PART 11.
As is usual in most of the coffee species, caffein is present.
The amount appears to be, on an average, somewhat larger (even
exceeding 2.0%) than in the South American coffee species. In
no instance, however, did the amount exceed the maximum limits
observed in coffee in general.
Due to its rapid growth, early and prolific yields, resistance
to coffee blight, and many other desirable qualities, Coffee robusta
has established ‘‘ its own.”” In the writer's judgment, robusta
coffee deserves consideration and recognition.
This is a statement of great interest because it comes from
America, where it would not be surprising to find a strong prejudice
against robusta, arising from their large controlling interests in Santos
coffee.
Further, when we view this statement in conjunction with the
export figures from Java we see that Robusta has made a bold entry
into the coffee markets of the world.
I myself have had the opportunity of meeting Brokers and
Produce Merchants in London and also Mincing Lane tasters and have
been assured that there is a good market in London for good robusta.
We have had enquiries about Robusta from Egypt, Palestine, Poland,
Germany, and other parts of the continent and New Zealand. Indeed
the prospects are becoming so well recognised that we have had
requests for seed of our Uganda types from various countries. Of
course, the final test of a coffee is its liquoring qualities. = We have
seen that Robusta is not lacking in this respect. By selection it
has been possible to improve on the size and boldness of the bean and
a great deal more can be done.
I hope I shall not weary you if 1 quote anent this matter of
market prospects a rather striking statement from the Planters’
Chronicle of September, 1925, entitled ‘* The Outlook for Coffee in
the East.” It is as follows: —
The Stephanoderes pest whose ravages on Brazilian Coffee
were described on page 509 of our issue of July 25, has an
economic significance which augurs well for the future of the
coffee growing industry in the countries outside Brazil. The
outlay required to keep this scourge within bounds is involving no
less than an increase of five American cents per pound on
production costs. In other words the margin of production costs
has swung round in favour of non-Brazilian Coffee growers; who
presumably are now benefitting from the enhancement of the
world price of coffee by which the producers of Brazil are enabled
to combat Stephanoderes. This procedure of passing extra
production costs of an article on to the consumer and thus avoiding
diminution of profits is of course only practicable for producers
who, like the Brazilians, control a predominant proportion of the
world supply.
Again, even in such circumstances, it has its obvious
limitations; for any advance towards prohibitive prices—unless, of
course, the current rate of consumption by the consumers of the
commodity concerred is already at an absolute minimum-—is
hound to cause af. ling off in demand, which may quite well be

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