Chap. XXII. SUGGESTIONS ON TEA-CULTURE. 393 



doubt much if any of them learned their trade in 

 China. They ought to be gradually got rid of and 

 their places supplied by better men, for it is a great 

 pity to teach the natives an inferior method of mani- 

 pulation. The men brought round by me are first- 

 rate green-tea makers ; tbey can also make black tea, 

 but they have not been in the habit of making so 

 much black as green. They have none of the Canton 

 illiberality or prejudices about them, and are most 

 willing to teach their art to the natives, many of 

 whom will, I have no doubt, soon become excellent 

 tea manufacturers. And the instruction of the na- 

 tives is one of the chief objects which ought to be 

 kept in view, for the importation of Chinese mani- 

 pulators at high wages can only be regarded as a 

 temporary measure ; ultimately the Himalayan tea 

 must be made by the natives themselves ; each native 

 farmer must learn how to make tea as well as how to 

 grow it ; he will then make it upon his own premises, 

 as the Chinese do, and the expenses of carriage will 

 be much less than if the green leaves had to be taken 

 to the market. 



But as the Zemindars will be able to grow tea 

 long before they are able to make it, it would be 

 prudent in the first instance to offer them a certain 

 sum for green leaves brought to the Government 

 manufactory. 



I have pointed out the land most suitable for the 

 cultivation of tea, and shown that such land exists in 

 the Himalayas to an almost unlimited extent. But 

 if the object the Government have in view be the 



