TEA. 



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world with the exceptions above, to v/liich Great Britain is aflclecl, 

 only about two hundred millions of pounds are available. 



When we consider, as already shown, that Great Britain alone con- 

 sumes nearly one hundred and fifty millions, it is evident that two 

 hundred millions is but a scant su^^ply for all outside her — America 

 and Australia, both vast tea-drinking countries, with rapidly increas- 

 ing populations. Victoria alone took for consumption, in 1875, 

 5,915,316 lbs. for a population of 752,445. The duty there is only 

 3d. per pound. Tasmania consumed, in 1875, 614,529 lbs. of tea for 

 a population of 103,663. The duty on tea there is 6d. per lb. 

 California consumes about 4,000,000 lbs. 



The continent of Europe will take more and more tea yearly, for 

 the taste is fast being acquired. The same may be said of many 

 parts of Asia, and if tea is ever drunk by the millions in India, then 

 — but we need not speculate so far ahead. 



It is evident that, supposing the China supply to be a fixed figure 

 which will not increase, any extension in India that now appears 

 possible (the labour sets a limit to it) will not only not exceed the 

 demand, but scarcely keep pace with it. 



Some have started the theory that new tea-producing countries will 

 spring up and compete with India, notably large tracts in tropical 

 America, which have suitable climates, but I think the fear is 

 groundless. Two conditions are necessary for a tea-producing 

 country— a good tea climate, which is more or less rare, and good and 

 cheap labour'. These China and India have, the latter in perfection 

 in many parts ; but outside these two, to which add Java and Japan 

 (the latter fails in cheap labour), what country possesses the said 

 two requisites ? 



Tea Planting in Cacliar. — The tea plants while young are liable to 

 various mishaps, from the dryness of the weather, from insects, from 

 wild animals, deer, pigs, buffaloes, which abound in the place, and 

 from the want of efficient labour. A piece of tea land of 100 acres 

 seems a small quantity, but in Cachar, except in very favourable 

 situations, it extends to nearly a mile in length over small hills and 

 valleys. The proper superintendence of 500 acres of such land is 

 beyond the power of a single individual ; consequently a great deal 

 must be left to the care of native servants, and such, skilled in tea 

 cultivation, cannot be found in the district, except a few who may 

 stray from Assam, and even they find so great a difference in the 

 aspect of the tea lands between these two parts of the country that 

 their former experience is of little use to them. The Assam planta- 

 tions, I am given to understand, are generally on level or gently 

 inclining lands, whereas the Cachar ones are on teelahs and their 

 slopes, not adapted to retain moisture. Under these circumstances 

 there is no wonder that there should be failures and disappointments. 



If the cultivation advanced by degrees, say 50 acres per annum in 

 the beginning, the result would be more satisfactory and the planters 

 would gain experience. If the plants could be carefully attended to 

 for the first two years, they would acquire a firm hold of the ground, 

 and need very little attention afterwards, except in keeping the 

 ground clear of weeds and jungle. The expectation of making 



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