426 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Dec, 1, 1903. 
the lines recommended by the Government Mycologist, 
no expecse being spared in its treatment : your 
Directors have no reason to alter their views — corro- 
borated as they are by men qualified to form an 
opinion — that canker can be kept down by care and at- 
tention, and to better ensure this the staff on the North 
Matale and Alloowiharie groups has been increased. 
The census of Coconuts taken at the end of last June 
gives a total of 61,042 trees, or say 803 acres at the 
rate of 76 trees per acre. During the past few years 
considerable attention has been given to the cultiva- 
tion of what may he-termed minor products, the area 
EuccessfuUy planted with Pepper, Groton Seeds, Kola 
Nuts, and — latterly— Kubber being of importance in 
the aggregate. It has been decided to improve the 
facilities for curing Cocoa, and the necessary work 
was well forward at the time of last advices. No 
decision has yet been arrived at respecting the pro- 
posed Green Tea Factory on Alloowiharie. In 
deference to the wishes expressed by some influential 
Shareholders, jour Directors have decided to accele- 
rate the payment of the Preference Dividends, 
whereby distributions will be made on these shares in 
January and July in respect of the year ending 30th 
June, instead of in Jaly and December, as has been 
the custom for many years past. Tea. — When our last 
report was issued quality was unattractive and prices 
ruled low. Towards the middle of November, how- 
ever, it became evident that the Indian crop would 
be much less than expected, and this, together with 
moderate supplies from the Island, caused a gradual 
improvement in the position. The commoner grades 
have benefited most by the new condition. Pekoe 
Souchongs being about 2d per lb. higher than at this 
time in 1902, while a good demand was experienced 
for the best teas on offer. Unfavourable weather in 
the Island did not allow of good quality being 
manufactured generally during a great portion of the 
period under review, and those estates which were 
favourably situated reaped the advantage. Latterly 
flavour improved, and many of the arrivals were much 
more attractive than before. Owing in a great measure 
to the increased manufacture of green tea, impoita 
from Colombo to the United Kingdom show a consider- 
able decrease this season, aod supplies recently have 
been barely enough to meet trade requirements. 
Deliveries from the London Bonded Warehouses from 
1st January to 31st October were 79,741,0001b versus 
85,642,000 lb in 1902, when the possibility of a rise in 
Duty caused abnormal clearances, and imports durirg 
the same period 79,551,000 lb and 88,164,000 lb respec- 
tively. Outside quarters have continued to draw on 
this market for a considerable portion of their supplies, 
the total dispatched from London in the first nine 
months of the year being : — 
1903, 1902. 1901, 
11,906,000 lb 13,075,652 lb 13,305,000 lb 
A decided increase is noticeable in direcn shipments 
from Colombo to Canada and the United States, bat 
there is a slight falling off in those to the Continent, 
partly attributable to the higher price of common tea. 
To AUSTHALASIA. 
1903. 
15,179,000 lb 
9,519,000 lb 
9,356,000 lb 
1902. 
14,706,000 lb 
To Eussu, 
10,479,0001b 
To Amsbica. 
4,226,000 lb 
1901. 
16,269,0001b 
6,977,C00 lb 
2,092,000 lb 
From 1st January to 31st uU., 922,500 packages of 
garden tea passed through the Mincing Lane Sale 
Booms, realising 7§d. per lb, ccmparod with 6jd. 
per lb for 1,028 300 packages, and 6|d. per lb for 
1,053,000 packages in the corresponding ten months of 
the two preceding years. 
Cocoa. — The market opened with a dull tone, and 
prices very quickly shewed some slight decline, but 
as speedily recovered, and an active demand for 
good and fine qualities prevailed to the end of April, 
{irioee {oc these descriptions then ehewiug an advance 
of 78 8d per cwt from the lowest point. For the nex^s 
four months the market was very dull and price 
gradually dropped till an appreciable decline had 
occurred, but in the last two months there has been 
more general buying, and the loss in value has been 
fully recovered, Superior quality is still in limited 
supply, and commands high prices. It is a good 
feature that deliveries of Ceylon Cocoa have more 
than maintained the improvement to which attention 
was called last year, and to the 25th October amounted 
to 41,803 bags, against 39,822 bags in 1902, and 
20,070 bags in 1901. This is the more satisfactory 
whon taken in connection with the statistics of all 
kinds, which are as follows, viz. : — 
IMPORTS TO 25th OCTOBER, 
1903. 
170,034 bags 
1902. 
200,278 bags 
1901. 
195,012 bags 
DEHVEKIES TO 2oTH OCTOBER. 
.169,801 do 209,159 do 177,327 do 
STOCKS 25TH OCTOBER. 
61.929 do 68,523 do 93,011 do 
Acreages.— The following Statement shows the 
approximate acreage of the Company's Properties 
at date : — 
Coooi. 
Name of Estate. 
o 
Alloowiharie 
Group .. 214 J 
Andangodde 
Estate .. 176J 
Fettevesso Est. 410 
New Peradeniya 
Estate .. 386t 
North Matale 
Group .. 407 
Owella Estate — 
Eickarton Est. 540 
Strat.hislaGroup259^ 
Forest Land . . — 
60 
a 
ST 
^ a 
oq 
° -r 
<i S <^ 
^ fl a 
goo 
•~Z at. 
322 25 116i 15 
18 
733 
108 
167* 
— — 176i 
— 23 438 
— 50i 454i 
10 
HO* 
85 
7 — 
360 1 595 
239 457 
56 696 
5i 438i 
430 430 
2,393i 1,348 152 201i l,183i 6,278^ 
1,500" 
t And Cocoa. * And Tea. 
N.B.— In the absence of detailed surveys these 
figures, as mentioned above, are approximate only. 
The Estimates for current vear provide for a 
Crop of 1,106,200 lb. Tea from the Company's Estates 
178,000 lb from bought leaf, and 220,000 lb made for 
others, a total of 1,504,200 lb compared with 1,589,809 
lb manufactured last year. The intake at date of 
latest advices owing to adverse weather conditions 
compares unfavourably with the Crop secured at the 
same time in 1902. The Crop of Cocoa is estimated 
to be 3,290 cwts. Mr Alex. D Wilson by rotation, 
retiresi, from the Directorate, but being eligible, offers 
himself for re-election, Mr James B Laurie, the 
Auditor, also retire, but he is eligible, and offers 
himself for re-election.— By order of the Board, James 
Wilson, Chairman ; Alfred E Lock, Secretary. 
Leadenhall House, 101, Leadenhall Street. London. 
E.0.,12th Nov. 1903, 
The Colombo Zoological Gardens,— Mr, 
Julius' exhaustive letter on this subject 
elsewhere is of high public interest. Pro- 
gressive as Ceylon is in so many ways, we 
feel sure the local public will not be slow 
in eagerly taking up the cause of a Colombo 
Zoological Gardeqs, 
