i 94 



CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



STATISTICS REGARDING INDIAN TEA. 



As early as 1780 a few Chinese plants were to be seen in 

 Calcutta cultivated by a Colonel Kyd. 



The possibility of cultivating Tea in India was first 

 mooted in 1835-36, and the Indian Government started an 

 experimental garden at Lukimpore (Assam) at that time. 



Indigenous Tea was first discovered in Assam by a 

 Mr. Bruce in 1830. 



In 1845 and following years the Government imported 

 large quantities of China seed and established nurseries on 

 the Himalayas. 



Tea planting was commenced in India by the Assam 

 Company about 1840, and the cultivation was undertaken 

 in other districts in the following years: Kumaon and 

 Gurwhal, 1850; Cachar, 1855; Dehra-Dhoon, 1855; Sylhet, 

 1857 ; Kangra, 1858 ; Darjeeling, 1860 ; Terai, 1860 ; Chitta- 

 gong, 1860 ; Neilgherries, 1862 ; Chota Nagpore, 1872 ; 

 Dooars, 1875. 



Thus it may be said Tea planting in India dates from 

 1840 by one Company, but 1850 by individuals. 



The following figures show the imports of Indian Teas 

 into Great Britain since 1870 in millions of pounds : 



