July 2, 1888.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
n 
INDIAN TEA SEASON 1888-89. 
London, 7th May, 1888. 
In view of tlio approaching Season, we beg to sub- 
mit the following remarks for yi^ur guidance: — 
Present Position.— The very poor quality of the 
great bulk of the past Season's Crop of China Tea 
has directed more attention to Indian and Ceylon 
growths, resulting in a largely increased Consumption, 
so much so, that the supply, until the arrival of the 
New Crop, will only be about equal to requirements. 
Coubse of Market, 1887-88.— The decline, which 
began in August, continued until the close of the 
year, but was most marked during November, when 
prices ruled very low, quotations for medium Teas 
being then about as follows: Pekoes, 9d to 9^d ; 
Broken Pekoos, lid; Pekoe Souchong, 7d; Souchong, 
Cid; and Broken Tea, 6d. A slight rise took place 
in January, but this was lost again by the end of 
the mouth. With the beginning of March com- 
menced a decided upward movement, which has since 
been well maintained, and resulted in an advance 
from tho lowest point of about 2d per lb. on Sou- 
chongs, Pekoo Souchongs, and Broken Teas, and fully 
3d per lb. on finest classes. Medium to fine Pekoes 
and Broken Pekoes, however, have not appreciably 
shared in this advance, and are relatively very cheap, 
with a slow enquiry. 
Import and Delivery 1887-88.— 1st June to 31st May 
(May being estimated), are as follows, viz.: — 
Import. Delivery, 
lb. lb. 
Indian .. 86,500,000 .. 86,000,000 
Ceylon .. 14,250,000 .. 12,750,000 
Java .. 3,000,000 .. 2,900,000 
China .. 118,000,000 .. 116,500,000 
Total 
221,750,000 
Deduct China Tea for Export 
, . 218,150,000 
. . 30,000,000 
Ilome Consumption . . . . 188,150,000 
Phouable Supply, Season 1888-89. — 1st June to 31st 
May, may be estimated as follows: — 
lb. 
Indian .. .. .. 93,000,000 
Ceylon .. .. .. 25,000,000 
Java .. .. .. 3,000,000 
China .. .. .. 100,000,000 
Deduct China Tea for Export 
221,000,000 
30,000,000 
Total -available for Home Con- 
sumption .. .. .. 191,000,000 
At the present large and increasing rate of consump- 
tion of Indian and Ceylon kinds, this quantity should 
be readily dealt with ; but it must not be lost sight 
of that improved and rapid transit from the Gardens 
throws an undue proportion of the Crop on the London 
Market during four or five mouths of the Season — say, 
from the beginning of September to the end of Janu- 
ary, thus causing a very moderate range of prices to 
prevail during that period. 
The quantity that will be exported from China dur- 
ing the ensuing season can only bo roughly conjectu- 
red, but may not amount to more than 100,000,000 lb. 
or a further reduction of about 25,000,000 lb. The 
falling off in the past season was due to the continued 
inferiority of the teas, and it remains to bo seen 
whether growers in China are able, or are determined 
bo materially to improve the quality in future as to 
meet tho requirements of tho present day, and thus 
enable them to hold their ground. The production in 
Indian and Ceylon having now attained such large 
dimensioUH, the future of the China trade will natur- 
ally bo followed with much interest. 
Garden managers are advised to watch the course of 
the market as should the China supply shew a further 
largo falling o!f anil be of the same poor quality as 
hitherto, it may lead to an expanded demand for 
Nouohongs, pekou souchongs, an 1 leafy brokens ; but 
it is of tho utmost importance that those be of good 
quality in oup. Ou the other baud the enquiry for 
the higher priced teas would appear to be on a dim- 
inishing scale, and hence it may some day become a 
question whether, in order to meet the altered con- 
ditions of the trade, due to the gradual displacement 
of Cbiua tea, some modification of the present system 
of sorting the leaf may not be advisable. A well made 
leaf should be combined with a good liquor, if pos- 
sible; but less attention is, perhaps yearly paid to mere 
appearance, provided the leaf be free from any special 
defect, such as dust, or other common admixture. 
The character of the liquor, on the other hand, is all 
important, because what buyers require is a bright 
deep red coloured infusion, possessing both strength 
and flavour. Dull, weak and characterless teas can 
no longer be depended upon to bring a paying price. 
Greenish, pale coloured liquors should in all cases be 
avoided ; there is a small but rather uncertain en- 
quiry for lightly fermented teas throwing a pungent 
liquor, but only when the flavour is distinctly fine. 
Stenning, Inskipp & Co. 
COL. CLARKE'S FOREST REPORT- 
Meantime our able Surveyor-General is doing 
good service in triangulating and mapping 
out our terra Urma, and suggesting the 
best means, moderate and practical, of turn- 
ing what sylvan resource are left to the 
colony to the best account, and advising measures 
for adding to those resources by encouraging 
natural reproduction, or by active artificial culti- 
vation of trees, the most useful for timber and 
fuel purposes ; the cultivation of tea in the 
island as well as the existence and extension of 
railways, giving fresh importance to plants suit- 
able for the latter purpose. While in doubt 
whether we were at liberty to publish Col. 
Clarke's report, we re-read with reference to it the 
very able and marvellously comprehensive review of 
the forests and timber resources, actual and possible, 
of Ceylon, which Mr. Vincent, of the great and 
successful Indian Forest Department, framed and 
presented (with a number of illustrative maps), 
just five years ago. Many of his recommendations, 
which were within the Bcope of the means of 
the colony, have been adopted, entire or with 
necessary modifications, while his report * remains 
a mine of information on our forest flora generally 
and especially with regard to such individuals in 
that flora as are of economic value, more or 
less ; or which can be made valuable, either for 
supplying cabinetwood or building timber, or for 
firewood. We can understand a man of one idea 
like Mr. Vincent being shocked and horrified at 
the barbarous destruction of our forests, during long 
ages by the wasteful system of cheua cultivation,— 
the best-grown and most valuable trees, the accumu- 
lated growth perhaps of several generations, being 
sacrificed to secure one or two temporary crops, — 
and in the past half-century by timber specu- 
lators and contractors, who were permitted to 
discount for their own selfish purposes, resources 
which, properly husbanded and brought to market, 
ought to have been a steady and permanent 
source of revenue to the Government,— which 
means wealth to the community. We make allow- 
ance, therefore, for much of the denunciatory 
and pessimistic tone of Mr. Vincent's report. But 
we rejoice that Col. Clarke feels justified in speaking 
much more cheerfully, at any rate, of the powers of 
natural reproduction of our superior timbers, such as 
ebony, satinwood, halmilla, pale, &c, than Mr. 
Vincent did in his report. Although all the 
statements of so long a report, dealing with so 
many topios, could not, in the nature of 
• Reprinted, with the largo and elaborate illustrative 
map, shewing the climate zoues of tho island, in the 
Xrpical Agriculturist of May lS<j3. 
