are no Eucalypti in the part of Maskeliya nstead of only looking on.—Chambers’ Journal. affected with grub, we believe ?—E d . ) CINCHONA AND COFFEE CULTURE WEEDS. | Seven Korales, which signify that at one time or other Holmwood, Agra Patana, March 31, 1881. 1 they were connected with gold in some shape or other, D e a r S i r , —I have been much interested by Mr. such as Randeuiya—two villages by that name—mean- McCall’s letter on not weeding cinchona, as that has been 1 ing gold meadowlaud village. my principle for about three years: except where the self- Ranwalagedara—Gold mine, or pit, house. sown seedlings are so thick as to deserve care, I Ranawana—Gold forest. only pull out or cut down the largest weeds. Where Rangama—Gold village. the seedlings are thick they answer the purpose of Ranmutugala—Rock of gold pearl. weeds in covering the ground. Whether this is the cause Rangalepola—Place of gold rock. or not, I lose very few trees by canker, and damp­ Ridigama—Silver village. ing out, or whatever it may be called, and many ex­ It is a well known fact that in ancient times a certain perienced planters who have seen my clearings say king did actually make copper, silver, and gold coins, they have seldom seen healthier or better cinchona.* at the city called Dambadcni Nuwara, and some of I would go even further than Mr. McCall, and not the specimens of these coins are to be found in Seven only allow weeds to grow but also sow such grasses Korales. It is by taking the name of this city that as are adapted for mossing or covering. If a clearing the present Government Agent of the Province re­ is kept fairly clean for two or three years this grass cently named a Hatpattu called Dambadeniya Hat- would be ready when the trees were fit to strip. paitu. I write this in order to attract your attention It would certainly prevent the very free growth of to the existence of these descriptive and significant self-sown plants, but considering the millions now ob­ names given to villages from time immemorial, so tainable this would not involve the loss it might that in case, as you suggest, experiments are to be have a year or two ago. I tried in search of gold, one or two of these villages I notice Mr. McCall writes: “ M eeds are doubtless may be selected as the sceres of such experiments, one of the greatest enemies on coffee estates,” biit I for by their situation and nearness to the town of have been and always shall be of the opinion that Kurunegala and Polgahawela railway station tliey if on the estates that have suffered so much Irom the can be conveniently and easily reached.—1 remain, grub those grubs hail had some weed roots to cat yours truly, A KANDYAN. there would have been fewer coffee rootlets devoured. Yours faithfully, REGINALD W. WICKHAM. COCKCHAFER CULTIVATION : SELF-FERTILIZED COFFEE FLOWERS AND Beetle Powder v s . Date Coffee. THE RESULT ? 6th April 1881. M askeliya, 31st March 1881. Dear Sir ,—A s many eminent English doctors agree that ground dates make excellent coffee, and as it D e a r S i r , — In event of the failure of the fine seems clear that the British public will consume any­ blossoms we are having this year, can it not be ascribed thing not absolutely dirt, that is sufificienily adulterated to the fact that our coffee is “ self-fertilized” year to suit their palates, there seems to be no reason why after year, as well as to the weakening effects of leaf we should not turn the cockchafer plague into a lucra­ disease &c. &c. ? The following is an extract from a tive business. The beetles are known to contain a lecture delivered in M anchester in 1873 large amount of phosphates, and as we cannot always “ A number of experiments, conducted with a get crops from the branches of the coffee why not patience and a philosophical power of observation take them in another form from the roots ? I think which cannot be too highly praised, led Darwin to the “ Melolonthine ” would be a good name for the beetle conclusion that when a flower is ‘ self fertilised ’—i. e., powder. We ought, perhaps, to mix a little real coffee when the ovules are fertilised by pollen from a stamen with it at first until the public taste is educated to belonging to the same flower—the number of seeds the required standard. produced is smaller, or their vigour is less, than if it is I have not time myself to take out the patents, ‘ cross-fertilised 1 —i. e., impregnated by the pollen but shall be glad to give hints on feeding, collecting, conveyed from a stamen belonging to some other pulping, &c., to any man of genius whose relatives Hower of the same species ; and that if this process of have nothing to do, on condition I receive a certain self-fertilisation is continued through several genera- ' number of “ Finder’s ” shares. tions, the plant at length becomes altogether sterile. I To ensure the supply of a pure article, it would This fact, when fully established experimentally, be best to do the entire manufacture out in Ceylon Darwin crystallised into the aphorism now so often or the dishonest middlemen in London would tamper quoted, that * Nature abhors perpetual self-fertil­ with it.—Yours faithfully, NO FRAUD. isation.’ ” From this, one may infer, that if at any late the [Mr. Benton found the Sinhalese of the North­ flowers intended to produce seed for nurseries, had western prnvince, only less fond of eating the young been “ cross-fertilised,” we should have had stronger broods of Dees in the combs, thanof the honey itself!— E d .] and healthier plants in our clearings, and therefore less likely to be affected with the different diseases th a t coffee suffers so much from now.—Faithfully CINCHONA. yours, SWADDY. April 7 th, 1881. [In other words, we ought years ago to have tried D e a r S i r , —Your correspondent “Cascarillero Boli- viero," writing in your impression of April 5th, lays experiments with new seed . from Coorg (chick coffee), justly stress on the general mispronunciation of one Liberia, Mocha and why not from the heart of part of the above title word in the island ; but he Abyssinia, the home of the coffee plant?—E d. C. O.J should remember that the language in Bob via, as indeed he confesses, is not up fo the perfect Castilian GOLD IN CEYLON. standard of the Madrid Academy. Kurunegala, 1st April 1881. It is only in the Spanish-speaking parts of South America and in the North of Spain that the c before D e a r S i r ,—J ust at this time when you receive in­ i is pronounced like s s . in Castile, according to my formation from different quarters concerning the ex­ istence of gold in Ceylon, may I be allowed to give information, the c before i has the sound of th in the English word pith ; tlarejore the word cinchona you the following descriptive names of villages in enough to be pronounced “ thinchona.’’-Yours truly, * Of what age now ?—E d . C. O. 1 VANTOSKY RENTON. TEA PREPARATION. MANILLA HEMP. Bunyan Estate, Maskeliya. At the monthly general meeting of the Agvi-Horti- D e a r S i r , —The enclosed circular you may like to cultural Society of India held on Thursday, the 17th read over. It refers to “ Kinmond’s improved patent February, the following circular from Surgeon-General tea drying and green leaf withering machine’'—and Edward Balfour on the subject of the Manilla Hemp was sent to me on the subject of manufacturing tea, plant was submitted :— without the aid of charcoal A machine like this Mr. Liotard, of the Agricultural Department of the has been in use for the last ten years (1 believe) in Government of India, has this year (1880) reported Assam.—Yours faithfully, TOM GRAY. on the materials in India, suitable for the manufac­ ture of paper. Several of the fibre-yielding plants Prom the Indian Tea Gazette we quote as follows on are mentioned by him and, amongst others, various this subject :—Years ago, when I first mooted the species of the genus Musa, of the plantain or banana idea that Tea could be tired without charcoal, it was tribe, many of which have been grown in the East scouted. It was said “ The fumes of charcoal had some Indies from the most remote times. At pages -54 to chemical and necessary effect.” “ The Chinese would 58 he describes the introduction, in February 1858, not have used it from time immemorial had a sub­ of the Manilla hemp plant, direct from the Philip­ stitute, aud a cheaper one, been practicable. ” Such pines, into the Madras districts, by Colonel (uow Sir were the objections. It is now no longer a question. A George) Balfour. Never- great part, perhaps the greater part, of the Indian Year. Cwt. £ theless. the import trade produce, is to-day worked with other fuel, and it is 1877 332,304...488,069 return of the United only a question of time when all of it will be so. 1878 421,160.. 551,856 Kingdom show a large It is generally admitted that tea prepared in Dryers, 1879 ... 337,687 . 434,037 and continually-increas­ is more valuable than that fired over charcoal; and ing delivery of hemp begging the question that the fumes of charcoal are from the Philippine Island, uow averaging yearly not necessary (the old idea is very nearly exploded), about 20,000 tons, valued about half a million sterl­ it is reasonable that it should be so ; for, if there is ing. I have ascertained from the London Produce one thing certain in tea manufacture, it is that speed Brokers, through D r. Birdwood of the India office, is necessary. Charcoal drying took on an average that this important article is the true Manilla hemp 45 minutes.—Tea is fired in the best dryers in 8 min­ from the Musa textilis, that the bulk of it is delivered utes. In respect of speed, Kinmond’s dryer (which in London, where it is made up into cordage and is the one I advocate) is certainly unequalled. When, ropes for ships, especially for yachts’ running rigging, as in large factories, 30 to 40 maunds of tea have being very light, strong, and clean, and also for to be made daily, it is evident that, cceteris paribus, clothes lines. But there is no doubt that the Manilla the machine which will do most in a given time and hemp plant, Musa textilis, grows as well in British given space must be the best. The great feature in India as other species of the plantain or banana genus, Kintnond s Dryer is the fact that a separate blast of and that British India could, in a couple of years, hot air is forced through the tea on each tray. In supply the London market with all that it could take all other dryers I have beard of, the same hot air of Manilla hemp fibre. The prospects of benefiting passes through each tray successively, and moisture British India by creating an export trade from it of is consequently more or less carried upwards through the extent and value above indicated might well each. It is principally in this respect, and in the incite to considerable efforts to attain success. In large quantity of work it executes, that I consider the 1861 to 1863 the M adras Revenue Board made con­ excellence of Kinmond’s dryer to consist. It remains tinuous efforts* to secure only to give shortly the results of a long series of * 1861, 24th April, No. 2,128 the naturalization of the experiments with Kinmond’s dryer. The valuations ,, 31st May, ,, 2,785 plants which Colonel were made by more than one Calcutta broker :— ,, 1st June, ,, 2,847 Balfour had introduced, ,, 21 Bt ,, ,, 3,226 but their efforts seem to Class. Charcoal dried. Machine dried. ,, 25th ,, ,, 3,301 have been effectual only Pekoe RO 11 0 RO 14 0 ,, 5th August ,, 4,212 in the Wynaad, from Broken Pekoe RO 10 0 R1 16 ,, 5th ,, ,, 4,219 which, by 1877, the Con- Pekoe ...... £0 16 £0 1 10 1862, 13th Feb. ,, 894 servator of Forests re- Broken Pekoe £0 15 £0 2 7 ,, 16th ,, ,, 983 plied that the Philippine I'hese were made from the same leaf, at the same ,, 24th Sept., ,, 6,096 variety had been intro­ time, with every care. In one of my gardens, after duced on several of the Kinmond’s dryer was obtained, the teas averaged up­ coffee estates, where it grows remarkably well, and wards of 2 annas per lb. more all round. The dryer no doubt is felt there as to the value of its fibre. can also be used for withering leaf, which it does Revenue and of the Agri-Horticultural Societies might effectually, but in my opinion no tea dryer is fit for The attention of the Boards and Commissioners of that work, inasmuch as to do a large quantity takes be re-directed to this plant. far too much time. Artificial withering is only The Secretary stated that Musa textilis was grown necessary when the weather is wet and cold, and the for several years in the old garden of the Society, machine, to do it, should do a large quantity at a but it did not progress satisfactorily, and the cultiva­ time. No tea dryer can do this. A machine fitted tion was eventually abandoned. for that work has yet to be invented, unless Baker's wet leaf dryer, of which I have heard good accounts, but have not seen, would answer. Cinchona C ulture.— We are glad to learn that Mr. Karslake, who recently returned to Ceylon, is T he G r a p e V ine of Colombo.—Those who are of taking out a patent for what he hopes will be a very- opinion that the grape vine does not thrive in Colombo simple and cheap method for renewing the bark of would do well to pay a visit to the residence of Mr. cinchona trees. P. T. Sleyma Lebbe at the junction of New Moor and Sales of Cinchona Bark.— Cinchona bark is selling Messengers Streets. The very sight of the bower will locally, at wonderfully good prices, the Oliphant bark, lead one to believe that Colombo is the natural home chips of officinalis trees (143 of quinine) realized R1 of the grape vine; but this belief turns to wonder and per lb. on Saturday, the probable London valuation amazement when he looks at the hundreds of bunches being, 2s 3d or so per lb. Gallamudena bark (succi- •of luxurious fruits to be seen all over.—Jaffna Patriot. rubra quill) fetched R1-12J. COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. remain idle, as the absurd Government regulations I told you in my last letter that I hoped to receive for coolies compel superintendents to supply the through the kindness of a friend Dr. Cooke’s opinion wives of the men with rations whether they work upon Mr. Marshall Ward’s last report on his investi­ or not. Tiie rations which Government requires to gation into Hemeleia vaatatrir, and I have this week be given to coolies consist of 10 lb. lice a week and been favoured with a letter written by that gentle­ in addition to this the estate has to supply them man upon the subject which I am permitted to ex­ with ghee, 1 lb. per month, and also fish when ob tract from. Dr. Cooke’s high reputation as a botanist tainable. If you stop any of these rations-TtrfyT go will give weight to the opinion he expresses, audits to court and the poor cooly gets all his own way. favourable character will no doubt be satisfactory to I saw very little coffee, but what I did see seemed Mr. Ward, who, I hope, will give us the opportunity to me to be doing very well, but this was partially of reply on the points as to which Dr. Cooke is anxi­ abandoned although it had a very fair crop upon it. ous to obtained further information The following The bean is much smaller and very irregular. The is the substance of Dr, Cooke’s letter to my friend :— curing is done very badly and the light and every­ “ I have read Mr. Ward’s second report, as I read thing mixed up together. I went to the mills at also his first one, with considerable pleasure and in­ Amgeni, where most of the coffee is cured, but terest. I consider that the work he has done is, thus even there I was surprised at the slovenly way in far, satisfactory, and I follow it with the more in­ which everything was done. I saw some coffee on terest, because it seems in a fair way of; proving, a barbacue before it was milled, and donkeys were what I at the first strongly believed, bat had to promenading about 0 1 1 it, so you may judge for your­ suspend on account of conflicting evidence, viz.— self how things are done. For all this and in spite of th a t the Remileia was related to the Uredinea, a the grub which I hear kills the trees, I firmly be belief in which I have never completely lost faith—even believe from what I have seen that with care and when the evidence seemed the strongest in favour occasional manuring th a t coffee m ight be made to of its belonging to the Mueosini. I do not know pay here. Dry seasons are against it certainly, and Mr. Marshall Ward personally, but I should be glad that is all, I fancy. I am leaving this for the coast to learn from him, how he interprets certain of the again as soon as I can get a transport wagon to take phenomena recorded by Abbay and Morris, especially my things down, as I am convined that this is not as to spores being contained within the large papill­ the place for me ; I mean up hcere. Cattle, horses ate spores of the Hemileia. I find another species and sheep are dying in this district from cold and of Hemileia at the Cape of Good Hope, with the poverty, and as instances of this, one farmer lost 100 smooth spores as well as the rough ones, which I calves from lung sickness and another about 500 have figured in Orevillea and called cysts. I should sheep from cold ; this is not very encouraging.’’ like to know if any of the brown spots, with black A second letter is written from Durban, Natal, on pin points on them—bear any resemblance to a 22nd November 1880, The w riter says :— Septoria— and what is the nature of the black pin spots. “ This mail I forward a paper to you, in which I should always be glad to hear from him as he it shews th a t although coffee has to a certain extent proceeds, as well as see his reports—as I have also been abandoned here, yet there is a c lance of its been investigating, as well as I can at such a distance being revived again. People here know next to from the coffee disease of Venezuela and Porto Rico nothing about it and do not seem to take any trouble, —which is, apparently, a different thing altogether.” and yet expect the tree to do well without going I trust that this opinion of Dr, Cooke, and the in for cultivation. Their great idea seems to be to queries he has started, may assist in the correctness get large crops without any outlay, and if they do of conclusions at which Mr. Ward may arrive.—Our not get this in about four or five years time, they London Cor. abandon the estates. Another drawback they say they have is the borer. As yet I have not seen any trees so affected, but surely tbere must be some COFFEE PLANTING &c., IN NATAL. remedy for this; and they also complain of high winds, but up to the present time I have not felt The following extracts from letters from a former any wind nearly equal in force to that I experienced Ceylon planter to a friend in the Island have been on when the young clearing was blown on its broadside, trees, stakes, and every thing else. They placed at our disposal. In one letter the writer says :— know nothing of the numerous pests and drawbacks “ My chief object iu going to the low-country which you have to contend with in Ceylon or they was to see the coffee and sugar estates, and to see would not cry out as they do. Natal, I fancy, ie "a how they cultivated them. Sugar is, as of course you very good place for coffee, as crop ripens during the know, the chief export from Durban, and this flourishes, dry season, and the way I propose to go in for it but the present season has been so dry that it is here is to plant up in small acreages at a time, feared that the crop will not be a paying one. The and that in connection with other things which give estates, as a rule, are not large, varying from 150 a good and quick return, such as maize, potatoes, to 300 acres in extent (some are as large as GOO) with and vegetables generally. They tell me that the only a large reserve of bush. Mills are not erected on way to render the cultivation of coffee profitable iu all estates, but only on a few, so that the planters Natal is to renew stem, branch, and occasionally the only have to look after their canes, which they send tree, after it has borne its fourth crop. Tnis to when ripe to the mill nearest them to be crushed, Ceylon planters would seem an extraordinary pro­ the crusher taking a portion of the sugar in pay­ ceeding and I cannot understand it at all. However, ment for crushing. I went over one of the largest mills as your humble servant hopes to be one of the com­ and was very much interested in what I saw, but mission spoken of in the paper I shall endeavour to it is fearfully hard work on Europeans to have to find out during the tour which I suppose will be stand for hours in the heat of the day in the boil­ taken through the country, something more definite ing-house. Nearly all the labour on the estates I on this subject. The other day I visited a farm visited is cooly, who have an) awfully easy time of near Pietermaritzburg, for the purpose of looking at it and are perfect rajahs in their way. The men some coffee, and although the trees are looking like commence work at sun-rise and knock off in the abandoned coffee, yet they looked wonderfully healthy middle of the jag. for food (which appears to me as far as the foliage was concerned ; and this after absurd) and return to Work until 1011181. 111U Women" they had borne a very good crop, but a large pro fery seldom work, and seem To be quite agreeable to portion of this was light. This I have often seen myself on neglected coffee in Ceylon. I was reading 1 ever, he finished up by saying he would not advise a report yesterday On coffee in N atal by a sugar anyone to go in for coffee, so we parted. The next planter who had gone in for it on a small scale, and estate I visited w as -, the superintendent of which in three years time from putting the plants in he was ------, formerly the possessor of an estate in got J cwt. an acre and the following year 9 cwts., ------, and who knew ------and a l l ------then a short crop and abandonment following, although districts well. Possibly you may have heard his name, manure was easily obtainable, transport cheap, and but it is 39 years since he first went to Ceylon and labor moderately so. Then coffee is called a failure; has left it now some 20 years. Poor fellow, he is it is a disgrace when one sees fine trees abandoned for getting on in years and is somewhat reduced in cir­ want of a little attention and experience. I pruned cumstances. He is not fond of Naial and holds a one of the abandoned trees at the farm near Pieter­ very poor opinion of coffee planting in general here, maritzburg which I spoke of, and although it was and there he is right, I fancy. He has no coffee only roughly done, yet when finished it looked nearly under cultivation, but goes in for mealies and arrow­ as well as some of the young trees in the best part root. The next estate 1 visited was, belonging to the o f ------clearing. I am iu communication now with Natal Land and Cultivation Company, which holds much the M. L. C. for this county, and althouuh my Ceylon the same position here as the Ceylon Company, Ltd., experience was short, still I hope I shall be able to used to do with you. I was very much pleased with turn it to good account out here. I hare only been what I saw here, but the -ystem of cultivation carried down a few days and expect to be running about on was somewhat different to Ceylon. They have 700 from place to place for some time to come. acres altogether in cultivation : coffee, tobacco, and By the time this reaches jou jour crop will be all mealies. Coffee is planted here iu fields of from 5 to in, which I trust has been a favorable one and that 10 acre blocks, with wind belts of bananas (bamboos you have plenty of good wood for a bumper next are not approved of). Mealies and tobacco are planted rear 1881. How is your cacao getting on?” between the rows of coffee. The plants and trees A third letter, dated 19th January 1881, from which I saw looked very healthy and those fields in Vernlam, County Victoria, Natal, speaks of the war, bearing were looking A 1. The superintendent ex­ and the consequent rise of provisions. The writer pects to get an average crop of 8 to 10 cwt. all over. Here they only allow the trees to grow to 8 years, then proceeds after which they root them up and put in fresh “ What will be the outcome of all this it is im­ plants. On my enquiry what the cost of cultivation possible to say, but added to all this there has been was per acre, the superintendent said he could not a regular plague of caterpillars along the coast, tell me, as money was no object and as it was the which has destroyed hundred of acres of sugar-cane Company’s show estate, when money was wanted it and mealies. Cheerful state of thingsfor a young colony ! came. This does not give a private individual much “ As far as regards coffee, I took the tour I mentioned idea of what his outlay will be before he gets a return. in my last letter and will now give you an account After leaving ------, I went to ------estate near of what I saw and heard. I started from this on ------. This place belongs to the same Company the 20th December and the following day I came to and the same system of cultivation is carried on, and the first under cultivation. It was only a small in all cases the superintendent have gained what ex­ place of about 25 acres, and the proprietor was a perience they have in this colony, and don’t seem man of a peculiar temper and was not altogether to care to listen to what others have to say on the anxious to give me any information. However, I subject. However, I am quite satisfied th a t coffee can learnt from him that he was merely experimenting be grown in Natal and be remunerative for a certain with coffee; although ho had several failures, he period, but as to cost of cultivation I cannot say intended to try and find out some remedy. Amongst anything.” some of the fields) (which I may tell you were all in blocks of from three to five acres with wind belts The following is the paper referred to in the second of bamboo and mulberry) I saw trees from five to letter : — six years old bearing an average crop of from 8 to The Failure of Coffee Planting in N atal. —Mr. 10 cwt. an acre, but these trees were not pruned or Crowder, M. L. C., having brought before the House topped. He informed me that these trees at three his notice requesting a commission to inquire into years old gave a crop of 4 cwt. an acre, and every i the above, and as I have informed the hon. members, year up to the present had given a good return, and that I am quite willing to give evidence thereon, I that he could not grumble and that is something to think the general public will not be displeased if one hear from a man out here, where nine out of ten of the oldest planters lays before them briefly, through men are in a perpetual state of discontent. Before i the medium of your valuable columns, his experiences leaving this field he said ho expected to see it all • in coffee planting, leaving your readers to judge for die out next year, as it always did, from what cause themselves whether the experiment is .forth repeating. he could not say, but in my own humble opinion it In the year 1860, on the Red Hill estate, I pro­ was simple overbearing and inattention and lack of duced half-a-ton of marketable coffee : in ’61 two, in manure that killed the trees. However, I was silent on ’62 four, and in ’63 thirteen tons. Mr. Middleton, the subject. The next field this interesting individual ou the Snaresbrook estate, was in advance of me as took me to was one he was experimenting on. It regards quantity, until 1863 when my crop exceeded was about 7 years old, and the trees he informed me his. By this time, Mr. M. and myself were favored were fast dying out, so he 1 bought that by sawing off with many visitors and intending planters anxious for every primary and applying a little manure in the . information on the culture of coffee, and preparation shape of some bog soil and shells from the beach it I of the berry for market. might have the desired effect ; and really I was sur­ Our principal guide was “iOld Lahorie’s coffee prised to see the effects on the bare poles, which had Planter of St. Domingo.” By following his instructions shot out new primaries, &e., iu all directions and | the foregoing large crops were obtained from a very looked very much like coming into bearing again, . small acreage, and coffee planting in Natal proved the but it is impossible to say whether the experiment | most lucrative branch of coast enterprise. To be as will repay him for his trouble. The aspect of the brief as possible, a few years after the success of the plantation xvas N. W., about five miles from the sea, , enterprise was though to be almost beyond doubts. and the soil a loose loam. If the proprietor had been . A disease appeared amongst the trees, causing the a decent sort of a man he would no doubt have ! branches to die off at the joints; this disease seemed given me further particulars and encouragement. How­ to encourage the borer, and so destructive did this grub become that out of about 180,000 trees on my 1 R atta into 28, P ih itty R atta into 14, and Ruhunu own and Mr. Gooch’s estates scarcely one tree es­ j Ratta into 14 Rattas, or smaller Provinces. caped. I In describing the various Rattas in the Province The way the scourge works is by insinuating itself of Mayl Ratta, one writer mentions, among others— under the crown of the root and boring up the SiduruwatW, of which he says, “ This country is so stem of the tree, emerging from the stem after slowly called from the number of streamlets, lakes, and killing the tree, near the topmost branches in the rivers which abound in it. There are lands in it form of a beetle. While in the grub or dangerous sufficient for the maintenance of the four constituent form, the creature is about an inch long, of a pale parts of an anny. There are also in it rice villages, yellow or wh-tish color, armed with a pair of strong Gem vilages,” &c. Ac. The Buddhist Temple Lanka- hard forceps or pincers, which he seems to bore with tilleka Vihare is situated in this District. in the most scientific manner. From the same author the following notices are Unfortunately I stuck to the plantation much too extracted : long, having learnt at school that perseverance was Kururatta (Allooteoor Corle ?). A Pearl bank is a marvellous virtue. My friends advised pruning : I spoken of about 6 miles from the Coast. pruned. Not pruning. I didn’t prune. Manuring: I PehetigaUe (Pittigal Corle?). In this division there manured. No manure: I abstained from manuring. is a mine of precious stones called Siudeya, also a Bone dust: I boned. Lime : I limed. Guano : I emp­ Sea-port called Mahadampe. tied on a certain plot of laud the contents of a bag Billigalle (Belligal Corle?) Gold, precious stones and warranted as imported from Jehaboe. Delving: 1 delved pearls are found here. and dug. Weeding : I weeded. Let the weeds grow : Dewameraita (situated between two oyas, or rivers, and I speedily obtained a luxuriant growoth. Catch in the Kornegalle District). Silver is here found in crops : I let go my hold. I shunned tobacco and | a cave. mealies. I drained. Irrigate; I could’nt. : Merisaru and Mahaoelligaiuja. Several mines f What to attribute the failure to I know not, but precious stones. conclude by adding four words:—“ The acts of God.” ■ The second author, writing in a more summary ' manner, declares that there were known to exist in | Ceylon, at the time he wrote “ 64 silver and 16 gold GOLD AND PEARLS IN CEYLON. I mines, one thousand (i.e. a very great number) f Our Kandy' correspondent sends us the following Pearl banks, and 100 mines of precious stones.” interesting extract from a local publication dated M arch 1854 :— In connection with the discovery of Gold in Ceylon, HOW TO START A TEA GARDEN AND and the alleged existence of a Pearl Bank off Mount MAKE IT PAY. Lavinia, the following information may perhaps be of interest. ROUGH ESTIMATE. Gold is found only in the native or metallic state, Cost of opening out, in the Debrooghur District, but is generally more or less alloyed with silver, in Upper Assam, a new tea garden of 200 acres—clear­ proportions varying from a fraction to 72 per cent. ing and planting 50 acres annually, and probable pro­ When pure, its specific gravity is 19'25. fit therefrom in the eighth year: — If is found sometimes in brilliant crystallized grains, FIRST YEAR. but more generally in small irregular lumps or grains in veins of quartz or calcspar. It is also obtained from beds of micaceous specular iron, in the form of spangles; in decomposing blende, and amongst iron pyrites. It is, however, far more abundant in the sand of rivers, and in the alluvial deposits of loose gravel, sand, and mud, which in many regions are spread over all other strata. In the East, Borneo, Sumatra, and many other islands of the Indian Archipelago, as well as Cochin- China and Siam, are known to possess productive gold mines. Of the productiveness of the Ceylon Gold washings little can as yet be stated; but it has long been known to the natives that Gold was procurable ; and by the kindness of L. de Soysa, Esq., Modliar in the Translator’s department of the Colonial Secretary’s Office, the subjoined extracts from two ancient Sinhalese works on the geography and products of the Island are made public. From these works, entitled Kadayimpotta, it appears that formerly the whole Island was divided into three great Provinces, called Maya Ratta,* Pihitty Ratta, t and Buhunu Ratta %. These were sub-divided, Maya * Maya Ratta, bounded on the north by the Dedro Oya; on the east by the Mahawelliganga and the mountains; on the south by the Kaluganga; and on the west by the sea. + Pihitty Ratta, bounded on the west, north, and east by the sea; on the south by the Mahawelliganga and Dedro Oya rivers ; it was also sometimes called Raja Ratta, as the ancient Capitals were situated in it. t Ruhunu Ratta, bounded on the west and north by the Mahawelliganga, and Kaluganga (or Kaltura) rivers; and on the east and south by the sea. The I mountainous portion of it was called Malayan Ratta. I Total ..R20.000 RESULTS AT END FIRST YEAR. THE PROGRESS OF INDIA. Receipts ... Nil. What, for instance, can be more significant than Debit balance ...R20,000. the extraordinary development of foreign trade which It is a good plan to give all buildings to Assamese India has witnessed during the last fifty years, involv­ to execute, as they build far better and stronger houses ing as it does a rise from 184 millions sterling in than imported coolies can, on first arrival in the 1834 to more than 122 millions in 1880? This ad ­ country. vance— due, of course, mainly to the introduction of railways—is more rapid even than that extraor­ The following are the details of the buildings es­ dinary commercial development which has been ex­ timated for :— experienced in recent years in the United Kingdom Temporary Bungalow for Managers R 50 0 0 The average foreign trade of the United Kingdom for Cook-house ...... 7 0 0 the period 1816—20 was 84 millions sterling ; this House for servants 10 0 0 had increased in the period 1871—78 to an average Stables 8 0 0 of 646 millions. Thus, while British trade increased Small out-house 5 0 0 between seven and eight-fold in the sixty-four years 20 coolie huts 140 0 0 between 1816 and 1880, the Indian trade has increased House for Mohri and Assamese. 14 0 0 nearly as much in the forty years from 1840 to 1880 ; House for Native Doctor... 7 0 0 and the figures of the present year, as is well-known, Hospital 10 0 0 already indicate that its commercial progress will Rice godown (strong and substantial) 25 0 0 be even more marked than that of its predecessors. Stores godown ,, 10 0 0 Great, however, as this progress has been, it is re­ Charcoal godown ,, 10 0 0 ally insignificant when contrasted with the possibilities which the country affords. The 250 or 3C0 millions R 296 0 0 of people who at present inhabit India, are hardly This leaves a balance of R304 for thatch, and other yet touched by the great tide of industrial enterprise contingencies. which is setting in towards its shores. The 7,000 Tea seed.—About 22,000 seeds go to the maund, and miles of railway, which at present traverse the country, if the seed is at all good, about 18,000 will be found have, indeed, infused a new life into the commerce to germinate in the beds. We will assume that the of these parts where their influence extends ; but garden is to be planted 4 x 4'. The number of stakes vast areas are still untouched, and the great majori­ in an acre thus staked in an acre thus staked out, ty of the people still live the primitive life of isol­ will be 2,722. As three seeds as a rule are planted ated agriculturists, tilling with pain their native at each stake, 8,166 seeds will be required per acre. glebe, aspiring to nothing beyond the satisfaction of But to make sure of such a number, at least 9,000 their humble daily wants, and unconscious of the in­ should be laid in the germinating beds. We would numerable opportunities of wealth which lie unused thus require for the 50 acres no less than 450,000 around them, The average agricultural outturn, for seeds, and calculating that only 18,000 will turn out instance, 11 bushels per acre, is as nearly as pos­ good in the maund, 25 maunds of seed will be required. sible identical with that to which Mr. Lawes, the We have allowed R70 as the price of seed per maund. great agricultural experimentalist of England, has suc­ For this amount very good hybrid j&t can be obtained ceeded in reducing a portion of his jland by incess­ from trustworthy sources. Excellent tea seed can some­ antly cropping it with wheat, without any manure, times be obtained from natives at a very much lower for a period of thirty years. It is, in fact, about the figure, but as they cannot be relied on or trusted lowest, which a soil, exhausted by continuous, reck­ in any way, it is better to obtain tea seed from some less and unscientific cropping, can be made to yield. well known garden direct. We have made no men­ Supposing a more generous and rational method of tion of nurseries, as there would in all probability be culture to be introduced and the average yield raised a sufficient supply of seed over in the germinating beds, —as it unquestionably might be—to the English which, growing up into seedlings, would suffice for average of 27 bushels, we should have an addition to the few vacancies which might occur. If the 50 acres the world's supply of aEmoultural produce of three is carefully sown and well looked after, there will be millions of bushels, available either for fresh popula­ no vacancies to speak of. If the Manager, however, tion in India, or for the wants of foreign countries.— wishes to transplant out seedlings the next season, in Pioneer, lieu of sowing seed at stake, nurseries would of course have to be made. This would add to the cost, and the price of the extra amount of tea seed purchased GOLD IN INDIA AND AUSTRALIA. would have to be added to the estimate. The Government of India in analysing Mr- Brough Labour Force.—It will be seen that we have es­ Smyth’s famous report remarked : “If we omit the timated for 55 imported coolies and 10 local labourers, altogether exceptional sample from Wright’s Level making thus a total of 65 labourers on an estate of which gave 244 oz- per ton, and the picked specimens only 50 acres. This will perhaps be found fault with, from the same workings which gave 254 oz. per but we maintain that this amount of labour is by ton, we get 88 samples, yielding an average of 1 oz. no means in excess of actual requirements. More­ 8 dwts. 22 grs. of gold per ton. ” That was the over, that instead of the estate suffering a loss thereby result of Mr. Brough Smyth’s explorations in the it will eventually prove a positure gain. We all know Wynaad over a period of eighteen months. Let us the heavy losses sustained by gardens owing to in- compare these figures with actual mining results in sufficieny of labour. The 62 working souls employed Australia. The actual yield from quartz-mines in on actual garden work, it must be remembered, includes Queensland was about equal to Mr. Brough Smyth’s men, women and children. There would most prob­ average specimens in the Wynaad. The average yield ably be about 37 men, 18 women, and 7 children (boys and in New South Wales for the same year was 1 oz. 5 dwts. gills). Taking into calculation the number likely to be 7 grains per ton. There is no lack of rich “speci­ daily on the sick-list amongst freshly-imported coolies, mens” in Australia as in the Wynaad, but experi­ and the number of deaths likely to occur during the year, ence has taught the Australian miners not to at­ 65 souls are by no means an unreasonable number tach too much importance to specimens. The aver­ to start operations with. For such a number a good age yield of a mine over a period of time, is a far native doctor should certainly be engaged.—Indian Tea more certain indication of the value of land in Gazette. the neighbourhood for mining purposes. With the above figures before as, we may well ask ourselves yesterday. We believe that the best variety of the what there is to justify Ihe high prices that have “ Quill " bark grown in Jamaica (under the direct au­ been paid for mining lands in Southern India ? This spices of the Government) is most successfully treated is a matter, however, that chiefly concerns speculat­ at an altitude of about 5,000 feet above the level of ors in England ; if they are satisfied it is not for the sea, and that the first essential towards its healthy Indian landholders to complain. developement is a dry well drained soil of good rich The reports before us contain some useful hints quality." for the managers of the companies that are commenc­ Extract from White, Binnie and Co.’s Circular :— ing operations in our midst. The importance of having “ There are no statistics to show the increase in improved machinery is strongly insisted on. Though the production of Bark in the East Indies (commonly the gold-saving appliances in Queensland are ac­ called Cinchona Bark), the statistics in London knowledged to be “ the mest modern and approved comprising about South America and East Indies. obtainable in Australia,’’ yet, we are told, it has The increase has however, during the last five years, been demonstrated by practical assay that as yet, been very great, and has been largely stimulated "only about 50 per cent, of the gold contained in by the unexpectedly high prices realised in the London quartz is obtainable by our appliances. In some few market, where three years since as much as 15s fid reefs, where the mundic is largely impregnated with was obtained for good Government grown quills. The sulphides, especially zinc and lead, and nothing like market here has fluctuated considerably from time 50 per cent, of the gold can be obtained, even when i to time, but the consumption of sulphate of quinine the reverberating furnace is used." Indeed the im­ is now so large that notwithstanding the large sup- portance of the proper treatment of tailings, and lies of Bark, price of sulphate, which used to vary matter which has passed through the quartz-crushing etween 5s 6d and 7s per oz., has, during the last mills, is becoming universally recognised. The Queens­ three years, averaged double that money, and is land report avers that one-seventh of the yield of gold even to-day 11s per oz. in one district had come from the ‘‘pyrites works,” “ Of the South American Bark lately imported, a the owners of which are supposed to have made large proportion is of very inferior quality, witli a large profits. It is worthy of remark that the total low percentage of quinine, whilst the East India is value of quartz-crushing machinery in Queens­ generally of superior quality and is greatly in favor land, is put down at .£270,000 only, a small sum in with makers of sulphate. comparison with the capital that has already been 1 “ The unit is percentage of crystallised quinine sul­ raised for mining in India. But with this machinery, phate which the bark contaius, e. g., 1 lb. (7000grains) the yield of quartz-gold in the colony in 1879 was ! contains 98} grains or V41 per cent., at Is fid per about 190,000 ozs., w-orth a t £3-10s. per oz., about ; unit= 2s Id per lb. £650,000. The yield from alluvial mines (chiefly 1 “ A large admixture of alkaloid (Cinchonine) will worked by Chinese) in the same year, was 98,815 depreciate the value and vary the price.’’ ozs. The total yield of gold for the year was 288,556 London. December 2, 1880. [Fiji Times. ozs., valued at £1,009,946, the number of miners being 3,191 Europeans, and 5,621 Chinese; and the average earnings of each individual miner was £114. For the GOLD IN CEYLON. year 1878, the earnings were as low as £74. From the same official documents, we gather the 1 The following is Sir Samuel Baker’s reference to interesting fact, that the total Australian gold supply the first discovery of gold in Ceylon from 1851 to 1878 was £240,000,000. And yet gold- It has hitherto been the opinion of most writers mining flags in Australia, though any quantity of on Ceylon that the precious metals do not exist in auriferous land may be had for £1 an acre. “ The the island; and Dr. Davy in his work makes an want of means to carry on prospecting operations unqualified assertion to that effect. But from the for the discovery of the new gold-fields, and the discoveries recently made, I am of opinion that it gradual exhaustion of those easily worked deposits of exists in very large quantities in the mountainous our known gold-fields, have been the main causes of districts of the island. It is amusing to see the the decrease in the number of our gold-miners, and positive assertions of a clever man upset oy a few un­ until new fields be opened, or the necessary capital educated sailors. A few men of the latter class, who and skill for working the deeper or more difficult had been at the gold-diggings both in California and deposits of our older gold-fields be forthcoming an Australia, happened to engage in a ship bound for increase of our gold-yield can scarcely be expected.” Colombo. Upon arrival, they obtained leave from the Such is the opinion of Mr. Harrie Wood, the ex­ captain for a stroll on shore, and they took the road perienced Under Secretary for Mines at Sydney. It towards Kandy, and when about half-way, it struck is some consolation to reflect that gold-mining in them, from the appearance of the rocks in the uneven India will not languish for want of capital.— M adras bed of a river, called the Maha- Oya, ‘ that gold M ail 28tb, March. must exist in its sands.’ They had no geological reason for this opinion; but the river happened to be very like those in California, in which they had been CINCHONA BARK. accustomed to find gold. They accordingly set to The local agent of the New Zealand Loan and Mer­ work with a tin pan to wash the sand, and to the cantile Agency Company has forwarded us the fol­ astonishment of everyone in Ceylon, and to the utter lowing interesting extracts on Cinchona, received from confusion of Dr. Davy’s opinions, they actually dis­ its London Manager, and which will doubtless prove covered gold! The quantity was small; but the meu of interest to our readers. were very sanguine of success, and were making their “ The cultivation of cinchona bark in various parts preparations for working on a more extensive scale, of the world has of late attracted considerable at­ when they were all prostrated by jungle fever; a tention here, and in view of the possibility of its be­ guardian-spirit of the gold at Ambepuss6, which will ing exported from Fiji, we have endeavoured to pro­ ever effectually protect it from Europeans. cure some information on the subject for your guid­ They all returned to Colombo, and, when con­ ance. You will find it embodied in the enclosed valescent, they proceeded to Nuwara Eliya, naturally copy of letter addressed to us by Messrs. White, Binnie concluding that the gold which existed in dust in the and Co., produce brokers, of this city, and the results rivers below must be washed down from the richer of an auction held here on 30th ult., and set forth stores of the mountains. in the accompanying copy of the Public Ledger of Their first discovery of gold at Nuwara Eliya was on the 14th of June, 1854, on the second day of November, 1880. In the first month named the total their search in that locality. This was found in the quantity sold was only 223 lb., and in the last 7,620 lb. ‘Vale of Rubies.’ I had advised them to make their were disposed of. The description for which there is first eearch in that spot for this reason; that, as the greatest demand is black cavendish, large quantities the precious stones had there settled in the largest of which are used by soldiers. The cigar trade, which numbers, from their superior gravity, it was natural was developed only in the year 18R0-81, is increasing to conclude that, if gold should exist, it would, from daily ; and in the four months from August to Novem­ its gravity, be somewhere below the precious stones, ber last upwards of 200,000 cigars and cigarettes were or in their vicinity. sold, valued at R3,000. As soon as the Indian market From the facility with which it has been discovered, is satisfied, the present operations sufficiently consolid­ it is impossible to form an opinion as to the quanti­ ated, the establishment properly trained, and cultiva­ ty or the extent to which it will eventually be tion extended, the firm hope to be able to produce developed. It is equally impossible to predict the enough tobacco of good quality both to meet the Indian future discoveries which may be made of other demand and to make regular and large shipments of minerals. It is well known that quicksilver was found leaf to England.— Bombay Gazette. at Cotta, six miles from Colombo, in the year 1797. It was in small quantities, and was neglected by the COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. Government, and no extended search was prosecuted. (From our Correspondent.) The present search for gold may bring to light mineral resources of Ceylon which have hitherto lain hidden. Aberdeen, 10th March 1881. The minerals proved to exist up to the present A paper on coffee leaf disease by Mr W. Bidie was read time are gold, quicksilver, plumbago, and iron. The at the last meeting of the Linnaen Society. Plants grown two latter are of the finest quality, and in immesen from Ceylon seed suffer most, while those trees of abuudance. The rocks of Ceylon are primitive, con­ Coorg origin and growth are least affected. A sisting of granite, gneiss, and quartz. Of these the system of “ renovation pitting ” has been success­ two latter predominate. Dolomite also exists in large fully tried : pits being dug at short intervals, where­ quantities up to an elevation of 5,000 feet, but not in after judicious pruning all the affected leaves are beyond this height. buried, and this precaution seems to check the spread of the disease, particularly among the Coorg coffee trees.” In reference to the suspicion of Ceylon CULTIVATION OF TOBACCO IN INDIA. seed being affected, I may tell you, a friend of A report of the tobacco operations at Ghazipur and mine, who is an authority as a cryptogamist, has been Pusa during the year 1879-80, by the Officiat­ devoting a good deal of time lately to microscopic ing Director of the Department of Agriculture examination of cereals, in view of embodying and Commerce, N. W. P. and Oudh, had just all evidence obtainable respecting the probabi­ been published, which shows that the enterprise of lity of fungi being carried and propagated from Messrs. Begg, Dunlop and Co. bids fair to command the embryo of the plant. He has found the success. The firm have farms and machinery both at embryos of cereals to be infested with the mycelium Ghazipur and at Pusa; but the most important part of fungi (of some kind or other), and extending his of their operations is carried on at the latter station, examinations to other seeds he found a like condi­ in the district of Darbhanga. Of the 1877-78 crop tion in the embryo of dates, and in that of Ceylon 29,993 lb. were exported, 25,247 lb. to England and coffee. This fact, as far as I am aware, has escaped 4,746 lb. to Australia. This was an experiment, and the observation of Ceylon scientists. one which, so far as Australia is concerned, is not I had a call the other day from the Professor of likely to be repeated, it being found that there was no Botany at the Aberdeen University, and had some market there for the cured leaf, as sufficient tobacco of talk with him about Mr. Schrottky’s experiments. the class is grown in the Colonies, and sells at the low He has no faith of good resulting from that gentleman’s price of 4d per lb. In England, however, the Indian work in Ceylon, as foreign matter introduced into tobacco met with a more promising reception. The the circulation of the tree of strength sufficient to market was very dull, and the average price of the to­ kill fungi will certainly damage the tree. There is bacco sold was not higher than 3Jd. per lb.; but some no single instance of fungi being cured by a like of the best leaf fetched as high as djd. per lb. The mode of treatment. result is regarded as decidedly hopeful in this way, that American tobacco of average quality was being sold at the same time at similar rates ; and the Indian CHINCHONA CULTIVATION.* tobacco was the result of the first year’s curing, and Like all the books written by Mr. Clements Mark­ was not so good as it might have been. The firm is ham, this volume is a piece of excellent workmanship now able to turn out a far better class of tobacco ; so in every particular, full and accurate in detail and the question of the Indian competing successfully with arrangement, lively and perspicuous in statement and the American article may be regarded as practically narrative. For all general purposes it exhausts the solved. The extension of the trade with England is not subject and enables any person of ordinary intelligence being pushed at present, however; the promoters of to understand the steps which gradually led up to the the industry contenting themselves with first developing beneficent results which have already flowed from the a local trade in the manufactured article—smoking mix. successful introduction on a large scale into India, tures, cavendish, cigars, &c. The whole of last year’s and the cultivation there, of trees producing the outturn, amounting to 163,000 lb. of cured tobacco, Peruvian, or Jesuit’s, bark, famous as the best and has been kept for manufacture at the company’s works speediest cure for tropical and other fevers. It was at Pusa, Cavendish, golden leaf, bright smoking mix­ in March, 1852, that the Indian Government first pro­ ture, dark smoking mixture, honey-dew, cigars, and posed officially to introduce, if possible, into India the cigarettes are all made under the superintendence of most valuable species of the large family of trees the skilled European curers and manufacturers em- ployed by the company. The tobaccos are sold at * “ Peruvian Bark: A Popular Account of the In­ prices varying from R. 1-8 per lb. for golden leaf to troduction of chinchoua cultivation into British India, 7 annas per lb. for black cavendish. The increasing 1860-80.” By Clements R. Markham, C.B., F.R.S., demand for the Pusa tobacco is shown by a statement with Maps and Illustrations and Index. (London : of monthly sales commencing April, 1879, and ending John Murray. 1880.) growing wild on the slopes of the Andes, in Peru, into India of 5,000 lb. of bark, making the total Ecuador, and Colombia; and the late Dr. Royle, the annual imports about 10,000 lb. weight, at an annual reporter on Indian products, did all in his power to cost of about £40,000, or, say, 80s. per lb. The suc­ further the design ; but no real progress was made. cess of the Indian cultivation has already to a large Early in 1859 the subject was brought before Mr. extent put an end to this great outlay. The private Markham by Mr. H enry Deedes, of the Indian Office. cultivators of bark in Ceylon and India are already- For other scientific purposes Mr. Markham had already looking forward to the creation of a large market visited the chinchona regions of South America, and had in China ; in which country, by reason of cheapness become familiar with the people, and master of their lan­ and the superior quality of the article, it is guages. In March, 1859, Mr. Markham proposed a plan expected gradually to supersede opium as a of operations and laid it, with an offer of his services, medicine in those vast areas of delta and swamp before the present Lord Derby, then the first Secret­ where rice is principally grown and from which fever ary of State for India under the system of govern­ is never absent. It is among the possibilities of a ment which the year before had superseded the old future not distant, that India may make some atone- Court of Directors. On the 8th of April (1859) Mr. ment to China for the evils of the opium trade, by Markham's proposals were accepted, and he was duly substituting for the exports of that pernicious drug commissioned to carry them into effect. Mr. Markham exports still more extensive of the bark and alkaloids left England in December, 1859, for South America, of the Peruvian tree, which has the property of taking with him Mrs. Markham, who, it was arranged, curing and preventing the most constant and fatal should remain at a point near the coast to conduct maladies of tropical countries. correspondence, &c., while her husband aud his party Mr. Markham says with equal eloquence and truth explored the forests east of the Andes. The “ fellow that among the greatest of the benefits which this labourers ” of Mr. Markham, as he calls them, were : — country can confer upon India is, by the aid of In the capacity of coadjutors, Dr, Spruce and Mr. science and enterprise, to enlarge the field of useful Pritchett;—and as assistants, practical gardeners, Mr. products of which the diversified climates of the Weir and Mr. Cross. Dr. Spruce was a Yorkshireman, Peninsula are suitable. “ By this means we shall born not far from the pleasant village of Stillingfleet, leave behind us the most durable memorials of the bene­ which has the honour to claim Mr. Markham himself fits conferred by our rule. The canals and other works as a native. Richard Spruce is from Welburn, near of the Moguls were in ruins before the English occu­ Castle Howard, and very early in youth distinguished pied the country; but the melons which the Emperor himself by his knowledge of the botany of the roman­ Akbar, the founder of the Mogul dynasty, introduced tic neighbourhood of that village. He had, like his into India still flourish round Delhi and Agra.” leader, already visited South America. In collect­ And Mr. Markham adds—but we trust with too ing the grey bark trees of Huanuco the services small an appreciation of the stability of the Ganges were secured of Mr. Pritchett, who had been for Canal and the Vehar Reservoir—that, centuries some time agent of the Ecuador Land Company. after these mighty works have become, the one, a rfver John Weir was a practical gardener obtained and the other a dry valley, the people of India will from Mr. Veitch ; aud Robert Cross was an able and have cause to bless the healing effects of the fever- painstaking Scotchman from Kew. Mr. Ledger was dispelling chinchona trees still covering the southern also associated with the expedition. Of all these mountains with their luxuriant forests. We will fellow-workers Mr. Markham speaks in terms of the complete the forecast by adding that in this highest praise; and we are ashamed to say that as distant time the hundred native castes and tribes regards each of them he has to utter bitter of India will remember with reverence and gratitude the complaints of the shabby and unjust treatment they names of the two valiant Yorkshiremen, Markham and received at the hands of the Indian and the Home Spruce, and their fellow-labourers,” as the men Who- Governments. The details given by Mr. Markham acoomplished their great work in the short space o£L leave no doubt that the recompense awarded to these twenty years 1859-1879. Mr. Markham gives reasons men for all their perils, their attainments, and their for spelling the word “chinchona” and not “-cin­ success was emphatically paltry, and very far below chona,” or “cinhona,” as it was spelt by Linnaeus, and the justice of their claims. Will the time ever the altered spelling has raised a botanical dispute. come in this country when scientific labours, even The title “chinchona” is given to the bark tree as the most distinguished, will not be estimated by the a memorial of the cure of fever by its means in 1638 officials of the Government on a scale suitable only of the Countess Chinchon, wife of the Governor of to a mechanic or a footman ? There are titles, pay, Peru.—Pall Mall Budget. and pensions in profusion for military and dip­ lomatic services more frequently pernicious than Leaf Disease in Coffee.— A correspondent, writing useful; but the scientific discoverer or explorer is on Leaf Disease in Coffee, says :—“ Something might more likely to meet with contempt than recompense be found out of the manner the Arabs treat the coffee by the “ department” he serves. plant. Mocha is the king of coffees—either by climate In the course of 1861, after encountering great hard­ or treatment—perhaps it is that arid climates grow ships and no small peril in the South American forests, the best. There remains no doubt of the plant being C0»«id<>ral4* soppli-w of the i1r*intil»|>«tm#o* were Lainlml perfection. Doctors and botanists may advise a good in England and India. For the interesting narrative deal to counteract influences, yet Arabia is the starting of these hardships and perils the volume must be point, because it gives the best. Dent’s Concession in consulted. The region s-lected for the first chinchona Borneo in its most arid parts should give next to Mocha. plantations in India was that of the Nilgiris hills— English coffee growers must beware that the Spaniards the highest mountain range south of the Himalayas in Manilla do not take to and surpass them in coffee —situated in latitude 11 deg, 10 m. and 11 deg. growing. Anyone finding out the mode to dispense 32 m. N., and longitude 76 to 78 deg. E., and af­ with fungus, I think must do so from Arabia. If any- fording conditions of climate suitable for the new noe cannot be found here who has been in Mocha, by cultivation. Outside India the cultivation has be­ bringing one plant with fungus upon it, and taking come successful and is assuming large dimensions in it to Mocha in a week, perhaps he might find out the Java, Jamaica, and Mexico. During the eight years Arabs’ secret, and from that add to his fortune in a 1867-75 the Government of India imported a total treatise on the plant, and thus surpass those who can­ of 46,000 lb. of Peruvian bark, at a cost of £160,000, not dispense with fungus. Of all the people who have or, say, an average of 70s. per lb. Besides the Go­ gone to plant coffee, has one of them asked at Aden / vernment imports there was a private annual import anything about it ? ”—L. Paris. I was de­ Rhode Island sends us the best turkeys, but they are lighted at wliat I saw there, and the matter at first not what they used to be. If. instead of attempting eight seemed to be so fascinating that I do not wonder , to beat Nature at her own game, the rich men who that new men here are always ready to take hold • have money to spend would devote it to better breed­ of it. Even clergymen and actors are bitten with ing, there would be an improvement. I do not yet the desire to transform so many pounds of corn into despair of seeing immense farms wholly devoted to so- many pounds of spring chicken. The now success­ raising better poultry than we yet have.—Home and ful man iger, Mackave, spent about a thousand dollars Colonial Mail. in constructing hatching machines and artificial mo­ thers in Connecticut, but he found that the stage paid i,etter, and his expensive devices may now' be NEW AND OLD PRODUCTS: bought for the value of old tin. Enthusiasts will tell yon that by the new discovery chickens may be C e y l o n L o w -c o u n t r y R e p o r t . made out of corn with absolute certainty. In Paris L i b e r i a n C o f f e e ; C a c a o . this has been done; but the conditions are entirely diSeient hoe. There the land is valuable, end they Western Pr. -iuce, fth April 1881. canuot devote large fields to a few hundred chickens ; My last, in which I took a tone of dread for the life the French climate is so uniform that the markets of the Liberian coffee plants in the field, was written of Paris cannot be supplied from the South with on the day on which rain fell, and it was just in time, produce which ripens or matures before that of the for a few days more would have settled a large neighbourhood of Paris; the price of chickens is percentage of them ; as it is, a few have been scorched. so nigh and labour so cheap that more care can be 21 days is the measure plants of this size can stand, given with profit to one spring chicken than one of even when carefully protected from the fierce sun. our poultry raisers could give to a dozen. Here we Since the rain came the plants haye been making have plenty of land ; the climate south of us is so rapid progress, but a fresh decking of crickets have far advanced in warmth, that even with steam we appeared. They have cut a few plants here and cannot raise poultry ahead of the South, and the there, over the field, but they have settled most rriargin of profit is so small that one failure with a seriously to work ou steep s’ony hillsides, of which lai'g; batch of chickens sweeps away the profits from there several in the clearing, on which they have several successful experiments. When persons wanted cut fulfy one-half within the last few days. The me to go into the project I declined, and was called most of the plants so cut would grow again if not an ‘ old fogey.’ One man spent a fortune on the further interfered with, but they are always cut anew, enterprise in New Jersey, and at first was hailed as when they develops a bud. a public benefactor. What was the result of all his Nearly all the seed from Theo’uroma is up, and outlay and work ? He managed to hatch quantities that from L. & Co. has three-fourths up in five weeks ; of our chickens every February ; but although he that from C., S. & Co., that was sown a few days could fatten them by placing them in boxes and forc­ later, is just showing one here and there. I was ing a fattening mixture down their throats, he could much alarmed about the crickets in the sheds, when not make them grow; they had no exercise; they 1 found one morning twenty cut seedlings, within remained puny little things, and another defect soon a few feet, but for a week past they have of appeared—though fat, they were tough and stringy'. their own accord entirely desisted from this work. The breeder sent lots of them to me, and they looked When the plants began to suffer from the drought fat' and tender; but my customers complained that I set all hands to improve the shade. The rain came they could not be young, for they were tough and just as the work was finished, aud I set all hands tasteless, and that I must have sold them aged to undo what they had been doing, and this is the dwarfs under the name of spring chickens. It was third time the same thing has happened since Christ­ found absolutely necessary to let them run out of mas. After a fortnight of dry weather the sun scorches doors as soon as the weather allowed it; and by the the leaves, wherever exposed ; after one heavy shower, time that they were ready for market, the southern the shade must be removed at. once, else the leaves chickens were here and could be sold for le>s than rot, and are riddled by minute insects, so that be who these. The upshot of the business is that this hopes to get up Liberian coffee in this climate needs to breeder has sold out, and another man has now be ever on the alert. If, however, he once, gets it up taken hold of a small part of his old establish­ to 18 inches, his cares are over: in twelve months ment to try other methods of making it a success. more he will have a tree six feet high with twelve As to raising turkeys in that manner, it will fail more pairs of branches, regularly graduated from two feet disastrously than the chicken business. Size and to two inches, and having several hundreds of fruits at weight are wanted in turkeys ; and that reminds me, various stages of development. As the best bunches continued Mr. Knapp, that the newspapers ought to of fruit are up to, and even over, 30, aud 140 has impress the country people with the necessity of been counted ou 8 joints of a two feet branch, I improving their poultry stock ; breeding in-and in is begin to think the assert! n that a single mature ruining poultry ; every year the stock we receive is tree has given 301b. not such an awful cram after all. deteriorating, aud this is the cause. 1 could give The author who gave currency to this statement, you some striking examples from my experience of nearly 40 years ago, did not condescend to say forty years in the business. Some years ago we whether the 301b. was in cherry, parchment, or poulterers thought that ducks were going to disappear marketable coffee—lie left a wide enough margin for from bills of fare altogether; they were tasteless, choice, so that with 600 trees per aere, and the crop worthless birds, which people avoided. On Long Island reduced to 3 lb. of cured coffee,we have still 16 cwt. per a farmer made experiments in breeding with an old acre. If some of the trees under my care make Muscovy drake, tough as an alligator, and the common good their present promise four years hencs, this is by no means a wild estimate ; with good soil to benefited by overhead shade, except when very young, start with, and skilful treatment in the mean time. I certainly have seen benefit, from placing a jungle branch with the leaves on, over the basket shield in C a c a o . hot weather. This plant does not take kindly to a soil I have heard of sucli wonderful estimates of the where sand or gravel are the prevailing ingredients ; an profits of cacao cultivation, framed by those who are alluvial flat, or a deep clayey loam, seems to suit it best. just beginning in the low-lands of the Western Pro­ W hite ants, I had always believed, touched no living vince, that I think a flight sketch of my own three plant, and it was only after obtaining the clearest years’ experience may be of service to them. I may evidence I admitted that the young cacao plant was introduce myself os a planter of over forty years an exception to the rule. It is ower true a tale that standing, with a wide and varied experience; but they have destroyed tens of thousands in the low- when I began cacao I knew no more of the country, and will destroy hundreds of thousands habits of the plant than I had caeually picked more before all the projected plantations arc complete. up from newspaper?, and other publications, to I do not know whether the gentleman who recom­ which I had given no particular study : I had, mended steeped aloe leaves was in earnest. The therefore, almost a clean sheet to take my notes on. aloe is by no means a common plant in Ceylon, and is It is just three years since I sowed my first seed, a very slow grower, and nothing can be clearer in bambu cylinders, filled with the best soil I could than the utter impracticability of the. plan where command. Most of them grew, and they were planted there is not an aloe plant within ten miles, or a out, on land that had been trenched, rooted, and pre- drop of water to be found on the surface of 100 pared for Liberian coffee nurseries, with the larger acres. As to the other enemies of this plant, the trees left as shade. Here they grew till the best lizards and crickets breed most freely in a loose dry plants were four feet high, and were getting their soil, and do not much affect clays, grave. s, heavy branches, win a a belt that, separated them from the loams, Ac. There is no doubt that allow mg the clearing was cut down, and within a few days not a weeds to take and keep possession of the soil would leaf remained on any of them. Some of them still moderate the ravages of both crickets and lizards live, and S' ruggle to se^d out shoots from the stem, on the cultivated plants, by affording them a wider but the wind always defeats their efforts. The next field of choice, but it is an unsettled question, batch of plants were put out, alternately with Liberian whether the gain in one direction might not be coffee, on land with a very easy incline to the west, balanced by a loss in another; so far as coffee is the soil being a loose gravel, with much organic mat­ concerned, there is no question about the action of ter. This lot got on tolerably till the south-west weeds. For myself, as the father of monthly hand- monsoon opened, when they went the way of their weeding on coffee estates, I will not be the man to elders. Those that remain alive are making a strong make the experiment of burying young cacao plants effort, but will no dord't be finished off by the wind, in dirt, in the hope of benefiting them thereby. when it comes round to the S.W. Of course I have given Seed must now come rapidly down in price, with so up all attempts to e- ablish a cacao field on that land. many trees coming into hearing at so many points On this place, I in roduced 500 well-grown plants, of the country, and there will be little difficulty in bambus, in July 1879, and before the end of that in maintaining nurseries at a moderate cost, to supply year not one in ten was left alive. They encount­ vacancies a« they occur. ered three months of dry weather ; they were cut by As to the minor insect enemies, I have observed about lizards and crickets ; insects riddled the leaves ; white half-a-dozen species of caterpillar feed on the leaves, ante cut the taproots, just below the surface ; the and several species of minute beetles ; then a small wind stripped them ; and now at the end of 21 months species of black ants bring the spawn of the white bug I have not 25 of the 500 odd remaining. In Nov­ and establish it on the tender shoots of a thriving plant, ember 1879 I sowed the whole field at stake, and but it generally succeeds in dismissing its unwelcome surrounded each plant with a basketwork cylinder guest in a few days. Besides all those reptiles and insect from 15 to 18 inches high. On the portion of the foes, there is a large percentage of failure, for which clearing that faces the S. W. the whole of them died I am still unable to account ; a plant of eight or out within four months, and three-fourths of those on ten inches suddenly ceases to grow', and sometimes the eastern side followed. At the end of May, last remains for months, not dead, but sickly, and then year, I put down seed at all the failures, but dry suddenly dies off. On examination, there is no sign of weather set in immediately afterwards, and they never insect action, either on root or stem. If this is an even germinated. Finally 1 put down nearly 10,000 effect of dry weather, then why are other less ad­ seeds in baskets in September and October, one-fourth vanced plants not affected in the same way ? I have of which were cut by lizards and crickets, almost had an ample opportunity this season of studying the as soon as they came up, and above 1,000 were cut effects of drought on the young coffee plants : all that the very first night after planting in the field. At were planted in the same kind of soil, and had grown the end of November last year the whole clearing was equally, showed the same day the same signal of distress fully planted. Now, in April, one half of the spaces on the same day, but cacao shows no such uni­ are vacancies. The number of plants for the place is formity of constitution ; a plant that has been cut is about 8,000. I have, first and last, used 25,000 seeds, when very small will fight to establish a fresh stem, and I have stdl upwards of 4,000 vacancies. My con­ through the whole dry season, and probably with success; clusion is, that, of all the plants I ever have had to while its next neighbour, that has met with no check, deal with, the cacao is the most delicate, and has has been growing freely till it is above a foot high,, in this climate the most enemies. I by no means suddenly drops its leaves; sometimes renewing its say that the evils to be encountered in getting up a field growth when rain falls, but mo-e frequently going of cacao, in this climate, are insurmountable, for I have i off altogether, even after the advent of rain. I would one field of ten acres, in which I have not at the be glad to learn whether this is common in the ex- end of five months absolutely lost ten per cent of my I perience of other cacao planters, or if it is a special plants. I do not know whether cacao will, when more I dispensation, affecting the soil and climate which I advanced, be able to resist the prevailing wind, 0 1 1 have to deal with only. The largest plant I have situations exposed to it, but, so far as my experienca found the white ants dispose of was three feet high, goes, it inclines me to the negative side of the ques­ but I have had cases of Hidden death, of plants tion. In every situation that I have had to tient quite as advanced, for which there was 1 1 0 apparent with, the young plant needs temporary shelter, but, cause. One plant that some time ago I remarked as so far as I have been enabled to observe, it is not a specially thriving one I found this morning with all its leaves withered. Finding it was quite dead, market is supplied with Queensland grown coffee. That I tried to pull it up for further investigation, but it Mr. Costello may be considered the pioneer of coffee retained too firm a bold of the ground for my growing in Mackay does not admit of a doubt, and strength. In February every plant drooped on we trust he may reap the reward which he so justly the 21st dry day except the very smallest ; in deserves for his enterprise.” March it was the 25th day on which they began to complain. If therefore what I have stated of the COCOA NUTS. cacao be the effect of drought it would appear that Whether it would be profitable to grow these on every cacao plant has its own constitution, and that account of the copra we are doubtful, but there is a while one gives up in a week another of the same steady demand for the nuts in the South which age and treated precisely the same holds out three will for some years render their growth a paying or four weeks and rapidly responds to the first speculation. In this connection we may with pro­ shower. Mr. Fraser tells us that in Trinidad it is priety take the following extract from the columns only the larger seeds in the middle of the pod that of the Australasian. It forms, part of a special re­ are used for reproduction. There may be something port upon this district which appears in that journal. iu that, but we who have been paying a cent each “ Barnes’ garden is the sight of Mackay, and a very for our seeds naturally grudge doubling the cost by interesting example of the power of industry and rejecting any. perseverance, it is. Man. years ago Mr. Barnes took up a selection on a tract of land that was little better NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. than a salt swamp. Twenty acres of this have gradu­ ally been formed into the finest fruit, vegetable, and (From the “ Mackay Standard.”) flower garden in Australia. Mr. Barnes supplies the COFFEE. whole of Mackay. He has reared 1,200 cocoa-nut We could not perhaps do better than reproduce trees, besides great numbers of apple, peach, and other a few extracts from an article which appeared in a English fruit trees, and bananas and date palms. He former issue of the Standard on this subject — “ Milli- is famous for the enormous size of his pine-apples. cent, the property of Mr. Costello, is situated at Vegetables of every description are produced. A pro­ about twelve miles distance from town. At the back fusion of splendid flowers completes the beauty of a of a compact homestead the cultivation begins, and very remarkable spectacle. Bearing with us substantial here are found 25 acres of coffee, tw o or three years old proofs of the excellence of Barnes’ garden, we rejoined iu vigorous growth. It is growing on a spur running the steamer which proceeded on her way through the north from the mountain. Half the coffee is on the most charming of Queensland waters.” east side, the other on the west side of this spur. The land is the usual basaltic scrub, and we noticed DATE COFFEE. that if possible the coffee looked more flourishing where (Smith to Jones.*) the stones were most plentiful, William Sabonadiere I hope ’twill ne'er be my fate, Jones, in his well-known work “ The Coffee Planter of Ceylon” To drink that stuff composed of date stones, sums up the characteristics of the soil most suitable I never heard that juice of dates for coffee culture as follows:—“ A dark chocolate Consoles, cheers or invigorates. colored soil mixed with small stones under ledges of You might as well scrape mud from gutter, rock and bestrewn with boulders of granite, ’’ On Mr. And dub it “ best prime English butter,” Costello’s selection these characteristics are found to As call this coffee : oh, 't is awful perfection. The three-year-old trees have a fair crop That such a swindle should be lawful. of young coffee on them, and the two-year-old trees Some say ’t is made of rotten figs, sir, have already a very promising maiden crop. The If that’s the case then “ dash my wig,” sir, trees are planted 6 x 8 feet apart, and the older Your system ’t will completely flummock ones are already topped to four feet in height When you convey it to your stomach. Although the entire crop is in a most flourishing Others declare ’t is made of raisin, condition those situated on the west side of the Which statement seems to me amazin*; range are in a more vigorous condition than those For if you ’11 list to me a minute, on the east, being more sheltered from the force I ’11 shew there is no raison in it. of the E. S. gales that the district is occasion­ If made of rotten dates or figs, sir, ally liable to. From the summit of the hill ’T is only fit for feeding pigs, sir, among the coffee one of those magnificent views for Then throw it to your swine and boars, or which the north side is so justly celebrated spreads I Cocks and hens, but don’t buy more, “ sorr.’ out before us. To the east, like a panorama, the We planters of this spicy island, waters of the South Pacific glistening in the sunshine, , Whose business ’t is to till and buy land, aud dotted with innumerable islands of verdant green, , We cultivate the coffee berries to the west and south the dense masses of the coast : Somewhat resembling English cherries. rauge and scrub land slopes of Blackfellow Mountain True coffee can’t be imitated, tower high above us. We visited Mr. Costello’s coffee I 'T were well to call ours “ an ti-dated,” nursery where we found many hundreds of healthy To shew that difference there be, sir, young coffee plants ready for planting out when the ’Twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee, sir. proper season arrives. Highly gratified with our visit S m i t h . we started on our return after congratulating Mr. Costello upon the pluck displayed by him in his en­ Colombo G ratis.—Mr. P. T. Slema Lebbe has deavor to introduce a new industry into the district. been good enough to send us a bunch of grapes the While on this subject we desire to draw the atten­ produce of his cultivation which was referred to in tion of farmers to the advisability of following Mr. a paragraph in the Jaffna Patriot, copied into our Costello’s example. The grow th of coffee a t M ackay issue of last evening. He informs us that the bower is no longer experimental. The machinery required yielded over 120 lb. Having tasted the grapes we is inexpensive. The families of many of our farmers can testify that in the present hot weather they are could do most of the crop gathering and the demand very refreshing. The bunch sent us is 6 inches long for coffee in the colonies will absorb all that can be and weighs 7 oz, produced for many years to come, while the duty of 4u. per lb. on imported coffee will offer that amount * The latter (Jones) has purchased a packet of of protection to our producers until the Queensland Date Coffee : ” hence Sm ith’s remarks. (From April 10 to A pril 16.) | abominable, mixtures sold under its name in the United I Kingdom. We do not see why the prohibition of all COFFEE MIXTURES AND ADULTERATIONS. | such mixtures should not be asked for. True, chi- A planting correspondent in the low-country writes:— , cory and the trash of “ dates ” which is to be used “ There appear tome two things that the Planters’ for coffee pay the same customs duty (14s per cwt.) Association ought to do about the Date Coffee:-- as the fragrant berry, but that is no safeguard against “ let.—Obtain a legal opinion, as to whether an in­ the most rascally deception which is openly and almost junction could not be got to prevent the Company ! avowedly practised on the mass of the consumers. from using the word ‘ coffee, ’ in describing their The working and even the lower middle classes are preparation of date stones. If they produce a bever­ age, that is cheap, palatable, wholesome, and nourish­ unable to protect themselves in buying the cheap and ing, it is quite able to stand on its own bottom, anp i attractive coffee mixtures, so neatly and conveniently make a name for itself, but, whatever it may be, it assorted. Then by degrees their taste becomes viti­ is not coffee, and has no right to usurp a name ated, until real coffee would positively be a strange which b-longe to an article costing much more in and unpleasant drink to them. Chicory or some other production, and the "value of which rests on qualities, powder they must have, and it becomes possible to which no cheaper produce can lay claim to. The English Parliament has legalized the sale of a mixture palm off upon them 90 per cent of some wretched of chicory, because the grocers of Great Britain stuff to 10 of ground coffee. How is it to be wondered are a more im portant factor in elections than coffee that the consumption of coffee in the United King­ planters, but the same privilege is certainly not dom should have gone back steadily, while tea has extended to date stones, aud the grocer interest is so marvellously increased, under these circumstances ’ not likely to avail the Company, as it will naturally prefer the preparation it can mix at its own dis­ 1 Our Handbook shews that the consumption of coffee cretion. in the U nited Kingdom was 16,730 tons in 1847 “ 2nd.—A memorial to Mr. Gladstone, shewing that • against only 14,540 tons in 1880; while the consump­ this new commodity avowedly comes into competi­ tion of tea in the same period has quintupled, the tion with a whole group of duty-bearing products, | increase alone being equal to 72,500 tons. Forty and praying that date stones may be placed on the years ago, in fact, coffee was drunk in the mother- same footing at the custom house as the tea, coffee' cacao, and chicory, it proposes to displace. * For once country to the amount of fully ljrd lb. per head of in a way, the coffee and chicory planters are in the population, while now the ratio is '09 lb. Tea, on the same boat : a common foe should lead them to the other hand, from l§rd lb. has gone up to nearly 6 lb. same platform to fight for a common interest. The per head of population ! Can any stronger evidence tea and cacao planters are less directly interested, but be required by Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues of if this Company succeed in creating a taste for their trash, it will more or less affect the whole group, the injurious effect of the iniquitous “ Order of Coun­ especially when the genuine commodities are loaded cil ” which sanctions the sale of coffee mixtures ? If with a customs duty, and the spurious imitation enters it be the wish of the British Chancellor of the Ex­ free. The Company seem to be moving heaven and chequer and his Lords of the Treasury to suppress earth to push their wares on the markets ; while the the consumption of coffee altogether in the United planters sit idly by, to watch but never act. We Kingdom, let them say so; but surely the present can have no hope of checking to any appreciable ex­ tent the fraudulent practices of British trading, which system of depraving the public taste ought to be a high authority has declared to be the legitimate out­ stopped in the interest of everybody concerned. come of free trade, but when those practices touch Whether, however, the Home Government will con- our own interests at a vital point, nothing should be left undone that may possibly tend to our pro­ , sent to stop the sale of chicory and date mixtures tection. ” of coffee or not, there is one reform which, if put Our correspondent, and many more of our readers, as an alternative in the Ceylon Memorial, it seems to will be glad to learn that the Chairman of the Plant­ us, cannot possibly be refused at this time of day. ers’ Association has taken up the question of memo­ We refer to the declaration on the label required on rializing the home Government on the subject of such mixtures of the proportions of each substance coffee adulteration and the sale of coffee m ixtures, which they purport to contain. If this is done, it and that a result long pressed for in these columns will open the eyes of the consumers to the small will now be attained. We take it for granted that quantity of coffee they are really receiving in their the draft memorial submitted by Mr. Wall to a Sub- mixtures, and, moreover, it will enable a check to Committee of the Planters’ Association, after any be p u t on coffee, as on other, adulterations ; for, should needful amendment, will be unanimously supported the proportion of coffee be found less on analysis than throughout the country. We trust the Chamber of is declared, the retailer can, of course, be punished. Commerce will either make it their own or take in­ Most heartily do we commend this movement to the dependent action to endeavour to secure the same support of planters and merchants. We have always end, namely, the restriction which the most ordinary thought it a reproach that the agitation commenced fair play calls for in the case of the retail sale of by Mr. Leake was not continued by his successors in coffee mixtures in the U nited K ingdom . W e w ant the Association. Surely public men in Ceylon do not both the local bodies to send home a petition annu­ require to be told that here, as in the old country, ally until the present grievance is redressed. Coffee if a grievance of long standing is to be redressed, the alone among colonial produce is placed at the serious efficacious mode of action is that which has been disadvantage of having all kinds of legalized, but made memorable in Anti-Slavery, Reform, Free Trade, and so many more legislative victories, namely Agi­ * It was exnressly stated that duty is paid on the tate, A g i t a t e , AG ITA TE ! date stones.— E d . 8 THE INDIA-RUBBER ENTERPRISE. SIR SAMUEL BAKER ON BEES IN CEYLON. Very great confidence is expressed in the future of If be has not already seen the book—and we think the Ceylon Rubber enterprise. Not only does the not—Mr. Benton will be interested in what the great growth of plants exceed all expectation, but the re­ hunter and keen observer, Sir Samuel Baker, has to sulting produce is almost certain to be valuable if one say, in his “ Eight Years in Ceylon," on bees — may judge by what is said of rubber taken from other These people (in the eastern jungles,) lived upon sago trees either indigenous or introduced years ago into cakes, pumpkins, wild fruits, and berries, river fish, Ceylon. We learn that a sample of rubber taken and wild honey. The latter is very plentiful throughout from a “ Ficus” in the Matale district and sent to Ceylon, and the natives are very expert in finding out tbe a London broker has been reported on most favour­ nests, by watching the bees in their flight, and following ably as very suitable for commercial purposes, and them up. A bee-hunter must be a most keen-siglited worth 2s 3d per lb. All reports seem to agree that fellow, although there is not so much difficulty in tbe demand is practically inexhaustible, provided rubber the pursuit as may at first appear. No one can mis­ could be supplied a little more cheaply than at pre­ take the flight of a bee en route home, if he has once sent, so many are the new as well as existing uses observed him. He is no longer wandering from flower to which this product can be applied in British art, to flower, in an uncertain course, but he rushes manufacturing and scientific departments. through the air in a straight line for the nest. If On the other hand, the profitable nature of the cul­ the bee-hunter sees one bee thus speeding homewards, tivation of rubber trees to the Ceylon planters has he watches the vacant spot in the air, until assured been challenged for the following reason. It has been of the direction by the successive appearance of these said that Ceark rubber trees to do them justice ought insects, one following tbe other nearly every second to be planted about 20 feet apart. That would give in their hurried race to the comb. Keeping his eye no more than a hundred trees to the acre ; but it is upon the passing bees, he follows them, until he felt that at least 175 trees can safely be planted. The reaches the tree in which the nest is found. yield of rubber per tree has been calculated at four There are five varieties of bees in Ceylon; these ounces of marketable produce per tree per annum. are all honey-makers, except the carpenter bee. This This would amount to say 44 lb. of rubber per acre, species is entirely unlike a bee in all its habits. It which, at present prices, might be considered the is a bright tinsel-green colour, and the size of a large equivalent of £5 gross. No great fortune to be made walnut, but shaped like the humble bees of England. out of this amount certainly, even though, as is pointed : The mouth is armed with a very powerful pair of out, the cost of cultivation and collection must be mandibles, and the tail with a sting even larger and very small, a mere trifle. No new product, it may more venomous than that of the hornet. These car­ be said, leaves so small a margin as this one, if the penter bees are exceedingly destructive, as they bore yield of four ounces per tree is a fair estimate. It holes in beams and posts, in which they lay their eggs, is on this point, however, that we require further the larvae of which, when hatched, feed upon the timber. information. The honey bees are of four very distinct varieties, each of which forms its nest on a different principle. The largest and most extensive honey-maker is the ‘Bambera.’ This is nearly as large as a hornet, and CEYLON TEA IN AUSTRALIA. it forms its nest upon the bough of a tree, from which Our morning contemporary and a correspondent of tbe comb hangs like a Cheshire cheese, being about his are rather sanguine in estimating tbe profit on the the same thickness, but five or six inches greater in sale of Ceylon tea reported from Melbourne by last diameter. The honey of this bee is not so much es­ mail. Fault is found with us for speaking of it as teemed as that from the smaller varieties, as the flavour “ a poor sale,” Of course we were contrasting the partakes too strongly of the particular flower which minimum 7d per lb. with the minimum of previous the bee has frequented ; thus in different seasons the ales. Nevertheless, the average for nearly 4,400 lb. honey varies in flavour, and is sometimes so highly aper­ being Is 2Jd per lb., we are free to confess the sale ient that it must be used with much caution. The wax was not so poor as we supposed. But it is a mis­ of the comb is the purest and whitest of any kind pro­ take to consider that all is profit between the rate duced in Ceylon. So partial are these bees to particular at which the tea is delivered in Melbourne and the blossoms, that they migrate from place to place at differ­ sale price. What about Melbourne charges ? We have ent periods, in quest of flowers which are then in bloom. heard complaints that the charges on tea by agents This is a very wonderful and inexplicable arrange­ “ down South ” are a caution and enough to run ment of Nature, when it is considered that some flowers, away with most of the profit on sales realizing no which particularly attract these migrations, only blossom more than the one under notice. The rate of com­ once in ‘ seven years." This is the case at Nuwara mission alone in Australian ports seems to be 71 per Eliya, where the nillho induces such a general rush cent against 21 in London. of this particular bee to the district, that the jungles We most fully believe in the future of the Tea en­ are swarming with them in every direction, although terprise in Ceylon. We have said already, and we during the six preceding years hardly a bee of the repeat the statement with the utmost confidence, that kind is to be met with. we can beat both Northern and Southern India in There are many varieties of the nillho. These cheapness of production, while the average quality vary from a tender dwarf plant to the tall and heavy after further experience in preparation ought to be stem of the common nillho, which is nearly as thick fully as good i Mr. Hay, of Dolosbage, an old Dar­ as a man’s arm, and about twenty feet high. jeeling planter, looks on a steady return of 400 lb. The next honey maker is very similar in size and per acre per annum of tea as almost certain, and he appearance to our hive-bee in England. This variety is confident of placing the produce “ f. o. b.” in Col­ forms its nest in hollow trees, and in holes in rocks. ombo harbour at a rate nearer to 40 than to 50 cents Another bee, similar in appearance, but not more than per lb. There can be no doubt, therefore, that if half the size, suspends a most delicate comb to the care is taken to prepare tea suited to the Australian twigs of a tree. This nest is no larger than an orange, market, Ceylon should secure a full share of the busi­ but the honey of the two latter varieties is of the ness, and realize an average price for its tea nearer finest quality, and quite equal in flavour to the famed Is fid than Is 2d per lb. l he former rate after the ‘ Miel vert ’ of the Isle de Bourbon, although it has deduction of all charges would leave a very hand­ not the delicate green tint which is so much esteeemd some profit. in the latter. The last of the Ceylon bees is the most tiny, although A fertile queen is about three-fourths of an inch long, an equally industrious workman. He is a little smaller has short wing*, a slim, finely tapered body, and in than our common house fly, and he builds his diminut­ ' the common bees, is a deeper black in color than ive nest in the hollow of a tree, where the entrance the workers. The Italian queen has no yellow bands to his mansion is a hole no larger than would be crossing the body, but is of a gohlen yellow color. made by a lady’s stiletto. ' The cells in which queens are produced are conical It would be a natural supposition, that so delicate in shape and resemble a peanut in appearance. They an insect would produce a honey of corresponding usually project downward from the edges of the combs. purity, but instead of the expected treasure, we find About sixteen days elapse from the timq the egg is a thick, black, and rather pungent, but highly arom­ laid until it comes forth a perfect queen. Five days atic, molasses. The natives having naturally coarse • after hatching, if pleasant, the queen flies out to meet tastes and strong stomachs, admire this honey beyond a drone and pair. After pairing she returns to the any other. Many persons are surprised at the trifling , hive and rarely leaves it during her life unless she exports of wax from Ceylon. In 1853, these amounted is accompanied by a “ first swarm.” She lives four to no more than one ton. or five years but is not usually very valuable after Cingalese are curious people and do not trouble her third year. If the queen be taken from a colony themselves about exports ; they waste or consume all during the working season, the bees are thrown into the bees’-wax. While we are contented with the great confusion, but they soon construct queen cells, honey, and carefully reject the comb, the native (in place an egg or a larva in each, supply it with royal some districts) crams his mouth with a large section, jelly, (the food for the queen larvee) aud thus cause and giving it one or two bites, he bolts the luscious it to be developed into a queen. Upon this one natural morsel aud begins another. In this manner immense principle depend all of the various methods of increas­ quantities of this valuable article are annually wast­ ing colonies by dividing them into parts and allowing ed. Some few of the natives in the poorest vill­ each part to form a separate colony. ages save a small quantity, to exchange with the The drone bee is stouter and larger than either the travelling Moormen for cotton cloths, &c., and in this queen or worker and similar to the queen in color. manner the trifling amount exported is collected. They appear in April or May and usually disappear During the honey year at Nuwara Eliya, I gave a during August. They have no sac within their bodies native permission to hunt bees iu my forests, on con­ for carrying honey, no polleu-baskets on their legs dition that he should bring me the wax. Of course and are provided with a sting, consequently they are he stole the greater portion but nevertheless, in a unable to assist in the labors of the hive. few weeks, he brought me sevety-two ponnds’ weight ■ The drones are the male bees and appear in the of well-cleaned and perfectly white wax, which he hives about the time youug queens are being reared had made up into balls, about the size of an eight- in order to impregnate them. When they have ful­ teen pound shot. Thus in so short a time one man filled this office they are then destroyed by the workers. had collected about the thirtieth part of the annual But one drone is needed to impregnate each queen, export from Ceylon ; or allowing that he stole at but as bees (and nearly all winged insects) pair while least one half, this would amount to the fifteenth. on the wing and colonies iu a state of nature are isolated, many males are produced that impregnation may be MR, BENTON ON BEE-CULTURE. accomplished before the queen, in roaming about, meets Of the importance of Bee culture, Mr. Benton has with any accident. • given us a new idea by the fact he learned in Java Drones are produced in twenty-five days from unim­ that wax is imported into Netherlands India, chiefly pregnated eggs placed in large sized cells. from Holland, to the annual value of two millions of The Worker Bees, well known to every one, are rupees. The wax is chiefly used in dying the sarongs undeveloped females having a sac within the body for and other cloths of the people. carrying honey to the hive and baskets on the hinder We call attention to the following interesting paper pair of legs for carrying pollen—the yellow dust of by Mr. Benton entitled flowers—which they feed to the young. Wax from which comb is built, is secreted by them under the A Peep into a Beehive. scales of their bodies. It is secreted from honey the Light a piece of rotten wood or a roll of cotton same as animals secrete fat from the food they eat. rags and blow a few whiffs of smoke among the Eighteen or twenty pounds of honey are required to bees, then rap several times on the outside of the produce one pound of wax, hence, if honey be taken hive with a light stick and wait a few minutes for out and the combs returned to the bees a great saving the bees to fill themselves with honey. A very little is made. Propolis or “ bee glue” is a substance smoke will alarm the bees and with the drumming gathered by the bees from the trunks of trees, and cause them to fill their sacs with honey. When gorged is used in stopping all crevices in the hive and in with honey or liquid sweets, bees will not stiug unless varnishing the inside surface. About twenty-one days forced to do so. Some poor chap may have failed in is the time required to produce workers from the eggs. getting sweetened Up, so, on opening the hive, the The worker cells are small and when capped do not cluster may be sprinkled with sweetened water. This extend beyond the surface of the comb as do the they consider a great treat and by the time they capped drone cells. During the first two weeks of have disposed of it are as harmless as so many flies. their existence they work inside of the hive taking The buzzing which they make shows that they are care of the brood, etc. The workers live about two as good natured as a company of fat aldermen just or three months during the honey season and from after dispatching a roast turkey at some friend’s six to nine months at other times. As they drop off house. The combs may be taken out and handled during summer their places are supplied by others, just as you please, and the bees brushed and scooped so that a whole colony, with the exception of the about with little danger. queen, is changed several times in a season. This Three classes will be found to constitute a pro- is shown by substituting for a black queen a fertile perous colony of bees during the summer season : A Italian queen. The young bees produced will have sertile queen, a few hundred drones and about twenty the yellow bands and in a short time the whole for thirty thousand workers. colony will be entirely changed. The queen is the only fully developed female in A whole volume might be written about tbese the hive. The supervision of the hive and the lay­ wonderful little workers. ing of eggs is her office. She lays during the sum­ Ovid, Michigan. F. B. mer season from two tothree thousand eggs each day. —American Paper, JAMAICA CINCHONA BARK. I 3d on the previous one. Mr. Morris quotes from Mr. Morris si’nds us sheets of the Jam aica Gazette | Colonies and India a statement showing that the containing the account sales of 180 bags of bark from I Jamaica red and crown barks went higher than the Jam aica sold in London on 30th November 1880, to­ Ceylon and Indian, but whereas all the former bark was gether with a memorandum by himself on the sold a good proportion of the Ceylon was withdrawn. results of the sale. These are summarized as follows : I At the end of his memorandum Mr. Morris states that the bark sent as C. Calisaya, but which Mr. Morris fcr . - y 4.2 always considered as a hybrid has now been proved c f - g i to be so, and will in future be sent on its own a 5 merits as the produce of the “ hybrid variety.” It Speriee. i ? r T 3 § 1 realizes a better price than the red bark, and if it f- will grow at lower elevations than the crown its cultiva­ tion will be extended. 11). ih. lb. £ s. d. £ s. d. Crown bark, C. Officinalis 7,791 930} 6,8601 0 5 6 1,889 17 7 COFFEE MIXTURES AND ADULTERATION Bed bark. 0. Succirubro <1,314 8014 5,5124 0 3 14 886 13 2 1 We cannot believe that the Committee of the Chambei Yellow bark. ; of Commerce will persist iu refusing to join the Planters' C. C 'lisaya'r 292 46 246 0 3 3 40 1 5 ■ Association in memorializing the home Government | on this subject. The question is one which excites a Total... 14,39/ 1,7781 12,018} 0 4 5 2,796 12 2 great amount of interest throughout the country and In explanation of the difference in price of this con­ I estate proprietors will certainly feel that their Colombo signment as compared with the former one, the Agents care little abont their affairs if they decline to brokers write :— I meddle in this matter. A correspondent writes :— The reduction in price upon some of the marks ' “ I cannot bat feel that we owe it as a duty, alike as compared with previous consignments arises from to the Government and to the coffee planters, to show the market having fallen Is. to Is. 2d. per pound ; how the prevalent practice of adulteration and ad- and also quinine is now offering at 10s. 6d. to 11s. | mixture has affected the consumption ! We had no per ounce, whereas in August last, (when the last ' such facts to show when previous representations were consignment was sold,) the price of quinine was from made. We could then plead the unfairness of the 12s, 8d. to 13s. per ounce.' practice, and express a belief that the event of an in­ This bark was all from trees blown down or damaged crease of consumption might be due to this cause. But by the hurricane of August last, and prepared so ex­ now, the further development of the evil, and of its peditiously that the whole was ready for shipment formal though qualified legalization, prove clearly to within six weeks from that occurrence. Sun heat have caused a declension of serious amount when in­ alone was used for drying, Mr. Morris remarking on crease ought surely to have taken place. If, then, it the superiority of this to di ying in sheds. The qualities be granted that it is ■proper to point out the injurious and prices of the shipment are shown in detail in effects produced by the practice, how could we con­ the following table sistently avoid asking for its prohibition ? It seems Marks I&te Total Total. to me that after pointing out the unfairness of a and Kinds. Weight, per lb. Amount. Weight, Amount. practice and its injurious consequences, we should Crown Bark. simply stultify ourselves if we were not to ask for C. OficinalU. lb. s. d. £ s. d. lb. £ s. d. this manifest righting of a wrong ! I believe that since No. 2 Root bark 662 7 8 238 8 8 the exposure of so much sophistication of tea from 521 7 0 18 5 9 China the public mind has been much stirred, and „ 1 Trunk ,, 790 7 2 283 7 1 388 5 6 106 14 0 the evil of adulterations generally has become much 2 . more fully recognized at home. Apart from the bug­ »» a 1> 3,902} 5 5 1,056 19 10 3991 5 4 106 9 4 bear of date coffee, I think this time is opportune for Twig ,> „ 542} 2 4 63 6 5 such a representation as that contemplated by the Garblings „ 163} 2 0 16 6 6 6,8601 . •w.) i: ; draft memorial. I think we might well hope to get Red Bark, the order in Council amended in so far as necessitat­ C. Succirvbra ing a statement of the proportions of such mixtures as No. 1 Root bark 1884 3 8 34 11 2 bears the title of ‘ ‘ coffee mixtures. ” „ 2 „ 360 3 2 57 0 0 873 3 1 134 11 9 „ 1 Trunk ,, 320 4 0 64 0 0 >} l „ 1,620} 3 11 317 6 0 CEYLON TEA. » » i > 6171 3 2 97 15 ft 2 Great Tower Street, London, 12th March 1881. „ ,. 350} 3 0 52 12 3 D e a r S i r , — We had a sample submitted to u s re­ Twig 0841 1 1 37 1 7 cently of Ceylon tea the produce of the Sembawattie Garblings „ 28S1 2 11 42 0 9 Estate, Yakdessa, and we are glad to notice a marked 209} 2 10 29 14 3 5,5124 v .; 11 . improvement in leaf and liquor. Yellow bark, The leaf is desirable, being blackish, fairly twisted and C. Calisaya ? mixed with gold tip ; the liquor, although lacking the No. 1 Root bark 224 4 2 4 12 9 0 58} 3 4 9 15 10 fulness of some of the fine Darjeeling marks,is brisk and 1 Trunk 58} 4 5 12 19 6 pungent. With care in the manufacture we believe this 351 4 2 7 fi 10 could be obtained, and the result would be a really ’’Twig ”, 71 1 6 5 6 6 246 40 1 5 valuable tea. - - Yours faithfully, Geo. W hite & Co. 12,618} 2,796 12 2 The average price for officinalis was 5/6 per lb. and The way to catcii Cockchafers at night, accord­ of red bark 3<1J, against 6J7 and 3/11} for the ing to Mr. H. Wright, is to hang a common estate previous consignment, but, if the fall in the market lantern in a good-sized tin, at the bottom of which be takeu into account, it will be seen that the relat­ is a sufficient quantity of kerosine oil to kill the ive prices have been maintained The average price beetles, which, attracted by the light reflected from of the whole cousignment was 4/5, being a fall of only the tin, will precipitate themselves into the trap. Correspondence. COFFEE LEAF DISEASE : THE RESULTS OF “ VAPORIZATION ” IN THE DUMBARA ♦------VALLEY. To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. (Communicated.) LIBERIAN COFFEE PLANTS. The enclosed report wili probably interest some of 7th A pril 1881. your readers as it introduces an entirely new feature D e a r S i r , —A very interesting article appeared in into the results of my experiments. one of your issues regarding the use of seed from Leaf disease was at its height in the beginning of trees the flowers of which have been self-fertilized. January on the field that is here spoken of as well It is pretty evident that leaf disease does not arise as on the surrounding coffee. from any peculiar weakness of the coffee tree, but in I The treatment resulted at the time in a decided independent of the injury and loss from the effects check of the spread of the disease, but in my opinion of leaf disease, the coffee tree has been allowed it had gone already too far and the treatment to degenerate, and this is probably one cause could have scarcely, constitutionally, benefited the for young estates, in even choice virgin soils, yield­ trees much. For two months little or no leaf disease ing so poorly as compared with young clearings of was observed but during the last eight days, it has olden times. It was a very common practice as soon again made its appearance in considerable vigour in as one estate was opened to plant out the next that part of Pallekelly Estate; but the treated field estate or clearing with plants grown from seed is singularly free from it, of which I have satis­ gathered from the maiden crop ! It will be as well fied myself personally. I can account for this for those growing Liberian coffee to see th at their difference in no other way than by concluding plants are from trees a few years old—or still better that the treatment did not only check the dis­ grown from imported seed. In the face of all known ease at the time being, but that it was also in­ rules and principles of planting and for the sake strumental in preventing ultimately on the area perhaps of a few rupees saved, a very bad practice operated upon, the growth of the various forms of is at the outset carried on and evil results must follow. this fungus which has resulted now in a fresh at­ The rapidity with which plants from seed picked tack on the untreated coffee surrounding. ripe and put into nurseries a few days after, is no It will of course be necessary to corroborate the proof that they are first chop. If the seeds are above by results elsewhere before we can fully ac­ allowed to get partially dry and then put out, they cept this conclusion. Uredo-spores are now freely will come up not “ like beans,” a thing most un­ produced in the surrounding untreated coffee, and it desirable, but gently and with a firm appearance. will be interesting to note whether and in what Imported seed, when carefully packed, give a suffici­ space of time they will spread and germinate on the ently fair result, and as plants from seed picked from treated field. E u g e n e C. S c h r o t t k y . trees grown on a foreign soil should be treasured. AN OLD COVE Mr. Vollar, writing to Mr. Schrottky, reports :— GOLD-PROSPECTING IN CEYLON TESTS, “Pallekelly, 9th April: I have much pleasure in stating AND LOCAL EXPERIENCE. I that on close examination of the field that was Nuwara Eliya, April 11th, 1881. treated by your process ef ' vaporization, ’ some three months ago, I find that it compares very favorably D e a r S i r , —If your correspondent “Sore Fingers” will digest the “black sand” in dilute nitro-muriatic acid, de­ with the adjoining untreated coffee. On the latter cant it carefully and add a few drops of a solution of pro­ leaf disease is again showing up, while on the treated to-sulphate o f iron, he will readily ascertain the existence area it was difficult to find a leaf diseased.” of gold by its being precipitated in a metallic form. The dilute nitro-muriatic acid may be composed of THE TEA TRADE OF AMERICA. 1 part muriatic acid, 2 parts nitric acid, 2 parts water. The following remarks as to the tea trade of The vessel containing the subject of the experiment America, taken from a San Francisco commercial paper, should be placed in warm water. may be interesting : The tea business of late years, The simplest way, however, is to wash the sand in and more particularly in 1880, has been sadly cut a small pan with sloping sides and a flat bottom, up and scattered, as almost every jobbing grocery passing it off gradually with the water, when, if the now imports more or less for their own trade sales. operation is conducted skilfully, whatever gold there During 1880 the steamers of the Pacific Mail Steam­ may be will remain in the angle of the pan. ship Company brought us from China and Japan six With regard to the “ black sand ” in question, it is cargoes, and the 0. and O. Steamship Company eight very abundant in this neighbourhood, being found in cargoes, and the two combined brought us upwards streams and on and below the surface in every direc­ of 120,000 packages, in addition to a much larger tion. I have hitherto found no gold with it, but this quantity in transit for Eastern cities. The O. and is not a thing to be surprised at, for gold is four or O. Steamship Company also chartered two sailing five times heavier than the sand and would naturally ships to bring tea for reshipment East by the Central seek a much lower depth. If found together it would Pacific Railroad. During the summer and fall the be owing entirely to some local circumstance, such as retailers formed a co-operative society for the purpose a light soil resting on a bed of clay or rock, or in of importing for their own use an uniform brand and watercourses where some rock or boulder has arrested standard of teas for their retail city trade; how it the course of the stream forming a pool where heavy will work is yet to be proven. substances would sink and collect. This sand is—as Although the bulk of the tea consumed in the far as I have been able to determine in the absence United States is imported through the port of New of some necessary tests and re-agents which I am York, the facilities offered by the steamers crossing awaiting—an oxide of manganese, probably the mineral the Pacific to San Francisco have diverted a portion Psilomelane, and may prove to be valuable. of the traffic in that direction and a considerable part I tested a piece of the supposed gold-bearing quartz of the direct importations by interior importers have from the Hog’s Back tunnel the other day, but found been received by that route. These direct importa­ no trace of the precious metal. The pyrites seemed tions naturally diminish the distribution from New only too pure. I may, however, have had a poor speci­ York, while they supply a very important part of men to deal with, and I intend trying others which the consumption of the country, and this fact should I have by me.—Yours faithfully, not be lost sight of in estimating the trade of the W. FREDK. MAYES. year.—Home and Colonial Mail. 9 THE MANUFACTURE OF INDIAN TEA in weight, and sold for £6,905; the Heron, weighing The following memorandum of instructions relative l,008oz., which fetched £4,080. The Victoria gold- to the operations for season 1881, which, we under­ fields now covered an area of 1,241 square miles, which stand, has been issued by a gentleman of experience in 1879 yielded 715,060oz., valued at £3,000,000. for use on some large gardens in India may be useful Queensland was traversed by a chain of gold rocks to some of our readers :— from north to south, and at least 4,000 square 1. The hoe to be continually used throughout the miles were being worked with all the experience manufacturing season in scarifying the surface of the gained from the failures of the sister colony. The land. yield for 1879 was over a million sterling. South 2. The spring shoots to be allowed to grow out Australia was more a copper than a gold country, about nine inches before commencing to pluck the but the goldfields of Port Darwin were being in­ leaves. dustriously worked by the Chinese. After mention­ 3. Plucking to be limited to the leading shoot or ing South Australia and New Zealand, the present bud and only two loaves (this must be strictly ad­ rage for speculation in Indian gold mines was touched hered to), aud the leaves or flush should not be allowed on, with a due caution to perplexed investors. The more than eight days to mature. Russian mines in the Ural range were interesting, 4. Withering to bs done rather slowly, and avoid both as having been probably referred to by Hero­ exposing the leaves to artificial heat. dotus and as having enabled Murchison to forecast 5. Rolling to be done in the machine without the success of gold mining at the Antipodes. Pass­ much pressure, as the leaves will be all young and ing over to the American continent, the lecturer succulent. spoke of the gold fields of North Carolina and Vir­ 6. Under ordinary conditions it will be unnecess­ ginia, the Californian discoveries and the rich silver ary to allow the leaves to ferment, and they may mines of Nevada and New Mexico. He gave an ela. be spread thinly upon the drying trays at once direct borate description of the Great Comstock lode, the from the rolling machine. two mines of which had yielded in 90 years 7. The charcoal fires must be strong and brisk, 363,671,605 dols. He spoke further of the immense so as to arrest the action of fermentation in the leaf. wealth of the Arizona and Colorado silver mines, 8. The colour of the leaves after they have been as well as of the Bolivian mine long known by the name infused for testing should be similar to that of a new Potosi, and of those worked in Pern, Chili, and bronze penny piece; this may generally be regulated Mexico. The European mines were the last to pass by increasing or decreasing the fermentation of the in review. It had been computed, Mr. Bevan said, leaves after the rolling operation. It is, however, that the grand total amount of gold produced during impossible to get the proper bright colour on the in­ the historic ages was £3,517,093,500 and that of sil­ fused leaf, unless the plants themselves are in a ver £2,826,250,000, making for both the precious vigorous condition, and unless the leaves are plucked metals together no less than £6,343,343,500.— Honne in a succulent state, say on the eighth day. and Colonial Mail. 9. If the labour force is insufficient to cultivate the whole area uuder plant, and to remove each flush MR. ANDERSON'S NEW BOOK. after it has been allowed eight days to mature, then Of coffee in New Caledonia Mr. Anderson thus special “nirricks" in hoeing and plucking must be writes :—“ Sugar cane, rice, and coffee planta­ made, and liberal extra payment for the performance tions are to be met with in various parts of the of extra work must be made. And if this arrange­ island. While in Fiji the notion is that the high ment should prove to be insufficient, then the worst land, 1,000 and 2,000 feet above sea level, offers the parts of the plantation had better be abandoned for most suitable elevation for coffee planting, it is worth the time being, so as to enable the labour force to while to bear in mind that in New Caledonia, only a work the remainder in a proper manner. couple of degrees of latitude distant, the bushes are to be It is utterly hopeless to expect to realise a profit noticed on the flat land, and to all appearance thriving.” by making nothing but “common teas,” which, no Of coconuts in that island, he states that they are very doubt, are produced by want of cultivation, and by abundant, but that from lack of a market for copperah, taking 12 to 14 days to remove each flush — Home infusion of this mixture may be use as a bever­ March, and on the 12th, age, and if it is taken with a large quantity of ima­ 12 [1099.9 14th and 16th April. gination, it will closely resemble Mocha coffee.—Plant- ers’ Gazette, Average—91.66 So that the average maximum temperature at Co­ CEYLON AND INDIAN TEA AT THE lombo in the shade is under 92 degrees. This will MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. not seem very much to residents in India, or even By last mail I wrote you about the great sale of Australia ; but let them remember that the temper­ Indian tea—the greatest by far ever held in the ature with us never falls below summer heat, that in Australian Colonies, including as it did 200,0001b. fact, the average of maximum and minimum is up to weight—which was to be held at the instance of 81°—the highest so far recorded for any station on Messrs. James Henty & Co., on their own account the world's surface (outside Ceylon) ; and yet Colombo and tbat of the Calcutta Syndicate. The sale has is an exceptionally healthy city for European residents. been held, and although the prices realized were somewhat lower than those obtained at the earlier TEA PLANTING IN CEYLON. sales the results are deemed very satisfactory and We have received a letter from a gentleman on his very favourable for the future of Indian (let us add way to manage a tea estate in Assam, in which he says :— Ceylon) tea in the Australian markets. Every “ line” “ I was much struck (in my rapid journeying through . was sold, although some of the lots included large Ceylon by rail and short residence on a tea estate) numbers of heavy packages, and as there were at least with the capabilities of the island to produce tea, I fifty purchasers of the teas they' are sure to be well and with the lack of experienced tea planters.” distributed. There is one dealer, Mr. Walker of He goes on to say that since seeing Ceylon his views Swanston Street, who sells only Indian and Ceylon have considerably modified, and he is desirous of pro­ teas, and who states that be has a largo demand curing a berth at B700 or R800 a month, as a pre­ for the latter. Measures are being taken to establish liminary to investing on his own account. We have another dealer in Indian teas exclusively in Collins advised him to stick to India if he can get such a Street, and in due time by such means as these pre­ salary as this: not half that sum being at present judice will be overcome and a taste formed for pure procurable in Ceylon, although the prospect before tea first-class teas which must be gratified. Of course planters investing on their own account is, we believe, existing tastes have to be consulted, and many of exceptionally good. It is most satisfactory to learn the Darjeeling teas and those from Cachar, Kangra on all sides now favourably impressed our Indian Valley, &c., are, equally with the Ceylon teas, fit for visitors are with the prospects of Ceylon as a tea- going into consumption on their own merits. Others growing country. We travelled down by the Gam- must be mixed and blended. One of the great diffi­ pola coach this week with a young Assam tea planter, culties is about price. It is so difficult to get peo­ and he fully realized all our advantages in ready means ple to understand that a tea which yields 42 to 52 of transport, full supply of labour, healthful climate, per cent of extract (Mr. Dunn has got the latter as well as suitableness of soil and climate in so many result from a Ceylon tea), soluble salts in proportion, districts. The severe fever and epidemic cholera which is worth much more than a tea which cannot be carry off so many Assam labourers—each costing the made to give more than 30 per cent of extract, if so planter a heavy bounty—have no parallels here. A much. Preparatory to the sale, Mr. Moody diffused beautifully regular and vigorous field of young tea information as tv the merits of Indian teas, includ­ (from 15 to 20 months old) qn Helbodde estate, Pus- ing the following testimony from a source which sellawa, attracted the attention of the travellers by even the most conservative of Melbourne dealers Coach and justly received commendation; a good deal must admit to be valuable because beyond doubt of the land planted was patana.—The following ex­ spontaneous and disinterested :— tracts from the Tea Circular of Messrs, Layton & Co., “ T h e T e a o f t h e F u t u r e . dated London, 10th March, are deserving the atten­ “ Under this head the Anglo-American Orocer gives tion of Ceylon as well as Indian tea planters :— the following interesting comments, which bear out, “ I n d i a n T e a . from a trade point of view, nearly all we have said “ The chief feature is the large increase in the on this subject:— deliveries, it being remarkable that those of China Tea “ Of all the articles of produce which claim the at­ in the same period have fallen off very materially ; tention of our readers, we believe there are none that buyers do not, however, appear to have been influenced have shown the same remarkable expansion in their in consequence, for while the public sales have con­ production, during the last score of years, as Indian tea. tinued moderate, and comparatively small, prices of “It will seem but as yesterday,to many of our country common grades—perhaps in sympathy with China— friends, when the London tea traveller first showed show a slight decline ; the only qualities for which them a sample of Assam Pekoe. What excitement it the demand continues unabated are good and fine, produced ! How speedily the kettle was boiled, and the these bringing fully former rates. new silver-tipped product submitted to the test. And “ Managers ofgardens in India will do well to remember how well it stood tbat test ! Nothing approaching to in the manufacture andpreparation of Tea for the coming it in strength had been seen before ; little wonder, season, that although the article has hitherto deservedly therefore that fancy prices were asked and easily ob­ —as compared with China leaf—taken root in the trade tained for it. With the enormous increase in the pro­ of this country, it is nevertheless patent that unless the duction—the present season being expected to turn out inferior character and “ washy’ liquors are replaced, 45,000,000 lb.—-prices have obtained a very reasonable by hard pungent flavour, the result and average prices level, and it is now the standing complaint of all oi next season must be again disastrous.” Indian tea growers that their teas bring actually less than their relative value when compared with China Agriculture in Cyprus. —The Homeward Mail tea of similar quality. reports that an agricultural show will be held at “ It was in 1842 that the attention of the Indian Nicosia on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, April Government was first drawn to the subject of tea culti­ 27, 28, and 29. Prizes will be given for horses, mules, vation in Assam ; and seeing the immense benefit that donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep and goats, pigs, turkeys, would naturally result from the encouragement of geese, ducks, and pigeons. The committee will also the industry, they imported experienced cultivators award prizes for wheat, barley, caroubs, potatoes, and manipulators of leaf from China, who superintended best samples of each vegetables (best basket of the early efforts of the Indian tea growers. these in season), silk (best skeins), cotton (best “ The tea plant grows naturally on the slopes of the sample), cheese (best sample), butter (beet sample). Himalayas, and thrives best on a rich soil of decayed An exhibition of agricultural machinery is invited, and vegetation, with a humid atmosphere, and considerable merit will be awarded according as the funds will allow. heat. . . The first ten or fifteen years of Indian tea-growing produced scarcely a sufficient quantity to I (From April 25 to A p ril 30.) bring it commercially into use. But after 1860 it began to be used by appreciative consumers for the GOLD AND GEMS IN CEYLON. purpose of adding strength and flavour to China tea. We have received from Mr. Auwardt specimens of The prices of the finer sorts ranged them from 4s to 4s 6d per pound, and there seemed to be such a future | quartz from his property, Mount Pleasant, near Galle. before tea of such excellence, that tea-growing became ' In these there is no appearance of gold, but a good the specnlatiou of the time. The next few years j deal of black mica. In some samples previously fur- showed wretched results. The tea was badly made, I nished, Mr. A. C. Dixon discovered traces of gold. and nearly half the crop had become sour when it 1 The professional reports of this gentlemen have also reached this country. Prices fell to a very low point. Planters saw that they must improve the quality if been laid before us, and we may extract a few pass they were to keep their position ; and a steady im­ ages to shew his opinion of the prospects of gold reef provement may be dated from 1870. Several grocers being found in the Southern Province near Galle. On introduced Indian teas into their blends with excel­ the 15th December last, Mr Dixon wrote :— lent results ; in many instances as much as one-half “ I have examined the specimens of gold, gems and being Indian tea. We do not propose to offer any ad­ bag of sand which I received from you on the 9tli vice on the use of Indian teas ; our object is rather to instant with the following result :— mark the steady development of the trade, and let a. The small nugget was pure gold and weighed our readers draw their own conclusions. A reference over 6 grains. to the dock returns for the present year shows an b. The stones in the paper parcel were fragments increase in the consumption of this tea of nearly six of gems such as corundum, sapphire, garnets, tour million pounds over last year, which fact alone is maline, zircon, &c. sufficient to establish the correctness of the heading c. The bag of sand contained fragments of the same of this article. We are informed that in many towns mineral as b, abounding especially in garnets, I did in the north of England and throughout Ireland, In­ not find any gold in the sample sent in bag. ” dian tea is retailed alone, without any mixture of China On the 27th December after a personal visit, Mr. tea whatever. This, no doubt, would be a bold ex­ periment in some places, but if care be taken in Dixon was able to say :— the selection of the right sort, no doubt it would “I saw the man who found the gold and examined the succeed. place from which he took it. 1 requested him to dig more and wash it in my presence, after whichl exami­ We venture to think that the best results may be ned the residue. I found no trace of gold in it, but obtained from Cachar and Darjeeling teas mixed to­ numerous fragments of gems and quartz. I then follow­ gether. The Assam growths are almost too strong to ed up the ravine to its source with the expectation of drink alone; but every grocer finds, by experience, finding a quartz reef from which the gold might have what suits his customers best, and acts wisely in come. I found two small reefs crossing the ravine and giving them just what they like, and always alike took specimens from them. These I have exami ned A good plan, we should think, would he to mix three and find only a sligth trace of gold not in quantity or fo u r sorts o f Indian tea together, say one heavy, to warrant its working. There is evidence of the occur­ strong, thick tea, another a brisk, pungent tea, a third rence of gems in the vicinity. I saw several which had o f a juicy, full, soft, character, and the fourth, perhaps, been taken from the opposite side of the hill, and a fine, flavoury, Darjeeling or Kangra Valley tea to judging from these they appear tobe of as good a quality give a distinctive tone to the biend. These, of course, are as the gems at Eatnapura but not so large in size. mere suggestions on our part. We do not presume to They were chiefly ruby, sapphire, tourmaline and cat’s- lay down fixed ideas for carrying out what must in eye. I have no doubt larger ones will be found. I all cases depend on individual tastes ; our object is spoke to your kangani respecting thequartz reefs and to point out the wonderful popularity of Indian teas, have no doubt th-«t if they were broken into, it would and to suggest to all our readers the advisability of set the matter at rest as to whether gold is tobe found studying their character closely. We feel sure it is there in quantity worth working. From what I saw bound to be as onr heading puts it—“ The tea of the it did not appear to be so.” future,” and the wisest course, therefore, will be for every tea-dealer to join the winning side, and realize Again :— in his own trade the truth in the old saying that “ I have examined the specimens of quartz sent on "Nothing succeeds like success.” the 17th March and find in it slight traces of gold at the rate of a few grains per ton. There is other metal­ The writer in the American Grocer has gone wrong lic matter in thequartz, viz : iron as a sulphide. I only in the statement that it was in 1842 that the have no doubt from what I saw when there that better attention of the Indian Government was first directed samples will be sent you.” to tea cultivation. It is now certain that long be­ So far therefore search at Galle has been unsuc- fore the era of the “ discovery ” of the indigenous tea cessfnl, although Mr. Dixon holds out encouragement in the jungles of Assam, by the brothers Bruce in of persevere in blasting for a reef. We trust Mr. 1826, the existence of an Indian tea was known to Auwardt’s further efforts may be crowned with success. We learn that the result of Mr. Harvey’s hurried Indian civilians and others. The utilization of the visit to the Dolosbage, Matale and Ambagamuwa dis plant was long hindered by Dr. Wallich’s persistent tricts has been to leave matters very much as they opinion that the true tea was merelya camellia But its were, save that certain out-crops of quartz were pro­ true nature was placed beyond doubt and the atten­ nounced non-auriferous and that of other places an tion of Government and individuals devoted to the opinion was expressed favorable to investigation. Mr. enterprise much prior to 1842. The details I need Harvey is a very high authority in the gold-mining not enter on. I may say, however, that he would be world and is naturally, therefore, correspondingly cauti­ reckoned wild who in 1842 had ventured to predict ous in the expression of his opinion. He was the that in lees than forty years India would be success­ first, it seems, to inspect and report favourably on the fully competing with China in the supply of tea to a auriferous land belonging to the late firm of Messrs. great and advancing population in Australia, Ceylon William Nicol & Co. of Bombay, and his report led also giving promise of taking her place in the same to the establishment of the Glenrock and other Gold- field. mining Companies His inspection of our hill regio'- 10 was far too hurried to lead to definite practical results. quality of its cocoa, provided care is exercised in It may, in one sense, be said to be premature, for the preparation. Since writing the above we have Mr. Harvey would be the man to call in after some been favoured with the following letter from Messrs. progress was made in the investigation, to give a decisive opinion on the value of quartz, and the nature Sabonadifire & Co., who are agents for Ambecotta of a reef. Planters will act quite rightly to make plantation, proprietors Messrs. Tytler and Heirs of available representative specimens of the quartz which T. C. Morton, while Pallekelly belong to Mr. Tytler they have reason to suppose to be auriferous; but, alone (Messrs. J. M. Robertson & Co., Agents) real­ as Mr. Harvey pointed out, the proper course in the ized the same price for its cocoa:— vase of Ceylon where gold has been found in the river beds and nowhere else (to speak of) as yet, would be To the Editor o f the Ceylon Observer. to pan and wash in the river and follow up so long D ear Sir ,—We have much pleasure in handing as gold was found, until at last it disappeared from you copy of sale prices and Broker’s report on Amba the washings, and then to look right and left and all cocoa per S. S. “ Duke of Buckingham,” shipped on round for the matrix reef from which the gold had this occasion by us in January last—details of PaUi gradually been denuded. Now this is work appertain­ cocoa per S. S. “ Almora,” (shipped by Messrs. J. ing to the Government of the country. It is im­ M. Robertson & Co.) belonging to same proprietors are possible that private individuals can undertake this also given. In forwarding us the report and result of duty, and we think, therefore, there is good reason sale, our London friends remark that, “ The rates for calling on the Lieut-Governor to devote some por­ “ obtained surprised the market—the highest valua- tion of the surplus revenue from the Pearl Fishery to “ tions before the sale being 80s. to 85s.” an investigation which may be fraught with important Yours faithfully, consequences to the revenue and prosperity of the p. p. S abonadiere & Co„ Colony. It will be remembered that in 1864 an at­ F red k . N oone. tempt to follow up the Mahaoya and Hingula in the manner described above, was frustrated by the apvent Valuations and Prices o f Cocoa. of the south-west monsoon. Unfortunately this same P e r S. S. “D u k e of B uckingham .” rainy season is again close at hand. Mr. Harvey was in bond greatly struck with the advantages presented to the Amba, A 15 Bags valued @ 80/ to 85/ sold @ 100/6 miner in Ceylon in railway and road communication, Do. B 5 „ „ 70 - „ „ 80/ water power, good climate, &c. He also expressed an Do. T 1 „ Chips and Triage ,, ,, 25/ interrst in the gem-digging operations in the country and hazarded the opinion that much deeper mining 21 Bags Cocoa. both for gems and gold in suitable localities (as re­ commended by Sir Samuel Baker in the case of Nu- P e r “ A lmora.” wara Eliya), ought to lead to successful results. The Pall,, I 3! Bag. vAlu.,1 to NO/ *V ' Bgs. sld. @ 100/^ bed of an ancient river, or the old bed of an existing river which has shifted its course, would probably be Do. 2 15 ., to TO To sold @ 100/ a favourite spot in which to operate for gold. T 3 I Triage ,, ,, 60/ It must be remembered that Ceylon is one of the T I I and chips . ,, 25/ oldest geological formations. Geologists speculate on this island having been connected wiih Madagascar 51 Bags Cocoa. and the Malay Peninsula by land long since submerged. They still regard a belt commencing on the east coast Report on the above.—The sale of your cocoa per of Africa and across Madagascar, Ceylon, Malay Penin­ steamers “ Almora,” and “ Duke of Buckingham ” sula and Borneo as the most likely division in which must be considered most satisfactory. The price of to find the remains of the earliest human beings or 1 0 0 / 1 0 0 / 6 for the bulk is quite a fancy one, and of the most advanced apes, on the earth’s surface. we must again remind you that if this cocoa comes Denudation of the rocks and reefs has therefore been in quantity, it is highly improbable that such sales going on in Ceylon far longer than in most countries, can be maintained. There is little fault to be found with and the fact that very valuable gems and evidences the cocoa itself ; we think it rather better than last of gold have been found so near the surface affords year’s shipments: there being fewer unripe or pale good reason for anticipating greater success from berries. deeper mining. The rose color of the bean itself is considered very Since writing the above we have seen Mr. A. C. good, whilst the light, fragile husk is much liked. Dixon 011 bis return from the Rakwana district. The Tbe price is the best proof how much the cocoa is Rangwelletenne limestone with its supposed 90 per cent liked. True copy. p.p. S. & Co., of lime is a delusion. The limestone Mr. Dixon saw is F. N. poor. Gem pits exist on Everton estate to the depth of forty yards, and Mr. Dixon saw finer stones—sap­ phires chiefly—than any he had previously seen in GEMS AND LIMESTONE IN THE RAKWANA the island. Two or three were valued by the Chetty owner at over £200 a piece ; but Mr. Dixon fully DISTRICT. agrees that the proper localities have probably not We learn from Mr. Shand, senior, that the Rang­ yet been explored for the best gems, and he is likely welletenne limestone so well reported on by Mr. to recommend a trial shaft in an old river bed. Hughes was found in the shape of boulders in the river, and that Mr. Dixon could not find any of similar quality for the good reason that all the best CEYLON COCOA. boulders had been collected and used up for estate Our London political and commercial correspond­ purposes. There exists, however, a small bed of ents call attention to the fact of parcels of cocoa from limestone not far away which runs through native Ceylon selling for 100s per cwt., an exceptionally high property, and which, had the Superintendent of Rang­ price, considering the state of the market at present. welletenne (Mr. G. D. Brabazon) not been absent from the district, he could readily have pointed out Mr. Tytler is to be congratulated on this result, since to Mr. Dixon. Altogether it is a pity that the this cocoa came from his Dumbara properties. It is geologist’s visit to the listrict was not made known evident that Ceylon will beat the West Indies in the to proprietors generally beforehand. His attention could have been directed to what is supposed to be We trust, however, that as regards the Government the richest gemming land in the district, near the Gardens’ bark, this is the very last consignment which Everton ridge, and also on Batakande from which, last will be sold to private manufacturers. VVe have the year, it is said, £9,000 of precious stones were assurance from Madras that henceforth the bark is sold, all taken from an area not exceeding 2 J acres ! The old Everton pits which were sunk to to be entirely used for manufacture on account of the a depth of 120 feet had to be abandoned by C. M. Government as in the case of the Sikhim bark, with Hassana Marikar, because he had no means of pump­ this difference : that Ootacamund bark is to be sent ing out an accumulation of water. It is very evid­ home to be manufactured in place of being used up ent that there is room with modern appliances and on the spot. Our London Correspondent, in correct­ adequate capital for a Limited Company to develop a very profitable Gem-digging industry in the ing the Economist's deliverance on the question raised Sabaragamuwa district. by Mr. Thomas Dickson, is wrong himself in sup­ posing that the Ceylon Government is as great a sinner CEARA RUBBER -N O SEED TO BE GOT as the Indian in this matter. The Hakgala Gardens FROM SOUTH AMERICA. are of too insignificant proportions to be considered in any sense a rival to the planters, and all the bark A Colombo merchant writes : —“ The following in reply to enquiries for Ccarit rubber seed may be of harvested there, so far, has been exceedingly trifling. interest:—‘ The last mail from South America brought The answers to the questions in the following letter news to the effect that drought had killed the plants which appears in Colonies and India in reply to Mr. for 150 miles, and that they have now to push many Dickson will be readily found in our Handbook;— miles up the river to secure seed. None is expected T h e I nd ia n G o vernm ent E xports of Cinchona in London for some time. ” 1 B a r k . TO THE EDITOR OF “ THE COLONIES AND INDIA.” CINCHONA BARK SALES. Sir , —With regard to Mr. Dickson’s letter I should The sales of Indian bark reported by last mail, wish to ask a few questions : being the large quantities shipped by the S.S. “ El- First. The Indian Government having created their dorado” and “ Kaiser-i-Kind,” are regarded as most plantations and supplied their wants, what objection can be made to their selling the surplus instead of satisfactory, and a happy omen of what the future allowing it to be wasted ? [It is not the surplus, has in store for Ceylon and Indian planters. For the but all the Nilgiris bark that is sold.