36 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
[June i, 1881 
was far too hurried to lead to definite practical results. 
It may, in one sense, be said to be premature, for 
Mr. Harvey would be the man to call in after some 
progress was made in the investigation, to give a 
decisive opinion on the value of quartz, and the nature 
of a reef. Planters will act quite rightly to make 
available representative specimens of the quartz which 
they have reason to suppose to be auriferous ; but, 
as Mr. Harvey pointed out, the proper course in the 
case of Ceylon where gold has been found in the river 
bods and nowhere else (to speak of) as yet, would be 
to pan and wash in the river and follow up so loDg 
ms gold was found, until at last it disappeared from 
the washing?, and then to look right and left and all 
round for the matrix reef from which the gold had 
gradually been denuded. Now this is work appertain- 
ing to the Government of the country. It is im- 
possible that private individuals can undertake this 
duty, and we think, therefore, there is good reason 
for calling on the Lieut-Governor to devote some por- 
tion of the surplus revenue from the Pearl Fishery to 
an investigation which may be fraught with important 
consequences to tbe revenue and prosperity of the 
Colony. It will be remembered that in 1854 an at- 
tempt to follow up the Mahaoya and Hingula m the 
manner described ai)ove, was frustrated by the apvent 
of the south-west monsoon. Unfortunately this same 
rainy season is again close at band. Mr. Harvey was 
greatly struck with the advantages presented to the 
miner in Ceylon in railway and road communication, 
water power, good climate, &c. He also expressed an 
interest in the gem-digging operations in the country 
and hazarded the opinion that much deeper mining 
both for gems and gold in suitable localities (as re- 
commended by Sir Samuel Baker in the case of Nu- 
wara Eliya), ought to lead to successful results. The 
bed of an ancient river, or the old bed of an existing 
river which has shifted its course, would probably be 
a favourite spot in which to operate for gold. 
It must be remembered that Ceylon is one of the 
oldest geological formations. Geologists speculate on 
this island having been connected wiih Madagascar 
and the Malay Peninsula by land long since submerged. 
They still regard a belt commencing on the east coast 
<>l Africa and across Madagascar, Ceylon, Malay Penin- 
sula and Borneo as the most likely division in which 
to find the remains of the earliest human beings or 
of the most advanced apes, on the earth's surface. 
Denudation of the rocks and reefs has therefore been 
going on in Ceylon far longer than in most countries, 
and the fact th.it very valuable gems and evidences 
of gold have been found so near the surface affords 
good reason for anticipating greater success from 
deeper mining. 
Since writing the above we have seen Mr. A. C. 
Dixon on his return from the Rakwana district. The 
liangwelletenne limestone with its supposed 90 per cent 
of lime is a delusion. The limestone Mr. Dixon saw is 
poor. Gem pits exist on Everton estate to the depth 
of forty yards, and Mr. Dixon saw finer stones — sap- 
phires chiefly — than any he had previously seen in 
the island. Two or three were valued by the Chetty 
owner at over £200 a piece ; but Mr. Dixon fully 
ngrees that the proper localities bave probably not 
yet been explored for the best gems, and he is likely 
to recommend a trial shaft in an old river bed. 
CEYLON COCOA. 
Our Loudon political and commercial correspond- 
ents call attention to the fact of parcels of cocoa from 
' 'eylon Belling for 100s per cwt., an exceptionally high 
price, considering the state of the market at. present. 
Mr. Tytler is to be congratulated on tbw result, since 
this cocoa came from his Dumbara properties. It is 
evident that Ceylon will beat the West Indies in the 
quality of its cocoa, provided care is txercised in 
the preparation. Since writing the above we have 
been favoured with the following letter from Messrs. 
Sabonadiere & Co , who are agents for Ambecotta 
plantation, proprietors Messrs. Tytler and Heirs of 
T. C. Morton, while Pallekelly belong to Mr. Tytler 
alone (Messrs. J. M. Robertson & Co., Agents) real- 
ized the same price for its cocoa: — 
To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. 
Dear Sir, — We have much pleasure in handing 
you copy of sale prices and Broker's report on Arriba 
cocoa per S. S. " Duke of Buckingham," shipped on 
this occasion by us in January last— details of Palli 
cocoa per S. S. " Almora," (shipped by Messrs. J. 
M. Robertson & Co.) belonging to same proprietors are 
also given. In forwarding us the report and result of 
sale, our London friends remark thai, " The rates 
" obtained surprised the market — the highest valua- 
" tions before the sale being 80s. to 80s." * 
Yours faithfully, 
p.p. Sabonadiere & Co,, 
Fredk. Noone. 
Valuations and Prices of Cocoa 
Per S. S. "Duke of Buckingham." 
in bond 
Amba, A 15 Bags valued @ 80/ to 85/ sold @ 100/6 
Do. B 5 „ 70 — ;, „ 80/ 
Do. T 1 „ Chips and Triage ,, 25 
21 Bags Cocoa. 
Per "Almora." 
Palli, 1 32 Bags valued @ 80/ 85/ j g B g^ 8ld ' ® 
Do. 2 15 ,, ,, @ 70 75 sold®" " 100/ 
T 3 "I Triage ... „ „ 60/ 
T 1J and chips ... „ ,, 25/ 
51 Bags Cocoa. 
Report on the above. — The sale of your cocoa per 
steamers "Almora," and "Duke of Buckingham " 
must be considered most satisfactory. The price of 
100/ 100/6 for the bulk is quite a fancy one, and 
we must again remind you that if this cocoa comes 
in quantity, it is highly improbable that such sales 
can be maintained. There is little fault to be found with 
the cocoa itself ; we think it rather better than last 
year's shipments : there being fewer unripe or pale 
berries. 
The rose color of the bean itself is considered very 
good, whilst the light, fragile husk is much liked. 
The price is the best proof how much the cocoa is 
liked. True copy. p.p. S. & Co., 
F.'N. 
GEMS AND LIMESTONE IN THE RAKWANA 
DISTRICT. 
We learn from Mr. Shand, senior, that the Rang- 
welletenne limestone so well reported on by Mr. 
Hughes was found in the shape of boulders in the 
river, and that Mr. Dixon could not find any of 
similar quality for the good reason that all the best 
boulders had been collected 'and used up for estate 
purposes. There exists, however, a small bed of 
limestone not far away which runs through native 
property, and which, had the Superintendent of Rang- 
welletenne (Mr. G. D. Brabazon) not been absent 
from the district, he could readily have pointed out 
to Mr. Dixon. Altogether it is a pity that the 
geologist's visit to the district was not made known 
to proprietors generally beforehand. His attention 
