1839.] extent and produce of the Tea Plantations in Assam. 185 



involved in debt, go off to their cultivations, at the very time when our 

 Tea operations commence. As long as things continue in this state, 

 the price of Tea will be high ; but if this drawback were removed, there 

 is nothing to prevent our underselling the Chinese, except the experi- 

 ence of a few more years. 



But let us return to our Teas, and take a comparative view of the 

 qualities of the Black and Green-Teas, which may nearly be as follows : 

 Paho Black-Tea leaf would make Green-Tea, some Gunpowder, and 

 some Young Hyson. Pouchong, alihough classed as a second Black- 

 Tea, on account of the price it fetches in the market, is a third-rate 

 leaf, for it is rather larger than the Souchong. Some of it would make 

 Young Hyson, and some Skin-Tea. Souchong would make Hyson and 

 Young Hyson. Toychong would make Skin-Tea. — I will hear mention 

 the different kinds of Black-Teas, to make the matter more clear to 

 those who take an interest in the subject. ThowungPaho (the Sung 

 fa is the same leaf as this) is the downy little leaf not expanded, 

 and the one next to it that has just unfolded a little. This Tea when 

 made appears full of small white leaves, which are the little downy 

 leaves just mentioned. Twazee-PaJw is from the second crop, and near- 

 ly the same kind of Tea, only a little older ; the leaf next the small dow- 

 ny one (being a little more expanded) and the small leaf below this, 

 are taken, making three in all; this has also numerous white leaves, 

 but not so many as the former. Souchong is the next largest leaf ; this is 

 well grown, but embraces all the leaves above it. When the upper leaves 

 have grown out of season for Thowung- P alio , and Twazee-Paho they are 

 all plucked for the Soucho?ig from the third andfourthof the upper leaves. 

 From Souchong leaves, the Minchong and Sgchee Teas are made in the 

 first crop, and no other. Pouchong is the next largest leaf; it is a little 

 older and larger than the Souchong. From this leaf the Sgchee and 

 Minchong Teas can be made in the first crop only. The Pouchong is 

 never made in the second crop, on account of its not having a good 

 flavour: many of the Souchong leaves are mixed up in this Tea. The 

 Toychong leaves are those that are rejected from the Souchong and. 

 Pouchong, as being too large and not taking the roll. When the Teas 

 are picked, these leaves are put on one side. The Chinese often put 

 them into a bag,and give them a twist, something in the Green-Tea way, 

 and then mix them up with the Souchong to add to (he weight. This 

 leaf (Toychong) becomes worse in the second and third crops ; — it is a 

 cheap Tea and sold to the poor. All the Black-Teas that are damaged 

 have the flower of what the Chinese call Qui fa, and another called 

 So?ifa, mixed up with them. One pound of the flowers is put to each 



