TEA DISTRICTS AND THEIR ADVANTAGES, ETC. 15 



tions in the Himalayas, is quite different to the Tea of hot 

 moist climates, such as Eastern Bengal. Some people like 

 it better, and certainly the flavour is more delicate ; but it is 

 very much weaker, and the ' value of Indian Tea (in the 

 present state of the home market, where it is principally 

 used for giving " body " to the washy stuff from China) con- 

 sists in its strength. Another all-important point in fixing 

 on a climate for Tea is the fact, that apart from the strength 

 the yield is double in hot, moist climes, what it is in com- 

 paratively dry and temperate ones. A really pleasant climate 

 to live in cannot be a good one for Tea. I may now discuss 

 the comparative merits of the different Tea districts. 



ASSAM. 



This is the principal home of the indigenous plant. The 

 climate in the northern portions is perfect, superior to the 

 southern, as more rain falls in the spring. The climate of 

 the whole of Assam, however, is very good for Tea. The 

 Tea plant yields most abundantly when hot sunshine and 

 showers intervene. For climate, then, I accord the first 

 place to Northern Assam. Southern Assam is, as observed, 

 a little inferior. 



The soil of this province is decidedly rich. In many 

 places there is a considerable coating of decayed vegetation 

 on the surface, and inasmuch as in all places where Tea has 

 been or is likely to be planted it is strictly virgin soil, con- 

 siderable nourishment exists. The prevailing soil also is 

 light and friable, and thus, with the exception of the rich 

 oak soil in parts of the Himalayas, Assam in this respect 

 is second to none. 



As regards labour we must certainly put it the last 

 on the list. The Assamese, and they are scanty, won't 

 work, so the planters, with few exceptions, are dependent 



