juNE 1, 1899.J 
THE TROPICAL 
AGRICULTURIST. 
837 
another crop, on the same soil, would readily rea- 
fiond to a potash fertiliser. For a crop, the pecu- 
iarties of which are well-known, an analysis of a 
soil may suggest the particular fertiliser which 
would give be.st results : but a chemical analysis ia 
by no iiieaos absolutely necessary for finding out the 
requirements of the soil you can easily do this on 
your es-ates. The proof of the pudding is in the 
eating. ' If a crop is benefited by a certain simple 
fertiliser it is evident that the soil was lacking 
in that particular plant food in so far as this 
particular crop was concerned ; but in order to ascer- 
tain whether a fertiliser has had a beneficial effect 
or otherwise we must leave a part of a uniform piece 
of land, treated in every other respect in the same 
manner, unfertilised. To my mind an advisable 
way of conducting these fertilising experiments would 
be to select aa uniform a piece of coffee (uniform 
shadesoil-coffee, etc.), as possible, to apply to a 
narrow strip, say 20 or 10 feet running straight 
down the hill, a certain fertiliser leaving a similar 
strip next to this unfertilized, follow this by a strip 
to which another fertiliser has been applied. Every 
strip to which a fertiliser has been applied will thus 
be separated, by a similar strip, of unmanured soil, 
which will serve as a standard for comparison. I 
shall not take up your time with any further remarks 
on this subject but hope you will do me the honour 
of writing to me when you have time. The extent 
and the object of the experiment will have to deter- 
mine the particular fertilisers used, and the rotation 
in which they are applied. I should esteem it an 
honour if yon would permit me to consult with you 
whenever you contemplate making an experiment, 
however small it may be. While speaking of fertilisers, 
permit me to say that the more evenly and the more 
intimately it is mixed with the soil (other things 
being equal), the better the results are likely to be. 
Of course you know that certain fertilisers, euch 
as sulphate of ammonia and lime ought not to bo 
mixed together as it would result in the loss of 
ammonia ; and that saltpetre ought never to be applied 
either just before or during the monsoons, as a heavy 
shower of rain would cause it to be Washed away. 
But I am not yet in a position to say what would 
be the best time of the year to apply it, this might 
Tiry for differentJ easons and localities, and would 
depend to some extent on whether the coffee re- 
quires a period of rest during the hot weather or 
not. On the subject of digging, mulching, and gre«n 
manuring, I hope to have something further to 
say later on. If my first impressions are tru« it 
would be well to try ani allow the leaves to remain 
on the surface as long as possible. But I must not 
occupy your time any further as I hope to hav« the 
privilege of attending some of your future meetings. 
After a vote of thanks to Dr. Lehmann for his 
most ineresting address, and the usual vote of 
thanks to the Chairman and Honorary Secretary, the 
meeting broke up. 
CEYLON TEA IN AMERICA AND 
RUSSIA. 
We have received a nuiuber of specimens 
of the advertising of Ceylon and Indian Teas 
in the American press. Most, if not all, of 
these are very admirably conceived and in 
design and letterpress reflect credit on Mr. 
Mackenzie and Mr. Blechynden. Our corre- 
spondent, in forwarding the specimens, 
writes from New York, March 17th, as 
follows : — 
" Some of the enclosed might interest you. The ad- 
vertisements aro more to the Grocery trade, on the 
position of the market. Teas are now being shipped 
from hero to London. Any rubbish, provided it ia 
cheap enough, ia the tenor of the orders from 
London ! 
'• What has become of shipments to Russia .' Up 
to the middle of Feb. the Obsa i tr shovs a none 1 If (he 
rise in lower grade has already stopped the Russian 
trade, it can be of use to Ceylon, only when teas are 
below the cost of profitable production. Perhaps 
Russian buyers are holding back for a vessel of their 
Volunteer Fleet." 
Om- correspondent will see that Russia did 
much better in March and that the com- 
parison of shipments to Russia at the latest 
date the Chamber's return is as fol* 
lows : — 
January to April 18, 1899 
January to April 18, 1898 
599,7961b. 
315,3811b. 
Increase ., 281,4151b. 
To Amex'ica, the increase is very satis« 
factory : — 
January to April 18, 1899 , . 613,3991b. 
January to April 18, 1898 .. 559,1371b. 
Increase 
54,2621b. 
INDIAN TEA AND COFFEE AT THE 
PARIS EXHIBITION. 
The followiDfr communication from the Govern* 
ment of India to the Madras Government has 
been passed on to the United Planters' As- 
sociation of Southern India for remark : — 
"Copy ot letter from the Secretary to the Govern- 
ment of India, Department of Revenue and 
Agriculture Commercial Exhibitions), Circular 
No. 15-1-11, dated •25th March, 1899. " In accord- 
ance with the terms of the Resolution of the 
Government of India, dated 2nd March, 1899, 
the Rules and Regulations relating to the Biitish 
Indian and Ceylon Section of the Paris Exhibition, 
1900, have been published in the Gazette of India 
and the Gazette of Local Governments and Admin- 
istrations. In the meantime the question of iiow 
the space provided in the Indian Imperial Court 
which is shown in the plan attached to the 
Rules and Regulations can be best utilised in the 
interests of India has been under consideration. 
The Government of India have decided to con- 
tribute to the E,xhibition representative collections 
of forest produce and minerals. But after pro- 
viding for these collections a certain amount of 
space will remaim, and the Government of India 
consider that this cannot be better utilised than 
as a means ot assisting the tea and coffee in- 
dustries to an adequate and effective exhibition 
of their produce. It is proposed therefore to 
grant, free of charge, to the Indian Tea Asso- 
ciation, and also to Coffee Planters' Associations 
in case the latter should desire it, such space 
as is available in the Imperial Court and to 
assist in the decoration of the Court in a suit- 
able manner. I am further to request that inti- 
mation of the Government of India's intention 
may be given to the Planters' Associations of 
Madra-'*, and that it may be suggested to those 
bodies that sliouKl they tlesire to avail them- 
selves of the offer of exhibition space, the ar- 
rangement of details might most conveniently 
be entrusted to a Central Committee working in 
London, and representing and financetl by the 
several Associations. If tiiis suggestion be adopted, 
the Central Committee might organise a coffee- 
room in co-operation with the tea-ioom of the 
Indian Tea Association. As tlie time for com- 
pleting arranyements is short, I am to reciuest that 
no time may be lose in ascertaining the views of 
the ^Vssociatious concerned." 
