Dec. 1, 1900.] THE TEOPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
405 
size of a shilling. Be sure you cut out the scratch 
made by both fangs of the snake. If you cannot 
pinch up the skin, stick a pin or anything else 
to lift it up ; but in any way cut or dig out the 
piece. Any knife — whether pen or table knife — 
will answer. Have no fear of tlie consequence of 
your cut : there is no artery near the surface 
that you need be apprehensive of opening. A 
bandage will therefore stop any bleeding that 
may follow. Cut, however late, and cut boldlj^ 
for life often depends upon your doing so. Liquor- 
Ammonite in 20 or oO drop doses should also be 
given every hour or every two or three hours, 
according to tlie urgency of the symptoms. Pain 
is first complained of in the part bitten, which 
rapidly extends upwards ; pain is also complained 
of in the belly, aftevvards breathing becomes 
laborious, an impediment in swallowing is felt ; 
and tlie pulse and respiration become barely 
perceptible, before dissolution takes place. 
Spasms are sometimes recognized. Bites from 
tlie Tic Polonga are sometimes followed by dis- 
charges of blood from the stomach. 
There have been many na^rrow escapes of 
Europeans from snakes in Ceylon : one of the 
most thrilling was that of the V. A- in 
Belihuloya resthouse who found on lifting 
his pillow in the morning, a good-sized cobfa 
curled round his gold-watch and which had 
probably been undei- his head most of the 
night ! — It is truly surprising that poor 
Mr. White did not at once take some 
step to deal with the bite on his arm. We 
trust the warning his case affords will be 
widely noted. 
GOOD NEWS FOR CACAO PLANTERS. 
Good news for Ceylon planters of cacao 
will be found embodied in the "special re- 
port" from Mr. H. Hamel Smith given 
below. Discussing the prospects for 1901, 
the writer considers an increased sup- 
]3ly of the product is necessary, and he is 
almost certain that prices are to go higher. 
Considering the careful study which our 
correspondent bestows on the market and 
countries of production for cocoa, much re- 
liance may be put on his judgment and 
estimates. It is tr>ue that he points oxit how 
higher prices may check the retail trade, 
and pleads for the maintenance of average 
moderate rates ; but really does it not seem 
as if the retail prices of cocoa, as well as 
of tea, coffee, &c., have run too low ; and 
that considering the good wages of the 
working classes, a little stiffening^ all round 
should do no harm ? In any case, to judge 
by the crop and other statistics given, thei'e 
is encouragement tor Ceylon planters to 
extend their cultivation, if only suitable land 
and the vigorous, suitable kind of plant are 
available. North America is fast on the 
way to become a great cocoa-consuming coun- 
try ; but as Americans cannot get the supply 
fast enough, we trust that many will turn 
theii; attention in that country to good Ceylon 
tea. 
COCOA PROSPECTS FOR 1901. . 
AN INCREASED SUPPLY NECESSARY. 
,'By Harold Hamel Smith.) 
As far as can be judged, cocoa prospects for 
1901 point to the world's supply being lai-ger 
than this year's, but not equal to the receipts 
of 1899 ; yet in spite of this prices are likely 
to go higher. 
In proportion to the supplies received in 
1899 it will, I think, be found to work out 
as 94 against 102, or about ten per cent less. 
Compared to this year (1900), counting teh 
year as from January to December, the 
Guayaquil and African crop will be larger ; 
"Other West Indian," Bania and Carupano 
about ten per cent larger all round, whilst 
in Trinidad, Colombia and Para, I expect 
to see a decrease. 
The crop of the whole of the Island of" 
Hayti or San Domingo, which comprises Sa- 
mana, Sanchez and Jeremie, is an unknown 
quantity, and though it has beoine an im- 
portant one, it seems no trouble is taken 
keep a record of the number of bags that are 
shipped each year ; hence it is often used, 
like the boy who stands in the centre of a 
seesaw, to "bull" or "bear" the market, 
according to the \^ish of the speculator. By 
some it is estimated at 50,000 bags, whilst 
others say that it must be nearly 200,000 bags! 
Those in whom I have most confidence put 
it at 75,000 to 80,000 bags. Lately attempts 
have been made to use the Cuban crop in 
the same way ; but from all accounts this crop 
vfill be unimportant for some years to come. 
On the other hand although next years 
receipts are likely to exceed this year's, as I 
have already said, I believe the average price 
of cocoa 
WILL BE HIGHER. 
That is not to say that at times, owing 
to pressure to sell for financial or 
other reasons, spells of low prices may 
not occur ; but that at the end of next 
year manufacturers will find that the average 
price of the cocoa they have purchased during 
the year (1901) will cost them, say 4s to 5s, 
higher all round, than what they paid in 
1900, — same as this year it has cost them, 1 
am told, about 7s dearer (71s against 64s), 
than it did in 1899. A most satisfactory out- 
look, the planter will say; but if he goes into 
the matter properly, he will find that it is 
better for his interest to keep prices more on 
a parity, say at 72s to 75s for good red Tri- 
nidads, than to have it at 85s one year, and 
at 65s and even 45s the next, and this can 
only be done by keeping the market sufii-^ 
ciently supplied with the raw material to 
prevent its being pinched ; otherwise the high 
price will drive a large number of the smaller 
makers out of the trade, and instead of having 
as now, more buyers than sellers, there will 
be plenty of sellers, but only a few buyers. 
The reason why cocoa is likely to go dearer 
next year is not so much that the present 
rate of increase in the consumption will be 
augmented to any unexpected degree; but to 
the fact that last year manufacturers made 
very large purchases which enabled them to 
store up, in their private warehouses of 
which no returns are published, large invi- 
sible stocks, which not only rendered them 
independent of the market and enabled them 
to buy only when it suited them to do so 
but these stocks being an unknown quantity, 
pi'evented accurate estimates being made of 
what raw material there was on hand, and 
had a depressing effect on the market. B"^ 
next year 
