THP TRbPICA.L 
AGRICULTURIST. [May t, 1890. 
^1 
hi m 
■2 EH 
SI 
May 
14th 15,411 
1th 16,972 
18th 11,593 
25th 12,681 
June 
1st. .,6,400 
8th... 8,493 
15th. ..9,157 
22ud 14,280 
29th 13,327 
9|d 
9§d 
9^d 
9id 
94d 
9|d 
9Jd 
9d 
9d 
1/04 
no sales 
lid 
lid 
<p CO'" 
^ S3 S3 s 
I IS* 
* I 
November 
2nd. ..7,359 
9th... 7,850 
16th. ..6,160 
23rd... 6, 786 
30th... 4,574 
December 
7th 11,760 
14th ...6,795 
21th.. .8,741 
31st. ..1,958 
2 a> a) 
£ fc 
^35 
'gjf 3 
t> £ ft 
1/lf 
1/1± 
V0J 
Hid 
1/ 
1/1* 
1/Oi 
i/oi 
Ufa 
Hid 
llfd llfd 
ll|dal/10id 
Hid io|i 
ll|d no sales 
FROM GEO. WHITE & CO.'S ANNUAL 
CEYLON TEA REPORT, 
London, March 21st, 1890. 
Ceylon. — We have again to record a further marked 
expansion in this branch of the trade, the imports from 
Colombo for the twelve months ending 80bb June, 
1889, being 27,899,000 lb. against 15,614,000 lb. for the 
previous year. The deliveries kept pace with the in- 
crease to the end of March, when supplies being un- 
usually heavy, the stock began to accumulate, until 
on the 30th June, 1889, it was 8,175,000 lb. against 
5,164,000 lb. at the same date in 1888. The serious 
depression caused by heavy arrivals during April and 
May (15,600 packages being offered in one day, viz., 
the 7th May), and the poor quality of many, together 
with full supplies of common tea from all quarters, 
forced down the sverage price of Oejlons ip May 
to 8id per lb. -This low range, though at the time 
causing much disappointment and uneasiness to those 
who had tea interest in the island, no doubt had a 
stimulating influence on the consumption, especially 
as the greater portion of the China crop — the first 
shipments of which were placed on the market on 
the 1st July— was considered by the retailers to be 
unsuited to the present public taste, as well as 
comparatively dearer. Although the sales during 
July amounted to 51,237 packages the largest 
on record for one month, this quantity was 
taken at rather higher prices, probably partly due to 
the news of smaller shipments later on being tele- 
graphed. For the above reason, together with rather 
light arrivals, and public sales being restricted during 
the strike, there was a temporary scarcity, and prices, 
specially for fine grades, rose considerably, followed 
afterwards by a run on common, until in October very 
little pekoe souchong was to be bought under Is per lb., 
and the average price had advanced to rather over Is 
2d per lb., at which it was maintained during the greater 
part of the month, the value of some common to fair 
grades having doubled since May. From this point, in- 
sympathy with India tea, the market became unsettled, 
with gradually declining prices, first in the case of fine 
pekoes and broken pekoes, afterwards followed by a 
drop in the lower grades, the consumption of which no 
doubt had been, to some extent, checked by the high 
range established. The general average has therefore 
receded, and now stands at lOd per lb., but the quality 
is much inferior to that received last autumn, when it 
was exceptionally good. 
Mode of Selling.— The system of selling India 
Tea on Monday and Wednesday, Ceylon on Tuesday, 
and both on Thursday, Java following on either day, 
seems to meet the approval of the trade, as also 
the omission of ship's name and date of import, so 
that no alteration has been called for during the 
past twelve months. 
After the serious fall in November, caused by 
excessive sales on a depressed market, attention was 
drawn to tho advisability of regulating the quantity 
to be offered both daily and weokly. The almost 
unanimous opinion boing that this would benefit 
sellers and buyers alike, a maximum was agreed 
upon, which came into forte in January, and has 
since been adhered to fairly well. ConBdence by 
this means was given to purchasers, and the market 
of late years, very sensitive to any adverse influences, 
was strengthened. 
In our annual circular last year, we estimated the 
total requirements of tea for the season dosing 30th 
June, 1890, at 225 millions, which will scarcely be 
reached unless deliveries much improve during the 
next few months. And, locking to the extended u-e 
of India and Ceylon for Home Consumption, sni 
that they possess more strength than China, h similar 
quantity is likely to suffice for tho coming season, 
while an increase in the total export deraand is, 
under present circumstances, not to be expected, it 
being reported that larger orders than u-ual have 
been fent to China for shipment direct to Hussia. 
We may therefore reckon that for the conm.g eeason 
we shall require : — 
lb, 
For Home Consumption, say 190,00",000 
Export, say 35,000,000 
India will send, say 
Ceylon 
Java, &c. 
Leaving China to supply 
225,000,000 
110,000,000 
45,000,000 
5,000,000 
65,000 000 
225,000,000 
Now that Ceylon has thken an important position 
among tea-producing countries, it would be advanta- 
geous if, for purposes of comparison gem-raily, crop 
estimates and export figures could be male up to cor- 
respond with the seasons of China and Iudia— say from 
the beginning of May or June in each jear, instead of 
the 1st October. 
Manufacture. — With regard to Ceylon, the quan- 
tity available for this market from July ls f , 1890, to 
June SOfc h , 1891, for comparison wi h India a d China 
estimates, will most likely ba somewhere near forty-five 
million pounds. Even allowing that the Deliveries 
during the past f< w months hare not kept pact with the 
imports, doubtless attributable to the high prices ruling 
for the common grades last autumn, and aure recently 
to the uncertainty attending the Budget anncut cement, 
stillthe prospects seem to be favourable to a further 
considerable extension in the demand (especially if the 
quality is kept up), brought about by theintriusic merits 
of the Teas, and the energy shewn by planters and their 
friends in " pushing" the sale in this and in other 
markets. 
The scarcity of Teas with fine sterling quality of all 
growths is already apparent, and they should meet with 
a good reception during August and September, pro- 
vided they are up to the standard of those received from 
India about the same time last year, with every pros- 
pect of satisfactory prices beicg obtained for them 
until buyers have supplied their wants. 
It should, however, be borne in mind by Calcutta and 
Colombo buyers, when catering for this market that 
we cannot take an unlimited quantity of high-cost 
Tea now that "cheapness" is the order of the day. 
To obviate this, it has been suggested that in sorting 
invoices of Teas likely to reach this market during 
the later months of the season, when found practicable, 
planters should minimise the number of breaks, and 
instead oF making five or six different kinds, should 
manufacture — say, a first-class Broken Pekoe, and an 
equally fine Pekoe, hut instead of a number two Pekoe, 
Pekoe Souchong, <fec, endeavour to make a useful 
Pekoe Souchong or "Unassorted," care being shewn 
to have the leaf as even and wiry as possible, so as 
to meet the increasing demand for bleeding purposese 
or for the packet trade, as well as for export. Pekoe, 
fanninge, when not too small and dusty, ai.d drawing 
strong, pungent liquors, have sold well during the 
season just drawing to a close; but if not practicable 
to make this class, the rough Souchong leaf might be 
put through an equaliser and classified as Broken Tea. 
