5^0 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
[Feb. 2, 1903. 
Nearly the same amonnt of vanilla was exporled in 
1891 as in 1899, and yet the declared value of the vanilla 
of 1899 exceeded the declared value of the vanilla of 
1891 by almost l,O0O,OO()r. In 1901 the quantity of 
vanilla exported exceeded four times the qtuntity 
exported in 1900, and had prices been maintained, the 
dec ared value of the vanilla exported should have 
been over 2,000,0"0r., or four times what it was in 190"; 
but it will be seen that it was not quite twice as much, 
and. as has been pointed out before, the declared value 
probably exceeded the actual value. 
The first year for which there is any record of vawlla 
being exported from Seychelles is 1877, and in this 
yesr the quantity was 60 kilos., valued at 1.195r, The 
next year the quantity exported rose to 147 kilos., 
valued at 2,950i-., but fell in 1879 to 8 kilos., valued nt 
160r. Ia 1880 the <xport of vanilla amounted to 1.713 
kilos., valued at 22,877i-., and from that year Seychelles 
has never looke i hack as a vanilla-producing country. 
— Chemist and Drugr/ist, Dec. 27. 
-■^ — — 
THE BRAZILIAN RUBBER CROP. 
DEVELOPMENT OF Tllli GUTTA PERCHA 
INUUSTUY. 
In a report on the prospects of the Brazilian 
rubber trade the United States Consul at Paia says 
the p litical troubles in the Acre territory have had 
a serious effect upon the rubber trade throughout 
that region, and will undoubtedly result in largely 
reducing the crop. The rubber produced on the lieni 
and the Acre is considered the best that comes to 
Paia, and its loss will therefore be felt by shippers 
and importers alike. 
It is said that the caoutchouc forests of Peru, from 
which nearly the whole supply of this product has 
heretofoi'e been drawn, are practically exhausted, as the 
result of the wasteful methods persued by the gatheiers. 
It appears, however, that there ia an almost inexhaust- 
ible supply of caoutchouc in the little-known regions 
about the Upper Madeira. In the near future, 
GATHKRERS MUST LOOK TO BOLIVIA 
for their supply of this gum. It is understood that 
a strong effort will be made to prevent their destroy- 
ing the trees as in Peru. Experts state that the 
tree can be tapped in a special manner and its 
gum extracted year by year for a long term before 
it becomes exhausted, 
A serious obstacle to the successful production of 
rubber on the head waters of the Madeira is the 
system of taxation now in effect. Rubber merchants 
are charged 23 per cent ad valorem export duty by 
the State of Matto Graoso. The State of Amazonaa 
also charges 23 per cent duty. 
GUTTA PERCHA. 
The supply of balata in sight is said to be so great 
that no fears of a shortage need be entertained for 
yeprs to come, if the business is properly and intel- 
ligently bandied. Experts report that there is not a 
tributary to the Amazon which does not show forests 
of this tree upon its banks. The importance of this 
new industry in Brazil may be realised when it is 
known that the market price of balata is equal to 
that of the best rubber and the coit of production ia 
less than one-tenth that of rubber. 
BALATA HAS ANOTHER ADV;»NTAGE 
in that it does not necessitate the risk of life attend- 
ant npon the gathering of rubber. The balata 
grows upon high ground, as well as on the margins 
of the swampy streams where the fevers luik. It 
ia a comm n saying in Para that every ton of rubber 
from the upper river cost^ two lives. This can never 
be said of balata, for men may work at this industry 
with no greater risk than usually attends any 
labour in the Tropics ; and four men will gather as 
many kilograms of balata per day as thirty men 
can obtain of boracha. 
At present there are three syndicates in the field 
to produce gatta.-percha, one English, one Belgian 
^nd 0B« Qmam,— Commercial IntelH(/cnce, Dee, 25, 
MASKELIYA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
THE ANNUAL REPORT. 
The Chairman— Jitter the notice calling the 
meeting: read, asked the Secretary to read 
the annual report. 
Mr H A Webb— Hon. -Secretary, read the report 
as folio w.< : — 
Your Committee begs to submit to you its 31at 
annual report. 
Four General and four Committee Meetings were 
held, at wiiioh the attendance as usual was good. 
Membership.— The number of estates subscribing 
to the Association, is 6i against 52. 
FiNANCRs.— The balance at cret^it of the Associa- 
tion is R7i2'll as comfared with RTdSMO in 1901. 
Crop Estimate for 1903 is :— Bl ick Tea, 7 436 000 
Green Tea, 350,000.— Total 7,836,000 against' an 
estimate for 1902 of 8,000,000. 
Total Acreage in tea on the district is 18,096. 
Estimated yield in this is at the rate of 4i0 lb 
per acre. 
Season — The very bad flashing weather of the lost 
half of the year has caused a great shrinkage on the 
ont-put of the district and on many cases estimates 
will not be reached. This was rot so much due to 
incessant rainfall as to the long-continued, cloudy, 
cold weather and the great want of sun. Prices 
have generally been rather lower. 
Labour has been sufficient for the needs of the 
district, probably owing to the shortage in the crop 
before-mentioned, 
Upcot-Glenduie Caht Road —This subject, which 
has occupied the attention of 'he Association for a 
long time past, seems at last, in a fpir way to be 
settled. For this the thanks of the Association are 
largely doe to Messrs Craib and Cuff who have taken 
much trouble in the matter. 
Travellers Roads.— The following grants were 
made :— H-ipugastenne Road, RlOO, Siockholm Road 
1160, Nvaiiza Road, R40, Glenugie Roid, R50. HUan- 
goda Road R30. Browulow Road RlO, Emelina- 
Brunswick Road, R25.— Total R315. 
Planters' Rifle CoiiPs.— This continues to be well- 
supported in the district and great interest is shown 
both at drills and on the two ranges. 
Registrr of Estates.— The Tin Ticket system has 
been working on the whole fairly well during the 
year and promises to be of assistance to planters. 
There have been a few complaints about minor 
details connected with it ; but it is only natural that 
slight irregularities should occur at the inception of 
such a scheme, and they are being rectified as atten- 
tion is called to them. 
Ceylon Nursing Association.— This Association 
took the initiative in bringing the claims of the 
C. N. A. more prominently before the Planting Com- 
munity, and it is hoped that much benefit to the Funds 
will result. 
W. A. Braybrooke, 
H. A. Webb, 
Geo. Greig. 
The report was received with applause. 
Calipornian Oranges in London.— Mr. 
Thos. Christy, k.l.s., reports by a recent 
mail : — 
You will, perhaps, be surprised to learn that 
the Navel Orani,'e, which grows near California, 
is being sent to England this year in small 
boxes, most careful y packed, and the price in the 
market is 6J each— small ones Id each. It, cer- 
tainly, is a very fine orange. Those that have 
come in front Jamaica sell at 2d each, taking 
a whole case. They certainly are well packed 
and have arrived here in fine order, 
