762 
THE TEOPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[May 2, 1904. 
scientific Ir an's workshop— a small laboratory on 
the edge of the sea, with experimental tanks, a 
circulation of sea water, and facilities for micro- 
scopic and other work. For several reasons, which 
have been given fully in the "Narrative" above, 
we chose Galle at the southern end of Ceylon, arid 
we have tvery reason to be satisfied with tie 
choice. With its large bay, i!;s rich fauna, and the 
sheltered collecting ground of the lagoon with the 
coral reef, it is probably one of the best possible 
spots for marine biological work in Eastern 
tropical seas. 
It is clear to me (1) that there is still a great 
deal of biological vi ork that can be done in connec- 
tion with all the marine fishing industries; and (2) 
that the laboratory at Galle, enlarged if necessary 
and more fully equipped, is the best place in which 
to carry on all such investigations. 
BRITISH COTTON-GROWING 
ASSOCIATION. 
At a meeting of the Egypt, Soudan, and East 
Africa Committee of the British Cotton-growing 
Association held in Manchester, an impor- 
tant letter was read from the Soudan Goi'ern- 
ment stating that they were taking a very 
great interest in the cotton-growing movement, 
and were preparing a scheme to present to the 
association for the furtherance of this object. 
A correspondent at Alexandria also wrote to say 
that by the time the Saakim-Berber Railway 
was completed there would be a good deal of cotton 
ready for shipment. Sir Alfred Sharpe, High Com- 
missioner in British Central i^frica, wrote that 
he thought it not unlikely that in August next 
they might send 800 tons of cotton. It was reported 
that over 12,000 acreshad been planted at Blantyre 
and the crop was looking remarkably well. 
Withregaid to the labour difficulty in British 
Central Africa and the decision of the Government 
to deport 5,000 natives from the Shire highlands 
to the Transvaal, the Secretary was instructed to 
write to His Majesty's Government protesting 
against this course, as it would be detrimental to 
the development of this new industry of cotton- 
growing. The secretary reported that} a consign- 
ment of cotton from the Zambesi Industrial 
Mission, Blantyre, had just been sold in Liver 
pool at 8| I. per lb. — Lon.ion Times, 
PAHA RUBBER IN COCHIN. 
Cochin, April 6.— Messrs. Arbuthnot & Co. are 
now conducting a series of experiments in connec- 
tion with the cultivation of Para rubber on the 
Nelliampathy Hills. It is the opinion of certain 
experts that the experiment cannot be successful, 
a? it is impossible to grow this rubber at a high 
elevation.— Mail, 
Ceylon Tea in 1904.— As in former years 
we quote from ^^essrs. George White & Co.'s 
.nnnual report. It will be seen on page 
716 that this firm regards the future of 
tea as more than ever in the hands of 
producers. Ceylon planters should parti- 
cularly note their remarks on that point 
especially at present when flush seems so 
fi-ee all over the island and the tendency 
"to make hay while the sun shines" con- 
sequently increased. 
THE PANAWAL TEA COMPANY, LIMITED 
EEPORT CF THE DIRECTORS. 
The following report was presented to the 
shareholders at the twelfth annual ordinary 
general meeting, held on the 15th April, at the 
office of the Company, 39, Victoria Street, 
Westminster, S.W. : — 
The directors beg to submit the general balance 
sheet and profit and loss account for the year ending 
31st December, 1903, duly audited. 
£. B. a. £, B, a. 
The net amount at credit of pro- 
fit and loss account, including 
balance broagbt forward atSlst 
December, 1902, after provid- 
ing for general expenses, di- 
rectors' fees and income tax .. 1;369, 12 4 
Dividends on the 7 per cent, 
cnmnlative preference shares 
were paid for 1903, in' fall, 
amounting to . . 371 0 0 
An interim dividend at the rate 
of 2 per cent., less income tax, 
on the Ordinary Shares was 
paid, requiring ... 321 11 8 
It is proposed to pay a dividend 
of 4 per cent, on the ordinary 
shares for the year ending 31st 
December, 1903, which will 
absorb (£680 Os. Od. less in- 
come tax at lid. in £31 3s. 43.) 648 16 8 
Leaving a balance to be carried 
forward to next season of . . 28 4 0 
1,369 12 4 1,369 12 4 
The directors recommended the distribntion of a 
final dividend at the rate of 4 per cent, (less income 
tax at lid. in the £) mailing a total distribution of 
6 per cent., on the ordinary shares of the Company 
for the year ending 31st December, 1903. 
The acreage of the Company's properties remains 
unaltered. 
Tea in full bearing . ••• 590 acres. 
Jungle, &c, .. .. .. 341§ ,, 
931i 
The crop realised for 1903 was 246,9961b. 
The Visiting Agent (Mr F J Clements) in his last 
report on the properties states that the cultivation of 
the estate and the condition of the machinery, &c., 
are generally very satisfactory. 
Mr^ Henry Wallace Hornby, the Director retiring 
by rotation, being eligible, offers himself for re-election. 
Messrs. Fox, Sissons & Co., Auditors to the Com- 
pany, offer themselves for re.election, 
THE MAZAWATTEE TEA COMPANY, LTD. 
The following report was presented to the share- 
holders at the eighth ordinary general meeting of 
the Company at the Cannon Street Hotel, Cannon 
Street, E.C, on 22nd April :— 
The Directors herewith srbmit to the shareholders 
the Company's balance sheet and profit and loss 
account and. the Auditors report thereon for the year 
1903. During that year the volume of the Company's 
bneiness has been fully maintained, but there has been 
a falling off in the amount of 'profit realsed. That 
falling off is due largely to the increased demand for 
low-priced teas coupled with increased market cost of 
purchases, but the Directors are satisfied that certain 
reforms they propose shortly to carry out will bring 
about a marked saving in working expenses and add 
largely to the Company's profit. 
The Chairman of the Board Mr John Lane Densbam, 
retired some time ago from bis position as managing 
Director solely because of ill-health. He still, how- 
ever, remains Chairman and takes an active interest in 
the Company's business. While compelled to travel 
