August i, 1890.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
93 
third with 24,000 lb. This is an increase on 366 
in 1885, but a great fall from 42,000 in 1888. But 
we are only feeling this market. To Mauritius 
we send nearly as much as to the United States, 
and not far behind is France, while Germany, 
with 33,000 lb. to the two ports of Hamburg and 
Bremen, is even in advance of the United States. 
The Straits Settlements are down for over 7,000 lb., 
while over 8,000 for Suez are not all for con- 
sumption in Egypt. Over 5,000 lb. actually went 
to Hongkong, to compete with China tea. Russia 
took 3,700 and Austria 5,300, Italy contenting 
herself with 2,281. A quantity equal to 2,884 
went to Bushire, and I,3l5 to Malta, while be- 
sides the quantity already credited to Hongkong 
1,105 are down for “China”! Japan also took 
450 lb. Who could have predicted such a reversal 
of trade, even ten years ago ! In moderate 
quantities, at present, our teas find their way to 
every part of the world, and we may hope that 
thus a taste for what is pure and good in the 
shape of beverage may be created or eztended. 
Java teas have been hitherto of but little account 
for quantity or quality, but last sales show a 
wonderful spring upwards in prices. There can be 
little doubt that the improvement is largely due to 
the increase in the production of Assam kinds, 
which, grown in Java at low elevations, come rapidly 
into bearing. Java is likely to take a more im- 
portant position than it now occupies. 
♦ 
INDIAN TEA: ANNUAL REVIEW. 
Mincing Lane, June 1890. 
The record of the season, completed by the figures for the 
year ending 31st May, is a satisfactory one, from whatever 
point of view it is regarded. 
Producti' ii has increased, but not at the cost of quality, 
for the crop as a whole has been rather above the average 
in merit— it we except the want of fiavour which charac- 
teriaed a portion of it— and to this we attrimite the fact 
that a great increase in consumption has been attained, with- 
out the incentive of lowered prices, uotwiChstauding the grow- 
ing competiuou ot Ceylon. 
The que.-iion of quality is, indeed, the most important 
matter which cau engage the aiieutiou uf those ooucerned 
in production ; for while there is evidence that Indian 
tea has taxen a hold upon popular taste, so firm that it 
will not evsily be shaken, Ihero would be n.sk of re- 
action if (piality were lowered in pursuance of a policy 
having for its principal aim a heavy yield. That some, 
attracted by the prices lately paid for the lowest grades, 
will adopt such a policy must be expected — and there are 
no doubt, many estates so situated that a large crop can 
be secured with more certainty than a fine one — but for 
those who have proved their capacity to make good tea, 
without unduly limiting the out-turn, it would be a 
hasardous experiment, and one affecting not themselves 
only, but i he general interests of the industry. Eeputa- 
tlou counts for much— and a crop is apt to be reputed 
good or bad, as a whole, from the character of those 
leading bnmds with which every considerable trader in 
tlie kingdom is familiar. This especially applies to Assam 
and Darjeeling teas, because the oifference between their 
fine and common qualities is marked by a wider range of 
quotation t lan in tea produced elsewhere ; but the prin- 
ciple is oi general application, and operates with more 
and more advantage every year, as supplies increase, to 
those who have succeeded in establishing a high character 
for their brand. To those who have hitherto been less 
successful ihan others in this respect, it should be an en- 
couragement to know that the season has afforded instances 
of teas ri'ing to a high place in the market’s estimation 
solely on ti.eir merits. 
The inferior character of the Chinn crop has contributed 
to the pri gross of the Indiau trade at home— indeed, 
the point lias been reached at which the buyers scarcely 
account the low current price of Chiua congou a matter 
affecting the value of Indian— but, on the other hand, 
the rapid growth of supplies from Ceylon, and their popu- 
larity opei ate in tlie other direction. Good medium In- 
dians, — especially pekoes uud bruken pekoes- have unques- 
tionably snlfered from this competition, but not the finest 
qualities, which are too distinct in character to be dis- 
placed, wiv reas good Ceylon teas can be aubstitnted in a 
blend lor lii Uaii of uvetago ipuility whonever price orsiiioff- 
ucemodat. 
