70 



1 Viewing it as a whole' he said *I am rather 



O 



disappointed with it.' 



The plantations in the Kangra "Valley seem to 

 have pleased Mr. Fortune most. f ln 1855' said 

 he, speaking of Nagrowta, f it produced 1,427 Ibs. 

 of tea, or about 300 Ibs. per acre. The soil is of 

 a brownish loam, moderately rich in vegetable 

 matter, and well suited for tea cultivation. The 

 plants are healthy and vigorous.' And of Bowarnah 

 ' it is consequently in full bearing, and yields annu- 

 ally upwards of 300 Ibs. per acre.' But the highest 

 encomium was reserved for the plantation at Holta, 

 also in the Kangra Valley. ' The condition of the 

 plants upon this plantation' he observed f is highly 

 satisfactory; they are healthy, vigorous, and quite 

 equal to the best plantations I have seen in 

 China. * * * Upon the whole, I am inclined 

 to think this plantation the most promising of 

 all under Dr. Jameson's management, and it cer- 

 tainly reflects great credit both upon him, and his 

 overseer Mr. W. Rogers.' 



But although Mr. Fortune gave some praise, he 

 also found much fault. All the land selected was 

 not equally good. The trenches or terraces in some 

 places, were not made at right angles to the slope 

 of the hill, as they ought to have been. The trees 

 on all the plantations were too hard plucked. The 

 cultivation on many plantations was not good. 

 He also added many suggestions for the improve- 



