i ©6 
THfT TftOPlCAL AGRICULTURIST. [August i, 1889. 
through having on their hands stocks of high cost tea 
of the old crop, unsaleable except at a heavy discount ; 
by the inferior quality of early arrivals ; and by the ex- 
pectation of a lar^e addition to the supply from India and 
Ceylon without any assurance, at that time, of a short 
export from China. On the other hand, the very poor 
quality of the new China Congous, and the fact that 
prices opened and were for some time maintained at a 
level out of proportion to merits, served to emphasize 
the cheapness of Indians, and prepared the way for their 
increased consumption. The expansion has since then been 
continuous ; but it has not been sufficient to prevent 
stocks from accumulating, and this in conjunction with 
the pressure to sell, and the- unattractive character of the 
larger portion of the supply, has led to a range of price for 
many kinds low without precedent. 
In our last year's Review we remarked that " the ex 
perience of many seasons shows that whenever supplies 
of low teas are plentiful they sink to a price which 
leaves little if any margin for profit." Another season 
has unfortunately proved the permanence of this elemen- 
tary principle. There is, however, some compensation, 
giving prospect of a much better delivery than last year 
during the summer mouths, which will lighten the trade's 
holdings, and leave them more readily to operate in 
the new crop— especially if it should prove to be a good 
one. In a season productive of so little fine tea, those who 
aimed at making special and distinctive qualities have 
naturally repead the full benefit— indeed, the fine teas 
made throughout the season, notably in Upper Assam and 
at the close in Darjeeing, nave realized prices almost equal 
to those of former years. Should there be any general 
return to the plan of making smaller-crops of higher grade, 
quotations for fine teas would probably recede from their 
present level after the first three or four months ; still, 
allowing, for this, we maintain the opinion that it is best 
for those who cannot secure such a yield as will bring down 
cost to 6d per lb. to aim at quality before everything else. 
Especially is this advisable in Darjeeling, for no tea has 
yet been grown to displace the finer produce of this district, 
and its limited quantity will always ensure it a market ; 
whereas, inferior Darjeelings, together with Terai, Dooars, 
and Chittagong teas, have mora reason to fear the competi- 
tion of Ceylon than the produce of Assam, Cachar, or Sylhet, 
whose strength or pungency give them a more distinctive 
character. Were the policy of making rather less tea, but 
of better class generally adopted, both in Ceylon and India 
— the reduction in supply which would result, and the 
enhanced reputation of the crops, would go far to put the 
trade in a better position. 
It is most satisfactory to discern a growing enquiry from 
foreign markets, especially from the States and Canada; where 
the merits of Indian tea are unquestionably obtaining re- 
cognition, while the low prices are attracting buyers. 
When time has removed the prejudice attaching to every 
new article, and the organized endeavour to introduce it 
it in full operation, we are hopsful of a trade growing by 
degrees in volume nntil it is sufficient to affect us as 
perceptibly as the export orders influence the market for 
certain sorts of China tea.. 
Estimates for the coming season point to a supply of 140 
millions, or possibly 145 millions, from India and Ceylon ; 
and of 5 millions from Java. Our requirements should be 
about 225 millions, leaving 75 millions for China to contri- 
bute— 24 millions less than last year, which is a heavy 
reduction to hope for. The shipments from China should 
therefore be closely watched, as well as the reports from 
London as to their quality and price. 
By permission of proprietors and managers we publish 
the remits of many estates for season 1888-9. 
Statistics fob Year Ending 31st May. 
1889 
Import- 
Delivery— 
1888 1887 
Indian 94,954,000 86,371,000 78,200,00° 
Ceylon 26,390,000 14,705,000 8,060,000 
China 98,695,000 117,185,000 138,900,000 
Java 4,170,000 2,989,000 3,494.000 
Total 
224,209,000 221.250,000 228,654,000 
Indian 
Ceylon 
China 
Java 
91,368,000 85,619,000 75,425,000 
22,830,000 12,578,000 7,744,000 
105,668,000 116,870,000 134,300,000 
3,862,000 3,133,000 3,671,000 
Total 
n , „i :„ v J Home Con. 
