■Tax. 1, 1901.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
499 
ammouia. The latter, however, is a highly ad- 
vantaeeous manure for spring application, along 
with phosphatie and potas^ic materials, and while 
nitrate of soda usually gives the better yield as 
measured by bulk, sulphate of ammonia is the 
more efficacious in improving the quality of the 
crop. The selection of the nitrogenous dressing is 
distinctly a matter for careful and intelligent dis- 
crimination, and not, as is often supposed, one 
on which the fancy of the individual may be 
humoured with impunity. — The Field. 
SUNSPO'lS AND RAINFALL, 
Among the papers presented at the meeting of 
the Eoval Society, wa-s one by Sir Norman Lockyer 
and Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer on " S )lar changes of 
temperature and variations in rainfall in the region 
surrounding the Indian Ocean." 
Pulses op Rainfall. — The authors' object in study- 
lug rainfall was to ascertain whether the plus and 
minus temperature pulses in the sun were echoed 
by plus and minus pulses of rainfall on the earth. 
Indian Famines. — Unless the pulses either over- 
lapped or became continuous, there would obviously 
be intervals between the ending of one and the 
beginning of another. The plus and miyitis pulses, 
to which attention had chiefly been directed, were 
limited in duration, and when they ceased the 
quantity of water falling in the Indian area was 
not sufficient without water storage for the purposes 
of agriculture. They were followed, therefore, by 
droughts, and subsequently, at times, by famines. 
Thus, tiiking the period from 1877 to i8S9, there 
was rain from the mitvus pulse in 1877-78-79 (part) ; 
no rain pulse in 1879 (part)-80-81 (pan) ; rain from 
plus pulse in 1881 (part) 82-83-84 (part); no rain 
pulse in 1884 (part)-86-87 ; and rain from the ?Jii?iits 
pulse in 1887 (part) 88-89. All the Indian famines 
bince 1836 had occurred in these intervals, carried 
back in time on the assumption of an 11 ytar cycle. 
Thus, taking 1880 as the central year on the ascend- 
ing curve, it was itself a year of famine in Madras 
and the North-W est Provinces ; also 
1880 minus 11=1869, N,W.P. famine (1868-69) 
1869 minus 11=1858, N. A'.P. famine (1860) 
1858 minus 11=1847, 
1847 minus 11=1836, Great famine in Upper India 
(1837-38). Again, taking 1885-1886 as the central 
years on the descending curve :— 
1885-86, Bengal and Madras famines 
(1884-85) 
(1885-86) minus 11=1874-75, N.W.P. famine (1873-74) 
Bombay famine (1875-76) 
Bombay and Upper India 
famines (1876-77; 
(1874-75) minus 11=1863-64, Madras andOrissa famines 
(1865 66) 
(1863-64) minus 11=1852-58, Madras famine (1854) 
It was clear from this tsble that if as much had 
been known in 1836 as was known now, the pro- 
b.ibility of famines at all the subsequent dates in- 
dicated might have been foreseen. The dates might 
also be carried forwara from 1880 ; thus — 
1880 plus 11=1891, N.W.P. famine (1890) 
Madras, Bomb '.y, and Ben- 
gal famines (1891-92) 
(1885-88) plus 11=1896-97, General famine 
Famine years in India were usually years of levy 
flo'-.d in Egypt, and it might be pointed out that the 
highest Niles followed, at an interval of one or two 
ypars, the years of the plus and minus pulses. 
As to the great Indian famine of lasti year, the 
widened line curves, so far from having crossed in 
1897 or lh98, as they ought according to the few 
precedents available, had not crossed even now ; in 
other words, the condition of ordinary solar mean 
temperature had not even yet been I'eached. Now 
In iia in a normal cycle was supplied from the 
southern ocean during the minimum sunspot period, 
and the rain was due to some pressure effect brought 
about in high southern latitudes by the sun at 
minus temperature. But as this temperature con- 
dition was not reached in 1899, as it would have 
been in a normal year, the rain failed. Thus the 
only abnormal famine recorded since 1836 occurred 
precisely at the time when an abnormal effect of 
an unprecedented maximum of solar temperature 
was revealed by the study of the widened lines. — 
London Times, Nov. 23id. 
INDIAN TEA OX THE CONTINENT. 
Turkey.— M\\ George Gatheral lias been engaged 
as the Agent, of the Association in Constantinople, 
as suggested by Mr. Harington. I would suggest 
eon'^ignnients be sent to an addre.ss 1 would give 
in Syra, where the tea would lie in bond, and we 
would then avoid paying duty and being forced 
to sell to save such duty while I could direct 
such sales as made to Trebizonde or Ku.ssia. 
Holland,— TUq London Ciimniittee have re.solvpd 
to assist the National Tea Union, as recommended 
by Mr. Harington, by contributing an equal 
amount of money to that fund by them for the 
purpose of advertising in Holland," up to a sum 
of £300. [Surely this is a mistake ! We have 
always said that the Java tea-planters should 
exploit Holland and send none of their tea« to 
London.— Eo. CO.] 
Italif. — The London Committee have authorised 
Mr. Harington to suggest to Miss Babbington 
(English Tea Rooms) a grant of a sum of £50 to- 
wai^ds advertising and pushing Indian tea in Rome. 
Germany.— 'Vhe London Committee although 
they fear they cannot start a tea house as proposed 
by Mr. Harrington, are willing to subsidise a firm 
which might be prepared to initiate one. The 
matter is still engaging their attention. 
My own wish and aim is — 
1. To secure a General Agency in Germany for 
the Indian Tea Association. 
2. To establish an "Indian Tea House" in 
Berlin where tea can be sold both in cup and packet. 
3. This to form a distributing centre for all 
Germany, opening branch agencies in all chief 
towns, and being charged with care of extensive 
advertisement, supervised by myself. 
4. The cost of such advertisement up to a sum 
not exceeding say £500 per annum for a fixed 
peiiod of three to Kve years to be paid by the Asso- 
ciation, subject to conditions, The founding and 
first year's cost of the "Tea House" in Berlin 
also to be borne by the Association up to a lump 
sum not exceeding £1,500. 
5. Supply of tea, chiefly Indian, and in any case 
British-giown only, to be arranged through myself, 
who will undertake all working details and be res- 
ponsible to the Association — 
{a) For quality of tea supplied submitting 
saniple. 
(&) For control of advertisement and general 
supervi.sion in the Association's intei-est. 
I regret that up to the present no arrangements 
on the.-ic lines hf.ve been completed ; further 
negotiations cm, however, be carried on and may 
be brought to a practical result in course of time. 
— Indian Planters'' Gazt tie. 
SOURCES OF TEA SUPPLY. 
(To the Editor of the Neiv York Herald). 
The news from India of a short rainfall in the 
tea districts, published and commented upon in the 
jETecoM _is ^of (^considerable interest to the public aa 
well as to the trade. 
