AtrGusT I, 1893.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
95 
planters of India and Ceylon have passed the period 
of probatioD, end for the moment the burden eesms 
to rest upon those who are called to watch over their 
interests here and in new countries. Oou^ideration 
has been given, among other matterp, to the quoition 
of regulating supply, both as regards the component 
parts of the crop and ics even distribution to the 
market throughout the year ; but discussion of the 
subject discloses such a variety of opicion amongst 
Importers and buyers as to the desirability, cot to 
speak of the practicability of carrying it out, that at 
present the way does nob seem very clear. The 
polic!/ of such a course, however — whether taken 
from individual interest or by the general 
agreement of producers — may be considered from 
a somewhat different standpoint than has been usual 
in the past ; for the Home Trade seems to be shifting 
from those v?bo formerly were prepared to buy freely 
V7hen Siles were heavy and to hold large stocks, to 
those who conduct their business on different lines and 
hold as little stock as they safely can, buying more 
or less regularly throughout the year. Experience 
only will show if the gain of a market comparatively 
free from fluctuations iu value will compeafate Impor- 
ters for the expense of carrying stooks and the risk oE 
deterioration in quality. : to ensnre success, 
the whole body of Importers would need to agree and 
adhere to a common line of action. 
During the Spring of this year the even course of 
business was interrupted to some extent by un- 
certainty as to the action of the Ohanoellor of 
the Exchequer with regard to the duty, and 
we must expect to be subject to this in 
the future. Remission of duty would probably raisa 
the value of some kinris for the time being, and 
by increasing the number of those who retail tea 
would possibly cause a run on Stocks ; but, unless 
the authorities are moved to take stringent pre- 
cautions against the importatfons of rubbish under 
the name of tea, and the refuse of foreign markets, 
it is conceivable that ooneiderable injury to the trade 
might eventually lesult from placing tea on the 
free list. 
As regards the future — the latest information from 
India and Ceylon points to a larger supply during the 
coming year, but not to the extent that need cause 
anxiety as to the ability of the market to absorb it. 
When dealing with a total approaching 200 millon lb., it 
is obvious that a margin of 5 or 10 millions one way 
or the other is not of such moment as it; was 
a few years ago ; and seeing that the total Stock 
is today at a lower point than has been reached since 
1886, there is good reason to take a hopeful view of 
prospects for the season into which we have now 
entered. 
London Warehouse Returns for 12 months ending 
Slst May :— 
Import— 
Indian . 
Ceylon.. 
China... 
Java 
Total . . 
Delivery- 
Indian ... 
Ceylon ... 
China 
Java 
1893. 
lb. 
108,003,000 
64,162,000 
64,296,000 
4,55.3,000 
231,014,000 
107,187,000 
61,983,000 
58,67b,000 
4,017,000 
1892. 
lb. 
110,933,000 
64,142,000 
60,21)4,000 
3,121,000 
1891. 
lb. 
99,879000 
47,405,000 
69,756,000 
3,781„000 
238,420,000 220,821,000 
108,177,000 
61,359,000 
63,461,000 
3,341,000 
100,708,000 
42,616,000 
81,381,000 
3,995,000 
Total . . 234,863,000 
341,338,000 228,700,000 
Of which 
Home Consump- 
tion 
Export 
Stock St .June — 
Indian ... 
C6)l011 ... 
China.. . . 
Java 
Total 
19D,8 3,000 
35.000,000 
30,129,1100 
16,940,000 
16,150,000 
1.18.'>,000 
64,404,000 
204,338,000 
37,000,000 
29,306,000 
17,761,000 
20,3^0,000 
7118,000 
68,241,000 
196.200,000 
32,500,000 
26,661,000 
14,9;5,000 
28,311,000 
851,000 
70,838,000 
The progress of the Ceylou trade is shown by the 
following statistics: — 
Year ending Sold in Auction, 
3;stMay Imported (eiclusive of Avrg. price. 
reprints) 
lb. pkgs. per lb. 
