March 1, 1899.] 
THE TROPICAL AGPJCUJ-TUEIST. 
6^5 
fr 11a, Batgoda, &c., lu ve been included in the trip, 
Filially, a run l)y rail lias oeeu made from Hapii- 
tale back to Kandy : — 
"Hov/ magnifi'Jent the scenery is on each side summit 
level — no railway in England can show the like of 
that piece. Only bits I have seen to compare are 
on the St. Gotthard and Arlberg Rciilways— Swiizer- 
land and Tyrol." 

TEA-GKOWING IN THE CAUCASUS. 
The tea plantations in the neighbourhood of Batoura 
continue to occupy the serious a tention of a few 
Busdiau tea planters, who appear to be more or less 
sanguine as to the ultimate results that are likely to 
be attained. Blessrs. Popoff have erected a factory 
for manipulating tea on one of their estates near 
Batoum, and have gathered their first crop this year, 
bnt I regret to say that, owing to the mystery with 
which they attempt to surround their industry, and 
tlie secrecy which they maintain lu respect to all 
matters concerning their plantations and the culti- 
vation of tea on them, it is quite impossible to procure 
information of a reliable nature in regard to them. 
Although the tea crcp from these gardens was all 
forwirded to Moscow and St Petersburg, it does not, 
according to the St. Petersburg papers, appear to 
bear comparison with the importtd article in general 
use in the Russian Empire. 
The Imperial Domain authorities expect to obtain 
a crop next season, and are making preparations for 
the erection of a factory on their estates, and 1 am 
given to under^'tand that the order for the iDuildings 
and plant has been placed in the United Kingdom. 
It seems probable that the results of tea-grov/iug on 
tbe last-mentioned estates stand a better chancs of 
success than those obtained on the other es'ates, 
thanks to the fact that they have not confined their 
sowings to one quality only, bnt have laid out 
plantations of several kinds, of Indian teas as well as 
Chinese and Ceylon hybrids. By af'opting this 
rational course they will be able to judge which 
quality is more especially adapted to the prevailing 
climate and other local conditions. Their acreage 
under tea has baen largely increased during the 
present year. 
I may here mention that, according to the opinion 
of persons who have had a wide experience in tea- 
planting in other parts of the world, the only favour- 
able portion of the Caucasus for tea-planting is the 
coast land situated between Soukhou'n and the 
Turkish frontier, the general aspect of the land being 
southerly, and, therefore, sheltered by the hills from 
the very cold winds that strike their northern slopes. 
The rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout 
tbe year, the driest months of the year being, I Should 
think, as a rule, May and June. The heat is never 
too excessive for tea-growing. Labour, I believe, is 
expensive as compared with prices paid in India and 
Ceylon, mid the hands available are of course entirely 
ignorant of the principles of gardening; but I am 
of opinion that this difficulty could easily be over- 
come if tea-planting in this district became general, 
as labourers, being sure of obtaining permanent 
work on the plantation,", would be sure to Hock to 
this district from the surrounding country, which 
only grows a poor quality of maize, and is not very 
remunerative. Up to the present diaeasei among the 
lea plants have been — Biilish Comular Itrport, l.St)8. 
FLOUIDA BEANS. 
Through the kindness of Mr. Lyford we liave 
some n)ore .seed to distribute of tlii.s useful l)ean. 
We are sending .some to Mr. E. J. Marlin for 
trial in ('oinihatore district, and also sonip to the 
Kclani Valley. A few more trials can be given to 
applicants. 
PKOGKESS IN THE STRAITS 
SETTLEMENTS : 
PLANTING AND RAILWAYS. 
We make a few extracts from the very intere-st- 
inp; report by die Resident-General of the Federatetl 
Malay S:ates to hi.s honour the Actin{; High Com- 
niis.sioner (Sir Alexander Sweltenhaiii, k.c.M.g): 
and first ic is surprising how these States have 
been able to develop so considerable a Land 
Revenue collected on a scientific basis. We 
read : — 
In a year which I cannot describe as one of general 
prosperity it is still satisfactory to report that the 
land ofBces show the largest measure of comparative 
increase, and that the total land revenue collected 
during 1897 amounted to §636,054 as against 8511,237 
collected in 18'J6: 
The duty on tin is the chief support of the 
revenue, however, giving .S2, 716, 763 in 1897 ; 
while Railway receipts equalled 1,294,139 and the 
Post Office ami Telegraphs gave .'?U1,328. 
The value of trade ia returned at $56,149 020 
Imports gave 25,000,682, Exports 31,148,.340. ' 
Revenue and Expenditure rose : — 
The total revenue of the Federated Malay Sfcstea 
amounted in 1897 to $8,296,687 against $3,434 (J83 
received in the previous year. The great fall in the 
price of ccffee seriously depressed agricultural 
interests, and the railways felt the adverse influence 
of the depressioa. Towards the end of tbe year some 
of the States were visited by the greatest floods 
known within living memory and immense damage 
was caused. The expenditure of the ye»r amounted 
to SSi'i'95.313, against 83,598,147 in 1890. The excess 
of expenditure over revenue was met from balances 
belonging to the State of Sslangor; but this money 
was advanced in anticipation of the early issue of the 
Ptailway loan, and some inconvenience has been 
caused by unexpected delays, as it is still necessary for 
the wealthier States to find funds, not only for useful 
development but also, in the case of Pahang, for the 
general purposes tf administration. 
As regards Agriculture: — 
Excluding tbe planting of rice the principal cal- 
tivation has hitherto been that of Liberian coffee • 
and I reported last year the preat progress made 
throughout the Stales by this form of industry. I 
afe soiry to say that the price of Liberian coffee fell 
so low in 1897 that the hitherto bright prospects of the 
industry were overclouded ; and some of the planters 
who were working on a tmall capital were unable 
to contend against the altered condition of the market 
Most of the European owners of estates, and some' 
of the natives, are holding on for better times, but 
in a good many cases, especially among the 'very 
small owners, I am told that coffee has been abandoned 
and that planters are taking to some less expensive 
and more profitable form of cultivation. Locking at 
the price which has to be paid for very indifferent 
coffee in Europe (or at any rate in England) I cannot 
believe that there is yet serious cause to doubt that 
the cultivation of Liberian coffee, in the Malay 
States, can be made a profitable venture. Of the excel- 
lence of the berry that can be, and is grown here, there 
can hardly be two opinions: but before the coffee ia 
consumed it must bo very thoroughly and carefully 
diied, and it ou;;ht to be mellowed by keeping for a con- 
siderable time. If this is done Malay coffee will compare 
very favourably with that produced in other coantriei 
and it must be the business of those whose interoeti 
are mainly concerned to see that they send their 
produce to market in the condition to mak« it most 
e:i ily saleable. No country should rely on one 
ii' ia-try, and, here at least, the enterprising planter 
should be encouraged to try different forms of ogricul- 
tuL-e. The various kinds of gutta, both t-'ose which 
arc indigenous, and those which have been Buccesi. 
{UII7 iutioduced fioua South America, seeme tg ogo| 
