THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
645 
March i, iSga.] 
THE EXPORTS OF TEA IN .EVNUARY : 
ESTIMATES FOR 1892 AND THE 
TEA FUND. 
The motive of the local “ Times " in represent- 
ing the tea exports of Janaary 1892 at only 
4,900,000 lb., a figure which was to be telegraphed 
to Tiondon from several souroes, was to favourably 
affect prices in the London market. But surely harm 
rather than good will result, when it is learned 
that the figures in the Chamber of Commerce table 
are materially higher, viz: — 5,125,800 Ib, Again, 
our figures from the Customs, which include ship- 
ments in vessels that have not sailed as well as 
those which have actually departed, arc still higher, 
vir.. 0,217,302 lb., an exoosa of 620,180 lb. over the 
export in January 1891. The higher figures are as 
capable of transmission as the lower. We see that Mr. 
Rutherford is amongst those who do not antici- 
pate any material advance in 1892 over 1891. 
His opinion is worthy of all respect, and we 
shall be only too glad to find our own estimate 
of 85,000,0110 lb. excessivo. Wo believe, however, 
that only the general adoption of really light 
plucking can bring about such a result, and wo 
shall believe in all planters plucking lightly, when 
all planters recognize the duty of paying subscrip- 
tions to the Tea Fund on the basis of green leaf 
gathered. Of course, the finer the plucking, the 
smaller will the oontribution be. But it is no use 
trying to dwell in a fool’s paradise. The exports 
of tea from Ceylon, though not on the scale of 
1890, are bound to increase for several sue- 
oessive years yet, as land comes into full 
hearing, and the true remedy for over-produo- 
oontinuance, with more energy than ever, 
of the efforts being made, by using the Chicago 
Exhibition and other means to open new markets 
for our staple. But such elforts involve large 
expenditure of time and thought and money ; and 
we cannot understand how those who shirk the 
plain duty of bearing their part of the money 
expenditure, at least, can enjoy the blessing of a 
clear oonaoience or the hope of prospering in their 
enterprise. 
the sale of CEYLON TEA IN LONDOI 
The Secretary of the Planters’ Assooiation aenc 
ns the following oorroapondonoe with the Seorotai 
Of the Ceylon Aesooiation in London on the abo^ 
subject 
Kandy, Dee. 18lh. 
Mi,. ■ Sheretary, Ceylon Association in London, 1 
Lane, London, E.O. 
lette^'\^*''‘~^ acknowledge receipt of yoi 
have I,*' September with enclosures whit 
Planter***^ duly submitted to the Committee of tl 
I have ^'’“'’Hatioo at a recent meeting, 
your As” “.’^'''.•nether to annex for the information c 
®“Py “ resolution passed by tl 
I am ® subject of tea sales in London.- 
Plnnso •'! (•'^'gned) A Philip, Secretary to tl 
‘antets Association of Ceylon. 
“ That tL' l^i'Oolution referred to, 
of tho -r.,, “L-^-saoo'ation cordially supports the aotit 
London iu°t Ceylon Association 
of more , 1 . consideration the neoessil 
tea in view^^r sale of Ceylc 
and the fact oxporta now going forwai 
possible foe h„„ ‘ ‘®’ arranged, quite ii 
tion.’’ DUyers to give the samploa proper atte: 
{.Copy\ 
To Win 1 0 . 1 , T-, c Fiandy, Doc. I8th 1891. 
in London 1 1 Secretary, Ceylon Associatic 
Hear Si; Jf Lane, Loudon, E. 0. 
27th ultimo’ witl,*^ ' 1 ° of your letter of tl 
to the Gommltt which shall be eubmitti 
miuitteo at next meeting. 
I have now the pleasure of to enclose demand draft 
on London for £60 sterling, in puymont of the grant 
from this Association to the Ceylon Association in 
London for tha year 1891, and would express the 
hope that cordial cooperation in all matters (having 
forlheit object the good of Ceylon may long oontinne. 
—I am See., (Signed) A, Philip, Secretary to the 
Planters’ Association of Ceylon. 
Copy. 
■1, Mincing Lane, London, E. C., 15th Jan. 1892, 
A. Philip, Esq., Secretary, Ceylon Planters’ Associa- 
tion, Kandy, Ceylon. 
Dear Sir,— I have to thank you for yonr letters (2) of 
18th ultimo, aud for the remittance of £60 as the an- 
nual contribution to the fnnds of oat Assooiation here. 
On it.s behalf I cordially concur in the hope expressed 
that the two Associations may long work together 
effectively for the good of Ceylon. 
Our Tea Committee will, I know be greatly pleased at 
tho resolntion expressing approval of its action in the 
matter of the arrangements for the day.s for selling 
Ceylon teas. I learn that the Commercial Sales Boom 
Committee has agreed to provide a separate room for 
the Ceylon sales on Thursdays, snd that at an early 
date this arrangement will come into force. Thie 
shonld for a time relieve the pressure canted by the 
rspid inoroase in the quantities of your teas ooming 
forward. 
Permit me in conclusion to congcalulato yonr Asso- 
ciation on the nbtouuding progress made during the 
past year by Ceylon tea in the Home trade. Vou will 
see by the Board of Trade retnrns that the conenmp- 
tion iu the United Kingdom, of Ceylon tea has increased 
nearly SO per cent on that of the previons year, while in 
both Indian ami China teas there has been a sensible 
falling off in the Home oonsumption. For tho first 
time too the figures for Ceylon exceed those of Chine, 
the excess being upwards of IJ million pounds.— I am, 
&o., (Signed) Wm. Martin Leakb. 
^ 
THE A LA CHINOISB. 
We now publish the article we recently alluded 
to as published in the Java paper on the prepara- 
tion of Java tea as China. The gentleman who 
has been good enough to make the translation lor 
us writes 
“Do you not think that in order to satisfy tho 
tastes ot the people in other paits of tho world who 
still like China ton, it would be well worth while for 
some of the great compauies to prepare “ th6 4 la 
chinoiao “ for tho pivrposo of cutting out tha China 
article? There need be no kind of faJsification ot 
adnltcration connected with the cntoimrizo. The 
produce would bo sold as sceutod tea. You soo how 
tenaciously tlio Javnnosoand Chinamen in Java cling 
to the kind they have been accustomed to. The 
same fooling no doubt operates in some parts of 
Eoi'ope and in America.’’ 
In the Essay by a Nilgiri Planter which we pub- 
lished some years ago, full directions were given 
for tho preparation of scanted tea, aud all the 
fiowers useful for the purpose were enumerated- 
But neither in India nor Ceylon have scented teas 
been prepared on any large soale ; and we suspeot 
public opinion would condemn the imitation of a 
product wbiob our genuine eopbislioated teas are 
driving out ot tho market. 
(Translated for tho Ceylon Observer, by J. D. Y.) 
Falhikication ok Tka on a CiiAnh Scale at 
C iiEUuitiN, Java. 
Contributed by A. O. Vordennan, Inspector of tho 
Civil Medical Senuco of Java and Madura. 
When in Juno 1891, daring a voyage from Batavia 
in the steamer “ De Carpontior '' I pasod tho night 
ill the Choribon roads, I was surprised to see a con- 
siderable miinbor of very largo packages landed at 
that place, and was informed by the mate that they 
contained tea. 
’There could bo no doubt that something mysterious 
was connected with this article packed in the way it 
