786 
The. tropical agriculturist. 
[May i, 1889. 
TEA PBOSPEGTS. 
We are fast approaching the very busiest 
time of the year both on the majority of our 
tea plantations and in the shipping port of 
Colombo. The months of May, June and July 
current may be expected to show unprecedented 
shipments of the product, and it is no wonder 
therefore though the gathering cloud of "low prices" 
should be viewed with discouragement in planting 
circles. But there are more than faint streaks of 
silver lining to this dark cloud and nowhere in the 
world can a band of agriculturists be pointed to who 
believe more thoroughly in the aphorism " God 
helps those who help themselves " than among the 
planters of Ceylon. They and their friends among 
merchants, bankers, editors, &c, have not been idle 
while all this gloom has been gathering in the 
London market, and we are able to point to 
several redeeming features which it would 
be well for friends of Ceylon at home to take to 
heart, before they begin to think that the tide 
of prosperity so lately welcomed through tea, has 
been arrested disastrously. We will endeavour to 
summarize as briefly as possible the reasons which 
seem to justify faith in the future of tea at this end: — 
(1) Ceylon teas have admittedly acquired a very 
strong hold on the taste of a large body of British 
consumers. 
(2) The maintenance of quality is alone required 
to continue this hold and secure an average of re- 
munerative prices, and in accordance with the call 
from Mincing Lane, on a large proportion (at least) 
of our estates, " finer plucking " and careful manu- 
facture are the order of the day. 
(3) Possibly, the order to pluck fine, may affect 
the estimate of coming crops to the extent of some 
millions of lb. 
1 4) The local consumption of tea-dust, red leaf, &c. 
among the natives is rapidly extending in Ceylon. 
(5) After the current planting season a check 
will probably be put on a further extension of 
the planted area. 
(6.) The majority of Ceylon tea planters can un- 
doubtedly hold their own in any contest with India 
or Java, while so long as the present " squeezes " are 
maintained, China cannot compete successfully. 
(7.) The Ceylon planters are determined to make 
an impression on their own account on America : they 
have Messrs. Pineo and MacCombie Murray to re- 
present them. 
(8.) With the short supply of coffee from Brazil, 
there ought to be a consumption of 100 millions lb. of 
tea additional in the United States between 1st July 
1889 and 30th June 1890. 
(9.) The Ceylon planters and merchants are san- 
guine of making an impression in favour of their teas 
throughout Australasia, and of gradually superseding 
inferior China teas, more particularly as we are prepared 
to take payment of a good deal in Australian food 
products. 
(10.) There is much to be done with Ceylon teas 
on the Continent of Europe. A direct trade with 
Germany and France should be developed ; and also with 
Russia through Odessa, since a special Russian Agent 
has just established himself in Colombo. 
(11.) A market for some of our teas is likely to be 
found in Persia, a beginning in trade having been ai- 
re* dv effected through the influence of the New O.B. O. 
(12.) Nowhere else in tea growing countries, can the 
grower adapt himself more readily to his market and 
other circumstances than in Ceylon : if he finds that 
"plucking very fine" pays best, that system can 
speedily be adopted, even the abandonment of afield lor 
11 time will not affect its future, and in a good mai.y 
onsen, there are still other products to occupy attention 
and help the planter to p iy his way till tea improves. ' 
The inference therefore is that the Ceylon tea 
planter is under no circumstances to give way 
altogether in the coming struggle; but rather 
that by the law of " the survival of the fittest " 
he ought to be eventually well in front ; although 
our hope is that increased consumption will take 
off all our Ceylon tea, as well the Indian and Java, 
and some China tea at remu nerative prices. 
+. 
The Icerya of t,ie Orange Plantations.— In- 
addition to the introduction of parasites to prey on 
the scale, Mr. Coquillet, after various experiments, 
finds that the vapour of hydroe>anic acid gas kills 
the insects without injuring the aces. The "dry gas" 
process consists in acting on the cyaui le of potassium 
(5 lb.) dissolved in 1 gallon of boiling water, by 
sulphuric acid (one half ounce to every ounce of 
the cyanide solution;, and passing the evolved gas 
through sulphuric acid. Violent aetion occurs as the 
acid is poured on the cyanide, and the gas is given 
off as a dense white vapour. It is obvious that such 
operations should not be entrusted to careless work- 
men. — Gardeners' Clironicle. 
Inspection of Steam-Boilers. — The annual report 
of the Commissioners for the inspection of steam- 
boilers and prime-movers in Bengal has just been 
issued. It states that during 18&ii the total number 
of boilers examined was 1,100, and that the in- 
spection in the newly added area fully justified the 
extension, boilers which were dangerous having 
been discovered. The qualification of those in 
charge arjpears to have been generally satisfactory, 
no certificates having had to be withdrawn on 
account of the incompetency of engine men, though 
in some cases certificates were withheld until a 
competent man was appointed. After providing for 
all expenses the fees realised yielded a surplus 
of over B15,000.— Pioneer. 
Exibaci of Tea. — It would be useful to know 
in what form extract of tea is to be placed upon 
the market. A company, entitled the Santna 
Tea Company Limited, with a capital of 
£8,000 in £10 shares, has just been formed 
" to carry into effect an agreement intended to be 
made between G. Christopher and R. W. Leftwich 
of the one part, and the company of the other 
part, and to carry on the business of manufacturers 
of extract of tea. The first subscribers are : — P. 
Cooper Lane, 5, Shoe Lane, E.C., 1 share; A. R. 
Parkhouse, Hornsey House, Highgate, 1 ; T. B. 
Allison, West Hill Lodge, Highgate, 1 ; H. Law- 
ford, 452, Camden Road, N., 1 ; R. W. Leftwich, 
167, Brixton Road, S. W. : 1; W. Leftwich, 20, 
Derrington Park, West Hampstead, 1 ; G. Christo- 
pher, 6, Barrow Road, Streatham, 1. The first 
directors are H. Davenport, G. Christopher, and 
R. W. Leftwich. Remuneration chairman £120, 
and £100 each other director. — H. and C. Mail, 
March 29th. 
New Coca (and Tea) Preparations. — Cey- 
lon Tea is after all not unknown in France, wit- 
ness the following :— The French Hygienic Society 
of London have for some time I says the Chemist and 
Druggist,) made a speciality of preparations of the coca 
leaf, such as coca-tobacco, which were calculated to be 
used as articles of daily consumption ; and they now 
add to their list several which are designed to main- 
tain the popular use of the Peruvian invigorator. Coca 
tea — an excellent blend of the coca leaf and a choice 
Ceylon tea — is likely to be a favourite, for it makes a 
pleasant beverage of good aroma which is powerfully 
restorative. Their coca elixir is a good idea. I't is in- 
tended for use along with any table wine, 15 to 20 drops 
of P making with a glass of sherry a good coca wine, 
possessing the full flavour of the leaf. This flavour is a 
marked characteristic of all the preparations especi- 
ally the tablets and lozenges, and is an indication that 
care has been exercised in their manufacture. The 
tablets and lozenges may be need for throat troubles ; 
and those without borax are a portable form of the re- 
storative for use by athletes and pedestrians. All 
I these specialities are put up in attractive style. 
