CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



CHAPTER XV. 



DISTANCES APART TO PLANT TEA BUSHES. 



WHEN the idea existed, which it did once, that ploughs 

 could be used to cultivate a garden between the lines, these 

 latter, with this object, were placed unnecessarily wide apart. 



All distances may be seen in different gardens, viz., 6x6, 

 6 x 3, 6 x 4, 5 x 4, 5 x 5, 4 x 3, &c,, &c. 



The plough-idea has nowhere been found to answer, and 

 is exploded. 1 Still, even for hand labour to cultivate, and for 

 facilities in picking leaf, it is necessary there should be room 

 enough one way to pass along. Cultivation here means 

 digging, and space enough for this must be left between 

 the lines. Giving so much, what is then the principle that 

 should guide us ? Clearly, with a view to the largest yield 

 obtainable, to place as many plants on the land as it will bear. 



Four or 4^ feet are, I think, the best distances between 

 the lines. 



They give space enough for air to cultivate, and to pass 

 along, even when the trees are full grown. 



Where manure is obtainable, and the soil can be kept up 

 to a rich state by yearly applications, a garden can scarcely 

 be planted too close. 



I see no objection to trees touching each other in the lines. 



On considerable slopes, to prevent the wash of soil, the 

 plants should be placed as close as possible, say 3^- feet 

 between and 2 feet in the lines. 



1 Land before it is planted can be cultivated with ploughs. My manager is 

 using them largely in the Western Dooars, the land being there all flat. He 

 uses English ploughs, bought of Ransomes Sims, Ipswich, with bullocks, 

 and often an elephant. He finds the latter the best. After ploughing he uses 

 English harrows. 



