( 4 ) 
'■ Of cinchona, the export has materially increased, almost reaching the figures of 1899. Increased 
interest has been shown in matters relating to this cultivation, ajid seed has been purchased from abroad 
and planted in various districts. There is reason to hope that by the planting of improved varieties, 
and by the practice of grafting of better kinds on poor stocks, this product may again become of import- 
ance in Ceylon." (J. B. Carruthers.) 
There has been an appreciable export of coca leaves, which have sold on the London market at 
Is. to Is. 2d. per lb., a price equal to that of the South American kinds. 
Class VI. : Foods and Edible Products. — Of rice and dry grains there is nothing of special interest 
to report. The export of cocoanuts has decreased, having been 14,850,781 nuts, as against 14,995,909 
in 1900 ; that of desiccated cocoanut has increased from 13,604,9 1 3 lb. to 14,055,493 lb. Tapioca or cassava 
cixltivation continues to spread in the low-country as a minor and catch crop, buL no tapioca is made 
from the tubers, which are eaten like yams. Fruit trees continue to sell steadily from the gardens, but 
there is but small sign of any attempt to cultivate fruit on any large scale for market, if the long- 
established industries of cocoanuts and plantains be left out of consideration. The vegetable gardens 
of Nuwara Eliya have been much troubled with finger and toe disease. 
The export of tea seems at last to be reaching its maximum, and shows a slight decrease on the 
figures of 1900, viz., 145,188,244 lb., against 148,431,639 lb. Part of the decrease is, however, made up 
by the" export of 1,110,774 lb. of green tea, most of which went to America. The export to Russia and 
Australia has increased, that of black tea to America decreased, but the decrease is more than made up 
by the green tea. The year has been one of depression, but prospects of the industry are more favour- 
able, the export to England having been 8 million lb. less, and the stock of Ceylon tea there having 
been considerably reduced. The average price is the lowest as yet recorded, 6-86rf., against 7-20d in 
1900, but towards the end of the year prices were considerably improved. The industry has not suffered 
from any very serious outbreaks of disease, and planting has not extended. The remarks made last 
year on the general prospects of tea in Ceylon continue to hold. 
Coffee exports show a further fall from 10,777 to 9,722 cwt. Experiments on grafting coffee are 
in progress in the gardens (see report of Acting Curator). 
" Cacao exports show a very large increase on the figures for 1900, being 49,459 cwt. against 
33,476. This, as was foretold in last report, is due to some extent to the lateness of the crop of last year, 
some of which is credited to 1901, but is also largely due to the energetic measures being taken in 
combating the canker, and especially in reducing the number of diseased pods, the quantity of ' black 
cacao ' having been reduced in some instances by 75 per cent. The prices obtained for cacao, even the 
best qualities, have been much below those of last year ; this is perhaps more due to the conditions of 
the home market than to any difference in quality of the product, but the increasing proportion of 
Forastero kinds may have something to do with it. The fall of price should spur planters to consider 
the questions of cultivation of more productive trees, and the selection of seeds for planting. The 
canker has, as a rule, been seriously attacked on approved methods, and a marked decrease in the number 
of diseased trees is apparent. There are, however, many estates where no hindrance is put in the way 
of the invading fungus." (J. B. Carruthers.) 
Of spices there is little to record. The cultivation of cardamoms is extending, and the export has 
Increased from 537,455 to 559,704 lb. Pepper shows signs of extension of cultivation, and it should at 
ieast be possible to dispense with the present large import of this spice. Exports of cinnamon show a 
rise in bales, a fall in chips, the figures for 1900 being 2,678,111 and 1,863,406 lb., and those for the last 
year 2,756,270 and 1,516,083 lb. respectively. The " wild cinnamon" again shows an enormous fall to 
8,581 lb. bales and 5,066 lb. chips. Vanilla planting has slightly extended. Tobacco cultivation 
continues to extend in the North and also in the Dumbara district. Of fodder plants there is little to 
report. An experiment with Swedes is described in Mr. Nock's report. The much-vaunted gi*ass 
Paspalum dilatatum is being tried in many districts, and a report will be issued later as to its 
success. 
Glass VII. : Timber, &c. — Mr. Wright's woi-k on the ebonies, &c., is described in his report 
lielow. 
Orna/inental Plants. — Cannas and the small white variegated caladiums have been largely in 
demand through the year. 
Peradeniya, January 30, 1902. 
JOHN C. WILLIS, 
Director. 