The quality of the coming China crop, and the general 
character of Ceylon teas, remain the factors of uncertainty; 
hut we have, so far, no indication that the conditions 
which have shaped the course of the market in the past are 
likely to be largely modified. 
Matters of detail are so fully grasped by those who 
have the management in India and at home, that it is 
only needful refer to them briefly. The necessity, and the 
advantage, of putting large breaks upon the market have 
led' to a gradual abandonment of factory bulking. From 
many points of view this is a retrograde movement ; hut 
on the whole we do not think it prejudices value. Care- 
ful observation of results in the case of large concerns 
which have resumed London bulking, shows that tea is 
brought to market in the highest condition, provided that 
no considerable period intervenes between bulking and sale. 
This of course implies that tea deteriorates after bulking 
liere — and it may be asked how does that affect the 
buyers’ estimate of value. As a matter of fact the“ keep- 
ing quality ’’ of what they buy is not studied by the 
trade so much as it was when they carried heavy stocks ; 
the opposite policy now prevails, and is fostered — by the 
unbroken inflow of supplies. This necessarily tells against 
sellers in the months when pressure is heaviest — or when 
the crop is a poor one, as in 1888-9— but it has made 
the general position of the article sounder, and imparts 
an elasticity to the market when supplies are curtailed, 
unknown in former years. Prolonged periods of depression 
such as were experienced in times past, are now infrequent, 
and the reason is that the distributors, holding small stocks 
are constantly buying. 
A subsidiary question, but one of the deepest concern 
to producers isthatof finding fresh outlets. Towards the 
190 million lb. probably required for home use during the 
coming year, India and Ceylon together will contribute fully 
150 millions ; and the time is approaching when the com- 
bined crops may equal the total Home Consumption. As it is 
not likely that China tea will be entirely displaced, the 
contingency of a supply eventually heavier than cau be 
taken at home must be faced. Taking as a basis the 
figures for the five months of this year recorded by the 
Board of Trade, the annual export of Indiau tea is only 
about three million lb. Kussia, the largest European 
outlet, will probably remain closed to us so long as it 
can get the China congou which popular taste demands. 
There remain Australia, Canada, and the United States. 
Good progress is being made in the former market from 
Calcutta : and systematic work, originating in London, is 
being done in the States and Canada, but much more 
would be effected if producers as a body applied them- 
selves to it : meanwhile, we must hope that the enter- 
prise of those who are advertizing and pushing the sale 
there may bear fruit. Unfortunately the American market 
does not yet see the merit in our finest tea, and demand 
13 so limited by price that business is checked by any 
advance here ; it will therefore be necessary to come into 
Closer contact with consumers, in order to cultivate the 
loBte for our tea. 
The following figures for the past season, kindly sup- 
ji.ied to us by proprietors, cover nearly 73,000 acres yielding 
,800,000 lb., an average of 408 Id. per acre, realising an 
Bverage sale price of 11 Jd per lb. 
Previous tables showed the following results : — 
Acreage. 
1888-9 66,000 
1887-8 60,000 
1886-7.... 56,300 
Quantity. Per Acre, 
lb. 
Price 
per lb. 
27.200.000 412 
22.664.000 377 
21.600.000 382 
\V. J. & H. Thompson 
0 10 -37 
1 0 1-20 
1 0 
Brokers. 
MINERALS AND GEMS. 
The total value of minerals and gems produced 
in the Madras Presidency during the year 1889, 
was R8, 14,528. Gold is not returned by the Nil- 
giris, the total being 2,186 oz., valued at R96,944. 
Iron was chiefly obtained in the Bellary and Malabar 
Districts. The total for the whole Presidency was 
about 119 tons, valued at Rll,614. Of quarry 
stones, granite and limestone are the chief sources 
of revenue, the former contributing 402,396 tons, 
valued at R2,59,656 and the latter 1,421,752 tons, 
valued at Rl,83,605. Of other items laterite is 
returned at 178,592 tons, valued at R86,094 ; sand- 
stone 62,000 tons, valued at R22,255 ; trap 228,412 
tons, valued at R77,f 02 ; 315 tons of clay, valued 
at R495; 58 tons of slate in the Kistna District, 
priced at R140 ; and other quarry stones 63,703 
tons, valued at RG7,377,729 owt. of corundum or 
baipum were quarried in the Anantapur district, 
