July I, 1887.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
55 
do in the case of Ceylon teas. Now, it is admitted 
that Ceylon tea does deteriorate when opened. And 
why ? Because I believe the method of curing is 
wrong. They cure principally by pure (not atmo- 
spheric) air in machines made for the purpose. Another 
way, 1 believe is largely adopted that is, by passing 
atmospheric air through machines and cast-iron pipes 
heated to redness in a furnace, thereby impregnating 
the tea with fumes of sulphur, phosphorus, and other 
impurities which are to be met with in red-hot cast- 
iron, produoing an inferior quality of tea, dangerous 
to the public health. Now, sir, if these statements 
are worth anything I feel sure that some of our 
connoisseurs of tea will not hesitate to express their 
opinions on this matter, and I invite their criticisms \ 
upon the different methods of tea-curing. I contend 
that the charcoal system ie the right way, and if it 
can be made clear that such is the case, I believe 
we should very soon have as good quality teas im- 
ported from Oeylon as from China and Assam." 
Now that China teas at the movement are begin- 
ning to claim attention, says the Grocer, it may be 
worth while to point out that, the time was when 
nothing but feverish excitement marked the commence- 
ment of the new crop season in China, and almost 
fabulous prices were paid to make sure of getting 
the earliest " settlements " away by the first ship 
for London, but when the teas arrived here the result 
of the sales in Mincing Lane was more or less dis- 
appointing ; and the depression experienced on this 
side, it also, at last, felt in China. Teas from that 
quarter are now exceedingly cheap — in fact, some 
authorities say that they never were so low in prices 
as they are at present, for, although there was a 
material rise in Jannary last, it has since disappeared , 
and existing rates are down again to the extremely 
reduced point at which they stood in December last. 
In the ensuing season, China teas will be less able 
to compete with Indian makes than before, and 
instead of occupying their old position as the pre- 
mier teas of the world, they will probably have to 
make room, more clearly than hitherto for the attract- 
ive productions of India and Ceylon.— II. and C. Mail 
May 27th. 
ON THE PREPARATION OF " PHOSPHATE 
01= QUININE," 
(From Mr. John Hut/lies.) 
It must be most disheartening to planters to 
notice the continued fall in the value of Cinchona 
Bark in the home market which has been going 
on steadily for some time, and with but small 
hope of any substantial rise. 
The only possible way in which a remunerative 
return for the lower qualities of Bark can be 
hoped for, is by setting up a local factory in 
Ceylon for the extraction of the valuable alkaloids 
on the spot by a simple and economical process. 
From some experiments that have been made 
on a small scale under my own personal inspec- 
tion, I believe it could be done without any great 
expense. Hitherto it has always been considered 
necessary to employ either Sulphuric or Muriatic 
Acid for the extraction, but according to my ex- 
periments concentrated Superphosphate made by 
dissolving pure Mineral Phosphate of Lime with 
Sulphuric Acid, will answer equally well and, more- 
over would yiold a much more valuable material 
than the ordinary Sulphate of Quinine. 
Phosphates arc extremely recommended by the 
medical profession as spc ially useful in many 
ensos of nervous weakness and debility, and is, 
consequently, frequently used in conjunction with 
Quinine Sulphate, .so that if we had the two im- 
portant constituents combined in one preparation, 
it would not only be a great advantage but would 
really furnish a new medicinal preparation for which 
Owe would bo a special demand. 
The process of extraction would consist in treat- 
ing the finely ground Bark with hot water in which 
a small quantity of the concentrated Super, had 
already been dissolved. The whole mass which 
would become quite a paste upon concentration, 
must then be pressed in bags (as Linseed and 
Cotten seed are treated) and the liquid extract re- 
fined, as may be considered necessary and further 
experience might suggest. The Indian Government 
are making a medicinal preparation with the 
ordinary acid which is of course a dangerous 
material to transport from place to place, and the 
freight of it is as a consequence very high. 
But conoentrated Super., could be sent in double 
bags at a low freight by sailing vessel and with- 
out any risk of damage to other goods. 
The matter is well worth the consideration of 
local merchants and planters who will really 
understand that the first advance in the direction 
of a loeal factory for Quinine preparation, must 
come from themselves as the interests at home 
are naturally quite opposed to such a development 
of Colonial enterprise. I am not aware that Super- 
phosphate has ever been recommended for the 
extraction of Quinine and have much pleasure 
in bringing every proposal before your readers. 
— John Hughes, f.c.s., Analytical Laboratory, 79, 
Mark Lane, London E. C, May 13th, 1887. 
[We commend this suggestion to the serious con- 
sideration of the several Planters' Associations in the 
island. — Ed.] 
♦ 
CFYLON UPCOUNTRY PLANTING REPORT. 
TEA IN THE LOWCOUNTRY— A NEW TEA COMPANY — A 
PROOF OF THE STABILITY OF TEA IN CEYLON — 
MALABAR AND MYSORE CARDAMOMS — BLACK BUG DE- 
STROYING COFFEE. 
20th June, 1887. 
The Southern Province is evidently determined 
not to be behind any of the other districts in re- 
gard to tea growing. Whatever wiseacres may 
say relative to the possible want of lasting qualities 
in lowcountry tea, or however dilate on the 
poverty of the soil, there are always to be found 
other wiseacres who dispute the conclusions. 
"Why shouldn't it last?" is their reply; "the 
thing grows in the air, and is bound to grow with 
all that heat and moisture. Did you ever see 
good soil in the lowcountry ? I never, and yet 
we know what it has already done." The question 
is, who is to decide ? The man who does not 
believe in tea in the lowcountry won't plant it, 
the man who does will. As to whether the tea 
will last, or how long the soil will support a 
regularly cropped tea bush, are matters which will 
in time settle themselves. A man may look wise 
and give his opinion, but what is it worth ? When 
I hear of unfavourable forecasts regarding an un- 
tried or partially completed tea experiment, my 
mind will revert to one who had to do with the 
opening of " Mariawatte " as a tea garden, and 
who declared that the owners were simply buryiug 
their money in a sandhole I 
There is a block of land some 3,000 or 1,000 
acres in extent in the Udagama district near 
Galle, owned by Messrs. S. Agar and Baker & 
Hall, and of this 500 acres are about to be 
opened at once in tea and the proprietors pur- 
pose starting a new Company in connection with 
it. I understand the concern is to be called 
" The Tea Company of Ceylon, Limited," and 
the shares are to be R100 each. The proprietors 
are prepared to part with their whole property 
at R25 an acre, and as usual take part payment in 
shares . There ie said to bo lots of good timber about, 
