Ftbi  I,  i8y6.j 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
359 
^oiirospondenoe. 
To  the  Editor. 
CEYLON  TEA  IN  AMERICA. 
CHANCE  FOR  A CEYLON  ROOM  AT  PHILADEL- 
PHIA MUSEUM. 
SHOULD  CEYLON  WORK  WITH  INDIA  OR 
SEPARATELY. 
San  Francisco,  California,  W.S.A.,  Dec.  14,  1895. 
My  de.au  “ Observek,” — I did  not  intend  again 
addressing  you  until  next,  year,  but  the  following 
letter  received  by  Mr.  Bierach,  contains  news  so 
important  to  Ceylon’s  interests  here,  that  I make 
no  apology  for  sending  you  a copy ; I hope  the 
“ Committee  of  i!0”  and  general  planting  commu- 
nity will  grasp  the  magnificent  opportunity  for  sitch 
a grand  free  advertisement  of  Ceylon’s  products, 
especially  as  Philadelphia  is  a great  commercial 
centre,  and  the  letter  was  quite  spontaneous. — 
[Letter  of  Dec.  5 to  Mr.  Bierach,  as  given  in  his 
letter  below. — Ed.  T.AJ\ 
The  above  letter  speaks  for  itself,  and  I need 
only  remark,  that  Mr.  Bierach  does  not  care  to 
avail  himself  of  the  handsome  offer  referred  to  in 
the  latter  portion  of  the  letter.  He  wishes  Ceylon 
to  benefit  here,  and  not  merely  his  own  private 
brands  of  tea  : his  remarks  are  as  follows  : — “■  Ceylon 
can  have  a fine  show  here,  I can,  I am  sure,  ur- 
range  for  a separate  Ceylon  Jlooin,  if  Ceylon  will  only 
appreciate  the  opportunity,  cost  will  be  so  trifling.” 
The  funds  at  your  disposal  will  soon  tell  you  the 
heavy  cost  of  advertising  in  America ; and  such 
chances  as  the  above  should  in  my  opinion  bo 
snapped  up  at  once.  The  Book  Pamphlet  of  Plan 
and  Purpose  sent  me,  relative  to  the  above  Museum, 
I must  retain,  but  doubtless  you  will  receive  one, 
and  can  quote  therefrom,  it  is  interestiug,  espe- 
cially chap.  4,  “ Bureau  of  Information.”  Leading 
Ceylon  papers,  dii'ectories,  and  books  should  be 
kept  on  tile. 
It  appears  to  me  that  Mr.  Bierach  had  the 
“pull”  at  Philadelphia.  Where  would  Ceylon  have 
been  at  that  most  important  show,  but  for 
him,  without  a cent  of  support  either  from  available 
funds?  Why  were  none  of  the  Planters’  Association 
tea  pamphlets  even  sent  him  for  distribution?  I 
think  it  would  bo  good  for  Ceylon  if  your  worthy 
Delegate  (who  is  a rattliiig  good  business  man)  were 
to  avail  himself  of  Bierach’s  services.  India  is  not 
in  it  (is  it  a (question  of  supplies  being  stopped?); 
and  besides  Ceylon  must  yo  hy  herself  as  her  teas 
are  wanted  in  preference  to  those  of  India.  Jtonl't 
ihistake  this  point. 
So  it  seems  S.  Elwood  May  is  again  disoryunixed  ! 
Still  we  will  probably  hear  shortly  of  his  on/anixmy 
something  or  other  connected  with  Ceylon  tea;  this 
is  I think  a great  pity,  for  obvious  reasons. 
Mr.  Belirig  (one  of  the  Burghers  who  remained  in 
the  country  after  the  World’s  Fair)  is  now  no  longer 
connected  with  the  Ceylon  Importing  Co.  of  Daven- 
port, Iowa.  The.sc  -lohnnies  seems  to  be  all  dropping 
out  of  it.  Beling  was  a superior  fellow,  and  1 im- 
agine a good  business  man. 
I w'as  glad  to  learn  some  time  ago  that  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  grant  of  tea  voted  to  Mr.  J.  11.  ]'’ostci- 
wei'e  secured  to  the  “ .‘>0  Committee”  and  retiimhil 
them.  Mes-srs.  f^astle  Bros.,  who  held  the  hill",  ru” 
lading  and  had  a claim  with  otherr,  against  thai 
gentleman,  were  somendiat  surprised  when  I told 
them  the  final  results  of  the  transaction ; they  had 
previously  informed  me  “ that  they  would  first  pay 
themselves  and  then  remit  back  to  Ceylon  any  balance 
there  might  remain  after  satisfying  their  and  their 
friend’s  claims.  Thus  has  the  wily  Yankee  (and  Jews 
at  that)  been  foiled. 
I regret  to  learn  that  Mr.  Bierach  has  been  obliged 
to  let  the  Wilmington  Pure  Food  show  go  by,  without 
a Ceylon  Court,  as  he  desires  to  concentrate  all  his 
efforts  cij  a good  showing  at  'NVasbiugtou  ne:.t  mouth. 
This  is  a pity,  but  he  cannot  be  expected  to  luq 
shows  all  over  the  place  for  the  benefit  of  Ceylon 
without  any  support;  and  it  is  unfortunate  his  ex- 
perience, and  the  “pull”  he  evidently  has  with  Pure 
Food  people,  should  be  lost  to  Ceylon. 
