THE OUTER HIMALAYAH. 17 



the ground, and does not form stagnant pools, is the 

 position best calculated to yield a good supply of leaves. 

 The mode of cultivation has been the subject of dis- 

 cussion, and it seems clear that in like manner the 

 tea-plant will not thrive when flooded with water, so 

 equally will it not grow when planted on a rock ; but 

 with the difficulty that is found in preserving a happy 

 medium, advocates are not wanting for either plan ; 

 while others, with conciliating expediency, believe that 

 tea will grow anywhere. It remains to be seen, in land 

 where both cereals and tea can be grown, which of the 

 two would be the most advantageous to the inhabitants. 

 From the extended cultivation of the tea-plant by 

 various individuals, whose interest will necessarily lead 

 them to vie with each other in rearing and preparing 

 it, numerous facts will be ascertained that in a non- 

 competitive Government garden are less likely to be 

 elicited. It is sufficient that the Government gardens 

 should have prepared the way for private enterprise, 

 and shown emphatically to the world the capabilities of 

 the Himalayan range. 



We were now close to the factory, which we forth- 

 with entered. 



About the building itself there is nothing remark- 

 able ; it is a light, airy house, surrounded by an open 

 verandah, the interior being commodious and lofty. 



On entering, the odour of tea, such as one is 

 accustomed to in the grocers' shops at home, was very 

 perceptible a most gratifying and convincing proof to 

 our uninitiated minds of the reality of tea planting, for 

 our olfactory nerves had now supplied the link which 



B 



