THE TIIOPICAL 
AGRICTJLTtTRIST. [fm 2, 1903. 
INDIAN PATENTS. 
No. 502, — Oliarles George Landseer Judge, 
journalist', of 47, Free School street, in the town 
of Calcutta. An iniproTed inachine for colouring 
and finishing green teas by the process known as 
panning. 
No. 503. — William Lennox, tea planter, of 
Luskerpore Tea Company, Limited, Chandpur 
Bagan, Soutli S.ylhet, Y'lssam, in British India. A 
new, or improved sifter and ball breaker for tea 
leaf and the like. — Home paper: 
SAMOA. 
The Chief Justice and Governor of Samoa, 
under the German dispensation (the Hon. Dr. W 
H Solf), passed through Sydney this week to take 
up his duties after a 12 months' vacation. He 
came to Sydney in the " Tanglin " after visiting 
China, Java, the Philippine Islands, and New 
Guinea, and probably the information he obtained 
there will be turned to account at Apia, as, 
according to the ruler of Samoa, it is intended to 
introduce Chinese or Javanese labourers to do 
planting and general coolie work for the Samoans, 
Of course Fiji is already fall of Indian, Chinese, 
and Japanese coolies working the sugar planta- 
tions, and at Noumea they are trying similar 
blends in the mines, but it is impo,ssible to escape 
a feeling of regret that — as is inevitable — the- 
Samoan type which II L Stevenson and all others 
who have lived at the islands learned to love 
should be subject to the intermixture and con- 
tamination inevitable where such labour is im- 
ported. Dr. Solf is quite a historical character 
in Samoan affairs. He was president of the 
Triple Alliance Council — England, A'.nerica, and 
Germany —before the war, and German Governor 
since the main island was apportioned to Germany 
three years ago. He has faith iu the industrial 
development of the country, and it is the spirit 
of the age to place industrial development first. 
—Sydney Mail, Dee. 31. 
THE WYNAAD PLANTERS' 
ASSOCIATION. 
THE ANNUAL MEETING. 
We extract the follovi'ing from the Minutes of 
the Proceedings of the Annual and General 
Meeting iield at Meppadi Club, on the 7th insc. ; — 
Present : — Messrs. Abbott, Atzenwiler, Day, 
Mackinlay. Eomilly, Taylor, Waddington, West, 
and B. Malcolm, Honorary Secretary. Mr. G 
llomilly in the Chair. 
The' Honorary Secretai-y read the Annual Keport 
for 1902. 
fFEOM THE ANNUAL REPORT.] 
Pepper Disease.— After two years of almost 
incessant agitation we have received the good news 
that the Government of Mad I' US litis sanctioned 
Mr. Barber visiting the district, and arrangements 
for his tour have just been concluded. Though 
much valuable time has been lost, atid the disease 
ha- made rapid strides, we musfc hope Mr Barber 
will succeed in suggesting a cure. No small share of 
our thanks are due to His Excellency the Governor 
tor this aid, and we also owe our thanl* to Mr 
AVindlc, of the Nilgiris, for representing the matter 
to His Excellency in person. 
Duties : British Import Duty on Tea.— The 
Resolution passed at the last U P A S I Meeting 
has so far resulted in the matter having been re- 
ferred by the Indian Tea Association to its London 
Committee. That hesitating body is considering 
the best means of approaching the Chancellor of 
the Exchequer. It is to be hoped that it will be 
able to solve the problem in time to approach him 
before the new Budget is framed. Seeing the pro- 
mise made to the Ceylon Association some two 
years ago it is difficult to understand the diffidence 
with which this matter is being taken up. 
French Import TARiff.— It was decided at 
Bangalore "that as the matter was receiving the 
attention of Government, we confidently left it in 
its hands," 
In the meantime the Ceylon Government has 
arranged matters for the Island and the Chairman 
of the U P A is taking action in referring the 
matter again to the Government of India. 
Coffee Cess.— A fair number of Members in 
this district have agreed to support this Cess on 
the condition that the scheme, when published, 
meets with their approval. 
Tea Cess. — The Cess we agitated for is being 
allowed by the Government of India and it is 
intended that it should come into force on the Isb 
April. Our effort to obtain a larger share of re- 
presentation for S. India has not been successful 
and it now remains with us to decide whether in 
our opinion both the representatives allotted us 
should be planters, or one ot them a Member of 
the Madras Chamber of Commerce, which body has 
consented to appoint one of its number if required. 
Sale of Tea in S. India. — In this connection 
I may say that v/e hoped last year that the Ceylon 
import duty might be- abolished. The representa- 
tion to the Government of India to act in the 
matter has not been successful however. It be- 
comes all the more necessary, therefore, that we 
should strain every nerve to capture onr share of 
the Indian market. The demand for dust tea that 
exists is, at present, largely supplied by rubbish 
from Ceylon, We have the opportunity offered by 
Messrs Parry & Co. of Madras, who, with the 
Agencies they have in almost every town of any 
importance in S. India, afford a ready-made Distri- 
buting Agency which should enable the S. Indian 
planter to control the S. Indian tea trade. It is a 
matter for comment that one of the largest blen- 
ders in England, Messrs Brooke Bond & Co., are 
advertising the sale of their blends in Madras. 
Coffee Ckop prospects are fairly good in the 
district ; but prices unfortunately do not promise 
to improve. We must hope that the Leeming 
System, which has proved so successful on the 
Shevaroys, and which there is every reason to think 
will answer here, will prove our salvation. 
Tea has, oa the whole, had a good flushing 
season and prices are improving. 
Pepper Crops are decidedly good and prices 
maintain a good level. 
Our numbers hav3 fallen off considerably during 
the past year— six members having left, and one 
new member joined.— M Mail, Jan. 21. 
The Mosquito Plant Cure.— From Nature 
of January 1st, interesting latest particulars 
are given on page 555, regarding the West 
African plant, Basil, Avlaich is said to have a 
wonderful effect in keeping off mosquitoes. 
The Peradeniya Staff should import and keep 
as large quantities of the plant as possiblq 
on sale I 
