573 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST 
[Feb. I, 1898, 
been sgainst us; the crop turned out 50,000 lb. short 
of estimate, owing to an unfavourable season ; prices 
were nearl3' l|d per ib. less than we had every rea- 
son to expect ; rice showed a heavy loss owing to 
the famine in India ; and exchange was somewhat 
higher than we anticipated All these adverse cir- 
cumstances have reduced the profits. When we pur- 
chased the Rtigalla Estate it was principally planted 
with Coffee, and we depended chiefly on this pro- 
duct for our income. In the course of time it became 
evident that Coffee was failing us, bug and leaf dis- 
ease, year after year, were destroying its vitality 
and reducing the crops in spite of cultivation, 
and wc saw that if we wished to nirke the 
Estates productive, and valuable to the Share. 
holders, we must p .sh on with the cultivation 
of Tea as quickly as possible. Tea and Coffee will 
thrive together for a short time, but as soon as the 
Tea gets its head above the Coifee the question arises, 
which has to be eradicated. In ou case there was 
no r ifficulty in deciding, but we deferred uprooti: g 
the Coffee as long a.s possible, so that we might have 
an iuceme from this product t wards meeting our ex- 
penditure and earning dividends, and also to give us 
time to get the Tea well forward. A difficult time 
is bound to arise during the change, and that time 
arose last season. A groat part of the Coffee was 
removed, but the Tea — owing to the unfavourable 
season — did not respond as well as we expected. 
We have, however, rounded the corner and, as you 
will see, the tea crop this present season is estimated 
at 490,0001b. and we have every reason to believe 
that this estimate will be secured. We could have 
adopted the policy of doing nothing, simply harvesting 
the crops and woiking the estates in the cheapest 
way, and we might in this way have earned enough 
to pay you a dividend for a few years, and perhaps 
have put aside a certain sum to reserve, but what 
would have been the final outcome of such a policy ? 
In a few years the coffee would have died out, aud 
we would have been left with a small sum in reserve, 
but practically miremunerative estates, 
WTiat then is your position now ? You have no 
reserve certainly, but you have estates in the highest 
condition of cultiv.ation, ronded, drp-iued, and planted 
in the best possible way, with factories and buildings 
erected. The estates are, we consider, more valuable 
than the amount they stand at in the books, and will 
give larger returns each season, thus enabling us, as 
I hoq^e., to earn good dividends. We feel that in the 
coarse we have adopted we have done the best for 
the estates. 
The adoption of the Report was seconded by Mr 
Evans. 
Mr. Bishop enquired as to the date for closing the 
accounts, as last year’s Balance Sheet was marie np 
to 31st July. He also asked about the future of ihe 
Ktlburne property, when it was expected the 309 
acres noti-bearing would be fully .productive, and if 
the estate would earn enough to cover the interest 
on the purchase-money. In reply the Chairman 
stated that the Ragalla accounts were for eleven 
months and the Kelburne accounts for twelve 
months, the 30 th June being chosen as a 
convenient date for closing the books for both 
Estates. As to Kelburne the acreage at pre- 
sent non-bearing would be in full bearing in 
two to three year.s, and as all the land had been 
planted with Tea before the Coffee had been removed 
the Tea was well forward, and the pi’operty itself 
was considered most valuable and fully capable of 
earning sufficient profits to meet the required interest 
The Chaibhan then put the motion to adopt the Re- 
port, which was carried unanimuualy. 
Ou the motion of Mr. Harwood, seconded by Mr. 
Evans, Mr. Hannen was re-elected a Director of the 
Company. 
Mr. W L Stbacuan proposed the re-olaetion of the 
Amhtors, Messrs. Fuller and Wise, and ihis 
being seconded by Mr. Richardson, was duly 
agreed to. 
TRADE REPORT. 
(From the Chemist and Druggist.) 
London, Jany. 6. 
Coc.AiNE.^ — The manufactarers quote hydrochlorate 
from lOs 3d to 10s 6d per oz. nominally, and second- 
hand holders from 9s 9d to 10s per oz. So much 
stock is held by the latter that the market is lifeless. 
Coca-leaves. — The available Huanoco is of rather 
poor quality, and is ofiered at 8d. Irnxillo leaves at 6d 
to 8d, but the colour of these is not good. 
PLANTING NOTES. 
OiNCHOXA Auction.s. — The London cinchona 
auctions for 1898 have been fixed for the follow- 
ing dales : January 25, February 15, March 15, 
April 26, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, 
Sepi ember 13, October 11, November 8, and 
December 13. — Chemist and Druggist, 
The Eucalyptus-oil Industry.— The Tasma- 
nian Eucalyptus Oil Company, Ld. has recently 
opened a new distillery at Sandy Bay. The 
first charge of the still was .started with some cere- 
mony by the manager and the chief distiller, 
sample bottles of the “ brew” of “ Platypus” 
oil being distributed among those present. — 
Chemist and Druggist. 
Ramie Machinery in Cey'lon.— Our London 
correspondent reports that a well-known Boga- 
waiitalawa proprietor is getting out a decor- 
ticating Filne Machine from Messrs. MacDonald, 
Boyle & Co., to deal with Ramie, grown over 
some seven acres on his property. Great interest 
will be felt in the results of this experiment. 
Game Protection.— “ E.G.R.” replying chiefly 
to onr contemporary of the “Examiner” .shows 
very clearly the wide distinction which should 
be drawn between the Sinhalese villagers in out- 
of-the-vvay districts and the peripatetic as well 
as ubiquitous hunting and trading Moorman, 
bent on getting all be can out of the forest, of hides, 
horns, &c., ho matter what may be the rules 
for Game Protection. 
The Cultiyation uf Oranges for Export.— 
Indian Gardening publishes an article on the Eng- 
lish fruit supply, and suggests the possibility of 
Indian exportation of oranges to compete with other 
countries in the Englisli market. It proposes that 
tlie Government should set the example by establi- 
shirg an extensive orange orchard in Nagpur, or 
Delhi, where oranges of the finest varieties grow 
to perfection, and develop the export business. 
“ The local fruit-growers would, as soon as they 
found what a paying business it vvas, take over 
the orchards and work them among themselves. 
That it would pay handsomely to grow oranges 
for export scarcely needs to be insisted upon, be- 
cause tlie finest oranges of Sylliet, the Punjab and 
Nagpur sell at a rate at which they would under- 
sell the produce of every other country in the world 
in the English market. — Pioneer, January 16tli. 
nCAUM CQQ essay describing a really 
UllnriNLOOi genuine Cure for Deafness. 
Ringing in Ears, &c., no matter how severe or long- 
standing, will be sent post free. — Artificial Ear- 
drums and .similar appliances entirely superseded. 
Address THOMAS KEMPE, Victoria Cham- 
bers, 19, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, 
London. 
