90 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. [Aug. 1, 190L 
CEYLON GREENS FOR AMERICA. 
HOW THEY MUST BE MADE: TO WIN 
FAVOUR IN THE WEST. 
We have plerisure in giving prominence 
to the following letter to. a Colombo firm 
from its Agents in the United St;ites, m 
which it will be seen that valuable suggestions 
are made for the manufacture of green teas 
to suit the American market. We feel sure 
that all engaged in making greens so far will 
give them their careful attention, even if the 
time be not yet ripe for the measure sug- 
gested. With the expansion in our trade in 
green teas, the Ceylf)n Planters' Association 
should certainly consider the proposal made, 
more especially if the market for black teas 
is not to recover, as at present it shows signs 
of doing. The imitation of Japans, however, 
would not be confined to greens only, as the 
last paragraph shows :— 
^ May 20tli. 
We note from late advices that the proposal 
of the India and Ceylon Association for the re- 
duction of out-put has fallen through, and there- 
fore the importance of finding other outlets for 
India and Ceylon Teas will become a matter of 
extreme importance to those interested in India 
and Ceylon Teas. Of late a good many .so-called 
Ceylon Greens have been sent to this market, 
and have attracted some attention, inu we feel 
convinced that there will not be a reaily sale for 
this new description of Tea unless their manu- 
facture is somewhat altered. If the leaf can be 
made to closely imitate Japan Teas, both basket- 
fired and panfired, we believe that there would be 
a great opportunity and a siuall fortune for those 
who are first in the field. To accomplish this, it 
would be necessary to have a firing establishiTieiit 
in say Colombo (and Calcutta, if the Indian Teas 
prove serviceable for the purpose) the same as 
exists in Yokohama and Kobe. The leaf would 
be brought down in the semi-raw state, viz. , once 
fired, and then treated and manipulated v.i the 
same manner as Japnu Teas. It vvoald also be 
necessary to have the Teas packed in half che.sts, 
matted, and faee<l in the .«anie way that Japan 
Teas are treated. We are forw.arding to l eylon a 
small quantity of Japan Green Tea for the 
purpose of ascertaining whether they can 
manufacture this leaf to imitate closely in 
appearance .fapan Teas. If they can do so, 
the cup quality of Ceylons would certainly give 
them a distinct advantage over Japans. The 
annual export of Japan teas is approximately 
40,000,000 lb, and if this trade can be dive: ted 
to' Ceylon and India, the Ass ciations interested 
in these classes of tea would certainly be greatly 
benefited. Our suggestion is that a Company be 
organised for the purpose of establishing firing 
establishments in both Calcutta and Colombo, 
provided, of course, that we are able to ascertain 
by experiment that our suggestion to imitate 
Japan teas is a feasible one. In a venture of 
this kind, we sliould be willing to subscribe 
liberally, and we tliiiik 'hat both the India and 
Ceylon Associations should make some consider- 
able coiiees.sions to the pioneers. The question 
is as to the best and most expaditious meihod 
of taking up such a venture. It seems to us that 
it would be necessary to form a small Company 
of tiiose intercHted ' and obtain some skilled 
Japanese labor to initiate and sbart the manu- 
facture. Speaking in general terms, we think 
that the export of such teas should be confined 
to one or two houses in the States and Canada. 
We are sending you, by today's mail, samples 
of Japan teas that ve .suggest imitating. You 
will notice that one is a long black leaf tea 
called " Ba,sketfired" and the other is the regular 
style so-oalled "Panfired." We feel sure that 
the latter can he iniiiated very clo.'-ely. Whether 
or not leaf is obtainable in Ceylon and India 
similar to the Basketfired, is another question, 
of which you are the best judjje. Please advise 
us as promptly as possible what suggestions you 
have in this matter. 
« 
PLANTING RUBBER IN BRAZIL. 
An occaaional correapondeut to oar contemporary, 
27(6 South American Journal, writing from Para, 
advocates the cultivation of rubber trees as follows : 
— The GovernDicDt of this State could do very 
much to draw large amonntg of foreign capital here 
by offering sufficient inducements for the establish- 
ment of rubber plantations. At present all the rubber 
exported is collected from the virgin forests; the 
trees are widely scattered, and the collecting of the 
rubber takes much time. If plantations were mad«, 
ten trees could be placed in an area now occupied by 
only one, so that a man collecting eould work four 
or five times the number of treea that he can attend 
to now, retulting in a much greater production of 
rubber per man, consequently more profit to all con- 
cerned. Here is the natural home of the rubber 
tree, and the quality of the rubber ia ths best in 
the world. 
About four or five years ago, a law was passed 
by the Legislatare of the State, offering a premium 
of one conto of reis for every two thousand trees 
planted ; that it has bat little or no effect shows 
that the inducements offered are not sufficient ; that 
it would be well if the Government would offer more. 
Suppose the Government were to offer, in addition 
to that now offered, half the export duties of all 
rubber from such plantations for a term of years, 
and exemption from rJl taxes of whatever sort for 
the same length of time, and make these terms 
known throughout the world. It seems credible 
that it only req-aires something of the sort to draw 
large amounts of foreign capital here to establish 
rubbish plantations. Millions of dollars have been 
invested in such plantations in Mexico and other 
plHces, and millious of trees have been and ^ro now 
being planted every year ; if something of the sort 
is not cor£imenoed here pretty soon, this country may 
have an unpleasant surprise some day not very distant. 
With sufficient inducements, millions of pounds 
■ would pour into this State to establish rubber 
plantations, which would revolutionise the whole 
rubber business of the world. Public land can at 
present be bought from the State on very favour- 
able terms, from one milrei per hectare up, accord- 
ing to location and quantity of land required. The 
Governmenment would not be required to spend 
any money in this enterprise for some years to 
come, and compared with the benefits to be de- 
rived, the sum to be paid in the future is very 
little. It is certain that it is worth all the privi- 
leges that might be offered as above, because 
Nature alone and unaided will never establish such 
plantations ; they will only be planted by enter- 
prising men, backed by large capital, and with the 
hope and expectation of large gains. — India Ruhhtr 
Journal, May 13. 
INDIAN TEA EXEMPTED FROM FRENCH 
IMPORT DUTY^ 
Private telegrams received in Pondichery state 
that the French Government has decided to exempt 
