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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0770e17 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52925 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52925) diff --git a/old/52925-0.txt b/old/52925-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d9db7af..0000000 --- a/old/52925-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13613 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea, by Edward Money - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea - -Author: Edward Money - -Release Date: August 29, 2016 [EBook #52925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURE OF TEA *** - - - - -Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note - -Italic text is indicated by _underscores_, and bold text by -~swung dashes~. - - - - - THE - CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE - OF - TEA. - - - - - THE - CULTIVATION & MANUFACTURE - OF - TEA, - - - BY - LIEUT.-COL. EDWARD MONEY, - - - THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF WHICH SECURED THE PRIZE OF THE - GRANT GOLD MEDAL AND Rs. 300, AWARDED BY THE AGRICULTURAL - AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF INDIA - IN THE YEAR 1871. - - - _FOURTH EDITION_, - REVISED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS. - - - LONDON: - W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO., 91, GRACECHURCH STREET. - CALCUTTA: THACKER & CO. - 1883. - - - - -PREFACE - -TO - -THE FOURTH EDITION. - - -Six new Chapters are added. So much has been done in Tea since I last -wrote, I found it impossible to embody all in the former book, and so -preferred to give it separately. The new Chapters treat of-- - - COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA AND INDIA THAT PRODUCE TEA. - - TEA STATISTICS. - - MARKETS FOR TEA OUTSIDE GREAT BRITAIN. - - MAKING INDIAN TEA KNOWN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. - - TEA MACHINERY. - - WEIGHING AND BULKING OF INDIAN TEAS AT CUSTOM HOUSE. - -A separate and full Index of the subjects treated of in the additions -to this Fourth Edition will be found at the end of the Book. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - EAST INDIA CLUB, ST. JAMES’S SQUARE, - _July, 1883_. - - - - -PREFACE - -TO - -THE THIRD EDITION. - - -The experience of four more years, which includes six months’ residence -in the Neilgherries, is embodied in the following, while the whole of -the letter-press of the Second Edition has been corrected and revised. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - LONDON, - _April, 1878_. - - - - -PREFACE - -TO - -THE SECOND EDITION. - - -Three years’ further experience, and visiting two Tea districts I had -not seen before, have enabled me to amend whatever was faulty in the -First Edition. The whole has been revised, and much new matter is added -throughout. A new Chapter at the end on the Past, the Present, and the -Future of Indian Tea will, it is hoped, be found interesting. An Index -(a great want to the First Edition) is added, so that all information -on any point can be at once found. The manufacture of Green Tea, of -which I was ignorant when I last wrote, is given, and the advisability -of that manufacture is discussed. - -In its present form I hope and believe this little work will be found -useful and interesting to all connected with Tea. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - DARJEELING, - _May, 1874_. - - - - -PREFACE - -TO - -THE FIRST EDITION. - - -The following Essay was written with, _firstly_, the object of -competing for the Gold Medal and the Money Prize offered by the -Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India for the best treatise -on the cultivation and manufacture of Tea; and, _secondly_, with the -view of arranging the hundreds of notes on these subjects, which, in -the course of eleven years, I had collected. - -During all these years I have been a Tea planter, making first for -myself and others a garden in the Himalayas, and for the last six years -doing the same thing for myself in the Chittagong district. - -Whenever I have visited other plantations (and I have seen a great -number in many districts), I have brought away notes of all I saw. Up -to the last, at every such visit, I have learnt _something_--if rarely -nothing to follow, something at least to avoid. I have now tested all -and everything connected with the cultivation and manufacture of Tea -by my own experience, and I can only hope that what I have written -will be found useful to an industry destined yet, I believe, in spite -of the late panic--the natural result of wild speculation--to play an -important part in India. - -I have endeavoured to adapt this Essay to the wants of a beginner, as -there are many of that class now, and may yet be more in days to come, -who must feel, as I often have, the want of a really practical work on -Tea. - -To those who have Tea properties in unlikely climates and unlikely -sites, I would say two words. No view I have taken of the advantages of -different localities _can_ in any way affect the results of enterprises -already entered upon. But if the note of warning, sounded in the -following pages, checks further losses in Tea, already so vast, while -it fosters the cultivation on remunerative sites, I shall not have -written in vain. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - SUNGOO RIVER PLANTATION, - CHITTAGONG, - _November, 1870_. - - - - -CONTENTS - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. PAST AND PRESENT FINANCIAL PROSPECT OF TEA 1 - II. LABOUR, LOCAL AND IMPORTED 10 - III. TEA DISTRICTS AND THEIR COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES. - CLIMATE, SOIL, &C., IN EACH 13 - IV. SOIL 31 - V. NATURE OF JUNGLE 34 - VI. WATER AND SANITATION 35 - VII. LAY OF LAND 37 - VIII. LAYING OUT A GARDEN 42 - IX. VARIETIES OF THE TEA PLANT 47 - X. TEA SEED 54 - XI. COMPARISON BETWEEN SOWING IN NURSERIES AND IN SITU 57 - XII. SOWING SEED IN SITU, ID EST, AT STAKE 59 - XIII. NURSERIES 62 - XIV. MANURE 67 - XV. DISTANCES APART TO PLANT TEA-BUSHES 71 - XVI. MAKING A GARDEN 73 - XVII. TRANSPLANTING 76 - XVIII. CULTIVATION OF MADE GARDENS 81 - XIX. PRUNING 86 - XX. WHITE ANTS, CRICKETS, AND BLIGHT 89 - XXI. FILLING UP VACANCIES 92 - XXII. FLUSHING AND NUMBER OF FLUSHES 97 - XXIII. LEAF-PICKING 102 - XXIV. MANUFACTURE. MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES 109 - XXV. SIFTING AND SORTING 134 - XXVI. BOXES. PACKING 147 - XXVII. MANAGEMENT, ACCOUNTS, FORMS 152 - XXVIII. COST OF MANUFACTURE, PACKING, TRANSPORT, &C. 160 - XXIX. COST OF MAKING A 300-ACRE TEA GARDEN 163 - XXX. HOW MUCH PROFIT TEA CAN GIVE 168 - XXXI. THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF INDIAN TEA 174 - XXXII. COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA AND INDIA THAT PRODUCE TEA 183 - XXXIII. STATISTICS REGARDING INDIAN TEA 194 - XXXIV. MARKETS OUTSIDE GREAT BRITAIN 207 - XXXV. MAKING INDIAN TEA KNOWN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 218 - XXXVI. TEA MACHINERY 222 - XXXVII. WEIGHING AND BULKING OF INDIAN TEAS AT CUSTOM HOUSE 272 - - ADDENDA TO THIRD EDITION 293 - - INDEX 299 - - - - -PRIZE ESSAY - -ON THE - -CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE - -OF TEA IN INDIA. - -_PREMIUM, THREE HUNDRED RUPEES AND THE GRANT GOLD MEDAL._ - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -PAST AND PRESENT FINANCIAL PROSPECTS OF TEA. - - - _Will Tea pay?_ Certainly, on a suitable site, and in a good Tea - climate; equally certainly _not_ in a bad locality with other - drawbacks. - - _Why, then, has Tea only paid during the last few years_ (?) Simply - because nothing will pay, which is embarked on without the requisite - knowledge; and this was pre-eminently the case with Tea. - -Nothing was known of Tea formerly, when everybody rushed into it; not -much is known even now. Still, with those drawbacks and many others, -the enterprise has survived, and it is very certain the day will never -come that Tea cultivation will cease in India. - -I believe there is nothing will pay better than Tea, if embarked on -with the necessary knowledge in suitable places, but failing either of -these success must not be hoped for. - -It was madness to expect aught but ruin, under the conditions which the -cultivation was entered on in the Tea-fever days. People who had failed -in everything else were thought quite competent to make plantations. -’Tis true Tea was so entirely a new thing at that time, but few could -be found who had any knowledge of it. Still, had managers with some -practice in agriculture been chosen, the end would not have been so -disastrous. But any one--literally any one--was taken, and tea planters -in those days were a strange medley of retired or cashiered army and -navy officers, medical men, engineers, veterinary surgeons, steamer -captains, chemists, shop-keepers of all kinds, stable-keepers, used-up -policemen, clerks, and goodness knows who besides! - -Is it strange the enterprise failed in their hands? Would it not have -been much stranger if it had not? - -This was only one of the many necessities for failure. I call them -“necessities” as they appear to have been so industriously sought after -in some cases. I must detail them shortly, for to expatiate on them -would fill a book. - -No garden should exceed 500 acres under Tea. If highly cultivated one -of even half that size will pay enormously, far better than a larger -area with low cultivation. Add, say, 400 acres for charcoal, &c., -making 900 or say 1,000 acres the outside area that can be required, -and the outside that should ever have been purchased for any one -estate. Instead of this, individuals and Companies rushing into Tea -bought tracts of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty thousand acres. The -idea was that, though it might not be all cultivated, by taking up -so large an area all the local labour where there was any would be -secured. Often, however, these large tracts were purchased where local -labour there was none, and what the object there was is a mystery. -I conceive, however, there was a hazy idea that _if_ 500 acres paid -well, 1,000 would pay double, and that eventually even two or three -thousand acres would be put under Tea and make the fortunate possessor -a _millionaire_. In short, there were no bounds, in fancy, to the size -a garden might be made, and thus loss No. 2 took place when absurdly -large areas were bought of the Government and large areas cultivated. - -The only fair rules for the sale of waste lands were those of Lord -Canning, which the Secretary of State at home, who could know nothing -of the subject, chose to modify and upset. Instead of Rs. 2-8 per acre -for all waste lands (by no means a low price, when the cost of land -in the Colonies is considered) and that the applicant for the land -(who had, perhaps, spent months seeking for it) should have it, the -illiberal and unjust method of putting the land up to auction with an -upset price of Rs. 2-8 was adopted, the unfortunate seeker, finder, -and applicant, through whose labour the land had been found, having no -advantage over any other bidder. The best, at least the most successful -plan in those days, though as unfair and illiberal as the Government -action, was to wait till some one, who was supposed to know what good -Tea land was, applied for a piece, and then bid half an anna more than -he did, and thus secure it. It _paid_ much better than hunting about -for oneself, and it was kind and considerate on the part of Government -to devise such a plan! - -In those fever days, with the auction system, lands almost always sold -far above their value. The most absurd prices, Rs. 10 and upwards -per acre, were sometimes paid for wild jungle lands. Tracts, which -natives could have, and in some cases _did_ lease from Government for -inconceivably small sums, representing, say, at thirty years’ purchase, -4 annas per acre, were put up for auction with a limit of Rs. 2-8, and -sold perhaps at Rs. 8 or 10 per acre. Had the Government given land -_gratis_ to Tea cultivators the policy would have been a wise one. To -do what they did was scarcely acting up to their professed wish “to -develope the resources of the country.” - -Since the above was written, new rules have been published for the sale -of waste lands. The objectionable auction system is continued, and the -upset price is much enhanced, as follows:-- - - -_Schedule of Rates of Upset Prices._ - - Upset price per acre. - Districts of the Assam Division Rs. 8 - Districts of Cachar and Sylhet 8 - Districts of the Chittagong Division 6 - Districts of the Chota Nagpore Division 5 - The Soonderbuns 5 - All other Districts 10 - -It is not likely that Government will sell much land at such exorbitant -rates.[1] - -Security of title, it is generally thought, is one of the advantages -of buying land from the State; but I grieve to state my experience is -that the reverse is the case, and will so remain until the following is -done:-- - -_First._ The Government should learn _what is and what is not theirs to -sell_. Such an absurdity, then, as Government ascertaining, years after -the auction, that they had sold lands they had no right to sell, could -not be. - -_Secondly._ That before land is sold it be properly surveyed and -demarcated; and what might so easily have been done, and which alone -would have compensated for much of bad procedure in other respects, -that the simple and obvious plan before the sale, of sending a European -official to show the neighbouring villagers and intending purchasers -the boundaries of the land to be sold, be resorted to. - -This last simple expedient would have saved some grantees years of -litigation, and many a hard thought of the said grantees against the -Government. It would naturally occur to any one at all conversant with -the subject; but, _alas!_ in India this is often not the condition -under which laws are made. - -But there is another difficulty at the back of all this. - -Though the Waste Land Rules enact that the Government, and not the -grantee, shall be the defendant in any claim for land within a lot -sold, practically the said enactment in no way saves grantees from -litigation. Claimants for land always plead that it is _not_ within -the boundaries of the land sold, and _ergo_ the grantee is made the -defendant to prove that it is. The villagers never having been shown -the boundaries by any Government official (for it is not enacted in the -Waste Land Rules), the question whether the land claimed is within or -without the boundaries is an open one, not always easily decided, and -the suit runs its course. - -I even know of cases where, though survey has been charged for at -the exorbitant rate of four annas an acre, the outer boundaries of -the lot have never been surveyed at all, but merely copied from old -Collectorate maps, which showed the boundaries between the zemindaree -and waste lands.[2] Is it strange, then, if buying lands from -Government is often buying litigation, worry, loss of time and money. - -In many countries, for example Prussia (there I know it is so, for I -have tested it again and again), there are official records which can -and do show to whom any land in question belongs. This may scarcely be -practicable in India, but surely the question of title being, as it -is, in a far worse state in India than in most countries, any change -would be for the better. Anyhow, the present mode the Government adopts -in selling lands is a grievous wrong to the purchasers. Words cannot -describe the worry and loss some have suffered thereby, and it might -all be so easily avoided. - -I have above detailed two of the drawbacks Tea had to contend with in -its infancy; the absurdly high price paid for land was the third. - -Again, companies and proprietors of gardens wishing to have large -areas under cultivation gave their managers simple orders to extend, -not judiciously, but in any case. What was the result? Gardens might -be seen in those days with 200 acres of so-called cultivation, but -with 60 or even 70 per cent. vacancies, in which the greater part of -the labour available was employed in clearing jungle for 100 acres -further extension in the following spring. I have seen no garden in -Assam or Cachar with less than 20 per cent. vacancies, many with far -more; and yet most of them were extending. I do not believe _now_ any -garden in all India exists with less than 12 per cent. vacancies, but -a plantation as full as this did _not_ exist formerly. - -As the expenditure on a garden is in direct proportion to the area -cultivated, and the yield of Tea likewise in direct proportion to the -number of plants, it follows the course adopted was the one exactly -calculated to entail the greatest expenditure for the smallest yield. -This unnecessary, this wilful extension, was the fourth and a very -serious drawback. - -Under this head the fourth drawback may also be included--the fact -that the weeds in all plantations were _ahead_ of the labour; that is -to say, that gardens were not kept clean. This is more or less even -the case to-day; it was the invariable rule then. The consequence was -two-fold--_first_, a small yield of Tea; _secondly_, an increased -expenditure; for it is a fact that the land fifty men can keep always -clean, if the weeds are never allowed to grow to maturity and seed, -will take nearer one hundred if the weeds once get ahead. The results, -too, differ widely: in the first case the soil is always clear; in -the second clear only at intervals. The first, as observed, can be -accomplished with fifty, the latter will take nearly double the men. - -The fifth drawback I shall advert to again later, _viz._, the selection -of sloping land, often the steepest that could be found, on which to -plant Tea. The great mischief thus entailed will be fully described -elsewhere. It was the fifth, and not the least, antagonistic point to -success. - -Number six was the difficulty in the transport of seed to any new -locality, for nine times out of ten a large proportion failed; and -again the enormous cost of Tea seed in those days, Rs. 200 a maund (Rs. -500 at least, deducting what failed, was its real price). This item of -seed alone entailed an enormous outlay, and was the sixth difficulty -Tea cultivation had to contend with. It was, however, a source of great -profit to the old plantations, and principally accounts for the large -dividends paid for years by the Assam Company. - -Again, many managers at that time had no experience to guide them in -the manufacture of Tea; each made it his own way, and often turned out -most worthless stuff. There is great ignorance on the subject at the -present time, but those who know _least_ to-day, know _more_ than the -best informed in the Tea-fever period. Indian Tea was a new thing then; -the supply was small, and it fetched comparatively much higher prices -than it does now. Still much of it was so bad that the average price -all round was low. - -Tea manufacture, moreover, as generally practised then, was a much -more elaborate and expensive process than it is now. - -This will be explained further on, under the head of “Tea Manufacture;” -I merely now state the fact in support of the assertion that the bad -Tea made in those days, and the expensive way it was done, was the -seventh hindrance to successful Tea cultivation. - -Often in those days was a small garden made of 30 or 40 acres, and sold -to a Company as 150 or 200 acres! I am not joking. It was done over -and over again. The price paid, moreover, was quite out of proportion -to even the supposed area. Two or three lakhs of rupees (20,000_l._ or -30,000_l._) have been often paid for such gardens, when not more than -two years old, and 40 per cent. of the existing area, vacancies. The -original cultivators “retired” and the Company carried on. With such -drags upon them (apart from all the other drawbacks enumerated) could -success be even hoped for? Certainly not. - -I could tell of more difficulties the cultivation had to contend with -at the outset, but I have said enough to show, as I remarked, “that it -was not strange Tea enterprise failed, inasmuch as it would have been -much stranger if it had not.” - -Do any of the difficulties enumerated exist now? And may a person -embarking in Tea to-day hope, with reasonable hope, for success? Yes, -certainly, I think as regard the latter--the former let us look into.[3] - -People who understand more or less of Tea are plentiful, and a good -manager, who knows Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture well, may be -found. It will scarcely pay to buy land of the Government at the -present high rates, but many people hold large tracts in good Tea -localities, and would readily sell. - -There is plenty of flat land to be got, so no evil from slopes need be -incurred. - -Tea seed is plentiful and cheap. - -The manufacture of Tea (though still progressing) is simple, -economical, and more or less known. Anyhow a beginner now will commence -where others have left off. - -Of course to buy a made garden cheap is better than to make one; but -the result in this case is of course no criterion of what profit may be -expected from Tea cultivation. - -As many of the items to be calculated under the heads of cultivation, -manufacture, and receipts will be better understood after details on -these subjects are gone into, I shall reserve the consideration of “how -much profit Tea can give” to the end of this treatise. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] Since the Second Edition went to press, further Rules for Waste -Lands have been enacted. Generally speaking, they are only now leased -to applicants. - -[2] I need scarcely observe it is impossible to define lands from maps -alone without the field-book. - -[3] Note to Third Edition.--Since the above was written, Teas, both -Indian and Chinese, have had a heavy fall, due to the simple fact that -the supplies have exceeded the demands. But with increased knowledge -and experience, producers can afford to sell cheaper, and the present -absurdly low prices ruling will, I think, work their own cure. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -LABOUR, LOCAL AND IMPORTED. - - -When the very large amount of labour required to carry on a plantation -is considered, it is evident that facilities for it are a _sine quâ -non_ to success. Assam and Cachar, the two largest Tea districts, -are very thinly populated, and almost entirely dependent on imported -labour.[4] The expense of this is great, and it is the one, and -consequently a great drawback to those provinces. The only district -I know of with a good Tea climate and abundance of local labour is -Chittagong.[5] Several other places have a good supply of local labour, -but then their climates are not very suitable. - -Each coolie imported costs Rs. 30 and upwards (it used to be much more) -ere he arrives on the garden and does any work. After arrival he has -to be housed; to be cared for and _physicked_ when sick; to be paid -when ill as when working; to have work found for him, or paid to sit -idle when there is no work; and in addition to all this every death, -every desertion, is a loss to the garden of the whole sum expended in -bringing the man or woman. Contrast this with the advantages of local -labour. In many cases no expense for buildings is necessary, as the -labourers come daily to work from adjacent villages, and in such cases -no expense is entailed by sick men, for these simply remain at home. -There is no loss by death or desertions. When no work is required on -the garden, labour is simply not employed. All this makes local labour, -even where the rate of wages is high, very much cheaper than imported. - -The action of Government in the matter of imported labour has much -increased the difficulties and expense necessarily attendant on it. -It is a vexed and a very long question which I care not to enter into -minutely, for it has been discussed already _ad nauseam_; still I must -put on record my opinion, after looking very closely into it, that the -Government has not acted wisely, inasmuch as any State interference in -the relations of employer and employed (outside the protection which -the existing laws give) is a radical mistake. As for the law passed -on the subject to the effect that a coolie who has worked out his -agreement and voluntarily enters into a new one shall be, as before, -under Government protection, and his employer answerable as before to -Government, for the way he is housed, treated when sick, &c., it is not -easy to see why such enactments are more necessary in his case than in -that of any other hired servant or labourer throughout all India. - -All evidence collected, all enquiries made, tend to show that -coolies are well treated on Tea estates. It is the interest of the -proprietors and managers to do so, and self-interest is a far more -powerful inducement than any the Government can devise. The meddling -caused by the visits of the “Protector of Coolies”[6] to a garden -conduces to destroy the kind feelings which should (and in spite of -these hindrances often do) exist between the proprietor or manager -and his men. I do not hesitate in my belief that imported coolies on -Tea plantations would be better off in many ways were all Government -interference abolished. - -I do not decry Government action to the extent of seeing the coolies -understand their terms of engagements, and are cared for on their -journey to the Tea districts; but once landed on the garden, all -Government interference should cease. - -The idea of the State laying down how many square yards of jungle each -coolie shall clear in a day, how many square feet he shall dig, &c., -&c.! Can _any_ certain rates be laid down for such work? Is all jungle -the same, all soil the same; and even if such rates _could_ be laid -down, how can the rules be followed? Bah! they are _not_, never will -be, and the whole thing is too childish for serious discussion. - -It is not difficult to sit at a desk and frame laws and rules that -look feasible on paper. It is quite another thing to carry them out. -Over-legislation is a crying evil in India, but there is still a worse, -namely, legislation and official action on subjects of which the said -officials are utterly ignorant. - -I have said enough to show imported labour cannot vie with local, nor -would it do so were all the evils of Government interference removed. -I therefore believe Tea property in India will eventually pay best -where local labour exists. This will naturally be the case when other -conditions are equal, but so great are the advantages of local labour, -I believe it will also be the case in spite of _moderate_ drawbacks. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Not so much so now as when this was first written. - -[5] Note to Third Edition.--A portion of the Western Dooars may perhaps -be added, but the labour, though adjacent, is not strictly local. Up -to the present, however, I have had but little expense in importing -coolies to the gardens there in which I am interested. - -[6] What a designation! Who invented it, I wonder? A clever man, -doubtless, for Government interference was probably his hobby, and he -quickly perceived the very title would, more or less, render the office -necessary. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -TEA DISTRICTS AND THEIR COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES, CLIMATE, SOIL, ETC., IN -EACH. - - -The Tea districts in India, that is, where Tea is grown in India -to-day, are--[7] - - 1. Assam. - 2. The Dehra Dhoon. - 3. Kumaon (Himalayas). - 4. Darjeeling (Himalayas). - 5. Cachar and Sylhet.[8] - 6. Kangra (Himalayas). - 7. Hazareebaugh. - 8. Chittagong. - 9. Terai below Darjeeling. - 10. Neilgherries (Madras Hills). - 11. Western Dooars. - -In fixing on any district to plant Tea in, four things have to be -considered--viz., soil, climate, labour, and means of transport. -When--the district being selected--a site has to be chosen, all but -the second of these have to be considered again, and the lay of land, -nature of jungle, water, and sanitation are also of great importance in -choosing a site. - -I will first, then, discuss generally the Tea districts given above -as regards the advantages of each for Tea cultivation. I have seen and -studied Tea gardens in all the districts named, except No. 2. What I -know of the Dehra Dhoon is from what I have read, and what is generally -known of the climate. - -Before, however, comparing each district, we should know what are -the necessities of the Tea plant as regards climate and soil. Tea, -especially the China variety, will grow in very varying climates and -soils, but it will not flourish in all of them, and if it does not -flourish, and flourish well, it will certainly not pay. - -The climate required for Tea is a hot damp one. As a rule, a good Tea -climate is not a healthy one. The rainfall should not be less than 80 -to 100 inches per annum, and the more of this that falls in the early -part of the year the better. Any climate which, though possessing -an abundant rainfall, suffers from drought in the early part of the -year is not, _cæteris paribus_, so good as one where the rain is more -equally diffused. _All_ the Tea districts would yield better with more -rain in February, March, and April; and therefore some, where fogs -prevail in the mornings at the early part of the year, are so far -benefited. - -As any drought is prejudicial to Tea, it stands to reason hot winds -must be very bad. These winds argue great aridity, and the Tea plant -luxuriates in continual moisture. - -The less cold weather experienced where Tea is, the better for the -plant. It can stand, and will grow in, great cold (freezing point, -and lower in winter, is found in some places where Tea is), but I do -not think it will ever be grown to a profit on such sites. That Tea -requires a temperate climate was long believed and acted upon by many -to their loss. The climate _cannot_ be too hot for Tea if the heat is -accompanied with moisture. - -Tea grown in temperate climes, such as moderate elevations in the -Himalayas, is quite different to the Tea of hot moist climates, such as -Eastern Bengal. Some people like it better, and certainly the flavour -is more delicate; but it is very much weaker, and the value of Indian -Tea (in the present state of the home market, where it is principally -used for giving “body” to the washy stuff from China) consists in its -strength. Another all-important point in fixing on a climate for Tea -is the fact, that apart from the strength the yield is double in hot, -moist climes, what it is in comparatively dry and temperate ones. A -really pleasant climate to live in _cannot_ be a good one for Tea. I -may now discuss the comparative merits of the different Tea districts. - - -ASSAM. - -This is the principal home of the indigenous plant. The climate in -the northern portions is perfect, superior to the southern, as more -rain falls in the spring. The climate of the whole of Assam, however, -is very good for Tea. The Tea plant yields most abundantly when hot -sunshine and showers intervene. For climate, then, I accord the first -place to Northern Assam. Southern Assam is, as observed, a little -inferior. - -The soil of this province is decidedly rich. In many places there is a -considerable coating of decayed vegetation on the surface, and inasmuch -as in all places where Tea has been or is likely to be planted it is -strictly virgin soil, considerable nourishment exists. The prevailing -soil also is light and friable, and thus, with the exception of the -rich oak soil in parts of the Himalayas, Assam in this respect is -second to none. - -As regards labour we must certainly put it the last on the list. The -Assamese, and they are scanty, won’t work, so the planters, with few -exceptions, are dependent on imported coolies; and inasmuch as the -distance to bring them is enormous, the outlay on this head is large, -and a sad drawback to successful Tea cultivation. - -The Burhampootra--that vast river which runs from one end of Assam to -the other--gives an easy mode of export for the Tea, but still, owing -to the distance from the sea-board, it cannot rank in this respect as -high as some others. - - -CACHAR. - -The indigenous Tea is also found in a part of this province. The -climate differs but little from Assam. In one respect it is better; -more rain falls in the spring. - -The soil is not equal to Assamese soil; it is more sandy, and lacks the -power. Again, there is much more flat land fit for Tea cultivation in -Assam, and there can be no doubt as to the advantage of level surfaces. - -As regards transport Cachar has the advantage, for it has equally a -water-way, and is not so distant from Calcutta. - -The labour aspect is much the same in the two provinces, both being -almost entirely dependent on imported coolies; but Cachar is nearer the -labour fields than Assam. - -However, after discussing separately the advantages of each province, -I propose to draw up a tabular statement, which will show at a glance -the comparative merits of each on each point discussed. - - -CHITTAGONG. - -This is a comparatively new locality for Tea. The climate is better -than Cachar in the one respect that there is less cold weather, -but inferior in the more important fact that much less rain falls -in the spring. In this latter respect it is also inferior to Assam, -particularly to Northern Assam. There is one part of Chittagong, the -Hill Tracts (Tea has scarcely been much tried there yet), which, in -the fact of spring rains, is superior to other parts of the province, -as also in soil, for it is much richer there. On the whole, however, -Chittagong must yield the palm to both Assam and Cachar on the score -of climate, and also, I think, of soil. For though good rich tracts -are occasionally met with, they are not so plentiful as in the two -last-named districts. Always, however, excepting the Hill Tracts of -Chittagong; there the soil is, I think, quite equal to either Assam or -Cachar. - -As regards labour (a very essential point to successful Tea -cultivation), Chittagong is most fortunate. With few exceptions (and -those only partial) all the plantations are carried on with local -labour, which--excepting for about two months, the rice-time--is -abundant. - -For transport (being on the coast with a convenient harbour, a -continually increasing trade, ships also running direct to and from -England), it is very advantageously situated. - -Chittagong possesses another advantage over all other Tea districts -in its large supply of manure. The country is thickly populated, and -necessarily large herds of cattle exist. The natives do not use manure -for rice (almost the sole cultivation), and, consequently, planters can -have it almost for the asking. The enormous advantages of manure in -Tea cultivation are not yet generally appreciated: it will certainly -double the ordinary yield of a Tea garden. A chapter is devoted to this -subject. - - -TERAI BELOW DARJEELING. - -I have seen this, and the Tea in it, since I wrote the first edition of -this Essay. - -The soil is _very_ good for Tea. The climate is also a good one, but -there is not as much rain in the early part of the year as planters -could wish. Much difficulty exists about labour, owing to the very -unhealthy climate. As the jungle is cleared, however, this last -objection will be in a measure got over. As it stands now, it is -perhaps the most unhealthy Tea locality in India. - -Communication will be very easy when the Northern Bengal Railway is -finished, which it will be immediately. - -Except in the point of salubrity (which is, however, an important one), -I think this locality a favourable one for Tea. - - -THE DEHRA DHOON. - -I have heard the first Tea in India was planted here. The lucky men, -two officers, who commenced the plantation, sold it, I believe, in its -infancy, to a company for five lakhs of rupees. What visions did Tea -hold forth in those days! - -In climate the Dehra Dhoon is far from good. The hot dry weather of the -North-west is not at all suited to the Tea plant. Hot winds shrivel it -up, and though it recovers when the rains come down, it cannot thrive -in such a climate. One fact will, I think, prove this. In favourable -climates, with good soil and moderate cultivation, 18 flushes or crops -may be taken from a plantation in a season. With like advantages, and -_heavy_ manuring, 22 or even more may be had. In the “Selections from -the Records of the Government of India” on Tea, published in 1857 (a -book to which many owe their ruin), the following appears, showing how -small are the number of flushes in the North-west:-- - - [Sidenote: Three general gatherings.] - - _Method of gathering Tea Leaves._--The season for gathering leaves - generally commences about the beginning of April, and continues until - October; the number of gatherings varies, depending on the moistness - and dryness of the season. If the season be good, that is to say, - if rain falls in the cold weather and spring, and the general rains - be favourable, as many as five gatherings may be obtained. These, - however, may be reduced to three general periods for gathering--viz., - from April to June, from July to August 15, and from September to - October 15. If the season be a dry one, no leaves ought to be taken - off the bushes after October 1, as by doing so they are apt to be - injured. If, however, there are good rains in September, leaves can - be pulled until October 15, but no later, as by this time they have - got hard and leathery and not fitted for making good Teas, and it - is necessary to give the plants good rest in order to recruit. Some - plants continue to throw out new leaves until the end of November; - but those formed during this month are generally small and tough. - -When this was written, the experience detailed related to Dehra Dhoon, -the Kumaon, and Kangra gardens, and we see that five flushes or -gatherings are thought good. It however makes matters in this respect -(far from a general fault in the said “Records”) worse than they are. -Ten and twelve flushes, with _high_ cultivation, can be got in the -North-west. But what is this as against twenty and twenty-five? - -Labour is plentiful and cheap. The great distance from the coast makes -transport very expensive. - - -KANGRA. - -This is a charming valley, with a delightful climate more favourable -to Tea than the Dehra Dhoon, still it is not a perfect Tea climate. It -is too dry and too cold. The soil is good for Tea, better than that -of the Dhoon, but inferior to some rich soils in the Himalayan oak -forests. Local labour is obtainable at cheap rates. Distance makes -transport for export very difficult; but a good local market now exists -in the Punjab, and a good deal of Tea is bought at the fairs, and taken -away by the wild tribes over the border. With the limited cultivation -there, I should hope planters will find a market for all their produce. -Manure must be obtainable (manure had not been thought of for Tea when -I visited Kangra), and if liberally applied, it will increase the yield -greatly. - -Kangra is strictly a Himalayan district, but the elevation is moderate, -if I remember right, about 3,000 feet, and the land is so slightly -sloping it may almost be called level. A great advantage this over the -steep lands, on which most of the Himalayan gardens, many in Cachar, -and some in Assam and Chittagong, are planted. - -Kangra is _not_ the best place for a man who wants to make money by -Tea; but for one who would be content to settle there, and content to -make a livelihood by it, a more desirable spot with a more charming -climate could not be found. Land, however, is not easily procured. - -The Teas produced in Kangra are of a peculiarly delicate flavour, and -are consequently highly esteemed in the London market. - - -DARJEELING. - -This, too, I have seen since I published the first edition of this -Essay. The elevation of the station, 6,900 feet, is far too great; -but plantations lower down do tolerably well (that is, well for hill -gardens). The climate, like all hill climates, is too cold. As regards -transport the Darjeeling plantations will be well situated when the -railroad now constructing is finished. Like elevations in Darjeeling -and Kumaon are in favour of the former, _first_, because the latitude -is less; _secondly_, because Darjeeling has much more rain in the -spring. I believe, therefore, that the hill plantations of Darjeeling -have a better chance of paying than the gardens in Kumaon, but, as -stated before, no elevated gardens, that is, none in the Himalayas, -have any chance in the race against plantations in the plains, always -providing the latter are in a good Tea climate. - -In two respects, however, Darjeeling is behind Kumaon. The soil is not -so good, and the land is much steeper. It is more than absurd, some of -the steeps on which Tea is planted in the former; and such precipices -can, I am sure, never pay. Gardens, barely removed above the Terai -(and there are such in Darjeeling), can scarcely be called “elevated,” -and for them the remarks applied to the Terai are more fitting. As a -broad rule it should be recognised that the lower Tea is planted in the -Himalayas the better chance it has. - -All the plants in the Darjeeling gardens, with but few exceptions, are -China. - -The China plant makes by far the best Green Tea, and I believe the -Darjeeling gardens would pay much better than they do if they altered -their manufacture from black to green. (See further on, under the head -of Hazareebaugh, what has been done in this way.) All Himalayan gardens -should, in my opinion, make Green Tea (Kumaon has awoke to the fact), -for all have China plants, and can therefore make far better Green Tea -than can be produced from the Hybrid which is so general in plain -gardens.[9] - - -KUMAON. - -It was in this district (a charming climate to live in, with -magnificent scenery to gaze at) I first planted Tea in India, and I -much wish for my own sake, and that of others, I had not done so. I -knew nothing of Tea at the time, and I thought a district selected by -Government for inaugurating the cultivation must necessarily be a good -one. No hill climate _can_ be a good one for Tea; but the inner part of -Kumaon, very cold, owing to its elevation, high latitude, and distance -from the plains, is a peculiarly bad one. Yet there it was Government -made nurseries, distributed seed gratis, recommended the site for -Tea (see the “Records” alluded to), and led many on to their ruin by -doing so. The intention of the Government was good, but the officers -in charge of the enterprise were much to blame, perhaps not for making -the mistake at first (no one _at the first_ knew what climate was -suitable), but for perpetuating the mistake, when later very little -enquiry would have revealed the truth. I believe it was guessed at by -Government officials long ago, but it was easier to sing the old tune; -and a very expensive song it has proved to many.[10] - -I need scarcely, after this, add that I do not approve of Kumaon for -Tea. An exhilarating and bracing climate for man is not suited to -the Tea plant. The district has one solitary advantage--rich soil. -I have never seen richer, more productive land than exists in some -of the Kumaon oak forests, but even this cannot in the case of Tea -counter-balance the climate. Any crop which does not require much heat -and moisture will grow to perfection in that soil. Such potatoes as -it produces! Were the difficulties of transport not so great, a small -fortune might be made by growing them. - -Could any part of Kumaon answer for Tea it would be the lower -elevations in the outer ranges of the hills, but these are precisely -the sites that have _not_ been chosen. Led, as in my own case, partly -by the Government example, partly by the wish to be _out_ of sight of -the “horrid plains,” and _in_ sight of that glorious panorama the snowy -range, planters have chosen the interior of Kumaon. Some wisely (I was -not one of them) selected low sites, valleys sheltered from the cold -winds; but even their choice has not availed much. The frost in winter -lingers longest in the valleys, and though doubtless the yield there is -larger, owing to the increased heat in summer, the young plants suffer -much in the winter. The outer ranges, owing to the heat radiating from -the plains, are comparatively free from frost, but there again the soil -is not so rich. Still they would unquestionably be preferable to the -interior. - -Labour is plentiful in Kumaon and very cheap--Rs. 4 per mensem. -Transport is very expensive. It costs not a little to send Tea from the -interior over divers ranges of hills to the plains. It has then some -days’ journey by cart ere it meets the rail, to which 1,000 miles of -carriage on the railroad has to be added. - -Since the above was written, Kumaon has secured a good local market, -and I believe sells most of its Tea unpacked to merchants who come from -over the border to buy it. - -It has also improved its position greatly by making Green Teas, for -which, as observed before, the China plant is so well fitted. With -those two advantages, though the climate is inferior, I suspect that -Tea there now pays better than in Darjeeling. - -Gurhwall is next to Kumaon, and so similar that I have not thought it -necessary to discuss it separately. The climate is the same, the soil -as a rule not so good. There is one exception though, a plantation near -“Lohba,” the Teas of which (owing, I conceive, to its peculiar soil) -command high prices in the London market. The gardens, both in Kumaon -and Gurhwall, have been generally much better cared for than those in -Eastern Bengal. As a rule they are private properties managed by the -owners. - - -HAZAREEBAUGH. - -This district I have resided in since I wrote the first edition of this -Essay. The climate is too dry, and hot winds are felt there. A great -compensation, though, is labour; it is more abundant and cheaper in -this district than in any other. The carriage is all by land, and it -is some distance to the rail. But the Tea gardens at Hazareebaugh can -never vie with those in Eastern Bengal, inasmuch as the climate is very -inferior. The soil is very poor. - - -NEILGHERRIES. - -The climate is superior to the Himalayan, for the frost is very slight. -Were, however, more heat there in summer, it would be better. - -Some of the Teas have sold very well in the London market, for as -regards delicacy of flavour they take a high place. - -The soil is good, but the temperate climate which holds on these “blue -mountains” is not favourable to a large produce. - - -WESTERN DOOARS. - -When the second edition of this work was printed, this district was -unknown as Tea locality. - -My attention was directed to it in 1874; I was the second who planted -Tea in it, and I have now completed a garden there. - -As regards climate, soil, and lay of land, it is perfect, and I believe -it will eventually prove the most paying district in India for Tea. - -The Northern Bengal Railway, just opened, gives it great advantages for -transport. - -Having now discussed each district, all of which, except the Dehra -Dhoon, I have seen, I give, in further elucidation, Meteorological -Tables. For those not mentioned in the tables I have failed to acquire -the necessary information. - -My thanks are due to Dr. Coates, at Hazareebaugh, for his kindness in -supplying me with much of the data from which the following tables are -framed:-- - - -TABLE OF ELEVATION AND TEMPERATURE OF TEA LOCALITIES. - -_N.B.--The exact temperature of other Tea Districts not being known, I -have confined myself to these; but general remarks on the elevation and -temperature of other Tea localities will be found elsewhere._ - - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - |Districts | Place |Elevation| Details|January |February | March - | | | in feet | | | | - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - | | | {|Monthly}| 61·7 | 63·0 | 72·6 - | {| | {| Temp. }| | | - | {|Goalparah | 386 {|Do. Max.| 77·2 | 87·9 | 94·0 - | {| | {| | | | - | {| | {|Do. Min.| 49·0 | 48·0 | 57·2 - | {|-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - |ASSAM {|Gowhatty | 134 |Monthly}| 63·6 | 67·6 | 74·5 - | {| | | Temp. }| | | - | {|-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - | {|Seebsaugor | 370 |Monthly}| 60·0 | 64·1 | 69·3 - | {| | | Temp. }| | | - | {|-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - | {|Debrooghur | 396 |Monthly}| 62·2 | 63·4 | 71·3 - | | | | Temp. }| | | - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - |CACHAR |Cachar | 76 |Monthly}| 62·9 | 66·6 | 73·4 - | | | | Temp. }| | | - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - |CHITTAGONG|Chittagong | 191 |Monthly}| 68·5 | 72·3 | 80·5 - | | | | Temp. }| | | - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - | | | |Monthly}| | | - |DAR- }| | | Temp.}| 42.2 | 43.8 | 52.0 - | JEELING }| Darjeeling | 6952 |Do. Max.| 62·0 | 66·0 | 72·0 - | | | |Do. Min.| 32·0 | 28·0 | 39·0 - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - | | | |Monthly}| | | - |CHOTA }| | | Temp.}| 62.7 | 67.1 | 73.7 - | NAGPORE }| Hazareebaugh| 2010 |Do. Max.| 82·0 | 91·0 | 94·0 - | | | |Do. Min.| 44·0 | 46·4 | 55·0 - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - |NEIL- }| | |Monthly}| | | - | GHERRIES}| Ootacamund | 7490 | Temp.}| 51·5 | 52·8 | 57·3 - +----------+-------------+---------+--------+---------+---------+------- - - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - April | May | June | July | August |September| October - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - 77·6 | 76·0 | 80·3 | 82·1 | 81·6 | 80·5 | 77·5 - | | | | | | - 97·0 | 91·0 | 91·0 | 92·0 | 91·5 | 92·0 | 89·0 - | | | | | | - 62·6 | 67·0 | 70·0 | 73·7 | 73·0 | 70·1 | 62·3 - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - 77·4 | 80·4 | 81·8 | 83·0 | 82·9 | 82·2 | 79·2 - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - 73·8 | 78·5 | 82·4 | 83·6 | 83·5 | 83·1 | 78·3 - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - 72·7 | 77·1 | 80·7 | 83·7 | 81·8 | 81·0 | 75·6 - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - 76·8 | 80·9 | 82·2 | 83·3 | 81·7 | 81·2 | 79·6 - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+-------------------+-------- - 83·5 | 84·5 | 84·0 | 82·2 | 82·3 | 83·0 | 81·6 - | | | | | | - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - | | | | | | - 58.7 | 62.1 | 63.7 | 64.9 | 64.4 | 63.0 | 57.3 - 78·0 | 79·0 | 79·0 | 79·0 | 75·0 | 80·0 | 78·0 - 48·0 | 48·0 | 57·0 | 58·0 | 59·0 | 57·0 | 44·0 - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - | | | | | | - 85.6 | 88.6 | 83.8 | 77.8 | 79.3 | 77.5 | 72.6 - 107·0 | 100·0 | 103·0 | 89·0 | 88·0 | 87·0 | 84·0 - 67·0 | 72·0 | 71·0 | 71·0 | 73·0 | 70·0 | 59·0 - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - | | | | | | - 60·1 | 60·8 | 57·9 | 55·8 | 56·1 | 56·4 | 55·9 - -------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+-------- - - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - November |December |D.J.F.|M.A.M.|J.J.A.|S.O.N.|Year | - | | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - 69·0 | 64·6 | 63·1 | 75·4 | 81·3 | 75·6 | 73·8| - | | | | | | | - 84·3 | 78·3 | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - 50·8 | 50·0 | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - 71·1 | 65·5 | 65·6 | 77·4 | 82·6 | 77·5 | 75·8| - | | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - 69·4 | 62·4 | 62·2 | 73·7 | 83·2 | 76·9 | 74·0| - | | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - 67·4 | 61·0 | 62·2 | 73·7 | 82·1 | 74·7 | 73·2| - | | | | | | | - ---------+----------------+------+------+------+-----+ - 70·6 | 65·4 | 64·9 | 77·0 | 82·4 | 77·1 | 75·3| - | | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+-------------+------+-----+ - 73·7 | 68·9 | 69·9 | 82·8 | 82·8 | 79·4 | 78·7| - | | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - | | | | | | | - 49.4 | 44.7 | 43.5 | 57.6 | 64.3 | 58.4 |55.9 | - 69·0 | 60·0 | | | | | | - 38·0 | 33·0 | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - | | | | | | | - 64.8 | 61.4 | 63.7 | 82.6 | 80.3 | 71.6 |74.5 | - 78·0 | 76·0 | | | | | | - 52·0 | 44·0 | | | | | | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - | | | | | | | - 53·9 | 51·9 | 52·1 | 59·4 | 56·6 | 55·4 |55·9 | - ---------+---------+------+------+------+------+-----+ - -N.B.--The letters in the columns, between December and the year, refer -to months; thus, D. J. F. is December, January, February. The figures -show the average temperature during those months. - - -TABLE OF LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, AND RAINFALL OF TEA LOCALITIES. - -_N.B.--The exact rainfalls of other Tea Districts not being known, I -have confined myself to these; but general remarks on the rainfall in -other Tea localities will be found elsewhere._ - - +---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - |Districts| Place |Latitude|Longitude| Details - |---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | |Goalparah | 26°11′ | 90°36′ |{ years } - | | | | |{Days rain fell in 1869} - | |-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | ASSAM | Gowhatty | 26° 5′ | 91°43′ |{ years } - | | | | |{Days rain fell in 1869 - | |-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | |Seebsaugor | 27° 2′ | 94°39′ |{ years } - | | | | |{Days rain fell in 1869 - |---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | CACHAR | Cachar | 24°48′ | 92°43′ |{ years } - | | | | |{Days rain fell in 1869} - |---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | |Chittagong | 22°20′ | 91°44′ |{ YEARS } - | | | | |{Days rain fell in 1869} - | CHITTA- |-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | GONG | | | | Rain in 1869 - | |Hill Tracts| ? | ? | - | | | | | Days rain fell in 1869 - +---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several } - | | Darjeeling| 27° 3′ | 88°18′ |{ years } - | | | | | Days rain fell in 1869 - |DAR- |-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | JEELING | | | | Rain in 1869 - | |Western } | ? | ? | - | |Dooars[11]}| | | Days rain fell in 1869 - +---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - | | | | |{Average rain, several} - | CHOTA | Hazaree- }| 24° 0′ | 85°20′ |{ YEARS } - | NAGPORE | baugh}| | | Days rain fell in 1869 - +---------+-----------+--------+---------+------------------------ - - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - January |February | March | April | May | June | July - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·42 | 0·76 | 1·84 | 4·85 | 11·72 | 23·72 | 21·33 - | | | | | | - 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 24 | 22 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·70 | 1·43 | 1·48 | 7·27 | 10·92 | 13·29 | 13·08 - | | | | | | - 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 9 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 1·18 | 2·43 | 3·77 | 10·15 | 11·04 | 15·56 | 14·87 - | | | | | | - 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 22 | 13 | 19 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·50 | 3·53 | 6·09 | 12·69 | 16·12 | 19·55 | 24·58 - | | | | | | - 2 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 18 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·37 | 1·62 | 1·31 | 5·46 | 9·42 | 22·92 | 22·54 - | | | | | | - 1 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 15 | 21 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - Nil | 1·90 | 1·50 | 12·55 | 9·00 | 12·50 | 18·20 - | | | | | | - Nil | 4 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 16 | 22 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·76 | 1·60 | 1·65 | 3·62 | 7·01 | 27·50 | 29·40 - | | | | | | - 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 23 | 26 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·80 | 2·00 | 1·50 | 6·60 | 25·30 | 27·30 | 46·50 - | | | | | | - 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 19 | 25 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - 0·42 | 0·52 | 0·75 | 0·42 | 1·37 | 10·99 | 14·63 - | | | | | | - 4 | Nil | 7 | Nil | 5 | 11 | 24 - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------- - - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - August |September| October |November |December |Total | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------| - 12·69 | 10·93 | 5·61 | 0·39 | 0·20 |94·44 | - | | | | | | - 18 | 15 | 5 | Nil | Nil | 119 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------| - 11·98 | 6·82 | 3·20 | 0·47 | 0·12 |70·76 | - | | | | | | - 10 | 14 | 2 | Nil | 1 | 84 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------| - 13·88 | 11·13 | 4·46 | 1·29 | 0·69 |90·45 | - | | | | | | - 23 | 17 | 8 | Nil | 2 | 147 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------| - 16·84 | 13·90 | 7·77 | 7·03 | 0·79 |123·3 | - | | | | | | - 25 | 19 | 8 | Nil | Nil | 145 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------| - 23·04 | 13·01 | 5·93 | 2·30 | 0·55 |108·47| - | | | | | | - 25 | 17 | 5 | Nil | 1 | 113 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - 14·30 | 12·70 | 5·70 | Nil | 0·50 | 88·85| - | | | | | | - 19 | 19 | 4 | Nil | 1 | 109 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - 29·09 | 18·06 | 6·56 | 0·20 | 0·14 |129·50| - | | | | | | - 22 | 24 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 148 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - 83·50 | 46·50 | 9·60 | ? | 2·40 |252·00| - | | | | | | - 28 | 22 | 5 | ? | ? | ? | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - 11·44 | 6·26 | 3·51 | 0·19 | 0·02 | 50·52| - | | | | | | - 16 | 21 | 9 | Nil | 1 | 98 | - --------+---------+---------+---------+---------+------+ - -I will now endeavour to draw up a tabular statement of the respective -advantages of the various Tea districts as regards climate, labour, lay -of land, soil, facilities of procuring manure and transport. - -In importance I regard them in the order given. I place labour before -soil, because the fact is, in all the provinces suitable and good soil -for Tea can be found _somewhere_; and therefore, while soil is all -important in selecting a site, it is secondary to labour in deciding -on a district. Lay of land comes after labour. When my information on -any point is not sure I place a note of interrogation. Where advantages -are equal, or nearly so, I give the same number, and the greater the -advantage of a district on the point treated in the column the smaller -the number. Thus, under the head of Climate, Assam is marked 1. - -As the following table gives no information as to which of all the -districts possesses the greatest advantages, _all things considered_, -but only gives my opinion of each under each head, and the subject -closed in this way would be unsatisfactory, I may state that, in my -opinion, the choice should lie between the three first and the last on -the list; and my choice would be the last. - - -_Comparative advantages of the Tea Districts in India as regards -climate, labour, lay of land, soil, manure, and transport._ - - +----------------------+-------+------+-----------+----+------+------------+ - | Tea Districts |Climate|Labour|Lay of Land|Soil|Manure| Transport | - +----------------------+-------+------+-----------+----+------+------------+ - |Assam | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3} | - |Cachar | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2} Water | - |Chittagong | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1} carriage| - |Chittagong Hill Tracts| 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1} | - |Terai below Darjeeling| 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5} | - |Darjeeling | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6} | - |Hazareebaugh | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4} | - |Kangra | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9} Land | - |Dehra Dhoon | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7} carriage| - |Kumaon | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8} | - |Neilgherries | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4} | - |Western Dooars | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1} | - +----------------------+-------+------+-----------+----+------+------------+ - -FOOTNOTES: - -[7] Note to Third Edition.--I give them, as far as I know, in the -order they became Tea districts. Though in the said order there is, -I believe, no great error, I may be open to correction in one or two -instances. - -[8] These are virtually one, and I shall allude to both as Cachar. - -[9] When this was written the demand for Green Teas in Europe was -greater than it is now. Still Kumaon has found a local market for Green -Tea over the border, that is, among the Asiatic tribes, and Darjeeling -might do the same. - -[10] Is it possible that the continued deception (it was nothing less) -was owing to the fact that Government had gardens to sell there? They -were advertised for sale a long time at absurd prices. - -[11] The rainfall given for the Western Dooars cannot be relied on. -Perhaps more than the average fell in 1869, but anyhow, I should think -83 inches registered for August is an error. I know the yearly fall -there is _not_ 252 inches. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -SOIL. - - -To pronounce as precisely on soil as to climate is not easy. The Tea -plant will grow on almost any soil, and will flourish on many. Still -there are broad general rules to be laid down in the selection of soils -for Tea, which no one can ignore with impunity. - -When first I turned my attention to Tea, I collected soils from many -gardens, noting in each case how the plants flourished. I then sat -down to examine them, never doubting to arrive at some broad practical -conclusions. I was sadly disappointed. I found the most opposing soils -nourished, apparently, equally good plants. I knew not then much about -Tea, and judged of the Tea bushes mostly by the size (a very fallacious -test); still, after-experience has convinced me I was more or less -right in the conclusion I then came to, that several soils are good for -Tea. - -Nothing, then, but broad general rules can be laid down on this point, -for I defy anyone to select any one soil as the best for Tea, to the -exclusion of others. - -A light sandy loam is perhaps as good a soil as any _out_ of the -Himalayas. It ought to be deep, and the more decayed vegetable matter -there is lying on its surface the better. If deep enough for the -descent of the tap-root, say 3 feet, it matters not much what the -subsoil is, otherwise a yellowish red subsoil is an advantage. This -subsoil is generally a mixture of clay and sand. Much of Assam, Cachar, -and Chittagong is as the above, but, as a rule, it is richest in Assam, -poorest in Chittagong. - -Where the loam is of a greasy nature (very different to clay), with a -mixture of sand in it, it is superior to the above, for it has more -body. All good Tea soils must have a fair proportion of sand, and if -not otherwise apparent, it may be detected by mixing a little of the -soil with spittle and rubbing it on the hand. If the hand be then held -up towards the sun, the particles of sand will be seen to glisten. - -The soil so common in Kumaon, that is, light rich loam with any amount -of decayed vegetable matter on it, and with a ferruginous reddish -yellowish subsoil, is, I consider, the finest soil in the world for -Tea. The rich decayed vegetable matter is the produce for centuries of -oak leaves in the Himalayan forests, and, as all the world knows, oak -only grows in temperate climes. - -It was long believed that Tea would thrive best on poor soil. The idea -was due to the description of Tea soils in China to be found in the -first books that treated of Tea. But the fact that Tea, as a rule, is -only grown in China on soil which is useless for anything else quite -alters the case. If a soil is light and friable enough, it cannot be -too rich for Tea. - -Ball’s book “On the Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea in China” has -much on Tea soils, but the opinions the author collected are sadly at -variance, and on the whole teach nothing. - -In conclusion, I will attempt to point out the qualities in soils in -which the Tea plant delights, as also the qualities it abhors. - -It loves soils friable, that is, easily divided into all their atoms. -This argues a fair proportion of sand, but this should not be in -excess, or the soil will be poor. The soil should be porous--imbibing -and parting with water freely. The more decayed vegetable matter on its -surface the better. - -To be avoided are stiff soils of every kind, as also those which -when they dry, after rain, cake together and split. Avoid also -black-coloured, or even dark-coloured earths. All soils good for the -Tea plant are light coloured. If, however, the dark colour arises -from decayed vegetation, that is not the colour of the soil, and, as -observed, vegetable matter is a great advantage. Judge of colour when -soil is dry--for even light-coloured soil looks dark when wet. Soil -which will make bricks will not grow Tea; and though I have sometimes -seen young plants thrive on stiff soil, I do not believe in any stiff -soil as a permanence. - -Stones, if not in excess, are advantageous in all soils inclined to -be stiff, for they help to keep them open. But then they must not be -large, as if so they act as badly as a rocky substratum preventing the -descent of the tap-root. - -The reason, I take it, why Tea thrives best in light soils is that the -spongioles or ends of the feeding roots are very tender, and do not -easily penetrate any other. - -There is more nourishment in stiffer soils, but for this reason the Tea -plant cannot take advantage of it. - -If a chosen soil be too stiff, it may be much improved for Tea by -mixing sand with it. However, even where sand is procurable near, the -expense of this is great. When done, the sand should be mixed with the -soil taken out of the holes in which the plants are to be placed (see -Transplanting), and it may be done again later by placing sand round -the plants and digging it in. All this though is extra labour and very -expensive, so none but a good Tea soil should ever be selected, and -it is very easily found, for it exists in parts of all the districts -discussed. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -NATURE OF JUNGLE. - - -I have not much to say under this head. I have heard many opinions -as to the kind of trees and jungle that should exist in contemplated -clearances, but I attach little or no weight to them, at all events in -Bengal. - -In the Himalayas it is somewhat different. There oak trees should be -sought for; their existence invariably makes rich soil.[12] Fir, on the -contrary, indicates poor soil. At elevations, however, the desideratum -of a warm aspect interferes, for the best oak forests are on the colder -side. I speak of course of elevations practicable, say three or four -thousand feet; above this it is a waste of money to try and cultivate -Tea. - -In Bengal I do not think the nature of the jungle on land contemplated -signifies much. As a rule, the thicker the jungle the richer the -soil; but in seeking for a site large trees should not be a _sine quâ -non_. Much of the coarse grass land is very good, and large trees add -enormously to the expense of clearings.[13] It is not cutting them down -which is so expensive, it is cutting them up and getting rid of them by -burning, or otherwise, after the former is done. - -I have discussed soil fully already, and need only add here that if the -knowledge to do so exists, it is better to judge of soil from the soil -itself than from the vegetation on it, though doubtless a fact that -luxuriant vegetation indicates rich soil. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[12] The oak tree leaves cause a rich deposit of vegetable matter. - -[13] The Western Dooars are in many parts covered with this coarse -grass, and nowhere is there better soil. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -WATER AND SANITATION. - - -These may be discussed together and shortly. - -Of course adjacent water-carriage is a great advantage for a garden, -and it should be obtained, if possible, in selecting a site. The -expense of land-carriage, where there is no rail, is great, and Tea -cultivation requires all advantages to make it pay well. - -But it is water for a garden that particularly concerns us now. It -is not easy to find land that can be irrigated (this is discussed -elsewhere), but no labour or expense in getting such land would be -thrown away. Irrigation, combined with high cultivation in other -respects, will give a yield per acre undreamt of. - -In no case should a plantation be made except where a running stream -is handy. Water is a necessity for seedlings, and a plentiful adjacent -supply of it is a great desideratum for the comfort and health of every -soul on the garden. We all know how dependent the natives are on water, -and it is evident facilities in this respect will conduce much (whether -the labour be local or imported) both to get and keep coolies. Norton’s -tube wells--a cheap and most efficient mode of procuring water--will, -I doubt not, be eventually much used on Tea plantations. - -It has been observed that, as a rule, a good Tea climate is not a -healthy one. There is no getting over the fact, and we can only make -the best of it. The house, the factories, and all the buildings should -be placed as high as possible, and not very close to each other, both -for the sake of health and in the event of fire. The locality should -be well drained, and cleanliness be attained in every possible way. -Give the coolies good houses, with raised mechans to sleep on, and -sprinkle occasionally carbolic acid powder in your own house and those -of others. - -Sanitation is, however, a large subject. It can be studied elsewhere. -General ideas on it, and on the properties of the commonest medicines, -are a great advantage to any intending Tea planter. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -LAY OF LAND. - - -The first idea prevailing about Tea was that it should be planted on -slopes. It was thought, and truly, that the plant was impatient of -stagnant water, and so it is, but it is not necessary to plant it -on slopes in consequence. Pictures of Chinese, suspended by chains -(inasmuch as the locality could not be otherwise reached), picking -Tea off bushes growing in the crevices of rocks, somewhat helped this -notion; and when stated, as it was, that the Tea produced in such -places was the finest, and commanded the highest price--which was -not true--intending planters in India went crazy in their search for -impracticable steeps! Much of the failure in Tea has arisen from this -fact, for a great part of many, the whole of some, gardens have been -planted on land so steep that the Tea can never last or thrive on it. -This is especially the case in parts of the Darjeeling district. - -Sloping land is objectionable in the following respects. It cannot -be highly cultivated in any way (I hold Tea will only pay with high -cultivation), for high cultivation consists in frequent digging, to -keep the soil open and get rid of weeds, and liberal manuring. If -such soil is dug in the rainy season, it is washed down to the foot -of the hill, and if manure is applied at any time of the year, it -experiences the same fate when the rain comes. As it cannot be dug, -weeds necessarily thrive and diminish the yield by choking the plants. - -The choice is therefore of two evils: “low cultivation and weeds,” -or “high cultivation which bares the roots of the plants in a -twelvemonth.” Of the two, the first _must_ be chosen, for if the latter -were pursued, the plants, getting gradually more and more denuded of -soil, would simply topple over in two or three years. But choosing the -lesser evil, the mischief is not confined to the bad effects of low -cultivation. Dig the land as little as you will, the great force of the -rains washes down a good deal of soil. The plants do not sink as the -soil lowers, and the consequence is that all Tea plants on slopes have -the lower side bare of earth and the roots exposed. This is more and -more the case the steeper the slope. These exposed roots shrivel up as -the sun acts on them, the plant languishes and yields very little leaf. - -Attempts are made to remedy the mischief by carrying earth up from -below yearly, and placing it under the plant; but the expense of doing -this is great, and the palliation is only temporary, for the same thing -occurs again and again as each rainy season returns. - -The mischief is greater on stiff than on sandy soils, for on the former -the earth is detached in great pieces and carried down the hill. I know -one garden in Chittagong, a large one, where the evil is so great, that -the sooner the cultivation is abandoned the better for the owners. - -A great many gardens in India, indeed the majority, are on slopes; a -few in Assam, the greater number in Cachar, some in Chittagong, and -almost all the Himalayan plantations. Such of these as are on _steep_ -slopes will, I believe, never pay, and instead of improving yearly (as -good gardens, highly cultivated, should do even after they have arrived -at full bearing) such, I fear, will deteriorate year by year. - -Plantations on moderate slopes need not fail because of the slopes. The -evils slight slopes entail are not great, but the sooner the fact is -accepted that sloping cannot vie against flat land for the cultivation -of Tea the better. - -Where only the lower parts of slopes are planted, the plants do very -well. The upper part being jungle the wash is not great, and the plants -benefit much by the rich vegetable matter the rain brings down from -above. I have often seen very fine plants on the lower part of slopes, -where the upper has been left in jungle, and I should not hesitate to -plant such portions _if_ the slope was moderate. - -Where teelah land, in Eastern Bengal, or sloping land in the Himalayas, -Chittagong, or elsewhere, has to be adopted, aspect is all-important. -A good aspect in one climate is bad in another. In Assam, Cachar, -Chittagong, and all warm places, choose the coolest; at high elevations -(temperate climes), the warmest. - -In the Himalayas, moreover, the warmer aspects are, as a rule, the -most fertile; _vice versâ_ in warm localities. Many a garden, which -would have done very well on the moderate slopes chosen had _only_ the -proper aspects been planted, has been ruined by planting all sides of -teelahs or hills indiscriminately. The southern and western slopes -of plantations in warm sites are generally very bare of plants. Not -strange they should be so, when the power of the reflected rays of the -afternoon sun is considered. Again, in cold climates plants cannot -thrive on northern aspects, for their great want in such climes is heat -and sunshine. Let the above fault, then, be avoided in both cases, for -though doubtless a garden is more handy, and looks better in one piece -planted all over without any intervening jungle, even patches of jungle -look better, and are decidedly cheaper, than bare cultivated hills. - -Of flat land, after what I have written, I need not add much. It is -of two kinds, table and valley land; the former is very rare in Tea -districts, at least of any extent, which makes it worth while to plant -it. There are two gardens in Chittagong on such flat table land, and -they are both doing very well. Table land cannot be too flat, for the -natural drainage is so great no stagnant water can lie.[14] - -Valley land is not good if it is _perfectly_ flat. It will then be -subject to inundation and stagnant water. There is nothing that kills -the plant so surely and quickly as the latter. Even quite flat valleys -can be made sweet by artificial drainage, but to do this a lower level, -not too far distant, must exist, and the danger is not quite removed -then. Valleys in which no water-course exists, and which slope towards -the mouth _alone_, are to be avoided, for the plants near the mouth -always get choked with sand. The best valleys are those with a gentle -slope both ways, one towards the lowest line of the valley, be it a -running water-course, or a dry nullah which carries off rain, the other -towards the mouth of the valley. Such valleys drain themselves, or at -least very little artificial drainage is necessary. A valley of this -kind, with a running stream through it, is _most_ valuable for Tea, and -if the other advantages of soil and climate are present it is simply a -perfect site. Such however are not frequent. If in such valleys, as is -generally the case, the slope from the head to the mouth is enough, the -running stream can be “bunded” (shut up) at a high level, and brought -along one side at a sufficient elevation to irrigate the whole. - -I have never seen but one garden in a valley that fulfils all these -conditions exactly. It is in Chittagong; the soil is good, labour -plentiful, and manure abundant. It ought to do great things, for the -possibility of irrigating plants in the dry season (which, as observed, -is very trying in Chittagong) will give several extra flushes in the -year. - -Of course in the wet season on such land the water must be allowed to -resume its natural course. - -Narrow valleys are not worth planting. No narrow tracts of land, with -jungle on both sides, are worth the expense of cultivation, for the -continual encroachment of the jungle gives much extra work. The plants, -moreover, in very narrow valleys get half-buried with soil washed down -from the adjacent slopes. Narrow valleys are therefore, in any case, -better avoided. - -To conclude shortly, flat lands can be highly cultivated, steep -slopes cannot. Tea pays best (perhaps not at all otherwise) with high -cultivation--_ergo_, flat lands are preferable. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[14] I am now commencing a second garden in the Western Dooars on flat -table land, and the site is an exceptionally favourable one. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -LAYING OUT A GARDEN. - - -By this I mean, so dividing it when first made into parts, that -later the said parts shall be easily recognised, and separately or -differently treated, as they may require it. - -The usual custom is to begin at one end of a plantation, and dig it -right through to the other. In the same way with the pruning and -plucking, and I believe the system is a very bad one. Different -portions of gardens require different treatment, inasmuch as they -differ in soil, and otherwise. One part of a plantation is much more -prolific of weeds than another--how absurd that it should be cleaned no -oftener! This is only one exemplification of difference of treatment, -but in many ways it is necessary, most of all in plucking leaf. - -All parts of a plantation, owing in some places to the different ages -of the plants, in others to the variety in the soil and its productive -powers, in others to slopes or to aspect, do not yield leaf equally, -that is, flush does not follow flush with equal rapidity. In some -places (supposing each part to be picked when the flush is ready) seven -days’ interval will exist between the flushes, in others nine, ten, or -twelve; but no attention, as a rule, is paid to this. The pickers have -finished the garden at the west end, the east end is again ready, and -when done, the middle part will be taken in hand, be it ready or be it -not! It may be that the middle part flushes quicker than any other; in -this case the flush will be more than mature when it is taken, in fact -it will have begun to harden; or it may be the middle part does _not_ -flush as quickly as the others; in this case it will be picked before -it is ready, that is, when the flush is too young, and the yield will -consequently be smaller. - -I believe the yield of a plantation may be largely increased by -attending to this. Every Tea estate should be divided into gardens of, -say, about five to ten acres each.[15] If no natural division exists, -small roads to act as such should be made. More than this cannot be -done when the plantation is first laid out, but when later the plants -yield, any difference between the productive powers of different -parts of the same garden should be noted, and these divided off into -sections. To do this latter with roads would take up too much space, -and small masonry pillars, whitewashed, are the best. Four of these, -one at each corner of a section, are enough, and they need not be -more than 3 feet high and 1 foot square. Thus each garden may, where -necessary, be divided into two sections, which, in a 300-acre estate, -partitioned off into thirty gardens, would give about forty to sixty -sections. No matter where a section may be, directly the flush on it -is ready it should be picked. Where the soil on any one garden is much -the same, and observation shows the plants all over it flush equally, -it may be left all in one. I only lay down the principle, and I am -very certain it works well, the proof of which is that, where I have -practised it, some sections during the season give three, four, and -five flushes more than others. Had the usual plan of picking from one -end to the other been adopted, they would have been all _forced_ to -give the same number; in other words, the said extra flushes would have -been lost, and further loss occasioned by some flushes being taken -before they were ready, others after a portion of the tender leaf had -hardened. - -The best plan is simply to number the gardens from 1 upwards, and the -sections in each garden the same way. Thus supposing No. 5 garden is -divided into three sections, they will be known respectively as 5-1, -5-2, and 5-3. This is the best way for the natives, and I find they -soon learn to designate each section. I have a man whose special duty -(though he has other work also) it is to see each day which sections -are ready to pick the following, and those, and those alone, are -picked. Practice soon teaches the number of pickers required for any -given number of sections, and that number only are put to the work. -If a portion is not completed that day, it is the first taken in hand -the next, and if any day on no sections is the flush ready, no leaf is -picked the following. - -Apart from leaf-picking, the garden and section plan detailed is useful -in many ways. Each garden, if not each section which most requires -it, is dug, pruned, or manured at the best time, and any spot on the -plantation is easily designated. The plan facilitates the measurement -of work, and enables correct lists of the flushes gathered to be kept. -It is thus seen which gardens yield best, and the worst can, by extra -manuring, be brought to equal those. - -In short, the advantages are many, too numerous to detail. - -Of course all this can be better done on a flat garden than on one -planted on slopes, and though it may not be possible to work it out -as much in detail on the latter, still a good deal in that way can be -done, and I strongly recommend it. - -In laying out a plantation keep it all as much together as possible, -the more it is in one block the easier it is supervised, the cheaper -it is worked. Still do not, with a view to this, take in any bad land, -for bad land will never pay. - -Let your lines of Tea plants, as far as practicable, run with -geometrical regularity. You will later find, both in measuring work -and picking leaf, great advantages therefrom. In gardens where the -lines are not regular portions are continually being passed over in -leaf-picking, and thereby not only is the present flush from such parts -lost, but the following is also retarded. - -If your different gardens are so situated that the roads through them, -that is from one garden to the other, can be along _the side_ of any -garden without increasing the length of the road, by all means adopt -that route. There is no such good boundary for a garden as a road that -is being continually traversed. It will save many rupees by preventing -the encroachment of jungle into a garden, and more space is thus also -given for plants. It is, however, of no use to do it if a road through -the middle of a garden is shorter, as coolies _will_ always take the -shortest route. - -The lines of plants on sloping ground should neither run up and down, -nor directly across the slope. If they run up and down, gutters or -water-courses will form between the lines, and much additional earth -will be washed away thereby. If they run right across the hill the same -thing will occur _between the trees in each line_, and the lower side -of each plant will have its roots laid very bare. It is on all slopes -a choice of evils, but if the lines are laid diagonally across the -hill, so that the slope _along the lines_ shall be a moderate one, the -evil is reduced as far as it can be by any arrangement of the plants. -No, I forgot; there is one other thing. The closer the lines to each -other, and the closer the plants in the lines to each other, in short, -the more thickly the ground on slopes is planted the less will be the -wash, for stems and roots retain the soil in its place, and the more -there are the greater the advantage. - -Where slopes are steep (though, remember, steep slopes are to be -avoided) terracing may be resorted to with advantage, as the washing -down of the soil is much checked by it. - -On flat land, of course, it does not really signify in which directions -the lines run, but such a garden looks best if, when the roads are -straight, the lines run at right angles to them. - -In laying out a garden, choose a central spot with water handy for -your factory, bungalow, and all your buildings; let your Tea-houses -be as close to your dwelling-house as possible, so that during the -manufacturing time you can be in and out at all hours of the day -and night. Much of your success will depend upon this. Let all your -buildings be as near to each other as they can, but still far enough -apart, that any one building may burn without endangering others. You -need not construct any Tea-buildings until the third year. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[15] A garden I have just finished in the Western Dooars is 300 acres -in extent, all on flat land without any breaks in the cultivation, and -all divided into sections of 5 acres each. Being in one large block it -is not divided into gardens at all, only sections. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -VARIETIES OF THE TEA PLANT. - - -These are many, but they all arise from two species: the China -plant, the common Tea-bush in China; and the indigenous plant, first -discovered some forty years ago in Assam. - -These are quite different species of the same plant. Whether the -difference was produced by climate, by soil, or in what way, no one -knows, and here we have only to do with the facts that they _do_ differ -in every respect. A purely indigenous plant or tree (for in its wild -state it may more properly be called the latter) grows with one stem -or trunk, and runs up to 15 and 18 feet high. It is always found in -thick jungle, and would thus appear to like shade. I believe it does -when young; but I am quite sure, if the jungle were cleared round an -indigenous Tea-tree found in the forest, it would thrive better from -that day. The China bush (for it is never more) after the second year -has numerous stems, and 6 or 7 feet would seem to be its limit in -height. The lowest branches of a China plant are close to the ground, -but in a pure cultivated indigenous, from 9 inches to 1 foot above the -soil the single stem is clean. - -The indigenous grows quicker after the second or third year than the -China, if it has not been over-pruned or over-plucked when young. In -other words, it flushes quicker, for flushing is growing. - -The indigenous does not run so much to wood as the China. Indigenous -seedlings require to be watered oftener than China, for the latter do -not suffer as quickly from drought. The indigenous tree has a leaf -of 9 inches long and more. The leaf of the China bush never exceeds 4 -inches. The indigenous leaf is a bright pale green, the China leaf a -dull dark green colour. The indigenous “flushes,” that is, produces new -tender leaf, much more copiously than the China, and this in two ways: -_first_, the leaves are larger, and thus if only even in number exceed -in bulk what the China has given; and _secondly_, it flushes oftener. -The infusion of Tea made from the indigenous species is far more -“rasping” and “pungent” than what the China plant can give, and the -Tea commands a much higher price. The young leaves, from which alone -Tea is made, are of a much finer and softer texture in the indigenous -than in the China; the former may be compared to satin, the latter to -leather. The young leaves of the indigenous, moreover, do not harden so -quickly as those of the China; thus, if there is any unavoidable delay -in picking a flush, the loss is less with the former. In the fact that -unpruned or unpicked plants (for picking is a miniature pruning) give -fewer and less succulent young leaves which harden quicker than pruned -ones, the two varieties would seem to be alike. The China variety is -much more prolific of seed than the indigenous; the former also gives -it when younger, and as seed checks leaf, the China is inferior in this -as in other respects. The China is by far the hardier plant; it is much -easier to rear, and it will grow in widely differing climates, which -the indigenous will not. - -A patch of indigenous with a mature flush on it is a pretty sight. The -plants all appear as if crowned with gold (they are truly so if other -advantages exist), and are a great contrast to the China variety if it -can also be seen near. - -I have now, I think, pointed out the leading characteristics of the -two original varieties of the Tea plant, and it stands to reason no -one would grow the China who could get indigenous. But the truth is, -a pure specimen of either is rare. The plants between indigenous and -China are called “hybrids.” They were in the first instance produced by -the inoculation, when close together, of the pollen of one kind into -the flower of the other, and the result was a true hybrid, partaking -equally of the indigenous and China characteristics; but the process -was repeated again and again between the said hybrid and an indigenous -or China, and again later between hybrids of different degrees, so -that now there are very many varieties of the Tea plant--100 or even -more--and no garden is wholly indigenous or wholly China. So close do -the varieties run, no one can draw the line and say where the China -becomes a hybrid, the hybrid an indigenous. Though as a rule the young -leaves are light green or dark green, as the plant approaches the -indigenous or China in its character, there are a certain class of -bushes all hybrid, whose young leaves have strong shades of crimson and -purple. Some even are quite red, others quite purple. These colours do -not last as the leaf hardens, and the matured leaves of these plants do -not differ from others. Plants with these coloured leaves are prolific. - -The nearer each plant approaches the indigenous, the higher its class -and excellence, _ergo_ one plantation is composed of a much better -class of plants than another. Had China seed never been introduced into -India, a very different state of things would have existed now. The -cultivation would not have been so large, but far more valuable. The -propagation and rearing of the indigenous, as observed, is difficult; -the China is much hardier while young. So difficult is it to rear -successively the _pure_ indigenous, perhaps the best plan, were it -all to come over again, would be to propagate a high-class hybrid and -distribute it, never allowing any China seed or plants to leave the -nursery, which should have been a Government one. But we must take -things as they are. The Government nurseries in the Himalayas and the -Dehra Dhoon (there have never been any elsewhere, and worse sites could -not have been chosen) were planted entirely with China seeds, the -seedlings distributed all over the country, and thus the mischief was -done. The Indian Tea is vastly superior to the Chinese, and commands -a much higher price at home, but it is still very inferior to what it -would have been, had not Chinese seed been so recklessly imported and -distributed over the country. - -The home of the indigenous Tea tree is in the deep luxurious jungles -of Assam and Cachar.[16] There it grows into a good-sized tree. I have -seen it 20 feet high. These are of no use, except for seed, until -they are cut down. When this is done, they throw out many new shoots, -covered with young tender leaves, fit for Tea. They are, of course, -far too big to transplant, but on some sites where they were numerous, -that spot was chosen for the plantation, and some of these are the best -gardens in Assam and Cachar. - -The indigenous plant and high-class hybrid require a hot moist climate, -and will not therefore flourish in any parts of India outside Eastern -Bengal. I have tried them in the Himalayas, there the cold kills them. -In Dehra Dhoon and Kangra the climate is far too dry; besides, the hot -winds in the former, and the cold in the latter, are prejudicial. The -Terai under Darjeeling suits them. In Assam, Cachar, and Chittagong, -the indigenous and the highest class hybrids will thrive, for the -climate of all three is suitable, but perhaps Northern Assam possesses -the best climate of all for such plants. - -The Himalayan gardens consist entirely of Chinese plants mixed -occasionally with a low class of hybrid. They were all formed from the -Government Nurseries where nothing but Chinese was reared. Occasional -importations of Assam and Cachar seed will account for the sprinkling -of low class hybrids which may be found. The same may be said of Dehra -Dhoon and Kangra. In some gardens in the Terai below Darjeeling a high -class of plant exists. In Assam, Cachar, and Chittagong the plantations -vary much, but all have some indigenous and high class hybrids, while -many gardens are composed of nothing else. - -It is evident, then, that the value of a garden depends much on the -class of its plants, and that a wise man will only propagate the best. -Only the seed from good varieties should be selected, and gradually -all inferior bushes should be rooted out and a good kind substituted. -When this shall have been systematically done for a few years on a good -garden, which has other advantages, the yield per acre will far exceed -anything yet realised or even thought of. - -Government action in the matter of Tea has been prejudicial in many -ways, but in none more so than when they were doing their best to -foster the cultivation by distributing Chinese seed and seedlings -gratis. No one can blame here (would the Government were equally free -from blame in all Tea matters!), but the mischief is none the less. It -will never be possible to undo the harm then done. - -The seed of indigenous, hybrid, and Chinese is like in appearance, -and cannot be distinguished. Thus, when seed formerly was got from a -distance, the purchaser was at the mercy of the vendor. - -High cultivation improves the class of a Tea plant. Thus, a purely -China bush, if highly cultivated and well manured, will in two or -three years assume a hybrid character. High cultivation will therefore -improve the class of _all_ the plants in a garden; but the cheapest -and best plan with low class Chinese plants is to root them out and -replace them with others, as will be explained hereafter. Low class -seedlings should also be rooted out of nurseries. - -I cannot conclude this chapter better than by giving an extract from -the “Government Records” alluded to in a previous chapter, and I add a -few remarks at foot, as otherwise the reader might be puzzled with some -opinions expressed which are so much at variance with the generally -received opinions on Tea to-day. - -[Sidenote: Several varieties.] - - _Kinds of Tea Plants cultivated._--“When Government resolved on - trying the experiment of cultivating Tea in India, they deputed Dr. - Gordon to China to acquire information respecting the cultivation - and manufacture of Teas, and to procure Tea seeds. Aided by Dr. - Gutzlaff he procured a quantity of seeds from the mountains in the - Amoy districts. These seeds were sent to the Calcutta Botanical - Garden, where they were sown in boxes. On germinating they were sent - up the country in boats, some to Assam and some to Gurhmuktesur, - and from thence to Kumaon and Gurhwal. From these plants date the - commencement of the Tea plantations in the Himalayas.[17] Tea was - first made in Kumaon in 1841, and the samples sent to England, and - were pronounced to be of good quality, fitted for the home markets, - and similar to the Oolong Souchong varieties. Thus Messrs. Thompson, - of Mincing Lane, report on a sample sent by us to Dr. Royle in 1842: - ‘The samples of Tea received belong to the Oolong Souchong kind, - fine-flavoured and strong. This is equal to the superior black Tea - generally sent as presents, and better for the most part than the - Chinese Tea imported for mercantile purposes.’[18] By many it was - supposed that there were different species of the Tea plant, and that - the species cultivated in the south districts of China was different - from that met with in the north. To solve this mystery, and at the - same time procure the best varieties of the Tea plant, Mr. Fortune - was deputed to China. By him large numbers of Tea plants were sent - from different districts of China celebrated for their Teas, and - are now thriving luxuriantly in all the plantations throughout the - Kohistan of the North-west Provinces and Punjab. Both green and - black Tea plants were sent, the former from Whey Chow, Mooyeen, - Chusan, Silver Island, and Tein Tang, near Ningpo, and the latter - from Woo-e San, Tein San, and Tsin Gan, in the Woo-e district. But - so similar are the green and black Tea plants to each other, and the - plants from the Amoy districts, that the most practised eye, when - they are mixed together, cannot separate them, showing that they - are nothing more than mere varieties of one and the same plant, the - changes in the form of the leaf being brought about by cultivation. - Moreover, throughout the plantation fifty varieties might easily - be pointed out; but they run so into each other as to render it - impossible to assign them any trivial character, and the produce of - the seed of different varieties does not produce the same varieties - only, but several varieties, proving that the changes are entirely - owing to cultivation; nor do the plants, cultivated at 6,000 feet - in the Himalayas, differ in the least in their varieties from those - cultivated at 2,500 feet of altitude in the Dehra Dhoon. - - [Sidenote: Assam species.] - - “That the Assam plant is a marked species is true, it being - distinguished by its large membranous and lanceolate leaf, small - flower, and upright growth. - - “It is a very inferior plant for making Tea, and its leaves are - therefore not used.[19] Though the plants received from the different - districts of China do not differ from those first sent to the - plantations, it is highly important to know that the Tea plants - from well-known green and black Tea districts of China now exist in - the plantations, as it is stated that local causes exert a great - influence in the quality of the Teas as much as the manufacture - does. The expense, therefore, incurred in stocking the Government - plantations with the finest kinds and varieties of Tea plants - procurable in China, though great, will be amply repaid. From them - superior kinds of Tea are produced.” - -The above extract is a sample of the said “Records.” They abound in -errors and highly coloured statements, which induced many to embark -in Tea on unfavourable sites, and “the red book” (it is bound in a -red cover) is not exactly blessed by the majority of the Himalayan -planters! - -FOOTNOTES: - -[16] It is a singular fact that none exists in Northern Cachar, that -is, on the northern side of the river. - -[17] And also the introduction of a bad class of plants.--E. M. - -[18] A single small sample of Tea very carefully made, and with an -amount of labour which could never be bestowed on the mass, is little -or no criterion. Tea is better made in Kumaon in 1878 than it was in -1842, but Kumaon Tea does not vie in price with Eastern Bengal produce. -All the Himalayan Tea is weak, though of a delicate flavour; all Tea -grown at high elevation _must_ be so.--E. M. - -[19] A little enquiry would have shown this was not true, even when it -was written. All Tea planters, brokers, and all interested in Tea, know -now (many knew it then) that the “Assam species,” viz., the indigenous, -makes the most valuable Tea produced.--E. M. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -TEA SEED. - - -Though there is a great difference in Tea plants (see last chapter) the -seed of all is the same, and it is therefore impossible to say from -what class of plants it has been gathered. - -When Tea seed was very valuable (it has sold in the Tea-fever days as -high as Rs. 200 and Rs. 300 per maund) it was the object of planters to -grow as much as possible. - -High class plants do not give much seed, a plantation therefore with -much on it should be avoided in purchasing seed. - -The Tea flower (the germ of next year’s seed) appears in the autumn, -and the seed is ripe at the end of the following October or early -November. - -It takes thus one year to form. - -Seed is ripe when the capsule becomes brown, and when breaking the -latter the inner brown covering of the seed adheres to the seed and -_not_ to the capsule. - -One capsule contains 1, 2, 3, and sometimes even 4 seeds. - -Though the mass ripens at the end of October, some ripen earlier; the -capsule splits and the seed falls on the ground. If, therefore, all -the seed from a garden is required, it is well to send round boys all -October to pick up such seeds. - -When the seed is picked at the end of October or early November the -mass is still in capsules. It should be laid in the sun for half an -hour daily for two or three days until most of the capsules have -split. It is then shelled, and the clean seed laid on the floor of -any building where it will remain dry. Sunning it _after_ shelling is -objectionable. - -The sooner it is sown after it is shelled the better. - -If for any reason it is necessary to keep it, say a fortnight or three -weeks before sowing, it is best kept _towards_ germinating in layers -covered with dry mould. But if to be kept longer leave it on the dry -floor as above, taking care it is thinly spread (not more than one seed -thick if you have space) and collected together, and re-spread every -day to turn it. - -For transport to a distance it should be placed in coarse gunny bags -only one-third filled. If these are shaken and turned daily during -transit a journey of a week will not very materially injure the seed. - -For any long journey it is best placed in layers in boxes with -thoroughly dry and fine charcoal between the layers, and sheets of -paper here and there to prevent the charcoal running to the bottom. - -It is scarcely necessary to consider how Tea seed can be utilized when -not saleable, for seed prevents leaf, and therefore it should not be -grown if there is no market for it. It will, however, make oil, but -the price it would fetch for this purpose would not compensate for -the diminished yield of leaf it had caused. It is also valuable as -manure mixed with cattle-dung, but it would not pay to grow it for this -purpose either. - -My advice therefore is to allow no more seed on the garden than you -require for your own use (even the fullest gardens require some yearly) -or than you can sell at a remunerative price. - -If the object is to produce a considerable quantity of seed, set apart -a piece of the plantation for it, and do not prune it at all. A large -number will then be produced on that piece. - -If the object is to grow as little seed as possible after the pruning -in the cold weather, which destroys the greater part, send round boys -to pick off such of the germs as remain. - -If this is done ever so carefully, some will escape, enough say to give -one maund seed from 10 acres of garden, and this as a rule is enough to -fill up vacancies in a good garden. - -The following figures regarding seed will be found useful, but remember -the higher the class of plant the less durable the seed:-- - -Seven maunds seed, with capsules, give 4 mds. clean seed. - - One maund clean seed (fresh) =26,000 seeds. - „ „ (ten days old) =32,000 „ - „ „ (one month old) =35,000 „ - -Say therefore, in round numbers, that one maund Tea seed=30,000 seeds. - -With good Tea seed, sown shortly after it is picked, about 20,000 will -germinate. - -If you get 8,000 to germinate with seed that has come a long distance, -you are lucky. - -After a two months’ journey 3,000 is probably the outside which will be -realised. - -My experience, with seed imported into another District from Assam or -Cachar, is that more than 4,500 Seedlings cannot be expected from each -maund. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -COMPARISON BETWEEN SOWING IN NURSERIES AND IN SITU. - - -In the one case the seed is placed in nurseries at the close of the -year, and the young plants transplanted into the garden at beginning of -the following rains. - -In the other the seed is (at the same time, viz., close of the year, if -you can get it so soon) sown at once in the plantation where the plants -are intended to grow. - -Each of these plans has its advocates, who don’t believe in the other -plan at all! The question is which is the better? - -Their respective advantages may be shortly summed up as follows:-- - - -NURSERIES. - -_Advantages._--The seed may be made to germinate early by watering. -After it germinates the plants can be watered from time to time as they -require it. Artificial shade (a great help to the germination of Tea -seed) can be given. The soil can be frequently opened, and the plants -in every way better tended in nurseries. - -_Disadvantages._--The plants lose at least three months’ growth when -transplanted, and may die. The transplanting necessitates labour at -the time of the year it is much wanted for other work. The expense is -greater than the other plan, for there are the nurseries to make and -the labour of transplanting. - - -IN SITU. - -_Advantages._--The plants gain some three months in growth by not being -moved. It saves labour at the busy time, viz., early in the rains. -It saves all the labour of transplanting, that is, it _saves_ labour -absolutely, and _gives_ labour when, as stated, it is much required. - -_Disadvantages._--If the early rains (that is, rain in December, -January, and February) fail, but few seeds germinate. In the case of -a new garden, the soil must be kept clean six or seven months before -it would be necessary by the nursery plan. No artificial shade can be -given. - -It will thus be seen that the advocates of both plans have much to urge -in their respective favours. Which is better? - -The advocates of each plan are guided by the climate they have planted -Tea in, and the truth is simply that the better plan for one place is -not adapted to another. Planting _in situ_ where it will succeed is -by far the cheaper and better, and it will do so wherever there are -certainly cold weather and spring rains. Thus (see rain table) it will -often succeed in Assam, Cachar, Darjeeling, the Western Dooars, and -perhaps the Terai below Darjeeling. It will fail in Chittagong, Dehra -Dhoon, Kumaon, Kangra, and Hazareebaugh. In Chittagong, for instance, -a garden could never be made by planting _in situ_, or, as it is -generally called, at stake.[20] - -In this and other matters adapt your operations to the existing climate. - -I will now describe the above two methods of sowing seed. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[20] In no climate is the success of it certain, for early rains often -fail, and then it is all loss. I would, therefore, in all cases advise -nurseries in reserve. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -SOWING SEED IN SITU, ID EST, AT STAKE. - - -It is named “at stake” because stakes are put along in lines to show -where the Tea trees are to be, and the seed is sown at those spots. - -The _modus operandi_ is very simple. A month before the sowing time -(which should be as soon as you can get the seed), at each stake dig a -hole at least 9 inches diameter and 12 inches deep, put the soil taken -out on the sides, taking care, however, if it be on a slope, to put -none _above_ the hole. Do not put the soil near enough to the pit to -make it likely it will be washed back. Such soil as should be washed in -ought to be the new rich surface soil. For this reason the upper side -of the hole should be left free on slopes. The pits are made a month -beforehand to admit of this, and to allow the action of the air on the -open sides to improve the mould. - -If lucky enough to have one or two falls of rain during the month, the -holes will be more or less filled up with soil eminently calculated -to instigate rapid growth. Just before sowing fill up the pit with -surrounding _surface_ soil. Whether to mix a little manure with it -or not is a question. If it is virgin soil, and rich in decayed -vegetation, I say no; if not virgin soil, and rather poor, yes; but it -must be strictly in moderation--not more, say, than a man can hold in -both hands to each hole. In filling up the hole, press the soil down -lightly two or three times, or it will all sink later, and your seeds -be far too deep. - -When the above is all done, there is a perfect spot for the reception -of the seed. The tap-root can readily descend in search of moisture, -and the lateral rootlets can spread likewise. They (the latter) will -not reach the outer walls of the pit for six months, and will then be -strong enough to force their way through. - -Now sow the seed. Put in, say, two or three, as the seed is good or -bad, six inches apart; push them into the soft soil one inch, and put -up the stake in the centre to mark the spot. - -Keep the place clean till following rains, but allow only hand-weeding -near the young seedlings, and occasionally open the soil with some -light hand-instrument, as a “koorpee,” to the depth of half-an-inch. - -If all the seeds germinate, and the seedlings escape crickets, and all -live, at commencement of the rains leave the best and transplant the -others to any vacant spot. You will succeed with some, not with others; -but do not be too anxious to take up the spare ones with earth round -the roots, and thus endanger the one plant left. That the seedling left -be not injured is the _great_ point, the others must take their chance. - -Some people believe in two, or even three seedlings together, and would -thus advise them to be all, or perhaps two, left. I do not approve of -the plan, except, perhaps, with Chinese plants. Plant as close as you -will in the lines, but give each plant its own home. - -There is another mode of planting at stake, which is, I think, better -than the above. - -Lay the seed in alternate layers of seed and mould in beds. The seeds -may be laid _close_ to each other, but not _above_ each other, with -mould, say, two inches thick, above, and then seed again. When they -begin to burst, ready to shoot out their roots, examine the seeds, by -taking off the soil from each layer, every three or four days. Take -out those that _have_ burst, and plant with the eye or root side of -the seed downwards. Put all that have _not_ burst back again. Repeat -the operation again and again every second or third day. Be careful and -take them up before the root projects--that is, directly the coating -has cracked. - -By this means only one seed need be put at each stake, for it is -certain to germinate, and seed may thus be made to go much further. -Great care is, however, necessary in this operation. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -NURSERIES. - - -Choose a level site, with, if possible, the command of water -at a higher level--anyhow with water handy. Either irrigating -or hand-watering for seed beds is a necessity if vigorous and -well-developed plants are to be looked for. - -The soil should be of the light, friable kind recommended for the -Tea-plant (see “Soil”) and of the same _nature_ as the soil of the -garden, the ultimate home of the plants. This latter is all-important, -for seedlings will never thrive (probably not live) transplanted into -a new kind of mould, particularly a poorer kind. - -If possible, the soil of the seed beds should be poorer than the soil -of the garden--on no account richer. Taking care it is of the same -_nature_ as the garden soil, choose the poorest you can find. The -principle is well known in England, and it applies equally to India. -From poor to rich soil plants thrive, but never the other way. - -For the above reason, if you manure seed beds, do it very sparingly. - -Artificial shade for seed beds is a necessity; at least very many more -seeds will germinate when it is given. - -Natural shade over seed beds is _very_ bad; for, _firstly_, “the -drippings” are highly injurious; and, _secondly_, shade is only -required till the plants are two or three inches high; after that _any_ -shade is bad, for plants brought up to the time of transplanting in -shade are never very hardy. - -Seed beds, where water is handy, should not be dug deep. If so dug, -and the soil is consequently loose a long way down, the tap-root will -descend quickly, and will be too long when transplanted. As water can -be given when it is necessary, there is no need for the tap-root to go -down low in search of moisture.