760 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
May 1, 1899. 
were obtainable under 2s a pound. The 
peasants in the country very seldom tasted 
it, the bevei'fige being beyond their means. 
Several millions of the poorer people in 
Russia had never heard of tea to this day 
and would not understand its use if it were 
distributed to them gratis. Amongst the 
middle and well-to-do classfs, however, the 
consumption was very large. 
" What would be the average ^)er head 
amongst those who can afford tea i " 
"Ah! Russia is a large place," wa« the 
reply, "and it would be difficult to ask 
every man if he had drunk any tea during 
the year. But, yes, it is a sad thing that 
the Russian Government do not imbli.sh such 
full statistics as you have here and in London. 
All the figiues, nearly that we get about 
the impoi'ts of tea into Russia come from 
London," 
Was tea-drinking likely to spread, we 
asked, in view of M. de Wittes (Finance 
Minister) policy of repressing the drinking 
shops. Most certainly it would, was the 
answer we received. The "policy" in Ques- 
tion was the buying up of all liquor shops 
by the Government, and this immense piece 
of work had now been very nearly com- 
pleted, only a few liquor shops remaining 
m private hands. Liquor hiul consequently 
become far dearer than previously, ana, 
amongst the beverages to which the people 
would have recourse, tea held a prominent 
place. But it was not this so much as the 
decrease of duty that would increase the 
sale of tea in Russia, for so few could now 
afford to buy it. 
The duty at Odessa and the other ports 
was 86 kopeks per pound, i.e., al)out Is 
10(1_100 kopeks going to the silver rouble, 
which is about 2s. ; on the frontier the duty 
was just under Is. Id. The smaller duty here 
being to encourage the transport of tea from 
China overland, and the consequent opening 
up of Siberia. When the Siberian railway 
is complete, however, the duty will be raised, 
in all probability considerably above Is. Id. 
as the railway rates will be cheaper than the 
present overland means of transport. 
On asking how other tea than that from 
China reached Russia we were told that none, 
or very little indeed, came overland from 
Italy or across via Germany from London. 
Direct shipments of Ceylon and Indian tea 
were made to Odessa, but the quantity bought 
in the London market and taken round by 
the Baltic was about twice as much as that 
shipped direct from the East. The total con- 
sumption of Ceylon and Indian teas in Russia 
was now about 10 million lb. per annum. 
Another item, interesting to learn, was 
that originally there was no duty in the 
Northern ports of the Russian Empire and 
that tea was actually sent from Hankow to 
London and thence round the North Cape 
to the Gulf of Obi, whence it was quietly 
brought into North Russia and sold cheaper 
than what was brought over the frontier. 
The tea was sent to London first and tran- 
shipped there in the months of June and 
July, these being the only months in which 
the most northerly sea on the route would 
be navigable. But in due time ths Govern- 
ment found out this little game and stepped 
in and stopped it. Amongst the last con- 
signments which might have jjot into Russia 
without duty was one of ll.'HJO Ih. on board 
the ill-fatel P. & O. st^-amer "Aden,"' but 
the wreck of that vesst-l prevented itts ever 
reaching its destination. 
In conclusion we learnt that the Riuutian 
Volunteer Fleet which conveys tea to Odessa, 
while also acting as ti'<w)p-tiansp<}rtH, is t<j 
be increased by several new large vessels, 
one of the biggest iM'ing a sist<'i--ship txj the 
big three-fuiuielled •' Moscowa " which was 
in the harlK)ur the other day at the time of 
the Regatta, as seen in Alerisrs. PlAt^'s 
photogTai)hs. With native vesselt* like thebe 
the Russians will more freely convey t-eas tx» 
Russia; and fi-om all we could leMrn, though 
the Russian nation as a whole ai^e yet tar 
fi*om being reck»»ned an the givatest tea- 
drinkers in the world ; yet .-imongst the 
l>etter classes the beverage is highly appre- 
ciated and wherever Russians can affom to 
indulge it the taste grows uj>on theni with 
no small rapitlity. liie outlook, theix^fore, 
for tea, as far as the Russian market in 
concerned, may even now Ije considered 
bright and full of promise. 
COLOMBO TEA TRADERS" ASSOCIATION. 
In unulliercoliuiin wegivetlie report of the Com- 
mittee of this Association for tl:e past year, show- 
ing a credit balance of K1019 71. Giatilj'int; re- 
ference is made to tlie iucreaj-ed quantity of tea 
sold locally, and the flowing demand from 
American and Ku6Kian markets. We sitictrely 
join in the liohe expressed by the Committee that 
sellers on the local market will endeavour to ob- 
viate the complaints received from Australia 
and other places as to the bad condition of 
packages owin^ to excessive quantities ot tea 
having been put in them. We are niso glad to 
know that the three pounds' sampling Hilowcmce 
has worked satisfactorily. There has been an 
increase in the membership of the Association 
which wc trust will continue to grow in use- 
fulness. 
Tea in tuk Northkrn Districts.— After 
all we have heard about tea going back in 
some quarters, it is extremely satisfactory to have 
such good reports of the splendid appearance and 
yield of tea on such good old plfliitations ai> are 
comprised in the Elkadua group and in the Kele- 
bokka valley. Galheria, Oonoonegalla and Madul- 
kele are said to be a picture of the vigoorus tea. 
Tasmanian Fruit.— Messrs. Anderson, Anderson 
& Co., of the Orient Stearashi|i Co., inform us 
that they have received a telegraia to the effect 
that the quantity of Apples shippeil in the " Cuzco " 
is 11,000 cases, and in the "Britannia" 10,000 cases. 
This quantity includes Apples from Australian 
ports as well as from Hobart. Vendors here will 
appreciate the value of this communication. The 
" Cuzco" is due to arrive on April 1. — Gardeners' 
Chronicle. 
Agricultural Education.— It may he men- 
tioned that missionaries and persons going out 
to the Geriiian tropical colonies are instructed 
n botany and idant-raising at the Central Ex- 
perimental Station in Berlin. Though this idea 
w .s madeinOermany it is an excellent one. Such 
enlightenment and instruction is what the natives 
in all colonial centres stand greatly in need of, 
and it might be taken over by Britishers with 
advantage — Journal of the J, A. Society. 
