Feb. 1, 1900.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
525 
THE TRADE OF CEYLON IN 1899. 
(By a Merchant.) 
(Continued from page 499.) 
No. II.— IMPORTS. 
Exchange has been steady throughout 
the year and this has contributed to foster 
regular shipments of Imports to Ceylon. 
Prices although steady during the earlier 
part of the year have been against importers 
during the later stages. The year closes with 
bills being discounted locally at eight per 
cent, as against seven per cent at the close 
of 1898. 
Money in India has been easy during the 
greater part of the year, but a tightness is 
now beginning to be felt and we shall prob- 
ably have higher rates of discount quoted 
in the near future. 
Cotton Goods. — Since the beginning of 
the year raw cotton has steadily increased 
in value, the present prices being fully 45 
per cent higher than those ruling at the 
end of 1898. There is a diversily of opinion 
with regard to the American Cotton Crop 
as to whether it will exceed or fall short 
of 10,000,000 bales and this is not without its 
influence on the market. 
There has been a great falling-ofP in the 
importation of grey cotton goods ; whilst 
on the other hand prints and coloured goods 
shew a considerable increase. The quantity 
of white goods imported is about the same 
as in 1898. Tlie prices of cotton goods 
in Europe have advanced since the 1st 
January, 1898 : — 
Grey Shirtings .. 18 per cent 
Do Drills, America . . 26 do 
White Shirtings ... 15 do 
Prices locally, although on the upward 
grade, have not yet risen to the same ex- 
tent as in Europe, but it is obvious that 
much higher rates will be quoted later on, 
when stocks are depleted, unless a great re- 
action sets in, in Europe. 
Many manufacturers are well engaged, 
some having their looms filled for the next 
six months. 
The following figures shew the importa- 
tion for the first 10 months of 1899 and 
1899. 
1898. 
Grey cottons, bales and cases 2,375 4,341 
White do do 2,032 2,058 
Printed do do 996 626 
Dyed do do 91 89 
. Coloured Woven do 8,775 6,945 
Sundry ... ... 65 90 
Yarns, Plain ... ... 1 11 
Do Dyed ... . . 164 178 
14,499 14,338 
Woollen Goods. — During the past nine 
months the vall^e of raw wool in Eu- 
rope has advanced over 50 per cent. 
Manufacturers are conseqviently asking much 
higher prices for made-up cloth, and we 
are sure to see higher rates quoted locally 
ere long. 
Metals. — A good business has been done 
in iron and other metals. Prices after re- 
maining steady for the first three months 
of the year, suddenly took an upward tend- 
ency, and the dift'erence between prices iu 
66 
Europe at the beginning of the year and 
now are : — 
Scotch Iron 37 per cent higher 
Belgian 50 do 
Swedish Iron 33 do 
Galvanised Iron 
Sheets 31 do 
Hoop Iron 38 do 
Tin Plates 40 do 
Copper 25 do 
Nails 25 do 
Tea Lead 25 do 
All other articles of which metal consti- 
tutes a part, have risen very considerably 
in value. The present situation in the 
iron markets of the world is, we believe, 
without parallel in the history of the in- 
dusti-y. In every manufacturing country of 
importance the demand for pig iron has not 
only outrun the supply, but has so far out- 
run it as to make it unlikely that any 
country will be able to produce a surplus 
for export, after satisfying its own demands, 
for fully a year to come. The ■ outlook 
then is decidedly in the direction of a con- 
tinuance of the present strong demand for 
iron and steel, and consequently, of the 
presnt prices. 
Matches have advanced some 12 per cent 
in value. 
Window Glass has advanced some 18 
per cent in value. 
Cement — a fair quantity has been im- 
ported. Prices have been firm, but have not 
advanced much. 
Spirits.— The following figures shew the 
importation of spirits, &c., for the first 10 
months of the years 1898 and 1899, and it 
will be seen from these figures that the 
quantities of gin and whisky entered for con- 
sumption in 1899 shew a decided increase 
over those of 1898 ; brandy on the other hand 
shews a decrease : — 
Bonded in 1898. in 1899* 
Malt Liquor, in wood, hhds. 1,367 1,015 
Do glass, cases & casks 538 545 
Brandy cases 3,336 1,875 
Gin do .. 2,676 6,623 
Whisky do ... 6,168 5,167 
Entered for consumption in 1898. in 1899. 
Malt Liquor, in wood, hhds. 1,506 1,692 
Do glass, cases 565 155 
Brandy cases ... 2,260 1,657 
Gin do ... 2,439 5,471 
Whisky do ... 4,683 5,131 
Rice. — The crops in Bengal are turninpf 
out well and Soolai Rice can be purchased 
locally at R3*10 to R3-20, against R3'55 ruling 
12 months ago. Owing to the drought in 
Southern and Western India Calunda rice 
is rising in value. 
Coals. — The importation of Indian coal 
is still increasing ; this coal being used largely 
by the Railway Locomotive Department and 
a number of Steamship Companies. Cardiff 
coal continues to be bi-ought in smaller 
volume each year. 
THE NILGIRI RAILWAY AND LEASES OF 
COFFEE TREES. 
On representations made by owners of coffee 
estates along the Nilgiri Railway, asking for a 
reconsideration of the Board of Revenue's refusal 
to permit the leasing of coffee trees on lands 
acquired for the Railway, the Madras Govern- 
ment has passed the following order : — His Ex- 
cellency the Governor in Council is pleased t<j 
