60 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



the reception of the seed. The tap-root can readily descend 

 in search of moisture, and the lateral rootlets can spread 

 likewise. They (the latter) will not reach the outer walls of 

 the pit for six months, and will then be strong enough to 

 force their way through. 



Now sow the seed. Put in, say, two or three, as the 

 seed is good or bad, six inches apart ; push them into the 

 soft soil one inch, and put up the stake in the centre to 

 mark the spot. 



Keep the place clean till following rains, but allow only 

 hand-weeding near the young seedlings, and occasionally 

 open the soil with some light hand - instrument, as a 

 " koorpee," to the depth of half-an-inch. 



If all the seeds germinate, and the seedlings escape 

 crickets, and all live, at commencement of the rains leave 

 the best and transplant the others to any vacant spot. You 

 will succeed with some, not with others ; but do not be too 

 anxious to take up the spare ones with earth round the 

 roots, and thus endanger the one plant left. That the seed- 

 ling left be not injured is the great point, the others must 

 take their chance. 



Some people believe in two, or even three seedlings 

 together, and would thus advise them to be all, or perhaps 

 two, left. I do not approve of the plan, except, perhaps, 

 with Chinese plants. Plant as close as you will in the lines, 

 but give each plant its own home. 



There is another mode of planting at stake, which is, I 

 think, better than the above. 



Lay the seed in alternate layers of seed and mould in 

 beds. The seeds may be laid close to each other, but not 

 above each other, with mould, say, two inches thick, above, 

 and then seed again. When they begin to burst, ready to 

 shoot out their roots, examine the seeds, by taking off the 

 soil from each layer, every three or four days. Take out 



