386 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. [October i, 1881. 
CINCHONA BARK. 
The history of the Bark market during the last 
twelve monbhs or so, has, as our readers all know, 
been very considerably influenced by the shipments 
of a comparatively newly discovered species, known as 
" Cuprean. " 
The quantities so far shipped have been excessively 
heavy, and we are informed by those who are well 
versed as regards all matters connected with Bark that 
if current reports are true, there are at the present 
moment enormous quantities of this Bark ready for ship- 
ment. It is probable, however, as regards shipment, that 
a policy of forbearance will be maintained. For reasons 
which we shall touch on presently, it is necessary, 
that the present prices of this Bark should be defended, 
and it is, therefore, proposed in order to support the 
market that the shipments should be equalized, so 
many packages per month being dispatched. All 
matters relating to Bark are interesting to most of 
our East Indian friends. They will be especially glad 
to hear that according to the generally reported estimate, 
Cuprean Bark cannot be put on the London market 
under a cost of la 6d per lb. 
If this be correct, numerous sales lately made in 
London, cannot leave otherwise than a small margin 
for profit, and it becomes evident that a not very 
heavy further decline in the value of some Cuprean 
bark, would make shipments anything but remunerative. 
We take the following from the "Chemists' Journal:" 
The statements therein made, we cannot personally 
endorse, but if they prove eventually correct, it will 
probably become evident that the influence of this 
Bark, on the future of the market has been consider- 
ably over estimated. Dr. Bobbins evidently thinks 
that the commercial death of this article will be as 
sudden as was its birth, and that the former is nearer 
at hand, than many have been inclined to calculate. 
" The recent discovery of cinchona bark on the lower 
mountain ranges adjoining Buccarramanga, in the State 
of Santander (U. S. Columbia), seems to have been 
purely accidental, no one supposing the Cinchona 
Bark of any value would grow at such low altitudes 
as that in which this ' Cuprea ' was found. The 
good trees, however, are generally found about 2,000 
to 3,500 feet above sea level, and in this respect, 
while it approaches nearly all the varieties of the 
Succirubra family, it differs from the greater part of 
the other South American Barks. As far as external 
appearance is concerned, it differs by reason of its 
•weight and hardness from all other barks of the cin- 
chona family. Dr. Bobbins, of the firm of McKesson 
& Robbins, has visited the field, and his description 
of the amount of handling this bark undergoes is in- 
teresting. Dr. Bobbins states that the bark he pur- 
chased was first cut, stripped, and dried, carried two 
days on men's backs, and then five days by mule to 
Buccarramanga into warehouse, from there five days 
by mule into warehouse, five days canoe again 
into warehouse, then by river steamer four days 
into warehouse, then by railroad and small boats, 
and eventually put aboard ocean steamer bound for 
New York. The Drug Reporter states that explora- 
tions have been made in every direction outside of 
this limited ' Cuprea' district without satisfactory 
result, and while it is impossible to foresee what 
discoveries may be made in these extensive rfouth 
American regions, the Buccarramanga bark district is 
a pocket mine, the material is in sight, is being rapidly 
exhausted and when exhausted will be seen no more." 
Messrs. Howards quote Quinine Sulphate at 10s ; 
Quinidine Sulphate at 7s, Cinchonidine Sulpnate at 
2s Gd, and Cinchonine (Mur.) Is 4d. — /. A. Rucker & 
Bancroft's Price Current, August 25th. 
POTATOES FOB EXPORT TO TBOPICAL 
COUNTRIES 
have formed the subject of discussion in the Austra- 
lasian lately. We read :— - 
The common potatois produced in the great- 
est perfection in the cooler parts of Victoria and the 
colonies of New Zealand and Tasmania, and in no 
other part of the Southern Hemisphere — excepting pos- 
sibly Chili— in anything like corresponding abundance 
and perfection. When we look at the map of the 
world, and consider how centrally the three above- 
named colonies are situated in relation to the rich and 
extensive regions that border the Indian Ocean and the 
Polynesian islands, and that in no part of that immense 
extent of territory can a potato be produced at all com- 
parable to the product of Warrnambool, we may realise 
what a market there would be for the potato and similar 
perishable products if they could be economically con- 
veyed to those countries in good condition. But there 
is the difficulty. The potato is simply a reservoir of 
moisture and nutriment for the young plant, and if 
exposed to the influence of heat, nnd more especially if 
in a moist climate, germination sets in, and the tuber 
rapidly decays. It is, therefore, very difficult to keep 
on board ship, especially in hot climates. And yet 
in no other situation is it so valuable, for of all 
vegetable productions there is nothing to equal the 
potato for dietetic properties in hot climates. The 
remedy I propose for the drawbacks connected with 
the exportation of potatoes, &c, is packing in dry 
sawdust, which would enable these perishable pro- 
ducts to be sent to any part of the world and kept for 
a considerable time. Sawdust, being the most effective 
of non-conductors, prevents any increment of heat, and 
likewise excludes the moisture in the atmosphere ; the 
principle of germination is thus rendered dormant, 
and decay prevented. Grapes —a far more perishable 
commodity than potatoes — have been conveyed from 
Europe to Melbourne, packed in sawdust, in good con- 
dition ; therefore, we may reasonably expect that 
potatoes could be preserved in the same manner. This 
process could be tested for a mere bagatelle. Let any 
enterprising party take a couple of hundredweight of 
sound potatoes ; pack one-half in kiln-dried sawdust, 
let the other half be packed without that protection. 
Then let the two packages be sent per steamer as far 
as Cooktown, to be there detained till there is an 
opportunity of sending them back to Melbourne. A 
comparison of the two samples will show the value of 
the sawdust packing, and give an idea at a very small 
outlay of the cost of so preserving them. 
For permanent markets, any settlement where there 
is a number of Europeans could be depended on — the 
Cape Settlements, Mauritius, Aden, the Indian Empire, 
Hong Kong, the Dutch Settlements. With New 
South Wales, Queensland, and New Caledonia there is a 
considerable trade already established, which would be 
immensely increased could the potato be made less 
subject to decay. Immense quantities would also be 
used for provisioning shipping if it were found that 
they would keep over a voyage, as potatoes are the best 
anti-scorbutic known. 
That sawdust will have the effect of preserving 
them for a considerable time I have no manner of doubt, 
as it is well-known that they will keep for a season 
in a dry cool place ; packing them in dry sawdust 
would provide that requisite in any country or climate. 
I believe the same principle would be of great service 
in the Indian horse trade. Suppose a few tons of 
carrots were packed in sawdust on board one of the 
vessels engaged in that trade ; they could be dug out 
when wanted, and the horses would not only be kept 
in better health on the voyage, but would land in 
better condition and be more readily saleable. 
Blue Tier, Tasmania, July 12. James Grant. 
