235 
nd Madagascar. In the Kew Bulletin for February mi B 7, there 
are discussed the prospects of starting a tea industry in Mauritius. H 
was pointed out pat ment were alr’ eady i in that island ee 5,000 t 
plants, “and these should afford a ready means of testing the aie 
“ of the et ney dors for a tea industry as well as the probable cost 
* of produc 
e Seng now the pleasure of recording the faet that tea of very good 
quality has been grown in , Mauritius, and a total weight ht of 865 pounds 
has been. manufactured since January last. is, it is true, is only a 
n1 
** The tea shrub grows w well in the highe? lying parts of Mauritius, 
So far as the ‘etimatd à is concerned the growth of this d in most parts 
of the island that are situated at an elevation of more than 800 feet 
above the level of the sea is proved beyond a doubt. It hs long since 
been introduced and planted at several places; but w 
proved is the quality of the tea which the Mauritian semis leaf will 
produce, Then, whether the yield will be sufficient to give a profit on the 
expense of cultivating the shrub, picking its leaves, preparing them into 
tea, as well as other expenses incident to the cultivation of the shrub 
and the preparation of the leaves for the market, in such a condition as 
to compete favourably with teas from Ceylon, Indis, China, Java, &c. 
* There is at cu NEM in the borders, &e. of the nurse 
gardens at Curepipe, a number of plants that would yield a sufficient 
quantity of leaves to tent their duit when prepared into tea. So far 
then that test could be applied at once. The scot are appliances to 
cure the leaf, and a tea maker or curer. If these problems are satis- 
factorily solved there is not the least doubt that rt will take a place, 
rhaps of no small importance, among the products of the colony. 
The jet is an extract from Report of the Botanic Gardens for 
$s (x ied to which it is decade to draw i mee: of owners of 
land in the elevated parts of the country is the cultivation of tea. This 
shrub thrives admirably on the heights, and its ante if ta taken up 
in a Aueseipens manner would be remunerative. a the year under 
review a "e of tea leaves for a trial to was given to 
Mr. vis, land surveyor, who had cotufder blo experience in 
the ofegant and making of tea in India.. With no other appliances 
than a common pot, in which to dry the leaves, he made a ble tea. 
The sample which he gave me was tried by mye vied and several friends. 
Tts fault was newness, and the tea tasted a musty, from being 
imperfectly dried; still it was ee to show: ire could be done, 
roper appliances and management, of Indians 
are purchasing lands at some elevati portion of the ‘sland. Sugar-cane 
or maize they may not be able to cultivate profitably but the tea-shrub 
uld grow well in these places ; and a central tea curing establishment, 
Men indeed be beneficial to this xs The intelligent and 
ractical manager of the Vacoa Sugar Estates Company, Mr. J. W 
Shaak Ur promised to give the m of the tea shrub and 
tea making a trial, on such a scale, that sound practical sath favourable 
or not favourable might be obtained, However hand-Hervey 
has recently left for MÀ and this matter has been postponed, but 
not for ever, it is to be hoped.’ 
U 73588, B 
