THE TROPfCAL AQRldULTURlST. 
489 
THE PLANTEES AND THE CHICAGO 
EXHIBITION rUND. 
The following ia a copy of the circulur that is 
being sent round the Dimbula district, and we 
reprint it, for ibe Lentfit of the planting community 
in general. The amount estimated as hkely to be 
giveo by the Colombo mercantile community has 
already boon contiderabiy exceeded ; so that the 
planters should do their best to try and make up 
even more than the sum put down here as their 
quota. The Agrapatana planters are setting a good 
example, their list including 11200 from Mr. Wm. 
Maukenzie, E'200 from Mr. Aehton, and B250 from Mr. 
Seton. We would draw special attention to the 
statement that -'the measure of usefulness attained 
depends upon the bilanoa left over after all initial 
expenses are paid." Let Ceylon aim high and act 
aooordingly. 
_ Resolution passed at the Dimbnln Planters' Associa- 
tion ou November 6tb, 1891. 
"That in the opinion of this Aasocintion the Chicago 
Exhibition should, iu consideration of the great impor- 
tance of gaining a footing in America for Cejion Tea, 
receive the support of every member of the Planling 
Community ; and it is earnestly hoped that the mem- 
bers of this district at any rate will eobscribe liber- 
ally, either through the Oeylon Tea Fund or by special 
subscription, towards tbe Exhibition." 
The Committee appointed to collect subscriptions in 
Dimbula is of opinion that it cantot do better than 
quote the words of the Chairman of the Planters' As- 
sociation in hia circular to non-subscribers to the Tea 
Fund :— 
"I appeal to you not to leave it entirely to others to 
supply the necessary funds. I ciuuot but feel that 
those who have subscribed to tbe It a Fund throughout 
have been somewhat ungenerously treated by those 
who do not subscribe, since the benehts reaped— and 
of these there can be no doubt — aie re:iped by nou- 
subscribers equally with subscribers. I ask you, there- 
fore, vtith confidence to contribute a special donation 
towards the Chicago Exhibition Fund, and 1 would 
suggest for your consideration that this should be 
based on the rate of J of a cent per lb. made tea for 
the current year." 
The Committee would point out that iu this district 
alone there are over 80 estates which have not hitherto 
subscribed tj the Fund, and earueetly entrtats ihe 
consideration of owners or managers of tuch estates to 
tbe extreme urgency which has called forth the above 
appeal. 
The mere fact that our Teas .ire falling in price at 
this season— although quality is wirtd go 'd, consnmp- 
tion of Ceylon tea is increasing, and stocks decreas- 
ing, iu England- points with irresistible conviction to 
the conclusion that the trade is possesaed with the idea 
of imminent enormous over-production. One authority 
at home, writing last month, tstimatee tbe production 
of India and Oeylon Tea in 1894 at 300,000,000 lb, 
VVithout agreeing with this estimate, it must be ap- 
parent to all that it is absolutely necessary to endeavor 
to open up new markets, and such an occasion as tlie 
Chicago Exhibition is not hkely to oconr again tVr 
many years. 
The Committee wonld point out the success alreany 
attained in Australia, where almost 9,000,000 lb. of 
India and Ceylon tea will be consumed this year, all 
of which would otherwise have found its way to swell 
the stocks iu England. 
Considering the vast extent of the Exhibition, cover- 
ing as It does 300 acres, and the itforts all nations 
are making to secure adequate representation, the 
L-ommittoe is of opinion no timo should be lost iu ar- 
nving at a knowledge of the amount likely to be at 
the disposal of our Commissioners. Upon this depcuds 
tho amount of space for which Ceylon c:ui apply It 
has been said that £10,( 00 is the very lowest .sum with 
which a start should be made. But tho Oommitteo 
would point out that for £15,000 not only 00 per cent, 
more could be done, but ci»uy times the number o£ 
03 
people attracted, as the measure of usefulness attained 
depends upnu the balance left over after all initial 
expenses are paid, such balance to be expended in 
advertieiog, covering expense of a Ceylonese band, or 
in the many other ways necessary to conform to the 
Americsn mi-thods of drawing attentioa to specialties. 
With £20,000 tho degree of usefulness might again 
be eubaiiced many times. For an object so vital to 
our existence as Tea Planters, it should not be difiRcult 
to raise £14,000 (leaving the Government and the Tea 
Fund to make up £6,000) from dependents on an in- 
dustry covering 240,000 acres. It amounts to Is 2d 
per acre or two-thirds of tbe monthly cost of weeding. 
The Committee wonld suggest that Ihe above sum 
(£14,i00) may be raised, provided subscriptions be 
apportioned somewhat as follows 
Snppofing Estates which have not con- 
tributed to the Tea Fund give Rl per 
cultivated acre — say, 100,000 acre 
Special subscriptions from estates which 
have paid, Supsrintcndeuts, and As- 
sistants 
From Agents, Brokers, and Shippers 
Donations from wealthy natives (who «re 
to be asked to subscribe by Hon. L. 
H. Kelly) 
100,000 
50,000 
12,500 
12,500 
185,000 
The Committee suggest the above merely to show 
what an average subscription should be ; not doubting, 
however, that many hitherto non-subacribers, and even 
shrewd and far-seeing subscribers, will contribute 
largely without respect to average. 
Tho Committee would point out that Dimbula, being 
the first district in which subscriptions have been 
started, as well as the largest in the Island, the de- 
gree of liberaUty displayed here is certain to be tbe 
measure of the liberality of other districts. For this 
reason a sense of responsibility rests upon Dimbula 
Planters. 
In proportion to our area, our share of the total 
should be R25,0O0, or about K140 from each estate, 
and its European staff. 
Tho Committee hopes every man will do hia duty. 
NOTES FKOM OUR LONDON LETTER. 
CHINA versus Indian teas — more accommoda- 
tion FOB CEXLON TEA .SALES — LANKA PLANTA- 
tions cojtpany — losses from china teas. 
London, Nov. 27. 
There is very considerable excitement shown 
here respecting a statement made by Sir Andrew 
Clark recently when lecturing to the students at 
the London Hospital that he considered China teas 
to be infinitely less harmful than Indian teas. 
By making such a statement Sir Andrew Clark 
has thrown out a challenge which is being fraely 
taken up by the London newspapers, as well as 
by many of those published throughout our pro- 
vinces. My space would not admit of my quoting 
the many extracts that might be made from these. 
We suspect that it will be found that the distin- 
guished medico has got his head into a horneta'' 
cest. It seems to be the generally entertained 
view that it is quite impossible, as well as unfair, 
tor any medical man to formulate a proposition 
as to the relative wholesomeness or otherwise of 
various teas which could hold good in all oases. 
As one man well qualified to judge remarked 
to me: — ^"Indian and Ceylon teas are both of them 
stronger than China. It may be that, the condition 
of infusion being in all cases tho same, the China 
teas might suit some of the weaker stomachs better 
than Ceylon or India ; but if either of the last 
were dealt with as thoy should be in such case, and 
the tea only allowed to dra>Y tor say three minulQ^ 
