52 



seen that their value as tea varies with the amount of acidity 

 present. 



To summarize therefore with regard to Phosphoric Acid. 

 It is an essential constituent of the soil in tea culture and one 

 on which great demands are made. It is present in greater 

 quantity in those districts, and those gardens renowned for quality, 

 and hence may be considered a factor of the greatest importance 

 in its production, especially as it is known to be fundamentally 

 concerned in the production of new cells, and also in increasing 

 the acidity of the plant sap. 



POTASH. 



The constituent next of importance to the tea plant is without 

 doubt the Potash, but this occurs probably in sufficient quantity in 

 most parts of Assam. Its function in the plant is most important, 

 and there is little doubt that it plays a fundamental part in the 

 production of tannin (the essential element in the pungency of 

 tea), as well as in the formation of albumens and the production of 

 new cells and new growth. In the latter function it runs parallel 

 with the Phosphoric Acid, and the latter would be quite paralysed 

 were not a sufficiency of Potash present. Mr. John Hughes (loc. 

 cit. supr.} considers that the Potash is overwhelmingly important 

 in the production of good tea, and states that for a number of 

 good teas -which he examined, the price very fairly corresponded 

 with the sum of the soluble Potash and the Phosphoric Acid taken 

 together in the tea, To decide whether this is so or not, demands 

 a much larger series of analyses than we have at present. 



It is somewhat difficult to estimate the richness of a soil in 

 Potash from the analysis. The amount may reach very high pro- 

 portions if the clay is increased, without the Potash being in any 

 greater available quantity. Perhaps the best way of getting at the 



