TEA. 



109 



as it is to most other forms of vegetation. Now to consider the 

 question of stony soils. Many are of opinion that the presence of 

 stone in a soil is not desirable ; but past experience, both of soils 

 that were very stony, and of soils almost free from stone, has led me 

 to think differently. Light soils, free from stone, are certainly 

 more easy to work, but then they are more liable to wash. In clayey 

 soils, stones assist filtration. Stone, unless present in large masses, 

 is, in my opinion, no disadvantage to soil. Moreover, granitic gneiss, 

 felspar, quartz, &c., when undergoing decomposition under the mecha- 

 nical influence of sun and rain, supply a valuable inorganic manure. 

 Under every stone there is a constant and never-failing supply of 

 moisture ; stones absorb heat during the day and give it out at night, 

 thus rendering the temperature in their immediate neighbourhood 

 more equable. They prevent^ wash, and retain large quantities of 

 rich soil in their crevices, which latter would otherwise be lost. It is 

 only when the tap-roots strike upon a large stone that any injury 

 results. If a soil is too sandy, an admixture of clay and cattle manure 

 will remedy the defect. This may frequently be effected by turning 

 up a portion of the subsoil. If too clayey, burning and subsequently 

 mixing wood ashes with the soil will be a good remedy. If deficient 

 in humus, organic manures must be applied. There are certain soils 

 especially to be avoided by the planter. These are — 1. Peaty soils ; 

 2. Strong heavy clays ; 3. Soils composed almost entirely of sand ; 

 4. Sour grass lands. 



Labour. — There are two classes of labour generally employed on 

 tea estates, viz. local and imported. If a sufficient supply of labour 

 can be obtained, a great saving will be effected to the planter during 

 the first five years ; and whenever he can he should keep this point in 

 view. Such labour is, as a rule, cheaper ; there is no expense in 

 procuring it, no necessity for bringing grain for the men, while the 

 expense of hospitals and lines, medical attendance, &c., is saved. 

 This labour is, however, apt to become very independent ; and there- 

 fore it is always as well to have a certain staff of imported men to fall 

 back uj)on in case of strikes, &c. 



Communication. — Koadmaking is an expensive business, and ought 

 to be kept within bounds ; water communication is by far the best and 

 cheapest, but not often procurable. When this cannot be obtained, 

 you must select land within moderate distance of a Government road. 

 If the tea has to be carried any distance by men or carts, carriage 

 will form a very heavy item in your estate expenditure ; as it will also 

 in the case of tools, supplies, &c., that have to come from a distance. 

 The value of a property, therefore, is much enhanced by its bordering 

 on a navigable river, or having a good road near at hand. 



On the Laying-out of a Tea Estate. — Considerable judgment is 

 required in the selection of that part of a property which is to be 

 opened out. The great point is to combine, as far as you possibly 

 can, the essential qualifications of good soil and a good lay of land, 

 bearing in mind at the same time that compactness of form, and 

 free communication to all paxts of the property, will in after- 

 times greatly facilitate the working of the estate. The first thing 

 to be done by the purchaser is to make himself thoroughly acquainted 



