58 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



time, viz., early in the rains. It saves all the labour of trans- 

 planting, that is, it saves labour absolutely, and gives labour 

 when, as stated, it is much required. 



Disadvantages. If the early rains (that is, rain in Decem- 

 ber, January, and February) fail, but few seeds germinate. 

 In the case of a new garden, the soil must be kept clean six 

 or seven months before it would be necessary by the nursery 

 plan. No artificial shade can be given. 



It will thus be seen that the advocates of both plans 

 have much to urge in their respective favours. Which is 

 better ? 



The advocates of each plan are guided by the climate 

 they have planted Tea in, and the truth is simply that the 

 better plan for one place is not adapted to another. Planting 

 in situ where it will succeed is by far the cheaper and better, 

 and it will do so wherever there are certainly cold weather 

 and spring rains. Thus (see rain table) it will often succeed 

 in Assam, Cachar, Darjeeling, the Western Dooars, and 

 perhaps the Terai below Darjeeling. It will fail in Chitta- 

 gong, Dehra Dhoon, Kumaon, Kangra, and Hazareebaugh. 

 In Chittagong, for instance, a garden could never be made 

 by planting in situ, or, as it is generally called, at stake.* 



In this and other matters adapt your operations to the 

 existing climate. 



I will now describe the above two methods of sowing 

 seed. 



* In no climate is the success of it certain, for early rains often fail, and 

 then it is all loss. I would, therefore, in all cases advise nurseries in reserve. 



