is^ov. 1, 1902.1 
TiiE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
34^' 
machinery to mannfaotnre this class of tea, and for 
this purpose, it is essential that the bonns be continued. 
If a larger quantity is made the piice, no doubt, will 
fall temporarily ; therefore the bonus offered should ba 
Bufficiently large to prevent green tea manuf iccurers 
turning their attention to black tea, the moineut che 
price of black tea rises slightly, or the green tea 
market falls. Many are considering the question of 
manufacturing green tea, and any reduction in the 
bonus just now, is, therefore, very undesirable. A 
normal increase during 1903 would show an output of 
" 7 million lb. and on this quantity our funds permit of 
a bonus of 4 cents, per lb. only," But in view of the 
large quantity of faced teas now going forward, which 
appear to be competing favourably in the United 
States with Japan pan fired teas, given sufficient funds, 
a consideratly larger quantity than 7 millions might 
be made next year. The Committee feel they should 
be in a position to encourage to the fullest possible 
extent, any demand for green tea that may arisp, and 
it is for this reason alone, that they ask the permission 
of proprietors to increase the Cess to half-a-cent, per 
lb. It is generally conceded, that in manufacturing a 
considerable proportion of our crop into green tea lies 
our surest chance of improving the present position 
of tea producers and the prospects of success in this 
direction are very promising. Wherever our green 
teas have been introduced, in Afghanistan, Rus.^ia, 
Canada or the United States, the superior cup 
qualities of our tea have been at once recognised, 
llhese markets consume abont 100 millioia lbs- of 
green tea. 
The United States tea duty is to be removed on the 
1st January, and dealers are, in anticipation of this, 
doing a hand-to-month trade, carrying only short 
stocks. This fact combined with the scarcity of Japan 
greens should afford ua a great opportunity, during 
the early months of next year, for placing Ceylon 
green tea on a sound and permanent basis. 
Continent of Eucope. — The progress made on the 
Continent (apart from Russia) is of necessity slow, as 
the majority of the people do not drink tea. The 
small amount consumed is chiefly China, the bulk of 
which is laid down at Hamburg or Bremen at prices 
too low for Ceylon to compete with ; but it is hoped that 
by fteady persistence in pushing our teas, their 
better quality will bring them into use, and the same 
success in displacing China tea be obtained as in 
the case of the United Kingdom, Australia and 
Canada. A Renter telegram, dated London 
Sept. 10, " The trade returns show that the use 
of tea ia steadily increasing in France, is 
encouraging; the reduction of the duty on tea in 
Germany next year should assist also. 
The Committee have apportioned Mr Renton £5,000, 
or R75,000, for his 1903 campaign. 
America. — The following remarks and figures taken 
from one of Messrs Gow, Wilson & Stanton's circulars 
are instructive; — " Considering the condition of the 
Tea trade in the United States and the heavy falling- 
off which took place in imports of other Tea into 
that country, it is encouraging to note that a larger 
quantity of British grown Tea has been taken. Pro- 
spects should be better when the duty which was put 
on as a war tax is finally removed. 
CEYLON TEA TAKEN IN THE UNITED STATES 
AND CANADA. 
1895 • 1896 1897 1898 1899 
8,744,736 4,364,610 5,698,596 7,636,995 8,289,376 
1900 1901 
9,176,684 12,239,918" 
Daring the ?ame period Indian imports increased 
from four millions to seven millions. The above 
figures may be considered very satisfactory, shewing 
as they do a steady increase in the consumption of 
■ Ceylon tea, at a time when the total imports of tea 
into the United States were falling off, as a con- 
sequence of the war tax. With the early removal 
ol this tax, the increasing amount of green tea to be 
jotrcdticea and the represeutation oJ Ceylon at the St, 
Lonis Exhibition in 1901, the Committee feel the efforts 
of our Commissioner cannot at this time be relaxol, 
and that the Campaign iu America should be continued 
at least to the e:id of 1904. We have set aside £7,000, 
or say R105,000 to be spent in Ameiica next year. 
Mr Mackenzie is to be asked to break new ground, 
farther West, in the vicinity of Chicago and 
St Louis. 
Finances, — Estimating the crop next year roughly 
at 160 million pounds, at the present rate of Cess this 
would yield R4BO,000 
add probable balance in hand at end of 1902 R20,000 
R5oo,ono 
of which R470,000 has been voted, as per estimate (A), 
leaving a balance unvoted of R30,000. 
If the Oesa was raised to half-a.cent per lb the 
Committee would be in a position to make provi- 
sion for 12 millions of green tea at 5 cts per lb. 
It may not ba necessary to impose the full amount 
of the increase ; all we desire is that the limit of the 
present Ordinance be raised from 30 cts to 50 perlOG lb 
and that the limit need only be enforced, if the 
money is actually reqnifed for assisting the green tea 
industry. The Cess was introduced in the year 1894, 
for the purpose of increasing the consumption of 
Ceylon Tea in foreign lands, and how far this 
object has been attained, the following figures 
will shew. I again quote from one of Messrs 
Gow, Wilson and Stanton's circulars ; — 
Ceylon tea taken in foreign percentage 
markets, of crop. 
lb. per cent. 
1895 ... 19,923,803 19 
1896 ... 23,466,733 22 
1897 .. 29,131,021 25 
1893 ... 36,066,888 30 
1899 .. 38,438,509 30 
1900 ... 49,259,693 33 
1901 .. 58,797,549 40 
During the same period the Indian exports to 
foreign countries show only an increase from 17 
million to 36 million pounds. " This opening of now 
outlets has practically saved the industry from ruin." 
Indian planters fully recognise the advantage we 
have derived from our Tea Cess, and their long agita- 
tion to obtain a siinilar levy, is likely to be shortly 
accomplished. Steps are being taken to bring abont 
on understanding with the Indian Tea Association, re- 
garding joint action between India and Ceylon wher- 
ever possible, and to thus avoid the wasting of funds, 
by working on contrary line^. 
I shall bo glad it you will kindly put tho above- 
mentioned resolution and connected matter before 
your Association at an early date, I may mention 
that the Hon. Mr W H Figg will be in London 
shortly, and if there at the time of your meeting, ho 
will he glad to explain matters still more fully, and 
give the resolution his support. — I am. Dear Sir, yours 
faithfully. A. C. KINGSFORD, 
Chairman, Planters' Association of Ceylon, 
CARDAMOMS IN CEYLON AND IN 
MYSORE : 
SUPERIOKITY OF THE LATTER. 
Sept. 24. 
Sir,— I notice that certain brands from the 
Native State of Mysore are included in your 
list of sales of ' Ceylon Cardamoms.' I enclose 
cutting of the same. These were shipped per 
• Clan Macintosh,' Please reprint these to show 
that Ceylon is a long way behind Mysore 
still :— 
CEVLON CARDAMOMS. 
' Clan Macintosh.'— CCC in estate mark, 8 cases 
sold at 2s lOd, 1 at 2s lid, 11 at 23 lOd ; CT m 
estate mark, i cases sold at 29 9d, 2 at 23 10a j 
