LIFK ON A CEYLON TEA PLANTATION 31 



the commonest mtilicincH for their complaints, and 

 thoy are dose<l with it by means of a spray. None 

 of the bushea on the plantation we are visiting is on 

 the sick Hst, so we do not see any doctoring going on. 



We (limb on and on across slopes that are gigantic 

 roc'keries ; and experience cannot call to memory, or 

 imagination picture, more beautiful rock-gardens than 

 such a.s these, where tiie all-predominating rock-plant 

 is the tea -bush. Looking back, and a-down the 

 slopes, the landscape ctTect is often very different, but 

 always verj' beautiful. The grown-up bushes have 

 such widespread branches that there is a general 

 rae<'ting of neighbours, and all are thickly covered 

 with leaves. As seen from a distance above, a slope 

 occupietl by a shrubberj' of well-grown tea-bushes 

 seems to be covered with a carpet of luxurious pile, 

 fantastically patterned in restful shades of deep and 

 tender green. 



At intervals we come upon a band of children who 

 appear to be playing hide-and-.seek among the bushes. 

 As a matter of fact, they are weeding, and upon 

 watching them closely we find they are very skilful 

 little workpeople. They all look healthy and happy, 

 and all of them arc certainly very attractive. The 

 boys might be just going to take part in a water frolic — 

 they are in " bathing costume," with a fancy kerchief 

 for cap ; and their brown wrists and ankles are encircled 

 by silver bangles. The girls are daintily draped from 

 hea<l to knees, and they seem to be very fond of 

 jewellery, particularly of large ear-rings with dangling 

 trinkets. 



On our way up and up we have seen, from the path- 

 way-platform, many |>eople gathering tea. Now wc 



