Jan. I 1894.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
491 
group of estates, " in which," he added with a 
Bmile " we are intereeted " ; Haputale where he 
was cordially received by Mr. Lloyd ; and Badulla 
where Mr. Fisher, the Government Agent, extended 
his hospitality. Prom Badulla he returned to 
Nuwara Eliya via Wilson's Bungalow, and on Mon- 
day oame down to Colombo. He was unfortunate 
is having wet weather at the Sanatarium, but 
generally his impressions of his visit to the 
planting districts is of the most favourable 
character, and he seems determined, so far as he 
can, to s'.ill further strengthen the connection 
which his Companies have so far eatabl shed in 
Oejlon. " We have had plenty of properties 
offered to us but" — and there was a twinkle in his 
eye as he spoke the qualifying sentence — "we don't 
want to pay too dear for our whistle. The whistles 
are very good but they are asking too muoh for them, 
and we can afford to wait a while. We are not 
in a great hurry." Sir John seemed to be par- 
ticularly well impreSBed with our high grown tea?, 
and he concurred in Mr. Buchanan's remark 
that while one could not really compare 
Indian and Ceylon estates— the good in both 
would last — our teas growing at a high eleva- 
tion were better than some thsy had seen in 
Darjeeling. " We have shown our confidence 
in Ceylon by our investments," he continued, and 
we wish to strengthen the planting industry 
here as much as we can, and to work in 
harmony with everybody engaged in the en- 
terprise with which we have identified our- 
selves here. lu all matters connected with tea 
planting we should like to see Ceylon and 
India working together. We have been working 
together, but we might have done far more, and 
I am hopeful that in the immediate future 
Ceylou and India will go hand-in-hand in en- 
devouring to conquer America." The reference to 
Americaat once suggested Chicago and Mr. Buoharian 
remarked that he had had the pleasure of inspecting 
our court at the Exhibition and he added " most 
certainly tea planting had justioce done to it there, 
Speaking of Belgravia Mr. Buchanan mentioned 
that the real acreage was 297, With regard to his 
future movements. Sir John said that of course he 
would visit the Companies' estates in India and 
endeavour to conclude negotiations which were on 
foot for investments in Assam. Ha hoped 
to be back in England by April next returning via 
Colombo. We wish our distinguished visitor and 
his good lady and daughter bon voyage. 
NEWS FROM THE CENTRAL PROVINCE : 
PLANTING AND OTHERWISE. 
(Notes by Wanderer.) 
Dec. 21. 
Tea has been flushing well up to end of last week, 
but the cold N.-E. winds have set in, and have in 
a measure checked the intake. However, there is 
enough tea in the Factories and in transit to swell 
the total exports from Ceylou in ISdS to over 
83,000,000 lb. if there is sufficient shipping to take it 
away by 31st of December. I notice the total ex- 
port to 18th inst, is 79,100,000 lb. or about 10,000,000 
lb. more than at same date of 1892. Some planters 
are of opinion that in the first fevy mouths of 1H91, 
we should repeat the experience of 1892, and frighteu 
the tea dealers. However, we have the probability 
of a very dry ending to the iSl.-B. monsoon, which 
moans rust in the high estates and helopeltis in the 
lowcountry. This will no doubt prevent our flooding 
the mtrkets with our fragrant loaf. 
Thk Plavteks' Assocuton will have their big 
eaena of tea exports for 1891 out by the end of 
January. The Committee of last year is rather 
flamed foi; cutting dlowu District EsiinMtes too 
pever«]y, 
Pushing Tea in America and Russia as recorded 
in the minutes of last Tea Fund Committee afford 
the thinking planter some arithmetical puzzles. If 
Mr. Rogivue with the aid of, say, £800 from the 
Tea Fund in nionei/ and tea can puth Ceylon tea to 
the extent of 12.'3,00O lb, in Russia, what quantity 
ought Commissioner Grinlinton to put on the 
American market for £20,0110 ? I thinlt he ought 
to wait for his O.M.G., and K.C.M.G. or even 
higher honours till the end of 1894. The Austra- 
lian Commissioner waited till the results of his 
labours were seen. So brass bands playing Hie 
" Conquering Hero," Royal barges, ]^&c., may safely 
be postponed till we see Ceylon tea in America 
imports raised to 3,000,009 lb. 
Mr. Whittall's death is a loss to Ceylon. He 
arrived in Ceylon at a very critical time in the 
history of the colony. His outspoken criticism of 
the state of matters, though not relished, did good. 
He was forcible, and what he said and did put ns 
all on our mettle. No one admitted the pluck of 
the planter more than he did. Last time I saw him 
he said, " There is no need for my remaining here 
or even coming out again. The country is now in 
full swing with a product which it can grow to any 
extent. I can work in England better than here 
to push Ceylon tea in the world's markets." Little 
did either of us think that within five weeks 
he would be taken. 
Cacao. — I am glad to note America is increasing 
its imports of cacao. Wilson, Smithett & Co. still 
report an excess of stock over last year. I doubt 
the wisdom of our Planting Member in postponing 
aetion in the Council till the Government can find 
out what the Police Magistrates in the lower dis- 
tricts are doing ! The Police Magistrates in these 
districts are as good men as can be found and 
anxious to reduce cocoa stealing in the interest of 
the native as much as the European grower. The 
man that ought to be caught and lashed is the 
receiver. 
The " Sir John Muir " Cos. could not better initiate 
the work they have before them, as their leader 
told your representative," of strengthening the connec- 
tion it has with Ceylon," than by making the village 
of Belgravia a pattern to the other villages of the 
planting districts. 
Steady Market. — Messrs. Rucker & Bencraft's idea 
of this article seems to be rather a funny one. 
In their circular of the 30th November under " Rum" 
they say market steady. No sales reported. I don't 
think I should like such a steady market for tea. 
Tea Planting in India. — The planters in Chitta- 
gong, Dooars, Konyon Valley, Neilgherry and Terai 
will not smile when they read their averages iuMessrs. 
Gow, Wilson & Stanton's circular of 1st December 
quoted G:{d, 7d, (j|d, 7d and B^d respectively, Tra- 
vancore is pretty fair at 
MARKET FOR TEA SHARES. 
(from our BPECIAr, COEBESPONDENT.) 
Thursday evening, Deo. 7.— Rtther more business 
in shares has again characterised this week, and with 
further interim dividends in prospect, the tone ia 
" a shade " steadier, 
" Miucing Lane " has again steadied slightly owing 
to rather more limited sales, but the tone is still 
not very bright, and heavy supplies of medium-class 
Teas Beem rather frightening buyers. 
News from the producing districts confirmi previous 
anticipations of a somewhat early closing up o( the 
season but under more favourable conditions for manu- 
facture and consequent improved quality. 
Interim Uividenls. — The following further ioterim 
diatributions are now annonncei :— 
Jokai .,, 0 per cent 
Chubwa Pref. .,. 3J „ , 
Chubwa Ordinary ... 3.J ,, ,, 
Ceylon Shares. — Oeylon Plantations Company. Tlie 
only business repcrted is a rettil transaction ia tbo 
Ofdinnry shares at 15i, but without any more share* 
altered under 15); or (hereabouts,— if> and C ^Vad, 
