762 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
[May I, 1891. 
found to be as follows : — 
Per- 
Per- 
Per- 
Per- 
Per- 
centage 
centage 
centage 
centage 
centage 
of 
o£ 
of 
of 
of 
Mineral 
Extract. 
.Soluble 
Tkeine. 
Insoluble 
Ash. 
Ash. 
Ash. 
b-20 
27‘88 
3-03 
0 69 
63-50 
IV23 
23-20 
3-2S 
1-37 
07-95 
0-56 
30-10 
3-62 
1-.05 
64-28 
C-07 
29-80 
3-26 
1-40 
65’54 
6-18 
23-76 
3-17 
0-81 
67-16 
5-87 
27-30 
3-07 
0-t)8 
69-05 
In reply to the request contained in your letten 
the above results will, I think, answer your first 
question as regards quality. The sample third on 
the list passes the standard for genuine teas. To 
the second question, — viz., as to whether the tea 
represented by these samples contains any ingredient 
injurious to the health of possible consumers, — I 
am able to answer in the negative. With reference 
to the third and final question, — as to whether these 
teas are fit or unfit for human consumption, — l am 
of opinion that they are fit for human consumption, 
one of them passing the standard adopted by differeiit 
Governments and institutions. In the Public 
Health Bill now awaiting the attention of the 
Legislature definite standards are provided under 
which five out of the six teas would have been con- 
demned as unfit for human consumption. The fact, 
however, rema'ns that all the samples are of very 
inferior c!uali''y- I am, &o. William M. Hamlett, 
F.I.A., F.O.S.. overument Analyst.” On this report 
the Colonial Treasurer has expressed the opinion that 
in the preseni state of the law it is not possible^ to 
prohibit the importation of the tea in question, 
which, with the exception of one sample, is found 
to be of lower quality than the standard adopted by 
any other colony. He, however, regards the report 
of the Government Analyst as satisfactory evidence 
that the tea does not contain any ingredient injurious 
to the health of possible consumers, and that it 
oannot be considered unfit for consumption.^ The 
adoption of a standard regulating the quality of 
imported tea will be considered when the proposed 
Public Health Bill is introduced, Mail. 
TEA PLAIN TING IN UYA. 
The Haputttle and Madulsima Companies, on the 
principle of “ Hobson’s Choice” we fancy, are follow- 
ing the many txauiples set tbem by estates originally 
opened for tbe oultiv.atiou of coffee and cinchona and 
are now going largely in for tea. Mr. George A. Dick 
and Mr. Arthur Scovell (two good men and true— moat 
experienced and reliable planters) have recently joined 
the Ceylon Board of management, a fact which argued 
well for tbe future success of the two Companies in 
que.stion. “ It is a long lane that has no turning” and 
we heartily and trustfully anticipate a good time coming 
for both the Haputale and Madulsima, as for other 
Uva Planting Companies. 
J.AIIGE rURCIIASES OF ESTATE PROPEETY. 
The Ceylon and Oriental Investment Corporation, 
Limited, have just acquired the group of lowcountry 
estates comprising about l,.fi00 acres, — about 
one-third in tea— belonging to Mr. Jeronis Pieris. 
There are five estates (Wilton, Morulioya, 
I’alliragalla, Narlhupana and Deegalla) situated 
in the Awisawella and Kalutara districts, all 
of them more or less planted up with tea. The 
n.-goliationa were finally closed yesterday afternoon 
by Mr. .1. Huntley Tilling, and Mr. E. G. Harding 
on behalf of Hie Company, and Mr. W. H. Davies 
oil behalf of the seller. Mr. 'Hiring, the Managing 
Director of the Corporation, returns to England por 
S. fci. *' Kaiser i-liind,” after a successful business 
trip through the planting districts. 
TRINIDAD SUGAR PLANTERS AND THE 
McKinley bill. 
Last month a majority of the Trinidad sugar planters 
called on the American consul, Hon. Wm. Pierce, and 
read an address correcting the impression that their 
irmigration tax is an “ export duty in disguise,” de- 
piviug them of the benefits of free entry of their 
sugar iu the United Slates, Their address is interest- 
ing. It cites that when, 45 years ago, slavery was 
abolished there, the sugar industry would have been 
extinguished but for tbe act permitting introduction of 
Bast Indian immigrants, on a ten year contract — five 
years’ indenture to tbe planters who employ them, at an 
indenture fee of £5 per head and au immigration tax 
on their produce ; the second five years they being free 
to hire where they please. They stated; — As a result, 
there are now 70,000 East Indians in Trinidad, in a total 
pcpulation of 200,000, and, as a farther result, the 
exports of the colony have increased in a most remark- 
able and satisiaotory manner. 
Mr. Pierce promised to lay their views before our 
Government. During the interview he spoke of our 
recent legislation as follows : — The sugar producers 
of the United States had expended more or less money 
in the way of sugar estate improvements, upon the 
idea tlia'r. the sugar industry was being protected by a 
heavy import duty. For the G ivernment to have thus 
encouraged tbem to make those improvements and 
then to greatly diminish the value of tbe same by 
taking off tbe custom house duty on imported sugar, 
would bo unjust, if some way had not been found to 
compensate them for their loss, and their bounty, 
which is only to last till 1905, was doubtless intended 
as such compensation. — Journal. 
— ... 
THE INDISCRIMINATE PLANTING OF 
TREES IN OOTACAMUND. 
[The conclusion of the discussion on alleged ex- 
cessive tree planting in Ootacamund contains the 
oommonsense of the matter. It is evidently a 
minute by the chief Government officer of the 
district, in his capacity of Chairman of the Munici- 
pality. — E d. T. a.] 
Notes on the influence exercised hy trees on climate 
hy J)r. Balfour, printed at page 410. Madras Journal 
1849-50. In this reference is made to the fact that 
the climate of Canara became drier, the seasons more 
uncertain and the land less fertile, since the tract 
was denuded of forest and Dr. Balfour adds “I 
have also understood that effects of a similar kind 
have been experienced at the Nilgiri Hills.” The 
whole of the notes is very interesting and a summary 
of the beneficial results of trees are given at pags 
445. The notes were highly commended by Minutes 
of Consolation dated 8th September 1843. No. 981 
The almos'phere hy Fiammariar page 280 and 281. 
There the advantage of trees in point of temperature 
is fully explained. There are other books and papers 
in which the planting of trees is highly commended, 
and there is not a word in them pointing to any dis 
advantage in a place like Ootacamund. Ootacamund 
is located iu an extensive valley which permits of the 
free course of the winds and which is sufficiently 
inclined to allow of good natural drainage from every 
part of it,” page 4'8 of tbe District Manual. 
“ The climate * # * for tbe greater portion of the 
year is decidedly salubrious. The ait is pure and 
bracing, and has a sensible affect in exhilarating the 
spirits aud increasing tbe disposition to exercise.” 
Same book-page 48. 
Tbe area of the Municipal town is nearly 12 square 
miles. Tbe excessive planting complained of is not 
apparent to any one who looks around. On the other 
baud, the portions on the East aud West seem to be 
innrkedly bate. The direction of the winds is chiefly 
from the West and North (page 49 of the Manual.) 
The existing plantations have been formed first for 
shelter and in later years for profit ; but they are by no 
