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taken up for Tea, and the extent brought under 

 cultivation, the plantations are yet in an early 

 stage of development; yet, the establishment of 

 ten factories in the vicinity of Dibroo Ghur has 

 led to material improvement. Within the last few 

 years, the value of labor has increased sensibly. For- 

 merly, previous to the demand for coolies caused 

 by the operations of the planters, the hire of 

 laborers was from Rupees 2-8 to Rupees 3 per 

 mensem, it has now risen to Rupees 4, and at 

 times it is even requisite to offer as high as 

 Rupees 4-8 to secure services required. The na- 

 tural consequence of this state of things is, that 

 the ryots are becoming more and more indepen- 

 dent. The cultivation of Tea not only affords 

 occupation for men, but women arid children also 

 obtain employment as leaf-pickers; and it follows 

 that factories, wherever established, tend to pro- 

 mote comfort and plenty, and to reduce poverty 

 and want. 



' The advantage resulting to the district from the 

 expenditure of capital in the manufacture of Tea is 

 not only confined to the poor classes ; carpenters, 

 artisans, writers, and tradesmen benefit. The 

 demand for produce of all articles of ordinary 

 consumption has increased, and hence a general 

 impulse is given to commerce. Within the last 

 few years the Bazaars at Dibroo have doubled in 

 extent, there has been a considerable increase to the 



