September i, 1881.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
285 
many disappointments, I am satisfied with the results. 
To naturalize an exotic, in soil and climate closely 
resembling those of its habitat, should be a com- 
paratively eapy task ; but when we carry it into a 
region where it would be impossible for it to 
maintain a permanent footing without human aid, 
juire to watch its habits, and study its wants, 
wo 1 
with 
j vigilance, and every one for 
himself : for, in this land of Ceylon, the experi- 
ence acquired in one quarter may be of little use 
in another not very remote. Tbc distribution of 
rainfall, which varies from 31 inches at Mannar to 
250 at Padupola, shows too remote extremes for any 
one species of plant to flourish in both places. Indeed, 
it is questionable whether any profitable cultivation 
can be conducted in the neighbourhood of either. 
My own experience in the cultivation of Arabian coffee, 
within a mile of the Ceylon waterpot, was not by 
question now to be settled is how far the cultivation 
can be pushed into tho drier districts, with a fair 
chance of success. At what measure of rainfall will 
WO be forced to draw the line? Nor is this the sole 
question to bo settled. There are tracts of good land, 
in districts where the annual rainfall would be ample, 
if well distributed over the year. It then is an 
important fact still to be tested : how long can the 
Liberian coffee plant endure, without permanent injury, 
deprivation of rain? I cannot from my own experience 
throw much light on this point, as I have not been tried 
with more than thirty days, since I had to deal with 
well grounded plants, but in the land I have to 
work a plant of six months can stand a month not 
only without injury but with advantage. At the 
same time, I must admit that I have seen a well 
blanched plant, live feet high, with a heavy crop, 
droop in a bright afternoon, with only fourteen dry 
days behind it. 
August 3rd. 
On the 31st wo had a few light shower*, and the 
like on the 1st, but it was at 4 a. m. on the 2nd we 
began to get real rain. We have a right to expect 
more or less rain late ,iu July or early in August, 
and on this occasion we are not disappointed. 
Tho first cricket work of the season appeared on 
the morning of the 1st in the cutting of two coffee 
seedlings in the nursery. It is a month earlier than 
I expected them, but it is to bo hoped that an early 
entry will precede an early exit. .1 do not much 
like their first appearanco among the plants in baskets, 
where the plants have been comparatively safe on 
formor occasions. Cnrious that the breed should have 
audi u hold on this place, aid nowhere else within 
my bounds of ken. 
9th August. 
More or less rain daily ; rained all day on Sunday; 
plaining out with fear and trembling. 
COil'Ki: A 1 ' I' LT IM! A I' ION AND Till; 1M.A NTKRs' 
ASSOCIATION. 
A Ceylon estate proprietor now at homo writes :— 
" London, 15th July 1881. — I must send you u few lines 
to expi ess tho disgust I fe< l at the reception accorded 
to the propo od momoriul against coffeo adulteration 
at the meeting of the Planters' Association last month. 
" Luko-warmness or faint-hcarteduess in each a cause, 
it h>, perhap*, possible to understand. But, opposition 
from the planters to their beat interests, and without 
tho slightest show of rhyme or ivasou ! ' No wonder, 
that .Mr. Wall lost hunt and would fain bate thrown 
op the thing in despair. 
" The subject of adulteration has been much before 
the public at home during the past few months ; 
partly, no doubt, owing to the boldness with which 
the promoters of the Date Coffee Company have ad- 
vertized their scheme ; and as you arc doubtless aware, 
more than one journal has been threatened with pro- 
ceedings for boldly expressing opinions affecting the 
character of the above iniquitous concern. 
"Isa3', therefore, that a more fitting time than just 
now for the presentation of such a memorial, it 
would have been impossible to select. 
"The Chairman of the P. A. has done his duly : the 
Observer has done its duty. To them both, as a unit 
of the planting community and a member of that As- 
sociation to which I used to consider it an honour 
to belong, I desire to tender my thanks, and to the 
former my sympathy that his labour should be so 
little appreciated. 1 fear that the opposition to the 
memorial has been prompted by the same petty jealous 
spirit which caused the P. A. to reject the medical 
aid scheme diafted by the Chamber of Commerce last 
year. 
" The enclosed cutting from a London paper of to-day's 
date will show you that, the Date Colfcs Company at 
any rate is looking after Us interests with some energy 
however base those interests may be : — 
'The Date Cotkee Company Report. 
The Second Ordinary General Meeting of the Date 
Coffee Company was held yesterday in the Great 
Hall of the Cannon-street Hotel, Henry Haymeu, Esq., 
The Ciiaip.man,— Gentlemen, the Secretary will read 
the notice convening the meeting. 
Mr. T. Fortescue Haymeu (Secretary) read the 
notice. 
The Ciiaip.man.— Will you take the Report as read, 
or have it read ? 
The Keport w 
read. 
will commence the pro- 
^in you but a very few 
)f the Company. We 
s come into the Com- 
is who aro constantly 
therefore we shall take 
lg to place beforo you 
's affairs from the first 
i-e who remember the 
and the figures which 
lie, will recollect that 
of 40 tons per week, 
)cr cent. Works have 
iit Kurrachee, in India, 
u by the actual making 
lich it can be manu- 
t which it can 
pany within the past few montl 
asking questions ; and I think 
I this opportunity of endeavouri 
a short resume of the Company 
day it started until now. Th< 
first prospectus of the Company, 
were then put before the piib 
we stated to you upon a make 
we could return a profit of 100 
since that date been established 
We have been enabled to show yc 
of the Coffee the price at w 
factur d, and wo know also the 
be sold. During the last few mouths you will have 
noticed that we have been enabled to considerably in- 
crease the quantity, and by the last letter from the 
manager in Kurrachee we are iuformed that tho first of 
tho sots of ovens, dispatched to increase the quantity, 
will be erected within the week, aud I think I am 
justified in saying that by the end of August we shall 
bo in a position to put out closo upon -10 tons per 
week, (cheers). So much for the question of manu- 
facture. The accounts beforo you show most clearly 
that wo can manufacture at tho price wo originally 
anticipated* and there can bo no question of doubt 
about it celling at the price we thought, and if So we 
shall realise the profit a]ao we anticipated. Wc will 
•low take you a step further with rospeot to what 
has taken place since we had the pleasure of nicotine 
in January of this year. All sorts of rumours and 
st'ktemeuts have been ma le, most of which I have met 
with statements from the chair at the various meetings 
of tho Company which have been called daring that 
time. You have also been informed an attempt was 
