March i, 1882.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
82'X 
times Unit of China seed, and the demand is so great 
that orders have to stand over for years. This method 
of preserving and packing seeds for export is calculated 
to have a wonderful effect on the prosperity of Indian 
tea planters, for they have now the assurance of au 
Established fact that Beed can be packed so as to keep 
for a length of time sufficient to carry them to any 
part of the world that may be found suitable for their 
growth. Owners of good stock can derive a large re- 
venue from their seeds, while their less-fortunate brethren 
nitty ink.' heart, and, by purchasing g I seed, they 
may safely calculate on a larger outturn per acre, I 
the liner quality of the manufactured tea will soon re- 
coup them for then outlay for seed and loss of time 
and ground rent. While the new plants are coming 
to the leaf-hearing stage, the experiments that are now 
being carried on in California and Australia (and sug- 
gested for New Zealand by letters in the Herald) will 
be watched with interest, and, should they prove suc- 
cessful, they may be the means of helping to solve 
Unit vexed -problem of Chinese labour by providing a 
new industry eminently suited to the deft lingers and 
natural occupation of the yellow man. If we are Qol 
taking up too much of your valuable space, v.e should 
like to touch on a point which is suggested by one 
clause of Colonel Money's— namely, "The Indian tea 
is vastly superior to China tea, and commands a much 
higher price at home." This is no doubt quite tine, and 
from a planter's point of view it cannot be denied; 
still we should like to record our opinion after 20 
years' experience inClasgow, where we have had many 
Opportunities of noting the public taste, and it is 
well to look at the question from all sides. 
That the Indian plant is more prolific and fetches a 
higher price is a fact which goes to show that plan! tag 
from Indian seeds lias a double chance over China 
seeds ol' turning out a profitable Icrtaking. Indian 
tea commands a higher price because it is much stronger, 
and is, therefore, valuable for giving body to a mixture 
of China teas; but this high price is very often out of 
proportion to its real value in the pot— the value is 
tictilious on account of their beautiful appearance to 
the eye, being in reality what the llighlaiulman said 
of his daughter, although he meant the reverse — " She 
was bonnier nor she was better." 
Strength of body, and toughness is a sine qua non 
in a piece of iron or steel, but is not absolutely so 
with regard to tea. Tea is drank under the belief and 
hope Unit it will have an exhilarating and invigorating 
effect upon the system — which it undoubtedly has if 
properly infused and used in moderation. .Now, the 
qualifies are often so derided as to render them nause- 
: one to the palate of ladies and delicate people ; but 
these very properties commend them to the working 
classes, who "like something to grip the mouth." In 
China tea those characteristics are not so marked; but 
it possesses a liner llavoiir, and a more refreshing and 
exhilarating quality than tho Indian, and. these are 
virtues of no little moment, (liven a sample of Indian 
(Assam) tea costing "2s (id oil the London market, and 
a sample of China tea at the same rate; an infusion 
of one ounce in a large teapot of each tea will yield 
liquors vastly different. The Indian sample will be very 
strong, rasping, and dark, with a flavour that is not 
pleasant to nine out of every ten people, a weaker in- 
fusion simply tones down, but cannot remove the un- 
pleasant taste and flavour. On the other hand, (be 
China sample will he of a moderate strength, with a 
soft, silky filling on the palate, a phasing colour 1" 
tho eye, with a most agreeable flavour to every palate 
exeept one that may have been rendered lr-s slisco, t 
ible to n delieale, delicious impression by reason of 
much smoking mid drinking. In short, it may be ,-ai I 
that Indian tea talisucs the palate ur\ qmikU \wUivul 
3iisation or a feeling of over-satisfaction. Judged 
, effect on the human system, aud not by its 
on the market, we beg humbly, and with eon- 
ble diffidence, to contradict so exalted an authority 
)lonel Money by declaring our opinion that " China 
i vastly superior to Indian tea." 
present it is well-known that India teas are not 
used by themselves, very few people relish them 
, and they are almost solely used for mixing with 
i tea. Now, we venture to think, and give tho 
stion for what it may be worth, that if the Indian 
3rs could or would produce a "self tea" (ono 
ug no mixture), combining the body aud fullness 
e Indian tea along with the refreshing qualities 
a China tea, they would give an immense impetus 
flu 
dia: 
the 
from our own empire, at the same tune promoting thi 
well-being of the native population. Some of the Dar- 
jeeling teas of recent years have heen approaching this 
style of a " self tea," but the fine ones are (in our 
opinion) too dear ; and the medium and common ones 
are often raw in taste, and slightly herby in flavour, 
something like the smell of new hay — a very pleasant 
flavour in its own place, but the breakfast table is not 
that place. In the preface to the first edition of his 
donel Mi 
up 
at every visit to plantations other than his own, ho 
has taken notes and learnt something — if rarely no- 
thing to follow, something at least to avoid." 
The writer of this letter has learnt much from 
Colonel Money's able essay, and much from personal 
intercourse with Mr. Cruickshank ; and the copious 
notes which he took and received during many convers- 
ations with Mr. Cruickshank have enabled him to string 
together a number of facts which cannot fail to interest 
many readers of tho He raid ; and in this hope he begs 
to subscribe himself, sir, your obedient servant, 
Si'u.uti Cranston. 
FLOWERS FOR THE TROPICS. 
(From Sutton's Tropical Garden Guide.) 
'Continued from page 736.) 
Loasa. 
A very beautiful climber. 
LlNUM GltAHMi'LOliCJI. 
A beautiful annual of slender growth. It thrives bet'.er 
in a well- manured border than in pans. Sow in Octol er. 
Lobelia. 
A useful and beautiful annual, suited for pot culture, 
hanging baskets, bedding or edgings. Light sandy soil 
required, with plenty of moisture. Sow in October, 
aud prick out when large enough to handle. 
Lupin us. 
A good old-fashioned showy flower. Sow 3 or 4 seeds 
together after having soaked them in water to render 
germination easier. Sow in October, and do not transplant. 
Merkmiiryantiikmi'm. 
This beautiful annual is highly appreciated in India, 
the flowers, when open in the sunshine, being of great 
beauty. Sow in October in shallow pans filled with good 
soil, and transplant as soon as ready. 
M.u.oi'E. 
Sow in October whore the plants are to remain, as 
they seldom thrive after transplanting. 
M.uuuou). 
Sow in any good soil, and transplant to tho places 
ubeie thev are intended to bloom when about 2 indies 
.high. 