—E d . C. O.J first time, the brokers report that the quantity of Second. Until the cost of introducing chinchoua bark oflered from the East was large enough to test cultivation into India is recouped by the Government, the market, and the result was that nearly all the have they not a right to reimburse themselves by the sales complained of ? [The outlay has already been 2,400 packages were sold readily for prices reaching recouped.—E d. C. O,] up to 10s 3d per lb. for “ renewed crown ” ; while, Third. In case of any emergency, such as an out­ out of 3,250 packages of South American offered break of fever in any district or the wants of an simultaneously, only 600 found purchasers. The sale army in the field, should not the Government continue of the parcel by the “ Kaiser-i Hind ” more especially to extend their plantations, and meanwhile sell tlweir calls for remark : it was as follows :— surplus harvest as they are now doing 1—I am &c,, London, Maich 24. I ndicus. Bales, Prices. Mr. Dickson is determined not to let the matter sleep, NCC natural crown 2 0 5s Od Branch crown 13 Is l id and it is well to make assurance doubly sure in the Mossed crown 6 7s Od case of India, while most certainly the tendency of Renewed crown 2 2 10s 3d the Jamaica authorities (under the very energetic Natural succirubra 41 4s Od auspices of our friend, Mr. D. Morris) to develope a Branch succirubra 13 2 s 6 d regular Government C.uchoua Trading Company should Mossed succirubra 8 5s Od be nipped in the bud. Experimental Gardens by all Renewed succirubra 46 7s Od to 7s 2d. Upon this Messrs. Rucker & Bencraft remark means ; but, when it comes to planting hundreds of We particularly attract the attention of our friends acres and to publishing special Gazettes with the de­ to the sale of this latter parcel. Here we have not tailed results of the sales of the Jamaica Government single package*, but important piles of natural crown bark in Mincing Lane, it is time the home author­ at 5s, renewed crown at 10s 3d, natural euccirubra ities were questioned on the subject. Mr. Dickson at 4s and renewed succirubra at 7s to 7s 2d. writes to us as follows :— Prices, in face of the heavy supplies, were lower. It has undoubtedly been to the advantage so far of The Scottish Trust and Loan Company of Ceylon, East Indian importers to sell practically to the highest Limited, bidder without reserve. But when such a heavy 123 Bishopsgate Street, Within, London, amount is put forward as at this sale, it becomes March 25tb, 1881. questionable whether the market is always capable of D ear M r . F erguson,—I have sent you a copy of absorbing the whole quantity at full market rates, the Colonies and ladia in which my letter re­ and it will be for the future to prove whether it is garding cinchona appears, and also the Jamaica Go­ possible to continue the policy of immediate sale to vernment Gazette, to show you how eager the Colo­ highest bidder, when our East Indian friends are con­ nial Governments, led on by specialists, are to become tributing no longer a few hundred packages per month, planters and traders and to copy the Indian Government. but in-tead as many thousands. We do not know If in cinchona, why not iu sugar, tea,or any other pro­ anything about the analyses of this large shipment duce ? Every one interested in Ceylon and India who of bark, hut it is generally questioned whether better will give the matter a little consideration, will see prices would not have been obtained if it had been the injustice, and one of the highest authorities, Mr. distributed over several sales, or at least had more Clements R. Markham, writing to a friend says :— firmness been shewn in holding it. “ I saw the letter about Government cinchona sales. and quite concur. Government very properly sold barke ham is entirely with the planters in their claim. Sir to repay expenses, and that being done, it has no Wm. Gregory’s policy in Ceylon was based on the right to trade; moreover that was not the object principles Mr. Markham laid down, namely,—Govern­ in introducing cinchona cultivation into India and Ceylon. ” ment gardens to supply seed aud cuttings and to try It is simply renewing the old East India Company’s experiments, while the cultivation for commercial pur­ trading powers which were taken from them 50 years poses was left solely in the hands of planters. We ago, and on a parallel with our old Government Cinna­ feel sure that the House of Commons, if appealed mon Garden affairs. to, would at once decide against the policy of the Unquestionably we can confine them to the limits I have mentioned, and restrict their trading powers, Madras and Jamaica Governments in growing bark to and I shall use my best endeavours to organize a sell in the Mincing Lane market. deputation to some member of Parliament who will espouse our cause, and you and our friends in Ceylon Ceylon Coffee in t h e H ome M a r k e t .—An ex- must back us up. No time is to be lost unless we Ceylon colonist writes :—“ Your readers will be wish to be swamped.—Yours truly, happy to hear that Ceylon coffee is the only T homas D ickson, M anaging Director.- one keeping up its price—some fine bold fetching 114s the other day, while some Jamaica ditto P. S.—I have stirred up many of the Ceylon houses my broker shewed me only fetched 53s, which here, who all agree something should be tried. I have was worth 75s two months ago. In Brazil also brought the matter before Messrs. Matheson & Co. there has been a heavy drop.” in hopes of securing the influence of Mr. Hugh Strength of Insects.—At a meeting of the Man Matheson, M. P., ana also Sir Jas. Elphinstone. land Academy of Sciences recently. Dr. Theobald showed I asked Sir David Wedderburn, but am sorry I a species of a beetle and gave the following figures . did not succeed. I have just seen Mr. Magniac, M.P., —Weight of beetle, 2 grains ; weight moved by it, of Messrs. Matheson & Co., who has kindly promised 5J ounces—2.640 grains, or 1.320 times the weight of to interest himself in the matter, and is clearly of beetle. A man weighing 150 pounds, endowed with the opinion the India Government have no pretext so strength of his insect, should therefore be able to long as we can show the plantations are self-sup­ move 198,000 pounds, or nearly 100 tons.— M adrm porting. Mail. The statistics he requires are as follows . - L acquered T in T ea Boxes.—Mr. C. P. Jones, of (1) What may be the annual production of the Baillie Street, Colombo, has sent for our examination a Government Gardens ? [360,000 lb. at Sikhim, all manu­ couple of Harvey Brothers & Tyler’s patent portable lac factured ; 250,000 lb. Nilgiris, all shipped and sold.— quered tin boxes which have been used to a great E d . C. O.] extent by shippers of Indian tea. The boxes (2) What may be the estimated requirements ? [Of are imported to Ceylon in pieces, and are bark by Government to make a febrifuge for the then hooked and soldered together. They are population, it is impossible to say.—E d. C. O.] made in convenient sizes. The largest of those sent (3) Are they extending their plantations ?—[Very to us will contain 20 lb of tea, and costs R l-65 little.—E d. C. O.] The smaller tin will contain 12 lb. Suitable repre­ (4) Are their gardens still in debt ?— sentations of tea estates, and the processes of [No : a source of profit.—E d. C. O ] curing and packing tea, are portrayed ,upon them, $an you procure these, and we will then have it giving them a very attractive appearance. We feel sure brought before Parliament, if not sooner ? [Refer to these will be well received if sent (filled with Ceylon our Ceylon Handbook and Markham’s new book for tea) to Australia, as they will be handy for carrriage the latest and most authentic information.—E d. C. O.] away from the centres of trade. The difference in cost of these over ordinary packages is equal to fd. per lb of Copy of Letter from Mr. Markham. tea ; but the produce sold in these handy boxes sells “ The object of introducing cinchona cultivation for a better price and in fact the price of the box is into India was to bring the febrifuge within reach more than repaid. Further particulars will be found of the masses of the people. It was right to sell in our advertising columns. the bark until all the capital outlay, with interest, Sc in d ia ’s Paper Mill has at last been completed had been recovered. This has been done, and the under the supervision of Mr. Cowasjee Wookerjee, whole of ethe Government bark ought now to be who selected and brought out from Europe the worked up in India for the use of the people. I con­ machinery with all the latest improvements. The sider it a breach of trust, and an act of doubtful mill turned out really excellent paper several hundred legality for the Goverment to continue to sell bark yards in length, on the occasion of its first trial, for profit in London Market. which took place on the 9th instant. Yesterday “ The Government cinchona plantations were not es­ (Thursday) Scindia, who had not previously been tablished for any such purpose. Their objects are to near the mill, held a special durbar in order to discover the best methods of cultivation and of har­ inspect the sample rolls of paper, which is here manu­ vesting to establish the best species to supply plants factured from karbi and rags and is pronounced and seeds, and distribute them widely so as to ex­ to be of a superior texture. His Highness was much tend the area of cultivation, and to manufacture very pleased to ascertain that the first European industry largely, the cheapest form of the febrifuge for the established in his territory had so far proved a use of the people of India. complete success. The mill is to be visited by “ Successive Secretaries of State, Sir Charles Wood, Scindia in State probably next week. Great praise Lord Ripon, and the Duke of Argyll have adopted my is doe to Mr. Wookerjee for the untiring zeal and views on this subject and impressed them on the energy he has shown in connection with this scheme, Government of India and Madras. from which considerable results may be expected. “ Certainly any one is entitled to quote my opinion : The mill, indeed, promises to be a great success, es­ it is published, and is public property.” pecially as skilled European engineers and workmen Mr. Dickson would do well to ask our late Governor, have been employed to carry on the work.—India), Agrictdturiel. — [W hen is a wealthy native like Mr. Sir Wm. Gregory, to interest himself on this question, C. H. De Soyza, or Mr. Sampson Rajapakse, to establish and, perhaps, to call Lord Kimberley’s attention to a cotton or paper mill in Ceylon ?—Natives carry on it. As we have already stated, Mr. Clements Mark- I both successfully in India.—E d . C. 0 . 1 £orrcsiiomlimoc. Fifty pods per tree is, I think, a low average and should give 1J lb. of merchantable cacao. Taking 435 trees to the acre that is nearly 6 cwts. per To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. acre ; and this, at prices already obtained for Ceylon cacao, would pay handsomely. Planting and estate NEW PRODUCTS IN UVA : CACAO AND cultivation would be less ; and merchants, charges &c. LIBERIAN COFFEE ON PATANA-LAND. would be much the same as coffee. The ‘3rd and 4th Deyenewette, Pasaara, April 22. years there would be a small crop, and the 5th and 6 th years should more than pay working expenses. The D ea r Sir , —As you have done much to promote the success of new products, and always urged the necessity 7th year the estate will be in full bearing. Twenty- of railway extension to Uva, you will doubtless be five pods per tree should pay its way, one may cal­ pleased to receive by this post specimens of Liberian culate on crop lasting six months, a consideration, as coffee and cacao grown on patana soil in Badulla district: less coolies would be required, and there would not be the the former raised from Polgahawella plants, and the same rush as with coffee. latter from Pallakelly seed, and both three years old. (4.) What distance apart is considered most suitable ? On some of the Liberian trees are hundreds of In decent soil, I say, 10 by 10 feet if cacao is grown berries, and some of the cacao trees gave over forty by itself. This gives 435 trees to the acre. pods. From some 200 pods gathered all about the Your low-country, Western Province, correspondent size of the sample, an average of twenty-eight seeds seems to be in the “ dumps ” about the cacao, and, was the result, all of which are growing in bambu I don’t wonder very much, if he has planted in an pots except 300 seeds used by me in the manufacture exposed situation and in poorish soil, as I gather of chocolate paste. After grinding the seed on a curry- from his letter. Cacao requires for its wellbeing stone and mixing cinnamon, cream, and sugar, it was (1 ) good, freeish soil; (2 ) shelter from steady or gusty very good, and only required vanilla to complete winds; (3) suitable elevation, with forcing climate, both flavour and colour to make the real thing. and good rainfall ; (4) shade. To those (like above) It is about time you received another report on who can’t grow cacao as an even field I say plant the progress of new products in Uva. the sheltered good nooks and corners (along with Trusting you will receive the twenty-five berries of other products) with cacao. One or two hundred trees Liberian and cacao pod in separate packets by this thus to the acre will always help to keep the pot post, I remain, dear sir, yours faithfully, boiling—the expenses against which will be only- curing on the estate, and merchants' charges. HENRY COTTAM. Your Western Province correspondent and others [The cacao pod is a good average specimen weighing who are much troubled with whiteants should try lOj oz., while the Liberian coffee cherries are splen­ cacao slumps, prepared the same as coffee stumps, but didly healthy and full-sized. It is Mr. Cottam, hard­ with more care. If the taproot is too long cut off a working persevering planter as he is who ought to small bit with a sharp knife, but, do not do so if it have got a free grant of land, and not a capitalist can be avoided. It is a good plan to dip the tap so well able to buy for himself as Mr. M. H. root in any solution which is deemed likely to keep Thomas. Indeed, we shall have a good deal more away whiteants, and encourage the growth of fresh to say on the subject of this Uva grant, if Mr. rootlets. I have tried stumps myself successfully. Thomas does not voluntarily forego his claim to all They take upwards of a month to bud. They should but the first 100 acres. The House of Commons be over six months old, but the proper time can be should hear of this matter otherwise. Meantime we wish judged by the ripeness of the bark and thickness of every success to Mr. Cottam as a pioneer with new the stem of the plant : the size of an ordinary pencil products. —E d . C. 0 .] and thicker. For plants to put out I recommend that the nursery should be made on poorish land, by which CACAO CULTIVATION. means the roots do not grow beyond control. Shade Gang Warily Estate, Western Dolosbage, during weather which requires it with a temporary 23rd April 1881. roof, or thatch, and remove the shade before planting D ear Sir ,—Sometime ago (9th inst.) “ New Pro­ in order to harden the plants, as is the case with ducts” asked a few questions relative to cacao, and cinchona. I find these tough little ‘ gentry ’ take as no one has come forward—better late than never— to the ground and resist whiteants better than their I ’ 11 endeavour to answer them. more handsome and delicate brethren. Remove the (1.) Where does it thrive best, in or out of shade ? plants as carefully as possible with a digging fork, That will a good deal depend upon elevation. Over and plant in continuous showery weather—not in a 2 , 0 0 0 feet I don’t think shade necessary; but under puddle of rain. Alternate sunshine and shower is the that, I certainly think a light shade desirable; and, desideratum—shade with ferns, or branches which the lower the elevation, the more shade will probably retain their leaves for a long time. be required. I find the jak tree answers capitally, ‘ Lastly, and in conclusion ’ (the part of the sermon, and, for a light permanent shade might be planted or lecture, we used to enjoy most) take care of the about a chain ( 6 6 feet) apart,which would give ten trees husks after you remove the seeds, as I note my pigs to the acre. eat them readily, so they are likely to prove a not- Cacao under shade may take a longer time to arrive to-he-despised addition to the pig food. at maturity, and bear less fruit; but I believe that Mr. Tytler was to give us some hints about the under shade the trees will be more lasting and the curinrj of this interesting new product. I hope he will pods larger and the seeds of a better quality, at the do so.—Yours truly, JOHN DRUMMOND. same time yielding enough to pay well. I believe in cacao a good deal as a mixed cultivation ; and I find it thrives well, both as plant and tree, under the com­ CINNAMON CULTIVATION IN THE HILL bined influence of the shade of coffee (ten years old) AND LOW DISTRICTS. and jak trees of about the same age. It does no harm Veyangoda, 24th April. to the coffee. D ear Si r ,—During the last few- years planters, (2.) How many pods per tree are required to the owing to the shortness of coffee crops, have given cwt. per acre ? their attention to what is called new products. (3 ) How many pods per tree, or cwts per acre will ’ Amongst other things attention has been turned pay? 1 to cinnamon cultivation. A very great error has 11 been made in cultivating this product. Plants have CEYLON AT THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. been put out singly on one estate in the hill I have alluded to the vote of thanks accorded by country on which 1 was resident. The visiting agent, on one of his inspecting visits, suggested a field on the Pharmaceutical Society for specimens of Dr. Tri- which the coffe* had gone out, to be planted with cinna­ men’s drugs. A copy of the local organ of this mon. I was asked to make enquiries in the low- Society has been sent to me, in which you will find country as to cost of plants. Clumps of plants were the following :— then selling at 1130 per thousand; that was consid­ ered too high, and my P. D., who was resident on Donations.—A special vote of thanks was carried to the adjoining estate, during one of bis frequent A. M. Ferguson, Esq., the executive commissioner visits to Ambagamuwa, purchased plants at RIO the for Ceylon at the International Exhibition; for a thousand and planted them out singly, one in each valuable collection of drugs, seeds &c., from the Cey­ hole. When next I met him, I pointed out to him lon Court for the society’s museum. And also to Mrs. the great mistake he had made. The plants would, I Guille, for the care she took in packing the specimens. said, be fit for cutting in about three years Each stock Again, the President, in his address, stated :— would then put out a couple or so of suckers which “ The president of the Board of Pharmacy and him­ in their turn will be fit for cutting in a couple of self, as president of tbe society, had issued a joint years. The clumps or bushes will thus be gradually circular to the executive commissioners of a 1 the pruned, and it would take ten or twelve years before the courts at the Melbourne International Exhibition, ask­ cinnamon will pay more than the cost of monthly weed­ ing for specimens of chemicals, drugs, &c , for the ing. My P. D. looked surprised and asked me why museum. Already they had received the most courte­ I hadn't told him so before. For the simple reason, ous responses, and from Mr. A. M. Ferguson, the I answered, that he had not consulted me. I have commissioner for Ceylon, and editor of the Colombo written so much, as I see from time to time ad­ Observer, they had received a numerous and valuable vertisements of cinnamon plants for sale, and as a collection of dried specimens, arranged by Dr. Tri­ warning to planters not to put out plants singly. It men, the eminent botanist, which it was intended to will never pay, especially as the quality of the cin­ carefully preserve, as well as all other specimens with namon grown on the hills is inferior and is known which tbey might be favoured." as Corle cinnamon. The best use to which such cin­ Of course only portions of the specimens were given : namon can be put is to have it scraped into chips the rest will go to Mr, Guillefoyle for his museum, and sold for the extraction of oil. Cinnamon seeds or to other institutions. are generally sown in the low country, in beds Besides Mr. Blackett, Mr. BosUto, M.P., is a lead­ in which drills are made with the hand, and into which ing member of the Pharmaceutical Society, and in the number of the periodical sent to me I find notices from 1 0 or 1 2 to a handful of seed is dropped. The more the seed the larger the clump, the sooner of the interesting exhibits of products of the eucalypti it will pay and the chances of the plants growing, and other native plants which Mr. Bosisto shews in as the outer ones protect the inner ones. It has the Exhibition. While eome of the eucalypti are of been said in an old number of your Directory, in dwarf babit and useless for timber, the blossoms give an article written evidently by that very able planter food to bees so useful in this country. Hives are who now writes from the “Western Province," that abundant everywhere, and so is honey. I rather wish it is next to impossible to make supplies good on than hope for the success of apiculture in Ceylon. our old estates. If the writer of the article in ques­ We have enough of neither summer nor winter, I fear.* tion were to visit the estate under Mr. Drieberg’s An extreme contrast to the dwarf eucalypti are the charge at Ekelle, he would no doubt be agreeably sur- great trees, the tallest by far in the world, of Fern- rised to see acres and acres of supplies flourishing, shaw and Gippsland, E amygdalina. The leaves y Mr. Drieberg sowing his seed in handfuls in drills. of Amygdalina odorata yield large quantities of essen­ Finally it will be impossible for planters up-country tial oil which Mr. Bosisto was the first to introduce to put out plants in clumps, unless from nurseries both in Australia and Europe, in the hospitals of which on the estate, as the cost of carriage of so much it is recognized soil with the clump will be ruinous.—Truly yours, “ As an antiseptic of great power. A few drops sprink­ led on a cloth and suspended in a sick room renders B. the air refreshing; and for disinfecting and deodoris­ ing, a tablespoonful of the Oil added to two or three pounds’ weight of sawdust, well mixed and distributed I n d ia -r u bber Se e d , —The Zanzibar correspondent will speedily produce a purifying effect. It is also of the Times of India writing on the 5th instant employed as a valuable Rubefacient in all Rheumatic reports : — Affections, as a Basic Odour in aromatising Soaps, On a recent visit to the mainland, Dr. Kirk, who and as a Solvent of Resins difficult of solution." is well-known as an enthusiastic botanist, has obtained Then there is “ Syrupus Rostrati” : specimens and seeds of the true India-rubber plant of ‘ * Prepared from the Inspissated Juice of the Red the district, which will enable the botanical authori­ Gum Tree. A delicate mucilaginous astringent, em­ ties in England to describe and fix the species. ployed in all affections of the mucous membrane, par­ The seeds have been sent to the Indian Government ticularly in Diarrhosa and Chronic Dysentery." at Calcutta, where the East African plant will be But the great source of Bosisto’s preparations cultivated along with the plants already obtained from is E. globulus, “ the blue gum," which is so Brazil and Central America. As the Ea^t African great a success in South India and Ceylon, as India-rubber grows wild over upwards of 1,000 well as in other parts of the world. To Mr. miles of longitude and extends far inl tnd, no doubt Bosisto it yields an essential oil, the effects many parts of India will be found suitable for its of which are thus described :— growth. The India-rubber plant has already been “ Tonic, Stimulant, and Antiseptic. A small dose introduced at Madras by Dr. Kirk, who has also promotes appetite ; a large one destroys it. In stronger supplied the seeds from which plants are now b ing closes of 1 0 to 2 0 minims it first accelerates the pulse, distributed to our tropical colonies from the Royai produces pleasant general excitement (shown by ir­ Gardens, Kew. We have received several interesting communications * Mr. Benton assures us that the alternate rainy on the subject of Rubber cultivation in Ceylon which and dry seasons here operate much as winter and will appear in an early issue. summer do in temperate regions.—E d . C. O. resistible desire for moving about) and a feeling of of Melbourne, where years ago cinchonas were already buoyancy and strength. Intoxicating in very large raised by the thousand, they have even resisted un­ doses, but, nnlike alcohol or opium, the effects are injured a temperature of a few degrees less, where- not followed by torpor, but produce a general calm­ ever the wind had no accass, while under such very ness and soothing sleep. A strong cup of Coffee will slight cover the cinchonas withstood also a heat of a at once remove any unpleasantness arising from an few degrees over 100° F.” over-dose.’’ With cinnamon the Baron seems to have tried no Then, from the same tree is obtained “ Eucalyptol,” experiment, although he notes that Dr. Hooker found thus described . - plants at 6,000 feet on the Khasya Hills, while Dr. “ For Inhalation in Bronchial Affection. Quantity Thwaites found the true C. Zeilani'um, B r ey n , “ even employed—From half to one teaspoonful with half a up to 3,000 feet in Ceylon.” Coffee, the Baron pint of hot water in the Inhaler.” states, “ has been admitted into this list, not without Next comes tbe “ Tincture,” tonic, antiperiodic and great hesitation, merely not to be passed. The cul­ antiseptic, ‘ 1 Eucalyptene” : — tivation within extra-tropical boundaries can only with “ The Tonic or bitter principle in an amorphous any prospect of success be tried in the warmest condition ; employed in Low fevers in doses of one to and simultaneously moistest regions, frost being de­ three grains.” trim ental to the coffee p lant.” W ith reference 1 0 The “ Liquor” is described as | this I may add that coffee plants from Queensland “ The Fever and Ague Remedy. Dose—For Ague and shewn in the Exhibition looked very much “ shuck,” Dengue Fever 30 to 60 minims in half a wineglassful while specimens of tea plants were generally far more of mucilage and water, or glycerine and water, with healthy. Queensland shewed even mangoes on several the occasional addition of two minims of Eucalyptol occasions and with “ bananas" and pineapples she every two or three hours during the paroxysms of keeps Melbourne regularly supplied. * In Dunn & Ague.” Hewett’s case in the Exhibition cacao is shewn in This would seem to be a fair substitute for quinine, every possible shape, and the attempt to represent a which, however, it is not likely to supersede. Here, tree with blossom and fruit is fairly successful. happily, fever of a malarious origin is rare. Next we But what is called a coffee tree is a miserable cari­ have an antiseptic, emollient preparation, and then cature of what, when healthy and free from fungus “ Cigarettes of Eucalyptus Globulus. Recommended and grub, and covered with snow-white blossoms or for Bronchial and Asthmatic Affections, and also for ruby-red fruits, is a very beautiful object. May we the Disinfecting and Antiseptic Properties. Note.— yet see it in its pristine glory in Ceylon. The Baron The Cigarettes are numbered 1 and 2. No. 1 are notices the Liberian species of coffee, but, strange without Tobacco : No. 2 contain a small quantity, to say, takes no notice of the fairly successful ex­ and are recommended for general smokers.” periment to naturalize this plant in Queensland. That There are two further preparations, thus described :— will yet be a great and rich colony, with its vast “01.—Atherosperma moschata ess. The physiological resources of soil and climate. I met Mr. Lukin Grese- effects of this Oil, in small doses, are Diaphoretic, well here a few days ago, and was much interested diuretic and Sedative, and it appears to exert a speci­ to hear his account of the great transcontinental fic lowering influence upon the heart’s action. As a railway he is engaged in furthering. The idea now medicine it has been introduced into the Colonial is that the Queensland section should reach the ocean Hospitals, and employed successfully in cases of Heart at Port Parker, about 9 0 miles short of Port Darwin. Disease. Administered in one or two drop doses at But all these colonies are doing wonders in railway intervals of six or eight hours. construction, lines of which will speedily connect the ‘ ‘ Liquor Atherosperma mosch. Employed in Asthma coldest regions of Australia with others where tropic and all affections of the respiratory organs.” heat ever reigns. “Dwellers in Ceylon will,therefore,see that the Austra­ Mr. Lukin Gresswell holds that even in tropical lian gum trees are valuable for other properties than Australia white men can labour and live, but this I as quick-growing yielders of guod timber. doubt. The solution of the problem would seem to From the Government of New South Wales l*have be Lieut.-Governors with paternally despotic “ crown- received copy of an enlarged edition of Baron von colony ’’ rule in the tropical latitudes, the lands being Mueller’s “ Select Extra-Tropical Plants Readily Eligible cultivated by Indian immigrants. This, and Sir Wm. for Industrial Culture or Naturalization ; with Indica­ Jervois’s idea of Tasmania as the centre of the great tions of their Native Countries and Some of their Uses.” Australian confederation, may yet be realized. But I anticipate reading this volume with the same in­ to return to the botanic Baron’s book. Of the ubiquitous terest and profit with which I have perused the tea plant, which is said to grow in Japan so far north published “ Decades” of the Baron’s great work on as 39° (or 32° farther from the equator than Ceylon), the Eucalypti. The book just received 1 can now only where a temperature of 16 F. sometimes exists, it is glance at, with reference to a few products in which remarked:—“ This evergreen and ornamental bush has we are specially interested and which can no doubt proved quite hardy in the low-lands at Melbourne be grown in the tropical and even the subtropical where in exposed positions it endures without any portions of this wide-spread island-continent, if only attention our night frosts as well as the free access cheap labour becomes available. Fnends in Ceylon of scorching summer winds.” Again:—“ The plant when they take into account the fact that the mean comes into plentiful bearing of its product as early temperature of Melbourne is the same as that of as the Vine and earlier than the Olive. Its culture Nuwara Eliya, 75°, will not be surprised to learn that at is surrounded with no difficulties, and it is singularly Berwick, close by, cinchona calisaya had not only exempt from disease, if planted in proper localities.” grown but flowered “ already five years ago.” We The Indian planters believe that^they have chosen need not fear the competition of this colony, how­ proper localities, and yet their bushes suffer not only ever, and Queensland and Southern and Western from what the Baron himself calls “ the very trouble­ Australia which have the proper climate lack the some tea-bug of Asia, Helopeltia theivora," but from labour. The Baron states of C. auccirubra that “ It red spider and mosquito blight, while in Ceylon small has been found hardy in Lower Gippsland and the moths do much mischief. The Baron, at the conclu­ Westernport district.” The Baron adds:—‘"The best sion of his notice of “ Camellia Thea,” states:— temperature for cinchonas is from 53° to 6 6 ° F. ; but “ Seeds of the tea bush are now in many parts of they mostly will endure in open places a minimum Australia locally to be gathered from plants distributed of 32° F, ; in the brush seades of the Botanic Gardens by the writer, and for years to come the cultivation of the tea bush, merely to secure local supplies of as purchaser of the same on behalf of the company, fresh seeds, ready to germinate, will in all likelihood and—2nd. One dated the 24th of March, 1881, be- prove highly lucrative. ” This may be true, and the ween Edward Morton Rossiter, Richard Wade Jen­ plant may be widely cultivated in gardens and hedges, kins, and William Charles McEntee. as vendors of the but we need have no fear of the Australians for Panilkanda estate, with all the buildings, plants, trees, enerations to come growing the tea they drink. Con- tools, and machinery, and crops growing thereon, and itions of soil and climate exist here as well as in David Baird Lindsay as purchaser of the same on America, but cheap and plentiful labour is a sine behalf of the Company. qud non. Cacao the Baron does not include in his The purchase money to be paid under these two con­ Ibook any more than cardamoms. On the whole, we, tracts amounts to the sum of £15,000, of which £9,000 in Ceylon, are more likely to be successful in culti­ is to be paid in cash and £ 6 , 0 0 0 in fully paid up vating the eucalypts and acacias of Australia, about shares of the Company. which this book gives much valuable information, than The directors express their belief that handsome our Australian friends are to compete with us in the profits will be realised by this venture for the reasons growth of purely tropical products. that they do not depend upon any one article of pro­ duce alone, and that labour is cheap and abundant in the district in which the Company propose to com CEYLON COCOA IN MINCING LANE. mence operations. Messrs. Rucker & Bencraft report as follows in their Price Current on the parcels of Ceylon cocoa referred to by us yesterday, and which it seems they sold :— CYPRIAN BEES. Cocoa. —The statistical position is weak ; stocks are increasing, and arrivals are heavy. At s»le 7,200 bags At the 10th annual convention of the North Ameri went flatly, and prices were easier. can Bee-keepers’ Society the Rev. O. Clute read, Our little parcel of Ceylon marks, Amba and Palli, for the author (Mr. F. Benton) a paper on “ The Next Progressive Step,” from which we take the fetched the fancy prices of 100s to 100s 6 d. This cocoa is much liked, it has the true rose colour, and the following as of special interest to the gentlemen in husks are light and fragile. Stocks are : Ceylon who purchased colonies of Cyprian bees from Mr. Benton as well as to others :— 1881. 1880. 1879. 1878. 1877. I propose to try to accomplish a portion of the com 59,471 26,941 17,737 25,614 26,539 packages. Rather different are the remarks of Messrs. Wilson mittee’s work by presenting for your consideration a Smithett & Co., who are said to be leading authori­ statement of the views entertained, after some years of experience with Cyprian bees, by prominent bee- ties on cocoa :— culturists of Europe, so far as the latter have ex­ Cocoa. — The auctions this week were again heavy, and importers shewing a disposition to sell a further pressed themselves in the apiarian journals of the decline of Is to 2s was established. A parcel of 72 continent. The authorities I shall quote are such bags Ceylon realized an extreme price, and one that as are known to have had experience in cultivating may prove very misleading to growers, as the quanti­ this race of bees, and whose reputation is too wefi ty required for the special use (these went for assured for any to doubt their having used care and coloring chocolate) is very small, and large importa­ having made great efforts to arrive at the truth. In tions could only rank with other growths, and sell at 1868 the first colony of Cyprian bees were received just relative prices, say 70s to 75s per cwt. at the beginning of winter and did not survive until But we notice that the same firm acknowledge to the next season. Another colony was obtained in an increasing consumption of cocoa in France amount­ 1872, and two more in 1874, since when other im ­ ing for the first two months of 1881 to 1,910,028 kilos, portations have been made. Apiaries of hundreds of against 1,562,523 in 1880 and 1,392,011 in the same colonies of Cyprians are now in existence in Austria ; in Germany there are also large Cyprian apiaries, period of 1879. and the race is attracting much attention in adjoin­ ing landa as well as on this side of the water. The THE (CEYLON) TEA AND CINCHONA PLANTA­ opinions expressed by foreign journals are, in the main, very strongly in their favour, and I am fully TION COMPANY (LIMITED). persuaded that our next progressive step is to intro­ We take the following from the H^meand Colonial duce their cultivation extensively into this country. M ail ■ — A brief description of the Cyprians may not be We have received a prospectus of the above pro­ amiss to many. The bodies of the bees are strong, ject, the capital of which is £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 in £ 1 shares. slim, and wasp-like, the abdomen being quite pointed. The purpose for which the Company is formed is They are to be classed, decidedly, among the yellow stated to be the “ purchasing of estates and developing races; their whole bodies have generally a more therein the cultivation of tea and cinchona.” “ It is golden or orange color than those of the Italians. also proposed to cultivate other valuable articles such as The Cyprian queens are perceptibly smaller than cardamoms, india rubber, cocoa, nutmeg, and vanilla, other queen-bees, their bodies being slender, in fact the soil and climate of the Southern Province of delicate appearing, very tapering, but long. The Ceylon being especially suitable foi the growth of drones of the Cyprian race are strong, and have such products.” “ To inaugurate the business of the long, apparently stretched-out bodies. Company, the directors have arranged to purchase and In regard to the qualities of the Cyprians, Hen take over certain uroperties, of about 2,335 acres in Cori says :—“ This race exceeds all those thus far extent, iu the Stflkhern Province of Ceylon, locally described. The bees commence brood-rearing earlier* known as Anningkanda and Panilkanda, at an average have an active disposition, fiy when the weather is cost of about £ 6 5s. per acre.” The estates are, the cool, are extraordinarily prolific, and are diligent in prospectus states, already partly planted with tea, cin­ honey-gathering. As regards their disposition to sting chona. and cardamoms, the extension of which will be it may be said that it is not greater nor less than proceeded with vigoi ously. that of the Italians or of other races.” The testi­ The following contracts have been entered into : mony of this man is well worth considering, for, 1st. One dated the 25th of March, 1881, between holding a high position under the Bohemian govern­ Alexander Brooke, as vendor of the Anningkanda estate, ment, be has for many years devoted a great deal with all the buildings, plants, trees, tools, machinery, of his time to the elevation of his favorite pursuit— and crops growing thereon, and David Baird Lindsay. bee-culture, in his native land, and has become re cognized in his locality as an authority in such matters. “ It is a well-known fact that the most of the Italian In 1875 he wrote as follows :— colonies do not winter as well as black bees, and very *■ The Cyprians appear to be no particular friends often suffer by spring dwindling. This is not the case to drones. At the second revision of my colonies in with the Cyprian bee. 1 have reared in three years the spring during the latter part of May. I found in many a Cyprian queen (not to sell with a few bees, sixtv-two colonies no ripe drone brood, and in only but for my own use, and to sell in lull Cyprian colo­ a few was any drone brood to be found, while from nies in the spring), and every such colony wintered hives containing bees of other races drones had been well, coming out strong in the spring. Hying for eight days. How long it was before my “ The Cyprian bee will not swarm as much as the original imported Cyprian queen placed eggs in a Italian, and does not build as much drone-comb as drone comb, hung in the middle of the brood-nest ! the latter. Rather than comply with my earnest wish she al­ " I will not say the Cyprians work better than lowed empty combs, usually so odious to the bees, Italians, but it is certain my Cyprian colonies yielded to be placed between the sheets of brood, and yet me every year the greatest honey harvest. As to this colony was very strong, the weather quite fa­ stings, it may be stated, they used them neither more vourable, and I fed it more diligently than any of nor less than the Italians.” the others. Such a similar occurrence in all of my Herr Dathe, the author of the very practical Lehrbuch, Cyprian stocks indicate that it is a peculiarity of this says : “ The Cyprians are more inclined to gather race to commence drone-rearing much later than others honey than to swarm ; however, they are not as gentle do. On the other hand, the killing of the drones as the Italians and are often so cross that they cannot takes place from two to three weeks later than with our be controlled by means of tobacco-smoke, resembling other bees, but the making away with the drones in this respect the Egyptians.” then goes on rapidly. Indeed, we met with individual There seems to be two parties as regards the tem­ drones in February in colonies in good order and perament of the Cyprians. Some say they are quite even those possessing good young queens. I believe, gentle bees, others that they are very ugly*—being al­ therefore, that I am not mistaken in assuming that most unmanageable. This of itself would lead us to a further peculiarity of this race is the wintering of think that through some mishap the latter had been individual drones. I found in none of my Cyprian handling hybrid bees, which are well known as great stocks too great a multitude of drones; on the con­ hands to sting, and indeed, we find a large number trary, in comparison with other races, there were of bee-keepers testifying that it is only when hybridiz­ rather less, than more. In the collecting of honey ing has taken place that bees of Cyprian blood are the Cyprians are very diligent; they appear to be cross. discreet in the occupation of the ready combs with Herr Guenther, of Gispersleben, Thuringia, is an­ brood and honey, and only after that to devote them­ other noted and extensive breeder of Italian bees, selves with full zeal to the building of new combs. who says the Cyprians are very diligent and prolific, They begin the sealing of honey earlier than do other but says they are exceedingly cross. races of bees.” Herr Anton Lorenz writes :—“ The Cyprian bee is The best proof that can be adduced to show that diligent—where there is a chance to rob; this proves the Cyprians have sustained the good reputation early its diligence, which we do not wish to disparage in given them by the Count, is found in the fact that the least, but its crossness exceeds all bounds. As from time to time, since the above was written, he some praise its good disposition, while others bring has imported more from Cyprus forward its inclination to sting, are we not to con­ One of the well-known and often-quoted l>ee-raisers clude that the race is not pure or not of the same of Northern Germany is Herr C. ,T. H. Gravenhorst, sort, whether this be, as Herr Hilbert thinks, be­ of Brunswick, not a breeder of queens for sale, but cause some have Smyrnian blood in them, or because au extensive honey producer, whose (sensible articles there are two kinds of bees on the Island of Cyprus, in the old numbers of the American Bee Journal, one of which is decidedly ugly.” form quite a fund of information. He says himself, I fully believe our next progressive step is to in­ in an article which I translated for the American troduce and commence the dissemination of the beauti­ Bee Journal, September 1877 : “ After trying various ful, valuable bees of Cyprus. I have presented you races and concluding that the Italian was the best, with the views of the prominent apiculturists who 1 felt not the least inclination to procure and culti­ have tested these bees on a large scale and for a vate still another race.” However, on the recom­ number of years—some as many as seven years, and mendation of some of his apiarian friends, he pro­ you see they are very generally agreed on all points cured, in 1874, two Cyprian queens, and after three but one, and that the majority report favourably re­ \ cars’ experience with the breed reported as follows garding that point, while from our own experience “ The colony with the imported queen was especially with Italians we can easily understand how such a diligent, gave a large return, and with the remainder diversity of opinion might exist when in reality there of the stocks, was in good condition for winter. The existed no serious objection to the race of bees. wintering and development during the next spring Perhaps we c»nnot, as that enthusiastic German, lelt nothing more to be wished for. Herr von Natzmer, suggested to bis countrymen, “ After having carefully observed I he Cyprian bee— “ annex Cyprus,” yet I think when American bee- pure as well as hybrid—I have come to the follow­ culturists fully realize how great is the benefit likely ing conclusions regarding the same : . to result from the introduction of this race of bees, “ 1. The diligence of the Cyprian is at least equal they will not be slow in turning to account all prac- to the Italians; indeed, as regards economy within I tical means at hand to aid in the work. the hive, the former have the preference, because they Lansing, Mich. F rank B enton. lire less inclined to build drone-comb. The same pe­ culiarity is noticeable also with the hybrids. “ 2. In their purity they are certainly more beauti­ NOTES ON LIBERIAN COFFEE -. ITS HIS­ ful than the handsome Italians. Those who visited my TORY AND CULTIVATION (IN JAMAICA). apiary were always much surprised ns strong stocks This is the title of a pamphlet by Mr. D. Morris, tilled with these beautiful bees were opened, and masses published by the Jamaica Government. Its purpose of the insects rolled out so peaceably. j is to give the Jamaica planters the leading inforina- “ 3. When rightly handled, they are neither more | tion on the subject Mr. Morris acknowledges i.is nor less inclined to sting than the Italians.” i indebtedness to the book published by us in 1878, In another place the same writer remarks :— I and, in fact, the whole pamphlet is largely composed 12 of information from that work and from oar columns. yield per acre. The plants now at the Castleton We quote the following regarding Liberian coffee in Gardens were kept for two seasons in the uncongenial Jam aica :— temperature of the Cinchona Plantation (5,000 feet,) In 1879, Mr. Jenman reported as follows respecting but after removal to Castleton (600 feet,) they have the Liberian coffee at the Castleton Gardens :—“ There made satisfactory and rapid progress. Recently they is a great demand for this coffee, which the garden is were described as “ beautiful and much admired ob­ quite unable to meet at present. All attempts which jects in their dress of stately dark green foliage, laden have to my knowledge on the part of private parties to with the pure white bloom among which appeared the import either plants or seed have proved failures. ruddy fruit from the previous year.” During the year Another small parcel of seed received some months ago 1879-80 some seven thousand seedlings were raised from Kew Gardens, produced between four and five from the produce of these trees, and the cultivation dozen plants. I shall still further extend the plots now is being rapidly extended, both at Castleton and at in cultivation, that the Gardens may in time be in the the old Botanic garden at Bath. Another peculiarity position to supply plants in thousands yearly. I am of Liberian Coffee is dwelt upon which if found ge­ glad to be able to report that the first few trees re­ nerally applicable to it, will greatly increase its value. ceived have, this year, borne a small crop of fruit, The tree is mentioned as possessing the habit of which has recently been gathered and sown. Several sending its “ strong tap-root far into the ground” applications for the seed have been made, all of which and this characteristic is believed “ will enable the I have felt it my duty not to comply with. Ample Liberian Coffee to live and bear fruit in seasons of means exist here for raising it successfully, such as pri­ rotracted drought, which prevent the setting of vate persons do not possess ; and, without question, it lossom on the ordinary coffee at low elevations.” is to tbe interest of the colony that precautions should We may naturally look forward to the quality of be taken to ensure a minimum of loss with the seed pro­ Liberian Coffee being greatly improved under cultiva­ duced for the first few years. From the quantity given tion both in the East and the West Indies ; but tak­ the first season it would be impossible to form even an ing the opinion expressed above and assuming that approximate estimate of the ultimate yield of the tree ; Liberian Coffee will sell generally at 90s. per cwt., nor, as its character under cultivation is as yet unknown this does not, necessarily, involve a lower return for to us by actual experience, could its merits compare with the capital and attention devoted to it. From its adap­ the common species be judged thereby. However, tak­ tability to cultivation in the plains, from its more ing the circumstances connected with these particular •robust and prolific character, and from the generally trees into consideration, the yield appeared quile satis­ more economic treatment to which it is amenable, it factory. No record was obtained of the quantity pro­ is quite possible that its cultivation will prove oven duced by any or all the trees, as the berries were more remunerative than the high-priced varieties of picked one by one as they ripened, to avoid the risk of Arabian Coffee. loss by rats. Taking equal numbers of average fruit of the two species grown side by side on tbe same ground, the relative weight of the Liberian was as eight to three of the Arabian.” The further progress of the Liberian THE EVIL WROUGHT BY THE PHYLLOXERA coffee plants, at Cadleton, is given in the following inter­ IN FRANCE AND THE REMEDY, esting remarks by Mr. Syme in his report for 1879-80:— (PaU Mall Gazette.) “L ib e r ia n Co ffee.