January i, 1890.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
491 
on the river Tana, while the British India Steam Navi- 
gation Company would run a fortnightly line of swift 
mail steamers between London, Mombassa, and other 
ports. Caravans would continue to traverse tho interior 
in all directions, surveying the country, establishing 
convenient stations, prosecuting friendly intercourse 
with the tribes, and examining by experts the minera- 
logical features of the higher lands. Mr. Stanley had 
now discovered that Lake Victoria Nyanza stretched 
far away to the south-west of what was supposed to be 
its soutnern limit. It reached 270 miles long and 
covered an area of 27,000 square miles. Moving south, 
waro from the inland point of the East Africa Company's 
southern limit, we passed along the Lake Tanganyika, 
and arrived at the region so beneficially devel* ped by 
the Africau Lakes Company, which was originally 
organized as a lay section of the missionary societies. 
This company, however, under the guidance ot some 
disinterested Scottish merchants, though enjoying no 
charier at all, had pushed British trade and interests 
and had supported British missions over all that area 
which was sacred to the name of Livingstone. The 
coupany succeeded in developing regions 01 East Central 
Afr.ca between the Z imbesi Jtiiver and the Tang«n\ika 
Lake. It constructed a practicable road between Lakes 
Nyassa and Tanganyika, another road round the rapids 
of the Shire River, and it launched steamers on the 
waters of the Nyassa. The influence of the 
company had been wholly for good, giving employ- 
ment to natives, excluding spirits and firearms, 
strengthening the hands of the missionaries, 
and tending to oheck intertribal strife and the slave 
trade. It was possible that this excellent little com- 
pany might now be merged in the larger association 
to which the British Government had within the past 
few weeks granted a charter under the name of the 
British South Africa Company. This latter company 
embraced in its operations the immense area lying 
between the Upper and Middle Zambesi on the north 
and the Crown colony of British Bechuaualand and 
TraBsvaal border on the south. A glance at the map 
showed that the backbone of the African Continent 
was a line protracted in a ncrth-east and south-west 
direction along the high level lake region from South 
Africa to the Red Sea. It might be objected that it 
was a far cry from the Cape to Cairo. So it was, but 
therein lay the problem to be solved. Already there 
were railways from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to 
Kimberley, and a line was projected and the money 
forthcoming for an extent ion to Shcshong and beyond. 
While they were assembled there it was quite possible 
that arrangements might be in contemplation for con- 
necting Lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika, with the 
Shoshong terminus. These lakes already had cogni- 
zance ot steam vessels. The Germans and British might 
be counted on to connect Tanganyika with Victoria 
Nyanza and to place steamers on the Victoria itself 
thus debouching on the valley of the Nile, and stretch- 
ing out on the east to meet the rail to the Port of 
Mombassa, and on the west towards the river trans- 
port of the Congo basin and the railway which would 
soon bridge the navigable rapids of the lower reaches 
between Matadi and Stanley Pool. (Cheers). — London 
Times, Nov. 29th. 
CEILON COTTON: BROKING REPORTS. 
We are indebted to Messrs. Darley, Butler & Co. 
for brokers' reports (two on Sea Island and one 
on Egyytian) and sales note of part showing how 
Mr. Biaokett's cotton is selling at home. We are 
sure they will be full of interest as well as en- 
couragement to many in our midst : — 
EEPOET ON 7 BALES COTTON RECEIVED PER " DEUCA- 
LION " (STEAMER) AT COLOMBO. 
LonuoD, Oct. 3l8t. 
SI MG.— Value about 14d, excellent cotton, fine, 
long, strong staple. If this cotton can be produced 
clean and free from stain it will almost equal the 
best American Sea Island Cotton, and be worth 
15d to 20d per lb. It should be picked in dry weather 
if possible. It ia longer and stronger, and finer than 
Florida Sea Island which sells at about 14d per tb 
A sample of this class of cotton is herewith 
forwarded to show the cleanliness spinners like. 
There is a good and regular demand lor this class 
of cotton, and all that oan be produced would find a 
ready market. We should judge from this sample 
that the climate and soil of Ceylon is adapted to grow a 
Sea Island cotton of the very finest quality. 
REPORT AND VALUATION OF 6 BALES COTTON 
per " Deucalion " (s.) 
<S.S 
a a 
3 
a i § a | 
O- A & m > 5 
Sea Island. 
S. I. M. G. 2 Ceylon Bright in Very long 14d Nomin- 
colour, a and fine. ally, 
little leaf, 
& broken 
S. I. H.G. 1 do Slightly do 13Jdto 14d do 
brown 
In colour, 
very little 
leaf. 
Egyptian. 
E.W.H.G. 1 do Generally do 6|dto7d do 
white, but Rather 
rather coarse & 
spotted, uneven, 
very little 
leaf. 
E.B.M.G. 1 do Brown in Rather 6Jd to^6jd do 
colour, a short, 
little leaf, 
& broken 
seed. 
B.W.M.G. 1 do Slightly Short & 6fd to 7d do 
spotted, rather 
a little coarse, 
leaf & 
broken seed. 
6 bales. 
London, 17th October 1889. 
Note of Sales. 
Date Mark Quantity Produee On whose Ship 
1889 Account 
Deucalion 
8 1 and 
Nov20 M G 2 Bales Cotton JBlackett Mary Hough 
„ S I 1 Bale „ „ „ 12ja 
KG 3 Bales Received 6 bales 
To J Blacket, Esq, ueylon, 
London, November !22nd, 1889 
Mr. I). Joseph of Matale, in sending an advertise- 
ment whioh appears elsewhere, favours us with a 
sample of ootton and writes : — ■ 
Euclosed you will find sample of the Fiji ootton 
grown by me and from which the seeds no w adver- 
tised was ginned. My small venture in cotton cul- 
tivation is, so far, a splendid success, and I believe that 
Fiji cotton could be cultivated to advantage in Matale, 
notwithstanding pescs, adverse seasons and the 
criticisms of hasty writers. 
Price 
per lb 
THE CHINESE TEA GUILD AND INDIAN 
COMPETITION. 
The N.-O. Daily News translates the following 
from the Shen-pao: — The Taotai has received the fol- 
lowing report from ten Chinese gentlemen, forming 
the Committee of the Tea Guild, giving their sug- 
gestions towards the revival of the Chinese tea-trade 
now suffering severely from Indian and othtr com- 
petition. It was called for by the Taotai on 11th 
November, in pursuance of an order from the Viceroy 
Li Hung-chang, received in consequence of instruo 
tions from the Tsung-li Yameu dated 30th September. 
The Yamen, whioh had already directed the Viceroy's 
attention to this matter a year before, is now de- 
sirous of obtaining the opinion of the leading teamen 
with regard to a recent report of the Commissioner 
of Customs at Tameui to the Governor of Formosa. 
In the latter report the Commissioner had ascribed 
the falliug-off in the Formosan tea-export to two 
ausea ; the adulteration of the leaf, sometimes t 
