13 



that on reciept of the necessary information from 

 China on these points, the seeds and plants might 

 be at once despatched to those places best adapted for 

 the cultivation. Dr. Falconer, the superintendent 

 of the Botanical Gardens at Saharunpoor, was de- 

 puted to examine and report on the countries 

 situated between the heads of the Jumna and 

 Ganges, for the purpose of selecting appropriate 

 sites for tea nurseries ; and Mr. Traill and Cap- 

 tain Jenkins the commissioners of Kamaon and 

 Assam, were addressed with a like intention. 

 Favorable reports in regard to soil and climate were 

 received from Dr. Falconer and Mr. Traill. But on 

 the 7th and 14th May J 834, respective^ Captain 

 Jenkins, and Lieutenant Charlton, reported not 

 only the soil and climate favorable, but their 

 firm belief in the existence of the tea plant 

 in Assam. And on the 8th November of the 

 same year, Lieutenant Charlton sent down to 

 the Tea Committee, seeds, the raw leaves of 

 the indigenous plant, and tea manufactured from 

 them, ' the best test ' as he remarked f that 

 the tree is not a Camellia as Dr. Wallich 

 imagines. 1 ' 



Here then was a positive proof-not the seed ; nor 

 the leaves of a tree only ; nor yet the tree itself; 

 but actually good and drinkable tea manufactured 

 there-from. The fact was indisputable ; and on the 

 24th December 1834, it was announced by the Tea 



B 



