The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-06-14

for at first the price ranged from e6 to
e1O per pound. Even during the reign of
Charles Hand his brother it wasdisposed
of at from fifteen shillings to fifty shill-
ings. according to quality, the duty pay
able on every gallon of the beverage sold
In the coffee houses being eightpence.
The tea trade was, however, in that era
a comparatively small branch of COM
merce, being mainly monopoly in the
hands of the East India company. Itwas
when the consumption increased enor-
mously, while the business of supplying
the demand was not too much subdivided,
that it became and continued so remark
ably lucrative. The prices were not high
enough to be prohibitory, and yet were
sufficiently good to permit of a handsome
profit to growers, buyers, brokers and
sellers. This is no longer the case. The
people who expect to live by the traffic
have multiplied out of all proportions to
their customers, with the inevitable re-
suit that prices have been whitfield down
to figure which admits of little margin.
In China-so it is affirmed by those in a
position to know-a suicidal attempt has
been made by the native growers to re-
coup themselves for falling prices by
more slovenly manufacture and even by
fagrant adulteration. This, at least, is
the verdict of body so well qualified to
pronounce on the evidence before them
as the Shanghai chamber of commerce.
DECREASE IN CHINA's EXPORT.
A fact even more conclusive is that
while the exports of China tea have
fallen off enormously, those of the newer
tea producing districts have increased in
an inverse ratio. 1t is known that be-
tween 1861 and 1886 the export decreased
by "a 10000 pounds, while that of In
dian and Ceylon teas increased by nearly
81, 900, 900, and since then the disparity
has been even greater. Thus it is OBJ
viously useless for China any longer to
regard herself as able to control the tea
trade of the world, OR to conduct herself
as if she were the prime producer. She
may be fortunate, indeed, if India, Cey-
Ion and Java leave her the second place
in the struggle for supremacy.
The planters of Assam were the first to
work their gardens on the principles of
scientific high farming, and now they
are reaping their reward. But of all the
competitors who have disputed the China
monopoly Ceylon is likely to prove the
most formidable, though she entered the
field SO recently that tea was only regard
ed as likely crop when the destruction
of their coffee plantations compelled the
owners of estates to try other products.
Now, thanks to the experience of India
with which the planters began, and to
the advantages of climate and soil, the
export of Ceylon tea is increasing year
by year, while the quality, taking one
season with another, is of a decidedly
high standard.
These countries are, however, only two,
if the two most vigorous, Of China's
rivals. Japan has long dealt largely in
green tea, and seems determined to grow
a great deal more, now that the western
markets are open to her traders.
CHEAP LABOR AND CHEAP TEA.
Tonquin and Cochin-Ch are never
likely to prove serious competitors for
our custom, their tea being of an inferior
brand. But Java is not falling behind
in the race, and all the hill countries of
India Assam, Duhra-Dun, Kumaun,
Darjiling, Cachar, Kangra, Hazaribagh,
Chittagong, the Tarai and the Nilghiris
are extending their operations in black
tea. Natal has been demonstrated to he
q tea growing region, and there are
grounds for believing that the West In
dies, the southern United States, Brazil,
Fiji. Australia, and even the south of
Europe can produce fair marketable leaf.
But there are other elements besides
quality which enter into the tea growing
industry, and the first Of them is cheap
labor, We must remember that in India
and China laborer capable of picking
and firing leaf may be had for from two
pence to sixpence per day, and that it is
difficult for any other countries to enter
into competition with regions where
primary margin of profit is 80 fully in.
sured as in those portions of the east. 1t
would be idle to attempt the appraise-
ment of the different qualities of these
teas. Apart from the fact. that those
best qualified to form an opinion rarely
come to the task with judicial mind,
great deal must be allowed for individual
tastes. But most tea drinkers prefer the
cheaper Indian and Cingalese teas to the
ordinary ''chops" from China, while it
cannot be honestly contended that in
nicely of preparation the latter are COM
parable with the former.
1t is equally undeniable that the finer
kinds of China tea possess distinctive
qualities which have not yet been imi-
tated by any other growths, and SO long
as Russia keeps her taste for the dearest
"chops' of Congou so long will the
Flower Land find good market for her
produce.-London Standard.