[21] A long tap-root is generally broken -in “lifting” the seedling from the bed. - -Seed beds raised, as is the usual custom, above the paths that run -between them, are objectionable. They part with moisture too freely. -They should, on the contrary, be below the level of the paths, and -there is another advantage in this, for the said paths can then be used -partly as supports for the artificial shade, and thus do away with the -expense of long wooden stakes. - -As the seed beds are only required until the beginning of the following -rains, there is no possibility of their suffering from excessive -moisture. When they are required to remain later, of course this plan -of making the beds lower than the paths will not do. - -Seed is best sown in drills, six inches apart, and each seed two, -or if space can be got, even three inches from its neighbour. This -facilitates each seedling being taken up later, with more or less -of a ball of earth round the roots--an all-important point (see -Transplanting, page 76). - -The length of the beds does not signify, but the breadth must not be -more than five feet, so that a man on the path on either side can reach -to the middle while hand-weeding or opening the soil. - -After what has been said no lengthy directions for making the beds are -necessary. - -Cut down, burn, or carry off all jungle, and then take out all roots, -whether grass or other. Now make the surface level. After this mark -off the beds and paths, the latter one foot broad only, with string -and pegs. Then raise the path six inches above the spots marked off -for the beds. This latter must not be done by earth from the beds, but -by earth from outside the intended nursery. Next dig and pulverise the -soil of the beds to a depth of six or seven inches, no more, and level -the surface. - -All is now ready for the seed. A string, five feet long, with a small -peg at either end, is given to two men who stand on the path at either -side of the bed. Each man has a six-inch measure. The string is laid -across the bed, beginning at one end and pegged down on either side. -A drill is then made along the string about one inch deep, and this -done the string is, by means of the six-inch measure on either side, -removed, and pegged down again in the place for the next drill. Seeds -are then sown or placed along the first drill made, two or three inches -apart, and the earth filled in. This is repeated again and again till -the whole bed is sown. - -If the character of the seed is doubtful it must be laid in thicker, -but with good seed two-and-a-half to three inches is the best distance. - -The sowing finished the artificial shade has to be given. Along the -paths, at five feet apart, put in forked stakes, two feet long--viz., -six inches into the path, and eighteen inches above it. Connect these -with one another by poles laid in the forks; now lay other (but -thinner) poles attached to the first poles at either end _across_ -and above the bed; and again across these latter, that is along _the -length_ of the beds, split bamboos, and then bind the whole framework -here and there. The said framework made will then be two feet above -the beds--viz., eighteen inches of stake support, and the six-inch -raised paths. The eighteen inches of opening all round, under the -frame, that is, between the frame and the path, allows the necessary -air to circulate; while the expense, danger from high winds, and the -objectionable entrance of the sun at the sides, all of which high -artificial shade is subject to, are avoided by this low frame-work. - -Mats are the best to cover the frame-work. In case of accidental or -incendiary fire they are not so objectionable as grass, for they burn -less and slower, but mats are expensive. Any coarse grass (freed from -seed) will answer, and it should be laid on as thin as will suffice to -give shade. - -The beds may be watered, if there is no rain, a fortnight after the -seed is sown, and from time to time during the dry season, whenever the -soil at a depth of three or four inches shows no moisture. - -The soil should also be kept free of weeds, and after the plants are -three or four inches high, the spaces between the drills should be -slightly stirred every now and then. - -After the seed has germinated, and the seedlings have, say, four leaves -on them, the artificial shade should be taken away. But it must be done -gradually, taking off portions of the grass first, so that the young -seedlings may by degrees be inured to the hot sun. - -Though cultivation, as described, by watering and opening the soil at -times is well, these should not be done much, or the seedlings will -be too large when the time comes to transplant them. Large seedlings -do not, as a rule, thrive as well as moderate-sized ones, after being -transplanted. - -Among the many very absurd mistakes made in the cultivation of the -Tea plant, none exceeds the ridiculous way Tea seed used to be sown -in the Government plantations in the North-western Himalayas. The -seed was sown in drills, as I have advised, but in six linear inches -of the drills, where it is right to put two, or at most three, seeds, -perhaps thirty were placed! I do not exaggerate; the drill, six inches -deep, was filled with them. Many and many lacs of seed, in those days -worth many thousand rupees, were thus sacrificed. Private planters in -the Himalayas, taught by the Government method, once did the same. I -believe the absurd practice is exploded now. - -Seed cannot be sown too soon after being picked. It is ripe early in -November, so the beds should be all ready by November, and if the seed -has not far to come it can thus be sown early that month. - -To each maund there are in round numbers 30,000 seeds, (see page 56). -The number of plants it will take to fill an acre depends, of course, -on the distances they are set apart (see page 72), but having decided -this point, also the area to be planted, and consequently the number of -maunds of seeds to be sown (see page 56), the following table will be -found useful in calculating the size of nursery required:-- - - - _Table showing the size of nursery required for one maund and ten - maunds seed, the drills being 6 inches apart, and each seed 3 inches - or 2 inches from its neighbour._ - - -------------+-----------+------------------+---------------+---------------- - Distance each|Area in sq.|Area, in sq. feet,|Area, including|Size of nursery, - seed is set |inches each|of beds without |paths required |including the - apart in the |seed will|paths required for|for each md. |paths to take in - drill. |occupy. |each md. | |for 10 mds. - -------------+-----------+------------------+---------------+---------------- - 3 inches | 18 | 3,763 |4,513 sq. feet | 100 yards - | | | or | by - | | | 501 sq. yards.| 50 yards. - | | | | - 2 inches | 12 | 2,500 |2,995 sq. feet | 100 yards - | | | or | by - | | | 332 sq. yards.| 33 yards. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -If nurseries for more than ten maunds are required, then allow 100 -yards to be the breadth, and for each extra ten maunds add respectively -for 3 or 2 inches (see 1st column) 50 or 33 yards to the length. Thus -fifty maunds will require nurseries 100 yards by 250 yards, or 100 -yards by 165 yards, according as it is decided to plant the seed 3 -inches or 2 inches apart in the lines. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[21] In planting “at stake” (see last Chapter) the conditions are -different. There the plant is in its permanent home, and the more -quickly and deeper the tap-root descends the better, as the plant will -then draw moisture from low down when the soil is dry. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -MANURE. - - -An idea existed formerly--got, I believe, from stray Chinamen, who I -don’t think knew much about Tea in any way--that manure, though it -increased the yield, spoilt the flavour of Tea. The idea is opposed to -all agricultural knowledge, for high cultivation, which in no case can -be carried out to perfection without manure, much improves the strength -and flavour of all edibles, the product of mother-earth. - -My first experience of manure to the Tea plant was obtained in the -Chittagong district from a small garden close to the station, which has -been for some years highly manured. I was struck with the frequency and -abundance of the flushes and the strength and flavour of the Tea. My -high opinion of the Tea was later borne out by the Calcutta brokers. I -allude to the “Pioneer” garden, close to the Chittagong station. During -the best Tea months flush succeeded flush at intervals of less than a -week, while eight to ten maunds (640 to 800 lbs.) was the yearly yield -per acre! The soil was very sandy and poor. - -After-experience showed me that manuring nearly doubles the yield of -plants, and that so far from injuring the flavour of Tea it improves -it, while it adds greatly to the strength. - -I shall therefore beg the question that manure _is_ an advantage. If -any planter doubts, let him try it, and his doubts will soon be solved. - -Any manure is better than none, but I believe one of the best manures -for the Tea plant (always excepting night-soil and the excrements of -birds, which cannot be procured) is cattle manure. It is not heating, -like horse-dung, and may be applied in large quantities without any -risk. The fresher it is applied, in my opinion, the better, for it has -then far more power. If mixed with any vegetable refuse, the bulk being -increased, it will go further, but I do not think it is intrinsically -any the better for it. - -There are several chemical manures advertised for Tea plants. “Money -and Ponder’s Chemical Manure,” lately patented by Mr. Ponder and -myself, is said to have been very successful on several gardens. It is -manufactured by Mr. J. Thompson, Kooshtea, Bengal, who will supply all -details. - -All garden refuse should be regarded as manure and buried between the -plants. I allude to the prunings of the bushes and the weeds at all -times from the land. To carry these off the ground, as I have sometimes -seen done, is simply taking off so much strength from the soil. The -greener, too, all this is buried the better. - -When it is considered how much is taken from the Tea plant, it is -evident the soil will be exhausted, sooner or later, if no means are -adopted to repair the waste. Where manure cannot be got the waste must -be made up, as far as possible, by returning all other growth to the -soil. But manure _should_ be got if possible, for it will double the -yield of a garden; and highly concentrated chemical manures will, I am -sure, be eventually much used on Tea gardens. - -The best way to apply it, if enough manure is procurable, is round each -plant; not close to the stem (the rootlets by which the plant feeds -are not there) but about 1 foot from it. Dig a round trench with a -_kodalee_, about 9 inches wide and 6 inches deep, at the above distance -from the stem, lay in the manure, and replace the soil at top. If -the plants are young the trench should be narrower, shallower, and 6 -inches, instead of 1 foot, from the stems. - -If enough manure is not procurable for this (the best) plan, the most -must be done with what can be got, as follows:--If the plants are full -grown, and there is say 4 feet between the lines, dig a trench down the -centre and lay in the manure. The plants will then be manured on two -sides. If the plants are young lay the manure _near_ them on two sides, -if possible, but failing that even on one side. The principle is to lay -the manure at the distance the feeding rootlets are, and the older the -plant the greater distance these are from its stem. - -As to the quantity of cattle manure. Say for plants four years old and -upwards (if younger, less will be an equivalent) one maund to 20 trees -is a moderate dose, one maund to 15 trees a good dose, and one maund to -10 trees highly liberal manuring, and as much as the plants can take up. - -Say in round numbers each acre contains 2,500 plants (4 by 4--a usual -distance--gives 2,722 plants, as shown at page 72), and say the manure -is procurable at three annas a maund.[22] - -The following table shows the expense of each degree of manuring, viz., -10, 15, and 20 trees per maund:-- - - -_Table showing the possible cost and result of manuring with cattle -manure._ - - Key: - - A: Maunds of manure per acre at 2,500 plants per acre - B: Cost of manure at 3 annas per maund _N.B._--Ans. omitted - C: Probable extra yield of Tea per acre - D: Value of extra yield of Tea at Rs. 50 per maund - E: Profit by manuring per acre - F: Deducting the probable cost of putting in the manure, the following - profit is shown per acre - - --------------------+------+-----+-------+------+-----+---- - | | | | | | - Rate of Manuring | | | | | | - | A | B | C | D | E | F - | | | | | | - | | | | | | - --------------------+------+-----+-------+------+-----+---- - | Mds. | Rs. | Mds. | Rs. | Rs. | Rs. - One md. to 10 plants| 250 | 47 | 2-1/2 | 125 | 78 | 70 - One md. to 15 plants| 166 | 31 | 2 | 100 | 69 | 62 - One md. to 20 plants| 125 | 23 | 1-1/2 | 75 | 52 | 46 - --------------------+------+-----+-------+------+-----+---- - -It is not too much to calculate that this will add respectively 1-1/2, -2, and 2-1/2 maunds of Tea per acre to the yield, and I have carried -this out in the table and shown the results. - -I quite believe the results shown will be obtained by manuring, and I -base my opinion on practice not theory. - -_N.B._--I have deducted Rs. 8 for the first, Rs. 7 for the second, and -Rs. 6 for the third, as the probable cost of putting in the manure, as -it may have to be carried from the factory to the garden. If purchased -after being placed between the lines (and if manure is bought of -adjacent villagers they will so place it), the cost would be less. - -The above table, of course, only applies to localities where cattle -manure can be purchased at 3 annas per maund, including carriage to the -factory. - -The value of the extra yield of Tea is estimated at only Rs. 50 per -maund in the above table, because the leaf which will give one maund of -Tea is worth no more, as follows:-- - - Rs. A. P. - Probable price obtainable for one maund or - 80 lbs. Tea in Calcutta, at 14 annas a lb. - all round (a fair calculation, one year with - the other, if it is well manufactured). 70 0 0 - - Deduct cost, manufacture, packing, transport, - and broker’s charges as set out in the - chapter on “cost manufacture,” page 162 16 9 0 - -------------- - Value of leaf which will make one maund Tea 53 7 0 - ============== - -But I prefer estimating it at Rs. 50 only, to be on the safe side. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[22] It is brought and placed between the lines, in one garden in the -Chittagong district, for one to two annas a maund! - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -DISTANCES APART TO PLANT TEA BUSHES. - - -When the idea existed, which it did once, that ploughs could be used to -cultivate a garden between the lines, these latter, with this object, -were placed unnecessarily wide apart. - -All distances may be seen in different gardens, viz., 6 × 6, 6 × 3, 6 -× 4, 5 × 4, 5 × 5, 4 × 3, &c., &c. - -The plough idea has nowhere been found to answer, and is exploded.[23] -Still, even for hand labour to cultivate, and for facilities in picking -leaf, it is necessary there should be room enough one way to pass -along. Cultivation here means digging, and space enough for this must -be left between the lines. Giving so much, what is then the principle -that should guide us? Clearly, with a view to the largest yield -obtainable, to place as many plants on the land as it will bear. - -Four or 4-1/2 feet are, I think, the best distances between the lines. - -They give space enough for air to cultivate, and to pass along, even -when the trees are full grown. - -Where manure is obtainable and the soil can be kept up to a rich state -by yearly applications, a garden can scarcely be planted too close. - -I see no objection to trees touching each other in the lines. - -On considerable slopes, to prevent the wash of soil, the plants should -be placed as close as possible, say 3-1/2 feet between and 2 feet in -the lines. - -A closely planted garden will grow less weeds than a widely planted -one, and will consequently be cheaper to work. - -As the expenditure on a garden is in direct proportion to the area, -and the yield in direct proportion to the number of plants (always -supposing there is power enough in the soil to support them), it -follows that a closely planted garden _must_ be very much more -profitable than the reverse. - -Hybrid plants grow to a larger size than Chinese, and should therefore -have more room. - -The following is a useful table:-- - - -_Table showing the Plants to an Acre, and the Area one lakh of -seedlings will cover, at the distances named._ - - -------------+---------+----------+---------------+------------------ - | Square | |The area in | - Distances in | ft. |Plants in |acres one lakh | REMARKS - feet |to each | one acre |of seedlings | - | plant | |will cover | - -------------+---------+----------+---------------+------------------ - 6 by 6 | 36 | 1,210 | 82-1/2} | - 6 „ 5 | 30 | 1,452 | 69 } | - 6-1/2 „ 4 | 26 | 1,675 | 59-3/4} | Too wide for any - 5 „ 5 | 25 | 1,742 | 57-1/2} | plants. - 6 „ 4 | 24 | 1,815 | 55 } | - | | | | - 6 „ 3-1/2| 21 | 2,074 | 48 } | For Hybrids, but - 5 „ 4 | 20 | 2,178 | 45-1/2} | still I think too - | | | | wide. - | | | | - 6 „ 3 | 18 | 2,420 | 41-1/4} | Good distances - 4 „ 4 | 16 | 2,722 | 36-3/4} | for Hybrids. - 5 „ 3 | 15 | 2,904 | 34-1/2} | - | | | | - 4 „ 3 | 12 | 3,630 | 27-1/2} | Chinese for early - | | | | return. - 3-1/2 „ 3-1/2| 12-1/4 | 3,555 | 28 } | - 3-1/2 „ 3 | 10-1/2 | 4,148 | 24 } | Chinese. - | | | | - 6 „ 3-1/4| 19-1/2 | 2,233 | 44-3/4} | Hybrid. - | | | | - 5 „ 3-1/4| 16-1/4 | 2,726 | 36-3/4} | Chinese. - 5 „ 3-1/2| 17-1/2 | 2,489 | 40 } | - | | | | - 3-1/2 „ 2 | 7 | 6,223 | 16 | Best distance for - | | | | Chinese on steep - | | | | slopes. - -------------+---------+----------+---------------+------------------ - - On flat lands I advise-- - - Hybrid, if high-class 4 × 3-1/2 or 4-1/2 × 4 - Chinese 3 × 3 - - All the following equal one acre:-- - - 4 roods. 4,840 square yards. - 160 poles. 43,560 „ feet. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[23] Land _before_ it is planted can be cultivated with ploughs. My -manager is using them largely in the Western Dooars, the land being -there all flat. He uses English ploughs, bought of Ransomes and Sims, -Ipswich, with bullocks, and often an elephant. He finds the latter the -best. After ploughing he uses English harrows. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -MAKING A GARDEN. - - -I have not very much to say on this head, as most of the operations -entailed are treated separately. Still a few directions on primary -matters are required. - -Having selected a site and made arrangements for the Tea seed required -for the first year’s planting, you should commence operations early in -October, either by constructing the nursery, or clearing land on the -proposed site of the garden, as you may decide which mode of planting, -viz., “nurseries,” or “sowing at stake,” to adopt.[24] - -If the latter, you should begin to cut the jungle somewhat earlier, but -it is no use beginning to do this before the middle of September in any -case, for before that the jungle would spring up again so soon that it -would be labour lost. - -Before you do _anything_ decide how much you will cultivate the first -year, and make your arrangements for seed accordingly. Here let me -advise you in no case to attempt more than 100 acres. If you do 100 -really well the first year you will have done _very_ well. Remember you -have also buildings (though few) to construct, and trying to do too -much you may simply fail in all. - -Previous to October you should have made yourself thoroughly acquainted -with all your land, so that you can then fix with knowledge on the best -sites for your buildings, nursery, and Tea plantation. - -You will find much on these matters in other chapters which should be -read carefully. - -These respective sites having been fixed upon, and supposing you are -going to plant in both ways, from nurseries and _in situ_, construct -the nurseries as advised under that head, page 62, and also cut the -jungle on the intended garden site. - -There is not much to say about cutting jungle. Cut all the brushwood -first near the ground, and the big trees later, so that when they fall -they may lie on the underwood. In the portion you intend to plant at -stake you will not have time to cut down the big trees, and had better -simply “ring” them. If this is properly done, that is, if the ring -is broad enough and deep enough (less than one foot broad and five -inches deep for large trees is not safe), they will certainly die in -a twelvemonth, and will not give objectionable shade more than half -that time. In the part to be planted “at stake” you must burn all the -cut jungle by the end of October, and it will be well, if you have -labour enough, to send men up the big trees to cut off the branches -beforehand, so that they will more or less burn with the rest. Doing -this, and piling up the underwood to be burnt round the base of the big -trees, will cause earlier death, and diminish the objectionable shade. - -Having burnt the jungle, that is, as much as will burn, and carried off -the rest from the parts to be planted at stake, dig out all the small -roots, and that done, dig the whole some 4 or 5 inches deep. Then stake -it off with small bamboo stakes 18 inches long, showing where the Tea -trees are to be (see page 72 as to the best distances), and then make -your holes and plant your seed at each stake as directed at page 59. - -See the way it is recommended to stake land as regards its lay at pages -45 and 46. - -You will probably not have the ground ready before the end of November -(do not attempt more than you can do to that date), and then take care -and keep the seed, as directed at page 55, until it is sown. - -For the part to be planted from nurseries the following June you have -plenty of time. Nowhere have I, or anyone, seen large vigorous Tea -plants under trees. It is therefore evident trees are hurtful, and no -more should be left in a garden than are required for the labourers to -sit under occasionally, and to collect leaf under before it is taken -to the Tea-house. The trees that are left should be those on the sides -of roads. One to every two or three acres is ample. After therefore -cutting down all the low jungle, cut down all but the said few trees -(it is cheaper in the end than ringing them), and then cut off and cut -up all the branches into sizes that will burn readily. Cut up the large -trunks also into lengths, for all that will not burn must be carried -off later. Leave all so lying until February, then choose a day with a -high wind and fire it from the windward side. It may burn some days. -Then collect all unburnt into heaps, and fire again and again until -nothing more will burn. Now take out all roots, big and small, and when -well dry, stack all these, and what was left before, and fire again and -again. The land should now be tolerably clear, and can be dug at once. -The roads should be marked off before this, for they are better not dug. - -Now stake the land at the distances determined on, and a month before -the rains, or even more, if you are so far advanced, make holes for -the young seedlings at each stake, precisely like those recommended -for “planting at stake,” page 59. Only, if possible, these should be a -little larger each way than there advised, say 10 inches diameter and -15 inches deep. - -Read carefully the direction as to those pits, and follow them out -here. Much of the success of your planting depends on these holes. - -At the first commencement of the rains transplant, as directed under -that head in the next chapter. - -Any large heavy trunks, which cannot be easily carried off the land, -may be placed longways between the lines, but the less of dead timber -you leave lying about the gardens the better. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[24] In no case trust to the latter alone. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -TRANSPLANTING. - - -If the pits for the plants have been all prepared, as directed at pages -59 and 75, this operation is simple enough. - -A fortnight or so before it commences tip all the seedlings in the -nursery. Take off only the closed leaf at the head of each young plant -(see a leaf diagram, page 104), so that the bud at the base of the next -leaf be not injured. Doing this will make the seedlings hardier and -enable them earlier to recover the transplanting. - -On the day you intend to take up the seedlings from any bed, if you -have water enough at command, flood the bed. This, as you take up each -seedling, will cause the soil, being moist, to adhere better to the -roots. - -The difference between young plants transplanted with a ball of earth -round the roots, and those moved with their roots bare, is no less than -three months’ growth, if even it does not make the difference between -life and death. - -Proceed thus to ensure the former. At one short end of the bed, the -lowest if it is on a slope, dig close to the first row of seedlings a -trench so deep that its base shall be lower than the lowest end of the -tap-roots. Then with a five or six-pronged steel fork (this is better -than a spade, for it does not cut the rootlets) put in between the -first and second row, and pressed down with the foot to its head, force -carefully so much of the row down into the trench. Then with the hand -take up each seedling separately, helping the soil with a very light -pressure (so light that it shall not change the lateral direction of -any of the rootlets) to adhere, and place it in a low basket sloping. -Do this again and again, till two baskets are full, when they will be -carried, banghy fashion, to the garden. - -When the first row is finished clear away the loose soil, so that a -similar trench to the first shall be formed, and then proceed as above -with the second row, and so on. - -No further directions for lifting the seedlings out of the nurseries -are required. - -All is ready for their reception in the garden if the directions at -pages 59 and 75 have been followed out. The work now to be detailed -must be done by careful men well superintended. - -In the soft soil of the lately filled up pit, described at page 59, a -hole is made either with the hand or a narrow kodalee (the former, if -the soil has not settled much, will suffice), large enough and deep -enough to take in the seedling with all the earth attached to it. The -seedling is then put in and the soil filled in and round it, which -completes the operation. - -The manner, though, in which this is done is of great consequence. Four -things are all important:--(1) That the tap-root shall not be turned -up at the end because the hole is too shallow. (2) That any rootlets -projecting outside the attached earth shall be laid in the hole, and -shall preserve, when the soil is filled in, their lateral direction. -(3) That the collar of the plant (the spot where the stem entered the -earth in the nursery) shall be, when the pit is filled up, about 1-1/2 -inch higher than the surface of the surrounding earth. (4) That in -filling in the hole the soil is pressed down enough to make it unlikely -to sink later, but not enough to “cake” the mould. - -The following is the consequence of failure in these four points:-- - -1. Probably death, in any case very much retarded growth. I have -planted some seedlings so purposely, the majority died; those that -lived recovered very slowly, and digging them up later the tap-root was -found to have gone down after all by assuming the shape of the letter -S, the growth downwards being from the head of the letter. - -2. Rootlets, turned away from their lateral direction, interfere with -other rootlets, and though they eventually grow right if the plant -lives, they retard it. - -3. Fill in as you may (unless you “cake” the soil, which induces worse -evils) the plant sinks a little; thus, if not placed a little high, it -will eventually be too deep. If on the other hand placed too high, the -rootlets and collar will be exposed, which is an evil. - -4. Unless this is attended to the plant will sink too much and the -collar be buried; likewise an evil, which it takes the young seedling -some time to recover. - -Only first teaching and then practice will enable either European or -Native to plant well. This is how it should be done. - -Take the seedling in the left hand, holding it by the stem just above -the collar; then take the very end of the tap-root between the second -and third fingers of the right hand, and thus put it down into the hole -(you thus insure the tap-root being straight). Now judge exactly the -height of the collar that it be as directed. Rest the left arm then on -the ground to keep the plant steady, release the tap-root, and fill up -the hole about one-third, pressing the soil lightly. The plant will -then be fixed, and you can employ both hands to fill up the remainder, -and keep the rootlets in a lateral position. Press the soil lightly -as you do so, and when all is filled up press it down a little harder -round the stem of the plant. - -All the transplanting should be finished as early in the rains as -possible. A seedling, planted in the first fifteen days of June, is -worth two planted in July, and after the latter month it is generally -a case of seedlings and labour lost. - -Days with heavy rain are not good to plant in. Those with showers or -light drizzling rain are best. When there is very heavy rain the soil -“cakes” much. Fine days, if the ground is wet, and if more rain may -soon be looked for, are good, better though if cloudy than sunny. - -Where much planting has to be done, of necessity planting must be -carried on daily, for, as observed, it _must_ all be finished by end of -July at latest. - -In case of a sunny break in the weather, stop planting after the second -day, for early rain to young transplants is a necessity. - -In making a garden too much care cannot be given to the way seedlings -are placed in their homes. - -Just before sending the third edition to press, I saw in the _Indian -Tea Gazette_ some details of “new transplanting and transporting -tools,” patented by Mr. Jeben. I hope these will prove a success, for -such are much wanted, and if they will do all it is said they can do, a -great boon will have been conferred by Mr. Jeben on the Tea industry. - -Mr. J. W. Mountjoy, of Pandawbrang, Arracan, writes as follows -regarding these tools:-- - - “The Transplanter has, in working, proved to be a complete success. - Almost all the remaining seedlings have been transplanted by the - aid of your instrument, without the slightest injury to their roots - or check to their growth. The fact is, the young plants do not know - that they have been transplanted, and now that sunshine has succeeded - the late very heavy rains, new and vigorous growth is ‘bursting - out’ from all the seedlings that were transplanted by means of your - Transplanter. No manager of a Tea or Coffee plantation, who had once - seen this instrument at work, would ever again be likely to recur - to transplanting by hand, and not a single seedling should die when - removed from the nursery and carried to its place of ultimate growth - by means of your Transplanter. Your transplanting apparatus is better - than baskets, and has moreover the great recommendation of being very - economical. Your Transplanter will, with moderate care, last for many - years, and combines thorough economy with thorough efficiency.” - -I am glad to give the above extract, for I look on the invention, if -successful, as a most important one. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -CULTIVATION OF MADE GARDENS. - - -As manuring, which is part of this, is treated separately, we have here -only to consider the best means of stirring the soil to give air to the -roots of the plants, and to keep down weeds, which, if allowed, injure -the yield vastly. - -Unless when plants are full blown and in full bearing (and not even -then unless they are planted close) it is not only not necessary, but -a waste of labour and money, to open the soil all over the garden with -a view of stimulating or cultivating the plants. Much money has been -wasted in this way: for instance, in a garden planted 6 by 6 or 6 by 5, -and the plants but two years old, I have seen the whole dug many times -in the year. The roots of the said plants did not protrude at that age -more than 1 foot or so, what good could they possibly derive from the -extra space dug? - -The soil _over_ the rootlets of Tea plants cannot be stirred too often. -The oftener it is done the oftener the trees flush, and when young the -more vigorously will they grow. What is the best way to do it? - -I believe simply by digging _round_ each plant. I go to show why this -is, I believe, the best. - -Putting aside the waste incurred in digging a whole garden when not -necessary, the way the soil is then dug near the plants is, I think, -objectionable. The ground is dug in a straight line _up to the plant_, -and in doing so, if the digging is deep, roots are very apt to be cut. -Again, when the work is task-work, the men shirk as much as possible -digging close up to the stems under the branches, and thus the soil -over much of the roots, is not stirred at all. This is not easy to -detect, for you must look under the branches of each tree to see how -the work has been done. - -In “digging round plants” the men should _follow_ the kodalee round the -tree, and _the position of the blade in the same line as the roots_ -makes any injury very unlikely. Even if tasked, as when the work is -examined, it is _only_ round the plants, it is more readily perceived -if the ground has not been stirred close up to the stems. - -I therefore prefer digging round plants, with the view of cultivating -them, to digging the whole garden. I believe the object is better -attained. That it is much cheaper is evident. - -The annulus, or space to be dug round, beginning 9 inches from the -stem, varies with the age of the plant. Up to two years one kodalee in -width will do, and after that say 2 feet. - -The draw-hoe of 8 inches wide is a better tool for the above than -the kodalee, especially as it is work well suited to boys, and the -“draw-hoe” is a lighter tool. - -Till plants from seed at stake are a year old, and till seedlings from -nurseries are the same age, calculating in the latter case from the -transplanting, no kodalee or even draw-hoe should come near them. The -soil round for 6 inches should be slightly opened once a month or so, -but it should be done with the “koorpee.” - -We have now discussed the cultivation of the plants. The above often -done, say once a month, if possible, during the season, with judicious -pruning and liberal manuring, constitutes high cultivation. Did weeds -not grow there would be no need to do more, but weeds _do_ grow, and -must not be allowed. The richer the soil the more weeds, the more -manure you apply the more weeds also. - -Weeds choke the plant and diminish the yield. Weeds take from the -soil, and from manure, when given, the strength you want for your -constantly recurring flushes. If, therefore, you have a large crop of -weeds you have a small yield of Tea. - -How to stop this? There is one golden rule, “never let them get ahead -of you.” This, it is true, argues ample labour; but unless you _have_ -ample labour for the area you cultivate, better let your money lie in -the Bank and not grow Tea. Reduce your area until you _can_ keep ahead -of your weeds, for keep ahead you must if you wish for success. - -The secret of keeping ahead of weeds is to destroy them when young, to -do this again and again, as often as they come up, never allowing them -to bear seed. The kodalee, an excellent digging tool, is not good for -this: you want a lighter instrument, which can go over more ground and -will not open the soil in the dry season to any depth. The Dutch hoe, -the widest procurable in the blade, with a long lithe handle of 6 feet, -is perfect for this. - -With weeds at the height fit for a Dutch hoe, viz., 3 or 4 inches, and -not numerous (which they will not be if you have “kept ahead”), a man -will easily do 45 square nulls, _id est_, 720 square yards. He would -not do more than 30 nulls with a kodalee. - -The Dutch hoe must be well known. It is used for weeding drives and -walks in England. - -To conclude shortly, for “hoeing and weeding” I recommend as follows:-- - -Dig the whole garden thrice in the year, viz., spring, rains, and -autumn. Bury all weeds as you dig in trenches between the lines. - -In the intervals use the Dutch hoe as often as weeds appear. - -Cultivate the plants by digging round them once a month if possible. - -Do all this and you will find your garden is kept clean and well -cultivated, at far less cost than you incurred for cultivation when it -was choked with weeds for months together, while your yield will be at -the same time much increased. - -If you keep your garden thus clean, and do not allow the weeds to -get ahead of you, the following table shows about the cost of each -cultivation operation each time you do it:-- - - Key: - - A: Digging the whole surface - B: Digging round plants - C: Dutch hoeing or weeding - ----------------+----------+--------+---------+---------+------+------ - | Headman | Men at | Women | Boys at |Total |Say in - Detail of work | at 4-1/2 | 3-1/2 | at | 2-1/2 |cost | Rs. - | annas | annas | 3 annas | annas | | - ----------------+ --------+--------+---------+---------+------+------ - A | 3/4 | 12 | 5 | .. |2|13|6| 3 - B | 1/2 | .. | 4 | 5 |1|13|9| 2 - C | 1/2 | 4 | .. | .. |1|14|3| 2 - ----------------+----------+--------+---------+---------+------+------ - -If weeds get ahead the cost in each case will be nearly double the -above. - -The following table, which is as near the mark as any such estimate can -be, will be found useful. It will also be made use of when calculating -the cost of making a garden in Chapter XXIX., pages 164, 165, and 166. - - - _Table showing the cost per annum of keeping up at its best 100 acres - of Tea from the year it is planted until the sixth year inclusive._ - - ------+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------- - Year |Rate per acre|Per 100 acres| Remarks - | per annum | | - ------+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------- - | Rs. | Rs. | - First | 50 | 5,000 |The year the seed is sown at stake - Second| 60 | 6,000 | - Third | 70 | 7,000 | - Fourth| 80 | 8,000 | - Fifth | 90 | 9,000 | - Sixth | 100 | 10,000 |The plants should be large plants - | | | now, but they will not be at full - | | | bearing until the eighth year. - ------+-------------+-------------+---------------------------------- - -The above rates in the case of a 300-acre garden making will include -_everything_ but buildings. - -The rates are progressive, because the expenditure on the following -increases, or should increase, yearly. - - 1. Manager’s pay (say every second year). - 2. Assistant (first entertained, say third year). - 3. Cost and wear of tools. - 4. Cost of pruning. - 5. Cost of cultivation. - 6. Cost of manure. - 7. General expenses. - -No cost for Tea manufacture is included in the above, as this is -estimated for separately. See table at pages 160, 161, and 162. - -Keeping up high cultivation in every way and manuring liberally, a made -garden in full bearing can be kept up to its highest producing powers -(including the pay of the manager, establishment, and everything else) -for Rs. 100 per acre per annum. - -An acre of Tea may, I am aware, be kept up in a manner for Rs. 50 or so -yearly, but the profit on such a plantation must be nil. - -On the contrary, with the above expenditure per acre, on a good and -favourably located garden, the profit will be very large. See table at -page 172. - -It is with Tea as with all other cultivation. It has been proved in -England, and in all other countries where really high cultivation is -followed out, that the higher the system followed the greater the -profit. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -PRUNING. - - -It is stated elsewhere at length (page 102) _why_ I conceive pruning to -be necessary for the Tea plant. Whether I am right or not, the fact is -certain that without pruning very little leaf is produced. - -Pruning must be done in the cold weather when the plant is hybernating, -that is to say, when the sap is down. The sooner _after_ the sap goes -down it is done the better, for the sooner the tree will then flush in -the spring. - -There have been many theories about pruning Tea bushes, but none, I -think, worth much _practically_, for the simple reason that it is -impossible to prune 250,000 plants (the number in a 100-acre garden, -at 2,500 to the acre)[25] with the care and system a gardener prunes -a favourite fruit tree. The operation _must_ be a coarse one, done by -ignorant men, in large numbers at one time, who can in a measure be -more or less taught, and the nearer they do right the better: still, -really careful and scientific pruning can never be carried out on a Tea -plantation. - -The time to do it, too, is very limited. It cannot be begun before the -trees have done flushing, say, at the earliest, middle of November, or -continued, if early flushes and a large yield next season is looked -for, beyond end of January, at the latest. Thus at the most two months -and a half is all the time given. - -I shall confine myself therefore to giving such directions as will be -practically useful. - -The best instrument is the common “pruning knife.” It cuts far cleaner -than the “shears,” besides which the natives very seldom use the latter -well. What is called in England a “hedge-bill” is useful to trim the -outsides of the trees. If required it must be got from England, as I do -not think it is procurable in Calcutta. Whatever instruments are used -should be kept very sharp, and for this purpose, besides sharpening -them every morning on the grinding stone, each pruner should be -provided with a small pocket “hone.” - -The theory, and it is correct, is in pruning, to cut near above a bud -or branch, but not near enough to injure them. The cut should be quite -clean and sloping upwards, so that nothing can lodge on it. This theory -can be, and must be, strictly carried out in cutting the thick stems -and branches, but it is quite impossible to do it with the slender -branches or twigs of the tree. - -Prune so as to cause lateral growth. A Tea plant should never be -allowed to exceed, say, 4 feet in height, but the wider it is the -better. - -Prune off all lower branches tending downwards,[26] for the plant -should, if possible, be clean underneath to a height of, say, 6 inches. -This clean stem high class plants have naturally, not so the Chinese, -or the Chinese cast of hybrid. - -Plants should be more or less pruned out in the centre. In the -following spring young wood is then formed in the heart of the tree, -and it is only young wood and shoots that give leaf. - -Plants, if above two years old (see foot note next page), exceeding -2-1/2 feet in height at the end of the season (and all plants of any -age will) may be pruned down to 20 inches, but the thick wood must be -pruned down to varying heights several inches lower. - -Small plants must naturally be more lightly pruned. - -The best plan is, I think, to have two gangs: - -The first to go ahead and cut out the thick wood (here judgment is -necessary, so let them be the best men) to varying heights, from about -11 to 18 inches. The second gang to follow, each with a rod 20 inches -long, to cut down all the light wood left to that level. - -All plants, how low or how young soever they may be, must be pruned -somewhat.[27] The lower their stature and the less their age the less -pruning they require. - -Of the two extremes, at least with the Tea plant, it is probably -better to over than to under-prune. The treatment of the plants, with -reference to the leaf to be taken in the spring, must be a good deal -regulated by the way, or rather the extent, to which they have been -pruned. On this point see page 103. - -The cost of pruning depends on whether it is high or low, and whether -the plants are large, middling, or small. The greatest cost is about -Rs. 6, the least about Rs. 3 per acre. - -Let all prunings be buried between the lines of plants, if possible, -before the leaves have even withered. They make capital manure, but -much of the virtue escapes if they are allowed to lie on the ground any -time before they are buried. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[25] In a 500-acre garden the number is 1,250,000, which _ought_ all to -be pruned in two months! - -[26] The best plan with the lowest branches is to _pull_ them off, with -a sharp downward action, as then they will not grow again. - -[27] But not before the end of 18 months after transplanting, as the -object at first is to get a long tap-root to draw moisture from low -down, and this is best attained by allowing the plant to grow as it -will. I look on this as all-important. I care not how high a plant may -grow, for 18 months I would in no way interfere with its growth. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -WHITE ANTS, CRICKETS, AND BLIGHT. - - -These insects (for blight, too, is said to be an insect) are very -destructive to the Tea plants. The cricket, however, only injures it -when quite young, so we will consider that little pest first. - -When Tea seed germinates, and the young seedling is 2 or 3 inches high, -the cricket delights to cut the stem and carry, or try to carry, the -two or three green leaves attached to the upper part into its hole. -Even after seedlings are planted out, if the stems are slender, it cuts -them. To the young seedlings, in nurseries or planted “at stake,” they -often do great harm, killing in some places one-third or so. - -It is much easier to prevent their ravages in nurseries than in this -latter case, simply because the spot in which they must be sought and -destroyed is circumscribed in the one, almost unlimited in the other. - -Only one thing can be done. Employ boys (they soon get clever enough -at the work) to hunt for their holes and dig them out. The holes are -minute, but run down a long way. The only plan to follow them is to -put in a thin pliable stick and remove the soil along it. On getting -to the bottom of the stick, if it is not the bottom of the hole, you -repeat the operation till you _do_ get to the bottom, and there you -will generally find the cricket. - -Early in the morning they can be often found and caught outside their -holes. The boys employed should be paid for them by the number they -catch. They can be placed alive and brought to the factory in a hollow -bamboo, and then killed in some merciful way. - -When once a Tea plant has got a stem as thick as a thick pencil no -cricket can hurt it. - -They are much worse in some places than others, and in my experience I -have found them worse on low lands. - -The white ant is a much more formidable enemy than the cricket. They -_do_ (as all planters know) attack and destroy living bushes.[28] -Whether they first attack some small dead portion or not is a question, -but practically it does not signify the least, for if they do they -manage to find such in about one-third of the trees in a garden. -Beginning with the minute dead part they kill ahead of them as they go, -and will, eventually, in many cases, if left alone, kill the largest -trees. - -They have a formidable enemy in the small black ant which exists in -myriads, and kills the white ant whenever the latter is not protected -by the earthen tunnels he constructs. In many places so great is the -pest that, did this small black ant not exist, I believe no Tea Garden -could stand. - -From the close of the rains to the cold weather is the worst time for -white ants, and the time the planter should guard particularly against -their ravages. At that time if he examines his trees closely he will -very likely find white ants on a quarter of the whole. - -Digging round the plant where they are disturbs their runs and does -much good. At the same time they should be brushed off any part of the -tree they have attacked, and the tree should be well shaken. - -All this, however, only does temporary good, for they often are found -as thick as ever on the plant a week later. - -Tobacco water is beneficial, but in wet weather it is soon washed off. - - -Kerosene oil is _very_ efficient. A little is put round the stem, -but it is expensive. The next best thing I know is the earth oil -(petroleum) from Burmah, and this is cheap enough. It is thick, but -used from a bottle it gets heated by the sun and is then quite limpid. - -When white ants are found on a tree, a little with a small brush is put -on the part they have attacked. They are also well shaken off, and a -ring of oil is placed round the stem. My experience is that they will -not attack that tree again for a long time. I was at first fearful that -both it and the kerosene (the one, I believe, is only a manufacture -of the other) would injure the trees, but both are safe. I strongly -recommend others to try it, if they doubt, on a small spot only in the -first instance. - -Whatever is used, or whatever is done, white ants must not be left to -work their will in the autumn. All the trees should then be examined -once at least, and once again, if possible, the following spring. - -Blight (a serious matter, I hear, in Cachar) I know but little of. I -do not remember hearing anything about it when I was there, now some -fourteen years ago. It is rare in the Chittagong district, but I have -seen one or two trees attacked with it. Under its influence the young -leaves get covered with brown spots and shrivel. It is most destructive -to the yield of a garden. - -From one or two experiments made I believe pruning off all the diseased -branches, and scraping back the soil for a space of 2 feet round the -stem, so as almost to lay the roots bare, will be found beneficial, but -I do not speak with certainty. - -All the Himalayan gardens are free from these three pests detailed, -except that occasionally a few crickets have been seen. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[28] A long controversy on this point lately took place in the papers; -that is to say, the point discussed was, whether white ants do or do -not attack living tea trees. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -FILLING UP VACANCIES. - - -So difficult is this to do, that I have heard several planters declare -they would attempt it no further, but, on the contrary, accept the -vacancies in their gardens as an unavoidable evil. - -That it is difficult I, too, can certify. Seedlings put into vacant -spots year after year die, either in the rains they are planted or in -the following spring. If, however, a few yards off a fresh piece of -land is taken in and planted, the plants live. What is the reason? It -can be nothing connected with the soil, for on adjacent spots they live -and die. - -It puzzled me a long time, but I _believe_ I can now explain it. -_First_, seedlings planted in vacant spots in a garden are never -_safe_. When in the rains there are many weeds in the gardens, and it -is being dug, the young seedlings are not observed, are either dug up, -or injured so by the soil being dug close to them, that they shortly -after die. This is, I believe, the _principal_ cause of the failure, -and it may be in a great measure, if not entirely, obviated by putting, -_first_, a high stake on either side of the seedling, and taking care -it remains there all through the rains. _Secondly_, as an additional -precaution, and a very necessary one, before any such land is dug, send -round boys with “koorpies” to clean away the jungle round the young -plants, and at the same time open the soil slightly over their roots. -Doing this “cultivates” them, and the plants being apparent, with the -newly-stirred vacant spaces round them, are seen by the diggers, and -are not likely to be damaged. - -The second cause of failure I attribute to the old plants on either -side of the young seedling, taking to themselves all the moisture -there may be in the soil during any drought. The young seedling, whose -tap-root at the time is not a long one (for it is in the spring of the -year following the year of planting that this occurs), is dependent -for life entirely on the small amount of moisture that exists in the -soil, at that insignificant depth (say 8 inches). But on two sides -of the said seedling’s tap-root, and in fact surrounding it, if the -neighbouring Tea bushes are full grown, are the feeding rootlets of the -big plants, sucking up all the moisture attainable (the necessities of -_all_ plants being then great), and leaving none for the poor young -seedling, which consequently dies in the unequal contest. - -This last evil (in climates where there is a deficiency of spring -rains, and, in fact, more or less in all Tea localities, for in none -is there as much rain as the plants require in the spring) there is -no means of avoiding as long as seedlings, after transplanting, _lose -time_, the effect of the transplanting, and thus fail to attain a good -depth before the said dry season. - -In fact, unless something is devised, I believe with many, trying to -fill up vacancies is a loss of time and money. - -The pits to plant in, advised at page 59, should of course be made in -these vacant spots, for they help much towards the early descent of the -tap-root. Still they can scarcely avail sufficiently to avoid the evil, -if the plant is lying inert, as is generally the case for two or three -months after planting; this delay being, moreover, in the rains, the -best growing time. - -If we can devise any means to avoid this delayed growth in the young -seedling after it is transplanted, then the tap-root, before the -drought of next spring, will have descended low enough to gather -moisture for itself; that is, from _lower_ depth than the greater -number of the rootlets of the neighbouring big plants traverse. Could -this be done, and if the means above detailed are resorted to, to -prevent the young plants being injured when the gardens are dug, I see -no reason why vacancies should not be successfully filled up. Then -might be seen, what nowhere can be seen now, a Tea garden full of -plants, that is, with _no_ vacancies. - -When it is considered that many gardens in all the districts have 30 or -even 40 per cent. vacancies, none less than say 12 per cent., we may -strike a fair average and roughly compute the vacancies in Tea gardens -throughout the country at 20 per cent. In other words, the yield of -Tea from India, with the _same_ expenditure now incurred, would be -one-fifth more were plantations full! - -I have shown how the first evil can be obviated. I _think_ the -following will obviate the second. - -Get earthen pots made 7-1/2 inches diameter at the head and 7-1/2 -inches deep, like the commonest flower pots, only these should be -nearly as wide at the bottom as at the top. A circular hole, 2 inches -diameter, must be left in the bottom. Fill these with mould of the same -_nature_ as the soil of the garden where the vacancies exist. Put two -or three seeds in each, all near the centre, and not more than half an -inch below the surface. Place these pots, so filled, near water, and -beneath artificial shade, as described in Chapter XIII. - -When the seeds have germinated, and the seedlings have two or three -leaves, so that you can judge which is the best class of seedlings in -each pot,[29] root out all but one, the best one. Now remove the shade -gradually, water from time to time, and let the seedlings grow in the -pots till the rains. Having, before the rains, made the holes at the -vacancies as before described, after the first fall carry the pots to -the garden and place each one near a hole. - -Then plant as follows. Stand the pot on the brink of the hole, having -previously with a hammer broken the bottom. Then crack the sides also -gently, and deposit pot and all in the hole at the proper depth. If -not enough broken, the sides of the pot may now be further detached, -nay, even partially removed. Now fill up with earth to the top. Pieces -of the pot left in the hole will do no harm; but it, the pot, must -be sufficiently broken at the bottom to allow of the free descent of -the tap-root, as also enough broken at the sides to allow of the free -spreading of the rootlets. - -If all this has been carefully done, so that the mould in the pot shall -not have been shaken free of the rootlets, the seedlings will not even -_know_ it has been transplanted. Its growth will not be delayed for a -day, instead of two or three months; and by the time the dry season -comes, the tap-root will have descended far enough to imbibe moisture. - -Another plan to effect the same object. Instead of pots, use coarse -bamboo open wicker-work baskets. The split bamboo forming the said -wicker-work about half an inch wide, the interstices about one quarter -of an inch square. Let the diameter of the basket be the same at top -and bottom, viz., 9 inches; the depth of the basket 10 inches. - -When the seedlings in the nursery are large enough to enable you -to select a good class of plant, transplant one into each basket -previously filled with soil.[30] This being done when the plants are -very young, and there being _then_ no difficulty in taking them up -with earth attached to their short tap-roots and rootlets, they will -scarcely be thrown back at all. Being near water they can also be well -tended. Put basket and all into the vacant hole at the beginning of the -rains, and fill up as directed for the pots. The interstices will allow -the feeding rootlets to pass through, besides the basket rots quickly -under ground, so quickly it cannot impede the plant. - -Seed is not sown at once in the baskets as in the pots, because the -baskets would not last so long. Even putting the seedling in it during -(say) February, the basket, with the occasional watering necessary, -will, more or less, have rotted before it is put into the hole. - -I have concluded a contract for ten thousand pots and five thousand -baskets at half an anna each for both kinds. Two pice, to ensure the -filling up of a vacancy, is not a large outlay. - -Since writing the above I have had experience of both the above plans. -The pot system is far the better, and answers very well.[31] I am -now trying to improve this still further by making the pots a little -larger, and placing a thin inner lining of tin inside each about half -an inch from the sides. This space is first filled with sand, then the -pot is filled with mould, and the tin pulled out. The same tin will -therefore do for any number of pots. The seed is then put in. - -I think by this plan if, when about to plant, the mould in the pot is -well wetted, that it, with the seedling, can be turned out whole in one -piece, and then put in the hole _without_ the pot. - -The same pots would then answer year after year, and the expense would -be quite nominal. - -If well done, the seedling in this, as in the former case, would not -even _know_ it had been transplanted.[32] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[29] By “best class” I mean the most indigenous class. - -[30] Mind again this be of the same nature as the garden soil. - -[31] The baskets are too frail; being often wetted, they fall to pieces -before the planting time. - -[32] It may be that the transplanting and transporting tools invented -by Mr. Jeben (see page 79) will solve the difficulty of filling up -vacancies. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -FLUSHING AND NUMBER OF FLUSHES. - - -The Tea plant is said to flush when it throws out new shoots and -leaves. The young leaves thus produced are the only ones fit to make -Tea, and the yield of a plantation depends therefore entirely on the -frequency and abundance of the flushes. - -The way a flush is formed is fully explained under the head of “leaf -picking” (pages 103, 104, and 107). - -The number of flushes in different plantations varies enormously, -owing, _first_, to climate; _secondly_, to soil; _thirdly_, to the -pruning adopted; _fourthly_, to the degree of cultivation given; and -_fifthly_, though not least, to the presence or absence of manure. - -How to secure all these advantages to their fullest extent is shown -under those heads, and we have here only to consider what is a low, a -medium, and a high rate of flushing per season. - -In doing this we must speak of elevated (as Himalayan) gardens -separately. The cool climate of heights makes it impossible for Tea to -flush there as on the plains. - -Speaking generally of elevated gardens (the higher they are the -shorter the period, and _vice versâ_), seven months may be considered -as the average producing period, viz., from beginning of April to end -of October, and during that time twelve to fifteen flushes may be -obtained, which, I believe, with high cultivation and liberal manuring, -can be increased to eighteen. - -In all localities, with favourable Tea climates, the plants flush -both for a longer period and oftener. Speaking generally also, in this -case, of the five best localities, viz., Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, -the Terai below Darjeeling, and the Western Dooars (for even in these -districts many advantages exist in one garden which do not in another), -the following is an approximation to the flushing periods:-- - -_Upper Assam._--February 25th to November 15th. - -_Lower Assam._--February 20th to November 20th. - -_Cachar._--February 20th to November 20th. - -_Chittagong._--March 10th to December 20th. - -_Terai below Darjeeling and Western Dooars._--March 1st to November -20th. - -The opening period is a little late in Upper Assam on account of the -cold, and closes a little earlier for the same reason. - -Lower Assam and Cachar are much alike. - -The opening in Chittagong is later than in the two just mentioned from -want of early rains, but the season continues longer on account of the -low latitude and consequent deferred cold weather. - -Roughly, then, rather more than nine months may be assumed as the -flushing period for these districts. The next point is how _often_ do -gardens in these localities flush in that time. - -Not very many planters can say, certainly, how often their gardens have -flushed in a season, because they are picked so irregularly, and no -account of the different flushes kept. Enquiring on this point, when -I was in Cachar some thirteen years ago, 9 to 24 were the minimum and -maximum numbers given me at different gardens, showing how little was -really known about it. - -Such knowledge as I have on the subject is mostly derived from -carefully kept records of my own garden in the Chittagong district. The -plantation is all worked in sections, in the way described previously, -and the dates given in the table below are the days each flush was -finished (that is, the picking was finished) during the seasons 1869 -and 1870; 1869 being carried up to the end of the season, 1870 up to -the date I wrote the first edition of this Essay. - -In the table it will be observed there is a great difference between -the two years. The section for which the dates are given was planted -from seed beds in the month of June, 1866. In 1869 it was therefore -only three years old. This will partly account for the first flush -occurring a month earlier in 1870, as it was then a year older; but -fortunate early rains in 1870 had also much to do with it. - - --------+-------------+----------+-------------+------------- - | 1869 | Interval | 1870 | Interval - Flushes +-------------+ in days +-------------+ in days - | Dates | | Dates | - --------+-------------+----------+-------------+------------- - 1 | March 22 | .. | February 22 | .. - 2 | May 6 | 44 | March 30 | 35 - 3 | „ 29 | 23 | April 13 | 10 - 4 | June 11 | 12 | „ 25 | 12 - 5 | „ 23 | 12 | May 5 | 9 - 6 | July 5 | 11 | „ 14 | 9 - 7 | „ 17 | 12 | „ 25 | 11 - 8 | „ 31 | 14 | June 4 | 9 - 9 | August 10 | 9 | „ 12 | 8 - 10 | „ 21 | 11 | „ 22 | 10 - 11 | Sept. 2 | 11 | July 1 | 8 - 12 | „ 12 | 10 | „ 8 | 7 - 13 | „ 25 | 13 | „ 16 | 8 - 14 | October 9 | 13 | „ 25 | 9 - 15 | „ 22 | 13 | August 2 | 7 - 16 | Nov. 2 | 10 | „ 11 | 9 - 17 | „ 11 | 9 | „ 21 | 10 - 18 | „ 19 | 8 | „ 29 | 8 - 19 | Dec. 4 | 14 | Sept 7 | 8 - 20 | .. | .. | „ 18 | 11 - 21 | .. | .. | „ 27 | 9 - 22 | .. | .. | October 5 | 7 - --------+-------------+----------+-------------+------------- - Average intervals | Nearly 14| |Very little - between Flushes. | days. | .. |over 10 days. - ----------------------+----------+-------------+------------- - -In 1869 there was no flush between March 22nd and May 6th, a period of -44 days; and in 1870, none between February 22nd and March 30th, a -period of 35 days, a very long time in both cases, which is entirely -accounted for by the dry weather prevailing at Chittagong in the spring -(see under head of Climate), for in Cachar, Assam, and the Western -Dooars two or three flushes would have occurred in that time. - -There were 19 flushes in all in 1869, and 22 in 1870, up to the time I -wrote, so there were probably in all 27 in the latter year. - -In the table I give the intervals between each flush. It shows an -average of 14 days in 1869 to 10 days in 1870; the difference is due to -the increased age of the plants, and the liberal manuring given in the -cold weather 1869-70. - -Such a result as is shown for 1870, and the probable result of 27 -flushes to the end of that season, could not be obtained without high -cultivation and liberal manuring. The land in question had been manured -every year since it was planted, but an extra dose was given in the -cold weather of 1869-70. The ground was therefore very rich. - -I think, therefore, 25 flushes in the season may be looked for on -gardens in good Tea climates, when high cultivation and liberal -manuring are resorted to. Where manure cannot be obtained, I think, -even if in other respects the land is highly cultivated, more than 22 -flushes will not be obtained. Where neither manure nor high cultivation -is given, above 18 flushes will not be got. - -It seems to be a general idea with planters (see diagram, page 104) -that when a flush is picked the succeeding flush, at an interval of say -seven to ten days, consists of shoots from the axis of the leaf down -to which the previous flush was picked. Thus in the diagram, supposing -the shoot to be picked down to the black line above 2, the idea is the -next flush will be a shoot springing from the same place, viz., the -axis of leaf _d_. But it is _not_ so. In the above case it will take a -whole month, after the said shoot has been picked, before the new shoot -from the base of the leaf _d_ is ready to take, probably six weeks in -Himalayan gardens. - -’Tis true the flushes in favourable Tea climates follow at about -seven to ten days from each other, but these are _other_ shoots. The -replacement of the actual shoot taken is a whole month in developing. -I have carefully watched this, and am sure I am right. - -With similar treatment, gardens in Cachar, Assam, and the Western -Dooars would probably give two or three more flushes in the season than -Chittagong, because there the spring rains are much more abundant; and -I am very certain that, if the day ever comes that manure in large -quantities is procurable in those districts and is applied, the yield -on those gardens will be very large.[33] - -The difference between very small and very large profits is represented -by 18 and 25 flushes, so I strongly advise all planters to cultivate -highly, and to get all the manure they possibly can. If even procured -at a high figure, it (the manure) will pay hand over hand. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[33] Where new gardens are made on rich virgin soil, to manure them at -all for the first few years is, I think, unnecessary. But the richest -soils on Tea gardens get exhausted in time, and manure should be -applied _before_ this point is arrived at. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -LEAF PICKING. - - -The first consideration is how to get the largest quantity of leaf -without injuring the trees. - -To a certain extent, it is true that the more a Tea bush is pruned and -picked the more it will yield. It appears as if Nature were always -trying to repair the violence done to the tree by giving new mouths or -leaves to breathe with in place of those taken away. I may exemplify my -meaning in another way. A Tea bush which has as many leaves on it as -_it requires_ will throw out tardily new shoots, and their number will -be small. In other words, a plant which is not pruned, and from which -the young leaves are not taken, grows gradually large and bushy, and -then gives up flushing altogether. It has all the leaves it _requires_, -and it has no necessity to throw out more. - -If, however, Nature is too much tried, that is, if too much violence -is done to her, she sulks and will exert herself no more. Up to this -point, therefore, it is well to urge her. How can we know when we have -reached it? - -Only general rules can be laid down. Experience is the great -_desideratum_ on this and many other subjects connected with Tea.[34] - -If the plant can always be kept in such a state that the foliage, -without being _very much so_, is still less than Nature requires, I -conceive the object will be attained. - -The greatest violence is done to the plant when it is pruned, and -reason would seem to argue that when this violence is repairing, that -is, when the first shoots in the spring show themselves, and until -new mouths (or leaves) in sufficient quantities exist, until then but -little leaf should be picked. - -Fortunately, moreover, while in the interests of the plant this is the -best plan, it also is the mode by which the largest yield of leaf will -be secured in the season. I go to show this. - -The ordinary size of a good full-grown Tea plant, at the end of the -season, is, say, 3-1/2 or 4 feet high, and 5 feet diameter. It is -pruned down, say, to a height of 2 feet, with a diameter of 3 feet. -It is then little more than wooden stems and branches, and to anyone -ignorant of the _modus operandi_ in Tea gardens, it would appear as -if a plantation so pruned has been ruined. The tree remains so during -all its hybernating period, that is, during the time it is resting and -the sap is down (this period is longer or shorter, as the climate is -a warm or cold one, and it is always during the coldest season), but -on the return of spring new shoots start out from the woody stems and -branches in the following way:--At the axis or base of each leaf is a -bud, the germ of future branches, these develop little by little, until -a new shoot is formed of, say, five or six leaves, with a closed bud at -top. Then if it be not picked the said bud at top hardens. At the axis -or base of each of the said five or six leaves are other buds, and the -next step is for one, two, or three of these to develop in the same way -and form new shoots. The original shoot grows thicker and higher until -it becomes a wooden branch or stem. The same process, in their turn, -is repeated with the new shoots. A diagram (see next page) will make -my meaning clear. We here have a shoot fully developed, of six leaves, -counting the close leaf _a_ at top as one, viz., the leaves _a_, _b_, -_c_, _d_, _e_, _f_. The shoot has started and developed from what was -originally a bud at _K_, at the axis or base of the leaf _H_. In the -same way as formerly at _K_ a bud existed, which has now formed the -complete shoot or flush _K a_, so at the base of the leaves _c_, _d_, -_e_, _f_, exist buds 1, 2, 3, 4, from which later new shoots would -spring. These again would all have buds at the base of the leaves, -destined to form further shoots, which again would be the parents of -others, and so on to the end of the season, or until the tree is pruned. - -[Illustration] - -It will readily be seen the increase is tremendous. It is only limited -by the power of the soil to fling out new shoots, and the _necessities_ -of the plant, for, as I have explained, when as much foliage exists as -the plant requires, but few new shoots are produced. - -Now supposing the shoot in the diagram to be (with perhaps another not -shown at _L_) the first on the branch _I I_ in the spring (the said -branch having been cut off or pruned at the upper _I_). It is then -evident the said shoot is destined to be the parent and producer of all -the very numerous branches and innumerable shoots into which the plant -will extend in that direction. It is, in other words, the goose which -will lay all the future eggs. If, eager to begin Tea making early, the -planter nips it off, the extension on that part of the tree is thrown -back many weeks. It may be taken off at 1, 2, or 3 (the back lines -drawn show the proper way to pick leaf); the least damage will be done -if it is taken off at 1, the most at 3. - -The said shoot _K a_ is the first effort of Nature to repair the -violence done to the tree by pruning. It is the germ of many other -branches and shoots, and it ought _never_ to be taken. I have, I hope, -made so much plain. - -There is, however, another consideration. Any shoot, left to fully -develop and harden, does not throw out new shoots from the existing -buds 1, 2, 3, 4 so quickly as one checked in its upward growth -by nipping off its head. For instance, supposing the shoot under -consideration _not_ to be the first of the season, but on the contrary -to be a shoot when the plant has developed sufficiently to make picking -safe, if taken off at 2, then the new growth from 2, 3, 4 will be much -quicker than it would be had the whole shoot been left intact. - -Our object then with _first_ shoots should be to secure this advantage -without destroying any buds, and this we can do by taking off simply -the closed leaf at the top _a_. This must be done so as not to injure -the bud at the base of the second leaf _b_ (I have not numbered it, for -there is no room in the diagram to do so), and we shall thus leave all -the buds on the shoot intact. - -Again here the interests of the plant, and profit to the planter, -go hand in hand. The closed bud _a_ in this case will be found very -valuable. I go to show this. - -The value of Tea is increased when it shows “Pekoe tips.” Only the -leaves _a b_ make these. They are covered with a fine silky whitish -down, and, if manufactured in a particular way, make literally white -or very pale yellow Tea,[35] which, mixed with ordinary black Tea, show -as “Pekoe tips.” In ordinary leaf-picking these two leaves are taken -with all the others, but unfortunately, when manufactured with them, -they lose this white or pale yellow colour, and come out as black as -all the other Tea. - -As the season goes on, this is less and less the case, till towards -the end nearly all the _a b_ leaves show orange-coloured in the -manufactured Tea. Still they are not _white_ (the best colour) as they -can be made when treated separately. No means have yet been devised -to separate them _before_ manufacture from the other leaf, and though -sometimes picked separate, the plan has serious objections (see next -page). In the case, however, of the first two or three flushes the -welfare of the plants demands that no more should be taken, and though -the quantity obtained will be small, it will, if carefully manufactured -so as to make “white Pekoe tips,” add one or two annas a lb. to the -value, when mixed with it, of one hundred times its own weight of black -Tea! - -More will be found under this head in the Tea manufacturing part. I -now beg the question that the said downy leaves taken alone are very -valuable. - -In detailing the mode of picking I advocate, it would be tedious to go -minutely into the reasons for each and everything. I have said enough -to explain a good deal, but will add anything of importance. Of the -latter are the following. - -Tea can be made of the young succulent leaves only. The younger and -more succulent the leaf the better Tea it makes. Thus _a_ will make -more valuable Tea than _b_, _b_ than _c_, and so on; _e_ is the lowest -leaf to make Tea from, for though a very coarse kind can be made from -_f_, it does not pay to take it. The stalk also makes good Tea, as far -as it is really succulent, that is, down to the black line just above -2. - -The leaves are named as follows from the Teas it is supposed they would -make:-- - - _a._--Flowery Pekoe. - _b._--Orange Pekoe. - _c._--Pekoe. - _d._--Souchong, 1st. - _e._-- „ 2nd. - _f._--Congou. - - _a_, _b_, _c_--Pekoe. - Mixed together - _a_, _b_, _c_, _d_, _e_--Pekoe Souchong. - -If there be another leaf below _f_, and it be taken, it is named, and -would make Bohea. - -Each of these leaves was at first a flowery Pekoe leaf (_a_), it then -became _b_, then _c_, and so on. - -That is to say, as the shoot developed, and a new flowery Pekoe leaf -was born, each of the leaves below assumed the next lowest grade. - -Could the leaves fit to make each kind of Tea it is proposed to make -be picked and kept separate, and each be manufactured in the way most -suitable to its age, and the Tea to be produced, the very best of every -kind could easily be manufactured. But this cannot be; the price of -Tea will not allow it, and the labour to do it would moreover fail. It -has been attempted again and again to do it, partly to the extent of -taking the Pekoe leaves _a_, _b_, _c_ separate from the others (for -the manufacture best suited to these upper leaves is not suited to the -lower), but it has been as often abandoned, and I doubt if it is now -practised anywhere. I am sure it will never pay to do it. - -Picking leaf is a coarse operation. It is performed by 80 or 100 women -and children together, and it is impossible to follow each, and see -it is done the best way. They must be taught, checked, and punished -if they do wrong, and then it will be done more or less right; but -perfection is not attainable. - -I advise the following plan in picking. Please refer to the diagram:-- - -If the garden has been severely pruned (as it ought to be) take only -the bud _a_ for _two_ flushes; then for _two_ more nip the stalk above -1, taking the upper part of leaf _c_, as shown (done with one motion of -the fingers). But from the fifth flush take off the shoot at the line -above 2, and by a separate motion of the fingers take off the part of -leaf _e_ where the black line is drawn. By this plan, when the rains -begin, the trees will show a large picking surface, for plenty of buds -will have been preserved for new growth. After the month of August -you may pick lower if you like, as you cannot hurt the trees. For -instance, you may nip the stalk and upper part of leaf _e_ together, -and separately the upper part of _f_. - -The principle of picking is to leave the bud at the axis of the leaf -down to which you pick intact. - -Some planters pick all through the season at the line above 1, and take -the _d_ and perhaps the _e_ leaf separately. I do not like the plan, -for though it will make strong Teas, the yield will be small. Moreover, -the plants will form so much foliage; they will not flush well; and -again, they will grow so high that boys who pick will not readily reach -the top. - -Shortly, the principle I advocate is to prune severely, so that the -plant in self-defence _must_ throw out many new shoots; to be sparing -and tender with these until the violence done to the tree is in a -measure, but not quite, repaired; then, till September, to pick so much -that the wants of the plant in foliage are never quite attained; and -after September to take all you can get. - -I believe this principle (for the detailed directions given may be -varied, as for instance when trees have _not_ been heavily pruned) -will give the largest yield of leaf, and will certainly not injure the -plants. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[34] See foot-note, page 86, which shows that for 18 months after -transplanting, young bushes should not be pruned or picked at all. - -[35] I mean manufactured Tea. The infusion is called liquor. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -MANUFACTURE. MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES. - - -To manufacture your leaf into good Tea is certainly one of the first -conditions for success. It will avail little to have a good productive -garden if you make inferior Tea. The difference of price between well -and ill-manufactured Tea is great, say 4 as. or 6d. a lb., and this -alone will, during a season, represent a large profit or none. - -Fortunately for Tea enterprise, the more manufacture is studied the -more does it appear that to make good Tea is a very simple process. The -many operations or processes formerly considered necessary are now much -reduced on all gardens. As there was then, that is formerly, so there -is now, no _one_ routine recognized by all, or even by the majority; -still simplicity in manufacture is more and more making its way -everywhere; and as the real fact is that to make the best Tea, but very -few, and very simple, processes are necessary, it is only a question of -time ere the fact shall be universally recognised and followed out. - -For instance, panning the “roll”[36] was formerly universally -practised. Some panned once, some twice, some even three times! But, -to-day, pans are not used in most gardens at all!! Other processes, -or rather in most cases the repetition of them, have been also either -discarded or abridged. But a short statement of manufacture in old -days, and the simplest mode of manufacture, will best illustrate my -meaning:-- - - -----+--------------------------------+---------------------------------- - | One and a common old plan |One plan to-day by which the best - | | Tea can be made - -----+----------+---------------------+-----+----------+----------------- - | Number | | | Number | - Days | of | Detail |Days | of | Detail - |operations| | |operations| - -----+----------+---------------------+-----+----------+----------------- - 1st | 1 |Withering. |1st | 1 |Withering. - {| 2 |1st Rolling. | {| 2 |Rolling. - {| 3 |2nd „ |2nd {| 3 |Fermenting. - {| 4 |Fermenting. | {| 4 |Sunning (if sun). - {| 5 |1st Panning. | {| 5 |Firing (Dholing). - 2nd {| 6 |3rd Rolling. | | | - {| 7 |2nd Panning. | | | - {| 8 |4th Rolling | | | - {| 9 |Sunning. | | | - {| 10 |1st Firing (Dholing).| | | - {| 11 |Cooling and crisping.| | | - 3rd | 12 |2nd Firing (Dholing).| | | - -----+----------+---------------------+-----+----------+----------------- - 3 | 12 | Total days and | 2 | 5 | Total days and - | | operations. | | | operations. - -----+----------+---------------------+-----+----------+----------------- - -So much for simplicity, and I affirm that no more than the five -operations detailed are necessary. I shall try to show this further on. - -In studying Tea manufacture I first tried, in order to get reliable -data to go on, to ascertain the effect of each and every operation, -and not only that, but the effect on the made Tea of each operation -exaggerated and diminished. It would be tedious, and of no use, to set -out in detail all the experiments I conducted, the results only I will -try to give. - -I began at the beginning. Why wither at all? I made Tea (following out -in each case all the other processes detailed in the old plan) of 1st, -totally unwithered leaves; 2nd, of leaves but little withered; 3rd, of -leaves medium-withered; and 4th, of leaves over-withered. - -I arrived at the following results:--Unwithered or under-withered -leaves break in the rolling and give out large quantities of a light -green coloured juice during the same process. The Tea is much broken -and of a reddish grey colour. The liquor is very pale in colour, -cloudy, weak, soft, and tasteless. - -Over-withered leaf on the other hand takes a good twist in the rolling, -gives out but little juice, which is of a thick kind, and of reddish -yellow colour. The tea is well twisted, “chubby” in appearance, and -blacker than ordinary. The liquor of an ordinary depth of colour, -clear, with a mawkish taste. - -The medium-withered leaves make good Tea, but I found the withering -should be rather in excess of what is generally done to ensure -strength. I will show later to what extent I think leaf should be -withered. - -The next point was rolling. I knew some planters rolled the leaf hard, -others lightly. That is, some rolled with force till much juice was -expressed, others with a light hand, allowing little or no juice to be -pressed out. Which was the better? - -After many experiments I arrived at the following:--Hard rolling gives -darker coloured and stronger liquor than light rolling. Hard rolling -destroys Pekoe tips,[37] inasmuch as the juice expressed stains them -black. - -Light rolled Tea has therefore many more Pekoe tips than hard rolled. - -Hard rolled Tea is somewhat blacker than light rolled. - -In all, therefore, but the point of Pekoe tips hard rolling is better. - -The next question was, what is the advantage of repeated rolling? I -rolled twice, panning once between, _vide_ old plan, and found the Tea -as well made and as strong as that rolled three or four times. I then -decided to roll _no more_ than twice. The second time was, I _then_ -thought, necessary, as I found the leaf of the roll opened in the pan, -and a second rolling was requisite to twist it again. - -But what did panning do? I heard pans had been discontinued in some -gardens. In what way was panning an advantage? I made Tea, fermenting -it between the two rollings, but _not_ panning it, and it was -equally good. I tried again and again, but never could detect that -panning caused any difference to either the Tea, the liquor, or the -out-turn.[38] In short, though I never found panning did any harm, I -equally found it never did any good. Its use is, in fact, simply barren -of _all_ results. - -I therefore dispensed with it. Having done so, why roll the second -time at all? I experimented, and found the second rolling as barren of -results as the panning. - -I had now got rid of operations 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the old plan. The -next was No. 9--“sunning.” I made Tea with and without it, and found as -follows:-- - -Sunning between the fermenting and firing processes has no effect -whatever on the liquor or the out-turn, but it makes the Tea rather -blacker, and as it drives off much of the moisture in the roll, the -firing process after it is shorter and does not consume so much -charcoal. What little effect therefore it has is good (for if not -continued too long, it does not make the Tea too black) and it is -economical. I therefore decided on retaining it.[39] - -Next came the operations 10, 11, and 12, viz., “first firing, cooling -and crisping, and second firing.” Where these are done (and they are -done in some gardens now) the usual thing is to _half-fire_ the roll -the same afternoon and evening it is made, then allow it to “cool and -crisp” all night, and finish the firing next day. I tried this plan, -and also the plan I have now adopted, of doing the whole firing at one -time the same evening. I tried the experiment again and again, and -always found the Tea, the liquor, and the out-turn were the same in -both cases. In short, that the three operations did no more and no less -than the one. As the three entail extra labour and extra expense in -charcoal I abandoned them. - -I thus reduced the twelve operations detailed to five, and naturally by -so doing much decreased the cost of manufacturing Tea. I in no way lay -claim to having devised this simplicity myself. Part had been done by -others before I even turned my attention to it, and I have done no more -than help with many to make the manufacture of Tea a simple process. - -I was now convinced that (though I had still much to learn regarding -the said five processes) success was comprised therein, and that to -multiply them could not avail. - -The next consideration is--What are the qualities desired in Tea to -enable it to command a good price at the public auctions either in -Calcutta or London? The brokers in these cases judge of the Tea first, -value it, and give their report and valuation to intending purchasers -and sellers. From what appearances and qualities do they judge? - -They judge from three things, _first_, the Tea; _secondly_, the liquor; -_thirdly_, the out-turn. - -_The Tea._--The colour should be black, but not a dead black, rather a -greyish black with a gloss on it. No red leaf should be mixed with it, -it should be all one colour. The Tea should be regular: that is, each -leaf should be about the same length, and should have a uniform close -twist, in all but “broken Teas.” (These latter are called “broken” -_because_ the leaf is more or less open and broken.) The Tea should -also be regular of _its kind_, that is, if Pekoe all Pekoe, if Congou -all Congou; for any stray leaves in a Tea of another kind, if even of -a _better_ kind or class, will reduce its value. In the higher class -of Teas, viz., Pekoes and broken Pekoes, the more Pekoe tips that are -present the higher, in consequence, will its price be. - -_The Liquor._--In taste this should be strong, rasping, and pungent, -with, in the case of Pekoes, a “Pekoe flavour.” There are other words -used in the trade to particularise certain tastes, but the words -themselves would teach nothing. Tea tasting cannot be learnt from -books. _If_ the liquor is well flavoured, as a rule, the darker it is -in the cup the better. But to judge of Teas by the colour of the liquor -alone is impossible, for some high-class Teas have naturally a very -pale liquor. - -_The Out-turn._--A good out-turn is generally indicative of a good Tea. -It should be all, or nearly all, one colour. No black (burnt) leaves -should appear in it. A greenish tinge in some of the leaves is not -objectionable, and is generally indicative of pungent liquor, but the -prevailing colour should be that of a bright new penny. - -Every planter should be more or less of a Tea-taster, and should taste -his Teas daily. After a time (particularly if he gets other Teas to -taste against his own) he will learn to recognise, at all events, a -good as against a bad Tea, a strong as against a weak Tea, &c. No Tea -should be put away with the rest until it has been tasted. It may be -burnt or have other defects, not apparent till infused, and one day’s -bad Tea will bring down considerably the value of a whole bin of good -Tea. - -The fancy, amongst brokers and dealers, for “Pekoe tips,” in all Pekoe -Teas, constitutes the _one_ great difficulty in Tea manufacture. If the -leaves which give “Pekoe tips” (see page 106) are separated from the -other leaves, and manufactured separately and differently, that is -rolled _very_ little and _very_ lightly, not allowed to ferment at all, -but sunned at once after rolling, and, if there is sun enough, finished -in the sun, otherwise by a very light and gradual heat--best placed -_above_ the drawers in the Dhole-house; if this is done, I say, these -will come out perfect “Pekoe tips” of a white colour, which is the best. - -If _not_ separated from the other leaf, but manufactured with it, the -sap from the other leaves, expressed in the rolling, stains these said -leaves, which are covered with a fine white silk down, and makes them -black like all the rest of the Tea; the whole of which is then valued -lower _because_ there are no “Pekoe tips.” - -Now, in the latter case the “Pekoe tips” are there all the same, only -they don’t _show_. The Tea is really just as good, in fact a shade -_better_, with black than with white or orange tips,[40] but it does -not sell so well, and as we cannot argue the brokers or dealers into -a rational view of the case, we must humour their fancy (they are -virtually our masters) and give them the Pekoe tips--_if we can_. - -How are we to do it? The plan of picking these small leaves separately, -in order to manufacture them separately, does not answer; it is too -expensive; it diminishes the yield of a garden, and labour for it -fails. All this is shown at pages 107 and 130. Is there any other way? - -It may be done during some periods of the season when there is not -leaf enough on the garden to employ all the leaf-pickers, by setting a -number of them to separate the said two leaves from the others _after_ -the whole leaf is brought to the factory. This is expensive, but it -pays when there is labour to do it, for then the Teas can be made very -showy and rich with white Pekoe tips. - -An ingenious planter, a Mr. McMeekin, in Cachar, invented a rolling -table with the object of separating the said leaves. It is constructed -of battens, and while rolling the leaf on it, many of the small leaves -fall through. The said table is now well known in Cachar, and is in use -in several gardens. I have tried it and find that it in a great measure -answers its object, but the objection to it is that the leaf _must_ be -rolled lightly, and lightly-rolled leaf, as observed, does not make -strong Tea. - -The Pekoe tips may be, in a great measure, preserved by rolling _all_ -the leaf lightly on a common table. But then again the Tea is weak, and -the plan will not give so many Pekoe tips as McMeekin’s table. - -In short, in the present state of our knowledge, except by the hand -process (a tedious and expensive one for separating the leaf), strong -Teas and Pekoe tips are incompatible. - -The difficulty is just where it was, and will so remain until dealers -give up asking for Pekoe tips (not a likely thing), or till a machine -is invented to separate quickly and cheaply the two said small leaves -from the others _after_ they have been all picked together. That such a -machine is possible I am certain, and the inventor would confer a boon -on the Tea interest far beyond the inventor of any other machine, for -all the other processes _can_ be done by hand without much expense, -this cannot. - -I may here notice such machines and contrivances as exist for -cheapening the manufacture of Tea, or rather such as I know of. - -Rolling-machines have for their object the doing away with hand labour -entirely for rolling the leaf. Kinmond’s rolling-machine is first on -the list, for it is the best yet invented.[41] - -Kinmond’s consists of two circular wooden discs, the upper one moving -on the lower, which is stationary, with an eccentric motion. The -adjacent faces of the said discs are made rough by steps in the wood, -cut in lines diverging from the centre to the circumference, and over -these rough faces is nailed coarse canvas. - -The leaf is placed between the discs and rolled by the motion -described. The lower disc is arranged by means of weights running -over pulleys, so that it shall press against the upper with any force -desired. - -The motive power, as designed by the inventor, is either manual, -animal, or steam. - -Mr. Kinmond showed me this machine, just after he had invented it, at -the Assam Company’s Plantations in Assam, and I have since seen it -working by manual and steam power. With the former it is quite useless, -for by no arrangement can sufficient or regular force enough be -applied. With the latter it does very well, and on a large garden which -will render the outlay for the machine and engine justifiable (the -former is, for such a simple machine, very expensive), it may probably -eventually prove an economy. - -Not having seen it under animal power, I can give no positive opinion -as to how it would answer, but I see no reason why it should not do -well. I believe wind or water power might, on suitable sites, be easily -applied to it, and they would certainly be the cheapest of any. - -Another rolling-machine was invented by a Mr. Gibbon, and a good deal -used in Cachar. I have never seen it. - -Kinmond’s is, I believe, the best rolling-machine yet invented (though -it is fair to state I know no other except by report), but I do not -believe in any Tea rolling-machine superseding _entirely_ the necessity -of hand-rolling.[42] A rolling-machine may be, and is, very useful to -roll the leaves partly, that is, to break the cells, and bring the leaf -into that soft _mashy_ state that very little hand labour will finish -it. No rolling-machine yet invented can, I think, do more than this, -and it is, I think, doubtful if any will ever be invented that will do -more. Machines do not give the nice final twist which is obtained by -the hand. I was told lately that most of the gardens in Cachar that had -machines had dropped them and gone back to hand-rolling. I cannot help -thinking this is a mistake. They should use both, the hand-rolling for -the final part alone. Very few rolling-men would then suffice, with the -aid of the machine, to manufacture a large quantity of leaf. - -I only know of one other Tea rolling-machine, which is Nelson’s. It -does not profess to do more than _prepare_ the green leaf for rolling, -which, as stated above, is, I think, all that any machine will ever do. -I have never seen it working, but it appears simple, being nothing more -than a mangle. The leaf is placed in bags, and then compressed under -rollers attached to a box, weighted with stones. The prospectus states, -it will prepare 80 lbs. green leaf in fifteen minutes, and that one -man can then finish as much of such prepared leaf in three minutes as -would occupy him twelve minutes if the same had not been prepared. I -see nothing unlikely in this. The machine, though inferior to Kinmond’s -in its arrangement, _ought_ to be cheap enough to bring it within the -reach of all.[43] - -I have already spoken of one of McMeekin’s inventions. His -chest-of-drawers for firing Tea is, I think, superior to his batten -table. It is now so well known, and in such general use, that I -shall describe it very shortly. It is nothing more than a low -chest-of-drawers, or trays fitted in a frame one above the other, the -bottom of each tray being fine iron wire, so that the heat of the -charcoal, in the masonry receptacle over which it is placed, ascends -through all the drawers and thus dries or fires a large quantity of -“roll” at the same time. By the old plan, a single wicker sieve was -inserted inside a bamboo frame called a “dhole,” which was placed over -a charcoal fire made in a hole in the ground. On the sieve the roll was -placed, and all the heat, after passing through this _one_ sieve, was -wasted. Mr. McMeekin’s idea was to economise this heat by passing it -through several drawers. - -Most planters use these drawers, and there is no doubt in the space -saved, and the economy of heat: it is a great step in advance over the -old barbarous method, where not only was the heat wasted after passing -through _one_ sieve, but a great deal was lost through the basket work -of the “dhole” itself. - -Still I do not advocate four, still less five drawers one above the -other. I think the steam ascending from the lower drawers must, more -or less, injure the roll in the upper ones. I confine myself to two, -and even then in the top tray leave a small circular space vacant by -which the steam from the lower drawer can escape. I utilize the heat -that escapes, partially, by placing “dhallas” in tiers above, with roll -in them. These are supported by iron rods let into the wall, and are -useful not only for partly drying the roll, but also for withering leaf -when there is no sun. - -Some planters have proposed to do away with charcoal altogether under -McMeekin’s drawers, supplying its place by hot air. The first point -in considering this invention is the question whether the fumes of -charcoal, as some assert, _are_ necessary to make good Tea. If they -are _not_ necessary (that is, if they produce no chemical effect on -the Tea, and therefore heat from wood devoid of smoke would do as -well) there can be no doubt such heat would be cheaper, and more under -command, by this or some other plan. Are then the fumes of charcoal -necessary? - -I do not know that anyone can answer the query. I certainly cannot, -for I have never made Tea with any other agent than charcoal, and I -have never met with more than one planter who had. He said the Tea was -not good. Still it would, I think, require very careful and prolonged -experiments to establish the fact either way. Speaking theoretically, -as it _appears_, the only effect of charcoal is to drive all the -moisture out of the roll and thus make it Tea, I cannot but believe -other heat would do as well. It is, however, a question that only -experience can solve.[44] - -I have now (four years since the above was written, and at the time -I am preparing the second edition of this essay) been for some time -employed on experiments with a view to settle the above question. -Whether I shall be able to devise a simple apparatus to effect the -manufacture of Tea without charcoal is doubtful, but I can, I think, -now safely affirm that the fumes of charcoal are _not_ necessary to -make Tea. On this point I am myself quite satisfied. The advantages -of making Tea with any fuel (wood, coal, or anything else) would be -numerous:-- - -1.--Economy. - -2.--Absence of charcoal fumes. - -3.--Less chance of fire in Tea Houses. - -4.--Probably reduced temperature in Factories. - -5.--Great saving of labour. - -6.--Saving of fuel--for it takes much wood to make a given weight of -charcoal. - -In addition to all the above, the wholesale destruction of forests that -now takes place in all Tea Districts, in order to supply the charcoal -for Tea, would be much lessened.[45] - -I have seen a machine advertised for packing Tea, that is to say, for -so pressing it down that a large quantity shall go into a chest. I -have never seen the machine, and so cannot say how it works, but I do -not think such a machine at all necessary. By the mode of packing, -described at page 150, as much Tea as a chest will hold _with safety_ -can be put into it. If more were forced in, the chest would probably -come to pieces in transit. - -I see a sifting machine is now being advertised--“Jackson’s sifting -machine.” I have seen drawings of it, but not the machine itself. In -the one respect, that it is much larger than anything used hitherto, it -is more likely to succeed. - -There is a machine for sifting and fanning Tea at one and the same -time. I know not who invented it. It is a simple winnowing machine -with sieves placed in front of the fan. By means of a rod and crank -attached to the axle of the revolving fan the sieves are made to shake -from side to side when the fanners are turned. The Tea is put into the -upper sieve, a coarse one, and passing successively through finer ones, -is thus sorted into different Teas. The open leaf at the same time is -blown out by the fan. - -I purchased one, but I do not find it does the work well. Sifting Tea -is a nice process, and I did not find it sorted the Teas with any -nicety. I have taken out the sieves, and use it now only for fanning, -which it does very well, though no better than an apparatus which could -be constructed at one-third the cost. - -I do not believe in _any_ present or future machine for sifting Tea, -inasmuch as it is an operation which, to be well done, has to be -continually varied. More will be said on this head further on. - -I have now detailed shortly all the Tea machines or contrivances I -know, or have heard of, and I think there is plenty of room yet for -inventors.[46] The machine, as before observed, most to be desired is -one to separate the small Pekoe leaves from the others, ere the rolling -of the leaf is commenced. If such a machine existed, it would much -increase the value of all Indian Teas, and if the Agricultural and -Horticultural Society are inclined to offer a prize for any machine, it -should be this. - -At the point where the separation should take place, the stalk is much -tenderer than elsewhere, and this led me to think a blow or concussion -on the mass of green leaf might effect the object. I attached a bow by -the centre to an immovable board, placed at right angles to the plane -of a table (like the back of a dressing table), and then, causing leaf -to drop from above, subjected it to sharp strokes from the string -of the bow. It effected the object partially, for many Pekoe ends -were detached, but it bruised and cut the other leaf too much also. -I believe a revolving barrel, with blunt but thin narrow iron plates -inside, which would strike the leaf placed within, as the barrel was -turned, would perhaps answer. I give the above idea for what it is -worth, for any inventive genius to improve on. - -As it is impossible, as far as I can see, to construct any machine -which should _cut_ the stalk _only_ in the right place, _ergo_, I -believe some arrangement which would take advantage of the fact, that -the stalk is tenderer there than elsewhere, is the only one that could -answer. - -Now to return to the manufacture of Tea. I will consider each of the -five operations detailed, which I believe are all that are necessary to -make good Tea, separately. - -_Withering._--There are several tests to show when leaf is withered. -Fresh leaf squeezed in the hand, held near the ear, crackles, but no -sound should be heard from withered leaf. Again, fresh leaf, pressed -together in the palm of the hand, when released, springs back to nearly -its original bulk, but withered leaf, in like circumstances, retains -the shape into which it has been pressed. The stalk of withered leaf -will bend double without breaking, but fresh leaf stalks, if bent very -little, break. Practice, though, soon gives a test superior to all -these, viz., the feel of the leaf. Properly withered leaves are like -old rags to lay hold of, and no further test, after a time, than the -feel of the leaf is necessary. - -The agents for withering leaf are sun, light, heat, and air. Of these -the most powerful is sun, for it combines all the others with it. Light -is a powerful agent, for if some leaf be placed in a partially dark -room, and some in a well-lighted verandah, the latter will wither in -half the time the former will take. If light and moderate ventilation -be present, heat is a rapid accessory to rapid withering. - -There is often great difficulty in withering leaf in the rain. It -_can_ be withered in Tea pans, but “the out-turn” is then more or less -injured, for after infusion the out-turn comes out green instead of the -proper “new penny” colour. Withering in dholes is also objectionable -for the same reason, though if the heat is moderate the green effect is -less. It is further a long and tedious operation. - -Space and light are the great wants for withering leaf in wet weather. -Bamboo mechans, tier above tier, should be constructed in every -available space. Large frames, covered with wire mesh, may also be made -(by means of weights running over pulleys) to run up to the roof of any -Tea building. The leaf withers well in such frames, for heat ascends, -and much heat is given out by dholes. - -It signifies not though where leaf is spread as long as there is space -and light. Houses made of iron and glass would be far the best for -withering leaf, for, if well ventilated, all the necessary agents for -withering, detailed in the last page, would be present. I do not doubt -the day will come when these will be used, for properly withered leaf -is a necessity for good Tea.[47] - -In dry weather, when leaf comes in from the garden, spread it thinly -anywhere and turn it once early in the night. It will generally be -withered and ready to roll next morning. If not quite ready, then put -it outside in the sun. Half an hour’s sunning will probably finish it. - -In wet weather, if there is any sun when it comes in, or any time that -day, take advantage of the sun to wither the leaf _partly_, so much -that, with the after withering all night under cover, it will be ready -next morning. If not ready next morning, put it out in the sun, if -there is any, till it is ready. - -In very wet and cloudy weather, when there is no sun and continual -rain, so that the leaf _cannot_ be put outside (for remember that -outside, when there is no sun, the light alone will wither it), -artificial withering of some kind must be resorted to. I have mentioned -the only means I know of for doing this. - -As properly withered leaf is an important point in making good Tea, it -is well worth while to keep one or two men, according to the quantity -of leaf, for that work alone. They soon learn the best way to do it, -and if made answerable the leaf is properly ready for the rollers, -the object is generally attained. In this and every thing else in Tea -manufacture, give different men different departments, and make them -answerable. Much trouble to the manager, who should supervise all, and -much loss to the proprietor from bad Tea, will then be avoided. - -_Rolling._--This is a simple operation enough when the men have got the -knack of it. Some planters advocate a circular motion of the hands when -rolling, under the impression it gives the leaf a better twist. Some -like rolling it forward, but bringing it back without letting it turn -during the backward motion. I believe in neither way, for it appears -to me to be rolled no better, or no worse, by these plans than by the -ordinary and quicker mode of simply rolling it _any way_. The forward -and backward motion is the simplest and quickest, and the way all -rollers adopt, who are given a certain quantity of leaf (say 30 lbs. a -fair amount) to roll for their day’s work. In this ordinary rolling the -ball in the hand, ’tis true, does not turn much in the backward motion, -for ’tis more or less _pulled_ back, but whether it turns or not does -not, I believe, signify the least. - -Rolling in hot pans was formerly extensively practised. It is not much -done now. I have tried the plan, but found no advantage in it. - -Rolling on coarse mats, placed on the floor, might be seen also. When -I visited the Assam Company’s gardens near Nazerah, in Assam, I saw it -done there. It is a great mistake. The coarse bamboo mat breaks the -leaf sadly, and much of the sap or juice from the leaf, which adds much -to the strength of the Tea, runs through the coarse mat, and is lost. - -One and the principal reason why Indian Tea is stronger than Chinese is -that in India the sap or juice is generally retained, while in China it -is, strange to say, purposely wasted! - -A strong immovable smooth table, with the planks of which it is formed -well joined together, so that no apertures exist for the juice of the -leaf to run through, is the best thing to roll on. If covered with -a fine seetul pattie mat, nailed down over the edges of the table, -a still greater security is given against the loss of any sap, and -I believe the slightly rough surface of the mat enables the leaf to -roll better. An edging of wood one inch above the surface of the table -should be screwed on to the edges over the mat, if there is one, to -prevent leaf falling off. - -The leaf is rolled by a line of men on each side of such a table (4-1/2 -feet is a good width for it) passing up from man to man, from the -bottom of the table to the top. The passage of each handful of roll -from man to man is regulated by the man at the end, who, when the roll -in his hand is ready (that is, rolled enough), forms it into a tight -compressed ball (a truncated shape is the most convenient) and puts it -away on an adjacent stand. When he does this, the roll each man has -passes up one step. - -The roll is ready to make up into a ball, when it is in a soft _mashy_ -state, and when in the act of rolling it gives out juice freely. None -of this juice must be lost, it must be mopped up into the roll, again -and again in its passage up the table, and finally into the ball, when -made up. - -There will be some coarse leaves in the roll which cannot be twisted. -These, if left, would give much red leaf in the Tea. They should be -picked out by, say, the third or fourth man from the head of the table, -for it is only when the leaf has been partly rolled that they show. The -man who picks out the coarse leaf should not roll at all. He should -spread the roll, and pick out as much as he can, between the time of -receiving and passing it on. In no case allow roll to accumulate by -him, for if so kept it hardens and dries, and gives extra work to the -last rollers to bring it into the mashy state again. Besides which -I rather think, any such lengthened stoppage in the rolling helps -to destroy Pekoe ends, and is certainly injurious to the perfect -after-fermentation, inasmuch as it (the fermentation) partly takes -place then. - -This finishes the rolling process. Each man as stated can do 30 lbs., -but there is further work for him to be now described. - -_Fermenting._--The balls accumulated are allowed to stand until -fermented. I look on this being done to the right extent and no more, -as perhaps the most important point in the whole manufacture. - -Some planters collect the roll after rolling in a basket, and there -let it ferment, instead of making it up into balls for that purpose -as described. I much prefer the ball system for the following -reasons:--When a quantity is put into a basket together and allowed -to ferment a certain time, what was put in first is naturally more -fermented than what was put in last, the former probably over, the -latter under-done. The balls, on the contrary, can be each taken in -succession _in the order they were laid on the table_, and thus each -receive the same amount of fermentation. I think further the twist in -the leaf is better preserved by the ball plan, and also that a large -quantity in a basket is apt to ferment too much in the centre. - -It is impossible to describe, so that practical use shall be made of -it, _when_ the balls are sufficiently fermented. The outside of the -ball is no good criterion. It varies much in colour, affected by the -extent the leaf was withered.