March 2, 1891.] 
THE TROPICAL AQRlCyLTORIST 
66g 
gation Co., and others have been requested to address 
the Association direct on the subject, and to submit 
their views and proposals in connection with the ques- 
ticn as early as possible. 
Lazaretto. — Che opening of a lazaretto for coolies 
arriving at Colombo will it is hoped, increase Ihe 
facilities for immigration by this route by doing away 
with any necessity for prolonged detention of steamers 
conveying coolies; and your Committee w'ould rrcord 
tbeir appreciation of the prompt action of Government 
in completing the buildings when the need for doing so 
was recently urged upon them. 
Fuel SupPLr,— This matter has been prominently 
brought under your notice by the fcarcity of fuel, 
which is absolutely necessary for the manufacture of 
tea in some districts. There are as is well-known large 
reserves of Crown forest but the arrangements so far 
made have not rendered it possible for the planters to 
avail themselves of the supply which is now in the 
bands of the Forest Department. The scheme proposed 
by that department of setting off certain plots of jungle 
for the use of various estates is impracticable owing to 
the inaccessibility of the plots and the conditions im- 
posed. Your Committee trusts that the Government 
will continue to give their best attention to this impor- 
tant matter which might be to tlaom a fruitful s''urce of 
revenue by the employment of Sinhalese contractors 
obtain stores of fuel at accessible depots by the removal 
of some of the most stringent clauses of the Ordinanee 
relating to the removal of timber and by the lowering of 
the rate.s on the Railway for the tran-port of timber 
develope a trade which would bo beneficial to the re- 
venue, the rativts of Ceylon, and to the tea manufac- 
turers, The rules at present in force regarding the 
supply of Firewcod to Tea Estates in Central Frovir.ee 
will be embodied in the Book of Proceedings for refer- 
ence; they will also be found in the “ Ceylon Govern- 
ment Gazette ’’ No. 5014 of September 19th, 189C. 

HOAV MANY CUPS TO A L15. OF TEA? 
It was said by a London expert when lately stating 
the cost per cup of Gallebodde tea sold at llCs 
per lb., — ‘‘ this equals 70 cups only to a lb.” Now, 
what is the proper number of cups of tea to bo 
got from one lb. of tea ? What says Mr. Street, 
the Colombo expert ? — Planter. [Mr. Street’s reply 
to this enquiry is as follows: — “ In reply to the 
question as to how many cups of Gallebodde 
Tea would go to the lb., I should say about 100 
breakfast cups using the quantity of tea we do for 
tasting purposes. This would make a cup cost 
about lOJd at 87s per lb.” — or Is l-5thd at IJOs. 
—Ed. 2. A.] 

Tea and Coffee. — It is noteworthy that the reason 
assigned for the reported increase in the demand of 
the Parisians for British grown tea is the high price 
and fn/erio)’ ([ludity of coffee BraA vi'me. As regards the 
high price of coffee, the same may be said of tea, seeing 
that the duty is excessive, but as to “ quality,” that 
is due entirely to the greed of the shopkeeper class, 
who have ruined the reputation of French coffee by 
abominable admixture of ingredients worse than chi- 
cory, This has been a prolific source of complaint by 
English travellers in France for some years past. — 
“ Oeylon Advertiser.” 
Guatemala and San Salvador. — According to 
reports which have reached Mexico, Guatemala has 
equipped for war with Salvador 25,000 men, who 
are now engaged in gathering in the coffee crop. 
It is added that hostilities are expected to be 
declared in the latter half of February, while 
Honduras will keep in check Costa Rica and Nica- 
ragua if they attempt to interfere, but otherwise 
will also attack Salvador, which is preparing for 
the struggle. Both Guatemala and Salvador are 
(BAted to be endeavouring to arrange loaus — O.Mail, 
Cancer and Fungi. — It a loo.se way, many 
persons have associated this horrible disease with 
the presence of a parasitic fnngns, but the associa- 
tion has never till recently, been experimentally jiroved. 
