Aug.  I,  1896.] 
THE  TROPICAL  AGRICULTURIST. 
103 
with  animal  deposits  and  ernshed  gneiss  and  gravel 
have  necessarily  rich  soil.  On  an  estate  I had  cliargo 
of,  there  was  a rank  growth  of  this  weed  on  a 
flat  at  the  foot  of  a hill  which  received  much  wash. 
Cinnamon  grew  luxuriantly  here.  Is  the  conclusion 
sound  that  the  luxuriant  growth  of  the  cinnamon  was 
due  to  the  presence  of  this  weed  ? One  thing  is  beyond 
question,  that  this  weed  deposits  large  quantities 
of  leaves,  easily  decayed,  which  improves  the  soil. 
I must  not  be  understood  to  state  that  the  sensitive 
plant  does  not  improve  the  soil  or  that  the  improved 
appearance  of  coconut  trees  where  this  weed  covers 
the  ground,  is  not  due  to  it.  All  that  I say  is  that 
proof  of  this  is  wanted.  I was  told  by  the  same 
observer  an  experienced  gentleman  who  discovered 
that  the  sensitive  plant  improves  the  soil,  that  the 
“ pilla”  performs  the  same  functions.  Previously  I 
had  not  known  this  shrub  by  name,  but  observed 
that  it  grew  round  manured  coconut  trees  chiefly. 
Here  again  there  is  the  possibility  that  where  coco- 
nut trees  throve  when  this  shrub  covered  the  ground, 
the  cause  could  be  attributed  as  reasonably  to  good 
•oil  as  to  the  growth  of  “ pilla.”  I am  no  botanist, 
but  the  examination  of  the  flower  of  this  shrub 
showed  a resemblance  to  the  flower  of  the  pea 
tribe.  So  that  this,  equally  with  the  different 
varieties  of  “ thora”  which  have  similar  shaped  flowers, 
must  be  a legume,  must  have  tubercular  growth  on 
the  roots  infected  with  nitrogen-assimilating  bacilli, 
and  must  improve  the  soil  it  grows  on.  Anyone 
with  observation  will  have  remarked  that  wherever 
stiff  soils  have  been  manured  by  the  tethering  of 
cattle,  a luxuriant  crop  of  the  different  varieties  of 
“thora”  springs  up.  So  that  if  it  be  the  case  that 
the  soil  in  which  these  shrubs  grow  is  improved, 
it  is  equally  true  that  good  soil  is  necessary  for 
their  growth.  I examined  the  roots  of  the  shrubs 
I have  mentioned,  but  my  inexperienced  eye  failed 
to  detect  the  presence  of  tubercles. 
If  heaps  of  rubbish  are  burnt  on  sandy  soils,  the 
little  organic  matter  they  contain  is  burnt  off  and 
they  are  impoverished.  This  is  testified  to  by  the 
absence  of  all  vegetation  on  such  portions.  If  rub- 
bish be  burnt  on  heavy  soils,  increased  porosity 
follows  aiid  of  necessity  increased  fertility.  This  is 
evidenced  by  a rank  growth  of  weeds  chiefly  the 
“ balauakuta.”  I think  it  may  be  safely  accepted 
as  a rule  that  the  presence  in  luxuriance  of  the 
different  varieties  of  “thora”  and  of  “balanakuta” 
on  a soil  is  indicative  of  its  fertility. 
To  revert  to  the  sensitive  plant.  I do  not  think 
that  even  if  it  be  established  beyond  all  doubt  that 
its  growth  improves  the  soil,  many  land  owners 
will  be  found,  even  amongst  the  ordinary  natives, 
who  will  foster  its  growth.  It  is  a very  troublesome 
weed  and  very  difficult  of  extermination.  If  it  be 
mamotied  up  and  burnt,  a more  luxuriant  growth 
follows.  The  great  drawback  with  it  is  that  it  is  so 
thorny.  The  periodical  cutting  down  suggested  in 
the  “Agricultural  Magazine”  cannot  be  carried  on 
but  with  shod  feet.  Picking  and  gathering  of  nuts 
on  coconut  plantations  will  become  well  nigh  im- 
possible. People  can  be  found  to  grow  “pilla,” 
“ thora”  and  other  ‘ similar  shrubs,  but  I do  not 
think  many  people  can  be  induced  to  grow  the 
sensitive  weed  to  improve  lands.  One  way  of  keep- 
ing down  this  troublesome  weed  is  with  goats,  but 
then  of  course  the  benefits  of  its  growth  will  not 
be  the  same  as  when  it  is  mowed  down  or  dug  into 
the  ground.  If  any  kind  friend  will  send  me  a 
packet  of  the  seeds  of  this  weed,  I will  give  it  a 
test  which  I think  will  be  conclusive,  by  growing 
it  on  a poor,  sandy  soil  where  the  condition  of  the 
trees  is  not  good.  R. 
TEA  IN  DElIliA  DUN. 
The  general  aspect  of  the  Dun,  frjam  the  f.act 
that  it  is  overlooked  from  one  of  our  favourite 
sanitaria,  the  road  to  which  passes  through  it, 
must  be  well  known  to  a large  number  of  Anglo- 
Indians.  The  narrow,  hazy,  hot-looking  strip  stretch- 
ing away  far  below  Mussoorie,  East  and  West, 
with  the  dark  little  Sivvalik  hills  fencing  it  ; in 
and  then  the  misty  expanse  out  and  beyond. 
