the Tropical Agriculturist. [ma* t , ms. 
carded. The patent metal packages would be very 
useful for this purpose ; cousiderable quantities of these 
have been sent, especially from Ceylon, lately and they 
arrived in good condition, and appear to be liked by the 
trale. 
Manufacture, &c. — Although much of this season's 
crop from India and Oeylon has been of good quality, a 
large proportion, especially from India, has been poor, 
and has therefore come into competition with China 
Congou, which has been selling at uuprecedentedly low 
rates, thus holding out much inducement to retailers to 
reduce their prices ; and, owing to the prevailing com- 
petition, "the shilling canister" has been adopted, which 
is much to be regretted. The serious falling off in their 
trade has been forced on the notice of the Chiuese autho- 
rities aud growers, and they are becoming alive to the 
fact that something must be done, as it is evident that 
considering their tea has to bear an export duty 
and Lekin tax of about 2d per lb., they cannot con- 
tinue to lay it down in London to sell at 3|d to 4d 
per lb., which prices were current last month for 
common Congou. Managers should therefore use every 
endeavour to keep up the reputation of their marks, 
as there is no reason why Olaiua should not send 
quality equal to that of former years. Although, owing 
to labour-saving machinery, tea is now landed 
here at a low cost, the utmost economy must 
still be practised, as with increasing supplies, 
present averages may not be maintaiued, besides 
which the low freights and warehouse charges ruling 
this season will probably be raised. 
Expenses may be reduced by careful bulkiDg so 
as to avoid the need for it in London, and by pack- 
ing an equal quantity in each chest, so that the 
Teas may be net- weighed here, care being taken 
to give an overweight of about 2 oz. in every package 
to turn the scale. A saving may also often be effected 
by making the gross weights to come within the 
warehouse rates, as a package weighing 129 lb. is 
charged no more than one of 90 lb. Boxes of 
flivoury Pekoe or Pekoe Souchong, which are often 
very saleable here, should weigh under 28 lb. gross 
to avoid the 1 lb. draft which is allowed over that 
weight. 
Sorting into too many grades should be avoided, 
as it tends to make the Teas dusty, which 
is objectionable, and often brings them with- 
in the category of small breaks, which are 
sold after the ordinary sales and meet with limited 
competition. 
The present limits for full-sized breaks are: — 
12 chests. 18 half-chests. 30 boxes. 
COMPARATIVE QUALITY OF THE OUTTURN 
OF THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS FOR THE 
PAST THl-iEE SEASONS. 
Assam, 
1887 Crop. — The quality generally lias been fully up 
to the average, but a large proportion being thin in 
liquor sold badly. Several marks have, however, been 
well to the front throughout the season. 
1886 Crop. — On the average under an ordinary crop, 
a few gardens having sent desirable tea throughout, 
some others good and bad alternately, whilst the pro- 
duce of many has all been poor. 
1885 Crop.— Quality on the whole good, though crop 
in some districts very short. Teas received during 
August and September very fine, and even better than 
those of the previous season. 
Cachab and Sylhet. 
1887 Crop.— The former district has not been well 
represented as regards quality, some managers having 
preferred to go in for quantity. From the latter, some 
very useful teas have been received, with dark liquors, 
which have sold well. 
188G Crop.— Large supplies of undesirable quality 
have come to hand, as it' quantity had been aimed at. 
Only a few really choice liquoring invoices realized 
comparatively high rates. 
1885 Crop.'— Outturn large, but the crop as a rulo 
poor. A few exceptions, however, which prove that 
fine teas can be paade if proper attention be paid to 
manufacture, 
D.uueewng, Ku&sioho and Tebai. 
1887 Crop., — The crop has been very vnrhd, .'ome 
exceptionally choice paicels having been rece ived which 
commanded high prices. A large proportion, how- 
ever, was poor, with thin liquor, which sold with diffi- 
culty at exceptionally low rates. Planters should 
endeavour to make good teas, as they are required 
for flavouring purposes. 
1886 Crop. — On the whole disappointing, and in 
some cases the worst seen for many years. A few 
reaily fine flavoured parcels received during September 
and October, also January and February, realized 
extreme rates, proving that this district's teas whin 
fine are much appreciated. 
1885 Crop. — The quality generally was poor, many 
of the invoices being dry and sapless. Toe frw fine 
Teas consequently commanded very full prices. 
Dooabs. 
1887 Crop. — Similarly to the 1886 crop, some fine 
teas were received at first, but quality fell off later 
on. Towards the close, some fairly thick full flavoured 
invoices came to hand for which much better averages 
were obtained, 
1886 Crop. — The season opened well, but the teas 
fell off shortly after. Sufficient useful quality wis 
sent to prove what might have been done under more 
favourable circumstances. Late arrivals showed every 
sign of excessive flushes, and lack of care in manu- 
facture. 
1885 Crop. — As usual, there has been much irregu- 
larity shown in the outturn. With a few exceptions 
the teas lacked quality, though for a time they were 
good, being full in the cup aud drawing thick liquors. 
\Kangba Valley, Kumaon, and Dehra 
Doon. 
1S87 Crop. — A few choice invoice from the former 
district, were much in favour with the trade, and com- 
manded high figures. The bulk of the crop >vas light 
in cup and devoid of flavour, so that only low averages 
were given ; Kangras will not sell well unless of tirst- 
rate quality. The two last-named districts, as usual 
have utilized most of their produce for local consump- 
tion. 
1886 Crop. — "With a few exceptions, the former has 
sent thin pointless teas, unsuitable for this market. 
Rich flavoured lots always sell well, and the few re- 
ceived were eagerly bought up at 6d to Is per lb. 
advance on similar grades, with poor quality. From 
Kumaon and Dehra Doon only limited supplies have 
been received, and chiefly of low class. 
1885 Crop. — A few choice parcels were received 
from the former which commanded high rates, but 
the produce of the other districts has been poor and 
in comparatively short supply in this market, a con- 
siderable quantity beiug sold locally. 
Chittagong. 
1887 Crop. — A fairly good yield, as compared with 
other districts, but below what used to be received 
from here, the proportion of thick juicy teas beiug 
small. 
1886 Crop. — Like other districts, the proportion of 
useful to fine has been smxll. For a tims soma good 
prices were paid, but the general average must be a 
bad one. 
1885 Crop — Some useful teas received, but a large 
proportiou has been below the average and therefore 
realized low prices. 
Neilgherries and Travancobe. 
1887 Crop. — Most of the shipments from the former 
have been of the inferior makes, and it is evident that 
the best teas are stil lused locally. 
From Travaucore, however, some choice flavoured 
paroels have again been received, and this comparatively 
new district promises well. 
1886 Crop.— Only a limited quantity has been re- 
ceived, aud this generally of the worst description. 
It is said that most of the best tea in the former dis- 
trict is used for local requirements. From the latter some 
very desirable parcels have come to hand, similar in 
flavour to Ceylonn. 
1885 Crop. — Supplies only moderate, and as a rule of 
uadesirable quality, far behind that sent some five or 
six years ago. A good portion of the crop sold locally. 
