May i, 1889.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
769 
With regard to probable requirements and supplies 
for the coming season we may estimate that 
lb. 
Home Consumption will be increased to 190,000,000 
Export demand will absorb, say ... 35,000,000 
Total requirements,, say 
Shipments from India will be say 
Ditto Ceylon and Java 
Leaving China to send 
225,000,000 
100,000,000 
45,000,000 
80,000,000 
Total supply .. ... ... 225,0011,000 
As the bulk of the Export trade is in China Tea, 
it will be seen that allowing, say, 7 millions for Green 
and other descriptions, the quautity required from 
this quarter for Home consumption will be reduced 
to 52 million lb. 
Hitherto the Customs authorities have not dis- 
tinguished between China and other growths in their 
returns, but as it is now under contemplation to do 
so more accuracy will be possible, an greater in- 
terest will attach to them in' future. 
PROSPECTS. 
With regard to the coming season there is at 
present very little reliable information as to the 
outturn from India during 1889, but we may 
look for a steady increase with a probable export 
to this market of upwards of one hundred million 
lb.; while from Ceylon, taking the imports from 1st July 
1889, to 30th June 1890, for better comparison with 
India, we may expect over forty million lb. From all 
accounts there will no lack of tea in China, as they 
point to a "bumper " crop in the north, and it remains 
to be seen whether merchants will ship to this market 
with some regard to our diminishing requirements 
from that quarter, or whether we are to be over- 
supplied, as has hitherto been the case. Over-supply 
has been the bane of the London market for years 
past, and has brought about the present low level of 
value, which there seems little probability of raising 
until a further marked falling off in China shipments 
is brought about, or fresh markets can be found for 
the sale of Indian and Ceylon growths. It is to be 
hoped that these latter will shew considerable improve- 
ment during the coming season, as it is evident that to 
a large extent the unsatisfactory results of Calcutta pur- 
chases, especially where they have been held, is to 
be attributed to the non-keeping qualities of the larger 
portion of the year's shipments. Added to this, the 
teas lose their identity when in mixed invoices, and 
it is patent to everyone on this market that they 
do not receive quite so much support from the 
trade as teas shipped on garden account, when 
dealers can count upon a regular supply of cer- 
tain marks. Allowance should be made for this when 
estimating the laying down cost of teas for our market, 
or merchants should endeavour to secure entire in- 
voices in the Calcutta sales, where they might be sold in 
one lot at an average price, as chops of green tea are 
dealt with in China. 
Manufacture. 
In view of the increased supply from both India and 
Ceylon, and of the probable further development of 
these industries, it becomes a question as to whether 
some changes cannot be effected which will both lessen 
the labour of buyers here, and also be to the advantage 
of garden owners. During the current season, es- 
pecially in the autumn months, when sales were heavi- 
est, it was almost impossible for the trade to properly 
value the number of samples which represented the 
teas offered (one day 540 of Indian and Ceylon), and 
consequently many parcels were either sacrificed at the 
time, or taken out to meet a doubtful market later. 
This seems to suggest that, whenever practicable, the 
breaks should be made larger, which probably could be 
done on many gardens without much trouble or incon- 
venience. When Indian tea contributed only a small 
portion of the trade deliveries, breaks of a few pack- 
ages were not objected to, but now, when it represents 
about one-half of the total consumed in Great Britain, 
there is need of an alteration in this respect, and a 
growing wish among dealers to be able to pur- 
chase larger parcels, particularly of low priced teas. 
To the many who now make a speciality of "Blended 
Tea,'" an arrangement of this nature would be 
most welcome, and breaks of 300 to 400 chests of P.'koe 
Souchong, or Broken Pekoe Souchong would uot be too 
large, as has been shown by those which have been 
offered realising quite as much as smaller breaks, and 
being well competed for. Throughout most part of the 
year, the difference between the prices ruliDg for 
Pekoe Souchongs and common Pekoes was very smail. 
In many cases the former have been similar to the 
latter in cup, while the slightly better appearance of 
the Pekoe has not sufficed to command an appreciably 
higher price. If this condition is to continue, it be- 
comes a question as to whether it will not pay 
growers to cease making the distinction which they 
have hitherto done between these grades, and to send 
them home under one classification, or, as " unassorted." 
In this way expenses might be lessened, the size of 
the breaks increased, and relief would be afforded to 
buyers, while the average price would probably be as 
good if not better than at present. 
With regard to Ceylon, where, as a rule, the gardens 
are smaller than in India, it would perhaps uot be 
possible to make very large breaks, although they 
might be increased when accommodation admitted of 
storing several days' manufacture. As the out-put 
grows it may also be feasible to centralise 
more even than at present, which would facilitate 
the making of larger breaks; In face of the expan- 
sion which has taken place in the export from Ceylon 
and the probable further development of the industry, 
it is well that those interested in the production of 
the leaf should consider the present situation- Two 
courses appear to be open, and it must be left to 
planters to decide which will remunerate them best. 
Will they go on increasing their production aud com- 
pete with the heavy supplies from India and China 
with the certainty of a lower range of value, or wj!1 
they find it more to their interest, provided climatic 
influences do not interfere with manufacture, to pluck 
finer and supply a better quality, selling at a higher 
average, for which there is nearly always a good 
market ? 
Fresh Outlets Necessary. 
In consequence of the glut of Tea with which our 
Market is threatened from all the producing countries 
the need for action in the direction of opening up 
new channels for distribution, although for some time 
past recognised by a few, is now becoming patent to 
everyone connected with the industry. 
In addition to what has already been done in our 
Colonies by the Agents of both Indian and Ceylon 
growers, a syndicate, recently formed into a limited 
liability Company, has commenced operations from 
London, while a considerable effort is also being made 
by private enterprise, especially by one leading firm, 
largely representing the interests of garden owners, 
to expand the consumption of Indian Tea, not 
only in the United States and Canada, but also 
in South America, by educating the taste of the public 
in those countries where the produce of China and 
Japan has hitherto been chiefly used. At the same time, 
Ceylon planters, early recognising the need for fresh 
outlets, have taken an active part in the work. These 
efforts, at present meeting with varied success, have 
on the whole been productive of good, especially in the 
Australasian Colonies. 
The demand for Indian and Ceylon on the Continent 
of Europe, although of slow development, is gradually 
increasing, and should erelong be of importance. If 
this can be attained it will be of special value, as it 
would sometimes relieve the London market in times 
of depression, as in the case of Javas for several years 
past, prices for which have not only been supported, 
but often stimulated by export orders. 
The different Exhibitions in London, Liverpool, and 
Glasgow have contributed largely to familiarising con- 
sumers with British grown tea, while the exertions 
(almost amounting to friendly rivalry) already being 
made to bring it to the notice of the French nation 
