COST OF TEA AT SEAT OF GROWTH. 855 



support to every branch of art and science connected 

 with their Eastern possessions. 



Thus the total cost of tea at its seat of growth 

 amounted to no more than twelve tales the pecul ; 

 yet it sold for no less than sixty tales the pecul at 

 the East India Company's sales ; or about 500 per 

 cent, on its cost. Thus, though labour might have 

 been five times dearer in England than in China, 

 yet, if difference in the price of labour had been 

 the only obstacle, it might have offered no impedi- 

 ment to the successful cultivation of the tree in 

 England, at the period here alluded to. Still less 

 would there have been any obstacle to the successful 

 cultivation of it in India. 



We have now, however, to examine the question 

 of the cultivation of tea in India under a new and 

 less flattering aspect. The abolition of the mono- 

 poly of the Hong merchants in China, the intro- 

 duction of free trade, and the privilege of trading 

 to no less that five ports of the Empire, now place 

 the question of the cultivation of tea in our colonies 

 upon a new footing, and render its success of more 

 doubtful issue. 



The privilege of trading to two ports in the 

 province of Fokien, has brought us into close contact 

 with the black tea districts. ■ The port of Amoy is 

 in the immediate vicinity of the Ankoy district ; 

 and the port of Foo-chew-foo possesses the great 

 advantage of a direct and uninterrupted water 

 communication with the Bohea country at a 



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