[48] You must judge by the inside. - -Perhaps as good a rule as any is that half the twisted leaves inside -shall be a rusty red, half of them green. Practice alone, however, will -enable you to pronounce when the balls are properly fermented. There is -no time to be fixed for it. The process is quicker in warm than cool -weather. - -The fermentation should be stopped in _each_ ball just at the right -time. Great exactitude in this is all-important, and therefore, as I -say, the balls should be taken in rotation as they were laid down. - -The fermentation is stopped by breaking up the ball. The roll is spread -out _very_ thin, and at the same time any remaining coarse leaves are -picked out. - -This concludes the fermenting process. - -_Sunning._--The roll is then without _any_ delay put out in the sun, -spread _very_ thin on dhallas or mats. When it has become blackish in -colour it is collected and re-spread, so that the whole of it shall be -affected by the sun. With bright sunshine, an hour or even less suns it -sufficiently. It is then at once placed in the dholes, which must be -all ready to receive it. - -If the weather is wet, it must, _directly_ the balls are broken up, and -the coarse leaf is picked out, be sent to the dholes. This is the only -plan in wet weather, but the best Tea is made in fine weather. - -_Firing or Dholing._--In the case of wet weather, unless you have very -many dholes, fresh roll will come in long before the first is finished. -The only plan in this case is to half do it. Half-fired the roll does -not injure with _any_ delay, but even half an hour’s delay, between -breaking up the balls and commencing to drive off the moisture, is -hurtful. - -In any but wet weather necessitating it the roll can be fired at one -time, that is, not removed from the drawer until it has become Tea. - -The roll in each drawer must be shaken up and re-spread two or three -times, in the process of firing. The drawer must be taken off the fire -to do this, or some of the roll would fall through into the fire, and -the smoke thus engendered would be hurtful. If the lowest drawer is -made to slide in and out a framework covered with zinc should be made -to run into a groove below it, and this zinc protector should be always -run in before the lower drawer is moved. This is part of Mr. McMeekin’s -invention, and is very necessary to prevent roll from the lowest drawer -falling into the fire when it (the lower drawer) is moved. - -The roll remains in the drawers, subject to the heat of the charcoal -below, until it is quite dry and crisp. Any piece then taken between -the fingers should break with the slightest attempt to bend it. - -The manufacture is now completed. The roll has become Tea. - -All the above operations should be carefully conducted, but I believe -the secret of good Tea consists simply in, _first_, stopping the -fermentation at the right moment; and, _secondly_, in commencing to -drive off the moisture immediately after. - -I do not say that the manufacture here detailed may not be improved -upon later, but I do say that in the results of economy, strong liquor, -and well twisted leaf, its results are very satisfactory, and not -surpassed by any other mode at present in vogue. I do not pretend that -it will give Teas rich in Pekoe tips. To attain this, light rolling as -shown must be resorted to, but just as far as Pekoe tips are procured -so far must strength be sacrificed. Until the small Pekoe leaves can be -detached and manufactured separately, this must always be the case. - -From the Tea made as described by sifting and sorting, all the ordinary -black Teas of commerce, as detailed at page 137, can be produced, -excepting “Flowery Pekoe.” - -To make Flowery Pekoe the closed bud and the one open leaf of the shoot -are alone taken, and these are manufactured alone. It does not, as a -rule, pay to make this Tea at all, though it fetches a long price. It -does not pay for the following reasons:-- - -1. After the head of the flush is taken the pickers that follow do not -readily recognise the remainder of the shoot, and consequently omit to -pick many of them. A heavy loss in the yield is thus entailed. - -2. The after Teas, made without these small leaves, are very inferior, -as they are much weaker, and totally devoid of Pekoe tips. - -3. The labour, and _ergo_ the expense of picking the flush, is double. - -The manufacture of Flowery Pekoe is simple enough. When the two leaves -from each shoot of which it is made are collected they are exposed to -the sun, spread out very thin, until they have well shrivelled. They -are then placed over small and slow charcoal fires, and so roasted very -slowly. If the above is well done, the Pekoe tips (and there is little -else) come out a whitish orange colour. The whiter they are the better. -If the leaf is rolled _very lightly_ by the hand _before_ sunning, the -liquor will be darker and stronger, but the colour of the tips will not -be so good. - -Flowery Pekoe is quite a fancy Tea, and for the reasons given above it -can never pay to make it. - - -_Green Tea._ - -The pans for this should be 2ft. 9in. diameter and 11in. in depth. They -should be thick pans, which will not, therefore, cool quickly. Many -are required for this manufacture, four or five for every maund of Tea -to be made daily. They should be set up in a sloping position, and the -arrangement of the fireplaces such that the wood to burn under them -can be put in through apertures leading into the verandah. One chimney -will do for every two pans, and it should be built high so as to give -a good draught, for hot fires are necessary. - -Flat-bladed sticks are used to stir both the leaf and the Tea in the -pans, for the hand cannot bear the heat. - -The men when working the Tea in the pans should have high stools to sit -on, for it is a nine hours’ job. - -The bags in which “the roll” is placed at night should be made of No. -3 canvas, 2 feet long and 1 foot broad. - -I will now detail the manufacture. - -To make Green Tea the leaf must be brought in twice in the day. What -comes in at one o’clock is partly made the same day. The evening leaf -is left till the following morning, laying it thick (say 6 inches), so -that it will _not_ wither. But if the one o’clock or the evening leaf -comes in wet, they must both be dried, the former _before_ being put -into the pans, the latter _before_ being laid out for the night. - -The manufacture thus begins twice daily, viz., morning and one o’clock, -but “the roll” of both these is treated together up to the time “the -roll” is ready to place in the bags. - -The leaf having no moisture in it is placed first in hot pans, at -a temperature of say 160°, and stirred with sticks for about seven -minutes, until it becomes moist and sticky. It is then too hot to hold -in the hand. - -It is then rolled for two or three minutes on a table until it gets a -little twisted. - -Then lay it out on dhallas in the sun (say 2 inches thick) for about -three hours, and roll it thrice during that time, always in the sun. It -is ready to roll each time when “the roll” has become blackish on the -surface. It is not rolled more than three minutes each time, and then -spread out as before. If you put on a proper number of men to do this -they do each dhalla in succession, and when they have done the last, -“the roll” in the first dhalla will be blackish on the surface again, -and ready to roll again. - -When three rollings are done, the roll should have a good twist on it. - -It is then placed in the pans, at the same heat as before, and worked -with sticks as before for two or three minutes, until it becomes too -hot to hold. - -It is then stuffed, as tight as it _can_ be stuffed, into the bags -described above, putting as much into each bag as you can possibly get -it to hold. The mouth is then tied up and the bag beaten with a flat -heavy stick to consolidate the mass inside, and so it is left for the -night. - -Next morning it is taken out of the bags, and worked with the flat -sticks as before in the pans for nine hours without intermission. The -temperature 160° at first down to 120° at the last. - -During and owing to this last process the green colour is produced.[49] -It is worked quicker and quicker as the hours pass. - -The following are the kinds of Tea into which it is best sorted:-- - - 1. Ends } - 2. Young Hyson } - 3. Hyson } The relative value is in the order - 4. Gunpowder } in which they are numbered. - 5. Dust } - 6. Imperial } - -The sorting of Green Tea is a nicer operation, and takes twice as long -as sorting Black Tea. - -If there are pans enough, and the work is well arranged, there should -be no night-work with Green Tea, for all should be over by 5 P.M.; -whereas with Black Tea night-work is generally a necessity. - -The price obtained for Green Tea is more dependent on its _appearance_ -than in the case of Black. - -It is not easy to make Black and Green Tea in the same factory. - -Green Tea, if well made, pays much better than Black Tea; and, as -before observed, I think all gardens with Chinese plants should adopt -the manufacture.[50] When once the building is fitted for it, and the -routine established, the Green Tea manufacture is always preferred by -those who have tried both. - -The Hybrid plant makes the best Black, the Chinese the best Green Tea. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[36] In describing manufacture I shall call the leaf brought in “Leaf,” -until it enters on the rolling process; from that time until the drying -over charcoal is concluded, “Roll;” and after that, “Tea.” - -[37] Pekoe tips are the whitish or orange-coloured ends that may be -seen in Pekoe Tea. See pages 105, 106, and 116. - -[38] The out-turn consists of the Tea leaves after infusion. - -[39] At the end of the season, however, sunning has more than the above -effect. It then makes the Tea “Chubby” in form, of a reddish colour, -and improves the strength of the liquor. - -[40] It is better, because the “tips” having been hard-rolled give -stronger liquor. - -[41] It _was_ the best, but is superseded by a new rolling-machine -(Jackson’s) I have seen quite lately. - -Note to Third Edition.--Jackson’s rolling-machine, by a late Calcutta -legal decision, is declared to be simply Kinmond’s, with alterations. -As Jackson is now prohibited from selling his machines, I presume the -two inventors will come to some understanding as to the alterations, -which are most certainly improvements. - -[42] I had not seen Jackson’s machine when I thought as above. - -[43] Unfortunately it is not. It is advertised at Rs. 300, with a -yearly royalty of Rs. 50 the first year and 20 after. The royalty -should be dropped, and the machine sold for Rs. 150, which would give -the inventor a good profit. - -[44] Note to 3rd edition.--It is a question no longer. Many besides -myself have now proved that charcoal fumes are in no way necessary. - -[45] See this subject further discussed in the Addenda. - -[46] I now believe Jackson’s rolling-machine, previously alluded to, -will finish the rolling entirely. - -[47] Note to 3rd edition--I am now sending out the glass necessary for -a glass withering house to be erected on the garden just finished in -the Western Dooars. - -[48] The more the leaf is withered the thicker in consistency and the -smaller in quantity the juice that exudes, as also the yellower in -colour. Further, the more the leaf is withered the darker the outside -of the balls. Bright rusty red is the colour produced with moderately -withered leaf; very dark greenish red with much withered leaf. - -[49] Much Green Tea is coloured, but none from India has been so -treated. - -[50] Note to Third Edition.--Since this was written Green Teas have -gone down considerably in value. They are still much used in America, -but in Great Britain there is but little demand for them. - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -SIFTING AND SORTING. - - -Sifting is a very important item in the manufacture of Tea. Careful -and judicious sifting, as contrasted with the reverse, may make a -difference of two or three annas a lb. in the sale of Teas. - -I was shown some Tea quite lately which, as regards “liquor,” was -valued by the brokers at Re. 1-3 per lb., but the “Tea” at only 14 -annas! This was entirely owing to faulty sifting and sorting. - -I don’t believe in _any_ machine for Tea sifting, simply because it is -not a regular process.[51] For example, you cannot say that, to make -Pekoe, you must first use one sieve, then another, and so on. The sizes -of sieves to be used, and the order in which they are to be used, will -vary continually, as both are decided by varying causes, viz., the -comparative fineness or coarseness of the Tea made daily, the greater -or less presence of red leaf in it, and (because Tea varies much during -the season, and gets coarse towards the end) by the time of the year. -These points all necessitate changes in the sizes, and the order of the -sieves. - -’Tis true sieves might be changed in a machine as required, but the -only machine that could even pretend to save labour would be one in -which all the sieves were arranged one below the other, and thus the -Tea would fall through each alternately, the motion being common to -all. But this won’t do for Tea sifting. Judgment must be used to -decide _the length of time_ each sieve is to be shaken; further, with -_how much motion_ it shall be shaken, &c., &c. But this is simply -impossible with any machine, though all necessary to sift Tea well. - -The cost of Tea sifting by hand (see page 161) is not eight annas _per -maund_, including picking out red leaf, which _must_ be hand-work. Good -and bad sifting will affect the value three annas per lb. or Rs. 15 per -maund! - -With all parts of Tea manufacture it is well to employ the same men -continually in each department, but above all, perhaps, should this be -done in Tea sifting. A good sifter is a valuable man. He knows each -kind of Tea by name; he knows what sieves to use, and the order in -which to use them for each Tea; what the effect a larger or smaller -mesh will have on each kind, &c., &c. In fact, he knows much more of -the _practical_ part of sifting than his master can, though the latter -is, probably, a better judge how far the Teas are perfect when made. - -Tea sieves are of two kinds, both round. One made of brass wire, with -wooden sides, 3-1/2 inches high, the other cane, with bamboo sides, -1-1/4 inches high only. The latter are called “Chinese sieves,” and -though the brass ones are used in many places, there is no possible -comparison between them, for the labour required in the use of the -brass ones is much greater, and the results, as regards well sorted -Tea, much better with the Chinese. - -Both kinds are numbered according to the number of orifices in one -linear inch. Thus a No. 6 sieve has six orifices to the inch in both; -but in the brass kind, a No. 6 has six orifices _including_ the wire; -in the Chinese kind, the cane between each aperture is _not_ included -in the measure. Thus the orifice in a No. 6 Chinese sieve is exactly -1/6th of an inch square, but somewhat less in a brass sieve. - -As I well know brass sieves cannot remain in favour after the others -have been only once tried, I shall confine my directions to the Chinese -kind.[52] - -I practise, and I advise, Tea to be sifted daily. The Tea made one day, -sifted the day after, and in fact stored away in the bins ready sifted. -I find it is more carefully done this way, for by the other plan a -larger quantity being done at once by several men, they cannot, from -want of practice, be expert. But by the daily plan one, two, or three -men, as necessary, can always be kept on the work, and consequently -they learn and do it well. - -To sift the following, Chinese sieves are required; and if daily -sifting is resorted to, they will be found ample for any ordinary-sized -garden:-- - - 4 of No. 4 - 6 of No. 6 - 6 of No. 7 - 9 of No. 9 - 9 of No. 10 - 6 of No. 12 - 4 of No. 16. - -Previous to sifting all red leaf should be picked out of the Tea. This, -as stated under the head of “Manufacture,” should be done twice before -the “roll” is fired; but towards the end of the season especially, some -will still remain in the made Tea, and this must be carefully separated. - -From what I have said it is evident that no rules can be laid down as -to what sieves to employ to get out certain Teas. Only practice can -teach this. - -Further, practice can only enable you to judge in a Tea broker’s -point of view of different classes of Tea. This essay would, -however, be incomplete did it not contain a description of these. -Such a description has been ably given by Mr. J. H. Haworth in his -“Information and Advice for the Tea Planter from the English Market” -(_Journal, A. & H. Society of India, Vol. XIV._), and, as his knowledge -on the subject is far in advance of mine, and consequently more to the -point than any description I could give, I will close this chapter with -the following extract from his valuable pamphlet, and trust he will -excuse my doing so:-- - - -_Of the Different Classes of Tea._ - - Teas are arranged in various classes according to the size, make, - and colour of the leaf. I treat first and principally of the Black - descriptions, as Green Teas are manufactured in only a few of the - Tea-growing districts of India. - - The following classes come under the name of Black Tea:-- - - Flowery Pekoe. { Broken Pekoe. - Orange Pekoe. { Pekoe Dust. - Pekoe. The various broken { Broken Mixed Tea. - Pekoe Souchong. kinds, viz.:-- { Broken Souchong. - Souchong. { Broken Leaf. - Congou. { Fannings. - Bohea. { Dust. - - We occasionally meet with other names, but they are generally - original, and ought not to be encouraged, as a few simple terms like - the above are sufficiently comprehensive to describe all classes - manufactured. - - Perhaps before entering into a detailed description of the various - classes it will be well to explain the term “Pekoe” (pronounced - Pek-oh), which as we see occurs in so many of the names above quoted. - It is said to be derived from the Chinese words “Pak Ho,” which are - said to signify white down. The raw material constituting Pekoe when - manufactured is the young bud just shooting forth, or the young - leaf just expanded, which on minute examination will be found to be - covered with a whitish velvety down. On firing these young leaves, - the down simply undergoes a slight change in colour to grey or - greyish yellow, sometimes as far as a yellowish orange tint. - - When the prepared Tea consists entirely of greyish or greenish - greyish Pekoe, with no or very little dark leaf mixed, it is called - Flowery Pekoe. - - Flowery Pekoe is picked from the shrub entirely separate from the - other descriptions of Tea, only the buds and young leaves being - taken. In the preparation it is not subjected so severely to the - action of heat as the other classes of Tea, and generally preserves - a uniform greenish grey or silvery grey tint. Its strength in liquor - is very great, flavour more approaching that of Green Teas, but - infinitely superior, having the strength and astringency, without the - bitterness, of the green descriptions. The liquor is pale, similar to - that of Green Tea, and the infused leaf is of a uniform green hue. In - many instances, where too much heat has been employed, we find dark - leaves intermixed, and the prevailing colour, green, is sprinkled - with leaves of a salmony brown tinge, which is the proper colour for - the out-turn of any other ordinary black leaf Tea. A very common - mistake is to call an ordinary Pekoe, that may contain an extra - amount of Pekoe ends, Flowery Pekoe. When this class of Tea is strong - and of Flowery Pekoe flavour, it is called by the trade a Pekoe of - Flowery Pekoe kind. In England Flowery Pekoe sells, as a rule, from - 4_s._ 6_d._ to 6_s._ 6_d._ per lb. One parcel has sold as high as - 7_s._ 6_d._ - - By many people the expediency of making Flowery Pekoe is much - doubted. The true Flowery Pekoe leaf is the one undeveloped bud at - the end of each twig. To pick this alone, without any ordinary Pekoe - leaves, involves a great deal of trouble and expense, and I think - though the Flowery Pekoe be very valuable, that the account would - hardly balance when we consider the deterioration of the Pekoe by the - abstraction of the young leaves. - - The ordinary Pekoe is a Tea of blackish or greyish blackish aspect, - but dotted over with greyish or yellowish leaves which, on close - inspection, will be found to possess the downy appearance which - gives the name to Pekoe. In general we do not find the whole leaf - covered with down, but only part of it, which in its growth has been - developed later than the other parts. These are called by the trade - “Pekoe ends” when very small Pekoe tips. A Pekoe is generally of good - to fine flavour, and very strong, and its liquor dark. Its value is - from 2_s._ 9_d._ to 3_s._ 8_d._ per lb. - - When the Pekoe ends are of yellowish or orange hue, and the leaf is - very small and even, the Tea is called Orange Pekoe. In flavour it is - much the same as an ordinary Pekoe, and many growers do not separate - the two varieties, but send them away in the finished state mixed - together. Its value is from 2_d._ to 4_d._ per lb. more than Pekoe. - - The term Pekoe Souchong is generally applied to a Pekoe that is - deficient in Pekoe ends, or to a bold, Souchong class leaf with a - few ends mixed. We often meet with it applied to an unassorted Tea, - including perhaps Souchong, Congou, a few Pekoe ends, and some broken - leaves. Prices range from 2_s._ 3_d._ to 2_s._ 10_d._ - - The name of Broken Pekoe indicates at once what class of Tea it is, - namely, Pekoe which has been broken in the manipulation or otherwise. - It possesses the strength and fine flavour of a full leaf of Pekoe, - being therefore only inferior to it in point of leaf. In value it is - very little inferior to Pekoe, sometimes as valuable, or even more - so, as owing to the frangibility of the tender Pekoe ends, they are - sometimes broken off in very large quantity, thus adding to the value - of the broken Tea, though at the same time deteriorating the Pekoe. - Prices from 2_s._ 6_d._ to 3_s._ 4_d._ - - Pekoe dust is still smaller broken, so small in fact as actually to - resemble dust. It is of great strength, though often not pure in - flavour, as frequently any dust or sweepings from other Tea is mixed - with it to make the lot larger. The price of Pekoe dust may range - from 1_s._ 6_d._ to 2_s._ 8_d._ - - A Tea only slightly broken is often called by the planter Pekoe - Dust; again an Orange Pekoe is often called Broken Pekoe, and the - converse. A knowledge of the signification of these and other terms - would teach the grower to be very careful in marking his Teas, as the - nomenclature influences to a great extent the sale in the home market. - - Having described the finer Teas, we now come to the consideration of - the classes of Tea which form the bulk of the manufacture of a garden. - - Souchong may be taken as the medium quality, and when experience and - skilled labour are employed in the manufacture as the bulk of the - produce of an estate. The qualifications for being comprehended under - this term are just simply an even, straight, or slightly curved leaf, - in length varying say from 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inch. It has not the - deep strength of Pekoe, but is generally of good flavour and of fair - strength. The prices of Souchong are from 1_s._ 10_d._ to 2_s._ 8_d._ - - Congou comes next. It may be either a leaf of Souchong kind, but too - large to come under that class, or though of smallish-sized leaf, - too unevenly made, or too much curled (so as to resemble little - balls) to be so classified. The flavour is much the same as that of - Souchong, but the Tea has not so much strength. Some of the lower and - large leaf kinds may be only worth perhaps from 1_s._ 3_d._ to 1_s._ - 6_d._, whereas the finer qualities sell as high as 2_s._ to 2_s._ - 3_d._ per lb. - - Bohea is again lower than a Congou. It may be either of too large - a leaf to be called Congou, or, as is generally the case, it may - consist principally of old leaf, which on being fired does not attain - the greyish blackish colour which is so desirable for all the black - leaf kinds except Flowery Pekoe, but remains of a brownish or even - pale yellowish hue. It has scarcely any strength, and is generally - of coarse flavour, sometimes not, but is never of much value unless - of _Namuna_ kind (a term which will be described hereafter). We may - quote prices at from 3_d._ to 1_s._ 2_d._ per lb. - - We now come to the broken descriptions of these middle and lower - classes of Tea. - - Broken Mixed Tea is, as its name imports, a mixture of the various - kinds of Tea broken. It may have a very wide range, include some of - the lower classes or approach Broken Pekoe in character and value, - but the kind usually thus named is a Tea worth from 1_s._ 8_d._ to - 2_s._ 6_d._, generally of a blackish aspect, and containing a few - Pekoe ends. - - The term Broken Souchong is commonly and appropriately applied to a - Tea which, though broken, has some approach to a full leaf, and that - of the even Souchong character. Its value may vary, say from 1_s._ - 6_d._ to 2_s._ 2_d._ - - Broken leaf is a term of great comprehensiveness, but generally is - used to signify a Tea worth from 8_d._ to 1_s._ 1_d._ per lb. It - may be of a brownish, brownish blackish, or blackish colour. Its - strength is seldom great, but its flavour may be fair or good, but in - the lower qualities it is generally poor, thin, or coarse. It would - be better to employ this term only as a general name of Broken Tea, - and not to use it to signify any particular class, as it is very - indefinite. - - Fannings is similar in colour and class of leaf to broken leaf as - described above; in value also much the same, perhaps on the average - a little lower. I suppose, in most cases, the mode of its separation - from the other classes of Tea is, as its name implies, by fanning. - - Dust is a very small broken Tea, so small, in fact, as to approach - the minuteness of actual dust. It is often very coarse, or “earthy” - in flavour, owing perhaps to sweepings and dust having become mixed - with it. Its value is from 6_d._ to 1_s._ 6_d._ In any Tea of this - class worth more than these quotations, a few Pekoe ends or tips - will generally be found, which bring it under the name of Pekoe Dust. - - We will now look at Black Teas in a body, and point out what is - desirable and what is objectionable in them. - - We have seen that all Teas which contain Pekoe fetch higher prices - than others, consequently we infer that Pekoe is a desideratum. If - we glance at the descriptions of the various classes of Tea which - have been given above, we shall find that it is an element of - strength and good flavour. I do not mean to say that any Pekoe is - stronger or of better flavour than any Tea which does not contain - Pekoe, as the soil, the climate, the cultivation, the manufacture, - and various other causes, may influence the strength and flavour of - different Teas; but, as a rule, in Teas that are produced under the - same circumstances, the classes containing Pekoe are stronger and of - better flavour than those without it. - - There is another class of Tea which I have not yet described that - possesses very great strength and very fine flavour. This is the - class known as the “Namuna” kind. All readers of these pages who - have been connected with India any time will recognise the word,[53] - though they may not quite see how it comes to occupy the position - in which we consider it. It is said that its first application in - this manner arose from a planter having sent to England some sample - boxes of Tea with the ticket “namuna” on them. These Teas happened - to be of the peculiar description which now goes by that name, and - which I proceed to describe. The London brokers have always since - then applied the name “namuna” to this class of Tea. The leaf may - have, perhaps, the ordinary greyish blackish aspect, with generally - a greenish tinge. In the pot it produces a very pale liquor, but - on tasting it its quality belies the poor thin appearance of the - infusion. It is very strong, stronger by far than ordinary Pekoe; in - flavour, say, about half-way between a Flowery Pekoe and a Green Tea, - quite distinct from the Flowery Pekoe flavour, possessing somewhat - of the rasping bitterness of the Green Tea class with the flavour a - little refined. The out-turn is generally green, sometimes has some - brownish leaves mixed. Any of the black leaf Teas may be of this - Class, from the Pekoe to the lowest dust, and all throughout the - scale, if the flavour be distinct and pure, may have their value - enhanced from 4_d._ to 10_d._ per lb. - - Similar in every respect, except one, is the Oolong kind. The one - wanting quality is the strength, sometimes, by-the-bye, the flavour - is a little different. It may have the greenish, greyish blackish - leaf (though generally the green leaves are distinct from black ones, - the Tea thus being composed of greyish blackish leaves with a few - green ones intermixed), always has the pale liquor, generally the - greenish infused leaf; but sometimes it is sadly intermingled with - black leaves, as it is a Tea whose flavour is frequently burnt out, - though its weakness and green appearance are no doubt often caused - by deficient firing. Teas of this kind on the average sell below the - ordinarily-flavoured Teas of the same class of leaf. - - In Teas of ordinary flavour the following rules hold good:--The - darker the liquor the stronger the Tea, and the nearer the approach - of the colour of the infused leaf to a uniform salmony brown, the - purer the flavour. Whenever we see any black leaves mixed with - it (the out-turn) the Tea has been over-fired, and we may either - expect to find the strength burnt out of it, or else to find it - marred by having a burnt or smoky flavour incorporated with it. - When you come across an altogether black or dirty brown out-turn, - you may be certain of pale liquor containing little or no strength - and no flavour to speak of, unless sometimes it be sour. This is a - quality which I shall now touch upon, and regret that I cannot with - any certainty give any reliable information whereby the planter - may guard against this greatest of faults. It may have various - grades,--slightly sourish, sourish, and sour, depreciating the value - of the Tea, say, from 3_d._ to 1_s._ 6_d._ per lb. The flavour of a - sour Tea is hardly capable of description. It is not so acid as sour - milk, in fact, not acid at all, rather a sweet flavour than otherwise - being blended with the sourness. It is extremely unpleasant in its - more developed grades, and cannot be easily understood except by - actual tasting. To the uninitiated this fault is only perceptible in - the more strongly marked instances, but to one of the trade the least - tendency to it not only condemns the parcel at once, but also causes - him to suspect any other lots made at the same or any other time by - the same grower, and it is a curious but unaccountable fact that some - two or three gardens (or growers?) almost always produce Teas having - this fault. I will not cite all the different explanations that have - been offered on this subject; I will simply quote the one which - seems to have gained most ground, and leave those more competent than - myself to express any opinion on the subject. The cause assigned to - which I refer is that the Tea leaf after being picked is allowed to - remain too long in the raw state before being fired, during which - time it undergoes a process of fermentation; some then say that - this causes sourness, while others maintain that the fermentation - is absolutely necessary for the production of a Black Tea. The fact - that we never meet with sourness in a Green Tea, one feature in the - preparation of which being that it is fired almost immediately on - being gathered, goes to corroborate this view. - - Burntness I have already referred to. As I said before, it may either - destroy the strength and flavour altogether, or sometimes, without - destroying the strength, add an unpleasant burnt flavour to it. - When the Tea has the flavour of smoke about it, it is called smoky - or smoky burnt. By being burnt, a Tea may be deteriorated in value, - say from 2_d._ to 1_s._ per lb. The symptoms of burntness are a dead - black leaf (as opposed to the greatly-desired greyish, blackish - colour) having a burnt smell which often entirely neutralises the - natural aroma of the Tea. In looking over a broker’s character of - a parcel of Teas, you may occasionally meet with the terms “fresh - burnt,” “brisk burnt,” or “malty burnt.” These phrases do not carry - a condemnatory meaning with them. The meaning of the word burnt, as - used here, would be better expressed by the term “fired.” The term - “malty” means of full rich flavour, perhaps from the aroma of this - class of Tea resembling somewhat that of malt. Teas of the three - above descriptions, you may have noticed, often fetch very good - prices. The meaning of the word “full,” applied to a liquor, is - hardly appreciable except by tasting. It does not signify strength - or flavour, but is opposed to thinness. A Green Tea may be strong or - of good flavour, but its liquor is never full. Fulness is generally - characterised by a dark liquor. The quality known as “body” in a wine - is somewhat akin to fulness in a Tea. We speak of a “full” leaf Tea - in contradistinction to a broken leaf. “Chaffy” is generally used in - connection with Bohea and other brown leaf classes of Tea. A light - (in weight) brown, open or flat leaf, in fact, one resembling chaff, - would be called chaffy. The lower classes of Tea, especially the - dusts, are often described as “earthy” in flavour. By this a coarse - low flavour is understood, perhaps often caused by the admixture of - real dust. - - When the make of a Tea is spoken of as a “well made,” “fairly made,” - &c., leaf, the effect of the manipulation or rolling is referred - to. We may have a “well made even,” or a “well made mixed large and - small,” leaf. We may have a “straight” or “curled,” or, as the latter - is generally expressed when applied to a large leaf Tea, “twisted” - leaf. It may be “flattish made,” indicating that though the leaf is - not open it wears a flattish aspect, or it may be open, which betrays - a want of sufficient or skilful manipulation. A “wiry” leaf is small, - perfectly rolled, and very thin (in diameter), generally rather - curled, so as in fact to resemble small pieces of bent wire. It - will be seen at once that only the finer Teas can have a wiry leaf, - principally the Orange Pekoes and Pekoes. Sometimes we meet with a - fine Souchong that may be thus described. - - -_Green Teas._ - - As in the North-west Provinces Green Teas form the bulk of the - produce, it will be well to give a short description of them, though - the tenor of my remarks below will show the general opinion as to the - desirability of making them.[54] - - Gunpowder is the most valuable description, its price ranging from - 2_s._ 8_d._ to 3_s._ 8_d._ per lb. Instead of possessing the long and - thin finished leaf, which is the desideratum of Black Teas, it is - rolled into little balls more or less round, varying from one-eighth - to one-quarter of an inch in diameter. Sometimes it is not altogether - composed of round leaf, but has some long leaf mixed. - - When the Tea is of the shape of Gunpowder, but is larger than the - size above quoted, it is called Imperial. Prices of Imperial are from - 10_d._ to 2_s._ 6_d._ - - Amongst Green Teas Hyson may be taken as the parallel of Souchong - of the black leaf descriptions. Undoubtedly there is often much - young Pekoe leaf in it, but all chance of _discriminating_ it in the - finished leaf is done away with by the change in colour. Hysons sell - from 1_s._ 2_d._ to 3_s._ 6_d._ - - Young Hyson is smaller than Hyson, occasionally slightly broken. It - fetches from 7_d._ to 2_s._ 6_d._ - - Hyson skin consists of the bold broken leaf of Hyson and Young - Hyson. A small broken Green Tea is seldom sent on the home market. - The reason of this is obvious. When we consider that Hyson skin only - fetches from 7_d._ to 1_s._, it is apparent that anything approaching - a dust would give very little chance of a profit. I have seen one or - two parcels, too much broken to come under the title of Hyson skin, - sell at 3_d._ to 6_d._ per lb. in London. It would be well if some - of the Indian planters would take a lesson from the Chinese, and - not send home their very low Teas, black or green, as they are very - difficult of sale in London, and in many cases cannot pay the cost - of packing and shipping. The Chinese make a great quantity of their - broken Teas into Brick Tea, and send it into the Central Provinces of - Asia, where it meets with a ready sale. I do not see why this should - not be done by the Indian growers. There is a large consumption of - Tea on the other side of the Himalayas, not very far from Darjeeling - and Assam. I hear also that in the neighbourhood of the growing - districts, especially in the North-west Provinces, the natives are - beginning to consume largely, and will pay 8 as. to 1 rupee for a - Tea that could not possibly fetch more than 1_s._ to 1_s._ 6_d._ per - lb. in England. Whether the natives of India, as a whole, do or do - not take to drinking Tea will have a material effect on the future - prospects of the article. - - Before dropping the subject of Green Teas, I will say a word or two - as to the expediency of making Green Tea. I have questioned several - experienced people on the subject, but none can tell me their - especial object in manufacturing their leaf into Green Tea. One - gentleman told me that he thought it was because their Tea-makers - (Chinamen) knew better how to make greens than blacks. I have - carefully examined the leaf of several of the North-west Green Teas, - and, noticing their English sale prices, consider that they would - have sold on the average at least 3_d._ per lb. higher had they been - made into Black Tea. The best way to test this would be to have a - Green and a Black Tea made from the same leaf, and then to value the - one against the other. I regret that I have never had the opportunity - of doing this. We notice that the largest and most experienced - producers never make Green Tea.[55] - - I must not pass over Caper without a short description. It is a Tea - which is made in large quantity in China, though I have only seen one - parcel of Indian growth. It forms a link between the black and green - descriptions. The colour of the leaf is a very dark green; in form it - is similar to a gunpowder, Imperial, or round leaf Congou. The liquor - is pale, and the out-turn green; flavour perhaps nearer to that of a - green than of a Black Tea. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[51] We have yet to see what Jackson’s machine can do. - -[52] Even to break Tea on them it is a mistake to use brass sieves. Tea -is best broken by a wooden roller, heavily weighed with lead, run in. -The glaze or gloss on Tea is thus preserved. - -[53] I need hardly remark that the Hindustani word _Namuna_ (pronounced -_Nemoona_) means _sample_. - -[54] I think I need hardly pause to correct the popular error that the -Green and Black Teas are made from two different species of plant. Most -of my readers will know that they are both made from the same leaf, the -difference lying only in the manufacture. - -[55] Note to Third Edition.--As previously stated in foot-note page -133, Green Teas are now but little used in Great Britain. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -BOXES. PACKING. - - -By far the best Tea boxes are the teak ones made at Rangoon. The -wood is impervious to insects of all kinds, even white ants. Sawn by -machinery the pieces sent to compose each box are very regular. The -plank is half inch, and each chest made up measures inside 23 by 18 by -18-1/2 inches, and necessarily outside 24 by 19 by 19-1/2 inches. The -inner cubical contents are 7,659 cubic inches, and this suffices for -above one maund of fine, and under a maund of coarse Tea. - -Each box is composed of fourteen pieces--viz., for the two long sides -three each, for the two short sides two each, two for the bottom, and -two for the lid. By the arrangement of three pieces in the long sides, -and two only in the short sides, the centre piece of each long side is -attached to _both_ the short end pieces, and thus great strength in the -box is ensured, there being no place where it can possibly separate at -the joints. - -These boxes are not made to “dovetail.” Each piece (and they are sawn -with mathematical regularity as to length, breadth, and thickness) must -be nailed to its neighbour. The best nails for this are the kind called -“French Pins,” 1-3/4 inches long. - -The wood is sold at Rangoon in bundles, and could be landed in Calcutta -for about Re. 1-8 or 1-12 per box. The boxes need not be made up till -shortly before they are wanted, and in this form, of compact bundles of -short pieces, are very convenient for transport and stowage. - -Of course in many districts these boxes are not procurable, and local -ones must be made. If so, use hard wood, and make your boxes _about_ -the size given above, for small boxes add much to the cost of freight. - -Let the planks be 5/8 inch thick, for 1/2 inch, that is, 4/8 inch -boards are not strong enough, except they are of teak or any other very -good wood. - -Take care the joints of the several pieces composing the sides and ends -do _not_ coincide at the corners, for if they do the box is very apt to -come asunder. - -The best way to arrange the pieces is as described above in the Rangoon -boxes. - -“A form” must be made on which the inner leaden case shall be -constructed, that is, a well-made smooth box, to fit _exactly_ into the -box you pack in. It must be some 3 inches higher than the interior of -the original box, and have bars running across inside, for handles to -lift it up, and let the lead case slip off it, after it (the lead case) -is finished. - -Solder your lead case, over your form, in the way to waste least lead. -In the Rangoon boxes described, two large, two small sheets,[56] -and one piece, 22 by 9 inches (let in between the two large sheets) -suffices, and there is little or no waste. - -The lead case ready, hold up the form by the inner rods, and let the -case slide off. Put it at once into the packing-box, taking care no -nails protrude inside, or anything else which will hurt it, and thus -prepare all the boxes for the break of Tea you are about to pack. - -One great advantage the Rangoon boxes, and in fact all machine-sawn -boxes, have is their equal, or nearly equal, weight. Purchasers of -Teas, at the public auctions, require “the tare” of boxes to be as -near the same weight as possible. If the tares differ, say more than -half-a-pound, the Tea will be depreciated in value.[57] It is well -there should be about the same weight of Tea in all the boxes that -contain any one kind, but this is not essential, which equality in -tares is. - -Your boxes all ready and lined with lead, choose a fine day for -packing. Do this whether you finally dry the Tea in the sun or over the -dholes; for even in the latter case it is well to avoid a damp day. - -But before you pack you must bulk. That is, you must mix all the Tea, -of any one kind, so intimately together that samples taken out of any -number of chests shall agree exactly. This can be done by turning out -all the Tea on a large cloth placed on the floor, and turning it over -and over. No two days’ Teas are exactly alike, and you have perhaps a -month’s Teas to pack; it is therefore necessary to mix them well. - -Though I know many planters think the fumes of charcoal necessary and -beneficial for the last drying, I do not. I have tried both sun and -charcoal, and no difference was perceptible. The former costs nothing, -is more commodious, and I always apply it when possible. The sun cannot -burn the Teas; the charcoal, if the heat is too great, may. - -Whether you use sun or charcoal, put the Tea hot into the boxes. The -_only_ object of the final drying is to drive off the moisture, which -the Tea will certainly, in a more or less degree, have imbibed since -its manufacture. Even the large zinc-lined bins which should be fitted -up in all Tea stores, and in which the Tea is placed after manufacture, -will not entirely prevent damp, so in all cases a final drying is -necessary. - -Keep it in the sun, or over the charcoal, until it is hot throughout, -hot enough to ensure all the moisture having been driven off. Then put -into the box enough to about one-quarter fill it. Now let two men rock -the box, over a half-inch round iron bar, placed on the ground, until -the Tea has well settled. Then place a piece of carpet over the Tea, -the exact size of the box, and let a man stand inside and press it down -a minute or two with his feet. Now fill up nearly another quarter, and -press it again over the carpet as before. Repeat this, putting less and -less into the box each time, as you near the top, until it is quite -full, but do not rock it at all the last two or three times, only press -it with the feet as described. No patent screw press, or anything else, -will pack the Tea better or more closely than this plan, and when the -men are practised at it, you will find there will not be a difference -of more than two or three lbs. in the Teas of any one kind put into the -boxes.[58] - -The box full, just even with the top, and well pressed down to the -last, lay over the Tea a piece of the silver paper, which is found -inserted between each sheet in the lead boxes. This prevents any solder -or resin getting on the Tea when soldering the top. Now fit on the lead -sheet top, solder, and nail on the wooden lid. - -_Weight of Tea in each box._--The boxes ready lined, with a lead cover -loose, must be all weighed _before_ the Tea is packed, and again -_after_ they are filled and soldered down, but _before_ the wooden lid -is put on. The difference of these weights, minus the weight of the -little solder used in fastening down the top lead (for which allow say -one pound to give a margin also), will be the net weight of Tea in each -box. - -Thin iron hooping, put round both ends of the boxes, much increases -their strength, and is not expensive.[59] - -Stamp each box on its lid and on one end.[60] Use for this zinc plates, -with the necessary marks cut out in them. A brush run over these with -the colouring matter does the work well and quickly. - -Let the stamp comprise the kind of Tea, the plantation or owner’s mark, -the number of the box, and the year; for instance-- - -[Illustration: - - Pekoe. - - \ A / - \ / - D X C - / \ - / B \ - No. 80 1871 -] - -The invoice you send with the break must give for each box the number, -the gross weight, the tare, the net Tea, and the kind of Tea, with a -declaration at foot that the Teas of each kind have been respectively -well bulked and mixed together before packing. - -Remember the larger the quantity of Tea, of any one kind, to be sold -at one auction, the higher the price it will probably fetch. Sell, if -possible, twenty or thirty chests of one kind of Tea at the same time, -for small quantities as a rule sell below large, both in Calcutta and -London. - -Equality of tares is the most important point to attend to in packing -Teas. It may be difficult, but with machine-sawn boxes, nearly the -same weight, any difference must be made up with extra hooping, lead, -solder, or nails. Anyhow it _must_ be done, so that no tares shall -differ more than half-a-pound (see foot-note page 149). - -FOOTNOTES: - -[56] Large lead is 37 by 22 inches; small lead, 25 by 19 inches. - -[57] Note to Third Edition.--This matter of equal tares is very -important. If they differ more than half-a-pound all the Tea is turned -out and re-weighed in London, which is a great loss in many ways. - -[58] It is not essential that the same quantity of Tea shall be in each -box. - -[59] This should, except the lid part, be put on the boxes before the -Tea is packed. - -[60] The object of stamping the end, as well as the lid, is that when -the boxes are piled one above the other the mark can be read. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -MANAGEMENT. ACCOUNTS. FORMS. - - -System and order, a good memory, a good temper, firmness, attention to -details, agricultural knowledge, industry, all these, combined with -a thorough knowledge of Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture, are the -requisites for the successful management of a Tea plantation. - -To find men with _all_ these qualities is, I allow, not very easy, -still they do exist, and such a one must be had if success in Tea is -looked for. - -Before the work is given out each day, the manager should decide -exactly what is most required, and apply it to that. He should write -down, when distributing the men, the works, and the number employed on -each. This paper he should carry in his pocket, and he can then verify -the men at work at each or any place when he visits it during the day. - -The writer, the moonshee, and the jemadar (if there is one), should -write similar papers when the coolies are mustered in the morning, and -the manager should detail to each of these men which work they are -particularly responsible for. This should also be shown in the “Morning -Paper.” - -Each of the above men then measures out the work to the coolies; visits -it once or oftener in the day, and measures all that remains undone at -night. A daily report of the work is kept, written by the writer in the -evening. - -The two forms given below are those I have adopted. The latter is -suited to local labour paid daily, but it can easily be altered to -suit either local labour paid monthly or imported coolies. - -This is the Morning Paper. - - =================================================================== - _Work to be done on 188 ._ - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Detail|No. of Garden|In whose charge|Headman on | Probable | Actual - | | | the Work | number | number - ------+-------------+---------------+-----------+----------+------- - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - | | | | | - ------+-------------+---------------+-----------+----------+------- - Total Coolies | - ------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The column of “Probable numbers” is given so that before it is known -exactly how many men will be present for work they can be divided in -the most likely way. - -Each headman (called “Mate,” “Mangee,” &c., in different districts) is -best designated by a letter or number. In neither form would there be -room to put in names at length. - -The form below written in the evening is made into a book for each -month. The advantages of it for after reference are great, and it can -of course be altered to suit the kind of labour employed on any garden. - - _Work on for 188 ._ - ============================================================================ - Detail of Work|No. of |Mangees| Chupp | | |Coolies|Measurement and - |Garden | | | | | |Remarks - --------------+-------+-------+-------+----+----+-------+------------------- - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - --------------+-------+-------+-------+----+----+-------+------------------- - | | | | | | As. - Total at Work | | | | | | × 3 = - Command | | | | | | × 2-1/2 = - Sick | | | | | | × 2 = - Absent | | | | | | × 1-1/2 = - ----------------------+-------+-------+----+----+-------+------------------- - Total | | | | | | × 1 = - ------------------------------------------------------ - Picking Leaf = - Making Tea = - Tea Sorting = - --------------- - Cut = - --------------- - Total = - =============== - -The following is the plan I recommend for the leaf-picking and the Tea -accounts. - -The leaf of each picker is best measured in the field, and, as loads -are collected, brought to the factory by one or two men throughout the -day. It entails a loss of time, and further a depreciation in the leaf, -if it is kept long in a close mass in one basket, which is the case -when each picker brings his or her leaf to the factory twice a day. The -pickers are paid so much per basket, holding in any case 2-1/2 lbs. I -find the most convenient plan is to give the mangee in charge of the -pickers tickets of any kind for this, which tickets are changed for -money in the evening. As each load of leaf comes in through the day it -is weighed, and this gives a check on the tickets given by the mangee -or mate. This is the meaning of the two columns in the form below, -“tickets by leaf” and “tickets paid.” - -In the form the first column of “leaf results” shows the condition of -the leaf when picked, whether wet (W) or dry (D). Unless this were -noted the proper amount of Teas the leaf _ought_ to make could not be -known, and there would be no check against theft, which is carried on -to a great extent in many gardens. - -As explained previously, only the sections ready in each garden are -picked. The sections are not entered in the form, only the number of -the garden. The flushes now noted are the 20th, in some the 21st, or -22nd in others. - -The Tea is calculated from the leaf. It should be 25 per cent. if the -leaf is picked dry, and 22 per cent. if picked wet. As each load comes -in a memorandum is made as to whether it is dry or wet, and the figures -in the column “Tea should be” are thus found. - -The Tea is weighed the morning after it is made and entered in the -column “Tea made.” The percentage it bears to the leaf is then -calculated and entered in the account column. - -After sifting the whole is weighed again, and the result entered in the -column “Tea after sifting.” Doing this is very important, for it checks -theft. Directly after it is weighed this second time it is put in the -bins in the store. - - -_Daily Leaf and Tea Account._ - - --------------------------------------------------- - TEA RESULTS. - --------------+------+---------+---------+--------- - |Tea | | |Tea after - Date |should| | |it is - |be |Tea made |Per cent.|sifted - --------------+------+---------+---------+--------- - October | | | | - Sunday, 1st |„ | „ | „ | „ - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - Monday, 2nd |198 | 200 | 24 | 199 - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - Tuesday, 3rd |231 | 230 | 25 | 233 - | | | | - Wednesday, 4th| | | | - Thursday, 5th | | | | - Friday, 6th | | | | - Saturday, 7th | | | | - | | | | - Total for |„ |Mds. lbs.| | - the week | | 1632 | | - --------------+------+---------+---------+--------- - - ---------------------------------------------------- - LEAF RESULTS. - -----+--------------+-------+-----------------+----- - State| Tickets | Number| Flushes | - of +-------+------+ of +-----+-----+-----+Total - leaf |By leaf|Paid | Garden| 20 | 21 | 22 |leaf - -----+-------+------+-------+-----+-----+-----+----- - 220W | | {| 3 | „ | 170 | „ | - 600D | 410 |360 {| 5 | 310 | „ | „ | - | | {| 7 | 112 | „ | „ | - | | {| 8 | „ | „ | 228 | 820 - | | | | | | | - D | 462 |440 {| 3 | „ | 515 | „ | - | | {| 9 | 410 | „ | „ | 925 - | | | | | | | - | | {| 1 | 430 | „ | „ | - W | 200 |180 {| 2 | „ | „ | 160 | - | | {| 3 | „ | 210 | „ | 800 - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - -----+-------+------+-------+-----+-----+-----+----- - -If this system is carried out, no Tea (exceeding a pound or so) can be -stolen without its being at once missed, and the importance of this -cannot be exaggerated. Tea proprietors do not guess _how_ much is lost -in this way. Maunds upon maunds might be stolen in many gardens, and -unless the theft were accidentally discovered there is nothing in the -Tea accounts to show it to the manager. - -I have suppositiously filled up the three first days of the form. The -820 lbs. leaf picked on Sunday is made into Tea on Monday. The 198 -is written down Sunday evening. On Tuesday morning, when the Tea is -weighed and found to be 200 lbs., that is entered in the Monday line, -as also the percentage. On Tuesday evening, after it is sifted and made -into different Teas, it is weighed again and found to be 199 lbs., and -so entered. - -In dry weather after sifting, owing to dust flying off, it is always a -little less. In wet weather, on the contrary, it increases in weight. -In the Tuesday line where “W” shows it was a wet day and the Tea 230 -lbs. before sifting it, is 233 afterwards. This is owing to moisture -imbibed, and it is the only objection to sifting daily, whatever -the weather. The advantages of the plan, though, are so great, as -explained, that I put up with this, and practically I do not find it -detrimental. Of course, as previously explained, all moisture is driven -off before the Tea is _packed_. However, to make all quite safe, after -a very wet damp day, the Teas might be re-dried for a few minutes over -charcoal before being put into their respective bins. I do not do this -myself though, and do not think it necessary. - -I hope now I have made the above form plain. It is in a book, and each -page will hold one week. The total of the Tea made in the week is added -up and shown at foot, and that amount is then transferred to the credit -side of the Tea store account. Thus (see both forms) 16 maunds 32 lbs. -is credited. - -The form given on the next page is also kept in a book, and the total -of right-hand side subtracted from the left gives at any time the -quantity of Tea in store. - -_Tea Store Account._ - - ------------------------------------ - RECEIPTS - ------------+-----------+----------- - | Tea made | - Week ending | in week | Total - on Saturday +-----+-----+-----+----- - | Mds.| lbs.| Mds.| lbs. - ------------+-----+-----+-----+----- - Brought | | | | - over .. | .. | .. | 405 | 8 - October 7th | 16 | 32 | | - „ 14th| 15 | 0 | | - „ 21st| 17 | 10 | | - „ 28th| 14 | 40 | | - |-----|-----| 63 | 2 - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - ------------+-----+-----+-----+----- - Carried over | | - ------------------------+-----+----- - - ----------------------------------------------------------- - EXPENDITURE - -----------+--------------+-------+-----------+------------ - | | |Tea in each| - Date |No. of Invoice|To whom| Invoice | Total - | | +-----+-----+-----+------ - | | | Mds.| lbs.| Mds.| lbs. - -------+---+--------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------ - | | |Brought| | | | - | | | over | .. | .. | 351 | 14 - October| 3 | 15 |-------| 40 | 15 | | - „ |20 | 16 |-------| 33 | 10 | | - | | | |-----|-----| 73 | 25 - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | - -------+---+--------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------ - Carried over | | | | - ----------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+------ - -Regarding accounts between the manager and his employers, I think they -should be of the simplest kind. If a man _can_ be trusted he _should_ -be trusted; if he cannot, no system of accounts will restrain him, and -he should be kicked out. A simple account current, furnished monthly, -showing under few heads the receipts and expenditure, is all that can -be required. It is not by _any_ papers received from a manager that -an opinion can be expressed as to how he does his work, and how the -plantation progresses. A competent person visiting the garden can -easily ascertain, and in default of this, and combined with this, the -only true test is the balance sheet at the end of each season. - -Shortly, it is not by the form, the nicety, the detail of accounts -between manager and employer, that success is ensured or even -forwarded. It is, as far as accounts are concerned, by the forms and -_system_ the manager adopts as between him and his subordinates, and -these he should be able to show are good to the employer, or anyone -deputed by him to visit the garden. - -The profit shown yearly, whether it is large or small, all things -considered, is, however, the only true ultimate test. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -COST OF MANUFACTURE, PACKING, TRANSPORT, ETC. - - -These are as follow:--They will vary more or less according to the -district, rate of wages, &c., but in the form the tables are given, if -not suitable to any case, they can easily be made so. - -I have added sorting, packing, freight to Calcutta, and broker’s -charges in Calcutta, to the cost, so that all is included from the -moment the green leaf is picked off the trees till the hammer falls at -the public auction. - - -_Table cost of Manufacture, Sorting, Packing, Transport to Calcutta, -and Broker’s Charges for each maund of Tea._ - - _Manufacture._ RS. AS. P. RS. AS. P. - - 1 head man with the pickers, say 0 4 0 - - 320 lbs. green leaf picked, at 1 pice - per lb.[61] 5 0 0 - - 1 man withering above leaf, at say 4 - annas 0 4 0 - - 1/4 share head man in rolling house 0 2 0 - - 10-2/3 men rolling above, at 30 lbs. leaf - per man, and say 4 annas per man 2 10 8 - - 1/4 boy clearing out ashes of Dhole house, - at say 2 annas 0 0 6 - - 1/4 share head man in Dhole house 0 2 0 - - 1 man firing “Dhole work” say 0 4 0 - - 3/4 maund charcoal for Dhole work, at 8 - annas 0 6 0 - - Lights for night work, viz., turning green - leaf and dholing, say 0 4 0 - - Wear and tear of dhallas, baskets, - picking baskets, fuel for artificial - withering, &c. 0 1 10 - ---------- 9 7 0 - - - _Sifting and Sorting._ - - 1-1/2 boys to pick out red leaf, at say 2 - annas 0 3 0 - - 1 sifting man, at say 4 annas 0 4 0 - - Wear and tear of sieves, say 0 0 3 - ---------- 0 7 3 - - - _Packing._ - - 1 box 1 13 0 - - 4 sheets lead, viz., 2 large and 2 small. 1 6 6 - - Labour of lining box with lead, solder, - closing lead, closing wooden box, - stamping, and cost of nails 0 0 9 - - Labour of drying previous to packing, - whether in sun, or over dholes, - including charcoal, if the latter are - used 0 0 9 - - Labour of filling the box, shaking it well, - and pressing down the Tea (2 men) 0 0 6 - ---------- 3 5 6 - - - _Transport._ - - Freight to Calcutta for one maund Tea, - say 1 12 0 - ---------- 1 12 0 - - _Broker’s Charges in Calcutta._ - - Landing, lotting, and advertising per - chest 0 14 0 - - Brokerage at 1 per cent. on the amount - sale, say Rs. 70 for the maund 0 11 3 - ---------- 1 9 3 - ----------- - Total for one maund of Tea[62] 16 9 0 - ----------- - -N.B.--If more than two maunds Tea are made per day, some of the items -under head of “Manufacture” would be a little less. See page 70, where -it will be seen that each maund of Tea is worth to the manufacturer -(after deducting all costs) Rs. 50. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[61] In practice the basket in which the leaf is measured being made to -hold 2-1/2 lbs., for which a ticket is given, representing 2 pice, the -leaf to make a maund of Tea does not really cost so much. - -[62] After experience has shown me this amount, when any quantity of -Tea is made, is too high--Rs. 12 to 13 would be nearer the mark. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -COST OF MAKING A 300-ACRE TEA GARDEN. - - -In the following estimate 100 acres are supposed to be planted the -first year, 100 acres the second, and 100 acres the third. - -To elucidate a table I shall draw up in the next chapter showing the -probable receipts and expenditure on such a garden for a series of -years, I shall suppose this plantation to be begun in 1875, and number -the years accordingly. - -The expenditure would truly, in the supposed case, begin in the latter -part of 1874, but it is more convenient to regard it as commencing 1st -January, 1875. - -I estimate all new cultivation as planted “at stake,” that is, the seed -sown _in situ_. Nurseries are only to fill up vacancies. - -I shall not pretend in this to go into minute details, such as are -given at page 84, for it is simply impossible to do so. The cost of -making a plantation must vary greatly, being determined by climate, -available labour and its rates, lay of land, nature of jungle to clear, -&c., &c. In this estimate only round numbers can be dealt with. The -prices I assume are average ones, neither suited to very heavy jungle, -and very expensive labour, or the reverse:-- - - _1st year_ (1875). RS. RS. - - Purchase 700 acres land, at Rs. 8 per acre 5,600 - 40 maunds seed, at Rs. 70[63] 2,800 - Nurseries for vacancies and labour transplanting[64] 200 - First temporary buildings 1,000 - All expenditure to plant 100 acres, at - Rs. 80 per acre[65] 8,000 - Cultivating the said 100 acres first year, at - Rs. 50 per acre[66] 5,000 - ----- 22,600 - - _2nd year_ (1876). - 60 maunds seed, at Rs. 70[64] 4,200 - Nurseries and labour transplanting[64] 300 - Repairs, buildings and some new ones still - of a temporary nature 500 - All expenditure to plant the second 100 - acres, at Rs. 70 per acre[65] 7,000 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 60, - second 100 acres, at Rs. 50 per acre[66] 11,000 - ------ 23,000 - - _3rd year_ (1877). - 70 maunds seeds, at Rs. 70[64] 4,900 - Nurseries and labour transplanting[64] 400 - Buildings for Tea manufacture (temporary) - and repairs to buildings 3,000 - ------ 8,300 - - All expenditure to plant the third 100 acres, - at Rs. 60 per acre[67] 6,000 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 70, second - at Rs. 60, third at Rs. 50 per acre[68] 18,000 - ------ 24,000 - Interest on first year’s outlay, two and a - half years, second year’s outlay, one - and a half years, third year’s outlay half - year, at Rs. 5 per cent. per annum. 5,357 - ------ - Total expense to make the 300-acre garden 83,257 - ====== - -The garden is now made at a cost, including interest on all outlay of -Rs. 83,257, and I am very confident that a good 300-acre garden can, as -set out, be made for that sum. The rates assumed are so liberal that a -fair margin is allowed for bad seed or any other misfortune. - - _4th year_ (1878). - 20 maunds seed, at Rs. 70[69] 1,400 - Nurseries and labour transplanting[69] 500 - Repairs, buildings[70] 500 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 80, second - at Rs. 70, third at Rs. 60 per acre[71] 21,000 - ------ 23,400 - - _5th year_ (1879). - 10 maunds seeds, at Rs. 70[72] 700 - Nurseries and labour transplanting[72] 500 - Repairs, buildings[73] 500 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 90, second - at Rs. 80, third at Rs. 70 per acre[74] 24,000 - ------ 25,700 - - _6th year_ (1880). - Nurseries and labour transplanting[72] 500 - Repairs buildings[73] 500 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 100, - second at Rs. 90, third at Rs. 80 per - acre[74] 27,000 - ------ 28,000 - - _7th year_ (1881). - Nurseries and labour transplanting[72] 500 - Building a permanent Tea Factory and Tea - Store and repairs to building[73] 12,500 - Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 100, - second at Rs. 100, third at Rs. 90 per - acre[74] 29,000 - ------ 42,000 - - _8th year_ (1882). - Nurseries and labour transplanting[72] 500 - New permanent houses for Manager and - Assistant, and repairs to buildings[73] 8,500 - Cultivating first, second, and third 100 - acres, at Rs. 100 per acre[74] 30,000 - ------ 39,000 - - _9th year (1883), and all years after._ - Nurseries, at Rs. 500[75] } - Repairs to buildings, at Rs. 500[76] } 1,000 - Cultivating the 300 acres, at Rs. 100 per - acre[77] 30,000 - ------ 31,000 - -Nothing is allowed for interest after the third year, for soon after -that, viz., fifth year, the garden begins to give profits on the yearly -operations. - -All the above figures are carried out in the table in the next chapter, -page 172, and how large the profits on Tea may be will there be seen. - -In none of the estimates of cost, up to this, is the expense of -manufacturing the Tea included. It would have been very inconvenient to -do so. The cost is so much per maund of Tea, and I prefer estimating -the Tea at its market rate _minus_ the cost of manufacture shown at -pages 70 and 162. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[63] The cost for seed, nurseries, and transplanting increases each -year as the area over which vacancies may exist enlarges. - -[64] See note 63 p. 163. - -[65] The expenditure for planting the 100 acres each year includes -cutting and clearing jungle, removing roots, digging, staking, pitting, -and sowing the seed. In fact _all_ expenditure including part of the -pay of Manager and Establishment. The rate per acre _decreases_ each -year, because each year there is more expenditure of other kinds, which -helps to pay for the Manager and Establishment. - -[66] The reason why the rate for cultivation on the 100 acres planted -each of the three first years increases each year is given in the table -and remarks at pages 84 and 85. - -[67] See note 65, p. 164. - -[68] See note 66, p. 164. - -[69] The seed to be bought is now less each year, as it is produced -on the garden, and after the fifth year no more has to be purchased. -From the fourth, and all subsequent years, nurseries for vacancies -are calculated at Rs. 500, which is enough, as the garden has been -previously yearly replenished. This expenditure will be continual as -long as the garden lasts, for there will always be some vacancies to -replace. - -[70] Rupees 500 is a fair sum to estimate for ordinary annual repairs -to buildings, and it will be required as long as the garden lasts. A -temporary Factory was made in 1877, and a permanent building is now -allowed for in 1881. Permanent Manager’s and Assistant’s houses are -also allowed for in 1882. The garden can afford this now, for the -profits are large. (See table at page 172.) - -[71] For the rates assumed here see page 84. - -[72] See Note 69, p. 165. - -[73] See Note 70, p. 165. - -[74] See Note 71, p. 165. - -[75] See note 69, p. 165. - -[76] See note 70, p. 165. - -[77] See note 71, p. 165. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -HOW MUCH PROFIT TEA CAN GIVE. - - -We have already estimated the cost of making and cultivating a -plantation of 300 acres. We must now ascertain how much Tea that area -will give yearly. - -It is a very wide question what produce an acre of Tea will give. - -The following is an extract from the “Report of the Commissioners -appointed to enquire into the state and prospects of Tea cultivation -in Assam and Cachar,” addressed to the Government of Bengal, and dated -March, 1868:-- - - “_Average produce per acre._” - - “The returns of actual produce of gardens in 1867 which we have - obtained are so few in number that it is impossible to take any - general average from them. The produce in these varies from - three-and-a-half maunds to one-and-a-half maunds per acre, omitting - the more recently formed gardens. - - “From information received during our tour we have reason to believe - that some gardens produce more than the highest rate per acre here - mentioned; but, in the absence of returns of exact acreage and - out-turn, we cannot notice these instances. - - “Mr. Haworth, in his pamphlet already quoted, speaks of the produce - of Cachar gardens as follows:-- - - “‘I believe that three maunds per acre is fully one-third more than - the present average yield of gardens in Cachar, after deducting the - area of plant under yielding age. - - “‘There is no reason, that I am aware of, why the yield of Tea should - not soon be raised to four maunds, and more gradually six maunds per - acre, equal to twenty-four maunds of leaf per acre (less than one - ton per acre for a green crop, which is still a very small one). - Even now there are gardens in Cachar which give an average of from - five to six maunds per acre this season. Some of these gardens have - really no apparent advantage over their less fortunate neighbours, - beyond that of a somewhat better system of cultivation and pruning; - and these improvements even are to such a small degree ahead of the - general practice, that I feel justified in saying I cannot place a - limit on what the increased yield should be under a more rational - system of cultivation, and the application of manures on a liberal - scale, leaving out of consideration altogether what might reasonably - be expected from a good system of drainage in addition.’ - - “Mr. James Stuart, Manager of the Bengal Tea Company’s gardens in - Cachar, has also given two maunds an acre as the general average of - Cachar gardens for the past season, including young gardens of two, - three, and four years old. - - “We do not think it necessary to quote in detail the opinions of all - the gentlemen examined by us on the subject of average produce per - acre. A garden that can give four maunds per acre is undoubtedly a - good one, and we have no doubt there are such, or even better; but we - do not think they are so common as to warrant our taking more than - three maunds as a safe average.” - -Mr. A. C. Campbell, Extra Assistant Commissioner at Burpettah, in his -“Notes on Tea Cultivation in Assam,” published in the Journal of the -Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India, part 3, vol. xii., -page 309, says:--“Good Tea land can be made to yield as high as seven -maunds per poora.” I forget exactly how much a poora is, but I believe -it is nearly an acre. - -In the Report to Government by the Commissioners, quoted above, at page -9, Mr. T. Burland, after estimating the cost of cultivation per acre -per mensem at Rs. 9-10-2, adds:--“With the above expenditure per acre -it is probable that much more than five maunds of Tea will be obtained -from an acre of fair plant.”[78] - -All these estimates, however, are based on the cultivation of Tea as -carried on hitherto with few exceptions, that is to say, on gardens -covered with weeds for many months in the year, and to which no manure -has ever been given. With such cultivation, particularly on gardens -planted on slopes, I think myself that the yield will not exceed four -maunds _at the outside_. - -High cultivation and liberal manuring will, I believe, at least double -the above, if the plants are of a high class. However, here I give a -table on the subject which I have carefully framed. - - _Estimate of probable yield per acre on flat land, good soil, in a - good Tea climate, and with hybrid plants, if really high cultivation - and liberal manuring is carried out._ - - +----+-------------+-------------------+ - |Year|Supposed Year|Estimated yield per| - | | | acre in maunds[79]| - +----+-------------+-------------------+ - | 1st| 1875 | -- | - | 2nd| 1876 | -- | - | 3rd| 1877 | 1/2 | - | 4th| 1878 | 2 | - | 5th| 1879[80] | 4 | - | 6th| 1880 | 5 | - | 7th| 1881 | 6 | - | 8th| 1882 | 7 | - | 9th| 1883 | 7-1/2 | - |10th| 1884[81] | 8 | - +----+-------------+-------------------+ - - -I do not think plants reach to perfect maturity under eight or ten -years. - -That eight maunds per acre as estimated in the table just given _can_ -be realised, under the conditions stated, I have no doubt whatever, but -I am equally certain that the size of some gardens in India must be -much reduced if even five or six maunds are looked for.[82] Not only -must they be reduced in size, but they must be highly cultivated, must -be manured, and no vacancies allowed. However, I have dwelt on all -these points before, and need not repeat here, for unless the reader is -convinced before this that a large area and low cultivation won’t pay, -it were waste to write more. - -I now give a table showing the result for twelve years of a plantation -such as I have advised. - - -TABLE SHOWING THE ESTIMATED RESULTS FOR 12 YEARS OF A 300-ACRE -PLANTATION, IN A GOOD TEA CLIMATE, HIGHLY CULTIVATED AND LIBERALLY -MANURED. - - +----------------------------------++ - | YEAR AND RATE OF || - | YIELDING IN || - | MAUNDS || - +----+---------------+-------------++ - | 1 | 2 | 3 || - | +---------------+-------------++ - | |Yield per acre | || - | |as per page 170|Supposed year|| - |Year| | || - +----+---------------+-------------++ - | | Mds. | || - | 1 | .. | 1875 || - | 2 | .. | 1876 || - | 3 | 1/2 | 1877 || - | 4 | 2 | 1878 || - | 5 | 4 | 1879 || - | 6 | 5 | 1880 || - | 7 | 6 | 1881 || - | 8 | 7 | 1882 || - | 9 | 7-1/2 | 1883 || - | 10 | 8 | 1884 || - | 11 | 8 | 1885 || - | 12 | 8 | 1886 || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - +----+---------------+-------------++ - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------++ - YIELD IN MAUNDS OF 300 ACRES || - AND ITS VALUE || - || - -----------------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------+------------++ - 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 || - -----------------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------+------------++ - Rate yield of 100|Rate yield of 100|Rate yield of 100| Total yearly | Value per || - acres, planted | acres, planted | acres, planted |yield in maunds| maund || - in 1875 | in 1876 | in 1877 | | || - -----------------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------+------------++ - Mds. | Mds. | Mds. | Mds. | || - .. | .. | .. | .. | Rs. 50 || - .. | .. | .. | .. | per maund, || - 1/2 | .. | .. | 50 | after || - 2 | 1/2 | .. | 250 | cost of || - 4 | 2 | 1/2 | 650 |manufacture,|| - 5 | 4 | 2 | 1,100 | packing, || - 6 | 5 | 4 | 1,500 | and || - 7 | 6 | 5 | 1,800 | transport || - 7-1/2 | 7 | 6 | 2,050 | are || - 8 | 7-1/2 | 7 | 2,250 | deducted, || - 8 | 8 | 7-1/2 | 2,350 | see pages || - 8 | 8 | 8 | 2,400 | 70 & 162 || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - | | | | || - -----------------+-----------------+-----------------+---------------+------------++ - - --------------------------------------------------------++ - || - YEARLY RESULTS || - || - ------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------++ - 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 || - ------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------++ - Receipt from|Total expenditure| | || - sale of Tea |detailed at pages|Yearly Profit|Yearly Loss|| - | 164, 165, 166 | | || - ------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------++ - Rs. | Rs. | Rs. | Rs. || - .. | 22,600 | .. | 22,600 || - .. | 23,000 | .. | 23,000 || - 2,500 | 37,657[83] | .. | 35,157 || - 12,500 | 23,400 | .. | 10,900 || - 32,500 | 25,700 | 6,800 | .. || - 55,000 | 28,000 | 27,000 | .. || - 75,000 | 42,000 | 33,000 | .. || - 90,000 | 39,000 | 51,000 | .. || - 1,02,500 | 31,000 | 71,500 | .. || - 1,12,500 | 31,000 | 81,500 | .. || - 1,17,500 | 31,000 | 86,500 | .. || - 1,20,000 | 31,000 | 89,000 | .. || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - ------------+-----------------+-------------+-----------++ - - -----------------------------------------------------------++ - || - FINAL RESULTS || - || - --------------+-----------------+-------------+------------++ - 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 || - --------------+-----------------+-------------+------------++ - Total receipts|Total expenditure| Balance to | Balance to || - to end of | to end of |credit end of|debit end of|| - each year | each year | each year | each year || - --------------+-----------------+-------------+------------++ - Rs. | Rs. | Rs. | Rs. || - .. | 22,600 | .. | 22,600 || - .. | 45,600 | .. | 45,600 || - 2,500 | 83,257 | .. | 80,757 || - 15,000 | 1,06,657 | .. | 91,657 || - 47,500 | 1,32,357 | .. | 84,857 || - 1,02,500 | 1,60,357 | .. | 57,857 || - 1,77,500 | 2,02,357 | .. | 24,857 || - 2,67,500 | 2,41,357 | 26,143 | .. || - 3,70,000 | 2,72,357 | 97,643 | .. || - 4,82,500 | 3,03,357 | 1,79,143 | .. || - 6,00,000 | 3,34,357 | 2,65,643 | .. || - 7,20,000 | 3,65,357 | 3,54,643 | .. || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - | | | || - --------------+-----------------+-------------+------------++ - - ----------------------------------+ - | - | - | - | - | - | - REMARKS. | - | - | - ----------------------------------+ - | - It will be seen from this | - table as follows:-- | - 1. About Rs. 90,000 of capital | - is necessary to make a plantation| - as quick as this. If | - made more gradually, very | - much less would suffice. | - 2. There is no yearly profit | - until the fifth year. | - 3. By the eighth year all the | - outlay is recovered. | - This table has been prepared | - with great care, and the | - authority for the figures | - assumed has been arrived | - at in previous parts. (_See_ | - headings of the Cols. for the | - pages and note at foot.) | - I believe this table represents | - truly what Tea, with | - all the necessary advantages | - detailed in the next | - page, can do. | - ----------------------------------+ - - - At the following pages will be found the calculations for the figures - assumed:--Col. 2, page 170; Col. 8, pages 70 and 162; Col. 10, pages 164, - 165, 166. - -The necessities for success in Tea are:-- - - 1. A good climate. - - 2. A good site. - - 3. Perfect knowledge in Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture on the - proprietor’s part or that of his manager. - - 4. Seed from a high class of plants. - - 5. Local or cheap imported labour. - - 6. Facilities for manuring. - - 7. Cheap transport. - -Do not dispense, though, with even _one_ of the seven points named, for -the truth is simply, that Tea will pay _very_ well with all the above -advantages, but will utterly fail without them. - -Such is my advice to intending beginners. To those who have gardens, I -say, reduce your areas till of the size you can really cultivate them -highly, and procure manure at any cost. - -I shall not have written in vain, and Tea enterprise in India will -flourish, if the motto of planters in future be-- - - “A full area, highly cultivated.” - -FOOTNOTES: - -[78] See my estimate for cultivation at page 84. I there estimate Rs. -100 per acre per annum from the sixth year, so that Mr. Burland six -years ago had come to the same opinion about high cultivation that I -hold. - -[79] Calculating Tea by maunds is convenient, inasmuch as pounds -necessitate such lengthy figures for all calculations. The maund here -employed is, however, quite an arbitrary measure. It is _not_ the -Indian maund, it equals and is represented exactly by 80 lbs. Any -number of maunds multiplied by 80 will naturally give the lbs. of Tea. - -[80] Up to this point, viz., the fifth year inclusive, the figures -given have been much more than realised, and that on a garden with -15 per cent. vacancies. It has been, though, highly cultivated and -liberally manured from the first. - -[81] From the fifth to the tenth year is assumption, except that I know -one garden which, to my certain knowledge, has given _more_ then ten -maunds an acre, and this in spite of about 15 per cent. vacancies. The -garden is an old one, planted about 18 years ago. It is also a very -small one. The soil is _very_ poor, but the plants are of the highest -class. It was much neglected till about eight years ago. From that -time it has been highly cultivated in every way except in the point of -irrigation, for it has not that advantage. It has been _most_ liberally -manured. - -[82] Note to Third Edition.--With high cultivation on a favourable site -and in a really good Tea climate, I now believe 10 maunds per acre will -eventually be realised. - -[83] With interest, _see_ pages 164 and 165. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF INDIAN TEA. - - -A few words on the past, the present, and the future of Indian Tea will -now conclude this Essay, and will, I hope, be acceptable to the reader. - -The subject is one of growing importance, but being a new one, there -are points connected with it on which the public are very ignorant, and -should be enlightened. - -To begin with, the following facts are not disputed by those who know -anything of the subject:-- - -1. Indian Teas have far more body, that is strength, than Chinese Teas. - -2. Indian Teas consequently command a higher price at the London sales -than Chinese Teas. - -3. In spite of its higher price, it is far more economical than the -Chinese produce, as, generally speaking, one-third of the quantity -suffices. - -4. There are lands enough in India to grow all the Tea required for -England’s use, and, indeed, for all her colonies. - -If these _are_ facts, and I confidentially affirm they are so, how is -it that the following holds in England? - -1. Indian Tea is not known to the public. - -2. Except in one or two shops in London and Glasgow, unknown to the -mass of the people, not an ounce of pure Indian Tea can be bought in -all England. - -3. That India is even a Tea-producing country is scarcely known in -England.[84] - -I think I can explain some of these anomalies. - -Tea is an acquired taste: by which I mean, not only that the adult who -had never tasted Tea would not like it when first offered to him, but -also that, with those who consume it regularly, any Tea that differs in -flavour from what is habitually drunk is not relished. - -It matters not whether it is intrinsically better or worse, enough that -the flavour is different, for that reason it is not liked. - -Indian Tea differs widely from Chinese Tea, and for that reason is -rarely appreciated by those accustomed to the latter. - -For a long time it appeared as if this difficulty would be a bar to the -general introduction of Indian Teas in England, and so indeed it would -have proved, had the short-sighted policy adopted at the commencement -by one or two Indian Companies that their Teas should be sold retail -and pure, that is, unmixed with Chinese, been followed out. It did not -avail to tell John Bull it was better Tea, that it was far stronger, -that it was in no way adulterated; for he simply shook his head, the -flavour was different to what use had made him familiar with, and he -would none of it. - -But little by little, in spite of the above, it made its way. Grocers -soon found that the worst, _id est_, the weakest class of Chinese Teas -received _body_ and were made saleable by an addition of Indian Tea. -It was not long after this that the trade discovered that pretty well -_all_ Chinese Teas were improved, if proportions of Indian Teas were -mixed with them. In short, the fact was recognised by Tea vendors that -Chinese Teas were weak, and much improved if mixed with Indian. - -The public were thus _educated_ to relish the superior flavour of -Indian Tea, and did so, when the quantity mixed with the Chinese was -not so great as to make the new flavour too _prononcé_. Little by -little the custom of so mixing became very general, so much so that it -may almost be said to-day that if Indian Teas cannot be purchased pure, -no more can Chinese. A mixture of Chinese and Indian Tea, the latter -small as compared with the former, is what is now generally used in -Great Britain. - -This is the case to-day. What will it be in the future? - -As the English palate is educated to like the flavour of Indian Tea, -more and more of it will be demanded in the mixture made up for the -public, and though the day is distant, nay, may never arrive, on -account of its greater cost, when it will be generally drunk pure, I do -not myself doubt that the demand for it will go on steadily increasing -for years to come, as it has for years past.[85] - -It is an important query if, with a largely increased demand, the -supply will be equal to it. Very far from all India has a good Tea -climate, which is a peculiar one, and only exists in perfection in -Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, and lands in Bengal close to the foot of the -Himalayas. - -But in these districts alone there are lands sufficient to supply -nearly the whole world with Tea, so that it is not the lands which are -wanting, though the Government prices for the lands are prohibitory and -will check cultivation. But in Assam, Cachar, and the Terai below the -Himalayas labour is very scarce, while in Chittagong the area fit for -Tea is not large, so that I do not anticipate any very sudden increase -of the cultivation, though year by year it is on the increase and will -so continue. - -On the other hand, I do not--for the reasons stated, viz., that -Tea is an acquired taste and thus a new kind is not at first -palatable--anticipate any very sudden increase in the demand. If, -however, I am wrong, and from a largely increased demand the prices of -Indian Teas rise, I do not doubt that the cultivation will be greatly -extended, and that after an interval of four years (it takes that time -for the Tea plant to produce) the supply will be equal to the then -wants of the English market. - -The future of Indian Tea is, I think, a bright one, and I know nothing -in which capital can be more profitably invested if the business is -conducted with knowledge and experience, but to embark in it without -these two requisites is ruin. - -A few figures may be given here. The imports into Great Britain of -Indian Teas have been yearly increasing, till in 1873 they amounted to -18,367,000 lbs., and, judging from the estimate out here of the produce -this year, viz., 1874, the imports into Great Britain in 1874 will not -be far short of 20,000,000 lbs.[86] - -But as the annual consumption of Tea in the United Kingdom is not less -than 130,000,000 lbs., India is still very far from supplying enough to -give a mixture of three-fourths Chinese and one-fourth India Tea.[87] - -The finest Chinese Tea sells in London in bond at 2_s._ 4_d._ to 2_s._ -6_d._, while the finest Indian in bond fetches 3_s._ to 3_s._ 6_d._[88] - -What, then, will be the future of Indian Tea? It is an important query. -The industry is one which, if successful, might attain to wide limits, -and help not a little to relieve the Indian State Exchequer, while it -would afford occupation to many a class of Englishmen who at present -look about in vain for employment. - -Tea speculation has passed through the first two preliminary phases -to which most new ventures are liable. First, we had the wild rush, -the mad fever, when every man thought that to own a few Tea bushes -was to realise wealth. In those days existing plantations were bought -at eight and ten times their value; nominal areas of 500 acres were -paid for which, on subsequent measurement, proved to be under 100; new -gardens were commenced on impossible sites, and by men as managers who -not only did not know a Tea plant from a cabbage, but who were equally -ignorant of the commonest rules of agriculture. Boards highly paid, -with secretaries still more liberally remunerated, were formed both in -Calcutta and London to carry on the enterprise; and, in short, money -was lavished in every conceivable way, while mismanagement ran rampant -in each department. It is not strange that the whole thing collapsed: -the wonder is it did not do so earlier. - -The second stage was then entered upon. Numbers had been bitten, and -the idea, once formed, grew apace, that Tea could not pay at all. -Everyone wanted to sell, and down went all Tea shares to a figure -which only increased the general panic. Many companies, and not a few -individuals, unable to carry on, had to wind up and sell their estates -for whatever they would fetch. Gardens that had cost lakhs were sold -for as many hundreds, and the very word “Tea” stank in the nostrils of -the commercial public. A few of the best companies held on, as also -such individuals embarked in the speculation as could weather the -storm; but some of the companies were bowed down with heavy debts, and -it has been with many, from that cause, a losing race ever since. - -This great smash occurred in 1867. I purpose, therefore, to examine -into the future prospects of the industry, now that time has been given -to test its vitality. Naturally the mistakes made at the first have not -been repeated since, so the speculation has had more or less of a fair -chance to show what it can do. - -In the first place, the share list of Tea companies in the public -prints does not at all represent the true position of Tea property -to-day. It only gives the dividends declared and the value of the -shares in those few limited liability companies which were able to -weather the storm, but who, in common with all the others, were bowed -down with debt, and are suffering up to the present time, both from -that and the numberless mistakes made at the commencement of the -enterprise. There are a few notable exceptions, even among the Tea -companies. Some of these have done very well, pay large dividends, and -are quoted at a high premium, which shows that Tea can and will pay -even with the disadvantages attached to limited liability companies. -I mean that in these latter work is always expensively done, and that -much of the profits are swallowed up by secretaries, directors, &c., -besides which, generally from interested motives, the Teas are sent -home for sale which private planters know from experience is _not_ the -best plan. - -But to return to the share list. The very many gardens held by firms -or private individuals are absent, and inasmuch as many of these were -begun more lately, and consequently, the blunders made in other gardens -were avoided, it is evident that _their_ position, if it could be -ascertained, would give the true picture needed. - -There is one class of plantations which it would be by no means fair to -include. I mean those gardens bought for a mere song during the panic. -On many of these necessarily enormous profits have been made, but it -proves nothing, inasmuch as the profits, to be legitimate profits for -criticism, should on the debit side include the whole cost incurred in -making the plantation. To form a fair appreciation of the profits Tea -planting can give, we must select gardens constructed after knowledge -on the subject was attained, where good management, combined with -economy in all details, has been carried out, and where the necessary -natural conditions for success exist--and such are rare. - -But first let me explain what I mean by the “necessary natural -conditions for success.” Manageable areas; flat or nearly flat land -for the garden; a good class of indigenous and hybrid plants; local -labour, or anyhow a good proportion of this; facilities for manuring; a -good soil; a good Tea climate; and cheap means of transport constitute -these, and where they exist I hold Tea _must_, and _does_, pay well. I -don’t believe in plantations of 600 or 800 acres; some of these pay, -but they would pay much better if reduced in size. A garden of 300 -acres, yielding even at the rate of four maunds an acre, will pay much -better than another of 500 acres, yielding but two and a-half or three -maunds. - -The reason is obvious, the larger produce is against a smaller -expenditure. Were I to commence a Tea plantation to-day, it should -not exceed 300 or 400 acres in size. This passion for large areas is -the rock on which, more than any other, Tea Companies have wrecked -themselves; experience has already shown this, and will show it more, -as time goes on. - -Flat land for Tea gardens is a great desideratum. Steep lands are -difficult to cultivate; the soil is continually washing away from the -roots of the plants; it is impossible to manure them successfully, and -the consequence of all this is that the Tea bushes do not thrive. - -The Chinese plant gives a small and inferior produce, the indigenous -and hybrid kind a larger and very superior one; thus I think the latter -one of the “necessary conditions for success.” On the other points, -with the exception of manuring, nothing need be said, inasmuch as -their necessity is evident; but on the point of manure I must say a -few words. The Tea plant is being continually denuded of its leaves; -nothing is returned to the soil; and consequently in process of -time that soil is exhausted. It was held once that manure destroyed -the flavour of Tea. This idea, at variance with all agricultural -experience, is now completely exploded, like many others received from -the Chinamen who first came from the Flowery Land to teach the art of -Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture to the Indian public. Many of them -had never perhaps seen a Tea bush, anyhow in many respects theirs was -faulty teaching, and all experienced planters are convinced, and it is -truth, that more knowledge on Tea exists in India than China at the -present time. - -But to return to the subject of manure. It is, and is now generally -allowed to be, a necessity to the lengthened and successful maintenance -of a plantation. Means for its production are now largely adopted in -Assam and Cachar, and the results will be a yield per acre the most -sanguine have never dreamt of. Chittagong, on this head, has great -advantages; manure in any quantity can there be procured for a trifle, -and the results have shown its great value. - -We have scarcely yet entered on the third stage to which any new -speculation, after the two first (the wild venture, and the unreasoning -panic have passed), tends; but as knowledge of the financial results of -Tea plantations in the hands of private firms and private individuals -increases, that third stage will dawn, if it has not done so already. -It consists in a sober appreciation of the subject opposed to both the -extremely exulting and depressing views passed through, and when it -arrives, the great and successful future of Indian Tea will be only a -question of time. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[84] Note to Third Edition.--The above three statements, quite true -when written, are not so now. The heavy fall in the value of both -Indian and Chinese Teas in 1877, while pressing hard on the Indian -producer, has certainly had the one good effect for him of making -Indian Teas more widely known. They _are_ generally known now, in many -cases sold pure as Indian Tea, and used by all retail dealers to give -the body, or strength lacking in most Chinese kinds. - -[85] Note to Third Edition.--Yes; the demand has largely increased, -but, alas! production has increased in a greater ratio. In short, the -supply exceeds the demand, and hence the low prices now ruling. As -regards the use of Indian Teas, so much have the English public been -now made familiar with their flavour, they, as a rule, reject any Teas -which have it not more or less. In fact, the English public, as I -predicted years ago, have now begun to like the new flavour, and even -pure Indian Teas are now relished by many. - -[86] Note to Third Edition.--The imports have been as follows during -the last three years:-- - - 1875 25,615,000. - 1876 29,384,000. - 1877 31,882,000. - - -[87] Note to Third Edition.--The annual consumption of all Teas in -Great Britain in 1877 was:-- - - Chinese 158,000,000 - India 28,000,000 - ----------- - Total 186,000,000 - - -[88] Note to Third Edition.--In 1876 the _average_ prices of the two -kinds in bond were:--Chinese, 1_s._ 2_d._; Indian, 1_s._ 10_d._ per lb. - - - - -_ADDITIONS TO THE FOURTH EDITION._ - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA AND INDIA THAT PRODUCE TEA. - - -So much has the industry marched since the Third Edition was published -in 1878 that I think it well to add the following pages to my book. - -I will first consider the countries _outside_ India and China which -produce Tea, or wish to do so. - - -CEYLON. - -This is likely to prove a formidable competitor. As far as I can -gather, Tea plants (of both the Assam and China kinds) were introduced -into Ceylon in 1841, but it is only during the last few years Tea -planting has been taken up in earnest. A Mr. Shand, who seems to have -studied Tea in Ceylon, estimates 500 lbs. per acre as the produce when -in full bearing. This is 6-1/4 maunds, and though less than the best -Indian gardens give, it is considerably above the average all over -India. Ceylon Tea finds a ready market in London. The parcels vary -much, as they do from India, but in the past year (1882) many very -desirable lots were sent home. I believe, take it all in all, Ceylon -Tea is no better, and no worse, than Indian Tea. - -With Tea prices as they are to-day, I would not myself _commence_ Tea -cultivation in India, Ceylon, or _anywhere_. I feel sure, therefore, -if Ceylon planters rush into Tea, as they did in India in times past, -they will regret it. But I hear that made Tea gardens can be bought -there cheap, and under these circumstances Tea will probably pay the -purchasers well. - - -JOHORE. - -H.H. the Maharajah there has started a small Tea garden, but as there -are in it only two acres of Tea, the whole thing is quite an experiment -yet. The climate is said to be favourable, and land easily acquired. -Cheap labour is the difficulty. May it long continue so! There is too -much Tea already; the low prices ruling result simply from supply -exceeding demand. Thus I hope Johore will _not_ produce Tea. The -following is from the _Tea Gazette_:-- - - - TEA IN JOHORE. - - We have lately published several articles on the subject of Tea in - Johore and the prospects of Tea plantations in the Malay Peninsula. - The soil and climate are all that can be desired for the successful - cultivation of the Tea plant; there is abundance of land lying - idle which can be obtained on advantageous terms; but all hopes of - establishing the Tea industry on a prosperous footing are frustrated - by the want of cheap Indian labour. A correspondent writes on this - subject to the _Ceylon Observer_ as follows:-- - - “I was pretty well disgusted with Johore at first. I got such fever - as nearly finished me up twice. A new comer from Ceylon says he had - Wellawaya fever and all other fevers in Ceylon, but he never felt - anything to come near the severity of Johore fever. Liberian coffee - does first-class in the low country. Cocoa is being tried with - apparent success. Tea is also promising. You may have seen about some - samples sold in London, at a high figure. All this is nice enough, - but what’s the good of it when we have not a plentiful supply of - labour over which we can have complete control? So you see, the - burden of my letter is an indefinite supply of labour.” - - Strenuous efforts are, however, being made to arrange with the - Government for the importation of labourers from this country, which, - if successful, will inevitably result in the cultivation on a large - scale of the Tea plant in Johore. In another column will be found a - description of the Maharajah of Johore’s experimental Tea plantation - at Tanjong Putri, Johore. - - -JAPAN. - -Sends its Teas principally to America. The Tea is of a greenish nature, -and experiments to manufacture black Tea have not, it seems, been -successful. The following should give a hope to Indian Tea planters:-- - - - JAPAN TEA. - - To the Editor of the _Japan Herald_. - - Dear Sir,--I read your article on Tea contained in last Saturday’s - paper, anent the deterioration in quality of one of the country’s - principal articles of export, and can fully confirm the chief points - contained therein. - - But in addition, from my personal experience, there appears to exist - a steadily increasing disregard of care in the preparation of the - leaf up country, and the evil, though existing for the last three - or four years, is much more manifest this season, and is worthy of - being brought under the especial notice of parties interested in the - welfare of this country’s produce. - - I submit for your inspection a sample of coarse leaf sifted out of - a parcel of good quality, and the proportion of similar stuff in - the chop amounts to fully 3 per cent., very much affecting the good - appearance of the fired leaf. This defect no doubt arises from the - attempted production of too great an amount of cured leaf for each - hand employed per diem in the process, to be attributed no doubt - to the enhanced cost of labour in the interior. But the defect is - of vital importance for the future of Japan Teas in America. The - buyer for distribution amongst consumers in that country is greatly - influenced by the “appearance” of the leaf, despite its relative - intrinsic quality in infusion, in comparison with a Tea of worse - appearance, hence the high facing and colouring at present so much - in vogue. If the Japanese producers continue the present style of - manufacturing the leaf up country, so surely will Japan Teas decline - in favour in America, as the foreign shipper here cannot make up the - leaf prepared up country to the standard required by the American - buyers, and with the prospect of a possibility of Oolongs and even - blacks becoming ere long dangerous rivals with consumers in the - United States, it behoves the Japanese Tea growers to turn their - attention towards an improvement in production in their own country - before they attempt to rival foreign competitors at this side.--Yours - faithfully, - - YAMATO. - - Yokohama, _Aug. 19, 1881_. - - [We have inspected the sample of coarse leaf referred to in the above - letter, and though we cannot pretend to any critical knowledge of - Tea, we can confirm the statements of our correspondent, and hold the - specimen at our office, where it can be seen by anyone desirous of - doing so.--_Editor, Japan Herald._] - -I know not where this next extract came from, but it appears they -understand adulteration in Japan:-- - - Mr. Yanagiya might, however, have gone a step farther, and have given - particulars of the various analyses, and have mentioned that the - “leaf” of the various samples showed a large proportion of leaves - quite different to those of the Tea shrub, and for the presence - of which not even the astute foreigner--that bugbear of Japanese - commerce--can be held accountable. - - We have heard this season loud complaints of the presence of leaves - entirely distinct from those of the Tea plant amongst purchases. - These consisted principally of wisteria, willow and a species of ash, - but the native growers were impartial, and several other species of - shrubs also contributed their quota to the frauds practised by the - Japanese. - - The probable reason of the falling off in the quantity of one of the - leading articles of export from Japan is not difficult to guess at, - nor can the Japanese say that they have not received full and timely - warning of the danger threatening the popularity of Japan Tea. A - reckless over-production, excessive and close picking of the shrubs, - and great carelessness in pruning and manuring the tree--caused, - no doubt, in no small degree by the high rate of wages in the - interior--is militating against the realisation of a good crop, - and the peasant is too intent upon immediate profits to forego the - picking of the third crop of a season under existing circumstances. - The result of all this has been that--at the close of last season--a - quantity of worthless leaf was poured upon the market, finally sold - at almost nominal figures, and shipped across to the United States, - where it remains an incubus on the figures of stock, and a source - of future abhorrence to any unfortunate purchaser towards anything - bearing the name of Japan Tea. - -The following is from the report of the Japanese Consul at San -Francisco. I should have thought the Americans were too sensible “to -prefer coloured Teas:” - - It has however come to my knowledge that in the Eastern States the - Tea was analyzed, and adulteration was discovered; such as the - admixture of other leaves and poisonous ingredients which are used - for colouring the Tea before it is exported, and that the markets - in the Eastern States being overstocked, no Tea, unless of the best - quality, can find purchasers. This is a very deplorable state of - affairs. The colouring is made by the foreign merchants residing - in Japan, for Americans prefer coloured Tea, and a few Japanese - merchants may have imitated them, and exported on their own account. - -The exports of Japan Tea to America have declined from seventeen to -fourteen million in one year! Not strange if all the above is true. - -The following from the _Tea Gazette_ bears out what I say above as to -Japan black Tea:-- - - - JAPAN BLACK TEA. - - Mr. Consul Euslie writes from Kanagawa (Japan) as follows concerning - black Tea:--This has, on the whole, proved a failure, although the - production continues on a limited scale. The climate and soil of this - country appear unfitted to the growth of plants producing a leaf of - the quality necessary to make good black. Teas resembling good leaf - congous can be made with good and even handsome leaf, several samples - being in appearance very similar to Indian Teas of pekoe class, - but lacking strength, and not being nearly equal to good Chinese - Foochow Teas in that respect. A small amount of these Teas has been - shipped to Germany on native account, a German financier providing - the necessary funds; but thus far the outcome of these shipments has - not transpired. The results generally of 1881 have not proved as - satisfactory as those of the preceding year; the whole crop, and more - particularly the first picking, shows signs of hasty and careless - preparation. The amount of Tea exported from Japan was decidedly - in excess of the requirements of the United States and Canada, and - a considerable portion of the shipments for the year had to be - sacrificed at prices which did not cover laying down cost. - -All this is hopeful for our Indian Teas, as we _can_ manufacture the -greenish Tea they like--that is, we can do it if they won’t take our -black, but they have begun to do so. - -The above mode of manufacture in Japan is new to us in India. - - The process of steaming the Tea is as follows:--As soon as picked - it is at once steamed, all damp or wet leaves being thrown on one - side, excepting those that may be a little wet with dew. In order - to obtain the proper application of heat, a few leaves are put into - a shallow basket, spread out evenly, and the lid put on; the basket - is then placed over a charcoal fire box or stove, a perfume is at - once perceived. When the greeny smell has subsided, the leaves are - removed, spread on a piece of new matting, and fanned briskly so as - to draw out the heat. After the lapse of some little time the Tea is - placed in a tray, and then undergoes a firing process, the length of - which is regulated either by the minute hand of a watch or the beats - of a pulse, and depends a good deal on the manipulator’s own ideas. - - -JAVA.