40 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [July 2, 1888' 
years, because the total supply will not then exceed 
the average deliveries during the last four years : — 
In 1881-5 the deliveries were 234 millions of 
pounds against an import of 206J millions. 
In 1885-6 the deliveries were only 208 millions 
against an import of 219 millions. 
In 1886-7 the deliveries were 221 millions against 
an import of 228| millions. 
The returns for 1887-8 are not yet received, but 
taking those for 11 months, and estimating the 
May deliveries and imports, we find that the former 
will be 217J millions, against 223| millions im- 
ported. If the re-export from England last year had 
been as large as during previous years, the sup- 
plies and deliveries would have have been exactly 
equal, conclusively proving that the dread of ex- 
cessive supply which caused the depression in June 
and July 1887 was illusionary. We admit that it was 
so, only because the China supply was 27 millions 
below the previous year. This year the advices 
from China and the extremely unremunerative prices 
obtained in London for more than half of what is 
shipped from that country seem to warrant a lower 
estimate for the current season's export. 
We shall know more about this two months 
hence. In the meantime, even if the China 
export exceeds. 100 millions, the increase from 
India and Ceylon will not be so excessive as to 
keep the market in a permanent state of depres- 
sion. If the deliveries during the next 12 months 
come up to 228 millions of pounds, as they may 
easily do, and still not be out of the way, there 
will be room for 110 millions of pounds from China 
without adding much to the stocks on the 31st May 
next. 
With these facts before us, we put it to our 
' readers whether there is sufficient grounds for the 
present semi-panic state of the market, and whether 
we may not reasonably look for a recovery in 
August this year as in 1886 and in 1887 ? 
We append, as of considerable interest to all 
interested in " tea " — and who is not directly or 
indirectly ? — among our readers, the extracts from 
the Market Eeports for the past two years, re- 
ferred to in the foregoing remarks : — 
Extracts from Messrs. Wilson, Smithett & Oo.'s 
Circulars, 1886 :— 
May 18th. There is no improved demand, and prices 
are still very irregular. 
June 4th. The demand continues very weak, and the 
quality of the majority of the teas offering 
is not calculated to stimulate it. 
„ 11th. The market for Ceylon tea is still very 
depressed. 
„ 18th. The market remains very flat. 
,, 25th. There is no improvement in the demand, 
and prices have again receded. 
July 2nd. Only 850 packages catalogued this week, 
and went off slowly at very moderate 
prices. 
,, 9th. The demand was again limited, and only 
moderate prices realized. 
„ 16th. The supplies of Ceylon tea have been very 
large this week ; a small demand from the 
country for the finer grades had a steadying 
effect on the market, and prevented prices 
being still more adversely affected by this 
heavy supply. 
„ 23rd. Fine qualities again sold well at steady 
rates, but poor and dull liquoring sorts met 
with a slack demand. 
,, 30th. Teas of good quality and strength were 
again in good demand; lower grades are at a 
discount. 
Aug. 6th. 3,050 packages olfered and met a decidedly 
firmer market for teas possessing point and 
quality. Burnt and poor liquoring teas con- 
tinue to be quite neglected. 
„ 13tb. The higher grades selling well at the 
firmer ratea established last week. 
Aug. 20th. 3,800 packages made a ready sale at 
Btrong prices for fine flavory descriptions. 
,, 27th. The offerings from Ceylon have lately 
shown considerable improvement in quality 
and point, — a fact that has been readily re- 
cognized by the trade, and has resulted in a 
rise of something like 3d to 4d per lb. for good 
broken pekoes. Pekoes and pekoe souchongs 
have also generally enjoyed better compe- 
tition. 
Sept. 3rd. 2,560 packages offered, and tme astrong 
market for fine qualities 
1887 :— 
June 3rd. 2,864 packages offered, and met a rather 
irregu'ar market; the poorest descriptions 
went firmly for price, but ordinary pekoe 
souchongs sold at easierrates. 
„ 10th. This market is also very dull, and the sup- 
ply has been rather heavy. 
„ 24th. We cannot report any improvement in 
the state of the market; less desirable and 
ordinary medium kinds sold very cheaply. 
July 1st. The better kinds have sold at slightly firmer 
rates this week; but the market is still very 
depressed for medium pekoes and the less 
desirable souchongs. 
,, 22nd. The improvement noticed last week has 
been well maintained. 
„ 29th. The supply has been very heavy thi6 week, 
viz. 8,200 packages ; the market however 
shows rather less irregularity : this large 
amount evidently attracted full attention. 
Aug. 12th. The market has ruled firmly for all fine 
liquoring teas, and although the lower 
grades show considerable irregularity, never- 
theless a rather better tone has character- 
ised these descriptions. 
„ 19th. The supply was much more moderate this 
week; a good demand prevailed, and prices 
ruled firmer all round. 
„ 26th. The market has been very firm this week; 
the quality generally showing considerable 
improvement. 
Sept. 2nd. Ceylon continues firm, but at the closing 
auctions a rather quieter tone was apparent; 
the teas bought in have been chiefly sold 
since at considerable advances on auction bids. 
,, 9th. The market has continued very firm. 
Mr. King, Director of the Geological Survey- 
gives an interesting account of the Khattan Oil 
Works, in a letter published in a contemporary. 
He is of opinion that the conveyance of the oil 
through pipes, as at Baku, could only be effected 
by means of a complicated system of forcing pumps. 
This is due to the thick, viscous nature of the 
oil, which is described as " black, tarry-looking 
stuff." Distant forty miles from the railway, and 
being difficult of access, the works may yet fail 
to produce oil at profitable rates. Failing the use 
of forcing pumps, it must be conveyed in tubs on 
a tramway line. — Indian Engineer. 
A eeport has been issued from the Foreign Office 
on the oyster fisheries of Maryland, as received from 
Mr. E. S. Segrave, British consul at Baltimore. The 
report states that the value of these fisheries is more 
than double that of any other state in the Union, 
producing on an average about 5,000,000 dol. an- 
nually. In spite, however, of this enormous pro- 
duction, the condition of the trade is said to be 
depressed, owing to the exhaustion of the natural 
beds and the failure to adopt, in an adequate measure 
any new intelligent system for keeping up the supply; 
and if prompt measures are not taken by the Legis- 
lature there is reason to fear that the forebodings of 
experts will be realised, and the oyster property of 
he state be in imminent danger of complete dee- 
ruction. — Australasian. 
