PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF INDIAN TEA. l8l 



has already shown this, and will show it more, as time 

 goes on. 



Flat land for Tea gardens is a great desideratum. Steep 

 lands are difficult to cultivate ; the soil is continually 

 washing away from the roots of the plants ; it is impossible 

 to manure them successfully, and the consequence of all 

 this is that the Tea bushes do not thrive. 



The Chinese plant gives a small and inferior produce, 

 the indigenous and hybrid kind a larger and very superior 

 one; thus I think the latter one of the "necessary conditions 

 for success." On the other points, with the exception of 

 manuring, nothing need be said, inasmuch as their necessity 

 i.s evident ; but on the point of manure I must say a few 

 words. The Tea plant is being continually denuded of its 

 leaves ; nothing is returned to the soil ; and consequently in 

 process of time that soil is exhausted. It was held once 

 that manure destroyed the flavour of Tea. This idea, at 

 variance with all agricultural experience, is now completely 

 exploded, like many others received from the Chinamen 

 who first came from the Flowery Land to teach the art 

 of Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture to the Indian 

 public. Many of them had never perhaps seen a Tea bush, 

 anyhow in many respects theirs was faulty teaching, and all 

 experienced planters are convinced, and it is truth, that 

 more knowledge on Tea exists in India than China at the 

 present time. 



But to return to the subject of manure. It is, and is 

 now generally allowed to be, a necessity to the lengthened 

 and successful maintenance of a plantation. Means for its 

 production are now largely adopted in Assam and Cachar, 

 and the results will be a yield per acre the most sanguine 

 have never dreamt of. Chittagong, on this head, has great 

 advantages ; manure in any quantity can there be procured 

 for a trifle, and the results have shown its great value. 