[89] - -Much of this Tea goes to Holland and Northern Germany. I know -Tea cultivation in Java is carried out very carefully and very -successfully, but this one fact is all I know as to Java or its Teas. - - -AMERICA. - -That the proper climate for Tea can be found there (a huge Continent to -choose from!) goes without saying. But equally sure is it that Tea will -not pay except labour is cheap. - -By the extract below, it appears Georgia has been selected for -experimental Tea cultivation, and I doubt not it is a good selection:-- - - - TEA PLANTING IN AMERICA. - - Successful experiments have been made in this branch of cultivation - in the United States, as is shown by a report just published by - Mr. Jackson, a Scotch gentleman now settled in America, who was at - one time manager of the estates of the Scottish Assam Company. The - Commissioner of Agriculture has, at Mr. Jackson’s advice, selected - a tract of land in Georgia for an experimental farm, on which the - raising of Tea on an extended scale will be carefully and thoroughly - tried. Samples of the Teas already produced by Mr. Jackson have been - sent to Messrs. Thompson, tea merchants, Mincing Lane, London, to be - examined. The reply was that--“They represented Teas of a high type. - The flavour, though not strong, is remarkably fragrant. In appearance - they resemble Indian Tea, but the flavour is more like that of the - finest Chinese black Tea, or of the hill Teas of India.” - -No reason why the Teas should not be good, but the labour difficulty -will, I think, prevent Tea paying there, as elsewhere in America, for -Mr. Jackson himself, who continues the above, asks further on, “Can we -afford to pay our labourers four times as much as they pay in India and -still make Tea a success?” He, strange to say, tries to prove “yes.” I -say no, a thousand times no, in spite of all Mr. Jackson says. I like, -however, to give both sides of a question, and so will let Mr. Jackson -speak for himself:-- - - The stock cry continually raised against Tea culture in this country - is, how can you raise Tea in a country where wages are so high? - You can cultivate Tea at a profit only in a country where labour - is at the lowest possible minimum, and so on. And so it is taken - for granted that the Tea culture is to be allowed to retain its - antiquated forms and systems for all time, and that the skill and - intelligence of a civilized nation can do nothing to raise it to a - level with corresponding branches of agriculture, such, for instance, - as rice growing. What would the people of South Carolina say if - told that the only way to cultivate rice at a profit was to sow all - their seed in nursery beds and, when sprouted, to transplant their - entire crop, seed by seed, by hand, as is done in India? What would - a Minnesota farmer say if told that the only implement with which - he could profitably rear a crop of corn was the hoe, wielded by an - attenuated skeleton of a man? If the hundreds of wealthy Tea planters - in Assam were told that they must return to the original system of - manufacturing their Teas by hand, they would throw up their farms in - despair. Seventy million pounds of Tea are now annually manufactured - by machinery in India and Java, and I have satisfied myself that - green Teas, suitable for the American market, can be manufactured at - one-third the cost of the black Teas prepared by machinery for the - English market. There is but one division of Tea culture into which - the labour question would enter at all, and that is the picking of - the leaves. Everything else can be carried on with the mechanical - precision of the cultivator, reaper, and floutring mill. Is not the - real truth of the matter to be found in the fact that the American - people know nothing--absolutely nothing--of the modern system of Tea - culture and manufacture, and are therefore in no position to form a - sound judgment of the possibilities of their country and countrymen - in regard to Tea? I say again, as I have often said before, that the - question of labour will prove no barrier to successful Tea culture - in America. Let any who are interested enough in this subject to - feel sceptical about it favour me with a call at No. 229 East Fourth - Street and I will take pleasure in showing them what achievements - modern skill and mechanical genius have already attained and what may - very easily be accomplished in America. I believe that then there is - a bright future in store for successful Tea culture. - -In another place Mr. Jackson says he has always cultivated with -ploughs, and done it successfully. Naturally this would make his -cultivation much cheaper, and it is high time, as I say elsewhere, that -we in India should try and do the same thing. - -We, all the world knows, how ingenious, how inventive the Americans -are, and thus it is _possible_ they may by the use of machinery for -all branches of manufacture, by improved steam-ploughs and other -agricultural instruments which shall dispense with hand labour for -cultivation, so cheapen the cost of Tea that its production will pay -in spite of the high rate of wages ruling. Only in this way, however, -_can_ the industry succeed in America, and if it be done (I hope it -may, for we in India shall then benefit by the ideas carried out), the -United States will add one more laurel to the many they have achieved -already in other branches of commerce. - - -NATAL. - -Tea here too! Where, alas! is it not? The following is in a report from -Natal:-- - - We have glanced at the past and seen the present condition of the - Tea enterprise. The most important matter is still before us--the - future of Tea in Natal. It must be remembered that an industry may - be profitable to encourage for local consumption, and yet fail when - it comes to be exported. This production (Tea) must be looked at as - one which, if it progresses, must shortly be exported. Three hundred - acres of Tea in full bearing will supply to the full the present need - of the Colony and its surroundings, _i.e._, taking the import returns - as our guide; and even with increasing demand, that demand can soon - be met. Therefore the importance attaching to the question, “Can - we in Natal grow Tea to pay, so as to compete with other countries - in the markets of the world?” The Tea-growing districts of India, - till lately confined to Assam, Cachar, and neighbourhood, have now - been extended to the Neilgherries and Ceylon, and these places, - till lately confining themselves to coffee, are leaving that most - precarious crop and growing Tea and cinchona. Both these districts - at present export Tea to England. It is said that Tea is to be - introduced into Queensland and the northern territory of Australia; - and that the Southern States of the Union and California contemplate - Tea growing. Are we justified, then, in believing that Tea may be - profitably exported from Natal? Before considering this, we have - to bear in mind that Tea is placed in the London market in large - quantities at a very low price; China Teas as low as 5-1/2_d._ per - lb. in bond, and Indian Teas as low as 8_d._ per lb. in bond; but - again the price extends to 3_s._ and even 4_s._ per lb. in bond. All - these things have to be weighed and well considered by anyone before - embarking in this enterprise to any great extent. In all matters of - agriculture the labour question is the foremost, after it is known - that the plant will flourish. To attempt to base the success of this - particular industry upon any other than that of coolie labour would - be foolish, as we all know that Kafirs are not to be relied upon; - therefore the cost of labour has to be considered. We well know - that all the Tea estates of India have to be supplied with imported - coolies--the natives of the districts concerned will not work unless - casually--but the cost of coolies in Natal must be more than the - cost of coolies in Assam--therefore in that item the advantage must - be in favour of the Indian planter. Countries such as Queensland - and the United States of America must either import labour, or pay - a much higher rate than we do; hence so far as these countries are - concerned, Natal will hold its own. - -I have not done yet. Here is another place where it seems they mean to -try Tea. I do hope that climate, soil, labour, something will be found -unsuitable. - - - FIJI TEA. - - Mr. J. E. Mason, of the Alpha Tea and Coffee Estate, Taviuni, Fiji, - has forwarded to Mr. J. O. Moody, the expert, of Melbourne, samples - of the first Fijian Tea produced in his part of the world; at the - same time writing that early next year he hoped to pluck off 30 acres - planted with Tea, and that the samples sent were hastily made in a - barrel with a frying-pan of charcoal. Mr. J. O. Moody reports:--“Fiji - Pekoe leaf: Handsome, small, even, golden tipped, evenly and well - fermented. Fiji Pekoe liquor: Very strong, full, rich, and pungent - pekoe flavour, thick, with deep red infusion. An invaluable Tea for - mixing, and worth about 2_s._ 6_d._ per lb. in bond. Fiji Pekoe - Souchong leaf: Well made, wiry, twisted, rich, black tippy leaf, - evenly and well fermented Fiji Pekoe Souchong flavour, with good, - bright, red infusion. A fine Tea to drink alone, and worth about - 1_s._ 9_d._ per lb. in bond. These Teas have the character of good - Ceylon growths, and are in every respect suitable Teas for general - consumption, and such samples are sure to meet with ready sale in - Australasia or Great Britain.” - -Here again, I am told, the labour question is the doubtful point. Tea -cannot be made to pay without cheap labour, and the sooner all these -new Tea countries learn the lesson the better for the pockets of the -projectors. I may add, the better for the Indian planter’s pocket too, -for _any_ increase in the supply is hurtful. - -In closing this chapter, I would give one word of advice to intending -Tea planters in India, or indeed anywhere. There is too much Tea -already, why plant more? If you must “go into Tea” you may do so and -probably make money, but it will not be by _planting_ it. If you look -about you can buy a plantation ready made for far less than you could -make such, and in doing so there is no reason why it should not pay, -and pay well. If you make a garden you will have five or six years to -wait for any return; you attempt what requires knowledge and experience -to succeed in, and begging your success, who can say what the market -will be then? - -I have far from exhausted the subject of these new Tea fields, but my -space is limited, and several other points demand attention. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[89] Much about Java and its Teas can be found in a book entitled -“Java, or How to Manage a Colony,” by J. W. B. Money. Crown 8vo, 2 -vols. Hurst and Blackett. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -STATISTICS REGARDING INDIAN TEA. - - -As early as 1780 a few Chinese plants were to be seen in Calcutta -cultivated by a Colonel Kyd. - -The possibility of cultivating Tea in India was first mooted in -1835-36, and the Indian Government started an experimental garden at -Lukimpore (Assam) at that time. - -Indigenous Tea was first discovered in Assam by a Mr. Bruce in 1830. - -In 1845 and following years the Government imported large quantities of -China seed and established nurseries on the Himalayas. - -Tea planting was commenced in India by the Assam Company about 1840, -and the cultivation was undertaken in other districts in the following -years:--Kumaon and Gurwhal, 1850; Cachar, 1855; Dehra-Dhoon, 1855; -Sylhet, 1857; Kangra, 1858; Darjeeling, 1860; Terai, 1860; Chittagong, -1860; Neilgherries, 1862; Chota Nagpore, 1872; Dooars, 1875. - -Thus it may be said Tea planting in India dates from 1840 by one -Company, but 1850 by individuals. - -The following figures show the imports of Indian Teas into Great -Britain since 1870 in millions of pounds:-- - - +----+----------+ - | | Millions | - |Year|of Pounds | - +----+----------+ - | 70 | 13 | - | 71 | 15-1/4 | - | 72 | 17 | - | 73 | 18-1/4 | - | 74 | 17-1/4 | - | 75 | 25-1/2 | - | 76 | 29-1/4 | - | 77 | 31-3/4 | - | 78 | 36 | - | 79 | 38-1/2 | - | 80 | 44 | - | 81 | 45-3/4 | - | 82 | 54-3/4 | - +----+----------+ - -I may here remark that while the imports of Indian Teas have, since -1877, increased by 23 million pounds, the imports of China Teas have -increased by 4 million pounds only in the same time. - -The deliveries and stocks were as follows for 1881 and 1882 in millions -of pounds:-- - - 1881. 1882. - Deliveries 48-3/4 50-1/2 - Stocks on 31st December 18-1/2 21-3/4 - -During the _last 3 months of_ 1882 the deliveries averaged 5 million -pounds per month. In January, 1883, they were 5-1/2 millions, and in -February (I write in March) 5 millions. - -Deliveries at this rate mean 60 millions a year. - - I estimate Indian produce for 1883 at about 62 millions. - Deduct the probable quantity to be sent } - to countries outside the United Kingdom, } 5-1/2 „ - and local consumption in India } - ------------------ - Leaving available for the home market } 56-1/2 millions. - ================== - -Thus, if deliveries continue at the present rate, demand must soon -equal, if not exceed, supply, and the consequence naturally must be -enhanced prices, which, however, will surely to some extent check the -deliveries. - -There is, however, a hopeful feature regarding Indian Teas. The taste -for them is increasing greatly. A very small per centage of the public -drink them pure (a large per centage in Ireland), but the public -generally are now accustomed to the strength attained only by mixing, -say one third of Indian to two thirds China, and _will_ nothing weaker. -Thus retail dealers must continue to use them, and thus though, as -remarked, increased prices _will_ check deliveries, they will not do so -with Indian Teas to the same extent they would with China. - -Another hopeful feature is (for details see further on) a growing -demand for Indian Tea is now established in Australia, and has quite -lately commenced in America. Thus, I think, the increased produce from -India (which in no case can be large for some years[90]) will probably -be met by this outside demand, leaving no greater quantity than now -available for the home market. True Ceylon (a new field) will increase -the supply, but it will not be by much for some time. Take it all in -all, I look hopefully at the prospects of Indian Tea in the future. I -never anticipate a range of prices as good even as ruled in 1881, but -a good deal better than we had in 1882, and thus enough to make the -industry a paying one. - -I have lately received a valuable paper on Indian Tea statistics from -Messrs. Gow and Wilson, Indian Tea brokers. I cannot transcribe the -diagram they allude to, but otherwise I give the complete paper as sent -me:-- - - 19, Little Tower Street, Mincing Lane, - London, _15th February, 1883_. - - “INDIAN TEA STATISTICS.” - - Dear Sir,--Now that the annual figures are made up, we beg to submit - a statement showing the continued progress made by Indian Tea in - public estimation, together with comparative figures relating to the - consumption of China and Indian Teas,--And remain, dear Sir, yours - faithfully, - - GOW AND WILSON, _Indian Tea Brokers_. - - The very considerable increase in the home consumption of Indian - Tea during the last quarter of 1882, and January this year, once - more attracts attention to the growing importance of India as a - field of production, and the increasing appreciation of the British - public for Indian Teas, whether used alone or mixed with China sorts. - Notwithstanding the check to consumption in the early part of 1882, - when Indian medium and common Teas were just 50 per cent. dearer - than they now are, the average monthly deliveries of the first three - months were 3,670,000 lbs., or 230,000 lbs. a month more than the - average of the first quarter of 1880, with prices much the same at - both periods. Quotations last year receded step by step, and, as - prices dropped, so we found the consumption grew, till for the last - quarter of 1882, with its very low range of prices, the average - monthly deliveries reached the unprecedented figures of over 5-1/4 - million pounds. - - The average monthly deliveries in each quarter of the last five years - have been as follows:-- - - (In thousands of lbs., 000’s omitted.) - - Jan-Mar. April-June. July-Sept. Oct-Dec. - 1878 3,216 3,129 2,869 3,041 - 1879 3,444 2,688 2,461 3,155 - 1880 3,441 3,418 3,522 4,228 - 1881 4,197 4,172 3,824 4,094 - 1882 3,670 4,125 4,116 5,254 - - During the year 1878, out of every 100 lbs. of all descriptions of - Tea consumed in this country, 23, or one in about four-and-a-third, - was Indian Tea. Last year the proportion was 31 per cent., or nearly - one in three. - - These figures show, in the clearest manner, how steadily Indian Tea - is becoming popular. - - The unevenness of the quarterly deliveries of China Tea in the year - 1878 and 1879 is due to the apprehensions felt in those years that - the duty would be increased. In consequence, clearances were hastily - made before the Budget announcement, and the deliveries immediately - after sank to very low figures, increasing again as stocks of - retailers were depleted. In March, 1880, again there was a pressure - to clear Teas, which brought up the total deliveries of the first - quarter to a high level. A considerable check was given to deliveries - of Indian Teas during the latter part of 1881 and the early part of - 1882 through the rise of prices during that period. - - The most noticeable feature of the last three calendar years is the - stationariness of deliveries of China Teas at the reduction from the - level of both 1878 and 1879. Approximately the deliveries of China - and Indian Teas in the five years ending 31st December in each case - may be given, in millions of pounds, as follows:-- - - 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. - China 121 125 115 111 113 - Indian 37 35 44 49 51 - - The deliveries of China Tea have _receded_ from 125 million pounds - in 1879 to 113 million pounds in 1882, while the home consumption - of Indian Tea has _increased_ from 35 million pounds to 51 million - pounds in the corresponding years. - - Notwithstanding the supply of Indian Tea for the season 1882-3 is - estimated at the unprecedented figure of 55 million pounds against - the actual imports in the previous two season years of about 50 - million and 46 million pounds respectively, it appears not unlikely - the consumption of 1882-3 will once again, as in 1880-81, overtake - the supply and reduce the stocks by July next to the equivalent of - less than three months’ deliveries. - - We find that there has been received to the 31st December last, - 33,218,000 lbs., leaving to arrive 21,782,000 lbs. for the six - months ending 30th June next, to make up the estimated supply of - 55 million pounds which, according to Indian advices, will be - available for shipment to this country. The imports of the current - six months, therefore, will be but slightly in excess of those of - the corresponding half-year, when 20,948,000 lbs. were received; for - although the shipments of 1882-3 are expected to show an excess of - more than five million pounds over 1881-2, exporters this season have - hurried forward their Teas early and in the six months ended December - 31st the arrivals in the United Kingdom were 32,218,000 lbs. against - only 28,947,000 lbs. in the corresponding half of 1881. - - The significant feature of the movement, however, is the very - agreeable surprise, month by month, caused by the publication of the - delivery figures. These compare for the last few months as follows:-- - - - _Deliveries of the last Four Months compared with corresponding - Months._ - - October. November. December. January. - lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. - 1882-3 5,132,000 5,174,000 4,457,000 5,502,000 - 1881-2 4,353,000 4,205,000 3,724,000 4,104,000 - --------- --------- --------- --------- - Increase 779,000 969,000 733,000 1,398,000 - - A continuance of similar large increases is most probable, especially - as we compare with the relatively small deliveries of February to - April inclusive of last year, when only 10,489,000 lbs. were taken - from warehouse, against 12,782,000 lbs. in the same months of 1881--a - decrease of 2,293,000 in three months. Part of the decrease may be - attributed to the then higher range of medium and common Indian Teas. - - The net result of the above statistics is that--with no materially - larger arrivals visible, even with the liberal allowance of 5,000,000 - lbs. increased shipments for the crop year--the deliveries give every - promise of showing very considerable expansion, and, as we have said, - threaten for the complete year to more than absorb the extra supply. - - To enable anyone to check and form an independent opinion on the - forecast we venture to give, we present below the imports and - deliveries, half-year by half-year, for the four seasons 1879-80 to - 1882-83 inclusive, with the totals of each crop year:-- - - - IMPORTS OF INDIAN TEA. - - 1879-80. 1880-81. 1881-82. 1882-83. - lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. - 1st July to} - 31st Dec.} 23,537,000 29,142,000 28,947,000 33,218,000 - - 1st Jan. to} - 30th June} 15,868,000 16,819,000 20,948,000 [91]21,782,000 - ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- - Season year 39,405,000 45,961,000 49,895,000 [91]55,000,000 - - - DELIVERIES OF INDIAN TEA. - - 1879-80. 1880-1. 1881-2. 1882-3. - lbs. lbs. lbs. lbs. - 1st July to} - 31st Dec. } 16,847,000 24,352,000 23,755,000 27,109,000 - - 1st Jan. to} - 30th June } 19,465,000 25,106,000 23,386,000 [92]28,802,000 - ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- - Season year 36,312,000 49,458,000 47,141,000 [92]55,911,000 - - These figures show an estimated supply to the end of June next of - 21,782,000 lbs., and an estimated consumption of 28,802,000. The - former is based on the statements that the available supply for - the United Kingdom will be 55 million pounds, and the latter on - the actual delivery to January inclusive, and estimated average - deliveries of 4,500,000 lbs. a month for the remainder of the - half-year. Having these figures before us, we can proceed to - calculate the effect on stocks. - - At 31st December last we had in warehouse lbs. - a stock of 21,716,000 - Add six months’ imports to June 30th 21,782,000 - ---------- - Total supply 43,498,000 - Deduct estimated deliveries six months 28,802,000 - ---------- - Leaving probable stock at 30th June 14,696,000 - Which will compare with (at 30th June, 1882) 15,991,000 - - In stating the deliveries at an average of 4,500,000 lbs. for the - next five months, we have taken this amount merely for the purpose - of arriving at a conclusion. In case the deliveries of the months - of February to June inclusive average, as is generally expected, - 5,000,000 lbs. a month, the stocks at 1st July next will be under - 12,200,000 lbs., or 3-3/4 million lbs. less than at the corresponding - date. - - We can but consider this a very healthy outlook, especially as it is - simultaneous with the estimated decrease in the supply of China Tea, - and the possibility that the shipments to the United Kingdom may not - reach the estimate. With respect to the latter contingency, we must - recollect that new markets are being rapidly developed for Indian - Tea. Australia, America, and other parts than the United Kingdom took - over three million pounds from 1st May to 31st December last year, - compared with less than a third of that quantity shipped thence from - India in the corresponding period of 1881. A continuance of this - rapid rate of outside demand would considerably curtail our supply, - and develope the growing Indian industry. - - GOW AND WILSON, - _19, Little Tower Street, London, E.C._ - -The diagram omitted shows as follows: it gives the results quarterly, -I only give them yearly in millions of pounds. - - -CONSUMPTION OF CHINA AND INDIAN TEAS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THE LAST -FIVE YEARS. - - -------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+----------------- - | 1878. | 1879. | 1880. | 1881. | 1882. | - -------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+----------------- - China | 128-1/2| 125-1/4| 114-1/2| 111-1/4| 114 |}All are Millions - Indian | 36 | 35-1/2| 43-3/4| 48-1/2| 51-1/2|} of Pounds. - -------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+----------------- - TOTALS.| 164-1/2| 160-3/4| 158-1/4| 159-3/4| 165-1/2| - -------+--------+--------+--------+--------+--------+----------------- - -Thus, while China Tea consumption has decreased in five years by -fourteen and a-half millions of pounds, Indian has increased by fifteen -and a-half millions! - -It must be remembered that the former table given at page 194 deals -with imports, this with consumption, and thus the difference in the -figures. - -The following extract from the _Tea Gazette_ (January, 1883) is -interesting in a statistical point of view:-- - - The exports to Australia (which, as it is well known, have increased - more than twenty-fold in six years) now occupy a position only second - to that of the United Kingdom; and if the P. and O. Company would see - its own interest, it would facilitate by every means in its power so - important a development of a great industry. - - The Straits Settlements, in spite of their proximity to China, - took last year ten times the quantity they took six years ago; - and Persia, strange to say, has taken 54,712lbs. against 334lbs. - in 1876-77--Turkey in Asia and Egypt, together, having taken also - 21,488lbs. against 886lbs. in the same period. - - Mr. Liotard is of opinion that these are not a tithe of the openings - that might be found; and it is to be hoped that at the Amsterdam - Exhibition and elsewhere the Tea Syndicate will in no way relax its - efforts. - - The imports of China Tea to India have, in the six years also above - referred to, increased about 60 per cent. Speaking on this point, we - are of opinion that the Syndicate might well make efforts to increase - the local consumption of Indian Tea to the replacement of Chinas, and - we feel sure that such organised exertion would be followed by very - satisfactory results. - - The re-export of China Tea from India shows four times the quantity - of six years ago--by far the greater quantity going to Persia and - Turkey in Asia. Mr. Liotard thinks that the N.-W. P. and the Punjab - might appropriate a good deal of this trade; and from the character - of the Teas of these districts we are disposed to agree with him. - The great increase of export from Karachi shows that this, to some - extent, is being done. - - The abolition of the duty on China Tea imported to India, under - the recent free trade policy, appears to have had a prejudicial - effect on the planters in Northern India--who can ill afford it. - The figures given at the commencement of the pamphlet show that - the number of plantations in Northern India has increased in six - years from 851 to 1,422, and the area from 4,246 to 7,466 acres; - the outturn from 1,311,113 lbs. to 2,271,773 lbs. These figures - speak of great activity in production, and show the necessity for - every exertion being employed to open out new markets. A combined - Syndicate for all the districts in Northern India, on the lines of - the one now established in Calcutta, is suggested, but how far this - is practicable we are not at present prepared to say. - -The following, too, from the _Tea Gazette_ this year is in some -respects hopeful:-- - - We see from the _North China Herald_ that the exports of Tea from - Shanghai and the Yang-tse ports to England during the current year - have fallen off some six and a-half million pounds (8-1/2 per cent.), - and that there is also a decrease of some six million pounds in the - quantity sent to America this last year--making a difference of - nearly thirty per cent. - - On the other hand, there has been an increase of nearly three million - pounds (45 per cent.) in the direct export to Russian ports. Two - large cargoes--one of nearly three million pounds destined for - England, and one of almost two million pounds bound for Russia--were - lost, so that the real increase of China Tea sent to Russia is only - one million pounds, which would reduce the increase to about 15 per - cent. The decrease of Tea sent to England becomes even greater, - reducing the receipts as compared with last year by nearly ten - million pounds. Another aspect of the question must, however, be - considered, namely, that the real displacement, _i.e._, in the amount - of Tea destined for the English market, would be only six and a-half - million pounds, and it is not safe to reckon on a recurrence of loss - of such a heavy quantity by shipwreck. - - The decrease of China Tea sent to America is almost entirely in green - Teas, there being only a falling off of 40,000lbs. in black, as - compared with one of over six millions in green Tea. The falling off - as regards the English market is much more evenly distributed between - the two varieties, the difference being greater in that of black than - of green Tea. - - While America takes from the Shanghai ports over four times as much - green as black Tea, England, on the other hand, takes eleven times as - much black Tea as it does of green Tea. - - These last facts might make it worth the while of planters in the - North-West Provinces and in the Punjab to combine to exploit the - American markets with half-chests of green Tea, for the manufacture - of which those districts are famous, and for which there is so little - demand at present in the Central Asian market. We merely throw out - the suggestion, knowing that most of the planters in these parts - could ill afford to risk much in such an experiment. It is possible - that the Syndicate here, which already ships largely to America, - might arrange to ship green Tea for such of the planters in Northern - India as cared to join the Calcutta body. - - The American demand for green Tea is so large, that a quantity - representing the entire outturn of Northern India would form but - a small percentage of the whole, and if Indian green Tea from the - Himalayas were taken up in that market, a demand for the whole - quantity produced might easily arise. Whether it would ever be able - to compete with China green Tea in the matter of price we do not - know, and we should think it would be up-hill work, and attended with - some loss--in the first instance at any rate. - -The more Tea each individual drinks, the better doubtless for the -producers. It is satisfactory therefore to find the consumption _per -head_ is increasing in the United Kingdom as follows:-- - - 1870. 1875. 1880. - lbs. lbs. lbs. - 3.81 4.44 4.59 - -Nearly 1 lb. per head more in 1880 than 1870! - -A few figures as to Indian Teas in Australia and America will finish -this Chapter of Statistics. - -The consumption of Indian Tea in Australia and the Colonies stands as -follows:-- - - 1880-81 Little under 3/4 of a million lbs. - 1881-82 Nearly 1 million „ - 1882-83 Estimated 2 million „ - -This is a satisfactory increase, but when we consider how vast is the -great Australasian field, it stands to reason two millions is but a -small fraction of what it eventually may be. - -The outdoor rough life, led more or less in the Colonies, makes its -inhabitants the largest Tea drinkers in the world. For instance, each -white denizen in New Zealand drinks nearly three times as much Tea as -each person in Great Britain! - -The following was the consumption in lbs. per head in 1878:-- - - United New - Kingdom. Victoria. N. S. Wales. Queensland. Zealand. - 4.66 6.92 7.53 9.16 11.05 - -I now give, in millions of lbs., the consumption in 1880 in the same -Colonies:-- - - Victoria. N. S. Wales. Queensland. New Zealand. - 5-1/2 5 2 3 - -But what vast tracts exist outside these. The total consumption of all -the Colonies must be very large. We make the best Tea in the world in -India, why should we not have a large share of the market? - -The population of Australia is nearly 2-1/4 millions, and of Tasmania -and New Zealand nearly 3/4 million, say three millions in all, or say -three-quarters of the population of London. What a field exists there -for Indian Tea! - - -AMERICA. - -The yearly consumption (Canada is included) is over eighty million -pounds, nearly all supplied by China and Japan. It is quite lately -Indian Teas have been sent to America; so far, their reception has been -favourable. But the Americans are accustomed to a greener Tea than we -make in India, and this will prove a difficulty. Still we can make the -Tea they like, _if_ they will buy it. It is early to speculate much as -to America, but I think we shall succeed little by little, especially -as in the States they are awaking to the fact that both China and Japan -Teas are adulterated. - -In closing this chapter I must put on record the fact, known to all in -India, that the great success achieved in Australia, and the opening -thus early attained in America, is entirely due to the labours of the -Calcutta Tea Syndicate, and that I firmly believe, much as they have -done, they would have done still more had they been properly supported -by larger supplies of Tea by the planters in India, who, as a class, -are strangely blind to the advantages of co-operation. I can only hope -in this respect they will do better in future. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[90] It will not be large because much in the way of extensions has not -been executed lately. A higher range of prices will doubtless cause -more land to be cultivated, but no produce from such will be available -for four or five years. - -[91] Estimated on basis of 55,000,000 lbs. available for shipment to -the United Kingdom. - -[92] Estimated on average monthly deliveries, February to June -inclusive, of 4,500,000 lbs. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -MARKETS OUTSIDE GREAT BRITAIN. - - -I have forestalled a good deal on the above in the last chapter, so -this will be short, but, I hope, cheering. - - -AUSTRALIA. - -This, from the correspondent of the _Tea Gazette_ in Melbourne, as to -the size of chests, should be attended to:-- - - If the planter wishes to get his Tea direct into consumption, the - packages must be small, to suit buyers. In the Colonies a large trade - is done in 38lb. half-chests. They are within the purchasing power of - a numerous class, and are easy to handle. - -A fierce fight has been going on in Melbourne between the advocates of -China and Indian Tea. The latter say China Tea is often adulterated, -but this is disputed by the former. Of course _I_ cannot say which is -right, but chemical analysis, to which China Teas have been subjected -in Melbourne, would seem to prove that in some cases they are _not_ -pure. We all know China Teas in London have, in several instances, been -pronounced unfit for consumption, so it is _possible_, of course, that -similar Teas are sent to Australia. - -The Tea trade in China has taken alarm at our attempts on the -Australian market. This is what the _North China Herald_ (an organ of -the China Tea trade) said lately:-- - - There are no squeezing mandarins in India; there is European - supervision in the packing and firing of the leaf, and the - plantations are connected with civilisation by the railway and the - telegraph. Everything is done to give India an unfair advantage over - China. Consequently, India tea of the same quality is far cheaper in - London than the ill-regulated produce of Hankow and Foochow, and it - is only the conservatism of the consumer, _who is not yet entirely - habituated to the Indian flavour_, that prevents our losses being - much heavier than they are. Every year this preference for the leaf - that has been longer known is wearing away, and our buyers will soon - have to reckon with its disappearance. As yet, Indian Tea is hardly - taken on the continent of Europe at all; but here, too, it will - penetrate sooner or later, as it is doing into America and Australia, - and then there will be no corner of the earth where the sway of China - Tea will be undisputed. Until foreigners can supervise the packing - of the leaf in China as they do in India, the produce of the latter - country will continue to have an unfair advantage. The time no doubt - will come when we shall be able to go up and buy the raw leaf on - its native hills, pack it by our own methods, and bring it down by - railway to Shanghai for shipment; but _for years yet we labour under - the disadvantage of having to buy it just as the Chinamen choose to - prepare it, without any real knowledge of the total crop at any time, - or any immediate power to manipulate the Teas to suit the tastes of - consumers_. - -Mark you, this is an enemy’s opinion. May his prognostications be -accomplished to the letter! - -The following is from the _Tea Gazette_ lately received:-- - - - THE CALCUTTA TEA SYNDICATE. - - We are glad to learn that this most useful body intends to continue - its operations in opening up, wherever possible, new markets, - although there will be no more soliciting supplies of Tea for - Australia--the feeling being that the trade in this direction may now - be left to take care of itself. - - The Tea Syndicate has done a great good, and those able to ship to - Australia should at once arrange to take the fullest advantage of the - opening made for them. We would have wished that the Syndicate had - continued actively its operations there, but perhaps they are right - in leaving, now, the further development of the trade they have so - successfully founded to private enterprise. It will be the fault of - owners themselves if they do not take advantage of the large market - opened to them. - -I conclude my notice of Australia as a market by the following, also -from the _Tea Gazette_. Matters there certainly look promising for the -Indian planter:-- - - - THE NEW AUSTRALIAN TEA ASSOCIATION. - - Our friends in Australia, now that they are convinced of the purity - and good quality of our Indian Teas, have determined, we are glad to - see, to follow in the wake of the Calcutta Tea Syndicate, and push - by _united_ effort Indian Teas throughout the Australian Colonies. - Knowing full well that no half-hearted measures would be likely to - succeed, and that the efforts of a few individuals would not meet - the requirements of the market, our friends in Victoria and New - South Wales have _combined_, and formed an association under the - title of the “Calcutta Tea Association,” for the sale of pure and - unadulterated Indian Teas to wholesale merchants, storekeepers, and - customers in general. Large and handsome premises have been taken in - King Street, Melbourne, and Charlotte Place, Sydney, in which the - operations of the Association are to be carried on on a large scale. - - -AMERICA. - -The following is from the _Daily News_--a Calcutta paper:-- - - We were glad to note that our American cousins were being induced to - give some orders. If only Indian Tea was once taken up, and became - popular, its future would be secured. The teeming masses of people - in the States would consume more Tea we should imagine than all - the English public, provided Indian Tea took the place of China. - Australia so far has done well, but the market there would be easily - glutted, whereas, if its use became general, it would be almost - impossible to glut the American market. The millions of settlers - in America and in Canada all use Tea at their meals very much as - an Englishman takes his beer, so that the inland consumption must - be very large. In Australia, every shepherd carries his pannikin - of Tea, and the amount he swallows in twelve months must be pretty - considerable. In the backwoods of America and Canada, each woodcutter - consumes nearly half a pound of Tea weekly, so that, with its - millions of people, America could easily dispose of millions of - pounds of Tea, which would not only clear off all the surplus Tea in - the London market, but would probably cause a deficit. We wonder if - in our time this golden era will take place. - -This from the TEA GAZETTE:-- - - - TEA IN AMERICA. - - A petition has been presented to the United States Congress asking - for the prohibition of the importation of adulterated Teas from - China and Japan, which are at present extensively sold. This, it is - thought, will lead to increased attention being paid to Indian Teas, - which are well known to be pure and unadulterated. - -Again from same paper:-- - - The circular lately addressed to the local Tea planting interest by - the Committee of the Calcutta Syndicate, reporting the results of Mr. - Sibthorp’s efforts to create a market for Indian Teas in America, - opens up a vista of unprecedented prosperity in the future. - - That the population of America, the bulk of which consist of the same - races among whom Indian Tea has grown in favour so rapidly in the - United Kingdom, should persist in rejecting it after a fair trial was - _à priori_ highly improbable. It was, therefore, reasonably to be - presumed that whatever difficulty might beset the opening up of this - new market would consist chiefly in the obstacles to securing such a - trial. - - Mr. Sibthorp’s report not only bears out this view of the case, but - justifies a confident expectation that the obstacles in question, - so far as they have any real existence, will speedily disappear. In - Chicago, so far from having had to encounter any of those strong - trade prejudices which were met with at first in Australia, Mr. - Sibthorp found the leading importers, Messrs. J. Doane and Co., ready - to render every assistance and confident of being able to dispose - of five thousand half chests the first season, without forcing the - market. Similar success seems to have attended his efforts in New - York, and a telegram has been received from him ordering a thousand - half chests for shipment to that port. - - The importance of this new market is immensely enhanced by the - circumstance that the American consumption of Tea is destined to - increase, owing to mere growth of population, at a rate not to be - looked for in any other country; at such a rate, in fact, that if - India could only secure the annual addition to the demand from this - cause, she would probably have to double her production in less than - a generation to enable her to meet it. - - So far from seeing any reason why she should not secure this amount - of custom in the New World, we see none why the proportion of India - to other Teas consumed in America should not ultimately be as large - as in England, where there was once a strong prejudice against Indian - Tea. - -What possible foreign markets have we besides Australia and America? -Russia and many European countries are on the cards, and if the -Calcutta Syndicate will continue its work great results may ensue. -Those who know the Continent often say, and it is true, that no good -Tea can be had in France, Germany, or Italy (it is _not_ so in Russia), -and retail dealers have offered again and again (made the offers to -me) to take large quantities of the Indian Tea of which I have shown -them samples. As this is so, why not supply them? But it cannot be done -well to any extent by individual planters. The Calcutta Syndicate could -easily do it, and I quite believe they would find the work in Europe -easier than in America. - -The Amsterdam Exhibition, so soon to take place, affords a great -opening, and from all I hear it will be taken advantage of. Inhabitants -from all countries will be there, and the fame of our Teas should thus -spread throughout Europe. The _Tea Gazette_ says:-- - - - THE AMSTERDAM EXHIBITION. - - It is intended to have Indian Tea well represented at the forthcoming - Exhibition at Amsterdam; and we trust that the most will be made of - the opportunity. There is no reason why we should not succeed in - Holland as well as we have succeeded in _America_ and _Australia_. - The rapid strides going on in production must be met by exceptionally - active exertions to open out new markets, and to see that those - recently opened out are not allowed to drop for want of fostering. - - The effect of this opportunity will be by no means limited to - Holland, as in all probability thousands will flock to the Exhibition - from adjacent countries, and many from all parts of the world. - - We hope that every advantage will be taken of future International - Exhibitions in any part of the world by an adequate quasi-permanent - organization in Calcutta, and we sincerely trust that the existing - Calcutta Tea Syndicate will not cease its most useful operations - until all the world bows to the great god Indian Tea. The operations - in countries other than Great Britain during the last few years show - what important developments in the Tea trade of this country are - now taking place, and every exertion is necessary to maintain these - successful results--for which the industry is so much indebted to the - Syndicate. - - -THIBET. - -This is a large, mountainous, and table land country on the northern -side of the Himalayas. It is at a very high elevation, intensely cold, -and very thinly populated. The Thibetans drink much Tea per head, but -they use Brick Tea; this is made of the coarsest leaves compressed with -some glutinous substance. - -There is no difficulty in its manufacture. At present it is supplied by -China, which is close by, but not nearer than India. Many think much -of our coarse Tea (particularly from the Himalayan gardens) might find -a market in Thibet, and I incline to the belief they are right. The -quantity would not be very large, “but every little helps.” - -Formerly much Tea was sold to the native tribes over the northern -border by the gardens in Kumaon, Gurwal, and Kangra. Why I know not, -but I hear the trade has fallen off to some extent; the Teas are taken -to the Central Asian markets. - -I have done with foreign markets, but there is yet another and a very -large one regarding which nothing has yet been done: I allude to the -market among the natives of India, in other words - - -THE LOCAL MARKET. - -The following is from the _Calcutta Englishman_ on the subject:-- - - The letter of our correspondent “A. E. T.” calls attention for the - hundredth time to the failure of the planting interest to make the - most of the local demand for Indian Teas. It is only necessary to - compare the prices realised at the public auctions with those at - which even the most liberal of our retail firms offer to supply - their customers with such Teas to see that but a very small fraction - of the difference between the prime cost of the Tea and what the - consumer has to pay for it goes into the pocket of the planter. It is - probably no exaggeration to say that while the consumer pays, on the - average, from twelve annas to a rupee per pound more than the actual - cost of the Tea laid down in Calcutta, the planter may think himself - fortunate if he can appropriate from half an anna to an anna of this - sum. By whatever course of argument the fact may be justified, it is - certainly not justifiable by the equity of the case as it appears - to ordinary minds. For it is the planter who has borne the heat and - burden of the day, and the proportion which the capital invested by - him bears to the ultimate return is immensely greater in his case - than in that of the retail dealer. - - On whom does the blame for the continuance of this state of things, - if blame there be in the matter, rest? Hardly on the public. They - would only be too glad to allow the Tea planter, say, four times - his present profit instead of allowing twelve times that profit to - a middleman or a series of middlemen. The public, however, can give - their custom only to those who bid for it, and who consult their - convenience in the arrangements they make to secure it. - - It is evidently the planter, and the planter alone, who can move in - the matter. But whether out of regard for the interests of the retail - dealer, or from a belief that the game is not worth the candle, he - does not move. If there were a retail Tea trade worthy of the name, - in the proper sense of the term, in Calcutta, it would probably not - be to the interest of planters to enter into competition with it. - But though we have many retail establishments who deal in Tea, its - sale is, in the great majority of cases, only one item of a very - multifarious business, the profit on which, as a whole, is probably - not excessive under all the circumstances of the case. - - As to the game not being worth the candle, that is possibly the case - if only the present demand is considered. But we are persuaded that - it is otherwise if regard is had to the expansion of which that - demand is capable. - - If Indian Tea were procurable in the bazaars in parcels of moderate - size at a reasonable advance on auction prices, we believe that - a large native demand for it would rapidly grow up. As it is, an - extensive business goes on in China Tea of the most wretched quality, - some of it sold in packets of a few ounces, and some of it loose in - still smaller quantities. Even in Calcutta this Tea is sold at prices - which would pay the Indian Tea planter a handsome profit, while in - the interior it is sold at rates which would have been high fifty - years ago. - - Surely a Syndicate which extends its efforts for the popularisation - of Indian Tea to such distant and widely separated markets as - Australia and America might profitably make some systematic effort to - promote its use among the vast population at its doors. - - The time may be far distant when the great bulk of this population - will adopt Tea as an ordinary beverage; but the way in which the - habit of using it has spread during the last ten or fifteen years, - among all classes of the vast population of Calcutta, affords an - indication of possibilities very well worth testing. - -When last in India I wrote on this subject largely, but all to no -avail. The following was one of my letters which appeared in the _Tea -Gazette_:-- - - - THE MARKET AT OUR DOORS.--CONSUMPTION OF CHINA TEA IN INDIA. - - The _Statesman_, in a recent article, observes as follows, while - discussing the maritime trade of British India:-- - - “Perhaps the most anomalous import we have is Tea. It is hardly - conceivable that while Indian Tea continues to advance in public - estimation at home, we should not only use China Tea in India, but - that in increasing quantities.”[93] - - In 1876-77 the imports of China Teas were a little _under_ two - millions, but in 1880-81 as much _over_ three millions! The - _Statesman_ states, and truly, that the reason of this is simply - “that Indian Tea is sold in too large packets to be easily obtainable - by the general public, for it seems, as regards Indian Tea, the - smallest quantity that can be bought is one pound, whereas an ounce - of China Tea can be purchased.” - - Further on, the _Statesman_ kindly alludes to my advocacy in the _Tea - Gazette_ of a company to sell Tea in small packages to the natives, - stating also that such a trade is “capable of almost unlimited - expansion at a fair profit,” which is exactly what I have, for some - time, been trying to hammer into the heads of those interested in the - Tea industry of India. - - Now, Sir, is it not absurd that while the _bête noir_ of our industry - is “supply in excess of demand,” and while, with this dread, we - are trying (it seems with success) to open up new markets at the - Antipodes and in America, we are neglecting a market at our very - doors, the limits of which, I hold, no man can foresee, for is it not - a market where the possible buyers number 200 millions? - - Is it not also more than absurd, nay a very shame to those interested - in our industry, that while we have a better article than China Tea, - we allow, by our supineness and lack of enterprise, more than three - million pounds of an inferior article to be sold in the birth place - of the better? And why? simply because we _will_ not supply it in the - form the teeming crowd of natives willing, nay anxious, to buy can - avail themselves of it! - - Since I advocated in your paper the formation of a company to sell - Tea to natives in small packets, and showed, I thought conclusively: - 1--That the capital required was not large (say one and a-half - lakhs). 2--That the shareholders might expect very fair dividends. - 3--That there was no assignable limit to the trade which might be - developed. 4--That if such a company was started and worked well, all - fear for the future of Indian Tea would be at an end. 5--That every - Tea owner, who became a shareholder, would advance his own interests - by many times more than the dividends he would receive--since then I - have obtained from England estimates of all the machinery required to - bulk and pack the Teas, advice from the best firms as to _the mode_ - so successful in England, and I am more than ever convinced that the - company would be a money-making one, and that, in two words, we shall - sadly neglect our own interests if we do not accomplish it. - - Again, since my former articles I have spoken to dozens of Tea - planters and Tea owners on the subject, and all of them think highly - of the scheme, while many only wait for the company to be launched - to take shares. I could name more than one influential native also - who is willing to join, and this is a good sign, for, in my opinion, - a moiety of the directors should be natives. I will myself become a - large shareholder, though I cannot offer my services on the board, - for it must be in Calcutta, and I do not reside there. - - I am convinced, if the company is launched, the shares will be taken - up in a week. - - But if no one in Calcutta is public-spirited enough to launch such - a company, why should not an association of a few individuals try - to carry out the scheme. I quite believe Tea proprietors would help - them, at starting, by supplying, on reasonable credit, the coarse - Teas suitable. Were this done, the thin edge of the wedge would - be driven in, and, if the association succeeded, they might later - transfer the business at a fair profit to a company. - - I had written so far when I saw your remarks on the same subject in - your last issue. I cannot agree with you in thinking an association - would be _better_ than a company, but I say, failing the last let us - have the first--in fact, let us make a beginning. - - I give here below, to save the trouble of reference, the last part of - my former article:-- - - “I will now, in conclusion, shortly estimate for how much two and - four ounce packets could be sold to the consumer. - - “Supposing suitable Teas could be bought at six annas per lb. (and - all Tea planters know that a very large supply of broken Teas with - some red leaf would be available at that price), one ounce would - equal 4-1/2 pie or 9 pie for 2 ounces. We may then calculate thus for - each 2 ounce packet: - - R. A. P. - Tea 0 0 9 - Tin foil, company’s mark, labour of making up packet, - wear and tear, bulking machinery 0 0 3 - Profit to company 0 0 3 - ------- - Price at which company could sell 2 ounce packets 0 1 3 - Profit to dealer or middleman 0 0 3 - Profit to retailer 0 0 3 - ------- - Cost to consumer for 2 ounce packet 0 1 9 - - “As making up a 4 ounce packet would be cheaper in proportion, and - the profit to company, middleman, and retailer need not be double the - 2 ounce rate, we may fairly say that 4 ounce packets could be sold at - 3 annas. - - “I have sent to England for an estimate of the necessary machinery, - so that if my project meets with favour, there will later be no delay - on that score.” - - Surely the above figures, and I believe they are sound, have _the - look_ of success about them. - - I hear it has been suggested that paper packets would deteriorate by - keeping, but protected by a good wrapper of tin-foil inside, I feel - sure this would not be the case. - - EDWARD MONEY. - -Nothing has been done to this day; and thus, to our shame be it said, -we are allowing a market capable of indefinite expansion to remain -dormant. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[93] With few exceptions it is bought by the Natives alone and for the -reason given above.--E. M. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -MAKING INDIAN TEA KNOWN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. - - -Several plans have at times been proposed in India with a view to make -the merits of pure Indian Teas known in England. When I was last out -there I saw the following letter in the _Calcutta Statesman_, and it -appeared to me the plan suggested was in every way an excellent one:-- - - - HOW TO PUSH THE SALE OF TEA. - - _To the Editor “Statesman.”_ - - Sir,--Referring to your leader of to-day on the subject of selling - Tea at home, I agree with you that Tea-growers should combine for - retailing, as they have, through the Syndicate, combined for opening - up new markets, but there must be the same spirit of enterprise in - the one case as in the other. Now, the mere opening up of shops for - the sale of Indian Teas, involving, as it would, rents, expensive - establishments, and bad debts, would not afford the necessary scope, - nor would it meet the case. - - The system of auction in Mincing Lane must with all its drawbacks - continue, but it is surely possible to extract some good from it. Let - agencies for such a combination as you propose be established in all - the large towns in Great Britain, and weekly auctions of packets of - Tea from 2 ounces to 5 lbs. or so be held in different parts of each - town, so that every day except Sunday there would be an auction going - on somewhere. Let the sales be _bonâ fide_ to the highest bidder - and for cash on the nail, and I will promise that before a year is - over, as high prices will be paid at these auctions as are at present - realised by Cooper and Cooper, whilst the demand would soon greatly - exceed the supply. - - If something of the same kind were done in the bazaars of India, the - taste which so decidedly exists among natives would develop rapidly. - - MATT. DREWS. - Calcutta, _January 4th, 1882_. - -I wrote the following remarks on the above to the same paper:-- - - - INDIAN TEA SALES AT HOME. - - _To the Editor “Statesman.”_ - - Sir,--Your article of Wednesday on the above, and a letter from Mr. - Drews in Thursday’s paper, have interested me much. As you truly say, - it is more than absurd that the public at home should pay 150 per - cent. for our Teas above the prices at which they are sold in Mincing - Lane, and that this tremendous profit, minus 6_d._ duty, should all - go into the hands of the retail dealer. Absurd as it is, it is still - a great fact, and the absurdity can only be increased in one way, and - that is, if we remain quiet, accept the position, and do nothing. - - That we ought to move, and move quickly, is very certain. How best to - act requires serious consideration, and ample discussion. - - You advocate a company or association to sell our Teas retail in all - the large towns in Great Britain, and advocate a subscription of - Rs. 10 per month by each garden in India, until the business could - support itself. Nothing _can_ be done unless we all subscribe a - small sum to set it going, and the amount you mention (Rs. 120 for - one year; the necessity would most assuredly last no longer) should - frighten no one, while, if done generally by the Indian gardens, it - would be ample. I would suggest, therefore, that we should begin the - matter as set out below. - - The following none of the very many interested in Tea can deny:-- - - 1. The large profits made on Indian Teas at home are not realised by - the producers, but by the retail dealers. - - 2. We can easily undersell the said retail dealers, to the tune of 50 - per cent. or more, and still work at a large profit. - - 3. If the retail dealers were so undersold, an enormous custom would - ensue to us, or rather the agents we employed. - - 4. If Indian Teas were procurable at a fair price all over Great - Britain, because Indian Tea is superior to China, because those who - have drunk Indian never revert to China, because thousands would then - taste our Teas for the first time, and continue their use--I say, - because of all this, little by little, the consumption would increase - in a ratio we do not dream of now. - - 5. The consumption so increased, we should necessarily, because - demand exceeded supply, get good prices at the public marts in - Calcutta and London, and in consequence thereof the value of all Tea - property in India would be greatly enhanced. - - I believe all the above would _certainly_ follow on a general - well-combined movement on our part; but let us take the worst view. - No one can deny that they _might_ do so. Would Rs. 120 be a large - stake from each garden for even the chance? Let us _begin_ thus: - Open a list in your office for the names of those gardens willing to - join. One year’s subscription, at Rs. 10 per month, should be the - limit from each garden. When enough names are collected to warrant - further movement, call a meeting in Calcutta, and let the next steps - be decided on, and in the interval--agitate; I will help to the best - of my power, and collect opinions from all sides. - - Open the list with the names of the three gardens I represent (as per - enclosure), equivalent at once to a subscription of Rs. 360. - - Now, as to the question--_how_ to do it? I give you my views, but let - them be criticised and discussed. We want to do it, and to do it the - best way. - - What I have been suggesting for months in the _Tea Gazette_, as - the best thing to do in India--_viz._, to sell Tea by auction in - convenient forms as to quantity for native consumption--is really - what I advise for England. I am quite at one with Mr. Drews on this - point. (I wish you would reprint his valuable letter above, and then - my allusions to it would be understood.) Retail shops and all they - would entail, _viz._, intricate supervision, rents, establishments, - and what not, necessitate details quite outside our legitimate - sphere as producers. No organisation we could devise would carry on - successfully two or three hundred shops at home. We (that is, the - company or the association) _could_ not efficiently superintend such - a complicated business, and we should be cheated right and left. But - let others, I say, do the work for us at their own risk, as follows:-- - - Sell Teas in whole, half, and quarter chests, in tins of 10, 5, and - 1 lbs., in packets of 8, 4, and 2 ounces once a week (the market - day) in country towns; daily, in different localities in London, - Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and such like cities--all by - auction to the highest bidder for _cash_, in lots which would suit - both retail dealers and retail purchasers. Never mind if there be a - loss at the commencement; the quantities sold, till we felt our way, - need not be large. - - What would be the result? Retail dealers would shortly sell as much - Indian as China Tea, _if they could get it_. Our Teas would go into - thousands of houses where it has never been tasted yet. The demand - would increase on all sides; prices in Mincing Lane, and consequently - in Calcutta, would rise, and no fear of a glutted market could then - exist. In two words, Indian Teas would, I believe, six months after - such operations were commenced, become the rage in England, and we, - the owners of Tea property, would add 50 per cent. to the value of - our estates. - - Is not even the _chance_ of all this worth an outlay of Rs. 120 for - each garden? I am proud to head the list with my Rs. 360, and I do - beg of all interested in Tea to follow my lead. - - In the plan I have sketched, like Mr. Drews, all the operations would - be simple. The necessary supervision would be small: the details - easily arranged. The Teas would of course be bought in the open - market in London and distributed for public auction to the different - localities. There might be some loss at first (it is for this the - capital is wanted), but if always sold to the highest bidder, there - would be none--nay, a handsome profit after a time; and though I do - _not_ think with Mr. Drews, nor should I wish, that the prices would - eventually equal Cooper and Cooper’s, I do think that the said firm - would soon find it useless to advertise their _cheapest_ Indian Tea - at 3 shillings a pound--Tea for which they certainly paid no more - than 13 pence! - - I may add that I quite agree with the last paragraph of Mr. Drews’ - letter; but a sale for India and a sale for England are two different - things, and I will not treat of both together. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - Western Dooars, _January 7, 1882_. - -Alas! in this case, like the one of supply of Tea to natives, nothing -practical came of it. A _very few_ gardens agreed to subscribe, and the -matter dropped. - -Of all the plans that have been mooted, this of Mr. Drews I believe to -be the best. I wish a small company in England would try to initiate -it. No greater boon, in my opinion, could be conferred on the Indian -Tea industry; and were such a Company, with good names, launched in -England, a large proportion of the shares would probably be taken in -India. A very moderate capital would suffice. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -TEA MACHINERY. - - -So much has it been extended and improved since the Third Edition was -published, I have much to say on this subject. - -I will divide it into two headings, “Tea Cultivation” and “Tea -Manufacture.” Of course the machines for the last far outnumber the -first, which are very few, but much of great importance to the industry -will find its place under the first heading-- - - -_Machinery and Implements for Tea Cultivation._ - -Formerly, with prices as they ruled, Tea paid under most circumstances. -It is _not_ so now. Unless Tea, and good Tea, can be made cheap it is -hopeless to look for profit from a Tea garden. To cultivate cheaply, -and efficiently, is therefore all important (far more important than -has hitherto been recognized), and assuredly the more machinery can -be made to take the place of hand labour, the sooner shall we attain -that end. On this point I need only observe that in most of the Tea -districts in India labour has to be imported at a great cost, varying -from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per coolie, and anything which would lessen this -want would materially help to success. - -The following, signed “Nil Desperandum,” appeared in the _Tea Gazette_ -in August, 1881. I quite agree with the writer and have myself often -expressed the same opinions:-- - - - PLOUGHING AND HOEING MACHINERY. - - Dear Sir,--On looking over your columns I have been surprised to - see the small attention paid to agricultural machinery: in fact, I - can’t find the subject mentioned, although one would imagine it was - as important if not more so than manufacturing machinery. Various - agricultural instruments, such as ploughs, &c., have, I know, been - tried in old times, and not with the best results to the bushes; but - there is no reason why, because the ordinary machines have failed, - that planters should be sunk in the belief that that costly article - the coolie must endure as long as Tea does.[94] - -I will now consider the cultivation implements I know of. - - * * * * * - -_Planting Pots._--These are made of clay, cow dung, and cut straw. They -are placed in the nurseries and the Tea seed planted in them. When the -seedlings are big enough to put out, pot and all is buried where the -Tea bush is to be. The pot being broken a little when placed in the -ground, the rain soon destroys it. The seedling _does not know_ it has -been transplanted, and the check of six weeks or more, experienced by -all transplants, is entirely avoided. I know not who invented the pots, -but the idea is an excellent one. - -_Jebens Transplanter._--This is an implement for lifting seedlings -without injuring the rootlets or disturbing the soil around them. It -is noticed at page 79 favourably: since that time (1878) it has been -used more or less in all Tea districts. I have seen many opinions both -for and against it. I believe the truth is it works very well in light -soil, and with smallish seedlings, but does not answer in hard soil or -with plants above 2-1/2 feet high. Where the soil and size of seedlings -are suitable, it certainly saves much of the check experienced -otherwise by transplants. - -I know of no other peculiar implements for Tea cultivation. - -The greatest expense connected with cultivation is, naturally, opening -the soil or digging; the spade is never used in India and would not -answer. Coolies dig with a kodali, a thing something like a spade, -with the handle set at right angles to the blade. Could we dispense -with this, and cultivate between the lines of Tea with ploughs of any -suitable pattern, whether worked by steam or animal power, an enormous -saving would be effected. I am sure the _whole_ space between two lines -of Tea can never be so done, round each and every bush the soil _must_ -be opened by hand; but the centre space, say about 2-1/2 to 3 feet, -could, I am convinced, be so worked, and I think it is only a question -of time when it will be so treated. - -The planting community are gradually appreciating the fact that -something _may_ be done in this way. The following appeared in the _Tea -Gazette_, end of 1881, _re_ ploughing by steam:-- - - - PLOUGHING _v._ HOEING. - - Dear Sir,--I am glad to see by the letter of a “Man in the Kundah” - that some managers have taken up the idea of ploughing instead of - hoeing. It is an idea which I have been dinning into the ears of Tea - planters ever since I saw a Tea garden. Mr. Lyell deserves credit, - and so will everyone who assists to introduce ploughing instead of - hoeing. The saving of labour would be immense. The gentlemen who are - interested in the subject will be glad to learn that I wrote home - last month to several leading agricultural machinery people asking - the fullest particulars as to _steam ploughing machinery_, with a - view to seeing how far suitable it would be for Tea cultivation. As - soon as all my information arrives, and I have thought the matter - out, I will give the planting community my opinion. I have, as far as - I am personally concerned, already formed it, and am confident that - at no very distant date the steam plough will supersede the _dhangar_ - or other hand labour. But of course I must make out a strong case for - it, or my opinions would be supposed to arise from a professional - predilection for machinery. - - F. - - Siligoorie, _27th November, 1882_. - -Again, “Nil Desperandum,” quoted above, continues:-- - - I enclose a report on Darby’s Digger from the _Times_ and _Pioneer_, - which shows that it is an instrument possessing the principle we - require in deep hoeing, _viz._, turning the earth completely over, - and bringing the subsoil to the surface, although of course far too - unwieldy, costly, and weighty to be used in Tea. It is, however, the - first step in the right direction, as it closely copies spade action; - and we may hope that before long a machine with that principle, and - capable of being worked in a Tea khet, will be brought out. For light - hoeing, last cold weather I procured from Messrs. Vipan and Headly, - Church Gate, Leicester, England, two expanding horse hoes, which I - worked all the hot weather, and which did their work admirably and - at a much cheaper rate than can be done by hand labour. Two of these - hoes hoe a 12-acre khet in six days up the lines of Tea and across - them, but to make a thorough job it is better to go over the work - again. The total cost of this:-- - - Planted 4′ × 4′ - { Pay of boy and man 12 days = 3 6 0 - For one hoe { Food of bullocks @ 4 as. per} - { diem, Barley @ 24 per Rupee } = 2 0 0 - ------- - Cost of light hoeing 12-acre khet = 5 6 0 - 2 - ------- - Against 10 12 0 - ======== - Nirrikh for 136 bildars, light hoeing, 240 spaces, - 4′ × 4′, per diem @ 0-2-9 each = 23 6 0 - ======== - Or a saving of more than 100 per cent. - - I gave one 12-acre khet four of these light hoeings during the hot - weather, which so thoroughly destroyed the grass seeds that, although - heavy rain has fallen here for the last month and a-half, the grass - in this khet is thin and not more than 6″ high, a fact which, to - those who know how the jungle springs up in cultivated ground in - the Doon when the rains set in, will be a sufficient proof of the - success of these instruments. The frame of the hoe is only 7″ high, - and when the blades are buried in the ground is only 4″, and as the - handle projects from the centre of the back of the hoe and not from - the sides, there is no danger of the bushes being injured. The hoe - will expand from 14″ to 20″ at back, and from 3″ to 7″ in front; - and as the standards of the blades are curved outwards, the hoe in - its greatest expansion cultivates a breadth of 27″ of ground. I - found that one bullock was too weak to drag a hoe, although a good - pony was quite equal to the work, so put in a pair of bullocks. The - bullocks and hoe take up between them three rows of Tea at once, the - bullocks on each outside row and the hoe in the centre one. A boy - walking up the centre row leads the bullocks, which are harnessed to - the hoe in the same manner as bullocks are harnessed to the country - ploughs, but with longer julas of course. These hoes are, I find, - useless during wet weather, as they clog dreadfully, but during hot - dry weather they are invaluable. What we now want is a machine that, - either by bullock, horse, or steam power, will do our deep hoeing as - well as the light hoe does the light hoeing. This is a matter which - I consider of vital interest to owners and shareholders, as, unless - in these days of very low prices we can reduce the cost of production - considerably, we cannot hope that Tea will pay a fair interest on the - money expended, and great length of time lost in getting up a garden. - - NIL DESPERANDUM. - -In the above, two bullocks to drag the plough or digger are evidently -contemplated. My experience is, that two draught cattle cannot be used, -simply because there is not room for them between the lines of Tea.[95] -If animal power is used, it must be a single bullock alone. How to -harness a single bullock to the plough is the question. A collar with a -hinge below, which allows it to open at top, may be put on from below, -and then the sides fastened together at the top. But I advise another -plan, which I have seen most successfully practised in Austria. The -traces, joining together, and thus becoming one behind the bullock, -are fastened to the horns, and tightly connected with a leather pad -across the animal’s forehead. The bullock thus pulls by his head, and -I am sure he can pull in no more efficient or easier way to himself. -Bullocks in pairs, or singly, are thus harnessed for plough work in -Austria, and I have seen single animals dragging ploughs of much -greater weight and power than we should require in our Tea gardens. - -Given a proper plough, and I feel sure a large strong bullock thus -harnessed would be successful. - -A really good Tea garden plough has yet to be invented. All that is -necessary is to give some agricultural machinists here at home the -conditions necessary for success, and I predict what we want would be -soon forthcoming. I will myself try to do so, let others do the same; -one of us is sure to succeed. - -I give all these extracts to show that many think as I do. - -Cultivation with ploughs of any kind can never be feasible except on -flat land. The hill gardens in India must in no case hope to introduce -it; but I sincerely trust the planters in India who own level gardens -will not rest till they have solved the problem, and that Messrs. -Kinmond, Jackson, and other inventors of Tea machinery will give their -valuable aid. The following two letters from the _Tea Gazette_ show the -difficulties to be encountered in steam cultivation:-- - - - STEAM CULTIVATION FOR TEA. - - Sir,--As promised in your last issue, I now write to say that I have - received from England the catalogues and price lists of Messrs. - Howard, of Bedford, Messrs. Barford and Perkins, and other makers - of steam ploughing machinery. Messrs. Howard seem to think that - the greatest difficulty would be in lifting the return rope over - the bushes. This would be certainly a difficulty, but the idea of - steam cultivation for Tea is so valuable that it is well worth - while thinking this out. I will in your first issue for January - give a _resumé_ of all the information gleaned from the illustrated - catalogues and the letters from the engineers at home on the subject - of steam ploughing, and will then be glad to co-operate with any - gentlemen interested in Tea by giving my professional opinion and - assistance without fee in endeavouring to solve this matter. I - trust, should I ever have to write another series of articles on - Tea machinery for the _Tea Gazette_, the steam plough may figure as - one of the machines which I will have to describe as in use on Tea - gardens. - - Meanwhile the principal difficulty in the way seems to be the - shifting of the long wire pulling rope over the row of bushes. Let - those interested in the subject try to devise a speedy and economical - method of doing this.--Yours, &c., - - C. B. FERGUS, C.E. - - Siligori, _17th December, 1882_. - - - AS TO STEAM-PLOUGHING ON TEA GARDENS. - - Sir,--As promised, I give you a letter regarding the question as - to whether steam-ploughing could be wholly or partially introduced - as a substitute for manual labour in Tea gardens. I have been in - communication with several of the leading makers of steam-ploughing - machinery in England, but notably with Messrs. Howard, of Bedford, - and Messrs. Barford and Perkins, of Peterborough. These gentlemen - forwarded me their illustrated catalogues in duplicate, one set of - which I sent to you. - - The first question that ensues in regard to the subject is, “Would it - pay, even if found feasible?” - - In Assam, Cachar, Sylhet and other places, where labour is scarce, - it is probable that the introduction of steam cultivation would be a - great boon to the Tea planter. The first cost of a steam-ploughing - apparatus with ropes, plough, and everything complete as in use in - England on what is called the “single system,” that is, working - with only one engine, is about £950. This is heavy, but as a much - lighter cultivator would be used for Tea, I think the cost might - be reduced to £800--say Rs. 10,000 on the garden. Under moderately - favourable circumstances the machinery, making all allowances for - native attendants, and the usual difficulties we have to encounter - in India through their laziness and stupidity, should cultivate 800 - to 1,000 acres per month of twenty working days. The remaining ten - days might be occupied in the rains by taking the engine and gear - from place to place where it might be required; for, as the expense - of a steam-ploughing engine and apparatus would be too much for any - concern, except a very large one, to bear, I suggest that two, three, - or four gardens unite and purchase one. There need be no clashing - or quarrelling about terms at the end of the season: each should - pay his share of the cost of fuel, up-keep, wages, &c., according - to the number of days it was on each garden. It would thus be to - the interest of each manager to forward it on to the man whose turn - was next, without delay. Remember, please, that in saying that it - would cultivate so many acres in such a time, I mean that it would - cultivate two ways--that is up and down and across. There would - remain a little hand-hoeing, &c., round the inner part of the roots - of the bushes, but not much, as the cultivator I would design would - go partly underneath the laterals and still not hurt the roots, the - outer lines being much shorter than the inner ones. - - Now it is a simple matter to calculate, according to the rates of - the district in which the reader may be, the comparative cost of - cultivating 1,000 acres of Tea by hand and by the steam-plough. The - plough would be worked for Tea by an 8-H. P. portable engine of - any maker’s manufacture. Wages for one engineman, one cooly to cut - wood, possibly one pair bullocks and cart-driver to bring barrels - of water, two coolies to shift the anchors, and two more to assist - them (possibly) in shifting the rope, added to the cost of fuel, and - 15 per cent. per annum added for repairs and deterioration, seems - to be the cost of working. This would be lessened by the rope and - anchor-men and the woodcutter on the days when the plough was not at - work. Add, however, the cost of elephants or bullocks to take the - engine, &c., from garden to garden, and I think it will be found - that the saving in expense would be very great on the side of the - steam-plough as regards cooly labour. - - Now, as to the feasibility of the scheme. It is difficult, without - the aid of plates, to describe how steam-ploughing is done. The - engine remains stationary at one corner of the field. Near it is a - large double windlass, which, when the cultivator is at work, winds - up the dragging rope with one barrel of the windlass, whilst from - the other the rope is uncoiling, which will drag the plough down the - next furrow. When the plough comes to the end of the furrow, two - men, one at each end of the rope, shift the anchors, on which are - the pulleys round which the rope runs: one furrow breadth forward - the plough is double, one set of coulters and shears being at work, - while the other set is tilted up in the air by the weight of a man - who sits on and guides the plough. When the plough is to return it is - not turned round, but the man simply tilts up into the air the set - of ploughs that have done their work, and brings down the others. Of - course ploughs like this would not do for Tea: a special cultivator - would be needed. At the end of the furrow the motion of the windlass - is reversed, and the drag rope becomes in its turn the following - rope. In England there is an ingenious mechanical contrivance for - shifting the anchors, which does away with two men, as it works - automatically. Now the greatest difficulty in the whole matter, will - be best explained to the reader in Messrs. Howard’s own language in - their letter to me. They say:-- - - “The obstacle to the use of steam-ploughs through rows of bushes or - trees is the practical difficulty of bringing the slack or following - rope into position for following the implement back on its return - journey. The rope cannot be lifted over the intervening row of - bushes, and to employ draught animals to take the rope up the next - alley between the bushes would add to the expense of the work, and - would impede it.” They continue: “If it is important that the land be - broken up to a depth of 9 inches, and the obstacles to effecting this - by animal power are practically insuperable, the steam plough worked - on the single system, with animals to convey the slack from end to - end of the land, would probably be the most effectual and economical - method of working.” - - Now if this difficulty could be overcome (and I confess it is a - rather formidable one), I quite believe that on fairly straight land, - even if somewhat sloping, with straight rows of bushes, and the land - clear of stumps, steam cultivation would be easy. On hill gardens, - or gardens where the Tea is irregularly planted, on ground much - traversed by nullahs or having stumps left in, the steam cultivator - could not work. There may be some method of lifting the rope over - the bushes. Coolies might be stationed at intervals along the row, - and with the aid of a very light block and tackle might hoist long - bights of the rope high enough to clear the bushes. The block and - tackle would be fastened to the top of a light pole. One man would - hold the pole while the other hove up, and (the pole being midway - between the two rows) might incline it over till above the next row - and then lower away. A strong 10 ft. bamboo, a pair of light wooden - blocks, and an inch and a half Manilla rope, would be all that would - be requisite. Other projects for effecting this may strike some of - your readers, and what I want is, that those who may think the idea - of steam-ploughing of any value should co-operate together to work it - out in a practical form: I will give every assistance in my power. - - We can scarcely hope, in the present depressed state of the Tea - market, that proprietors will club together to subscribe to bring - out a set of steam cultivating apparatus in order to institute - experiments on the subject. Should 1883 bring better times, - something of the sort might be done, and it is as well to have the - matter well thought out and discussed beforehand, so that should a - series of experiments take place, people would be prepared for any - contingencies which might arise, and perhaps be better prepared to - overcome these difficulties through the matter having been previously - well discussed. - - It is now the season for opening out Tea gardens, and one piece of - advice I would give to planters--that is this. It is quite possible - that steam ploughing for Tea cultivation is a thing of the future, - or may be nearer than you imagine: therefore be careful to have your - lines of Tea very straight, both along and across, so that there - would be no obstacle to the plough or cultivator working. If you - object to the expense of taking out stumps, they may remain in, as - they could be taken out afterwards. - - I trust your readers, Mr. Editor, will not view this subject with - indifference, but will co-operate in endeavouring to solve the - problem.--I am yours faithfully, - - “TEA MACHINERY.” - -Though the signatures differ, I conceive Mr. C. B. Fergus, C.E., wrote -the second as well as the first. He has evidently pondered the matter -well. Let others do so too, and I foretell that the day is not far -distant when _flat_ Tea gardens will, in a great measure, be cultivated -by steam or animal power. When this is so, even 8 annas (say 10_d._) -per lb. for our Tea all round should pay us well. - - -_Tea Manufacturing Machinery._ - -The processes in Tea manufacture, as generally practised in India -to-day, are-- - - 1. Plucking. - 2. Withering. - 3. Sorting green leaf in a measure, and separation of Pekoe Tips. - 4. Rolling. - 5. Fermenting. - 6. Drying or firing. - 7. Sorting. - 8. Final heating before packing. - -No. 3 is not always done, the others invariably. - -I will consider the machines invented for each process, in the order of -the said processes. - -_Plucking._--No machine has ever been invented for this, and I do not -think any is possible. - -_Withering._--In any but continued wet weather no artificial means are -necessary. The leaf, spread thinly and exposed to the action of the -air below and around (former attained by any kind of mesh), withers -perfectly.[96] In continued wet weather artificial means are sometimes -required. The various Dryers in use (see further on) are sometimes -supposed to furnish the means, but their use necessitates much labour, -nor is the result satisfactory. A good withering machine (it must be -on a large scale) might, I think, be easily invented; there is none at -present. Why do none of the inventors of other Tea machinery try to -succeed in this? - -_Sorting Green Leaf._--This is sometimes attempted in a rough way by -the use of sieves of different meshes. To separate the fine from the -coarse leaf, and in some cases to eliminate the Pekoe tips, is the -object. A machine by John Greig and Co., of Edinburgh, professes to do -the latter. I have never seen it, but I doubt any machine abstracting -the Pekoe tips alone. A machine which would, however, separate the fine -from the coarse leaf previous to rolling is, I think, quite feasible, -and it would conduce much to good Tea. This, again, is an opening for -inventors. - -_Rolling._--This is perhaps the most important of all processes in Tea -manufacture. The object of it is to break the cells in the Tea and -liberate the sap (fermentation could not take place otherwise), and -further to give a tight roll or twist to the leaf. Formerly this was -always done by hand (it is so done in China, I believe, to this day), -but the process was lengthy, expensive and dirty. I might perhaps add -inefficient, for doubtless machine-rolled Tea is better done (better in -appearance, better in liquor) than hand-rolled. - -I will now consider-- - - -_Tea Rolling Machines._ - -The inventors are Jackson, Kinmond, Haworth, Lyle, Greig and Thompson. -There may be others, but I have not heard of them. - -_Jackson_ has invented five machines. The details of each, how much -each can do, the testimonials regarding them, &c., would fill many -pages. All can be seen in the illustrated catalogue he supplies, so -I will only offer a few general remarks. All planters know Jackson’s -rollers, and they are held in high estimation. His last invention (if -I mistake not) is the Rotary Tea Roller, which is on quite a different -principle to the others. It consists of an elongated revolving barrel -or cylinder, with a polygonal _internal_ surface, and a roller with a -fluted _external_ surface, mounted within the said barrel its whole -length. These revolve in opposite directions (the roller the quicker) -and the leaf is rolled in the annulus between. It is not yet known -what the success of this last invention will be. Not so with his -Cross-action and Excelsior Rollers. These are first-rate machines, and -all who have tried speak well of them. - -_Kinmond_ invented the first Tea roller (see page 117), many years ago. -Many improvements resulted, eventually, in his “Improved Double Action -Tea Roller,” which is a very good machine and has given satisfaction to -the many who have used it. From all I have heard and seen, however, -I doubt if, take it all in all, it is equal to Jackson’s Cross Action -Excelsior. Kinmond, some two years ago, invented a “Centrifugal -Roller.” It was made in two sizes. The smaller seems to have done well, -not so the larger; one of the latter on the Phoolbarry garden (in which -I am interested) has proved a failure. But Mr. Kinmond has quite lately -materially altered the said Centrifugal machines, and is confident -that they _will_ do well. He is now leaving for India with one, and -anticipates good results. - -Tea machinery is still so much in its infancy that the best machines -are likely to be improved upon, and perhaps superseded by others, but -as things are now, I think, though some do not agree with me, that -Jackson has carried off the palm in rollers. - -The following two letters on rollers appeared in the _Tea Gazette_, and -are well worth attention:-- - - - KINMOND’S IMPROVED PATENT DOUBLE ACTION TEA ROLLING MACHINE. - - Sir,--You have so repeatedly asked planters to supply you with - information regarding “Tea machinery” that it is a matter of surprise - to me you have not been flooded with letters on the subject. I know - very little about Tea machinery, as I am not an engineer, but I - gladly contribute my quota of knowledge on the subject. I have been - rolling leaf for some time past in one of Kinmond’s old machines, - styled his “Improved Patent Double Action Tea Rolling Machine.” A - machine for _fine_ leaf I do not believe there is in existence. - I have seen several machines at work on different factories, and - I should say for _fine_ leaf this machine of Kinmond’s cannot be - beat.[97] A few improvements could no doubt be made, and I feel sure - Mr. Kinmond himself is aware of this, and is quite competent to - make them. I have seen Mr. Kinmond’s “Compound Action Centrifugal” - at work. I do not consider it a success. It certainly cannot hold - a candle to his “Patent Double Action.” I would strongly recommend - Mr. Kinmond to improve the latter, and forego the former, unless he - can make some very material alterations to it. The roll from the - “Centrifugal” comes out hot and flat, whereas that from his “Patent - Double Action” is turned out not only perfectly cool, but has a - perfect twist.[98] For _coarse_ leaf, Jackson’s “Excelsior” is a - splendid machine. I should say a factory could not want two better - machines than one of Kinmond’s “Patent Double Action” and one of - Jackson’s “Excelsior” Rollers--the former for _fine_, the latter for - _coarse_ leaf. Will some of my brother planters kindly give their - experience, and thus further enlighten an anxious - - ENQUIRER. - - - TEA ROLLING MACHINERY. - - Dear Sir,--I will be glad if some of your numerous readers will - kindly furnish results of trials, or of experience, of Kinmond’s - Compound Action Centrifugal Tea Rolling Machine. I have tried it - repeatedly, and find it not only heats the green leaf a great deal - too much, but in addition cuts, I may say into mincemeat, about 5% - of the leaf in the process of rolling. I am not an engineer, and - therefore cannot state for certain where the fault lies, but I fancy - the ribs of the two revolving plates are somewhat at fault. If they - were broader and bolder, the machine might, perhaps, be a better - success. The green leaf does not come out sufficiently rolled. The - major portion of the roll is too flat. Perhaps Mr. Kinmond will - kindly help by giving a hint or two to a perplexed Tea-house - - “ASSISTANT.” - -_Haworth’s Roller._--This machine was invented long ago. The leaf is -placed in bags and so rolled. In some respects the machine resembles -a mangle. It has not been largely used, and thus is not much known. -I have no personal experience of its worth, but have heard much of -it from an old friend of mine, Mr. Carter, of the Chandpore Tea -Estate, Chittagong. He has, I believe, had one from the first on his -plantation, and thinks very well of it. Mr. Carter is a first-rate -judge on all Tea matters. He conducted some experiments to test the -value of Tea rolled by Jackson’s and Haworth’s Rollers, and did it with -great care, that the quality of leaf, the withering, the drying, all -but the two modes of rolling should be _exactly_ the same. The samples -were then sent to Calcutta and valued. Results as below:-- - - Messrs. Carritt and Co.’s report on the samples is dated Calcutta, - 29th October, 1881, _viz._:-- - - Chandpore leaf rolled by Haworth’s machine:--Large irregular open - unassorted leaf, brisk, fair flavour, little strong--Re. 0-9-9. - - Chandpore leaf rolled by Jackson’s machine:--Leaf preferable, closer - rolled, liquor inferior, not very strong--Re. 0-9-0. - - Sungoo leaf rolled by Haworth’s machine:--Rather large irregular - loosely twisted unassorted leaf, flavoury, little brisk--Re. 0-9-3. - - Sungoo leaf rolled by Jackson’s machine:--Leaf little preferable, - liquor inferior, wanting briskness--Re. 0-8-9. - -By above it appears Haworth’s gave better liquor, and Jackson’s the -best Tea in appearance. From all I have heard I think it likely -Haworth’s roller has not received the attention it deserves. - -_Lyle’s Roller._--I have never seen this. From the drawing before me -it has no resemblance to other rollers. The inventor claims for it -simplicity, cheapness, strength, durability, good rolling, and large -outturn with a minimum of labour. One testimonial I have seen speaks -very highly of its capabilities. - -_Greig’s Roller._--This I have not seen or heard of. I can only give -the description sent me by the inventor:-- - - The Greig Link and Lever Tea Rolling Machine, worked by one man, - and suitable for rolling the finest nibs without breaking them, or - to crush the coarsest leaf into broken black at will. It can roll - a large or small quantity equally well. Price £70, delivered in - Edinburgh. Small size suitable for cattle gear, £45. Cattle gear, - £20, delivered in Edinburgh. - - The Calcutta Agent of the Luckea Moung Lung Tea Estate, Sonada, - Darjeeling, in sending remittance for a large size machine which has - been working there all the past season, says: “I am informed the - machine does its work in a most satisfactory manner, rolling better - than by hand: I am pleased to have to state this.” - -_Thompson’s Challenge Roller._--This (quite lately invented) though -given last is likely, by all I hear, to stand well among rollers. -I have no drawing or description of it, but _why_ I think well of -it is that a Tea engineer, Mr. Ansell, of Kurseong, who thoroughly -understands Tea machinery, thinks so highly of the machine that he -has recommended its purchase by the Phoolbarry Tea Company. I have -every faith in Mr. Ansell’s judgment, and feel confident therefore the -machine must be a good one. One feature and advantage claimed for it -is, “free contact of the leaf throughout the roll with the outer air.” - -I may conclude my remarks on rollers with a quaint letter (from _Tea -Gazette_) by a native. If he can judge of Tea machinery as well as he -can write English his opinion is worth preserving:-- - - - TEA ROLLING MACHINERY. - - Dear Sir--On the subject of Tea-leaf rolling machinery, the (to all - appearance) strangely opposite results I have obtained from machines - of the same make have led me to the following conclusions, viz.:-- - - 1. All “genuses” of machines are equally good. - - 2. There are hardly two “species” of the same genus which give - similar results. - - 3. Changing the “fixings” of a machine makes all the difference in - the world. - - _Ergo_ a good mechanic will have a good machine whether he patronize - Jackson, Kinmond, Haworth, or any other inventor. - - I think with your correspondent “A Voice from Assam” that the machine - that gives the roll quickly, and in a continuous supply, is the best. - - I would defy any man to prove that any _inventor_ has it “all his own - way,” for I certainly have not found it so in my experience. - - Yours truly, - KOL MISTRY. - -Before going to press I received drawing and description of “Thompson’s -Challenge Roller.” It is impossible to judge of its merits by the -drawing, but some very strong testimonials are appended--one much in -its favour from Mr. Ansell, the Tea engineer above mentioned. By the -testimonials (more than one from men I know) the following advantages -appear to have been obtained:-- - - “Balling” of the leaf is avoided. - The tips are kept quite bright. - Heating prevented. - Simplicity of “feed” and “discharge.” - One attendant, a minimum of motive power, and low priced. - A good twist attained. - Simplicity in the machine, and ease of transport and erection. - -_If_ all the above are facts, I quite think the “Challenge” will prove -a great success. - - * * * * * - -The following, written by me to the _Tea Gazette_, may be worth the -attention of Tea-rolling machine inventors:-- - - - SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE DRUMS AND THE FACES OF THE ROLLERS IN - TEA ROLLING MACHINERY. - - Sir,--The following idea, suggested to me by a planter up here, - may be practicable or not, but in any case it is worth letting the - patentees of Tea-rolling machines know it. - - In days gone by when iron worked in contact with iron on the faces of - rollers the colour of the outturn (that is the infused Tea leaves) - was quite destroyed. That is now remedied, but there is still an evil - of less importance. The wood on the said faces of the rollers absorbs - the sap of the leaf, and unless they are washed very clean, the said - old sap is apt to contaminate, more or less, the new leaf. Could not - this be rectified by making the faces of the rollers of porcelain or - iron (like camp crockery) and the drums of opaque coarse glass? Both - these, if they would stand, could easily be washed quite clean. - - I give the idea, given to me, for what it is worth, and would invite - the opinion of other planters on it. - - EDWARD MONEY. - - Darjeeling, _November 10th, 1880_. - -_Fermenting_ is the next process in the list. After the leaf is rolled -it is put together; some make it up in truncated balls, some put it -in baskets, but in either case it is allowed to stand until a given -amount of fermentation has set in. This is done in the warm atmosphere -of the factory. Naturally no machine is required for this process; -but shelves, at varying height from the factory floor, are useful to -regulate the fermentation, inasmuch as the higher the shelf the warmer -the air, and warmth hastens the process. This plan of shelves was -devised by Mr. J. Fleming, at the Phoolbarry Garden, and it seemed to -me to answer well. - -_Drying_ or _Firing_ comes next. Up to this point the leaf is of a -brownish green colour, and soft. After the drying it is black and -crisp, in fact, made Tea. By the drying process all the moisture in -the mass is driven off. For many years charcoal only was used to fire -Tea, and it was an established belief that _the fumes_ given out by -the said charcoal had some chemical effect on the Tea--in fact, that -good Tea could not be made without it. When, twelve years ago, I -published the First Edition of this Essay, I had begun to doubt the -soundness of the above belief, and four years later I had thoroughly -satisfied myself of its fallacy. It was not, however, till 1877-78 that -I devised _a means_ of firing Teas without charcoal. The invention -was well received, and thought well of. At all events, it _proved_ -what I had long urged--viz., that any fuel, if contact with the smoke -was avoided, would dry Tea. My invention was a very crude one, and -quickly superseded by far more perfect designs; still I have the -satisfaction of knowing that on this head I have done much to perfect -Tea manufacture, and that the conviction I had attained to in 1874 is -now general and practised throughout India. (Pages 119-121, 295, to end -of Addenda, bear out the above remarks.) - -I will now consider the various - - -_Tea-Drying Machines_. - -_Robertson’s Typhoon._--This is a late invention: it was noticed in the -_Tea Gazette_ in 1881. It had, however, made a great noise at end of -1880, and so well was it spoken of, many, in the early part of 1881, -purchased it. The following was the report as to its merits (_Tea -Gazette_, September, 1881):-- - - - ROBERTSON’S TYPHOON. - - Mr. J. M. Robertson, manager of the Arcuttipore Tea Company’s - Gardens, has invented a new Tea-drying apparatus which he has named - the “Typhoon.” A number of the planters of his district met at his - garden, by invitation, to test the merits of his machine. We quote - the verdict recorded by them in their own words, and also append the - brokers’ report on the Teas which were manufactured in their presence - during the trial. - - The “Typhoon” is a simple and inexpensive construction of brick - and iron, which can be erected without skilled labour. The heating - material used is coke, and the quantity of coke required for a maund - of Tea is stated to be one quarter of a maund. - - The out-turn from the “Typhoon” we found to be at the rate of one - half maund of thoroughly dried Tea per hour, and the manner in which - the work was done was to our entire satisfaction, some of us thinking - that the apparatus was capable of doing more. - - The inventor leads us to understand that the entire cost of - construction and material will not be over Rs. 300, and we do not see - that this sum need be exceeded. - - We are unanimously of opinion that unless the dryers at present in - use are very materially reduced in price, they will be beaten off the - field by the “Typhoon.” - - Messrs. William Moran & Co.’s report on the Teas is as follows:-- - - Typhoon Teas. London Cal. Equi. - value. Ex. 1-8-1/2. - Pekoe, very well made leaf, with ends, good - brisk flavour 1 10 14 - Orange Pekoe, very well twisted leaf, good - amount of tip, very good brisk flavour 2 0 15-1/4 - Br. Pekoe, leafy black Br. Pekoe, some - ends strong 2 1 1 - Pekoe Souchong, well twisted leaf, some ends - good flavour 1 3 9 - Souchong, small good even grey leaf, brisk 1 1 7-1/2 - - The above are very desirable Teas as regards leaf and liquor. - - The following are some of the chief features and advantages of this - machine: - - 1. The low cost. - - 2. Durability, there being nothing except the trays that can suffer - from wear and tear. - - 3. The small quantity of fuel required--about 1/4 maund of coke for - kutcha firing 1 maund of Tea. - - 4. Ease in stoking, the furnace not requiring attention oftener than - once every one and a-half to two hours. - - 5. Absolute and immediate control over the temperature, which can be - raised or lowered instantaneously. - - 6. No “getting up heat” required. In fifteen minutes after beginning - to light the fire the apparatus is ready for work. - - 7. Requires no troublesome cleaning out. - - 8. Quantity. The apparatus is capable of drying at least 40 lbs. an - hour, and has frequently dried over 50 lbs. - - 9. Quality of Tea is equal to that obtained by any process hitherto - introduced. - -Of course all the above was very favourable, and its low price gained -it many purchasers. I think, as a _first_ success, it beat any machine -yet invented. But, alas! its fall was sudden as its rise, for, judging -from several letters in the _Tea Gazette_, the purchasers were not -satisfied with its capabilities, and I doubt consequently if it is now -manufactured; still I may be wrong. - -_Allen’s Tea Drying Apparatus._--I have never seen this, and have not -heard much about it. Advantages claimed for it are--1. Quick drying. -2. Coke can be used as a drying agent, 10 seers to one maund of Tea. -3. Only manual labour required. 4. Not necessary to turn the Tea. 5. -Perfect control over temperature. I have three testimonials to its -merits before me, one from an engineer, and all three speak highly of -it. - -The following letter from the inventor to the _Tea Gazette_ gives -further information:-- - - - ALLEN’S PATENT DRYING MACHINE. - - Dear Sir,--Some time back your valuable paper contained a description - and rough drawing of my Patent Drying Machine. I now beg to say that - the machine is in the market. - - I will simply state here that it can dry one maund of Tea per hour, - or about equivalent to four maunds of leaf. - - It cannot burn the Tea as in other machines, yet it thoroughly dries - it at one fill of the machine. - - It takes half a maund of Tea at each fill, and every leaf of this is - done in exactly the same time; no turning over, changing of trays, or - further looking after the Tea, after the roll has been placed in the - machine on the trays. - - Temperature can be lowered from 300° to 100° in two or three seconds, - and run up again in five to seven minutes. - - It will burn any fuel. Fireplace 2-1/2′ × 3′, when kept regularly - three quarters full of firewood or coal about 6 to 8 inches thick, - while machine is drying, will suffice (half a maund of fuel to a - maund of Tea should be ample). The appearance and fine flavour of - Tea dried in this machine by fan beats charcoal; no gloss is lost on - the Tea from shaking up and turning over, and the Tea is black, with - glossy appearance and good flavour. - - The following are valuation and reports on this machine’s dried Tea, - by Messrs. William Moran and Co., to whom some of bulk or rough Tea - was sent.--Yours, &c., - - J. C. ALLEN. - -I omitted to extract the broker’s reports, but they were favourable. -I think it likely this Dryer is well suited to small gardens, which -cannot afford steam motive power. - -_Davidson’s Sirocco._--Many of these, over 200, have been set up in all -the Tea districts; it has done good work in its time: had it not done -so it would not so long (some years) have commanded attention. When it -came out it was, I think, the best machine going. I doubt much that -being the case now. It requires no motive power, and is thus, in that -respect, cheap to work. The following letter to the _Tea Gazette_ in -many respects embodies my views of the machine:-- - - - THE SIROCCO. - - Dear Sir,--As both sides of a question, _viz._ for and against, - should be stated before the public for their judgment, I think I - may say that, as far as we have seen _in print_, the “Sirocco” is a - “first rate Tea-drying machine.” I beg to state that _all_ does not - appear in print, though what does appear there may be quite true, - and quite right too for the seller to get as many sales of it as he - can, for who would be such an ass as to cry down his own invention - or anything else he wished to profit by. The “Sirocco,” as I have - seen (and I have seen over ten, and amongst them the latest improved - ones), does not thoroughly fire off the Tea without burning it: the - Tea must be taken out of the machine when three parts fired, and - allowed to cool, when its own heat, and the fact of it being gathered - in one place, give sufficient heat to finish the kutcha firing, but - pucka batti is required after that. Again, the advertisement would - lead one to suppose that the drying is effected by means of the - draught of hot air entirely: now if this were the case, when the - fires are first lighted in the machine, the hot air would at once - be of sufficient heat to dry Tea; but this is not the case, for the - whole iron work, in fact, the whole apparatus, iron work, &c., has - to be heated up by fire, and when a little off red hot, the Tea is - put in and fired. I do not mean to say that hot air does not ascend - through the Tea, but I contend that the heat of the iron has more - to do with the drying; there is no detriment to the Tea, I feel - convinced, whether it is dried by hot iron or hot air, but there is a - very considerable detriment to the machine. Let purchasers ask any - engineer, or even blacksmith, how quickly iron burns away, and he can - tell them. - - Up to date no doubt the “Sirocco” has seen its run: over 200 are - advertised as in use, but it is now beaten by two machines which - have come out lately, and which beat the “Sirocco” entirely as to - quantity dried and simplicity of working, and for durability should - last any time by careful looking after. One is Robertson’s, which is - firebrick, and the other Allen’s; both these machines for durability - cannot be surpassed: the difference in results between the two is, - that one dries every tray of Tea in the same time without turning - over, and the other requires to have the Tea turned over and the - trays changed, &c., as in the “Sirocco.” - - The “Sirocco,” no doubt, was a good Tea-drying machine in its time, - and the inventor deserves the greatest credit for it, but it has been - improved upon, as is always inevitably the case in machinery. - - I trust no offence will be taken by the “Sirocco” inventor, as such - is not intended. Any answer of his will be gladly read. - - Cachar. Yours faithfully, PUCKA TEA. - -There may have been an answer, but I did not see it. - -_Gibbs and Barry’s Tea Dryer._--This machine has been lately invented. -I saw it when not as complete as it is now. I have tried to get -details, but failed. It must have merit, however, for though a late -machine, some thirty-six are now in operation; I heard one good judge -speak very well of it. More are, I hear, being despatched to India. No -trays are used with this Dryer. - -_Shand’s Dryer._--This hails from Ceylon. Steam for drying Tea is not -quite a new idea. I saw an apparatus to use steam in Cachar years ago. -The great advantage claimed for this Dryer is that Tea cannot be burnt. -It is quite a new invention. This, from the _Tea Gazette_, describes -it:-- - - - A NEW TEA DRYER. - - A gentleman in Colombo, Ceylon, a Mr. C. Shand, as we mentioned in - our last, has invented a new patent Tea Dryer. The following is a - description of his invention:-- - - The barbacue-shaped steam-heated Tea Dryer is the cheapest, most - economical and safest drying machine. - - As this machine can be made any length and width, the quantity of - leaf which can be manufactured is only limited by the extent of - drying surface. One, 5 feet wide, and 15 feet long, will admit of - about forty pounds of Tea being spread as thinly as on Sirocco trays, - and, if heated to 150° Fahrenheit, would dry a maund per hour. The - steam for heating thin galvanized iron drying surface is generated in - the space (3 inches) between it and the thin boiler plate bottom. - - The machine, which is made steam-tight, is partially filled with - water, and placed on a fire stove. It is evident that a comparatively - small quantity of fuel will generate sufficient steam to heat a large - surface, especially if the smoke flue is placed under the whole - length of the machine. - - As it is impossible to fire-burn the Tea, dried by the steam-heated - Dryer, the enormous advantage of being independent of the care and - judgment of coolies, and of the necessity of uninterrupted European - supervision, is too evident to require comment. - - Then comes the figure of the Dryer with the following note:-- - - “Barbacue-shaped Tea Dryer.--The far end should be slightly higher - than that over the fire, to allow the space over it to be full of - water. - - An apparatus for escape of steam and supplying water is inserted in - the end plate covering the boiler.” - - The _Ceylon Observer_, referring to the above, asks the following - questions:-- - - Is it really impossible by means of steam to over-heat, though we may - not, indeed cannot, “fire-burn” Tea? And when a boiler is employed - to generate steam, do we become quite independent of the care and - judgment of coolies, and avoid the necessity of uninterrupted - European supervision? Will not a thermometer be necessary to indicate - the proper degree of heat, will it not require close watching, and - will there not be danger of the boiler exploding if neglected? The - danger may be reduced to a minimum, but we should be glad of proof - that it cannot exist. - - Mr. Shand in reply writes--With reference to your remarks and queries - regarding my Tea-drying machine, will you allow me to mention that, - as it is not intended to sustain any pressure of steam, the drying - surface cannot easily be heated over 150 degrees. - - As a matter of course, the Tea takes a longer time to dry than when - made by Siroccos, in which the temperature is maintained at 275 - degrees, but the extent of drying surface available makes this a - matter of secondary importance. - - I did not mean that no care or attention is required to keep up - fire and supply boiling water periodically from a cistern placed - over the flue; but you can understand that the same care, judgment - and observation is not required to dry Tea at a comparatively low - temperature as at a very high one: for instance, it does not injure - coffee to allow it to remain on the barbacue after it is thoroughly - dry; but put it in a roaster, and what care and judgment is not - required to perfect the roasting! - - No doubt, by the use of Siroccos and other modern appliances, - the risk of fire-burning is now greatly diminished, but these - still require great care in shifting the trays and watching the - thermometer. This constant watching is obviated by the use of my - machine, and all the superintendent has to do is to feel when the Tea - becomes crisp and dry. He has the security that, if this is neglected - to be done at the moment it is sufficiently dry, no injury takes - place by its remaining on the heated surface. - - The machine is especially adapted for redrying Tea before packing, - this being an operation carried on at a low temperature, and - requiring a good deal of care. - - There are, it is well known, two difficulties connected with the - proper manufacture of Tea, requiring at present the constant - supervision of the superintendent: these are fermentation and - firing. If the necessity of closely watching the latter can be - dispensed with, it gives the superintendents more time to direct - the fermentation, on which the colour of the infused leaf, and - consequently the value, so greatly depends. - -I have now considered all the Dryers I know of except Kinmond’s and -Jackson’s. I have purposely left these to the last. While in the case -of Rollers I thought Jackson had done best, in Dryers I most decidedly -award the first place to Kinmond. - -_Jackson’s Dryer._--A long and exhaustive report upon it from Mr. -Carter, of the Chandpore Garden, Chittagong, appears in the _Tea -Gazette_, November 7, 1881. It is too long to insert here. No one can -read it and doubt that the trials were most carefully conducted, and -without bias of any kind. The results are not in favour of the machine. -Moreover, were Jackson’s Dryers a real success I should have been aware -of the fact long ago. I incline to the belief Mr. Jackson thinks he -can do better, for he has lately brought out a Self-acting Tea Dryer -regarding which the following appeared in the _Tea Gazette_:-- - - - JACKSON’S NEW SELF-ACTING TEA DRYER. - - Messrs. W. and J. Jackson have invented a new apparatus that will - deal with the Tea itself throughout the drying process, and thus, - they submit, secure a perfection in the dessication of the leaf not - hitherto obtained. The objects arrived at by the new invention are as - follows:-- - - 1.