March  2,  1896.]  THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
61  r 
to  be  to  a gieat  extent  a matter  of  price 
and  more  easy  of  ac.complislnnent  than  in  the  case 
of  America.  U'he  fact  of  Russia  beiiiff  a country 
with  a foreign  language  and  having  many  govern- 
mental restrictions  renders  it  ini])ossiblo  for  the 
Committee  to  extend  their  operations  in  the  same 
way  as  is  possible  in  an  English-spoaUing  country 
less  fettered  by  trade  restrictions.  'I'he  thniimittee 
have  accordingly  continued  their  support  to  Mr. 
Rogivuc  who  has  in  the  past  shown  himself  tho- 
roughly deserving  of  assistance,  and  they  are  glad 
to  think  that  that  gentleman's  efforts  have  not  only  re- 
sulted in  his  biuJding  up  a good  business  in  Ceylon 
teas  for  himself,  but  have  also  forced  other  large 
dealers  in  China  teas  to  take  up  Co\lon  teas  and 
to  stock  them.  This -is  undoubtedly  the  most  elTec- 
tivo  method  to  adopt  either  in  Russia  or  America 
and  the  lai'ger  Mr.  Rogivue’s  business  grows  the 
better  will  it  be  for  Ceylon  tea  and  tlie  more  will 
other  firms  see  that  they  must  have  it.  It  is  right 
that  Mr.  Rogivue  should  continue  to  have  assistance 
for  he  has  for  several  years  past  proved  himself  a 
capable  and  straightforward  man  of  business  devot- 
ing himself  to  the  sale  of  Ceylon  tea  through  a 
good  deal  of  opposition  and  hardship  and  if  ho  has 
succeeded  for  himself,  his  success  means  success  to  the 
Ceylon  tea  interest.  The  Committee  are  glad  to  hear 
that  he  has  at  last  established  a good 
business  for 
himself,  and  thanks  him  for  his  past 
services  in 
aid  of  Ceylon  tea. 
Aiisru.vcr  or  tiik  Ceylon  Tea  (New  Maiikets)  Fu.nu 
Account  as  fko.m  Aunusr  RSill  to  .IOth 
June  1895. 
Dr. 
To  'riioiiian  North  Cliristin 
2:t-i;9 
,,  (Jieqiie  Book 
2-50 
,,  Ceylon  Tea  Company  Limited 
. S,(is7-lt:! 
,,  H.  \V.  (krve  A Co. 
,,  Ceylon  'I'ea  in  America  (Tele- 
grams  a c) 
1()9-:U 
,,  Ceylon  Tea  in  Switzerland 
170-00 
,,  A.  M.  A'  J.  Ferguson 
11100 
,.  Julius  A Creasy 
. 173-76 
,,  Win.  Mackenzie  .t'02-1-3-1 
1 -.ooi-e? 
,,  National  Bank  of  India,  Limited 
119,530-18 
,,  A.  Philip  & Co. 
2,00(1-00 
,,  Peons’  services 
160-00 
.,  Postages,  Petties  and  Sundry  dis- 
bursementa 
279-30 
,,  Petty  Casli 
60-711 
,,  Secretary 
5i)0-0(  1 
,,  Skeen  A Co. 
23-00 
,,  Whittall  J-  Co. 
29-03 
Or 
R 148, 224-85 
By  Ceylon  Tea  ("New  Markets) 
F'lind 
1-12,874-61 
,,  ( 'evlon  'I'ea  Fund 
4, 673-04 
,,  Interest 
677-17 
E.  A 0.  E. 
1148,224-3.7 
Ah.stkaci-  01-  -i  ME  Ckvi.on  Tea  (New  Mauee'I's)  F'u.xd 
A a ouN'i'  AS  i ii0J4  L;r  .liii.v  ro  JIs-i'Dec.  lS'.)f). 
Dr 
To  Albion  Press 
112-00 
„ Book  of  proceedings  . . 
474-78 
,,  Charges  Account  (Bank  Commis- 
sion  on  small  cheque) 
0-50 
,,  Ceylon  Tea  in  Russia 
4,385-14 
,,  Ceylon  Tea  in  Transvaal 
116-59 
„ Ceylon  Association  in  London  . . 
522-45 
„ Ceylon  Tea  in  America 
53-44 
„ Capper  A Sous 
308-75 
,,  National  Bank  of  India  Limited. . 
162,545-00 
„ Wm.  Mackenzie  ..  ,1.‘2, 552-4-5  -- 
15,203-30 
,,  Miscellaneous  Account 
375-00 
„ To  A.  Philip  & Co.  . . 
1,000-00 
„ Postages,  Petties  and  Sundry 
Disbursements 
258-64 
„ Petty  Cash 
115-06 
„ To  Secretary 
500-00 
„ Stationery  Account  . . 
