558 THE TROPICAL 
STBNNING, INSKIPP & CO S INDIAN & 
CEYLON TEA MARKET REVIEW 
FOR 1901. 
CEYLON. 
Th« nmrket opened with a stock of nearly 
7,000,010 lb. in excess of the previous year 
and prices consequently ruled low ; Pekoe 
Souchongs were in full supply at 3J<1 per lb, 
eompared with 6^d per lb- in Jmiuary, 
1900, and by the middle of February had fur- 
ther declined, sales being made at 3d per lb — 
the lowest price on record. By June, common 
jjrades began to advance. Pekoe S"Uchongs making 
3J(1 to id per lb. During August and Sept. 
■even sales were held by private auction, ci.n- 
taining 24,743 packages ; after this they were 
discontinued. All good liquoring teas were in 
demand througljout the year, and the markeli 
closed with a firm tone, fair Pekoe Souchongs 
selling at 5|d to 61 per lb. Taking it all round, 
quality showed improvement and the absence of 
coarse tea was noticeable. Some of the gardens 
in the higher districts sent invoices with good 
flavour, and these were well competed for both by 
home buyers and exporters. 
FoREIa^^ Tr4DE — It is satisfactory to note tha* 
the export fiom this country to the Continent is 
■teadily increasing, notwitlistanding the larger 
direct shipments from Colombo. 
INDIAN. 
Lane, Jan. 1902. 
Thk Markkt opened in January with nearly 
70,000,000 lbs. stock, a large proportion of which 
was common and undesirable. Pekoe Souchongs 
•old down to 3|d per lb., or about on a level with 
the closing prices of 1900. Fine and finest were 
in small supply and were readily taken at fair 
prices. During the early part of February com- 
mon grades still further gave way, while all good 
t«as were sought after at full value. The heaTy 
duty payments made about this time much 
occupied buyers and withdrawals from sales were 
numerous. As the month advanced, the market 
steadied and all good liquoring teas were in demand 
at improved quotations. A few fine Darjeelings 
•old well ; on the other hand, very low averages 
were made tor poor quality Sylhets, Cachars and 
Dooars. During Miirch and April all good liquor- 
ing teas met a quick demand at satisfactory rates, 
but a large proportion of the offerings was of 
extremely poor quality, and prices fell to the 
lowest on record. When it became known on the 
18lh April that no alteration would be made in 
the Duty, the tnarket became quiet and remained 
so till tlie season closed. The new season began 
on the 1st June with an excess stock of 12,680,000 
lb., the figures being .38,890,000 lb,, compared 
with 26,210,000 lb., in 1900. This heavy supply, 
coupled with the fact that a very large amount 
of tea cleared in anticipation of the Budget had 
not passed into consumption, told against the 
enrly Arrivals of the new crop, the opening prices 
for which were very moderate. By July all good 
liquoring teas met a reaily sale, especially Assams, 
and some sati.ifactory averages were made ; old 
season's common grailes also slightlj' improveil in 
value. During Septeniber a, triaj was made of 
AGRICULTURIST. [Feb. 1, 1902. 
selling by private auction, but sfter six fale» 
had been held, at which 41,812 packages 
were offered, the experiment was di.-continued. 
Common grades began to harden, while on ilieoiher 
hand, all good medium tea declined, the quaniity 
of such being rather in exce.-sof tne demand. In 
October buying became more general and some 
slight improvement in value was noticeable for 
medium grades about 6Jd to 7d. In Novenjber it 
was decided to regulate the weekly sujiply at 
auction ; during this month and December quota- 
tions remained steady, the large falling-off in the 
exports from India and the consequent reduction 
in stock having brought about a lirnier tendency 
on the part of Importers. The year olo.sed with a 
better tone for all grades, ordinary Pekoe 
Souchong being worth 5|il per lb, against 3Jd at 
the opening sales of 1901, about ^ I per lb of this 
difference being attributable to improvement ia 
quality. 
With a few exceptions it is to be feared that at 
the best only moderate dividends can be looked 
for as the result of the season's working, the 
general average price being not much in advance 
of that of the previous year; while owing to climatic 
conditions and greater care in the plucking, the 
yield of leaf has fallen decidedly short. Looking 
to the future it is to be hoped there will be no 
reverting to course plucking consequent on the 
improved prices compared with last year, now 
ruling for the lower classes. It must be borne in 
mind that the increase from the additional area 
which will be coming into bearing will undoubtedly 
again lead to overstocked markets and unre- 
munerative prices if this policy be resorted to. 
Growers both in India ana Ceylon, now that they 
have secured so much of the world's demand, 
should use every endeavour to retain their cus- 
tomers by m.-iintaining a satisfactory standard of 
quality for their produce. The stock at the close 
of the year was rather in excess of that in 1900, 
but this is accounted for by the increased 
facilities for despatch from some of the districts. 
A very encouraging feature is the expansion in 
the deliveries which during the twelve months 
amounted to almost 13,000,000 lb», of which 
home consumption accounts f. r 10,000,000 lbs and 
this in spite of the increase in duty. 
The NEW REGULATIONS regarding the 
weighing of tea are now in force, viz. ; — 
1. If the package weighs the even pound, it is 
to be entered as such. 
2. If it weighs the even half pound or over, it is 
to be entered as the next pound above. 
S. If it weighs below the half pound, it is to be 
entered as the pound below. 
Loss IN Weight. — As this occasionally gives 
rise to much dissatisfaction we offer the fol- 
lowing suggestions: that the gross weight of the 
package should be a few ounces, say four or 
five, above an even number of pounds, and that 
the empty package, complete with leal, nails, 
bands, &c., be to a like extent beloio an even 
number of pounds. In weighing here the gross 
weight is reduced to the even number of pounds, 
whilst the tare is increased to an even number of 
pounds 
With regard to Garden Bulked Teas, it is 
imperatively necessary to put an equal quantity 
into each package of the break, and this quan- 
H9BS 
