SUBALPINE REGIONS 183 



situation, with extensive view of endless forest-clad 

 ranges and valleys sloping away, and the distant snowy 

 mountains standing grandly against the northern sky. The 

 life of the tea-planter, with his family and with constant 

 occupation, is not a bad one. His home is in the midst 

 of beautiful scenery, and his opportunities for shikar 

 are endless. The higher up the plantation stands, the 

 more highly flavoured is the tea ; but the quantity grown 

 is much greater in the hotter, low-lying positions. The 

 low price of tea has much reduced the profit, but at first 

 it was sufficient to meet the local demand in order to pay 

 its way. The flavour of Kumaon tea is notoriously 

 excellent. Its fine perfume is easily distinguished, and 

 if not made too strong it is quite the best tea that can be 

 partaken of. 



The hospitality of tea-planters was notorious, and was 

 a pleasant variety in a life in the forests. The deprecia- 

 tion of silver benefits the tea-planter considerably, as his 

 labour is paid in rupees and the tea sold for gold. 



