May i, 1888.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST, 
747 
But, floods or currents or both, the puzzle in regard 
to this fishery is that the oysters were mourned 
over as lost, only to be found in greater abundance 
than usual 1— Ed.] 
CUKE FOR COFFEE LEAF DISEASE. 
5th April 1888. 
Dear Sir, — I lose no time in sending you a 
translation of an editorial notice, appearing in the 
Soerabuyu Count >tt of the 17th ult. The remedy 
proposed seems to me the moBt feasible that has 
yet been heard of. The issue of the same news- 
paper of the l'Jth ult. describes its perfect success 
iu ouring the potato disease, Peronospora mfesta/nt. 
I will send a translation of Heer Male's lettei as 
soon as possible. The experiment is so simple 
that it might be made at onoe before the rains 
begin. — Yours truly, J. D. Y. 
It was our intention to insert in this issue an im- 
portant communication sent by Heer Chamberlain 
Mak of the Hague, proposing a remedy for the coffee 
leaf-disease, but want of space compels us to postpone 
its publication ; it will appear in o ir next number. 
At present we must be content to say that Heer 0. M. 
prescribes sprinkling the ground under and around the 
coffee trees, with a solution composed of 1 kilogramme of 
Carbonate of Potash to 100 litres of water, which will 
suffice for 100 square metres of ground. The sprinkling 
to be repeated after an interval of 14 days. He hopes 
that all the spores of the Hemileia Vaatatriz will thus 
be exterminated. The remedy is inexpensive, and of 
easy application, and thereforo is preferable to the 
method of Dr. Burck. 
Our planters will no doubt hasten to try this new 
remedy, and to ascertain if it will stand the test of 
experiment. But they will have to wait for favour- 
able weather. The heavy rains we have had of late 
would probably c'ilute the mixture to bespriukledon the 
soil to au unwished for extent. — Translated from lite 
" Soerabaya Courant" of the 17th March 1888 for the 
" Ceylon Observer." 
PUSHING CEYLON TEA : 
PROPOSAL FROM MR. H. K. RUTHERFORD TO JOIN 
INDIA IN AN AMERICAN CRUSADE. 
Sir, — Your tea-planting readers, no doubt, will 
have noticed that the Indian Tea Association in 
London ha9 resolved to take measures for the 
pushing of Indian teas in America on a large scale, 
and that the scheme has met with influential 
support. 
The interests of the Indian and Ceylon tea- 
grower being at the present moment identical, 
in so far as they are working with tho common 
object of ousting China and Japan teas from tho 
market ; it has occurred to me, that were we to 
join our strength to that of India and unite in au 
American crusade, the results would be far more 
satisfactory to both countries than if each were to 
fight single-handed. 
Tho introduction and pushing of Indian tea in 
America will undoubtedly help tho salo of Coylon 
tea forward in that country, and some may 
tay that, if this bo so, why should we offor to 
pay for what wo can get India to do for nothing ? 
I would, however, point out that tho American 
field being of such vast dimensions, and our efforts 
being ramped for tho conquering of u Con- 
tinent, our strength ought to bo in proportion. 
It will tax tho combined energy, finances, and 
perseverance of both India and Ceylon to drive 
China and Japan teas out of America, but 
I believe it can bo done if carried out with an 
ample exchequer and the combined force of tho 
two countries. 
My proposal would roughly bo as follows : — 
1st. That aibscribcrd to the " Ceylon Tea Fund " 
be asked if they would be willing (after the liabi- 
lities of the Glasgow, Melbourne, and Brussels Ex- 
hibitions are cleared) that their subscriptions, 
instead of being devoted to pushing Ceylon tea at 
Exhibitions, should be joined to the funds of the 
Indian Tea Association for pushing Indian and 
Ceylon teas in America? 
2nd. That in the event of Ceylon subscribers 
agreeing to this, a proposal belaid before the Indian 
Tea Association, that the two countries do work 
conjointly in an American crusade for pushing 
their teas. 
3rd. That the primary conditions of the joint 
working be 
(a) That each country do subscribe funds in pro- 
portion to the crop yield of their respective coun- 
tries, approximately this will be as 3 is to 9. 
(b) That the London Committee be composed of 
an equal number of representatives of each country. 
The Ceylon members of Committee to be appointed 
by the Planters' Association of Ceylon. 
(c) The London Committee to be entrusted with 
the working out of the whole scheme. 
Ceylon planters are now so fully alive to the 
absolute necessity of finding new markets for their 
teas, that it is not necessary to say anything on 
that particular point of the subject. The question 
to solve is how we can best take advantage of 
our position, and utilize the funds whioh, will, in 
the luture, be at our command from the tea scheme 
already at work ? I bring the above proposal for- 
ward, trusting it may find favour with Ceylon 
and Indian tea growers, and in the belief 
that a joint effort, while being more economical in 
its working, would be overwhelming in its effects if 
liberally supported by all those interested in the 
growing of tea in India and Ceylon. 
H. K. RUTHERFORD. 
Tba in Darjeelinq. — Tea prices are looking up 
and it is (mite time they did. 'When things get to 
the worst they always mend, and things could not 
have been worse than during the past two seasons ; 
although some very satisfactory dividends have been 
declared. I bear of a good deal of blight of sorts on 
some gardens. Now-a-days these pests are always 
with us, and nobody seems to have hit on any way of 
getting rid of them so far. The Assam hybrid plant 
always seems to suffer most. It certainly is not nearly 
so robust as the China variety, and has consequently to 
be very much more carefully treated. — Indian Planters' 
Gazette, March 20th. 
Rubbkr ra Assam. — Say3 the Pioneer : — 
A curious instance of superstition standing iu the way 
of trade and a people's advancement is rneutioued iu 
the report on the admiuistration of Assam for last 
year. It was discovered some time ago that a magni- 
ficent forest of rubber trees existed in the vieinity of 
Borduk in tho country of the Abors, a tribo on the 
extremo north-east frontier of Assam, which bus 
given a good deal of troublo at times, but of late years 
has been kept fairly well in hand by the t&ct of our 
Political Officers at Sadya. It also happened that last 
year the price of rubber rose considerably ; and when 
the fact of the existence of tho Abor forest got abroad, 
traders from the more civilised SiDgphosand Kharuptis 
immediately began to enter into negotiation* with 
the Abors for permission to proceed up the Dihoug 
and tap the trees. At this point, however, Mr. Need- 
bum, the Assistaut Political Agent, had to interfere, 
and persuade tho traders to return lest worse should 
befall thorn. Tho Abors, it appears, believe that tho 
rubber tree is the abode of a Kreat and lMJWerful 
sylvan spirit, and Mr. Needhaui is conviuoixl that allot 
them, except a a few who are civilised eneurfh to put 
u bribe above even a sylvan ppirit, would resent any 
attempt at hacking it about. Until, therefore, this airy 
deity can bo pert.iinh d t<> reiuovo his alxido to some 
lr« v.ilnahl" tp-e.the wealth of rubber among the AN r» 
must ruiuuiu untouched. 
