59° 
THE TROPICKL AGRICULTURIST. 
March i, 1889. 
2. — The importers to give with each entry a state, 
ment that the teas in each break have been bulked 
in India, and that the chests of each break contain 
even net weights. 
3. — In order to test the accuracy of this 
statement, 10 per cent of each break to be 
turned out and weighed net, but in no case are 
less than three chests to be turned out. 
4. — If the variation in weight of the test packages* 
from each other, be found to exceed 2 lb., the whole 
parcel is to be tared. For instance, if the test packages 
weigh net 79,80 and 81 lb respectively, the variations 
would not exceed two pounds, but if one package be 
found to weigh 79 lb and any other 82 lb or more, then 
the whole break to be tared : unless the importer and 
surveyor consider that an average tare can equitably 
be given, in which case the tarers must not vary more 
than two pounds, as in the case of net weights. 
5. — Duty is to be charged on the average weight of 
the packages weighed net, provided that, when the 
average of the packages weighed net amounts to so 
many pounds and a half or more, the half or more will 
be charged as a full pound ; when the fraction is less 
than a half, it may be disregarded. 
6. — All Indian teas bulked in this country are to be 
weighed gross, and each chest tared. 
Loss in Weight. — Much dissatisfaction has arisen 
from time to time on this point. The gross weight 
of the package should always be a few ounces — say 
four or five, over an even number of pounds. 
The empty package complete, with lead, nails, 
bands, fee, should be, on the contrary, just 
below an even number of pounds — say by about 
four ounces ; in weighing here the gross weight is 
reduced to the even number of pouuds, whilst the tare 
is increased to an even number of pounds. This method 
applies to teas not bulked at the garden, also to Cal- 
cutta bought teas. 
With regard to garden bulked teas to pass the test 
for weighing net, as before remarked, it is imperatively 
necessary to put an equal quantity into each packages 
of the break, and this quantity should be an ounce 
or two over the desired weight of contents — 
viz., if the packages are invoiced to contain 
100 lb tea, each, not less than 100 lb 2 oz. 
should be weighed in : test packages, proving here 
a fraction under 100 lb will be reckoned as 99 lb 
oDly, or a loss of 1 lb on each chest of the 
break. We fear when great pressure prevails at 
the London warehouses, some laxity as to weighing 
takes place, but the loss thereby incurred can be 
but small, compared with what may be caused by 
neglect of the foregoing precautions at the garden 
in weighing and filling the packages. 
Weight of Packages. — When a gross weight of 
126 lb is exceeded there is an additional charge of 
5d per chest up to 159 lb the following scale of 
charges fully explains this and deserves attention : — 
Management rate per package, subject, to an uni- 
form discount of 20 per cent : — 
Gross ... 160 to 199 lb 130 to 159 lb 90 to 129 lb 
do ... 80 to 891b 60 to 79 1b 45 to 591b 
Indian & 
Ceylon. 
do 
35 to 44 lb 17 to 34 lb Under 16 lb 
2s 9d 2s 3d Is lOd 
Is 8d 
Is 
Is 5d 
7d 
Is 2d 
4d 
Mahks on Ojiests. — Nothing is wanted, or is of 
any service here beyond (1st) garden mark, (2nd) 
description of tea, (3rd) garden numbers, and (4th) 
bulked (if such be the case). Gross, tare or net, 
are not of the least uso, and should be discontinued. 
Hv/.k or Bkeakh. — We are glad to report a conti- 
nuants of the improvement in this respeot, and hope 
tlni increase in their size may be still further exten- 
ded, and that no relaxation in the efforts to pro- 
duce large breaks will bo allowed by owners of gar- 
deuH, (specially as the forthcoming heavy import 
cannot be roadily dealt with unless in large breakm 
which alouo not properly tasted and valued by buyor». 
HOME CONSUMPTION OF INDIAN, CEYLON AND CHIX&. 
Percentage 
China. Total. of Indian & 
Ceylon. 
1888.. 105,763,000.. 78,574,000. .184,337,000. . 57J 
1887.. 93,054,000.. 87,558,000. .180,607,000. . 51J 
1886.. 74,665,000.. 100,000,000.. 174,665,000.. 42J 
1885.. 68,894,000.. 106,309,000.. 175,203,000.. 39J 
1884.. 63,038,000.. 106,918,000.. 169,956,000.. 37 
1883.. 59,097,000.. 114,953,000.. 174,050,000.. 34 
1882.. 50,497,000.. 115,569,000.. 166,066,000.. 30§ 
1881.. 48,836,000.. 112,156,000.. 160,992,000.. 30J 
1880.. 43,807,000.. 111,307,000.. 155,114,000.. 28} 
1879.. 35,243,000.. 125,576,000.. 160,819,000.. 22 
1878.. 36,776,000.. 120,192,000.. 156,968,000.. 23J 
1877.. 28,013,000.. 123,012,000.. 151,025,000.. 18§ 
Ceylon. — The improving enquiry for Indian growths 
extended to Ceylons at the commencement of the year. 
The quality was not satisfactory, and the few fine lots 
sold at good rates. During February the imports were 
still inferior, and the demand became slow, except 
for a very few fine teas ; this continued until the middle 
of March when larger and better supplies attracted 
more competition at improved prices. On the resump- 
tion of business after the Easter holidays in April, com- 
mon and medium grades ; sold at higher rates ; the 
quality, too, was better. In May large arrivals took 
place, and, being inferior, values became irregular 
aud lower ; this position remained unaltered well into 
June with prices still falling ; towards the end of the 
month the low rates attracted attention, and the 
market went higher. Broken Pekoes were at very 
low and uncertain values. Heavy sales took place 
in July, common were well supported, fine were 
scarce and became a little dearer. The reduced offer- 
ings in August consisted of better teas and values 
rose, but towards the end of the mouth and early 
in September auctions were large and prices fell ; 
a little later a better enquiry sprung up which was 
more marked at the close. With moderate supplies 
aud better quality in October the market further 
strengthened until the end of the month when a 
slacker tone prevailed for teas without noticeable 
quality. Early in November the duluess prevailing 
in Indians caused a slight decline, which, however, 
was arrested for a few days, but on heavy auctions 
taking place values for medium qualities went lower, 
especially for Broken Pekoes. Daring December the 
selection was not attractive, and business closed for 
the year with rates lower, except for a few. parcels 
with good liquors. 
The quality on the whole cannot be considered 
satisfactory ; the proportion of really good liquoring in- 
voices has beea smaller, but the enquiry having been 
strengthened by the scarcity of medium and fine 
China tea (the character of which Ceylons more nearly 
approach than Indians) prevented prices from falling 
during the greater portion of the year. 
Complaints are general that Ceylons teas do not 
" keep " well, and that after a few weeks they lose 
much of their freshness and flavour. We trust this 
may cause planters to seek a remedy, or this matter 
will be a serious one when supplies become as large 
as is anticipated. 
Although the average price has shown a decided fall in 
the year it is much over that obtained for Indian teas. 
1888 ... 303,284 packages, average 0s 11-J-d per lb. 
1887 ... 182,955 do do Is Ofd „ 
1886 ... 101,145 do do Is Id „ 
1885 ... 58,921 do do Is 3}d „ 
1884 ... . 15,701 do do Is 2Jd „ 
(1st August to 31st December only). 
We would direct attention to the remarks on the 
first and second pages of this review, under the heads 
of Hurting, Bulking, Weighing remarks, Size of Breaks, 
and Loss in Weight. 
