THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
[Jan. 1, IDOI. 
net average of the Company's Teas has fallen from 
6.78d. to 6.21cl. per lb. ; during the same period ex- 
chaD£;e showed an advance, and Freights were on a 
par with those of 1898-99. 
Your Directors have to report a shortage in the crop 
of cocoa marketed from the Alloowiharie and North 
Matale Groups. The estimates framed at the com- 
mencement of the season for these properties provided 
for 2,400 cwts., but the intake therefrom amoauted 
to only 1,436 cvpts. This shortage, in the opinion 
of your board, is mainly attributable to the abnor- 
mal weather experienced, but there is no doubt that 
"canker" is also responsible in a measure. Every 
precaution is taken to prevent the disease from 
spreading, and latest advices from the affected pro- 
perties (North Matale and Alloowiharie) are to the 
effect that it is becoming less prevalent ; the Cocoa 
on your other properties is, so far, quite free from 
disease. 
During the financial year a total sum of 1128,000 
has been spent on Manure and its application to 
Tea and Cocoa, the whole of which expenditure has 
been charged to Bevenue ; it is intended to continue 
generous treatment. 
A census of Coconut trees was taken at close of the 
year, shewing a total number of 40,193 planted 
amongst other products ; this is equal to 5.30 acres 
at the rate of 76 trees per acre. 
Tea. — The Market opened after the turn of the year, 
with a good general demand, and steady prices for 
neatly all descriptions. In the early spring months 
the Trade were much engaged with clearances, in 
anticipation of a rise in Duty, This actually took 
place, to the extent of 2d per lb, in March, after which 
there was less disposition shewn to purchase, and as 
supplies at Auction continued abundant, with a large 
percentage of poor liquoring and and unattractive par- 
cels offering, the average gradually declined until. June, 
when it stood at 6id per lb ; by that time the value of 
common leafy kinds had from January 1st fallen from 
6d to 5d per \h, Later on some improvement was dis- 
cernible in quality, and although Public Sales re- 
mained heavy, this, together with actual reduced ship- 
ments and smaller telegraphic estimates, somewhat 
restored confidence, so that the result became gradually 
more favourable, the average being 7Jd per lb for the 
month just ended. 
From 1st January to 31st ultimo 1,111,700 packages 
of Estate Tea passed through the Mincing Lane Sale 
Eooms, realising 7Jd. per lb,, agaiust 8d. per lb, for 
964,500 packages, and 711 per lb. for 984,300 packages, 
in the corresponding ten months of the two preceding 
years. 
The most noticeable feature presented by the 
Market throughout a great part of the period under 
review was the depressed condition of medium gra^^es 
quotations for which, at times, were but little re- 
moved from those current for good common and fair, 
partly attributable to the uti rttractive selection sent 
home. For really choice flavoured invoices there was 
a good enquiry throughout. In view of the anticipated 
increase in the year's output to 142 million lb., con- 
trasted with total shipmeufcs from the 
Island in 1899, which wjre 129 million lb,, 
it is satisfactory to notice that the growing de- 
mand from outside quarters has induced larger ship- 
ments from London to meet it, and also brought about 
more direct business from Colombo with Australasia, 
Russia, and America, the amount sent from the 
Island to these countries for the first nine months of 
the year being — 
TO AUSTRALIA. 
1900. 
12,894,000 lb. 
6,657,000 lb. 
8,463,000, lb. 
1899. 
11,907,000 lb. 
TO RUSSIA. 
2,719,000 lb. 
TO AMERICA, 
2,344,000 lb. 
1898. 
11,259,000 lb. 
1,915;000 lb. 
1,870,000 lb. 
COCOA.— it IS gratifying to report that prices this 
year have attained a higher level than those of any 
time since 1893. the advance having been gradual and 
continuous, mainly attributable to the increasing 
general demaui, and the falling-off in supplies froni 
the island which have been about 40 per cent Ipug 
than last yefr, and about 30 per cent less than 1898. 
The quality has shewn no improvement upon last 
year's oiit-tum, parcels of good and fine bright r^-d 
being again in em ^1 proportion to the bulk of tiie 
crop, and consequently the attractive lots hav^ 
realized good prices. A parcel from the Company's 
Alloowiharie B-?t:ite obtained 102s 61 percwt, being {he 
highest pricw of the season, and ab jve any secured 
Since 1893. Thefu ure of the article appears favout- 
abl?, coiunmption shews a continuous 'improvement 
and a further increase in production would not mate- 
rially affect values. 
AcREAGEs.-The following Statemant shews the 
approximate acreage of the Company's Properties at 
Name of Estate. 
Alloowiharie Groap 
Andangodd^ Estate 
Fetteresso Estate 
New Peradeuiya Est 
North Matale Group 
Owella Estate 
Kickartou Estate 
Strathisla Group 
Forest Land 
Tea. 
Cocoa. 
a ^ 
>> 
m 
?> 
■S .5 
a ^ 
Uj o * 
<N 
o 
117i 
97 
263 84 
16i 
160 
5 
405 
382| 
17i 2 
18 
13 
376 
721 10 
13 205* 
2 
12 
526 
58 
48 
114 
91| 82i 
46i 76 208i 2,060| 1,106^ 383i 
2.391i i,489i 
* And Tea. 
o 
O 
Alloowiharie Group... 
Andangodde Estate... 
Fetteresso Estate . . 
New Peradeniva Est. 
North Matale Group., 
Owella Estate 
Eickarton Estate 
Strathisia Group 
Forest Land 
116i 
85 
1^ a 
w a 
0^ c- 9 
15 
28 
54i 
354 
239 
56 
5i 
430 
O C3 
ci 
692| 
176i 
438 
458.i 
1,577" 
457 
596 
4381 
430 
201J 1,181 1 5,264i 
N.B.— In the acsence of detailed surveys these 
figure^ as mentioned above, are approximate only 
^U am u K ^ Oorn^.^j's Estates, and 
2t,5,0 0^bfmm bonoht leaf and Tea m ,de for o:hers 
IX 9 f ;,2in,5 0 lb. The 0,-op of Cocoa is estimated 
tobe2,l 5^-wts, At the higher elevations the intake 
of if ., at date shews a ma-ke-l falling-r,ff as compared 
With last year, but your Directors trust the uresent 
shortage will be overtaken It is too soon to ' sneak 
With any certainty regarding -loooa, but, given favour- 
able we ither, it is hoped that a fair Autumn Crop 
Wil! b harvested. " 
By Order of the Board, JAMES WILSON, Chair, 
man, ALFRED E, LOCK, Secretary. 