Now,  Mr.  Editor,  I will  conclude,,  and  wish  you 
all  in  Ceylon  good  luck  in  1891). — Yours  truly, 
T.  A.  C. 
15th  Dec.  1895  (Sunday). 
P ,S. — On  taking  the  above  down  town  yesterday 
afternoon  to  post,  I found  your  Ooerland  of  date 
Nov.  7th,  containing  an  interesting  letter  from  your 
worthy  Delegate  which  in  some  points  surprises  me. 
Truly  advertising  is  expensive;  and  your  Delegate 
will  be  all  the  more  able  to  appreciate  the  telling 
amount  of  free  advertising  Mr.  Bierach  is  able  to 
get  for  Ceylon,  without  more  cost  to  him  than  his 
valuable  time,  pen,  ink,  and  paper;  and  not  a cent 
of  cost  to  Ceylon.  I also  received  a few  of  the 
Association  pamphlets  which  will  be  given  by  me  to 
the  leading  grocery  stores  here,  the  largest  of  which, 
with  its  four  magnificent  establishments,  continues  its 
Ceylon  Tea  Demonstrations,  by  serving  free  cups  daily. 
This  being  holiday  time  is  the  best  season  of  the 
year.  The  tea  is  (jood  and  the  brew  perfect.  I in- 
structed the  lady  in  charge,  got  small  teapots 
used  (one  for  each  guest),  a time-glass  for  her  guid- 
ance, Ac.,  Ac.  nice  biscuits  are  served  also. 
The  teas  used  are  the  “ Bee  ” Brands  of  R. 
V.  Webster’s,  and  they  are  very  well  liked, 
to  the  big  show  intended  at  Philadelphia  did  not 
come  off;  a great  pity.  £700  sterling  f3,500)  seems 
a large  sum  for  a 3 weeks  show;  but,  as  Wm.  Mc.K 
says,  “ Philadelphia ',is  a great  centre;”  and  every- 
one should  bo  thankful  that  Bierach  stepped  into 
the  gap.  I believe  f lUO  stg.  and  some  natives  was 
all  he  asked  for  the  Atlanta  Exposition  which  runs 
for  over  4 months  ; but  that  is  ancient  history  now, 
unfortunately  for  Ceylon.  I sincerely  hope  the  same 
mistake  will  not  be  made  about  Canada. 
Are  you  in  Ceylon  aware  that  the  British  Associa- 
tion (for  the  promotion  of  science)  meets  next  year 
at  Montreal,  Canada  ?”  I presume  this  city  was 
chosen  on  account  of  its  Exposition. 
It  was  very  unfortunate  your  Delegate  was  not  in 
America  to  push  Ceylon  at  Philadelphia.  How  is  it 
that  even  if  India  (why  must  Ceylon  wait  on  India 
in  these  matters?)  did  not  have  the  £350  stg.  available 
as  her  share,  Ceylon  did  not  go  right  ahead,  and 
make  a good  show  by  herself.  Would  such  a course 
not  have  met  Avith  the  approval  of  9 out  of  every  10 
men  in  Ceylon.  Is  it  not  their  expressed  wish  that 
Ceylon  stand  on  her  own  feet  and  not  bo  dragged 
down  by  India,  who  is  now  merely  hanging  on  to 
Ceylons’  coat-tails,  metaphorically.” 
Bierach’s  application  for  support  at  Philadelphia 
is  referred  by 'your  Delegate  “to  Mr.  Blechynden, 
to  whom  I have  left  everything  in  connection  with 
the  Philadelphia  show.”  “Blechynden  has  the 
staff,  booth  Ac.’’  What  staff  ? A few  negro-; 
I believe,  one  of  whom  is  occasionally  dressed 
up  as  an  “Indian  Princess”!!!  This  won’t  do  for 
Ceylon;  it  savoui-s  too  much  of  the  “fake”  dodge, 
and  besides  Mr.  Blechynden’s  applications  were  re* 
fused  by  the  Philadelphia  authorities.  Why?  Doubt- 
less Mr.  Blechynden  “ likes  having  sole  charge  of 
the  running,”  but  how  does  Ceylon  like  it  ? Is  it  to 
Ceijlon’s  best  interests  that  an  Indian  man  should 
have  “ sole  charge  of  the  running  ” ? I think  not. 
Fortunately  he  had  sole  charge  of  running  nothing. 
I am  sorry  to  see  that  what  your  worthy  Delegate 
says  about  poor  teas  being  sent  OA'er  hero  bears  out 
what  I wrote  some  time  ago  on  f.ho  samo  subject. 
I had  hoperl  this  fatal  miatakn  might  only  be  local. 
- Washington  will  he  well  pushed  by  Wm. 
iUrL.  a-jid  the  application  made  by  Bierach  be  favour- 
ably received.  Don’t  you  think  America  is  right 
about  the  pamphlets  ? She  has  70,000,000  people  to 
feed ; and  if  she  can  produce  pamphlets,  guns  and 
9he'ying-guiu,  to  he  used  in  Amenca^  is  she  uot  quite 
justified  in  protecting  her  own  industry  and  thereby 
employing,  and  paying  wages  to,  her  own  people  '? 
P ree  trade  is  all  very  w’ell  in  the  abstract ; but  in 
the  concrete  it  don’t  always  work ; and  a mild  pro- 
tection  is  not  a bad  thing.  I imagine  the  British 
farmer  would  like  to  try  it,  and  get  a paying  pric^ 
tor  bis  grain  and  9thev  orops.  * .)>•" 
