Mahoh 1, 1904.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST; 
597 
Mr Davidson awaits the return of Mr Kenneth 
Nicol from South India before proceeding to the 
Straits, after which he will make up his nund 
whether to go on to Australia or return to Ceylon. 
MASKELIYA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
CROP ESTIMATE, 
for 1904 ie .. ... Black 6,P17,000 lb. 
Green 
HAP'UTALE PLANTEKS' ASSOCIATION, 
28th annual report. 
Your Committee has the pleasure of laying before 
you the 28th Annual Report and in so doing coDgratu- 
lateayou upon the contmued prosperity of your Asso- 
oiatloD. The number of estates upon the register la 
47 the same as last year, finances are in a satisfactory 
condition, and the meetings, which have been held, 
were exceptionally well attended. 
OFFICIAL ESTIMATE. 
as "Jl -5 
3 . 
"S .2 o-^ 
^5 H o 
1904 ... 19116 16405 6756500 361000 835500 412 71 
1903 . 18710 157804 6194975 455000 682000 392 17B| 
Decrease - - - 94000 - - 102^ 
Increase 406 624% 561525 — 153500 20 — 
Coffee.— The decrease in the acreage under this 
product ia very marked, but a few estates are still pro- 
ducing small crops. 
Rubber.— A few acres have been opened ; some 
estates are also planting it among tea, 
835, UOO lb. 
Total 7,752,000 lb. 
—as against a total of 7,836,000 in of which 
850,000 lb. were Green Teasj so that increase, 
of Green Teas made i the district is 2,000 lb. 
The acreage of tea in district is 17,80 acres, 
of which tea in full bering totals 17,573 acrea 
The yield works out at 44 eraotherelb. 
THE SEASON 
has again been a very short yielding one through- 
out the district generally, but prices as a whole 
have been better, Peets have not been very trouble- 
some with the exception of attacks ^of the lea 
Tortrix in certain places. 
HEWAHETA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
ANNUAL REPORT. 
Crop Estimate.— Official returns received show 9,123 
acres in tea and 8,907 in bearing. The estimate crop 
is 3,819.000 lb of tea, including 110,000 lb of green 
tea. The foregoing figures do not include 470,000 lb 
of green leaf from native gardens, the acreage of 
which it is difficult to estimate. 
Season.— The tea crop was short generally; owing 
to the unfavourable weather during the latter part 
of the year. Prices generally have been fair. 
Labour.- The continued scarcity of labour causes 
the gravest concern, and your Committee trusts that 
the steps now being taken by the Parent Association 
may improve the situation. 
Pests and Blights.— Your Committee is glad to 
report that the district is comparatively free from all 
peats. 
♦ 
The Indian Tea Cess Committee.— The 
plan of campaiga to be adopted by this 
Committee for the promotion of the con- 
sumption ot Indian tea during 1904 1905 
is to hand. The estimated expenditure 
is fl362 363 for the year. A bonus of 9 pies, 
about 4i cents, is to be paid on five 
million lbs of green tea while a new^ incentive 
is given to their manufacture by the offer of 
a substantial bonus of 1^ annas, about 
9 cents, per lb on 100,000 lbs of Formosa 
Oolongs, In addition to this the Committee 
ar« willing to co-operate to the excent of 
R3,000 with the Indian Tea Association in 
sending a planter to Formosa to study the 
methods of Oolong manufacture, if possible, 
on the spot. R600,000 is to be spent in adver- 
tising in America while R5.000 is to be given 
in aid of the proposed commercial mission to 
Persia, 
KOTMALE PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
INAUGURAL MEETING, 
At a meeting held at the Kotmale Sports 
Club's Pavilion, to decide whether a District 
Planters' Association should be formed and, if so, 
to elect office bearers, the following were pre- 
sent :— Messrs F Hunter, A Padwiek, R H 
Henning, M S Milne, A P Godfrey, J W MacLeod, 
C Tarrant, A G Forbes, and by proxy — Messrs 
A J Austin Dickson, .S Payne Gallwey, C F 
Winthrop, and FE Paulet. 
Mr Hunter, seconded by Mr Henning, pro- 
posed : — Thao Mr Forbes do take the chair," — 
Carried. 
The Chairman having briefly pointed out 
the desirability of an Association in the District, 
said that he was glad to be able to inform the 
meeting that he had received twenty-two pro- 
mises to join if such an Association was formed, 
and proposed the following resolution : — "That a 
Planters' Association for the District of Kotmale 
be hereby formed." — Carried unanimously. 
The following office-bearers were then elected :— 
Chairman— Mr A Rosling of Imboolpitiya ; 
Secretary and Treasurer — Mr A G Forbes of 
Kadienlena ; Committee — Mr A J Austin Dick- 
son of Oonoogaloya, Mr F Hunter of Queens- 
berry, and Mr 0 Hill of Westhall, 
Kandy Committee : Mr A J Austin Dickson 
the Chairman and the Secretary. 
The Secretary pointed out that Mr Rosling 
was absent and that it would be necessary to elect 
an acting Chairman until his willingness to take 
office should be ascertained, 
Mr Hunter, seconded by Mr Padwick, pro- 
posed :— "That the Secretary do act as Chairman 
pro tern." — Carried. 
The Chairman proposed :— " That this Asso- 
ciation be affiliated to the Parent Association." 
Carried. 
The extension of the Telegraph Service to the 
upper part of the District was then discussed. 
This terminated the business of the meeting. 
Arthur G. Forbes, Secretary, Kotmale Plant- 
ers' Association. 
BALANGODA PLANTERS' ASSOCIATION. 
Meetings.— Three general meetings were held 
during the past year, the average atteudance being 
very poor, ais against nine last year, 
