760 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. [May 1, 1903. 
are ruuning almost abreast and on the sanie 
reckoning he will realise how sensitive and easily 
affected by supply and the handling of it, the value 
of tea in London is likely to be during the ensuing 
season. It leaves a very small margin to allow for 
increased production without disturbing value, 
and if exports to the United Kingdom 
show at any time only a moderate increase even, 
it will probably be immediately reflected in 
prices. 
Although the crop this year has been short of 
estimates and expectations the supply has been 
sufficient. The total outturn was actually in excess 
of last year ; had this excess gone to London 
the position there would have been one of extreme 
anxiety ; outside markets, however, saved the 
situation, for they not only absorbed the increase 
through Calcutta but a -great deal more, and 
their worth has never been brought home to the 
producer so strikingly as during the past season. 
The quantity diverted from the London Market 
through these channels has played a much more 
important part in determining the value of tea 
than inclement weather or any other factor 
afEecting supply, and although these de- 
mands are at last being recognised, they 
do not receive the full consideration they justly 
deserve, as the only real and sound means of 
securing the industry in every way from 
the evils attending a full or abundant 
yield and of permanently raising value. 
The history of thepastseason'strade with countries 
other than the United Kingdom is extremely satis- 
factory ; it is indicative of continued perseverance 
and energy by those engaged in the trade 
who are to be congratulated on the success 
achieved. 
LOCAL MARKET AND DIRECT SUPPLY ABROAD. 
The supply placed on the local market for dis- 
posal in 1901-1902) shewed a very marked decrease 
on previous figures, and consistently, Indian Tea 
lost much ground in the markets of the world 
outside London, Last year, however, Calcutta 
received a somewhat larger proportion of the crop, 
the increase was small, but it gave these markets 
the opportunity to recover lost ground and 
new ones to come in also ; they responded at 
once to a more liberal supply and not only have 
they now regained their absorbing powers of 1900- 
1901, but they have gone further, and durinp the 
past year their accumulated strength has been 
the brightest feature of the season's restros- 
pect. 
As before remirked, the persistent expansion of 
these valuable outlets should be recognised as the 
safety valve and governor of the industry. 
They have unquestionably prevented a state of 
stagnation in the home market, and the move- 
ment towards a higher level of value this year 
can only be attributed to their dealings, for 
without their increased offtake, the crop, 
though short, would have been quite enough 
to make it impossible to raise prices. 
The progress made in the twelve months neces- 
sitates an extension of last year's figures and 
comparison with those of Ueylon, which will once 
more substantiate the assertion, that the more 
reasonably liberal the supply to this market, the 
more will our fresh outlets expand and afford 
relief to London. 
INDIA. 
Offered in 
Local 
Total Crop. Market, 
millions millious 
1902 
1901 
1900 
1899 
1898 
1897 
1896 
47i 
46i 
50 
50 
49 
46 
471 
Shipped to 
outside 
Markets, 
millions 
29^ 
20i 
25 
22 
17i 
13 
13 
Maiket. 
millions. 
millions. 
1902 
149 
51 
1901 
146i 
51 
1900 
1484 
48 
1899 
130 
38§ 
1898 
119| 
36 
1897 
116 
33i 
1896 
108 
32 
.. 175 
.. 174J 
. . 187i 
. . I74i 
.. 153 
. . 148i 
.. 135J 
OEYLON. 
Total Crop. Offered in Local Shipped 
to ontside 
Markets, 
millions. 
45 J 
40 
34i 
25i 
23| 
17 
144 
A careful comparison of the above figures for 
seven years will show how consistently the offtake 
of Indians by outside markets has followed and 
been governed by the irregular offerings in Calcutta, 
and in the case of Colombo how carefully their 
corresponding demands have been fed and fostered 
in the local market from year to year ; this will 
go some way to explain her present figures which 
are so much better than ours, but her geographical 
position has much to do with her success. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CROP. 
Tlie following figures show the distribution of 
the crop from Calcutta and Chittagong compared 
with recent years : — 
1902- 
1903. 
mills. 
145i 
5i 
9i 
To United Kingdom 
,, Colonies 
,, America 
Other outside markets 14| 
1901- 
1902. 
mills. 
153 
8J 
2i 
10 
1899- 
1900. 
mills. 
149i 
8i 
6 
• 7* 
in the 
1900- 
1901. 
mills. 
161 
lOJ 
4J 
10 
These show excellent progress, except .„ w.t 
Colonies, where there has been much depression 
in trade generally. In respect of tea, business 
there has been sadly disorganised by drought and 
the uncertainty in regard to the settlement of duty, 
and imports of all tea last year fell off to a very 
serious extent ; latest advices, however, are satis- 
factory. They report a recovering trade and an 
improving market, and a very much better state 
of affairs with a larger offtake may be con- 
fidently anticipated during the ensuing season. 
The figures for America are particularly good, but 
the most noteworthy increase has taken place in 
our trade with Russia. This demand is not a new 
one for Indian tea, but it is new to this market 
and the transfer from London of a very large 
portion of these interests is the most welcome and 
satisfactory feature of our dealings with foreign 
aiarkets. The quantity she has taken has 
been very considerable and she has been a more 
reliable and consistent customer than the Colonies. 
In detailing outside market figures it must be 
noted that a fair quantity of tea is actually desti- 
ned for these ports in Chittagong shipments ; 
though definite information cannot be ascer 
tained «,t this end, enquiries on the home side make 