1893 64 million 790,000 ♦Si d 
1892 64 million 790,000 U'd 
'91 47^ „ 605,000 11 (1 
'90 31i „ 450,000 11 a 
'89 26^ „ 381. 5U0 lO^d 
The following figures (issued by JVIessrs. AU'rel 
Harvey & Co. of MelLourne) relate to the trade in 
Colonies of Australia and Now Zealand : — 
IMPORTS. 
SkaSON 189^93 1891-92 1890-91 
Prom Ceylon 5,7O:),00O 3,5j0,C00 2,812,000 
From India 3,9j9,000 5,16\000 4,717,000 
From China 14,91.3,000 16,038,( 00 15,378,000 
Wm. JA8. Hy. Thompson, Brokers. 
CINCHONA REPORT. 
(From Chemist and Druggist.) 
London, June, 1.5th. 
OiNOHON'A. — Tuesday's bark-supplies were somewhat! 
heavier than usual, the total of the ten catalogu«a 
being : — 
Packages. Packages. 
Ceylon cinchona 1,186 of which 1,133 were sold 
East Indian ci 'chona 1,679 „ 1,164 ,, 
Javan cinchona 160 ,, 160 „ 
2,925 2,457 
For the first time for many mcnths neither South Ameri- 
can nor We-t African barbs were offered. The quality 
of the assortment actually shown was exceedingly poor — 
worse probably than has ever been seen bef re. The bulk of 
the lots consisted of the commonest kinds of Succirubras, 
and ttie Officinalis and Ledger barks also scarcely 
reached the^ average quality in any single instance. The 
total quantity of sulphate of quinine represented by them 
was between 6,'00 and 7,000 kilos or about 2 per cent 
on the average. 
The tone throughout the sales was dragging, and the 
bulk ot the bark sold at a decided decline in price, the 
average unit for common barks not exceeding ll-16thsd. 
to Jd per lb. being the lowest ever recorded in the 
history of the artiile. Good barks would probably hrint; 
a somewhat a higher unit. Our prices are now about 
cn a par with those realised at the last Amsterdam auction. 
The following were the approximate quantities purchased 
by the principal buyers •— 
Lb. 
150,665 
112,183 
. 59,184 
. 58,001 
52,7-10 
41,313 
23,170 
16,160 
, 46,802 
Agents for the Brunswick factory 
Agents for the Auercacb factory 
Agents for the Manubeim and Amsterdam works . 
Agents for the American and Italian works 
Messrs. Howards & Sons 
Agents for the Frankfort o/M and Stuttgart works 
Agents for the Paris factory 
Mr. Thomas Whiffeu 
Sundry druggists.. ... ... ' .. 
Total quantity of bark sold 
Bought in or withdrawn... 
Total quantity offered ... ... 658,573 
Java Cinchona.— Succirubra and Hybrid chips 2Jd to 
4^d ; Ledger branch and stem chips 10 3d per lb. 
The exports from Java for the nine months ending 
Maroh Slst have been as follows — 
U92-93 1891-92 J890-9i 18f0-90 1888-89 
Amster- Amater- Amster- Amster- Amster- 
dam lb. dam lb. dam lb. dam lb. 
560,231 
98,322 
dam lb. 
Government 
plantation 473,714 
Private plan- 
tations 5,322,003 
515,352 4£0,2i2 415,940 558,712 
5,811,278 5,348,211 3,.377,432 2,717,863 
Totals.. 5,795,717 6,326,630 5,79S.4i3 3,823,372 3,276,574 
Tea Prospects at Foochow.— We call at- 
tention to an article on this subject from the 
Hongkong Press of special initrest to Ceylon 
planters. It will be observed that shippers of 
China tea last year made money, but this was owing 
to the Indian and Ceylon crops falling short. 
This year caution ia inculcated; but the teamen are 
not likely to think that the Iniian and Ceylon 
estimates are to be ezioeeded, and so may ship 
more freely we suppose. 
