IQ2 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



matters of agriculture the labour question is the foremost, after it is 

 known that the plant will nourish. To attempt to base the success 

 of this particular industry upon any other than that of coolie labour 

 would be foolish, as we all know that Kafirs are not to be relied upon; 

 therefore the cost of labour has to be considered. We well know that 

 all the Tea estates of India have to be supplied with imported coolies 

 the natives of the districts concerned will not work unless casually 

 but the cost of coolies in Natal must be more than the cost of coolies 

 in Assam therefore in that item the advantage must be in favour of 

 the Indian planter. Countries such as Queensland and the United 

 States of America must either import labour, or pay a much higher 

 rate than we do ; hence so far as these countries are concerned, Natal 

 will hold its own. 



I have not done yet. Here is another place where it 

 seems they mean to try Tea. I do hope that climate, soil, 

 labour, something will be found unsuitable. 



FIJI TEA. 



Mr. J. E. Mason, of the Alpha Tea and Coffee Estate, Taviuni, 

 Fiji, has forwarded to Mr. J. O. Moody, the expert, of Melbourne, 

 samples of the first Fijian Tea produced in his part of the 

 world ; at the same time writing that early next year he hoped to 

 pluck off 30 acres planted with Tea, and that the samples sent were 

 hastily made in a barrel with a frying-pan of charcoal. Mr. J. O. 

 Moody reports: "Fiji Pekoe leaf: Handsome, small, even, golden 

 tipped, evenly and well fermented. Fiji Pekoe liquor : Very strong, 

 full, rich, and pungent pekoe flavour, thick, with deep red infusion. 

 An invaluable Tea for mixing, and worth about zs. 6d. per Ib. in bond. 

 Fiji Pekoe Souchong leaf: Well made, wiry, twisted, rich, black tippy 

 leaf, evenly and well fermented Fiji Pekoe Souchong flavour, with 

 good, bright, red infusion. A fine Tea to drink alone, and worth about 

 is. gd. per Ib. in bond. These Teas have the character of good 

 Ceylon growths, and are in every respect suitable Teas for general 

 consumption, and such samples are sure to meet with ready sale in 

 Australasia or Great Britain." 



Here again, I am told, the labour question is the doubtful 

 point. Tea cannot be made to pay without cheap labour, 

 and the sooner all these new Tea countries learn the lesson 



