November i, 1887.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
289 
CEYLON TEA IN THE MELBOURNE 
EXHIBITION. 
All that was possible at the time (and much 
of what was accomplished was most useful and 
important) was done for Ceylon tea at the Exhib- 
ition of 1880-81. With the valuable aid of Messrs. 
llenty & Co., and especially Mr. Oswald Moody, a 
series of reports and careful analyses wero secured 
and published, which, added to the list of prizes 
awarded, attracted attention to the new competitor 
in the tea market, not in Australia alone, but in 
Britain and over tho whole tea-drinking world. 
Side by side with Mr. James Inglis (now 
Minister of Public Instruction in New South 
Wales) the Ceylon Commissioner fought the 
battle of pure Indian and Ceylon teas against 
the vested interests which had profited and 
still wished to profit exorbitantly by dealing in 
post-and-rails " ana adulterated stuff from Poochow, 
the animus and tho abuse which had to be en- 
countered were inlonse beyond conception. Never- 
theless, Ceylon tea would have found a market 
in Australia to a much greater extent than has 
yet been the oaso, amongst those who could afford 
to givo a good price for a good article, but for 
the fact that up till recently and even until now, 
to a great extent, Britain offered a far better market 
for all that Ceylon could produce. Taste in Aus- 
tralia lias bnen generally formed on the coarser 
and chcapor Poochow teas, with a proportion of 
tho liner kinds, and although Indian and Ceylon 
teas could compete successfully as to quality, they 
could not at first in prico, and it is well-known 
that many of tho earlier invoices were purchased 
in Melbourno to be shipped to London . It was per- 
haps a pity that the Ceylon Commissioner was not 
on that occasion authorized to give " afternoon tea " 
alter the example set by India. But wc doubt if 
the results would have greatly differed from what 
they have beon. It is not quality but price alone 
which prevents larger quantities of Ceylon as 
well as Indian teas being used in Australia, where, 
after all, tho consumption in a year is only 20 
millions of pounds, if so much, against a total 
approaching 200,000,000 lb. in Britain. But as 
our production is augmented, prices are likely to 
go down, and in view of the importance of cul- 
tivating fr< sli markets, we quite agree with Mr. 
Win. Mackenzie in the importance ho attaches 
to the approaching Centenary Exhibition at Mel- 
bourne as an occasion for pushing our teas. 
Although there can be no regular representation 
of tho colony and of our varied production.--, 
there can yet bo a Ceylon Tea House, where our 
pure and lino flavoured product can bo sold not 
only in tho chest and in tho packet but in the 
oup. Arrangements for such a purpose ought not 
to bo costly, ami if planters generally appreciated 
the Importance of the rosults which arc likely to 
follow such efforts, wo do not see why funds and 
ten for both Glasgow (on a big scale) and Mel- 
bourno on a moie moderate standing should not 
be collected. Mr. Mackcnzio feels so strongly on 
tho subject that he wants to tight Mr. Rutherford. 
But wo trust that instead of the Highlander 
"drawing his skene dbu and sticking it in the 
bowels" of the lowlander, to the accompaniment 
of tho orthodox "warlike howls," the two will 
"rush into each other's arms and swear on eternal 
friendship," over an agreement founded on the 
mottoes "Let Glasgow flourish" and "Advance 
Australia." Mr. Rutherford's partner, Mr. Reid, 
will represent him at Glasgow, and what better 
representative could he and other tea planters 
have in Melbourne than Mackenzie, Laird of 
Nahalma, himself? Glasgow is good, but "both 
are best." 
CINCHONA BARK : 
CEYLON, INDIA, AND JAVA. 
(From Lewis <£• I'eut'x Gir'cular, Sept. 9th.) 
Our supply from the East during the year has ex- 
ceeded that of tho previous year, and the reports of 
a great reduction from Ceylon have not been verified 
in the results. 
Quantity (in pounds) offered since 1st January to 
date : — 
Ceylon. East India. Java. Total. 
1887 .. 8,917,71)0 .. 1,359,890 .. 359,730 .. 10,037, Ho 
1886 .. 9,457,762 .. 702,614 .. 301,477 .. 10,461,853 
1885 .. 7,890,702 .. 495,738 .. 95,659 .. 8,482,099 
1884 .. 6,214,686 .. '10-1,000 .. 86,144 .. 6,704,830 
We expect the shipment from Ceylon from Septem- 
ber, 1880 to October, 1887 will total million 133 pounds 
against 15§ million pounds the previous 12 months, 
the quality, however, is fully 15 per cent richer this 
year — average about 2J per cent of Quinine. 
Since 7th June, 1887, the sales of Ceylon show the 
following results: — 
3d per lb. and under .. .. 239,710 1b. 
Over 3d up to 6d per lb. ..1,206,100 „ 
Over Od up to Is per lb. .. 763,740 „ 
Over Is per lb.. .. .. 90,585 „ 
Total .. ..2,300,495 „ 
Wo intimated a year ago that in our idea the limit 
of our capacity to absorb Cinchona had been reached, 
and, that if our supply were increased, we should 
have as a consequence lower prices. The continued 
depression and low rates for nearly all produce 
has contributed to this, and the continued forced 
sales by speculators of Sulphate of Quinine, I 
added to it. 
Consequently, although the deliveries are so large 
and the price so unrennmcrative as not to stimulate 
production in new plantations to any large extent, 
prices nro today one-third lower than a year ago ; 
the unit averaging about 2d. Manufacturers have 
had an unprofitable time owing to the great com- 
petition, and tho stocks of both Bark and Quinine 
are still far too large, though that of South and 
Central Americans kind shews a large falling off ; a 
large portion is of inferior quality. Some considerable 
quantity had been offered in auction during this year. 
Imports from Ceylon have been of good average 
quality and generally well packed. Root has sold 
rcadi'y and well; Spokeshavings also, but quills 
and young branch and twigs have generally sold 
very badly. 
Reports of probablo serious decrease in tho sup- 
ply from Coy Ion, owing to tho uprooting of Cin- 
chona to niako room for Tea, continue to bo cir- 
culated. A year henco wo may speak as to the facts 
regarding this. 
The supply from Java has increased 60 per cent, 
but wo don't think the richness of the Bark is in- 
creasing: tho average is nearly 8 por cent of Quinine. 
Shipments in 1886^7 2,426,530 u>. b inst L,666|8?01b. 
in 1885-6, against 1,800,000 lb. in 1884-5. 
Cnitrti! America has forwarded small lots of old 
cuttings which have been realised at very disastrous 
prices, and we hear we cannot except any appreci- 
able quantity thence at anything near the currency 
of tho last few M'ar^. Holders hnve, however, h 
ready sellers of old import. Tho stock of the*' 
varieties shews a v< ry gnat reduction. 
/iWiYi'ii incrcAHot) her supply from I'lautatiouk anJ 
of rich cultivated Bark. 