Of which { Eiport 
224,728,000 218,200,000 221,140,000 
185,250,000 183,000,000 180,000,000 
39,600,000 35,200,000 41,140,000 
Stock- 
Indian 
Ceylon 
China 
Java 
27,755,000 
7,194,000 
37,350,000 
1,234,000 
24,115,000 23,517,000 
4,618,000 2,184,000 
44,400,000 43,100,000 
914,000 1,054,000 
Total 
73,533,000 74,047,000 69,855,000 
The following statistics show the development of the 
Ceylon trade : — 
Summary of Transactions at Public Auction. 
pkgs., amounting to 
lb. 
26,500,000 
13,KOO,000 
7,500.000 
4,800,000 
2,500,000 
22,800 1,500,000 
Total 
1888-89 381,500 
1887-88 227,000 
1886-87 124,0011 
1K85-S6 73 50(1 
1881-85 37,400 
1883-84 
Average price 
about 
10 J d per 
IsOi-d „ 
Is ljd „ 
Is 2|d „ 
Is 3d „ 
Is 4 l-10d „ 
Our previous Table showed the following results :— 
Quantity 
Price 
Acreage 
lb 
per lb 
1887-8 
60,000 
22,664.000 
1 
0 l-20tha 
3886-7 
56,300 
21,500,000 
1 
0 
1885-6 
53,137 
19,000,000 
1 
2 
1884-5 
49,283 
17,000,000 
1 
1 4-7ths 
1883-4 
48,663 
17,000,000 
1 
2 
1882-3 
43,815 
15,000,000 
1 If 
WM. JAS. & HY. THOMPSON. 
OEYLON AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 
The Ceylon Tea-room is at the west base of the 
Eiffel Tower, facing the gardens and picture galleries, 
and occupies a space of 120 square metres The front 
is a magnificent carved wood screen of Sinhalese de- 
sign, prepared by Mr. Smither, late Architect of the 
Government of Oeylon. The counter is in the same 
massive carving— plain and bold, without any colour- 
ing or gilding. There is something very pleasing in 
the design. The walls are covered with tapestry, the 
top being a yellow band on which are depicted the 
sacred animals of the Sinhalese. Ceylon tea is 
sold in caps and in pots, the latter being preferred 
by the connoisseurs. Oeylon coffee, most delicious 
Oeylon ooooa, chocolate and other light refreshments 
are to be had. Three of the native servants who were 
at the Glasgow Exhibition are present, and much 
admired, being handsome, merry boys, fond of laugh- 
ing and showing their white teeth. The work, which 
is very well doDe, was executed by Messrs. Amedee 
Joubert & Co., King's Walk, Chelsea, who have also 
built and decorated the Indian Palace, the Australian 
and New Zealand Courts, and the Wine Pavilion in 
the Trocadero grounds, &c. The Tea-room is daily 
becoming more and more popular as a resort, bet- 
ween the hours of 4 and 6 p. m., where the wearied 
visitor can obtain a onp of most refreshing Oeyloa tea, 
and in the evening after 9, it is a very favourite 
place from which to view the illuminations. — Colonies 
and India, June 5th. 
PIG CULTURE. 
We call attention to the following paper on the 
culture of the fig. Some of the most delicious figs 
we have ever tasted have been grown in Ceylon, 
and the tree has a wide range, since, while Uva 
seems to give a perfect climate and soil for its 
growth, the tree flourishes and fruits mature in 
Maskeliya, Dimbula and even in Nuwara Eliya, 
while no doubt the same may be said of Kandy 
and Matale districts. An advertisement elsewhere 
refers to the procuring of seed of the best kinds of 
fig ; and as a result of the attention now called to 
the subject we trust to see not only a beginning — 
that has already taken place — but a considerable 
extension of fig-growing in different districts of 
the country. Few, if any, fruits, we suppose, can 
be more easily preserved for the European markets, 
although the demand locally and for passing 
■teamers ought to be considerable. In the name of 
the planters — not the prophet — we emphatically 
say, Figs ! The paper referred to is as follows : — 
THE CULTURE OF THE FIG. 
In Syria, though not generally known, the fig tree 
{Ficus carica) has for ages flourished to perfection. 
Not only is this tree productive of one of the most 
luaoious and healthful fruits grown, but in its season 
it may be sees with its spreading boughs weighted 
