380 



TEA D1STKICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. XXII. 



From the description thas given, it will be ob- 

 served that I consider the Kutoor plantations in a 

 most flourishing condition ; and I have no doubt 

 they will continue to flourish, and soon convince the 

 Zemindars of the value of tea-cultivation, provided 

 three things intimately connected with the success of 

 the crop are strongly impressed upon their minds ; 

 viz., the unsuitableness of low wet lands for tea culti- 

 vation ; the folly of irrigating tea as they would do 

 rice ; and the impropriety of commencing the pluck- 

 ing before the plants are strong and of considerable 

 size. I am happy to add that amongst these hills 

 there are no foolish prejudices in the minds of the 

 natives against the cultivation of tea. About the 

 time of my visit a Zemindar came and begged to have 

 2000 plants to enable him to commence tea-growing 

 on his own account. 



It is of great importance that the authorities of a 

 district and persons of influence should show an in- 

 terest in a subject of this kind. At present the natives 

 do not know its value, but they are as docile as 

 children, and will enter willingly upon tea-cultivation 

 providing the " sahib " shows that he is interested in 

 it. In a few years the profits received will be a 

 sufficient inducement. 



About the middle of July we left the Almorah 

 districts in order to visit those of Bheem Tal. Our 

 road led across a high mountain which lies between 

 Almorah and the plains of India. I think it is called 

 the Gaughur mountain, and is nearly 9000 feet above 

 the level of the sea. While winding up the sides of 



