June i, 1888.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
811 
think our fuel resources in Ceylon arc like coal- 
mines in England. I in member, thirty years ago, 
an outcry at home that coal would run short in 
three years ! In conclusion, let us take heart and 
don't cry " stinking fisb."— Yours, X. Y. 
THE SIROCCO TEA DRIERS. 
Kalutara, 28th April 1888. 
Dkau Considering the number of Sirocco 
driers in Ceylon, it seems a great oversight on the 
part of Messrs. Davidson A- Co. that duplicate parts 
of their machines cannot always be had in Colombo. 
Few SiroCcos reach estates entirely free from 
damage, some of the weaker castings, especially 
being almost sure to get broken. 
If a machine is much wanted, it is bad enough in 
such cases to have to leave it unused till the 
damage can be replaced by sending to Colombo for 
extra pieces ; but, when reference to Messrs. 
Davidson cV Co.'s authorized agents shows that the 
duplicate castings are not in their hands, and that 
they have no advice as to when these may arrive, 
the case bt comes serious. 
This has been my experience and that of another 
in this district, and I think it well to make the fact 
known for general information. 
Rut the dillieulty is almost entirely in the weaker 
castings (especially Nos. 850 aud 8.51). It seems 
to me that the remedy is in the hands of the makers. 
What simpler than for them to send with each 
machine a low duplicates of those castings ? 
This would cost them a mere trifle; and it might 
save some of their constituents from serious loss. — 
Yours faithfully, R. MORISON. 
TO LSACCO OUJ if I VATION. 
Dear Siu, — In reference to the inquiry for land 
for the cultivation of tobacco in Ceylon, I may 
mention thai some years ago Mr. Steelo reported 
a lino tiold for the growth of tobacco to exist on 
the banks of the Walawe river at places from seven 
to ten miles distant from Hambantota. We wonder 
whether this field has been occupied. The land 
is said to be extremely wet and fertile, and water 
(a prime requisite in tobacco cultivation, as the 
plants require watering regularly twice a day) was 
to be had in ample supplies from the river. Pro- 
duce of all sorts (it was also said) might be grown 
in abundance along the banks not only of Walawe, 
but of Magaina and Yala rivers as well. Mr. Steele 
added:— "The bauks of the Walawe are much 
preferable, and tho nearness of llamban'.ota as a 
port of shipment, where dlionies and a coasting 
steamers touch, is of great importance." — Yours 
truly CULTIVATOR. 
THE PUSHING OF CEYLON TEA. 
DEAD Sin, — In Mr. I'ineo'a scheme for pushing 
Coylon lea in America, is proposed the distribution 
of J or .J lb. packets. The success of tho scheme 
Kleins to me to greatly depend upon the aize of the 
samples distributed. Almost everyone's experience 
has been that the first cup of Coylon tea is decidedly 
unpleasant. Tho change from China, and what one 
has been accustomed lo for years, is too sudden. 
Tho palato requires gradually educating up to the 
pungent llavoury taste of Ceylon grow ths, and one's 
former liking cannol bo eradicated under two to three 
weeks daily drinking Coylon tea. 
I maintain, therefore, that the selling of Ceylon 
tea in tho cup at Exhibitions is a very doubtful ex. 
penmen!, and the verdict after tho llrst cup is liable 
to be "What nasty Bluff ;" "It taste ol hi rb i ;" "I 
don't believe.-, it's tea at all." Give people at lirr.t 
to oil, buQkieul Ceylon tea to keep them going for 
three weeks, and . they will never willingly buy an 
ounce of China tea afterwards; give them but one 
cup of Ceylon tea, and they will not be inclined to 
ask for a second 
The distribution of samples should be undertaken 
most carefully, and regulated, if possible, according 
to the number in the household, sufficient being 
given for 3 weeks' supply and if possible no chance 
of getting at China tea during that time. The 
trick will then be done, and the shadow of the 
Peak will appear insignilicant compared with the 
golden mantle that will thenceforward rest upon 
Lanka's shoulder. ANTICUPEKAI. 
MR. 1'INEO'S AMERICAN TEA. SCHEME. 
Mb. Rutherford's Suggestion as to Funds. 
Slit, — The Planters' Association, however desirous 
it may be to help Mr. Pinco in carrying out the 
scheme he has proposed for introducing tea into 
America, is certainly not in a position to grant him 
any money from the tea fund for this year. 
I have had a long interview with Mr. Pineo on the 
subject, and he is of opinion that unless the pro- 
posal ho has made bo adopted now, his principal, 
Mr. Ellwood May, would in all probability give the 
scheme up. I have seen Mr. Shelton Agar's sugges- 
tion as to sending out district lists and collecting tea 
for Mr. Pinco, and having it bulked in Colombo, 
while it is very gratifying to find Mr. Agar so 
heartily supporting Mr. Pineo's scheme, I scarcely 
think the manner in which he proposes to raise the 
necessary funds is quite satisfactory. 
There is now a Tea Fund scheme in existence, 
framed and organized with the very object of dealing 
with such cases as Mr. Pineo's. The scheme was 
well considered, and has met with the hearty sup- 
port of practically the whole of the planting com- 
munity. I deprecate very strongly any departure 
from the principle laid down in this scheme, which 
is an assessment of 25 cents per 1,000 lb. of green 
leaf. What Mr. Agar suggests is, I understand, an 
extra subscription to the fund already in existence. 
Now, I do not think planters will subscribe to this, 
aud I consider it would not be fair to ask them to do 
so as an extra, 
To get over tbe difficulty (should the Planters' 
Association decide to support Mr. Pineo) I would 
suggest that the necessary funds be raised by those 
enrolled in the " Ceylon tea fund scheme," who see 
in Mr. Pineo's proposal a hope of great advantages 
accruing therefrom. This could be done by their 
subscribing a certain sum in advance and this 
amount would be deducted from the subscription 
which would otherwise bo due by them for 1880. Wo 
have nailed our colors to a particular .scheme for 
providing funds for pushing Ceylon tea, and I do 
not think we shuuld depart from the means we have 
so unanimously agreed upon as the only fair principle 
whereby all interested in the tea enterprise are 
equally taxed for finding new outlets for our staple 
product. Should the scheme proposed by Mr. Pineo 
for introducing our teas into America be supported 
by the Planters' Association, then this method I 
have suggested is the only one that occurs to mo by 
which the necessary funds could bo raised to give 
Immediate effect to what appears to be a very favor- 
ablo opportunity of bringing Ceylon tea before the 
American people. II. K' RUTHERFORD. 
* 
Malum, May 7th, — Ten in tho low-country her* i* 
Hushing' exaMdingly well. A leaf here is about ilonblo 
tho ilia of one opeouutry. I aotioed this on »n 
route i, .lit tin it . i Iff. from town, mid tin- qunijity 
bluokrd must nr ainlv hover) much greater tlmn up. 
country, though tie lUvuur may not bo so good. Not 
u drop Ol rniii >• (. tad the place is gutting unbearably 
hot.— Local " ivxamiin r ." 
