Jan. 2, 1899.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRlCULTURISt. 
499 
COCOA. 
DIVIDENDS. 
go 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
t 
Crop. 
cwts. 
1224 
1355 
1431 
2201 
1212 . 
2849 
2335 
2266 
2523 
Estimated 
Ordinary. 
95/11 
108/ 
96/5 
90/11 
58/4 
52/9 
56/8 
66/1 
96/7t 
W 
115/ 
129/6 
120/ 
130/9 
83/ 
65/6 
80/ 
85/ 
80/ 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
6 °/o 
And 5 % Bonus. 
10 o/o 
10 °/o 
15 °/o 
15 °/o: 
15 ^lo 
15 °/o* 
15 °/o* 
15 o/o' 
15 o/o' 
INDIAN TEA ASSOCIATION, LONDON. 
The folIowin<; letter has been received by the 
Secretary of tbe Indian Tea Association, London, 
from tlie London Wliolesale Tea Dealers' As- 
sociation : — 
Ernest Tye, Esq., Secretary Indian Tea Association, 
liOndoD. 
D«ar Sir, — Reports have reached my committee that 
some teas have a cheesy taint, and in certain instances 
have consequently been thrown up. 
From exhaustive inquiries made, it is supposed the 
cause of the cheesiness is that the wood used in the 
manufacture of the packages is sometimes put together 
in a green state, and the action of the heat causes the 
sap to exude, which sap worlcing on the lead lining pro- 
duces the cheesy smell in the wood and lead. 
This iHjurious effect may take place either during 
the transport of the chests from the gardens to 
Calcutta or in the hold of the steamer during the 
voyage to England. 
This fault is not found in metal packages or in 
chests made from wood imported into India from 
Japan, as such wood is thoroughly seasoned before 
th« packages are actually made up at the gardens. 
Another matter respecting dust teas has also caused 
considerable inconvenience, by the chests being in 
some instances so insecure that carriers refuse to take 
them on account of the claims for leakage. 
I am, therefore, desired to ask if your committee 
could kindly Sde their way to induce importers either 
to adopt better seasoned wood to meet the first case, 
and in the matter of dust teas to have them packed 
in some well-tested and approved metal chests. — I 
am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, 
R. Skdgwick, Hon. Secretary, 
Loedon Wholesale Tea Dealers' Association, — H. 
and C. Mail, Nov. 11. 
HORNSEY TEA ESTATES COMPANY, 
LIMITED. 
SECOND ANNUAL KKPORT, 1897-1898. 
The Directors beg to submit the audited Ac- 
Counts for the year closin<; 30th June last. 
The total crop has been 146,226 lb., against 
last year's crop of 150,967 lb. Tbe average sale 
price in London has been 8'95 per lb., against 
8"72 per lb. last year, and 3.5 cents for tea sold 
in Colombo, against 32i cents. 
The averace rate of exchange is Is 4—3-32(1, 
against last 'year Is 2— 29-,32d. 
The cost of production has been 36 cents per lb. 
or at exchange Is 4— 3-.32d equals 5i f.o.b. Co- 
lombo, against 5 per lb. last year. 
The estate has been kept in good cultivation, 
and the smallness of the crop is entirely due to 
a long drought, which has all'ected all Ceylon 
estates alike. With young tea coming into 
bearing it is very disappointing that the crop 
"should be less than the jirevioua year. 
Prices have ruled higher duritig the period 
nnder review, which nuiy be attributed to better 
•tea being made at the Battaltjalla Factory, ow. 
ing to the completion there of the new WiUier- 
ing House, whicirnow affords ample room. 
Prospects are more encouraging for the ensuing 
year. The crop from 1st of July to 20th September 
is 11,757 lb. made tea ahead of the corresponding 
period last year, and prices are satisfactory. 
The Directors after paying Mortgage Interest and 
Preference Dividend for the year carryforward 
£126 3s 2d to the debit of profitand loss account. 
By the Articles of Association Mr. C. A. 
KeLsp, by rotation, retires from the Board, and, 
being eligible, offers himself for re-election. 
The Auditors, Messrs. Singleton.. Fabian & Co, 
also offer themselves for re-election. 
Charles A. Keiss, Directors, 
W. S. SiCHEL, 
Albin B. Tomkins, Secretary. 
London, Oct. 26th. 
CEYLON AND INDIAN PLANTERS' 
ASSOCIATION, LTD, 
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, 1897-1898. 
The Directors in presenting this the first report 
and .accounts regret that the tlie result of the year's 
working is not so favourable its anticipated. 
The past season has been a bad one of tlie 
tea industry in Ceylon, a long drought having 
caused a considerable shortage in crops, and, as 
may be seen by the accompanying table, this 
Company has been a sufferer to a large extent. 
The large decrease at Kandaloya is to some extent 
caused by liner plucking, but compensation has 
been obtained by aniuch higher priee for the teas ; 
the difference being about 3d per lb. more for the last 
invoice sold, compared with the same time last year. 
Prices have averaged rather higher than for 
the i)revious twelve months for Ceylon tea 
genei ally, but the improvement does not compan- 
sate for the loss of tea caused by the drought. 
The St. Andrew's group of estates was taken 
over from the 1st September 1897, so only shows 
the result of ten monihs' working. The direc- 
tors think the purchase will prove a .satisfac- 
tory one to the Company, and are pleased to have 
the presence on the Board of Mr. Thomas North 
Christie (the late owner), whose knowledge of 
Ceylon matters is of great assistance to theui. 
it will be noted that there are yet 366 acres 
planted to come into bearing; a future source of 
profit to the Company. 
The directors wish to record their ai)preciation 
of the work done in Ceylon by Mr. George Greig 
and his assistants during a trying and disappointing 
season. Every effort is being made to reduce the 
cost of production, and to improve the teas. 
ANALYSIS OF THE YEAR'S WORKING. 
Laxapana 
S 6D 
<J.2 
683 
< a 
123 
60-: 
Maha Eliya 263 
1,021 
305 
-51 , 
7.23 1, 
3 31-32 
CO 3 
29.64 
Colombo 
4} p. lb. 
31-91 8.18 1,4 l uZ 
St. Andrew's 469 131 
Colombo 
5 p. lb. 
760 29.65 7.57 1/3 27-32 
Colombo 
ii p. lb. 
Kandaloya 530 106 1,006 33'33 7.42 1/41-33 
Colombo 
5i p. lb. 
1,050 m 3,09^ 
