TEA DISTRICTS AND THEIR ADVANTAGES, ETC. 15 



very much weaker, and the value of Indian Tea (in the pre- 

 sent state of the home market, where it is principally used for 

 giving ' body ' to the washy stuff from China) consists in its 

 strength. Another all-important point in fixing on a climate 

 for Tea is the fact, that apart from the strength the yield is 

 double in hot, moist climes, what it is in comparatively dry and 

 temperate ones. A really pleasant climate to live in cannot be 

 a good one for Tea. I may now discuss the comparative 

 merits of the different Tea districts. 



ASSAM. 



This is the principal home of the indigenous plant. The 

 climate in the northern portions is perfect, superior to the 

 southern, as more rain falls in the spring. The climate of 

 the whole of Assam, however, is very good for Tea. The 

 Tea plant yields most abundantly when hot sunshine and 

 showers intervene. For climate, then, I accord the first place 

 to Northern Assam. Southern Assam is, as observed, a little 

 inferior. 



The soil of this province is decidedly rich. In many 

 places there is a considerable coating of decayed vegetation 

 on the surface, and inasmuch as in all places where Tea has 

 been or is likely to be planted it is strictly virgin soil, con- 

 siderable nourishment exists. The prevailing soil also is light 

 and friable, and thus, with the exception of the rich oak soil 

 in parts of the Himalayas, Assam in this respect is second to 

 none. 



As regards labour we must certainly put it the last on the 

 list. The Assamese, and they are scanty, won't work, so the 

 planters, with few exceptions, are dependent on imported 

 coolies ; and inasmuch as the distance to bring them is enor- 

 mous, the outlay on this head is large, and a sad drawback to 

 successful Tea cultivation. 



The Burhampootra that vast river which runs from one 



