September 2, 1889.] THF TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
187 
feet thick, the purest lump plumbago I ever saw 
being thrown from man to man all the way up 
this ladder and piled at the top. I remember re- 
marking to the corductor of the works that they 
would soon be worked into a fix, as tbey were only 
blasting out the rook on each side of the plum- 
bago seam about two feet. I could with my arms 
outstretched reach from side to side of the rocky 
opening where several men some on scaffolds 
were busy drilling holes for blasting. The con- 
ductor's reply to my query was that the vein grew 
thicker as thpy went deeper and it paid very well 
their stunted method of working which might 
not be the case if machinery were used, about 
which he could not vouch for being able to work 
satisfactorily. I then asked what profits were being 
realized by the proprietors, and he took me to his 
hut where he turned up his ledger, an* much to 
my surprise, from actual figures showing the out- 
turn per month, from which I deducted BIO per 
ton for transport to Polgahawela railway station 
(the rate being paid at the time of my visit), I 
found that a 
CLEAR PROFIT OF B5,000 PER MONTH 
was being netted by the owners from the one pit, 
laid down at the railway station, and if I recol- 
lect rightly I included the royalty of E5 col- 
lected in those days at the mouth of the pits. 
I cannot say that all plumbago miners are so 
hnky as to find suoh a paying vein as the one 
mentioned, for it is— or at least was at that time, 
now some ten years ago, — the best mine in Ceylon, 
and I believe has long ago been closed owing to 
its unworkable depth. 
FORTUNES FOR NATIVES IN PLUMBAGO. 
Many natives who have engaged in plumbago 
mining have become immensely rich, and the few 
Europeans who have tried at it have failed for 
want of capital, and practical knowledge. The latter 
is just as essential as the former, and if not studied 
failure is sure to ensue, as many veins will not pay 
to work, as I know to my cost. Now plumbago is 
rising in price, and is likely to do so till its old 
price is reached viz B200 per ton, owing to J 
the great and increasing demand for the 
mineral for lubricating purposes, and mixing with 
the grease used for railways. I think there is plenty 
of scope for European capital and enterprise at 
the venture in conjunction with gem mining. 
SLOW CEYLON. 
If any other country but Ceylon had been known 
to produce precious stones and plumbago for the 
past half-century in such paying quantities, over 
such a large area, no doubt many a company 
would have been at work ere now, and we should 
long ago have known what the mineral wealth of 
the island was. At present it is no mere con- 
jecture as to plumbago mining paying where judi- 
ciously carried on : by referenoe to the de Mells, 
Fernaudos, and others who have been engaged at the 
enterprise for the past quarter of a century the 
truth of their prosperity or otherwise could be 
learnt. 
WILL GEMMING PAY WITHOUT A MATRIX ? 
With reference to gemming also, the gem not- 
ary, Assen Marikar, Tambi Siiifio and many 
others who have followed up the enterpise per- 
se veringly could produce evidence of the profits to 
be realized from following the strata of gravel, 
settling the question of " Will it pay without a 
matrix ?" With our 
SPLENDID FACILITIES FOR TRANSPORT 
by means of some of the finest roads in the 
world, comprising a network throughout the whole 
island, there need be no fears entertained by British 
capitalists, in that respect. Were a company to 
be bloated, the maohinery, etc, oould be easily 
sent free on board ship to any mines being worked 
in any 'part of Ceylon. There would be no suoh 
difficulties to contend with as are experienced in 
the Cape, Mexico, Australia, and elsewhere. For 
many years the Mexican miners had to transport 
their silver, provisions, etc. on the backs of 
mules to and from the coast by a mere rugged 
tract from an elevation of some thousands of feet. 
Provisions were paid for almost " a peso de plata " 
(by their weight in silver), contending with many 
other difficulties besides, till, after the State was 
proclaimed a republio in 1828, previous to which 
many of the mines were abandoned. Another 
civil war is required in Mexico to raise the prioe 
of our rupee. 
[" Wars and rumours of wars" are, unhappily, 
necessary to raise the value of plumbago ; but 
we suspect that a civil war in Mexico would not 
greatly affect silver, while the mines of the United 
States and Australia produce the metal (demonetized 
over the larger portion of Europe) so abundantly, 
—Ed.] 
♦ — - 
WHAT IS SAID OF THE NEW CHINA 
TEAS, AND OF CEYLON TEAS, BY 
A LEADING LONDON BEOKING 
HOUSE. 
(From the London Times, July 5th.) 
Tea. — From Messrs. Lavton and Co.'s Circular. — 
China. — The China Mutual Shippers' steamer 
" Moytme " arrived in dock on Monday last, July 1st, 
and on Tuesday most of her cargo was placed upon 
the market, and in the course of the day 1,579 packages 
were offered at public sales, bringing from 5|d to Is 
5}d per lb. Privately there was no excitement, and 
only 1,500 packages were sold, the highest price ob- 
tained being 2s per lb. for a fine Ningchow ; a fine chop 
of Kintuck brought Is 103, but there was very little 
demand for the lower grades, which form the bulk of 
the cargo. The appended figures show the continued 
declension of home trade in China tea, the deliveries 
showing a decrease of 2,500,000 1b, while Indian and 
Ceylon have increased about 3,000,000 lb. The stock 
of China tea is now fully 10,000,000 lb. below that at 
this date last year, which fact should infuse steadiness 
into the market. New-make Congou of new import 
has brought very disappointing rates, the low prices 
current for Ceylon teas affecting this class severely. 
The influence of the Produce Clearing-house has been 
somewhat felt in the demand for good common old 
season's Congou at 4Jd to 5d, which are slightly 
steadier in consequence. Green Tea. — Although the 
present range of prices may be considered low, there 
is a fair demand for most descriptions, and a harden- 
ing tendency in current rates for all except No. 1 
Moyune gunpowder. Scented. — Canton scented caper 
of new import has brought low prices, from 5id. to 
Is Oid, and long-leaf Pekoe 6d to 9fd at public sale. 
Fooohow kinds show no change. At our public auc- 
tion this week the following have been the prices rea- 
lized for China teas offered for unprotected sale :— New 
Monmg, 5Jd to Is 5Jd ; new-make Congou 5Jd to 7^d ; 
old season's Congou, 4fd to 5d ; Moyune gunpowder, 
101d to Is ljd ; Moyune young Hyson, 5§d to 101d; 
new Canton caper, 5^d to 6Jd. Indian.— The deliveries 
continue to be highly favourable, and owing to light 
arrivals the stock is now reduced to comparatively 
narrow limits. Sales of new orop have recently shown 
inoreased firmness, really good teas bringing very 
satisfactory rates, while an improved demand prevails 
for the lower grades. Oeylon. — There can be no 
question that, generally speaking, all grades of Oeylon 
are now selling far below their comparative value with 
either India or China tea. This has been mainly 
brought about, not unnaturally, by the rapid increase 
of the production, which, -lthough anticipated, has 
oome as a surprise to the trade generally, who have 
been unable to deal with the large quantities offered. 
Another reason is the generally prevalent idea, which 
