i)EC. 1, 1898.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
393 
T'l lha EailoPi 
CACAO AND A SCIENTIFIC AGRICUL- 
TURAL DEPARTMENT. 
Nortliern District, Sept. 29. 
Dear Sir,— Your editorial (see page 328) 
will, I hope, not prevo too late in directing the 
attention of Cacao Planters, ColomI o Agents, 
and the Government ts the necessity of trying 
" at once to secure the continued services of 
Mr. J. B. Carruthers as Consulting Cacao Crypto- 
ganiist. Why has the Chairman, P. A., nob 
called anotlier meeting of " Cacao Sub-Committee " 
to meet Mr. Carruthers and ascertain the opinion 
of experienced cacao planters long ere this ? Is 
it because the acreage under cacao is only 21,260, 
about one-seventeenth (l-17th) of that under ten, 
and because say only £1,000,000 sterling is 
invested in the product, and because the hulla- 
baloo at present is all about high exchange and 
low tea prices, oblivious of the tact that "over- 
proiluctioii " is tlie cause of low prices (combined 
of course with absence of honest competition 
for our teas among the large packet dealers in 
London)? Why, sir, if those wiio are so inter- 
ested in tea would only give a little more atten- 
tion to cacao, and invest in future in cacao 
and coconuts, and not add another acre of tea till 
there is a little more demand in new countries, 
they ■would in years to come see the far-sighted 
\visd(nn of tho.se wlio urged more attention to 
cacao. Theie are many who will argue, " We 
have tried it, it failed, ami we had to plant 
tea .after all to avoid tot.al loss." That was 
largely because the question of shade and siielter 
were not properly undeistood, and too close 
planting was indulged in to get quick returns, 
and we began with the most delicate variety — 
ths so-calleil Caracas. Tea giowslike a weed, 
cacao needs patient, intelligent cultivation. 
There is a good time coming for cacao. If we 
could only get the European nations to supply 
their armies and navies with the wholesome 
food-drink (solid and liquid), consun)pfcion would 
very quickly overtake tlie world's present pro- 
duction. And the beneficent; effects on plucky, 
hardy Tomn.y Atkins and Jolly Jack Tar ... 
I need not enlarge upon. Talk of seniling tea 
to cousin Jonathan's Johnnies, — try them with 
cacao I I think I hear the ghost of H. .. t .. s 
C. a . . e growl out " You've got to grow it 
lirst, raise your crops and save them from 
fungi and fugitive thieves '." Can't you hear him 
chuckle ? Well, his valley will have to stick to 
tea for the present, and we must hope his fac- 
tory will be spared the visits of disappointed 
cacao robbers ! Meanwhile there are thousa.ids 
of acres under tea which will grovv good Foras- 
tero cacao and tens of tliou.sands of acres of 
jungle and chena suitable. 
What is wanted now is, continued patient in- 
vestigation of right methods of cultivation, of 
combating diseases and fungi of all kinds, (he 
proper fertilisers to use and the right amount 
of the best shade and shelter trees needed (for 
jirotection against wind and helopcltis). In 
young cacao clearings, nutmegs and para rubber 
might be added. 
Mr. Carruthers has taken a wonderfully quick 
crasp of the situation, and it would he nothing 
lljss tlian criminal for CioYcrmuent to le!' lu(u 
leave the island, if he tliinks he can further 
help us and is willing to reniain. The latter I 
imagine is simply a question of remuneration, and 
I can hariUy believe His Excellency the Gover- 
nor would refuse ro recommend a special vote 
in Council. For the natives, if they only knew 
it, are ileeply interested in cacao cultiva- 
lion. This may raise a laugh from those 
who suffer from dishonest village neighbours. 
Well, one can enjoy a good healthy laugh even 
in these doleful days of reduced screws and 
commissions ; but seriously, cacao is ijre-emi- 
nently a product to encourage among the Sin- 
halese, for wherever paddy will grow, I believe 
a few cacao trees would thrive round the 
cultivators' houses, and tethering their buifaloes 
to the trees will give them grand crops. 
Mr. Cochrane's cacao analyses, I regard as most 
valuable, and Mr. E. E. Green could with 
advantage study cacao insect pests (and insect 
friends !). Mr. Carruthers may find ere-Iong that 
" Tea planters want investigations into fungi 
affecting tea bushes.'' For these and many other 
reasons I would urge my fellow planters to do 
all they can towards securing the immediate* 
establishment of a Scientilic Agricultural De- 
])artment (in connection if possible with the 
Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya). 
Let the P. A., take this up at once, without 
any more useless and harmful delays. — Yours 
faithfully. T. K. 
No. II. 
Sir, — Your article on the need for retaining 
Mr. Carruthers' services is admirable. The Gov- 
ernor will Jo wisely in thewing his sense of the 
value of agricultural industry by retaining the 
services of a Cryptogamist who is a sound, clear- 
headed man of science, and one who has gained 
the respect and favour of the Planting Community. 
He has been from Dan to Beershaba ;— Dambo'ol 
to Monaragala and Kurunegala to Rakwana. 
We can dispense with tlie services of a cadet 
Writer or two, so that agiiculture in the Island 
may be scientifically and professionally served. 
—Yours t'uly, TEA AND CACAO. 
CEYLON TEA IN AUSTRIA 
AND HUNGARY. 
Kaudy, 6th October, 189S. 
Sir, — I enclose copy of Report w hich has been 
received from Mr. G. A. Marinitseh on the sub- 
ject of his enquiries as to the best means of 
extending the consum] tion of Ceylon Tea in 
Austria and Hungary together with the annex- 
ures therein referred to, — I am, sir, yours faiths 
fully, A. PHILIP. 
Secrefcavy, "Thirty Committee." 
Vienna, 1-lth September 1898. 
The Chairman, " Thirty Committee," Kandy. 
In compliance with your instructions dated the 
9th July last appointing me the authorized Kepreseu- 
tative of the Ceylon Planters' Association for the pur- 
pose of making enquiries as to the best means of 
extending the consumption of Ceylon tea in the 
Auitro-Huugarian Empire I beg to submit the fol- 
lowing report : — 
After a stay of four days at Trieste I proceeded 
to Vienna in which city I made my hcad-quartera 
* I say immediate because we have competent men 
hero now who may be gone tomorrow. It is ereu 
possible that Mr. Ernest Green may leave for other 
pastures, and nothing could be more lamenetablo 
than to lose at this time hi^ valu#l;ld, practiCft] 
CejioH espeiience.— T. 