142-34 
B216,2i)2dJ9 
Cr. 
By  Balance  in  National  Rank  of  India,  Limited, 
as  per  previous  statement 
,,  Balance  in  Petty  Cash  asperpre- 
119, .530-1 8 
vious  statement 
60-70 
,.  Ceylon  Tea  (New  Maikets)  F’und 
9-1,311-13 
,,  Ceylon  Tea  Fund 
910-08 
,,  Interest 
1,150-90 
R216, 292-99 
L.  A O.  E. 
A rOSSIRLE  INDUSTRY. 
'I'lie  A/iiini  suggests  tliat  the  Indian  people 
might  profitably  take  np  tlie  fanning  of  crocodiles 
as  a new  industry.  For  the  skin  of  tlie  crocodile 
there  seems  to  he  a large  and  prolitfible  demand  ; 
and  the  teeth  also  command  a price,  thongli  for 
what  purpo.se  does  not  a|jpear.  Alligator  farniinf 
and  artificial  breeding  have  long  existed  in  Floriibg 
r.i^.A.,  and  llie  magnitude  of  iIk‘  imliistry  may 
lie  understood  fiomihe  fa.ct  I Im.l  belween  l.s.snan’d 
bS94  a.s  many  as  two  and  a half  millions  of  alliga- 
tors were  killed.  But  t he  Florida  t rade  lias  o\  er- 
reaclieil  itself  and  the  American  allig.ator  is  growing- 
scarce.  It  is  this  fact  that  .suggests  pos.sibiiities  for 
India.  There  is  all  around  the  Bay  of  Bengal  astoclc 
of  crocodiles,  for  all  practical  imriioses  (|uite  a.s 
\alnable  as  alligators.  Witli  lids  stock  ready 
made  at  hand,  and  with  at  least*  ( he  niudeus  of 
a native  stall'  \ersed  in  the  haliits  and  manners 
of  crocodiles  in  the  plind<y  crocodile  lisliers  or 
hunters  of  Dacca,  there  really  seems  no  rea.son 
why  Fastei  n enlerprise  should  not  find  its  op- 
portunity in  ^Veste^l  losses.  It  will  he  con- 
ceded that  there  is  something  attractive  about 
crocodile  farndng,  apart  from  tlie  lurking  possi- 
bilities of  fortune  to  ho  inaile  out  of  a brisk 
demand  for  hides.  There  would  ’le  no  lack  of 
excitement  in  tending  the  sto<-k,  and  as  the  bu.si- 
ness  would  have  to  he  eondneted  i.n  somewhat 
irregular  lines,  the  killing  would  he  more  in  the 
nature  of  sport  tlian  slaughter,  fi  would  hardly 
]iay  In  raise  crocodiles  fi-oin  ilie  egg,  as  the 
reptiles  rake  as  nvnch  a.s  lorty  year.s  10  reaeli 
malnrity,  and  are  not  suppose,!  to  attain  their 
full  size  until  VO  years  old  or  inore.  Rnl  the 
adult  supply  is  practic.ally  unlimited  and  the 
rougli  curing  necessary  to  prevent  deterioration  of 
tlie  sltins  on  tlie  voyage  eonld  he  done  by  the 
native  on  the  spot.  In  the  ( !m  eminent  reward 
I he  nati\  e has  already  a inild  stimulus  to  slay 
llie  “ mugger, and  this  tends  (o  smoolli  the  way 
uf  tlie  dealer  in  .skins  wlio  would  tlius  enjoy  tlie 
henelils  of  whal  would  practieally  he  ,a  bounty 
on  ex]ioi-(s. — l‘i(iiicf’r,  I'eb.  I 1. 
WVNAAD  FLANTERS’  AS-SOUIATION. 
I'Toiii  the  proceeding.s  of  the  annual  general 
meeting  held  on  January  •22nd  (Mr.  W.alker  in 
tlie  chair)  we  extract  as  follows  : — 
ANNUAL  KEPOirr. 
The  most  important  business  before  the  meeting  was 
the  drawing  up  of  an  address  to  the  Viceroy,  repi-e- 
senting  our  two  standing  grievances,  i.e.  the  amend- 
ment of  the  Labour  Contract  Act  and  of  the  Rrevention 
of  Coffee  Stealing  Act.  The  address  has  now  been 
presented  and  was  most  graciously  received  by  the 
Viceroy  ; and  I think  that  we  may  take  it  for  granted 
from  the  promise  given  by  the  Viceroy  that  a com- 
mission will  be  appointed  at  once  to  enquire  into  the 
whole  question.  This,  if  it  takes  place,  will  be  the 
greatest  concession  that  has  ever  been  granted  to  the 
planters  of  Southern  India,  and  it  remains  for  us  to 
make  the  most  of  it,  As  there  will  probably  be  only 