--After the leaf is fed into the machine it requires no more - attention until it is discharged dry. - - 2.--Every individual leaf is simultaneously exposed in precisely a - similar manner to the action of the heated air, thus producing an - unvaried and perfectly even dried leaf. - - 3.--The Tea is steadily but very slowly kept in motion, thereby - dispensing with the tedious and tiring watchfulness of attendants, - hitherto required in Tea drying on the tray system. - - 4.--There are no trays about the machine to handle, and it is, - therefore, thoroughly durable and cannot get out of order. - - In operating with the machine, a boy or attendant has simply to - spread the leaf on a slowly moving feeding web or band, which carries - it forward and places it in the machine, where it is steadily but - inactively kept in motion, and in due course is discharged dry and - crisp from a shoot at the delivery end; so long, therefore, as - the attendant continues to supply the machine with leaf, it will - steadily dry and discharge it, and should he have occasion to leave - the machine at any time, no injury can take place to the leaf in the - apparatus, as it must pass on and be discharged. - - The leaf is continuously, but very slowly, turned over, disentangled - and individually presented to the action of the heated air by a - peculiar combination of concentric cylinders, thus ensuring not only - the most uniform fermentation, but the drying of each leaf being - simultaneously effected alike must produce an unvaried briskness and - quality of liquor not obtainable from any of the methods of drying at - present known. - - The machine will dry about forty maunds of green leaf per day, and - will be approximately 9′ long, 3-1/2′ wide, and 8′ high. - - The apparatus will take very little driving, which can either be - effected by steam or hand power. It is very simple, easily erected, - and self-contained. - -I know nothing about this new Dryer beyond what is printed above, and I -rather doubt if any have yet been set up. _If_ the advantages detailed -are truly all realised, they are doubtless of much value. - -_Kinmond’s Dryer._--I shall devote extra space to this, for I _believe_ -in it. I have seen it working for a long time on the Phoolbarry Garden, -and I continue since I left India to receive good reports of it. This -is what the inventor himself says of it recently:-- - - This Tea-drying machine continues to give great satisfaction. The - improvements made last year considerably increased the out-turn of - Tea, and reduced the amount of fuel required. Further improvements - have this year been introduced in fastening the iron plates at the - corners of the trays with copper rivets, and otherwise strengthening - the trays, remedying many small defects suggested by planters who - are using the Dryers, and in improving the arrangement of the - fire-bricks over the furnace. The latter, as well as some of the - smaller alterations, were suggested by Mr. Ansell (inventor of the - sifting machine which bears his name), an engineer who has had great - experience in and around Darjeeling in erecting and working all the - three sizes of these Dryers. - - This is the only Tea-drying machine which can keep pace with the - largest rolling machines. It is made in three sizes. The capacity of - the smallest or No. 1 Dryer is one maund of pucka Tea per hour. The - capacity of No. 2 Dryer is two maunds per hour, and that of No. 3 - Dryer is three maunds per hour. The consumption of fuel is less than - one maund of wood fuel to one maund of pucka Tea dried. - - One of the great advantages of this Tea Dryer is the facility it - gives for _final firing_ before packing. The enhanced price of Tea - which has been dried and final fired in this Dryer is well shewn in - the high average of 1_s._ 6_d._ per lb., which the Scottish Assam - Company’s Teas have fetched this season. See letters annexed from - their superintendent in Assam, Mr. Cruickshanks, and their secretary - in Edinburgh, Mr. Moffat. - - When _final_ firing Tea with the Dryer, it is found convenient to - place a fine gauze cover over the top trays in each compartment, to - prevent any of the Tea dust being carried away with the hot air which - passes through the Tea. - - In order to get the maximum quantity of work from the Dryer, the - trays must be spread with rolled leaf twice as thick as that used - when Tea is dried over charcoal, where there is no forced current of - air, and after the Tea has been _half-dried_, then the Tea on _two_ - trays should be spread on _one_ tray, and the drying finished. In - the Dryers now in course of construction, the trays have been made - one-half deeper, so that the half-dried Tea on _three_ trays should - be finished in _one_ tray. The out-turn of the machine is greatly - diminished when the foregoing method is not observed; and owing to - its non-observance, many of the Dryers in use have never been worked - to their greatest capacity. - - The Dryer should be lined outside with one thickness of bricks--they - are the cheapest and best non-conductors of heat--inferior or - badly-burned bricks may be used. Both ends of the Dryer should be - lined, and both sides and elbows as high as the trays. The top may - either have a lining of bricks, or four inches thick of sand or - clay. When the Dryer is lined round with bricks, it not only greatly - reduces the consumption of fuel, but by preventing the radiation of - heat, it enables the men to increase the out-turn of pucka Tea. - - The Dryer is extremely simple and compact--the No. 2 size occupies - a space of about 7 feet long and 3 feet wide. The fan of this Dryer - requires about half a horse-power to drive it. - - The fan should be driven at a speed of 500 revolutions per minute. - The pulley on the fan spindle is 7-1/2 inches diameter and 4 inches - wide. - - Owing to the satisfaction given by these Dryers this season, an - exceptionally large number of orders are on hand, and although a - number of each size is generally kept in stock, the patentee will be - obliged to those requiring Dryers for next season to kindly send in - their orders early. - - No. 1 Dryer, capable of drying one maund of pucka Tea per hour, £150; - No. 2 Dryer, capable of drying two maunds of pucka Tea per hour, - £220; No. 3 Dryer, capable of drying three maunds of pucka Tea per - hour, £300. These prices are f.o.b. in London. - - London Agents--Messrs. Geo. Williamson and Co., 7, East India Avenue; - Calcutta Agents--Messrs. Williamson, Magor and Co., 4, Mangoe Lane. - -The best of the three sizes is No. 3. I have quite lately sent out two -of them, one for the Phoolbarry, one for the Leesh Company’s Gardens, -both in the Western Dooars. I think the prices are much too high, and -might with advantage (to both inventor and planters) be reduced; but -as to the excellence of the machine there can, I think, be no doubt. -My opinion is shared by many. I have before me many testimonials as to -its excellence. Space forbids me inserting them here, but Mr. Kinmond -or his agents will send them on application. - -In March, 1881, so satisfied was I even then with the Dryer (both the -manager, Mr. Pillans, at Phoolbarry, and I am still more so _now_), I -wrote the following to the _Tea Gazette_, and I give it here as details -are embodied:-- - - - KINMOND’S TEA DRYER. - - To all interested in Tea in India, and their name is legion, Tea - manufacturing machinery and its capabilities must be a subject of - great interest. - - Though Tea prices may, and I think to a certain extent will, revive, - the old scale which existed previous to the late serious fall - will never probably return. How serious the fall has been will be - appreciated when I state that gardens which previously realised 14 - annas to 1 rupee for their produce think now they do well if they - obtain an average of 10 annas. Thus, an average of 12 annas (even - if the partial rise I hope for takes place) will probably be more - than most Indian plantations will get in the future. In two words, - the Tea industry of India is passing through a period of depression - and a crisis which argues “the survival of the fittest.” Not only - must plantations, destined to last, produce largely, they must - also make good Teas at a small cost. This latter, I hold, both as - regards quality and economy, _can_ only be attained by the use of - machinery; and thus, what is the best kind of rolling machine, the - best description of dryer, equaliser, and sifting apparatus, is an - all-important point. - - Tea machinery is still quite in its infancy. Various as are the - machines in use, and superior as some are to others, perhaps none of - them are yet quite perfect. Still, planters cannot afford to wait - for ultimate perfection, for though any machines bought to-day will - probably be more or less out of date in a few years’ time, he who - waits _must_ go to the wall in the meanwhile. Realising this fact, as - those who know the subject do, they (and they are many) ask eagerly:-- - - “Which of the several machines for the different processes in Tea - manufacture shall we buy?” - - I have not now, perhaps, the knowledge to discuss fairly the several - merits of the various machines for each different process, but as Tea - Dryers hold an important place in the list, and I have, perhaps, an - exceptional experience of one kind, I purpose to give your readers - the benefit thereof. - - Years ago, when I first mooted the idea that Tea could be fired - without charcoal, it was scouted. It was said, “The fumes of charcoal - had some chemical and necessary effect.” “The Chinese would not - have used it from time immemorial had a substitute, and a cheaper - one, been practicable.” Such were the objections. It is now no - longer a question. A great part, perhaps the greater part, of the - Indian produce is to-day worked with other fuel, and it is only - a question of time when _all_ of it will be so. It is generally - admitted that Tea prepared in Dryers is more valuable than that fired - over charcoal; and begging the question that the fumes of charcoal - are _not_ necessary (the old idea is very nearly exploded), it is - reasonable that it should be so; for, if there is one thing certain - in Tea manufacture, it is that speed is necessary. Charcoal drying - took on an average 45 minutes; Tea is fired in the best Dryers in - eight minutes. In respect of speed, Kinmond’s Dryer (which is the one - I advocate) is certainly unequalled. - - When, as in large factories, 30 or 40 maunds of Tea have to be made - daily, it is evident that, _cæteris paribus_, the machine which will - do most in a given time and given space must be the best. In these - respects also Kinmond’s Dryer stands well, for the small size (No. - 1) will do one maund, and the larger size (No. 2) will turn out two - maunds per hour. In other words, in a working day of 12 hours (and I - allow no more, for I do not believe in night work) 12 and 24 maunds - daily are the capacities of the two sizes. Considering that the said - two sizes, with necessary stokehole, tables, &c., occupy respectively - not more than 200 and 260 square feet of space in a factory, the - satisfactory results, in both the above respects, are unquestionable. - - Tea made at night, both because the colour of it in its different - stages cannot be well seen (let the light be what it will), and also - because superintendence cannot then be so close, is never so good as - day-made Tea. This is _why_ I do not believe in night work; and it is - also a very important extra reason why machinery (which by its speed - enables all the necessary Tea to be made by daylight) will prove such - a great and lasting advantage. - - When Kinmond’s Dryer was first constructed, it was proposed to work - it at 300 degrees. Later experience has proved 260 degrees is better - and sufficient; but of course more time is thus taken, and with the - old sizes one and two maunds per hour could not be turned out at the - lower temperature. The machines are now made one-fifth larger to - obviate this. - - The fan is worked at 600 revolutions per minute, and this is found to - be the best speed. - - Several alterations, and important ones, have been made since the - first machines were constructed, but I will mention them shortly, - for they will only be understood by those who know the Dryer--1. The - trays now take out alternately both sides. 2. The fine Tea or dhole - trays take out independently. 3. Outside bearings are supplied to - the fan shaft or spindle: thus the lubricating oil cannot now run - down into the fan casing. 4. The chimney is moved forward, and thus - heats a larger amount of air and reduces fuel. After the necessary - temperature has once been obtained, one maund of wood will fire one - maund of Tea. This is an outside estimate. - - The great feature in Kinmond’s Dryer is the fact that a _separate_ - blast of hot air is forced through the Tea on each tray. In all - other Dryers I have heard of, the _same_ hot air passes through each - tray successively, and moisture is consequently more or less carried - upwards through each. It is principally in this respect, and in the - large quantity of work it executes, that I consider the excellence of - Kinmond’s Dryer to consist. - - It remains only to give shortly the results of a long series of - experiments with Kinmond’s Dryer. The valuations were made by more - than one Calcutta broker:-- - - _Class._ _Charcoal dried._ _Machine dried._ - - Pekoe Rs. 0 11 0 Rs. 0 14 0 - Broken Pekoe Rs. 0 10 0 Rs. 1 1 6 - Pekoe £ 0 1 6 £ 0 1 10 - Broken Pekoe £ 0 1 5 £ 0 2 7 - - These were made from the same leaf, at the same time, with every - care. In one of my gardens, after Kinmond’s Dryer was obtained, the - Teas averaged upwards of 2 annas per lb. more all round. - - The Dryer can also be used for withering leaf, but in my opinion no - Tea Dryer is fit for that work, inasmuch as to do a large quantity - takes far too much time. - - Artificial withering is only necessary when the weather is wet and - cold, and the machine to do it should do a large quantity _at a - time_. No Tea Dryer _can_ do this. A machine fitted for that work has - yet to be invented, unless Baker’s Wet Leaf Dryer, of which I have - heard good accounts, but have not seen, would answer. - - EDWARD MONEY. - -Since the above was written, further improvements and alterations -(suggested by Mr. Ansell, the Tea engineer, and Mr. Pillans, manager at -Phoolbarry) have been carried out. The machine is now very perfect, and -I consider it the best Dryer at present in the market. - -Mr. Kinmond has invented quite lately a coke-burning Dryer. He is now -taking this with him to India to try it, and has sent me the following -prospectus of it:-- - - The Coke Burning Tea Dryer has been made to meet the want of Tea - districts where wood fuel is scarce, and coke can be obtained at a - reasonable price. The upper part of the Coke Burning Tea Dryer is - exactly the same as the No. 2 Wood Burning Dryer, which is adapted to - burn any kind of fuel, but its capacity is a little more, being from - 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 maunds pucka Tea per hour. One maund of pucka Tea can - be dried with the consumption of about 1/4 maund of coke. Besides its - large capacity for doing work, and its small consumption of coke, the - Coke Burning Dryer has other advantages. It is nearly one-half less - in weight than the Wood Burning Dryer, which means one-half saving - in freight. It requires no foundation or brickwork of any kind; and - taking into consideration the quantity of work it does, it is the - cheapest Dryer in the market--costing only £180, f.o.b. in England. - -I know nothing of this Coke Dryer. Its price compares favourably with -his other Dryers. - -In April, 1881, the following leader, written by me, appeared in the -Calcutta _Statesman_. Though other Tea matters are included (all -of interest), I give it here as further testimony to the merits of -Kinmond’s Dryer:-- - - The days are passed when Tea planters hoped to make a fortune in - a few years. There are mainly two reasons for this. Firstly, the - prices of Tea have fallen greatly, in many cases 30 and 40 per cent. - This is due to the fact that supply, in the case of Indian Tea, has - overtaken demand. Still, there is some comfort to all interested - in the industry to be derived from the low prices which have ruled - during the last two years. So cheap have Indian Teas been that - the attention of the trade has thereby been directed to them, and - consequently the deliveries of the last few months have exceeded any - known previously.[99] It is calculated by those best able to judge, - that if the present rate of deliveries in London continues, the stock - in June next will not exceed twelve million pounds, and the truth is, - strange as it may appear, that below this point it is not well that - the stock in hand should fall, because, if it does, dealers will not - be able to meet their requirements, and will then perforce buy more - China. Low as prices are, we therefore, nevertheless, consider the - statistical position of Tea to-day as good. There is another point - which should give comfort and hope to the Indian planter, in spite - of the fact that we are heavily handicapped in our race with China, - inasmuch as owing to more expensive labour our cost of production - _must_ exceed theirs. This source of hope is the great point now - generally admitted, that Indian Tea is better and goes further than - China Tea. The experience of each of us can quote instances of - individuals dropping China Tea, and taking to India; who knows of - anyone doing the reverse? We admit the taste for Indian Tea is more - or less an acquired one. Still, the public at home have already been - educated to the taste by the yearly increasing proportion of Indian - mixed with China Tea. Speaking generally (though the exceptions - are many and increase yearly), it is true that Indian Tea is not - obtainable pure, but no more is China. The bulk of the Tea now sold - to the public in the United Kingdom is a mixture, three parts China - and one Indian, and all points to the fact that in a few more years - the general mixture will be half-and-half. - - We are thus surely paving the way, in other words, teaching the - English public to like Indian Tea, and the broad fact that, once - used, it is never abandoned for its rival is surely a very hopeful - feature. The truth is that were it possible to _make_ the population - of England, Australia, and America drink Indian Tea for one week - only, the demand after that week would be enormous, and we should - hear no more of “supply exceeding demand;” nay, more, many thousands - of, acres would at once be added to the present cultivation in India. - - But we have somewhat wandered from the question we set out with, - _viz._, _why_ Tea does not pay now as it once did. The first reason - we have given; the second is that there is now no market for Tea - seed. This last reason is little dwelt on, but it is a very important - factor. The days were when Rs. 300 per maund, and even more, were - paid for Tea seed, and though this did not last long, the price for - many years up to 1878 was about Rs. 100. Now it is simply unsaleable. - The receipts for Tea seed, during all these years, formed a large - part of mature garden earnings, and, to quote one instance, thereto - in a great measure were due the big dividends paid by the Assam - Company. - - But though Tea prices may, and we think will, improve, it is not - likely we shall ever again see the rates obtainable formerly. This - being so, it is probable that only those plantations in the future - will pay that produce Tea cheaply. How is this to be done? Those - gardens that are heavily weighted by unsuitable climates, by a bad - class of plant, by slopes which are too steep, by inordinately - expensive labour, or other causes, will have a hard time of it, but - plantations with natural advantages need in no way despair. Though, - as we said above, we cannot, in the matter of cheap labour, vie with - China, we have a great advantage over the Flowery Land as regards - economy of production in another respect. We allude to the use of - machinery, which does much now, and will do more and more as each - year passes, to reduce the cost of production. Machinery in the - manufacture of Tea is, we believe, almost unknown in China. There - each and every operation is performed by hand; here in India many now - do, and eventually all will, wither, roll, fire, and sort by the - help of machines. It says not a little for the enterprise and the - inventive genius of the Anglo-Saxon race that, while in China the - manufacture of Tea dates back many centuries, and yet all the Tea is - still made by hand, we in India, who have only planted Tea some forty - years, have invented machines and use them to-day for each and every - operation in manufacture. It is but as yesterday that we imported - Chinamen to teach us the _modus operandi_. We now know far more than - they do on the subject, and verily the pupil has beaten his master. - - Though machinery reduces the cost of production, and in more than - one case improves the quality of Tea, and planters know it, the - difficulty before them to-day is to know which is the best machine - for each operation. Unanimity on this point is not to be expected - yet. One swears by Jackson, another by Kinmond, others by Ansell, - Barry, Lyle, the inventor of the Sirocco, and so on. The machines - and names of inventors are many, and each has its disciples. Perhaps - the most favourite rolling machines are Jackson’s and Kinmond’s, but - we see the latter has just produced what he calls a “Centrifugal - Rolling Machine” which he thinks will supersede all others. We have - not seen it, though it is at work on several gardens, and so can give - no opinion about it; but another of Kinmond’s machines, his Dryer, - we know well. It was long a moot point if Tea could be efficiently - fired by any other agent than charcoal. Many affirmed that the fumes - of charcoal were necessary; and when, years ago, Colonel Money, so - well known by his writings in Tea matters, affirmed from experiments - that charcoal was not necessary, but that any fuel would do the - work, few believed him, for people said it was impossible to credit - that the Chinese would have gone on using charcoal (so much more - expensive than other fuel) for centuries, were it not a necessity. - What Colonel Money then predicted has already come to pass. Much of - the Tea now produced in India never sees charcoal at all, and it is - very certain that in two or three years all Indian Tea will be fired - by machinery. We say this is certain simply because, apart from the - saving effected by using other fuel, the value of Teas fired by - machinery is increased. It is natural it should be so because, by the - use of the best machines invented for that purpose, the heat can be - regulated to a nicety, an impossibility by the old mode of charcoal - firing. - - Kinmond’s Dryer is, in our opinion, the best Tea Dryer machine - yet invented. Space forbids our describing it minutely (besides, - only those, and they are few, who understand Tea machinery would - appreciate our description), but its general features we will shortly - touch on. In the comparatively small space it occupies in a factory, - and in the large quantity of work it does in a given time, we think - it unrivalled. This last feature does away with the necessity of - night-work, which, apart from other drawbacks, is prejudicial to the - excellence of Tea, because, among other reasons, its colour cannot - then be appreciated in its several stages. Tea made at night is - never very good. With sufficient motive power, sufficient rolling - machinery, and Kinmond’s Dryers, the factory (let the leaf gathered - be what it may) can be shut up at dark. Kinmond’s Dryer may yet - be improved upon by himself or by others, but as it now stands it - possesses a feature peculiar to itself, and all important. The hot - air, driven by a fan (the speed of which, under control, regulates - the temperature), does not pass successively through the different - trays, for the hot air, drying the Tea in each tray, has a separate - inlet and outlet. By this means is avoided the objection of carrying - the moisture absorbed by the hot air from one tray to the other. - Another peculiarity in the machine is, that the same air is used - again and again, being re-dried and re-heated each time. By this two - advantages are obtained: (1) fuel is saved, it is easier to heat air - which still retains caloric than fresh air; (2) the aroma of Tea is - very volatile, and when hot air, which dries it, passes away, some of - the essence and strength of the Tea goes with it. But here the same - air being used again and again, the volatile essence (how much who - can say?) is returned to the Tea. It is reasonable to suppose that - this will increase the value of the Tea; indeed, we know it did so - materially in one garden last season. - - We do not doubt that the unanimity wanting at present amongst - planters as regards machinery will more or less come with time, but - only long experience can settle the merits of rival machinery. One - thing, however, is very certain--if the exports of Indian Tea ever - vie in quantity with China, it will be due to the use of machinery in - manufacture. - -I may state that Kinmond and some other inventors of Dryers claim for -them that in wet weather green leaf may be withered by their means. -But, as I stated some pages back, I do not think any Dryers suitable -for withering. _That_ machine has yet to be invented. - -To conclude my remarks on dryers, I give (again from the _Tea Gazette_) -an estimate of the cost of drying by the old primitive mode with -charcoal, and with machines. There was no signature to the letter. I -cannot say if the figures assumed are quite correct, but in any case -the machines have much the best of it:-- - - - TEA DRYING MACHINERY _v._ CHARCOAL. - - Dear Sir,--Tea drying by machinery _versus_ Tea drying by charcoal - fires over choolahs is, I believe, still discussed as to the relative - merits of each. I will try and give you a fair estimate of cost, and - speak from experience as far as I know relative to the merits, ills, - &c., &c., of both modes of firing. - - _1st. Charcoal firing and its merits._--Except for those who persist - that the fumes of charcoal are necessary to make good Tea, I can - see no merit whatever in charcoal drying, either in cost, quality, - rapidity, saving of labour, or anything else, over machine-dried Tea. - - - _Cost per maund Tea of Tea dried over choolahs by charcoal._ - - R. A. P. - Charcoal at 8 annas per maund, 1-1/2 maunds = 0 12 0 - 1 Battiwallah at annas 4-6, kutcha firing = 0 4 6 - Do. pucka firing, say = 0 0 6 - --------- - Cost of firing by charcoal Rs. 1 1 0 - - N.B.--Notice the labour staff required for three months in the year - to make charcoal; the immense space (and heat) taken up by choolahs; - cost of timber used for charcoal; the number of trays, gauze, iron, - &c., &c., required; the masonry and carpenter’s work always more or - less out of repair; loss of small tea falling through trays, &c., &c. - - Now let us take - - - _Cost of machine-dried Tea per maund._ - - R. A. P. - 1st. Those machines which dry by coke, say cost - of coke = 0 8 0 - 3 men at annas 4-6 per 5 maunds Tea = about 0 2 8 - --------- - Cost of drying per maund Tea for a machine, - drying by coke 5 maunds in 10 hours 0 10 8 - - I now give an estimate of cost of 1 maund Tea dried by a machine of - similar capabilities, but drying with any sort of fuel--coal, wood, - grass, bamboo, &c., say 2 maunds of firewood at 6 pie per maund = 1 - anna per 1 maund Tea. - - N.B.--Price of firewood at 3 pie per maund should be nearer the mark. - - 3 men’s pay, annas 4-6 for 5 maunds in 10 hours = annas 2-8 per - maund. The analysis of the above comes to this-- - - R. A. P. - Charcoal drying = 1 1 0 - Coke „ = 0 10 8[100] - Wood fire „ = 0 3 8 - - We read of machines drying with any fuel, and doing double the Tea - of what I have estimated above, and how people can still stick to - charcoal beats me.--(No signature.) - -_Sorting or Sifting_ is the next process--that is to say, dividing the -Tea (by passing it through sieves) into different kinds, as Pekoe, -Broken Pekoe, Pekoe Souchong, and Broken Tea. All do not divide it -thus, for some make other kinds also. In the body of this Essay (page -122) I say, “I do not believe in any present or future machine for -sifting Tea.” I did not then; that was in the early days of Tea; but I -was wrong. A sifting machine, on the large scale on which Tea is now -made, is essential for every garden. - -_Jackson’s Sifter._--I have seen this, and heard it well spoken of, but -I have no experience of it. - -_Greig’s Sifter._--This I have not seen, but from the drawing I have I -should doubt if it would sift enough per day for a large garden. - -_Pridham’s Sifter._--This is quite a new thing. I know nothing of it. - -The fact is, the manager at Phoolbarry and I have been so thoroughly -satisfied with the Sifter we use there (Ansell’s) I could conceive -nothing better, and I have not therefore looked into the matter of -Sifters. - -In January, 1881, I sent an article to the _Tea Gazette_ describing -_Ansell’s Sifter_, and as I thought then I think now. I believe it is -by far the best Tea Sifter yet invented. Many are the testimonials, -too, in its favour. The price, £80, is too high; but the manufacturers -(Ransomes, Head and Jeffries, of Ipswich) advise me they propose -reducing it to £70. Even that, I think, is too much; but there can be -no question the use of it effects a great saving in a factory. - - This is my article:-- - - - ANSELL’S SIFTING, SORTING, AND FANNING MACHINE. - - _January 27, 1881._ - - In the days gone by, Tea cultivation was, to those commencing a - Tea career, _the_ thing to study. Those days are passed. None - are embarking in new gardens, and but few are extending existing - cultivation. Prices have fallen so wofully that all that Tea planters - think of to-day is how to make what they have _pay_. _I_ believe in - Tea still. I think the present low range of prices cannot last, and I - think so simply because I know Tea will not be cultivated year after - year at a loss. But the present crisis is very serious: it means, - in five words, “the survival of the fittest,” and even the fittest - will not succeed, unless every advantage is taken of all existing Tea - knowledge. - - Tea manufacture is now the most important branch in the industry. We - have advanced greatly in the last few years; but Tea manufacture, as - regards economy in doing it, is yet comparatively in its infancy. - Still we have done a great deal since the indigenous plant was - discovered in the jungles of Assam, now nearly fifty years ago; we - have advanced more in Tea manufacture than the Chinese, who have - been making Tea many centuries. That is to say, I affirm that the - Indian Tea planter of ordinary intelligence knows more of both Tea - cultivation and Tea manufacture to-day than any of his Chinese - contemporaries. The Chinaman grows Tea, and makes Tea, as he taught - _us_ to do it twenty to thirty years ago. The pupil in this case - has certainly beaten his master. We have made some improvements - in Tea planting and Tea cultivation, but where we have left our - teachers far behind is in manufacture. “Johnny” makes his Tea as - his father made it before him, taught by his grandfather who made - it the same way; and, for aught we know, no improvements, in that - way, have taken place in the course of many centuries. All is hand - labour; machinery to them is unknown. The most primitive ideas in Tea - manufacture are still adhered to. In support of the latter, I will - quote one instance: Tea, from time immemorial, has always been dried - by charcoal in China; no other way is known there now. How is it - here in India? A large proportion of the produce is fired with other - fuel, aided by machinery; and it is only a question of time (and a - very short time) when the whole of it will be thus prepared. I could - quote other instances: let this suffice, for no comparison can be - drawn between Tea manufacture as followed out in China and India in - this year 1881. The former is as crude as it was two or five hundred - years ago: the latter (though still far from perfection) in its many - details, in its numerous machines cleverly contrived to save labour - and better the Teas, is a striking illustration of the activity, the - energy, the inventive genius of the Anglo-Saxon race! - - An Indian Tea factory, well set up with machinery--that is to say - with a green-leaf drying apparatus, rolling machines, Tea dryers, - equalisers, and sifting and sorting machines, all driven by an - engine of 15-horse power--offers a wonderful contrast to a Chinese - Tea factory, where all is handwork. But more strange still is the - comparison alongside of the fact, that in the former case the - industry dates back only some thirty years; in the latter many - centuries. - - Tea machinery is destined to work great results in India. When - brought to perfection (it is far on the road now), it will so cheapen - the cost of manufacture that, though labour is dearer with us than - in China, we shall, thanks thereto, be able to lay down our Teas at - cheaper rates than the produce of the Flowery Land. If Indian Tea - ever vies in quantity with China in the Tea-consuming countries of - the world, it will be due entirely to the economy effected by our - machinery. I do not myself anticipate that Indian Teas will ever - beat China out of the field, but, inasmuch as our Teas are better, - because the taste for Indian Tea is growing apace, I do believe the - day will come (it will scarcely be in our time) that the Tea exports - from India will equal those from China; and, as I said before, to - machinery, far more than to anything else, will that end be due. - - There is therefore no question of more importance to the Indian - planter to-day than Tea machinery. It is a difficult question too, - because so many machines, for each of the different necessary - processes, are vieing in competition for public favour. “Which is - the best machine to buy?” is the question one hears asked daily. - I propose, with your leave, to write a series of articles on Tea - machinery, pointing out, as far as in me lies, the advantages and - defects of those which commend themselves most to me, for I wish to - give planters, through your paper, the advantage of my experience; - and as my expressing an opinion in no way precludes others from - doing the same, and I know your columns are open to all, I would - invite discussion on rival merits, and thus certainly benefit the Tea - industry. - - I will to-day describe what, I think, is the best Tea sifting and - fanning machine extant. It is true it is the last machine used in - manufacture, but that does not signify; I will take all the others in - turn. - - The said machine is the invention of an able man and engineer, Mr. C. - W. Ansell, well known in the Darjeeling district for his knowledge of - Tea machinery. He has been for many years employed as an engineer in - Tea factories. I heard of his machine when I was lately in England, - and went down to Ipswich to the manufactory of Messrs. Ransomes, - Sims, and Head to see it. Though difficult to judge of it, as there - was no Tea wherewith to test it, I was so pleased with the principle - that I ordered one. The cost was £80. It has now been working on one - of my gardens some thirteen months, and in every way it has proved a - great success. But to describe it, as far as I can, in a few words:-- - - Its length is 19 feet, its breadth 5 feet. The Tea, in bulk, is - delivered through a hopper from an upper floor, on what I will call - the A end of the machine, to distinguish it from the other end, which - I will name B. The principle of all other sifters (except Jackson’s), - as far as I know, is, that the succeeding trays of differing wire - mesh are arranged one below the other, the slope all being the - same way, that is--from A to B. This plan is objectionable in the - following way: if the Tea has been well rolled and clings together, a - good deal of the fine Teas that are in the mass or bulk often passes - some distance down, perhaps over half the tray or wire-mesh length, - before falling through. If they do so, and the object is to sift out - any particular class on the next succeeding tray, there is only half - the length of mesh left to traverse to effect the object, instead of - the whole length of the tray. This is obviated in practice by pushing - the Teas continually back up the inclined tray; but this is done at - the expense of extra labour and making the Teas dusty and grey. - - The above objection is obviated in Ansell’s machine. It consists - of four slopes, but each of these incline downwards, alternately, - different ways--_viz._, No. 1 (the upper), from A to B; No. 2, from - B to A; No. 3, from A to B; No. 4, from B to A, and below the mesh - of each slope is a carrying tin tray, sloping the same way, which - carries all the Tea which falls through each mesh down to _the head_ - of the succeeding slope, while in each case the Tea which will _not_ - pass through the mesh is delivered separately. The above arrangement, - however, does _not_ hold with the upper or No. 1 slope. This consists - of two wire trays or meshes, with the carrying tray below the lower - one. Such of the bulk as will not pass through the upper tray is - delivered on the head of No. 2 slope, at the B end of the machine. - What passes through the upper tray, but will not pass through the - lower, is delivered by a side shoot at the B end of the machine, and - is “No. 1 Pekoe.” What passes through both sieves on to the carrying - tray is also delivered by an opposite side shoot from the B end of - the machine, and is “Broken Pekoe.” Between Nos. 1 and 2 slopes is - an air chamber, which, as the bulk left on the upper sieve of No. 1 - slope falls on the head of slope No. 2 (a blast being sent through it - by a fan at the A end of the machine), drives out of the said falling - bulk all red leaf, stalks, fannings, &c. - - No. 2 slope receives the bulk at the B end of the machine, after the - red leaf and fannings are taken out as stated above, and what will - not pass through the mesh is delivered at the back of the A end of - the machine, and is “Congou;” while what does fall through the mesh - into the carrying tray below it (which is still bulk, consisting of - “Pekoe,” “Pekoe Souchong,” and “Souchong” mixed) is delivered at the - A end of the machine on to the head of No. 3 slope. - - What will not pass through the mesh of No. 3 slope is delivered at - the B end of the machine in front, and is “Souchong;” while what does - pass through the mesh of No. 3 slope on to the carrying tray below - (still bulk, consisting of “Pekoe” and “Pekoe Souchong”) is delivered - on to the head of No. 4 slope at the B end of the machine. - - No. 4 slope has no carrying tray: it would be useless. What will not - pass through the mesh is delivered at the A end of the machine, and - is “Pekoe Souchong;” while what does pass through the mesh falls - on the floor of the factory and is the remaining “Pekoe,” that is, - “Pekoe No. 2.” - - The sorting is so far finished, and the results are the following - Teas, placed round the machine thus:--“Pekoe No. 1,” at the left - side of B end; “Broken Pekoe,” at right side of B end; “Red Leaf - and Fannings,” some distance in front of B end; “Souchong,” also in - front of B end, but nearer to the machine; “Congou,” at back of A - end; “Pekoe Souchong,” also at back of A end, but nearer the machine; - “Pekoe No. 2,” on the floor below the machine. - - With Teas thus minutely sorted, all possible requirements are - provided for, and the planter can, by mixing or otherwise, make any - number of classes he may choose. - - It will be observed that “Pekoe” is taken out twice, resulting in - “Nos. 1 and 2 Pekoe.” These differ slightly, but are better mixed - together. “Why take them out separately,” some exclaim, “to mix them - together again?” But there are three very good reasons: firstly, - the “Pekoe” is taken out at the commencement, previous to fanning, - to prevent the small or broken Pekoe tips being blown out in that - process; secondly, the “1st Pekoe” being taken out thus early, - its appearance is not injured by passing over a large amount of - sieve-mesh area; and thirdly, _all_ the “Pekoe” is thus extracted, - which it could not be, as far as I can see, by any other process. - - From all the kinds detailed above, I make only four--viz., “Pekoe,” - “Broken Pekoe,” “Pekoe Souchong,” and “Broken Tea;” but others can do - as they will.[101] - - The machine is of course driven by steam.[102] The movement of all - the trays is a backward and forward one of 3 inches longitudinal - semi-circular motion, the latter movement being imparted by the steel - spring hangers. Only a small amount of power is required to drive the - machine, viz., under half horse. - - I must here conclude my description. - - Now as to the amount of work the machine will do. I speak from actual - experience when I state what follows:-- - - It will sift and fan seven maunds of Tea per hour. The only hand - labour required to supplement it is a few (a very few) women to pick - out any foreign substances out of the “Congou.” - - At our garden in Western Dooars, 1,260 maunds of Tea were made in - 1880, and all sifted by this machine, the hand labour besides being - only 44 women during the whole season, or about one-fifth of a woman - per day. - - The machine requires only two men to work it continually, and one boy - to feed it from the upper floor. - - I can think of no possible objection to this machine, or even of any - possible improvement. I believe, in the case of a 300-acre garden - with a decent amount of produce, the machine, in its saving of - hand labour, pays for itself in one year, whilst the Teas are much - improved in appearance by its use, and fetch higher prices. - - EDWARD MONEY. - -I add two more letters in favour of the machine from the same paper:-- - - - ANSELL’S PATENT TEA SORTING AND WINNOWING MACHINE. - - Sir,--In respond to your call for information regarding Tea - machinery, I am happy to supply you with my experience of Ansell’s - Patent Tea Sorting and Winnowing Machine. I have been sifting the - whole of my Teas, through it this season, and am therefore in a - position to state what I think of it. I consider it a most useful - machine, and a great saver of labour. With four men, I do with it in - one day an amount of work which without it I would have to employ - from twenty to twenty-five men to accomplish.--Yours, &c., - - “SIFTER.” - - - ANSELL’S SIFTING MACHINE. - - A correspondent writes from London to the _Ceylon Observer_ as - follows:--Ansell’s Patent Tea Sorter seems to be an article which - will later be much used in Ceylon. In a memo. before me there is - an extract from Messrs. George Williamson and Co., who say:--“The - manager of our Majilighur Garden writes:--‘I have now had sufficient - experience of Ansell’s Sifter to be able to report very favourably - upon it. It does its work thoroughly and cleanly, and, owing to the - comparatively small space it occupies, little or no loss occurs even - of the finest dust. Sixteen maunds in nine hours is what I find to be - about its capabilities, and four boys do all the work connected with - it. It has effected a great saving in the Tea house this year, and - has quite done away with hand-sieving, except equalizing the broken - Pekoe and broken Tea--a very trivial operation.’” - -_Packing._--This is the final process. Unless Teas are packed directly -they are made, they require to be heated once more to drive off any -moisture imbibed. This can be done in a way in most of the dryers -described, perhaps in Kinmond’s best of all.[103] - -This concludes my remarks on Tea machinery; but I shall not have a more -appropriate place than this to mention the ornamental tin boxes devised -by Messrs. Harvey Bros. and Tyler, as a new mode of packing Teas. The -following is an article of mine on the subject to the _Tea Gazette_, -written in 1880:-- - - I saw lately tin Tea boxes made to hold 20 lbs., which are - manufactured by Messrs. Harvey Brothers and Tyler, 21, Mincing Lane. - I was much pleased with them, for I foresaw that by their use great - good to the Indian Tea industry would accrue. I went to Mincing Lane, - and had a long talk with the firm, and came away convinced that the - fact of the said boxes should be known far and wide in India. - - The boxes measure 15-3/4 by 10 15/16ths by 10 5/16ths. They are - handsomely illustrated with Indian Tea plantation subjects.[104] - Each piece runs into a groove in the adjoining one, so that one - minute will put a box together, and a touch of solder here and there - completes it; they are then perfectly air-tight. The boxes are very - sightly. Price is now 2_s._ 5_d._ per box. Boxes sent to Calcutta - up to this have been charged 2_s._ 7_d._ The price is dependent on - the fluctuating price of tin, which is somewhat lower now. Of course - they are sent out in pieces. Cases holding pieces for 100 boxes weigh - 4 cwt. The firm tell me that Messrs. Schœne, Kilburn and Co., and - Messrs. Begg, Dunlop and Co., in Calcutta, have consignments of the - boxes, so any of your readers can see them. - - In my opinion there are several advantages, to be derived from their - use:-- - - 1. They will help to open up new markets. The ungainly, unwieldly - packages we have used hitherto are certainly detrimental, at least - where Indian Teas are not known. By the use of these tin boxes the - sale of our Teas would, I am sure, be extended at home, and they - would also give great facilities for successfully introducing Indian - Tea into Australia, Canada, the United States, the Cape, &c. It seems - some Indian Tea has already been sent home in these tins, and I am - told it met with a ready sale, quite to 8_d._ per lb. over what it - would have brought in chests. This is, of course, too good to last, - but less than one penny a lb. increase would pay for their use. - - 2. The sale of Indian Tea in India would be developed by using them. - - 3. The tares of these boxes is and must be exact, viz., 3 lbs. 15-1/2 - oz., so only a few would be opened at the Custom House,[105] and the - great loss by the deterioration of Tea being exposed (few know _how_ - great it is) would be avoided. - - 4. There is no doubt Tea will keep better in transit in these boxes - than in our old packages. How often are the latter broken and the - lead torn! This evil would be quite avoided. - - There seems to me to be but one doubtful point. The boxes cannot be - sent loose on board ship: how then are they to be packed? Chests - holding four tin boxes were recommended, but they do not smile on me. - True, they might be made very light: still they would add to the - size, weight, and cost considerably. I think crates of strong light - battens would answer perfectly, and six, or perhaps eight boxes might - then be placed in each. However, this is a matter of detail, which - experience would quickly decide. To continue the advantages: - - 5. Teas packed in these boxes, and so sold, would not be used for - bolstering up China rubbish. They would be drunk pure, and thus the - great desideratum of teaching the public, both here and abroad, to - use Indian Tea by itself, would be, in a measure, attained. - - I do not say that any planter should pack _all_ his Teas in this - new way. The mass of Indian Tea, do what we may, will still be used - to mix with China. Again, the highest class of Indian Teas are not - the ones to commence with. As a rule they are too expensive for the - public to use them alone. Ordinary Teas, or perhaps a mixture which - could be sold cheaply, and would be a good household Tea, is what I - should recommend. It is just this kind which is now such a drug in - the market, and necessarily the diversion of some of this into other - channels would help us greatly. - - 6. A considerable saving in the loss of Tea at the Custom House would - result by the use of these boxes, as the following figures will show. - To begin with, the trade allowance of 1 lb. per package which is now - allowed the buyer, and which is of course a loss to the producer, - would be avoided; for this allowance does not apply to any package - under a gross weight of 28 lbs., and these tins with 20 lb. 2 oz. of - Tea in them, will weigh gross only 24 lbs. 1-1/2 oz. - - To make the figures below clear, I must state that the rule of the - Custom House is to discard fractions of a pound both in the gross - and the tare. But in the gross the number _below_ is written, in - the tare the number _above_. Thus, if the gross weight of a package - is 132-1/2 lbs., the gross is written 132. If the tare of a package - is 37-1/4 lbs., it is written 38. Now to take one extreme case, to - show the loss on our ordinary Indian packages: a chest weighs gross, - say, 132 lbs. 15 oz.; it is still written 132 lbs. The tare of the - said package weighs, say, 37 lbs. 1 oz.: it is written 38. The tare - deducted from the gross gives the net weight of Tea. In this case 132 - minus 38 equals 94 lbs., which is all the producer is paid for. But - the net weight of Tea in the box is 132 lbs. 15 ozs., minus 37 lbs. - 1 oz., equals 95 lbs. 14 ozs., and thus on such a package there is a - loss of exactly 1 lb. 14 ozs. Add to this the trade allowance of one - pound, and the whole loss is 2 lbs. 14 ozs., which is about 3 per - cent. - - It will be observed that by this custom the advantage, as regards - the duty of 6_d._ per lb., is on the side of the payee, but none the - less is it to the loss of the producer. The case quoted above is, - of course, an extreme one, but in practice I believe the loss of - Tea on Indian packages, including the trade allowance, is not much - under 2 lbs. In the case of our ordinary Indian packages, if we could - regulate our tares exactly, so as to make the gross weight only one - ounce above the whole number, and the tare one ounce below the whole - number, the loss would necessarily be much decreased. This, however, - is impossible, for, as a rule, the tares are one or two pounds less - when they arrive in England than when they left the garden, owing to - the wood drying in transit; and thus it is quite a chance what the - real tares come out here. - - But, with the tin boxes in question, the tares, that is their weight, - being fixed and equal, and not liable to change, we can so arrange - the weights that the loss will be very trifling, thus:-- - - lbs. ozs. - - The box weighs 3 15-1/2 - We put in Tea 20 2 - -------- - Gross Weight 24 1-1/2 - -------- - - In the Customs the gross is written 24 lbs. - And the tare is written 4 „ - ------ - The Tea paid for will be 20 lbs. - - that is a loss of only 2 ounces, or not much above half per cent., - instead of three per cent., as shown in the old packages. - - Shortly, to conclude this point. In the case of the old packages by - no means can we help ourselves; but, as shown, with the tin boxes, - the loss need be very little. - - Roughly, the cost of using these tin boxes would be, all told, from - 1-1/2_d._ to 1-3/4_d._ per lb., and with our lead-lined boxes it - averages perhaps per penny. The difference of a halfpenny, or even - three farthings, one pound would not be much for the advantages - detailed. - - One point I have forgotten. If 500 boxes are ordered, the plantation - mark is put on the ends of the boxes gratis. If less than 500 are - ordered, the additional cost for this would be about £5. - - I hope the Syndicate in Calcutta will try these boxes. I shall - certainly do so. - - I enclose the directions for making up the tins, and hope you will - insert them at the foot of this letter. - - Reading over the above, there is one point I find not observed on - as regards the loss of Tea at the Custom House. By the mode of - weighing, as explained, the producer often loses 2 or 3 per cent., - but still, strange to say, in practice, this loss is sometimes more - than counterbalanced by the increased weight of the Tea due to the - moisture imbibed while exposed (if boxes are broken in the transit) - anyhow at the Custom House. But I need not point out that this gain - is dearly bought by the deterioration of the Tea. The Custom House - procedure is bad in every way. More on this subject later. - - EDWARD MONEY. - -The following is also from the _Tea Gazette_, and is much in favour of -the boxes:-- - - - PACKING OF TEA IN TIN BOXES. - - In our issue of November 7th, 1881, we inserted a short editorial - note questioning, on the authority of certain correspondents, the - advisability of using tin Tea boxes for the packing of Tea, at the - same time asking our readers to favour us with their opinions on - the subject, in case we were misinformed. Our invitation has met - with a response from several quarters, and the correspondence we - have received leads us to alter the opinion we formerly held on - the subject. A gentleman largely interested in Tea, but in no way - connected with the manufacturers of the patent tin boxes, writes to - us from England:-- - - “I made enquiries as to the condition in which Tea packed in Messrs. - Harvey Brothers and Tyler’s lacquered tin boxes is turned out in - London. I found that the Tea was not at all injured by this method - of packing, but that its condition is quite as good as that of Tea - packed in chests. Messrs. W. J. and H. Thompson assured me that you - were entirely mistaken in your remarks as to the contamination, - but they thought that an objection to the packing in the lacquered - tin boxes was the labour of putting up in these boxes. Catalogues - were shown me in which I saw that the Teas in the lacquered tin - boxes fetched higher rates than the same Teas packed in chests, the - difference being in one case 3_d._ per lb.” - - This is certainly a most favourable testimony, and coming as it does - from a disinterested party, who writes simply in defence of what he - considers the right, we cannot but accept of his statement in its - entirety. - - Another correspondent writes:-- - - “I now give you a few of the sales of these boxes made at public - auction during the last month, shewing the preference of the trade - for Tea so packed, and the higher prices realised. - - _Public Sale 3rd November._ _s._ _d._ - - Koliabar. {28 chests Pekoe 1 10-1/2 per lb. - K. Assam. {28 cases, each 4 tin boxes 2 3/4 „ - - _Public Sale 16th November._ - - M.L.B.D.S.A. {30 chests Pekoe 2 1/4 „ - {30 cases, each 4 tin boxes 2 2-1/2 „ - - „ {20 chests Souchong 1 3-1/2 „ - {20 cases, each 4 tin boxes 1 4-3/4 „ - - _Public Sale 23rd November._ - - M.L.B.L.P. {20 chests Pekoe 1 6-3/4 „ - {19 cases, each 4 tin boxes 1 9-3/4 „ - - “In every case the above Teas were packed out of the same heap - in India, and the difference in the selling price arises chiefly - from the _better condition_ of the Tea on arrival, and the growing - preference of the country trade for Teas so packed.” - -The following is worth notice:-- - - - HOOP IRON. - - The _Ceylon Observer_ says: “The planters should note the following - (writes to us a London firm)--From quotations lying before us the - prices of 22 gauge iron hooping are as follows: 1/2in., 165_s._ - per ton; 5/8in., 110_s._ per ton; 3/4in., 70_s._; 7/8in., 60_s._; - 1in., 50_s._ Thus by using one inch hooping, less than one-third the - price is paid. The narrower the hooping, the more difficult is it to - manufacture.” - -It is also not so strong. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[94] “Nil Desperandum” evidently foresees what must be sooner or later. -All interested in Tea, owners, planters, and inventors, should aid to -achieve the result. - -[95] “Nil Desperandum” takes up three spaces--one bullock in each -outside space and the hoe in the centre. I don’t like the plan. It -_could not_ be done where the tea plants are high. - -[96] In wet weather especially the warm air generated in the factory by -the fires in it helps the process. - -[97] This, after the previous sentence, is obscure.--E. M. - -[98] I agree with “Enquirer” in this.--E. M. - -[99] They are still higher now. The last three months they have -averaged five millions.--E. M. - -[100] I should be glad to be set right if I have not rightly calculated -the price of coke.--(_Writer of the letter._) - -[101] I advise only these four kinds. When the trader becomes more -sensible, three or even two would be better, but as it is now four are -necessary. - -[102] With a driving belt from the engine shafting. - -[103] Heating before packing has to be done on a large scale. None -of the Dryers notified are large enough. A special machine should be -devised. - -[104] Top is “The Tea Garden;” front, “Weighing Leaf;” back, “Packing;” -ends, “Elephant with Howdah,” or, if desired, the plantation mark. - -[105] The following are the numbers to be opened by the Custom House -regulations:-- - - From 1 to 5 1 to be turned out. - „ 6 „ 40 3 „ „ - „ 41 „ 80 4 „ „ - „ 81 „ 120 5 „ „ - „ 121 „ 200 6 „ „ - „ 201 „ 300 8 „ „ - „ 301 „ 500 10 „ „ - „ 501 „ 800 12 „ „ - „ 801 and upwards 16 „ „ - -This applies to packages of all sizes and kinds, if the tares are equal -or nearly so. If the difference in the tares are not great, an average -is struck. If tares are various all are turned out! - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -WEIGHING AND BULKING OF INDIAN TEAS AT CUSTOM HOUSE. - - -One misapprehension with some exists on this head. The _weighing_ is -done by the Customs to ascertain the amount for duty. The _bulking_ is -done at the request of the vendor, the broker who is to sell it, or the -purchaser, and it has to be paid for. - -Two distinct injuries are inflicted on the producer by the present -Custom House system-- - - 1. The Tea is much damaged by exposure. - 2. The quantity found is _always_ less than the actual. - -Now as to No. 1. When we consider how damp the London atmosphere is -at the best, how in foggy days it teems with moisture, is it not very -certain that Teas exposed to it, often for days, deteriorate? What -care we take in India heating before packing--carefully with lead -and solder, excluding all air--and then the Teas on arrival here are -treated as above! It is simply monstrous. - -The following extract from a letter to _Home and Colonial Mail_ sets -out the case forcibly:-- - - The blame ought not entirely to be laid upon the planter, however, - for certain facts have come to our knowledge during the present week - as regards the manner in which Indian Teas are bulked at some of - the London warehouses, which somewhat explains how depreciation in - quality comes about. We bought several breaks of Tea in the sales - this week, which were stated to be bulked and ready for sampling six - days before the sale; and yet we know for a fact that some of those - very Teas were not put back into the chest till the day after the - sale, if even then. More or less moisture is always to be found in - the London atmosphere, particularly in rainy weather, and there can - be no question that incalculable injury would be done to a fine Tea - by seven days’ exposure on the floor of a warehouse. The damage and - loss falls entirely on the buyer. The effects of it are not seen at - once, but there can be little doubt that a gradual depreciation sets - in, consequent on the absorption of moisture. No redrying process - follows; the Tea is simply filled back into the chests when seven - days of neglect have done what mischief is possible. Is it to be - wondered at that samples drawn from such a break of Tea a few months - after it has been bulked in London will have lost all their freshness - and malty smell? - - J. C. TAYLOR AND COLMAN. - -I have no reason to think the delay above is very unusual, and I must -add to the above, that when the chests are closed no attempt is made -even to cover the top with lead, much less to resolder it. Some paper -on top is all attempted. I need say no more to prove that the quality -of Indian Teas is _most_ seriously damaged at the Custom House. - -Now as to No. 2. The loss in quantity to producer. - -The following article, which I wrote to the _Indian Tea Gazette_ in -1881, shows how invariable the loss must be:-- - - The loss of Tea by the mode adopted at the Custom House in England is - great. - - When Teas are sold at Calcutta, though the English Custom House - regulations do not then affect us immediately, they do so indirectly. - If purchasers in Calcutta gain by our Teas, they will bid more; if - they lose, they will bid less. Besides, many Teas are sold in London. - - To understand what follows, it is necessary to remember that-- - - Garden Invoices _never_ go to Custom House. Custom House arrives at - weight of Tea by weighing the package for “gross,” and then turning - out Tea, weighing box, lead, nails, iron hooping, in fact all but - Tea, for “tare;” gross weight, minus tare, is the weight of Tea they - demand duty on, and the weight so found by Custom House is all the - producer or importer gets paid for.[106] It follows, therefore, that - the less Tea declared by Customs means a loss to producer and a gain - to buyer. To the latter in two ways, _viz._, less Tea to pay for - than is really there, and a saving of 6d. per lb. duty! But to show, - now, how the loss occurs. When weighing for gross, the fractions of - a pound are discarded; when weighing for tares, the pounds above the - actual weight are written. The _greatest_ loss that can occur by - this method, on one package, is 1 pound 14 ounces of Tea. It (this - greatest loss) _must_ always occur when the gross is 1 ounce short of - a pound, and the tare 1 ounce more than the pound. - - - NO. 1 EXAMPLE. - - Gross and tare can be put at any figures as to pounds. It will always - come out the same. Say, therefore, - - lbs. oz. - Gross 132 15} actual weights taken at - Tare (deducted) 37 1} Custom House. - ---------- - Actual Tea in chest 95 14 - - By rule quoted the gross and tare weights are set down at Custom - House-- - - lbs. - Gross 132 - Tare (deducted) 38 - ----- - Actual Tea thus paid for = 94 pounds--on which duty is also paid. - - Therefore the loss on the chest is 1 pound 14 ounces. - - The _least_ loss that can take place (when ounces occur in gross and - tare) is 2 ounces. To insure this the gross must be 1 ounce more than - the pound, and the tare 1 ounce below. - - - NO. 2 EXAMPLE. - - Say any figures in pounds. - - lbs. oz. - Gross 133 1} actual weights taken at - Tare (deducted) 36 15} Custom House. - -------- - Actual Tea in chest 96 2 - ======== - - But again, by rule quoted, it is written by Customs-- - - lbs. - Gross 133 - Tare (deducted) 37 - ----- - Actual Tea paid for 96 pounds, on which duty is also paid. - ===== - - Therefore the loss on chest is 2 ounces only. - - Now did weights turn out the same in London that they were on the - garden, we could, by doing as in last example, insure only the above - trifling 2 ounce loss. But it is _not_ so. The wood dries and thus - makes both the gross and tare less. The loss then comes out anything - between 2 ounces and 1 pound 14 ounces. - - I find the following simple rule will give the exact loss on each and - every weight of both gross and tare. - - _Rule._--Add the ounces above a pound in the gross to the ounces - short of a pound in the tare. The sum of the two, in ounces, will be - the loss of Tea on the package. - -This is only part of the article. I break off here to add a few remarks -more appropriate now than what I then wrote. - -There are means by which this varying loss, of which the maximum is -1 pound 14 ounces, can be reduced to 4 ounces only on each and every -chest. - -I admit the procedure is scarcely practical, but as nothing can -demonstrate better the absurdity of the system as pursued at the -Customs, I give it here. - -How can we insure the _least_ loss, taking into consideration the fact -that the weights of both the gross and tare, because of the wood drying -and lightening in transit, can never come out the same at the Custom -House in London as they were on the garden. - -We can do it thus: the Tea if well packed in a chest in no way -alters in weight during transit. If dry, when put up, it cannot -become lighter; if the leaden covering is air-tight, it can absorb -no moisture, which would of course make it heavier. I therefore beg -the question that it is a _fixed_ quantity, for it must be so if well -packed. - -We have therefore only to consider the gross and the tare, and, as -shown, the loss in Tea, varying from 2 ounces to 1 pound 14 ounces, -depends entirely on the weights these are found to be at the Custom -House. In other words, if we can insure the gross there being but -little over any even number of pounds, and the tare there being but -little below any other even number of pounds, we attain (approximately) -the least loss we can be mulcted in. - -Begging the question that we can add to, or detract from, the gross -weight of each chest in the Custom House (before it is put into the -scales by the officer there) by the addition or subtraction of a few -nails if the weight is nearly what we want, or pieces of hoop iron if -the actual varies much from the desired weight--I say, if we can do -this, we can insure approximately the minimum of loss. I go to show how -this is to be done. - -Pack the Tea in the usual way, but whatever the quantity it is desired -to put into the chest (it can be varied with each class, for it matters -not what the weight is in pounds) add to it 4 ounces, and be very -careful that the whole weight of Tea is exactly the number of pounds -required, plus 4 ounces--for the whole success of the plan depends on -this weight being exact. Nothing more is required to be done at the -Factory than has been done hitherto, for it matters not one straw, -as regards the success of the plan, what the gross and tare of each -package is, nor what the weight of Tea is, as long as exactly 4 ounces -above an even number of pounds is there; neither does it signify how -much the wood lightens in transit, and thus decreases the weights which -were found at Factory for gross and tare. - -The next step must be taken at the Custom House in London. Let the -importer or the producer’s agent attend and weigh each package himself -nicely, any time before the weights are to be taken by the Customs. -Then let him _make_ each package 2 ounces above the even number of -pounds. This will be easy enough, by the addition or subtraction of -a few nails or hoop iron. For instance, suppose the chest to weigh -140 pounds 6 ounces, he would take away nails or hoop iron weighing -4 ounces. If it weighed 140 pounds 13 ounces, he would, by adding 5 -ounces more nails or hoop iron, make it 141 pounds 2 ounces. All would -then be finished, and each and every package so treated would give a -loss in Tea of 4 ounces only. - -If my plan could be carried out (as the minimum loss otherwise is 2 -ounces, and the maximum 1 pound 14 ounces the mean is one pound), -we save a loss of the said pound on _each_ chest, minus the loss we -compound for, _viz._, 4 ounces. That is to say, we gain 12 ounces on -each package which, in a break of 2 or 3 hundred chests, means a good -deal to the producer or Customs! - -I will give one example in figures. Any other possible figures can be -tried: it will always come out the same, _if_ the weight of Tea is -exactly 4 ounces above any given number of pounds. - - -NO. 3. EXAMPLE. - - lbs. oz. - Results at Garden. Tea, any number of pounds - with 4 ounces added (say) 100 4 - Tare (any figure) (say) 43 6 - ------- - Gross at Garden 143 10 - ------- - - The wood lightens in transit any amount (it is immaterial), - say 15 ounces. - lbs. oz. - The weights at the Custom House {Gross 142 11 - then become {Tare 42 7 - ------- - Weight Tea as before 100 4 - ------- - - At Custom House (as detailed) by adding 7 ounces - of nails or hoop iron make lbs. oz. - Gross 143 2 - The tare will thereby necessarily be} - increased 7 oz. and become } Tare 42 14 - ------- - Weight tea as before 100 4 - ------- - lbs. - These weights are written at {Gross 143 - Custom House {Tare 43 - ---- - Weight of Tea found by Customs is 100 pounds - -which is a loss of 4 ounces only as stated. - -Were the plan feasible, the gain to the Indian planters would be -large. Say this year (1883), fifty-seven million pounds are imported, -and ninety pounds per chest is taken as the average, this gives over -600,000 chests, and 12 ounces saved on each = 450,000 pounds, of Tea, -which at 12 annas per pound, Rs. 3,37,000. - -The gain to the Customs would be 450,000 sixpences = £11,250. - -This increase to the Customs would be attained by simply (though still -keeping under the actual weight of Tea in each chest) taking the -contents more correctly. - -The above shows, if figures will show anything, that a great loss to -both the producer and Customs takes place by the system in vogue. As -the only object of the Customs _should_ be to arrive at the true weight -of Tea in the most expeditious and simple way, how very absurd is the -system pursued! What the _tare_ is can in no way signify to them; all -they really want is the weight of the Tea. The absurdity of the system -is proved by the fact (demonstrated) that the results to both producer -and Customs _can_ be altered by the addition or subtraction in the -Custom-house of a few nails! How easy to weigh the Tea itself! What -possible objection can exist? - -The Indian Tea Districts Association having failed to move the Customs, -have quite lately addressed the following Memorial to the Secretary of -State for India:-- - - - TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY, HER MAJESTY’S - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA. - - The Petition of the Indian Tea Districts Association sheweth-- - - That your Petitioners are a body representing the interests connected - with the cultivation of Tea in British India, in which enterprise - British capital to the extent of over fifteen millions sterling has - been invested. - - That the industry dates from the year 1838, when the first - consignment of Indian Tea, consisting of 456 lbs., reached the London - market. - - That the imports of Indian Tea for the year ending 30th June, - 1882, were 49,503,000 lbs., having a value of more than £3,300,000 - sterling; while the estimated importation for the current season - is upwards of 55,000,000 lbs., or fully one-third of the entire - consumption of the United Kingdom for the year. - - That the contribution to the Revenue accruing from Customs’ import - duty on the above quantity of Tea will exceed a million and a quarter - sterling. - - That the whole of this large quantity is manufactured and packed on - between 2,700 and 2,800 separate estates, situated on various parts - of H.M.’s Indian dominions. - - That the boxes in which the Teas are packed are in great part made - of such wood as can be obtained on the several estates, or purchased - from the neighbouring Forest Department, and it is very important on - economic grounds, as also in the manifest interests of the districts, - that this should be exclusively the case. - - That it has been found, under these conditions, practically - impossible to meet the imperative Custom-house standard of close - uniformity of tare weight when the chests reach the Bonded Warehouses - here. - - That your Petitioners have reason to complain of the system of - weighing the Teas in the said warehouses for the purpose of levying - the duty. - - That the present system of weighing is to weigh each package in the - gross, then to turn out the contents, weigh the empty case, and thus - arrive at the nett weight of the contents. - - That the only exception to this rule is when the package, _i.e._, the - empty cases, in a Break closely approximate in weight. - - That by the said system of weighing, two serious injuries are - inflicted on the grower and importer of Indian Tea, viz.:-- - - In the first place, a loss of weight is sustained by the fractions - over the even pound in both gross and tare being given against the - seller, and in favour of the buyer, amounting, it may be, to 1 lb. - 15 oz., or an average of about 1 lb. in every package weighing over - 28 lbs. gross, in addition to the usual trade allowance of 1 lb. per - package. - - Secondly, and by far the more serious grievance, very great injury - is caused to the Teas by the process of turning them out of the - packages, in which they arrive hermetically sealed, for the purpose - of weighing the empty packages. The Teas are thus exposed to the - atmosphere, the humidity of which they readily absorb, and sustain - further serious injury and depreciation by breakage from rough - handling in the process of repacking: the lead linings also are so - torn in the process as to be rendered comparatively useless for the - purpose for which they were intended, eliciting loud complaints from - the trade of the rapid loss of condition of the Teas. - -That the concession of this Petition, by rendering it unnecessary to -turn out more than a small percentage of the chests to test the correct -weight of contents, would admit of the Teas being bulked in India; -and while it would free the industry from an injurious and vexatious -restriction, and admit of the Teas reaching the consumer in a purer and -sounder condition, it would also greatly simplify and reduce the work -of the Customs. - -That the foregoing statistics significantly demonstrate the importance -of the Indian Tea industry to both England and India, and constitute a -claim to the favourable consideration of both Governments, especially -that of India, on the ground of the benefit accruing to the districts -in which it is conducted, and the increment of State revenue to which -it has directly and indirectly conduced. - -That having regard to the existing close and hardening competition -with China, Japan, and other Tea producing countries, your Petitioners -naturally feel aggrieved that the important industry they represent -should be hampered in the contest by the restrictive and superfluous -impediment forming the subject of their petition. - -That your Petitioners have unsuccessfully urged on the Commissioners -of Her Majesty’s Customs the adoption of this change of system, and -therefore venture to address your Lordship. - -That your Petitioners beg to refer to the accompanying copies of -correspondence between the Association and the Commissioners of Her -Majesty’s Customs annexed to this Petition. - -That the accompanying Memorial signed by the leading mercantile firms -and others in Calcutta, interested in the growth and export of Indian -Tea, is an illustration of the feeling in India on the subject of this -Petition. - -Your Petitioners therefore pray-- - -That your Lordship will kindly take such steps as may be necessary to -secure for your Petitioners the relief sought for. - - And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. - - T. D. FORSYTH, - Chairman of the Association. - - ERNEST TYE, - Secretary. - -The following reply was received:-- - - INDIA OFFICE, S.W., - 28th February, 1883. - - SIR,--I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council - to acknowledge the receipt of the Memorial addressed to the EARL - OF KIMBERLEY by the Indian Tea Districts Association, respecting - the method of weighing Indian Tea at the Custom House. In reply, I - am to inform you that the Memorial has been forwarded to the Lords - Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury, with the expression of LORD - KIMBERLEY’S hope that whatever is practicable may be done to remedy - the grievance complained of by the memorialists in the interests of - the Indian Tea trade. - - I am, Sir, your obedient servant, - (Signed) J. K. CROSS. - - The Secretary, Indian Tea Districts Association. - -It is possible, therefore, that some improvement will now be -accomplished.[107] - -But at the CRUTCHED FRIARS Warehouse (belonging to the East and West -India Docks) a great advance has already been made. The Tea there is -now bulked, and re-packed by machinery. The Directors most kindly -invited me to come and witness the process. I went, and was more than -pleased with what I saw. The machinery, and all connected with the -process, is so well described in an article in the _Home and Colonial -Mail_, I cannot do better than give it here:-- - - - TEA BULKING AT THE EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY’S WAREHOUSES, IN - CRUTCHED FRIARS. - - It is not a little strange that the importance of effecting - improvements in the present system of Tea bulking, which has - exercised the minds of Tea growers and importers so much of late, - should have hitherto been neglected or ignored by the proprietors of - the various bonded warehouses in London wherein the Tea is bulked - and stored. That Tea may be, and only too commonly is, bulked by an - antiquated and unsatisfactory process is a fact which is well known - to all who are interested in the matter. How this result is arrived - at will be seen later on; at present we desire to show that at least - at one warehouse the question has received the attention which it - deserves, and to explain, so far as may be possible, the steps which - have been taken in the matter. - - It is, then, that old and powerful body, the East and West India Dock - Company, who have taken up the matter. At the instance of Mr. Du Plat - Taylor, the able and energetic secretary of the company, supported - by the equally energetic warehouse superintendent, Mr. Robert Adams, - the arrangements for bulking Tea at the warehouse of the Company have - been very greatly improved. More than this; there has been invented - and set up a special and very ingenious machine for the bulking of - Tea in a manner which avoids all the failings of the old system. What - this machine is, and what its peculiar merits are, will best, and - perhaps only, be clearly understood by a brief description of the - two systems as we lately saw them in operation at the warehouses of - the company in Crutched Friars, which we may mention are nearer than - any others to Mincing-lane, an advantage securing to planters and - importers the certainty that their Teas will be sampled by the trade - generally. - - Under the old system, then, each chest of a break, after having been - subjected to certain preliminary formalities, is opened, and the - Tea turned out in a heap on the floor of the warehouse. When this - is done the Tea is bulked by means of wooden spades, each spadeful - being thrown to the top of the central heap, so that it falls over - and on all sides. Here the Tea lies until it is placed back again in - the chests after they are tared, there being a considerable interval - at some of the London warehouses between the bulking and refilling. - The refilling is thus accomplished. The Tea is first put into bags - and weighed on a machine at the side of the bulk. The bag and chest - are then taken off the weighing machine and the contents of the bag - are emptied into the chest. The Tea, however, requires some pressure - to force it into the chest, and this pressure is obtained by an - expedient of a very primitive kind. When the chest is partly filled - a man gets in and presses down the Tea by treading on it. So soon as - the Tea is all in the chest the package is properly secured, and the - operation is completed. - - Now the serious faults of this plan are at once apparent. In the - first place the Tea, being in heaps on the floor of the warehouse - with a large surface exposed to the atmosphere, runs the risk of - losing a great deal of its freshness and aroma, this risk being - largely increased by the doors of the warehouse being kept open in - order to discharge or to receive merchandise in all weathers. No - atmospheric influences are calculated to benefit Tea. Then, again, - the shovelling of the Tea by means of wooden spades, and the treading - into the chests, can hardly do otherwise than injure the Tea--the - filling in a minor degree and the treading to a more serious extent, - the result being, of course, that the Tea is depreciated. - - The East and West India Dock Company have made the best of this - primitive method of Tea bulking. In the first place it is insisted - on in their warehouses that previous to trampling the Tea into the - chests, a cloth shall be placed over it to preserve it from the dirt - of the man’s boots, and to some extent from injury--a precaution - which, strange as it may seem, is not taken in every bonded - warehouse. Then, again, Mr. Adams, the warehouse superintendent--who - could hardly have the interests of planters and importers more at - heart were he “in Tea” himself--uses his best endeavours to refill - the boxes with as little delay as possible, and thus to prevent it - from being injured by undue exposure to the atmosphere. He also keeps - the floors of the warehouse as clean as practicable. But feeling - that the best efforts, however well devised, and however strenuously - carried out, must necessarily be attended with but partial success, - the East and West India Dock Company have erected--as has already - been mentioned--a Tea bulking machine, a device which is ingenious - and meritorious, and which seems to be, so far as it has been tried, - a great success. - - This machine, designed by Mr. Tydeman, of the company’s engineering - staff, and constructed under his supervision, consists, firstly, of - a large hollow revolving drum weighing nearly two and a-half tons, - and of sufficient capacity to thoroughly bulk about 50 chests of Tea. - The drum is made to hold about 100 chests of Tea, which leaves ample - space for the bulking of the above quantity. Inside this drum are - frames fitted at intervals with iron rods, and extending at varying - angles from the axle of the drum to its extremity. Externally the - drum has two openings for the reception of the Tea, and two smaller - ones for its discharge. In a line with the axle of the drum, some - height from the floor, is a platform to which the chests are conveyed - by a double lift which simultaneously ascends with a full chest and - brings down an empty one. Adjuncts to the machine are a weighing - machine, a presser, and four beaters--of the two latter the nature - and object will be immediately apparent. The process of bulking - as effected by this machine is briefly as follows: The drum being - revolved till its receiving openings are level with the platform, - a chest of Tea is raised, as before explained, and the contents - examined on the door of the drum, which falls back into a horizontal - position for that purpose, then by closing the tray or door the Tea - is passed into the drum. The lift then brings up another full chest - and takes down the emptied one, which is at once taken to a scale for - taring purposes, and so the process is continued till the break is - exhausted. This filling process can be carried on at both sides of a - drum at once, as there are two openings and two lifts. The Tea being - in, the drum is made to revolve, when the iron frames thoroughly mix - the Tea in a very few revolutions--three would suffice. - - The drum has now to be emptied, and this operation is effected in - the following manner:--The revolution of the drum is stopped when - the openings through which the Tea is released are brought over the - weighing machines--there are two for greater expedition--on which are - placed the chests ready to receive it. The delivery doors (worked - by levers) being opened, the Tea is allowed to descend till the - chest is about half full, when the presser and beaters are brought - into play by hydraulic pressure. The presser is a piece of flat - iron about an inch in thickness, removable at pleasure, and varies - in size to fit either a chest or a box. The beaters are four pieces - of the same metal, which support the chest so soon as it is on the - weighing machine. When the chest is partly filled, the beaters are - released, and, by the action of a wheel, are made to strike all four - sides of the chest, and thus shake the Tea down. The presser is - also brought down to press the Tea in. The action of both of these - agents can be regulated to any required degree of force. Thus by - degrees the chest is filled, and (the supporting beaters having been - released and the presser raised) is weighed and ultimately removed. - Such, in brief, is the action of the new Tea bulking machine. One - or two points, however, remain to be mentioned. The power by which - the machine is actuated is hydraulic. The presser will not injure - the Tea. The beaters serve the triple purpose of holding the chest - in position on the weighing machine, of supporting it should it be - of weak construction, and of materially assisting the repacking of - the Tea. The beating action does not in any way injure the chests. - Our readers will also be pleased to know that certain very marked - improvements even upon the above described are already in hand by - this Dock Company--improvements which will greatly increase the value - and usefulness of their machinery for bulking Teas. - - To descant on the advantages over the old system of bulking which are - possessed by the machine which has been described would be little - better than a waste of time. Yet some few points may be briefly - referred to. First, cleanliness is secured, for from first to last - the Tea is never touched by hand or foot. Again, the Tea cannot be - injured, nor can it lose its aroma, for it is never exposed to the - atmosphere at all. Instead of being allowed to lie on the floor - of the warehouse for any period, the entire process of bulking is - completed without break or delay. The Directors of the East and West - India Dock Company are not, of course, so sanguine as to imagine that - the old system of bulking will be at once abandoned; indeed, they - have, as has been mentioned, taken steps to improve that system; - they do, however, think that it should be abandoned, and to that end - have adopted the Tea Bulking Machinery as an alternative, and an - immeasurably superior process. That they are justified in this view - there can be no doubt in the minds of those who have witnessed both - the systems in operation. - -The said machinery is at the CRUTCHED FRIARS Warehouse alone, and it -is, of course, very desirable the machinery should be adopted in all -Tea warehouses. This end will be quickly brought about if those who -send their Tea home, and the importers here, insist on their Tea being -sent to this one warehouse that has the machinery. - -What an advantage to owners and managers of Tea estates is the fact -that Tea bulked by machinery at CRUTCHED FRIARS is not exposed to the -changeable English atmosphere, or at least not for more than a few -minutes, and consequently is not so likely to be classed as “flat.” -How many planters are there who, after taking especial care in the -manufacture of their crop, find to their chagrin that on arrival in -London (and after exposure probably for some days), the shipment is -described as “flat,” and worth so many pence per lb. less than if the -atmospheric exposure had not occurred. - -It appears to me that very little, added to the help this new machinery -gives, would now do away with _all_ the injury the producer and the Tea -has hitherto borne in the Customs. So much has now been accomplished -by this machinery, the Tea is well bulked, and _receives no injury -whatever thereby_. But two further improvements are required:-- - - 1. That the actual weight of Tea in each chest (discarding ounces) - be recorded, and that thus the loss to the producer and the Customs, - detailed above, be avoided. - - 2. That the lead at top of the Tea be carefully replaced and - resoldered, so that every chest shall leave the Custom House in as - good condition as it entered it. - -Very little addition to the machinery detailed above would accomplish -the first. The chest ready to receive the Tea, plus the lid and top -lead (which should have been carefully removed), might be weighed on -the platform at the side of the big drum (by simply making the said -platform a weighing machine) and weighed again when filled, with the -lid and lead laid on it. The difference of the two weights would, of -course, be the weight of the Tea. - -The second is a question of expense; it would not be great if done -systematically. The chest should be carefully opened, and the top lead -removed in a square piece _nearly the size of the box_. When replaced, -a narrow strip of lead, soldered down on either side, would make the -covering complete. - -Justice will not be done to Indian Teas till this last is accomplished. - -Who should bear the expense? The chests are received into the Customs -for the benefit of the Revenue, and who can doubt, were the question -tried in a Court of Law, that they are bound to return them in as good -condition as they were received. They do _not_, and have never done -so, and I only wonder the trade has stood it so long, and has not sued -them. Were the course I advise followed out, there would remain no -cause of complaint, and the trifling cost of soldering on the lid again -should doubtless, therefore, be borne by the Customs. - -But in reality the Customs would sustain no loss--in fact, the other -way. I have shown clearly at page 278 _that were the weight of Tea -correctly recorded, the Customs would receive in duty upwards of -£11,000 each year from Indian Tea more than it does now_. To re-solder -the lids on the boxes would cost nothing like that; and highly as -Indian Tea is thought of now, how much higher still would it stand were -it not injured to the frightful extent it is in passing through the -Customs. - - -CONCLUSION. - -I lit on the following in the _Home and Colonial Mail_ just before -going to press, and it is too pertinent to much in preceding pages to -omit:-- - - - THE CHINA TEA TRADE. - - The influence of the expansion of the Indian Tea enterprise on the - trade in China is being felt. We have more than once adverted to the - fact that the growing use of the well-flavoured Teas of India would - diminish the consumption of the better grades of China Tea, and that - the effect of the competition between the two countries would be - first seen in the falling off in the demand for so-called fine China - Tea. - - The following letter, which appeared in the _Times_ Money article - lately, confirms this view, and refers to the present unsound - condition of the China Tea trade:-- - - “Sir,--In view of the opening of the Tea season in China, a few - remarks upon the present position and future prospects of this - important trade may not be inopportune. - - “It is no secret that for some years past the losses of merchants - have been serious, and that while most of the wealthy firms so long - known as connected with China have either entirely ceased to import - Tea, or have reduced their operations to a very small compass, - the trade has been carried on by new houses possessing but little - capital, who are enabled, by the competition of the banks, to do a - large business by drawing bills on China, not only for the whole - cost of the Teas purchased, but also for their commissions on these - purchases--that is to say, for an unrivalled profit of 3 per cent. - The question, Who has so far paid the losses of the past two years? - is one that greatly exercises the minds of the trade. Many suppose - that large balances are being carried over in the books of some of - the banks, or by the Chinese, and that it is the hope of recouping - a portion of this loss that induces the banks or the Chinamen to - support those who would otherwise be obliged to relinquish the - trade. The Chinese have also a further inducement to support such - firms, since it is partly through them that those high prices are - established in China at the opening of the season which entail so - much loss afterwards. As a result of these prices, about 30 per cent. - more fine Congou is produced than (on account of the competition of - the Indian growth) can be consumed except at the price of medium Tea. - How large the excess is may be gathered from the fact that, although - 5,000,000 lbs. of this class of Tea was lost last July in the - ‘Moskwa’ and the ‘Fleurs Castle,’ yet stocks in Russia have increased - by about 30,000 half-chests, and there is still so large a quantity - on this market that it can only be realized at a loss of from 5_d._ - to 6_d._ per lb. on the China cost; thus some Teas, said to have cost - in Hankow 1_s._ 8_d._ to 1_s._ 9_d._, have been recently sold as low - as 1_s._ 3_d._, and others costing 1_s._ 7_d._ in Foochow, have been - sold at 1_s._ 1_d._ per lb. - - “It is evident from the above that merchants as a rule do not realize - the immense change that has been brought about in the conditions - of the trade by the enormous increase in the use of Indian Tea, - which now forms about one-third of the entire home consumption, and - competes mostly with the finer qualities of China congou; nor the - fact that all engaged in the trade are becoming year by year more - averse to holding stock on account of the heavy charges involved, - and the risk of deterioration in quality. Yet, as the whole twelve - months’ supply of first crop Tea arrives within three months of - the opening of the season, it is plain that some one must hold the - balance, which can only be done with safety if the Tea be bought at - a very low price. - - “The one remedy for the present condition of things is that the great - bulk of the so-called fine Teas should be bought in China at their - present value on this market--viz., at about 5_d._ to 6_d._ below the - prices given for them in recent years. With the large accumulated - stocks in Russia, and consequently reduced orders from that country, - the yearly-increasing supply of Indian Tea, and the present prices - here, one would think that such a course would at once be adopted. - Unfortunately, however, so much of the Tea is bought on commission, - and the Russian agents seem so reckless as to the prices which they - give, that any such prudent action can hardly be hoped for. It would, - therefore, be wise for holders of shares in Eastern banks, as well - as all who have been in the habit of intrusting orders to buying - agents in China, to ponder the foregoing facts, which can be easily - verified by a reference to any of the trade circulars lest their - money should be lost in the crash which must certainly take place if - the past policy of Tea buyers in China be continued.--I am, &c., - - “A. B.” - -Will those warned be wise in time, and not swamp the Home Market with -China Teas certain to be sold at a loss? Who can say? But “A. B.” is -evidently master of the subject, and if his advice in not taken, the -China Tea “crash” he predicts will not be a small one. - -When China Teas are _not_ sent home to realise a certain loss, our -Indian Teas will have fairer play. - -I cannot conclude without acknowledging the great help I have derived -from the pages of the _Tea Gazette_ in writing these additions to my -Fourth Edition. - - * * * * * - -Since my remarks on Ceylon were printed, I have acquired much further -information regarding the Tea industry in that island, and the -prospects certainly seem very favourable. Anyhow, there seems to be no -doubt that Ceylon for Tea offers quite as good a field as any part of -India, always supposing that good sites are selected and the area to -choose from is large. - -The future market for Tea is really, as regards Ceylon, the only -doubtful point, and consequently (as at page 183) I advise the planters -there to act with caution. - -Where it is proposed to put coffee lands under Tea, of course one -great advantage in economy will be gained, inasmuch as there will be -no jungle clearing or previous cultivation. But here again caution is -necessary. Make sure the soil is not worn out, for Tea, though it will -grow, will not yield largely on such. - - * * * * * - - _June, 1883._ - -P.S.--The following are the new rules lately issued by the Customs -regarding the future treatment of Indian Teas. - - The weight of Indian Tea for duty may, if desired by the importers, - be ascertained under the following regulations:-- - - 1. The Tea on arrival to be weighed to ascertain the gross weight of - each package. - - 2. With each entry the importer to give an endorsement of the net - contents of each package. - - 3. To test the accuracy of this endorsement, 10 per cent. of each - break to be turned out and weighed net. - - 4. If the difference between the weight given of any package and the - weight found exceeds or is less than 3 lbs., the whole parcel should - be weighed net. - - 5. Duty to be charged on the average weight of the packages weighed - net, unless the importer elects to weigh the whole parcel in the - usual way. - - 6. When the average of the packages weighed net amounts to so many - pounds and a-half, an additional pound will be charged on each of the - whole parcel; when the fraction is less than half a pound it is to be - rejected. - - 7. The new system to come into operation on July the 1st next. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[106] If tares are nearly equal, and if Teas are well bulked in India, -only some packages (about 10 per cent.) are opened, and an average tare -struck. But this in no way saves the loss in _quantity_ of Tea, though, -of course, less Tea is thus _injured_. - -[107] Since I wrote the above the Customs have framed new rules for -Indian Teas. The absurd tare system is done away with. - - - - -ADDENDA - -_TO THE THIRD EDITION_. - - -The following from the _Indian Economist_, regarding Indian Teas in -general and Neilgherry Teas in particular, is not out of place here. At -the same time I do not agree with the writer, for I believe that in the -strength and pungency of Indian Teas consists their value:-- - - - INDIAN TEA. - - “That the Teas of India have at length come to be fully appreciated - in England may be taken, we presume, as an admitted fact; and it - is of importance that planters should direct their attention to - modifying their methods of manufacture so as to suit the public - taste, and, if possible, turn out an article free from the objections - still advanced against the Indian leaf as a daily beverage. There - are, we know, those who argue that enough has been done, and that - consumers will acquire a taste for the produce of our gardens in - time; but we have daily evidence that in the most trivial matters - there is no greater tyrant than the public. It behoves those then who - cater for this tyrant to consult its taste and satisfy its demands, - however exacting and capricious they may be. The remarks we are about - to make are based on experiments and enquiries extending over some - years in this country and in England, and we leave those engaged in - the enterprise to estimate their value. All Teas grown in the plains - of India are known to the trade in London under the general name of - Assam, and are chiefly used for mixing, seldom reaching the consumer - in a pure state. When they do, the objections raised are that the - leaf is too pungent and rough for most palates; and purchasers are - in the habit of mixing it with Chinese to tone down those astringent - qualities. In other words, it wants the delicacy of flavour which - is the chief characteristic of the Chinese leaf, meaning of course - that vended by respectable houses, not the abominable trash that - formed part of the cargoes of the _Lalla Rookh_ and _Sarpedon_, - containing, according to Dr Letheby’s Analysis, ‘40 to 45 per - cent. of iron filings and 19 per cent. of silica.’ Nor is this lack - of delicacy of flavour to be lightly regarded, for the efforts of - our manufacturers have been directed unwittingly and indirectly - to foster the peculiarity, as the test of Indian Tea has hitherto - been its strength and pungency, to fit it for _salting_ weak, thin, - inferior sorts of Chinese. This is what the dealers have demanded, - and what, consequently, brokers in their turn have insisted on, with - the result that the out-turn of our Assam and Cachar plantations is - now, if anything, too powerful to suit public taste. Whether means - of manipulation may be hit upon by which aroma can be retained - without sacrificing strength, we leave those most interested to - determine; but it is worthy of note that this objection to strength - and roughness is almost confined to women, the sterner sex preferring - Assam unmixed, while the working classes of both sexes are unanimous - in favour of the unadulterated Indian article. Experiments were - further tried by substituting Neilgherry Tea, and after a short - interval the verdict of the majority was in its favour. We need - now only point out the difference in the manufacture between the - two Teas, leaving others to decide questions regarding the bearing - of climate or altitude. Up to the time of finishing rolling, the - manipulation of the leaf is identical, care being taken to retain the - juice; but that made on the hills instead of being almost immediately - placed over _choolas_ was spread out thinly on tables all night, in - a temperature of 54 deg., sustaining consequent loss of strength by - evaporation, but developing an aroma that established it at once in - favour. So successful has this Neilgherry Tea been at home, that - offers are now received by plantation proprietors for their produce - at half-a-crown per lb. free on board, in Madras. This would seem to - indicate that the aroma is generated by the action of cold upon the - damp leaf while in a state of ‘suspended fermentation;’ for, previous - to experimenting with consumers, the samples were submitted to - Mincing Lane brokers and pronounced sound, in corroboration of which - opinion the bulk from which they were taken sold at auction for 2_s._ - 2-1/2_d._, so that fermentation (_i.e._ sourness) had been carefully - avoided. We know that the climate of Assam and temperature of the - Tea-houses render the keeping of rolled leaf even for an hour fatal - to soundness; but should the development of this aroma be really due - to ‘suspension of fermentation’ is it not worth while adopting some - contrivance for cooling down a chamber set aside for the purpose of - spreading out the rolled leaf to the temperature required? - - “The question whether delicacy is due to altitude alone and not - to manufacture might be ascertained by experiment. Let a quantity - of green leaf be sent _down_ from one of the Neilgherry gardens, - and worked up in the plains at the foot of the hills, and an equal - quantity sent _up_ from one of the Assam gardens, say to Shillong, - and manufactured on the Neilgherry principles there, and the result - then compared. This experiment would cost little and determine a not - unimportant question: for all engaged in Tea are interested in using - their best endeavours to fit it for public consumption, and to guard - it against Chinese in any shape or form whatever.” - - _Note by the Author._--That “delicacy of flavour,” and “want - of strength” with it, _is_ due to altitude has long ago been - admitted, and any experiments on that head would, I think, be quite - unnecessary. The experiments as to manufacture on the Neilgherries - are interesting, and should be further looked into. - - E. M. - - I have at last completed experiments with a view to do away with the - use of charcoal in Tea manufacture, and I think with success. - - The “Furnace Teas,” for so I purpose naming them, have in most cases - been pronounced by the Calcutta brokers to be superior to similar - samples of the same day’s leaf, made in the usual way over charcoal. - - Nothing but the heat generated by _any_ fuel placed in furnaces sunk - under ground outside the Tea-house is used. No motive power of any - kind is employed. The apparatus is very simple. It is cheap to erect - and very durable in character. - - As the apparatus with which the Teas up to the present time have been - made is a rude and imperfect one, having disadvantages which must - tell more or less on the excellence of the Teas so manufactured, and - as, even with these disadvantages, the Teas are pronounced by the - brokers _at least_ equal to charcoal-dried Teas, it is not too much - to hope that with a perfect apparatus (one of which will be erected - immediately) Teas will be improved in value by this new invention. - The following will be shortly the advantages of this new process, - even supposing the Teas are no better:-- - - 1. _Economy._--This will possibly be even greater than what is set - out in the extract of the local paper below; for the fact that the - Tea is never placed over charcoal until the whole is ignited, and has - become “live charcoal,” is not there recognized, much of the caloric - thus escapes. - - 2. Cleanliness and absence of charcoal dust. - - 3. Absence of the objectionable fumes of charcoal. - - 4. Immunity from fire in Tea-houses. - - 5. Greater speed in the firing process, and the saving of all the - labour employed to make charcoal. - - 6. Reduced temperature in Tea-houses. - - If all the advantages are, as I expect they will be, attained, the - life of a Tea planter will be more pleasant than hitherto. - - The following is the opinion of the new process expressed by the - _Darjeeling News_ of 1st August:-- - - “It has long been a question, which all planters were desirous to - solve, if the fumes of charcoal were necessary to make Tea, that is - to say, if any chemical action was produced on the Tea by the said - fumes, and if not, whether it would not be possible to do the firing - in some other and far cheaper way. - - “The question has, we believe, been solved by Colonel Edward Money, - and if so, for the invention is quite a new one, a boon of great - magnitude will have been conferred on the Tea interest of India. We - congratulate this district as being the birthplace of the improvement. - - “The apparatus at present in use at Soom, and which we have seen - working, is a rough and crude one made on the spot. This, and the - more perfect plans from which larger and better ones are to be made, - are readily shown by Colonel Money to anyone visiting Soom; but until - the invention is patented, it is not well to describe it in print. - Suffice if we say the invention is a remarkably simple one--cheap to - erect--durable in its character, and the working thereof unattended - with any expense whatever, beyond the cost of the fuel (which may - be of any kind), and which of course will be many times less than - charcoal. - - “If true, as we hear, that it takes 3-1/2 maunds of wood generally - to make one maund of charcoal, and if also true, as Colonel Money - suggests, that the caloric in one maund of wood equals the caloric - in two maunds of charcoal, it then follows that each maund of wood, - put into Colonel Money’s furnace, equals seven maunds of wood to make - charcoal. - - “Of course the above are more or less random figures, but they - suffice to show that the saving of fuel will be very great--a boon - of course to planters, but a boon also to the Forest Department and - to India. - - “We knew of the invention some time back, but we forbore to notice - it until the brokers’ reports on the Tea so made had been received. - We have now seen these. Samples of ‘charcoal’ and ‘furnace’ Tea were - sent down, made from the same leaf, the same day, and manufactured - in one up to the “firing” process. Two brokers give the higher value - to the furnace Tea, one to the charcoal kind--but the difference is - small. - - “We believe, as one of our most experienced planters, who has tasted - the Teas, been to Soom, and seen the brokers’ reports, says, that - ‘the Tea dried by the furnace apparatus will be _at least_ equal to - that prepared over charcoal.’ - - “As Colonel Money is already known as an authority in Tea, and as - he has stated to us his belief that ‘charcoal days’ for Tea are - now at an end, we await with confidence the ultimate success of - his invention, which even if it makes no better Tea will certainly - make it far cheaper, while the dirt from charcoal dust will be done - away with, the temperature of the Tea-houses much reduced, and the - deleterious fumes of charcoal, so very objectionable from a sanitary - point of view in Tea manufacture, will be known no more.” - - Again, 29th August, a month later, the _Darjeeling News_ further - remarks:-- - - “We alluded recently to Colonel Money’s very ingenious plan for - drying Tea without charcoal. Since then his apparatus has been - in full work at Soom, and has been inspected by numbers of the - Darjeeling planters, one and all of whom have, we understand, - reported most favourably on its working. Samples of Tea manufacture - have been from time to time sent to Calcutta brokers for their - opinion, and reports have been received from fifteen, of whom seven - are in favour of Tea made by the old charcoal process, seven are in - favour of the new furnace process, and one reports that the Tea made - by each process is exactly the same. - - “Colonel Money is now taking steps to erect his improved furnace, - which will be in working order by the end of September, and the whole - October crop of Soom Tea will be fired by the new furnace. - - “Colonel Money has applied for a patent, and as soon as this is - granted we hope to give our readers a description of the apparatus. - For obvious reasons it would not be advisable to do so before then. - We may mention here that one of the most intelligent and practical - planters in this district has ordered one of Colonel Money’s flues - for his private garden. - - “Of the commercial success of Colonel Money’s apparatus we have no - doubt whatever, and we trust that Colonel Money will reap a handsome - profit from his very ingenious invention, which will be an undoubted - boon not only to this district, but to all the Tea-producing - districts of India. - - “One point which has struck us as good in Colonel Money’s apparatus - is that the temperature of the Tea-house is considerably lowered - during the firing process as compared with the open _chulas_, and - that there is no free carbonic acid gas allowed to escape into the - Tea-house, so that those very unpleasant symptoms of slow poisoning - which often show themselves in planters and Tea-makers will be - unknown in future. At our suggestion Colonel Money has decided to - keep a register of the maximum temperature of the Tea-house, whilst - the open _chulas_ continue in use, and to compare it with the - temperature when the new apparatus has superseded them, also to test - for free carbonic acid gas in the air with each process. - - “We are convinced that when the figures are available our readers - will be rather astonished at the difference from a sanitary point of - view. - - “On the whole, we think that Colonel Money’s invention is by far the - most important application of _common sense_ and scientific knowledge - to Tea manufacture that we have yet seen, and we are almost certain - that his apparatus will before long be adopted throughout the Indian - Tea districts.”[108] - -FOOTNOTE: - -[108] Note to Third Edition.--No. The furnace has been erected but -on two or three gardens. Other inventions have since been brought -forward, and the whole matter is still in an uncertain state--I mean -as to which of the several apparatuses is the best. I believe in mine -still, and intend to erect it on the Western Dooar Gardens in which I -am interested, but, of course, I am not an impartial judge! One thing, -however, I lay claim to, and that is, that I was the first to show by -practical results that the fumes of charcoal are in no way necessary to -make Tea. - -Note to Fourth Edition.--Since the above note was written (now five -years ago) many Tea Drying Machines have been invented (see pages 240 -to 259), and I most willingly admit they are _all_ better than my -furnace apparatus. The first inventor rarely attains perfection, and -as in my case, he generally labours for the benefit of those who come -after!