—Thirty plants of this species While nations during the last few years have been growing on the rather steep slope of the ravine above occupied in flying at each other’s throats and doing the aquatic tank are now from 4 to 10 feet in height, their utmost to decimate their neighbours, a silent and bore this year a large crop of cherries. Over 7,000 enemy has been making terrible havoc in France and plants have been raised from them. The parent plants other countries, causing to the former State nearly were in flower when the hurricane swept over them thus as great a money loss as that entailed by a tolerably blasting all hopes of a crop of cherries in 1880-81. Of long war. The name of this enemy, all the more the 81 plants put out in the old canefield by Mr. Jenman deadly because it is so small as to be nearly invisible, in April, 1879, five were uprooted by the storm. The is the phylloxera, and the mischief that has been others are now—say at twenty months old—from 3 to 5 inflicted by it on French interests may be estimated feet in height with stout stems and fine bushy heads by the fact that in 1880 alone 92,000 acres of vine­ and in the best of health. Two or three produced a yards were utterly destroyed, and that the yield of few flowers last August. This plantation has been wine and brandy, which was 83,836,000 hectolitres extended during the year by an additional 8 6 plants, in 1875, was last year only 29,677,000. If we take and the ground carefully cultivated—all have done well. one of the most productive wine departments in France No nurseries were planted with them, and they have had —namely, th a t of G ard—we find th at in 1865 there no protection from the sun or wind other than what were 261,027 acres of vineyards, but that of these was afforded by the adjacent hills and the bamboos the phylloxera has absolutely destroyed 244,485, so growing by the river side. By thus planting in the th at Gard h o w only possesses of her staple crop but open we may expect to have fruit from them at a 16,542 acres. The yield of wine has fallen away from comparatively early age. But for those who would 2,445,000 hectolitres to 139,640 in 1879, although a plant this species extensively for profit it is advis­ slight improvement was manifested last year. This able that the plauts have both shelter and partial means simple ruin to a large portion of the depart­ shade. Nevertheless, I am of opinion that on suitable ment, and a most serious loss to the whole State ; soil with au annual rainfall of not less than ninety while the numerous drinkers of claret, champagne, inches this species may be successfully cultivated and brandy in this country are feeling their share of without any special shelter from cutting winds of the loss not only in the scarcity of the articles, and shade from the sun ; and that it will be equally well the consequent rise in price,'but also in the deteriora­ or perhaps better, the soil being suitable, if provided tion of the liquors, which is very marked in the with shelter ahd partial shade in localities with an case of the spirits. Nor is France the only victim, annual rainfall of not less than seventy inches. Thus for wherever vineyards exist, as in Germany, Italy, there are large tracts of coast land in the Island Spain, Austria, Hungary, and even in Australia, we that are well suited for the successful cultivation of hear of this destructive little pest, defying all attempts this tree-coffee. ” at extermination, and driving the vineyard proprietors Hitherto, the number of plants placed under fa­ to the verge of insanity. vourable conditions in Jamaica, have been too few to The magnitude of the evil may be measured by the allow of an estimate being formed of the approximate magnitude of the reward offered by the French Go­ vernm ent—300,01 0 franca—to any peraon who shall history of the undertaking, from its commencement discover a radical remedy. Chemiata and savants have in 1860 down to the present year. Although specially been active enough in devising nostrums, but the interesting to medical men and botanists, the author, reward has not yet been claimed, although, collective­ writing in a popular style has rendered the work ly, several of the experiments have afforded partial attractive to the general reader, and has placed relief in certain districts. The mischief of the phyllo­ before the public an amount of information in regard xera is that it seems to be wholly unaffected by to the cultivation of the chinchona trees of South changes of temperature : no summer, however hot, America, and of the manufacture of the inestimable no winter, however cold, appearing to have any effect alkaloid drug extracted from them, which will be upon it. Indeed, one experimenter has gone so far recognised as being of a most valuable kind. The as to enclose specimens in glass tubes and plunge use of quinine and the relative alkaloids extracted them for a lengthened period into freezing mixtures, from the cinchona tree has now become so indis­ and yet the phylloxera has emerged triumphant and pensable, and has proved of such iacalculable value unharmed Another of its peculiarities is, that it is in warm countries where fever abounds, that on this preserved from the attacks of birds and insect-feeders account alone a history of the enterprise by which by being able to burrow deeply into the roots of its benefits have been secured ought to prove of the vines, so that practically it has very few natural great interest. We are informed that there are now enemies to contend with. The treatment to which it §47 acres under cinchona cultivation in the Govern­ has the most decided objection is that of immersion ment plantations on the Nilgiri Hills, besides 4,000 in water, and the flooding of vineyards has in con­ acres of private plantations on the Nilgiris in Wynaad, sequence been in some districts the most efficacious Coorg, and other hill districts of Southern India In remedy yet discovered. It is an easy one, when the Brilish Sikkim the Government cinchona plantations character of the ground and the proximity of a river now cover an area of 224 acres. The annual bark allow of its being applied ; but so many vineyards crop from Government plantations of Southern India are situated on the steep slopes of hills, to which alone is 490,000 lb. In Ceylon 5,578 acres were under the water could not be brought except by a costly cinchona cultivation in 1877. In 1879-80 the quantity system of pumping and canals, that it would be prac­ of bark sold in the London market from British India tically useless in the great majority of cases. Of arti­ and Ceylon was 1,172 000 lb. The East India source ficial remedies, the most efficacious appears to be the of bark supply is now the most important, but one as sulphur carbons, which kill the phylloxera more speedily regards quantity, aud by far the most important as than anything else. But, whether from the trouble or regards quality. On the Nilgiris the whole dx- the expense, vineyard proprietors have been rather penditure has been repaid with interest by the sale backward in using it, although every facility has been of bark in the London market, and the Government offered by the Paris and Lyons Railway Company to is now deriving large profits of many thousands a supply it at 45 f. per 100 kilogrammes, together with year from the bark harvests. In Sikkim the true an injector, specially made for the purpose, at 40f. object of the undertaking has been better understood, M. Dejardin, secretary to the Gard Phylloxera Com-, and the plantations are utilised for the supply of a mission, states that according to his experience cheap and efficacious febrifuge to the penple of India. the sulphur carbons do not answer alike iu In 1879 there were 7,007 lb. of this cheap febrifuge all soils, but only in those which, being very light, manufactured. Having given there general facts, the allow the vapour to thoroughly permeate every grain. author proceeds to relate the history of the discovery The most radical treatment is, doubtless, the entire de­ of the virtues of Peruvian bark, of its first intro­ struction of the vine and its replacement by American duction into Europe, and of the opposition to its use. stocks. This seems rather paradoxical as it is from He then gives s me account of the first botanical America that the phylloxera has been imported; but investigations connected with the cinchona genus, of notwithstanding this fact, the American vines are not the early trade and destruction of trees, and of the injured by it. This is due probably to their comparat­ region of the Andes, where the trees flourish. His ively new and robust growth, while the French vines, next object is to convey to his readers a coirect owing to their being a good deal worn out, or perhaps general idea of the characteristics of a true cinchona, to some peculiar internal weakness, have fallen an easy of the number of valuable species, and of the nature prey. The latter supposition is the more likely, see­ of the bark and of the febrifuge alkaloids which arc ing that the phylloxera has been very destructive at extracted from it. Having also described each region Geelong in Australia, where the vines have not at­ of the Andes separately—where the valuable species tained any great age. M. Girard, formerly president are found, with some account of their discovery, and of the Entomological Society of France, does not share related the circumstances connected with the intro­ M. Dejardin’s enthusiasm over the introduction of duction of cinchona trees into Java by the Dutch. American vines, on the ground that enough is not yet Commander Markham concludes with a lengthy de­ known about their “ idiosyncrasies,” and that in all scription of the arrangements which he set on foot for probability an entire change in culture will be neces­ the accomplishment of a similar object in India. In sitated, with a possible change in the quality of the the course of hie narrative the author directs special wine. As a considerable acreage in Gard has been attention to the inadequate remuneration which his replanted with American slocks, whatever may be fellow-labourers, Dr. Spence, Mr. Pritchett, Mr. Cross. the ultimate result, a comparatively short period will Mr. Weir, and Mr. Ledger received for their difficult enable the vine-growers to see how far the scourge and perilous tasks. He writes :—“ They have laboured will be kept at arm’s length. zealously and most successfully, and their task was one which called for special qualifications. Some have lost health, all have risked life and limb in PERUVIAN BARK. the service of their country. They have nobly earned A popular account of the introduction of chinchona the gratitude of the Government and people of India. cultivaiion into British India. By Clements R. Cinchona cultivation is now not only self-supporting Markham, C.B., F.R.S. London: John Murray. but remunerative. Recompense would not be paid In this volume Commander [sic] M arkham has from revenue provided by the tax-payers of India, supplemented the narrative previously published of but from the profits of work actually done by the the travels undertaken by him in connection with very men who are now deprived of their due reward. the enterprise of introducing the cultivation of It is unnecessary that I should give further expres­ Peruvion bark trees into British India and Ceylon, sion to the indignation I feel at the injustice with and has presented in a concise form a complete which those have been treated who have done an ineetimable service to mankind. If the people of R enewed, B ranch. England, anh still more the people of India, are contented that this should be the requital for such 1880 1881 1880 1881 service, there is nothing more to be said.” The volume, Bales. Price. Bales. Price. Bales. Price- Bales. Price 7 8 4 7 7 1 2 4 8 1 1 0 it may be stated, is plentifully illustrated with maps 5 6 8 6 9 7 9 12 2 7 5 1 11 and diagrams.—Scotsman. 10 8 7 50 8 1 1 3 2 — 3 8 10 25 9 — 9 3 4 CINCHONA. 4 9 — 6 9 1 30 10 1 2 2 10 3 13 bales 28 bales (From our London Correspondent.) 13 10 2 ----- — The auction this week went off very irregularly, and ttte prices realized were moderate. There was great 7 2 bales 116 bales interest felt in this sale, because of the large quant­ ity of Indian Government bark arrived by the “ Eldo­ rado” and “ Kaiser-i-Hind.” 1 give you the result TEA IN CEYLON. of the sale of this importation, which was principally A certain tea estate in Ceylon enjoys a reputation grown in the Government gardens at Ootacamund :— among Ceylon folks at home for splendid tea. 1 am ‘‘RED.” in a position to tell that estate to exercise yet a N atural. Branch. little more watchfulness while tea is being put up for shipment. This estate has sent to England tea 1881 1880 1881 put up in bulk and in ‘2 lb. tins. The former—of Rales. Price. Bales- Price Bales. Price. Bales. Price. which I have seen several cases—is uniform in ap­ s d , d . U . <1 pearance, excellent in quality and free from dust 2 2 7 2 1 1 0 5 1 2 31 1 6 The same cannot be said of the 2 lb. tins, for, about 1 3 13 2 O 35 2 9 23 4 a third of the number contained in one box are 2 1 0 4 1 4 1 « 75 very much different from the remaining two-thirds. 39 2 1 1 18 4 4 i The third is a fine leaf, broken into Jth to £th inch, 42 3 — 50 2 1 1 N 37 3 2 5 6 2 2 2 7 very superior in quality, and although the appear­ 54 3 8 70 9 36 3 — ance of the leaf is pleasing to the eyes of those 14 3 10 60 2 1(1 5 3 1 skilled in teas it is too small to command its value 65 4 — 40 3 1 — from the general consumer. The two-thirds fall short 5 4 1 41 4 — 1 1 0 bales 44 bales of that estate’s handsome clean leaf bulk cases, by ; 5 — ---- — being poorer in extract, flavour, and very dusty'. Scraped. The fault lies iu packing tins of very different quali­ .170 bales 325 none 43 2 9 ties into the same box. The retailer selling a sam­ ple tin cannot guarantee the others to be the same. — R enew ed. Mossed. Aberdeen Cor., April laI. 1880. 1881 1880. 1881. Bales. Price. Bales. Price. Rales. Price. Bales. Price. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. THE “ TEA CYCLOPAEDIA.” .. 15 2 16 4 6 15 2 11 9 5 4 . 4 This, according to the somewhat lengthy title, is I 5 6 ... 35 4 4 35 4 6 ... . 2 3 “ a volume of selections from leading and original 3 5 8 ... 30 4 5 48 4 7 ..,. 18 3 1 3 5 9 ... 33 4 7 85 3 7 articles, correspondence, and papers, regarding mat­ 1 0 2 6 3 ... 15 4 <1 5 3 8 ters of permanent interest and value concerning tea 1 G 6 4 ... IS 4 1 1 140 3 10 and tea science, tea blights, soils, and manures, tea 75 6 5 ... 160 5 8 5 cultivation, buildings and manufacture, miscellaneous 5 6 6 ... 5 5 1 tea topics, tea statistics, &c., &c., &c., collected from 43 6 1 0 .... 60 5 2 99 bales 273 bales the last eight volumes of the Indian Tea Oazette, and 1 6 1 1 . 1 5 3 from several other valuable sources, and classified ac­ 6 5 6 Root. cording to subjects, by the editor of the Indian Tea f> s. d s. d. 3 Gazette. Illustrated with colored plates on ‘ blights,’ 0 0 5 2 5 ... 4 1 6 from drawings by S. E. Peal.” The synopsis at the 5 0 1 33 2 7 ... 10 2 5 1 0 7 5 - 2 9 ... 9 2 8 beginning states that 2 0 4 2 11 This Volume has, for greater convenience to readers, 2 3 been divided into Parts, with separating half-titles. The first section treats of Tea Science, and the botany 257 bales 428 bale- 43 bales 29 bales and chemical properties of Tea, as well as of the early history of the industry. The second section is devoted to -CROWN.” a reproduction of the most valuable papers on, and cor­ N atural M ossed. respondence and opinions regarding, “ I'ea Blights and 1880. 1881. 1880. 1881. Tea Pests,” which have appeared in the pages of the Bales. Price. Bales. Price. Bales. Price. Bales. Price. Tea Gazette during the last four years, as well as in s d. s. d. s. d. S. d. those of contemporaneous journals. The Third part is 2 4 0 . . .. 20 5 0 1 6 2 ... 6 5 11 devoted to an exhaustive consideration of every point 1 4 3 . . .. 28 5 8 1 6 7 ... 25 6 bearing upon Tea Cultivation and Manufacture for the 1 4 4 . . 1 6 8 ... 6 7* past four years, arranged as nearly as possible under 2 4 8 . 8 6 9 ... *notsold distinctive sub-heads. Part IV contains special refer­ 5 4 9 . 6 6 1 0 ence to the principal Tea Districts of India, with incid­ 14 5 0 6 1 1 ental notes on the less important districts, while 11 5 5 . 20 7 statistical tables of Indian Tea Cultivation, as far as 9 5 11 .. 7 6 1 published to date, are appended. Part V shows the 2 0 6 5 7 3 13 6 1 4 7 4 countries, other than China and India, in which Tea 23 6 4 14 7 10 Cultivation is now being carried on, or has at any time 5 7 1 6 8 been attempted. Part VI refers to the discussions which have taken place regarding the opening up of 106 bales 48 bales 78 bales 36 bales. new markets for Indian Tea, and of operations as far as they have gone at present, or have been projected. development of this trade. We refer to Mr. Charles Part VII is devoted to miscellaneous subjects of interest M orrison now Agent, O. B. C. Kandy. H is energy connected with Tea and the Tea Industry. Part VIII, and ability apart, during the time he presided over the concluding part, contains Tea Reviews, for the past the affairs of the local Branch of the O. B. C. he year, and valuable Ten Statistics for the past ten years. gave active encouragement to the trade, extended The more important parts are printed in large type, the business of the institution entrusted to him and and each column on each page has the subject set relieved the traders from the necessity of borrowing forth in capitals, so that the reader has little diffi­ money from the unrelenting Chetty who was the culty in turning up what he wants. A full iudex only capitalist then known in the land. at the end completes the usefulness of this volume, It is the opinion of experienced traders that the which should be in every tea planter’s bungalow, out-turn for this year will be very small compared in Ceylon as well as in India. with that of last year, the rain in January and Feb­ ruary having prevented transplantation, The plants are still young and the crop will not be ready for THE JAFFNA TOBACCO TRADE, market for a short time to come. A great disadvant­ age the tobacco traders suffer from is the stoppage Is the trade of Jaffna, whether we consider the ex­ of steam communication. This is a source of loss tent of a land under tobacco cultivation or the amount and inconvenience. The mode now adopted is to of capital employed in it. As a matter of fact to­ send it in sailing vessels to Negapatam and thence bacco is more largely cultivated in the Northern Pro­ to Galle or Colombo by means of steamers.—Com. vince than any other product. Extensive tracts of land Ceylon Patriot. are devoted to tobacco cultivation in all parts of the Province. To many in Pachellapallai, Wadamaradchv. Poonaryn and Illeppakadavai it furnishes the only means of livelihood. It is much to be regretted that COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. there is no record of the area under cultivation nor of the quantity gathered in at each season. The Cus­ L o n d o n , A pril 8 , 1 8 8 1 . toms reports furnish us only with the quantity that is I read with much interest Mr, Ward’s last public exported to India, the tobacco, which is converted into reference to coffee leaf disease, and, I told you, I sent cigar or which is sent to the towns in the Island, the lecture he read on the subject before the Planters' being not noticed. There is however not the least Association through the medium of a friend to Dr. doubt that the quantity of tobacco which meets the Cooke. That friend has obligingly forwarded to me demands of the Island is very large. Dr. Cooke’s remarks upon it, which I am kiudly In tobacco there is a greater variety than in any permitted to communicate to you. He writes:—“ I other article: but one feature common to the tobacco of have read over the account of Mr. Ward’s lecture, the Province and which has been more than once but, as there is nothing new in it, nothing additional noticed is that it possesses a flavour and strength sel­ to his report, it hardly calls for special comment. dom met with in tobacco cultivated in other parts All I can say is, that I think he is on the right of the Island. We cannot at present mention the track—that is—practical experiment, and I fancy that names of all the species known here. The chief of I go along with him in what he has said. Of course them are IHeppakadarai, Netheavaddai and Poklcan, and we must not force his analysis too hard. Most cor­ these are considered very rich and form a large pro­ dially do I endorse his last sentiment, viz.,—destroy portion in the tobacco that is used in the manufacture every vestige of dead leaf from the surface of the of cigars. Pokkan is also used for chewing purposes— ground, by burning them, and restoring in the ash but from its high price its use in this manner is the mineral constituents to the soil, but if all the limited only to the well-to-do classes. leaves are carefully taken away, and so much potash Another circumstance connected with the tobacco &c., abstracted from the soil and not replaced, gradually trade and not generally known is that the tobacco the soil will grow so poor in the essential mineral exported to India is far inferior to that which is constituents of the leaves that vigorous growth will utilized for cigars. The tobacco for export is tied become impossible. If the leaves are studiously picked into sheaves containing 500 and upwards, rolled into up and carted away, without compensation to the bundles or chippams and sent off. The tobacco ex­ soil for what is abstracted, the remedy will scarcely ported during 1880 is as follows : be better than the disease.’’ I regret to say that January ... cwt. 4,064 Dr. Cooke’s lecture on this subject read before the February 4,820 Linnean Society has not yet been published and I March 4,569 understand that even the author himself has not A pril ... 585 received a copy of it, so I am not in a position October ... .. 6,478 as yet to send you one. The delay by the Linnean November ...... 8,426 Society in issuing copies of important papers like this December ...... 4,232 is one that is strongly and adversely commented upon The total is cwt 33,1 74 We have no figures for by all it members. I have not yet heard Dr. Cooke’s the quantity drawn to meet the demands in the opinion upon the note published by you relative to Island. It is a well known fact that a large supply the appearance of a fungoid disease upon the coffee is generally sent to Colombo, Galle, Kegalla, Gampola, estates in New Granada. I am unwilling to tax and other places. Dr. Cooke’s kindness too far, but I have asked my An impression exists in certain quarters that the friend, if he should meet the former, to verbally tobacco trade has declined and that it is not so ask his opinion as to the presumed similarity be­ remunerative as it was a few years back. In our tween it and the hemileia vastatrix. I have forwarded inquiries we have not met with a single circumstance copies of your notice of this subject to several friends to confirm it : and all that we have been able to whose opinion on such a matter may have weight. ascertain shews it to be a wrong and unfounded pre­ The professor of botany to the Royal Veterinary sumption. There are more men engaged in the trade college tells me that although there is doubtless an and the cultivation of the leaf is more extended now affinity between the two diseases, they appear to him than in any period within our recollection. to possess distinctly marked features of divergence. In this connection it would be unfair not to He also told me that he had not seen any future mention the name of the gentleman who ren- ! reference to the outbreak since the notice appeared dered material service towards the extension and in Nature that yra quoted. He has also written me 13 with respect to Mr. Marshall Ward's lecture :—“ I it to be supposed that private planters would not ■ayself regarded the final remarks of Mr. Ward as suffer from competition elsewhere ? Would the Java entirely to the point. Practical men always look for planters who now produce the finest and most valu­ miracles in remedies, which even scientists cannot able bark in the world cease to extend their planta­ produce.” Mr. Leake writes me in reply to my tions ? A'ould the Bolivians who are now cultivating query addressed to him on the New Granada subject: the best cinchona trees, and who last year sent into .—“ I know nothing of the new disease, never heard the London market bark which sold at 14s. 6 d. per of it before. A green yellow Hemileia with a phos­ lb., cease to compete against Ceylon? Ceylon can phoric smell must come straight from the old gen­ never hope, owing to the nature of its climate, &c., tleman himself, I should think.” Mr. John Brown, to compete with other districts in the most valuable of the Uva Coffee Company, writes me: “'I can give kind of bark—viz. Cinchona Ledgeriana. you no information about leaf disease in New Granada, The plea of unfair competition is, therefore, childish. but am anxious to know how it is progressing. I met Planters must expect competition and be prepared to a gentleman the other day who had been in conver­ meet it by cultivating only the most valuable varie­ sation with a Brazilian planter, and got from him the ties that the climate and soil will permit of. assurance that there was no leaf disease in that large Secondly.—Any profit accruing to Government from opposition shop. If 1 should hear anything you will the sale of cinchona by increasing the revenue should be informed.” Another gentleman connected largely decrease the taxation. It therefore becomes a matter with coffee, and who has travelled much, tells me in a of whether a comparatively small number of planters letter in reply to one I addressed to him : “The disease shall make large profits, or whether thousands shall is doubtless the Hemileia, vastatrix, and consequently, experience a decrease of taxatio n (other things being as they don’t manure in those parts, it must, as I equal.) have all along maintained, be owing to bad seasons.” Thirdly.—Quinine is still sufficiently expensive in This is all the information I have as yet been able this country to prevent the poorest from purchasing to collect on this interesting topic. If I should re­ it for themselves in case of fever and disease. Com­ ceive l)r. Cooke’s opinion respecting it, I shall of petition will tend to remove this evil, and bring quin, course communicate it to you.— Our London Cor. ine more within the reach of the poor both in India and in this country. Your correspondent “ T. D.” will find his sixth THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT EXPORTS OF question answered in Mr. Markham’s book on Peru­ CINCHONA BARK. vian Bark (1880), p. 440, where it is said “ It is true, therefore of the cinchona enterprise To th e E ditor of “ Th e Colonies and I n d ia .” that, as a mere commercial speculation, it has paid S i r , —In reply to “ Indicus’ ” letter of the 21th ult., off the whole outlay, including introduction of the 1 would state— plants, cultivation, and interest, and has become a First.—The Indian Government created their planta­ complete financial success.” tions for the benefit of the masses of the people, And again, ‘ ‘ In 1880 the whole capital account and to bring a cheap febrifuge within their reach and had been paid of with interest, and the plantations the whole of the bark ought now to be worked up in began to yield a clear annual profit ” India for the benefit 6 f the people, and, not shipped Those who complain of competition will do well to for sale here for the purpose of showing flourishing seek another market, and bear in mind the suggestion accounts. To talk of a surplus of bark with millions made by a w riter in the PaU M all Gazette of September of fevered wretches in India too poor to buy it is 18, 1880 (quoted by Mr. Markham in his work), that bitter irony, as the native press will doubtless show. “ China will probably be hereafter among the largest The shipments are wrong morally and are wrong legally, and most constant customers for cheap febrifuge alkal­ for by everlasting laws the inhabitants of a country oids from British India. From vast tracts of country have the first claim upon the produce of the soil, and in in China where rice is cultivated fever is never absent. the present case the produce is raised from their own Opium is now employed as the medicine easiest to be taXes. had and cheapest. If cinchona alkaloids could come Secondly.—1 have it from the highest authority that into competition with opium and obtain the preference all the capital outlay with interest has been recovered. by their lower price, the immense superiority of cinchona Thirdly. —If the Government wish to be prepared for over opium as a febrifuge would produce a revolution the emergency mentioned, selling their bark in London in the Chinese consumption of the two drugs. By this is in direct opposition. Better let the trees grow and process a solution would be found for the dangers and improve until they are wanted or store their febrifuge uncertainties of the large opium revenue of India and on til required, if they will not distribute it to the poor for the perplexing moral questions connected with it. ” ryots ; but they need not now fear any emergency, as To the above it might be added, although somewhat there cannot be much under fifty thousand acres, con­ apart from the question at issue, that it probably only taining many millions of Cinchona trees, planted by needs a different mode of preparation for the market to private enterprise in India and Ceylon. increase the percentage of morphia and decrease that I am, yours &c., of narcotine in Indian opium, and to thus bring it T homas D ickson. into competition with the Turkish and Persian opiums, 123 Bishopsgate Street Within, London. April 2. with which the European and American drug market is almost entirely supplied, Indian opium being an almost THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT EXPORTS OF unknown article on the Continent or in America. CINCHONA BARK. London, April 5. I am, Ac., C h em icu s. To th e E ditor of “ T h e Colonies and I n d ia .” [Of course the chemists and home manufacturers Si r , — The question whether or not the Government of India should extend their cinchona plantations and will prefer the Nilgiris bark to be sent to the Mincing offer the surplus bark in the best market, to the Lane Market to being utilized on the spot.—E d . C. 0 .] supposed detriment of planters in Ceylon, &c., might perhaps be put in another light than that presented INDIA, CROP AND WEATHER REPORT. by Mr. Dickson. In the case be puts forward, the For the Week ending 12th April: General Remarks. planters are said to suffer from competition. But —The reports disclose no material change since last even if I he Indian Government withheld from the week. The general health is fair, though small-pox European market the surplus bark they produce, is still continues in parts of Northern and Central India and British Burma, and is also more or less pre­ the washed and heckled fibre prepared from the valent in places in Bengal aud Assam. In the Cachar “ Agave Americana ” or common aloe, is about the district of the last-named province cattle disease has best I have seen, being beautifully clean and well freed airain increased. There was more or less rain in parts from the bark or outer skin of the plant, of good of British Burma, in Assam, and in many districts of colour, there being but a very slight tinge of greenisn, Western and Southern India. Elsewhere the dry which it is impossible to thoroughly eradicate w ithout weather prevailed for the most part, though there extra steeping, or the addition of chemicals, to the were a few showers here and there. In Bengal and injury of the fibre ; it is of very great length and the Central Provinces the harvest has been good, and strength, and a really good commercial commodity, its in other parts of the country, with few exceptions, value to-day (hi ovember, 1880) being about eight rupees an average, or in some cases a full, yield has been a bazar maund. The sample unheckled I would value obtained, or is expected. at about one rupee a maund less. The sample of Madras.—No rain in Kistna, Cbingleput, Tanjore, combings, generally known as tow, could be used in and Coimbatore ; general prospects good.—Pioneer. this country for paper-making only, its value as such being about three rupees a maund; but in England, where spinning machinery can be applied to it, a good CULTIVATION OF THE AMERICAN ALOE yarn might be produced. As a product of shipment (AGAVE AMERICANA). thereto it is of greater value than being consumed locally for paper making ; for the latter, I am of opi­ In our last issue we referred to the subject of nion, it is too good and costly, as jute tow, and such the cultivation of the Rheea Plant on tea lands as a like fibres, are so cheap and plentiful in this market. subsidiary to the tea plant. We mentioned how the — Indian Tea Gazette. fibres obtained from the plant Boehmeria nivea pos­ sessed qualities unlike those of any other material employed in textile work; the only difficulty that A PROFITABLE PLANTATION COMPANY stood in the way of the extensive cultivation of the plant being, that no efficient process nor machine is the Darjeeling Tea and Cinchona Association, had been discovered suitable for separating, cleaning, Limited, for which we have the report of the Manag­ and dressing its fibres. This difficulty, however, does ing Agents (Messrs. Schoeue, Kilburn & Co. of not stand in the way of the American Aloe, so in­ Calcutta) to be presented at the fifth Ordinary half- formation anent the plant and the value of its fibre yearly general meeting of the Company, convened as an article of commerce will no doubt prove of for the 2oth April 1881. W e quote as follows interest to the readers of this journal. We have the pleasure to lay before you our annual The species Agave Americana, belongs to the report on the Company's affairs, and audited accounts genus Agave, of the natural order Amaryllidacece— to the 31st December 1880, shewing a profit on the the Amaryllis family. This plant is really not an past year’s working of R 187,892-13-4. Aloe at all (the African genus Aloe belonging to the The estimated crop of bark, has, as we led you to Lily family), though very similar in habit to some species expect in our report for the first half-year, been of that genus. Although it grows freely all over Northern greatly exceeded, the total shipments ofdry bark having India, an while the seed germinates in the capsules be­ weight in the drying process, during the past season fore they drop off. It grows in almost any soil, and nearly 4J lb. of green bark having been required to requires very little care. It is supposed not to arrive produce 1 lb. dry. It must, however, not be lost at full maturity under one hundred years; but this sight of that this loss in 1879 was below the rate opinion is an error, as the age at which it arrives at usually expected. The gross average price realized in maturity varies, according to circumstances, from 1 0 London for290,192 lb. was Is lOJd per lb. and 63,4161b. to 50 or even 70 years. When it has acquired its still remain unsold. full growth, it produces its gigantic flower stem and The outturn of tea amounted to 1,251 lb. which then perishes. The plant is useful in many ways. fetched an averge price of Re. 1 and J anna per lb.; By making incisions in its stem a fermented liquor and the expenditure, under all heads, including the and favourite beverage called by the Mexicans “ Pulque” I new cultivation and substantial buildings, R114,413-15-4 is obtained, from which again an agreeable ardent against an estimate of R97.000. The excess is accounted spirit called “ Vino Mercal ” is distilled. “ Pulque ” for by the large outturn of bark. is said to be a most wholesome drink, and remark­ The result stands as follows :— ably agreeable when one has overcome the first shock of Proceeds of bark actually its rancid odour ; it is said, moreover, to be an excellent received ...... 194,178 lb. Rl,82,273 13 11 application for gout and rheumatism. The dried flower­ Bark sold but account ing stems are an almost impenetrable thatch ; an extract sales not yet to hand... 96,014 ,, „ 71,221 6 0 of the leaves is made into balls which will lather water Estimated value of bark like soap ; the fresh leaves themselves, cut into slices, still unsold . 63,416 ,, ,, 47,559 0 0 are occasionally given to cattle ; the centre of the flower­ Excess realized over valua­ ing stem, split longitudinally, is by no means a bad tion of previous season’s substitute for a razor-strop, owing to minute parti­ stock ...... ,, 12,584 4 6 cles of silica forming one of its constituents; but Tea and other receipts ... ,, 1,252 8 9 the most useful part of the plant is the leaf, the fibres of Balance from 1879 ... ,, 1,699 4 7 which form a course kind of thread, which are called in England “ Pita Flax.” The natives make very good Total ...R3,16,590 5 8 common cordage or rope with these fibres. Some Deducting the outlay of 1,14,413 15 4 samples of the fibre were sent to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society for “ an opinion as to The amount at credit of whether it could obtain any value as an article of the past year remains as.. ...R 2,02,176 6 4 commerce in the Indian or Home markets.” Messrs. Cogswell and Robinson report on the samples as follows . Out of this sum you have already received R l,20,000 —“ With reference to the samples herewith alluded to in ad-interim dividends to the extent of 60 per cent ; in the foregoing memorandum, I beg to observe that and we now suggest that a final dividend of 40 per cent on the paid up capital should be declared, making Saw dust.—The Rvildieg and Engineering Times point in all 1 0 0 per cmt for the year. out that in America a Very important use has been The surplus balance of R 2,176-6-4, we would pro­ found for sawdust. By compression it is found to pose be carried forward. become sufficiently dense and compact to serve all the For further information we beg to refer you to the purposes for which the strongest wood is now required. Manager’s report annexed : and, we may mention, that It would seem impossible to obtain, even with the with the continued large consumption of bark, we highest pressure, such cohesion as this; but it is think you may look forward to further satisfactory stated that the blocks of pressed sawdust are capable results. of standing a pressure of twenty-three tons to the The estimates for the current season are— square inch. This opens up quite a new market for Expenditure ... . . TilfXi.000 sawdust, which has hitherto been a comparatively Outturn of bark ... 300,000 lb. waste product. A more startling substitute still for do tea 8 , 0 0 0 ,, planking has been manufactured from straw. It is asserted that the inventor can manufacture timber in From the Manager’s Report we have any desired length from 1 2 feet and upward, and to Cinchona Plantation.— From the30th June, 301,6111b. 32 inches in width, at a cost competing with the of bark have been packed and despatched, which, better grades of pine.—Overland Mail, April 1. with 51,051 lb. cut during the first-half of the year, W h it e A m P est.—Various remedies have been gives a total of 352,6621b,, and shews an increase of suggested and tried from time to time to check the 2,662 lb. over the revised estimate. At Naruring the ravages caused by white ants on tea estates, but none new clearances of calisaya and hybrid plants are looking have proved effectual. Constant hoeing, kerosine oil. exceedingly well, and will, I have no doubt, turn lime, charcoal have all been tried without avail; out a success. In nurseries, there are 134,000 plants, mustard cake is recommended in the Journal of the of which 50,000 are calisaya: these will be ready to Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India as a be planted out at the beginning of the next rains, remedy- We are told that.—“ Many years ago these and as they are at present looking very healthy, I insects caused much denredation on plots of sugarcane think there is every chance of their doing well. In of foreign kinds in the Society’s garden. Various sup­ addition to these. 2 4 seers of succirubra seed have posed remedies were ineffectually tried, but only one been placed in frames : this should, under ordinary had any real effect, and that was mustard cake. This circumstances, yield a very large number of plants, which in time will be put out 4’ x 4' on the land immedi­ was applied in the first instance simply as a manure for the cane ; but it had quite unexpectedly the effect of ately under the Gielle tea estate. introducing the red ant largely into the plantation, Tea Plantation.—The quantity of tea made during the and these completely destroyed their white brethren, past season did not turn out so much as could have so much so indeed that we were not troubled again been desired. After the second flush, the bushes were badly blighted by green-fly, which very seriously by the latter.”— Indian Tea Gazette. affected the outturn : only I,4l51b. of tea were manu­ Coca.—At a meeting of the Royal Botanic Society, factured, which however fetched good prices. About Regent’s Park, held last Saturday, Mr. G. J. Symons, 60 to 70 acres of extensions will be made this year, to F. R. S., in the chair, the candidates were balloted for the West and South-west of last'year’s clearances, which and duly elected Fellows of the Society, and the names will thus give a continuous block of 1 2 0 acres of new of nine others read for ballot at the next meeting. tea joining on to the 2 0 0 acres of tea that was planted Upon the table was exhibited a fine flowering specimen three and four years ago. The seed is good hybrid, of Erythoxylon coca, the “ Coca” of South America, taken from well-known gardens in the Terai. grown in the society’s greenhouse. Professor Bentley Labor.-—From the end of October, coolies began to said that, although in this country little was known of come in, in large ncmbers from the hills. The two it, in South America its consumption was calculated factories of Poomong and Naruring, mustered between at 40,000,0001b. per annum, and the natives considered 800 and 1,100 coolies daily, during December and it as much a necessity of life as tobacco in other coun­ January, which is about 250 more than we were able tries Marvellous tales were told of the power of the to obtain at this time last year. Many of these are coca leaf in allaying hunger and stimulating and sup­ however only cold-weather coolies, who begin leaving porting the body in extraordinary exertions, more e- about the end of February or beginning of March ; specially in that of climbing heights and travelling over I hope to be able to retain between 500 and 600 mountainous districts.—Home and Colonial Mail.I .zrrz ' coolies during the rains : this will still leave me rather short-handed, as the new clearances will require a D ate Co ffee.—A valued and reliable authority, who very large amount of labor to keep them in anything is always a long way in advance of the rest of the like proper cultivation, in addition to which, barking world, informs me that, as a set off to the Date has to be carried on during the whole of the rains. Coffee Company, a firm of preserved fruit manufacturers I shall do my utmost to keep as many coolies as intend to astonish us with something more delightful. possible. Naturally, at the great marmalade works of this firm in Spain there are cartloads innumerable of orange Salt as a F e r t il iz e r .—My experience in the use pips, which have hitherto been a source of loss and of salt leads me to the following conclusions : —It vexation. It has, however, been suggested to these keeps the land cool and moist. It neutralises drought. astute traders, by an equally astute Yankee, that they It exterminates all soil vermin. It prevents potato rot. would make excellent “ coffee!” The process is ex­ It glazes and stiffens straw, preventing clinkling and tremely simple. The pips are first thoroughly washed rust. It keeps the ground iu such condition that the in running water, they are then dried for several berry of all kinds of grain fills plumply, however long- days beneath the rays of a Spanish sun, and then continued the hot and dry weather maybe.