TO OUR READERS. 
In closing the Ninth Volume of the "Tropical Agriculturist," we would 
once more direct attention to the large amount of useful information afforded 
and to the great variety of topics treated in our pages. From month to month, we 
have endeavoured to embody in these pages the latest results of practical experience 
and scientific teaching in all that concerns tropical agriculture ; and our ambition 
has been to make this periodical not only indispensable to the planter, but of 
service to business men and capitalists, never forgetting that agriculture trenches 
upon every department of human knowledge, beside being the basis of personal 
and communal wealth. 
While directing our attention chiefly to the products prominently men- 
tioned on our tittle-page, we have always taken care to notice minor industries likely 
to fit in with sub-tropical conditions; and our readers have an ample guarantee 
in the pages before them, that, in the future, no pains will be spared to bring 
together all available information both from the West and East, the same being 
examined in the light of the teachings of commonsense as well as of prolonged tropical 
experience in this, the leading Crown and Planting Colony of the British Empire. 
A full and accurate Index affords the means of ready reference to every 
subject treated in this, the ninth volume, which we now place in our subscribers' 
hands, in full confidence that it will be received with an amount of approval, 
at least equal to that which has been so kindly extended to its predecessors. 
We are convinced that no more suitable or useful gift can be made to 
the tropical planter or agriculturist, whether he be about to enter on his career, 
or with many years of experience behind him,- than the nine volumes of 
our periodical which we have now made available. They are full of informa- 
tion bearing on every department and relating to nearly every product within 
the scope of sub-tropical industry. 
In conclusion, we have to tender our thanks to readers and contributors, 
and our wish that all friends may continue to write instructively and to read with 
approval ; for then, indeed, must the "Tropical Agriculturist" continue to do well. 
A. M. & J. FERGUSON. 
Colombo, Ceylon : 6th June, 1890. 