Within  this  tract — like  to  a variegated  river-bed — 
have  found  a place  and  being  nearly  a score  of 
tea  plantations  ; and  after  many  vicissitudes  and 
change  of  hands,  here  they  appear  now  to  be  fairly 
establishing  their  roots  ; they  are  living  and  doing 
more — in  some  notable  instances  they  are  fairly 
flourishing. 
Ths  Dun  is  one  of  the  cradles  of  tea  industry  ; 
and  may  from  that  evoke  some  interest  ; albeit  it 
has  always  been — as  it  now  is— quite  a minor  tea 
district. 
It  may  be  hazarded — the  prediction — that  it  always 
will  remain  so;  as  will  be,  we  think,  seen  further  on. 
And  yet  at  first  sight  the  newcomer ; even  if  an 
experienced  hand  in  tea,  might  not  understand  why 
this  should  be.  For,  coming  at  some  seasons  of  the 
year  certainly,  everything  would  seem  to  him  very 
much  like  anywhere  else  in  the  tea  districts — would 
seem  very  much  indeed  at  the  first  view  like  Assam. 
Fine  stretches  of  tea  would  he  see — beautifully  grown 
large  bushes,  of  China  jdt  though  they  be.  And  all 
things  would  be  very  familiar  : the  Himalayas  on  the 
one  hand  although  somewhat  barer  would  still  be 
the  friends  and  brothers  of  the  high  hills  so  well- 
known  elsewhere  : likewise  the  littletree  topped  range 
away  on  the  other  side.  He  would  see  tlie  rice — the 
dhati  (the  same  old  name)  growing  in  the  hhets  just 
in  the  pothars : he  would  meet  his  well-known  clumps 
of  bamboos,  although  less  abundantly;  and  if  he 
came  at  the  right  time  would  hear  the  old  familiar 
bird  with  its  re-iterated  injunction  to  ‘ make  more 
pekoe’  I 
Nor  would  he  find  much  difference  inside  the  tea 
buildings.  Everything  pretty  much  the  same  ; except 
that  more  pucha  work,  i.e.,  masonry,  would  meet  the 
eye,  both  within  and  without  and  not  quite  so  much 
the  land  of  cane  and  bamboos ; and  he  would  recog- 
nise acquaintances  of  the  latest  date  in  the  way  of 
tea  machinery.  And  the  planter  he  would  find  very 
comfortably  housed.  ‘ Not  much  of  the  jungle  here  ’ 
would  probably  be  his  e.xpression.  ' 
Were  he  to  come  round  when  leaf  plucking  and  tea 
making  are  in  full  swing  it  would  appear  just  tea 
all  over  ; and  were  it  in  the  bright  and  lovely 
cold  weather,  he  would  probably  term  the  Dun 
simply  glorious’! 
• experienced  friend  to  see  the  district 
m the  heart  of  the  high  hot  weather,  he  would,  if 
there  had  been  previous  drought,  have  an  increase  to 
his  experience  ; and  might  wonder  if  the  dried  and 
burnt  patches  of  plant  would  ever  be  green  and  vieo- 
whole,  however,  he  could  see 
that  the  bushes  stood  the  alien  conditions  remarkably 
well  ; and  were  mostly  green  and  healthy,  though 
there  were  no  flush. 
A growing  feature  is  the  increasing  abundance  of 
shade,  ihe  shisham  tree  is  a great  favourite.  The 
tea  seems  to  like  it  and  to  do  well — certainly  to  in- 
crease  in  thick  bulk— wherever,  near  it  as  under  it; 
and  the  shisham  is  fine-wooded  tree — one  of  the 
most  valuable. 
Well,  to  come  to  the  tea  itself— the  manufactured 
article  infused.  That  would  not  meet  with  eulogy. 
Its  but  poor  stuff,  the  Dun  tea.  Otherwise  thire 
would  be  fortunes  to  be  made  in  the  place;  as 
labour  is  abundant  and  cheap;  and  the  yield  is  very 
good,  going  up  to  700  lb.  per  acre. 
And  why  is  the  tea  so  poor  there  ? 
Well  m one  word,  ‘climate.’  The  tea  w poor;  and 
It  13  likely  to  remain  so.  It  has  neither  strength 
iS  flavour,  as  these  characteristics  are 
unaei stood  by  professional  judges. 
to  use,  or  fairly 
enn  especially  if  kept  to  season.  A 
parat  ye  inferiority  often  excites  astonishment  and  in- 
cieduhty  in  strangers.  However,  there  it  is;  and  that 
finn  working;  after  the  - introduc- 
1 appliances;  and  with  planters  here 
who  have  worko.i  111  tlie  districts  where  first  class 
^ ‘>'11  over  Assam 
told  the  writer  up  in  these  parts  that  the  Dun  was 
ten  degrees  too  cold.  But  Kangra  is  probably 
colder;  and  also  the  tea  localities  about  Danilina 
However,  as  compared  with  Assam  the  Dun  seenis 
not  aromatic  enough.  Assam  is  a richer,  milder, 
moister  climate;  and  one  might  well  expect  more 
