Oct. 1, 1902.] THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTl^RIST. 
255 
TRADE FOR FIRST HALF OF 1902. 
Tea Exports. — Quantity. — The total output for the 
sir months was 78,291,151 lb against 79,010,338 for the 
same period last year. Of this, 56,320,866 lb were 
shipped to the United Kingdom against 59,113131, a 
decrease of 2,792,265 lb, while shipments to Kussia, 
China, Amerioa and Africa shew an increase of about 
3J millions and to Australia a decrease of about one 
million. The quantity of Taa offered in public sale 
in Colombo was 28,805,342 lb against 26,620,270 lb for 
the uame period last year. Quality.— The quality 
though not as good as last year, has been up to the 
usual average. 
Prices. — The average prices at the Colombo Sales 
have been better than those that obtained for the same 
months in 1901. 
Average 90 .. .. 31-52 
„ 1902 .. .. 33 81 
L)uring the earlier part of the year prices ruled from 
33 cents to 37 cents against 27 to 35 cents, but the posi- 
tion was reversed for two Sales at end of March and 
early April, but resumed the higher range during 
April and May, falling 1 to 2 cents in June below 1901. 
The prioe of Common "Leaf" Teas has been fairly 
\re\l maintained all through the half-year, but Medium 
Teas have suffered in consequence, and have shewn 
excsptionally good value to buyers, particularly during 
the months of May and June. Fine Teas have com- 
manded good prices all along. One of the chief 
features of the Sales has been the price of Dust, 
which during the latter part of the half-year rose to 
26 and 27 cents, having been bought by Russian Firms 
for shipment to China, to be manufactured into 
" Brick " Tea, 
Green Tea. — There has been a material increase 
in the quantity manufactured, viz., as per Thirty Com- 
mittee returns 1,414,391 lb against 677,887 in 1901. 
The prices for this class of Tea have fallen from the 
good rates ruling early in the year, but the demand 
Kt present quotations is good, having apparently been 
Btimnlated by the reduction in price. 
Plumbago opened the new year with a sharp re- 
covery in value, and a considerable amount of business 
was transacted at these higher prices, chiefly in the 
direction of the United States of America, which have 
taken about 3,090 tons more than during the same 
period in 1901, The advance has since been lost to a 
great extent, except for best kinds; these seem to ba 
Bcarce and are fairly, firmly held for price. Exports 
amoaated to cwtg. 264.804 in 1902, against cwts, 
187,437 in 1901, and nearly reached the record figure 
established in 1899. Evidently mining operations are 
stimulated by higher prices, as the increased quanti- 
ties exported coald have hardly all come out of local 
stocks. 
Cinnamon, — This trade has been dragging. Values 
have kept fairly steady and are practically unchanged. 
The exports during the six months amount to :— 
Quills 749,059 lb against 789,822 lb in 1901. 
Chips 742,618 „ j, 619,845 „ 
Produota of the coconut palm show the following 
exports ;— 
1902. 901, 
Coconut Oil cwt. 168,148 cwt. 155,810 
Copra „ 115,119 „ 135,940 
Desiccated Coconuts lb. 5,565364 lb. 6,907,531 
Poonac cwt. 67,505 cwt. 51,937 
Coconuts nuts 7,512,186 nuts. 9,170,807 
Coconut Oil. — The United Kingdom and India 
continue to take the bulk of our production, but 
lately an increased export has again sprung up for 
the United States of Amerioa. 
CoPBA exports have slightly fallen behind. 
Prices have been very high all through the six 
months for both oil and copra, and although they 
have dropped somewhat, they must still be con- 
sidered highly satisfactory to those that have in- 
vested in ooconats. 
Poonac exports are higher> iu sympathy with the 
iactease^ export of oU< 
93 
Cocoa keeps about up to last year's quantity 
shipped : — 
1902 cwt. 26,020 1 
1901 „ 28,532 5 fi"^^' ^''^ months. 
Prices have experienced a drop and the businea^ 
in this article eeeras lo have been dull. 
Mr. Benton, the Tea Uommissiouer for the Con- 
tinent, has suggested a different mode of prepara- 
tion for the Continental iVIarketa, and if -this hint 
is being acted upon by planters, it may lead to- 
wards our product coming more into favour there 
and ensuring a better price. 
Cardamom shipments are considerably ahsad of 
last year; 
314,133 lb. against 248,252 lb. 
and prices have suffered a considerable drop since 
the commencement of 1902. 
The shipping visiting this port is apparently still 
steadily on the increase and approximately 10 pee 
cent more than in 1901. 
Fbeiqhts. —Merchants were startled during the 
course of the period under review by a combina- 
tion ot the British Ship Owners interested in the 
business of this Port being formed in England. 
At first this move was viewed with little favour, 
local shippers fearing it would naturally lead to 
an enhancement of freights. However, so far, their 
apprehensions have not been realised; the combi- 
nation has been at work now several months and 
freights are practically what were before. 
Cotton Goods. — Cotton has fluctuated greatly 
during the period under review, Upland Middling 
opening at 4 17-32d in January against 5 17-32d at 
the beginning of 1901, 53d being recorded at the 
end of April this year and 4 31-32 at the end of 
June. Futures are quoted steadily lower as far as 
March-April next, a record American corp being ex- 
pected. Exports of cloth to Oeylon from the United 
Kingdom during the six months ended 30th June 
show a very large falling off, costs apparently vary- 
ing much in relation to cotton prices, while local 
values have been much as they were at the be- 
ginning of the year, lines in short-supply doing 
slightly better, others showing a somewhat weaker 
tendency. 
Rice.— Prices opening in January with B3'45- 
R3-86 for Soolye receded slowly to B3 10-R3-70 in 
February, recovered slightly in March and closed 
firm at the end of June R3-28-R3-50. 
The total importation for the six months was-"* 
1902 .. .. 1,469,957 bags. 
1901 .. ,., 1,343,440 do. 
The local market has been very firm during tha 
past half-year, and this has led to the introduction 
of inferior qualities to suit tha demand for cheap 
rice for the planting districts. 
Coal, — Imports have received a check and have 
fallen behind last year's quantity. 
Cardiff ... ... 180,029 tons. 
Indian ... 137,229 „ 
Others ... ... 476 „ 
Total... 317,734 „ 
against 342,625 tons in 1901. With lower price.'! ruling 
Cardiff coal has pushed a certain amount of Indian 
coal out of the market, as steamers are taking by 
preference the comparatively dearer article and 
thereby ensuring better quality, saving of labour, Arc, 
which compensates for the difference in price. 
Exchange. — The year opened with six months 
sight credit bills quoted at 1, 4 13-32, and Bank demand 
drafts 1/4 1-32. A temporary advance of l-32ud took 
place about the middle ot January, but was of short 
duration, and rates reverted to the former figure 
and remained steady till toward the end ot February, 
when 1/4 7-16 was again touched for sis months' credits. 
During March-April rates steadily gave way, and »ix 
paouths' credit^ were freely bought alj 1/19-32, Ihis 
