IO6 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



I advise the following plan in picking. Please refer to the 

 diagram : 



If the garden has been severely pruned (as it ought to be) 

 take only the bud a for two flushes ; then for two more nip 

 the stalk above I, taking the upper part of leaf c, as shown 

 (done with one motion of the fingers). But from the fifth 

 flush take off the shoot at the line above 2, and by a separate 

 motion of the fingers take off the part of leaf e, where the 

 black line is drawn. By this plan, when the rains begin, the 

 trees will show a large picking surface, for plenty of buds will 

 have been preserved for new growth. After the month of 

 August you may pick lower if you like, as you cannot hurt 

 the trees. For instance, you may nip the stalk and upper 

 part of leaf e together, and separately the upper part of f. 



The principle of picking is to leave the bud at the axis 

 of the leaf down to which you pick intact. 



Some planters pick all through the season at the line above 

 I, and take the d and perhaps the e leaf separately. I do not 

 like the plan, for though it will make strong Teas, the yield 

 will be small. Moreover, the plants will form so much foliage ; 

 they will not flush well, and again they will grow so high that 

 boys who pick will- not readily reach the top. 



Shortly, the principle I advocate is to prune severely, so 

 that the plant in self-defence must throw out many new 

 shoots ; to be sparing and tender with these until the vio- 

 lence done to the tree is in a measure, but not quite, repaired ; 

 then, till September, to pick so much that the wants of the 

 plant in foliage are never quite attained ; and after September 

 to take all you can get. 



I believe this principle (for the detailed directions given 

 may be varied, as for instance when trees have not been 

 heavily pruned) will give the largest yield of leaf, and will 

 certainly not injure the plants. 



