September i, 1888.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
CINCHONA IN TRAVANCORE (NORTH). 
August 18th. 
Sir, — "To help raise the cloud ot depression 
hanging over the Travanoore plantor," as one ot 
your correspondents puts it, Renewod officinalis has 
this year analyzed 1st 5 7'.) Sulphate Quinine 
2nd 6'86 do. 
3rd <>'81 do. 
Each of the above is the sale analysis taken in each 
case from about 5,000 lb. and not from picked trees, 
as our Java friends seem so fond of giving. I may 
mention that there is little or no bark over 7 years 
of age, and that the elevation is between 5,500 feet 
and 0,000 feet. DEVACOLAM. 
THE SUPPLY OP TEA BOXES POR CEYLON. 
Colombo, 29th Aug. 1888. 
Dear Sin, — As no one seems to havo thought 
fit to notice your remarks upon British North 
Borneo as a possible source of supply for tea boxes 
in Gey Ion, you will allow me to state what is 
being "done in the matter. Some time ago I wrote 
to my friends iu North Borneo about this, and the 
British Borneo Trading and Planting Company, 
Limited, when importing their plant for the saw- 
mills, included in their indent a box-making 
niaohine. Some correspondence ensued about size 
of boxes, mode of slotting, quality of wood, etc. 
Specimen Japanese boxes were sent by Mr. VV. D. 
Gibbon of Kandy, I believe, and al) particulars as 
to our necessities in regard to tea boxes have been 
forwarded, specimens of the most likely woods 
were promised me, but have not been sent as 
yet. The sawmills were opened on the 30th June 
Inst, so that it is not possible aB yet to have properly 
seasoned timber ready for box making. The 
British North Borneo ILvuld ot 1st July gives a 
long account of the opening ceremonies, and 
in the advertisement at the end you will find Messrs. 
D. Edwards k Co., Hatton, amongst the list of agents. 
The Colombo agenoy was offered to me, and I 
signified my willingness to accept it, but have not 
sinco heard from Mr. F. Boultbee on the subject. 
—Yours faithfully, EDMUND WOODHOUSE. 
IN DEPENCE OP _ CACAO AND A GROWL 
AT » PEPPERCORN." 
Sin, — Your correspondent " Gup from the High- 
ways " betrays much want of experience upon the 
subject of cacao when he presumes to touch upon 
it. Inquiry also fails to elioit his authority, 
beyond a self-constituted one. It is not clear what 
is the number of trees your correspondent superin- 
tends ; but it is clear that these same struggle 
for an existence, under conditions which apparently 
must be impossible for them, and that the most 
economical manner of disposing of them would 
bo as fuel for a Sirocco. 
Otherwise wo should not have it relatod how 
that, upon an average of once a week, they 
attraot a now species of pest, and how impossible 
it is becoming to stand tho strain of depredations 
by the Sinhalose for the purposes of curry of 
two to three dozen cacao pods per annum. (It 
takes 700 pods to make one bushel of cacao nibs.) 
Let anyone visit at this present any properly 
constituted cacao estate, and see the enormous 
crop, remembering also tho fearful droughts which 
havo been undergone. 
No unprejudiced person would otherwise declare 
than that there was absolutely nothing in Ceylon 
(and very fow things olsewhoro) worthy even to 
touch the latohel of the shoes of cacao J while 
as for its comparison with teal — Himmel I — as 
well put side by side tho lustrous merits of 
Qolcoii'la diamonds with those of quart/ or tho 
bhimnc-.s of n tinker's now tin PuL LINGER. 
THE KOLA NUT. 
Sir,— In Chambers's Journal for July, page 302, is an 
article on "The Kola Nut." 
From this article it seems that the kola nut contains 
caffeine in greator quantity than coffee; that its paste 
is moro nutritious than chocolate ; that it is good for 
the liver; and that it is I lit: best "pick me up" after 
being tight. 
Surely here is one of the new products planters 
are iu search of; and one sure to bo in great demand. 
Could you therefore kindly inform your readers where 
the nuts for seed can be got, and a few particulars 
about climate, soil, and cultivation? — Yours, &o., 
KOLA NUT. 
[Our correspondent will find a good deal about the 
kola nut iu past volumes of the T. A. As to its value, 
we quote from the Chemist and. Druggist of July 28 as 
follows : — 
Kola. — An article published iu a German daily paper 
on tho uses of kola has drawn a commentary from the 
well-known African traveller, Adolf Krause. Krauue is 
of opinion that there is only a small demand for the 
drug iu Europe, which is not likely to increase, as it 
would be difficult for a new nutrient beverage to command 
the field in the presence of such well-established rivals 
as cocoa, tea, and coffee. Only if it were very cheap 
would such a result be possible; and this condition he 
regards as unlikely, as the article is very highly 
esteemed by the natives — a statement which he sup- 
ports by quoting various prices at which it is sold. 
Krause also reminds readers that n German factory had 
made an attempt to introduce kola chocolate without 
satisfactory results. The opinion prevalent on the 
Continent that Europeans eat kola when in Africa is 
contradicted, it being asserted that they only do so 
when nothing else is to hand. The traveller says that 
he himself has tried it in all kinds of preparations, in- 
cluding the fresh diug, and the same when roasted 
like coffee, but be never derived any great pleasure or 
benefit from its use. — Ed.] 
Irrigation the Hope of Australia. — This was 
the subject of a lecture delivered by the Rev. M. 
Wood Green at a meeting of the Chamber of 
Manufactures on Thursday evening. The Presidont 
(Sir Samuel Davenport) presided over a good 
attendance. The lecturer prefaced his remarks by 
historical references to the knowledge possessed 
by the ancien's as evinced by the ruins of irrigation 
works. Ho theu urged its importance in South 
Australia because of the dryness of its climate and 
the uncertainty of it rainfall. Irrigation in Cali- 
fornia, the vineyards, orchards and farms, their 
wonderful production, the preparation of the pro- 
duce, and the general prosperity entailed were 
fully and eloquently described. In South Australia 
much might be done by private enterprise, but 
there was a great deal to be done by the Govern- 
ment. The profits accruing to Chaffey Brothers 
from their scheme in this colony would at the 
least amount to from three to four and a half 
millions. The Government should undertake irriga- 
tion schemes, and if neuessary borrow money to 
do so, charging a fair interest on the outlay and 
selling the land at reasonable prices. The rev. 
gentleman gave a calculation based on his obser- 
vations, which would make South Australia capable 
of supporting a population of 141,000.000, and 
concluded with an eloquent peroration on the 
future of Australia. A discussion followed, in hich 
the lecturer was highly c mplimented upon his 
address, It was sugg. sted by Mr. T. Parker that 
something might be done >'< 'he way of estab ishing 
an Irrigation League, as in Yictoria. The idea was 
favourably received, and it was decided to continue 
the disoussion at the next meeting, when the Bev« 
Mr. Gr oon and Mr. Parker promised to attend. A 
vole of thanks was accorded to tho lecturer and 
llio Chairman — Adtlaiifc ObfMVtr, Aug. 10th. 
