o<l MONTHLY. \>o 
-77 
XXIII. 
COLOMBO, JUNE 1st, 1904. 
No. 12. 
TO OUR READERS. 
TWENTY-THREE YEARS' WORK. 
OR twfinty three years the 
Tropical Agriculturist has been 
carrying on its mission and 
doing mnch useful work in the 
interests of planters and agri- 
culturists, merchants, traders 
and manufacturers throue;hout 
the world. During all these 
years we have, at no little trouble and expense, done all 
in our power to render the Magazine as complete 
and efficient au organ as possible for the diseemi- 
natioQ of useful knowledge and reliable information 
concerning every product suited for cnltivation in 
the tropics. It has not always been work of the 
easiest nature, bat we have ever been encouraged 
by the knowledge that the " T.A." is a useful power 
for good, and that our labours are appreciated by a 
very wide circle of readers. We are gratified by the 
receipt of letters of appreciation and thanks con- 
stantly being received from all quarters of the globe, 
and the circulation of the " T. A." may indeed be said 
.to be world wide. 
Improvements have taken place in our pages during 
this 23rd year of publication, and etill farther improve- 
ments are planned for the near future, not the 
least important among which is the contemplated 
publication of useful illustrations from photographs, 
which will be of service and interest to readers. 
It will have been noticed that we have placed the 
advertising arrangements entirely in the very capable 
bands of 
BEUTER's telegram CO., LTD. 
We believe that by this arrangement our advertising 
clients' and our general readers' interests will be 
better served. Renter's Oo. is well-known through- 
out the worW, having agenoies everywhere, so that 
firms and private advertisers can easily be placed in 
direct communication with us and have their business 
attended to and transacted with the least possible 
trouble. General readers like to see advertisements ; 
they then easily find what they want and where to buy, 
and our wide circulation and greatly diversified classes 
ol readers make the " T.A," a most u?eful and 
excellent medium. We are frequently asked by readers 
in different parts of the world for help in matters of 
purchase, etc. We are always ready to place out 
knowledge at their disposal, and, of course, our own 
advertising clients have first;favour. A word now aa to 
THE " T. A." PRIZE KSSAY3. 
We have been calling special attention during the 
past months to the valuable prizes we are awarding to 
the three best essays on new products. We want 
useful information in these essays, and no '• padding" 
nor useless verbiage should be included. Be concise 
and to the point. 
The prizes are in value as follows : — 
First prize Rs. 300 or £20 
Second,, „ 200 or £13 6s. 8d. 
Third ,, ... ... „ 100 or £ 6 13s. 4d. 
Competitors in Ceylon and India must send in 
their essays within four weeks afier the issue of 
this number, and competitors in other countries 
within seven weeks, We hope a large number of 
essays will be sent in, and look forward with pleasure 
to awarding the above handsome prizes. The 
Editor's decision must iu every case be accepted aa 
final, and he reserves the right to use any of the essajs 
sent in. whether prize-winning or not, as he may 
think fit. The results of the competition will be 
announced as early as possible. 
We should like to remark in closing that the 
is published in the intereats of our readers whom we 
ere always glad to assist whenever possible. When in 
doubt about any matter in planting, agriculture, frnit- 
farming, etc., etc., write to your Editor, and he will do 
his best to assist you. Agriculture is to a great extent 
learnt by experience, and one man's experience may 
be of great value and help to another ; so readers in 
all parts of the world may help each other by giving 
their experiences, their views and opinions in our 
columns on all sorts of planting and agricultural 
matters, 'i'he West can help the East, the North 
the South, and vice versa. Are you a Rubber planter 
in Amerion , the Straits or elsewhere ? — give Ceylon men 
your views and experiences in exchange for what 
we tell you about Ceylon. Are you growing Tea 
in a fresh Colony "? — we can possibly advise you, tell 
us how you have already done. Are you a West 
Indian or African cotton grower '? — we want in- 
formation in Ceylon and for other Colonies. 
Are you a South Sea Island planter? — we know much 
about coconuts and cacao ; tell us what you are doing. 
In fact, whatever branch of agriculture you are 
engaged iu, pioneer or mm of established experience, 
be it tea, cacao, rubber, cotton, tobacco, camphor or 
fibre plants, etc., write and exchange your knowledge 
for that of your brother planters in other lands. You 
will thus find added interest in your work, yon 
will gain useful information and assistance, and yoa 
will help to brighten the pages of 
@0(j ffvopicaC JlcjvicvtCfuvtsf. 
