TEA PRODUCING COUNTRIES. 



spite of the high rate of wages ruling. Only in this way, 

 however, can the industry succeed in America, and if it be 

 done (I hope it may, for we in India shall then benefit by 

 the ideas carried out), the United States will add one more 

 laurel to the many they have achieved already in other 

 branches of commerce. 



NATAL. 



Tea here too ! Where, alas ! is it not ? The following is 

 in a report from Natal : 



We have glanced at the past and seen the present condition of 

 the Tea enterprise. The most important matter is still before us the 

 future of Tea in Natal. It must be remembered that an industry may 

 be profitable to encourage for local consumption, and yet fail when it 

 comes to be exported. This production (Tea) must be looked at as 

 one which, if it progresses, must shortly be exported. Three hundred 

 acres of Tea in full bearing will supply to the full the present need of 

 the Colony and its surroundings, i.e., taking the import returns as our 

 guide ; and even with increasing demand, that demand can soon be 

 met. Therefore the importance attaching to the question, " Can we 

 in Natal grow Tea to pay, so as to compete with other countries in 

 the markets of the world ? " The Tea-growing districts of India, till 

 lately confined to Assam, Cachar, and neighbourhood, have now been 

 extended to the Neilgherries and Ceylon, and these places, till lately 

 confining themselves to coffee, are leaving that most precarious crop 

 and growing Tea and cinchona. Both these districts at present export 

 Tea to England. It is said that Tea is to be introduced into Queens- 

 land and the northern territory of Australia ; and that the Southern 

 States of the Union and California contemplate Tea growing. Are we 

 justified, then, in believing that Tea may be profitably exported from 

 Natal ? Before considering this, we have to bear in mind that Tea is 

 placed in the London market in large quantities at a very low price ; 

 China Teas as low as 5^. per Ib. in bond, and Indian Teas as low as 8d. 

 per Ib. in bond ; but again the price extends to 35. and even 45. per Ib. 

 in bond. All these things have to be weighed and well considered by 

 anyone before embarking in this enterprise to any great extent. In all 



