620 
THE UnOPlGkL AaRlCULl^URlST. [March 1, 1904. 
in import from Great Britain and British 
India is a favourable feature. The imports 
were :— 
From 
1901. 1902. 1933. 
R 
R 
U.K. to value of 59,767 70,313 77,133 
Hongkong do 45,275 464,822 915.296 
Austria do 476,970 728,004 647,626 
China do 865,273 455,521 7,908 
Germany do 272,697 68,016 79,584 
British Judia do — 98,611 148,180 
(Hongkong and China shipments should 
apparently be taken together for yearly com- 
parisons.) 
Gunny Bags.— Imports last year were 
R167,840 against R98,3l3 in 1902. This laige 
increase in value was occasioned by the 
vary exceptional export of copra. 
Wines, Spirits and Beer. — Quantities 
entered for home consumption were as fol- 
lows for 1901, 1902 and 1903:- 
1901. 1902. 1903. 
Malt Liquor 
Spirits — Brandy 
Do Gin 
Do Whisky 
Winea 
Galls. 
339,802 
35,643 
59,655 
79,607 
57,008 
Galls. Galls. 
316,039 244,893 
41,787 
63,433 
79,830 
7,925 
47,.305 
74,491 
77,458 
77.049 
Total... 571,715 559,014 521,196 
A noticeable feature in connection with 
import of Gin is, that from Germany we 
received in 1902 only 618 gallons, whereas last 
year we received 10,298 gallons. 
Narcotics. — The quantity of opium entered 
for home consumption shows an increase of 
222 lb. in 1903, compared with 1902. Cigars 
show an increase of 29,530 lb. whereas all 
other tobaccos show a decrease of 34,765 lb. 
MetalS; Lead, &c.— The year 1902 wit- 
nessed the completion of Ceylon's first lead- 
rolling mills, and pig lead was imported 
during that year to the extent of 11,442 cwts- 
Last year pig lead was imported to the 
extent of 36 195 cwts. Imported Tea lead on 
the other hand shows a decrease last year 
of 5^9,370 cwts. Prices of tea lead locally have 
ruled much lower and importations (with 
local manufacture in force) naturally declined. 
Galvanised iron and hoop iron both show 
i icreased import last year. 
Manures.— Returns show a large increase 
in import of manures. 
1902 ... ... 272,795 cwts. 
1903 ... ... 409,245 „ 
British India, Germany and Switzerland have 
firactically supplied all the inci^ease noticeable 
ast year. 
Matches.— Injports last year were 312,909 
gross or an excess of 70i388 gross over 19u2, of 
which Austria is accountable for an increase 
of 55,113 gross. 
Coals.— Last year we had occasion to notice 
that import of coal into Ceylon during 1902 
fell off by 95,560 tons, compared with import 
in 1901. We regret to notice a further decline 
Jn 1903 of 16,766 tolls. Indian coal can be 
tjuickly replenished from Calcutta ! this may 
have led importers to reduce stocks. Prices 
of coal were exceptionally low— it is doubful 
if ever so low. Bengal was sold at 18s- to 19s- 
pet ton delivered into bunkers. The Ceylon 
Railway is again reported to have purchased 
32 OOJ tons of Indian coal for delivery during 
1904. 
Imports were :— in 1902. 1903. 
Tons. Tons. 
From U.K. .. 288,362 240,507 
India ... 240,045 231,300 
Japan ... — 26,370 
Australia ... 3,753 12,161 
532,159 516,338 
Freight on coal from Cardiff to Colombo 
ranged from 10s. to 12s 6d. Freight on coal 
from Calcutta to Colombo ranged from R-425 
to R4'75 per ton. 
Explosives.— 
K. 
Dynamite 1903 ... ... 13,282 
1903 ... ... 96.762 
Increase 1903 
Blasting Powder 1902 
1903 
83,480 
22,445 
37 814 
Increase 1903 ... .. 15,369 
Kerosine Oil and Liquid Fuel.— 
Bult oil 1902 ... ... 2,472,095gal8- 
1903 ... ... 2,448,155 „ 
Liquid fuel 1902 ... ... 1,721,870 „ • 
1903 ... ... 1,622,180 „ 
Case oil 1002 ... ... 693,944 „ 
1903 ... ... 313,450 „ 
Cement.— 
Imports were in 1902. 1903. 
cwts. cwts. 
From U.K. 32,703 42,842 
Belgium 14.973 16,647 
Austria 3,795 5,859 
Germany 26,746 34,062 
Other countries 5,455 2,595 
102,005 
83,672 
Bre.akwater and Dock works are no doubt 
responsible for the increase last year. 
Casks and Shooks — Last year imports fell 
off by 50% compared with 1902 and this has 
doubtless led to the recent sharp advance in 
values. Returned oil shooks advanced Ks. 6/- 
per ton (capacity) since this year opened. 
Considering that during last year more 
coconut oil was shipped from Ceylon than in 
any former year, it is surprising to see such a 
small return of sh ook. 
THE FABLE OF THE CUPS. 
{Specially Contributed.) 
There was a cup made in Lanka, a goodly 
cup and fair to look upon ; but there was a 
flaw therein not visible to the eye, but never- 
theless within the substance of the cup. 
The Rtiw was due to the haste of thehl 
that made the cup 5 for they said J ** Let us 
haste to make this cup, that we may fill it 
and drink and derive strength from the coffee, 
that We will pour therein. " 
They filled the cup with coffee, rich and 
of great strength ; but such was their eager* 
ness to taste thereof, that they poured in 
great quantities and waited not . until it had 
come to a reasonable temperature, 
