177 



;rading community, and merchants from down 

 country are continually opening new shops/ 



'From what I have stated, it may fairly be de- 

 duced, that the cultivation and manufacture of Tea 

 is all-important to the well-being of the district, 

 and to encourage its extension would undoubtedly 

 conduce to most beneficial results/ 



Nor is this district of Assam, a solitary instance 

 of rapid improvement. The Collector of Nowgoiig 

 writes; 



'I have every reason to believe that the cultiva- 

 tion of Tea in this district has been attended with 

 great success, and that, provided, private capital be 

 forthcoming, there is no limit to its extension. The 

 effect of such undertakings on the people of the 

 country is most favorable ; large sums of money 

 are put into circulation the condition of the people 

 is improved, and they are encouraged and instructed 

 in habits of regular industry and thrift/ 



The evidence of the Collector of Seebsagur again is 

 equally satisfactory. ' During the past three years' he 

 reports ' a considerable increase has taken place in the 

 price of grain and all other produce ; in 1856-57 dhau 

 used to sell at sixteen poorahs* for 

 * 2 Maunds! the & u pee, and during the past two 

 years it has sold at only four poorahsf 

 for the Rupee, the producer thus receiving now four 

 times the price for his produce compared to what he 

 did four years ago, and this without paying any 



