October i, 1889.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
249 
No. G. 
Yield of 220 acres Tea, all on old Coffee Land, 
opened in 1858. 
From Made Tea : Yield per acre : 
lb. lb. 
1886- 87 17,700 about 80 
1887- 88.... 38,500 „ 176 
1888- 89.... 94,000 „ 429 
1889- 90 ... 95,000 estimate 431 
The above estate, when in coffee, yielded 13 cwtper. 
aore for many years. T. D. 
CEYLON TEA AND ITS PEOSPECTS : 
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS OF CEYLON TEA, ABLY ARGUED 
BY MR. J. H. ROBERTS, OF S. RUCKER & CO. 
INCREASED CONSUMPTION OP CEYLON TEA IN 
7 MONTHS OF 1889, EXCEEDING THE INCREASE 
IN INDIAN. 
9th August 1889. 
Dear Sir, — Having watched the movements of the 
Produoe Markets in Mincing Lane, during the long 
time I have been connected with them, induces me 
to offer a few remarks respecting CEYLoa Tea, 
which, if not encroaching too much on the v luable 
space in your paper, I think may tend somewhat 
to dispel the gloomy views indulged in by many 
Ceylon Tea growers (as evinced by the pessimistic 
letters lately published in your columns) — and who 
seem to have alarmed themselves very unnecessarily 
as to the general future course of the market. I 
ventured a short time ago, on two or three occasions, 
to express my views, that, far from any permanent 
depreciation in the value of Ceylon tea owing to 
the increased supply, we were more likely to have 
a steady improvement in prices, and I am happy 
to say my opinion has recently been borne out by 
facts. It appears to me that a much broader view 
should be taken of the future prospects of the 
article, which, it must be remembered, is compara- 
tively a new one, than to draw conclusions of such 
a desponding nature as have been expressed, based 
upon the results of only one or two months' prices 
instead of taking a wider range spread over a longer 
period. The effects produced from the limited 
results I have alluded to might become of a 
damaging character to the future welfare of 
this promising enterprise and the credit of the 
island. 
I endeavoured to point out that while the sup- 
plies from Ceylon were relatively small, dealers here 
had not sufficient enoouragement to push the sale, 
from their inability to continue meeting the de- 
mand which followed the introduction of the 
artiole amongst the retail trade, but as soon as 
the quantity became larger, there would be a 
muoh greater incentive to stimulate the demand 
which would lead to inoreased competition and 
enhanoed prices. 
I further remarked that where Ceylon tea was 
used, it was much preferred to China, and in many 
instanoes to Indian, and when once you could 
oommand a wider ohannel for distribution, con- 
sumers throughout this country would so ap- 
preciate Ceylon tea, that they would not re- 
turn to any other, even at some difference 
in price. Therefore to promote a more general 
use, it stands to reason we must have a larger 
supply, nor do I consider there is the least oause 
for alarm if the production of Ceylon eventually 
reaohed 80 or 100 million lb., confident that 
even this country oould take the entire quantity, 
though of oourso it would be to the displacement 
of a corresponding proportion of China, and prob- 
ably some Indian. 
32 
The lower prices ruling a short time ago, which 
so much alarmed some planters, though only of 
temporary duration, as evidenced by the marked 
improvement recently experienced, were really more 
advantageous to the distribution of the article ; 
and my experience tells me, that the apparent 
evil will have caused a permanent and lasting 
demand not obtainable by the most extravagant 
advertisements. That Ceylon tea is daily becoming 
more liked throughout this country is palpably 
evident from the increased deliveries, which last 
month were 3,677,728 lb., thus exceeding the im- 
ports by 800,000 lb. ; and taking the total deli- 
veries from 1st January to 31st July 17,342,716 lb, 
against 9,579,408 lb. for the first seven months of 
last year. The stock of Ceylon tea was reduced 
on the 1st instant to 7,381,266 lb., being just two 
months' requirements if at the same rate as those 
for July. 
These are encouraging facts for Ceylon tea 
growers, and strongly support the expectation that 
the increased production of the island can be 
entirely absorbed in this country. 
I subjoin the following tabular statement which 
shows the deliveries in each month of this year 
as compared with last year, of China, Indian, and 
Ceylon teas, by which it will be seen that while 
the deliveries of China tea have decreased this year 
11,502,000 lb., Indian has increased 7,458,00u lb. 
and that Ceylon has exceeded Indian in an in- 
crease of 7,763,308 lb. 
Deliveries of Tea in London for each month from 
Jany. to July in 1889 and 1888. 
China. Indian. 
1889 1888 1889 1888 
lb. lb. lb. lb. 
January 8,837,000 7,895,000 8,932,000 8,103,000 
February 7,399,000 9,614,000 8,007,000 7,393,000 
March 7,939,000 9,155,000 8,143,000 7,433,000 
April 7,565,000 9,356,000 7,721,000 7,471,000 
May 7,901,000 8,990,000 8,741,000 7,036,000 
June ,..,5,871,000 8,431,000 7,256,000 5,361,000 
July 7,338,000 10,911,000 7,379,000 5,924,000 
52,850,000 64,352,000 56,179,000 48,721,000 
Decrease in 1889 Increase in 1889 
11,502,000 lb. 7,458,000 lb. 
Ceylon. 
1889 1888 
lb. lb. 
January 1,945,932 l.,029,318 
February ....1,915,114 1,060,546 
March 2,137,838 1,084,850 
April 2,105,016 1,238,420 
May 2,893,198 1,305,960 
June 2,667,890 1,594,208 
July 3,677,728 2,266,106 
17,342,716 9,579,408 
Increase in 1889. ..7,763,308 lb. 
— I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, 
J. HEN BY KOBEBTS, 
S. Bucker & Co., Tea & Colonial Produce Brokers, 
12, Great Tower Street, London, E.G. 
♦ 
CEYLON TEA IN AMEBICA. 
(From the American Grocer.) 
Those interested in the Oeylon-American Tea Com- 
pany are again agitating the subject of launching 
Ceylon tea in the market or among the dealers in 
America, and the aid and support of the merchants 
in Colombo have been enlisted for the purpose of 
pushing the scheme. The Tropical Agriculturist re- 
ports that complaints are already made because a 
representative of the company wno is to be the general 
manger in this country, has not already started 