--EDWARD MONEY. - - - - -INDEX. - - - Area required for a garden, 2 - -- large, a mistake, 2 - - - Boxes, 147 - -- cost of, 161 - - - Climate, 14 - -- in each district, 14 to 25 - -- wanted, 14 - -- rainfall, 14, 28 - -- rain table, 28 - -- temperature table, 26 - -- elevation table, 26 - -- cold, 14 - -- hot winds, 14 - -- affects flavour of tea, 15 - -- good for tea, bad for man, 15, 35 - - Cultivation, 81 - -- what is it, 81 - -- when a waste of labour, 81 - -- by digging round each plant, 82 - -- weeds not to get ahead, 83 - -- Dutch hoe for, 83 - -- cost each operation per acre, 84 - -- cost of, to 6th year, 84 - -- cost of in full bearing, 85 - - - Districts, 13 - -- which best, 30 - -- rainfall in, 28 - -- cold in, 26 - -- of Assam, 15 - -- of Cachar, 16 - -- of Chittagong, 16 - -- of Terai below Darjeeling, 18 - -- of Dehra Dhoon, 18 - -- of Kangra, 19 - -- of Darjeeling, 20 - -- of Kumaon, 22 - -- of Gurhwal, 24 - - Districts of Hazareebaugh, 24 - -- of Neilgherries, 24 - -- of Western Dooars, 25 - -- meteorological table of, 26 - -- comparative advantages of, 30 - -- soil of, 13 to 25 - -- jungle of, 13 to 25 - -- lay of land of, 13 to 25 - -- price waste lands in, 4 - -- elevation of, 26 - -- temperature of, 26 - - Distances for plants, 72 - -- table of, 72 - -- regulated by class, 72 - -- best, 72 - - - Flushes, 97 - -- number of, 97 to 101 - -- way formed, 104 - -- differ in districts, 98 - -- intervals between, 99 - - - Hills and Plains-- - -- comparison of, chap. iii. - -- high elevations bad, do. - -- table of elevation, 26 - - - Jungle, 34 - -- what best in Himalayas, 34 - -- not of much consequence in Bengal, 34 - - Jungle, coarse grass, 34 - -- cutting, 75 - - - Labour, 10 - -- local, 10, 11, 12 - -- imported, 10, 11, 12 - -- government action, 10, 11 - -- cost of imported, 10 - - Labour in tea districts, chap. iii. - - Laying out a garden, 42 - - Lay of land and aspect, 37 - -- flat, sloping, steep, 7, 13, 35 - -- aspect, 39 - -- valleys, 40 - -- narrow valleys, 40 - - Lay of land and selection of steep land, 7, 37 - -- disadvantages of steep land, 37 - -- lines on steep land, 46 - -- plants close on steep land, 45 - - Leaf-picking, 102 - -- principles of, 102 - -- diagram of shoot, 104 - -- teas made from each leaf, 107 - -- cannot make separate teas in practice, 107 - -- pruning connected with, 102 - -- mistakes in, 42 - -- how shoots form, 104 - -- mode of, 104 - - - Manufacture, 109 - -- importance of good, 109 - -- old and new plan, 110 - -- withering, 110, 111, 123 - -- rolling, 111, 112 - -- panning, 109, 112 - -- sunning, 112, 128 - -- tea, how judged, 113 - -- Pekoe tips, 105, 106, 114, 115, 116, 122 - -- strong teas and Pekoe tips incompatible, 116 - -- fermenting or colouring, 127 - -- firing or dholing, 128 - -- of flowery Pekoe, 130 - - Manufacture of green tea, 130, 144 - -- sifting and sorting, 134, 135, 136, 161 - -- sieves, 135 - -- Chinese sieves best, 135 - -- classes of tea, 137 - -- cost of, 160 - -- ignorance of, 7 - - Manufacture, coarse leaf, 126 - -- burntness, 143 - - Manure, 67 - -- advantages of, 17, 67 - -- how to apply, 68 - -- quantity, 69 - -- cost of, 69 - -- kinds of, 67 - -- results of, 69 - - Management, accounts, forms, 152 - -- what qualities required for a Manager, 152 - -- forms, 153 - -- accounts, 158 - - Making a garden, 73 - -- general instructions for, 73 - - Mechanical contrivances, 116 - -- McMeekin’s rolling table, 116 - -- Kinmond’s rolling machine, 116 - -- Nelson’s rolling machine, 118 - -- Jackson’s rolling machine, 116 - -- McMeekin’s drawers, 119 - -- Money’s furnace, 121, 296 - -- sifting machines, 121 - -- machine required to separate the leaves, 122 - -- packing machines, 121 - - Miscellaneous:-- - Transport, chap. iii. - -- in each district, chap. iii. - Green tea, 21, 130, 144 - Stagnant water, 40 - Inundation, 40 - Sections, 42 - Yield, 43, 170 - Lines of plants, 45, 46 - Roads, 45 - Relative price green and black teas, 133 - Yield first 10 years, 170 - Necessities for tea, 173, 180 - Past, present, and future of Indian tea, 174 - Strange facts about tea, 174 - Imports, 177 - Annual consumption, 177 - Collapse of tea speculation, 178 - Share list to-day, 179 - - Money matters: will tea pay?, 1 - -- why has it not paid sometimes?, 1, 6 - -- cause of failures, 1 to 8 - -- wilful extensions, 6 - -- price paid for gardens, 8 - -- faulty area sold, 8 - -- cost of making a 300-acre garden, 163 - -- how much profit tea can give, 168 - -- table, result 300 acres for 12 years, 172 - - - Packing, 147 - -- lead case for, 147 - -- larger each break the better, 151 - -- cost of, 161 - - Planting at stake, 59 - -- advantages of, 57 - -- disadvantages of, 58 - -- mode of, 59 - - Pruning, 86 - -- time for, 86 - -- instruments for, 87 - -- height to prune, 88 - -- cost of, 88 - - - Sale Lands, Waste Lands-- - -- sale waste lands, 3 - -- auction system, 3 - -- price waste lands, 4 - -- title, 4 - - Sanitation, 35 - - Seed, 54 - -- transport of, 55 - -- price of, 7 - -- shade, natural, 62 - -- do. artificial, 64 - -- how to sow, 57 - -- when ripe, 54 - -- treatment of, 54 - - Seed as manure, 55 - -- number in 1 maund, 56 - -- proportions that germinate, 56 - -- Government gave seed, 51 - -- indigenous hybrid and China alike, 51 - -- how to increase, 55 - -- nurseries or stake planting best, 57 - - Soil, 31 - -- only general rules for, 31 - -- sandy, 31 - -- greasy, 32 - -- poor, 32 - -- Ball on, 32 - -- friable and porous, 32 - -- in Tea districts, 13, 25, 31 - -- clay, 33 - -- decayed vegetation, 33 - -- for seed beds, 62 - - - Transplanting, 76 - -- holes for, 59, 76 - -- mode of, 77 - -- results of bad, 77 - -- when to be finished, 78 - -- best days for, 79 - - - Vacancies, 92 - -- difficult to fill up, 92 - -- why difficult, 92 - -- best plan to fill up, 92 - -- large proportion of, 6 - - Varieties of tea plants, 47 - - - White-ants, Crickets, Blight, 89 - -- harm done by crickets, 89 - -- harm done by white-ants, 90 - -- harm done by blight, 91 - -- remedies for crickets, 90 - -- do. white-ants, 91 - -- do. blight, 91 - - Weeds, 82 - -- ahead of labour, 83 - - - - -INDEX - -_TO THE ADDITIONS IN FOURTH EDITION._ - - - Agricultural machinery, 223 - - America, 185, 204, 205, 209 - - Amsterdam Exhibition, 202 to 211 - - Any fuel _versus_ charcoal, 239, 258 - - Australia, 201, 202, 204, 205, 207 to 209 - - - Brick tea, 212 - - - Calcutta Syndicate, 202, 206, 208, 210, 211, 212, 214 - - China tea trade, 288 - - China, 194 to 198, 201 to 207, 210 to 212, 288 - - Consumption of China and Indian Tea, 201 - - Continent of Europe, 202, 211 - - - Damage to tea by procedure in London, 272, 273 - - Darby’s digger, 225 - - Date of commencement of tea cultivation in each district, 194 - - Deliveries and stocks, 195, 197 to 201 - - Discovery of indigenous tea, 194 - - Dryers, by Robertson, the Typhoon, 240, 241 - - „ Allen, 242 - - „ Davidson, the Sirocco, 243, 244 - - „ Gibbs and Barry, 244 - - „ Shand, 244, 245, 246 - - „ Jackson, 246 to 248 - - „ Kinmond, 248 to 257 - - - Fermenting Shelves, 239, 258 - - First tea in India, 194 - - - Greatest and least possible loss by Custom House procedure, 274, 275 - - Green tea, 203, 204 - - - Himalayan gardens, 212 - - Hoop iron, 271 - - How loss by Custom House procedure could be avoided, 275 to 278 - - - Imports into Great Britain, 194, 195, 198 to 200, 203 - - Increase of Indian Imports into Great Britain, 195 - - Indian produce for 1883, 195 - - Indian _versus_ China tea, 219 - - - Jebens’ transplanter, 223 - - - Local market in India, 213 to 218 - - Loss of tea by procedure in London, 272, 273 - - Loss on China teas, 288 to 290 - - - Machinery, 222 to 271 - - Making Indian tea known in United Kingdom, 218 to 221 - - Manufacturing machinery, 231 to 271 - - Markets outside Great Britain, 207 to 217 - - Money loss to producers and Customs by method of weighing in vogue, 278 - - - New mode bulking at warehouse in Crutched Friars, 282 to 286 - -- required further, 287, 288 - - New Zealand, 205 - - - Ornamental tin boxes by Harvey Bros. and Tyler, 266 to 271 - - - Petition of Indian Tea Districts Association _re_ mode of weighing teas, - 279 to 281 - - Planting pots, 223 - - Plantations in Northern India, 203 - - Ploughing, 223 to 231 - - Processes of manufacture, 231 to 271 - - - Rollers by Jackson, 233, 235, 237 - - „ Kinmond, 233, 234, 235, 237 - - „ Haworth, 235, 237 - - „ Lyle, 236 - - „ Greig, 236 - - „ Thomson, 237, 238 - - Russia, 203, 211 - - - Sifters, by Jackson, 259 - - „ Greig, 259 - - „ Pridham, 259 - - „ Ansell, 260 to 266 - - Sorter for green leaf by Greig & Co., 232 - - Statistics of Indian tea, 194 to 206 - - - Tea outside China and India, 183 to 192 - Ceylon, 183 - Johore, 184 - Japan, 185 to 188, 205, 210 - Java, 188 - America, 188 to 190, 201, 203, 205, 206, 208 - Natal, 191 - Fiji, 192 - - Tea consumption per head, 204, 205 - - _Tea Gazette_--This is alluded to in most pages, (see 290) - - Thibet, 212 - - - Weighing and bulking by Customs, 272 to 288 - - Weighing teas by Customs, The new rules, 290, 291 - - Withering machine, 232, 253, 257 - - - - - W. B. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., - PRINTERS, - 91, GRACECHURCH STREET, - LONDON. - - - - -RANSOMES, HEAD & JEFFERIES, - -IPSWICH & LONDON. - -[Illustration] - -_SOLE MANUFACTURERS_ - -OF - -ANSELL’S PATENT TEA SORTER. - - -LATEST REPORT. - -(From Mr. D. M. LUMSDEN, Manager of the Borelli Company’s Gardens, -through Messrs. J. WILLIAMSON & Co., London, February 8th, 1883.) - -“I find that using ANSELL’S Sifter I have spent Rs. 780 less on my -sorting than last year, besides sorting 500 maunds more Tea; so I may -safely calculate that last season’s working paid for the machine.” - -MANUFACTURERS ALSO OF - -Portable and Fixed Engines, for burning Coal, Wood, and Vegetable -refuse. - -Ploughs specially suited for Indian Agriculture. - - -Catalogues and all information on application to RANSOMES, HEAD & -JEFFERIES, 9, Gracechurch Street, London, and Orwell Works, Ipswich; -Mr. C. W. ANSELL, Woodcot, Kurseong, Bengal; Messrs. 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Calling at Port Said, -Suez, Aden, Batavia, Thursday Island, Cooktown, Townsville, Bowen, -Mackay, Rockhampton, and Brisbane. - -~London to Kurrachee, Bombay, and Malabar Coast Ports.~--Fortnightly. -Calling at Algiers, Port Said, Suez, Aden, Kurrachee, Bombay, and -Malabar Coast Ports; and every alternate Steamer calling at Lisbon, the -latter connecting at Aden with the Company’s East African Mail Steamers -for Zanzibar, Mozambique, Quillimane, Inhambane, and Delagoa Bay. - -~Calcutta to Chittagong, Akyab, Kyouk Phyoo, and Rangoon.~--Weekly. - -~Calcutta to Rangoon and Moulmein.~--Weekly. - -~Calcutta to Rangoon, Moulmein, Penang, Malacca, and -Singapore.~--Fortnightly. - -~Rangoon to Penang~ (Coasting).--Five-Weekly. - -~Rangoon and Moulmein.~--Weekly. - -~Rangoon, Tavoy, and Mergui.~--Fortnightly. - -~Madras and Rangoon.~--Fortnightly. - -~Calcutta and Bombay~ (Coasting).--Weekly. - -~Bombay and Kurrachee.~--Bi-weekly. - -~Bombay and Persian Gulf.~--Weekly. - -The Netherlands India Steam Navigation Company’s Mail Steamers for -Padang, Samarang, Sourabaya, &c., run in connection with the British -India Company’s Steamers. - -Passengers booked through to all Ports in India, Burmah, the Straits -Settlements, the Malay Archipelago, the Soudan, North and East Coast of -Africa. - - -For all information apply to GRAY, DAWES & CO., 13, Austin Friars, and -GELLATLY, HANKEY, SEWELL & CO., 109, Leadenhall Street, and 51, Pall -Mall, S.W., London; BINNY & CO., Madras; ALSTONS, SCOTT & CO., and -DARLEY, BUTLER & CO., Colombo; MACKINNON, MACKENZIE & CO. (Managing -Agents in India), Calcutta, Bombay, and Kurrachee. - - - - -HENRY S. KING & CO., - -AGENTS AND BANKERS, - -65 CORNHILL, and 45 PALL MALL, LONDON. - - Banking and India Office Agency 45 Pall Mall. - Shipping and Supply Department 65 Cornhill. - Baggage Warehouse 14 Worship St., Finsbury. - -Branch Firms: - - KING, KING & CO. _Bombay._ - KING, HAMILTON & CO. _Calcutta._ - KING, BAILLIE & CO. _Liverpool._ - - - ~Banking Accounts~ kept upon the usual terms. - - ~Deposits received~ for fixed periods at rates of interest which may - be learned on application. - - ~Circular Notes and Letters of Credit~ issued, payable in all the - principal cities of the world. - - ~Investments and Sales~ effected in all British, Indian, American, - and Foreign Securities free of charge. - - Remittances ~made to~, and Drafts purchased or collected on, any city - in the world. - - ~Pay, Pensions, &c.~, collected, and Dividends and Coupons realised. - - -_SUPPLY AND FORWARDING DEPARTMENT._ - - ~Miscellaneous Goods~ supplied on the most advantageous terms. - - ~Newspapers and other Periodicals~ despatched with the utmost - regularity. - - ~Berths selected and Passages~ engaged by all lines of Steamers - without charge. - - ~Baggage collected~, shipped, and insured. - - ~Passengers Homeward~ met on arrival at London, Liverpool, or - Plymouth, and their effects cleared through the Customs and - forwarded, or warehoused to await instructions. - - ~Goods and Parcels~ forwarded to all parts of the world, or received - from Abroad and forwarded to destination. - - - “THE OVERLAND MAIL,” a Summary of Home Intelligence for India, China, - and the East, for despatch weekly. Annual Subscription, including - postage, _viâ_ Brindisi, £1 12_s._ 6_d._, payable in advance. - - “THE HOMEWARD MAIL AND OFFICIAL GAZETTE,” a Summary of Intelligence - from India, China, and the East, published on the arrival of each - Mail _viâ_ Brindisi. Annual Subscription, including postage, £1 - 6_s._, payable in advance. - - - - -W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO.’S - -PUBLICATIONS. - -91, GRACECHURCH STREET, - -LONDON. - -⁂ Agents to Government by Appointment for the Sale of the India Office -Publications. - - -_Fourth Edition, with important Additional Chapters. Price ~10~s. ~6~d._ - -TEA--CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE. - - By Lieut.-Col. EDWARD MONEY. - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON THE THIRD EDITION. - -The ~Saturday Review~, in the course of an extended notice, says:--“We -think that Col. Money has done good service by throwing into the form -of a book an essay which gained the Prize awarded by the Agricultural -and Horticultural Society of India, in 1872. The author is one of a -well-known Anglo-Indian family.... He has had plenty of practical -experience, and has tested the labours of other men.... Col. Money’s -general rules and principles, as far as we can form a judgment, seem to -have reason as well as experience on their side.... No tea planter can -afford to disregard his experience.” - -The ~Indian Agriculturist~ says:--“Col. Money has advanced with the -times, and the work under review may well be considered the standard -work on the subject, and it ought to be in every tea planter’s hand in -India, Ceylon, Java, Japan, China or America; the merit and sterling -value of his essay has been universally and deservedly acknowledged.... -We recommend our readers who require full information and sound advice -on the subject to procure Col. Money’s book.” - -~Allen’s Indian Mail~ says:--“The particulars of this great industry, -which comprises (Tea) Cultivation and Manufacture, are given in the -work of Col. Money. The Third Edition expanded from the original prize -Essay published in 1872, by the results of the author’s practical -experience and observations up to the present time, supplies full -details of the origin and progress of an Indian Tea Garden, and that -in a very lucid and readable form.... The publication of so thorough, -clear and instructive a directorium as Col. Money’s work is in itself a -proof of the attention devoted to this important industry, which has a -great future before it. No one who desires to understand the condition -of its development; still more--no one who has a pecuniary interest in -a Tea Garden, can feel that the subject of tea is known until this work -has been studied.” - -The ~China Express~ says:--“The experience gained since 1872 is added -to the work, and it now forms a most complete guide to the tea planter. -The great progress the cultivation of tea is making in India renders -a practical work of this kind very valuable; and the method in which -Colonel Money deals with the subject shows his thorough knowledge of -it.” - -The ~Scotsman~ says:--“With respect to the conditions of climate and -soil necessary for successful tea cultivation, the requirements of the -plant in the way of water, &c., the varieties best suited for culture -in the various districts, the laying out of the tea garden, and all the -various details of cultivation and manufacture, Colonel Money writes -with the authority derived from many years of experience; and in the -present edition the fruits of his latest experience are embodied. To -new beginners in tea cultivation this book must be of the greatest -value, while it will be found full of interest by outsiders who may -be desirous of information about the condition and prospects of an -important department of agricultural industry.” - -The ~Produce Markets Review~ says:--“Colonel Money is a practical tea -planter, and his work is the standard work on the subject, so that it -should be procured by all who are interested in the subject. The new -edition is greatly enlarged, and corrected by the experience of the -past six years.” - -The ~Planters’ Gazette~ says:--“The cultivation of tea in the British -dominions is becoming a rapidly extending industry, and we are glad to -see that Colonel Money’s prize essay has reached a third edition, for -it is full of practical information and deserves to be studied by every -tea planter.” - -The ~Manchester Examiner~ says:--“During the last few years the fact -that India is a tea-producing country has become more generally known -in England; but few people know that the finest Indian teas are more -expensive than the best of Chinese growth, and, that the average price -of the tea grown in India is higher than that which comes from the -Flowery Land. Another piece of information given in this book is not -less suggestive; we mean that which assures us that India is capable of -producing as much tea as would meet the wants of great Britain and all -her colonies. But the culture is yet in its infancy. Colonel Money’s -treatise is one of the most complete and exhaustive of the kind we -have ever read. He seems to anticipate all possible difficulties; his -warnings and his counsels embrace every branch of the subject, and -only a practical man could have written them. One would think that a -tea grower of common sense could scarcely make blunders with such an -admirable guide before him; and the commercial side of the enterprise -is discussed in the same careful manner as the agricultural.” - -The ~Broad Arrow~ says:--“In this work we have the results of eighteen -years’ experience of a tea planter in India, and the author has so -written it that the beginner will find it invaluable, for he has had -his wants specially in view. It is, so far as we know, the best, as -it is certainly the most practical, book about tea that has been -published.” - - - - -_Third Edition. Crown 8vo. Cloth, ~3~s. ~6~d._ - - THE ART OF TEA BLENDING. - - A Handbook for the Tea Trade; a Guide to Tea Merchants, Brokers, - Dealers and Consumers, in the Secret of Successful Tea Mixing. - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - -The ~Field~ says:--“This is a practical and authentic little text book -on the principles involved in Tea Blending.” - -The ~Grocer’s Chronicle~ says:--“The book ought to be in the hands of -every grocer of the United Kingdom.” - -The ~Grocer’s Journal~ says:--“We cordially recommend ‘The Art of Tea -Blending’ to our readers as giving useful instruction and guidance.” - -~Allen’s Indian Mail~ says:--“The author gives full technical -instructions for the professional tea-blender and tea-taster; and in -doing so, he imparts much information that will be found both valuable -and interesting to the tea-drinking public.” - -~Broad Arrow~ says:--“A trader should be able by its aid to make a name -as a teaman, and realise the result which the housewife only needs--a -gentle hint as to the opportunity of exercising real judgment and -correct taste in a matter of such important family interest as tea.” - -The ~Grocer~ says:--“This is the third edition of a book which we have -previously noticed with favour, and which has met with considerable -success. Although the art of successful tea-blending is not one -which can well be gleaned from mere book-lore--practical experience -being essential to its acquisition--there are many young beginners, -and possibly also some older hands, who will derive a good deal of -information from the work now under notice. It has evidently been -prepared with much care, and in its way is a very useful handbook.” - -The ~Daily Chronicle~ says:--“This capital handbook, which will prove -of great service to merchants, brokers, and all engaged in the tea -trade, has reached a third edition. For consumers we may extract the -information that water for making tea should be soft and pure; it -should be boiled quickly, and used when at the boiling point; the tea -will be at its best in rather less than ten minutes, losing part of its -flavour if allowed to stand longer.” - -The ~Grocer’s Gazette~:--“This is a work which has now reached its -third edition, and which fully bears out its claim as an excellent -handbook on the subject. Not only is it a useful book to all -professionally engaged in the trade, but it is also calculated to -educate those who have not had the benefit of a practical experience, -by teaching them how to obtain a knowledge of the different classes of -teas and the proper method of mixing them. To the mature grocer the -work will be of interest, while the uninitiated may by its aid learn -how to select proper teas, please his customer’s palate, and sustain -his reputation by keeping up the character of his mixings.” - - - - -_Price ~28~s._ - - THE TEA CYCLOPÆDIA. - - A Compilation, by the Editor of the _Indian Tea Gazette_, of - Information on Tea, Tea Science and Cultivation, Soils and Manures, - Statistics, &c., with Coloured Plates on Blights. 350 pages. - - -The ~Grocer~ says:--“One of the most valuable and exhaustive -contributions to tea literature which we remember to have seen.... The -cultivation of the plant in the different districts and provinces, the -selection of soils and manures, and buildings for its manufacture, &c., -are all ably treated in this work; and as it deals thoroughly with the -scientific, statistical, and domestic branches of the subject, it is a -manual deserving the attention of the tea planter, importer, dealer, -and consumer. The experience of practical growers and cultivators is -here fully narrated, the opinions of the most competent authorities -on disputed points are clearly given and explained; and, in short, -every matter connected with the history of the tea trade, as a growing -industry and a widening channel of commerce, is gone into with a -completeness and precision which leave nothing to be desired.” - -The ~American Grocer~ says:--“The Tea Cyclopædia is one we can commend -to our importers, grocers, and dealers, as being the most complete work -of its kind on Indian teas, as well as furnishing innumerable items of -interest to those engaged in the sale of China and Japan teas.” - - - - -_Fancy boards, price ~2~s. Cloth, ~3~s. ~6~d._ - - WOMAN’S FORTITUDE-- - - A Tale of the Indian Mutiny. By Lieut.-Col. EDWARD MONEY. - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - -~Public Opinion~ says:--“The author has managed to convey the -characteristic tone of garrison talk in a very clear manner.... There -is much good narrative and brilliancy of dialogue.” - -The ~Scotsman~ says:--“Written with much spirit ... it will be full of -interest to anybody who cares to know what European life and Society -were in India in the last days of ‘John Company.’” - -The ~Daily Chronicle~ says:--“The horrors enacted at Cawnpore during -the Indian Mutiny give a tragic interest to this thrilling tale.” - -~Capital and Labour~ says:--“The plot of the tale is carefully -constructed and well worked out, and while the main purpose is always -kept in view, opportunity is taken to depict some of the phases of -Anglo-Indian life, while the characters in the story are cleverly -portrayed, and the attention of the reader is never allowed to flag.” - - - - -_Crown 8vo. cloth elegant, bevelled boards, gilt edges. Price ~5~s. -Plain, ~3~s. ~6~d._ - - JEMIMA. - - A Story of English Family Life. By ADELAIDE. With Frontispiece. - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - -The ~Times~ says:--“‘Jemima,’ by Adelaide, is another tale that girls -should care to read, with sufficient proportion of story, and of a more -original type than girls’ books generally are. The humour, of which -there is an unusual proportion for such works, is not, perhaps, of a -very subtle or rich quality, but it is easy and simple, and appropriate -to the characters. Any humour, so long as it is neither vulgar nor -obscene, is surely preferable to the long-drawn melancholy which is too -apt to pervade girls’ books--for what reason we could never understand; -girls are no more naturally prone to sadness than boys.” - -The ~Scotsman~ says:--“A better story of its kind than ‘Jemima’ cannot -easily be met with. The book is written with a freshness and exuberant -buoyancy of manner that suit the subject admirably.” - -The ~Academy~ says:--“‘Jemima’ is a very natural and charming story of -a very natural and charming little girl. It is exactly what it pretends -to be--‘a story of English family life’--but it has a distinctness of -quality which is by no means common in stories of English family life.” - -The ~Daily Chronicle~ says:--“The story of English family life told -by Adelaide, under the title of ‘Jemima,’ is of a much more realistic -character. Lively and amusing throughout, there is also an element -of good sense introduced, which keeps the juvenile escapades within -reasonable bounds, and extracts a lesson even from naughtiness.” - - -_Crown 8vo. 2 vols. ~10~s. each_. - - VOCABULARY OF THE ENGLISH-MALAY LANGUAGES-- - - With Notes. English-Malay Vocal Dialogues. By FRANK A. SWETTENHAM. - - -_Demy 8vo., cloth, price ~7~s. ~6~d._ - - HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SAVAGE LIFE IN POLYNESIA-- - - With Illustrative Clan Songs. By Rev. W. W. GILL, B.A. - - - - -_Second and Revised Edition. Crown 8vo. cloth elegant. Price ~2~s._ - - SERMONIC FANCY WORK - - On the Figures of our First Acquaintances in Literature. By JOHN PAUL - RITCHIE. - - I. Little Jack Horner. The Spirit of Self-Satisfaction. - II. Peter White. How we are led by the Nose. - III. Humpty Dumpty. The Spirit of Exclusiveness. - IV. Little Miss Muffit. The Education of Fear. - V. Jack Spratt and his Wife. The Perfect Law of Liberty. - VI. Jack and Jill. The Climbing Spirit and its Incumbrances. - VII. Little Bo-peep. The Recovery of the Lost Sheep. - VIII. Beauty and the Beast. The Union of the Strong and Beautiful. - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON THE FIRST EDITION. - -The ~Literary Churchman~ says:--“Pungent, amusing, and replete with -clever satire.” - -The ~Christian~ says:--“In this ingenious and novel experiment, gravity -and mirth go hand in hand. The style is energetic and pointed, and the -matter pregnant and suggestive.” - -The ~Sword and Trowel~ says:--“Very clever.” - -The ~Nonconformist~ says:--“Under the guise of commentary on texts -from old nursery rhymes and stories, Mr. Ritchie really gives us -some admirable discourses--‘Sermonic Fancy Work’ in very deed. It is -astonishing how, by the help of a slight vein of paradox and a nimble -fancy, he can pass, almost imperceptibly, from mild fun to very sad -earnest, touching not a few of our most ingrained faults in the most -efficient way.” - -The ~Scotsman~ says:--“A clever, wholesome, readable little book.” - -The ~Homilist~ says:--“The sermons are really good. They have satire, -but it is satire which consumes religious rubbish and nonsense. They -have fun and humour, but you are made to laugh in order that you may -think with more vigour and seriousness.” - -The ~Freeman~ says:--“The ‘Familiar Texts’ are the old nursery rhymes -treated homiletically. In the styles adopted we fancy we can trace -resemblances to those of some of the popular preachers of our day. The -wit is not without wisdom. The satire is not destitute of sense. It -is the sort of book that a reader with any humour in him will find it -difficult to lay down before he has read it right through.” - -~Capital and Labour~ says:--“A droll book and yet containing much -quaint wisdom in searching out and applying principles of truth and -common sense.... As a whole, and considering its healthy tone and -practical scope, we heartily commend this handsome little volume. It is -a fine specimen of the combined arts of the typographer and bookbinder, -and its attractive exterior ought to draw many readers, who will then -be charmed with the contents and with the unconventional method of -treatment.” - - - - -_Crown 8vo. Cloth elegant, gilt edges, price ~5~s. Plain, ~4~s. ~6~d._ - - WON BY WAITING. - - A Story of Home Life in France and England. By EDNA LYALL. With - Frontispiece by FRANK MURRAY. - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - -The ~Daily News~ says:--“The book is full of promise, the story -soon deepens into real interest and develops considerable power of -construction and character drawing.” - -The ~Spectator~ says:--“The characters are drawn with considerable -skill, with force, and without exaggeration.” - -The ~Academy~ says:--“The Dean’s daughters are perfectly real -characters--the learned Cornelia especially;--the little impulsive -French heroine, who endures their cold hospitality and at last wins -their affection, is thoroughly charming; while throughout the book -there runs a golden thread of pure brotherly and sisterly love, which -pleasantly reminds us that the making and marring of marriage is not, -after all, the sum total of real life.” - -The ~Freeman~ says:--“A very pleasing and well-written tale: full of -graphic descriptions of French and English life, with incidents and -characters well sustained. A book with such pleasant reading, and with -such a healthy tone and influence, is a great boon to the young people -in our families.” - - -_Cloth elegant, ~5~s._ - - POEMS, DOMESTIC AND MISCELLANEOUS. - - By JAMES GILES. - -The ~Sheffield Independent~ says:--“Very pretty poems, full of a dainty -and airy melody. It is beautifully got up.” - -~Public Opinion~ says:--“Mr. Giles has evidently a true poetical -instinct.” - -The ~Literary World~ says:--“Full of gentle human feeling, domestic -tenderness, and patient submissive thinking.” - - -_8vo. cloth. Price ~7~s. ~6~d._ - - OLD CEYLON. - - Sketches of Ceylon Life in the Olden Time. By JOHN CAPPER. With - Illustrations by Ceylon Artists. - -“Readable and entertaining sketches.” - - - - -_New and Enlarged Edition. Crown 8vo. cloth elegant. Price ~7~s. ~6~d._ - - SEATS AND SADDLES, - - Bits and Bitting, Draught and Harness, and the Prevention and Cure of - Restiveness in Horses. By Major FRANCIS DWYER. - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS ON THE NEW EDITION. - -~Bell’s Life~ says:--“The work which Major Dwyer has so successfully -carried through the press in two former editions is, for the third -time, presented to the public in a new and enlarged form. In all the -details of horse management the author is perfectly at home, and the -practical way in which he deals with his subject cannot fail to be -appreciated by equestrians or those who keep studs. The first portion -of the volume is devoted to a lengthy dissertation on the all-important -subject of Seats and Saddles. These chapters afford much valuable -information gained by a careful study, not only of the framework of -the animal considered from a mechanical point of view, but also of the -influence of the saddle in its relation to the seat of the rider.... We -assure our readers that the whole contents of the book are well worth -perusal. It may be well, however, to mention that the question of bits -and bitting is thoroughly considered, while Part III. is taken up with -remarks on the true principles which should be observed in matters of -draught and harness. The concluding portion of the book deals with that -worst of all vices in the horse, restiveness, its prevention and cure.” - -The ~Saturday Review~ says:--“It is a book which we should recommend to -the notice of young cavalry officers.” - - -_Limp cloth, plain, ~1~s. Cloth gilt, gilt or red edges, ~1~s. ~6~d._ - - THE LIVING EPISTLE; - - Or, The Influence of Christian Character. - -The ~Christian~ says:--“Unflinching in its loyalty to the highest of -all standards, simple in its delineation of what Christian character -should be, earnest in its appeals to the heart and to common sense, -this little book brings to its readers a draught of clear, pure air, -and ought to send them on their way invigorated and quickened in their -desires after holiness.” - -The ~Freeman~ says:--“A really ingenious and beautiful exposition of -the inspired description of Christian life. The volume is from the pen -of the late Dr. Jenkyn, formerly of Coward College, and is worthy of a -place by the side of other works we owe him.” - - - - -_In Large Crown 8vo. cloth elegant, bevelled boards. Price ~14~s._ - - PERTHSHIRE IN BYGONE DAYS-- - - One Hundred Biographical Essays. By P. R. DRUMMOND, F.S.A. - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - -The ~Nonconformist~ says:--“The volume is simply full of the raciest -material, on the whole well laid out, and cannot fail to prove of -interest to many beyond the circle of Perthshire men into whose hand it -may have the good fortune to come. Mr. Drummond had no purpose to serve -in writing the book beyond giving vent to his wide knowledge and his -love of the subject. He was a bookseller in Perth, and it is evident -that to nothing in literature or in human life was he indifferent. All -the notables he knew; and he treasured up _ana_ year by year simply -because it fell in with his tastes and enjoyments to do so.... The book -is full of delicious morsels.” - -The ~Athenæum~ says:--“It contains a great deal of sound sense, and -many amusing stories.” - - -_Price ~1~d. Stiff Paper, ~2~d. With Gold Bead, head and foot, ~4~d. -Oak Bead, ~6~d. Handsomely Framed, ~5~s. ~6~d._ - - THE PEOPLE’S POLITICAL ALMANACK, - - A Sheet Calendar, edited by JOHN NOBLE, of the London and Counties - Liberal Union. - -The ~Daily News~ says:--“It is ornamented with an excellent engraving -of the Victoria Tower. It should hang in every Liberal Club in the -Kingdom.” - -100 Copies, post free, 8s.; 500 Copies, post free, £1 15s.; 1,000 -Copies, post free, £3. If 1,000 copies are taken, the names of the -Officers of Local Societies and their Branches are printed at foot free -of charge. - - -_Price ~3~s. ~6~d._ - - SACHS’S GERMAN GRAMMAR-- - - A Complete Grammar of Pure Modern High-German. A New and Practical - Method of Learning the German Language. By H. SACHS. - -The ~Daily Telegraph~ says:--“A complete introduction to pure modern -High-German on true principles.” - - - - -_Price ~6~d. Cloth, ~1~s._ - - STRAY HINTS ON LAWN TENNIS, - - With latest Club Rules. By NEMO. - - Including Directions for making the Best and Cheapest Poles yet - invented--without Guy Ropes. - - -_Price ~7~s. ~6~d._ - - WHITTINGHAM’S SKELETON TELEGRAPH CODE-- - - A Secret Expansive Code for ordinary Business Purposes--with Code - Words representing Pounds Sterling, Numbers, every Date in the - Year, Weights, &c., in addition to Words and Spaces available for - 4,500 Special Messages--all Code Words revised under the latest - International Regulations. - -The ~Standard~ says:--“Appears to us to answer admirably the purpose -for which composed.” - - -_8vo., roan, price ~5~s. The “1881” Code, ~12~s. ~6~d._ - - THE SOCIAL CODE: - - Compiled for Family Use in Telegraphing to Friends abroad. - -“The best of its kind.” - - -_Price ~5~s._ - - THE PREMIUM CALCULATOR-- - - An Office Manual, with Cut Index, for the use of Underwriters, &c. By - C. MCKAY SMITH. - - - DR. AGER’S TELEGRAPH CODES. - - General Commercial, £2 15s.; Standard, 100,000 Words, £5 5s.; - Shipping, 21s.; Skeleton, 16,000 Words and Spaces, 12s. 6d.; Corn - Merchants, £1 11s. 6d. - - - - -W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO., - -MANUFACTURING AND - -EXPORT STATIONERS & PRINTERS, - -Booksellers and Publishers, and Account Book Makers, - -91, GRACECHURCH STREET, LONDON. - -(Works: 4, White Hart Court, Bishopsgate.) - - - STATIONERY DEPARTMENT. - -All Articles of COMMERCIAL STATIONERY on Export terms. Merchants, -Bankers, and Companies’ LEDGERS and ACCOUNT BOOKS, Parchment, Vellum, -Loan, and all kinds of Printing and Writing Papers, Wholesale and -Retail. Letter and Note Paper and Envelopes of every description. -DESIGNS supplied for Bills of Exchange, Bills of Lading, Scrip -Certificates and Bonds, Promissory Notes, and Bankers’ Cheques. 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Books, Periodicals, and Pamphlets, Printed to Estimate. - - LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING. - -Lithographic Letters, Fac-simile or otherwise, Bankers and Merchants’ -Circulars, Auctioneer’s Estate Plans, Policies and Calendars Designed -and Produced in every variety of Style. - - BOOK DEPARTMENT. - -Books sent _Post Free_, on receipt of the Published Price, to any part -of England, the United States, Egypt, British India, and Continental -Countries within the Postal Union. - - NEWSPAPERS and PERIODICALS. - -Despatched with regularity to any part of the World. - - - _Authorised AGENTS for the Supply of the Bills of Lading of the - “Peninsular and Oriental,” the “British India,” the “Messageries - Maritimes,” and other steam Navigation Companies._ - - -ACCOUNT BOOKS. - -Messrs. W. B. Whittingham & Co. invite attention to the unsurpassed -Strength and Finish of the Ledgers which they Manufacture. The same -Workmanship and Materials which for more than Half-a-Century have -established the reputation of these Account Books are guaranteed. - - -W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO., 91, Gracechurch-st., London. - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - -The following apparent errors have been corrected: - -p. 14 "it well" changed to "it will" - -p. 94 "wonld" changed to "would" - -p. 97 "fifteeen" changed to "fifteen" - -p. 107 "_a_." changed to "_a_", - -p. 139 "leafs" changed to "leaves" - -p. 177 (note) "was--" changed to "was:--" - -p. 187 "similiar" changed to "similar" - -p. 203 "considered." changed to "considered," - -p. 243 "litle" changed to "little" - -p. 264 "viz," changed to "viz.," - -p. 264 "seive-mesh" changed to "sieve-mesh" - -p. 273 "loose" changed to "lose" - -p. 273 "tare." changed to "tare," - -p. 280 "he gross" changed to "the gross" - -p. 299 "Hazareebagh" changed to "Hazareebaugh" - -p. 300 "Transport, chap" changed to "Transport, chap." - -p. 301 "title" changed to "-- title" - -Advertisement "Chapers" changed to "Chapters" - -Advertisement "PERIODICALS" changed to "PERIODICALS." - - -Inconsistent spelling, hyphenation, italics and punctuation have -otherwise been kept as printed. - - -Tables have been refactored for accessibility. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea, by -Edward Money - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURE OF TEA *** - -***** This file should be named 52925-0.txt or 52925-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/2/52925/ - -Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea - -Author: Edward Money - -Release Date: August 29, 2016 [EBook #52925] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURE OF TEA *** - - - - -Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="nomobile figcenter" style="width: 453px;"> -<img src="images/covers.jpg" width="453" height="700" alt="cover" /> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> - -<h1> -<span class="small">THE</span><br /> -CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE<br /> -<span class="small">OF</span><br /> -<span class="x-large">TEA.</span> -</h1> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="break p4 center"> -THE<br /> -<span class="large">CULTIVATION & MANUFACTURE</span><br /> -OF<br /> -<span class="x-large">TEA,</span></p> -<p class="p2 center"> -<span class="small">BY</span><br /> -LIEUT.-COL. EDWARD MONEY,</p> - -<p class="p2 center"> -THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF WHICH SECURED THE PRIZE OF THE -GRANT GOLD MEDAL AND Rs. 300, AWARDED BY THE AGRICULTURAL -AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF INDIA -IN THE YEAR 1871.</p> - -<p class="p2 center"> -<i>FOURTH EDITION</i>,<br /> -REVISED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS.</p> - -<p class="p2 center"> -LONDON:<br /> -W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO., 91, GRACECHURCH STREET.<br /> -CALCUTTA: THACKER & CO.<br /> -1883. -</p> - - - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">PREFACE<br /> - -<span class="small">TO</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">THE FOURTH EDITION.</span></h2> - -</div> -<p>Six new Chapters are added. So much has been done in -Tea since I last wrote, I found it impossible to embody all -in the former book, and so preferred to give it separately. -The new Chapters treat <span class="lock">of—</span></p> - - - -<ul><li><span class="smcap">Countries outside China and India that produce Tea.</span></li> - -<li><span class="smcap">Tea Statistics.</span></li> - -<li><span class="smcap">Markets for Tea outside Great Britain.</span></li> - -<li><span class="smcap">Making Indian Tea known in the United Kingdom.</span></li> - -<li><span class="smcap">Tea Machinery.</span></li> - -<li><span class="smcap">Weighing and Bulking of Indian Teas at Custom House.</span></li></ul> - - -<p>A separate and full Index of the subjects treated of in -the additions to this Fourth Edition will be found at the -end of the Book.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -EDWARD MONEY.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">East India Club, St. James’s Square</span>,<br /> -<i>July, 1883</i>. -</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>PREFACE<br /> - -<span class="small">TO</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">THE THIRD EDITION.</span></h2> - - -<p>The experience of four more years, which includes six -months’ residence in the Neilgherries, is embodied in the -following, while the whole of the letter-press of the Second -Edition has been corrected and revised.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -EDWARD MONEY.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">London</span>,<br /> -<i>April, 1878</i>. -</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</a><br /> - -<span class="small">TO</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">THE SECOND EDITION.</span></h2> - - -<p>Three years’ further experience, and visiting two Tea districts -I had not seen before, have enabled me to amend -whatever was faulty in the First Edition. The whole has -been revised, and much new matter is added throughout. A -new Chapter at the end on the Past, the Present, and the -Future of Indian Tea will, it is hoped, be found interesting. -An Index (a great want to the First Edition) is added, so -that all information on any point can be at once found. -The manufacture of Green Tea, of which I was ignorant -when I last wrote, is given, and the advisability of that -manufacture is discussed.</p> - -<p>In its present form I hope and believe this little work will -be found useful and interesting to all connected with Tea.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -EDWARD MONEY.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Darjeeling</span>,<br /> -<i>May, 1874</i>. -</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>PREFACE<br /> - -<span class="small">TO</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">THE FIRST EDITION.</span></h2> - - -<p>The following Essay was written with, <i>firstly</i>, the object of -competing for the Gold Medal and the Money Prize offered -by the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India for -the best treatise on the cultivation and manufacture of Tea; -and, <i>secondly</i>, with the view of arranging the hundreds of -notes on these subjects, which, in the course of eleven years, -I had collected.</p> - -<p>During all these years I have been a Tea planter, making -first for myself and others a garden in the Himalayas, and -for the last six years doing the same thing for myself in the -Chittagong district.</p> - -<p>Whenever I have visited other plantations (and I have -seen a great number in many districts), I have brought away -notes of all I saw. Up to the last, at every such visit, I have -learnt <i>something</i>—if rarely nothing to follow, something at -least to avoid. I have now tested all and everything connected -with the cultivation and manufacture of Tea by my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> -own experience, and I can only hope that what I have -written will be found useful to an industry destined yet, I -believe, in spite of the late panic—the natural result of wild -speculation—to play an important part in India.</p> - -<p>I have endeavoured to adapt this Essay to the wants of -a beginner, as there are many of that class now, and may -yet be more in days to come, who must feel, as I often have, -the want of a really practical work on Tea.</p> - -<p>To those who have Tea properties in unlikely climates -and unlikely sites, I would say two words. No view I have -taken of the advantages of different localities <i>can</i> in any way -affect the results of enterprises already entered upon. But -if the note of warning, sounded in the following pages, -checks further losses in Tea, already so vast, while it fosters -the cultivation on remunerative sites, I shall not have written -in vain.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -EDWARD MONEY.</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Sungoo River Plantation,<br /> -Chittagong</span>,<br /> -<i>November, 1870</i>. -</p> - - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="toc" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="right"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></td><td colspan="2" class="right"><span class="small">PAGE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">I.</td><td><span class="smcap">Past and Present Financial Prospect of Tea</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">II.</td><td><span class="smcap">Labour, Local and Imported</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">III.</td><td><span class="smcap">Tea Districts and their Comparative Advantages. Climate, Soil, &c., in each</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">IV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Soil</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">V.</td><td><span class="smcap">Nature of Jungle</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Water and Sanitation</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Lay of Land</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">VIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Laying out a Garden</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">IX.</td><td><span class="smcap">Varieties of the Tea Plant</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">X.</td><td><span class="smcap">Tea Seed</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Comparison between Sowing in Nurseries and in Situ</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Sowing Seed in Situ, id est, at Stake</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Nurseries</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Manure</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Distances apart to Plant Tea-Bushes</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Making a Garden</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Transplanting</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XVIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Cultivation of Made Gardens</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XIX.</td><td><span class="smcap">Pruning</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XX.</td><td><span class="smcap">White Ants, Crickets, and Blight</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Filling up Vacancies</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Flushing and Number of Flushes</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Leaf-Picking</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span>XXIV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Manufacture. Mechanical Contrivances</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Sifting and Sorting</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXVI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Boxes. Packing</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXVII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Management, Accounts, Forms</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXVIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Cost of Manufacture, Packing, Transport, &c.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXIX.</td><td><span class="smcap">Cost of Making a 300-acre Tea Garden</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXX.</td><td><span class="smcap">How much Profit Tea can give</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXI.</td><td><span class="smcap">The Past, Present, and Future of Indian Tea</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Countries Outside China and India that Produce Tea</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXIII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Statistics regarding Indian Tea</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXIV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Markets Outside Great Britain</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXV.</td><td><span class="smcap">Making Indian Tea Known in the United Kingdom</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXVI.</td><td><span class="smcap">Tea Machinery</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_222">222</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">XXXVII.</td><td><span class="smcap">Weighing and Bulking of Indian Teas at Custom House</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td><span class="smcap">Addenda to Third Edition</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td><span class="smcap">Index</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> -<p class="p4 center"> -<span class="large">PRIZE ESSAY</span><br /> - -ON THE<br /> - -<span class="large"><span class="smcap">Cultivation and Manufacture -of Tea in India</span>.</span></p> - -<p class="p4 center"><i>PREMIUM, THREE HUNDRED RUPEES AND THE GRANT GOLD MEDAL.</i></p> - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">PAST AND PRESENT FINANCIAL PROSPECTS OF TEA.</span></h2> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><i>Will Tea pay?</i> Certainly, on a suitable site, and in a good -Tea climate; equally certainly <i>not</i> in a bad locality -with other drawbacks.</p> - -<p><i>Why, then, has Tea only paid during the last few years</i> (?) -Simply because nothing will pay, which is embarked -on without the requisite knowledge; and this was pre-eminently -the case with Tea.</p></div> - -</div> - -<p>Nothing was known of Tea formerly, when everybody -rushed into it; not much is known even now. Still, with -those drawbacks and many others, the enterprise has -survived, and it is very certain the day will never come that -Tea cultivation will cease in India.</p> - -<p>I believe there is nothing will pay better than Tea, if -embarked on with the necessary knowledge in suitable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -places, but failing either of these success must not be hoped -for.</p> - -<p>It was madness to expect aught but ruin, under the conditions -which the cultivation was entered on in the Tea-fever -days. People who had failed in everything else were -thought quite competent to make plantations. ’Tis true -Tea was so entirely a new thing at that time, but few could -be found who had any knowledge of it. Still, had managers -with some practice in agriculture been chosen, the end -would not have been so disastrous. But any one—literally -any one—was taken, and tea planters in those days were a -strange medley of retired or cashiered army and navy -officers, medical men, engineers, veterinary surgeons, -steamer captains, chemists, shop-keepers of all kinds, stable-keepers, -used-up policemen, clerks, and goodness knows -who besides!</p> - -<p>Is it strange the enterprise failed in their hands? Would -it not have been much stranger if it had not?</p> - -<p>This was only one of the many necessities for failure. I -call them “necessities” as they appear to have been so industriously -sought after in some cases. I must detail them -shortly, for to expatiate on them would fill a book.</p> - -<p>No garden should exceed 500 acres under Tea. If highly -cultivated one of even half that size will pay enormously, -far better than a larger area with low cultivation. Add, say, -400 acres for charcoal, &c., making 900 or say 1,000 acres -the outside area that can be required, and the outside that -should ever have been purchased for any one estate. Instead -of this, individuals and Companies rushing into Tea bought -tracts of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty thousand acres. The -idea was that, though it might not be all cultivated, by -taking up so large an area all the local labour where there -was any would be secured. Often, however, these large -tracts were purchased where local labour there was none,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -and what the object there was is a mystery. I conceive, -however, there was a hazy idea that <i>if</i> 500 acres paid well, -1,000 would pay double, and that eventually even two or -three thousand acres would be put under Tea and make the -fortunate possessor a <i>millionaire</i>. In short, there were no -bounds, in fancy, to the size a garden might be made, and -thus loss No. 2 took place when absurdly large areas were -bought of the Government and large areas cultivated.</p> - -<p>The only fair rules for the sale of waste lands were those -of Lord Canning, which the Secretary of State at home, -who could know nothing of the subject, chose to modify and -upset. Instead of Rs. 2-8 per acre for all waste lands (by -no means a low price, when the cost of land in the Colonies -is considered) and that the applicant for the land (who had, -perhaps, spent months seeking for it) should have it, the -illiberal and unjust method of putting the land up to auction -with an upset price of Rs. 2-8 was adopted, the unfortunate -seeker, finder, and applicant, through whose labour the -land had been found, having no advantage over any other -bidder. The best, at least the most successful plan in those -days, though as unfair and illiberal as the Government -action, was to wait till some one, who was supposed to -know what good Tea land was, applied for a piece, and then -bid half an anna more than he did, and thus secure it. It -<i>paid</i> much better than hunting about for oneself, and it was -kind and considerate on the part of Government to devise -such a plan!</p> - -<p>In those fever days, with the auction system, lands -almost always sold far above their value. The most absurd -prices, Rs. 10 and upwards per acre, were sometimes paid -for wild jungle lands. Tracts, which natives could have, -and in some cases <i>did</i> lease from Government for inconceivably -small sums, representing, say, at thirty years’ -purchase, 4 annas per acre, were put up for auction with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> -limit of Rs. 2-8, and sold perhaps at Rs. 8 or 10 per acre. -Had the Government given land <i>gratis</i> to Tea cultivators -the policy would have been a wise one. To do what -they did was scarcely acting up to their professed wish “to -develope the resources of the country.”</p> - -<p>Since the above was written, new rules have been published -for the sale of waste lands. The objectionable auction -system is continued, and the upset price is much enhanced, -as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<h3><i>Schedule of Rates of Upset Prices.</i></h3> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th></th><th class="right">Upset price per acre.</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Districts of the Assam Division</td><td>Rs. 8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Districts of Cachar and Sylhet</td><td>8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Districts of the Chittagong Division</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Districts of the Chota Nagpore Division</td><td>5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">The Soonderbuns</td><td>5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">All other Districts</td><td>10</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>It is not likely that Government will sell much land at -such exorbitant rates.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>Security of title, it is generally thought, is one of the -advantages of buying land from the State; but I grieve to -state my experience is that the reverse is the case, and will -so remain until the following is <span class="lock">done:—</span></p> - -<p><i>First.</i> The Government should learn <i>what is and what is -not theirs to sell</i>. Such an absurdity, then, as Government -ascertaining, years after the auction, that they had sold -lands they had no right to sell, could not be.</p> - -<p><i>Secondly.</i> That before land is sold it be properly surveyed -and demarcated; and what might so easily have been done, -and which alone would have compensated for much of bad -procedure in other respects, that the simple and obvious -plan before the sale, of sending a European official to show<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> -the neighbouring villagers and intending purchasers the -boundaries of the land to be sold, be resorted to.</p> - -<p>This last simple expedient would have saved some -grantees years of litigation, and many a hard thought of the -said grantees against the Government. It would naturally -occur to any one at all conversant with the subject; but, -<i>alas!</i> in India this is often not the condition under which -laws are made.</p> - -<p>But there is another difficulty at the back of all this.</p> - -<p>Though the Waste Land Rules enact that the Government, -and not the grantee, shall be the defendant in any -claim for land within a lot sold, practically the said enactment -in no way saves grantees from litigation. Claimants -for land always plead that it is <i>not</i> within the boundaries of -the land sold, and <i>ergo</i> the grantee is made the defendant to -prove that it is. The villagers never having been shown the -boundaries by any Government official (for it is not enacted -in the Waste Land Rules), the question whether the land -claimed is within or without the boundaries is an open -one, not always easily decided, and the suit runs its course.</p> - -<p>I even know of cases where, though survey has been -charged for at the exorbitant rate of four annas an acre, the -outer boundaries of the lot have never been surveyed at all, -but merely copied from old Collectorate maps, which showed -the boundaries between the zemindaree and waste lands.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> -Is it strange, then, if buying lands from Government is -often buying litigation, worry, loss of time and money.</p> - -<p>In many countries, for example Prussia (there I know it -is so, for I have tested it again and again), there are official -records which can and do show to whom any land in question -belongs. This may scarcely be practicable in India, -but surely the question of title being, as it is, in a far worse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -state in India than in most countries, any change would be -for the better. Anyhow, the present mode the Government -adopts in selling lands is a grievous wrong to the purchasers. -Words cannot describe the worry and loss some have -suffered thereby, and it might all be so easily avoided.</p> - -<p>I have above detailed two of the drawbacks Tea had to -contend with in its infancy; the absurdly high price paid -for land was the third.</p> - -<p>Again, companies and proprietors of gardens wishing to -have large areas under cultivation gave their managers -simple orders to extend, not judiciously, but in any case. -What was the result? Gardens might be seen in those -days with 200 acres of so-called cultivation, but with 60 or -even 70 per cent. vacancies, in which the greater part of the -labour available was employed in clearing jungle for 100 -acres further extension in the following spring. I have seen -no garden in Assam or Cachar with less than 20 per cent. -vacancies, many with far more; and yet most of them were -extending. I do not believe <i>now</i> any garden in all India -exists with less than 12 per cent. vacancies, but a plantation -as full as this did <i>not</i> exist formerly.</p> - -<p>As the expenditure on a garden is in direct proportion -to the area cultivated, and the yield of Tea likewise in -direct proportion to the number of plants, it follows the -course adopted was the one exactly calculated to entail the -greatest expenditure for the smallest yield. This unnecessary, -this wilful extension, was the fourth and a very serious -drawback.</p> - -<p>Under this head the fourth drawback may also be included—the -fact that the weeds in all plantations were -<i>ahead</i> of the labour; that is to say, that gardens were not -kept clean. This is more or less even the case to-day; it -was the invariable rule then. The consequence was two-fold—<i>first</i>, -a small yield of Tea; <i>secondly</i>, an increased<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -expenditure; for it is a fact that the land fifty men can keep -always clean, if the weeds are never allowed to grow to -maturity and seed, will take nearer one hundred if the -weeds once get ahead. The results, too, differ widely: in -the first case the soil is always clear; in the second -clear only at intervals. The first, as observed, can be -accomplished with fifty, the latter will take nearly double -the men.</p> - -<p>The fifth drawback I shall advert to again later, <i>viz.</i>, the -selection of sloping land, often the steepest that could be -found, on which to plant Tea. The great mischief thus -entailed will be fully described elsewhere. It was the fifth, -and not the least, antagonistic point to success.</p> - -<p>Number six was the difficulty in the transport of seed to -any new locality, for nine times out of ten a large proportion -failed; and again the enormous cost of Tea seed in those -days, Rs. 200 a maund (Rs. 500 at least, deducting what -failed, was its real price). This item of seed alone entailed -an enormous outlay, and was the sixth difficulty Tea cultivation -had to contend with. It was, however, a source of -great profit to the old plantations, and principally accounts -for the large dividends paid for years by the Assam -Company.</p> - -<p>Again, many managers at that time had no experience -to guide them in the manufacture of Tea; each made it his -own way, and often turned out most worthless stuff. There -is great ignorance on the subject at the present time, but -those who know <i>least</i> to-day, know <i>more</i> than the best -informed in the Tea-fever period. Indian Tea was a new -thing then; the supply was small, and it fetched comparatively -much higher prices than it does now. Still -much of it was so bad that the average price all round -was low.</p> - -<p>Tea manufacture, moreover, as generally practised then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -was a much more elaborate and expensive process than it is -now.</p> - -<p>This will be explained further on, under the head of -“Tea Manufacture;” I merely now state the fact in support -of the assertion that the bad Tea made in those days, and -the expensive way it was done, was the seventh hindrance -to successful Tea cultivation.</p> - -<p>Often in those days was a small garden made of 30 or 40 -acres, and sold to a Company as 150 or 200 acres! I am -not joking. It was done over and over again. The price -paid, moreover, was quite out of proportion to even the -supposed area. Two or three lakhs of rupees (20,000<i>l.</i> or -30,000<i>l.</i>) have been often paid for such gardens, when not -more than two years old, and 40 per cent. of the existing -area, vacancies. The original cultivators “retired” and the -Company carried on. With such drags upon them (apart -from all the other drawbacks enumerated) could success be -even hoped for? Certainly not.</p> - -<p>I could tell of more difficulties the cultivation had to -contend with at the outset, but I have said enough to show, -as I remarked, “that it was not strange Tea enterprise -failed, inasmuch as it would have been much stranger if it -had not.”</p> - -<p>Do any of the difficulties enumerated exist now? And -may a person embarking in Tea to-day hope, with reasonable -hope, for success? Yes, certainly, I think as regard the -latter—the former let us look into.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> - -<p>People who understand more or less of Tea are plentiful, -and a good manager, who knows Tea cultivation and Tea -manufacture well, may be found. It will scarcely pay to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -buy land of the Government at the present high rates, but -many people hold large tracts in good Tea localities, and -would readily sell.</p> - -<p>There is plenty of flat land to be got, so no evil from -slopes need be incurred.</p> - -<p>Tea seed is plentiful and cheap.</p> - -<p>The manufacture of Tea (though still progressing) is -simple, economical, and more or less known. Anyhow a -beginner now will commence where others have left off.</p> - -<p>Of course to buy a made garden cheap is better than to -make one; but the result in this case is of course no criterion -of what profit may be expected from Tea cultivation.</p> - -<p>As many of the items to be calculated under the heads -of cultivation, manufacture, and receipts will be better understood -after details on these subjects are gone into, I shall -reserve the consideration of “how much profit Tea can -give” to the end of this treatise.</p> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">LABOUR, LOCAL AND IMPORTED.</span></h2> - -</div> - - -<p>When the very large amount of labour required to carry on -a plantation is considered, it is evident that facilities for it -are a <i>sine quâ non</i> to success. Assam and Cachar, the two -largest Tea districts, are very thinly populated, and almost -entirely dependent on imported labour.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> The expense of -this is great, and it is the one, and consequently a great -drawback to those provinces. The only district I know of -with a good Tea climate and abundance of local labour is -Chittagong.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Several other places have a good supply of -local labour, but then their climates are not very suitable.</p> - -<p>Each coolie imported costs Rs. 30 and upwards (it used -to be much more) ere he arrives on the garden and does -any work. After arrival he has to be housed; to be cared -for and <i>physicked</i> when sick; to be paid when ill as when -working; to have work found for him, or paid to sit idle -when there is no work; and in addition to all this every -death, every desertion, is a loss to the garden of the whole -sum expended in bringing the man or woman. Contrast -this with the advantages of local labour. In many cases no -expense for buildings is necessary, as the labourers come -daily to work from adjacent villages, and in such cases no -expense is entailed by sick men, for these simply remain at -home. There is no loss by death or desertions. When no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -work is required on the garden, labour is simply not -employed. All this makes local labour, even where the rate -of wages is high, very much cheaper than imported.</p> - -<p>The action of Government in the matter of imported -labour has much increased the difficulties and expense -necessarily attendant on it. It is a vexed and a very long -question which I care not to enter into minutely, for it has -been discussed already <i>ad nauseam</i>; still I must put on -record my opinion, after looking very closely into it, that the -Government has not acted wisely, inasmuch as any State -interference in the relations of employer and employed (outside -the protection which the existing laws give) is a radical -mistake. As for the law passed on the subject to the effect -that a coolie who has worked out his agreement and voluntarily -enters into a new one shall be, as before, under -Government protection, and his employer answerable as -before to Government, for the way he is housed, treated -when sick, &c., it is not easy to see why such enactments -are more necessary in his case than in that of any other -hired servant or labourer throughout all India.</p> - -<p>All evidence collected, all enquiries made, tend to show -that coolies are well treated on Tea estates. It is the -interest of the proprietors and managers to do so, and self-interest -is a far more powerful inducement than any the -Government can devise. The meddling caused by the -visits of the “Protector of Coolies”<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> to a garden conduces -to destroy the kind feelings which should (and in spite of -these hindrances often do) exist between the proprietor or -manager and his men. I do not hesitate in my belief that -imported coolies on Tea plantations would be better off in -many ways were all Government interference abolished.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> -<p>I do not decry Government action to the extent of seeing -the coolies understand their terms of engagements, and are -cared for on their journey to the Tea districts; but once -landed on the garden, all Government interference should -cease.</p> - -<p>The idea of the State laying down how many square -yards of jungle each coolie shall clear in a day, how many -square feet he shall dig, &c., &c.! Can <i>any</i> certain rates -be laid down for such work? Is all jungle the same, all soil -the same; and even if such rates <i>could</i> be laid down, how -can the rules be followed? Bah! they are <i>not</i>, never will -be, and the whole thing is too childish for serious discussion.</p> - -<p>It is not difficult to sit at a desk and frame laws and -rules that look feasible on paper. It is quite another thing -to carry them out. Over-legislation is a crying evil in India, -but there is still a worse, namely, legislation and official -action on subjects of which the said officials are utterly -ignorant.</p> - -<p>I have said enough to show imported labour cannot vie -with local, nor would it do so were all the evils of Government -interference removed. I therefore believe Tea property -in India will eventually pay best where local labour exists. -This will naturally be the case when other conditions are -equal, but so great are the advantages of local labour, -I believe it will also be the case in spite of <i>moderate</i> -drawbacks.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">TEA DISTRICTS AND THEIR COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES, -CLIMATE, SOIL, ETC., IN EACH.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The Tea districts in India, that is, where Tea is grown in -India to-day, are—<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Assam.</li> -<li>2. The Dehra Dhoon.</li> -<li>3. Kumaon (Himalayas).</li> -<li>4. Darjeeling (Himalayas).</li> -<li>5. Cachar and Sylhet.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></li> -<li>6. Kangra (Himalayas).</li> -<li>7. Hazareebaugh.</li> -<li>8. Chittagong.</li> -<li>9. Terai below Darjeeling.</li> -<li>10. Neilgherries (Madras Hills).</li> -<li>11. Western Dooars.</li> -</ul> - - -<p>In fixing on any district to plant Tea in, four things -have to be considered—viz., soil, climate, labour, and -means of transport. When—the district being selected—a -site has to be chosen, all but the second of these have to be -considered again, and the lay of land, nature of jungle, -water, and sanitation are also of great importance in choosing -a site.</p> - -<p>I will first, then, discuss generally the Tea districts given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -above as regards the advantages of each for Tea cultivation. -I have seen and studied Tea gardens in all the districts -named, except No. 2. What I know of the Dehra Dhoon -is from what I have read, and what is generally known of -the climate.</p> - -<p>Before, however, comparing each district, we should -know what are the necessities of the Tea plant as regards -climate and soil. Tea, especially the China variety, will -grow in very varying climates and soils, but it will not -flourish in all of them, and if it does not flourish, and flourish -well, it will certainly not pay.</p> - -<p>The climate required for Tea is a hot damp one. As a -rule, a good Tea climate is not a healthy one. The rainfall -should not be less than 80 to 100 inches per annum, and -the more of this that falls in the early part of the year the -better. Any climate which, though possessing an abundant -rainfall, suffers from drought in the early part of the year is -not, <i>cæteris paribus</i>, so good as one where the rain is more -equally diffused. <i>All</i> the Tea districts would yield better -with more rain in February, March, and April; and therefore -some, where fogs prevail in the mornings at the early -part of the year, are so far benefited.</p> - -<p>As any drought is prejudicial to Tea, it stands to reason -hot winds must be very bad. These winds argue great -aridity, and the Tea plant luxuriates in continual moisture.</p> - -<p>The less cold weather experienced where Tea is, the -better for the plant. It can stand, and will grow in, great -cold (freezing point, and lower in winter, is found in some -places where Tea is), but I do not think it will ever be -grown to a profit on such sites. That Tea requires a temperate -climate was long believed and acted upon by many -to their loss. The climate <i>cannot</i> be too hot for Tea if the -heat is accompanied with moisture.</p> - -<p>Tea grown in temperate climes, such as moderate eleva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>tions -in the Himalayas, is quite different to the Tea of hot -moist climates, such as Eastern Bengal. Some people like -it better, and certainly the flavour is more delicate; but it is -very much weaker, and the value of Indian Tea (in the -present state of the home market, where it is principally -used for giving “body” to the washy stuff from China) consists -in its strength. Another all-important point in fixing -on a climate for Tea is the fact, that apart from the strength -the yield is double in hot, moist climes, what it is in comparatively -dry and temperate ones. A really pleasant climate -to live in <i>cannot</i> be a good one for Tea. I may now discuss -the comparative merits of the different Tea districts.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Assam.</span></h3> - -<p>This is the principal home of the indigenous plant. The -climate in the northern portions is perfect, superior to the -southern, as more rain falls in the spring. The climate of -the whole of Assam, however, is very good for Tea. The -Tea plant yields most abundantly when hot sunshine and -showers intervene. For climate, then, I accord the first -place to Northern Assam. Southern Assam is, as observed, -a little inferior.</p> - -<p>The soil of this province is decidedly rich. In many -places there is a considerable coating of decayed vegetation -on the surface, and inasmuch as in all places where Tea has -been or is likely to be planted it is strictly virgin soil, considerable -nourishment exists. The prevailing soil also is -light and friable, and thus, with the exception of the rich -oak soil in parts of the Himalayas, Assam in this respect -is second to none.</p> - -<p>As regards labour we must certainly put it the last -on the list. The Assamese, and they are scanty, won’t -work, so the planters, with few exceptions, are dependent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -on imported coolies; and inasmuch as the distance to bring -them is enormous, the outlay on this head is large, and -a sad drawback to successful Tea cultivation.</p> - -<p>The Burhampootra—that vast river which runs from -one end of Assam to the other—gives an easy mode of -export for the Tea, but still, owing to the distance from the -sea-board, it cannot rank in this respect as high as some -others.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Cachar.</span></h3> - -<p>The indigenous Tea is also found in a part of this -province. The climate differs but little from Assam. In -one respect it is better; more rain falls in the spring.</p> - -<p>The soil is not equal to Assamese soil; it is more -sandy, and lacks the power. Again, there is much more -flat land fit for Tea cultivation in Assam, and there can be -no doubt as to the advantage of level surfaces.</p> - -<p>As regards transport Cachar has the advantage, for it -has equally a water-way, and is not so distant from -Calcutta.</p> - -<p>The labour aspect is much the same in the two -provinces, both being almost entirely dependent on imported -coolies; but Cachar is nearer the labour fields than -Assam.</p> - -<p>However, after discussing separately the advantages of -each province, I propose to draw up a tabular statement, -which will show at a glance the comparative merits of each -on each point discussed.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Chittagong.</span></h3> - -<p>This is a comparatively new locality for Tea. The -climate is better than Cachar in the one respect that there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -is less cold weather, but inferior in the more important -fact that much less rain falls in the spring. In this latter -respect it is also inferior to Assam, particularly to Northern -Assam. There is one part of Chittagong, the Hill Tracts -(Tea has scarcely been much tried there yet), which, in the -fact of spring rains, is superior to other parts of the province, -as also in soil, for it is much richer there. On the -whole, however, Chittagong must yield the palm to both -Assam and Cachar on the score of climate, and also, I -think, of soil. For though good rich tracts are occasionally -met with, they are not so plentiful as in the two last-named -districts. Always, however, excepting the Hill Tracts of -Chittagong; there the soil is, I think, quite equal to either -Assam or Cachar.</p> - -<p>As regards labour (a very essential point to successful -Tea cultivation), Chittagong is most fortunate. With few -exceptions (and those only partial) all the plantations are -carried on with local labour, which—excepting for about -two months, the rice-time—is abundant.</p> - -<p>For transport (being on the coast with a convenient -harbour, a continually increasing trade, ships also running -direct to and from England), it is very advantageously -situated.</p> - -<p>Chittagong possesses another advantage over all other -Tea districts in its large supply of manure. The country -is thickly populated, and necessarily large herds of cattle -exist. The natives do not use manure for rice (almost the -sole cultivation), and, consequently, planters can have it -almost for the asking. The enormous advantages of manure -in Tea cultivation are not yet generally appreciated: it -will certainly double the ordinary yield of a Tea garden. -A chapter is devoted to this subject.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Terai below Darjeeling.</span></h3> - -<p>I have seen this, and the Tea in it, since I wrote the -first edition of this Essay.</p> - -<p>The soil is <i>very</i> good for Tea. The climate is also a -good one, but there is not as much rain in the early part of -the year as planters could wish. Much difficulty exists -about labour, owing to the very unhealthy climate. As the -jungle is cleared, however, this last objection will be in a -measure got over. As it stands now, it is perhaps the most -unhealthy Tea locality in India.</p> - -<p>Communication will be very easy when the Northern -Bengal Railway is finished, which it will be immediately.</p> - -<p>Except in the point of salubrity (which is, however, an -important one), I think this locality a favourable one for -Tea.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Dehra Dhoon.</span></h3> - -<p>I have heard the first Tea in India was planted here. -The lucky men, two officers, who commenced the plantation, -sold it, I believe, in its infancy, to a company for five -lakhs of rupees. What visions did Tea hold forth in those -days!</p> - -<p>In climate the Dehra Dhoon is far from good. The hot -dry weather of the North-west is not at all suited to the -Tea plant. Hot winds shrivel it up, and though it recovers -when the rains come down, it cannot thrive in such a -climate. One fact will, I think, prove this. In favourable -climates, with good soil and moderate cultivation, 18 -flushes or crops may be taken from a plantation in a season. -With like advantages, and <i>heavy</i> manuring, 22 or even more -may be had. In the “Selections from the Records of the -Government of India” on Tea, published in 1857 (a book<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -to which many owe their ruin), the following appears, -showing how small are the number of flushes in the North-<span class="lock">west:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<div><i>Method of gathering Tea Leaves.</i>—The season for gathering -leaves generally commences about the beginning of April, and -continues until October; the number of gatherings varies, -depending on the moistness and dryness of the season. If the -season be good, that is to say, if rain falls in the cold weather -and spring, and the general rains be favourable, as many as -five gatherings may be obtained. -<div class="sidenote">Three general gatherings.</div> -These, however, -may be reduced to three general periods for -gathering—viz., from April to June, from July to -August 15, and from September to October 15. If the season -be a dry one, no leaves ought to be taken off the bushes after -October 1, as by doing so they are apt to be injured. If, however, -there are good rains in September, leaves can be pulled -until October 15, but no later, as by this time they have got -hard and leathery and not fitted for making good Teas, and it -is necessary to give the plants good rest in order to recruit. -Some plants continue to throw out new leaves until the end of -November; but those formed during this month are generally -small and tough.</div></div> - -<p>When this was written, the experience detailed related -to Dehra Dhoon, the Kumaon, and Kangra gardens, and -we see that five flushes or gatherings are thought good. It -however makes matters in this respect (far from a general -fault in the said “Records”) worse than they are. Ten and -twelve flushes, with <i>high</i> cultivation, can be got in the -North-west. But what is this as against twenty and twenty-five?</p> - -<p>Labour is plentiful and cheap. The great distance from -the coast makes transport very expensive.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Kangra.</span></h3> - -<p>This is a charming valley, with a delightful climate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -more favourable to Tea than the Dehra Dhoon, still it is -not a perfect Tea climate. It is too dry and too cold. -The soil is good for Tea, better than that of the Dhoon, -but inferior to some rich soils in the Himalayan oak forests. -Local labour is obtainable at cheap rates. Distance makes -transport for export very difficult; but a good local market -now exists in the Punjab, and a good deal of Tea is bought -at the fairs, and taken away by the wild tribes over the -border. With the limited cultivation there, I should hope -planters will find a market for all their produce. Manure -must be obtainable (manure had not been thought of for -Tea when I visited Kangra), and if liberally applied, it will -increase the yield greatly.</p> - -<p>Kangra is strictly a Himalayan district, but the -elevation is moderate, if I remember right, about 3,000 -feet, and the land is so slightly sloping it may almost -be called level. A great advantage this over the steep -lands, on which most of the Himalayan gardens, many -in Cachar, and some in Assam and Chittagong, are -planted.</p> - -<p>Kangra is <i>not</i> the best place for a man who wants to -make money by Tea; but for one who would be content to -settle there, and content to make a livelihood by it, a more -desirable spot with a more charming climate could not be -found. Land, however, is not easily procured.</p> - -<p>The Teas produced in Kangra are of a peculiarly delicate -flavour, and are consequently highly esteemed in the -London market.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Darjeeling.</span></h3> - -<p>This, too, I have seen since I published the first -edition of this Essay. The elevation of the station, 6,900<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -feet, is far too great; but plantations lower down do -tolerably well (that is, well for hill gardens). The climate, -like all hill climates, is too cold. As regards transport the -Darjeeling plantations will be well situated when the railroad -now constructing is finished. Like elevations in -Darjeeling and Kumaon are in favour of the former, <i>first</i>, -because the latitude is less; <i>secondly</i>, because Darjeeling -has much more rain in the spring. I believe, therefore, -that the hill plantations of Darjeeling have a better chance -of paying than the gardens in Kumaon, but, as stated -before, no elevated gardens, that is, none in the Himalayas, -have any chance in the race against plantations in the -plains, always providing the latter are in a good Tea -climate.</p> - -<p>In two respects, however, Darjeeling is behind Kumaon. -The soil is not so good, and the land is much steeper. It -is more than absurd, some of the steeps on which Tea is -planted in the former; and such precipices can, I am sure, -never pay. Gardens, barely removed above the Terai (and -there are such in Darjeeling), can scarcely be called “elevated,” -and for them the remarks applied to the Terai are -more fitting. As a broad rule it should be recognised that -the lower Tea is planted in the Himalayas the better -chance it has.</p> - -<p>All the plants in the Darjeeling gardens, with but few -exceptions, are China.</p> - -<p>The China plant makes by far the best Green Tea, and -I believe the Darjeeling gardens would pay much better -than they do if they altered their manufacture from black -to green. (See further on, under the head of Hazareebaugh, -what has been done in this way.) All Himalayan gardens -should, in my opinion, make Green Tea (Kumaon has -awoke to the fact), for all have China plants, and -can therefore make far better Green Tea than can be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -produced from the Hybrid which is so general in plain -gardens.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Kumaon.</span></h3> - -<p>It was in this district (a charming climate to live in, -with magnificent scenery to gaze at) I first planted Tea in -India, and I much wish for my own sake, and that of others, -I had not done so. I knew nothing of Tea at the time, and -I thought a district selected by Government for inaugurating -the cultivation must necessarily be a good one. No hill -climate <i>can</i> be a good one for Tea; but the inner part of -Kumaon, very cold, owing to its elevation, high latitude, -and distance from the plains, is a peculiarly bad one. Yet -there it was Government made nurseries, distributed seed -gratis, recommended the site for Tea (see the “Records” -alluded to), and led many on to their ruin by doing so. The -intention of the Government was good, but the officers in -charge of the enterprise were much to blame, perhaps not -for making the mistake at first (no one <i>at the first</i> knew what -climate was suitable), but for perpetuating the mistake, -when later very little enquiry would have revealed the -truth. I believe it was guessed at by Government officials -long ago, but it was easier to sing the old tune; and a very -expensive song it has proved to many.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> - -<p>I need scarcely, after this, add that I do not approve -of Kumaon for Tea. An exhilarating and bracing climate -for man is not suited to the Tea plant. The district has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -one solitary advantage—rich soil. I have never seen richer, -more productive land than exists in some of the Kumaon -oak forests, but even this cannot in the case of Tea counter-balance -the climate. Any crop which does not require -much heat and moisture will grow to perfection in that soil. -Such potatoes as it produces! Were the difficulties of -transport not so great, a small fortune might be made by -growing them.</p> - -<p>Could any part of Kumaon answer for Tea it would be -the lower elevations in the outer ranges of the hills, but -these are precisely the sites that have <i>not</i> been chosen. -Led, as in my own case, partly by the Government -example, partly by the wish to be <i>out</i> of sight of the -“horrid plains,” and <i>in</i> sight of that glorious panorama the -snowy range, planters have chosen the interior of Kumaon. -Some wisely (I was not one of them) selected low sites, -valleys sheltered from the cold winds; but even their choice -has not availed much. The frost in winter lingers longest -in the valleys, and though doubtless the yield there is -larger, owing to the increased heat in summer, the young -plants suffer much in the winter. The outer ranges, owing -to the heat radiating from the plains, are comparatively -free from frost, but there again the soil is not so rich. Still -they would unquestionably be preferable to the interior.</p> - -<p>Labour is plentiful in Kumaon and very cheap—Rs. 4 -per mensem. Transport is very expensive. It costs not a -little to send Tea from the interior over divers ranges of -hills to the plains. It has then some days’ journey by cart -ere it meets the rail, to which 1,000 miles of carriage on -the railroad has to be added.</p> - -<p>Since the above was written, Kumaon has secured a -good local market, and I believe sells most of its Tea unpacked -to merchants who come from over the border to -buy it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p>It has also improved its position greatly by making -Green Teas, for which, as observed before, the China plant -is so well fitted. With those two advantages, though the -climate is inferior, I suspect that Tea there now pays better -than in Darjeeling.</p> - -<p>Gurhwall is next to Kumaon, and so similar that I have -not thought it necessary to discuss it separately. The -climate is the same, the soil as a rule not so good. There -is one exception though, a plantation near “Lohba,” the -Teas of which (owing, I conceive, to its peculiar soil) command -high prices in the London market. The gardens, -both in Kumaon and Gurhwall, have been generally much -better cared for than those in Eastern Bengal. As a rule -they are private properties managed by the owners.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Hazareebaugh.</span></h3> - -<p>This district I have resided in since I wrote the first -edition of this Essay. The climate is too dry, and hot -winds are felt there. A great compensation, though, is -labour; it is more abundant and cheaper in this district -than in any other. The carriage is all by land, and it is -some distance to the rail. But the Tea gardens at Hazareebaugh -can never vie with those in Eastern Bengal, inasmuch -as the climate is very inferior. The soil is very poor.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Neilgherries.</span></h3> - -<p>The climate is superior to the Himalayan, for the frost -is very slight. Were, however, more heat there in summer, -it would be better.</p> - -<p>Some of the Teas have sold very well in the London<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -market, for as regards delicacy of flavour they take a high -place.</p> - -<p>The soil is good, but the temperate climate which holds -on these “blue mountains” is not favourable to a large -produce.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Western Dooars.</span></h3> - -<p>When the second edition of this work was printed, this -district was unknown as Tea locality.</p> - -<p>My attention was directed to it in 1874; I was the -second who planted Tea in it, and I have now completed a -garden there.</p> - -<p>As regards climate, soil, and lay of land, it is perfect, -and I believe it will eventually prove the most paying district -in India for Tea.</p> - -<p>The Northern Bengal Railway, just opened, gives it -great advantages for transport.</p> - -<p>Having now discussed each district, all of which, except -the Dehra Dhoon, I have seen, I give, in further elucidation, -Meteorological Tables. For those not mentioned in the -tables I have failed to acquire the necessary information.</p> - -<p>My thanks are due to Dr. Coates, at Hazareebaugh, for -his kindness in supplying me with much of the data from -which the following tables are <span class="lock">framed:—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TABLE OF ELEVATION AND TEMPERATURE OF TEA LOCALITIES.</p> - -<p><i>N.B.—The exact temperature of other Tea Districts not being known, I have confined myself to these; but general remarks on the -elevation and temperature of other Tea localities will be found elsewhere.</i></p> - - - -<div class="center nomobile"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Districts</th><th class="left">Place</th><th class="left">Elevation in feet</th><th class="left">Details</th><th class="left">January</th><th class="left">February</th><th class="left">March</th><th class="left">April</th><th class="left">May</th><th class="left">June</th><th class="left">July</th><th class="left">August</th><th class="left">September</th><th class="left">October</th><th class="left">November</th><th class="left">December</th><th class="left">D.J.F.</th><th class="left">M.A.M.</th><th class="left">J.J.A.</th><th class="left">S.O.N.</th><th class="left">Year</th></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="6" class="left"><span class="smcap">Assam</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Goalparah</td><td rowspan="3">386</td><td class="left">Monthly Temp.</td><td>61·7</td><td>63·0</td><td>72·6</td><td>77·6</td><td>76·0</td><td>80·3</td><td>82·1</td><td>81·6</td><td>80·5</td><td>77·5</td><td>69·0</td><td>64·6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">63·1</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">75·4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">81·3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">75·6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">73·8</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="center">Do. Max.</td><td>77·2</td><td>87·9</td><td>94·0</td><td>97·0</td><td>91·0</td><td>91·0</td><td>92·0</td><td>91·5</td><td>92·0</td><td>89·0</td><td>84·3</td><td>78·3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">Do. Min.</td><td>49·0</td><td>48·0</td><td>57·2</td><td>62·6</td><td>67·0</td><td>70·0</td><td>73·7</td><td>73·0</td><td>70·1</td><td>62·3</td><td>50·8</td><td>50·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gowhatty</td><td>134</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>63·6</td><td>67·6</td><td>74·5</td><td>77·4</td><td>80·4</td><td>81·8</td><td>83·0</td><td>82·9</td><td>82·2</td><td>79·2</td><td>71·1</td><td>65·5</td><td>65·6</td><td>77·4</td><td>82·6</td><td>77·5</td><td>75·8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Seebsaugor</td><td>370</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>60·0</td><td>64·1</td><td>69·3</td><td>73·8</td><td>78·5</td><td>82·4</td><td>83·6</td><td>83·5</td><td>83·1</td><td>78·3</td><td>69·4</td><td>62·4</td><td>62·2</td><td>73·7</td><td>83·2</td><td>76·9</td><td>74·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Debrooghur</td><td>396</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62·2</td><td>63·4</td><td>71·3</td><td>72·7</td><td>77·1</td><td>80·7</td><td>83·7</td><td>81·8</td><td>81·0</td><td>75·6</td><td>67·4</td><td>61·0</td><td>62·2</td><td>73·7</td><td>82·1</td><td>74·7</td><td>73·2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Cachar</span></td><td class="left">Cachar</td><td>76</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62·9</td><td>66·6</td><td>73·4</td><td>76·8</td><td>80·9</td><td>82·2</td><td>83·3</td><td>81·7</td><td>81·2</td><td>79·6</td><td>70·6</td><td>65·4</td><td>64·9</td><td>77·0</td><td>82·4</td><td>77·1</td><td>75·3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Chittagong</span></td><td class="left">Chittagong</td><td>191</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>68·5</td><td>72·3</td><td>80·5</td><td>83·5</td><td>84·5</td><td>84·0</td><td>82·2</td><td>82·3</td><td>83·0</td><td>81·6</td><td>73·7</td><td>68·9</td><td>69·9</td><td>82·8</td><td>82·8</td><td>79·4</td><td>78·7</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="3" class="left"><span class="smcap">Darjeeling</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Darjeeling</td><td rowspan="3">6952</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>42.2</td><td>43.8</td><td>52.0</td><td>58.7</td><td>62.1</td><td>63.7</td><td>64.9</td><td>64.4</td><td>63.0</td><td>57.3</td><td>49.4</td><td>44.7</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">43.5</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">57.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">64.3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">58.4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">55.9</td></tr> -<tr><td>Do. Max.</td><td>62·0</td><td>66·0</td><td>72·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>79·0</td><td>79·0</td><td>79·0</td><td>75·0</td><td>80·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>69·0</td><td>60·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Do. Min.</td><td>32·0</td><td>28·0</td><td>39·0</td><td>48·0</td><td>48·0</td><td>57·0</td><td>58·0</td><td>59·0</td><td>57·0</td><td>44·0</td><td>38·0</td><td>33·0</td></tr> - -<tr><td rowspan="3" class="left"><span class="smcap">Chota Nagpore</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Hazareebaugh</td><td rowspan="3">2010</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62.7</td><td>67.1</td><td>73.7</td><td>85.6</td><td>88.6</td><td>83.8</td><td>77.8</td><td>79.3</td><td>77.5</td><td>72.6</td><td>64.8</td><td>61.4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">63.7</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">82.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">80.3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">71.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">74.5</td></tr> -<tr><td>Do. Max.</td><td>82·0</td><td>91·0</td><td>94·0</td><td>107·0</td><td>100·0</td><td>103·0</td><td>89·0</td><td>88·0</td><td>87·0</td><td>84·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>76·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Do. Min.</td><td>44·0</td><td>46·4</td><td>55·0</td><td>67·0</td><td>72·0</td><td>71·0</td><td>71·0</td><td>73·0</td><td>70·0</td><td>59·0</td><td>52·0</td><td>44·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Neilgherries</span></td><td class="left">Ootacamund</td><td>7490</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>51·5</td><td>52·8</td><td>57·3</td><td>60·1</td><td>60·8</td><td>57·9</td><td>55·8</td><td>56·1</td><td>56·4</td><td>55·9</td><td>53·9</td><td>51·9</td><td>52·1</td><td>59·4</td><td>56·6</td><td>55·4</td><td>55·9</td></tr> -</table></div> - - - -<div class="center mobileonly"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Districts</th><th class="left">Place</th><th class="left">Elevation in feet</th><th class="left">Details</th><th class="left">January</th><th class="left">February</th><th class="left">March</th><th class="left">April</th><th class="left">May</th></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="6" class="left"><span class="smcap">Assam</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Goalparah</td><td rowspan="3">386</td><td class="left">Monthly Temp.</td><td>61·7</td><td>63·0</td><td>72·6</td><td>77·6</td><td>76·0</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="center">Do. Max.</td><td>77·2</td><td>87·9</td><td>94·0</td><td>97·0</td><td>91·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">Do. Min.</td><td>49·0</td><td>48·0</td><td>57·2</td><td>62·6</td><td>67·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gowhatty</td><td>134</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>63·6</td><td>67·6</td><td>74·5</td><td>77·4</td><td>80·4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Seebsaugor</td><td>370</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>60·0</td><td>64·1</td><td>69·3</td><td>73·8</td><td>78·5</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Debrooghur</td><td>396</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62·2</td><td>63·4</td><td>71·3</td><td>72·7</td><td>77·1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Cachar</span></td><td class="left">Cachar</td><td>76</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62·9</td><td>66·6</td><td>73·4</td><td>76·8</td><td>80·9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Chittagong</span></td><td class="left">Chittagong</td><td>191</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>68·5</td><td>72·3</td><td>80·5</td><td>83·5</td><td>84·5</td></tr> - -<tr><td rowspan="3" class="left"><span class="smcap">Darjeeling</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Darjeeling</td><td rowspan="3">6952</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>42.2</td><td>43.8</td><td>52.0</td><td>58.7</td><td>62.1</td></tr> -<tr><td>Do. Max.</td><td>62·0</td><td>66·0</td><td>72·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>79·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Do. Min.</td><td>32·0</td><td>28·0</td><td>39·0</td><td>48·0</td><td>48·0</td></tr> - -<tr><td rowspan="3" class="left"><span class="smcap">Chota Nagpore</span></td><td rowspan="3" class="left">Hazareebaugh</td><td rowspan="3">2010</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>62.7</td><td>67.1</td><td>73.7</td><td>85.6</td><td>88.6</td></tr> -<tr><td>Do. Max.</td><td>82·0</td><td>91·0</td><td>94·0</td><td>107·0</td><td>100·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Do. Min.</td><td>44·0</td><td>46·4</td><td>55·0</td><td>67·0</td><td>72·0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Neilgherries</span></td><td class="left">Ootacamund</td><td>7490</td><td>Monthly Temp.</td><td>51·5</td><td>52·8</td><td>57·3</td><td>60·1</td><td>60·8</td></tr> -</table> - -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">June</th><th class="left">July</th><th class="left">August</th><th class="left">September</th><th class="left">October</th><th class="left">November</th><th class="left">December</th><th class="left">D.J.F.</th><th class="left">M.A.M.</th><th class="left">J.J.A.</th><th class="left">S.O.N.</th><th class="left">Year</th></tr> -<tr><td>80·3</td><td>82·1</td><td>81·6</td><td>80·5</td><td>77·5</td><td>69·0</td><td>64·6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">63·1</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">75·4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">81·3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">75·6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">73·8</td></tr> -<tr><td>91·0</td><td>92·0</td><td>91·5</td><td>92·0</td><td>89·0</td><td>84·3</td><td>78·3</td></tr> -<tr><td>70·0</td><td>73·7</td><td>73·0</td><td>70·1</td><td>62·3</td><td>50·8</td><td>50·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>81·8</td><td>83·0</td><td>82·9</td><td>82·2</td><td>79·2</td><td>71·1</td><td>65·5</td><td>65·6</td><td>77·4</td><td>82·6</td><td>77·5</td><td>75·8</td></tr> -<tr><td>82·4</td><td>83·6</td><td>83·5</td><td>83·1</td><td>78·3</td><td>69·4</td><td>62·4</td><td>62·2</td><td>73·7</td><td>83·2</td><td>76·9</td><td>74·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>80·7</td><td>83·7</td><td>81·8</td><td>81·0</td><td>75·6</td><td>67·4</td><td>61·0</td><td>62·2</td><td>73·7</td><td>82·1</td><td>74·7</td><td>73·2</td></tr> -<tr><td>82·2</td><td>83·3</td><td>81·7</td><td>81·2</td><td>79·6</td><td>70·6</td><td>65·4</td><td>64·9</td><td>77·0</td><td>82·4</td><td>77·1</td><td>75·3</td></tr> -<tr><td>84·0</td><td>82·2</td><td>82·3</td><td>83·0</td><td>81·6</td><td>73·7</td><td>68·9</td><td>69·9</td><td>82·8</td><td>82·8</td><td>79·4</td><td>78·7</td></tr> -<tr><td>63.7</td><td>64.9</td><td>64.4</td><td>63.0</td><td>57.3</td><td>49.4</td><td>44.7</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">43.5</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">57.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">64.3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">58.4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">55.9</td></tr> -<tr><td>79·0</td><td>79·0</td><td>75·0</td><td>80·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>69·0</td><td>60·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>57·0</td><td>58·0</td><td>59·0</td><td>57·0</td><td>44·0</td><td>38·0</td><td>33·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>83.8</td><td>77.8</td><td>79.3</td><td>77.5</td><td>72.6</td><td>64.8</td><td>61.4</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">63.7</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">82.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">80.3</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">71.6</td><td rowspan="3" valign="top">74.5</td></tr> -<tr><td>103·0</td><td>89·0</td><td>88·0</td><td>87·0</td><td>84·0</td><td>78·0</td><td>76·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>71·0</td><td>71·0</td><td>73·0</td><td>70·0</td><td>59·0</td><td>52·0</td><td>44·0</td></tr> -<tr><td>57·9</td><td>55·8</td><td>56·1</td><td>56·4</td><td>55·9</td><td>53·9</td><td>51·9</td><td>52·1</td><td>59·4</td><td>56·6</td><td>55·4</td><td>55·9</td></tr> -</table> -</div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -N.B.—The letters in the columns, between December and the year, refer to months; thus, D. J. F. is December, January, February. -The figures show the average temperature during those months.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">TABLE OF LATITUDE, LONGITUDE, AND RAINFALL OF TEA LOCALITIES.</p> - -<p><i>N.B.—The exact rainfalls of other Tea Districts not being known, I have confined myself to these; but general remarks on -the rainfall in other Tea localities will be found elsewhere.</i></p> - - -<div class="center nomobile"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Districts</th><th class="left">Place</th><th class="left">Latitude</th><th class="left">Longitude</th><th class="left">Details</th><th class="left">January</th><th class="left">February</th><th class="left">March</th><th class="left">April</th><th class="left">May</th><th class="left">June</th><th class="left">July</th><th class="left">August</th><th class="left">September</th><th class="left">October</th><th class="left">November</th><th class="left">December</th><th class="left">Total</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="6"><span class="smcap">Assam</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Goalparah</td><td rowspan="2">26°11′</td><td rowspan="2">90°36′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·42</td><td>0·76</td><td>1·84</td><td>4·85</td><td>11·72</td><td>23·72</td><td>21·33</td><td>12·69</td><td>10·93</td><td>5·61</td><td>0·39</td><td>0·20</td><td>94·44</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>19</td><td>24</td><td>22</td><td>18</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>Nil</td><td>Nil</td><td>119</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Gowhatty</td><td rowspan="2">26° 5′</td><td rowspan="2">91°43′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·70</td><td>1·43</td><td>1·48</td><td>7·27</td><td>10·92</td><td>13·29</td><td>13·08</td><td>11·98</td><td>6·82</td><td>3·20</td><td>0·47</td><td>0·12</td><td>70·76</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>14</td><td>2</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>84</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Seebsaugor</td><td rowspan="2">27° 2′</td><td rowspan="2">94°39′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>1·18</td><td>2·43</td><td>3·77</td><td>10·15</td><td>11·04</td><td>15·56</td><td>14·87</td><td>13·88</td><td>11·13</td><td>4·46</td><td>1·29</td><td>0·69</td><td>90·45</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>11</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>13</td><td>22</td><td>13</td><td>19</td><td>23</td><td>17</td><td>8</td><td>Nil</td><td>2</td><td>147</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Cachar</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Cachar</td><td rowspan="2">24°48′</td><td rowspan="2">92°43′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·50</td><td>3·53</td><td>6·09</td><td>12·69</td><td>16·12</td><td>19·55</td><td>24·58</td><td>16·84</td><td>13·90</td><td>7·77</td><td>7·03</td><td>0·79</td><td>123·3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>16</td><td>18</td><td>20</td><td>18</td><td>25</td><td>19</td><td>8</td><td>Nil</td><td>Nil</td><td>145</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="4"><span class="smcap">Chittagong</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Chittagong</td><td rowspan="2">22°20′</td><td rowspan="2">91°44′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·37</td><td>1·62</td><td>1·31</td><td>5·46</td><td>9·42</td><td>22·92</td><td>22·54</td><td>23·04</td><td>13·01</td><td>5·93</td><td>2·30</td><td>0·55</td><td>108·47</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>14</td><td>15</td><td>21</td><td>25</td><td>17</td><td>5</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>113</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Hill Tracts</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td class="left">Rain in 1869</td><td>Nil</td><td>1·90</td><td>1·50</td><td>12·55</td><td>9·00</td><td>12·50</td><td>18·20</td><td>14·30</td><td>12·70</td><td>5·70</td><td>Nil</td><td>0·50</td><td>88·85</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>Nil</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>13</td><td>16</td><td>22</td><td>19</td><td>19</td><td>4</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>109</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="4"><span class="smcap">Darjeeling</span></td><td rowspan="2">Darjeeling</td><td rowspan="2">27° 3′</td><td rowspan="2">88°18′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·76</td><td>1·60</td><td>1·65</td><td>3·62</td><td>7·01</td><td>27·50</td><td>29·40</td><td>29·09</td><td>18·06</td><td>6·56</td><td>0·20</td><td>0·14</td><td>129·50</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>9</td><td>17</td><td>23</td><td>26</td><td>22</td><td>24</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>148</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Western Dooars<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td class="left">Rain in 1869</td><td>0·80</td><td>2·00</td><td>1·50</td><td>6·60</td><td>25·30</td><td>27·30</td><td>46·50</td><td>83·50</td><td>46·50</td><td>9·60</td><td>?</td><td>2·40</td><td>252·00</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>15</td><td>19</td><td>25</td><td>28</td><td>22</td><td>5</td><td>?</td><td>?</td><td>?