Recently, however, Dr. Russell, of Ediufc.nrgh, 
availing himself of the meiliods of staining, now so 
much in use among . mioroscopists, and by means of 
which different tissues and growths may be readily 
distingui.shed one from another, has succeeded in dis- 
covering fungus spores in cases of cancer, Dr. Russell 
considers that this fungus acts like yeast, and, like 
it, sets up a ferntieuting proce.ss, accompanied by changes 
in the tissues. Dr- Russell’s experiments will have 
to be repeated by other observer.s, and if confirmed 
will lead, it is to be hoped, to some means of 
combatting this fearful malady. — Gardeners' Chronicle. 
The Weather at Yfhcaud. — A eorrespoudent 
writes : — “ We are having line weather these few 
days, rather unusual for this part of the year. 1 he 
hot days we had before this reminded us very much 
of the season in March and planters were appre- 
hensive of there being a thorough failure of crop 
all round. But the lew clays rain wo got has 
cheered them up not a little, although it is thought 
that the season was rather early. It is hoped, 
however, that the tains would continue ; for more 
rain is wanted to set the blossom. The rain we 
had on the 19th of last month was thought to do 
the estates great harm, but the preset rains have 
tended to bring forward a lot of spikes that were 
backward then, and in a few days the blossoming 
season will be over. The weather does not yet 
look closed up and we are expecting more rain.” — 
Madras Mail. 
CoEFEB Sulphate for Lilies. — Rev. C. 
Wolley Dod stated recently in the Garden, aud also at 
a meeting of the ecunliflo committee, that he has 
found ve' y good results with commoner Lilies as well 
as with Roses by the use of sulphate of copper as a 
preventive. Three pounds of sulphate of copper, which 
costs whole sale less than 3d. a pound, are dissolved 
in water, aud two pounds of quicklime, separately.' 
These solutions are then mixed together in ten gallons 
of water, aud splashed upon the young growth, to 
which it does no harm. “ I have found this also very 
useful for the cure of the mildew (Peronospora 
ficar’te), which bas proved here so destructive to the 
large variety of Christmas Roses. Another remedy 
recommended for mildew is to dress the surface of the 
ground in early spring before growth commences with 
finely powdered sulphate of iron. One pound is suffi. 
dent to mix in a wheelbarrow load of soil, and will 
dress a large surface. I have seen this treatment 
recommended in the Kew Bulletin to prevent Potato 
blight, I have used it for Lilies, and it seems suc- 
cessful. — Gardeners' Chronicle. 
The Planters’ Present to the Czakewitch. — The 
albums of views to be presented to the Czarewilch by 
the Planters’ Association, arrived at Darawella from 
Oolomlio during the taco meeting, and Mr. L. H. 
Kelly, the Chairman, being present on the course, a 
wish was expressed to see it, and lie consequently 
showed it to the Governor and the Cza.rewitch, in- 
forming the latter that it was intended for formal 
presentation to him in Colombo. H. I. H. however, 
1 xpressed his willingness to take it at once, remarking 
that he appreciated the gift very much and would 
prize it. The presentalion consequently took place 
on the spot. On the silver plate outside the char- 
acters “Oeylon, 1891’’ appeared, and on the inside 
in gold lettering the fact that it is the gift of the 
Planters’ Association to II. I. H. is recorded. Fourteen 
of the views show all stages cf the tea industries 
and are those taken by the late Mr. Malcolm Clarke. 
Some 22 others are by Messrs. Skeen & Co,, com- 
prising views of Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, tea 
estates, &c. They are all mounted on black plates 
with gold edge, and their description i.s printed be- 
low each in gold. The 100 lb. tea in 2.5 boxes of 
Ceylon woods like the present, which was given to 
the (Jueen will bo presented through Lieut, de Frisel^ 
