84 



are in and about Kamaon, three plantations belong- 

 ing to Government, besides the two which, according 

 to the last proposal of the N. W. Province Govern- 

 ment, it is now intended to sell, and also plantations 

 in private hands. It is, therefore, scarcely possible 

 that even a partial monopoly can arise there, or 

 that the cultivation can be otherwise than encour* 

 aged by the immediate introduction of private 

 capital and agencv.' 



Less than two years has sufficed to realize, to 

 the fullest extent, the expectations of the late great 

 and good Viceroy, in regard to private plantations. 

 'From the Kalee in Kamaon,' writes the Superinten- 

 dent in his last report (12th May 1862) f to the Ravee 

 in the Kohistan of the Punjab, the cultivation is 

 being actively and energetically carried on both 

 by European and Native Capitalists ; and the day 

 is not far distant when we may expect to see Tea 

 exported from the British Himalayas as its staple 

 article of produce, and the Hills made lucrative, 

 instead of, as at present, a drag on the revenues of 

 the Country.' 



By a late return I find that there were esta- 

 blished at the end of last year, in Kamaon IS, in 

 the Deyrah Dhoon 25, in Gurvvahl 3, at Simla 3, 

 in. the Kangra Valley 26, and at Kooloo 3, bona fide 

 Tea Plantations, or a grand total of seventy- eight 

 plantations. Of this number thirty-seven are in the 

 hands of European Companies and individuals, and 



