CO882-(3-4) — Page 697

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 882

4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Ten.-(1) Yes.

(2) From 3 to 5,000 feet.

(3) I think Uva (Badulla) very favourable. Undoubtedly, also, as to Hewe Eliya, where I was interested in tea. It is just as good as what we have and in advance of the es in the Kandy side. I have 500 acres planted in Spring Valley; 280 acres in 15 We are not extending our tea, months old, and the rest about four or five months. because we do not want to take out our coffee.

(4.) Judging by rainfall and soil, I do not know what amount of made tea per acre will be turned out of Uva. I should think 400 lbs. an acre for an average was a low figure. Our soil, not only surface but the sub-soil, is better than as to Kandy side.

(5.) No sufficient data.

I consider that Uva is a good leaf-producing district.

(6.) No sufficient data.

(7.) Some tea planted on Patana laud, Balagala, has turned out exceptionally fine. (8.) Transport has been our great drawback. The railway is necessary to put us on equal footing with this side of the country, but we shall not give up tea if we do not get the railway.

Grazing Farm.- Patanas.

Some parts might be largely utilized for grazing. There is a quantity of short sweet grass which cattle are very fond of. The Uva cattle are exceptionally well fed and good.

Mr. AGAR.

I was resident in Uva about eight years, but not since 1875. I have only visited it once since I left.

Tea.--(3.) The major portion of the land opened is perfectly suited to tea. I should say that almost the whole was, both as regards soil and rainfall.

The soil in Uva is far superior to what is found in other districts; I know Madulsima also.

If there is the same amount of rainfall, Uva will beat Maskeliya, where I am now living.

I do not think the tea would suffer from the drought you get in Uva. Three months' drought which you exceptionally get in Uva, would stop the flushing for a time, but nothing more, and the crop would be better afterwards. A drought of six weeks or two months would be very exceptional in Uva.

Naturally Uva is a leaf-producing district.

(4.) In other districts 400 or 500 lbs. an acre, and I am of opinion that it would do equally well in Uva.

(5.) No knowledge.

(6.) More labour will be required, but I cannot say how much.

(7.) There is a great deal very poor, but in the valleys I have no doubt that tea could be properly cultivated.

(8.) Uva requires cheaper transport. The district will be heavily handicapped as regards tea if no railway is made.

Tea required rapid transport, as rapid as coffee.

When I was in Uva I suffered when murrain affected the cattle. I had to pay very high at the time. Rice went up to 308. a bushel. This was on account of cost of transport. There were floods and slips on the road. This was, I think, in 1868. Cart hire down was 75 cents.

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Grazing.-On certain parts between Wilson's bungalow and Haputale, the Patanas do not are suitable for grazing. They are extensive. Mount Borlande is the best of it. think that large heads of cattle could be grazed on the Patanas. They suffer there from ticks and leeches.

Tree planting.-Large portions of Patanas in Uva are very suitable for trees for fuel, wattle, gum, &c.

Manure. If manure could be obtained at Rs. 18.10 at the Haputale Pass, I think that it would be very largely used.

Coffee. When I revisited Uva in January 1882, I thought the coffee as good as when I left the country.

There are large tracts of country all along the proposed trace of the railway which would be very favourable for cultivation, and which would be opened if Government

would sell the land.

A. E. SCOVELL, Esq.

I owned property from 1876-82 (and visited it periodically) in Uva. Coffee. In Madulsima, when I last saw it, coffee had very much fallen off. Monaragala it showed very well.

In

Cinchona.-In Madulsima I had begun to plant cinchona; it was very good both in forest and Patana land.

While I was in the country we suffered from murrain about twice, cart hire went up. I used Batticaloa as the main communication. It was secure, but there was delay.

From my experience I am satisfied that the Madulsima planters will at the proposed rates most certainly use the railway.

Notwithstanding the 50 miles of road (cart trace). I am quite certain all traffic would go on to the railway.

Manure. It was the question of expense that debarred us from getting up manure. If I could have got manure at Rs. 18.10 at Haputale station I would have in the latter

From years have got it.

my experience of the district I think it would not at present pay, but in the next three or four years it will pay, to get manure at the rate specified for the Madulsima district.

Tea.-(1.) Yes.

(2.) From 1 to 4,000 feet.

(3.) I think that Uva is as favourable as the Kandy districts for tea.

I think that Monaragala is specially favourable for tea. The district is, however,

rocky. It is a peculiarly leaf producing district, as also is Madulsima.

The soil, speaking generally, is favourable.

(4.) (a.) Coffee land 350 to 400 lbs. per acre in full bearing, ie, four to five years

old.

(b.) Forest land, 400 to 450 lbs. judging from experience on this side of the country. In Madulsima the lay of the land is particularly favourable.

(5.) The quality of tea is likely to be better than on the Kandy side, because the manufacturing time is better. The wittening time would give less anxiety.

(6.) I have about 2,000 acres of tea under my supervision. The oldest is nine years. The proportionate amount of labour depends on the yield. Taking 400 lbs. per acre one and a quarter man is required. As regards coffee in Kandy side, the labour is half a

man an acre.

I have given the average for tea labour.

(7.) I think that there are portions, not half, of the Uva Patanas which would be favourable for tea. None of it would be so good as jungle.

(8.) As at present situated, Uva would have a very up-hill fight as compared with other districts, especially if there was a drop in prices. It is essential that it should have the railway if ultimately it is to compete with other districts.

Grazing.-I do not think that practically the Patanas of Uva are favourably for grazing.

Tare on Tea.-On full chests the tare is about 24 lbs., a chest holding 100 lbs. The range of tare is from 25 to 30 per cent.

Transport.-From Strathillie transport costs 1.10 cents. per lb. nett as delivered to the agent in Colombo.

Even if cart traffic went down 10 or 15 per cent. below the railway rates, that the planters in Uva would still use the railway for tea. The quickness of despatch is an element of importance. There is also fear from tampering, as I know from experience. I always send my tea so that it may reach the railway the same day.

Bores. I find that the boxes I get from Japan are cheaper and better than those locally made, and I use them notwithstanding that the charge by railway from Colombo This would have an important to Nawalapitiya is as heavy as from Japan to Colombo. bearing on the tea industry in Uva.

If the railway is made, the cultivation of tea in Uva would extend, as there is much available land,

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