May 2, 1904.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 733 
Wilson, 5mithett & Co.'s Ceylon Tea Memoranda for 1903. 
London, ALvrch, 1904. 
It is a great pleasure in our review tins year 
to record a steady iuiprovemeiit in the position 
and prospects of tlie Ceylon tea industry, a com- 
mencement of which we were able to note in our 
" Annual Memoranda " a year ago. Our highest 
hopes have doubtless fallen considerably short 
of fulfilment, but a due appreciation of the 
tendencies of the times, and of the develop- 
ments taking place in other tea-producing 
countries, as well as careful attention to the 
recpiirements of the various markets of the 
world should, we think, tend to increase yet 
more our confidence in the future prosperity 
of the Island's staple industry. 
The average Price of all Ceylon Tea sold on 
Garden Account in 1903 was 7 55d. per lb., 
against 6 85d. in 1902 and 6-80d. in 1901. 
Whereas in India, during the past season, 
the elements combined to produce a prolific 
yield of ordinary and common tea, which bene- 
fited considerably by the curtailment of the 
supply of the corresponding class of Ceylon 
Black tea, Ceylon producers had generally to 
lament an unfavourable season for flushing, and 
although it is extremely encouraging to report 
an advance of 70d. in the average price real- 
ised for all Ceylon tea sold in London on 
estate account, our satisfaction is less com- 
plete, when it is recognised that this result 
was concurrent with unrealised expectations 
regarding yields. Another cause for legitimate 
disappointment was the inability of the Chan- 
cellor of the Exchequer to satisfy the hopes 
eiitertained of a reduction of the sixpenny 
duty, a disappointment which we fear will 
have to be borne with equanimity once more 
in the ensuing season. 
The principal feature in the market condi- 
tions during 1903 was the comparatively high 
quotation maintained for tea " for price," which 
averaged quite Id. per lb. higher than in 1902. 
In the early months of the year the statis- 
tical position was so strong that despite the 
most careful hand-to-mouth operations of buy- 
ers, the quotation for common Souchong steadily 
rose from Sjd. per lb. in the earliest sales in 
Januaky, and at one period in April touched 
a quotation of C^d. per lb. About this date 
any farther advance was arrested not so nuich 
by heavier shipments of inferior quality, as 
by the importation of common China leaf from 
America and the Continent, which eventually 
amounted to some 6,000,000 lbs. During the 
latter months of the year when the compe- 
33 
tition of heavy supplies of common Indian leaf, 
might, under ordinary circumstances, have 
caused a more marked decline, the decision 
of Indian importers to regulate their sales had 
a steadying effect, and the year closed with 
the satisfactory quotation of Cd. per lb. for 
fair common Souchong. Thus in all the districts 
which supply the common and ordinary qualities 
we are able to show advances of 70d. to 90d. 
in the value realised for their output. In 
NiLAJiBE and Hantank the average price realised 
was G-90d. against .j-80d. in 1902. Medium des- 
criptions almost throughout the year also ex- 
perienced a decidedly more satisfactory market, 
ljut towai-ds the close suffered considerably 
from the competition set up by the low prices 
ruling for the corresponding class of Indian, 
which besides being in heavy supply was con- 
spicuous for a somewhat dull monotony of 
character. As is usual when common tea stands 
at a comparatively high figure, the superior 
qualities enjoyed a less buoyant market, and 
taking into consideration the moderate j'ield 
obtained on so many up-country estates, results 
may be said to have generally disappoiuied 
the expectations formed. The climatic condi- 
tions which prevented the realisation of esti- 
mates, would seem also to have been generally 
iinfavourable for manufacture, or for the pro- 
duction of the best quality and flavour, for 
with but comparatively few exceptions the 
quality of most of the favoiu-ite ui3-country 
marks fell distinctly short of the previous 
season's. JS'^otwithstanding this, reference to 
the results obtained in the various districts 
will show that, with the exception of Xuwab.a 
Eliya, which realised the same figure as in 
1902, prices compare very favourably with the 
moderate values realised in the two previous 
years. 
There can be no doubt that one of the prin- 
cipal factors, if not the principal factor, in 
the amelioration of present conditions and 
future prospects is to be found in the devotion 
last year of a large proportion of the out-put 
of low-grown Ceylon leaf to the manufacture 
of Green tea. At present, the lower rates 
ruling for this description, and the enhanced 
value of "good common" Bl.vck offer consider- 
able temptation to revert to the latter manu- 
facture. On the other hand, the War now 
proceeding iu the Far East is calculated, in 
view of the drain upon the labour supply in 
Japan, and the consequent increased cost of 
production, to cause a higher range of jjr ices 
for Green tea, and Ceylon producers may 
probably be induced to extend rather than 
curtail their enterprise iu tliis direction. Any 
doubt as to the relative quantities of Black 
and Green tea likely to be manufactured, 
affecting possibly some millions of pounds, must 
constitute a menace to the stabilitj- of the 
market, and we trust therefore that it will 
be found possible to avoid a sudden chan"-e 
from ojie policy to the other. 
