552 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTUltlST. ^Fe«. 1, 1S02, 
PLANTING IN KALUTAKA DISTRICT, 
(From the Annual lieport of the Kalutara P. A.) 
Crop Estimate. 
1902 
lyoi 
o ^ 
16,843 
16,711 
15,541 
15.501 
M 
6,970,763 
6,775,000 
o 
546,000 7.516,763 
225,000 7,OUO,000 
Increase 132 40 195,763 321,000 616,725 
The actual crop for 1900 
was 7,088,610; for 1901 6,655,025 
The estimated crop for 1900 
was 7,037,700 ; for 1901 7,000,000 
Increase 50,910 decrease 344,975 
The total crop tor 1901 was less than that for 
1900 by 433,585 lb. This district, like all other 
tea districts, has been seriously affected by the 
-low prices its teas were fetcliinpr during the greater 
part of the year. By finer plucking, however, 
and making a better class of lea, the prices liave 
raised, though the amount of tea made is con- 
siderably reduced, and now the teas from many 
estates in the district command as eood prices 
as those from some up-country estates. It is 
hoped that Planters will not be tempted by 
the higher prices paid for low-grade teas to 
go in again for coarse plucking, a proceeding 
whicli must result in bringing about a similar 
depression in tea interests to that which 
ruled a tew months ago, with probably more 
serious consequences. 
Paka Rubber. 
In this, the parent district in the Island, as far 
as this species of the rubber-producing tree is con- 
cerned, considerable attention has been bestowed 
on its cultivation during the last few years. Though 
there is no large acreage, probably not more than 
150 acres in the whole District, planted with rubber 
only, ©n most estates more or less has been planted 
along the ravines and other suitable places through 
the tea, and there are now many thousands of trees 
of various ages, amounting in the aggregate to a 
very considerable acreage. 
Tapping. — Previous to last year tapping was 
practically in the experimental stage, but in 1901 
quite an appreciable quantity, close on 3J tons, of 
rubber has been shipped to London and found a 
ready market at from 3d— 5d per lb. more than 
any other rubber on the market at the same time. 
One lot of half a ton, which was sold early in the 
year, realized 4s Ifd per lb. and the buyer ex- 
pressed his readiness to take 20 tons at the same 
price. 
Seed.— The foreign demand for seed, which was 
very considerable not very long ago, is practically 
over, but a very brisk demat d has sprung up quite 
recently in the Island, and most of the estates- 
\vhich supply seed have their visible supply of both) 
Beed and plants fully booked already for thef 
coming season. 
Export.— The increase in production for the 
text few years will be slow, as but few estates had 
much rubber planted prior to 1897. In 1906 the 
ouiput of the district should be at least 50 tons, 
worth over £15,000. A very appreaciable additioft 
to the revenue of the district. 
PLANTING IN RANGALA DISTRICT. 
Tea. — The tea industry has passed throagh the 
mos5 trying period in the whole history of this 
prodact, and with the closiog months of the year 
prospects have brightened cousiderably. The un- 
favourable weather for growth and the producers' 
endeavours to curtail production by a system of finer 
plucking have had the desired effect of reducing the 
output from both India and Ceylon and as the world's 
consumption contiuues to expand the position may be 
considered stronger than at the commencement of 
the past year. It is to be hoped that the producer 
may not be tempted by a temporary enhancemt nt of 
price to flood the markets with inferior teas. Your 
Committee are pleased to observe no indication of 
such a course in this district, the of&cial estimate of 
crops for 1902 being slightly lower than th« revised 
estimate of 1901. 
Cardamoms, — The area in cultivation has not been 
extended to any extent, and crop was on the whol« 
about the same as for the previous year. 
Telegraph.— It is with pleasure we can record th« 
construotion of the Telegraph to Teldeniya, which will 
be at the service of the public in January. — Ranyala 
P.A. Report, 
PLANTING NOTES. 
Tea grows wild on all the fail's round Chiengmai' 
and there is a large local consumption of the leaf 
not as 8 beverage but as a quid for chewiug and 
eating. The leaf is picked in April, August, ana 
November. After being picked it is at once steamed, 
and it it is to be kept for any length of time, either 
packed in bamboos or wrapped in a special kind of 
leaf and buried to exclude the air. Before using, a 
few grains of salt are wrapped inside the leaf, and the 
quid is complete. — Indian Planter's Gazeife. 
Acclimatisation in New Zealand.— Mr. 
Maddox, who left for England by the P.&O. &s. 
" Rome " on the 31st ult. and returns to Wel- 
lington via Ameri«5a, has not been successful 
"while here in seeing one of our grey partridges 
save in the Museum. He is afraid now, from 
what he hears of its running rather than 
flushing propensity, that it will not suit for 
the sportsmen of New Zealand. The two 
Sre.at successes so far have been in the intro- 
duction of red deer and of trout. Iscw 
Zealand is going to draw anglers from all 
parts of the world to its trout fishing. 
Ordinary trout up to 27 lb. and " rainbow 
trout " — the best in the world for fly-fishing 
— of 7 lb. are available in streams and lakes 
amidst some of the finest scenery in the world. 
Last Year's Patents.— The number of patents 
applied for in this country during 1901 was 26,766, 
including applications from abroad. This num- 
ber compares as follows with previous years ; — 
1891 . 
.. 22,878 
1896 . 
. 30,193 
1892 . 
. 24,179 
1897 . 
, 30,952 
1893 . 
.. 25,107 
1898 . 
. 27,650 
1894 . 
. 25,386 
1899 . 
. 25.800 
1895 . 
. 25,062 
19U0 . 
. 23,922 
The actual patents granted are usually about half 
the number applied for, owing to applicants aban- 
doning their applications at the end of the term of 
provisional protection. An increase in the patents 
connected with improvements in electric traction 
is beginning to be noticeable, and this un- 
doubtedly is the most interesting feature of the 
applications made last ysar. — B, A C. Druggist, 
Jan. 10. . 
