MAY J, 1899.] THE TROPICAL AGRlCULTtJRiST. 
793 
would probably bo floated and which would go 
ail over the estates tliey had concessions over, 
and cut them ui) in all directions to ascertain if 
tliere uas pluinb.ifri) in paying quantities. That 
was what would happen to tiieir estates for 
the sini|)le return of 115,000. If they found no 
l)lumbago they would have tlieir estates cut 
abont and get no royalty at all ; if it did pay 
it meant that plumbago existed in such ijaying 
quantity that the returns to the Vogan Company 
would be totally inadequate. 
Mr. Alderson agreed. 
Mr. W. E. MiTCHEr.L :~Do the Directors think 
there is any chance of having the agreement 
modified ? 
The Chairman snid he tried to alter the con- 
ditions, but they absolutely refused to do so. 
They certainly refused to bind themselves to work 
the thing at all, and would not agree to a 21 years' 
lease, afj they said they would have to stop 
working after 16 years. Their reply to his 
(the Chairman's) arguments was that it was 
usual in mining concesssions, and therefore they 
preferred to have it. The conditions might be 
modified. (To Mr. Mitchell) Do you propose an 
amendment ? 
Mr. W. E. Mitchell :— No, 1 do not propose 
any amendment. 
Mr. JULIU.S suggested that the Crucible Com- 
pany would be written to pointing out one 
or two reasons why their offer could not be 
accepted as it stood, and that they could renew 
their offer after being modified. 
Mr. W. E. Mitchell : -I don't think I should 
drop all negotiations. 
Mr. Julius said unless certain modifications 
were made he thought the offer sliould be declined. 
The damage done to tlie surface by mining should 
be provided for, and also that there should 
be no renewal of the lease after twenty-one 
years, and in ilie event of their not using the 
mine for a period— say for six or twelve months 
— to forefeit their right--, and also to send to 
them prices realised anil details of the tonnage 
raised. Then in clause 14, in the second para- 
graph, it is said "To appropriate and use for any 
puipo.<-e any water not now required by Vogan 
Company," and the word " now " must came out. 
Mr. Alderson also suggested some alter- 
ations in the I3th and 5tli clauses wtth regard 
to the sale and purchase of timber and the 
rights of the lessees to renew the agreement after 
•21 years. 
Mr. Julius considered that there should be no 
renewal after 21 years, as that was much too 
long even if they took the agreement into con- 
sideration. 
Mr. Alderson observed that plumbago was a 
very Huctuating product, and there was a chance 
of its becoming more valuable in future than it 
was at present. 
The Chairman said if no one had any amend- 
ment, he would put Mr. Bois' proposition to the 
meeting. After reading the motion again 
Mr. ALDESON asked : -That does not bind us 
to anything, does it ? 
Mr'. Julius : -No. 
Mr. Alder.son :— Then I shall be glad to 
second it. 
The resolution was carried nem con. Con- 
siderable further discussion, however, ensued on 
the subject, those i)resent conversing in little 
groujis. 
Mr. ALDKR.SON enquired if they tliouhgt it 
Would pay for the Vogau Company to work 
9'J 
the plumbago in charge of a European with a 
knowleJge of mining. The cost of water and 
timber would be absolutely nothing. 
The Chairman :— Without pumping machi- 
nery ? 
Mr. Alderson :— Natives would take the water 
out in no time. How many veins tapped or cub 
through have you already ? 
The Chairman :— Five or six. 
Mr. Alderson :— What size were they? 
The Chairman The last had been started 
at two-and-a-half inches and then the springs 
came in. 
Mr. Alderson :— Does it really promise 
well ? 
The Chairman : — The native miners seem 
very keen. 
Mr. Alderson :— What about the quality ? 
The Chairman:— It is not of the very best, but 
I have a lump of plumbago in my office 
weighing 42 lb. — pure plumbago. 
Mr. Alderson :— That ought to be good enough. 
The lump of plumbago referred to by the Chair- 
man was then brought into the room and came 
under the interested inspection of those present, 
and after some further discussion of an informal 
character the meeting concluded after lasting 
nearly an hour. 
Cacao Disease in Trinidad.— Mr. Hatt 
has kindly given us a full answer, it will be 
found elsewhere, to the questions we asked 
him in view of the criticisms of Mr. Carru- 
thers' report, by a well-known planter, in our 
issue of January 21st. From all he says, and 
his words deserve close attention, we gather that 
the attack of the disease is periodic, during the 
moist season chiefly, and not of so serious a 
character as to cause general alarm, if only 
judicious nieasuresare taken. Chief aaiong these 
is the burning, burying; or otherwise completely 
destroying all infected pods and pods opened for 
abstracting beans ; for it is in these that the 
spores which are responsible for the disease most 
readily germinate. 
Coffee Planting in Sumatra.— Upon this 
subject some interesting (periodical) notes 
by W.T.M'K. appear on page 802. It is 
amusing to read the German coffee planter's 
comment on the recent present of Ceylon tea to the 
German Emperor. " German soldiers " he says 
"will never drink tea." Probaoly this planter 
refers to the tea with which he has perhaps been 
acquainted in Germany, the ordinary decoction 
brought to one at the hotels under the name of tea. 
This we have tasted, and found'it not only weak, 
but offensively weak, and offensive as well ; we 
can well believe that German soldiers would re- 
fuse to touch it. But on3e the Hner article makes 
its way in German homes, we are sure this 
Teuton colonist will one day need to retract his 
words. But, as to coffee ; Serdang seems to be a 
veritable paradise for the Liberian coffee grower 
as Mr. M'K.'s report will testify. Yet no colony 
likes to consider itself really prosperous, as our 
correspondent's half-recriminative remarks on 
the Ceylon planters outcries vill show. It 
is also found difficult to obtain cacao seed ; 
Ceylon seed is mistrusted, and from else- 
where it spoils in transport. It is gratifying 
to find tiiat the Northern Ituilway Agitatisu 
has been followed with relish beyond the seas, 
for here in Ceylon we were thoroughly sick of 
it, and feel relieved at its cessation, 
