19G 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
[Sept. 1, 1899. 
PLANTING NOTES. 
The Morowak Kobale Tea Pest.— The 
further specimens of the devastating pest 
that has been at work on Silvakande, 
which we received — inchided as we stated 
several cocoons. These we submitted to Mr. 
Mackwoodi as before, for inspection, and 
the vex^dict tells of the fertility of the pest. 
The fact that several of the 'caterpillars' 
are found clustering together in forming 
their cocoons shows that they have been 
allowed to spread far too ))rolifically. Other 
specimens of cocoons of the same pest have 
been received in Colombo today and a care- 
ful examination of them shows that the 
moths have escaped from everij one ! Noi^hing 
but the severest measures, cutting down 
the bushes and burning the prunings— cocoons 
and all, will prevent a large extension in the 
work of the "grub." 
Planting and Agricultural Pests.— 
The absolute necessity for a Cryptogam ist 
as well as Entomologist on the Govern- 
ment Staff is every day becoming more and 
more apparent. The sooner the "gray "and 
other blights are investigated on the spot, the 
better for all concerned :--^ffx/>a?/c'r.s and Gov- 
ernment as well as the planters. We speak 
imto wise men (if there are any such in 
the Executive),— judge ye whab we say. A 
leading planter writes today on the serious 
character of the tea blight in some parts 
and the need of speedy investigation. He 
adds :- " Planters are burning and burying 
prunings— it must do good, but it will add 
to cost of production, and we do not seem 
to have any chance of a rupee less than 
Is 4d. The only good thing about the rnte 
is that it may check extensions into tea in 
India." There is plenty for Cryptoganiist as 
well as Entomologist to attend to, in respect 
of the staple and other industries of the 
country.- Since writing the above the letter 
from Mr. Chas. Gibbon comes to hand, taking 
the same strong view with regard to cacao. 
The Mobovfakkorale Tea Pest.— We 
have two interesting letters on this subject, 
and both writers consider that a caterpillar 
is responsible for the mischief described on 
the 10-acre field of Sylvakande estate. Mr. 
Geo. Thornton Pett identifies the insect as 
the 'Pa?-asa lepida described by Mr. E. E. 
Green, while "Thosia Recta" considers 
another caterpillar of this name is to blame. 
One difficulty, is to reconcile Mr. MacLean's 
description of the insect (and the absence 
of any sign of cocoon or moth) with either 
of these caterpillars. Mr. Pett refers to 
Nietner's Limacodes Graciosa, and we quote 
what he says in our daily and T.A. 
The only thing to settle the matter now is 
to get 'fresh specimens from the Superin- 
tendent of Sylvakande, and we are glad to 
see Mr. F. Mackwood mentioiaed as able to 
help in identification as Mr. Haly may be 
absent from Colombo. Mr. Mackwood is 
Inclined to think the caterpillar must be the 
Parasa; but he can only be sure on seeing 
specimens which we ho]De will come by an 
early post. Meantime he advises the tea 
attacked to be pruned down to the ground 
and all the innmings burnt, lest there should 
be an outburst of myths flying all over the 
estates and depositing their eggs. 
Tea Consumption in Germany.— Mr. Frederic 
Harfoiil, Second Secretary in Her Majesty's Leg- 
ation at Miinicli reports that the consumption of 
tea in Germany, which averaged 0.5 kilo, per head 
vip till 1897, rose to "07 kilo, per head in 1898, and 
the imports of tea from 2,66'J tons in 1897 to 4,116 
tons in 1898. This increase is chietly due, he 
say.si, to the import of tea from Ciiina, rising from 
],661 tons in 1897 to 2.593 tons in 1898, from 
■\vhicii it would appear that Indian teas are not 
so mucli appreciated in Germany as Chinese teas. 
In any case coffee is still the national drink of 
Germany, and not tea, which is twice as dear as it in 
in Enghmd, [We italicise the last few words, as a 
hint to South Lxlian planters and Ceylon. — Ed. 
T.A.'\ — Planting Opinion. 
The Tea Crisis. -Here is how the Indian 
Dail}/ Xeirs refers to this subject. It will 
be observed that the system of "outside" 
sales in Calcutta is considered as more ob- 
jectionable than the open sales of Colombo : — 
Yesterday's Meeting of the Tea Association 
which was convened to " discuss the situa- 
tion with reference to the stoppage of public auc- 
tion sales of tea in Calcutta in connection with the 
proposal to abolish the 1 lb. draft allowance on teas 
sold by public auction in London," has afforded 
another sad exhibition of the lack of organization 
which has unfortunately distinguished the cam- 
paign so far. Nothing definite was decided upon, 
and as far as we can see, the meeting has only 
served to further impress buj'ers, and dealers' 
agents witli the weakness of the growers' position. 
It was announced that the Ceylon men definitely 
refuse to stop the Colombo tea sales, thus affording 
the London dealers an easy means of filling their 
requirements.* How the Indian Association ever 
came to open the campaign, without first assuring 
themselves of the co-operation of Ceylon, is a piti- 
able example of the lack of the most ordinary bu- 
siness caution, and Indian growers, especially 
those who usually sell on the Calcutta market, 
have, we consider, a very genuine grievance 
against the Association, for the false position in 
which they have been placed. We understand the 
Committee have recommended a sale here next 
week for outside markets only, and meanwhile 
are wiring the London Association suggesting that 
sales and exports of Indian teas should be sus- 
pended for a fortnight. We are of opinion that 
these outside market sales are a great mistake, and 
should not be held. If sales must be held then 
have them open as in Ceylon. There is no doubt 
that at present Calcutta sellers are greatly dis- 
satisfied at the way their business has been upset 
by the precipitate action of the Association, more 
especially as the majority of the Committee are not 
interested in this market, and are hurrying their 
crop to London, where the trouble will probably 
have ended one way or the other, by the time the 
teas arrive. Failing combined action, such as we 
have suggested by suspending all sales and ship- 
ments, we think the Association should immedi- 
ately throw up the sponge and let the auction sales 
go on as before. If it be desirable to put an end to 
the system of giving 1 lb. of tea per chest to the 
London dealer, the sales in that city can be made 
under the condition that this privilege is to cease. 
This only means that buyers wiU give a propor- 
tionately lower price than they would have paid 
had the 1 lb. been given. The matter is as long as 
it is broad and makes no difference to the growers. 
What is urgently required is a campaign against 
the wharves, the successful issue of which would 
help both growers and dealers. Why does the As- 
sociation shirk this duty ? For no selfish reasons 
we hope. ^ 
* Not so easy as our tea sales have been very 
limited in quantity and chiefly for the benefit of 
other countries than Great Britain.— £)d. T.A. 
