J2« 



THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



[August i, 1882. 



advantageous position could have been secured, the 

 aspect of the building at that point being most 

 impressive, while in no part is it more frequented 

 or more accessible to the crowds of visitors who con- 

 stantly tlirong its galleries and corridors, at present il- 

 luminatfd with all the splendours of the electric light. 

 There, neatly assorted, are a large number of small 

 sacks lined with blue cloth, containing different sam- 

 ples of Brazilian coffee, from the principal "fazendas" 

 of the provinces of Minas, Rio de Janeiro, Sau Paulo, 

 and Espirito Santo, and the necessary explanatory 

 particulars are couepicuously provided in documents 

 prepared and printed for the purpose by the Consul- 

 General. We also noticed a map of the world, on 

 which tlie various coffee producing regions are marked, 

 "and which, more eloquently than words could do, 

 must impress every beholder with the great fact 

 that, in comparison with the coffee-growing surface 

 of Brazil, all other countries shrink into palpable in- 

 significance. The totd ensemble is also much improved 

 by a number of fine views of the most picturesque 

 and attractive points of Brazilian scenery, the whole 

 display being loyally surmounted by the Imperial arras 

 of Brazil. 



It was only fitting that this useful Exhibition 

 shoidd have been inaugurated with some degree of 

 observance, and we are pleased to record that, on .Satur- 

 day, the 13th inst., with this object, Commendador J. L. 

 C. de Salles, to whom we have already alluded, enter- 

 tained at dinner, in the Ci ystal Palace, a distinguished 

 and brilliant company of ladies aud gentlemen con- 

 nected with and otherwise interested in Brazil. * ♦ ♦ 

 The Chairman, in responding to the toast, which 

 was drunk with enthusiasm, expressed his high sense 

 of the honour the company had done him in drink- 

 ing his health with so much cordiality, and this token 

 of the .approbation of so many influential friends of 

 his country encouraged him to persevere in the grand 

 work which they had that day assembled to in- 

 augurate. (Hear.) His Excellency the Baron de Penedo 

 could testify that he h.ad many ditiioulties to over- 

 come, but these he had surmounted, he trusted, in 

 a manner not altogether discredilabla to him- 

 self nor unworthy of Brazil. (Applause.) He had 

 endeavoured to obtain the use of the Kensington 

 Museum for the purposes of their exhibition, being 

 anxious to secure a place in the centre of London 

 capable of accommodating a large gathering of people, 

 to taste of the produce of Brazil in its pure and 

 unadulterated state, but the authorities, though agree- 

 able to assist, could not see their way clear, as their 

 doing so would establish a precedent which might 

 be of much inconvenience to ihat great nutional estab- 

 lishment ; aud he could not find fault with them, 

 when he considered that England, possessing her own 

 coffee-producing colonies, might not be over-anxious 

 to promote the objects of a Brazilian Coffee Exhibi- 

 tion. (Laughter.)* He had finally determined upon 

 engaging accommodation for six mouths or a year for 

 their exhibition in the splendid building within whose 

 walls they were now assembled, and with the result 

 tliey had, he confessed, many reasons for congratul- 

 ation. (Hear.) Of one thing he felt conadent : that 

 when the people had an opportunity of drinking 

 Brazilian coffee in its purity they would learn to 

 prefer it to the produce of any other country, as no 

 better coffee grew in any part of the world, and of 

 late years, he was glad to say, the attention of the 

 growers had been very successfully directed towards a 

 more careful preparation of the" coffee produce of 



* A piece of silly impertinence. The ref asal was sfiven on 

 good grounds of iuoouvenient precedent. If this" request 

 were granted how could the request of the American tiovern- 

 ment to exhibit wheat, the Buenos Ayres Governmeul to 

 exhibit dried beef, and so ou, be refuse i'— Ed. 



their great plantations, to meet and to merit an in- 

 creased demand. (Applause.) He was also glad to 

 know that this had been corroborated by a consider- 

 able number of persons who were excellent judges. 

 The importance of the objects of the exhibition 

 to Brazil would be evident from the fact that its 

 Exchequer derived a large portion of its revenue 

 from tliis source, while a considerable part of the 

 native capital was employed in the cultivation of 

 coffee, and he hoped that the influential committee 

 of gentlemen at Rio de Janeiro, who had so ably 

 and patriotically originated and conducted this great 

 movement, would soon reap for their country the 

 expected results of their arduous and beneficent labours. 

 (Hear, hear.) In common with every friend of Brazil, 

 he was much pleased to note the reference made to 

 coffee in the last Budget speech of Mr. Gladstone, in 

 which he announced the future intention of the Go- 

 vernment to allow of the admixture of no other sub- 

 stance with coffee save chicory, so that the public 

 might be protected against the vile compounds at 

 present sold to them as coffee. This was a step in the 

 right direction, and would materially promote the 

 honest objects of their exhibition. (Applause ) All 

 that they wanted for Brazilian coffees was fair play, 

 and no favour. In conclusion, he had no doubt that 

 the efforts they were now making would tend to 

 greatly increase the consumption of Brazilian coffee, 

 which had only to be known for what it really was to 

 be universally appreciated, bestowing not only a benefit 

 upon the producing country, but also upon the consum- 

 ers. (Applause.) 



Before their departure, the guests adjourned to the 

 adjoining reception room, where they partook of Brazil- 

 ian coffee, prepared in such a manner as preserved in 

 perfection all its aromatic fragrance. Served in cups 

 of superb Sevres porcelain, specially made to grace this 

 inaugural ceremony, with little golden spoons very 

 artistically and elegenlly chased, this delicious bever- 

 age elicited the unanimous award th.at Brazil was not 

 only first in point of production, but also as to quality 

 deserved to be called the King of Coffee. — Soutli 

 American Journal. 



PLANTING PROSPECTS IN CEYLON. 



Special attention has been called to the case of 

 hardworking proprietor-superintendents of estates, of 

 proved probity and steady industry, on whom mort- 

 gagees may be inclined to press hardly during this 

 year of scarce aud dear money and financial distrust 

 generally. The hope is expre^^sed that foreclosures in 

 such a season, may be few and far between — an 

 abatement of interest being a wise concession in such 

 a year of difficulty with planters who have good 

 prospects in the new products which are fast coming 

 to their aid. 



The utmost activity prevails throughout our plant- 

 ing districts, notwithstanding the woefully short oof- 

 fee crop on the trees. The planting season is now 

 fully on, and advantage is being taken of it to add to 

 the area under cinchona, tea and other products. 

 Cinchona plants are being put out among the coffee, 

 along paths and drains and in separate clearings with 

 much more care than was the case, as a rule, in past 

 years. The fact is now generally recognized that to too 

 hasty pl.inting, or rather to the throwing-in of plants, 

 is due a large proportion of the failures since 1878. Im- 

 mature seed will account for a large share of the balance. 

 Henceforward, however, plants from selfsown seedlings 

 will be making a show in many didtriots, aud alto- 



