ijANUARY I, 1S91. 
486 THP tROPICAL AGftiCULtyRi§t. 
A RUSSIAN BUYER OF CHINA TEAS 
AND THE PROSPECTS OF CEYLON 
TEA IN RUSSIA. 
I have bad some talk with a Russian buyer of Ceylon 
teas, who is also taking a trip home in the “ Ira- 
ouaddy.” Hie knowledge of English is unfortunately 
some-what limited, and his French, like that of most 
Englishmen, is also rather “rusty,” but I learnt 
that he had had three or four years’ experience as 
a tea buyer in Hankow and Foochow, and he was 
herefore likely to be able to express an opinion 
about the China tea market, and the prospects o^ 
Ceylon tea in Russia. Perhaps his ideas are a little 
biassed, but it is well to hear both sides. While the 
exports of China tea to Great Britain have diminished 
BO tremendously, and the quantity of tea sent down 
from the gardens had considerably decreased, he 
did not appear to think that there was an appre- 
ciable falling-ofi in the quantity sent to Russia, 
but if I understood him correctly he thought that 
in ten years English buyers would entirely give 
up buying China teas and would buy only from 
Ceylon and India. Many of the China growers, he 
said, are now rooting out their tea, and planting 
potatoes instead. But he does not think that 
the Russians will take kindly to Ceylon teas for 
several years, as our teas have not that peculiar 
aroma to which they are accustomed in the China 
teas, and of which they are so fond. We tried 
a few cups of Ceylon tea on board one afternoon, 
and he thought it was decidedly strong— too strong 
for the Russian taste. But that may have been the 
fault of tea we tried, or the fault of the brewing. 
— ♦ 
RUBBER IN BRAZIL. 
PaeA. — Messrs. Singlehurst, Brocklehurst & Co. write 
under date of the 5th inst. Rubber.— Since our last 
advices has been almost constantly in active and general 
demand, cansing our market to assume a moat animated 
and strong position, in harmony with the stimulating 
features, which, in consequence of greatly reduced 
stocks, prevail for the time being at the American and 
European consuming centres. Buyers meeting the 
market liberally, all arrivals were immediately taken up 
by them, and frequently bespoken before the rubber 
had made its appearance, with the result that prices 
have advanced to 38300 per kilo, for fine and 28300 for 
coarse Islands rubber, while last sales of Up-river have 
been made at 38500—28500 for fine and coarse res. 
pectively. As there are no stocks available and arrivals 
have been small during the past few days prices are well 
maintained. Just now, however, buyers seem to have 
satisfied their immediate wants, and may resume larger 
operations on less spirited lines. An interesting census 
has been recently taken in the Purus river district, one 
of the most important regions for the extraction of 
rubber, which reveals a shocking result. Basing the 
estimate on the number of immigrants, chiefly from the 
neighbouring states who have gone to that district 
during recent years, it appears to have been considered 
that its population consisted of rather more than 40,000 
souls. It has, however, been reported, on what is said 
to be reliable authority, that the number existing — in- 
cluding children— is only 16,000 souls. Tbe mortality 
always considerable, and tbe most lamentable feature 
in connection with tbe production of rubber, is described 
ns having been stupendous last year, especially on the 
Acre river, where the banks are plentifully sprinkled 
with crosses, marking the ravages of fever and disease. 
If this baa been tbe fate of native immigration, what 
may ho expected for Europeans should they ever venture 
these parts ‘I'—Ri® 
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, COLOMBO : 
Frize Day. 
Yesterday (Nov. 29th) afternoon took place another 
of those pleasant gatherings which recur annually at 
the School of Agriculture in the Cinnamon Gardens. 
The entrance to the building was tastefully decorated 
and the school* room had much artistic labour bestowed 
on its decorations. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary 
presided, and amongst others present were the Hon. J. 
J. Grinlinton, Hon. AY. W. Mitchell, Hon. Dr. 
Anthonisz, Hon. M. C. Abdul Bahiman, Messrs. H. AV. 
Green, J. B. Gull, T. E. De Sampayo, Mrs. and the 
Misses Keith, Mr. James De Saram, Dr. H. M. 
Fernando, the Alaha Mudaliyar, Mr. 0. Dreberg, Mr. 
and Mrs. Joseph, Messrs. 0. Thomasz AYalter Pereira, 
B. P. Jayawardena, Mrs. and tbe Misses Beven, Mr. 
and Mrs. Schrader, Mr. 0. M. Fernando, Mr. and Mrs. 
Jeronis Peiris, Advocate Senathi Rajah, Miss Fr6donx, 
Mr. Ranesingbe, Mr. J. S. Drieberg, Mrs. and the 
Misses Attygalle, Miss Lindsay, Miss Drieberg, Mrs. 
and the Misses Grenier, Mrs. C. Drieberg, Rev. S. 
Lindsay, Mrs. A. de Saram, Dr. and Mrs. Asreappa, 
Mr. and Mrs, F.Dornhorst, Rev. T. O.’ Hillard, Dr. 
Bowles Daly, &e. 
The proceedings commenced by the President calling 
upon the Principal {Mr. O. Drieberg, b.a.) to read 
his Report. 
Report was of a very encouraging nature, and its 
reading was punctuated with frequent marks of ap- 
plause from the audience. It alluded in terms of praise to 
the late Governor Sir Arthur Gordon, who had by his en- 
couragement and patronage in previous years shown hia 
interest in the work, of the School. His Excellency 
Sir Arthur Havelock was prevented from presiding 
owing to pressure of work, but he had already shewn 
his appreciation of the work carried on in the School by 
visiting it. The presence of Sir Edward AY alker was 
an indication of the interest he evinced on behalf 
of the school. The report next proceeded to state 
the results of the operations carried on in the various 
provinces by the students who had been sent forth 
from the School. One of their men had been ap- 
pointed as an agricultural instructor in the fever- 
stricken district of AValapane — the c'o'ndition of which 
district the energetic Assistant Government Agent of 
Nuwara Eliya was endeavouring to ameliorate. That 
appointment made up a total of twelve students who 
had been employed as agricultural mstructors— seven, 
of whom were paid by Government'and five privately. 
It was a matter for congratulation that the Govern- 
ment officials rendered valuable assistance to the 
cause of agriculture, notably tbe Government Agent 
of the Eastern Province, the Government Agent of 
tbe Sabaragamuwa Province, and the Assistant Go- 
vernment Agents of Matara and; Kegalla. Another 
batch of students was leaving College on completion 
of their studies to engage in agricultural 
pursuits. It included some excellent young men, 
among whom was Mr. J. J. Koddipilly, who has had 
a brilliant career at the School. One feature of 
interest was the publication of a Monthly Magazine 
devoted to the interests of Agriculture ; and this liter- 
ary effort is appreciated by those 'for whom it was 
was intended. The School Museum is growing in 
size, the Agricultural Discussion Society is well 
supported by both students and outsiders. A 
dairy has also beeu set on foot by the headmaster, Mr. 
Jayawardena, and experiments have so far been attended 
with success, and it is satisfactory to note that a long 
felt want has been supplied. Through the knowledge 
imparted in this branch of agriculture the students 
could gain a knowledge of the proper housing, feeding, 
and general treatment of cattle in health and disease. 
Another feature of interest in the report was the fact 
that a large variety of crops had been grown on the 
School grounds with the view of demonstrating the most ^ 
approved methods. The report next referred to the wil- 
ling help and ready assistance of Mr. De Silva, the 
second assistant, not only by teaching in the School 
but by hia writings. Another student of last year’s 
batch has been employed as a conductor on an up- 
country estate ; and it was satisfactory fo^ihe Principal 
