February i, 1890. ) THE TROPICAL AtlRTCtJLTU HI ST„ 
575 
as I do, I have spent a great deal of time in 
the Kiosk, and from observation, extending now 
over some days (8), I am able to state that the 
number of visitors coming in for tea is greatly on 
the increase. I am not aware what the financial 
result attendant on the establishment of the Kiosk 
at the Melbourne Exhibition was, but I believe it re- 
sulted in a loss. I do not think that there will be a 
deficit in this case, indeed, I should say quite tbe 
reverse, especially when the X'mas months are taken 
into consideration wheu a great influx of visitors 
may be expected. Iam sure we should all be very 
thankful that Mr. Wat 31m and his very efficient Mana- 
ger, Mr Begg, were on the spot, and it is needless to 
say they have done wonders. 
The tea sold is mostly Mariawatte, I think. It 
seems a pity a more flavory tea had not been sent for 
the Kiosk, as, although the tea is remarkably good, 
still an addition of a higher growth might have re- 
sulted iu a better tea, at any rate for drinking in the 
cup. There are several importers of teas here, but few 
import Oeylons. A firm here, by name Nelson, Moate 
& Co., have a tea trophy near the Kiosk, and impu- 
dently advertized "Ceylon teas." It is impossible 
to discover any Ceylon tea in any samples I have 
tested, although I purchased aome Sinhalese tea, so- 
called, sold by this firm. I had a very amusing in- 
terview with these gentlemen, and gave them I can 
assure you, a very unpleasant quarter of an hour, en- 
larging on their boldness in selling tea in which we 
could not detect Ceylon tea, although Mr. Begg and 
I both put it to every test we could. I am sending 
you a sample of this, also of a " Jumbo " brand (save 
the mark !) said to be composed of Indian tea. The 
" Ceylon tea " or " Sinhalese tea" is sold at 2/3 per lb. 
Nos. 1 and 2 "Jumbo " at 2 and 2/3. I enclose some 
advertisements cut from the local papers I think the 
barefaced statement that Ceylon tea is "sickly " should 
be Btrongly animadverted upon by Mr. Ferguson in 
his paper. I have not seen any copies of the 
" Observer " here except at Mr, Watson's. The ser- 
vants are doing very well and were glad, I think, to 
see a Ceyion man who could converse with them 
about their fatherland. They live at Mr. Watson's 
in a comfortable little house here, his own domicile. 
They certainly attract a good deal of attention and draw 
visitors who might otherwise pass by. 
The Ceylon and Indian Tea Association have ex- 
ceedingly nice premises in Prince's Street in a fine 
building, and with a fine large plate-glass window, 
bo that Ceylon teas are wtll advertized there to nu- 
merous passers-by, as Prince's Street is the street of 
Dunedin, and I think this venture will prove a very 
successful one to the shareholders. The opening of 
this Company has given great offence to some tea- 
dealers, notably to my friends Nelson, Moate and Co., 
who have carried their ill-feeling even into the public 
papers. 
The Exhibition is a very decided success, and to 
anyone not acquainted with New Z"»land or indeed 
Australasia it would be a revelation, shewing what 
enormous strides these colonies have made during 
the last 20 to 30 years. The manufactures in 
iron work, agricultural implements, pottery, glass, 
woollen and textile fabrics are simply wonderful; 
indeed there is lit tie which is not equal to and in 
some cases better than English manufactures. Many 
people state that this is better, as far as exhibits go, 
them the Melbourne Exhibition. The expenses are 
only £300 per week, and Mons. Joubert prophesies 
a very handsome surplus at the close in April. 
I have no doubt in my further travels I may come 
across more " Sinhalese " and " Jumbo " teas, in which 
case you shall either have Bamples or hear from me 
concerning them if I cannot procure samples. I ap- 
pend a list of exhibits at foot. The trophy will be 
taken away shortly, when the judging takes place, 
and will give room for two more tea tables. 1 
imagine all " fancy " teas will be jndgej, and 
I do not think from what I can gather that tho 
teas will be classified. Who the tea judges are to 
be I know not. I apprehond it will not be an easy 
matter to get perfeotiy unbiassed jurors, 
J. Vebe Ow£n. 
The following is one of the advertisements alluded to : — 
" Buy Jumbo." 
The Jumbo Blends, 
No. 1 and 2 at 2s and 2s 4d, 
Are superior and more regular in quality, better liquor- 
ing and less distasteful. 
To those who arc at all inclined to biliousness than any 
original packages of Indian or Ceylon Teas imported. 
As all Indians and Ceylons are sickly and most irregu- 
lar in taste, we strongly recommend those who cannot 
drink them trying these pure uniform Blends. 
" Jumbo." 
Specially prepared and packed by Nelson, Moate & Co. 
CINCHONA :— CANKEE VERY BAD AND THE 
GOOD OF A SYNDICATE. 
Lindula, Jan. 25th. 
Dear Sir, — The other day a Lindula corre- 
spondent wrote you that canker in cinchona was 
less prevalent now than 10 or 12 years ago. My 
experience (a pretty large one) is that in 1878-80 
canker was almost unknown here, while now trees 
are dying by thousands where there are any still 
left. Again he says that the Syndicate will not 
do much good for the reason that as long as the 
buyers know that there are so many healthy trees 
still growing they will continue to keep the price 
down. To my idea it is exaotly the other way. 
The grower has the whip-hand as long as his bark 
is untouohed. He is gaining in quantity and, 
probably, quality. 
The contrary is the case where the bark is 
harvested, as the buyers can easily find out what 
quantity is being stored and they know that the 
grower must sell sooner or later and is steadily 
losing every day he holds. 
The Syndicate must do some good, though it 
has been started rather late, but not so much 
as if we could restrict the quantity to be har- 
vested as in Java, but that is not feasible here. 
Very cold nights and frosty mornings. Ccffee is 
looking well in parts and another good crop ought to 
resmt when it is cultivated by itself — Yourstruly, 
70,000 lb. CHIEFLY FROM CANKERED TREftS. 
THE MEETING TO PROMOTE GAME 
PRESERVATION. 
Nuwara Eliya, Jan. 25th. 
Dear Sir, — I have read Mr. Gordon Reeves' letter, 
but I do not see why the meeting fixed for the 1st 
February should not oome off, for the following 
reasons : — 
1st. —The meeting is simply called to see if 
sufficient support can be obtained for further 
action in the matter. 
2nd, — To appoint a Committee. This Committee 
would recommend to the Association how the money 
collected Bhould be spent, and this would of course 
find out first what views Government had on the 
matter, especially before bringing out rabbits. 
3rd. — Mr. Reeves says a close season exists. This 
statement unless I am much mistaken is mislead- 
ing. For I am under the impression that the present 
close season only applies to one or two provinces, 
and certainly to only one or two animals. For instance, 
are the hares, partridges or jungle-fowl included 
under the present close season act ? 
4th. — I think that the Committee of the Society 
which is being started oould do a great deal to help 
the < ommission with advice from their numbers 
and experience all over the country. I may say 
that many names have been sent in, quite sufficient 
to form a nuoleus for the further extension of the 
Society, and that of these there are some of the 
keenest sportsmen in the country who I have little 
doubt will do their best to work with the Govern- 
ment in whatever way the 1 ommission may suggest, 
bo far as it effeots tha better preservation of game. — 
I am, sir, yours truly, H. P. O. ARMITAGE. 
