Feb. i, 1895.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
525 
PLANTING AND PRODUCE. 
The Cocoa Market Last Year. — Unexampled de- 
pression in cocoa occurred last year, the deprecia- 
tion for some descriptions amounting to nearly 50 
per cent, on the average value of the preceding five 
years. The cause must be attributed partly to the 
depression in trade, necessitating traders to buy 
entirely from hand to mouth ; but the chief factor 
was the increased yield, particularly in Guayaquil 
(Ecuador), where it is stated to be the result of an 
enlarged area of planting. Ceylon cocoa, which 
suffered the heaviest depreciation, is mainly used 
by American manufacturers, and for some years 
commanded a price almost double that of other sorts 
— viz., from 125s to 135s per cwt. ; but large yields 
from Java, the only country which produces a cocoa 
capable of competing with Ceylon, combined 
with the American financial crisis, caused 
a grandual downfall in value, and for many month 
of this year the ruling price for fair estate marks 
was only 58s to 63s, per cwt. West India growths 
maintained their value better than any other class, 
and Trinidad cocoa, which is always in demand be- 
cause of its superior strength for mixed cocoa, has 
practically held its average value all through the 
year. Grenada, which was in plentiful supply the 
crop being larger than any yet received, and other 
minor varieties were greatly depreciated during the 
latter months of the year by the extremely low quo- 
tations of Bahia. Next to Ceylon, the severest fall 
was experienced by Guayaquil cocoa, particularly the 
fine sort known as Arriba, whioh was in excessive 
supply, and, notwithstanding a rise in the spring, 
oaused by the efforts made oy the Guayaquil houses 
to " rig the market by keeping back receipts dur- 
ing January to April, prices quickly fell from 85s, in May 
to 57s in November, but some reaction was seen during 
December. The closing price is about 63s 
for good. 
Last Year's Coffee Market. — During the year just 
passed the chief feature has been the great scarcity of 
good to fine qualities suitable for the home trade, and 
for theae descriptions prices throughout showed but 
little fluctuation, and close, if anything, rather higher. 
Commoner qualities, on the other hand, were very 
plentiful, particularly Costa Ricas, and met generally 
with an indifferent demand at lower prices. The yeai 
opened with offerings of more or less undesirable quali- 
ties, which found a slow sale at rather irregular rates, 
but later, with larger arrivals affording a better selec- 
tion, the tone became more buoyant. Costa Ricas, 
being of poor quality, dropped about Gs per cwt., but 
the decline stimulating the demand, especially for ex- 
port, there was a slight reaction. Litter on, supplies 
continuing heavy while the general condition was in- 
different, a further decline of 2s to 3s was submitted to. 
During Juno and July supplies were lighter, and with a 
good export, demand prices materially recovered, though 
latterly, with an unattractive assortment, consisting 
largely of second-hand parcels, the tendency was dull 
and slightly irregular, except for home trade qualities. 
Fort the small supplies of new crop East India the 
demand was throughout good at steady prices, but the 
quality was not altogether up to the usual standard, 
and indifferent parcels made lower figures. It is 
noteworthy that the new crop reached hero three to 
four weeks earlier than in the preceding season. 
Good to tine Costa Rica realised very good prices. 
Guatemala, being in smaller supply on this market, 
averaged well. Mocha commanded little attention 
dining the early part of the year, but towards the 
close met with more inquiry, and, owing to scarcity 
and the lateness of the crop, advanced 10s to 15s 
per cwt. Ceylon, which shows increasing scarcity, 
although indifferent in quality, commanded full prices 
Colombian kinds, owing to differential duties in the 
United Slates, have been mostly shipped direct there, 
and the supplies of Jamaica to supersede this growth 
having lin n small, a good average advance oil the 
year is shown. A recent feature has been the im- 
portation of plantation African, which has met a 
good demand and sold at satisfactory prices. Good 
coloury Santos suitable for the homo tirade for mixing 
purposes has sold well.— J?. i£ C. Mail, Jan. 4. 
m 
LARGE AND SMALL " BREAKS " OF TEA 
IN LONDON. 
For some tima past I have occasionally at- 
tended the sale of ooth large and small breaks, 
and have given the matter my closest atten- 
tion to enable me to form an impartial and 
reliable opinion regarding this vexed question. 
On the several occasions I have been present 
during the sale of the small breaks, I found 
that from thirty to forty buyers remained for 
them. In all cases the competition was keen. I 
sat throughout, I may say, the whole of the 
record sale of November 3rd, when over 30,000 
packages passed the hammer, and found after 
all, the competition for the small lots (tnough 
their sale did not commence till almost 6 p.m.) 
was brisk, and lots that I was interested in 
realised highly satisfactory prices. I, therefore, 
failed to discover that the small breaks were 
placed at any disadvantage compared with the 
large. Of course it would be different all round 
in a really depressed market, but I am of 
opinion that large breaks at the main auction 
would he affected equally with the small. We 
hear of small lots having heen withdrawn from 
auction and 2d. per lb. more obtained for them 
by private contract next day, but the same 
applies to large breaks. One small Darjeeling 
garden, which has about the highest, i f not 
the very highest, average of the season, has 
sold numerous small hreaks, and the proprietor has 
failed to discover any drawback in the manner 
in which the sales have had to be offered. — or, 
"O. Furlough" in H. & C. Mail. 
CEYLON TEA IN AUSTRALIA. 
(From Alfred Harvey <fc Co.'s Tea Report.) 
Melbourne and Sydney, Jan. 8. 
General. — A steady trade has continued through- 
out all but the holiday portion of the month, the 
market maintaining a firmness for almost all grades. 
Several small shipments ex early steamers from 
Foochoo were somewhat erratically placed on the 
market, and sold within a few minutes of samples 
being shown, through importers accepting prices 
below market rates. Since the holidays shipments 
ex " Tsinan " have been shown, and fair sales 
effected, 2,400 half-chests of fair common at 5Jd to 
good medium at OJd going in one line. 
Indians continue firm at last month's quotations, 
but only 3,000 chests have been sold publicly, im- 
porters are still chary of printing at present rates, 
and shipments show no sign of increasing, there 
being still about 1,000,0001b. less than at same time 
last year. A small shipment of 1,200 chests is printed 
for Thursday, when somewhat firmer rates are 
looked for. 
Ceylons continue to arrive more freely, the bulk 
at lower costs. These sold as soon as shown ; but 
the badly-bought shipments hang fire, as also do the 
somewhat large accumulations of dusts and fine 
orange pekoes, both these grades showing a marked 
fall in values during the month. 
Ceylon. — Shipments to date are 4,000.000 lb., or 
400,000 ib. less than at same time last year. The 
Colombo market has, in sympathy with the fall 
in values in London, eased materially ; it has, how- 
ever from latest advices, again finned up for com- 
mon and medium grades, making many of the recent 
shipments difficult to place. 
Arrivals have been fully up to the average, and 
sales fairly good. The demand is strong for all 
grades up to pekoes at 9)d, except dusts, which 
arc fully Jd lower; over-supply, in fine qualities 
from lOd to Is 2d, has reduced values from }d to 
Id per lb. 
