June 1907] 



361 



Edible Products. 



also by the French, Imports into Germany increased after the duty was reduced 

 in March 1906. Tea seems to be steadily growing in favour in that country and 

 becoming part of the regular dietary. In many families it is always served with 

 the evening meal. 



Imports of British-grown tea into Russia increase steadily. This is entirely 

 owing to the good quality of the tea and to the enterprise of British dealers who, 

 in spite of all difficulties— and there have been very many during the last few years- 

 have kept their tea well before Russian blenders. These, in their turn, finding that 

 Indian and Ceylon teas suit their market, allow nothing to stand in the way of 

 their getting them. 



The United States took more British-grown tea last year, though imports of 

 all teas fell below those ot the two previous years. Indian and Ceylon teas are being 

 very well advertised in various ways— by sampling, by the establishment of tea-rooms, 

 by newspaper advertising, through the post, by assistance given to charity bazaars, 

 and in other ways— with satisfactory results. To mention only one, a grocer who, 

 two years ago sold about 200 packets of British-grown tea a year, now sells 1,500. 

 There is no doubt that the better British-grown tea is known the better it is liked 

 and also that once consumers have taken to it, they do not give it up. 



Consumption also increased last year in Australia, New Zealand, South 

 America and other parts of the world. Turning from the consideration of the 

 question of consumption to that of supply, we notice that the quality of this year's 

 Indian crop was on the whole good ; from Assam it was excellent, from Darjiling 

 fair, while Cachars and Sylhets were about average. 



A few extraordinary prices have been realised. The highest were 45s. a 

 pound paid for a small box of Pekoe tips last January, and 25s. a pound for some 

 Orange Pekoe a few months previously. The manufacture of Indian green teas has 

 greatly improved, with the result that buyers for Russia, the Persian Gulf, and 

 America were eager to secure the best of those offered at high prices. 



"The out-turn from Ceylon was larger than in any previous year. This was 

 partly owing to climatic conditions, but more to careful and scientific cultivation. 

 The price for common tea fell to the lowest point touched for several years, while 

 medium and high-class teas commanded prices considerably above Ictst season's. This 

 was also the ease with Indian tea- 



THE COFFEE VALORISATION SCHEME. 



It is pretty generally known now that last summer an arrangement was 

 come to, with the force of law, known as the Taubate Convention, whereby the 

 three principal coffee-producing States of Brazil agreed to organise a scheme fo 

 the maintenance of the price of their staple in face of what was expected to be 

 a large crop, and promises to be almost a record one. 



The broad lines of the proposal usually referred to as the " Coffee Valori, 

 sation Scheme " are that, as unusually large crops are commonly followed by small 

 ones, the surplus of the 1906 crop should be purchased by the three States, Rio, 

 Minas and Sao Paulo, in conjunction with the Federal Government, and held until 

 the next year, when it might be realised at a profit. For this purpose the Govern- 

 ments concerned were to have powers to raise the sum of £15,000,000 sterling, on 

 the security of (1.) The export duty on coffee of 3 francs per bag ; (2) the coffee 

 purchased by the Government ; (3) the residue of the rental of the Sorocabana Rail- 

 way after deducting the service of the Sorocabana loan ; (4) the bond of the Govern- 

 ments of the three States. The scheme was duly approved by the President, and 

 operations were commenced. Six million sterling were obtained from the European 

 money markets, and a further £5,000,000 are promised for next March. Purchases 

 of coffee at the rate of 20,000 bags, subsequently increased to 60,000 bags per day, 

 were made for account of the Sao Paulo Government. 



