IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. 91 



(G. 0., No. 1220, 18th Aug. 1860), and Mr. W. G. M'lvor se- 

 lected for preparing sites, and carrying out the preliminary 

 ■work. The conduct of the Dutch in raising cuttings, and pro- 

 tecting them from the direct rays of the sun, has been noted, 

 and, if necessary, their example will be followed. At present, 

 the experiment is to be confined to Ceylon and the Nilgiris, 

 a few plants being entrusted to Mr Hall at Kunur, and Mr 

 New at Bangalore, who will watch their progress in his conser- 

 vatory. 



36. Tea. — Southern India promises well to afford favourable 

 sites for the growth of tea (G. 0., No. 1425, 24th August 1860). 

 Numerous experiments have been made, and attended in several 

 instances with marked success, as regards the healthy growth of 

 the plant. In order, however, to complete the experiment, and 

 allow the tea grown in the presidency to occupy its proper place 

 in the market, it is necessary that the art of manufacturing it 

 should be introduced, either direct from China or from Govern- 

 ment plantations in the N.W. Provinces. Unless something of 

 this kind be done, tea grown in S. India cannot attain that com- 

 mercial value which it might probably acquire were it generously 

 taken up. The tea shrub is remarkable for its hardiness ; and 

 the cultivation extends over a great breadth of latitude. It pre- 

 fers a climate where the mean temperature is from 67° to 73°. 

 This valuable plant may be seen at several places on the Nilgiri 

 and Pulny hills, in Coorg, on the hill sanatarium of Nundidroog, 

 on the Shevarai and Bababuden Hills, at Curtallum, and in various 

 parts of Travancore. Although tea plants have been introduced, 

 and are growing at each of these localities, they are not all equally 

 promising; and the place in the market which any of them is 

 to occupy has not yet been ascertained, and cannot be so until 

 the introduction of competent manipulation completes the expe- 

 riment.* 



37. Coffee. — Applications for forest land are numerous. The 

 settlers usually select localities in heavy jungle, which are in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of trunk roads ; and if the timber ap- 

 pears to be valuable, the collector refers the application to this 

 office for an opinion. It is of the utmost importance that no 



* See Sir C. Wood's Despatch, 31st Oct. 1860. 