— Country very carefully roasted. The great difficulty is in the Paper. [In a circular, issued in 1871, and also one washing, which must on no account be over done; in September, 1879, we clearly shewed by most con­ but if it be properly accomplished, my friend says, clusive experiments that salt prevented the potato the result is a beverage of the most delightful disease. Why is it not used more extensively ? The aromatic flavour, rivalling even the best Assam tea. Land laws, which empirics in the press, and wordy Out of compliment to the inventor, who very appro­ declaimera in chambers of agriculture denounce—do priately is a vehement advocate of temperance, it will not clash with it. The true reason is—the cultivators l)e called after him “ Blank’s Nectar.”—Home and are too lazy—indifferent. S. Downes & Co.] Colonial Mail. (From M ay 2 to M ay 1 .) 3rd year’s expenditure The same as 2nd year 24-20 CEARA RUBBER CULTIVATION IN CEYLON. Dr. Account Current Ct. We give prominence to several interesting and To 1st year’s expen­ By 1st crop i It> thoroughly practical communications addressed to us diture 6371 per tree = 54 £ on this subject in answer to our remark on the un­ To 2nd year’s expen­ lb at R1 -25 per diture 24 20 tt> = 68 13 certainty of the yield of produce from the fast- To 3rd year’s expen­ Balance to Dr. of growing Ceara rubber in Ceylon. In the first place diture 24-20 4th year 43-98 we have a sceptical planter asking ; ‘ Will the plant­ ing of rubber pay ? ’ and he gives an estimate which, 112 1 1 11211 if correct, looks very much like a decision in the To balance due 43*98 negative. — The above estimate gives nothing for cost of cur- Ceara R ubber, W il l I t P ay ? i ing, reading, assessment, transport home, duty (if To the Editor “ Ceylon Observer,” any) and interest on outlay, so not considering this W estern Province, 22nd A pril 1881. the estimate must be considered as a very low one. D ear Sir ,—I should very much like to ask a question As to the yield per tree I don’t think we can well through the medium of your valuable columns, and expect much more, till the tree is very much older, if you will permit me the space I will put it, and and allowing for the contingencies above, I think a few calculations besides. The question is, that the estimate I have given as to quantity reasonable. with which I head this letter, viz., Ceard Rubber, With regard to curing, Dr. Trimen speaks in his Will it pay ? “ Notes ” of the purity of the prepared rubber being I am quite open to believe that it will, if anybody a matter of first importance,” and goes on to say, will be able or good enough to prove statistically that the milk should be passed thorough sieves, so that it has, will, and does. I of course mean, as a that we may “ confidently expect” that the pre­ product by itself. I have taken some little trouble paration for the market will cost us something con­ to go into figures in the matter, and the conclusion siderable. I hen last, but not least, we have a vastly I arrive at is far from satisfactory to my mind, superior market to contend against. and unless some other calculation can be shewn with If anybody “ who knows ” will be so good as to a better result, I greatly fear Ceard rubber is not make his views public as to the paying question he to be the Eldorado that some may fondly anticipate. will be granting a boon to them and also to yours We frequently see writers in the “ Planting ” faithfully, Sc e p t ic . column, speak of what a wonderful growth has been a t­ Very much to the point also is the series of pro- tained by Ceard, but what we want to see is an equally i positions laid before us by Mr. Borron who has given wonderful production of caoutchouc, but for this considerable attention to this new product :— particular subject nobody will give us so much as a hint, even Dr. Trimen in his “ Notes on Some To the Editor, “ Ceylon Observer." Trees Yielding India-rubber ” only goes so far as to I D ear Si r , —In its avidity for new products, it is say that “ in Ceylon it may be confidently expected evident that the public would like to do a big thing that they [Ceara, &c.] will become a valuable source I in Ceard India rubber, but that its aspirations are of revenue,” but there is not one word to shew how ! checked by a scarcity of seed. It would be well, this confident expectation will be realized. No doubt, however, if our knowledge of the article was a little if we had thousands of acres of Ceara growing wild, more complete, and your late leading article was and had only to pay an occasional visit with a gang well timed in preparing would-be cultivators for a of coolies, armed with Mr. Wm. Smith’s cinchona possible trifling yield per tree and very low returns scraper, then Ceard would “ become a valuable source per acre. There are several other points, however, de­ of revenue,” but otherwise I don’t quite see it. I serving of careful consideration : estimate as follows for one acre based on the follow­ 1 . W e have been told that the demand for rubber ing facts — i is general and almost unlimited. If so, it is remark­ 109 trees planted 20 feet x 20 feet = one acre. able that while the total supply is comparatively Each tree we may expect to give i a lb. I not by any means large, yet the price seems to keep Vide Dr. Trimen’s figures each tt> is worth Rl-25 pretty steady at very moderate limits, so that it is in England. strange the supposed large demand does not either Cost for the first three years will be as follows :— increase supplies or raise prices. Perhaps some explana- Estimate for one acre of Ceard Rubber. ! tion may be found in the indestructibility of the Purchase of one acre at upset price plus substance enabling old used-up material to be again stamps, &c...... 1 2 - 0 0 i worked into new. Felling and burning one acre of chena ... 12 00 2. It is most desirable that our Botanical Garden Lining and holing ... 3 75 Department should as soon as possible, by actual ex­ Weeding 1 acre for 12 months at 3s per periment, ascertain not merely the best planting dis­ m onth ...... 18-00 tance for the trees, but also the probable average M anagement ...... lO'OO I yield that may be reasonably expected, and the best Purchase of seed and filling the same, 2 | mode of extraction. I note you adopt the distance cents per seed 2T8 suggested by Dr. Trimen, but I think general experi­ Contingencies 20 0/o on the above 5-78 ence inclines to much closer planting. YTou mention 4 oz. per tree as the possible yield, but give no reason Total for the 1st year ... 63 71 i for saying so. The mode of extraction mentioned by Mr. Cross, the collector, as adopted by the natives, 2 nd year’s expenditure : viz., that “the outer surface of the bark of the Weeding at 2s per acre per mouth 12-00 trunk is pared or sliced off to a height of 4 or 5 Management 10 00 feet,” would, if it does not lead to the death of Contingencies 10 ° on above 2-20 the tree, probably preclude the securing of a crop oftener than every second year. 24-20 3. The facility of propagation and successful growth in poor hard soils has evidently been much 1 1 exaggerated, and it would be well .if the public were | we most fully agree iu the special need of the disabused on this point. Director of the Botanical Gardens following up his At an elevation of some 1,200 feet, with a high tem­ useful paper of practical instructions with further perature and an annual rainfall of some 70 inches, I planted a seedling in good soil slightly manured. The notes, the result of experience which, at present, plant grew most rapidly and well, attaining a height he alone has within his reach. Four ounces per of some 25 feet in about 9 monihe. I planted another annum were mentioned to us by a merchant, on the seedling in superior but unmanured soil, and in 4 authority of Mr. Forbes Laurie, we believe, as a prob­ months it was over 6 feet in height and blossoming. able yield in Ceylon; but this point has yet to be In poorer soil I planted 3 which in about 8 months had branched freely and were over 10 feet high In practically settled, and that there are very diverse poor hard soil I planted 2 which, though healthy look­ opinions abroad among men who have given attention ing are now, at about 9 months old, only some 5 feet in to the subject, may be judged from the following height, while in very poor hard gravelly soil a plant from one who has consulted home as well as local • if the same age was only a little over 3 feet in height authorities :— ■mil was sickly looking besides. Mr. Cross says;—“ Dry hard gravelly wastes, if found to support any kind “ I think 4 ounces of caoutchouc per tree is fa r of bush, are also suitable sites.” Again:—“ On bare (!) too little to reckon on, but Dr. Trimen will settle or thinly covered portions of rock the cuttings might this point very shortly. In the meantime I may men­ be laid down flat and a little heap of stones or any tion that the ‘ Clutvannesia eacvJenta ’ (a creeper in kind of debris about the size of a mole hill piled Burmah) gives 3.) lb. of rubber the 7th year, and can >ver each.” I was foolish enough to sacrifice a tree be tapped annually afterwards with the same result. to try this. Need I say, that after over a month’s The creeper is, I believe, a quick-growing one, but hot wea her with some occasional good rains there cannot surely equal the CearA the growth of which are no signs whatever of a shoot, and the cutting • passeth all understanding,’ The trees at Peradeniya seems to be perfectly dried up and lifeless. The ill are planted close together and in very poor soil. If success of this experiment did not encourage me to therefore the yield is less than some expect, the try the further recommendation of Mr. Cross, viz., that facts must be taken into consideration. Given a good ■ ‘ holes might be made in stony land with an iron soil, proper elevation, and so on, I believe the Ceara jumper, and a stout cutting put into each, and filled tree will yield from 1 lb. to 1 j lb. caoutchouc per with pebbles." Such wild advice is almost enough annum after the 3rd year, but this is of course mere to throw discredit upon Mr. Cross’s other statements. conjecture ; the result has /et to be proved.” As Mr. Cross, however, was only portions of two We trust Dr. Trimen will lose no time in determining, days in the Gear A rubber-growing distinct, the ad­ so far as he can, the yield from the Ceara rubber vice he tenders must be at second-hand, only, as trees. According to Cross, the trees need be only by his own accounts the natives generally seemed five inches in diameter to be ready to tap, and, very ignorant, one would have expected more caution from a scientific man. surely, those in Peradeniya must now be much larger. 4. In the future cultivation of this tree, one great If the yield is only equal to four ounces per annum, difficulty and loss will arise from the ravages of most people will consider that Ceara rubber is not wild pigs, which will grub up even fair-sized trees worthy of attention from the Ceylon planter, more to devour the tubers on the roots. Of the few especially in view of the large additional area covered trees I have growing on an estate not specially sub­ with indigenous trees reported from the East coast ject to their attacks I have already lost two in different portions of the estate by their means, and of Africa. When Dr. Trimen does fix a day to tap, one of the plants was over 1 0 feet high ; while the he ought to invite representative planters to be other trees have only been secured by building walls present. round them. On a large scale I have had to fence in a cardamom clearing of about 140 acres to pro­ THE AMERICAN APICULTURIST AND HIS tect it from wild pigs, but India rubber hardly HUNT AFTER CEYLON BEES. promises such returns as would justify so great an expenditure. Trusting that other rubber experi­ Mr. F. Benton, our enterprising American visitor, mentalists will favor the public with their experi­ carried away with him from the jungles of the ences. —I remain yours truly, Kurunegala district such a dose of malarial poison, as, A. G. K. Bok ro n . we fear, must serve to remind him for a long tim e to come In answer to Mr. Borron’s first remark, we may say of the dangers attendant on tropical bee-hunting. that the consumption of rubber in the United King­ Ignorant or sceptical of the risk of jungle fever, dom and Europe and North America has certainly Mr. Benton walked long distances in out-of-the-way increased very largely of recent years, but a still forests and villages; he climbed trees after the further reduction in price was the condition men­ “ Bambara” bee nests, and exposed himself to heavy tioned to us as preliminary to an almost unlimited rain in his eagerness to secure colonies and speci­ demand. In 1874 the quantity imported into the mens of bees, of combs, Ac., during the few days United Kingdom was 129,163 cwt. w orth £1,326,605, at his disposal. It was no wonder, therefore, that and in 187S the import was equal to 149,724 cwt. he was at length prostrated with a severe attack of valued at only £1,313,209. Moderate as the rate malarial fever. We wished Mr. Benton to visit now is in the planter’s opinion, the raw material is Nuwara Eliya to recruit, and, if possible, to see still too high it seems to admit of rubber being used somewhat of the bees in that elevated region referred so universally as it would be if large quantities could to by Sir Samuel Baker. To give an idea of tho be got at a price nearer Is than 2s per lb. This enthusiasm of this Western visitor in the pursuit of fact of lower prices being looked for, of course, his object, we may quote as follows :— strengthens the case of our correspondents in reference ■ Kurunegala, April 16. to the doubt cast on the question ‘Will the culti­ “ I did not thing it advisable to join you on your vation pay?’ On the second of Mr. Borron’s points way to N’uwera Eliya. My thanks are, however. equally due to you. 1 intended sending a little review of Mr. Benton was very sorry to have to leave with­ Sir Samuel Baker’s account of bees, there being, it seems out completing certain work he had sketched out for to me, several important errors in it, but this morning one himself in regard to our bees, and he intended writing of our bee-hunters came in with the report that he a paper for the local Asiatic Society (which he had had found bambera upon bambera, and X am off for to take away unfinished), as also making some fur­ his village, about seven miles away. ther contributions to our columns. One of these con­ “ Thus far I have obtained no additional colonies, tributions—a preliminary sketch—which reached us from although I have made very great exertions. I have Kurunegala may be given as it stands, as follows :— seen many, but they were with one exception, in FROM FAR-OFF INDIA: very inaccessible places on high rocks or trees. The single exception was a colony located within five THE BEES OF CEYLON— APIS DORSATA, THE GREAT feet of the ground and which I went after, but EAST INDIAN BEE. found that some one had smoked and burned away From this, the bottom side of the world, 1 send the bees and cut the comb for the sake of the greeting to all the bee-friends in dear old America. honey, but a few hours before my arrival. The I shall present you here some very “ big bee-yarns,” bambera I have in the frame-hives are doing well ! yet all that I have not seen myself has been drawn working, &c! !” from very trustworthy sources. [Two paragraphs Later on Mr. Benton was a little more successful headed respectively, “ Off to the Jungles,” and and he returned to Colombo ou Saturday, the "23rd “ Apis Indica (Mee Meso),” are omitted, their sub­ instant, with some colonies of the “ Bambara” (Apis stance having been given in a previous article in the dorsata) as well as of the small Apis Indica, and with Observer.—Ed.] a full collection of specimens of the combs, nests, “ DANDUAL MESO.” bees of all kinds, &c. ; but also, as we have said, I did not see the bee which the natives call by with an alarming attack of jungle fever. All through this name, and which is smaller than that just men­ Saturday night our American friend had what he tioned, but a piece of its brood-eomb which I secured .•ailed “ a bad time,” the most terrible experience is one-half an inch thick and shows hexagonal wax- in his life, and something to remind him of the cells, eighty-one to the square inch of worker-comb, dangers of a tropical jungle. Dr. White prescribed, while the drone-comb has twenty-five. The workers, and thanks to a vigorous constitution and the mar­ then, must be about tbe length of those of Apis Ind­ vellous effect of repeated heroic doses of quinine, the ica but much more slender, being, in fact, quite tever was so far subdued by Monday morning as to en­ wasp-like in shape, although the drones are no doubt able Mr. Benton to fulfil his intention of starting back quite as large, if not slightly larger, than those of for Cyprus by the French mail-steamer. We hope Apis Indica. This bee is said to build a single comb to hear of his safe arrival there and complete re­ which it attaches to the branch of some tree or to covery, and also of the safe arrival of his interesting a horizontal timber of a building. I think, under charge, which will then probably be the first introduc­ favourable circumstances, it will, like other species of tion of the Apis dorsata and Apis Indica to Europe. In the same genus, build additional combs parallel any case Mr. Benton’s expedition to Ceylon and Java to the first. Very likely it is Apis florea, said to be will be fruitful in information of surpassing interest a native of Ceylon, India, China, and Borneo. It must to apiculturists. Nor is it likely to be less fruitful have about the size attributed to that species ; more­ of useful results to the East. The Cyprian bees in­ over. I found indications of but four sorts of real troduced by him are flourishing well, we learn, honey-gatherers in Ceylon, three of which I can identify with Mr. W. H. Wright (at The Aviary) and Muda- as other species, and the native language recognizes liyar Jayetilleke (Kurunegala). Both these gentlemen four bees only. I would like to secure some of these have acquired a great amount of practical information bees, though I do not believe they are worth spending on bees generally, and as Mr. Benton said there is much time for. There is “ bigger game in the bush.” no valid reason why Ceylon should not develop an industry of considerable importance (especially to the THE TOM THUMBS AMONG BEES ! natives) in Apiculture. As already mentioned Mr. Benton I have with me a small box containing a colony considers the rainy and dry seasons afford a parallel of very curious little bees with their equally curious distinction to winter and summer seasons in temperate queen and combs. These bees, called by the natives, lands. kana mee messo, though belonging to the numerous family Apidae, are only distant cousins of our honey­ Mr. Benton is a capital example of the self- bees, not being in the genus Apis, but that known made, self-reliant, energetic American. It was very as Trigona. The worker of this bee is but three- amusing to hear his quaintly original remarks on the sixteenths of an inch long, has a large head and dullness and unhandiness of the people about him in the a small, blunt abdomen, the wings being longer than jungle villages. When prostrated with fever he said he the latter. They are black, with one light colored did not believe there was in all the N. W. Province ring on the abdomen, which is also light-colored anybody equal to tying a parcel properly ;—he chal­ underneath, stingless, very active, and gather pollen lenged a few to try but the rope came off almost as soon and honey. It is really amusing to see them come as the parcel was handled. “ Now,” he added, “ I in laden with pollen, the pellets being larger in pro- could tie that parcel so that it would travel a . portion to the leg of the bee, or even to its body. thousand miles without giving trouble ! ” A Western ! The strength of the individual workers is very great. man and his health failing in the profession chosen The queen is dark yellow, and has an immense for him by his father, Mr. Benton set to work, as abdomen, her wings not being strong enough to lift an adult, to study and qualify himself as a school mas­ her body into the air, when the ovaries are filled ter, passing in succession as teacher in a Village, District with eggs. The worker-cells of this bee are about and County School to the State Agricultural College half the size, and of the shape of short, plump, (Michigan) where his position, curiously enough, is that of grains of wheat, and are placed in irregular bunches Professor of German, he having acquired a native’s with passages between ; the pollen-cells and the honey- proficiency in that language, although his parents are cells are fully as large as good-sized peas, and each of English descent. Apiculture he has taken up as forms a group of its own. I found these bees in a a leisure study and employment. One brother he lost Small hollow tree in the jungle near Kalutara. They in the Civil War, while another is the well-known had built down from tbe hole of the tree a tube American artist, Mr. Dwight Benton, who resides in about a foot long, a half inch to three-fourtlis in Rome. some places in diameter, and composed of particles of wood glued together with some resinous gum. dreaded by the natives.” This is as I found it, and Through this tube the bees entered, and it evidently there is good reason for the dread, for some of these served as a protection against some of their enemies. insects as well as the carpenter-bees, are immense fel­ A nest of ants was located farther down in the same lows. The natives say that “ seven deboreli stings will tree, but I noticed that these insects, so ravenous kill a man ; ” but I got eight, therefore------! * in tropical countries, avoided this tube. Another Then there is cooroomineah, “ three stings from which colony, which 1 fonnd lodged in one of the hollow are sure death.” One more quotation, and then I will iron pillars in front of the village-inn in Kalutara, had show you the point of these wasp yarns. Ten­ built no such tube, the entrance hole being just large nent says in a note : “ At the Jan. (1839) meeting enough to admit one bee at a time. of the Entomological Society, Mr. Whitehouse exhi­ But are these ' big bee-stories ’ ?” some one asks. bited portions of a wasp’s next from Ceylon, between Well, “ from one extreme to the other,” for now I seven and eight feet long and two feet in diameter, will tell yon what I know about the and showed that the construction of the cells was per­ fectly analogous to those of the hive bee. ” Now, the GIANT BEES ! native words, bambera (the large bee) and deboreh It was, unfortunately, only just before I was to re- (one of the large wasps) are used interchangeably by embarlt (with the Cyprian and Holy Land bees I many who do not know the proper application of had brought with me), to continue my journey to each ; besides, many do not know the difference be­ Java, that I gained any satisfactory information about tween these two insects, a fact not to be wondered these bees I had sought them in the forests and at, especially as one species of the wasp so resembles made inquiries among the natives everywhere I had the large bee as to deceive many who have often seen gone, but had not found a single specimen. Then I the latter. I was often shown nests of wasps when visited the Colombo Museum, and though none were my interpreter, himself a native, had asked for bam- to be seen there, one of the gentlemen connected with bera (the large bee). Of course although some wasps it, Mr. R. Van Cuylenburg, very kindly introduced suspend their nests to the branches of trees and make me to Mr. W. H. Wright, a retired planter and a hexagonal cells, “ analagous to those of bees,” their lover of flowers, birds and insects, who had often combs are built in a horizontal position, made of seen bamberc, the largest bee of Ceylon, which I fully paper, and have cells only upon one side—the under believe is Apis dorsata, found also in India, Malacca, surface, and it is needless to add that these insects and many of the Dutch East Indian possessions. He are so fierce as to be untamable. Thus without fur­ told me they were not often found near the coast, ther remarks the reader can see bow natural it was but generally built their combs upon rocks or attached that, through some travellers who did not take pains them to the branches of forest-trees. He had, how­ to ferret out the real facts of the matter, an error ever, been called upon to remove from the upper part should creep into print and then into our bee pub­ of a hotel-window in Colombo, the principal seaport lications. Such is, I believe, the origin of the story of Ceylon, a large nest of these bees. I remember to that the combs of Apis dorsata were built in a hori­ have read that a swarin once took up quarters in a zontal manner, and that the fierceness of these bees coal-shed in Point-de-Galle, another seaport town. made them unmanageable, The description Mr. Wright Thus, they do live in an inclosed space sometimes. gave me of the manner in which the natives secure “ Why," said my informant, who is a highly esteemed the honey of these bees shows that no great fear of citizen of Ceylon, “ I have seen combe of bnmbera the insects under discussion can exist; moreover, there hanging down fully fivn feet from the branches of is in Mr. A. R, Wallace’s valuable scientific works the trees. The natives climb into the trees and cut “ The Malay Archipelago,” a very similar account of off the combs and let them down with ropes, smoking the method employed by the bee-hunters in Timor. away the bees ; and I have seen them load thirty men He says the nest of Apis dorsata was “ on a horizontal with the honey and wax taken from one bambera tree.” branch seventy or eighty feet from the ground,” to Again he remarked, “When they swarm the air is which the bee-hnnter ascended “ with his face, arms black with them, and I have seen a stream of them and legs completely bare,” and after holding smoke as long as from here to the Museum.” The distance under the combs “ coolly brushed away the bees that indicated was nearly half a mile ! settled on his arms and legs.” “ Several bees,” says In Sir James E. Tennent’s work entitled “Ceylon” Mr. Wallace, “ followed me at least half a mile and is the following note: “A gentleman connected with stung me severely." This is not at all strange, for the department of the Surveyor-General writes to me Mr. Wallace says he remained under the tree until that he measured a honey-comb which he found fas­ stung once, whereupon he “ ran away beating off the tened to the overhanging branch of a small tree in pursuing bees with an insect-net and capturing them the forest near Adam’s Peak and found it nine links for specimens." He further states that he “ is inclined of his chain, or about six feet in length, and a foot to think that the best way is to make no attempt at in breadth where it was attached to the branch, but escape, but only slow and deliberate motions ; ” and tapering towards the other extremity. It was a he “ thinks a bee settling on a passive native makes single comb with a layer of cells on either side, no effort to sting.” The italics are my own, and help but so weighty that the branch broke by the to bring out the idea, which every bee-master will strain.’ ” I called on Mr. Wm. Ferguson, the gentle­ perceive at once, that Mr. Wallace surely knew nothing man here referred to, and found him a person of no of practical work with living specimens of the genus Apis, slight scientific attainments, being a fellow of the however well able he might be to crack hard scientific I.iniirvan Society, and the author of several works names over dead ones. I not only believe Apis dorsata on the botany of Ceylon. He confirmed the statements can be domesticated, but I also believe tbat, intelli­ made in this note and added also that the swarm gent!)’ managed, that is in some manner which accords was close to the ground. Tennent also says : with its peculiar traits, it will be found to be little “ I have never heard of an instance of persons or no more dangerous than the other species of the being attacked by the bees of Ceylon and hence the native assert, that those most productive of honey are destitute of stings.” I did not hear * Mudaliyar Samuel Jayntilleke, when he saw Mr. any such statement as is made above, but found Benton, bare-handed and bare-headed, manipulating that the natives had little dread of the ordi­ a colony of bambaras which had been placed in a nary bees, which do not often sting severely, and that frame bee-hive, and not receiving a single sting, said the bambera was not feared as the various kinds of that ‘ he could scarce believe him an ordinary mortal 1 wasps. Tennent remarks : “ Wasps are greatly —En. same genus which we are accustomed to fear no more at once that the brood-comb was much thicker than than we do our homed and hoofed servants.* even the drone-comb of Apis melijica. Now let us see if that horizontal yam will shoot off With the measurements I have taken as a basis in a perpendicular manner : (aud they cannot be fa r from correct), let us make 1 st.—It is known that the combs are often five or a calculation First assume that the worker Apis six feet across, but being, as is also known, of ordi­ dorsata bears the same proportion to its cell, as re­ nary bees-wax they would, especially in the heat of gards length of body, that the worker Apis melijica the tropics, break down through their own weight does to its cell, then we can say : the length of Apis even if there were no brood, pollen or honey in them, melijica is to the length of its cell as the length of and no weight of adhering bees to sustain. It is not Apis dorsata is to the length of its cell; or, trans­ reasonable, then, to suppose they are built in a hori­ posing these terms and substituting the known di­ zontal manner, although the wasps’ combs, being mensions (given, for convenience, in eighths of an made of paper, withstand the heat and remain in inch), we have the following proportion: 7-8 th in .: their horizontal position. 4-8th in.: 12-8th in.: x, the unknown term, x, represent­ 2nd.—I have the assurance of Mr. Wm. Ferguson, ing the length of the body of the worker Apis dor­ F.L.S., that the comb he measured was built in a sata. Working out the proportion, we find Apis perpendicular manner. dorsala to be very nearly seven-eighths of an inch long I Comparing in this manner the combs of the 3rd.—I have seen two preserved combs of Apis Apis Indica with the known dimensions of the worker dorsata, and know that they could never have been A pis melijica and its combs, a result is obtained so built in a horizontal manner, nor could they remain nearly in accordance with the careful measurement long unbroken if their place of attachm ent were brought I made of the worker Apis Indica, that I believe into such a position as to leave the sheets of comb this method can be applied in obtaining the size of horizontal. other members of the genus Apis, and that the figures 4th.—Mr. W. H. Wright, who has seen many nests I have given above as the probable length of Apis of bambera (Apis dorsata), says: “ They never build dorsata will prove not far from correct. It is very their combs’ horizontally, but ahvays perpendicularly,” reasonable to suppose that the tongue of Apis dorsata For my own part I have always believed that bears a similar proportion to its body, as regards every species of the genus A pis built its combs per­ length, that the tongue of Apis mclifica does to the pendicularly. When, therefore, I heard this story body of this bee. Upon this supposition and with about the combs of the great bee of East India, I twenty-six hundredths of an inch as the average length concluded that, either the bee did not belong to the of the tongue of Apis melijica if our figure seven- genus Apis and had been misnamed, or else th at a eighths of an inch represents very nearly the a tual mistake had been made in applying that story to this length of Apis dorsata, its tongue is forty-five hun­ insect. I am now satisfied that the latter of these sup­ dredths of an inch long—over one-half longer than that positions is correct ; indeed, there is no doubt in my of our common bees I mind but that all these horizontal inclinations are “ What will these Great East Indian Bees do?” exclusively attributes of our interesting, though none I don’t know. Wait until I get them and see ! too distant, friends, the paper-making wasps.* FRANK BENTON. All the way from Ceylon to Singapore I pondered China Sea, off Banca Island, over the stories about these wondeful bees, and when February 10th, 1881. our steamer entered that beautiful harbour, I at once sought eagerly for bee-trees in the surrounding country. Mr. Benton much regretted his inability to see or The Malayans knew the large bees under the name write to several friends before leaving, but the state of lebah besar, but said that I must go to the adjacent his health must be his excuse with all these including mainland—the Malay Peninsula, because when these Mr, Jayetilleke, whose letter we quote from as follows :— bees came upon Singapore island, the people drove them away with torches. But our steamer was to “ Kurunegala, 1st May 1881.—I have just returned sail as soon as the China mail arrived, and it was not from the interior having had to attend the paddy safe to venture far. so I did not find them. But rent sales, and was very much concerned and felt upon visiting the Singapore Museum I was delighted to sorry to learn that Mr. Benton left this with an at­ find there two combs of Apis dorsata. These were tack of fever during my absence, and more so not from Quedah, in the Southern part of Siam, just having had a single line from him, or any other across the line from Malaya, and still in I he Malay person, as to how he is, and whether he has left Ceylon Peninsula. I had no rule with me, but with a stick with his bambara bees. I thought you would be the I got the length and the breadth and with a strip of best authority to write to and ascertain the fact. I paper the thickness of one of the combs, also the am sorry Mr. Benton came too early in the season to length occupied by a certain number of cells, and secure the bambara bees, as this is only the com­ these were measured when I reached the steamer. mencement of the swarming season, and in a fort­ The length was three and one-half feet and the depth night or so, there will be hundreds of bambara hives a little over two feet. The thickness of the brood- settled. He has gone to great risks iu securing only uomb was one and one-half inches, and as near one box of these, and I trust that he will succeed as my measurement will permit, I make out four j with them. The Apis melifica, or the Holy' Land and one-half cells to an inch, or twenty to the square bees, are doing very well, and they are doubtless inch. I shall make an accurate measurement of more industrious and fast workers and are more tract­ combs and cells of Apis dorsata as soon as able than our common Ceylon bees. I have made possible and give the figures, for I cannot place one discovery which, if it results to my satisfaction, great reliance upon the last two dimensions given I shall communicate to you, which is that the Ceylon here Yet they agree with the estimate I made when bees do not seem to approach vanilla flowers when in viewing the combs ; that is, I knew its cells had a , bloom, whilst the Cyprians are found continually greater diameter than the worker cells of Apis mehficn, amongst them, and I have an idea that, if they take but thought them not as large as drone cells of to them, they might turn out to be good fertilizers, the species just named, although deeper, since I saw aud save much trouble and labour 'n fertilizing them as is done at present. I am watching them carefully and have ceased operating on the flowers to discover * Mr Benton proved this to be the case at Kurune­ if these bees will prove successful in carrying on gala.—En. this troublesome operation.” 15 COFFEE MANURING AND COFFEE i selves nor by a single correspondent has it since been PROSPECTS. applied to our prospects. These prospects were said to be better than any antic pated at the same period Mr. John Hughes is not inclined to let Mr. Tolputt for either of the past two seasons, but we suppose have the last word in the prolonged controversy over our critic would almost deny this proposition now ? the question of th e best manure for coffee, whether He writes :— it bo one in which potash or nitrogenous elements “ The splendid season we have had forced out very chiefly prevail. The following communication arrives large blossoms everywhere up to about 4,000 feet, and at an opportune time when the minds of many even on considerably higher elevations in Dimbula. planters are specially set on the consideration of the Bogawantalawa blossoms were poor. But the general best available manure to apply to theii trees — cry is that they have not set. Is it the ‘seasons’ and ‘ weather’ again ? Too dry after the February 79 Mark Lane, London, E. C., March 18. blossom, too wet after the March one ? Or must it John Ferguson, Esq., Ceylon Observer. I be admitted that ‘ W. McK.’ was right in seeing Dear Si r ,—I notice you have published some long its wood in quite another light, from the roseate hue letters from Mr. Tolputt. which so dazzled the eyes of ‘ Z’ ? Seventeen, out of If Mr. Tolputt will refer to my report (page 18), ove r a score blossoming seasons I have seen, were lie will see that I by no means undervalue the im­ blamed for the difference between crops and hopes. portance of potash, but I maintain that 4 % Surely it is time now we admitted the Ceylon climate potash equal to 8 % sulphate of potash will be found to be unsuited for coffee. practically sufficient in a complete coffee manure, “ You have surely been misled about that won­ and that on soils already rich in potash a smaller derful ‘ Venture’ manure. You are advertising either quantity will do. I feel sure that planters will find the manure, Venture, or Mr. Ross ; or some one seeks by it more permanently economical to make nitrogen your aid to shew mortgagees that we have only to in the form of organic matter, the dominant ele­ follow in his footsteps to get paying crops for an ment of their manures. Thus, cake, fish manure (free indefinite time. I hear, however, that Aluwihave has from sand), and dried blood, aided by small quanti­ actually fallen off in crops as much as any estate ties of steamed bone meal, or superphosphate, will in Matale, certainly more than any estate which be found to be the most economical manure for a has received similar care and outlay. This too, shrub like coffee. I t is no business of mine to con­ in the last four years, while manures have been vince Mr. Tolputt, and if that gentleman thinks made from analysis, although perhaps not much of proper to make potash the principal element in cof­ the Aberdeen manure went to Aluwihare. Venture fee manures and to waste mouey in expensive fertil­ gave much better crops per acre in 1876-’77 and 1878, izers of an exceedingly soluble nature, he can of than it did or will do in 1879-80 and 1881. During course do so, but I shall continue to recommend 1879 80, seasons were perhaps agaiust it, but this manure planters to apply those manures which, from personal had not been used previous to that time, or, at all experience, I believe to be most profitable, and most events, did not affect the crops of 1876-77, nor perhaps suitable to the special requirements of their soils, clim ­ of 1878. You say Mr. Ross finds th at by m anuring ate and siluaiion. I am glad to notice that the with this stuff (chiefly bones and poonac) he raises Ceylon Government has removed the duty from his crops from 2 or 3 cwts. to 5 or 6 . But he did ground coral when used as a manure, for I believe not get 5 cwts. in 1879 or 1880, and it is doubtful it will be a most convenient method of applying whether throwing in this crop the three years will lime to the estates. average 5 cwts. Now, surely ‘ Venture,’ naturally the If ground coprolites have been found to give good finest estate in Dikoya, would have given at leart jo u i results in Aberdeen, it is not surprising that ground cwt. without manure during these three years. It is in its bones and ground coral (carbonate of lime), if applied prime, being all under ten years of age, and most of in a stimulating climate like that of Ceylon, will it between four and eight years. The adjoining old certainly prove economical as a permanent fertilizer. estate of Lawrance, has averaged over three, during In connection with this question of carbonate of lime those years, without manure, or with only such stuff as a manure applied either separately or in union as pulp, &c. Norwood and Venture lie on either side wilh catile duug, you may remember that at page of Lawrence. The first two estates were manured 8 6 of my report I gave an analysis of some sea sand yearly up to last year, yet it was proved two years ago, taken from Bade in Cornwall, and which I stated that Lawrence, without manure, averaged much the was used in large quantities every year, being mixed same as Norwood, and within a cwt. or 11 of Venture with cattle dung in the form of a compost. I send for the previous four years. Norwood and Venture you a cutting taken from this week’s Farmer, in had the advantage of youth. The difference in crops which public attention is again directed to this use of in favour of Venture did not more than cover the carbonate of lime in the form of calcarious sand:— difference in expenditure. Bude sea sand is becoming a popular article for “ If coffee cannot set a crop in a good season, unless laud fertilization ; its lasting effects are greater than manured at a heavy loss during bad seasons, it is those of other manures. By the analysis made by Dr. worse than worthless. All analysis of the tables of Voelcker, this material contains no less than 78'24 of manures which you published lately from the Customs carbonate of lime for every lOO'OO. accounts shews th a t during the five years 1865 to ’69, I am very pleased to hear you are likely to have we used, on an average, £30,000 of manure yearly ; a good blossom, and hope it may mature into a good from 1870 to 1874 £50,000 worth, and from 1875 to 1879 £140,000 ! Cattle manures too were made to a crop.—Yours very truly, J ohn H u g h es. much larger extent during the last five years (1875-1879 But what is the use of manuring at all? will be than ever before. Yet, with this enormous increase of the cry of planters after perusing the following very expenditure, and 80,000 acres of young coffee which gloomy statements from an up-country report. This has come into bearing since 1870, our exports go down contributor begins by asking “What about the ‘bumper’ to about three-fifths in the ten years, 1870 to 1880. Leaf disease has beaten us. We have spent more than crop?” a remark at once unfair and unworthy of we could afford from the crop returns in cultivation, the writer, for he knows, or ought to know, that we without apparently arresting for a moment the back­ opeued the year by expressly discirding the word ward tendency of exports. This too with a railway, “ bumper ” from our columns, and neither by our- with the export tax taken off, without the heavy lose on rice which was a regular item in accounts 15 years matter any consideration, that little help is needed ago, and with an increase of 40 per cent in prices for from him, and that little he gives with grudging six years. hand. Ought it to be possible for these things to “ When, oh ! when, is the tide to turn ? Can ‘ Z.’ be wr tten,—and in our own organ too ? Truly it tell us ? is not a gratifying task (which we have undertaken, but the disease is a serious one, and requires a drastic remedy “ A great deal of manure was applied in 1879, and and though, by some, our criticism may be considered togeth r with that put out in 1880 all of which should harsh, we would assure our readers that we write in be still unexhausted in the soil (since 1880 gave no unfriendly spirit, only intent on bringing before neither crop nor wood as of yore), the trees must be them, with as much force and clearness as we can, sitting in it. The quantity sent by rail in 1879, the most easily attained means of producing the largest 225,000 cwts. is greater than that of any year previous to and most remunerative sugar crops, thus enabling us 1875, and in 1880 as much as 128,960 cwts. were sent up.” to compete, with some hope of success, with that It is proving too much when the unwisdom of ever-increasing production of sugar which is being applying manure is attempted to be shewn. At this carried on all over the world, and which, aided as it time of day it is surely unwise to condemn scientific is by all the appliances which modem science and skill cultivation ; but no doubt the cause of comparative can devise, threaten us with great disaster, if not failure in a majority of cases in Ceylon, is found in extinction. It is the opinion of some we know, that the great panacea for all our ills is improved manu­ the application of the manure not being guided by facture of sugar, but whilst fully sensible of the ad­ science. Our coffee planters have as much need as their vantages and greater profit, which have been proved neighbours who grow sugar in the West Indian to accrue from the introduction of improved processes Islands to lay to heart the lesson contained in the of manufacture, there is no denying the fact that following article from the Barbados Ayricultural such alteration in our present system of manufacture, involves a greater outlay than most owners of Sugar Gazette :— Estates in this country are able, however willing, to “ It is somewhere recorded of an ancient planter undertake. that on being asked, by a younger member of the We believe it has been admitted by out-siders that profession, what were the chief essentials in good our cultivation, (by which we mean the stirring of farming, he replied, that there were three things the soil, whether by means of plough, hoe, or fork ; which constituted good agriculture : the first was surface drainage, and the strengthening of the thinner manure, the second was manure, and the third was portions of our fields by the addition of mould taken manure. In fact, it is quite evident that this old from deeper places)—leaves little to be desired, but gentleman, judging probably by the light of his past we ehallenge any one to say that the beautifully pre­ experience, had fully settled in his own mind, that pared fields, almost garden-like in their appearance, the great and essential feature of successful farming have a proper proportion of the yreat farmer—manure. was comprehended in that highly pregnant word Doubtless everything in this world is more or less manure. And who is there amongst us of a younger relative, and to such as are content with a return of generation, tbat has given this all-important matter 1 hogshead or 1 1 hogshead sugar per acre, we have the moat ordinary consideration, but must of only to say, ‘Go on, and prosper in your misdirect­ necessity have come to the same conclusion—a con­ ed efforts.’ But to those, on the other hand, who clusion irresistibly borne in upon the mind as the are desirous of securing better returns than they have reaping of each crop discloses results, which, it must hitherto done from their fields, we say, ‘do not be be confessed by candid persons, fall very far short satisfied with less than 3 hogsheads of sugar per (at least in most cases) of the expectations which had acre with its accompanying molasses’—always remem­ been formed, but which alas ! were doomed to fail­ bering that although we in this country consider such ure and disappointment. To the observant this re­ to be a very heavy return, half as much again is petition of failure, year after after, can scarcely be ordinarily produced from an acre of land in countries cause for wonder, when has been seen, perhaps with where the soil has not become impoverished by con­ impatience, the composure (we had almost said ob­ stant cropping. Now although recent low prices seem stinacy) with which men shut tbeir eyes to what insufficient to keep up Estates that are heavily in ought to be patent to the most indifferent and care­ debt, it by no means follows that sugar cannot be less ; and as long as this condition of affairs is allowed produced to a profit in this island, as the following to exist, so surely will our planters make short crops, figures will shew :—It is thought that there are 80,000 and become more and more heavily in debt to the acres of arable land, moiety of which (40,000 acres) merchants. English and Continental farmers have grows canes for each year's crop, and produces about years ago discovered that they were unable to manu­ 40,000 tons {nett) of sugar, and 32,000 puncheons of facture a sufficient quantity of so-called farm-yard molasses. Then it is generally admitted that the first manure to enable them to farm successfully, and had ton of sugar can be produced at a cost of £14, and the good sense to largely supplement their own taking this ton of sugar, with its molasses, as worth efforts in this direction by liberal applications of £ 2 0 even at recent prices (say 2 1 s. per cw t.) there is left naturaJL manures, like Peruvian guano and nitrate £ 6 profit, or 42 per cent on the cost of production. of soda, and artificial manares, as sulphate of am­ From these figures it follows that each arable acre, monia, super phosphate of lime, and many others yielding a J ton of sugar annually, gives only £3 which we need not specify. But whilst our brother nett, and that at £ 1 0 0 per acre land yields an interest agriculturists have so promptly recognised the one of only 3 per cent. Thus, while sugar in Barbados thing n cessary to ensure satisfactory results, we in this can be grown at 42 per cent, profit, a great many island are only now, as it were, opening our eyes to the ad­ estates are only paying three per cent. To natives vantages to be derived by a more liberal treatment of the of this island fields of sugar-cane form so natural soil with manures suitable for restoring the elements a feature of the country that probably few of us of fertility to our much abused and, at the same time, ever give more than a passing thought, as to whether long-suffering servant. We say without hesitation the canes are high or low, good or bad ; but the that dame Nature, ever bountiful, and almost prodigal writer well remembers the comparison which he in her liberality, has bestowed upon men no greater he formed in his own mind, on his return from gift than the soil which he cultivates with such his first visit to England, between fields of wheat, niggard hand. Because man knows by experience ite i oats, and barley, on which his eye had been rest- enormously recuperative power, he argues, if he give ths l ing for many months, and our caue-fields. Positively the canes (the crop had but just begun) looked I to arrange for the establishment of experimental like a forest. By parity of reasoning it must become I stations, through which so many conflicting theories abundantly evident that high manuring is abso­ i and so much of contradictory evidence could be lutely necessary to enable us to hold our own. We must not be deceived by illusory hopes of the English i brought to the proof of practical demonstration. Government imposing countervailing duties on bounty- I fed sugars. No—our strength lies within ourselves, COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. and do not let us imagine that others will fight our battles whilst we look on with folded arms. Surely, Mr. Borron sends us a very outspoken, if a not it is in the power of each individual Manager or Con­ very encouraging, letter on this subject He finds ductor of a Sugar Estate, if he strive with might and fault with Mr. Marshall Ward for bringing forward main, to compound a fair quantity of really good his sulphur and lime experiment without giving all pen-manure. We fear that many, by adding heavy and the facts of the case, apparently hinting that it was no oft-repeated layers of mould to their manure heaps, more successful than those conducted according to flatter themselves that they are “ making up” a fine Mr. Morris’s directions; and he expresses once for all lot of manure; but can there, we would ask, be an opinion decidedly adverse to the repeated proposals anything more self-deceptive ? Mould is not manure, of Abbay, Morris and Ward that planters should col­ and it is only by the judicious admixture of various lect and destroy fallen diseased leaves. We believe materials, such as vegetable matter (whether in the form that Mr. Borron has the majority of the planters of sweepings, bush, or other litter) along with the dung with him in this decision, and that henceforward the and urine of well-fed animals, aud a sufficiency (only) of thorough collection and destruction of the leaves must mould to fix the ammonia and other gases which are be put on one side as an impracticable operation. liable to be given off in the process of decomposition, that a compound which will answer our expectations Salt and Verm in.—A planter writes :— “ I see it can be obtained. In the last leading article of this said salt is an unfailing remedy for vermin in the soil. Journal the treatment of Stock was well and ably If it be so, surely, in the face of the ruin wrought in commented upon, and we heartily agree with the many parts of the country by grub, the Government view expressed by the writer. When saying that might relax somewhat their strict rules with regard to Stock should be sheltered from the rays of the sun its sale. In one of the vermicide powders advertised by day, and the chilling eflects of the night dew, we in your paper, poochies seem to revel : ‘ They enjoy a only need to substitute the word ‘ manure ’ for day tied up in a packet’ of it.” ‘ stock,’ and the remarks, well apply with equal Sulphate of M agnesia. —The following correspond­ force. We confidently assert that all yard-pens should ence has been handed to us for publication :—3rd De­ be wholly covered, and there can no doubt that field cember, 1880. —L. Nurse Bowen, Esq. D ear Sir,—We pens should, in part at least, if not entirely, be beg to forward you the following extract from a letter sheltered from atmospheric influences. It is curious of Messrs. Cooper McCarine and Co., as it refers to the to observe the inconsistency of men, who, while report of the Analysis Committee of the Agricultural making a great point of almost instantaneously covering Society, to which your name was attached as chair­ with a jealous care, guano and other artificial ferti­ man.—We remain, sir, yours truly, (signed) Louis, Son lizers, yet seem utterly unconscious of the great loss and Co. “ We thank you for a copy of Planters' they sustain by undue action of weather on what they Journal, and read with surprise the rough calculations ought to guard with the most vigilant, and anxious of value of ‘ Ammonia Fertilizer.’ It is certainly care. new to us to be told that Sulphate of Magnesia is Having done all that can reasonably be expected in not a Fertilizer ! Why, we have had orders for it, and the making up of the best and largest quantity of it alone, from planters in the West Indies.”—Broad farm-yard manure, there remains much yet to be done Street, 7th December, 1880.—Messrs. Louis, Son aud Co. by having recourse to our chemists, with whose Gentlemen,—I have to acknowledge receipt of your assistance great things can now be accomplished in the note of 3rd instant, forwarding extract of a letter re­ way of growing heavier crops than of yore. Time ceived from the shippers of the “ Sulphate of Ammo­ was when the application of artificial manures de­ nia Fertilizer ” to which reference was made in the manded the serious consideration of the Barbados report of the Analysis Committee of the Agricultural Planter, for knowing little or nothing of their composi­ Society of this Island. On behalf of the Committee, tion there was more or less of risk involved in the I beg to state in reply, that “ rough ” as may be the undertaking ; but now that there are amongst us two calculations of the value of the Sulphate of Ammo­ Chemists of repnte, why should we not, when any nia existing in this Fertilizer, it amounts to £25 per doubt exists as to the suitableness of any manure for ton- exactly the price at which your firm, and many our soils, make sure of what we are doing by having others, here, sell the guaranteed pure article. This is our soils nalyseil. We believe there should be, in near enough for the Committee. WTith respect to the most cases, three applications of Manure ;—a priming j fertilizing properties of Sulphate of Magnesia, I admit in November in the cane hole—the application from profound ignorance on the subject, but would observe the farmyard, from October to December, in the banks that when the Committee undertook this duty on be­ —aud the final touch in June, when the rainy season half of the Agricultural Society, they adopted as a sets in. standard a tabulated form of comparative values of the Let us have improved machinery (Steam Mills if 1 fertilizing constituents of artificial manures by Ander we can) but let us, even if to the neglect of other son, Nisbet, Way, Hodges’, the North British Agri points, never fail to supply our fields with liberal culturist, and Dr. Yoelker published in .Richardson applications of manure, and then, and only then, can and Watt’s Chemical Technology, and among these we rest satisfied that we have achieved the highest aim ! constituents Sulphate of Magnesia found no place. Nor in agriculture.” I do we find it in any fertilizers specially prepared for Mr. Iioss’s example in having his soils and manures • the sugar cane. Clearly' then the planters here who analysed is, in our opinion, worihy of more general have purchased this fertilizer have paid very nearly £(i per ton for an article, the existence of which they adoption. But, inasmuch as it is impossible for each were ignorant of, and which they would never have individual proprietor to have this done systematically, purchased had they been aware of it.—I remain, we consider that the Planters’ Associations and ■ gentlem en, very respectfully yours, L. Nurse Bowkn each District Committee, worthy of the name, ought l — Barbados Agrindtural Gazette. @ ot:i;esponclence. TOBACCO CULTIVATION. ♦ Veyangoda, 4th May, D ear S ir ,—In an article on the cultivation of to­ To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. bacco in the Negombo district, in your Directory COFFEE LEAF DISEASE AND ME. WARD’S of 1876-8, it is said th a t by means of movable cattle SULPHUR AND LIME EXPERIMENT : THE pens the ground intended to be planted with tobacco ought to have an inch of cattle manure. I take it FINANCIAL IMPOSSIBILITY OF GATHER­ that this mode of treating the ground is necessary' ING AND DESTROYING DISEASED LEAVES. only in poor sandy soils. I have a piece of land D e a r S i r ,—In Mr. Ward’s lecture delivered be­ to be planted with tobacco, the soil of which is fore the Planters’ Association, special reference is fairly rich and approaches a sandy loam. I have n’t made to a certain sulphur and lime experiment, de­ sufficient tinje before me to go over the ground with tails being given of several highly satisfactory results. movable pens. In the absence of cattle manure, No mention, however, is made of any unsatisfactory will any of your correspondents who cultivate to­ consequences, of the possible existence of which even bacco kindly inform me what is the next best man­ there is neither hint nor warning. And yet there ure to be used, Will lime or ashes do? The cul­ loere several adverse circumstances, apparently as tivators in Dumbara or the pioneers in Trincomalee resultant as the more favorable. If the birth of will be able to enlighten A GREENHORN a new idea is hard to bear, if the revival of an [Try bones and poonac.—E d . C. 0 .] exploded notion is yet more painful,—the suppres­ sion of some of tbe particulars <>f an important experiment is more unendurable still. Mr. Ward ought NEW PRODUCTS IN THE COFFEE DISTRICTS. to know the danger of a half truth and to have realized Dikoya, May 4th, 1881 that such a garbled narrative as his was only calcul­ Sir , —In view of the already many fatal reverses ated to mislead the planters, and place himself in a sustained in coffee property since leaf disease and false position. The community can afford patiently to bad seasons combined have made themselves felt, and await any theory or explanation that may be forth­ though granted that much has been done in the coming, but meanwhile I think it is entitled to de­ right direction, is it not the case that—owing in some mand full details of this particular experiment with measure, possibly, to a loyal prejudice in favor of the all its supposed results. I complain of no ideal danger. ‘old horse,’ but largely too to restricted expenditu e A proprietor has found fault with me for prematurely the planting through the coffee of suitable new pro­ disposing of his stock of sulphur, and with a super­ ducts has very generally been done in only a half- intendent for the ill-success of his S. and L. applica­ handed and not thorough manner ? tion, though probably it was neither better nor worse It is the case, I think, that working proprietors and than hundreds of others, while it will be more through V. A.'s now very generally recognise the expediency of good luck than good guidance if many estate owners doing so. and have acted and are acting accordingly, as have not been again seduced into further sulphur and far as means at their disposal permit. But, as to absent lime expenditure. proprietors and mortgagees, as a rule, realizing this as Putting the sulphur and lime treatment aside, the keenly as they ought, it is only necessary to look around most general urgent recommendation of science has at the large areas of only coffee still to be seen, been the collection and destruction of our diseased to doubt it. If good crops rule again—well and coffee leaves gathered as they fall. Mr. Ward says: good—but suppose they do ! What tremendous outlay “ You will never get rid of leaf disease as long as you need have been, or need be incurred, in planting out you allow the diseased leaves to remain on the ground other things, or what loss can arise from the doing as they are now. No specific can be successful so so? If coffee is to hold its own again generally before long as you leave the leaves there.” I am afraid other things, as a paying investment, it will have that on this point also the teaching of science to be known within the next three years; and cannot and the experience of practice will be found incom­ anyhow, as far as cinchona is concerned, enough be patible. 1 have neither the means nor inclination realized from the latter, if dug out, to more than to try this further recommendation, and must leave cover its expenses ? You and all others experienced its trials to others who have; but so far, I think, will emphatically answer Yes! to this, I feel sure; I but express the opinion of many old and experi­ provided of course the land &c. is suitable : and where enced planters, when I say that the risk of fire, in the new districts is it not ? In the case of offi­ and impoverishment of soil, the expense, the labor, cinalis and Calisays varieties, anyhow, little or no and the time required for this treatment, if ad­ damage will have been done the coffee, even though it equately carried out would be such that, if coffee be planted, as I consider it ought, tree for tree : and badly affected cannot be made to pay without it, I think it will be conceded that those who took it certainly never will with it, and that it would this view, and earliest and to the fullest extent acted be better to at once submit to the inevitable, than on it, have proved themselves the knowing ones. to be allured on by false hopes into a heavy and On the other hand, in the case of coffee prospects not profitless expenditure. But further, if I understand improving in the future, in what position stand those Mr. Ward aright, the spores on fallen leaves on severally interested in an unprofitable estate with rocks or ground, anywhere, but under the living leaf, nothing but coffee on it, and other products not insti­ if left to themselves must die. They shoot their little tuted to a sufficient extent ?—Can it pay proprietor, tubes, which grow and fill and burst, and mortgagee or agent, to continue .working it? And if there’s an end of it. But if disturbed, as in the not, I need hardly ask what that estate has absolutely process of collection they must be, myriads will be done for them all ! With a fine show of cicoa coming diffused through the air, only to attach themselves up, or a few hundred thousand cinchonas, there to the living foliage of the surrounding trees, and is a fair prospect of its paying all partes to run their full course once more. I do not say that struggle on and wait. And is a suggestion now the thorough and careful collection and destructirtn out of place to mortgagees and agents, and more particu­ of the diseased leaves would not lead to a mitiga­ larly, perhaps, to the large capitalists at home, whose tion of the pest, but I feel no certainty that it would support. I take it, may at present be considered the pay, which is the grand end and aim of the prac­ mainstay of the planting enterprise generally for their tical coffee planter.—I remain, yours truly, own interests’ sake, as to helping their clients with their A. G. K. BORRON. approval and funds, to fully fortify their properties 16 with whatever new product may be judged moat “ THE TEA AND CINCHONA PLANTATIONS suitable? But a few hundred pounds, and where CO., LIMITED.” plants are, less will suffice on each estate. As far as private mortgagees are concerned, if the agents do The full prospectus of this Company referred to by not care to come forward with the extra advance, our London correspondent in his last letter has reached those who arrange for this somehow, will, depend us. It states that on it, prove their wisdom. Where done, and claims Morowa, the district in which these Estates are treated with consideration and not pressed against situated, with its heat and ample rainfall is parti­ proprietors, till good times come again, it will prob­ cularly well adapt ed for the production of Tea- There ably avert loss and bring good cheer to all again. is at present a good local demand, besides large aud in­ In the case of cinchona, the comparatively miserable creasing markets in the Australian Colonies as well as sprinkling of trees put in, in pa-t years, more by in Europe. Taking the average value at Is. per lb., and way of experiment than otherwise, have been and the yield at 400 lb. per acre, it is estimated that Tea, are meeting much of the whole expenditure on when in full yield, will give a net minimum profit of many estates, and as soon as ever trees now planted can £ 6 103. pur acre per annum. The Cinchona trees (from be profitably cut—quantity per acre as making up for which Quinine is extracted) of which there are 11,400 size and age—depend on it, they will very generally from one to two years old, will cost very little for bear. With this in view, and looking at the immense up-keep, being planted amongst the Tea, and when ready market in Africa and Asia all but untapped as for barking may be reasonably expected to yield a pro­ yet, and where quinine ought to be a household word fit of about 8 s. per tree—say £4,560, being nearly one- in many districts, I hardly think there is much fear third of the entire purchase-money of the whole property. of Ceylon and India combined prejudicing present From the Cardamoms now planted (the indigenous prices appreciably for many years to come. As against variety grows wild in the Forest lands of these proper­ these suggestions, in many cases proprietors have ties) a maiden crop will be gathered this year. It is been forced by their backers, or by personal need stated on good authority (see Appsndix) that from one to dispose of these plants to meet current extremities. acre of the Malabar variety as much as £40 has been Is tliis not a suicidal policy truly ? recently cleared, that a field of one year old plants has That owing to a partial failure in coffee crops been valued at £60 to £70 per acre, and four year old Ceylon is on a troubled sea at present, is, I think, openly plants, in full bearing, at £200 per acre. Tea, Cin­ admitted now by all, but it is not owing to a want chona, and Cardamoms are perennials. Labour is cheap of innate capability, and is it not in the power of and abundant in the district in which the Company pro­ those most interested in the Island, by taking proper pose to commence operations. There is a large reserve precautions at once, to render their prospects sure of land on these Estates very suitable for all the above- again, and yet reap full returns ?—I am, sir, yours named products, the cultivation of which may be extended faithfully, BREAKERS AHEAD. to the following, viz. Tea . 1200 acres, yielding when in full bearing, Lime—Lime—Tons to th e A cre W anted.— A planter a yearly profit at £ 6 10s. per acre £7,800 writes :—"If we could get plenty of good caustic lime Cinchona 250 acres, do £40 do £10,000 cheap, a Schrottky or a Ward would be unnecessary. Cardamoms... 250 do do £10 do £2,500 With a railway, we might apply 3 tons an acre in the new districts.” 1,700 acres, giving an estimated yearly revenue of ... £20,300 T h e Cea ra T rees (writes Dr. Trimen in a note received to-day) are yet full young to tap, but the It is estimated that an outlay of £40,000 on extension impatience of the planters may force me to premature and up-keep will amply suffice to obtain this result being, action in the matter. But I scarcely think this ten­ with the purchase-money, a total of £55,000, the pro­ tative experiment is likely to settle the question as fits on which, when the Estates come into full yield, will to yield, as we have yet to find out the best method give a proximate yearly dividend of 37 per cent. ; but of procedure, time for operation, and subsequent pre­ by raising money on the issue of debentures the divi­ paration of the milk. I wdl consider the desirability dends may be increased up to 50 per cent, on the of asking any planters to the milking. aggregate of calls on Shares. There still remain a Coffee and Cinchona.—According to statistics pub­ reserve of about 635 acres available for other purposes, lished in the Ceylon Obstrver, there are now 35,000 and on the Forest Trees, which must be left to shade acres in the island planted tvith cinchona, the total the Cardamom plants, there is reason to believe that number of plants being nearly one hundred million, Vanilla, which is a most profitable article, may be ex­ valued at two millions sterling. About 10,000 acres tensively and successfully grown. The permanent build­ are planted with tea, giving an annual yield of 500,000 ings on the property comprise Store-bouses sufficient pounds. The relative importance of coffee in Ceylon for present requirements, an excellent bungalow for the is not what it was ; but yet it is gratifying to hear Superintendent, and the usual lines for labourers. The that the prospects for the forthcoming crop are very leading features of the scheme of this Company are:— good.—Academy. Firstly, that it should not depend on any one article of Ceylon T ea in A ustralia.—A Ceylon Colonist produce alone. Secondly, that, from the present culti­ lately arrived in Melbourne, writes :—" I have been vation, it should pay the Shareholders a fair rate of busy on the Ceylon Tea question and will give you interest from date of payments on calls, until such time the result. Several dealers, grocers, and private per­ as the proposed extended cultivation shall yield sufficient sons agree in this. Large merchants cannot push Cey­ to pay the larger dividends anticipated. lon tea on the market, in opposition to China Valuation o f the Company's Estates. and Indian tea. But if an agent or person interested The following estimate of the value of the ‘‘ Anning- .u C yion tea takes the trouble to go with samples kanda” Estate, was made by Mr. Richard A. Bosanquet, to the large inland towus, and am- ngst the country of the firm of Messrs. Courthope, Bosanquet & Co., people, he can dispose of large quantities of Ceylon Colombo, on the 24th December, 1879, viz. tea in small parcels. The retail price of tea is from 2s. to 3s. tid. a lb., aud if an agent was to offer Cey­ “ Tea l£ year old, at £40 per acre : Tea, planted in 1879, at £20 per acre ; Forest land, at “ £5 per acre ; lon tea in 2 , 4. (j, 8 , or 1 0 lb. packets at prices slightly below the quoted rates, he could sell freely ; Cheua land, at £2 per acre.” and, as soon as the tea was made known, the deal- Based nthis valuation, with the addition of only £10 ■-•rs would have to buy in large quantities.” per acre as increased value of the Tea for the 15 months’ additional growth, the following moderate value at the they cannot be considered as advertisements either of present time is arrived at, viz. — the merits or defects of any individual product. More­ 47 Acres of 2J year old Tea, at ... £50 = £2,350 over, they are not usually paid for by any private 123 do l i do do...... 30 „ 3,690 person. The laboratory, too, is a branch of the public 12 do Cardamoms 20 ,, 240 service, and the gentlemen employed therein are not 5,400 Cinchona Trees over 1 year old 4s , 1,080 directly under the control of any Miuiater of the Crown. 6,000 do do recently planted Is „ 300 Very much work has been done at this laboratory in the 333,876 Tea Plants in Nursery, at direction of exposing food adulterations; and if this 1 0 s. per mile ,, 166 work has not resulted in as great a diminution of the 952 acres of Forest Land, at £5 per acre £5 ,, 4,760 sophistication of the articles we habitually eat and 1,207 do Chena Land, at £2 per acre £2 ,, 2,414 drink as could be wished, it is not the fault of the scientists who make the analyses, but of public 2 , 3 3 5 acres, of the aggregate value of ,, £15,000 authorities who neglect to utilise or pay due heed [The valuations of tea and cinchona seem to us high : to the information contained in their reports. With above the rates recommended in our Handbook. regard to the experiments on teas now under con­ Tne appendix to the prospectus consists of extracts, sideration there is much of disquieting character in the chiefly from the Observer, on the subject of tea, cin­ information supplied by Mr. Dunn, as it shows that chona, cardamoms and vanilla in Ceylon.—Ed.] a large proportion of the tea that goes into consump­ tion in Melbourne is shamefully debased. But it also shows that the white aud yellow rogues who derive CULTIVATION OF THE FIG IN TURKEY. a profit from the systematic corruption of this article of food could, under a proper law efficiently ad­ The United States’ Consul at Smyrna states that the ministered, be punished or, at all events, checkmated. Aidin district is the only one which produces tigs In England, grocers are frequently lined for selling for exportation. The fruit will grow anywhere in the adulterated tea; but here adulterations of all de­ neighbourhood of Smyrna, of a good qaulity for con­ scriptions are allowed to go unpunished. sumption, in a green state ; but the 4 idin plain is However opinions may vary as to the effects of tea un que in its climate and soil as being favourable for on the animal economy, there can be no doubt that the proper curing of the fig. The thermometer seldom injury is done to health by using adulterated tea. falls below three or four degree under freezing point, At any rate, if any persons do entertain doubts on and in the summer seldom rises above 130 degrees that point, they had better refer to recent proceed­ Fahrenheit in the sun. In Aidin, the winters are ings in the Medical Society of Victoria, when the generally wet, the dry weather commencing in May subject of tea-drinking was before that body. Nor is and continuing till the end of October. Any rain at it necessary to describe the process by which analysts the end of July, or during the month of August and detect the sophistication of tea. The various methods September, when the fruit is under the process of of adulteration of tea may be defined as the addition drying,injures the quality by causing it to burst, hardens of “ leaves other than those of tea, except those used the skin, gives the fig a dark colour, and spoils its for scenting ; exhausted tea leaves aud damaged tea; keeping quality. Heavy dews will cause the same an undue proportion of stalks or vegetable matter evils. foreign to tea of any kind whatever; foreign mineral The fig tree will grow in almost any soil; a rioh matter, especially sand, quartz, soapstone, China clay, heavy soil is, however, preferable ; but to produce figs magnetic oxide of iron, &c. Lastly, the substances that will dry well and please the merchant, the soil used for artificially colouring or painting the teas, as ought to be of a good depth, and of a rich, light, sandy ferrocyanide or iron, or Prussian blue, indigo, tur­ nature ; this, if the weather be favourable, will produce meric, &c.” large figs, of a white thin skin, and of the finest Probably most of the sophistication to which tea quality. Before planting, the ground is well ploughed consumed here is subjected, is done in China. In two or three times, to a good depth, well fertilised, and that direction the Celestials have acquired a degree freed from all weeds and extraneous roots. The fig is of skill far and away beyond that to which propagated from slips, selected with as many fruity Europeans have attained. In Melbourne, very many buds as possible. To form a tree, two slips are planted, families buy their.teas from Chinese hawkers, whose one foot apart, and then joined at the top. The trees, ways are “quite too winning,” the lollies which if planted in rich soil, should be placed about 30 feet Chinky Chinky Chopsticks gives to the young ones apart, and for poor soil, about 25 feet distant from each at the door being a very successful bait to induce other. The cuttings are planted in the month of March, the housewife to deal with him. Their teas are highly two in each hole, at about 9 inches or a foot apart at scented with a good “grip” on the palate ; in fact the root end, and during the growth of the trees, the they are such teas as the Canton shurt-leaf mix ground is ploughed up two or three times during the tures, which will be referred to further on. The winter or spring, and the space between them is used use of such teas is gradually depraving the public to cultivate cotton, sesame, or Indian corn.— Indian taste. Housekeepers request their grocer to supply Agriculturist. them with a similar article, and he asks the wholesale merchant to enable him to meet the demand, and thus the evil increases. THE ADULTERATION OF TEA IN AUSTRALIA. The quality of tea is judged, not only by its aroma A few months ago we gave the results of a series and by the flavour and colour of the infusiou, but of analyses of milk sold in Melbourne, made at the by the amount of soluble matter or “extract," as laboratory attached to the Industrial and Technological it is called, which it yields. But, generally speak­ Museum by Mr. Frederic Dunn, under the supervision ing, tea is classified according to the proportion of of Mr. J. Cosmo Newbery. From the same source we Extract, mineral ash, soluble salts, and theme ob­ have now obtained some particulars of the analysis of tained. This rule, however, is subject to modifica­ many specimens of tea purchased in Melbourne. Great tion, inasmuch as chemical analysis sometimes re­ reliance is naturally and deservedly placed by the veals that the leaves have been mixed with some public on the reports on various articles of food occasion­ foreign matter, evidenily added to give extract. Genu­ ally emanating from this laboratory. Such reports ine tea contains between 4 and 6 per cent of mi­ usually refer to analyses spontaneously undertaken, and neral matter, 3 per cent, of which consists of solu­ the particular sources whence the articles experimented ble salts, aud yields in its ordinary air-dried con­ upon are obtained are not divulged. Consequently, dition extract ranging from 32 to over 50 per cent. As a rule, the younger anti better the tea, the higher With regard to Canton short-leaf, it may be men" the percentage of extract. The following table gives tioned, in the first place, that Canton is the centre an analysis of genuine teas :— of tea adulteration. An analysis of a sample of this st -_ - 0 Z „ description of tea showed that, in 1 0 0 parts, it con­ -2 ,<2 -s tained :— St< u ? 14 S 'S -3 Percentage of stalks ...... 28’71 5 e Name. Locality. £ 9 « 8 , 1 5 M Percentage of green tea ... 15'74 | J p "T g"** Percentage of black tea ... 55'55 II P-cfl H i Pekoe ... China 5-90 38-40 3-75 . 1 100 00 Do ... Ceylon 4*71 45-60 316 1-81 26 Many stalks were found foreign to the tea plant, and Do ... Indian 5-19 41-41 3-19 1-77 2 were ascertained to be cut-grass stems. The percent­ Do Souchong ... China 600 36-40 4-14 1 age mentioned as black tea was, in reality, a green Do do ... Ceylon 4*78 45-11 306 1-81 13 tea which had been faced, probably with plumbago. Do do ... Indian 5-42 39-66 3-19 2-05 7 • Foreign and withered leaves were also detected, as Souchong ... China 5 80 40-80 4-24 1 were likewise a large number of small nodular particles, Do ... Ceylon 4-72 43-68 3-10 1-79 13 which proved, on analysis, to be tea-sweepings or lie, Do ... Indian 5-26 38-85 304 1-62 3 * Not determined. tea, held together by starch paste. An analysis of With regard to this table, it would not be fair to the whole sample of Canton short-leaf gave the follow­ use it for the purpose of making a comparison between ing results:— different tea-growing countries inasmuch as the Ceylon Percentage of mineral ash 6’70 teas were Exhibition teas, while the Indian and Percentage of extract 37"69 Chinese were obtained from bulk samples which had Percentage of soluble salts ... .. 3"17 been sold in Melbourne. Percentage of theine ... 0'72 The next table gives the results of an ana'ysis of This percentage of theine, which is one of the chief Chinese teas obtained from the importers, and taken constituent parts of tea, is very low. At the same from bulk samples : laboratory, about 70 samples of Foo-chow congou Price per Percentage Percents yielded l -67 per cent, of theine, the lowest percent­ Name. lb. in of Mineral Percentage of Solul age being 1-50. In 71 samples of Ceylon (exhibition) bond. Ash. of Extract. Salts. teas, the average percentage was 1'89, and the lowest s. d. 1 "82 ; and in about 60 samples of Indian tea, the aver­ Congou ...... 1 0 5-26 27-52 2 90 age percentage was 1'77, and the lowest 1'44. It do ... 2 3 6-74 32-24 2-83 may be added, with regard to Canton short leaf, that do ... 1 0 5-40 33 00 3-56 it has a very large sale, and is used by grocers to do ... 0 1 0 5-72 25-36 2 - 6 6 give the pronounced flavour which is so appreciated do ... 0 1 0 5-80 24-20 2-09 by the public. Jasminum sambac, evidently used for do ... 1 51 5-50 22-84 2-13 do ... 1 5 5-84 21-04 2-64 scenting purposes, was likewise detected in the samples. do ... 1 4 5-40 26-66 2-74 As a rule, Indian and Ceylon green teas, which do ... 1 5 5-90 2504 3-23 have been analysed at the laboratory, have proved to do ... 1 3 7-70 29-04 4-77 be perfectly free from adulteration, and the opposite may do ... 1 5-40 27-68 2-60 be said, with a few exceptions, of Chinese green teas. do ... 1 3 5.20 31-92 3-02 Some 60 samples of Chinese black teas, obtained from do ... 1 9J 5-38 31*12 3-38 the most respectable grocers in Melbourne and suburbs, .. 1 fi 5-60 29-44 do 3-09 and sold at a retail price of 2 s. to 2 s Gd. per lb., do ... 1 5 5-40 28-24 2-87 were a short time since analysed. The following is .. 1 7 566 31-60 do 2-77 a summary of the analysis : - do ... 1 7 5-90 2904 2-89 do ... 1 7 5-60 31-44 2-94 _. 'o ~ "o ^ do ... 1 9 5-46 29 44 2-62 do .. 2 3 5-74 32.24 2-83 Name. ™ jL 5 2 Remarks. do ... 2 1 5-72 31-44 326 do ... 2 3 5-60 32-24 311 ox. Boxes sent to Calcutta up to this have been the Gauls successfully raised lieayy crops of corn with charged 2s. 7d. The price is dependent on the fluctu­ i t ; while the Puomans found an application of lime ating price of tin, which is somewhat lower l o w . very beneficial to their vines and olives. It was, Of course they are sent out in pieces. Vases holding however, about the middle of last century before lim~ pieces for 100 boxes weigh 4 cwt. The firm tell me | ing was introduced into this country. that Messrs. Schcene, Kilburn and Co., and Messrs. The reason why lime acts so powerfully on vegeta- Begg, Dunlop and Co., in Calcutta have consignments of , tion is that combined writh decayed animal and veget­ the boxes, so any of your readers can sec them. In able matter, it forms into a compound soluble, which, my opinion there are several advantages to be derived | melting by the action of rain, supplies the plants from their use. They will help to open up new . with the chief elements of vegetable life—oxygen, markets. The ungainly, unwieldy packages we have hydrogen, and carbon ; while it at the same time used hitherto, are certainly detrimental- at least w here attracts carbonic acid from the atmosphere and b-i es Indian teas are not known. By the use of these tin • the plant to absorb those gases more rapid h ihun boxes the sale of our teas, would, I am sure, b ex­ 1 usual. tended at borne, and they would also give great facilities Lime is found to be more efficacious upon—L. La.id for successfully introducing Indian Tea into- Australia that has been habitually lightly manured than upon Canada, the United States, the Capo, &c. It seems land that has been habitually heavily manured. 2. some Indian Tea has already been sent home in these Laud that in its composition contains no alkali ihan tins, and I am told it met with a ready sale, quite upon land which does contain alkali. 3. Land con­ to bd. per lb. over what it would have brought in taining lime in its composition wdiicli has been habitu- chests. This is, of course, too good to las', but less | ally ploughed deeply than upon laml in a similar than one penny a lb. increase would pay for their use. state habitually ploughed lightly. 4. New’ly broken The tares of these boxes is, and must be exact, viz., up old grass laud than upon land which has been pre- H lb. 15V oz , so only a few would be opened at the I viously continually cropped. Custom House, and the great loss by the deterioration Lime ought not to be applied at all to lands which, of tea being exposed (few' know how great it is) would I according to their nature, already contain any of be avoided. There is no doubt tea will keep better it in their composition ; neither ought it to be in transit in these boxes than in our old packages. 1 applied to soil, no matter how rich that soil may be How are they to be packed ? Chests holding four in other manures as long as the remains of any "pre­ tin boxes were recommended. I think crates of strong vious application continue to exist therein. It is well light battens would answer perfectly, and 6 or perhaps ! known that lime from its nature, always seeks down 8 boxes might then be placed in each. The rule of into the ground ; and it is also well known that some the Custom House is to discard fractions of a pound i soils retain its influence longer than other.-*. Accord- both in the gross and the tare. But in the gross the | ing to one authority, twenty years is supposed to number below is written, in the tare the number above. I be the limit of its beneficial action ovci a great part In the case of our ordinary Indian packages, if we of the south of Scotland; while another, a farmer in could regulate our tares exactly, so as to make the one of the Border counties, after lading down and gross weight only one ounce above the whole number, liming a field of grass, found its influence extended and the tare one ounce below the whole number, the 1 to nearly thirty years. lo-s would necessarily be much decreased. This, how • I Lime greatly accelerates both ihe dissipation of ever, is impossible, for, as a rule, the tares are one or manure and the chemical decomposition of the soil; two pounds I ss when the^ arrive in England than and in tli£ very degree in which jt increases fertility when they left the garden, owing to the w'ood drying by this speci-s of action, the lain on which it operates in transit: and thus ii is quite a chance what the real must, in order to maintain the fertility, be supplied tares come out here. But, w ith th** tin boxisin question with proportionally large doses of manure, and per­ the tares, that is their weight. being fixed and equal, haps with occasional doses of such mineral constituents aud not liable to change, we can eu arrange the weight* as combine chemically and mvriently with the lime, that the loss will be very trifling. thu> : — (i *nss lards which have been allowed to run lo seed, lb. oz. ard which have become ovenun with nulics and coarse The box wcigi.- 3 15£ vegetation, may be greatly improved by a dose of quick­ lime ; for, according to Dr. Hunter, * Quick-1 me is an We put in tea 20 2 instrument of death to the coarse herbage oi meadows.’ The same authority says that it is also known to change Cross weight 24 1 ^ the tnstcof certain kinds of grasses altogether ‘If a In the Customs T he gross is w ritten 24 handful of lime be 1 blown on a tuft of rank smir grass, And the tare i* written 4 which has in former years been invariably refused by cattle, they will afterwards eai it close down.’ bine The Tea paid toi will be 20 lb. pasture lands have likewise been found to be mat- nally * Top, is “ the tea garden.1" Kront, * ‘weighing leaf. benefited let a top-dressing of the mint ml in mild Ba- k, “ packing.” End-:. “ elephants with howdah,” form. or. if desired, the Plantation mark. 17 Now, when the old days of farming are passing away, If the weather is cloudy, the vanilla is collected into in which, ico-' ling to a seventeenth century writer, bundles, a number of which are packed together into a * rains and t’cwa. cold mnl dry winters, with stores of small bale, whiih is fiM wrapped with a woollen cloth, snow I reck »> to be the best kinds of manures, im­ I then with banana leaves, and finally with a stout matting, pregnated as they are with celestial nitres,* I cannot which is firmly bound and sprinkled with water. An oven is then lieati-d to 110° h (GO c C ). and the bales conclude h- tt- r than in the w rtls of Liebig :—* A time j containing the larger beans are placed in it. When the will com* when plants growing in a field, will be sup­ temperature has fallen to 113° F ° (15° C.) the smaller plied with their a .propnate manures prepared in chemi­ beans are introduced and the oven closed tigbtL . Twenty - cal factories, and when plants will receive only four hours afterwards the smaller beans are taken out, surh substances a- actually serve them as food.' David and twelve hours later the larger ones. Tho vanilla has Rwany ht /?. Agriculturist. then acquired a fine maroon colour. The drying operation then commences. The beans are si read on matting and exposed to the sun every day for CULTIVATION OF VAMLLA. about two mouth-. When the drying is nearly complete L'he high price of vanilla should encourage the cultiva­ it is finished in the shade in a dry place, and the pod> tion of this plant in many of our Colonies, which are • are then tied up in small bundles for sale. In the- Island of Reunion a different method is adopted. well adapted to its growth— Ce)Ion, Queensland, New In the first, place the vanilla plant is never allowed tv South Wales, the West Indies, British Guiana and Hondura-, grow out of human reach, the different trees on which Fiji, and parts of New Zealand. Some portions of South it is supported beiug connected by pieces of bamboo or Africa i.ml many districts in India would no doubt also other woud, placed horizontally, su as to form a kind of prow capable of yieldi- g an abundant supply of excellent lattice, on which the vanilla can spread freely.* As the vanilla. Mauritius is at present our only Colony where vanilla loves a moist soil, and will not boar a burning sun the culture of this plant is systeinatica’ly carried on, the trees are never cut down. If grown in a field the though small experiments have been made, with encourag­ support chosen is usually the physic nut Jatropha hureo.*. ing results, in Jamaica. on account of its rapid growth and abundant milky juice.* \s it requires special treatment, a fiw remarks upon When the trees are of sufficient size to shelter the plant, its cultivation may be of interest to those who may be the cuttings are set be-ween the trees in a trench, eigln temp «d to make the experiment. inches deep, and covered with dry leaves, straw and a In Mexico, vanilla is planted either in a forest or in a liitle soil This is generally done in tho iainy season, an field. In the former case the underbrush, climbers, and the cutting requires frequent watering while it is taking large trees are cut down aud reinov. d, and young sap­ root. The sh'-ofs are trained on the lattices when they lings only preserved to serve as supports to the- vanilla | have began to grow freely, and in two years are in full plant, preference being given to trees having a milky bearing. A length of stt-ro of twelve to twenty-six inches sap; near each tree two cuttings of the vanilla plant are in a state of nature, although it may produce more than ph.red Hide by side in a shallow trench inch deep, forty flowers, ra ely yields more than one pod—the fl wers and sixteen inches long, three knots of the stem being being only cnpabl * of terril sat ion by the aid of insects. laid in this trench and covered with dead leaves, brush, A m >n named Edmund Albins, a former slave in Reunion, as to ensure their drying equally the fruit is di \ ing, an unctuous dark red liquid, called on both side?. In a month the pods are dry, and are balsam of vanilla, exudes. then sorted according to their length, and into the three In Mexico the p ds are coTected and placed in heaps following varieties : 1st. Fine vanilla, from eight to eleven iu a shed to proiect them from rain and sunshine, and inches long, glossy, dark hr wn, and unctuous, and soon left i hero for a few days ; they are then, if the weather covered with minute, frost-like crystals, technically known is warm and clear, spread early in the morning on a as givre. 2nd. Woudy vanilla, from six to eight inches woollen blanket and expo ed to the direct rays of the sun; 1 long, lighter in colour, not glossy, presenting grey spot.* at about midday the blanket is folded round the beans, and the bundle left in the sun for the remainder of the * How far the irritating property of vani la, which is day. In the evening it is enclosed in tight boxes to sometimes manifested in vanilla ices, Ac., may be due t.> “ sweat” all the night. The next day the same treat­ the growth of vanilla on an acid euphorbiaceous plant ment is adopted, and the beans, after exposure to the 1 may be worthy of enquiry. The use of fig-trees, as in sun, acquire a dark coffee colour, the shade being deeper j Mexico, would seem at all vents to be safer and more in proportion 1 0 the success of the “ sweating ” operation. j udiciou-. on their surface and having very little yivre. These After the lapse of only a tow months there are indica­ generally come from pods not quite ripe. 3rd. Vanillon, tions of a return to the normal conditions of agri­ consisting of two varieties, both of which are short. The cultural pursuits ; the Coffee crop, now being gathered, bent are obtained trom ripe fruit and are covered with is expected, in many districts, to be a got d average; white crystalline efflorescence ; the inferior are obtained the fruit trade 1 * rapidly recovering »md with the from abortive or unripe fruits, and owe any odour they possess to having been in contact with those of better great activity generally displayed by the peasantry in quality. • opening up aud replanting their banana and provision A si ghtly difierent method of drying is adopted in grounds, it may, naturally, be hoped that with a few other vanilla-growing countries. In (juiana the pods are seasonable showers in the earlier months of the year placed in ash* s and left there ti 1 they begin to shrivel. there will be a renewal of favourable conditions among They are then wiped, rubbed with oiive oil, tied at their all agricultural interests. lower end, and hung up to dry in the open air. He then relates how the cinchonas dsniaged by the In Peru the vanilla is dipped into boiling water tied at hurricane were utilized, and adds:-- the end, and hung in the open air ; after twenty days The successful harvesting and utilization of Cinchona the pods are rubbed over w.th castor oil, and a few days Bark appears, therefore, to be in a great measure in­ later are pressed into bunches.