THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Jan. 1, 1900. 
was estimated, while thesliipments to "other 
countries " did not reach anticipations by 6 
million lb. "Thank heaven for the London 
market" being able to take olf so much, one 
is inclined to say, in the face of such figures. 
Of course, if by increasing the offerings m 
the Colombo market, more tea could be 
diverted to "other countries," and especially to 
Russia, not a day should be lost on the part 
of proprietors or their agents -where free to 
make the change— in supporting "Colombo" 
and testing the statement that such tea 
would be bought at profitable rates for direct 
shipment. Meantime, it is of interest to 
note the distribution, and comparison be- 
tween the two years, for " other countries." 
In the first place it is difficidt to under- 
stand how the P. A. Committee came to 
estimate less for 1899 to the United Kmg- 
dom than was actually delivered in 1898; and 
in the second place, the total to other countries 
only showing an advance of 2, 310,780 lb. 
is distmctly disappointing. From the de- 
tails given by the Chamber, it will be seen 
that there lias been a comparative decrease 
to Austria, France, Germuiy, Spain "India" 
(for Persian Gulf, etc.) and Africa; whde 
to America and Aiistralia the increase is by 
no means equal to expectations. To Russia the 
direct shipments compare as follows :— 
1899 ... .. 3,949,7401b. 
1898 ... .. 2,714,003 „ 
Increase 
. . 1,235,737 lb. 
It is said that if a larger quantity of tea had 
been sold in Colombo, more would have gone 
to Russia ; but it must be remembered that 
37^ million lb. were offered in Colombo in 
1899, of which only 31 million were sold; and 
as shown, on^y 26 million sent to other 
countries than the United Kingdom. Let us 
hope that 1900 may show a much better 
result, more especially in regard to America 
and the Continent of Europe. The Chamber's 
comparison is as follows :— 
EXPORTS OF CEYLON TEA TO OTHER COUNTRIES, 
Austria 
Belgium 
France 
Germany 
Holland 
Italy 
Russia 
Spain 
Sweden 
Turkey 
India 
Australia 
America 
Africa 
China 
Singapore 
Matiritius 
Malta 
•Tanuary 1st 
1869. 
lb. 
8,?31 
14,424 
98,952 
346,959 
30,211 
13,521 
3,949,740 
18,700 
78,088 
18,733 
567,616 
15,606,833 
3,080,002 
288,239 
1,384,490 
83,813 
100,248 
257,232 
to December 31st, 1899 
1898 
lb. 
14,873 
13,. 590 
100,001 
352,2.52 
26,351 
6,730 
2,714,003 
44,650 
42,471 
73,974 
1,091,559 
15,126,891 
2,180,188 
372,242 
1,185,445 
59,867 
33,299 
196,852 
Increase Decrease 
lb. 
834 
3,860 
6,791 
1,235,737 
Handbook and Directory as of interest at this 
time :— 
Ceylon Tea Exports. 
lb. 
6,642 
1,049 
5,293 
25,950 
35,617 — 
479,942 
899,814 
199,045 
23.946 
66,949 
60,380 
55,241 
523,943 
84,003 
Total 25,946,032 23,635,238 3,012,915 702,121 
Increase 
Deduct Decrease 
3.012,915 lb. 
702,121 „ 
Net Increase 
2,310,794 lb. 
year's estimates 
1899 
1898 
1897 
1896 
ISS.'i 
1894 
1893 
1892 
1891 
1890 
1889 
c4 So 
S S 
lb. 
1-25,1100,000 
120,00'i,OUO 
119,0! '0,000 
1U1,000,(IU0 
90,000,000 
88,000,000 
77,000,000 
" Observer " 
80 000,000* 
68 000,000 
46,500,000 
32,000,000 
'3 u 
. ■» 
eS ; > 
H S*" 
lb. 
125,000,000 
124 000,000 
I:i0,0ii0,000 
105,000,000 
89,000,000 
9(1,000,000 
78,OliO,OUO 
Ojfice Estimates. 
533 
1" 
129,894,150 
1)9,709.071 
11' ,054,567 
108 141,412 
97,939 871 
84,.091.714 
8!,4<JG,0U4 
71,1.53,657 
18,274,420 
46.90[,554 
34,048,085 
U i 'T 
o c S 
SOS 
lb. 
122,113,573 
114,466,318 
110,095,358 
98,581,060 
85,370,322 
82,269,353 
72279,984 
07,719,371 
45,799,512 
34,345,859 
It may be explained that the Customs enter 
the exports as each shipment is put on board 
a vessel m the harbour : while the Chamber 
only takes cognizance of the vessels and 
cargoes as they clear from the port. 
A NEW INDU.STllY. 
Refering to past year's estimates and 
res-ults, we take over the following from our 
A Cityman writes under date London, 
loth December: — "Talking to a man down 
Mincing Lane, with whom I have been con- 
nected in the Indian Bird, Bristle and 
Cow Tail Hair trades, for a good many years, 
the idea struck me that perhaps Ceylon inight 
find it to her interest to do a trade in these 
articles. So I send you a report of each to 
shov,' the prices realised at the last sales. The 
Bristle report is hardly a fair one as it does 
not give any ilescription, but I can say 
Bristles are now selling very high. They 
must be stiff, and well washed, the different 
lengths tied up in bundles v.ith strings of 
about IJ to 2 inches in diameter. It is a 
large trade and pays well as the demand for 
fine Bristles exceeds the supply. They come 
over in cases of about 100 lb. Cow Tail Hair 
is sent press packed in bales of 3,400 lb. 
Anyone wanting to see if they can do any- 
thing with these articles, had better send a 
sample per sample post, which I will get 
valued free of charge wich pleasure ; then 
they send a small trial shipment, if the 
valuation seems satisfactory. In this way no 
one can lose miich even if the experiment 
does not pay." The report is as follows : — 
" 1 enclose Hale and Son's, Bird and Bristle re- 
port of prices obtained at public sale for these 
articles from India an.i elsewhere. Could not 
your people do something in these lines to their 
advantage ? Cow Tail Hair well washed and free 
of skin sells at lOd lb. which I believe leaves the 
Indian trader a large profit, as they were content 
with 5d not long ago. If your readers want any 
further information I shall be pleased to send it, 
and will get any samples they care to send, 
valued and reported on free of charge." 
* PlanthTH anl metchants who n we cirsa't d were 
greatly ou' in thoir anticip?.tions for 1892 : in consfqii- 
ei'ceot the ^ery 'arg-; increas e of 22 milli 'n lb. be ween 
1890 an! 1891, it was telt to be quite safe to pat on 
a'jother ia rease r f 12 million between 1891 and 1892: 
bus the result only showed 4i million lb. of iLcrease by 
the Customs figutes. 
