82 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



over much of the roots, is not stirred at all. This is not 

 easy to detect, for you must look under the branches of 

 each tree to see how the work has been done. 



In " digging round plants " the men should follow the 

 kodalee round the tree, and the position of the blade in the same 

 line as the roots makes any injury very unlikely. Even if 

 tasked, as when the work is examined, it is only round the 

 plants, it is more readily perceived if the ground has not 

 been stirred close up to the stems. 



I therefore prefer digging round plants, with the view 

 of cultivating them, to digging the whole garden. I believe 

 the object is better attained. That it is much cheaper is 

 evident. 



The annulus, or space to be dug round, beginning 9 

 inches from the stem, varies with the age of the plant. Up 

 to two years one kodalee in width will do, and after that say 

 2 feet. 



The draw-hoe of 8 inches wide is a better tool for the 

 above than the kodalee, especially as it is work well suited 

 to boys, and the " draw-hoe " is a lighter tool. 



Till plants from seed at stake are a year old, and till 

 seedlings from nurseries are the same age, calculating in the 

 latter case from the transplanting, no kodalee or even draw- 

 hoe should come near them. The soil round for 6 inches 

 should be slightly opened once a month or so, but it should 

 be done with the " koorpee." 



We have now discussed the cultivation of the plants. 

 The above often done, say once a month, if possible, during 

 the season, with judicious pruning and liberal manuring, 

 constitutes high cultivation. Did weeds not grow there 

 would be no need to do more, but weeds do grow, and must 

 not be allowed. The richer the soil the more weeds, the 

 more manure you apply the more weeds also. 



Weeds choke the plant and diminish the yield. Weeds 



