822 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Juke t, 1895. 
TRAMWAYS ON MOUNTAIN ROADS. 
(To the Editor of the " Engineer.") 
Sir, — In your editorial of last week, under the 
above heading, you draw attention to certain colonial 
requirements, and state that you are not aware that 
light and cheap railways have ever been attem jte-1 
with gradients as steep as 1 in 10 or 12, coincident 
with curves of a few yards radius, without recourse 
to a rack system. 
As bearing in some degree upon this question, will 
you permit me to mention that I have for nearly 
twenty years worked a little line of 15in. gauge which, 
in a quarter of a mile, rises 80ft. with almost con- 
tinuous gradients of 1 in 10 and 1 in 11, the direction 
at one point being reversed by a curve of somewhat 
more than a semicircle with a radius of eight yards, 
the gradient, however, being here reduce! to 1 in 
20. The locomotives at present in use weigh res- 
Eectively 3£ and 5 tons in work. One has a wheel 
ase of 4J ft. with six wheels, the other of 6ft. with 
eight wheels, both being coupled all round. There 
is but little friction on the curves, as the axles work 
radially on a plan you were good enough to illustrate 
in one of your issues for July, 1881. 
The maximum load, of which about two thirds is 
paying, approximately equals the weight of the engine, 
but, as a rule, is somewhat less. The traffic is that 
of a small estate, and consists chiefly of building 
materials, round timber, manure, and earth. In dry 
or thoroughly wet weather the natural adhesion 
suffices, when at all greasy sand has to be freely 
used, but there is never any difficulty in performing 
the work. On a less severe portion of the line, used 
principally for experimental purposes, the larger 
engine has hauled a train, 170 ft. in length, of eight 
bogie carriages, including sleeping and dining oars, 
carrying 121 passengars, up gradients of 1 in 48 and 
1 in 25. On the former of these gradients there is 
a curve, three-fifths of a circle in extent, of fifteen 
yards radius. 
A coefficient of adhesion of 1 to 4$ is readily ob- 
tainable on such small lines, and in good weather 1 
to 4. Regarded financially the difficulty lies not in 
surmounting extreme gradients and curves, but in the 
comparatively small paying load that can be hauled. 
It is of course impossible that this drawback can be 
obviated, whatever may be the motive power em- 
ployed, unless a large proportion of the axles of the. 
train is utilised for adhesion, an alternative pro- 
bably mote costly than a rack rail. 
Dufneld Bank, near A. Percival Heywood. 
Derby, March 26th. 
MR. D. MORRIS ON FIBRES. 
It is to be regretted that the lectures at the 
Society of Arts by Dr. D. Morris, of Kew Gardens, 
were not more fully attended ; for, owing to the terribly- 
depressed state of the sugar market and the possibility 
of the abandonment of sugar in the West Indies, 
it is a matter of vital importance that attention should 
be paid to some other industry, which might pos- 
sibly save the bulk of the sugar estates from being 
thrown out of all cultivation. Those who are unable 
to attend the lectures ought certainly to make a 
point of obtaining copies, as the society intend pub- 
lishing them in extenso, for they will contain most 
valuable and useful information, as Dr. Morris is 
treating the subject very fully indeed. It is not the 
first time that Dr. Morris has submitted proposals 
that have borne excellent fruit. — Colonies and Inlia. 
PLANTING AND PRODUCE. 
Tea Shares. — We have received from Messrs. Gow, 
Wilson and Stanton the April issue of their list of 
the London Tea Companies, with capital and prices, 
which is carefully compiled and gives much useful 
information. We learn that in order to meet the 
wishes of many of their friends they hive opened 
at their office a department for the purchase and sale 
of tea shares where investors may learn all the 
necessary information concerning the state of the 
market and other matters of interest in connection 
with the thaves of tea companies. 
