Jan. i, 1895.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
467 
CEYLON TEA CROPS AND THE PROS- 
PECTS OF FIRM PRICES. 
The alternation of a big and short crop of 
coffee became the rale for many years in Cey- 
lon after we had attained the maximum of 
production and began to go down the bill. Is 
it a sign that we are approaching the maximum 
of our tea production when we rind the alter- 
nation of cr»ps setting in, with this year a 
decided stoppage and no increase at all over 
the preceding crop 1 Up to the 17th instant, 
the Chamber of Commerce report a total export 
of 78,904,376 lb. of tea and 5£ million lb. more 
is the outside of what can be shipped to all 
parts up to the 31st inclusive. That will give 
a grand total of only 84^ million lb. or 3> s million 
less than the official (Planters' Association) esti- 
mate of 88 million ! Here is then how the re- 
cord will compare for a few years back :— 
Total Ceylon Tea Exports. 
1890 .. .. .. 46,901,554 lb. 
1891 .. .. .. 68,274,420 „ 
1892 .. .. .. 71,153,657 „ 
1893 .. .. .. 84,406,064 „ 
1894 .. .. .. 84,500,000 „ 
Now seeing our area under tea which was 
205,000 acres in 1889 increased to 220., 000 in 1890 
and to 250,000 in 1891, the above figures for 
export are very significant and carry a good 
many lessons. No doubt an unprecedentedly 
unfavourable season accounts for a good deal in 
1894 ; but the alternative crops are decidedly note- 
worthy. 
To the United Kingdom in 1893 we sent 
75,841,7201b. and this year our total thither willnot 
exceed 75i million lb., or a considerable less quan- 
tity ! This, taken in conjunction with the fact that 
there is a decrease in China of 11 million lb. and 
that India is to do so little— only 2 million in- 
crease so far — ought to indicate an exception- 
ally good prospect for firm prices for sometime 
to come. In their last circular, Messrs. Rucker 
& Bencraft say : — 
" While we have received during ten months 84 
millions against 79 millions, we have delivered 96 
millions against 88i, so that consumption is overtaking 
production at present." 
The Ceylon planters ought to be fairly well 
compensated for their short crops, and we hail the 
news of a rise in the average in our special 
telegram from Messrs. Gow, Wilson & Stanton 
as a welcome Christmas-box and an omen of 
a good time coming. 
We have ascertained the views of several of 
those largely interested in the tea trade here 
and they all speak of the prospect as being a 
healthy one indeed. With a decrease in the 
shipments of Chinas, Indians showing very little 
increase, and our own crop and exports showing 
no advance on last year the market they say is 
sure to remain firm for sometime, hut the 
duration of the firmness is a matter about whic h 
they are not all agreed. On the one hand it is 
said, looking at the efforts that are being made 
to open up new markets, that there is bound to 
be an increase of consumption— and in this 
connection hopeful reference is made to Australia 
a* well as America— the demand being further 
helped by the decrease in stocks that has 
taken place in London. Taking these 
circumstances into consideration it is thought 
that the firmness will extend well into the year. 
On the other hand there are those who do not 
expect much to result in the first half of the 
year at all events and that the market will 
probably be easier in February. The present average 
is regarded as a very good one and if there is any 
advance, the consumption, it is said is sure to 
be checked. In the meantime the market for 
good medium teas is good and one broker thinks 
there is bound to be a run upon them. The 
shipments for December are not expected to ex- 
ceed 6^ millions and it is estimated that the 
quantity in January will be about 8i. — that is, 
of course, to the United Kingdom. 
TO AND IN BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA : 
ABOUT A MONTH REQUIRED FROM CEYLON 
TO BL AN TYRE ; 
BLANTYRE LIKE NUWARA ELIYA; 
STARTING FOR THE COFFEE DISTRICTS. 
We are very pleased to receive today the following 
interesting letter from Mrs J. H. Carson of 
Gonamotava, Haputale, and the promise of more 
to follow. This will be read with avidity by 
planters in Ceylon for the useful particulars it 
affords about the trip and the country :— 
Blantyre, Oct. 14. — You will see by the above 
that, notwithstanding several delays, at last my 
destination is reached. The first delay occurred at 
Mozambique, the connecting German steamer hav- 
ing gone to Natal for repairs : this kept me for 
ten days to wait for the next boat. I stopped 
eight days at Chinde voluntarily, and three more at 
Chiromo ; so that the actual time spent in tiavelling 
was but little more than a month which might 
even be reduced when there is more water in the 
Zambesi and Shire. During the rainy season, thepas- 
sage from Chinde to Katunga could thus be done 
in a quarter of the time and without constantly 
changing. For instance at this season the first 
steamer could only go as far as Penda although 
drawing but 28 inches, and the other with a 
draught of ten inches less had to stop at Port 
Herald. From there on to Katunga you are 
panted along in an open boat. This part of the 
journey occupied a week and you may imagine 
that it was a treat to reach Blantyre. The 
midday shade temperature on the river during 
this hot weather stands at over 100°. In the A. 
L. C. Bungalow, Chiromo, it was 108° and at 
Katunga the respectable total of 116* was re- 
gistered last November. The nights are bear- 
ably cool, and at this season the climate is not 
malarious which I certainly tested by having 
to sleep in a camp-bed on the bank 
of the Shire river during the journey between 
Port Herald and Katunga. 
Blantyre is not unlike Nuwara Eli3 - a. There 
are well built brick houses and a comfortable 
Hotel. A cart-road has been made from Katunga 
and on to Zomba — hand-carts are used for heavy 
goods and a four-in-hand (two mules and two 
ponies) has been driven to Zomba. 
Travelling is usually done in a "machula" a 
Portuguese invention and fifty miles at a pinch 
considered a day's journey with the same bearers: 
10 or 12 accompany each " machula'' and carry 
it constantly changing two and two at a time, 
the others trotting behind. Indeed the natives 
in hard work, such as carrying loads, would 
gi\ e point* to pampered Ramasami. 
Chiromo is said to be the best centre for sport 
in the whole of B.C. A. During the time I stayed 
in the Elephant Marsh Immense herds of buffaloe 
were to he seen like patches of burnt grass, hero 
and there, and plenty of water-buck, reed-buck 
and zebra This is where ('apt. Hunt shot four 
lion" and wounded a fifth before breakfast 
a few months ayo. I intend to go out to the. 
