Planting Tea. 18 
year 20 inches, leaving as much wood as possible 
at the sides of bushes. * Pluck very lightly for the 
first 4 years, It is better not to pluck 3 year old 
tea until June, by when the bushes have put 
on a lot of wood. Do not touch the sides, and pluck 
all the hushes with a measure. In many cases the 
plants are allowed to ran up for 8 years and cut 
back heavily in the 4th year, This plan does very 
well. Another good idea is to prune heavily in the 
cold weather, and cut back to 5 inches of growth 
in the beginning of J uly. The yield from the plant 
is less, but it gets into grand order and will make 
up for the loss of leaf the next year. ` Never try 
to plant out tea too cheaply, it does not pay. An 
extension will probably cost 40 Rupees per acre 
Ist year, 30 Rupees 2nd year and 15 to 20 Rupees 
for 3rd and 4th year, per acre. Tea scarcely ever 
pays in Darjeeling, until it is at least 5 years 
old. Many agents and proprietors give a com- 
mission per acre on all extensions, if there are not 
10 per cent vacancies. This is a good plan, as it 
ensures extra care; the only objection to it is 
that the old’ tea may be neglected for the new, 
2 
