THE TROPICAL AttmCL'LTURlST. 
{J?oV. 1, 190§. 
tion by seed from trees sfeleeted on the analysis 
on their bark. Ths quantity of quinine distributed 
was the largest on record, a considerable increase 
having taken place in the sale of pice packets 
through the Post Office, which system was ex- 
tended to Mysore Province. Over 9,500 of these 
packets (eacli packet contains 102 five grain 
powders) were sohl this year as compared with 
8,792 ^old in the previous year. The balance sheet 
shows a loss of R7, 293-10 3, a fact which is due 
to the prices charged and realised during the 
year not being sufficient to cover working ex- 
penses. In the future, either the price must be 
raised or the cost of production must be materially 
reduced. In conclusion, the Government in its 
Order tenders its thanks to the staff, one and all, 
but to Mr Standen in particular, "for the atten- 
tive care and : eady resource that finally assured 
thesuccess of new machinery." — M, Mail, Sept. 16. 
CEYLON SPICES IN THE LONDON 
MARKET. 
The following extract from the " London 
Commercial Record " is worth reading, in 
connection with the remarks of a merchant 
which we append to it: — 
" Dealers in Spices may congratulate themselves 
as being about the only people who could boast this 
week of something like activity and good business. 
Not only have Pepper and Ginger maintained their 
rising attitude, but Cinnamon owing to the holding 
of the Quarterly Sales, has craved their attention 
as well. These Cinnamon sales have long ceased 
to be of any great importance, the days when they 
caused a stir in the market are over, yet they form 
an interesting function and not altogether devoid 
of importance to a fairly large proportion of Spice 
dealers and brokers. Cinnamon, like many other 
articles, has ceased to look upon London as the dis- 
tributing centre of the world. It finds its way from 
Ceylondirect to any placeof consumption, be it ever 
so small and be the quantity ever so iiisiguificant, 
Germany, which nseil to procure its requirements 
from London, is now importing direct, and may be 
looked upon as the principal buyer of the spice ; 
V, K. comes next, while Spain and America are 
steadily increasing their imports. To look at the 
steadily decreasing stocks in London, and the ever 
diminishing quantities exposed for sale, one is 
tempted to believe tliac a substitute for the pro- 
duct had been found, and that it is gradually 
dying out of consumption. This is, however, far 
from being the case, As a matter of fact the con- 
sumption, at any rate of quills, has steadily in- 
creased, as is clearly demonstrated by the follow- 
ing figures :— 
1899 .... 2,515,091 lb. quills. 
1900 M. 2,678,111 „ 
1901 ... 2.7.56,270 „ 
and 
1899 1,829.127 lb. chii)S. 
1900 ... 1,863,406 ,, 
1901 ... 1,516,033 ,, 
America seems to cultivate an increasing taste 
for this delicious spice, for no less than 358,300 11?. 
were exported to that country during IQ'il, as 
agaiust 259,425 lb. in the previous ye\\: The 
greater pari goes on to San Fi ancisco, w hence it is 
distributed over (iJentral America. In spite of the 
apparent increasing demand prices have steadily 
declined, and we doubt very much whether anybody 
has appreciably benefited by his operations in Cin* 
namon. We heard usual assortment had been sold 
recently at SJd c.i.f., a price, to judge from the 
values rulinat in Ceylon, clearly proving the antici- 
pation of still lower figures. The same opinion as 
to the future seems to be ruling in our market as 
well, for we doubt if an offer even at 8d c i.f. would 
find a buyer. The auctions passed off with a fair 
<lemand ; of the 825 bales exposed for sale, 517 
changed hands, but prices could not be maintained 
and holders had to agree to a decline of from Jd to 
3d per lb. according to quality. Since the auctions 
extreme quietness has ruled supreme, aad even 
Colombo has not thought it advisable to try our 
market with an offer of any sort. Now the sales 
are over. Dealers in spices can bestow their entire 
attention upon the more remunerative branch of 
the trade once more." 
On this .a local correspondent remarks: — 
" In place of the value of Cinnamon having 
gone down in Ceylon since the last quarterly 
sales in London, prices of usual assortment 
have improved quite Jd to Jd per lb. So much 
for the influence of the London sales on the 
Colombo Cinnamon Market. How have the 
mighty fallen ! 
" Some day it will be the same with Tea if 
the enormous dock charges in London are not 
reduced." 
DUTY ON TEA IN RUSSIA. 
The following letter from Mr Renton to the 
Chairman of the P. A. has been placed at oar 
disposal ; — 
Berlin, August 28th, 1902. 
Dear Mr. Kingsfokd, — The Moscow papers of 
August 8th old time and 19th new time quote from 
the " Official Messenger" an Imperial decree raising 
the Customs duty on black flowery (?) green and 
yelloiv (?) teas imported into Russia via the Soni- 
rechensk. Steppe, Irkutsk and Amonr general 
governorships from roubles 22 '50 to 25"50 per pound. 
The Ouatoms Authorities are to ba informed by 
telegraph of the immediate enforcement of the 
above. The decree states the above increase ia 
temporary pending consideration of this question 
by the State Council. It is due, continues the de- 
cree, to the considerable dexrease of expenses 
incurred in the delivery into Russia of Chinese tea, 
thanks to the Manchurian and Siberian Railways, 
thus necessitating more conformity between cost of 
sea and overland freight. The section of the Tariff 
affected is section 20, para 2. This increase 
ought to help Ceylon teas all the more, I think. — 
Yours sincerely, (Sigued) J. H, RENTON 
A. C. Kingsford, Esq., Rookwood. 
A Nkw Varikty of Pepper.— Pepper, being a 
comparatively higli-priced commodity owing to the 
fact that it grows only in a few countries, is 
subject to much adulteration. For this reason 
a report recently made by Professor Moissan, of 
Paris, is of impoitanee. This report states that a 
new variety of pepper has lately been imported from 
Kissi, ia French West Africa, on the borders of 
Liberi.H, which has been called Piper Feniiohoni, 
Heekel, after two investigators, one an army 
surgeon, the other a botani-it. Dr. B iriTe, princi- 
pal chemist to one of the Paris hospitals, has 
eKaniiried the seeds and found that they yield 
a higl'ly aromatic reddish-brown powder, rich in 
esseni ial oil, and with pecu'iar characteristics He 
considers this variety of pepper an acquisition 
among the useful plants.— CAe/wes^ a/j^^ Dniqgist, 
August 30. 
