210 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. [August i, 1881. 
Awisawella, can bulk and blend for himself. But it 
would probably pay a Colombo merchant to mix the 
high-grown teas of say Calsay and Abbotsford with 
those of Agrawatte and Strathellie, and of the more 
forward estates at elevations, like those of Assam, 
ranging from 100 to 1,000 feet above sea level. 
It is quite clear that if the different teas are sent 
separately to this or any other market, where blend- 
ing is a necessity, the purchaser can only purchase 
at a price which will allow him a good margin to 
pay for the expense and trouble of unpacking, blend- 
ing and repacking. To a certain extent thi3 will be 
true in regard to a purchaser in Ceylon. But the 
matter is worthy of consideration. The danger to be 
guarded against in unpacking, blending and repacking 
in a hot, damp climate, like that of Colombo, is that 
of the tea absorbing moisture But with properly 
heated and protected rooms this danger can surely 
be averted. Provided tea can be made suited for a 
market on its own merits, no doubt the perfection 
of tea making is to pour into the chests and hermetic- 
ally seal when the leaf is dry and hot, without 
even the intermediate deposit in the bin. But what 
is best is not always possible, for a considerable pro- 
portion of our teas will need sifting and cutting. 
You will see that the operations of the Calcutta 
Syndicate are to be continued for at least another 
season, and extended to America and. Canada. The 
experience obtained in these extended operations will 
be of equal value to Ceylon planters as to their 
Indian brethren, and if information is sought on 
points which have not been publicly discussed I feel 
sure a reference to Calcutta will be cordially responded 
to. A special blending of Indian teas is now selling 
in this market under the name of "Sibthorp's mixture." 
In writing all this I do not forget the established 
fact, that, as a general rule, Ceylon teas, as they 
reach this market, are much better suited to go into 
immediate consumption, unmixed a,nd unblended, than 
are the bulk of the Indian teas. But all seem to be 
improved in quality and value by judicious mixing 
and blending. 
Kapok or Tree Cotton, 
By last steamer M r. Moody (Henty & Co. ) received 
a specimen of ' ' kapok " or tree cotton from Calcutta. 
The specimen was not well freed from seed, but the 
price mentioned leads to the conclusion that hence- 
forward the article can be supplied from India at a 
cheaper rate than from Java. I suppose trial ship- 
ments will be made from Ceylon also. It is possible 
that a regular plantation of tree cotton would pay ? 
-The pods when ripe could most of them be brought 
down by means of a sickle or catty attached to a 
long pole. In the case of the taller trees a ladder 
might aid the operation. If the trade developes 
largely regular cotton gins might be employed to 
separate the seed from the wool. The former may be 
valuable as feed for cattle? Attention being drawn 
to the subject, all such points will be investigated 
and settled. At the base of the Eastern Himalayas 
the forests literally blaze with the blossoms of the 
scarlet-haed variety, which also vie3 with the Erythrina 
Indica in Ceylon. 
Trade between Ceylon and Australia. 
Melbourne, 3rd June. 
Dear Mr. Bruce, — I beg to draw your attention 
and that of all interested in the tea enterprise 
to the letter which Mr. Moody has addressed to 
me in view of the close of our intercourse, during 
which he has shewn me great kindness personally 
and enabled me to obtain and forward a great deal 
of information valuable to Ceylon planters and 
merchants. The testimony which Mr. Moody is 
good enough to bear to my own efforts to promote 
the interests of Ceylon though too flattering is 
naturally gratifying to me. But the more import- 
ant portion of the letter is that which makes state- 
ments and gives advice regarding the trade of 
Ceylon with Australia and which I commend to the 
careful consideration of all concerned. While Indian 
teas, in the face of vested interests and strong pre- 
judices, are making their way in the market here, there 
can be no doubt that many prefer the Ceylon teas 
not only to the impure China stuff but to the pure 
Indian leaf. The general testimony is that Ceylon 
tea can be used to go direct into the pot nnd not 
merely as an addition to weaker stuff. The difficulty 
is that of price, the rubbish from China having been 
sold at such low figures that dealers and consumers are 
unwilling to give prices ca'culated to remunerate 
Indian and Ceylon growers. But I trust a better state 
of things will soon be brought about. In the past 
season 22^ millions lb. of tea came from China against 
15 millions in the previous year. And yet place has been 
found for about 1 million pounds of Indian and Ceylon 
teas, which are gradually getting into demand, not 
only in Melbourne but at outstations and in the other 
Colonies. No doubt the London market will largely 
rule that of Melbourne, but there can be no doubt 
as to the effect on the London market itself of the 
diversion of considerable quantities to other markets. 
But I cannot too often impress on planters and mer- 
chants the importance of not injuring the prospects of 
Ceylon tea by sending leaf of a low standard of 
quality. The Exhibition has shown what the Ceylon 
planters can do, and now it remains that they should 
be true to themselves and the product on which so 
much depends. 
The following are the results of the sales on 10th 
May : — 
Under instructions from the Importers, Messrs. James 
Henty & Co., 
Ex " Rosetta," and others from Ceylon, 
Season, 1880-81. 
31 half-chests Loolecondera Pekoe 40 lb, 
small black very even leaf few ends, strong s. d. 
maltry rich very brisk, Pekoe flavour ... 1 4J 
24 half-chests Loolecondera Pekoe Souchong . 
40 lb , well twist"d greyish black leaf, rich and 
full ripe malty Pekoe flavour . ... 1 5 
48 half -chests Loolecondera Pekoe, Souchong 
40 lb., blackish brown well curled leaf, strong 
full ripe Pekoe flavour ... ... ... 1 2 
11 half -chests Calsay broken Pekoe 38 lb., 
small black very even leaf full of tips, pungent 
thick heavy and very flavoury ... ... 1 0£ 
10 half-cbests Calsay pekoe 38 lb,, 
brownish black, rather loosely twisted leaf, ex- 
tra fine very flavoury brisk pekoe kind ... 1 1£ 
11 half-chests Calsay Souchong 36 lb., bold . 
black fairly curled and even leaf, strong and 
pungent ripe full flxvoury ... ... ... 0 10£ 
18 half-chests Calsay pekoe Souchong 381b., 
blackish brown well curled leaf, pungent and 
strong full ripe flavour ... ... ... 1 
38 half-chests Boos pekoe Souchong 381b., 
very handsome small wiry leaf full orange pekoe 
tips, rich full ripe, malty pekoe flavour . . . passed. 
20 half-chests Rookwood broken pekoe 43 lb., 
small black very even leaf, orange tips, brisk 
burnt very flavoury malty pekoe ... ... 1 2 
45 half-chests Randal Oya pekoe Souchong 
38 lb. , boldish black fairly curled evenish leaf, 
strong and rather pungent rich flavoury ... 0 11 J 
18 half-chests Kandal Oya Souchong 3S lb., 
bold greyish brown curled and twisted leaf, full 
ripe brisk flavory ... ... ... ... 0 10£ 
You will see that Pekoe Souchong from Loolecon- 
dera sold at Is 2d per lb. more than the Pekoe. 
If the prices are disappointing, the facts mentioned 
by Mr. Moody must be taken into account, viz. 
