CULTIVATION OF THE TEA PLANT. 79 



collect about the roots]. It requires a rich soil, 

 shady and sloping ground, to allow the water to 

 drain off. In sowing the seed use paddy husk and 

 parched earth. Put from six to ten seeds into 

 each hole, placing them about an inch below the 

 surface of the ground. When the plants begin to 

 germinate, the weeds ought not to be raked up. 

 If the season be dry, water them with water in 

 which rice has been washed, and manure them 

 often with manure in a liquid state, or with the 

 dung of silkworms. Water lodging about the 

 roots of the plants will inevitably destroy them. 

 After three years the leaves are fit for gathering. 

 The shrubs should be planted in sets, which are 

 separated about two cubits (28 inches) from each 

 other." 



The above mode of culture appears to correspond 

 more with that of the green than the black v tea, 

 for the Chinese generally agree that the latter is 

 not manured. The Hoa King, under the article 

 "Tea," says — "That tea [black tea] is the most 

 fragrant which is not manured." 



Let us now subjoin the accounts received from 

 the missionaries before quoted : — " Put four or 

 five seeds into one place. When the leaves shoot 

 out, and the plants have grown to the height of a 

 cubit (14 inches), bind them together. Weed them 

 at the four seasons of the year, turn up the ground 

 about the roots, and add new mould. Arrange 

 the binding, and take away the dead shoots. There 



