66 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA, 



CHAPTER XIV. 

 MANURE. 



AN idea existed formerly, got, I believe, from stray China- 

 men, who I don't think knew much about Tea in any way, 

 that manure, though it increased the yield, spoilt the flavour 

 of Tea. . The idea is opposed to all agricultural knowledge, 

 for high cultivation, which in no case can be carried out to 

 perfection without manure, much improves the strength and 

 flavour of all edibles, the product of mother-earth. 



My first experience of manure to the Tea plant was 

 obtained in the Chittagong district from a small garden close 

 to the station, which has been for some years highly manured. 

 I was struck with the frequency and abundance of the flushes 

 and the strength and flavour of the Tea. My high opinion 

 of the Tea was later borne out by the Calcutta brokers. I 

 allude to the 'Pioneer' garden, close to the Chittagong 

 station. During the best tea months flush succeeded flush 

 at intervals of less than a week, while 8 to 10 maunds (640 

 to 800 Ibs.) was the yearly yield per acre ! The soil was 

 very sandy and poor. 



After experience showed me that manuring nearly doubles 

 the yield of plants, and that so far from injuring the flavour 

 of Tea it improves it, while it adds greatly to the strength. 



I shall therefore beg the question that manure is an 

 advantage. If any planter doubts let him try it, and his 

 doubts will soon be solved. 



Any manure is better than none, but I believe one of the 

 best manures for the Tea plant (always excepting night-soil 

 and the excrements of birds, which cannot be procured) is 



