June 1, 3 900.J THE TKOPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
82^ 
The deliveries for the ten months, from 1st J uuc 
end of March, were 138,829,000 lb. agamst 
119,886,000 lb. and 106,573,000 lb. during the two 
previous seasons. . 
Since Mav 1890 the duty on tea, which is now- 
raised to SA. per lb., had been Id. per lb., and 
it remains to be seen what eifect the additional 
2d. will liave upon the Trade. The tax represents 
about 80 per cent of the average value of tea_, 
and the lowest retail price will therefore be about 
Is 2d per lb. The opinion is held by some, that 
this should lead to greater use of medium and 
fine teas, the former of which have been unduly 
depressed for months past, while commonest kmds 
will be in less request. 
The total crop from Ceylon was 129 millions 
against 1201: for the preTious season, and was 
distributed as follows:— 
Othkk 
U.K. Australia. America. Russia. Ports. 
1035 15 3 4 H 
The estimate for 19CH} is 13/ millions, of which 
108 are expected to go to London. 
As will be seen our trade with outside markets 
continues to improve, and increase excepting in 
the case of the Bombay market, which was crippled, 
somewhat, by the scarcity which has prevailed on 
the Western Coast. In spite of this, the quantity 
sold in Calcutta, is less than it was in 189o. not- 
withstanding the crop has increased froni 13o to 
175 million lb. With the fact before us that the 
consumption of tea in England has nearly 
reached its limit, it becomes the duty of all 
concerned in the welfare of the industry, to contri- 
bute to the supply of new markets, and to open 
out fresh ones. In South Africa, and South 
America, we have markets which hitherto have 
not been exploited, while Australia and North 
America are capable of much expansion. VVe 
trust growers will now begin to recognize the im- 
portance to their own interests of fostering these 
markets, by supolying the Calcutta centi-e, there- 
by encouraging "trade, checking oversupplies to 
tiie London market, and ultimately beneflting the 
producer by expanding the sale of the article. 
AUSTRALIA. 
Our trade with this country continues to deve- 
lop, exports for the year being 8,230,436 lb., against 
8 398,002 Ih. and 6,802,579 lb. for the two previous 
seasons. The principal proportion of this export 
is common to medium leafy kinds, but a growing 
demand for the better class of teas is apparent, 
which, we regret to say, has been somewhat 
ignored, especially by Darjeeling gardens. A 
decided preference for Indian Teas against Ceylon 
has been shown by this market, notwithstanding 
this, our exports are only alout half of those of 
Ceylon. 
As we pointed out last year, Ceylon has better 
facilities in freight, with the many liners calling 
at Colombo, but this does not account for the 
large difference in exports in its favour. 
AMERICA. 
The Export figures are 5,923,404 lb., against 
3,273,096 lb. and 2,086.369 lb. for the two previous 
seasons. In addition to this 2^ millions were re- 
exported from London. These results speak for 
themselves, and show that our trade with this 
country is increasing. A direct line of steamers 
running every month has been a boon to the 
Trade. 
ASIA. 
Exports are 5,492,815 lb., against 6,972,251 lb. 
and 3,601,532 lb. for the two previous seasons. The 
falling off in this trade has been due to the scar- 
city which has prevailed on the Western Coast, 
nevertheless the prices paid for suitable Pekoes 
by this market compare most favourably with the 
values ruling in London for similar teas. Cachar 
and Sylhct especially have reasons to be s;rateful 
tor this outlet. 
FORKIGN EUROPE. 
Export figures 1,435,146 1b., against 1,171,146 lb. 
and 797,313 lb. for the two previous seasons. 
The growing demand increases steadily from 
Germany, Constantinople and other European 
markets, the preference shewn for direct supplies 
from the country of growth continues. A regular 
line of German steamers now carries this country's 
produce direct. 
THE CROP. 
The Crop on the whole has been a useful medium 
one, the jnoportion of fine teas has been less 
than usual. The large increase of good medium 
teas from Cachar and Sylhet has naturally told 
against Assam, whose teas owing to cold wet 
weather in June-August have not been, on 
the whole, as good as usual, and cannot compete 
in cost of manufacture with the above named 
districts. The Dooars, in many instances, were 
hardly up to the usual standards, and Darjeelings, 
with few exceptions, have been disappointing. 
MANUFACTURE. 
We must again impress upon our friends, the 
Planters, to pay the closest attention to imporve- 
ment of quality, every effort should be made to 
secure good appearance, and liquor by care in the 
manufacture. With the large increase in consump- 
tion of British grown teas both at Home and in 
Colonial and Foi-eign markets, the consumer has 
become more critical, and is no longer content to 
take poor liquoring, badly made, teas, such as 
were marketable in the days when China con- 
trolled the mai'ket. We would deprecate very 
coarse plucking, or the manufacture of common 
undesirable teas, as tending to lower the stand- 
ard of excellence to be aimed at. With the ex- 
tensions of 1896-1898 now coming into full bear- 
ing, we may look for an increase in the crop, but 
we do not anticipate this will be very much more 
than the past season, which was unusually favor- 
able from some districts. 
Factory Bulking.— During the past season 
greater care has lieen given, on the Factory, 
to bulking, which has been fully appreciated 
in London, where the saving of bulking 
charges has been made. But more especially 
has satisfaction been given in Australia and For- 
eign markets, and we would urge upon the grower, 
the great importance that attaches to level quality 
in invoice breaks. Equality in tares, well maae 
boxes, and careful weighment, should haye the 
individual attention of every manager. In recent 
years great improvements have been made in all 
these matters, which is proved by the great dim- 
inution in the number of claims for loss in weight. 
Care must be exercised, where boxes are home- 
made, that the wood is thoroughly dried 
and seasoned, as most of the claims for cheesy 
taint arise from neglect in these matters. 
Size of Breaks should not be less than 20 chests, 
30 half-chests, 50 boxes, as lots of lesser size 
than these are sold separately at the end of the 
auctions ; only, when a full sized break of 20 
chests cannot be obtained, it might be packed 
into 30 half -chests ; but we do not advocate many 
half-chests on account of increased charges. 
Assortment. — There is no occasion for a garden 
of medium size to make more than four qualities ; 
a Broken Pekoe, a good Pekoe, a Pekoe Souchong, 
and a leafy Broken Pekoe Souchong. In addi- 
tion to this, a tippy Broken Orange Pekoe or 
Orange Pekoe can be sometimes made. Dusty 
teas should be avoided. The weight of chests 
should not exceed 100 to 110 lb. broken leaf and 
90 to 100 lb. whole leaf. Dusts should be packed 
in half-chests or small chests, weighing not over 
90 lb. nett, as above this, loss in Aveight fre- 
queijtjy eqsues. 
