March 1, 1904.] 
THK TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
605 
that we may be excused if we merely record 
here the actual figures from the Cliaraber of 
Commerce returns. 
SHIPMP^NTS OF BLACK TEA. 
In 
United 
Kiugdom 
Busaia ... 
Other OoDtinental 
coantries ... 
.Anstraiia 
America 
Other coantriea 
1900. 
lb. 
113,760,193 
8,855,992 
1,357,177 
17,606,912 
3,980.680 
2,870,685 
1901. 
lb. 
105,497,339 
9,609,734 
1,189,987 
20,6:18,208 
3,704-335 
4,248,641 
Total... 148,431,639 145,188,244 
In 
United 
Kingdom 
Pussia 
Other Oontiaental 
countries 
Anstralia 
Amerjc^ ... 
Other countries 
1902. 
lb. 
102,899,489 
11,599,953 
1,446,700 
18,718,794 
5,048 137 
6,481,324 
1903. 
lb. 
95,706,821 
14,277.113 
1,432,998 
19,758,953 
6 503,643 
4,792,817 
Total ... 146,194,397 142,472,345 
SHIPMKNTS OF GREEN TEA 
Id 
United 
Kingdom 
Busaia 
America 
Other coantriea 
1901, 
lb. 
237,231 
37,337 
797,796 
38,410 
1902. 
lb. 
644,443 
127,115 
1,968,456 
56,830 
1903. 
lb. 
1,009,682 
143,727 
7,430,487 
63,768 
Total export 1,110,774 2,796,814 8,647,664 
X. During the year cess was paid on 11,090, 
155 lbs. 
The c^eveiopment of Green Tea manufacture 
during 1902 was again a feature last year, 
and the estimate of export for 1901 is about 
12 millions lbs. 
The year just closed will be memorable for 
the proposition put forward by some large 
blenders to have bonded warehouses at 
Colombo for the blending of Ceylon with 
Indian and China teas. A few appear to 
favor the proposal, but a very large majority 
appear to view io as detrimental to the 
interests of growers in Ceylon. 
In Closing our review we may summarise 
as follows: — 
Caudamoms dull and prices 'poor, owing to 
over production. 
Cinnamon remaining steady notwithstand- 
ing large exports, and being well distributed. 
Cocoa quiet owing to large supplies from 
competing countries. 
Coconut Products strong in demand and 
still selling at high rates. 
Plumbago prices good with a steady 
export. 
Tka better values obtained, and prospects 
of the future fair. 
Minor Products unchanged. 
Ceylon Agricultural Shows in 1904.— This 
year promises to be a lecord one for Agricul- 
tural Shows. We have referred to two already 
and now hear ot a third prepared to be held 
in August next. The last shouia nave an 
industrial section as well, to show what can 
be done in the way of carpentry, for which 
Moratuwa is so famous. 
THE UOLOMBO TEA TRADERS' ASSOCIATION, 
The Annual General Meeting of the Colonibo Tea 
Traders' Association was held at the Chamber of 
Commerce on February 12th. Tbe Hon. Mr W H 
Figg presided, and there were also present Sir W 
W Mitchell, Messrs F M Simpson (Secretary), H 
W Unvvio, H G Bois, Geo. Croll, J H Adams, L 
O Leefe, J as. Forbes, DM Hanna, C W Booty, 
F N Mackie, K W Forbes, A W Willis, H Cooper. 
G A Ginn, T H Tatham, H Tarrant, D Scott, A 
E Lubbock, A H Barber, H E Day, W E Keell 
and E R Waldock. 
The Secretary— read the notice calling the 
meeting. 
The Chairman.— Our next business is lo con- 
firm the minutes of last General Meeting and as 
these minutes have been published in the press I 
will, with your permission, take them as read. 
Is it your wish these minutes be confirmed 2 
(Applause). The minutes are confirmed. 
CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH. 
The Chairman said: — I now, gentlemen, have 
to present the accounts and report of your Com- 
mittee for the period ending 3lst December last. 
Oil reference to the meeting which you held about 
this time last year, I see you had a busy time 
before it, but on this occasion 1 shall have no 
necessity to detain you at any length, but will 
just congratulate you generally on the trade and 
business that has been done in Colombo during 
the year and to note with satisfaction that in 
spite of the larger quantity in aggregate of tea 
shipped from the Island we have not been obliged 
to send so niudi to the United Kiugdom as we 
did in the year before. We have learned to regard 
the heavy exports of tea to the United Kingdom 
as responsible for the depressed prices and 
talkins; from that point of view it is satisfactory 
to note that during 1903, seven million lb less 
were shipped to the United Kinstdom than during 
1902. And whilst we are doing all that is possible 
to open up new markets, it is satisfactory to note 
that during the year there has been a slight 
increase of 1,000,000 lb shipped to Australia; the 
exports to Russia have increased by very 
nearly .S,000,0u0 lb ; while to America they have 
increased by 7,000,000 lbs, which nearly doubled 
the quantity wiih the assistance of the shipments 
of greeu tea. I tbink we will all agree these figures 
are a subject of congratulation to the tea trade 
and to the producers also. (Applause.) I thinn we 
cvn recognise in this connection the good work done 
by tlie- " Thirty Committee" in spite of the great 
deal that has been -said about it by carping critics. 
(Hear, hear.) As regards creen tea the figures for 
19 -)3 are decidedly satisfactory and a larger quan- 
tity was shipped as was anticipated early in the 
year. This year promises equally well, but I think 
it remains to be seen how far support is given by 
the payment of a bonus towards the end of the 
year, whether we shall see an increase liis year 
or not. My own personal view is that until we 
find our green teas going into consumption in 
America on their own merits it would be unwise 
to withdraw tbe support from it. In that view 
we are not all unanimous, but I think a great many 
agree wiih me on that particular point. With 
these few words I move the adoption of this report 
before you and I would just draw your attention 
to the accounts which show an increased balance, 
your Committee has decided that a sum of K25 ^ 