— Colonies and Jnd a. dependent of times and seasons, and this experience may well commend i-self to all Coffee planters iu the Island ; suggesting the advisability, if not the absolute -JAMAICA PUBLIC GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS. need, of combining Cinchona with Coffee cultivation, Cinchona—L iberia n Coffkl Cocoa—T obacco—V a n ­ wherever they can be successfully pursued ; thus utiliz­ il l a —R u b be r —J a la p—Coconuts. ing the stability and certainty of the one, as com­ pensating for any unfavourable conditions that may We have received the annual report on these gardens arise in the other. for the year ending 30th September 1980. W ith Each garden is then reported on separately, tirst regard to the distribution of plants, Mr. Moirie coming the Castleton gardens, of which we read :— says :— It is satisfactory to learn that although the loss xo In the distribution of Economic Plants from the the gardens in valuable Economic trees &c. destroyed Public Gardens, iu addition to several thousand Cin- by the late hurricane was very great, particularly, in clioua seedlings and plants distributed from the Cin­ Clove, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Trinidad Cacao, &c., very chona plantations, new Sugar Canes, Fruit trees, Banana few species have been entirely lost, and the damage will, and Pine-apples from the Hope, and Coconut plants it is hoped, be remedied in a few favourable seasons. from ihe Palisadoes plantation, some *6,937 plants, The debris resulting from the sturm, was cleared away including Trinidad Cacao, Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon, by means of the ordinary labour of the Garden and Liberian Coffee and Vanilla, have been distributed without additional grants and Mr. Syme reports *‘that from the Botanic Gardens at • astleton. The total although the grounds present a somewhat open and distribution during the past year is estimated at un ventilated appearance they probably look as well as aggregate of nearly one-hundred-thousand plants of they have ever done before. ’ During the past year, economic value. the principle of charging certain fixed, but reasonable, There have also been exchanges of plants and prices for the valuable Economic plants distributed seeds with private persons and public gardens, the from these gardens, has been attended with such success, latter including ours at Peradeniya. It is stated that as to fully justify its adoption. Not only has a larger In exchanges maintained with Botanical Institutions number of plants been actually distributed, but they and Gardens abroad, 753 packages and 8 boxes of seed, have been taken up by persons thoroughly in earnest 9 wardian cases, and 1 box of plants have been re­ about their cultivation, and likely to give them every ceived ; the latter containing 356 plants of economic care and attention. The total number of plants dis­ value. In return, this Department has forwarded 10 tributed during the year from this Garden amounts Wardian cases of Plants, 6 boxes and 3 casks of Seed, to 26,937, as against, 24,141, distributed in the year and an aggregate of 874 packets of Seed weighing 376 1878-79 ; the different kinds were represented as pounds. Six Wardian cases, containing nearly 500 Plants, were forwarded to the new Botanic Gardens, Demerara. Several cases of Mahogany and Guango Seed were despatched to India and Java; and numerous packages of Cinchona Seed were forwarded to applic­ ants in India and Ceylon. Rainfall—104 inches. A scientific catalogue of all the plants in the public Next comes a long report on thecin a plant Plantations, the original planting has been completely presented by Mr Johu Eliot Howard, F.R.S., the masked by the abundant growth of self sawn seedlings eminent Quinologist, and Sir Joseph Hooker very some of which are now lar^c enough to be cropped. generously placed them at the service of the Govern­ These plantations are. in this respect, arc the most, ment of Jamaica. The plants have already been plant­ successful of any, and the\ will probably yield a suc­ ed out near the ^Director's residence, and are in a cession of valuable crops* tor several years. Hoot bark most satisfactory condition. They measure, (December from these trees has realiz-d 10s. Id. per pound, and 1880) respectively, 12 1G and 18 inches in height. trunk bark 7s. 1 Id. per pound. I Mr. Howard remarks that “ Ledgeriana is the prince 5 White'x Puce :—4,9UO feet to 5,400 feet; con­ of all Cinchonas."* (^nite recently bark of Ledgeriana taining about 8 acres. All the trees, consisting of has been sold in th< London market at the high Red bark and the hybrid variety, between 10 and 11 price of 14*. 8d. per pound, and bark from Ledgeriana years old, were “ coppiced ” on this piece last year trees grown in Java, has been sold in Amsterdam and the stumps left to throw up fresh roots. After at 17s. per pound. These remarkable prices show yaking a start, many of them died off, and it was the great importance which should be attached to , ultimately decided to uproot all, but about 200, which the due selection and propagation of the best kinds of are now growing well. After being cleared, this piece Cinchona ; and though the successful cultivation of is in course of being replanted by the hxbriti varietythe Red and Crown barks, in view of the very satis­ at distances of 4 feet by 4 feet. factory prices lately obtained, will continue to be re- G. Belle Vue -4,800 feet to 5,500 feet; containing 1 mnnerative in Jamaica for many years to come, it is about 30 acres, very sparsely planted about 4 to 5 obviously prudent to introduce the more valuable years ago with C. suca rubra. Owing, however, to kinds, whenever, they can be obtained for the purpose •‘dying off and the severe effects of the late hurri­ of giving the enterprise a thoroughly permanent, and cane, the number of trees on this Plantation is now remunerative character. reduced to about 2,000. Under these circumstances, Large leaved Crown bark:—Through the kindness of it is proposed to re-line, and re-plant the whole area, a planter in < eylon a quantity of seed has also been at 4 feet by 3 feet, and establish the large leaved received as C. officinalis, var. Condaminea, harvested at Crown bark, C. officinalis, oar. condaminta. the Government Plantations, Dodabetta, Southern India. 7. Upper Buzza :—4,800 feet to 5,400 feet ; contain­ | This is regarded as a robust large-leaved variety of the ing about 40 acres ; of which 4 acres are planted in true Crown bark, and it is intended to plant about ten Jalap. This plantation was opened and planted during acres with it at the Belle-Vue Plantation, in order to th e years 1879 and liS80 w ith the Crown bark (C. test its merits in Jamaica. 'Officinalis) at the top ; the Red bark ((?. succirubra) Regarding the bark harvested during the year, of at the bottom, and some plants of the hybrid variety which the account sales are given in an appendix, between. All these are placed at distances of G feet Mr. Morris says :— by 6 feet, (giving 1,210 trees to the acre) and appear On reference to appendix A, attached to this report, to be well established. I it will noticed that four consignments were made within 8. Lower Buzza ■ 4.500 feet to 5 000 feet ; abou- I the year, containing in the aggregate 27,299 pounds. 30 acres in extent; planted with Red bark. ((\ >ucci, The gross return on this quantity was £5,38l); leaving rubra) from G to 9 years old ; containing about 5,000 : after deducting shipping-charges, insurance, brokerage healthy trees. i and expenses in England, a nett return of iI5,l45-19s. Three nurseries were established during tbe \ ear 1 The hark, above mentioned, was produced by 8,246 containing about a million plants, but these were so trees, of nil kinds, from 8 to 10, and 12 years old ; damaged by the hurricane that only about a third wei*e 1 giving an average return of 3| pounds of dry bark, per saved, which have been chiefly used in planting up the tree, and an average nett value of 12s. 5$d. per tree. plantations. The principal kinds of cincho a hitherto Of the 8.24G trees, 210 were of the hybrid variety, cultivated in Jamaica were the crown and red barks which according to returns contained in appendix A, and the hybrid variet) With regard to tbe plant yielded an average of 4| pounds of dry bark per tree, of hard Carthageua, brought by Mr. Cross to Eng­ or a value for each tree of £1 4s. 2d. Of the re­ land aud entrusted to Mr. Morris by Dr. Hooker mainder, 3,915 trees, were the Crown bark, C. officinalis in 1879, we read : yielding an average of 11 pounds of dry bark per tree, I am glad to be able to report that the plant, so and a value of 9s. 3Ad. Again, 4.091 were Red bark kindly presented to the Government of Jamaica at the tree- (. succimb-ra yielding an average of 4j pounds request of Sir Joseph Hooker, has been the means of of d« v hark per tree, with an average value of 16s. Id. thoroughly establishing this species in the Island. , per u.'o. Taking the above average values, it would Early in 18S0. a number of good plants were suc­ appeiv that, tree by tree, the hybrid variety wus the cessfully raised by Mr Nock, from cuttings, and five most \ alunble of all ; but taking into consideration are already planteu out in their permanent places; the small number of trees barked. 210, and the #fact some at 5,000 feet, aud of hers at 5,500 feet, and all are that they were exceptionally fine specimens, the com­ apparently doing well. To those probably several others parison of these with the 3,945 trees of the Crown will be atideu during the course of the present year bark < f all sizes, is not quite a fair test—also with Of other kinds we read :— the Red bark, the average value of these trees at His. Id. Yellow Bark As it was found that the true Yellow compare most favourable with the Crown bark trees barks were not in the Island, efforts were made to at 9s. 3£d. H*-re, again, it must be remembered procure seeds of the best kinds from India and Java. that the Red bark trees cannot be planted, so closely, Through the kindness of Oi\ King, a packet of the as the Crown Bark and they take several years longer — probably twice ae long—in arriving at maturity ; and , (C. officinalis); they were about 20 feet high, w ith tall on our highest ridges where the Crown Burk is, com­ clean stems; the largest measuring 15 inches in circum- pletely, naturalized, it attains maturity in 5 to 7 years, | ference at the base, and the smallest 8 inches. Being whereas, the Bed bark, suitable only for lower eleva­ 1 the remains of a nursery, it was, naturally, expected tions would require from 10 to 12 years. This com­ that some of the trees would be very close aud others parison is made on the supposition that the Red and considerably isolated. They appear, however, to have Crown Barks are equally in demand. But as the Red 1 grown up and completely shaded the ground; for bark is not a good quinine-yielding bark, it is not underneath, the soil was clear of weeds, and covered bought by the quinine manufacturers but the drug­ with a thick covering of fallen leaves. The condition gists. Hence, if there should be a fall in the prices I of the trees and the locality in which they were found of Cinchona Bark, from its more abundant supply, and showed clearly that Cinchona trees thrive best when the pui poses for which it is used, the Red bark would they are planted closely, together, and when the suffer first; whereas good Crown Bark from its more . ground is well shaded and kept cool and moist lore abundant per centage of quinine, and larger demand, 1 over, these trees indicated that when a Cinchona would always meet with ready sales. Taking the Plantation has been thoroughly established and the actual returns of the Crown Bark as mentioned above, 1 trees completely cover the ground, (say in the 3rd and assuming that they were planted at elevations, year from planting), no further attention is necessary ,5. 500 to 6,300 feet, and at distances of 6 feet by 6 tiil they have arrived at maturity and are fit for feet, or at the rate of 1,210 per acre, an acre of this ■ barking. As indicating the value of Cinchona planting species would give a gross return of £563. From the I in the Blue Mountains,—taking these 379 trees, which working expenses of the Government Cinchona Planta­ occupied an area of less than 1211 squire yards.—it tions it may be safely assumed that an acre of was estimated that if they yielded on the average one Cinchona trees could be established, including pur­ pound of dry bark per tree, (younger trees. 111 the chase of land and all expenses up to the thir.i year, . Government Plantations yielded 1A pounds per tiee), for £30, or up to the sixth or seventh year, when I each tree would bo worth at least 5s.; this w< mid give the bark would probably be ripe, about £40 per acre. £94 15s Od. as the value of 379 trees on an area of The cost of barking, curing, shipping anil brokerage has 120 square yards—one-fortieth of an acre. Under hitherto averaged about 8d. per pound. This would ordinary conditions it would not, howevnr, be advisable make a total cost of about £100 to grow and put in to plant the trees so closely as this, but the value the market 1,815 pounds—the produce of an acre -of of an acre of land planted with trees even at one-half, dry bark realizing £563 As the yield of an excep­ the above rate would amount to more than £1,890. tional tree, Mr. Nock records the f Rowing : One Large as this sum may seem, it appears that wito the of the largest trees on the plantations was uprooted precious Ledgeriana Bark, grown by the Dutch in Java, and barked on the 7th of April last. It yielded 40 (a lew plants of which have just been introduced to pounds of trunk bark, 5 pounds of twig bark, and Jamaica), the yield per acre, as quoted by Mr. John 0 pounds of root bark, equal in all to 54 pounds of Eliot Howard, F.lt.S., (Pharmaceutical Journal, No. 534 given bark. This when thoroughly dried was reduced p 244) is estim ited from actual sales, at £2,000, per to a total of 16 pounds. At the average price ob acre. The natural inference from these remarks will tained for this kind—the hybrid variety—viz :—6s l£d. be,—If Cinchona is so productive a cultivation and per pound, the produce of this one tree was worth these large sums are obtainable with so much ease £4 18s 4d. It may be added that this tree was grow - and facility, will not such large areas be ultimately ing in a sheltered situation iu good soil, and was planted with Cinchona as to lower the prices and r nder nearly twelve years old, It measured 40 feet iu height the culture unremuuerative ? Commercially, of course, and a circumference at the base of about 30 inches. cheapness means small profits, and, as with all other, The spontaneous growth of cinchonas, especially of • products, so with Cinchona, the supply should not ex­ ticinalis, by self-sown seedlings on the Blue Mountains ceed the demand. But to examine these points iu had been already noticed. Mr. Morris adds another detail. The demand for quinine is so extensive, fact of the same tendency :— 1 and the terrible death roll amongst all nations of I t appears that in 1867-68, before the sites of the the world from fevers, for which quinine is the sole present Government Plantations hail been fixed, Mr. remedy, is so vast that, there is no prospect, whatever, Robert Thomson, the late Superin'endent, planted out at present, of the price of quinine being seriously with the consent of the owners, several seedlings in reduced. On the other hand, the prices of good quinine- nurseries on Hibernia, Whitfield Hall. Farm Hill, and yielding harks have been steadily rising. Again, when other estates for experimental purposes. When the we consider the comparatively small areas in which I-atimer plantation was finally opeued in 1868, most of . all the conditions necessary to the production of the these seedlings were removed—a lew only, of the smaller best qualities of Cinchona Bark ob ain, we shall find and weaker plants being left behind. The patch I that very few tropical countries can enter, successfully, plan ed at Whitfield Hall, occupied a small area at an I upon the cultiva ion; and of these, possibly only two elevation of 4.800 feet, surrounded by forests about two 1 or three will possess in so eminent a degree all the miles from Whitfield Hall Great House. After the favourable conditions enjoyed by Jamaica. What is, removal of the plants, in course of time, the road to absolutely, necessary is to select suitable sites where the nursery became overgrown ; and the locality and the plants will enjoy the requisite climate, shelter, its associations bad apparently passed out of notic and soil ; to cultivate only the more valuable and quick- While in the neighbourhood last year, meeting with a growing species, and to establish plantations on syste­ man who had assisted in removing the plants from matic and scientific principles, whereby, the utmost Whitfield Hall to Latimer in 1868, and heaiing that a value is obtained for the outlay and the conditions of few Cinchonas were still left, I was led to visit the spot growth carefully studied in.order to examine the tre s and their condition after Mr. Morris evidently realizes the duty of the the lapse of so many years. It was evident that, since Government with regard to the cinchona plantations, 1868, nothing, whateevr, had been done to the spot. The road was quite overgrown and the euirounding | as may be seen from the following remarks forest was thick and almost impenetrable. The con­ I he demands of the m.arket fob the best b irk dition of the Cinchona trees occupying an a ea of about | are so extensive that for many years to come the 120 square yards, was, however, very remaikable. By I quantity likely to be sent from Jamaica will be carefully counting them, I found that there were 379 very small compared with the extensive shipments trees on this small area; some of which were only 9 inches from South America, and the East Indies : but apart. Most of the trees consisted of the Crown bark I if chief attention is devoted to the kinds which 18 are rich in quinine and of quick growth, Cinchona 1 direction of Deputy Surgeon-General C.B. Mosse, C. B., cultivation in Jamaica, as already proved by the j Superintending Medical Officer, w ith the view of care- quality of the pvoducs cannot fail to be a remune- , fully testing its merits. rative industry. The objects of the Government in 1 Regarding the cultivation of jalap we read :— maintaining the Cinchona plantations for so many yeurs, As mentioned in the last Annual Report, the Jalap were, I apprehend, not of a pecuniary character—merely plant*, hitherto, under cultivation here, have been for the return they were likely to yield—but, in order, planted among the cinchona trees, but as the tubers to prove that Cinchona bark of good quality could be were found to exhaust the soil and the vines successfully gro* n in the Island. In addit on to this, to injure the young plants, it was decided to remove the plantations had an important work in the successful the Jalap tubers as completely as possible and estab­ introduction and cultivation of new or richer kinds ; lish a separate plantation where the comparative re­ and, in such necessary pioneering and experimental sults of the cultivation might be more carefully watch­ work which private enterprise could not, or would, not ed. The Jalap plantation, between 4 and 5 acres in undertake The tirst of the above objects having been extent, occupies the South-Eastern portion of the attained, the plantations may not unnaturally now de­ Upper-Buzza plantation ; the ground is laid out in a vote special attention to the propogation and distribu­ succession of terraces, about 4 feet wide with drains tion of r inchoua plants for the purpose of establishing on the inner side ; the tubers are planted about 8 or the cultivation on a large scale in private hands. Much 10 inches apart, and covered with soil to a depth of remains to be done in this respect, and while the plan­ about 4 inches. Last year, owing to the soil being tations are thus engaged, such valuable species as are fresh and newly cleared, the growing shoots soon after the result of discoveries or improved methods of culti­ making their appearance were eaten off by ‘'grub,' vation may be introduced, from time to time, and such but after the May rains, they started again, and their careful and systematic experiments prosecuted, and subsequent growth has been most satisfactory. made generally known, will place the Island in It may be added, that, the Jalap has become quite a position to compete successfully with other countries. naturalized on many parts of the plantations and The lands now proved to be so valuable for cin­ when once established, in a congenial soil, it is al­ chona culture, have hitherto, been considered of little most impossible to eradicate it. Indeed, in many use. Being too high for coffee they have been almost places, it threatens to become a troublesome weed and given away and deemed fit, only, for negro provision like the strawberry, ( Fragaria vescaj,to cover the grounds. They are tracts of extensive forests clothing ground (where it cannot find anything to climb the higher slopes of the Blue Mountains. On the upon), with a thick matted carpet of green leaves. Southern slopes it is estimated that, above the line The chief difficulties which have beeu, hitherto, suitable for coffee, there are some 120,000 acres of experienced in the utilization of the Jalap crop have land on the greater portion of which cinchona may been the proper drying and curing of the tubers. be very remuneratively grown. On the Northern slopes In the moist, cool, climate of the cinchona plantations, very little coffee has hitherto, been grown,—although it was found impossible to dry them thoroughly, by that produced is of superior quality ; and an extensive exposure to the sun, and, it was proposed to import zone, quite unopened, about 12 miles long, and four a fruit-drying machine from America for experimental to six miles wide rising from 2,500 feet, to 4,000 purpo-es. The success which has attended the curing feet is still avail ble for this profitable culture. Above of the cinchona bark at the Parade Garden, Kingston, 4,000 feet, and up to 6,f00 feet, this extensive tract has however, suggested the possibility of a similar would be most suitable for cinchona cultivation.* I treatment for the Jalap tubers, and it is intended to am glad to find that, in one or two instances in send the coming crop to the plains to be cured. which application has been made, the Government has The Palisadoes plantation is chiefly an experimental encouraged the experimental cultivation of Cinchona coconut plantation. We read :— by favourable concessions of portions of these lands Nearly three thousand more plants have been put out, and, 1 have no doubt that, if the circumstances attend­ bringing up the total number of trees of all sizes to twenty- ing cinchona cultivation in this island were more three thousand. The trees, in bearing, have been care­ generally known, English capital and energy would fully counted by numbers marked upon them (as they t»oon develop on tht-se hitherto uncleared lands, and come into bearing), in red paint. During the year, in one of the most salubrious climates in the world, the bearing trees have increased from one thousand a most successful and flourishing enterprise. five hundred, to three thousand three hundred. The With regard to cinchona febrifuge Mr. Morris says :— yield of the plantation for twelve months has been It appears that by a simple and inexpensive pro­ forty-nine thousand nuts, of which four thousand have cess, a preparation known as cinchona Febrifuge, been utilized in the nurseries. The remainder are possessing the properties of true quinine, can be ob­ being sold locally, at rates varying from 65s to 70s tained from cinchona bark at so low a cost as 2s 6d per thousand. Supplies of young growing plants have per ounce. At the request of His Excellency, the been distributed, free of charge, for planting on the Governor, I prepared, in September last, a Memo­ Pedro and neighbouring Cays, at Port Royal, and other randum on the subject, and I hope to obtain such places along the coast, where they might be useful as detailed information from India as will place the land marks, or, as affording shade and ornament. A metier in a practical form. Should the demand for case containing coco-nut leaves, carefully dried, has cinchona Febrifuge, in the West Indies, justify its also been forwarded to Kew, for the purpose of en­ manufacture being undertaken here, there would be a abling Dr. Hugo Muller to carry on his researches on considerable saving effected at the plantations by the the occurrence of quercite in members of the palm family. utilization of “ pruning® and thinnings” which often, We may expect to have Jamaica as a rival in the at present, do not cover the expenses of curing and maunfacture of coconut products, if Mr. Morris’s sug­ shipping ; while, at the same time, an effective and gestions are carried out :— valuable Febrifuge would be placed within reach of Now that the trees are coming into bearing, it has the poorest. It is satisfactory to learn that the Fe­ naturally been suggested whether some means might brifuge is now, being tried, in Jamaica, under the not be adopted for utilizing its resources for the manu­ facture of coconut oil and coir. As a first step in * For the information of those contemplating tak­ this direction, it is proposed to prepare a quantity of ing up Cinchona cultivation in Jamaica it should be copra, (the kernel thoroughly dried in the sun), and understood that these lands are, for the most part, send it to the English or American market in order quite unopened by roads and from 30 to 40 miles to test its value. For this no machinery is required, fiom Kingston. and as it is a wellknown and lucrative article of ex­ port in other countries, there ia no reason to doubt Owing to the effects of the hurricane 110 pods are that it will prove, equally so, in Jamaica. Iu view, expected to be produced on the trees at Castleton however, of the numerous advantaged to he derived from for some time, but the stock of plants already estab­ the local manufacture of coconut oil and poonac, (the lished, will, it is believed, be sufficient for present residual cake) and of the many purposes to which requirements. The collection at Castleton has been coconut fibre, properly prepared, may be applied, the increased by planting out 54 plants during the past desirability of establishing coconut mills, with suitable yoar, in the old canefield, where they are doing well. machinery, is a question which must yearly suggest On the general distribution of Trinidad cacao from the itself in view of the increasing returns from the coco­ Castleton Gardens, Mr, Syme makes the following nut plantations in this island. It is true, that the report .— English and American markets are capable of utilizing, “ Plants of this variety are in great demand, but, at fairlv remunerative prices, all the nuts that may strange to say, it is by the well-to-do of the com­ be sent them, but the advantages to the island in the munity. It is to be regretted that the peasantry, sale of nuts are not at all comparable to those which settled on some of the best cacao-growing lands of the would arise if the local manufacture of coconut oil colony, do not cultivate more of this plant. One and coconut fibre were undertaken, and carried on in reason for this is that they are disheartened by the an efficient manner. raids made on the pods and their contents by the At Hope plantation, we read, rats. It would well repay them for the trouble and 1 he Sappan, an East Indian dyewood, of great value, expense of systematically poisoning and otherwise pre­ appears to grow with great vigour, and plants have venting the rats from getting to the pods ; or by been largely propagated. simply training the young trees to a single stem for Of the Bath garden Mr. Morns writes:— a height of from 4 to 5 feet, and then lixing a piece This interesting remains, of what was the only of sheet tin around each stem. ’ Although Cacao cul­ Botanic Garden,, of the Colony, for more than eighty tivation was an important industry in Jamaica about years, is still maintained for the sake of its valuable a hundred and fifty years ago it li^d so declined that trees and palms. I regret to record that, during twenty years ago the only trees'*™ the Island were the late hurricane the fine Pinus in the centre of a few inferior kinds scattered here and there in settlers' the garden was blown down and that two valuable gardens. Owing, however, to the encouragement given nutmeg trees were lost. During the past year. I to the industry by Government, by introducing the have endeavoured to increase the usefulness of this best varieties of Trinidad Cacao and disseminating in­ garden by establishing nurseries of Liberian, coffee, formation on the cultivation and curing of this im­ cacao, nutmeg, cinnamon, &c., &c., in order to ren­ portant product, a decided improvement has, lately, der it available for the distribution of these plants in taken place, both in the quantity and quality of the the Eastern portions of the Island. As already exports. mentioned in a report, published after my first visit Tobacco and vanilla are also favourably reported on. to the Bath Garden, this district appears to be Of indiarubber it is said :— eminently adapted for the successful cultivation of A Wardian case, containing a number of Landolphias most tropical plants requiring a rich soil, and a warm, or African rubber plants was lately received f'om Kew, humid climate. The plants of Liberian coffee, already, and they are a valuable addition to the India rubber growing in jthis and the Plantain Garden Kiver plants already in the Island. Mr. Syme reports that district, are among the most promising in the Island, they are doing well, and are readily propagated by and if cacao and nutmeg were added, these would cuttings from twigs. Of the India rubbers, already constitute sources of industry particularly suitable introduced the most promising is the Ceara rubber tree, to the wants of the people, and likely to be most pro­ (Manihot Glaziovii), a native of Ceara, a coast town and ductive and successful. district of Brazil in lat. 4° 5", possessing “a very dry arid Mr, Morris’s remarks on Liberian coffee are sub­ climate for a considerable part of the year.” This stantially the same as those quoted by us from his plant is, evidently, of a very hardy character and adapts separate pamphlet on the subject, Of cacao we read :— itself readily to the exigencies of culture. Plan’s at In the propagation and distribution of .this valu­ Castleton, (600 feet), and at the Farade Garden. able product attention has been almost entirely con­ Kingston, (50 feet), are doing well. At the former fined to the best kinds of Trinidad Cacao. From gardens young trees when about 9 to 12 feet high trees of these varieties imported in 1873-74, a large were beginning to flower, but the hurricane deprived supply of pods have been gathered and about 12,000 us of the hope of procuring seed this year. Some seedlings established in bambu pots. Several cases of four or five hundred seeds, received from Ceylon, pods have also been obtained direct from Trinidad, will, however, afford good opportunities for further which had been carefully selected and packed under extending the cultivation Judging by repor's re­ Mr. Prestoe, the Government Botanist’s personal super­ ceived from S. America it is possible that extensive vision. As the ultimate success of cacao cultivation, tracts of dry, and stony almost worthless lands, in in Jamaica, will depend on the nature and value of the plains, may be turned to good account by means of the produce, the first consideration of every planter this cultivation. will naturally be the selection of the best varieties Of the ParA rubber there are only two plants in as seed trees. From these, when established, he will Jamaica, and of the C'astilloa efashca none. Mangoes be able to extend the cultivation, selecting again those are doing well, the areca grows and fruits freely, and varieties which appear to be most suitable to the parti­ the kitul quickly attains to maturity and an immense cular circumstances of the soil and climate. This must size. Another staple of onrs is reported on thus naturally be a slow process, but I would at the out­ A plant of the best variety of Ceylon Cinnamon was set of what possesses all the elements of a sound and brought out from Kew early in the year. It has been successful enterprise, recommend that, only the best planted out at Castleton and under Mr. Syme’s care varieties of Trinidad cacao be planted at first, and is growing freely. From what has come under my that the cultivation be kept carefully free from such observation, it appears that there are two kinds of deteriorated and worthless varieties, as will only lead Cinnamon in the Island. One is undoubtedly a form ultimately to disappointment and loss. Efforts are be­ or variety of the Ceylon Cinnamon, C. Zeylanicuvt, ing made through Dr. Ernst, to introduce some of but, whether, owing to the nature of the soil and the best varieties of Caracas cacao, About fifty plants climate or to deterioration from other causes, it does of Trinidad Cacao have been lately planted at the roL, appear to possess the delicate aroma, taste and Hope, in the neighbourhood of the land irrigated by colour, of the true Ceylon Cinnamon. The Cinnamon the water courses, and they have hitherto done, well. tree, even, in Ceylon, varies in a peculiar manner ac­ cording to the character of the soil and rainfall. The I kept under Rhea in the Botanical Gardens at Howrah natives of Ceylon reckon the variety known as, Rant for the supply of roots to intending growers.” Corundu, as the only genuine kind; six others, almost ' Now that Tea is giving such poor returns, any indistinguishable botanicallv, are considered spurious. thing that may pay to grow, in addition to the tea As a plant of the true kind is now, in the Island, it plant, will no doubt be welcomed by all Tea Pro­ will soon be possible t<> test the influences of the soil prietors and Tea Planters. Why not try the Rheea and climate of Jamaica upon it. Plant? Although no efficient process nor machine The deinnnd for nutmeg plants is great, but this is has yet been discovered suitable for separating, not the case with clovet*. The report closes with re­ cleaning, and dressing the fibres, if the industry is marks on fibre-yielding plants, fodder plants, and vines. taken up on a large scale, machinists will no doubt soon invent machines that will answer the purpose. If Planters will turn their attention to its growth, ( ULTIVAT10N OF THE RHEEA PLANT ON and to the proces* of manufacture of the fibre into TEA LANDS. a suitable form for the spinning and weaving The species Urtica (Boehmtria) nivea, belongs to factories, we feel sure that the requisite discovery the genus Urtica [Stinging Nettles], which form the would soon be made, and tbe problem solved. It type of the Natural Order Urticaceaa—the Nettle and would then go well hand iu hand with the cultiva­ Fig Family. The specv s Boehmtria nivea is the tion of the tea plant, and the two indust ies com­ Rheea of Bengal, and is also known by the name bined would no doubt vield as handsome returns as of the “ China Grass” and “ Graes-cloth ” Plant, as any other in the world. the investigations of Dr. Falconer have proved it The strong fibres obtained from the plant by identical wit 1 the plant that yields the celebrated simple maceration, are used by the natives for many grass-cloth of China. It is “ an erect shrub, with useful purposes, bur the working of them up for alternate, cordate leaves hoary beneath, and small, textile goods is the d-tliculty which has to be over­ dioecious, greenish yellow flowers, in axillary, pedun- come. The natives simply scrape the fibres to tit cled, globose heads.”* It bears no sting. The plant them for making twine, thread, fishing nets, Ac. is remarkable for the tenacity of the liber of its bark, One of the necessary conditions essential to success, which yields a remarkably fine fibre, and from which is that the fibre should be rendered saleable in the so-called “ giass cloth,” a most delicate fabric, is India at a price not exceeding £15 per ton. The prepared. subject has attracted very great attention of late in Textile manufacturers are endeavouriug to bring England and France, and even in America to some it into use as a substitute for, or at least an addition extent. Renewed attempts are being made to intro­ to, cottmi, wool, flax, hemp, aud jute. In 1803 some duce the fibre into European factories. The Cham­ specimens of the Urtica fenacmima from tbe Malayan bers of Commerce of Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Islands and Peninsula were placed in the Botanical and Belfast, have taken up the matter, and the Gardens. This led to the cultivation of the plant in spinners of Yorkshire are experimenting on various other parts of India. I 11 1814 a quantity of the mixtures of the fibre with wool and cotton, and fibre was sent to England, and favourable reports trying the suitability of the mixtures lor making were received of its probable usefulness. But a fancy trimmings, ladies’ dresses, and upholsterers’ difficulty has stood iu the way of the development textiles ; the fibre possessing qualities unlike those of of regular industry in the fibre of the Rheea plant. any other material employed in textile work.— There is no process, nor machine, that will properly Indian Tea Gazette. and efficiently separate the bark and fibre from the stem, and the fibre from the bark. This is a Cinchona B ark. —Large supplies of cinchona bark problem yet to be solved. In 1870 tbe Government continue to be sent to England by the P. and O. of India offered two prizes to the inventors of the canal steamers. About four hundred bales of bark best machine or process for its manufacture : the were put onboard the steamer “ Ancona” last Thurs­ offer was renewed in 1877, but up to date no satis­ day. --JHadras Standard, 15th April. factory results have been achieved. Tbe Government Coffee Lea f D isea se,—Mr. Schrottky is quietly but therefore do not deem it advisable to renew the steadily going on with his treatment. He lias oper­ offer of rewards until — ated on 250 acres in the Dumbara valley, and will “ Private enterprise has shown that the cultivation begin on a similar extent in the Dimbula district in Gi the plant can be undeitaken with profit in these a few days. Mr. Schrottky has also been making ex­ or other parts of the country, and that real need periments of great importance in reference lo cinchona has arise1' for an improved method of preparing the cultivation, but we are not at liberty for tbe present fibre in order to stimulate its production.” to refer more particularly to these. We are told however that :— N i l g i r i s , March, 1 8 8 1 . —A great deal of the tea “ Rhea is naturally an equatorial plant, and it 1 produced in the Nilgiris is sold in the Presidency I am tequiic? a moist air, a rich soil, and plenty of water, told, and, most likely, much more would find a local while extremes of temperature are unfavourable to market if planters would be content with a moderate it. Such con-'ition* may be found iu parts of price. 1 judge they ask exorbitant figures, from the Burmah, iu Upper Assam, and in some districts of quotations of retail merchants in the advertisements. Eastern and Northern Bengal: and if Rhea can be Thi** may not be so ; but anyway the shops should be grown iu such places, with only so much care as is able to sell Pekoe Souchong at U-12 instead of R l-8! requind in an ordinary w-U-farmed field for a rather Tea is generally cured here by means of a furnace superior crop, it is possible that it may succeed and non plate, with drawers on top. There seems to commercially.” be a degree of laxitx in tea-making, sorting, aud Although 1 be Government nave withdrawn their patl.i-i . in this district, which requires thorough offer of rewards, they have not withdrawn their aid reform : but this it* a subject for a letter in itself. toto. For in their report we read :— But Tea planters must not pose as the only un­ “ Rut in order to aid persons who are anxious to fortunates. The local paper has the following :—“ The try the cultivation of the plant in localities which coffee crop of 1 5 8 0 - S I has been a most unfortunate are primd facie suitable, the Government will be one. Estate* estimated to yield 6 0 to 70 tons gave willing to place roots at their disposal. A plot of only 4 and 5, while others have absolutely no crop about 2 or 3 acres will, therefore, continue to be at all. It is a mystny what became of the tine show of blossom early iu the year.”—Indian Tea * Oliver's First Book of Indian Botany. Gazette. (Continued, from page 2.) TOBACCO CULTIVATION IN INDIA AND CEYLON. bacco cannot be available for export until the Indian There is hardly any part of this vast country, from market is thoroughly satisfied. Peshiwur to Cape Comorin (or Dondra Head), in which Here then is a fine opportunity for others to com­ tobacco i f some sort or another cannot be grown, and is pete, f ir the Indian demand is not adequately satis­ grown for native consumption. Naturally, as with any fied, and the foreign markets may be said to be un­ other plant, some soils aud climates suit it better than touched. For the benefit of any one who may feel others, and at present Madras and Burma claim the inclined to engage in the enterprise we add a few lines reputation of producing the best leaf. There appears as to the system of cultivation adopted, which is as to us, however, no reason why, with proper care and follows :—For tobacco some rotation of crops is practised atteu'ion in the cultivation and curing, as good to- and cultivators seldom sow it on the same land for bacc > should not be produced in Bengal, or elsewhere, three years together. The crop generally preferred as in the two parts of the country which have already lo precede it is the root crop, Batatas edalis (shakar- acquired a name for it. Nay, as a fact, it is already kand), extensively used as food by the poorer classes produced, and consumers of Madras and Burma che­ for some months in the year, which is sown in the roots may be surprised to hear that a good deal of rains and dug up in the old weather. After this, the tobacco of which those favorite brands are made or some other rabi crop has been laken off the field, is first exported from Bengal, and then returned here the land is well dug with a hoe, and then ploughed in the shape of genuine Madras or Burma cheroots. twice every month. The manure used is chietly cow- Somo of it also, perhaps, re-appears in the disguise of dung, which is thrown on the land, or cattle are Hie genuine Havaunah, for there is a large quantity penned on the ground. Land being thus well-ploughed of tobacco exported annually from this country to and well manured, is fit for planting with tobacco on Germany, and a good many of the cigars sold here the cessation of the rains in the month of September. as Havannahs are manufactured in the neighbourhood The seed is first sown on a seed-bed from which the of Berlin. The consumption of tobacco throughout young seedlings are transplanted to the field. After the world increises annually iu a larger ratio than the this, it requires very little care, except a little weed­ population, and it has long been a matter of surprise ing and picking off the superfluous shoots, leaving to us that greater efforts have not been made to in­ ten or twelve leaves on the plant. No irrigation is crease the cultivation and improve the manufacture necessary ; a little water is only' allowed for two days of tobacco in this country. An experiment on a mode­ at the time of transplantation. The crop is ready rate scale has certainly been tried by Messrs. Begg, for cutting in February or March. The yield of an Dunlop & Co. at Ghazipur and Pusa, during the last acre is from twelve to twenty maunds, which is gener­ few years, aud the results, the report of which for ally sold at R5 to R8 per maund. It must be the year 1379-80 is now before u«, are, we consider, remembered that the coarse thick leaf produced by quite sufficient to justify not only those gentlemen natives on their field, by the excessive use of nitro­ in extending their manufacture, but to induce others genous constituents, does not answer the purposes of to follow their example. the factory. Finer leaf, with considerably less acrid The chief operations of this firm are at Pusa, in taste, is only fit for curing purposes. The outturn the Durbhanga district of Behar, carried on under per acre of leaf for the factory is therefore estimated the supervision of European and American managers at 8001b. instead of 1,000 lb. (20 maunds), as in and curers, and employing about four hundred natives. the native-cultivated land. Indeed, the outturn at In 1877-78 the quality of cured leaf exported was Fusa during the last two years did not exceed 000 lb. 29,993 lb., which sold at an average of about 3kd. per acre, owing to the finer texture of leaf grown, per pound, an excellent average for the first year’s and to the land not being so heavily manured with curing, as it was the same average rate as that at animal matter as the native lands. But all the leaf which American tobacco was then selling in England. produced iu a tobacco field does not give prime to­ The French Government were also so favourably bacco. An acre generally produces about 10,000 plants, impressed with the samples they examined that they of which one-fourth gives first class tobacco ; onc-fourth, at once gave an order for forty maunds, and enquired second class ; and the remaining half, third-class to­ to what extent the supply might be relied on. This bacco. All these classes will give a total weight of seemed to promise a good opening, but the present about 600 lb. of marketable article. proprietors do not appear inclined to extend their As to the coA we learn that the price paid for operations. In the next year they only increased the an acre of tobacco (600 lb ) is about R40, or 15 lb. area of cultivation by 73 acres, and the season turned per rupee, or a little above one anna per lb. The out very wet and therefore unfavourable to the proper cost of curing is very small, probably not exceeding curing of the leaf. Other causes also operated to pre­ more than a rupee for D 0 lb. The cost of growing vent an extension of the export of the produce, and curing tobacco has thus been reduced from what though we should have thought that these would was estimated by Mr. Buck, in his report of the 18th have conduced to a more extended cultivation. We October 1876, viz., 5d. per lb. delivered in England, are told that the demand for the tobacco in the Indian and it -is now considered possible to deliver cured to­ market developed so rapidly that it was soon found bacco in England at 3d. per lb. with even a small profit. that, with the present establishment and the present We think that we have now said quite enough, extent of cultivation, the firm would have for a time backed up as we are by official reports, to show that to give up any idea of competing in the European tobacco manufacture in India ought to prove a most field ; for the enterprise has not yet become sufficiently profitable investment, if properly managed.—Asian. strong to carry on the struggle in both places. The insufficient quantity of the outturn during the last two The largest sale for artificial fertilizers is in the years, the initial expenditure incurred in importing South Atlantic States, the lands in which have become machinery and training up hands in the manufacturing impoverished by cotton and tobacco culture. processes, the greater certainty of success, the imme­ It is e timated that the manurial products annually diate and Higher profit expected in this branch ef emptied into the river Thames by the sewage of London, the industry for the capital (R 1,00,000) which the if applied to a barren soil, would impart to it a pro­ firm have sunk—all decided tl era in favour of con­ ductive power capable of feeding 150,000 people. fining themselves to manufacturing to meet the demand A ton of cotton seed meal contains 38 pounds of for local consumption. How long a time will elapse j potash, 56 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 78 pounds before the firm again finds itself in a position to ex­ nitrogen. A ton of average barnyard manure contains port, it is difficult to say ; year by year the extent I 12 pounds of nitrogen, 6 pounds of phosphoric acid of operations is increasing, but large supplies of to­ and 13 pounds of potash.