juNE  I,  1896.] 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
849 
CKOSSMAN  BUO.  ON  COBFEli. 
A circular  letter  issuetl  by  W.  H,  Grossman  & 
Bro.  (March  11},  1896,)  discusses  the  outlook  for 
coffee,  and  shows  the  errors  of  European  statisti- 
cians as  to  the  true  position  of  the  article.  Messrs. 
Grossman  & Bro.  evidently  endorse  theestimito  of 
10,000,000  bags  as  the  outcome  of  the  Brazil  crop 
of  1896-97.  They  admit  that  probably  1,500,000 
bags  will  not  be  marketed,  thus  leaving  8,500,000 
bags  available  for  export, 
If  we  examine  these  figures  by  the  light  of  past 
records,  we  find  that  Brazil  exported  in  six  years 
ending  June  80,  1895,  a total  of  81, 086, 000  bags 
(2,005,059  tons),  or  a yearly  average  of  5,681,000 
bags  (334,177  tons). 
The  average  annual  deliveries  of  all  kinds  of  coffee 
for  four  years  ending  June  30,  1895,  were  10,888;791 
bags  (610,228  tons),  of  which  Brazil  fur-nished  5,994,750 
bags  (852,682  tons)  yearly  average,  representing 
55.08  per  cent  of  the  world’s  total  deliveiies. 
It  Brazil’s  contribution  to  the  world’s  supply  is  55 
per  cent,  of  the  present  requirements  (about  11,UUO,000 
bags,)  then  if  crop  of  1896-97  turns  out  8,500,000 
bag.-=,  the  rest  of  the  world  need  only  furnish  2,500,000 
bags.  But  all  o her  countiiis  than  Brazil  have  for 
several  years  furnished  an  annual  average  of  4,889,041 
bags,  and  if  in  1896-97  all  crops  outside  of  Brazil  only 
come  up  to  the  average,  there  will  bo  avail  ible  for 
export  next  season  a grand  total  of  13,889,000  bag^ 
of  coffee. 
Everyone  know.s  that  liigh  prices  have  stimulated 
production  and  that  new  plantations  are  every  year 
coming  into  bearing  in  Mexico,  Central  America, 
United  States  of  Colom'oia,  Africa  and  other  points. 
If  production  outsMe  of  Brazil  should  show  a like 
increase  as  in  that  country  we  would  have  a much 
greater  supply. 
Crossman  cfe  Bro.  point  out  that  at  no  previous 
time  has  thu  position  been  as  it  is  now  on  the  eve 
of  a large  crop,  with  less  speculative  interest  or  larger 
supplies  of  actual  coffee.  It  certainly  looks  as  if  the 
trade  would  soon  be  face  to  faco  with  the  largest 
crop  ever  harvested,  promising,  as  Cross  re  an  & Bro. 
say,  a surplus  of  2,5(10,000  bags  in  excess  of  quire- 
uients.  And  this  points  unmistakably  to  lower  prices. 
We  compile  from  the  Coffee  Exchange  statistics 
the  following  tabic  showing  the  position  of  coffee 
during  the  last  crop  year  Bags. 
Stocks  in  United  States,  July  1,  1894  . . 297,180 
Stocks  in  Europe,  July  1, 1894  .,  1,581,423 
Ileceipts  in  II.  S.,  July  1,  1891,  to  June 
30, 1895  ‘ . . 4,617,831 
Ileceipts  in  Europe,  July  1,  1891,  to 
June  80,  1895 
7,211,515 
Total  supply  . . 13,787,929 
Less  stocks  in  U.  S.  July  1, 
1895  ..  549,015 
Less  stocks  in  Europe,  July 
1,1895  ..1,078,665  -^  2,222,680 
Deliveries  for  consumption  . . 11,515,249 
Let  us  supplement  this  wit  a statement  for  tho 
calendar  year  1895,  and  we  have  the  following  ; — 
Bags. 
Total  visible  supply  January  1,  1895  ..  2,678,207 
Arrivals  in  Europe  1895  ..  7,3-12,593 
Arrivals  in  United  States  1815  ..  4,590,400 
Total  visible  supply  1895  . . 14,611,200 
Less  visible  supply  January  1,  189  5 . . 8,552,792 
For  reeiuiremeuts  . . 11,053,408 
If  we  make  a third  group  of  tig.ires,  waiving  stcck 
afload,  we  have  the  following  sfiowmg  Bags. 
