4 
In  India  it  has  already  a history  of  over  50  years,  and  has  never  been  attacked  by 
any  serious  blight  or  enemy  of  any  sort ; but  its  production  has  continued  steadily  to 
increase  as  the  demand  for  it  extended,  until  at  present  about  380,000  acres  are  under  Tea 
culture,  and  a capital  of  some  ^^15,000, 000  is  embarked  in  the  enterprise. 
In  Ceylon,  although  the  industry  only  dates  back  some  15  years,  its  progress  has 
been  one  of  uninterrupted  success,  and  the  climatic  and  geological  conditions  of  the 
Island  have  proved  most  favourable  to  its  profitable  cultivation.  About  280,000  acres  are 
at  present  under  Tea,  representing  a capital  of  some  ;^ii,ooo,ooo. 
The  fall  in  the  value  of  Silver, 'the  introduction  of  machinery,  and  improved 
means  of  communication  have  considerably  assisted  the  Tea  planter,  and  enabled  him  to 
gradually  reduce  the  cost  of  production,  and  consequently  to  maintain,  and  in  some 
cases  even  increase  his  profits,  while  the  price  obtained  for  his  produce  was 
declining. 
At  the  present  time  the  industry  has  every  appearance  of  being  thoroughly- 
established  upon  a firm  basis,  and  likely  to  continue  a steady  source  of  revenue,  although 
like  all  agricultural  products  subject  to  good  and  bad  seasons;  still  the  Indian  and 
Ceydon  Tea  industries  have  never  y'et  been  confronted  with  the  evil  of  over  production,  and 
do  not  appear  in  serious  danger  of  such  a calamity,  with  the  markets  of  the  world 
before  them  and  no  other  countries  besides  China  and  Japan  and  Java  producing  any 
appreciable  quantity  of  Tea. 
If  only  Tea  proprietors  will  make  up  their  minds  as  to  the  absolute  necessity  of 
strenuous  exertions  in  the  direction  of  fostering  these  outside  demands,  there  seems  little 
danger  to  the  immediate  future  of  the  industry'. 
Now  that  so  much  attention  is  being  bestowed  by  the  public  upon  Tea 
investments  it  is  more  necessary  than  ever  that  no  precaution  should  be  left  untaken 
which  will  conduce  torvards  the  prosperity  of  an  enterprise  gradually'  becoming  more  and 
more  popular  among  investors,  and  one  which  has  already  done  so  much  towards 
providing  lucrative  employment  for  many  of  our  fellow  countrymen,  as  well  as 
natives  of  the  Eastern  dependencies  of  the  British  Empire. 
13,  Rood  Lane,  London,  E.C. 
GOW,  WILSON  &BTANTON,-~ 
Tea  Brokers. 
I W l'.irl<ins.  Colour  Printer,  Bury  Street,  St.  Mary  Axe,  London, 
