34 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



CHAPTER V. 



NATURE OF JUNGLE. 



I HAVE not much to say under this head. I have heard 

 many opinions as to the kind of trees and jungle that should 

 exist in contemplated clearances, but I attach little or no 

 weight to them, at all events in Bengal. 



In the Himalayas it is somewhat different. There oak 

 trees should be sought for ; their existence invariably makes 

 rich soil.* Fir, on the contrary, indicates poor soil. At 

 elevations, however, the desideratum of a warm aspect 

 interferes, for the best oak forests are on the colder side. I 

 speak of course of elevations practicable, say three or four 

 thousand feet ; above this it is a waste of money to try and 

 cultivate Tea. 



In Bengal I do not think the nature of the jungle on land 

 contemplated signifies much. As a rule, the thicker the 

 jungle the richer the soil ; but in seeking for a site large 

 trees should not be a sine qua non. Much of the coarse grass 

 land is very good, and large trees add enormously to the 

 expense of clearings. t It is not cutting them down which 

 is so expensive, it is cutting them up and getting rid of 

 them by burning, or otherwise, after the former is done. 



I have discussed soil fully already, and need only add here 

 that if the knowledge to do so exists, it is better to judge of 

 soil from the soil itself than from the vegetation on it, though 

 doubtless a fact that luxuriant vegetation indicates rich soil. 



* The oak tree leaves cause a rich deposit of vegetable matter. 

 t The Western Dooars are in many parts covered with this coarse grass, 

 and nowhere is there better soil. 