</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chota Nagpore</span></td><td rowspan="2">Hazareebaugh</td><td rowspan="2">24° 0′</td><td rowspan="2">85°20′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·42</td><td>0·52</td><td>0·75</td><td>0·42</td><td>1·37</td><td>10·99</td><td>14·63</td><td>11·44</td><td>6·26</td><td>3·51</td><td>0·19</td><td>0·02</td><td>50·52</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>4</td><td>Nil</td><td>7</td><td>Nil</td><td>5</td><td>11</td><td>24</td><td>16</td><td>21</td><td>9</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>98</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<div class="center mobileonly"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Districts</th><th class="left">Place</th><th class="left">Latitude</th><th class="left">Longitude</th><th class="left">Details</th><th class="left">January</th><th class="left">February</th><th class="left">March</th><th class="left">April</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="6"><span class="smcap">Assam</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Goalparah</td><td rowspan="2">26°11′</td><td rowspan="2">90°36′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·42</td><td>0·76</td><td>1·84</td><td>4·85</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>8</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Gowhatty</td><td rowspan="2">26° 5′</td><td rowspan="2">91°43′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·70</td><td>1·43</td><td>1·48</td><td>7·27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Seebsaugor</td><td rowspan="2">27° 2′</td><td rowspan="2">94°39′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>1·18</td><td>2·43</td><td>3·77</td><td>10·15</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>11</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>13</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Cachar</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Cachar</td><td rowspan="2">24°48′</td><td rowspan="2">92°43′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·50</td><td>3·53</td><td>6·09</td><td>12·69</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>16</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="4"><span class="smcap">Chittagong</span></td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Chittagong</td><td rowspan="2">22°20′</td><td rowspan="2">91°44′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·37</td><td>1·62</td><td>1·31</td><td>5·46</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>4</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Hill Tracts</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td class="left">Rain in 1869</td><td>Nil</td><td>1·90</td><td>1·50</td><td>12·55</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>Nil</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="4"><span class="smcap">Darjeeling</span></td><td rowspan="2">Darjeeling</td><td rowspan="2">27° 3′</td><td rowspan="2">88°18′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·76</td><td>1·60</td><td>1·65</td><td>3·62</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">Western Dooars<a name="FNanchor_11_11a" id="FNanchor_11_11a"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11a" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td rowspan="2">?</td><td class="left">Rain in 1869</td><td>0·80</td><td>2·00</td><td>1·50</td><td>6·60</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chota Nagpore</span></td><td rowspan="2">Hazareebaugh</td><td rowspan="2">24° 0′</td><td rowspan="2">85°20′</td><td class="left">Average rain, several years</td><td>0·42</td><td>0·52</td><td>0·75</td><td>0·42</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Days rain fell in 1869</td><td>4</td><td>Nil</td><td>7</td><td>Nil</td></tr> -</table> - -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">May</th><th class="left">June</th><th class="left">July</th><th class="left">August</th><th class="left">September</th><th class="left">October</th><th class="left">November</th><th class="left">December</th><th class="left">Total</th></tr> -<tr><td>11·72</td><td>23·72</td><td>21·33</td><td>12·69</td><td>10·93</td><td>5·61</td><td>0·39</td><td>0·20</td><td>94·44</td></tr> -<tr><td>19</td><td>24</td><td>22</td><td>18</td><td>15</td><td>5</td><td>Nil</td><td>Nil</td><td>119</td></tr> -<tr><td>10·92</td><td>13·29</td><td>13·08</td><td>11·98</td><td>6·82</td><td>3·20</td><td>0·47</td><td>0·12</td><td>70·76</td></tr> -<tr><td>16</td><td>16</td><td>9</td><td>10</td><td>14</td><td>2</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>84</td></tr> -<tr><td>11·04</td><td>15·56</td><td>14·87</td><td>13·88</td><td>11·13</td><td>4·46</td><td>1·29</td><td>0·69</td><td>90·45</td></tr> -<tr><td>22</td><td>13</td><td>19</td><td>23</td><td>17</td><td>8</td><td>Nil</td><td>2</td><td>147</td></tr> -<tr><td>16·12</td><td>19·55</td><td>24·58</td><td>16·84</td><td>13·90</td><td>7·77</td><td>7·03</td><td>0·79</td><td>123·3</td></tr> -<tr><td>18</td><td>20</td><td>18</td><td>25</td><td>19</td><td>8</td><td>Nil</td><td>Nil</td><td>145</td></tr> -<tr><td>9·42</td><td>22·92</td><td>22·54</td><td>23·04</td><td>13·01</td><td>5·93</td><td>2·30</td><td>0·55</td><td>108·47</td></tr> -<tr><td>14</td><td>15</td><td>21</td><td>25</td><td>17</td><td>5</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>113</td></tr> -<tr><td>9·00</td><td>12·50</td><td>18·20</td><td>14·30</td><td>12·70</td><td>5·70</td><td>Nil</td><td>0·50</td><td>88·85</td></tr> -<tr><td>13</td><td>16</td><td>22</td><td>19</td><td>19</td><td>4</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>109</td></tr> -<tr><td>7·01</td><td>27·50</td><td>29·40</td><td>29·09</td><td>18·06</td><td>6·56</td><td>0·20</td><td>0·14</td><td>129·50</td></tr> -<tr><td>17</td><td>23</td><td>26</td><td>22</td><td>24</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>148</td></tr> -<tr><td>25·30</td><td>27·30</td><td>46·50</td><td>83·50</td><td>46·50</td><td>9·60</td><td>?</td><td>2·40</td><td>252·00</td></tr> -<tr><td>15</td><td>19</td><td>25</td><td>28</td><td>22</td><td>5</td><td>?</td><td>?</td><td>?</td></tr> -<tr><td>1·37</td><td>10·99</td><td>14·63</td><td>11·44</td><td>6·26</td><td>3·51</td><td>0·19</td><td>0·02</td><td>50·52</td></tr> -<tr><td>5</td><td>11</td><td>24</td><td>16</td><td>21</td><td>9</td><td>Nil</td><td>1</td><td>98</td></tr> -</table> - - -</div> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> -<p>I will now endeavour to draw up a tabular statement of -the respective advantages of the various Tea districts as -regards climate, labour, lay of land, soil, facilities of procuring -manure and transport.</p> - -<p>In importance I regard them in the order given. I place -labour before soil, because the fact is, in all the provinces -suitable and good soil for Tea can be found <i>somewhere</i>; and -therefore, while soil is all important in selecting a site, it is -secondary to labour in deciding on a district. Lay of land -comes after labour. When my information on any point is -not sure I place a note of interrogation. Where advantages -are equal, or nearly so, I give the same number, and the -greater the advantage of a district on the point treated in -the column the smaller the number. Thus, under the head -of Climate, Assam is marked 1.</p> - -<p>As the following table gives no information as to which -of all the districts possesses the greatest advantages, <i>all -things considered</i>, but only gives my opinion of each under -each head, and the subject closed in this way would be -unsatisfactory, I may state that, in my opinion, the choice -should lie between the three first and the last on the list; -and my choice would be the last.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Comparative advantages of the Tea Districts in India as regards -climate, labour, lay of land, soil, manure, and transport.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="center" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Tea Districts</th><th class="left">Climate</th><th class="left">Labour</th><th class="left">Lay of Land</th><th class="left">Soil</th><th class="left">Manure</th><th colspan="2" class="left">Transport</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Assam</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td rowspan="4">Water carriage</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cachar</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Chittagong</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Chittagong Hill Tracts</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Terai below Darjeeling</td><td>2</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td rowspan="8">Land carriage</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Darjeeling</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Hazareebaugh</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Kangra</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Dehra Dhoon</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Kumaon</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Neilgherries</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>4</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Western Dooars</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>1</td></tr> -</table></div> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">SOIL.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>To pronounce as precisely on soil as to climate is not -easy. The Tea plant will grow on almost any soil, and will -flourish on many. Still there are broad general rules to be -laid down in the selection of soils for Tea, which no one -can ignore with impunity.</p> - -<p>When first I turned my attention to Tea, I collected -soils from many gardens, noting in each case how the -plants flourished. I then sat down to examine them, never -doubting to arrive at some broad practical conclusions. I -was sadly disappointed. I found the most opposing soils -nourished, apparently, equally good plants. I knew not -then much about Tea, and judged of the Tea bushes mostly -by the size (a very fallacious test); still, after-experience -has convinced me I was more or less right in the conclusion -I then came to, that several soils are good for Tea.</p> - -<p>Nothing, then, but broad general rules can be laid down -on this point, for I defy anyone to select any one soil as -the best for Tea, to the exclusion of others.</p> - -<p>A light sandy loam is perhaps as good a soil as any <i>out</i> -of the Himalayas. It ought to be deep, and the more -decayed vegetable matter there is lying on its surface the -better. If deep enough for the descent of the tap-root, say -3 feet, it matters not much what the subsoil is, otherwise a -yellowish red subsoil is an advantage. This subsoil is -generally a mixture of clay and sand. Much of Assam, -Cachar, and Chittagong is as the above, but, as a rule, it is -richest in Assam, poorest in Chittagong.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> - -<p>Where the loam is of a greasy nature (very different to -clay), with a mixture of sand in it, it is superior to the -above, for it has more body. All good Tea soils must have -a fair proportion of sand, and if not otherwise apparent, it -may be detected by mixing a little of the soil with spittle -and rubbing it on the hand. If the hand be then held up -towards the sun, the particles of sand will be seen to -glisten.</p> - -<p>The soil so common in Kumaon, that is, light rich loam -with any amount of decayed vegetable matter on it, and -with a ferruginous reddish yellowish subsoil, is, I consider, -the finest soil in the world for Tea. The rich decayed -vegetable matter is the produce for centuries of oak leaves -in the Himalayan forests, and, as all the world knows, oak -only grows in temperate climes.</p> - -<p>It was long believed that Tea would thrive best on poor -soil. The idea was due to the description of Tea soils in -China to be found in the first books that treated of Tea. -But the fact that Tea, as a rule, is only grown in China on -soil which is useless for anything else quite alters the case. -If a soil is light and friable enough, it cannot be too rich -for Tea.</p> - -<p>Ball’s book “On the Cultivation and Manufacture of -Tea in China” has much on Tea soils, but the opinions the -author collected are sadly at variance, and on the whole -teach nothing.</p> - -<p>In conclusion, I will attempt to point out the qualities -in soils in which the Tea plant delights, as also the qualities -it abhors.</p> - -<p>It loves soils friable, that is, easily divided into all their -atoms. This argues a fair proportion of sand, but this -should not be in excess, or the soil will be poor. The soil -should be porous—imbibing and parting with water freely. -The more decayed vegetable matter on its surface the better.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> - -<p>To be avoided are stiff soils of every kind, as also those -which when they dry, after rain, cake together and split. -Avoid also black-coloured, or even dark-coloured earths. -All soils good for the Tea plant are light coloured. If, -however, the dark colour arises from decayed vegetation, -that is not the colour of the soil, and, as observed, vegetable -matter is a great advantage. Judge of colour when soil is -dry—for even light-coloured soil looks dark when wet. Soil -which will make bricks will not grow Tea; and though I -have sometimes seen young plants thrive on stiff soil, I do -not believe in any stiff soil as a permanence.</p> - -<p>Stones, if not in excess, are advantageous in all soils -inclined to be stiff, for they help to keep them open. But -then they must not be large, as if so they act as badly as a -rocky substratum preventing the descent of the tap-root.</p> - -<p>The reason, I take it, why Tea thrives best in light soils -is that the spongioles or ends of the feeding roots are very -tender, and do not easily penetrate any other.</p> - -<p>There is more nourishment in stiffer soils, but for this -reason the Tea plant cannot take advantage of it.</p> - -<p>If a chosen soil be too stiff, it may be much improved -for Tea by mixing sand with it. However, even where -sand is procurable near, the expense of this is great. When -done, the sand should be mixed with the soil taken out of -the holes in which the plants are to be placed (see <a href="#Page_76">Transplanting</a>), -and it may be done again later by placing sand -round the plants and digging it in. All this though is extra -labour and very expensive, so none but a good Tea soil -should ever be selected, and it is very easily found, for it -exists in parts of all the districts discussed.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">NATURE OF JUNGLE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I have not much to say under this head. I have heard -many opinions as to the kind of trees and jungle that should -exist in contemplated clearances, but I attach little or no -weight to them, at all events in Bengal.</p> - -<p>In the Himalayas it is somewhat different. There oak -trees should be sought for; their existence invariably makes -rich soil.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Fir, on the contrary, indicates poor soil. At -elevations, however, the desideratum of a warm aspect -interferes, for the best oak forests are on the colder side. I -speak of course of elevations practicable, say three or four -thousand feet; above this it is a waste of money to try and -cultivate Tea.</p> - -<p>In Bengal I do not think the nature of the jungle on land -contemplated signifies much. As a rule, the thicker the -jungle the richer the soil; but in seeking for a site large -trees should not be a <i>sine quâ non</i>. Much of the coarse grass -land is very good, and large trees add enormously to the -expense of clearings.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> It is not cutting them down which -is so expensive, it is cutting them up and getting rid of -them by burning, or otherwise, after the former is done.</p> - -<p>I have discussed soil fully already, and need only add here -that if the knowledge to do so exists, it is better to judge of -soil from the soil itself than from the vegetation on it, though -doubtless a fact that luxuriant vegetation indicates rich soil.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">WATER AND SANITATION.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>These may be discussed together and shortly.</p> - -<p>Of course adjacent water-carriage is a great advantage -for a garden, and it should be obtained, if possible, in -selecting a site. The expense of land-carriage, where there -is no rail, is great, and Tea cultivation requires all advantages -to make it pay well.</p> - -<p>But it is water for a garden that particularly concerns -us now. It is not easy to find land that can be irrigated -(this is discussed elsewhere), but no labour or expense in -getting such land would be thrown away. Irrigation, combined -with high cultivation in other respects, will give a -yield per acre undreamt of.</p> - -<p>In no case should a plantation be made except where a -running stream is handy. Water is a necessity for seedlings, -and a plentiful adjacent supply of it is a great desideratum -for the comfort and health of every soul on the garden. We -all know how dependent the natives are on water, and it is -evident facilities in this respect will conduce much (whether -the labour be local or imported) both to get and keep -coolies. Norton’s tube wells—a cheap and most efficient -mode of procuring water—will, I doubt not, be eventually -much used on Tea plantations.</p> - -<p>It has been observed that, as a rule, a good Tea climate -is not a healthy one. There is no getting over the fact, -and we can only make the best of it. The house, the -factories, and all the buildings should be placed as high as -possible, and not very close to each other, both for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -sake of health and in the event of fire. The locality should -be well drained, and cleanliness be attained in every -possible way. Give the coolies good houses, with raised -mechans to sleep on, and sprinkle occasionally carbolic -acid powder in your own house and those of others.</p> - -<p>Sanitation is, however, a large subject. It can be -studied elsewhere. General ideas on it, and on the properties -of the commonest medicines, are a great advantage -to any intending Tea planter.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">LAY OF LAND.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The first idea prevailing about Tea was that it should be -planted on slopes. It was thought, and truly, that the -plant was impatient of stagnant water, and so it is, but it is -not necessary to plant it on slopes in consequence. Pictures -of Chinese, suspended by chains (inasmuch as the locality -could not be otherwise reached), picking Tea off bushes -growing in the crevices of rocks, somewhat helped this -notion; and when stated, as it was, that the Tea produced -in such places was the finest, and commanded the highest -price—which was not true—intending planters in India -went crazy in their search for impracticable steeps! Much -of the failure in Tea has arisen from this fact, for a great -part of many, the whole of some, gardens have been planted -on land so steep that the Tea can never last or thrive on it. -This is especially the case in parts of the Darjeeling district.</p> - -<p>Sloping land is objectionable in the following respects. -It cannot be highly cultivated in any way (I hold Tea will -only pay with high cultivation), for high cultivation consists -in frequent digging, to keep the soil open and get rid of -weeds, and liberal manuring. If such soil is dug in the -rainy season, it is washed down to the foot of the hill, and -if manure is applied at any time of the year, it experiences -the same fate when the rain comes. As it cannot be dug, -weeds necessarily thrive and diminish the yield by choking -the plants.</p> - -<p>The choice is therefore of two evils: “low cultivation -and weeds,” or “high cultivation which bares the roots of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -the plants in a twelvemonth.” Of the two, the first <i>must</i> be -chosen, for if the latter were pursued, the plants, getting -gradually more and more denuded of soil, would simply -topple over in two or three years. But choosing the lesser -evil, the mischief is not confined to the bad effects of low -cultivation. Dig the land as little as you will, the great -force of the rains washes down a good deal of soil. The -plants do not sink as the soil lowers, and the consequence -is that all Tea plants on slopes have the lower side bare of -earth and the roots exposed. This is more and more the -case the steeper the slope. These exposed roots shrivel up -as the sun acts on them, the plant languishes and yields -very little leaf.</p> - -<p>Attempts are made to remedy the mischief by carrying -earth up from below yearly, and placing it under the plant; -but the expense of doing this is great, and the palliation is -only temporary, for the same thing occurs again and again -as each rainy season returns.</p> - -<p>The mischief is greater on stiff than on sandy soils, for -on the former the earth is detached in great pieces and -carried down the hill. I know one garden in Chittagong, a -large one, where the evil is so great, that the sooner the -cultivation is abandoned the better for the owners.</p> - -<p>A great many gardens in India, indeed the majority, -are on slopes; a few in Assam, the greater number in Cachar, -some in Chittagong, and almost all the Himalayan plantations. -Such of these as are on <i>steep</i> slopes will, I believe, -never pay, and instead of improving yearly (as good gardens, -highly cultivated, should do even after they have arrived at -full bearing) such, I fear, will deteriorate year by year.</p> - -<p>Plantations on moderate slopes need not fail because of -the slopes. The evils slight slopes entail are not great, but -the sooner the fact is accepted that sloping cannot vie against -flat land for the cultivation of Tea the better.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> - -<p>Where only the lower parts of slopes are planted, the -plants do very well. The upper part being jungle the wash -is not great, and the plants benefit much by the rich -vegetable matter the rain brings down from above. I have -often seen very fine plants on the lower part of slopes, -where the upper has been left in jungle, and I should not -hesitate to plant such portions <i>if</i> the slope was moderate.</p> - -<p>Where teelah land, in Eastern Bengal, or sloping land -in the Himalayas, Chittagong, or elsewhere, has to be -adopted, aspect is all-important. A good aspect in one -climate is bad in another. In Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, -and all warm places, choose the coolest; at high elevations -(temperate climes), the warmest.</p> - -<p>In the Himalayas, moreover, the warmer aspects are, as -a rule, the most fertile; <i>vice versâ</i> in warm localities. Many -a garden, which would have done very well on the moderate -slopes chosen had <i>only</i> the proper aspects been planted, -has been ruined by planting all sides of teelahs or hills -indiscriminately. The southern and western slopes of -plantations in warm sites are generally very bare of plants. -Not strange they should be so, when the power of the -reflected rays of the afternoon sun is considered. Again, -in cold climates plants cannot thrive on northern aspects, -for their great want in such climes is heat and sunshine. -Let the above fault, then, be avoided in both cases, for -though doubtless a garden is more handy, and looks better -in one piece planted all over without any intervening jungle, -even patches of jungle look better, and are decidedly -cheaper, than bare cultivated hills.</p> - -<p>Of flat land, after what I have written, I need not add -much. It is of two kinds, table and valley land; the former -is very rare in Tea districts, at least of any extent, which -makes it worth while to plant it. There are two gardens -in Chittagong on such flat table land, and they are both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -doing very well. Table land cannot be too flat, for the -natural drainage is so great no stagnant water can lie.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> - -<p>Valley land is not good if it is <i>perfectly</i> flat. It will then -be subject to inundation and stagnant water. There is -nothing that kills the plant so surely and quickly as the -latter. Even quite flat valleys can be made sweet by -artificial drainage, but to do this a lower level, not too far -distant, must exist, and the danger is not quite removed -then. Valleys in which no water-course exists, and which -slope towards the mouth <i>alone</i>, are to be avoided, for the -plants near the mouth always get choked with sand. The -best valleys are those with a gentle slope both ways, one -towards the lowest line of the valley, be it a running water-course, -or a dry nullah which carries off rain, the other -towards the mouth of the valley. Such valleys drain themselves, -or at least very little artificial drainage is necessary. -A valley of this kind, with a running stream through it, is -<i>most</i> valuable for Tea, and if the other advantages of soil -and climate are present it is simply a perfect site. Such -however are not frequent. If in such valleys, as is generally -the case, the slope from the head to the mouth is enough, -the running stream can be “bunded” (shut up) at a high -level, and brought along one side at a sufficient elevation to -irrigate the whole.</p> - -<p>I have never seen but one garden in a valley that fulfils -all these conditions exactly. It is in Chittagong; the soil is -good, labour plentiful, and manure abundant. It ought to -do great things, for the possibility of irrigating plants in -the dry season (which, as observed, is very trying in Chittagong) -will give several extra flushes in the year.</p> - -<p>Of course in the wet season on such land the water -must be allowed to resume its natural course.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> -<p>Narrow valleys are not worth planting. No narrow -tracts of land, with jungle on both sides, are worth the -expense of cultivation, for the continual encroachment of -the jungle gives much extra work. The plants, moreover, -in very narrow valleys get half-buried with soil washed -down from the adjacent slopes. Narrow valleys are therefore, -in any case, better avoided.</p> - -<p>To conclude shortly, flat lands can be highly cultivated, -steep slopes cannot. Tea pays best (perhaps not at all -otherwise) with high cultivation—<i>ergo</i>, flat lands are -preferable.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">LAYING OUT A GARDEN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>By this I mean, so dividing it when first made into parts, -that later the said parts shall be easily recognised, and -separately or differently treated, as they may require it.</p> - -<p>The usual custom is to begin at one end of a plantation, -and dig it right through to the other. In the same way -with the pruning and plucking, and I believe the system is -a very bad one. Different portions of gardens require -different treatment, inasmuch as they differ in soil, and -otherwise. One part of a plantation is much more prolific -of weeds than another—how absurd that it should be cleaned -no oftener! This is only one exemplification of difference -of treatment, but in many ways it is necessary, most of all -in plucking leaf.</p> - -<p>All parts of a plantation, owing in some places to the -different ages of the plants, in others to the variety in the -soil and its productive powers, in others to slopes or to -aspect, do not yield leaf equally, that is, flush does not -follow flush with equal rapidity. In some places (supposing -each part to be picked when the flush is ready) seven days’ -interval will exist between the flushes, in others nine, ten, -or twelve; but no attention, as a rule, is paid to this. The -pickers have finished the garden at the west end, the east -end is again ready, and when done, the middle part will be -taken in hand, be it ready or be it not! It may be that -the middle part flushes quicker than any other; in this -case the flush will be more than mature when it is taken, -in fact it will have begun to harden; or it may be the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -middle part does <i>not</i> flush as quickly as the others; in -this case it will be picked before it is ready, that is, -when the flush is too young, and the yield will consequently -be smaller.</p> - -<p>I believe the yield of a plantation may be largely increased -by attending to this. Every Tea estate should be -divided into gardens of, say, about five to ten acres each.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> -If no natural division exists, small roads to act as such -should be made. More than this cannot be done when the -plantation is first laid out, but when later the plants yield, -any difference between the productive powers of different -parts of the same garden should be noted, and these divided -off into sections. To do this latter with roads would take -up too much space, and small masonry pillars, whitewashed, -are the best. Four of these, one at each corner of a section, -are enough, and they need not be more than 3 feet high and -1 foot square. Thus each garden may, where necessary, be -divided into two sections, which, in a 300-acre estate, partitioned -off into thirty gardens, would give about forty to -sixty sections. No matter where a section may be, directly -the flush on it is ready it should be picked. Where the -soil on any one garden is much the same, and observation -shows the plants all over it flush equally, it may be left all -in one. I only lay down the principle, and I am very certain -it works well, the proof of which is that, where I have -practised it, some sections during the season give three, -four, and five flushes more than others. Had the usual -plan of picking from one end to the other been adopted, -they would have been all <i>forced</i> to give the same number; -in other words, the said extra flushes would have been lost,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -and further loss occasioned by some flushes being taken -before they were ready, others after a portion of the tender -leaf had hardened.</p> - -<p>The best plan is simply to number the gardens from 1 -upwards, and the sections in each garden the same way. -Thus supposing No. 5 garden is divided into three sections, -they will be known respectively as 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3. This -is the best way for the natives, and I find they soon learn -to designate each section. I have a man whose special duty -(though he has other work also) it is to see each day which -sections are ready to pick the following, and those, and those -alone, are picked. Practice soon teaches the number of -pickers required for any given number of sections, and that -number only are put to the work. If a portion is not -completed that day, it is the first taken in hand the next, -and if any day on no sections is the flush ready, no leaf is -picked the following.</p> - -<p>Apart from leaf-picking, the garden and section plan -detailed is useful in many ways. Each garden, if not each -section which most requires it, is dug, pruned, or manured -at the best time, and any spot on the plantation is easily -designated. The plan facilitates the measurement of work, -and enables correct lists of the flushes gathered to be kept. -It is thus seen which gardens yield best, and the worst can, -by extra manuring, be brought to equal those.</p> - -<p>In short, the advantages are many, too numerous to -detail.</p> - -<p>Of course all this can be better done on a flat garden -than on one planted on slopes, and though it may not be -possible to work it out as much in detail on the latter, still -a good deal in that way can be done, and I strongly -recommend it.</p> - -<p>In laying out a plantation keep it all as much together as -possible, the more it is in one block the easier it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -supervised, the cheaper it is worked. Still do not, with a -view to this, take in any bad land, for bad land will never -pay.</p> - -<p>Let your lines of Tea plants, as far as practicable, run -with geometrical regularity. You will later find, both in -measuring work and picking leaf, great advantages therefrom. -In gardens where the lines are not regular portions -are continually being passed over in leaf-picking, and thereby -not only is the present flush from such parts lost, but -the following is also retarded.</p> - -<p>If your different gardens are so situated that the roads -through them, that is from one garden to the other, can be -along <i>the side</i> of any garden without increasing the length -of the road, by all means adopt that route. There is no -such good boundary for a garden as a road that is being -continually traversed. It will save many rupees by preventing -the encroachment of jungle into a garden, and more -space is thus also given for plants. It is, however, of no -use to do it if a road through the middle of a garden is -shorter, as coolies <i>will</i> always take the shortest route.</p> - -<p>The lines of plants on sloping ground should neither run -up and down, nor directly across the slope. If they run up -and down, gutters or water-courses will form between the -lines, and much additional earth will be washed away -thereby. If they run right across the hill the same thing -will occur <i>between the trees in each line</i>, and the lower side of -each plant will have its roots laid very bare. It is on -all slopes a choice of evils, but if the lines are laid diagonally -across the hill, so that the slope <i>along the lines</i> shall be a -moderate one, the evil is reduced as far as it can be by -any arrangement of the plants. No, I forgot; there -is one other thing. The closer the lines to each other, -and the closer the plants in the lines to each other, -in short, the more thickly the ground on slopes is planted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -the less will be the wash, for stems and roots retain -the soil in its place, and the more there are the greater the -advantage.</p> - -<p>Where slopes are steep (though, remember, steep slopes -are to be avoided) terracing may be resorted to with advantage, -as the washing down of the soil is much checked by it.</p> - -<p>On flat land, of course, it does not really signify in which -directions the lines run, but such a garden looks best if, -when the roads are straight, the lines run at right angles -to them.</p> - -<p>In laying out a garden, choose a central spot with water -handy for your factory, bungalow, and all your buildings; -let your Tea-houses be as close to your dwelling-house as -possible, so that during the manufacturing time you can be -in and out at all hours of the day and night. Much of your -success will depend upon this. Let all your buildings be -as near to each other as they can, but still far enough -apart, that any one building may burn without endangering -others. You need not construct any Tea-buildings until the -third year.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">VARIETIES OF THE TEA PLANT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>These are many, but they all arise from two species: the -China plant, the common Tea-bush in China; and the indigenous -plant, first discovered some forty years ago in -Assam.</p> - -<p>These are quite different species of the same plant. -Whether the difference was produced by climate, by soil, or -in what way, no one knows, and here we have only to do -with the facts that they <i>do</i> differ in every respect. A purely -indigenous plant or tree (for in its wild state it may more -properly be called the latter) grows with one stem or trunk, -and runs up to 15 and 18 feet high. It is always found in -thick jungle, and would thus appear to like shade. I believe -it does when young; but I am quite sure, if the jungle were -cleared round an indigenous Tea-tree found in the forest, it -would thrive better from that day. The China bush (for it -is never more) after the second year has numerous stems, -and 6 or 7 feet would seem to be its limit in height. The -lowest branches of a China plant are close to the ground, -but in a pure cultivated indigenous, from 9 inches to 1 foot -above the soil the single stem is clean.</p> - -<p>The indigenous grows quicker after the second or third -year than the China, if it has not been over-pruned or over-plucked -when young. In other words, it flushes quicker, -for flushing is growing.</p> - -<p>The indigenous does not run so much to wood as the -China. Indigenous seedlings require to be watered oftener -than China, for the latter do not suffer as quickly from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -drought. The indigenous tree has a leaf of 9 inches long -and more. The leaf of the China bush never exceeds 4 inches. -The indigenous leaf is a bright pale green, the China leaf a -dull dark green colour. The indigenous “flushes,” that is, -produces new tender leaf, much more copiously than the -China, and this in two ways: <i>first</i>, the leaves are larger, -and thus if only even in number exceed in bulk what the -China has given; and <i>secondly</i>, it flushes oftener. The -infusion of Tea made from the indigenous species is far -more “rasping” and “pungent” than what the China -plant can give, and the Tea commands a much higher -price. The young leaves, from which alone Tea is made, -are of a much finer and softer texture in the indigenous -than in the China; the former may be compared to satin, -the latter to leather. The young leaves of the indigenous, -moreover, do not harden so quickly as those of the China; -thus, if there is any unavoidable delay in picking a flush, -the loss is less with the former. In the fact that unpruned -or unpicked plants (for picking is a miniature pruning) give -fewer and less succulent young leaves which harden quicker -than pruned ones, the two varieties would seem to be alike. -The China variety is much more prolific of seed than the -indigenous; the former also gives it when younger, and as -seed checks leaf, the China is inferior in this as in other -respects. The China is by far the hardier plant; it is -much easier to rear, and it will grow in widely differing -climates, which the indigenous will not.</p> - -<p>A patch of indigenous with a mature flush on it is a -pretty sight. The plants all appear as if crowned with gold -(they are truly so if other advantages exist), and are a -great contrast to the China variety if it can also be seen -near.</p> - -<p>I have now, I think, pointed out the leading characteristics -of the two original varieties of the Tea plant, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -it stands to reason no one would grow the China who could -get indigenous. But the truth is, a pure specimen of either -is rare. The plants between indigenous and China are -called “hybrids.” They were in the first instance produced -by the inoculation, when close together, of the pollen of -one kind into the flower of the other, and the result was a -true hybrid, partaking equally of the indigenous and China -characteristics; but the process was repeated again and -again between the said hybrid and an indigenous or China, -and again later between hybrids of different degrees, so -that now there are very many varieties of the Tea plant—100 -or even more—and no garden is wholly indigenous or -wholly China. So close do the varieties run, no one can -draw the line and say where the China becomes a hybrid, -the hybrid an indigenous. Though as a rule the young -leaves are light green or dark green, as the plant approaches -the indigenous or China in its character, there are a certain -class of bushes all hybrid, whose young leaves have strong -shades of crimson and purple. Some even are quite red, -others quite purple. These colours do not last as the leaf -hardens, and the matured leaves of these plants do not -differ from others. Plants with these coloured leaves are -prolific.</p> - -<p>The nearer each plant approaches the indigenous, the -higher its class and excellence, <i>ergo</i> one plantation is composed -of a much better class of plants than another. Had -China seed never been introduced into India, a very different -state of things would have existed now. The cultivation -would not have been so large, but far more valuable. The -propagation and rearing of the indigenous, as observed, is -difficult; the China is much hardier while young. So -difficult is it to rear successively the <i>pure</i> indigenous, -perhaps the best plan, were it all to come over again, would -be to propagate a high-class hybrid and distribute it, never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -allowing any China seed or plants to leave the nursery, -which should have been a Government one. But we must -take things as they are. The Government nurseries in the -Himalayas and the Dehra Dhoon (there have never been any -elsewhere, and worse sites could not have been chosen) -were planted entirely with China seeds, the seedlings distributed -all over the country, and thus the mischief was -done. The Indian Tea is vastly superior to the Chinese, -and commands a much higher price at home, but it is still -very inferior to what it would have been, had not Chinese -seed been so recklessly imported and distributed over the -country.</p> - -<p>The home of the indigenous Tea tree is in the deep luxurious -jungles of Assam and Cachar.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> There it grows into -a good-sized tree. I have seen it 20 feet high. These are -of no use, except for seed, until they are cut down. When -this is done, they throw out many new shoots, covered with -young tender leaves, fit for Tea. They are, of course, far too -big to transplant, but on some sites where they were numerous, -that spot was chosen for the plantation, and some of -these are the best gardens in Assam and Cachar.</p> - -<p>The indigenous plant and high-class hybrid require a hot -moist climate, and will not therefore flourish in any parts of -India outside Eastern Bengal. I have tried them in the -Himalayas, there the cold kills them. In Dehra Dhoon and -Kangra the climate is far too dry; besides, the hot winds -in the former, and the cold in the latter, are prejudicial. The -Terai under Darjeeling suits them. In Assam, Cachar, and -Chittagong, the indigenous and the highest class hybrids will -thrive, for the climate of all three is suitable, but perhaps -Northern Assam possesses the best climate of all for such -plants.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> -<p>The Himalayan gardens consist entirely of Chinese plants -mixed occasionally with a low class of hybrid. They were -all formed from the Government Nurseries where nothing -but Chinese was reared. Occasional importations of Assam -and Cachar seed will account for the sprinkling of low class -hybrids which may be found. The same may be said of -Dehra Dhoon and Kangra. In some gardens in the Terai -below Darjeeling a high class of plant exists. In Assam, -Cachar, and Chittagong the plantations vary much, but all -have some indigenous and high class hybrids, while many -gardens are composed of nothing else.</p> - -<p>It is evident, then, that the value of a garden depends -much on the class of its plants, and that a wise man will -only propagate the best. Only the seed from good varieties -should be selected, and gradually all inferior bushes should -be rooted out and a good kind substituted. When this shall -have been systematically done for a few years on a good -garden, which has other advantages, the yield per acre will -far exceed anything yet realised or even thought of.</p> - -<p>Government action in the matter of Tea has been prejudicial -in many ways, but in none more so than when they -were doing their best to foster the cultivation by distributing -Chinese seed and seedlings gratis. No one can blame here -(would the Government were equally free from blame in all -Tea matters!), but the mischief is none the less. It will -never be possible to undo the harm then done.</p> - -<p>The seed of indigenous, hybrid, and Chinese is like in -appearance, and cannot be distinguished. Thus, when seed -formerly was got from a distance, the purchaser was at the -mercy of the vendor.</p> - -<p>High cultivation improves the class of a Tea plant. Thus, -a purely China bush, if highly cultivated and well manured, -will in two or three years assume a hybrid character. High -cultivation will therefore improve the class of <i>all</i> the plants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -in a garden; but the cheapest and best plan with low class -Chinese plants is to root them out and replace them with -others, as will be explained hereafter. Low class seedlings -should also be rooted out of nurseries.</p> - -<p>I cannot conclude this chapter better than by giving an -extract from the “Government Records” alluded to in a previous -chapter, and I add a few remarks at foot, as otherwise -the reader might be puzzled with some opinions expressed -which are so much at variance with the generally received -opinions on Tea to-day.</p> - - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<div><i>Kinds of Tea Plants cultivated.</i>—“When Government resolved on -trying the experiment of cultivating Tea in India, they deputed Dr. -Gordon to China to acquire information respecting the cultivation -and manufacture of Teas, and to procure Tea seeds. Aided by Dr. -Gutzlaff he procured a quantity of seeds from the mountains in the -Amoy districts. These seeds were sent to the Calcutta Botanical -Garden, where they were sown in boxes. On germinating they were -sent up the country in boats, some to Assam and some to Gurhmuktesur, -and from thence to Kumaon and Gurhwal. From these plants -date the commencement of the Tea plantations in the Himalayas.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> -Tea was first made in Kumaon in 1841, and the samples sent to -England, and were pronounced to be of good quality, fitted for the -home markets, and similar to the Oolong Souchong varieties. Thus -Messrs. Thompson, of Mincing Lane, report on a sample sent by us -to Dr. Royle in 1842: ‘The samples of Tea received belong to the -Oolong Souchong kind, fine-flavoured and strong. This is equal to -the superior black Tea generally sent as presents, and better for the -most part than the Chinese Tea imported for mercantile purposes.’<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> -By many it was supposed that there were different species of the Tea -plant, and that the species cultivated in the south districts of China -was different from that met with in the north. To solve this mystery, -and at the same time procure the best varieties of the Tea plant, -Mr. Fortune was deputed to China. By him large numbers of Tea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -plants were sent from different districts of China celebrated for their -Teas, and are now thriving luxuriantly in all the plantations throughout -the Kohistan of the North-west Provinces and Punjab. Both green -and black Tea plants were sent, the former from Whey Chow, -Mooyeen, Chusan, Silver Island, and Tein Tang, near Ningpo, and -the latter from Woo-e San, Tein San, and Tsin Gan, in the Woo-e -district. -<div class="sidenote">Several varieties.</div> -But so similar are the green and black Tea plants to each -other, and the plants from the Amoy districts, that the most practised -eye, when they are mixed together, cannot separate -them, showing that they are nothing more than mere -varieties of one and the same plant, the changes in the form of the -leaf being brought about by cultivation. Moreover, throughout the -plantation fifty varieties might easily be pointed out; but they run so -into each other as to render it impossible to assign them any trivial -character, and the produce of the seed of different varieties does not -produce the same varieties only, but several varieties, proving that the -changes are entirely owing to cultivation; nor do the plants, cultivated -at 6,000 feet in the Himalayas, differ in the least in their varieties from -those cultivated at 2,500 feet of altitude in the Dehra Dhoon.</div> - -<div class="sidenote">Assam species.</div> - -<p>“That the Assam plant is a marked species is true, it being distinguished -by its large membranous and lanceolate leaf, -small flower, and upright growth.</p> - -<p>“It is a very inferior plant for making Tea, and its leaves are therefore -not used.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> Though the plants received from the different districts -of China do not differ from those first sent to the plantations, it is -highly important to know that the Tea plants from well-known green -and black Tea districts of China now exist in the plantations, as it is -stated that local causes exert a great influence in the quality of the -Teas as much as the manufacture does. The expense, therefore, -incurred in stocking the Government plantations with the finest kinds -and varieties of Tea plants procurable in China, though great, will be -amply repaid. From them superior kinds of Tea are produced.”</p></div> - -<p>The above extract is a sample of the said “Records.” -They abound in errors and highly coloured statements, which -induced many to embark in Tea on unfavourable sites, and -“the red book” (it is bound in a red cover) is not exactly -blessed by the majority of the Himalayan planters!</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">TEA SEED.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Though there is a great difference in Tea plants (see last -chapter) the seed of all is the same, and it is therefore -impossible to say from what class of plants it has been -gathered.</p> - -<p>When Tea seed was very valuable (it has sold in -the Tea-fever days as high as Rs. 200 and Rs. 300 per -maund) it was the object of planters to grow as much as -possible.</p> - -<p>High class plants do not give much seed, a plantation -therefore with much on it should be avoided in purchasing -seed.</p> - -<p>The Tea flower (the germ of next year’s seed) appears in -the autumn, and the seed is ripe at the end of the following -October or early November.</p> - -<p>It takes thus one year to form.</p> - -<p>Seed is ripe when the capsule becomes brown, and when -breaking the latter the inner brown covering of the seed -adheres to the seed and <i>not</i> to the capsule.</p> - -<p>One capsule contains 1, 2, 3, and sometimes even 4 seeds.</p> - -<p>Though the mass ripens at the end of October, some -ripen earlier; the capsule splits and the seed falls on the -ground. If, therefore, all the seed from a garden is required, -it is well to send round boys all October to pick up such -seeds.</p> - -<p>When the seed is picked at the end of October or -early November the mass is still in capsules. It should be -laid in the sun for half an hour daily for two or three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -days until most of the capsules have split. It is then -shelled, and the clean seed laid on the floor of any building -where it will remain dry. Sunning it <i>after</i> shelling is -objectionable.</p> - -<p>The sooner it is sown after it is shelled the better.</p> - -<p>If for any reason it is necessary to keep it, say a fortnight -or three weeks before sowing, it is best kept <i>towards</i> germinating -in layers covered with dry mould. But if to be kept -longer leave it on the dry floor as above, taking care it is -thinly spread (not more than one seed thick if you have -space) and collected together, and re-spread every day to -turn it.</p> - -<p>For transport to a distance it should be placed in coarse -gunny bags only one-third filled. If these are shaken and -turned daily during transit a journey of a week will not very -materially injure the seed.</p> - -<p>For any long journey it is best placed in layers in -boxes with thoroughly dry and fine charcoal between the -layers, and sheets of paper here and there to prevent the -charcoal running to the bottom.</p> - -<p>It is scarcely necessary to consider how Tea seed can be -utilized when not saleable, for seed prevents leaf, and therefore -it should not be grown if there is no market for it. It -will, however, make oil, but the price it would fetch for this -purpose would not compensate for the diminished yield of -leaf it had caused. It is also valuable as manure mixed -with cattle-dung, but it would not pay to grow it for this -purpose either.</p> - -<p>My advice therefore is to allow no more seed on the -garden than you require for your own use (even the fullest -gardens require some yearly) or than you can sell at a -remunerative price.</p> - -<p>If the object is to produce a considerable quantity of -seed, set apart a piece of the plantation for it, and do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -prune it at all. A large number will then be produced on -that piece.</p> - -<p>If the object is to grow as little seed as possible after the -pruning in the cold weather, which destroys the greater -part, send round boys to pick off such of the germs as -remain.</p> - -<p>If this is done ever so carefully, some will escape, enough -say to give one maund seed from 10 acres of garden, and -this as a rule is enough to fill up vacancies in a good garden.</p> - -<p>The following figures regarding seed will be found useful, -but remember the higher the class of plant the less durable -the <span class="lock">seed:—</span></p> - -<p>Seven maunds seed, with capsules, give 4 mds. clean -seed.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>One maund</td><td>clean seed</td><td>(fresh)</td><td>=</td><td>26,000</td><td>seeds.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td class="center">„</td><td>(ten days old)</td><td>=</td><td>32,000</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td class="center">„</td><td>(one month old)</td><td>=</td><td>35,000</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p>Say therefore, in round numbers, that one maund Tea -seed = 30,000 seeds.</p> - -<p>With good Tea seed, sown shortly after it is picked, -about 20,000 will germinate.</p> - -<p>If you get 8,000 to germinate with seed that has come a -long distance, you are lucky.</p> - -<p>After a two months’ journey 3,000 is probably the outside -which will be realised.</p> - -<p>My experience, with seed imported into another District -from Assam or Cachar, is that more than 4,500 Seedlings -cannot be expected from each maund.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">COMPARISON BETWEEN SOWING IN NURSERIES AND -IN SITU.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>In the one case the seed is placed in nurseries at the close -of the year, and the young plants transplanted into the -garden at beginning of the following rains.</p> - -<p>In the other the seed is (at the same time, viz., close of -the year, if you can get it so soon) sown at once in the -plantation where the plants are intended to grow.</p> - -<p>Each of these plans has its advocates, who don’t believe -in the other plan at all! The question is which is the better?</p> - -<p>Their respective advantages may be shortly summed up -as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Nurseries.</span></h3> - -<p><i>Advantages.</i>—The seed may be made to germinate early -by watering. After it germinates the plants can be watered -from time to time as they require it. Artificial shade -(a great help to the germination of Tea seed) can be given. -The soil can be frequently opened, and the plants in every -way better tended in nurseries.</p> - -<p><i>Disadvantages.</i>—The plants lose at least three months’ -growth when transplanted, and may die. The transplanting -necessitates labour at the time of the year it is -much wanted for other work. The expense is greater than -the other plan, for there are the nurseries to make and the -labour of transplanting.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">In Situ.</span></h3> - -<p><i>Advantages.</i>—The plants gain some three months in -growth by not being moved. It saves labour at the busy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -time, viz., early in the rains. It saves all the labour of transplanting, -that is, it <i>saves</i> labour absolutely, and <i>gives</i> labour -when, as stated, it is much required.</p> - -<p><i>Disadvantages.</i>—If the early rains (that is, rain in December, -January, and February) fail, but few seeds germinate. -In the case of a new garden, the soil must be kept clean six -or seven months before it would be necessary by the nursery -plan. No artificial shade can be given.</p> - -<p>It will thus be seen that the advocates of both plans -have much to urge in their respective favours. Which is -better?</p> - -<p>The advocates of each plan are guided by the climate -they have planted Tea in, and the truth is simply that the -better plan for one place is not adapted to another. Planting -<i>in situ</i> where it will succeed is by far the cheaper and better, -and it will do so wherever there are certainly cold weather -and spring rains. Thus (see rain table) it will often succeed -in Assam, Cachar, Darjeeling, the Western Dooars, and -perhaps the Terai below Darjeeling. It will fail in Chittagong, -Dehra Dhoon, Kumaon, Kangra, and Hazareebaugh. -In Chittagong, for instance, a garden could never be made -by planting <i>in situ</i>, or, as it is generally called, at stake.<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> - -<p>In this and other matters adapt your operations to the -existing climate.</p> - -<p>I will now describe the above two methods of sowing -seed.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">SOWING SEED IN SITU, ID EST, AT STAKE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It is named “at stake” because stakes are put along in -lines to show where the Tea trees are to be, and the seed is -sown at those spots.</p> - -<p>The <i>modus operandi</i> is very simple. A month before the -sowing time (which should be as soon as you can get the -seed), at each stake dig a hole at least 9 inches diameter and -12 inches deep, put the soil taken out on the sides, taking -care, however, if it be on a slope, to put none <i>above</i> the -hole. Do not put the soil near enough to the pit to make it -likely it will be washed back. Such soil as should be washed -in ought to be the new rich surface soil. For this reason -the upper side of the hole should be left free on slopes. -The pits are made a month beforehand to admit of this, and -to allow the action of the air on the open sides to improve -the mould.</p> - -<p>If lucky enough to have one or two falls of rain during -the month, the holes will be more or less filled up with soil -eminently calculated to instigate rapid growth. Just before -sowing fill up the pit with surrounding <i>surface</i> soil. Whether -to mix a little manure with it or not is a question. If it is -virgin soil, and rich in decayed vegetation, I say no; if not -virgin soil, and rather poor, yes; but it must be strictly in -moderation—not more, say, than a man can hold in both -hands to each hole. In filling up the hole, press the soil -down lightly two or three times, or it will all sink later, and -your seeds be far too deep.</p> - -<p>When the above is all done, there is a perfect spot for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -the reception of the seed. The tap-root can readily descend -in search of moisture, and the lateral rootlets can spread -likewise. They (the latter) will not reach the outer walls of -the pit for six months, and will then be strong enough to -force their way through.</p> - -<p>Now sow the seed. Put in, say, two or three, as the -seed is good or bad, six inches apart; push them into the -soft soil one inch, and put up the stake in the centre to -mark the spot.</p> - -<p>Keep the place clean till following rains, but allow only -hand-weeding near the young seedlings, and occasionally -open the soil with some light hand-instrument, as a -“koorpee,” to the depth of half-an-inch.</p> - -<p>If all the seeds germinate, and the seedlings escape -crickets, and all live, at commencement of the rains leave -the best and transplant the others to any vacant spot. You -will succeed with some, not with others; but do not be too -anxious to take up the spare ones with earth round the -roots, and thus endanger the one plant left. That the seedling -left be not injured is the <i>great</i> point, the others must -take their chance.</p> - -<p>Some people believe in two, or even three seedlings -together, and would thus advise them to be all, or perhaps -two, left. I do not approve of the plan, except, perhaps, -with Chinese plants. Plant as close as you will in the lines, -but give each plant its own home.</p> - -<p>There is another mode of planting at stake, which is, I -think, better than the above.</p> - -<p>Lay the seed in alternate layers of seed and mould in -beds. The seeds may be laid <i>close</i> to each other, but not -<i>above</i> each other, with mould, say, two inches thick, above, -and then seed again. When they begin to burst, ready to -shoot out their roots, examine the seeds, by taking off the -soil from each layer, every three or four days. Take out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -those that <i>have</i> burst, and plant with the eye or root side of -the seed downwards. Put all that have <i>not</i> burst back -again. Repeat the operation again and again every second -or third day. Be careful and take them up before the root -projects—that is, directly the coating has cracked.</p> - -<p>By this means only one seed need be put at each stake, -for it is certain to germinate, and seed may thus be made -to go much further. Great care is, however, necessary in -this operation.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">NURSERIES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Choose a level site, with, if possible, the command of water -at a higher level—anyhow with water handy. Either irrigating -or hand-watering for seed beds is a necessity if vigorous -and well-developed plants are to be looked for.</p> - -<p>The soil should be of the light, friable kind recommended -for the Tea-plant (see “<a href="#Page_31">Soil</a>”) and of the same <i>nature</i> as the -soil of the garden, the ultimate home of the plants. This -latter is all-important, for seedlings will never thrive (probably -not live) transplanted into a new kind of mould, -particularly a poorer kind.</p> - -<p>If possible, the soil of the seed beds should be poorer -than the soil of the garden—on no account richer. Taking -care it is of the same <i>nature</i> as the garden soil, choose the -poorest you can find. The principle is well known in -England, and it applies equally to India. From poor to -rich soil plants thrive, but never the other way.</p> - -<p>For the above reason, if you manure seed beds, do it very -sparingly.</p> - -<p>Artificial shade for seed beds is a necessity; at least very -many more seeds will germinate when it is given.</p> - -<p>Natural shade over seed beds is <i>very</i> bad; for, <i>firstly</i>, “the -drippings” are highly injurious; and, <i>secondly</i>, shade is only -required till the plants are two or three inches high; after -that <i>any</i> shade is bad, for plants brought up to the time of -transplanting in shade are never very hardy.</p> - -<p>Seed beds, where water is handy, should not be dug deep. -If so dug, and the soil is consequently loose a long way down,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -the tap-root will descend quickly, and will be too long when -transplanted. As water can be given when it is necessary, -there is no need for the tap-root to go down low in search of -moisture.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> A long tap-root is generally broken in “lifting” -the seedling from the bed.</p> - -<p>Seed beds raised, as is the usual custom, above the paths -that run between them, are objectionable. They part with -moisture too freely. They should, on the contrary, be below -the level of the paths, and there is another advantage in -this, for the said paths can then be used partly as supports -for the artificial shade, and thus do away with the expense -of long wooden stakes.</p> - -<p>As the seed beds are only required until the beginning of -the following rains, there is no possibility of their suffering -from excessive moisture. When they are required to remain -later, of course this plan of making the beds lower than the -paths will not do.</p> - -<p>Seed is best sown in drills, six inches apart, and each -seed two, or if space can be got, even three inches from its -neighbour. This facilitates each seedling being taken up -later, with more or less of a ball of earth round the roots—an -all-important point (see Transplanting, page <a href="#Page_76">76</a>).</p> - -<p>The length of the beds does not signify, but the breadth -must not be more than five feet, so that a man on the path -on either side can reach to the middle while hand-weeding -or opening the soil.</p> - -<p>After what has been said no lengthy directions for making -the beds are necessary.</p> - -<p>Cut down, burn, or carry off all jungle, and then take out -all roots, whether grass or other. Now make the surface<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -level. After this mark off the beds and paths, the latter one -foot broad only, with string and pegs. Then raise the path -six inches above the spots marked off for the beds. This -latter must not be done by earth from the beds, but by earth -from outside the intended nursery. Next dig and pulverise -the soil of the beds to a depth of six or seven inches, no -more, and level the surface.</p> - -<p>All is now ready for the seed. A string, five feet long, -with a small peg at either end, is given to two men who -stand on the path at either side of the bed. Each man has -a six-inch measure. The string is laid across the bed, -beginning at one end and pegged down on either side. A -drill is then made along the string about one inch deep, and -this done the string is, by means of the six-inch measure on -either side, removed, and pegged down again in the place -for the next drill. Seeds are then sown or placed along the -first drill made, two or three inches apart, and the earth -filled in. This is repeated again and again till the whole -bed is sown.</p> - -<p>If the character of the seed is doubtful it must be laid in -thicker, but with good seed two-and-a-half to three inches is -the best distance.</p> - -<p>The sowing finished the artificial shade has to be given. -Along the paths, at five feet apart, put in forked stakes, two -feet long—viz., six inches into the path, and eighteen inches -above it. Connect these with one another by poles laid in -the forks; now lay other (but thinner) poles attached to the -first poles at either end <i>across</i> and above the bed; and again -across these latter, that is along <i>the length</i> of the beds, split -bamboos, and then bind the whole framework here and -there. The said framework made will then be two feet above -the beds—viz., eighteen inches of stake support, and the six-inch -raised paths. The eighteen inches of opening all round, -under the frame, that is, between the frame and the path,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -allows the necessary air to circulate; while the expense, -danger from high winds, and the objectionable entrance of -the sun at the sides, all of which high artificial shade is -subject to, are avoided by this low frame-work.</p> - -<p>Mats are the best to cover the frame-work. In case of -accidental or incendiary fire they are not so objectionable as -grass, for they burn less and slower, but mats are expensive. -Any coarse grass (freed from seed) will answer, and it should -be laid on as thin as will suffice to give shade.</p> - -<p>The beds may be watered, if there is no rain, a fortnight -after the seed is sown, and from time to time during the dry -season, whenever the soil at a depth of three or four inches -shows no moisture.</p> - -<p>The soil should also be kept free of weeds, and after the -plants are three or four inches high, the spaces between the -drills should be slightly stirred every now and then.</p> - -<p>After the seed has germinated, and the seedlings have, -say, four leaves on them, the artificial shade should be taken -away. But it must be done gradually, taking off portions of -the grass first, so that the young seedlings may by degrees -be inured to the hot sun.</p> - -<p>Though cultivation, as described, by watering and opening -the soil at times is well, these should not be done much, or -the seedlings will be too large when the time comes to transplant -them. Large seedlings do not, as a rule, thrive as -well as moderate-sized ones, after being transplanted.</p> - -<p>Among the many very absurd mistakes made in the -cultivation of the Tea plant, none exceeds the ridiculous -way Tea seed used to be sown in the Government plantations -in the North-western Himalayas. The seed was -sown in drills, as I have advised, but in six linear inches of -the drills, where it is right to put two, or at most three, -seeds, perhaps thirty were placed! I do not exaggerate; -the drill, six inches deep, was filled with them. Many and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -many lacs of seed, in those days worth many thousand -rupees, were thus sacrificed. Private planters in the Himalayas, -taught by the Government method, once did the same. -I believe the absurd practice is exploded now.</p> - -<p>Seed cannot be sown too soon after being picked. It is -ripe early in November, so the beds should be all ready by -November, and if the seed has not far to come it can thus -be sown early that month.</p> - -<p>To each maund there are in round numbers 30,000 seeds, -(see page <a href="#Page_56">56</a>). The number of plants it will take to fill an -acre depends, of course, on the distances they are set apart -(see page <a href="#Page_72">72</a>), but having decided this point, also the area -to be planted, and consequently the number of maunds of -seeds to be sown (see page <a href="#Page_56">56</a>), the following table will be -found useful in calculating the size of nursery <span class="lock">required:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><i>Table showing the size of nursery required for one maund and -ten maunds seed, the drills being 6 inches apart, and each -seed 3 inches or 2 inches from its neighbour.</i></p></div> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Distance each seed is set apart in the drill.</th><th> Area in sq. inches each seed will occupy.</th><th>Area, in sq. feet, of beds without paths required for each md.</th><th> Area, including paths required for each md.</th><th> Size of nursery, including the paths to take in for 10 mds.</th></tr> -<tr><td>3 inches</td><td class="center"> 18</td><td class="center"> 3,763</td><td> 4,513 sq. feet or 501 sq. yards.</td><td> 100 yards by 50 yards.</td></tr> -<tr><td>2 inches</td><td class="center"> 12</td><td class="center"> 2,500</td><td> 2,995 sq. feet or 332 sq. yards.</td><td> 100 yards by 33 yards.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>If nurseries for more than ten maunds are required, then -allow 100 yards to be the breadth, and for each extra ten -maunds add respectively for 3 or 2 inches (see 1st column) -50 or 33 yards to the length. Thus fifty maunds will require -nurseries 100 yards by 250 yards, or 100 yards by 165 yards, -according as it is decided to plant the seed 3 inches or 2 inches -apart in the lines.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MANURE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>An idea existed formerly—got, I believe, from stray Chinamen, -who I don’t think knew much about Tea in any way—that -manure, though it increased the yield, spoilt the flavour -of Tea. The idea is opposed to all agricultural knowledge, -for high cultivation, which in no case can be carried out to -perfection without manure, much improves the strength and -flavour of all edibles, the product of mother-earth.</p> - -<p>My first experience of manure to the Tea plant was -obtained in the Chittagong district from a small garden -close to the station, which has been for some years highly -manured. I was struck with the frequency and abundance -of the flushes and the strength and flavour of the Tea. My -high opinion of the Tea was later borne out by the Calcutta -brokers. I allude to the “Pioneer” garden, close to the -Chittagong station. During the best Tea months flush -succeeded flush at intervals of less than a week, while eight -to ten maunds (640 to 800 lbs.) was the yearly yield per acre! -The soil was very sandy and poor.</p> - -<p>After-experience showed me that manuring nearly doubles -the yield of plants, and that so far from injuring the flavour -of Tea it improves it, while it adds greatly to the strength.</p> - -<p>I shall therefore beg the question that manure <i>is</i> an -advantage. If any planter doubts, let him try it, and his -doubts will soon be solved.</p> - -<p>Any manure is better than none, but I believe one of the -best manures for the Tea plant (always excepting night-soil -and the excrements of birds, which cannot be procured) is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -cattle manure. It is not heating, like horse-dung, and may -be applied in large quantities without any risk. The fresher -it is applied, in my opinion, the better, for it has then far -more power. If mixed with any vegetable refuse, the bulk -being increased, it will go further, but I do not think it is -intrinsically any the better for it.</p> - -<p>There are several chemical manures advertised for Tea -plants. “Money and Ponder’s Chemical Manure,” lately -patented by Mr. Ponder and myself, is said to have been -very successful on several gardens. It is manufactured by -Mr. J. Thompson, Kooshtea, Bengal, who will supply all -details.</p> - -<p>All garden refuse should be regarded as manure and -buried between the plants. I allude to the prunings of the -bushes and the weeds at all times from the land. To carry -these off the ground, as I have sometimes seen done, is -simply taking off so much strength from the soil. The -greener, too, all this is buried the better.</p> - -<p>When it is considered how much is taken from the Tea -plant, it is evident the soil will be exhausted, sooner or -later, if no means are adopted to repair the waste. Where -manure cannot be got the waste must be made up, as far as -possible, by returning all other growth to the soil. But -manure <i>should</i> be got if possible, for it will double the yield -of a garden; and highly concentrated chemical manures -will, I am sure, be eventually much used on Tea gardens.</p> - -<p>The best way to apply it, if enough manure is procurable, -is round each plant; not close to the stem (the rootlets by -which the plant feeds are not there) but about 1 foot from -it. Dig a round trench with a <i>kodalee</i>, about 9 inches wide -and 6 inches deep, at the above distance from the stem, lay -in the manure, and replace the soil at top. If the plants -are young the trench should be narrower, shallower, and -6 inches, instead of 1 foot, from the stems.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> - -<p>If enough manure is not procurable for this (the best) -plan, the most must be done with what can be got, as -follows:—If the plants are full grown, and there is say 4 feet -between the lines, dig a trench down the centre and lay in -the manure. The plants will then be manured on two sides. -If the plants are young lay the manure <i>near</i> them on two -sides, if possible, but failing that even on one side. The -principle is to lay the manure at the distance the feeding -rootlets are, and the older the plant the greater distance -these are from its stem.</p> - -<p>As to the quantity of cattle manure. Say for plants four -years old and upwards (if younger, less will be an equivalent) -one maund to 20 trees is a moderate dose, one maund -to 15 trees a good dose, and one maund to 10 trees highly -liberal manuring, and as much as the plants can take up.</p> - -<p>Say in round numbers each acre contains 2,500 plants -(4 by 4—a usual distance—gives 2,722 plants, as shown at -page <a href="#Page_72">72</a>), and say the manure is procurable at three annas a -maund.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<p>The following table shows the expense of each degree of -manuring, viz., 10, 15, and 20 trees per <span class="lock">maund:—</span></p> - - -<p><i>Table showing the possible cost and result of manuring with -cattle manure.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Rate of Manuring</th><th>Maunds of manure per acre at 2,500 plants per acre</th><th>Cost of manure at 3 annas per maund <i>N.B.</i>—Ans. omitted</th><th>Probable extra yield of Tea per acre</th><th>Value of extra yield of Tea at Rs. 50 per maund</th><th>Profit by manuring per acre</th><th>Deducting the probable cost of putting in the manure, the following profit is shown per acre</th></tr> -<tr><th></th><th>Mds.</th><th> Rs.</th><th> Mds.</th><th> Rs.</th><th> Rs.</th><th> Rs.</th></tr> -<tr><td>One md. to 10 plants</td><td> 250</td><td> 47</td><td> 2½</td><td> 125</td><td> 78</td><td> 70</td></tr> -<tr><td>One md. to 15 plants</td><td> 166</td><td> 31</td><td> 2</td><td> 100</td><td> 69</td><td> 62</td></tr> -<tr><td>One md. to 20 plants</td><td> 125</td><td> 23</td><td> 1½</td><td> 75</td><td> 52</td><td> 46</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> -<p>It is not too much to calculate that this will add respectively -1½, 2, and 2½ maunds of Tea per acre to the yield, and -I have carried this out in the table and shown the results.</p> - -<p>I quite believe the results shown will be obtained by -manuring, and I base my opinion on practice not theory.</p> - -<p><i>N.B.</i>—I have deducted Rs. 8 for the first, Rs. 7 for the -second, and Rs. 6 for the third, as the probable cost of putting -in the manure, as it may have to be carried from the -factory to the garden. If purchased after being placed -between the lines (and if manure is bought of adjacent -villagers they will so place it), the cost would be less.</p> - -<p>The above table, of course, only applies to localities -where cattle manure can be purchased at 3 annas per -maund, including carriage to the factory.</p> - -<p>The value of the extra yield of Tea is estimated at only -Rs. 50 per maund in the above table, because the leaf which -will give one maund of Tea is worth no more, as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th></th><th>Rs.</th><th>A.</th><th>P.</th></tr> -<tr><td>Probable price obtainable for one maund or 80 lbs. Tea in Calcutta, at 14 annas a lb. all round (a fair calculation, one year with the other, if it is well manufactured).</td><td>70</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td>Deduct cost, manufacture, packing, transport, and broker’s charges as set out in the chapter on “cost manufacture,” page <a href="#Page_162">162</a></td><td>16</td><td>9</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td>Value of leaf which will make one maund Tea</td><td>53</td><td>7</td><td>0</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>But I prefer estimating it at Rs. 50 only, to be on the safe side.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">DISTANCES APART TO PLANT TEA BUSHES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>When the idea existed, which it did once, that ploughs -could be used to cultivate a garden between the lines, these -latter, with this object, were placed unnecessarily wide apart.</p> - -<p>All distances may be seen in different gardens, viz., -6 × 6, 6 × 3, 6 × 4, 5 × 4, 5 × 5, 4 × 3, &c., &c.</p> - -<p>The plough idea has nowhere been found to answer, and -is exploded.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> Still, even for hand labour to cultivate, and for -facilities in picking leaf, it is necessary there should be room -enough one way to pass along. Cultivation here means -digging, and space enough for this must be left between -the lines. Giving so much, what is then the principle that -should guide us? Clearly, with a view to the largest yield -obtainable, to place as many plants on the land as it will bear.</p> - -<p>Four or 4½ feet are, I think, the best distances between -the lines.</p> - -<p>They give space enough for air to cultivate, and to pass -along, even when the trees are full grown.</p> - -<p>Where manure is obtainable and the soil can be kept up -to a rich state by yearly applications, a garden can scarcely -be planted too close.</p> - -<p>I see no objection to trees touching each other in the lines.</p> - -<p>On considerable slopes, to prevent the wash of soil, the -plants should be placed as close as possible, say 3½ feet -between and 2 feet in the lines.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> -<p>A closely planted garden will grow less weeds than a -widely planted one, and will consequently be cheaper to -work.</p> - -<p>As the expenditure on a garden is in direct proportion to -the area, and the yield in direct proportion to the number of -plants (always supposing there is power enough in the soil -to support them), it follows that a closely planted garden -<i>must</i> be very much more profitable than the reverse.</p> - -<p>Hybrid plants grow to a larger size than Chinese, and -should therefore have more room.</p> - -<p>The following is a useful <span class="lock">table:—</span></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Table showing the Plants to an Acre, and the Area one lakh of -seedlings will cover, at the distances named.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="center" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Distances in feet</th><th> Square ft. to each plant</th><th> Plants in one acre</th><th>The area in acres one lakh of seedlings will cover</th><th> <span class="smcap">Remarks</span></th></tr> -<tr><td>6 by 6</td><td> 36</td><td> 1,210</td><td> 82½</td><td rowspan="5"> Too wide for any plants.</td></tr> -<tr><td>6 „ 5</td><td> 30</td><td> 1,452</td><td> 69 </td></tr> -<tr><td>6½ „ 4</td><td> 26</td><td> 1,675</td><td> 59¾</td></tr> -<tr><td>5 „ 5</td><td> 25</td><td> 1,742</td><td> 57½</td></tr> -<tr><td>6 „ 4</td><td> 24</td><td> 1,815</td><td> 55 </td></tr> -<tr><td>6 „ 3½</td><td> 21</td><td> 2,074</td><td> 48 </td><td rowspan="2"> For Hybrids, but still I think too wide.</td></tr> -<tr><td>5 „ 4</td><td> 20</td><td> 2,178</td><td> 45½</td></tr> -<tr><td>6 „ 3</td><td> 18</td><td> 2,420</td><td> 41¼</td><td rowspan="3"> Good distances for Hybrids.</td></tr> -<tr><td>4 „ 4</td><td> 16</td><td> 2,722</td><td> 36¾</td></tr> -<tr><td>5 „ 3</td><td> 15</td><td> 2,904</td><td> 34½</td></tr> -<tr><td>4 „ 3</td><td> 12</td><td> 3,630</td><td> 27½</td><td> Chinese for early return.</td></tr> -<tr><td>3½ „ 3½</td><td> 12¼</td><td> 3,555</td><td> 28 </td><td rowspan="2"> Chinese.</td></tr> -<tr><td>3½ „ 3</td><td> 10½</td><td> 4,148</td><td> 24 </td></tr> -<tr><td>6 „ 3¼</td><td> 19½</td><td> 2,233</td><td> 44¾</td><td> Hybrid.</td></tr> -<tr><td>5 „ 3¼</td><td> 16¼</td><td> 2,726</td><td> 36¾</td><td rowspan="2"> Chinese.</td></tr> -<tr><td>5 „ 3½</td><td> 17½</td><td> 2,489</td><td> 40 </td></tr> -<tr><td>3½ „ 2</td><td> 7</td><td> 6,223</td><td> 16</td><td> Best distance for Chinese on steep slopes.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>On flat lands I <span class="lock">advise—</span></p> - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>Hybrid, if high-class</td><td class="center">4 × 3½ or 4½ × 4</td></tr> -<tr><td>Chinese</td><td class="center">3 × 3</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>All the following equal one <span class="lock">acre:—</span></p> - -<div class="center"> -<table class="center" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>4 roods.</td><td>4,840</td><td>square</td><td>yards.</td></tr> -<tr><td>160 poles.</td><td>43,560</td><td>„</td><td>feet.</td></tr> -</table></div> -</div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MAKING A GARDEN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I have not very much to say on this head, as most of the -operations entailed are treated separately. Still a few -directions on primary matters are required.</p> - -<p>Having selected a site and made arrangements for the -Tea seed required for the first year’s planting, you should -commence operations early in October, either by constructing -the nursery, or clearing land on the proposed site of the -garden, as you may decide which mode of planting, viz., -“nurseries,” or “sowing at stake,” to adopt.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> - -<p>If the latter, you should begin to cut the jungle somewhat -earlier, but it is no use beginning to do this before the middle -of September in any case, for before that the jungle would -spring up again so soon that it would be labour lost.</p> - -<p>Before you do <i>anything</i> decide how much you will cultivate -the first year, and make your arrangements for seed -accordingly. Here let me advise you in no case to attempt -more than 100 acres. If you do 100 really well the first -year you will have done <i>very</i> well. Remember you have also -buildings (though few) to construct, and trying to do too -much you may simply fail in all.</p> - -<p>Previous to October you should have made yourself -thoroughly acquainted with all your land, so that you can -then fix with knowledge on the best sites for your buildings, -nursery, and Tea plantation.</p> - -<p>You will find much on these matters in other chapters -which should be read carefully.</p> - -<p>These respective sites having been fixed upon, and sup<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>posing -you are going to plant in both ways, from nurseries -and <i>in situ</i>, construct the nurseries as advised under that head, -page <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, and also cut the jungle on the intended garden site.</p> - -<p>There is not much to say about cutting jungle. Cut all -the brushwood first near the ground, and the big trees later, -so that when they fall they may lie on the underwood. In -the portion you intend to plant at stake you will not have -time to cut down the big trees, and had better simply “ring” -them. If this is properly done, that is, if the ring is broad -enough and deep enough (less than one foot broad and five -inches deep for large trees is not safe), they will certainly -die in a twelvemonth, and will not give objectionable shade -more than half that time. In the part to be planted “at -stake” you must burn all the cut jungle by the end of October, -and it will be well, if you have labour enough, to send men -up the big trees to cut off the branches beforehand, so that -they will more or less burn with the rest. Doing this, and -piling up the underwood to be burnt round the base of the -big trees, will cause earlier death, and diminish the objectionable -shade.</p> - -<p>Having burnt the jungle, that is, as much as will burn, -and carried off the rest from the parts to be planted at stake, -dig out all the small roots, and that done, dig the whole -some 4 or 5 inches deep. Then stake it off with small bamboo -stakes 18 inches long, showing where the Tea trees are to be -(see page <a href="#Page_72">72</a> as to the best distances), and then make your -holes and plant your seed at each stake as directed at page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</p> - -<p>See the way it is recommended to stake land as regards -its lay at pages <a href="#Page_45">45</a> and <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</p> - -<p>You will probably not have the ground ready before the -end of November (do not attempt more than you can do to -that date), and then take care and keep the seed, as directed -at page <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, until it is sown.</p> - -<p>For the part to be planted from nurseries the following -June you have plenty of time. Nowhere have I, or anyone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -seen large vigorous Tea plants under trees. It is therefore -evident trees are hurtful, and no more should be left in a -garden than are required for the labourers to sit under occasionally, -and to collect leaf under before it is taken to the Tea-house. -The trees that are left should be those on the sides of -roads. One to every two or three acres is ample. After -therefore cutting down all the low jungle, cut down all but the -said few trees (it is cheaper in the end than ringing them), -and then cut off and cut up all the branches into sizes that -will burn readily. Cut up the large trunks also into lengths, for -all that will not burn must be carried off later. Leave all so -lying until February, then choose a day with a high wind and -fire it from the windward side. It may burn some days. -Then collect all unburnt into heaps, and fire again and again -until nothing more will burn. Now take out all roots, big and -small, and when well dry, stack all these, and what was left -before, and fire again and again. The land should now be -tolerably clear, and can be dug at once. The roads should -be marked off before this, for they are better not dug.</p> - -<p>Now stake the land at the distances determined on, and -a month before the rains, or even more, if you are so far -advanced, make holes for the young seedlings at each stake, -precisely like those recommended for “planting at stake,” -page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>. Only, if possible, these should be a little larger -each way than there advised, say 10 inches diameter and 15 -inches deep.</p> - -<p>Read carefully the direction as to those pits, and follow -them out here. Much of the success of your planting -depends on these holes.</p> - -<p>At the first commencement of the rains transplant, as -directed under that head in the next chapter.</p> - -<p>Any large heavy trunks, which cannot be easily carried off -the land, may be placed longways between the lines, but the -less of dead timber you leave lying about the gardens the -better.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">TRANSPLANTING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>If the pits for the plants have been all prepared, as directed -at pages <a href="#Page_59">59</a> and <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, this operation is simple enough.</p> - -<p>A fortnight or so before it commences tip all the seedlings -in the nursery. Take off only the closed leaf at the head of -each young plant (see a leaf diagram, page <a href="#Page_104">104</a>), so that the -bud at the base of the next leaf be not injured. Doing this -will make the seedlings hardier and enable them earlier to -recover the transplanting.</p> - -<p>On the day you intend to take up the seedlings from any -bed, if you have water enough at command, flood the bed. -This, as you take up each seedling, will cause the soil, being -moist, to adhere better to the roots.</p> - -<p>The difference between young plants transplanted with a -ball of earth round the roots, and those moved with their -roots bare, is no less than three months’ growth, if even it -does not make the difference between life and death.</p> - -<p>Proceed thus to ensure the former. At one short end of -the bed, the lowest if it is on a slope, dig close to the first -row of seedlings a trench so deep that its base shall be lower -than the lowest end of the tap-roots. Then with a five or -six-pronged steel fork (this is better than a spade, for it does -not cut the rootlets) put in between the first and second row, -and pressed down with the foot to its head, force carefully so -much of the row down into the trench. Then with the hand -take up each seedling separately, helping the soil with a very -light pressure (so light that it shall not change the lateral -direction of any of the rootlets) to adhere, and place it in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -low basket sloping. Do this again and again, till two -baskets are full, when they will be carried, banghy fashion, -to the garden.</p> - -<p>When the first row is finished clear away the loose soil, -so that a similar trench to the first shall be formed, and -then proceed as above with the second row, and so on.</p> - -<p>No further directions for lifting the seedlings out of the -nurseries are required.</p> - -<p>All is ready for their reception in the garden if the directions -at pages <a href="#Page_59">59</a> and <a href="#Page_75">75</a> have been followed out. The work -now to be detailed must be done by careful men well -superintended.</p> - -<p>In the soft soil of the lately filled up pit, described at -page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, a hole is made either with the hand or a narrow -kodalee (the former, if the soil has not settled much, will -suffice), large enough and deep enough to take in the seedling -with all the earth attached to it. The seedling is then -put in and the soil filled in and round it, which completes -the operation.</p> - -<p>The manner, though, in which this is done is of great -consequence. Four things are all important:—(1) That -the tap-root shall not be turned up at the end because the -hole is too shallow. (2) That any rootlets projecting outside -the attached earth shall be laid in the hole, and shall preserve, -when the soil is filled in, their lateral direction. -(3) That the collar of the plant (the spot where the stem -entered the earth in the nursery) shall be, when the pit is -filled up, about 1½ inch higher than the surface of the surrounding -earth. (4) That in filling in the hole the soil is -pressed down enough to make it unlikely to sink later, but -not enough to “cake” the mould.</p> - -<p>The following is the consequence of failure in these four -<span class="lock">points:—</span></p> - -<p>1. Probably death, in any case very much retarded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -growth. I have planted some seedlings so purposely, the -majority died; those that lived recovered very slowly, and -digging them up later the tap-root was found to have gone -down after all by assuming the shape of the letter S, the -growth downwards being from the head of the letter.</p> - -<p>2. Rootlets, turned away from their lateral direction, -interfere with other rootlets, and though they eventually -grow right if the plant lives, they retard it.</p> - -<p>3. Fill in as you may (unless you “cake” the soil, which -induces worse evils) the plant sinks a little; thus, if not -placed a little high, it will eventually be too deep. If on the -other hand placed too high, the rootlets and collar will be -exposed, which is an evil.</p> - -<p>4. Unless this is attended to the plant will sink too much -and the collar be buried; likewise an evil, which it takes -the young seedling some time to recover.</p> - -<p>Only first teaching and then practice will enable either -European or Native to plant well. This is how it should -be done.</p> - -<p>Take the seedling in the left hand, holding it by the -stem just above the collar; then take the very end of the -tap-root between the second and third fingers of the right -hand, and thus put it down into the hole (you thus insure -the tap-root being straight). Now judge exactly the height -of the collar that it be as directed. Rest the left arm then -on the ground to keep the plant steady, release the tap-root, -and fill up the hole about one-third, pressing the soil lightly. -The plant will then be fixed, and you can employ both hands -to fill up the remainder, and keep the rootlets in a lateral -position. Press the soil lightly as you do so, and when all -is filled up press it down a little harder round the stem of -the plant.</p> - -<p>All the transplanting should be finished as early in the -rains as possible. A seedling, planted in the first fifteen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -days of June, is worth two planted in July, and after the -latter month it is generally a case of seedlings and labour -lost.</p> - -<p>Days with heavy rain are not good to plant in. Those -with showers or light drizzling rain are best. When there -is very heavy rain the soil “cakes” much. Fine days, if -the ground is wet, and if more rain may soon be looked for, -are good, better though if cloudy than sunny.</p> - -<p>Where much planting has to be done, of necessity planting -must be carried on daily, for, as observed, it <i>must</i> all be -finished by end of July at latest.</p> - -<p>In case of a sunny break in the weather, stop planting -after the second day, for early rain to young transplants is -a necessity.</p> - -<p>In making a garden too much care cannot be given to -the way seedlings are placed in their homes.</p> - -<p>Just before sending the third edition to press, I saw in -the <i>Indian Tea Gazette</i> some details of “new transplanting -and transporting tools,” patented by Mr. Jeben. I hope -these will prove a success, for such are much wanted, and -if they will do all it is said they can do, a great boon will -have been conferred by Mr. Jeben on the Tea industry.</p> - -<p>Mr. J. W. Mountjoy, of Pandawbrang, Arracan, writes as -follows regarding these <span class="lock">tools:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“The Transplanter has, in working, proved to be a complete -success. Almost all the remaining seedlings have been transplanted -by the aid of your instrument, without the slightest injury to their roots -or check to their growth. The fact is, the young plants do not know -that they have been transplanted, and now that sunshine has succeeded -the late very heavy rains, new and vigorous growth is ‘bursting -out’ from all the seedlings that were transplanted by means of your -Transplanter. No manager of a Tea or Coffee plantation, who had -once seen this instrument at work, would ever again be likely to recur -to transplanting by hand, and not a single seedling should die when -removed from the nursery and carried to its place of ultimate growth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -by means of your Transplanter. Your transplanting apparatus is better -than baskets, and has moreover the great recommendation of being -very economical. Your Transplanter will, with moderate care, last -for many years, and combines thorough economy with thorough -efficiency.”</p></div> - -<p>I am glad to give the above extract, for I look on the -invention, if successful, as a most important one.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">CULTIVATION OF MADE GARDENS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>As manuring, which is part of this, is treated separately, we -have here only to consider the best means of stirring the -soil to give air to the roots of the plants, and to keep down -weeds, which, if allowed, injure the yield vastly.</p> - -<p>Unless when plants are full blown and in full bearing -(and not even then unless they are planted close) it is not -only not necessary, but a waste of labour and money, to open -the soil all over the garden with a view of stimulating or -cultivating the plants. Much money has been wasted in this -way: for instance, in a garden planted 6 by 6 or 6 by 5, -and the plants but two years old, I have seen the whole dug -many times in the year. The roots of the said plants did -not protrude at that age more than 1 foot or so, what good -could they possibly derive from the extra space dug?</p> - -<p>The soil <i>over</i> the rootlets of Tea plants cannot be stirred -too often. The oftener it is done the oftener the trees flush, -and when young the more vigorously will they grow. What -is the best way to do it?</p> - -<p>I believe simply by digging <i>round</i> each plant. I go to -show why this is, I believe, the best.</p> - -<p>Putting aside the waste incurred in digging a whole garden -when not necessary, the way the soil is then dug near -the plants is, I think, objectionable. The ground is dug in -a straight line <i>up to the plant</i>, and in doing so, if the digging -is deep, roots are very apt to be cut. Again, when the work -is task-work, the men shirk as much as possible digging -close up to the stems under the branches, and thus the soil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -over much of the roots, is not stirred at all. This is not -easy to detect, for you must look under the branches of -each tree to see how the work has been done.</p> - -<p>In “digging round plants” the men should <i>follow</i> the -kodalee round the tree, and <i>the position of the blade in the same -line as the roots</i> makes any injury very unlikely. Even if -tasked, as when the work is examined, it is <i>only</i> round the -plants, it is more readily perceived if the ground has not -been stirred close up to the stems.</p> - -<p>I therefore prefer digging round plants, with the view -of cultivating them, to digging the whole garden. I believe -the object is better attained. That it is much cheaper is -evident.</p> - -<p>The annulus, or space to be dug round, beginning 9 -inches from the stem, varies with the age of the plant. Up -to two years one kodalee in width will do, and after that say -2 feet.</p> - -<p>The draw-hoe of 8 inches wide is a better tool for the -above than the kodalee, especially as it is work well suited -to boys, and the “draw-hoe” is a lighter tool.</p> - -<p>Till plants from seed at stake are a year old, and till -seedlings from nurseries are the same age, calculating in the -latter case from the transplanting, no kodalee or even draw-hoe -should come near them. The soil round for 6 inches -should be slightly opened once a month or so, but it should -be done with the “koorpee.”</p> - -<p>We have now discussed the cultivation of the plants. -The above often done, say once a month, if possible, during -the season, with judicious pruning and liberal manuring, -constitutes high cultivation. Did weeds not grow there -would be no need to do more, but weeds <i>do</i> grow, and must -not be allowed. The richer the soil the more weeds, the -more manure you apply the more weeds also.</p> - -<p>Weeds choke the plant and diminish the yield. Weeds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -take from the soil, and from manure, when given, the -strength you want for your constantly recurring flushes. -If, therefore, you have a large crop of weeds you have a -small yield of Tea.</p> - -<p>How to stop this? There is one golden rule, “never -let them get ahead of you.” This, it is true, argues ample -labour; but unless you <i>have</i> ample labour for the area you -cultivate, better let your money lie in the Bank and not -grow Tea. Reduce your area until you <i>can</i> keep ahead of -your weeds, for keep ahead you must if you wish for success.</p> - -<p>The secret of keeping ahead of weeds is to destroy them -when young, to do this again and again, as often as they -come up, never allowing them to bear seed. The kodalee, -an excellent digging tool, is not good for this: you want a -lighter instrument, which can go over more ground and will -not open the soil in the dry season to any depth. The -Dutch hoe, the widest procurable in the blade, with a long -lithe handle of 6 feet, is perfect for this.</p> - -<p>With weeds at the height fit for a Dutch hoe, viz., 3 or 4 -inches, and not numerous (which they will not be if you have -“kept ahead”), a man will easily do 45 square nulls, <i>id est</i>, -720 square yards. He would not do more than 30 nulls -with a kodalee.</p> - -<p>The Dutch hoe must be well known. It is used for -weeding drives and walks in England.</p> - -<p>To conclude shortly, for “hoeing and weeding” I -recommend as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>Dig the whole garden thrice in the year, viz., spring, -rains, and autumn. Bury all weeds as you dig in trenches -between the lines.</p> - -<p>In the intervals use the Dutch hoe as often as weeds -appear.</p> - -<p>Cultivate the plants by digging round them once a month -if possible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> - -<p>Do all this and you will find your garden is kept clean -and well cultivated, at far less cost than you incurred for -cultivation when it was choked with weeds for months -together, while your yield will be at the same time much -increased.</p> - -<p>If you keep your garden thus clean, and do not allow -the weeds to get ahead of you, the following table shows -about the cost of each cultivation operation each time you -do <span class="lock">it:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Detail of work</th><th class="left"> Headman at 4½ annas</th><th class="left"> Men at 3½ annas</th><th class="left"> Women at 3 annas</th><th class="left"> Boys at 2½ annas</th><th colspan="3" class="left"> Total cost</th><th class="left"> Say in Rs.</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Digging the whole surface</td><td> ¾</td><td> 12</td><td> 5</td><td> ..</td><td> 2</td><td> 13</td><td> 6</td><td> 3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Digging round plants</td><td> ½</td><td> ..</td><td> 4</td><td> 5</td><td> 1</td><td> 13</td><td> 9</td><td> 2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Dutch hoeing or weeding</td><td> ½</td><td> 4</td><td> ..</td><td> ..</td><td> 1</td><td> 14</td><td> 3</td><td> 2</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>If weeds get ahead the cost in each case will be nearly -double the above.</p> - -<p>The following table, which is as near the mark as any -such estimate can be, will be found useful. It will also be -made use of when calculating the cost of making a garden -in Chapter XXIX., pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, and <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><i>Table showing the cost per annum of keeping up at its best -100 acres of Tea from the year it is planted until the -sixth year inclusive.</i></p></div> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left">Year</th><th class="center"> Rate per acre per annum</th><th class="center"> Per 100 acres</th><th class="center"> Remarks</th></tr> -<tr><th></th><th class="center">Rs.</th><th class="center"> Rs.</th><th></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">First</td><td> 50</td><td> 5,000</td><td class="left"> The year the seed is sown at stake</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Second</td><td> 60</td><td> 6,000</td><td rowspan="4"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Third</td><td> 70</td><td> 7,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Fourth</td><td> 80</td><td> 8,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Fifth</td><td> 90</td><td> 9,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Sixth</td><td> 100</td><td> 10,000</td><td class="left"> The plants should be large plants now, but they will not be at full bearing until the eighth year.</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> - -<p>The above rates in the case of a 300-acre garden making -will include <i>everything</i> but buildings.</p> - -<p>The rates are progressive, because the expenditure on -the following increases, or should increase, yearly.</p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Manager’s pay (say every second year).</li> -<li>2. Assistant (first entertained, say third year).</li> -<li>3. Cost and wear of tools.</li> -<li>4. Cost of pruning.</li> -<li>5. Cost of cultivation.</li> -<li>6. Cost of manure.</li> -<li>7. General expenses.</li> -</ul> - - -<p>No cost for Tea manufacture is included in the above, -as this is estimated for separately. See table at pages <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, -<a href="#Page_161">161</a>, and <a href="#Page_162">162</a>.</p> - -<p>Keeping up high cultivation in every way and manuring -liberally, a made garden in full bearing can be kept up to -its highest producing powers (including the pay of the -manager, establishment, and everything else) for Rs. 100 -per acre per annum.</p> - -<p>An acre of Tea may, I am aware, be kept up in a manner -for Rs. 50 or so yearly, but the profit on such a plantation -must be nil.</p> - -<p>On the contrary, with the above expenditure per acre, -on a good and favourably located garden, the profit will be -very large. See table at page <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.</p> - -<p>It is with Tea as with all other cultivation. It has been -proved in England, and in all other countries where really -high cultivation is followed out, that the higher the system -followed the greater the profit.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">PRUNING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>It is stated elsewhere at length (page <a href="#Page_102">102</a>) <i>why</i> I conceive -pruning to be necessary for the Tea plant. Whether I am -right or not, the fact is certain that without pruning very -little leaf is produced.</p> - -<p>Pruning must be done in the cold weather when the -plant is hybernating, that is to say, when the sap is down. -The sooner <i>after</i> the sap goes down it is done the better, -for the sooner the tree will then flush in the spring.</p> - -<p>There have been many theories about pruning Tea -bushes, but none, I think, worth much <i>practically</i>, for the -simple reason that it is impossible to prune 250,000 plants -(the number in a 100-acre garden, at 2,500 to the acre)<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> -with the care and system a gardener prunes a favourite -fruit tree. The operation <i>must</i> be a coarse one, done by -ignorant men, in large numbers at one time, who can in a -measure be more or less taught, and the nearer they do -right the better: still, really careful and scientific pruning -can never be carried out on a Tea plantation.</p> - -<p>The time to do it, too, is very limited. It cannot be -begun before the trees have done flushing, say, at the -earliest, middle of November, or continued, if early flushes -and a large yield next season is looked for, beyond end of -January, at the latest. Thus at the most two months and -a half is all the time given.</p> - -<p>I shall confine myself therefore to giving such directions -as will be practically useful.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> -<p>The best instrument is the common “pruning knife.” -It cuts far cleaner than the “shears,” besides which the -natives very seldom use the latter well. What is called in -England a “hedge-bill” is useful to trim the outsides of the -trees. If required it must be got from England, as I do not -think it is procurable in Calcutta. Whatever instruments -are used should be kept very sharp, and for this purpose, -besides sharpening them every morning on the grinding -stone, each pruner should be provided with a small pocket -“hone.”</p> - -<p>The theory, and it is correct, is in pruning, to cut near -above a bud or branch, but not near enough to injure them. -The cut should be quite clean and sloping upwards, so that -nothing can lodge on it. This theory can be, and must be, -strictly carried out in cutting the thick stems and branches, -but it is quite impossible to do it with the slender branches -or twigs of the tree.</p> - -<p>Prune so as to cause lateral growth. A Tea plant should -never be allowed to exceed, say, 4 feet in height, but the -wider it is the better.</p> - -<p>Prune off all lower branches tending downwards,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> for -the plant should, if possible, be clean underneath to a height -of, say, 6 inches. This clean stem high class plants have -naturally, not so the Chinese, or the Chinese cast of -hybrid.</p> - -<p>Plants should be more or less pruned out in the centre. -In the following spring young wood is then formed in the -heart of the tree, and it is only young wood and shoots that -give leaf.</p> - -<p>Plants, if above two years old (see <a href="#Footnote_27_27">foot note</a> next page), -exceeding 2½ feet in height at the end of the season (and all -plants of any age will) may be pruned down to 20 inches,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -but the thick wood must be pruned down to varying heights -several inches lower.</p> - -<p>Small plants must naturally be more lightly pruned.</p> - -<p>The best plan is, I think, to have two gangs:</p> - -<p>The first to go ahead and cut out the thick wood (here -judgment is necessary, so let them be the best men) to -varying heights, from about 11 to 18 inches. The second -gang to follow, each with a rod 20 inches long, to cut down -all the light wood left to that level.</p> - -<p>All plants, how low or how young soever they may be, -must be pruned somewhat.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> The lower their stature and -the less their age the less pruning they require.</p> - -<p>Of the two extremes, at least with the Tea plant, it is -probably better to over than to under-prune. The treatment -of the plants, with reference to the leaf to be taken in -the spring, must be a good deal regulated by the way, or -rather the extent, to which they have been pruned. On -this point see page <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</p> - -<p>The cost of pruning depends on whether it is high or -low, and whether the plants are large, middling, or small. -The greatest cost is about Rs. 6, the least about Rs. 3 per -acre.</p> - -<p>Let all prunings be buried between the lines of plants, if -possible, before the leaves have even withered. They make -capital manure, but much of the virtue escapes if they are -allowed to lie on the ground any time before they are buried.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">WHITE ANTS, CRICKETS, AND BLIGHT.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>These insects (for blight, too, is said to be an insect) are very -destructive to the Tea plants. The cricket, however, only -injures it when quite young, so we will consider that little -pest first.</p> - -<p>When Tea seed germinates, and the young seedling is 2 -or 3 inches high, the cricket delights to cut the stem and -carry, or try to carry, the two or three green leaves -attached to the upper part into its hole. Even after seedlings -are planted out, if the stems are slender, it cuts -them. To the young seedlings, in nurseries or planted “at -stake,” they often do great harm, killing in some places -one-third or so.</p> - -<p>It is much easier to prevent their ravages in nurseries -than in this latter case, simply because the spot in which they -must be sought and destroyed is circumscribed in the one, -almost unlimited in the other.