Stock  in  Europe  January  1,1895  ..  1, 150,652 
Arrivals  in  Europe  1895  . . 7,342,598 
Stock  in  United  States  January  1,  1895. . 820,595 
Arrivals  in  United  States  1895  ..  1,590,400 
Total  supply  ..  13,401,210 
Less  stock  in  Europe  and  U.  P,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1896  ..  2,119,792 
Cousiiiuptiou  1953  ••  11,254,418 
If  in  1896-97  tho  world  needs  11,250,000  bags  of 
coffee,  and  all  countiies  outside  of  Brazil  may  be 
counted  upon  for  45  per  cent  of  the  total  production, 
or  5,062  500  bags,  it  follows  that  we  need  from 
Biazil  6,187,50(1  bags.  If  the  crop  turns  out  as 
estimated — 8,500,000  bags  for  export — there  is  an 
excess  over  the  world’s  requirements  of  2,312,500 
bags,  exclusive  of  the  carry-over,  which  w'ill  prob- 
ably bring  the  total  to  over  8,000,000  bags  beyond 
any  year’s  consumption  on  record.  When  supply 
exceeds  demand,  prices  always  go  down.  The  out- 
look is  for  an  era  of  cheap  coffee,  and  thus  this 
article  will  come  to  harmony  with  wheat,  corn,  cot- 
ton, iron,  tea  and  other  great  staples,  contributing 
further  toward  inakiug  the  present  a consumers 
milleuniuin. — American  Grocer,  March  18. 
PUNA  AS  A COFFEE  DISTRICT. 
During  a recent  visit  to  the  Island  of  Hawaii, 
Mr.  C.  L.  Wight,  president  of  the  Wilder  S.  S.  Co,, 
General  Warfield,  proprietor  of  the  California  Hotel, 
Sail  Francisco,  Mr.  Desky,  of  Bruce  Warring  & Co., 
and  the  editor  of  this  Journal  had  the  good  fortune 
to  visit  the  coffee  estate  of  Honorable  R.  Ilycroft’ 
in  Puna.  The  party  arrived  at  Pohoiki,  on  the 
morning  of  the  28rd  ult.,  and  were  most  hospitably 
received  by  Mrs.  Ilycroft  and  her  charming  family. 
Horses  were  piocured  for  the  patty  shortly  after 
arrival,  when  all  proceeded  to  the  coffee  fields 
which  are  situated  some  three  or  four  miles  inland 
from  the  steamer  lauding' 
Miss  Sophie  Ilycroft,  tho  charming  daughter  of 
the  genial  Represent  itive,  1 cccmpaniecl  the  visitors, 
and  proved  herself  to  not  only  be  well  versed  in 
coffee  culture  but  an  expert  horsewoman  as  well. 
Mr.  Rycroft's  plantation  is  a sight  long  to  be  re- 
membered, and  demonstrates  beyond  tho  shadow  of 
a doubt  that  all  the  conditions  favourable  for  coffee 
glowing  exists  in  tho  district  of  Puna.  Miss  lly- 
croft  explained  to  the  party  the  various  details 
■ necessary  to  the  successful  cultivation  of  a coffee 
estate,  evincing  a lively  and  intelligent  interest  in 
her  tather’s  affairs.  On  either  side  of  the  road 
leading  to  the  coffee  fields  are  to  be  found 
various  kinds  of  citrus  fruits  and  also  many  varieties 
of  native  fruits  much  prized  in  this  country.  Tro 
pical  foliage  and  woods  abound  everywhere  and 
bear  evidence  of  perfect  freedom  from  all  kinds  of 
disease  or  blight. 
Orange  and  lime  trees  grow  wild  on  Mr.  Rycrofts 
lands,  while  evidences  of  ancient  coffee  plantations  are 
to  be  found  in  the  many  old  trees  dotted  here, 
and  there  amongst  the  natural  tropical  growths 
Mr.  Rycroft’s  success  in  bringing  coffee  to  the  front 
as  a staple  industry  of  Hawaii  will  prove  a splendid 
advertisement  for  the  country  as  well  as  an  inde- 
pendent competence  for  himself  and  family  for  the 
rest  of  his  clays.  Mr.  Rycroft’s  great  mistake  has 
been  in  not  going  into  the  coffee  business  year'  be- 
fore he  did.  Although  a resident  of  the  district  lor 
over  eighteen  ycms  it  is  only  within  the  past  five 
}ears  that  be  has  turned  his  attention  to  coffee  grow- 
ing. During  that  time  he  h .s  s'accueded  in  clear:Qg 
and  planting  over  thirty-five  acres  the  trees  *on 
about  25  of  which  are  now  four  years  old.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  plant  runs  from  one  to  three  year’s 
growth,  This  year  he  picked  over  15,000  pounds  from 
the  four-year. old  trees  which  is  a good  yield  when 
it  is  considered  that  coffee  trees  are  not  supposed  to 
give  much  returns  before  the  fifth  season  tire  trees 
are  all  clean  and  healthy  and  give  promise  of  a 
very  large  yield  next  year. 
Having  seen  Mr.  Rycroft’s  plantation  we  have 
not  tho  slightest  doubt  as  to  the  possibilities  of 
the  coffee  industry  in  the  fntuie.  At  tho  same  time 
there  is  not  another  industry  that  requires  the  ex- 
ercise of  as  great  care  and  intelligence  in  cultiva- 
tion as  coffee  growing.  The  selection  of  suitable 
lands  having  duo  regard  to  quality  of  soil,  shelter, 
and  shade  is  an  important  matter  with  the  beginner, 
but  unless  he  also  possesses  a knowledge  of  the 
pocnliaritic  j of  the  plant  itself  he  is  liable  to  loie  a 
groat  deal  of  mo  ley  and  time  or  end  in  complete 
failure  before  he  discovers  his  ruistakes,  T'O  those 
