144 
THE TROPICAL 
CEYLON TEA IN MELBOURNE. 
The following results for Ceylon tea sold in Mel- 
bourne by Messrs. Greig & Murray on the 10th May 
have been received by this mail : — 
1. 31 half-cheats Loolecondera pekoe 40 lb. small 
black very even leaf few ends, strong 
malty rich very brisk pekoe flavour ... Is 4gd 
2. 24 half-chests do pekoe souchong 40 lb. well 
twisted greyish black leaf, rich and full ripe 
malty pekoe flavour ... Is 5d 
3. 48 half-chests Loolecondera pekoe souchong 
40 !b. blackish brown well curled leaf, stroug 
full ripe pekoe flavour ... Is 2d 
4. 11 half-chests Calsay broken pekoe 3S lb. 
small hlack very even leaf full of tips, pun- 
gent thick heavy and very flavory ... Is O^d 
5. 10 half-chests Calsay pekoe 38 lb brownish 
black rather loosely twisted leaf, extra fine 
very oavory brisk pekoe kind Is l^d 
6. 11 half-chests Calsay souchong 381b. bold 
black fairly curled asd even leaf, strong and 
pungent ripe full flavory 10|d 
7. 18 half-chests Calsay pekoe souchoDg 381b. 
blackish 1 rown well curled leaf, pungent and 
strong full ripe flavor Is l;d 
8. 38 half-chests Boos pekoe souchong 38 lb 
very handsome small wiry leaf full orange 
pekoe tips, rich full ripe malty pekoe flavor Is Id 
9. 20 half-chests Bookwood broken pekoe 43 lb. 
small black very even leaf, orange tips brisk 
burnt very flavory malty pekoe Is 2d 
10. 45 half-chests Kandal Oya pekoe souchong 
38 lb. boldish black fairly curled evenish leaf 
strong and rather pungent rich flavory Hid 
11. 18 half-chests Kandal Oya souchong 38 lb 
bold greyish brown curled and twisted leaf, 
full ripe brisk flavory lOid 
Analysis of Coffee Pulp.— The Indische Mercuur 
says : — A French chemist named Poussingault has 
subjected this fruit to a careful chemical analysis, and 
has found as the result that it contains '2 37 per cent 
cane sugar, 8 '73 per cent grape sugar (glucose), and 
2 '21 per cent sugar of milk. This chemist is still 
doubtful whether alcohol can be extracted from this 
fruit to any useful purpose, so that tether experi- 
ments in that direction are very desirable. 
Coffee in the Shevaroys. — We learn from the 
Shevaroys that coffee prospects are as unfavorable as 
they were in the beginning of the month, and that 
the slight showers of rain experienced there in the 
past few days have not done anything towards im- 
proving the prospects of the coining crop. In the 
early part of the year the best anticipations were en- 
tertained about the prospects of coffee and many of 
the planters were pretty sure of making up, during 
the present year, the losses they experienced in the 
past. Leaf disease has not quite disappeared from 
the estates and the planters are doing their best to 
get rid of it. The use of bone manure has something 
to do with the appearance of this enemy of the planter, 
but it is believed that with perseverance and industry, 
the difficulty will be overcome, and that leaf disease 
will disappear. That the Shevaroys are «till attract- 
ive to those who are determined to do a fair business 
in coffee, is evidenced by the fact that, only a few 
weeks ago, a European planter from the Wynaad 
applied for and obtained land at the Shevaroys and 
has already begun operations. The coffee estates be- 
longing to the late firm of Messrs. Lecot and Co. 
are said to be steadily progressing, and if the next 
season turns out to be better than present appearances 
warrant, the liabilities of the estates will be paid up 
much sooner than anticipated. The good luck that 
has attended the planters in Wynaad, is not likely to 
attend those on the Shevaroys as regards gold. But 
what is there to dissuade planters from prospecting? 
In every part of the Neilgherries and Mysore, gold has 
been discovered, and it may even be found on the She- 
varoys if diligent search is made. — Madras Standard. 
To the Editor of the Ceylon Observer. 
CINCHONA C LEDGEEIANA IN CEYLON AND 
JAVA. 
Lynford, Bogawantalawa, June 8. 
Deak Sir, — 1 send you measurements of 12 Led- 
gerianas growing on North Cove. They are grown 
at an elevation of at least 5,300 feet, and are not 
yet one year old. — Yours faithfully, 
A. R. LEWIS. 
Java •_' St. Au- North Cove 
years old drew's 22A ll§ months 
Ledgeri- mos. Led- Ledgeri- 
anas. gerianas. anas, 
inches. inches. inches. 
• r -7 65 58 
Average height... 57 
,, stem 4 inches 
from ground 3 !) 
3 9 
3-1 
COFFEE ADULTERATION ; CHICORY MIXTUBE8 
AND DATE COFFEE. 
Kent, 19th May 1881. 
Sir, — "A bonus dividend of 8s per share, making, with 
the payment on March 3rd last, 100 per cent, this year, has 
been declared by the Date Coffee Company (Limited \. " 
I see by an Overland Observer lately received, that 
the Planters' Association was about to memorialize the 
home Government against the legalized adulteration 
of coffee with inferior and cheaper substances, and 
permitting its sale to the public under the simple 
condition that its mixture is stated on the label. I 
do not think there is the slightest chance of. such 
memorial meeting with any success at the bands of 
the present ministry, in whose minds the idea of pro- 
tection in any shape seems to be utterly abhorrent 
and opposed to the spirit of the age. I think, how- 
ever, that the planters are quite right in protesting 
against the permissive adulteration of their produce, 
not only as an injustice to themselves, but as having 
a demoralizing effect upon the English trading com- 
munity. As some check upon the extent to which 
this practice might be carried on, I think your suggestion 
that the exact proportion of the substances used should 
be stated on the label affixed to the package is a good one 
and I would further suggest that this information 
should be given in much larger type than at present 
used, and not as it were squeezed into a corner, in 
small type, in the hope that it will not be perceived, 
as in nine cases out of ten it is not. I was told the 
other day that the German|Date Company has advert- 
ized its intention of prosecuting for libel any detractors 
of the Company — rather a significant proceeding and 
the meaning of which I leave to the understanding 
of your readers. The Chairman of the Planters' Asso- 
ciation will, no doubt, with his well-known ability, 
put the grievance in as strong a light as it can be 
placed, and I do not see the great necessity of the 
Chamber of Commerce joining in the movement. The 
planters after all are the parties most injured, and 
they are numerous and important enough to com- 
mand attention. 
Leaf disease, I see, continues to be a subject of 
anxiety, but I think I perceive a lessening fear pre- 
vailing among planters generally, and a more hopeful 
feeling setting in. The better prospects in rpgard to 
crop may partly account for this : and with reason, 
for it is a proof that, destructive as the disease is, 
the coffee plant is still capable of yielding fruit, pro- 
vided it has fair play in the way of good weather 
at the blossoming season, and other critical periods of 
the year. 
I am very sanguine that, with the general practice, 
of destroying fallen leaves, and invigorating the tree^ 
