4 
In India it lias already a history of over 50 years, and has never been attacked by 
any serious blight or enemy of any sort ; but its production has continued steadily to 
increase as the demand for it extended, until at present about 380,000 acres are under Tea 
culture, and a capital of some ^15,000,000 is embarked in the enterprise. 
In Ceylon, although the industry only dates back some 15 years, its progress has 
been one of uninterrupted success, and the climatic and geological conditions of the 
Island have proved most favourable to its profitable cultivation. About 280,000 acres are 
at present under Tea, representing a capital of some ^11,000,000. 
The fall in the value of Silver, the introduction of machinery, and improved 
means of communication have considerably assisted the Tea planter, and enabled him to 
gradually reduce the cost of production, and consequently to maintain, and in some 
cases even increase his profits, while the price obtained for his produce was 
declining. 
At the present time the industry has every appearance of being thoroughly 
established upon a firm basis, and likely to continue a steady source of revenue, although 
like all agricultural products subject to good and bad seasons; still the Indian and 
Ceylon Tea industries have never yet been confronted with the evil of over production, and 
do not appear in serious danger of such a calamity, with the markets of the world 
before them and no other countries besides China and Japan and Java producing any 
appreciable quantity of Tea. 
If only Tea proprietors will make up their minds as to the absolute necessity of 
strenuous exertions in the direction of fostering these outside demands, there seems little 
danger to the immediate future of the industry. 
Now that so much attention is being bestowed by the public upon Tea 
investments it is more necessary than ever that no precaution should be left untaken 
which will conduce towards the prosperity of an enterprise gradually becoming more and 
more popular among investors, and one which has already done so much towards 
providing lucrative employment for many of our fellow countryme 
natives of the Eastern dependencies of the British Empire. 
GOW, WILSON & STANTON, 
Tea Brokers. 
13, Rood Lane, London, E.C. 
J W. Parkins, Colour Printer, Bury Street, St. Mary Axe, London. 