The Quality of Tr.A. — The quality of tea threatens 
to become a " burning question " in the management 
and advertisements of cafe's, hotels, and restaurants, 
says the Grocer. Messrs. Kirklaud Brothers, purveyors 
to the Queen, announced that during Lent, to com- 
memorate the opening of their new cafe, 32, Bold 
Street, Liverpool — next door to the magnificent new 
premises of Messrs. Robert Roberts k Co., Limited 
—they have decided to use the " famous Golden Tip 
tea. This tea has been sold as high as t in per lb. 
and, notwithstanding that the cost will be very 
great, Messrs. R. Roberts & Co. tea merchants, Bold 
Street, have been instructed to procure the finest 
tea in the market regardless of expense." There is 
a fine opening here for an ostentatious presenta- 
tion of trunks, Turkey carpets, bamboo fur- 
niture, frying-pans, "objects of bigotry and virtue, ' 
Ac, also regardless ' of expense. But we suspect that 
Messrs. R. Roberts & Co. (Limited), have been too 
long in the tea trade to adopt sucb modern notions. 
Messrs. Kirkland Brothers also may be too good 
judges of tea to accept gifts in lieu of quality. A 
rival cafe, hotel, and restaurant now comes forward 
and seeks to dilute the above Golden Tip to a 
considerable extent, giving, in fact, the follow- 
ing " straight tip " " As the tea used at the 
above is blended under immediate supervision of an 
expert, ladies can rely on having a good cup of tea 
at thesi- establishments all the year round, and 
equal to any sold elsewhere under fancy names. 
More illustrations might be given to show the in- 
genuity, elegant taste, and fine philanthropic arnnia 
that surround this phase of the tea trade, but space is 
not so expansive as the subject. 
Tea : Public Sale Conditions. — As a result of the 
difference of opinion lately expressed as to the correct 
interpretation of Clause 4, as it now stands, and the 
decision given in the late arbitration case on the 
subject, favouring the view Messrs. Hawes and Co. 
had placed on it, the Committee of the Tea 
Brokers' Association held a meeting on Thursday 
last week. It was agreed that changes were neces- 
sary, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. 
Win. Thompson (Chairman), Robert Moffatt, and F. 
Sutton Hawes, was appointed to meet a sub-com- 
mittee from the Wholesale Tea Dealers' Association 
of Messrs. Salmon, Wiltshire, and W. K. Appleton 
(Mr. R. H. Salmon was prevented from attending 
from ill-health), and three principal representatives 
from the Wavehousekeepers — Messrs Champ. Wil- 
son, and Wrightson — to discuss and amend Clauses 
4 and 5 of the Public Sale Conditions. After a very 
friendly discussion last Friday new rules were framed 
which will be placed before a general meeting of the 
trade, when it is hoped that they will be accepted 
as satisfactory to all parties. That amendments 
were very necessary, the nature of the trade having 
changed so much during the last few years, was re- 
cognised by all, especially to the buyers. 
The Singlo Tea Company, Limited. — The public 
are learning to appreciate tea shares as investments. 
The applications for investment in the Singlo Tea 
Company were so numerous that the amount was 
subscribed threa times over, the shares being literally 
snapped up. — H. and C. Mail, April 12. 
SERD ANG— S UMATR A ; NO. IV.— AN 
INTERLUDE. 
(By an ex-Ceylon Planter.) 
I have up my sleeve much more about Liberian coffee 
for you : but as it is the Javanese new year, let us 
throw coffee to the dogs, for the tinu being, and have 
a small interlude. First, let me say 
NEVER TBAVEL ON A PUBLIC HOLIDAY. 
My first experience was at home. I was travelling 
south and broke the journey at Bedford. The travel- 
ling pulse was normal. But next day was a public 
holiday : and how was a poor old Oriental to know it ? 
Arriving at the station I at on';e lost my luggage 
which WA5 hurled pile mMe into tli2 luggage van. Bat 
thsre was no room forme. The c icriages were clack- 
ing tbeir sides with trippers. "All right, sir; there 
