53 



?hich took place at Almorah 173 Ibs. of this tea, 

 produced, from Rs. 4 to Rs. 5 a seer (two Ibs.) and 

 Dr. Jameson is of opinion, that the produce of 

 6,000 acres of land, would yield a surplus of 

 Rs. 2,30,266 per annum ;' adding in the next 

 para. ' We take a deep interest in this subject, and 

 attach great importance to the success of a project 

 from which considerable advantages would arise 

 to the Agricultural community of these districts. 1 ' 



The result of these happy coincidences was, that 

 Mr. Fortune, a gentleman favorably known to the 

 botanical world by his ' Three years wanderings in 

 China/ was deputed by the Court of Directors to 

 proceed to China for the purpose of obtaining the 

 finest varieties of the tea plant, as well as native 

 manufacturers and implements, for the Government 

 plantations in the Himalayas. (1848) Mr. Fortune 

 executed the duty entrusted to him with energy and 

 enterprize. On landing, he immediately adopted 

 the dress and manners of the Chinese, and in this 

 manner visited the finest green and black tea dis- 

 tricts of China, including those of the Sung-lo, and 

 Bohea Hills. A very short time after his arrival 

 in China, he sent large quantities of tea seeds to 

 Calcutta. But, like the seeds of oaks and chesnuts, 

 Lea seeds retain their vitality for a very short time out 

 }f the ground ; and, in consequence of no special care 

 Uaving been taken in packing them, they all died. 

 In the following year (1849) however he adopted 



