410 THE TROPJCAL AQRICULTURlSt . [December i, iSqo. 
One or two of the gardens liave done better than 
others, but on the whole the season will be a deplo- 
rable one to proprietors : some say tbat many of the 
small estates will cloFe at the end of the season for 
want of financing. It is very difficult for small factories 
to exist in a place like the Terai. The climate is 
such that few proprietors would care lo settle down 
in it, and the price now obtained is not sufficient to 
secure good management ; consequently those places 
started in better days, have not a very bright future, 
unless amalgamated with each other to ensure good 
management at a minimum expenditure. It is esti- 
mated that the crop is twenty-five per cent, less than 
usual, some of the factories being as much as fifty 
per cent short of the outturn. Several changes in the 
managements are xiending, both in the Terai and in the 
Hills. This is poor satisfaction to the proprietors, but 
it seems to suit some people to be in a constant state 
of change. — Correspondeyit of Calcutta ''■Enyluhman” 
■ 
AFFAIRS IN MADAGASCAR. 
Writing to the editor of the Tropical Agriculturist, 
the editor of the Madagascar Neios, in a letter 
somewhat similar to one from which we published 
an extract some time ago, says ; — 
“ Madagascar is on the eve of a great development 
of her vast pastoral, agricultural, and mineral resources, 
and that the course of events here during the next 
few years will doubtless be of interest to you, espe- 
cially as the resources of this island are very similar 
to those of yours. Beyond that, however, there is 
the French policy here to follow, the result of which 
were those directly associated with the Government 
cannot today forecast. Her Majesty the Queen, the 
Prime Minister, and the Court have been in the 
forest country over since the Anglo-Franco Con- 
vention began to be negotiated, and the few people 
remaining in town are embodied with the Govern- 
ment ; the town, however, desires peace at any price.” 
“ 
COCONUTS AND CINNAMON. 
Kadirana, Got. 30th. 
It is a trite saying that all things coma to those 
who wait; and to us at last has come the long 
delay, and therefore all the more welcome rain. 
Since the 26th it has rained every day with only 
short breaks of rest, but the rain till last night 
was so gentle that not a drop ran ofl the ground; 
during last night, however, the rain v/as very heavy, 
and the gauge measured 3‘30 inches. The total 
for four days is 6-81 inches. There is a marked 
absence of electric disturbance. Gladness is in all 
hearts, but as for thankfulness that can come from 
only the Christian or the theist. The Buddhist 
can feel none, for to him there is no one to be 
thankful to except perhaps to himself; for must 
it not be due to his own good deeds — Karma — in 
some previous birth that the rain has come when 
it did ! It strikes me that there must have been 
a good many whose merit is pretty equal to bring 
down the rain almost everywhere ]ust at the same 
timel How would the Buddhist account for its 
falling equally upon the bad ?— A bud is showing on 
the cinnamon, and will be well out in a few more days. 
Tpa in Foocuow. — The news of the large settle- 
ments of tea during the last month have produced 
some sensation in the principal districts in the 
country, but owing to the lower range of prices 
offering they prefer to leave the leaf to grow old 
instead of picking it. It is believed by growers that 
a clean picking oil of the Raf every year does harm 
to the plants, and that the short picking of last 
year has greatly added to the strength of this season’s 
tea in the cup ; for this reason, coupled with the 
low prices, they almost unanimously refuse to pick 
any further quantity, so tlio supply for the season 
mny now bo computed at no larger amount than 
J70,00<J chests,— liy/i'/Ay/''/ Daihj Tress, Got, Idtb. 
PLANTING AND NEWS REPORT PROM 
PANWILA DISTRICTS. 
EXCELLENT TEA AND CACAO PROSPECTS— CARDAMOMS, 
PEPPER AND VANILLA — ABUNDANT LABOUR— ROADS. 
Wattegama, 30th Got. — I am glad to say we are 
not in the same position as “ Eldorado " having 
all our cacao trees dying out, but, on the contrary, 
we shall all have an excellent crop this year and 
our trees look very healthy and fit to bear better 
crops as they get older. 
We can safely rely on our 400 lb. per acre 
made tea from all estates which are properly culti- 
vated in our district. 
Cardamoms, pepper, and vanilla, are doing well. 
Labour abundant and cheap. Our District Engi- 
neer is giving his full attention to the roads, but 
the shaving system at present in use though good 
while there were lots of old metal 9 to 12 inches 
thick on the road will soon show the mud. There 
are several patches now on the road from Katugas- 
tota towards Galagedara where the cart wheels 
turn up the red soil. We now require a thick 
layer of good metal put on our roads, as the island 
can afford it and not wait till the last metal 
is shaved off. We also require better metal. Metal 
heaped on our roadsides (not by our present 
engineer) grows weeds and grass freely, thus show- 
ing the earth mixed with the stones and softness 
of latter. 
- — —«■ 
THE CEYLON ‘'AMERICAN” TEA 
COMPANY. 
The following extract from a letter under date 
New York, Oct. 3rd, to the Hon. J. J. Grinlinton 
from Messrs. Wattson & Farr, gives a most en- 
couraging account of the start made by the new 
Company ; — 
“ The new Company began operations this week, 
and we alraidy have had most encouraging success in 
obtaining a most excellent agent in Boston, and it is 
probable he will take the agency of the whole new 
England States, in return for which he will, of coi: -se, 
take a considerable number of shares. Ho is active, 
energetic, very well connected, and we are most for- 
tunate in having gotten his co-operation. Several 
other promising agents are considering the business. 
We send you under separate cover copies of the first 
advertisements, which are quite striking, as you will 
see. We enclose herewith copy of the byelaws of 
the Company. The State Trust Company whose Pre- 
sident, Mr. Willis Paine, you called.upon, has voluntarily 
asked us to make them our transfer agents, which 
brings the Company another strong endorsement. 
We feel more and more that the Company is neces- 
sary to the prosperity of the planters, and we again 
ask your best efforts to secure for the Company the 
hearty co-operation of the planters in Ceylon,” 
m> m .1 ■ 
The Odorous Eucalyptus. — No worm or insect is 
ever found upon the euealyptus tree, or in the earth 
where the roots penetrate. A row of trees planted 
through an orchard or vineyard will cause insects, 
worms, and caterpillars to vacate that region. Two 
branches of the eucalyptus used in the room or 
windows, or as decorations in dwelling rooms, will 
cause mosquitoes, moths, fleas and flies to leave 
the premises. — Indian Agriculturist, Oct. Ilth. 
A Ceylon Planter in South Africa. — The move- 
ment of the British South Africa Company’s expedi- 
tionary force should be watched with considerable 
interest upcountry, inasmuch as the Company counts 
amongst its members a Ceylon planter well-known in 
Dikoya and Haputale — Mr- L. L. B. Dykes, who went 
home more than a year ago. Mr. Dykes was one who 
liked an adventurous life, and he seized the opportunity 
when at home of offering bis services to the organizers 
of the expedition and was gratified to find thens 
accepted. 
