86 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
tednction. One member went so far as to advocate 
the sending of a resolution by the committee urging 
Sir M. Hicks-Beach not to entertain the suggestion, 
as the duty was already sufficiently low. We have 
consistently advocated abolition or reduction of the 
duty in the interests of planters and the public. 
Apparently the Orocer is in favor of a similar 
policy, although it does not make itself clear on 
the subject. Commenting on the question of con- 
sumption it remarks ; “ Considering what the Im- 
perl revenue takes out of tea, it is surprising that 
the public gets such good value in this article. 
Still we think it is wise to be slightly more ex- 
travagant in devotion to the teapot. One can’t get 
much good out of it if little good is put into it ; 
and no domestic idol better repays generous treat- 
ment. It forms a pleasant picture on the hearth 
as the shades of evening close in ; even if 
replenished at the smallest pecuniary cost, it 
fills the cups that cheer and do not inebriate. 
Most of the gossip of the English race is stimu- 
lated by the teapot. What, indeed, would pur 
dear ones of the feminine type be withoirt it ? 
A false spirit of economy should not, therefore 
be permitted to sully this noble cult, and grocers 
will do well to place the matter before their 
customers in its true light. The teapot is one of our 
cherished institutions. Let us put nothing into it 
likely to weaken its hold upon our heart or to induce 
an alternative taste for beer.” 
Tea Blending. — The prominence given to the tea 
blending question is making itself felt, not only by 
the emphasis given to its importance in the advertise- 
ments of dealers, but in the issue of pamphlets on 
the subject. In one of these the author points out 
that “ the tea that satisfies London is not to the taste 
of the Midlands, which, again, may differ consider- 
ably from that in the north of England, Scotland, or 
Ireland. ... It is the knowledge of this diversity of 
tastes which leads me to think that the individual 
grocer is throwing away a great advantage by pushing 
the sale of proprietary teas, or even of blended teas 
supplied to him in bulk. I venture to say that with 
comparatively little trouble he may blend teas better 
suited to the requirements of his connection than 
anything he can buy ready blended, securing at the 
same time an additional profit. . . . For an active 
business man doing a fair trade to be content to hand 
packets of tea over his counter, in the same way that 
he dispenses Bovril or Mellin’s Food, is a suicidal 
policy which means not only less profit, but often 
smaller sales,” inasmuch as a chemist or a confectioner 
is capable of distributing packet teas. The author 
strongly urges the necessity of testing the teas in the 
water of the district in which they will be used, and 
gives numerous useful hints as to the preparation of 
blends. Many wholesale firms test their teas in the 
water of the districts for which they are intended, and 
some retailers blend their own teas, and study the 
effect. 
The Ceylon “ Ckeepee.” — The Ceylon “ creeper” 
has achieved fame. He is the subject of innumerable 
newspaper articles. The Globe devoted more than a 
column to him in a recent issue, and, on the strength 
of this and other newspaper comments, the supply of 
“ creepers” from these shores will no doubt increase 
merrily. The writer of the Globe article, who de- 
scribes himself as a “Ceylon Tea Planter,” lets the 
“ creeper” down very gently. He describes his duties 
and gives him advice, but he does not emphatically 
say that there is no room for these young gentlemen. 
That is the point. The business is overdone, and for 
the present, unless under exceptional citcumstances, 
there is no demand for young men on tea gardens, 
although possibly the offer of a considerable pre- 
mium may have some effect in certain quarters. Doubt- 
less young men with capital are welcome anywhere. 
They may always acquire experience in return for it, 
but those who are simply on the look out for some- 
thing to do, and have no other qualification, will not 
find any special opening in Ceylon or India. 
[Aug. 2, 1897. 
Planting in Lagos. — Sir Gilbert Parker read a paper 
at the Colonial Institute on Tuesday last on the 
Colony of Lagos. Referring to planting prospects ho 
said ; Lagos was destined to become an important cof- 
fee and cocoa growing centre. Two plantations had al- 
ready been established, one at Soto in the Haro district, 
and another at Ajilite, both of which promised well, If 
attention were paid to fibre-producing plants, success 
would follow. The wild pine grew in great abundance 
in many parts of Yornba, notably in the Idanre 
region, a chain of mountains which he discovered 
near Ondo in 1892, and visited in 1891. This fibre 
was used for making twine in some parts of West 
Africa, and was very strong. Other fibre-yielding 
E lants, such as Sansiviera and Piassava, could also 
e had in large quantities. Cotton and a species of 
indigo were extensively grown in Yornba, and 
although the indigo did not appear to be suitable for 
the English market, it was probably because the 
correct mode of preparation was not understood. 
The forests abounded in excellent timber, and an 
important industry must surely develop in thsr 
direction so soon as the railway offered facilities for 
bringing it to a port of shipment. The hinterland of 
Lagos possessed the advantage of having a large and 
industrious population, and now that the country was 
pacified its productive powers must enormously in- 
crease. — II. iC- C. Hail, May 14. 
.SCOTCH CEYLON TEA COMPANY. 
ANNUAL MEETING. 
The eighth annual ordinary meeting of the Scottish 
Ceylon Tea Company, Limited, was held on Thursday, 
May 13th at the offices, 16, Philpot-lane, E.C., Mr. 
H. L. Forbes (managing director) presiding, there 
being present Messrs. R. W. Forbes, G. G. Ander- 
son, D. Andrews, E. W. Dodd, G. W. Paine, Capt. 
Grant, Messrs. J. C. Sanderson, J. M. Smith, G. 
Todd, Hugh Blacklaw, and J. F. Anderson (Messrs. 
Lyall, Anderson & Co.) 
The Chairman said : Before proceeding with the 
business the directors wish to express their deep 
regret at the recent death of Mr. John Anderson. 
He was an original member of this company, and 
was at the head of the firm which at one time acted 
as our secretaries. He was a very near relation of 
some who are present, and a great friend of many 
of us, and took a very great interest in the company. 
I am sure you will all join with the board in passing 
a vote of deep deep sympathy with his relations in the 
loss which they have sustained, and in requesting 
the secretaries to convey it to those whom he has 
left behind. 
The motion was unanimously agreed to. 
Mr. James F. Anderson (Lyall, Anderson & Co.) 
read the notice convening the meeting. 
The Chairman said : I think the report is one of 
the most pleasing I have had the pleasure to lay before 
you, most pleasing because, during the past year several 
matters have caused sundry difficulties in Ceylon. 
Labour was not too plentiful, and during the latter 
part of the year the exchange was rathi r against us, 
while the tea prices were not quite so favourable 
as they had previously been ; but, taking it 
all round, I think you will agree that the results 
we present are remarkably satisfactory. You 
will note that we carried forward from last year 
±‘825 13s. 9d. Our net profits for the year have 
been £8976 15s. 6d., which leaves ta be disposed of 
a sum of £9,829 9s. 3d. In September last we paid 
you an interim dividend of 5 per cent., free of income- 
tax, which absorbed £2,050. The seven per cent, 
preference dividend has been paid as usual, and it 
is now proposed to pay a dividend of 10 per cent., 
free of income-tax, which makes 15 per cent, for 
the year. We further propose to add £1,000 to the 
reserve fund, bringing it up to £7,000 and to write 
off for depreciation on buildings and machinery £797 
2s., which leaves a balance to carry forward of £1,252 
7s. 3d. The buildings and machinery on the estates 
are in very good order indeed but your directors 
