66 
ANNALS OF THE 
crimination of which is of the utmost importance commercially, and also in an 
economical point of view. This much is known, that the seed having been obtained 
from diflferent parts of China, the introduced plant varies in stature exceedingly, 
from a bushy shrub of 3| feet to a ramous tree 25 feet high. There is also a vast 
difference between the narrow-leaved forms and broad-leaved specimens in some 
of the localities mentioned. At present the leaves are taken indifferently from 
several sorts, which should not be done when preparing tea for commercial purpo- 
ses ; and the means of manufacture are of the rudest description. 
The tea shrub of commerce, though long confined to Eastern Asia, is now cul- 
tivated far beyond the limits of China and Japan — in Java (under the Equator), in 
Assam, the Northwest Provinces of Hindostan, on the banks of the Rio Janeiro, 
and recently in North America. From the published reports of Mr. Fortune and 
Dr. Jameson it appears to prefer a climate probably of 67 ° to 73 mean temper- 
ature. Such is nearly the mean temperature of the hillslopes near Kunur, Kotagiri, 
and of many of the valleys in the eastern and northern slopes of the Pulni and Nil- 
giri Hills, and also of the Bababooden range in Mysore, and of Kudra Muka in 
South Canara. It ought to be observed, as illustrative of the hardiness of the tea 
shrub, that the cultivation extends over a great breadth of latitude (from the banks 
of the Rio Janeiro, 22^ south latitude, to the province of Shanting in China, 
36^ north latitude), and that, as we recede from the equator, the lower latitude 
compensates for the difference of altitude. The Chinese cultivate on the lower 
slopes of the hills, whilst in the Northwest Provinces the culture is carried on be- 
tween 2000 and 6000 feet. This valuable plant has been found wild in Upper As- 
sam and Cachar, whilst its congeners abound on the Nilgiri and other mountain 
ranges of southern India. Its cultivation, therefore, might be attempted with good 
prospect of success in some of the localities above mentioned. In the plantation 
near Kunur we have the opinion of four competent judges that the experiment had 
entirely succeeded as regards the growth of the plants. It now only remains to 
prove the merchantable character of the leaf, and this, I hope, will soon be tested. 
So far as Dr. Cleghorn could judge, the aid of a few practised manipulators is all 
that is required to conduct the manufacturing processes. This has been lately 
sanctioned by Government, and there will thus be opened up a new sphere for 
British energy and capital. The field is a wide one, and when occupied by private 
enterprise, it is not necessary that Government should give assistance further. A 
grant of land for tea cultivation has lately been made to Mr. Rae, near Utakamund. 
One remarkable advantage of tea cultivation is that it may be carried on, in a fine 
climate, above the range of jungle fever, which proves so injurious to many settlers 
in India.* 
*The Botanical Society is desirous of obtaining particulars respecting American Tea culture. 
