March i, i8g2.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
645 
tiip: expokts of tea in January; 
estimates for 1892 and the 
TEA FUND. 
The motive of the local " Times " in represent- 
ing the tea exports of January 1892 at only 
4,900,000 lb., a figure which was to be telegraphed 
to London from several sources, was to favourably 
affect prices in the London market, But surely harm 
rather than good will result, when it is learned 
that the figures in the Chamber of Commerce table 
are materially higher, viz: — 5,125,866 lb, Again, 
our figures from the Customs, which include ship- 
ments in vessels that have not sailed as well as 
those which have actually departed, are still higher, 
vie. 6,217,302 lb., an excess of 620,180 lb. over the 
export in January 1891. The higher figures are aa 
capable of transmission as the lower. We see that Mr. 
Rutherford is amongst those who do not antici- 
pate any material aJvance in 1892 over 1891. 
His opinion is worthy of all respect, and we 
shall be only too glad to find our own estimate 
of 85,000,000 lb. excessive. We believe, however, 
that only the general adoption of really light 
plucking can bring about such a result, and we 
shall believe in all planters plucking lightly, when 
all planters recognize the duty of paying subscrip- 
tions to the Tea Fund on the basis of green leaf 
gathered. Of course, the fiuer the plucking, the 
smaller will the contribution be. But it is no use 
trying to dwell in a fool's paradise. The exports 
of tea from Ceylon, though not on the scale of 
1890, are bound to increase for several suc- 
cessive years yet, as land comes into full 
bearing, and the true remedy for over-produc- 
tion is a continuance, with more energy than ever, 
of the efforts being made, by using the Chicago 
Exhibition and other means to open new markets 
for our staple. But such efforts involve large 
expenditure of time and thought and money ; and 
we cannot understand how those who shirk the 
plain duty of bearing their part of the money 
expenditure, at least, can enjoy the blessing of a 
clear conscience or the hope of prospering in their 
enterprise. 
THE SALE OF CEYLON TEA IN LONDON. 
The Secretary of the Planters' Association sends 
ua the following correspondence with the Secretary 
of the Ceylon Association in London on the above 
subject ; — 
{Cofy.) Kandy, Dec. 18th. 
The Secretary, Oeylon Association in London, 14 
Mincing Lane, London, E.G. 
Deab Sir, — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your 
letter of the 25th September with enclosares which 
have boen duly submitted to the Committee of the 
Planters' Association at a recent meeting. 
I have now further to annex for the information of 
your Association copy of a resolution passed by the 
Oommiltoe on the subject of frda sales in London.— 
I am &c.. (Signed) A Philip, Secretary to the 
Planters' Association of Oeylon. 
Resolution referred to. 
« That this Association cordially supports the action 
of the Tea Committee of the Ceylon Associ^^tion in 
London in taking into its consideration the necessity 
of more days being set aside for the sale of Oeylon 
tea in view of the heavy exports now going forward 
and the fact that it is, as now arranged, quite 'im- 
poKfiiblo for buyers to give the samples proper atten- 
tion.'' 
{Coi>ij.) Kandy, Dee. 18th 1891. 
To Wra. l.onko, Esq. Secretary, Oeylon Association 
in London, 14 MiiioinK Lane, London, E. U. 
Dear Sir,— I am in receipt of your letter of tlie 
27tli ultimo with ouclosurcs which shall bo submitted 
to tho Committto at uext mootiug, 
81 
I have now the pleasure of to enclose demand draft 
on London for £60 sterling, in payment of the_ grant 
from this Association to the Ceylon Association in 
London for the year 1891, and would express the 
hope that cordial cooperation in all matters lhaving 
for their object the good of Oeylon may long continue. 
—I am &c.j (Signed) A. Philip, Secretary to the 
Planters' Association of Oeylon. 
Copy, 
4, Mincing Lane, London, B. C, 15th Jan. 1892. 
A. Philip, Esq., Secretary, Ceylon Planters' ABSocia- 
tiou, Kandy, Ceylon. 
Dear Sir,— I have to thank you for your letters (2) of 
18th ultimo, and for the remittance of £60 as the an- 
nual contribution to the funds of our Association here. 
On its behalf I cordially concur in the hope expressed 
that tbe two Associations may long work together 
effectively for the good of Oeylon. 
Our Tea Committee will, I know be greatly pleased at 
the resolution expressing approval of its action in the 
matter of the arrangements for the days for selling 
Ceylon teas. I learn that the Commercial Sales Room 
Committee has agreed to provide a separate room for 
the Ceylon sales on Thursdays, and that at an early 
date this arrangement will come into force. This 
should for a time reheve the pressure caused by the 
rapid increase in the quantities of your teas coming 
forward. 
Permit me in conclusion to congratulate your Asso- 
ciation on the astounding progress made during the 
past year by Ceylon tea in the Home trade. You will 
sea by the Board of Trade returns that the consump- 
tion in the United Kingdom, of Ceylon tea has increased 
nearly 50 per cent on that of the previous year, while in 
both Indian and China teas there has been a sensible 
falling off in the Home consumption. For the first 
time too the figures for Oeylon exceed those of China, 
the excess being upwards of million pounds. — I am, 
&c., (Signed) Wm. Martin Leaks. 
. ■ 
THE A LA CHINOISE. 
We now publish the article we recently alluded 
to as published in the Java paper on the prepara- 
tion of Java tea as China. The gentleman who 
has been good enough to make the translation for 
us writes : — 
" Do you not think that in order to satisfy the 
tastes of the people in other parts of the world who 
still like China tea, it would be well worth while for 
some of the great companies to prepare " the a la 
chinoise " for the purpose of cutting out the China 
article ? There need be no kind of falsification or 
adulteration connected with the enterprize. The 
produce would be sold as scented tea. You see how 
tenaciously the Javanese and Chinamen in Java cling 
to the kind they have been accustomed to. The 
same feeling no doubt operates in some parts of 
Europe and in America." 
In the Essay by a Nilgiri Planter which we pub- 
lished some years ago, full directions were given 
for the preparation of scented tea, and all the 
flowers useful for the purpose were enumerated. 
But neither in India nor Oeylon have scented teas 
been prepared on any large scale ; and we suspect 
public opinion would condemn the imitation of a 
product which our genuine Bophistioated teas are 
driving out of the market. 
(Translated for the Ceylon Observer, by J. D. Y.) 
Falsification op Tea on a Grand Scale at 
Chekibon, Java. 
Contributed by A. G. Vorderman, Inspector of the 
Civil Medical Service of Java and Madiu'a. 
When in Juue 1891, during a voyage from Batavia 
in the steamer " De Carpentier " I pased the night 
in tho Cheribon roads, I was surprised to see a con- 
siderable number of very large packages landed at 
that place, and was informed by the mate that they 
contained tea. 
There could be no doubt that soniothing mysterious 
was counocted with this article packed in thu ^Yivy ii 
