Feb. 1, 1900.] THE TEOPICAL AaKICULTURIST. 
545 
CEYLON TEA MARKET REVIEW FOR 1889. 
Messrs. Stenning, Inskipp and Co., iu their an- 
nual report, says : — 
The Course of the Market.— The market 
opened with prices about on a par with those 
ruling at the close of the year, but as the month 
advanced quotations began to stiffen, common 
grades i-ealising Q-ld to 6|d ; during February 
and March these grades went dearer, very little 
selling under 7d per lb. A further improvement 
took place during April, but a giving way was 
noticeable towards the end of the month. In May 
and June the demand was strong, but the quality 
geneially being indifferent, common sorts market 
rather easier prices. During July the nurkeb was 
disorganised in consequence of the draft dispute, 
and very little tea was offered. In August sales 
were heavy owing to accumulations, and a lower 
I'ange of prices ruled, common Pekoe Souchong 
selling at 5fd ; fine invoices, however, realised 
full value. During September the demand im- 
proved, and, the quantity brought forward being 
moderate, prices began to harden. Very little 
common leaf was to be had under Q^d. From 
October to the end of the year prices were steady, 
except for medium Broken Pekoes, which showed 
some irregularity. All good liquoring invoices 
brought full value. The year closed with a brisk 
demand. 
Quality on the whole has been fairly up to 
average ; some of tlie high grown teas liave had 
distinctive character and realised satisfactory 
prices, and we are glad to note that the quantity 
of undesirable tea has not been so large as in 
former years. Teas witli flavour always command 
attention, but when this cannot be obtained, a 
deep coloured liquor should be aimed at, as pale 
liquoring teas without flavour meet with but little 
inquiry 
Small Breaks. — The limit remains the same 
as before, viz, anything under 18 chests, 24 liall- 
chests and 40 boxes. The large number of small 
breaks offering in auction every week is not only 
a source of trouble to all branches of the trade, 
but it is iiardly possible for the buyers to give 
them proper attention ; business would be greatly 
facilitated if larger lots especially of the lower 
grades, could be sent forward. 
Foreign Trade. — It is satisfactory to note 
that the export from this country continues to 
increase. 
Other Markets :— 
The New Regulations regarding the weighing 
of tea, which were to have come into force on 
October 2nd last, but are still in abeyance, are 
as follows : — 
1 If the package weighs the even pound, it is 
to be entered as such. 
2 If it weighs the even half-pound or over, it 
is to be entered as the next pound above. 
3. If it weighs below the half-pound, it is to 
be entered as the pound below. 
Loss in Weight. — As this occasionally gives tise 
to much dissatisfaction we offer the following 
suggestions : That the gross weight of the package 
should be a few ounces, say four or five, above 
an even number of pounds, and that the empty 
package, complete with lead, nails, bands, &c., be 
to a like extent below an even number of pounds. 
In weighing here the gross weight is reduced to 
the even number of pounds, whilst the tare is in- 
creased to an even number of pounds. 
With regard to garden bulked teas, it is im- 
peratively necessary to put an equal quantity 
into each package of the break, and this quan- 
tity should be four or five ounces over the 
desired weight of contents, viz., if the packages 
are invoiced to contain 1001b tea each, not less 
than 1001b 4oz sliould be weighed in ; test 
packages, weighing here a fraction under 1001b, 
are reckoned as 991b only, or a loss of lib on 
each chest of the break. 
Careful observance of the foregoing precau- 
tions will prevent loss and disappointment. 
Draft of lib per package on all packages 
grossing 291b and upwards is allowed to the 
buyer. 
Weight of Packages.— When a gross weight 
of 1291b is exceed, there is an additional charge 
of 5d per package up to 1.591b, The following 
scale of charges fully explains this and deserves 
attention : — 
Dock and Warehouse management rates, sub- 
ject to an uniform discount of 10 percent., on 
packages grossing as under are : — 
160 to 199 1b. 2s 9d ; 130 to 159 lb. 2s 3d ; 90 
to 129 lb. Is lOd ; 80 to 89 lb. Is 8d ; 60 to 79 lb. 
Is ,5d ; 45 to 59 lb. Is 2d ; -35 to 44 lb. Is ; 17 to 
34 lb. 7d- 
Marks on Chest. — Nothing is wanted or is 
of any service here beyond (1st) garden mark ; 
(2) description of tea ; (3) garden numbers. Gross 
tare, and net are not of the least use, and should 
be discontinued. 
Mktal and Venesta Packages.— There is 
practically no objection to these. 
Packing Small Brokens and Dusts.— 
Special care should be taken to pack broken des- 
criptions, which are so liable to lose in weight, 
in strongly made wooden packages. Dust should 
be placed in half chests, either of metal or of 
strong iron-hooped packages. Canvas coverings 
should in no case be used, as they disguise injury 
doi»e to the packages by rough handling, and any 
tea retained in the canvas becomes of no value. 
[Particulars are also given of the imports, de- 
liveriess, and stocks of the past six years ; liome 
consumption of India, Ceylon, and China teas for 
the past fifteen years ; the number of packages 
from the various districts sold on garden account 
since 1893, and the average prices ; Calcutta and 
London markets from May to December.]— i?07?je 
and Colonial Mail. Jan. 12. 
A New Germ-Destroyer,— A new germicide 
has been discovered. Ozone when passed into 
water is found to kill the micro-organisms. This 
discovery has been made in Lille, where the water 
is notoriously bad, by two French gentlemen. 
They are taking steps to purify the water-supply 
of that town. Ozone is another form of oxygen 
■which is common in the air after an electrical 
discharge of lightning and it is manufactured by 
a current of electricity being passed through 
air. It has been already found that heat alone 
up to the boiling point has not been an efficient 
germ-destroyer, so that this discovery will be wel- 
comed l)y the medical profession. The boon to the 
traveller in France, who has no taste occasion- 
ally for^vines or who may be a teetotaller, will 
be great. This discovery besides is ore step 
nearer to that landmark of civilisation to which 
Pasteur called attention. " The first step is 
civilisation man made when he drove the wild 
animals from his cities, the next ^viU be wheq 
he has banished all germs."— Ccr, 
