Aro. 1, 1903.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 107 
Dncoloured Tea is of the same make of leaf, but fired 
in baskets and thus without the face induced by pan- 
firing. Iq both kinds there is an absence of glaze and 
twisfin the leaf which may be deemed the character- 
istics of Japan Tea properly so called. That there is 
a wide field may be gathered from the figures we 
append below and from which it will be seen that 
markets exist for Green Tea to the amount of 48 
millions, and for Uacoloured 21 millions. Space for- 
bids us, nor is it possible, to enter at greater length 
into this interesting snbjsct, but for the guidance 
of Planters in India and Ceylon who intend to pursue 
this branch of the Trade, we purpose keeping types 
of the different kinds of faced and unfaced Greens and 
will be pleased to forward to any desirous of possess- 
ing them, standard samples of the various manu- 
factures. All Green and Uncoloured Teas should be 
packed in half-chests. 
THE LATEST BOOK ON TEA.* 
The title of this big handsome volume is an 
entire misnomer. The pages are by no meaYis 
confined to "pests and blights;" but com- 
prise all departments appertaining to the tea 
planter and manufacturer, and we have really 
a very full and up-to-date volume which 
ought to be in every tea estate bungalow 
in India and Ceylon. There are no fewer 
than eight full chapters covering IQi pages 
befoie we come to the "pests" at all. Plant 
life, races of the plant and improvement of 
tea seed, hoeing, weeding and tillage, 
drainage, principles of pruning, plucking, and 
tea manuring in all its phases are fully dis- 
cussed ; and then only do we come to thirteen 
chapters dealing with insect and other animal 
pests, as well as all vegetable parasites, with 
valuable appendices. There are no fewer 
than 24 full pages of illustrations, apart 
from some 44 figures in the letterpress, so 
that there can be no excuse for inability to 
follow the instructions or experiments of 
the learned writers, who certainly deserve 
well of all interested in the improvement 
and permanent success of the Great Tea 
Industry of British India and Ceylon. As 
showing the purpose which the writers them- 
selves kept in view, we quote as follows from 
the preface : — 
The book takes a much wider view of the ques- 
tions discussed than the former edition, which 
only professed to be a report of particular in- 
vestigations conducted on special tours under 
orHers of the Government of India in the Kangra 
Valley and Assam. In tiie present, on the other 
hand, not only has a considerable amount of in- 
formation obtained since 1898 been utilised, but 
the book has been almost entirely re-written, 
and is no longer a report on certain specific 
journeys, but a general account of the pests and 
hligiits affecting the tea plant in India, and to a 
certain extent in Ceylon. We hope it may be 
found of service both in making the culture of 
tea nioie sfientific than heretofore, and in placing 
in the hands of planters the best means of deal- 
ing with enemies and diseases of the plant, which 
seem to be growing in number and in virulence 
every season. 
A glossary, table of contents and admirable 
index ar e not the least useful features of 
* "The Pests and Blights of the Tea Plant" (2nd 
Edition) by Sir George Watt, F.L.S,, C,i.E., &c., 
&c., and Harold H. Mann, f.l.s,, &c., «&c. 
14 
the well-printed, well-bound book (turned 
out from the Calcutta Government press) 
now lying before us. 
» 
TKOPICAL PRODUCTS IN THE SOUTH 
SEA ISLANDS IN 1902. 
The Deutsche Handels and Plantagen Com- 
pany of the Southsea Islands at Hamburg 
reports that in 1902 the copra-crop was one 
third larger than in the previous year, and 
that the produce was sold at favourable 
prices. Also the copra production of the 
natives has been larger and the high rates 
which they could get for it helped them to 
more money, which, again, has been spent 
in the purchase of imported goods. The 
cacao plantings, which the company began 
in 1901, have developed well, but plantings 
made at a later period have suffered by 
dryness and had to be replanted. Of its real 
estates the company has been able to sell 
only a very small part to new settlers. 
Although the King of Sweden has declared 
England and the United States to be obliged 
to pay for the war-damages caused early in 
1899 at Samoa, a payment has not yet been 
made. The total gross profit of the company 
in 1902 amounted to m.994, 112 (against 
m. 738. 083 in the previous year), out of which, 
after payment of all costs and expenses, there 
remains a net profit of m. 62.3,337 (m.400,8!i2), 
out of which in. 156,440 (m. 123, 822) are applied 
to writing-off purposes, while m, 23,345 
(m. 13,953) are handed over to the reserve ; 
as Directors' fees m. 16,678 (m.7,660) are distri- 
buted, and the Shareholders obtain m. 330,000 
as a dividend of 12 per cent., against 8 per 
cent for the previous year. — i, and C, 
Express, June 5. 
PEOPOSED AMALGAMATION OF EUBBER 
INTERESTS IN KLANG : 
INTERESTING TO OUR RUBBER PLANTERS, 
We learn on the best authority from 
London, that negotiations are on foot 
to amalgamate the Bukit Rajah, Sonjei- 
Bingai, Eskdale, Bukit-Duku and Delabole 
Estates into a Company. The shares, how- 
ever, are not to be offered to the public 
as they are all to ba taken up by the 
present owners. This should form one of 
the most compact and important federations 
of interests in Rubber Cultivation in the East. 

ALOE FIBRE IN S. INDIA. 
A correspondent writes : — " The experiments 
in the manufacture of fibre from aloe leaves having 
apparently developed buccessfully, several per- 
sons are in communication with tiie Railway in 
Southern India to lease tha aloe fencing along |the 
lines for a certain number of yeurs, to remove 
the matured leaves monthly, and offering very 
favourable conditions. A representative has 
lately visited Madras and has made preliminary 
arrangements for the acquirement of about 3,000 
aces of land not far from Madras in view of 
opening out an extensive cultivation of aloe 
plants, The venture may prove in course of 
time a thriving industry ia Southern India." — 
Madras Mail, June 25. 