</p> - -<p>Only one thing can be done. Employ boys (they soon -get clever enough at the work) to hunt for their holes and -dig them out. The holes are minute, but run down a long -way. The only plan to follow them is to put in a thin pliable -stick and remove the soil along it. On getting to the bottom -of the stick, if it is not the bottom of the hole, you repeat the -operation till you <i>do</i> get to the bottom, and there you will -generally find the cricket.</p> - -<p>Early in the morning they can be often found and caught -outside their holes. The boys employed should be paid for -them by the number they catch. They can be placed alive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -and brought to the factory in a hollow bamboo, and then -killed in some merciful way.</p> - -<p>When once a Tea plant has got a stem as thick as a thick -pencil no cricket can hurt it.</p> - -<p>They are much worse in some places than others, and in -my experience I have found them worse on low lands.</p> - -<p>The white ant is a much more formidable enemy than the -cricket. They <i>do</i> (as all planters know) attack and destroy -living bushes.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> Whether they first attack some small dead -portion or not is a question, but practically it does not -signify the least, for if they do they manage to find such in -about one-third of the trees in a garden. Beginning with the -minute dead part they kill ahead of them as they go, and will, -eventually, in many cases, if left alone, kill the largest trees.</p> - -<p>They have a formidable enemy in the small black ant -which exists in myriads, and kills the white ant whenever the -latter is not protected by the earthen tunnels he constructs. -In many places so great is the pest that, did this small black -ant not exist, I believe no Tea Garden could stand.</p> - -<p>From the close of the rains to the cold weather is the -worst time for white ants, and the time the planter should -guard particularly against their ravages. At that time if he -examines his trees closely he will very likely find white ants -on a quarter of the whole.</p> - -<p>Digging round the plant where they are disturbs their -runs and does much good. At the same time they should be -brushed off any part of the tree they have attacked, and the -tree should be well shaken.</p> - -<p>All this, however, only does temporary good, for they -often are found as thick as ever on the plant a week later.</p> - -<p>Tobacco water is beneficial, but in wet weather it is soon -washed off.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> -<p>Kerosene oil is <i>very</i> efficient. A little is put round the -stem, but it is expensive. The next best thing I know is -the earth oil (petroleum) from Burmah, and this is cheap -enough. It is thick, but used from a bottle it gets heated -by the sun and is then quite limpid.</p> - -<p>When white ants are found on a tree, a little with a -small brush is put on the part they have attacked. They -are also well shaken off, and a ring of oil is placed round -the stem. My experience is that they will not attack that -tree again for a long time. I was at first fearful that both -it and the kerosene (the one, I believe, is only a manufacture -of the other) would injure the trees, but both are -safe. I strongly recommend others to try it, if they doubt, -on a small spot only in the first instance.</p> - -<p>Whatever is used, or whatever is done, white ants must -not be left to work their will in the autumn. All the trees -should then be examined once at least, and once again, if -possible, the following spring.</p> - -<p>Blight (a serious matter, I hear, in Cachar) I know but -little of. I do not remember hearing anything about it -when I was there, now some fourteen years ago. It is rare -in the Chittagong district, but I have seen one or two trees -attacked with it. Under its influence the young leaves get -covered with brown spots and shrivel. It is most destructive -to the yield of a garden.</p> - -<p>From one or two experiments made I believe pruning -off all the diseased branches, and scraping back the soil for -a space of 2 feet round the stem, so as almost to lay the -roots bare, will be found beneficial, but I do not speak with -certainty.</p> - -<p>All the Himalayan gardens are free from these three -pests detailed, except that occasionally a few crickets have -been seen.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">FILLING UP VACANCIES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>So difficult is this to do, that I have heard several planters -declare they would attempt it no further, but, on the contrary, -accept the vacancies in their gardens as an unavoidable evil.</p> - -<p>That it is difficult I, too, can certify. Seedlings put into -vacant spots year after year die, either in the rains they -are planted or in the following spring. If, however, a few -yards off a fresh piece of land is taken in and planted, the -plants live. What is the reason? It can be nothing connected -with the soil, for on adjacent spots they live and die.</p> - -<p>It puzzled me a long time, but I <i>believe</i> I can now explain -it. <i>First</i>, seedlings planted in vacant spots in a garden are -never <i>safe</i>. When in the rains there are many weeds in the -gardens, and it is being dug, the young seedlings are not -observed, are either dug up, or injured so by the soil being -dug close to them, that they shortly after die. This is, I -believe, the <i>principal</i> cause of the failure, and it may be in -a great measure, if not entirely, obviated by putting, <i>first</i>, a -high stake on either side of the seedling, and taking care it -remains there all through the rains. <i>Secondly</i>, as an additional -precaution, and a very necessary one, before any -such land is dug, send round boys with “koorpies” to clean -away the jungle round the young plants, and at the same -time open the soil slightly over their roots. Doing this -“cultivates” them, and the plants being apparent, with the -newly-stirred vacant spaces round them, are seen by the -diggers, and are not likely to be damaged.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<p>The second cause of failure I attribute to the old plants -on either side of the young seedling, taking to themselves -all the moisture there may be in the soil during any drought. -The young seedling, whose tap-root at the time is not a -long one (for it is in the spring of the year following the -year of planting that this occurs), is dependent for life -entirely on the small amount of moisture that exists in the -soil, at that insignificant depth (say 8 inches). But on two -sides of the said seedling’s tap-root, and in fact surrounding -it, if the neighbouring Tea bushes are full grown, are the -feeding rootlets of the big plants, sucking up all the -moisture attainable (the necessities of <i>all</i> plants being then -great), and leaving none for the poor young seedling, which -consequently dies in the unequal contest.</p> - -<p>This last evil (in climates where there is a deficiency of -spring rains, and, in fact, more or less in all Tea localities, -for in none is there as much rain as the plants require in -the spring) there is no means of avoiding as long as seedlings, -after transplanting, <i>lose time</i>, the effect of the transplanting, -and thus fail to attain a good depth before the said dry -season.</p> - -<p>In fact, unless something is devised, I believe with many, -trying to fill up vacancies is a loss of time and money.</p> - -<p>The pits to plant in, advised at page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, should of course -be made in these vacant spots, for they help much towards -the early descent of the tap-root. Still they can scarcely -avail sufficiently to avoid the evil, if the plant is lying inert, -as is generally the case for two or three months after -planting; this delay being, moreover, in the rains, the best -growing time.</p> - -<p>If we can devise any means to avoid this delayed growth -in the young seedling after it is transplanted, then the tap-root, -before the drought of next spring, will have descended -low enough to gather moisture for itself; that is, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -<i>lower</i> depth than the greater number of the rootlets of the -neighbouring big plants traverse. Could this be done, and -if the means above detailed are resorted to, to prevent the -young plants being injured when the gardens are dug, I see -no reason why vacancies should not be successfully filled up. -Then might be seen, what nowhere can be seen now, a Tea -garden full of plants, that is, with <i>no</i> vacancies.</p> - -<p>When it is considered that many gardens in all the -districts have 30 or even 40 per cent. vacancies, none less -than say 12 per cent., we may strike a fair average and -roughly compute the vacancies in Tea gardens throughout -the country at 20 per cent. In other words, the yield of -Tea from India, with the <i>same</i> expenditure now incurred, -would be one-fifth more were plantations full!</p> - -<p>I have shown how the first evil can be obviated. I <i>think</i> -the following will obviate the second.</p> - -<p>Get earthen pots made 7½ inches diameter at the head -and 7½ inches deep, like the commonest flower pots, only -these should be nearly as wide at the bottom as at the top. -A circular hole, 2 inches diameter, must be left in the -bottom. Fill these with mould of the same <i>nature</i> as the -soil of the garden where the vacancies exist. Put two or -three seeds in each, all near the centre, and not more than -half an inch below the surface. Place these pots, so filled, -near water, and beneath artificial shade, as described in -Chapter <a href="#Page_62">XIII</a>.</p> - -<p>When the seeds have germinated, and the seedlings -have two or three leaves, so that you can judge which is -the best class of seedlings in each pot,<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> root out all but one, -the best one. Now remove the shade gradually, water -from time to time, and let the seedlings grow in the -pots till the rains. Having, before the rains, made the -holes at the vacancies as before described, after the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -fall carry the pots to the garden and place each one near -a hole.</p> - -<p>Then plant as follows. Stand the pot on the brink of the -hole, having previously with a hammer broken the bottom. -Then crack the sides also gently, and deposit pot and all in -the hole at the proper depth. If not enough broken, the sides -of the pot may now be further detached, nay, even partially -removed. Now fill up with earth to the top. Pieces of the -pot left in the hole will do no harm; but it, the pot, must be -sufficiently broken at the bottom to allow of the free descent -of the tap-root, as also enough broken at the sides to allow of -the free spreading of the rootlets.</p> - -<p>If all this has been carefully done, so that the mould in -the pot shall not have been shaken free of the rootlets, the -seedlings will not even <i>know</i> it has been transplanted. Its -growth will not be delayed for a day, instead of two or three -months; and by the time the dry season comes, the tap-root -will have descended far enough to imbibe moisture.</p> - -<p>Another plan to effect the same object. Instead of pots, -use coarse bamboo open wicker-work baskets. The split -bamboo forming the said wicker-work about half an inch -wide, the interstices about one quarter of an inch square. -Let the diameter of the basket be the same at top and -bottom, viz., 9 inches; the depth of the basket 10 inches.</p> - -<p>When the seedlings in the nursery are large enough to -enable you to select a good class of plant, transplant one into -each basket previously filled with soil.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> This being done when -the plants are very young, and there being <i>then</i> no difficulty -in taking them up with earth attached to their short tap-roots -and rootlets, they will scarcely be thrown back at all. Being -near water they can also be well tended. Put basket and all -into the vacant hole at the beginning of the rains, and fill up -as directed for the pots. The interstices will allow the feeding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -rootlets to pass through, besides the basket rots quickly under -ground, so quickly it cannot impede the plant.</p> - -<p>Seed is not sown at once in the baskets as in the pots, -because the baskets would not last so long. Even putting -the seedling in it during (say) February, the basket, with the -occasional watering necessary, will, more or less, have rotted -before it is put into the hole.</p> - -<p>I have concluded a contract for ten thousand pots and -five thousand baskets at half an anna each for both kinds. -Two pice, to ensure the filling up of a vacancy, is not a large -outlay.</p> - -<p>Since writing the above I have had experience of both -the above plans. The pot system is far the better, and -answers very well.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> I am now trying to improve this still -further by making the pots a little larger, and placing a thin -inner lining of tin inside each about half an inch from the -sides. This space is first filled with sand, then the pot is -filled with mould, and the tin pulled out. The same tin -will therefore do for any number of pots. The seed is then -put in.</p> - -<p>I think by this plan if, when about to plant, the mould -in the pot is well wetted, that it, with the seedling, can be -turned out whole in one piece, and then put in the hole -<i>without</i> the pot.</p> - -<p>The same pots would then answer year after year, and -the expense would be quite nominal.</p> - -<p>If well done, the seedling in this, as in the former case, -would not even <i>know</i> it had been transplanted.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">FLUSHING AND NUMBER OF FLUSHES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The Tea plant is said to flush when it throws out new -shoots and leaves. The young leaves thus produced are -the only ones fit to make Tea, and the yield of a plantation -depends therefore entirely on the frequency and abundance -of the flushes.</p> - -<p>The way a flush is formed is fully explained under the -head of “leaf picking” (pages <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, and <a href="#Page_107">107</a>).</p> - -<p>The number of flushes in different plantations varies -enormously, owing, <i>first</i>, to climate; <i>secondly</i>, to soil; <i>thirdly</i>, -to the pruning adopted; <i>fourthly</i>, to the degree of cultivation -given; and <i>fifthly</i>, though not least, to the presence or -absence of manure.</p> - -<p>How to secure all these advantages to their fullest -extent is shown under those heads, and we have here only -to consider what is a low, a medium, and a high rate of -flushing per season.</p> - -<p>In doing this we must speak of elevated (as Himalayan) -gardens separately. The cool climate of heights makes it -impossible for Tea to flush there as on the plains.</p> - -<p>Speaking generally of elevated gardens (the higher they -are the shorter the period, and <i>vice versâ</i>), seven months -may be considered as the average producing period, viz., -from beginning of April to end of October, and during that -time twelve to fifteen flushes may be obtained, which, -I believe, with high cultivation and liberal manuring, can -be increased to eighteen.</p> - -<p>In all localities, with favourable Tea climates, the plants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -flush both for a longer period and oftener. Speaking -generally also, in this case, of the five best localities, viz., -Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, the Terai below Darjeeling, -and the Western Dooars (for even in these districts many -advantages exist in one garden which do not in another), -the following is an approximation to the flushing <span class="lock">periods:—</span></p> - -<p><i>Upper Assam.</i>—February 25th to November 15th.</p> - -<p><i>Lower Assam.</i>—February 20th to November 20th.</p> - -<p><i>Cachar.</i>—February 20th to November 20th.</p> - -<p><i>Chittagong.</i>—March 10th to December 20th.</p> - -<p><i>Terai below Darjeeling and Western Dooars.</i>—March 1st -to November 20th.</p> - -<p>The opening period is a little late in Upper Assam on -account of the cold, and closes a little earlier for the same -reason.</p> - -<p>Lower Assam and Cachar are much alike.</p> - -<p>The opening in Chittagong is later than in the two just -mentioned from want of early rains, but the season continues -longer on account of the low latitude and consequent -deferred cold weather.</p> - -<p>Roughly, then, rather more than nine months may be -assumed as the flushing period for these districts. The -next point is how <i>often</i> do gardens in these localities flush -in that time.</p> - -<p>Not very many planters can say, certainly, how often -their gardens have flushed in a season, because they are -picked so irregularly, and no account of the different flushes -kept. Enquiring on this point, when I was in Cachar some -thirteen years ago, 9 to 24 were the minimum and maximum -numbers given me at different gardens, showing how little -was really known about it.</p> - -<p>Such knowledge as I have on the subject is mostly -derived from carefully kept records of my own garden in -the Chittagong district. The plantation is all worked in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -sections, in the way described previously, and the dates -given in the table below are the days each flush was finished -(that is, the picking was finished) during the seasons 1869 -and 1870; 1869 being carried up to the end of the season, -1870 up to the date I wrote the first edition of this Essay.</p> - -<p>In the table it will be observed there is a great difference -between the two years. The section for which the dates -are given was planted from seed beds in the month of -June, 1866. In 1869 it was therefore only three years old. -This will partly account for the first flush occurring a month -earlier in 1870, as it was then a year older; but fortunate -early rains in 1870 had also much to do with it.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th rowspan="2" class="center">Flushes</th><th class="center">1869</th><th rowspan="2" class="center">Interval in days</th><th class="center">1870</th><th rowspan="2" class="center">Interval in days</th></tr> -<tr><th class="center">Dates</th><th class="center">Dates</th></tr> -<tr><td class="right">1</td><td class="center">March 22</td><td class="right">..</td><td class="center">February 22</td><td class="right">..</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">2</td><td class="center">May 6</td><td class="right">44</td><td class="center">March 30</td><td class="right">35</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">3</td><td class="center"> „ 29</td><td class="right">23</td><td class="center">April 13</td><td class="right">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">4</td><td class="center">June 11</td><td class="right">12</td><td class="center"> „ 25</td><td class="right">12</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">5</td><td class="center"> „ 23</td><td class="right">12</td><td class="center">May 5</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">6</td><td class="center">July 5</td><td class="right">11</td><td class="center"> „ 14</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">7</td><td class="center"> „ 17</td><td class="right">12</td><td class="center"> „ 25</td><td class="right">11</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">8</td><td class="center"> „ 31</td><td class="right">14</td><td class="center">June 4</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">9</td><td class="center">August10</td><td class="right">9</td><td class="center"> „ 12</td><td class="right">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">10</td><td class="center"> „ 21</td><td class="right">11</td><td class="center"> „ 22</td><td class="right">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">11</td><td class="center">Sept.2</td><td class="right">11</td><td class="center">July 1</td><td class="right">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">12</td><td class="center"> „ 12</td><td class="right">10</td><td class="center"> „ 8</td><td class="right">7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">13</td><td class="center"> „ 25</td><td class="right">13</td><td class="center"> „ 16</td><td class="right">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">14</td><td class="center">October9</td><td class="right">13</td><td class="center"> „ 25</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">15</td><td class="center"> „ 22</td><td class="right">13</td><td class="center">August 2</td><td class="right">7</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">16</td><td class="center">Nov. 2</td><td class="right">10</td><td class="center"> „ 11</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">17</td><td class="center"> „ 11</td><td class="right">9</td><td class="center"> „ 21</td><td class="right">10</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">18</td><td class="center"> „ 19</td><td class="right">8</td><td class="center"> „ 29</td><td class="right">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">19</td><td class="center">Dec. 4</td><td class="right">14</td><td class="center">Sept 7</td><td class="right">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">20</td><td class="center">..</td><td class="right">..</td><td class="center"> „ 18</td><td class="right">11</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">21</td><td class="center">..</td><td class="right">..</td><td class="center"> „ 27</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> -<tr><td class="right">22</td><td class="center">..</td><td class="right">..</td><td class="center">October 5</td><td class="right">7</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="right">Average intervals between Flushes.</td><td class="right">Nearly 14 days.</td><td class="center">..</td><td class="right">Very little over 10 days.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>In 1869 there was no flush between March 22nd and -May 6th, a period of 44 days; and in 1870, none between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -February 22nd and March 30th, a period of 35 days, a very -long time in both cases, which is entirely accounted for by -the dry weather prevailing at Chittagong in the spring (see -under head of Climate), for in Cachar, Assam, and the -Western Dooars two or three flushes would have occurred -in that time.</p> - -<p>There were 19 flushes in all in 1869, and 22 in 1870, up -to the time I wrote, so there were probably in all 27 in the -latter year.</p> - -<p>In the table I give the intervals between each flush. It -shows an average of 14 days in 1869 to 10 days in 1870; -the difference is due to the increased age of the plants, and -the liberal manuring given in the cold weather 1869-70.</p> - -<p>Such a result as is shown for 1870, and the probable -result of 27 flushes to the end of that season, could not be -obtained without high cultivation and liberal manuring. -The land in question had been manured every year since -it was planted, but an extra dose was given in the cold -weather of 1869-70. The ground was therefore very rich.</p> - -<p>I think, therefore, 25 flushes in the season may be looked -for on gardens in good Tea climates, when high cultivation -and liberal manuring are resorted to. Where manure -cannot be obtained, I think, even if in other respects the -land is highly cultivated, more than 22 flushes will not be -obtained. Where neither manure nor high cultivation is -given, above 18 flushes will not be got.</p> - -<p>It seems to be a general idea with planters (see diagram, -page <a href="#Page_104">104</a>) that when a flush is picked the succeeding flush, -at an interval of say seven to ten days, consists of shoots -from the axis of the leaf down to which the previous flush -was picked. Thus in the diagram, supposing the shoot to -be picked down to the black line above 2, the idea is the -next flush will be a shoot springing from the same place, -viz., the axis of leaf <i>d</i>. But it is <i>not</i> so. In the above case<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -it will take a whole month, after the said shoot has been -picked, before the new shoot from the base of the leaf <i>d</i> is -ready to take, probably six weeks in Himalayan gardens.</p> - -<p>’Tis true the flushes in favourable Tea climates follow at -about seven to ten days from each other, but these are <i>other</i> -shoots. The replacement of the actual shoot taken is a -whole month in developing. I have carefully watched this, -and am sure I am right.</p> - -<p>With similar treatment, gardens in Cachar, Assam, and -the Western Dooars would probably give two or three more -flushes in the season than Chittagong, because there the -spring rains are much more abundant; and I am very certain -that, if the day ever comes that manure in large quantities -is procurable in those districts and is applied, the yield on -those gardens will be very large.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> - -<p>The difference between very small and very large profits -is represented by 18 and 25 flushes, so I strongly advise all -planters to cultivate highly, and to get all the manure they -possibly can. If even procured at a high figure, it (the -manure) will pay hand over hand.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">LEAF PICKING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The first consideration is how to get the largest quantity of -leaf without injuring the trees.</p> - -<p>To a certain extent, it is true that the more a Tea bush -is pruned and picked the more it will yield. It appears as -if Nature were always trying to repair the violence done to -the tree by giving new mouths or leaves to breathe with in -place of those taken away. I may exemplify my meaning -in another way. A Tea bush which has as many leaves on -it as <i>it requires</i> will throw out tardily new shoots, and their -number will be small. In other words, a plant which is not -pruned, and from which the young leaves are not taken, -grows gradually large and bushy, and then gives up flushing -altogether. It has all the leaves it <i>requires</i>, and it has no -necessity to throw out more.</p> - -<p>If, however, Nature is too much tried, that is, if too -much violence is done to her, she sulks and will exert herself -no more. Up to this point, therefore, it is well to urge her. -How can we know when we have reached it?</p> - -<p>Only general rules can be laid down. Experience is the -great <i>desideratum</i> on this and many other subjects connected -with Tea.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> - -<p>If the plant can always be kept in such a state that the -foliage, without being <i>very much so</i>, is still less than Nature -requires, I conceive the object will be attained.</p> - -<p>The greatest violence is done to the plant when it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -pruned, and reason would seem to argue that when this violence -is repairing, that is, when the first shoots in the spring -show themselves, and until new mouths (or leaves) in -sufficient quantities exist, until then but little leaf should -be picked.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, moreover, while in the interests of the plant -this is the best plan, it also is the mode by which the largest -yield of leaf will be secured in the season. I go to show this.</p> - -<p>The ordinary size of a good full-grown Tea plant, at the -end of the season, is, say, 3½ or 4 feet high, and 5 feet -diameter. It is pruned down, say, to a height of 2 feet, with -a diameter of 3 feet. It is then little more than wooden -stems and branches, and to anyone ignorant of the <i>modus -operandi</i> in Tea gardens, it would appear as if a plantation so -pruned has been ruined. The tree remains so during all its -hybernating period, that is, during the time it is resting and -the sap is down (this period is longer or shorter, as the -climate is a warm or cold one, and it is always during the -coldest season), but on the return of spring new shoots start -out from the woody stems and branches in the following -way:—At the axis or base of each leaf is a bud, the germ of -future branches, these develop little by little, until a new -shoot is formed of, say, five or six leaves, with a closed bud -at top. Then if it be not picked the said bud at top hardens. -At the axis or base of each of the said five or six leaves are -other buds, and the next step is for one, two, or three of -these to develop in the same way and form new shoots. The -original shoot grows thicker and higher until it becomes a -wooden branch or stem. The same process, in their turn, is -repeated with the new shoots. A diagram (see next page) -will make my meaning clear. We here have a shoot fully -developed, of six leaves, counting the close leaf <i>a</i> at top as -one, viz., the leaves <i>a</i>, <i>b</i>, <i>c</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>e</i>, <i>f</i>. The shoot has started and -developed from what was originally a bud at <i>K</i>, at the axis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -or base of the leaf <i>H</i>. In the same way as formerly at <i>K</i> a -bud existed, which has now formed the complete shoot or -flush <i>K a</i>, so at the base of the leaves <i>c</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>e</i>, <i>f</i>, exist buds -1, 2, 3, 4, from which later new shoots would spring. These -again would all have buds at the base of the leaves, destined -to form further shoots, which again would be the parents of -others, and so on to the end of the season, or until the tree -is pruned.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/zill_t104.jpg" width="600" height="477" alt="tea leaves" /> -</div> - -<p>It will readily be seen the increase is tremendous. It is -only limited by the power of the soil to fling out new shoots, -and the <i>necessities</i> of the plant, for, as I have explained, when -as much foliage exists as the plant requires, but few new -shoots are produced.</p> - -<p>Now supposing the shoot in the diagram to be (with perhaps -another not shown at <i>L</i>) the first on the branch <i>I I</i> in -the spring (the said branch having been cut off or pruned at -the upper <i>I</i>). It is then evident the said shoot is destined to -be the parent and producer of all the very numerous branches -and innumerable shoots into which the plant will extend in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -that direction. It is, in other words, the goose which will -lay all the future eggs. If, eager to begin Tea making -early, the planter nips it off, the extension on that part of -the tree is thrown back many weeks. It may be taken off -at 1, 2, or 3 (the back lines drawn show the proper way to -pick leaf); the least damage will be done if it is taken off at -1, the most at 3.</p> - -<p>The said shoot <i>K a</i> is the first effort of Nature to repair -the violence done to the tree by pruning. It is the germ of -many other branches and shoots, and it ought <i>never</i> to be -taken. I have, I hope, made so much plain.</p> - -<p>There is, however, another consideration. Any shoot, -left to fully develop and harden, does not throw out new -shoots from the existing buds 1, 2, 3, 4 so quickly as one -checked in its upward growth by nipping off its head. For -instance, supposing the shoot under consideration <i>not</i> to be -the first of the season, but on the contrary to be a shoot -when the plant has developed sufficiently to make picking -safe, if taken off at 2, then the new growth from 2, 3, 4 will -be much quicker than it would be had the whole shoot been -left intact.</p> - -<p>Our object then with <i>first</i> shoots should be to secure -this advantage without destroying any buds, and this we -can do by taking off simply the closed leaf at the top <i>a</i>. -This must be done so as not to injure the bud at the base -of the second leaf <i>b</i> (I have not numbered it, for there is no -room in the diagram to do so), and we shall thus leave all -the buds on the shoot intact.</p> - -<p>Again here the interests of the plant, and profit to the -planter, go hand in hand. The closed bud <i>a</i> in this case -will be found very valuable. I go to show this.</p> - -<p>The value of Tea is increased when it shows “Pekoe -tips.” Only the leaves <i>a b</i> make these. They are covered -with a fine silky whitish down, and, if manufactured in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -particular way, make literally white or very pale yellow Tea,<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> -which, mixed with ordinary black Tea, show as “Pekoe tips.” -In ordinary leaf-picking these two leaves are taken with all -the others, but unfortunately, when manufactured with -them, they lose this white or pale yellow colour, and come -out as black as all the other Tea.</p> - -<p>As the season goes on, this is less and less the case, till -towards the end nearly all the <i>a b</i> leaves show orange-coloured -in the manufactured Tea. Still they are not <i>white</i> -(the best colour) as they can be made when treated separately. -No means have yet been devised to separate them -<i>before</i> manufacture from the other leaf, and though sometimes -picked separate, the plan has serious objections (see -next page). In the case, however, of the first two or three -flushes the welfare of the plants demands that no more -should be taken, and though the quantity obtained will be -small, it will, if carefully manufactured so as to make “white -Pekoe tips,” add one or two annas a lb. to the value, when -mixed with it, of one hundred times its own weight of black -Tea!</p> - -<p>More will be found under this head in the Tea manufacturing -part. I now beg the question that the said downy -leaves taken alone are very valuable.</p> - -<p>In detailing the mode of picking I advocate, it would be -tedious to go minutely into the reasons for each and everything. -I have said enough to explain a good deal, but will -add anything of importance. Of the latter are the following.</p> - -<p>Tea can be made of the young succulent leaves only. -The younger and more succulent the leaf the better Tea it -makes. Thus <i>a</i> will make more valuable Tea than <i>b</i>, <i>b</i> than -<i>c</i>, and so on; <i>e</i> is the lowest leaf to make Tea from, for -though a very coarse kind can be made from <i>f</i>, it does not -pay to take it. The stalk also makes good Tea, as far as it -is really succulent, that is, down to the black line just above 2.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> -<p>The leaves are named as follows from the Teas it is -supposed they would <span class="lock">make:—</span></p> - -<ul> -<li><i>a.</i>—Flowery Pekoe.</li> -<li><i>b.</i>—Orange Pekoe.</li> -<li><i>c.</i>—Pekoe.</li> -<li><i>d.</i>—Souchong, 1st.</li> -<li><i>e.</i>— „ 2nd.</li> -<li><i>f.</i>—Congou.</li></ul> - - -<div class="left"> -<table class="leftmargin left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td rowspan="2">Mixed together ...</td><td><i>a</i>, <i>b</i>, <i>c</i>—Pekoe.</td></tr> -<tr><td><i>a</i>, <i>b</i>, <i>c</i>, <i>d</i>, <i>e</i>—Pekoe Souchong.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>If there be another leaf below <i>f</i>, and it be taken, it is -named, and would make Bohea.</p> - -<p>Each of these leaves was at first a flowery Pekoe leaf (<i>a</i>), -it then became <i>b</i>, then <i>c</i>, and so on.</p> - -<p>That is to say, as the shoot developed, and a new flowery -Pekoe leaf was born, each of the leaves below assumed the -next lowest grade.</p> - -<p>Could the leaves fit to make each kind of Tea it is proposed -to make be picked and kept separate, and each be -manufactured in the way most suitable to its age, and the -Tea to be produced, the very best of every kind could easily -be manufactured. But this cannot be; the price of Tea -will not allow it, and the labour to do it would moreover -fail. It has been attempted again and again to do it, partly -to the extent of taking the Pekoe leaves <i>a</i>, <i>b</i>, <i>c</i> separate -from the others (for the manufacture best suited to these -upper leaves is not suited to the lower), but it has been as -often abandoned, and I doubt if it is now practised anywhere. -I am sure it will never pay to do it.</p> - -<p>Picking leaf is a coarse operation. It is performed by -80 or 100 women and children together, and it is impossible -to follow each, and see it is done the best way. They must -be taught, checked, and punished if they do wrong, and -then it will be done more or less right; but perfection is not -attainable.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<p>I advise the following plan in picking. Please refer to -the <span class="lock">diagram:—</span></p> - -<p>If the garden has been severely pruned (as it ought to -be) take only the bud <i>a</i> for <i>two</i> flushes; then for <i>two</i> more -nip the stalk above 1, taking the upper part of leaf <i>c</i>, as -shown (done with one motion of the fingers). But from the -fifth flush take off the shoot at the line above 2, and by -a separate motion of the fingers take off the part of leaf <i>e</i> -where the black line is drawn. By this plan, when the rains -begin, the trees will show a large picking surface, for plenty -of buds will have been preserved for new growth. After the -month of August you may pick lower if you like, as you -cannot hurt the trees. For instance, you may nip the stalk -and upper part of leaf <i>e</i> together, and separately the upper -part of <i>f</i>.</p> - -<p>The principle of picking is to leave the bud at the axis -of the leaf down to which you pick intact.</p> - -<p>Some planters pick all through the season at the line -above 1, and take the <i>d</i> and perhaps the <i>e</i> leaf separately. I -do not like the plan, for though it will make strong Teas, the -yield will be small. Moreover, the plants will form so much -foliage; they will not flush well; and again, they will grow -so high that boys who pick will not readily reach the top.</p> - -<p>Shortly, the principle I advocate is to prune severely, so -that the plant in self-defence <i>must</i> throw out many new -shoots; to be sparing and tender with these until the -violence done to the tree is in a measure, but not quite, -repaired; then, till September, to pick so much that the -wants of the plant in foliage are never quite attained; and -after September to take all you can get.</p> - -<p>I believe this principle (for the detailed directions given -may be varied, as for instance when trees have <i>not</i> been -heavily pruned) will give the largest yield of leaf, and will -certainly not injure the plants.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MANUFACTURE. MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>To manufacture your leaf into good Tea is certainly one of -the first conditions for success. It will avail little to have a -good productive garden if you make inferior Tea. The -difference of price between well and ill-manufactured Tea is -great, say 4 as. or 6d. a lb., and this alone will, during a -season, represent a large profit or none.</p> - -<p>Fortunately for Tea enterprise, the more manufacture is -studied the more does it appear that to make good Tea is -a very simple process. The many operations or processes -formerly considered necessary are now much reduced on all -gardens. As there was then, that is formerly, so there is -now, no <i>one</i> routine recognized by all, or even by the -majority; still simplicity in manufacture is more and more -making its way everywhere; and as the real fact is that to -make the best Tea, but very few, and very simple, processes -are necessary, it is only a question of time ere the fact shall -be universally recognised and followed out.</p> - -<p>For instance, panning the “roll”<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> was formerly -universally practised. Some panned once, some twice, -some even three times! But, to-day, pans are not used in -most gardens at all!! Other processes, or rather in most -cases the repetition of them, have been also either discarded -or abridged. But a short statement of manufacture in old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -days, and the simplest mode of manufacture, will best -illustrate my <span class="lock">meaning:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th></th><th colspan="2" class="center">One and a common old plan</th><th colspan="3" class="center">One plan to-day by which the best Tea can be made</th></tr> -<tr><th class="center">Days</th><th class="center"> Number of operations</th><th class="center"> Detail</th><th class="center"> Days</th><th class="center"> Number of operations</th><th class="center"> Detail</th></tr> -<tr><td class="center">1st</td><td class="center"> 1</td><td class="center">Withering.</td><td class="center">1st</td><td class="center"> 1</td><td class="center">Withering.</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="10" class="center">2nd</td><td class="center">2</td><td class="center">1st Rolling.</td><td rowspan="4" class="center">2nd</td><td class="center"> 2</td><td class="center">Rolling.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">3</td><td class="center">2nd „</td><td class="center"> 3</td><td class="center">Fermenting.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">4</td><td class="center">Fermenting.</td><td class="center"> 4</td><td class="center">Sunning (if sun).</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">5</td><td class="center">1st Panning.</td><td class="center"> 5</td><td class="center">Firing (Dholing).</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center"> 6</td><td class="center">3rd Rolling.</td><td rowspan="7" class="center"></td><td rowspan="7" class="center"></td><td rowspan="7" class="center"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">7</td><td class="center">2nd Panning.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">8</td><td class="center">4th Rolling</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">9</td><td class="center">Sunning.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">10</td><td class="center">1st Firing (Dholing).</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">11</td><td class="center">Cooling and crisping.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">3rd</td><td class="center"> 12</td><td class="center">2nd Firing (Dholing).</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">3</td><td class="center"> 12</td><td class="center"> Total days and operations.</td><td class="center"> 2</td><td class="center"> 5</td><td class="center"> Total days and operations.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>So much for simplicity, and I affirm that no more than -the five operations detailed are necessary. I shall try to -show this further on.</p> - -<p>In studying Tea manufacture I first tried, in order to -get reliable data to go on, to ascertain the effect of each -and every operation, and not only that, but the effect on the -made Tea of each operation exaggerated and diminished. It -would be tedious, and of no use, to set out in detail all the -experiments I conducted, the results only I will try to give.</p> - -<p>I began at the beginning. Why wither at all? I made -Tea (following out in each case all the other processes -detailed in the old plan) of 1st, totally unwithered leaves; -2nd, of leaves but little withered; 3rd, of leaves medium-withered; -and 4th, of leaves over-withered.</p> - -<p>I arrived at the following results:—Unwithered or -under-withered leaves break in the rolling and give out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -large quantities of a light green coloured juice during the -same process. The Tea is much broken and of a reddish -grey colour. The liquor is very pale in colour, cloudy, -weak, soft, and tasteless.</p> - -<p>Over-withered leaf on the other hand takes a good twist -in the rolling, gives out but little juice, which is of a thick -kind, and of reddish yellow colour. The tea is well twisted, -“chubby” in appearance, and blacker than ordinary. The -liquor of an ordinary depth of colour, clear, with a mawkish -taste.</p> - -<p>The medium-withered leaves make good Tea, but I -found the withering should be rather in excess of what is -generally done to ensure strength. I will show later to -what extent I think leaf should be withered.</p> - -<p>The next point was rolling. I knew some planters rolled -the leaf hard, others lightly. That is, some rolled with -force till much juice was expressed, others with a light -hand, allowing little or no juice to be pressed out. Which -was the better?</p> - -<p>After many experiments I arrived at the following:—Hard -rolling gives darker coloured and stronger liquor than -light rolling. Hard rolling destroys Pekoe tips,<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> inasmuch -as the juice expressed stains them black.</p> - -<p>Light rolled Tea has therefore many more Pekoe tips -than hard rolled.</p> - -<p>Hard rolled Tea is somewhat blacker than light rolled.</p> - -<p>In all, therefore, but the point of Pekoe tips hard rolling -is better.</p> - -<p>The next question was, what is the advantage of repeated -rolling? I rolled twice, panning once between, <i>vide</i> old -plan, and found the Tea as well made and as strong as -that rolled three or four times. I then decided to roll <i>no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -more</i> than twice. The second time was, I <i>then</i> thought, -necessary, as I found the leaf of the roll opened in the pan, -and a second rolling was requisite to twist it again.</p> - -<p>But what did panning do? I heard pans had been discontinued -in some gardens. In what way was panning an -advantage? I made Tea, fermenting it between the two -rollings, but <i>not</i> panning it, and it was equally good. I -tried again and again, but never could detect that panning -caused any difference to either the Tea, the liquor, or the -out-turn.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> In short, though I never found panning did any -harm, I equally found it never did any good. Its use is, in -fact, simply barren of <i>all</i> results.</p> - -<p>I therefore dispensed with it. Having done so, why roll -the second time at all? I experimented, and found the -second rolling as barren of results as the panning.</p> - -<p>I had now got rid of operations 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in the -old plan. The next was No. 9—“sunning.” I made Tea -with and without it, and found as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>Sunning between the fermenting and firing processes has -no effect whatever on the liquor or the out-turn, but it -makes the Tea rather blacker, and as it drives off much of -the moisture in the roll, the firing process after it is shorter -and does not consume so much charcoal. What little effect -therefore it has is good (for if not continued too long, it -does not make the Tea too black) and it is economical. I -therefore decided on retaining it.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> - -<p>Next came the operations 10, 11, and 12, viz., “first -firing, cooling and crisping, and second firing.” Where -these are done (and they are done in some gardens now) -the usual thing is to <i>half-fire</i> the roll the same afternoon and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -evening it is made, then allow it to “cool and crisp” all -night, and finish the firing next day. I tried this plan, and -also the plan I have now adopted, of doing the whole firing -at one time the same evening. I tried the experiment again -and again, and always found the Tea, the liquor, and the -out-turn were the same in both cases. In short, that the -three operations did no more and no less than the one. As -the three entail extra labour and extra expense in charcoal -I abandoned them.</p> - -<p>I thus reduced the twelve operations detailed to five, -and naturally by so doing much decreased the cost of -manufacturing Tea. I in no way lay claim to having -devised this simplicity myself. Part had been done by -others before I even turned my attention to it, and I have -done no more than help with many to make the manufacture -of Tea a simple process.</p> - -<p>I was now convinced that (though I had still much to -learn regarding the said five processes) success was comprised -therein, and that to multiply them could not avail.</p> - -<p>The next consideration is—What are the qualities -desired in Tea to enable it to command a good price at the -public auctions either in Calcutta or London? The brokers -in these cases judge of the Tea first, value it, and give their -report and valuation to intending purchasers and sellers. -From what appearances and qualities do they judge?</p> - -<p>They judge from three things, <i>first</i>, the Tea; <i>secondly</i>, -the liquor; <i>thirdly</i>, the out-turn.</p> - -<p><i>The Tea.</i>—The colour should be black, but not a dead -black, rather a greyish black with a gloss on it. No red leaf -should be mixed with it, it should be all one colour. The -Tea should be regular: that is, each leaf should be about -the same length, and should have a uniform close twist, in -all but “broken Teas.” (These latter are called “broken” -<i>because</i> the leaf is more or less open and broken.) The Tea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -should also be regular of <i>its kind</i>, that is, if Pekoe all Pekoe, -if Congou all Congou; for any stray leaves in a Tea of -another kind, if even of a <i>better</i> kind or class, will reduce its -value. In the higher class of Teas, viz., Pekoes and broken -Pekoes, the more Pekoe tips that are present the higher, in -consequence, will its price be.</p> - -<p><i>The Liquor.</i>—In taste this should be strong, rasping, and -pungent, with, in the case of Pekoes, a “Pekoe flavour.” -There are other words used in the trade to particularise -certain tastes, but the words themselves would teach -nothing. Tea tasting cannot be learnt from books. <i>If</i> the -liquor is well flavoured, as a rule, the darker it is in the cup -the better. But to judge of Teas by the colour of the liquor -alone is impossible, for some high-class Teas have naturally -a very pale liquor.</p> - -<p><i>The Out-turn.</i>—A good out-turn is generally indicative of -a good Tea. It should be all, or nearly all, one colour. No -black (burnt) leaves should appear in it. A greenish tinge -in some of the leaves is not objectionable, and is generally -indicative of pungent liquor, but the prevailing colour -should be that of a bright new penny.</p> - -<p>Every planter should be more or less of a Tea-taster, -and should taste his Teas daily. After a time (particularly -if he gets other Teas to taste against his own) he will learn -to recognise, at all events, a good as against a bad Tea, a -strong as against a weak Tea, &c. No Tea should be put -away with the rest until it has been tasted. It may be -burnt or have other defects, not apparent till infused, and -one day’s bad Tea will bring down considerably the value -of a whole bin of good Tea.</p> - -<p>The fancy, amongst brokers and dealers, for “Pekoe -tips,” in all Pekoe Teas, constitutes the <i>one</i> great difficulty -in Tea manufacture. If the leaves which give “Pekoe tips” -(see page <a href="#Page_106">106</a>) are separated from the other leaves, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -manufactured separately and differently, that is rolled <i>very</i> -little and <i>very</i> lightly, not allowed to ferment at all, but -sunned at once after rolling, and, if there is sun enough, -finished in the sun, otherwise by a very light and gradual -heat—best placed <i>above</i> the drawers in the Dhole-house; if -this is done, I say, these will come out perfect “Pekoe -tips” of a white colour, which is the best.</p> - -<p>If <i>not</i> separated from the other leaf, but manufactured -with it, the sap from the other leaves, expressed in the -rolling, stains these said leaves, which are covered with a -fine white silk down, and makes them black like all the rest -of the Tea; the whole of which is then valued lower <i>because</i> -there are no “Pekoe tips.”</p> - -<p>Now, in the latter case the “Pekoe tips” are there all -the same, only they don’t <i>show</i>. The Tea is really just as -good, in fact a shade <i>better</i>, with black than with white or -orange tips,<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> but it does not sell so well, and as we cannot -argue the brokers or dealers into a rational view of the case, -we must humour their fancy (they are virtually our masters) -and give them the Pekoe tips—<i>if we can</i>.</p> - -<p>How are we to do it? The plan of picking these small -leaves separately, in order to manufacture them separately, -does not answer; it is too expensive; it diminishes the yield -of a garden, and labour for it fails. All this is shown at -pages <a href="#Page_107">107</a> and <a href="#Page_130">130</a>. Is there any other way?</p> - -<p>It may be done during some periods of the season when -there is not leaf enough on the garden to employ all the leaf-pickers, -by setting a number of them to separate the said -two leaves from the others <i>after</i> the whole leaf is brought to -the factory. This is expensive, but it pays when there is -labour to do it, for then the Teas can be made very showy -and rich with white Pekoe tips.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> -<p>An ingenious planter, a Mr. McMeekin, in Cachar, invented -a rolling table with the object of separating the said -leaves. It is constructed of battens, and while rolling the -leaf on it, many of the small leaves fall through. The said -table is now well known in Cachar, and is in use in several -gardens. I have tried it and find that it in a great measure -answers its object, but the objection to it is that the leaf -<i>must</i> be rolled lightly, and lightly-rolled leaf, as observed, -does not make strong Tea.</p> - -<p>The Pekoe tips may be, in a great measure, preserved -by rolling <i>all</i> the leaf lightly on a common table. But then -again the Tea is weak, and the plan will not give so many -Pekoe tips as McMeekin’s table.</p> - -<p>In short, in the present state of our knowledge, except by -the hand process (a tedious and expensive one for separating -the leaf), strong Teas and Pekoe tips are incompatible.</p> - -<p>The difficulty is just where it was, and will so remain -until dealers give up asking for Pekoe tips (not a likely -thing), or till a machine is invented to separate quickly and -cheaply the two said small leaves from the others <i>after</i> they -have been all picked together. That such a machine is -possible I am certain, and the inventor would confer a boon -on the Tea interest far beyond the inventor of any other -machine, for all the other processes <i>can</i> be done by hand -without much expense, this cannot.</p> - -<p>I may here notice such machines and contrivances as -exist for cheapening the manufacture of Tea, or rather such -as I know of.</p> - -<p>Rolling-machines have for their object the doing away with -hand labour entirely for rolling the leaf. Kinmond’s rolling-machine -is first on the list, for it is the best yet invented.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> -<p>Kinmond’s consists of two circular wooden discs, the -upper one moving on the lower, which is stationary, with an -eccentric motion. The adjacent faces of the said discs are -made rough by steps in the wood, cut in lines diverging -from the centre to the circumference, and over these rough -faces is nailed coarse canvas.</p> - -<p>The leaf is placed between the discs and rolled by the -motion described. The lower disc is arranged by means of -weights running over pulleys, so that it shall press against -the upper with any force desired.</p> - -<p>The motive power, as designed by the inventor, is either -manual, animal, or steam.</p> - -<p>Mr. Kinmond showed me this machine, just after he had -invented it, at the Assam Company’s Plantations in Assam, -and I have since seen it working by manual and steam -power. With the former it is quite useless, for by no -arrangement can sufficient or regular force enough be -applied. With the latter it does very well, and on a large -garden which will render the outlay for the machine and -engine justifiable (the former is, for such a simple machine, -very expensive), it may probably eventually prove an -economy.</p> - -<p>Not having seen it under animal power, I can give no -positive opinion as to how it would answer, but I see no -reason why it should not do well. I believe wind or water -power might, on suitable sites, be easily applied to it, and -they would certainly be the cheapest of any.</p> - -<p>Another rolling-machine was invented by a Mr. Gibbon, -and a good deal used in Cachar. I have never seen it.</p> - -<p>Kinmond’s is, I believe, the best rolling-machine yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -invented (though it is fair to state I know no other except -by report), but I do not believe in any Tea rolling-machine -superseding <i>entirely</i> the necessity of hand-rolling.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> A rolling-machine -may be, and is, very useful to roll the leaves partly, -that is, to break the cells, and bring the leaf into that soft -<i>mashy</i> state that very little hand labour will finish it. No -rolling-machine yet invented can, I think, do more than -this, and it is, I think, doubtful if any will ever be invented -that will do more. Machines do not give the nice final -twist which is obtained by the hand. I was told lately that -most of the gardens in Cachar that had machines had -dropped them and gone back to hand-rolling. I cannot -help thinking this is a mistake. They should use both, the -hand-rolling for the final part alone. Very few rolling-men -would then suffice, with the aid of the machine, to manufacture -a large quantity of leaf.</p> - -<p>I only know of one other Tea rolling-machine, which -is Nelson’s. It does not profess to do more than <i>prepare</i> -the green leaf for rolling, which, as stated above, is, I think, -all that any machine will ever do. I have never seen it -working, but it appears simple, being nothing more than a -mangle. The leaf is placed in bags, and then compressed -under rollers attached to a box, weighted with stones. The -prospectus states, it will prepare 80 lbs. green leaf in fifteen -minutes, and that one man can then finish as much of such -prepared leaf in three minutes as would occupy him twelve -minutes if the same had not been prepared. I see nothing -unlikely in this. The machine, though inferior to Kinmond’s -in its arrangement, <i>ought</i> to be cheap enough to bring it -within the reach of all.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p>I have already spoken of one of McMeekin’s inventions. -His chest-of-drawers for firing Tea is, I think, superior to -his batten table. It is now so well known, and in such -general use, that I shall describe it very shortly. It is -nothing more than a low chest-of-drawers, or trays fitted in -a frame one above the other, the bottom of each tray being -fine iron wire, so that the heat of the charcoal, in the -masonry receptacle over which it is placed, ascends through -all the drawers and thus dries or fires a large quantity of -“roll” at the same time. By the old plan, a single wicker -sieve was inserted inside a bamboo frame called a “dhole,” -which was placed over a charcoal fire made in a hole in the -ground. On the sieve the roll was placed, and all the heat, -after passing through this <i>one</i> sieve, was wasted. Mr. -McMeekin’s idea was to economise this heat by passing it -through several drawers.</p> - -<p>Most planters use these drawers, and there is no doubt -in the space saved, and the economy of heat: it is a great -step in advance over the old barbarous method, where not -only was the heat wasted after passing through <i>one</i> sieve, -but a great deal was lost through the basket work of the -“dhole” itself.</p> - -<p>Still I do not advocate four, still less five drawers one -above the other. I think the steam ascending from the -lower drawers must, more or less, injure the roll in the upper -ones. I confine myself to two, and even then in the top -tray leave a small circular space vacant by which the steam -from the lower drawer can escape. I utilize the heat that -escapes, partially, by placing “dhallas” in tiers above, with -roll in them. These are supported by iron rods let into the -wall, and are useful not only for partly drying the roll, but -also for withering leaf when there is no sun.</p> - -<p>Some planters have proposed to do away with charcoal -altogether under McMeekin’s drawers, supplying its place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -by hot air. The first point in considering this invention is -the question whether the fumes of charcoal, as some assert, -<i>are</i> necessary to make good Tea. If they are <i>not</i> necessary -(that is, if they produce no chemical effect on the Tea, and -therefore heat from wood devoid of smoke would do as well) -there can be no doubt such heat would be cheaper, and -more under command, by this or some other plan. Are -then the fumes of charcoal necessary?</p> - -<p>I do not know that anyone can answer the query. I -certainly cannot, for I have never made Tea with any other -agent than charcoal, and I have never met with more than -one planter who had. He said the Tea was not good. Still -it would, I think, require very careful and prolonged experiments -to establish the fact either way. Speaking theoretically, -as it <i>appears</i>, the only effect of charcoal is to drive all -the moisture out of the roll and thus make it Tea, I cannot -but believe other heat would do as well. It is, however, a -question that only experience can solve.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p> - -<p>I have now (four years since the above was written, and -at the time I am preparing the second edition of this essay) -been for some time employed on experiments with a view -to settle the above question. Whether I shall be able to -devise a simple apparatus to effect the manufacture of Tea -without charcoal is doubtful, but I can, I think, now safely -affirm that the fumes of charcoal are <i>not</i> necessary to make -Tea. On this point I am myself quite satisfied. The -advantages of making Tea with any fuel (wood, coal, or -anything else) would be <span class="lock">numerous:—</span></p> - -<p>1.—Economy.</p> - -<p>2.—Absence of charcoal fumes.</p> - -<p>3.—Less chance of fire in Tea Houses.</p> - -<p>4.—Probably reduced temperature in Factories.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> -<p>5.—Great saving of labour.</p> - -<p>6.—Saving of fuel—for it takes much wood to make a -given weight of charcoal.</p> - -<p>In addition to all the above, the wholesale destruction of -forests that now takes place in all Tea Districts, in order to -supply the charcoal for Tea, would be much lessened.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> - -<p>I have seen a machine advertised for packing Tea, that -is to say, for so pressing it down that a large quantity shall -go into a chest. I have never seen the machine, and so -cannot say how it works, but I do not think such a machine -at all necessary. By the mode of packing, described at page -<a href="#Page_150">150</a>, as much Tea as a chest will hold <i>with safety</i> can be put -into it. If more were forced in, the chest would probably -come to pieces in transit.</p> - -<p>I see a sifting machine is now being advertised—“Jackson’s -sifting machine.” I have seen drawings of it, but not -the machine itself. In the one respect, that it is much larger -than anything used hitherto, it is more likely to succeed.</p> - -<p>There is a machine for sifting and fanning Tea at one -and the same time. I know not who invented it. It is a -simple winnowing machine with sieves placed in front of the -fan. By means of a rod and crank attached to the axle of -the revolving fan the sieves are made to shake from side to -side when the fanners are turned. The Tea is put into the -upper sieve, a coarse one, and passing successively through -finer ones, is thus sorted into different Teas. The open leaf -at the same time is blown out by the fan.</p> - -<p>I purchased one, but I do not find it does the work well. -Sifting Tea is a nice process, and I did not find it sorted -the Teas with any nicety. I have taken out the sieves, and -use it now only for fanning, which it does very well, though -no better than an apparatus which could be constructed at -one-third the cost.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> -<p>I do not believe in <i>any</i> present or future machine for -sifting Tea, inasmuch as it is an operation which, to be well -done, has to be continually varied. More will be said on -this head further on.</p> - -<p>I have now detailed shortly all the Tea machines or -contrivances I know, or have heard of, and I think there is -plenty of room yet for inventors.<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> The machine, as before -observed, most to be desired is one to separate the small -Pekoe leaves from the others, ere the rolling of the leaf is -commenced. If such a machine existed, it would much -increase the value of all Indian Teas, and if the Agricultural -and Horticultural Society are inclined to offer a prize for -any machine, it should be this.</p> - -<p>At the point where the separation should take place, the -stalk is much tenderer than elsewhere, and this led me to -think a blow or concussion on the mass of green leaf might -effect the object. I attached a bow by the centre to an -immovable board, placed at right angles to the plane of a -table (like the back of a dressing table), and then, causing -leaf to drop from above, subjected it to sharp strokes from -the string of the bow. It effected the object partially, for -many Pekoe ends were detached, but it bruised and cut the -other leaf too much also. I believe a revolving barrel, with -blunt but thin narrow iron plates inside, which would strike -the leaf placed within, as the barrel was turned, would -perhaps answer. I give the above idea for what it is worth, -for any inventive genius to improve on.</p> - -<p>As it is impossible, as far as I can see, to construct any -machine which should <i>cut</i> the stalk <i>only</i> in the right place, -<i>ergo</i>, I believe some arrangement which would take advantage -of the fact, that the stalk is tenderer there than elsewhere, -is the only one that could answer.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> -<p>Now to return to the manufacture of Tea. I will consider -each of the five operations detailed, which I believe are all -that are necessary to make good Tea, separately.</p> - -<p><i>Withering.</i>—There are several tests to show when leaf is -withered. Fresh leaf squeezed in the hand, held near the -ear, crackles, but no sound should be heard from withered -leaf. Again, fresh leaf, pressed together in the palm of the -hand, when released, springs back to nearly its original -bulk, but withered leaf, in like circumstances, retains the -shape into which it has been pressed. The stalk of withered -leaf will bend double without breaking, but fresh leaf stalks, -if bent very little, break. Practice, though, soon gives a -test superior to all these, viz., the feel of the leaf. Properly -withered leaves are like old rags to lay hold of, and no further -test, after a time, than the feel of the leaf is necessary.</p> - -<p>The agents for withering leaf are sun, light, heat, and -air. Of these the most powerful is sun, for it combines -all the others with it. Light is a powerful agent, for if some -leaf be placed in a partially dark room, and some in a well-lighted -verandah, the latter will wither in half the time the -former will take. If light and moderate ventilation be -present, heat is a rapid accessory to rapid withering.</p> - -<p>There is often great difficulty in withering leaf in the -rain. It <i>can</i> be withered in Tea pans, but “the out-turn” -is then more or less injured, for after infusion the out-turn -comes out green instead of the proper “new penny” colour. -Withering in dholes is also objectionable for the same -reason, though if the heat is moderate the green effect is -less. It is further a long and tedious operation.</p> - -<p>Space and light are the great wants for withering leaf in -wet weather. Bamboo mechans, tier above tier, should be -constructed in every available space. Large frames, covered -with wire mesh, may also be made (by means of weights -running over pulleys) to run up to the roof of any Tea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -building. The leaf withers well in such frames, for heat -ascends, and much heat is given out by dholes.</p> - -<p>It signifies not though where leaf is spread as long as -there is space and light. Houses made of iron and glass -would be far the best for withering leaf, for, if well -ventilated, all the necessary agents for withering, detailed -in the last page, would be present. I do not doubt the day -will come when these will be used, for properly withered -leaf is a necessity for good Tea.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> - -<p>In dry weather, when leaf comes in from the garden, -spread it thinly anywhere and turn it once early in the -night. It will generally be withered and ready to roll next -morning. If not quite ready, then put it outside in the sun. -Half an hour’s sunning will probably finish it.</p> - -<p>In wet weather, if there is any sun when it comes in, or -any time that day, take advantage of the sun to wither the -leaf <i>partly</i>, so much that, with the after withering all night -under cover, it will be ready next morning. If not ready -next morning, put it out in the sun, if there is any, till it is -ready.</p> - -<p>In very wet and cloudy weather, when there is no sun -and continual rain, so that the leaf <i>cannot</i> be put outside -(for remember that outside, when there is no sun, the light -alone will wither it), artificial withering of some kind must -be resorted to. I have mentioned the only means I know of -for doing this.</p> - -<p>As properly withered leaf is an important point in -making good Tea, it is well worth while to keep one or two -men, according to the quantity of leaf, for that work alone. -They soon learn the best way to do it, and if made -answerable the leaf is properly ready for the rollers, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -object is generally attained. In this and every thing else in -Tea manufacture, give different men different departments, -and make them answerable. Much trouble to the manager, -who should supervise all, and much loss to the proprietor -from bad Tea, will then be avoided.</p> - -<p><i>Rolling.</i>—This is a simple operation enough when the -men have got the knack of it. Some planters advocate a -circular motion of the hands when rolling, under the -impression it gives the leaf a better twist. Some like -rolling it forward, but bringing it back without letting it -turn during the backward motion. I believe in neither way, -for it appears to me to be rolled no better, or no worse, by -these plans than by the ordinary and quicker mode of simply -rolling it <i>any way</i>. The forward and backward motion is -the simplest and quickest, and the way all rollers adopt, -who are given a certain quantity of leaf (say 30 lbs. a fair -amount) to roll for their day’s work. In this ordinary rolling -the ball in the hand, ’tis true, does not turn much in the -backward motion, for ’tis more or less <i>pulled</i> back, but -whether it turns or not does not, I believe, signify the least.</p> - -<p>Rolling in hot pans was formerly extensively practised. -It is not much done now. I have tried the plan, but found -no advantage in it.</p> - -<p>Rolling on coarse mats, placed on the floor, might be -seen also. When I visited the Assam Company’s gardens -near Nazerah, in Assam, I saw it done there. It is a great -mistake. The coarse bamboo mat breaks the leaf sadly, -and much of the sap or juice from the leaf, which adds -much to the strength of the Tea, runs through the coarse -mat, and is lost.</p> - -<p>One and the principal reason why Indian Tea is stronger -than Chinese is that in India the sap or juice is generally -retained, while in China it is, strange to say, purposely -wasted!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - -<p>A strong immovable smooth table, with the planks of -which it is formed well joined together, so that no apertures -exist for the juice of the leaf to run through, is the best -thing to roll on. If covered with a fine seetul pattie mat, -nailed down over the edges of the table, a still greater -security is given against the loss of any sap, and I believe -the slightly rough surface of the mat enables the leaf to roll -better. An edging of wood one inch above the surface of -the table should be screwed on to the edges over the mat, if -there is one, to prevent leaf falling off.</p> - -<p>The leaf is rolled by a line of men on each side of such a -table (4½ feet is a good width for it) passing up from man to -man, from the bottom of the table to the top. The passage -of each handful of roll from man to man is regulated by the -man at the end, who, when the roll in his hand is ready -(that is, rolled enough), forms it into a tight compressed -ball (a truncated shape is the most convenient) and puts it -away on an adjacent stand. When he does this, the roll -each man has passes up one step.</p> - -<p>The roll is ready to make up into a ball, when it is in a -soft <i>mashy</i> state, and when in the act of rolling it gives out -juice freely. None of this juice must be lost, it must be -mopped up into the roll, again and again in its passage up -the table, and finally into the ball, when made up.</p> - -<p>There will be some coarse leaves in the roll which -cannot be twisted. These, if left, would give much red -leaf in the Tea. They should be picked out by, say, the -third or fourth man from the head of the table, for it is only -when the leaf has been partly rolled that they show. The -man who picks out the coarse leaf should not roll at all. -He should spread the roll, and pick out as much as he can, -between the time of receiving and passing it on. In no case -allow roll to accumulate by him, for if so kept it hardens -and dries, and gives extra work to the last rollers to bring it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -into the mashy state again. Besides which I rather think, -any such lengthened stoppage in the rolling helps to destroy -Pekoe ends, and is certainly injurious to the perfect after-fermentation, -inasmuch as it (the fermentation) partly takes -place then.</p> - -<p>This finishes the rolling process. Each man as stated -can do 30 lbs., but there is further work for him to be now -described.</p> - -<p><i>Fermenting.</i>—The balls accumulated are allowed to stand -until fermented. I look on this being done to the right -extent and no more, as perhaps the most important point -in the whole manufacture.</p> - -<p>Some planters collect the roll after rolling in a basket, -and there let it ferment, instead of making it up into balls -for that purpose as described. I much prefer the ball system -for the following reasons:—When a quantity is put into a -basket together and allowed to ferment a certain time, what -was put in first is naturally more fermented than what was -put in last, the former probably over, the latter under-done. -The balls, on the contrary, can be each taken in succession -<i>in the order they were laid on the table</i>, and thus each receive -the same amount of fermentation. I think further the twist -in the leaf is better preserved by the ball plan, and also that -a large quantity in a basket is apt to ferment too much in the -centre.</p> - -<p>It is impossible to describe, so that practical use shall -be made of it, <i>when</i> the balls are sufficiently fermented. The -outside of the ball is no good criterion. It varies much in -colour, affected by the extent the leaf was withered.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> You -must judge by the inside.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> -<p>Perhaps as good a rule as any is that half the twisted -leaves inside shall be a rusty red, half of them green. -Practice alone, however, will enable you to pronounce when -the balls are properly fermented. There is no time to be -fixed for it. The process is quicker in warm than cool -weather.</p> - -<p>The fermentation should be stopped in <i>each</i> ball just at -the right time. Great exactitude in this is all-important, -and therefore, as I say, the balls should be taken in rotation -as they were laid down.</p> - -<p>The fermentation is stopped by breaking up the ball. -The roll is spread out <i>very</i> thin, and at the same time any -remaining coarse leaves are picked out.</p> - -<p>This concludes the fermenting process.</p> - -<p><i>Sunning.</i>—The roll is then without <i>any</i> delay put out in -the sun, spread <i>very</i> thin on dhallas or mats. When it has -become blackish in colour it is collected and re-spread, so -that the whole of it shall be affected by the sun. With -bright sunshine, an hour or even less suns it sufficiently. It -is then at once placed in the dholes, which must be all -ready to receive it.</p> - -<p>If the weather is wet, it must, <i>directly</i> the balls are broken -up, and the coarse leaf is picked out, be sent to the dholes. -This is the only plan in wet weather, but the best Tea is -made in fine weather.</p> - -<p><i>Firing or Dholing.</i>—In the case of wet weather, unless -you have very many dholes, fresh roll will come in long -before the first is finished. The only plan in this case is to -half do it. Half-fired the roll does not injure with <i>any</i> delay, -but even half an hour’s delay, between breaking up the balls -and commencing to drive off the moisture, is hurtful.</p> - -<p>In any but wet weather necessitating it the roll can be -fired at one time, that is, not removed from the drawer until -it has become Tea.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> - -<p>The roll in each drawer must be shaken up and re-spread -two or three times, in the process of firing. The drawer -must be taken off the fire to do this, or some of the roll -would fall through into the fire, and the smoke thus -engendered would be hurtful. If the lowest drawer is made -to slide in and out a framework covered with zinc should be -made to run into a groove below it, and this zinc protector -should be always run in before the lower drawer is moved. -This is part of Mr. McMeekin’s invention, and is very -necessary to prevent roll from the lowest drawer falling into -the fire when it (the lower drawer) is moved.</p> - -<p>The roll remains in the drawers, subject to the heat of -the charcoal below, until it is quite dry and crisp. Any -piece then taken between the fingers should break with the -slightest attempt to bend it.</p> - -<p>The manufacture is now completed. The roll has -become Tea.</p> - -<p>All the above operations should be carefully conducted, -but I believe the secret of good Tea consists simply in, <i>first</i>, -stopping the fermentation at the right moment; and, <i>secondly</i>, -in commencing to drive off the moisture immediately after.</p> - -<p>I do not say that the manufacture here detailed may not -be improved upon later, but I do say that in the results of -economy, strong liquor, and well twisted leaf, its results are -very satisfactory, and not surpassed by any other mode at -present in vogue. I do not pretend that it will give Teas -rich in Pekoe tips. To attain this, light rolling as shown -must be resorted to, but just as far as Pekoe tips are -procured so far must strength be sacrificed. Until the -small Pekoe leaves can be detached and manufactured -separately, this must always be the case.</p> - -<p>From the Tea made as described by sifting and sorting, -all the ordinary black Teas of commerce, as detailed at -page <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, can be produced, excepting “Flowery Pekoe.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> - -<p>To make Flowery Pekoe the closed bud and the one -open leaf of the shoot are alone taken, and these are -manufactured alone. It does not, as a rule, pay to make -this Tea at all, though it fetches a long price. It does not -pay for the following <span class="lock">reasons:—</span></p> - -<p>1. After the head of the flush is taken the pickers that -follow do not readily recognise the remainder of the shoot, -and consequently omit to pick many of them. A heavy loss -in the yield is thus entailed.</p> - -<p>2. The after Teas, made without these small leaves, -are very inferior, as they are much weaker, and totally -devoid of Pekoe tips.</p> - -<p>3. The labour, and <i>ergo</i> the expense of picking the -flush, is double.</p> - -<p>The manufacture of Flowery Pekoe is simple enough. -When the two leaves from each shoot of which it is made -are collected they are exposed to the sun, spread out very -thin, until they have well shrivelled. They are then placed -over small and slow charcoal fires, and so roasted very -slowly. If the above is well done, the Pekoe tips (and -there is little else) come out a whitish orange colour. The -whiter they are the better. If the leaf is rolled <i>very lightly</i> -by the hand <i>before</i> sunning, the liquor will be darker and -stronger, but the colour of the tips will not be so good.</p> - -<p>Flowery Pekoe is quite a fancy Tea, and for the reasons -given above it can never pay to make it.</p> - - -<h3><i>Green Tea.</i></h3> - -<p>The pans for this should be 2ft. 9in. diameter and 11in. -in depth. They should be thick pans, which will not, -therefore, cool quickly. Many are required for this manufacture, -four or five for every maund of Tea to be made -daily. They should be set up in a sloping position, and the -arrangement of the fireplaces such that the wood to burn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -under them can be put in through apertures leading into -the verandah. One chimney will do for every two pans, -and it should be built high so as to give a good draught, -for hot fires are necessary.</p> - -<p>Flat-bladed sticks are used to stir both the leaf and the -Tea in the pans, for the hand cannot bear the heat.</p> - -<p>The men when working the Tea in the pans should have -high stools to sit on, for it is a nine hours’ job.</p> - -<p>The bags in which “the roll” is placed at night should -be made of No. 3 canvas, 2 feet long and 1 foot broad.</p> - -<p>I will now detail the manufacture.</p> - -<p>To make Green Tea the leaf must be brought in twice -in the day. What comes in at one o’clock is partly made -the same day. The evening leaf is left till the following -morning, laying it thick (say 6 inches), so that it will <i>not</i> -wither. But if the one o’clock or the evening leaf comes in -wet, they must both be dried, the former <i>before</i> being put -into the pans, the latter <i>before</i> being laid out for the -night.</p> - -<p>The manufacture thus begins twice daily, viz., morning -and one o’clock, but “the roll” of both these is treated -together up to the time “the roll” is ready to place in the -bags.</p> - -<p>The leaf having no moisture in it is placed first in hot -pans, at a temperature of say 160°, and stirred with sticks -for about seven minutes, until it becomes moist and sticky. -It is then too hot to hold in the hand.</p> - -<p>It is then rolled for two or three minutes on a table -until it gets a little twisted.</p> - -<p>Then lay it out on dhallas in the sun (say 2 inches thick) -for about three hours, and roll it thrice during that time, -always in the sun. It is ready to roll each time when “the -roll” has become blackish on the surface. It is not rolled -more than three minutes each time, and then spread out as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -before. If you put on a proper number of men to do this -they do each dhalla in succession, and when they have -done the last, “the roll” in the first dhalla will be blackish -on the surface again, and ready to roll again.</p> - -<p>When three rollings are done, the roll should have a -good twist on it.</p> - -<p>It is then placed in the pans, at the same heat as before, -and worked with sticks as before for two or three minutes, -until it becomes too hot to hold.</p> - -<p>It is then stuffed, as tight as it <i>can</i> be stuffed, into the -bags described above, putting as much into each bag as you -can possibly get it to hold. The mouth is then tied up and -the bag beaten with a flat heavy stick to consolidate the -mass inside, and so it is left for the night.</p> - -<p>Next morning it is taken out of the bags, and worked -with the flat sticks as before in the pans for nine hours -without intermission. The temperature 160° at first down -to 120° at the last.</p> - -<p>During and owing to this last process the green colour is -produced.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> It is worked quicker and quicker as the hours -pass.</p> - -<p>The following are the kinds of Tea into which it is best -<span class="lock">sorted:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>1. Ends</td><td rowspan="6">The relative value is in the order in which they are numbered.</td></tr> -<tr><td>2. Young Hyson</td></tr> -<tr><td>3. Hyson</td></tr> -<tr><td>4. Gunpowder</td></tr> -<tr><td>5. Dust</td></tr> -<tr><td>6. Imperial</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>The sorting of Green Tea is a nicer operation, and takes -twice as long as sorting Black Tea.</p> - -<p>If there are pans enough, and the work is well arranged, -there should be no night-work with Green Tea, for all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -should be over by 5 <span class="smcap lowercase">P.M.</span>; whereas with Black Tea night-work -is generally a necessity.</p> - -<p>The price obtained for Green Tea is more dependent on -its <i>appearance</i> than in the case of Black.</p> - -<p>It is not easy to make Black and Green Tea in the same -factory.</p> - -<p>Green Tea, if well made, pays much better than Black -Tea; and, as before observed, I think all gardens with -Chinese plants should adopt the manufacture.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> When -once the building is fitted for it, and the routine established, -the Green Tea manufacture is always preferred by those -who have tried both.</p> - -<p>The Hybrid plant makes the best Black, the Chinese -the best Green Tea.</p> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">SIFTING AND SORTING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Sifting is a very important item in the manufacture of -Tea. Careful and judicious sifting, as contrasted with the -reverse, may make a difference of two or three annas a lb. -in the sale of Teas.</p> - -<p>I was shown some Tea quite lately which, as regards -“liquor,” was valued by the brokers at Re. 1-3 per lb., but -the “Tea” at only 14 annas! This was entirely owing to -faulty sifting and sorting.</p> - -<p>I don’t believe in <i>any</i> machine for Tea sifting, simply -because it is not a regular process.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> For example, you -cannot say that, to make Pekoe, you must first use one -sieve, then another, and so on. The sizes of sieves to be -used, and the order in which they are to be used, will vary -continually, as both are decided by varying causes, viz., -the comparative fineness or coarseness of the Tea made -daily, the greater or less presence of red leaf in it, and -(because Tea varies much during the season, and gets -coarse towards the end) by the time of the year. These -points all necessitate changes in the sizes, and the order of -the sieves.</p> - -<p>’Tis true sieves might be changed in a machine as -required, but the only machine that could even pretend to -save labour would be one in which all the sieves were -arranged one below the other, and thus the Tea would fall -through each alternately, the motion being common to all. -But this won’t do for Tea sifting. Judgment must be used<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -to decide <i>the length of time</i> each sieve is to be shaken; -further, with <i>how much motion</i> it shall be shaken, &c., &c. -But this is simply impossible with any machine, though all -necessary to sift Tea well.</p> - -<p>The cost of Tea sifting by hand (see page <a href="#Page_161">161</a>) is not -eight annas <i>per maund</i>, including picking out red leaf, which -<i>must</i> be hand-work. Good and bad sifting will affect the -value three annas per lb. or Rs. 15 per maund!</p> - -<p>With all parts of Tea manufacture it is well to employ -the same men continually in each department, but above -all, perhaps, should this be done in Tea sifting. A good -sifter is a valuable man. He knows each kind of Tea by -name; he knows what sieves to use, and the order in which -to use them for each Tea; what the effect a larger or -smaller mesh will have on each kind, &c., &c. In fact, he -knows much more of the <i>practical</i> part of sifting than his -master can, though the latter is, probably, a better judge -how far the Teas are perfect when made.</p> - -<p>Tea sieves are of two kinds, both round. One made of -brass wire, with wooden sides, 3½ inches high, the other -cane, with bamboo sides, 1¼ inches high only. The latter -are called “Chinese sieves,” and though the brass ones are -used in many places, there is no possible comparison -between them, for the labour required in the use of the brass -ones is much greater, and the results, as regards well sorted -Tea, much better with the Chinese.</p> - -<p>Both kinds are numbered according to the number of -orifices in one linear inch. Thus a No. 6 sieve has six -orifices to the inch in both; but in the brass kind, a -No. 6 has six orifices <i>including</i> the wire; in the Chinese -kind, the cane between each aperture is <i>not</i> included in the -measure. Thus the orifice in a No. 6 Chinese sieve is -exactly 1/6th of an inch square, but somewhat less in a -brass sieve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> - -<p>As I well know brass sieves cannot remain in favour -after the others have been only once tried, I shall confine -my directions to the Chinese kind.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> - -<p>I practise, and I advise, Tea to be sifted daily. The -Tea made one day, sifted the day after, and in fact stored -away in the bins ready sifted. I find it is more carefully -done this way, for by the other plan a larger quantity being -done at once by several men, they cannot, from want of -practice, be expert. But by the daily plan one, two, or -three men, as necessary, can always be kept on the work, -and consequently they learn and do it well.</p> - -<p>To sift the following, Chinese sieves are required; and -if daily sifting is resorted to, they will be found ample for -any ordinary-sized <span class="lock">garden:—</span></p> - -<ul> -<li>4 of No. 4</li> -<li>6 of No. 6</li> -<li>6 of No. 7</li> -<li>9 of No. 9</li> -<li>9 of No. 10</li> -<li>6 of No. 12</li> -<li>4 of No. 16.</li> -</ul> - - -<p>Previous to sifting all red leaf should be picked out of -the Tea. This, as stated under the head of “Manufacture,” -should be done twice before the “roll” is fired; but towards -the end of the season especially, some will still remain in -the made Tea, and this must be carefully separated.</p> - -<p>From what I have said it is evident that no rules can be -laid down as to what sieves to employ to get out certain -Teas. Only practice can teach this.</p> - -<p>Further, practice can only enable you to judge in a Tea -broker’s point of view of different classes of Tea. This -essay would, however, be incomplete did it not contain a -description of these. Such a description has been ably -given by Mr. J. H. Haworth in his “Information and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -Advice for the Tea Planter from the English Market” -(<i>Journal, A. & H. Society of India, Vol. XIV.</i>), and, as his -knowledge on the subject is far in advance of mine, and -consequently more to the point than any description I could -give, I will close this chapter with the following extract -from his valuable pamphlet, and trust he will excuse my -doing <span class="lock">so:—</span></p> - - -<h3><i>Of the Different Classes of Tea.</i></h3> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Teas are arranged in various classes according to the size, make, -and colour of the leaf. I treat first and principally of the Black -descriptions, as Green Teas are manufactured in only a few of the Tea-growing -districts of India.</p> - -<p>The following classes come under the name of Black <span class="lock">Tea:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>Flowery Pekoe.</td><td class="padleft" rowspan="7">The various broken kinds, viz.:—</td><td>Broken Pekoe.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Orange Pekoe.</td><td>Pekoe Dust.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe.</td><td>Broken Mixed Tea.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe Souchong.</td><td>Broken Souchong.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Souchong.</td><td>Broken Leaf.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Congou.</td><td>Fannings.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Bohea.</td><td>Dust.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>We occasionally meet with other names, but they are generally -original, and ought not to be encouraged, as a few simple terms like -the above are sufficiently comprehensive to describe all classes manufactured.</p> - -<p>Perhaps before entering into a detailed description of the various -classes it will be well to explain the term “Pekoe” (pronounced -Pek-oh), which as we see occurs in so many of the names above quoted. -It is said to be derived from the Chinese words “Pak Ho,” which are -said to signify white down. The raw material constituting Pekoe when -manufactured is the young bud just shooting forth, or the young leaf -just expanded, which on minute examination will be found to be -covered with a whitish velvety down. On firing these young leaves, -the down simply undergoes a slight change in colour to grey or greyish -yellow, sometimes as far as a yellowish orange tint.</p> - -<p>When the prepared Tea consists entirely of greyish or greenish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -greyish Pekoe, with no or very little dark leaf mixed, it is called -Flowery Pekoe.</p> - -<p>Flowery Pekoe is picked from the shrub entirely separate from the -other descriptions of Tea, only the buds and young leaves being taken. -In the preparation it is not subjected so severely to the action of heat -as the other classes of Tea, and generally preserves a uniform greenish -grey or silvery grey tint. Its strength in liquor is very great, flavour -more approaching that of Green Teas, but infinitely superior, having -the strength and astringency, without the bitterness, of the green -descriptions. The liquor is pale, similar to that of Green Tea, and -the infused leaf is of a uniform green hue. In many instances, where -too much heat has been employed, we find dark leaves intermixed, -and the prevailing colour, green, is sprinkled with leaves of a salmony -brown tinge, which is the proper colour for the out-turn of any other -ordinary black leaf Tea. A very common mistake is to call an ordinary -Pekoe, that may contain an extra amount of Pekoe ends, Flowery Pekoe. -When this class of Tea is strong and of Flowery Pekoe flavour, it is -called by the trade a Pekoe of Flowery Pekoe kind. In England -Flowery Pekoe sells, as a rule, from 4<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> to 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> per lb. One parcel -has sold as high as 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>By many people the expediency of making Flowery Pekoe is much -doubted. The true Flowery Pekoe leaf is the one undeveloped bud at -the end of each twig. To pick this alone, without any ordinary Pekoe -leaves, involves a great deal of trouble and expense, and I think though -the Flowery Pekoe be very valuable, that the account would hardly -balance when we consider the deterioration of the Pekoe by the -abstraction of the young leaves.</p> - -<p>The ordinary Pekoe is a Tea of blackish or greyish blackish aspect, -but dotted over with greyish or yellowish leaves which, on close -inspection, will be found to possess the downy appearance which gives -the name to Pekoe. In general we do not find the whole leaf covered -with down, but only part of it, which in its growth has been -developed later than the other parts. These are called by the trade -“Pekoe ends” when very small Pekoe tips. A Pekoe is generally of -good to fine flavour, and very strong, and its liquor dark. Its value is -from 2<i>s.</i> 9<i>d.</i> to 3<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> per lb.</p> - -<p>When the Pekoe ends are of yellowish or orange hue, and the leaf -is very small and even, the Tea is called Orange Pekoe. In flavour it -is much the same as an ordinary Pekoe, and many growers do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -separate the two varieties, but send them away in the finished state -mixed together. Its value is from 2<i>d.</i> to 4<i>d.</i> per lb. more than Pekoe.</p> - -<p>The term Pekoe Souchong is generally applied to a Pekoe that is -deficient in Pekoe ends, or to a bold, Souchong class leaf with a few -ends mixed. We often meet with it applied to an unassorted Tea, -including perhaps Souchong, Congou, a few Pekoe ends, and some -broken leaves. Prices range from 2<i>s.</i> 3<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 10<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>The name of Broken Pekoe indicates at once what class of Tea -it is, namely, Pekoe which has been broken in the manipulation or -otherwise. It possesses the strength and fine flavour of a full leaf of -Pekoe, being therefore only inferior to it in point of leaf. In value -it is very little inferior to Pekoe, sometimes as valuable, or even more -so, as owing to the frangibility of the tender Pekoe ends, they are -sometimes broken off in very large quantity, thus adding to the value -of the broken Tea, though at the same time deteriorating the Pekoe. -Prices from 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> to 3<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>Pekoe dust is still smaller broken, so small in fact as actually to -resemble dust. It is of great strength, though often not pure in flavour, -as frequently any dust or sweepings from other Tea is mixed with it to -make the lot larger. The price of Pekoe dust may range from 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> -to 2<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>A Tea only slightly broken is often called by the planter Pekoe -Dust; again an Orange Pekoe is often called Broken Pekoe, and the -converse. A knowledge of the signification of these and other terms -would teach the grower to be very careful in marking his Teas, as the -nomenclature influences to a great extent the sale in the home market.</p> - -<p>Having described the finer Teas, we now come to the consideration -of the classes of Tea which form the bulk of the manufacture of -a garden.</p> - -<p>Souchong may be taken as the medium quality, and when experience -and skilled labour are employed in the manufacture as the bulk -of the produce of an estate. The qualifications for being comprehended -under this term are just simply an even, straight, or slightly curved -leaf, in length varying say from ½ inch to 1½ inch. It has not the deep -strength of Pekoe, but is generally of good flavour and of fair strength. -The prices of Souchong are from 1<i>s.</i> 10<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>Congou comes next. It may be either a leaf of Souchong kind, -but too large to come under that class, or though of smallish-sized -leaf, too unevenly made, or too much curled (so as to resemble little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -balls) to be so classified. The flavour is much the same as that of -Souchong, but the Tea has not so much strength. Some of the lower -and large leaf kinds may be only worth perhaps from 1<i>s.</i> 3<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, -whereas the finer qualities sell as high as 2<i>s.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 3<i>d.</i> per lb.</p> - -<p>Bohea is again lower than a Congou. It may be either of too -large a leaf to be called Congou, or, as is generally the case, it may -consist principally of old leaf, which on being fired does not attain the -greyish blackish colour which is so desirable for all the black leaf kinds -except Flowery Pekoe, but remains of a brownish or even pale yellowish -hue. It has scarcely any strength, and is generally of coarse flavour, -sometimes not, but is never of much value unless of <i>Namuna</i> kind (a -term which will be described hereafter). We may quote prices at from -3<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 2<i>d.</i> per lb.</p> - -<p>We now come to the broken descriptions of these middle and -lower classes of Tea.</p> - -<p>Broken Mixed Tea is, as its name imports, a mixture of the various -kinds of Tea broken. It may have a very wide range, include some of -the lower classes or approach Broken Pekoe in character and value, -but the kind usually thus named is a Tea worth from 1<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, -generally of a blackish aspect, and containing a few Pekoe ends.</p> - -<p>The term Broken Souchong is commonly and appropriately -applied to a Tea which, though broken, has some approach to a full -leaf, and that of the even Souchong character. Its value may vary, -say from 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 2<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>Broken leaf is a term of great comprehensiveness, but generally -is used to signify a Tea worth from 8<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 1<i>d.</i> per lb. It may be of -a brownish, brownish blackish, or blackish colour. Its strength is -seldom great, but its flavour may be fair or good, but in the lower -qualities it is generally poor, thin, or coarse. It would be better to -employ this term only as a general name of Broken Tea, and not to -use it to signify any particular class, as it is very indefinite.</p> - -<p>Fannings is similar in colour and class of leaf to broken leaf as -described above; in value also much the same, perhaps on the average -a little lower. I suppose, in most cases, the mode of its separation -from the other classes of Tea is, as its name implies, by fanning.</p> - -<p>Dust is a very small broken Tea, so small, in fact, as to approach -the minuteness of actual dust. It is often very coarse, or “earthy” in -flavour, owing perhaps to sweepings and dust having become mixed -with it. Its value is from 6<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> In any Tea of this class worth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -more than these quotations, a few Pekoe ends or tips will generally be -found, which bring it under the name of Pekoe Dust.</p> - -<p>We will now look at Black Teas in a body, and point out what is -desirable and what is objectionable in them.</p> - -<p>We have seen that all Teas which contain Pekoe fetch higher -prices than others, consequently we infer that Pekoe is a desideratum. -If we glance at the descriptions of the various classes of Tea which -have been given above, we shall find that it is an element of strength -and good flavour. I do not mean to say that any Pekoe is stronger -or of better flavour than any Tea which does not contain Pekoe, as -the soil, the climate, the cultivation, the manufacture, and various -other causes, may influence the strength and flavour of different Teas; -but, as a rule, in Teas that are produced under the same circumstances, -the classes containing Pekoe are stronger and of better -flavour than those without it.</p> - -<p>There is another class of Tea which I have not yet described that -possesses very great strength and very fine flavour. This is the class -known as the “Namuna” kind. All readers of these pages who have -been connected with India any time will recognise the word,<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> though -they may not quite see how it comes to occupy the position in which -we consider it. It is said that its first application in this manner arose -from a planter having sent to England some sample boxes of Tea with -the ticket “namuna” on them. These Teas happened to be of the -peculiar description which now goes by that name, and which I -proceed to describe. The London brokers have always since then -applied the name “namuna” to this class of Tea. The leaf may have, -perhaps, the ordinary greyish blackish aspect, with generally a -greenish tinge. In the pot it produces a very pale liquor, but on -tasting it its quality belies the poor thin appearance of the infusion. -It is very strong, stronger by far than ordinary Pekoe; in flavour, say, -about half-way between a Flowery Pekoe and a Green Tea, quite -distinct from the Flowery Pekoe flavour, possessing somewhat of the -rasping bitterness of the Green Tea class with the flavour a little -refined. The out-turn is generally green, sometimes has some brownish -leaves mixed. Any of the black leaf Teas may be of this Class, from -the Pekoe to the lowest dust, and all throughout the scale, if the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -flavour be distinct and pure, may have their value enhanced from 4<i>d.</i> -to 10<i>d.</i> per lb.</p> - -<p>Similar in every respect, except one, is the Oolong kind. The -one wanting quality is the strength, sometimes, by-the-bye, the flavour -is a little different. It may have the greenish, greyish blackish leaf -(though generally the green leaves are distinct from black ones, the -Tea thus being composed of greyish blackish leaves with a few green -ones intermixed), always has the pale liquor, generally the greenish -infused leaf; but sometimes it is sadly intermingled with black leaves, -as it is a Tea whose flavour is frequently burnt out, though its weakness -and green appearance are no doubt often caused by deficient -firing. Teas of this kind on the average sell below the ordinarily-flavoured -Teas of the same class of leaf.</p> - -<p>In Teas of ordinary flavour the following rules hold good:—The -darker the liquor the stronger the Tea, and the nearer the approach -of the colour of the infused leaf to a uniform salmony brown, the purer -the flavour. Whenever we see any black leaves mixed with it (the -out-turn) the Tea has been over-fired, and we may either expect to -find the strength burnt out of it, or else to find it marred by having a -burnt or smoky flavour incorporated with it. When you come across -an altogether black or dirty brown out-turn, you may be certain of -pale liquor containing little or no strength and no flavour to speak of, -unless sometimes it be sour. This is a quality which I shall now -touch upon, and regret that I cannot with any certainty give any -reliable information whereby the planter may guard against this -greatest of faults. It may have various grades,—slightly sourish, -sourish, and sour, depreciating the value of the Tea, say, from 3<i>d.</i> to -1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> per lb. The flavour of a sour Tea is hardly capable of description. -It is not so acid as sour milk, in fact, not acid at all, rather a -sweet flavour than otherwise being blended with the sourness. It is -extremely unpleasant in its more developed grades, and cannot be -easily understood except by actual tasting. To the uninitiated this -fault is only perceptible in the more strongly marked instances, but to -one of the trade the least tendency to it not only condemns the parcel -at once, but also causes him to suspect any other lots made at the -same or any other time by the same grower, and it is a curious but -unaccountable fact that some two or three gardens (or growers?) -almost always produce Teas having this fault. I will not cite all the -different explanations that have been offered on this subject; I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -simply quote the one which seems to have gained most ground, and -leave those more competent than myself to express any opinion on the -subject. The cause assigned to which I refer is that the Tea leaf after -being picked is allowed to remain too long in the raw state before -being fired, during which time it undergoes a process of fermentation; -some then say that this causes sourness, while others maintain that -the fermentation is absolutely necessary for the production of a Black -Tea. The fact that we never meet with sourness in a Green Tea, one -feature in the preparation of which being that it is fired almost immediately -on being gathered, goes to corroborate this view.</p> - -<p>Burntness I have already referred to. As I said before, it may -either destroy the strength and flavour altogether, or sometimes, -without destroying the strength, add an unpleasant burnt flavour to -it. When the Tea has the flavour of smoke about it, it is called -smoky or smoky burnt. By being burnt, a Tea may be deteriorated -in value, say from 2<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> per lb. The symptoms of burntness are -a dead black leaf (as opposed to the greatly-desired greyish, blackish -colour) having a burnt smell which often entirely neutralises the -natural aroma of the Tea. In looking over a broker’s character of a -parcel of Teas, you may occasionally meet with the terms “fresh -burnt,” “brisk burnt,” or “malty burnt.” These phrases do not carry -a condemnatory meaning with them. The meaning of the word -burnt, as used here, would be better expressed by the term “fired.” -The term “malty” means of full rich flavour, perhaps from the aroma -of this class of Tea resembling somewhat that of malt. Teas of the -three above descriptions, you may have noticed, often fetch very good -prices. The meaning of the word “full,” applied to a liquor, is hardly -appreciable except by tasting. It does not signify strength or flavour, -but is opposed to thinness. A Green Tea may be strong or of good -flavour, but its liquor is never full. Fulness is generally characterised -by a dark liquor. The quality known as “body” in a wine is somewhat -akin to fulness in a Tea. We speak of a “full” leaf Tea in -contradistinction to a broken leaf. “Chaffy” is generally used in -connection with Bohea and other brown leaf classes of Tea. A light -(in weight) brown, open or flat leaf, in fact, one resembling chaff, -would be called chaffy. The lower classes of Tea, especially the -dusts, are often described as “earthy” in flavour. By this a coarse -low flavour is understood, perhaps often caused by the admixture of -real dust.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the make of a Tea is spoken of as a “well made,” “fairly -made,” &c., leaf, the effect of the manipulation or rolling is referred -to. We may have a “well made even,” or a “well made mixed large -and small,” leaf. We may have a “straight” or “curled,” or, as the -latter is generally expressed when applied to a large leaf Tea, -“twisted” leaf. It may be “flattish made,” indicating that though -the leaf is not open it wears a flattish aspect, or it may be open, which -betrays a want of sufficient or skilful manipulation. A “wiry” leaf is -small, perfectly rolled, and very thin (in diameter), generally rather -curled, so as in fact to resemble small pieces of bent wire. It will be -seen at once that only the finer Teas can have a wiry leaf, principally -the Orange Pekoes and Pekoes. Sometimes we meet with a fine -Souchong that may be thus described.</p> - - -<h4><i>Green Teas.</i></h4> - - - -<p>As in the North-west Provinces Green Teas form the bulk of the -produce, it will be well to give a short description of them, though the -tenor of my remarks below will show the general opinion as to the -desirability of making them.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> - -<p>Gunpowder is the most valuable description, its price ranging -from 2<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> to 3<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> per lb. Instead of possessing the long and thin -finished leaf, which is the desideratum of Black Teas, it is rolled into -little balls more or less round, varying from one-eighth to one-quarter -of an inch in diameter. Sometimes it is not altogether composed of -round leaf, but has some long leaf mixed.</p> - -<p>When the Tea is of the shape of Gunpowder, but is larger than -the size above quoted, it is called Imperial. Prices of Imperial are -from 10<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>Amongst Green Teas Hyson may be taken as the parallel of -Souchong of the black leaf descriptions. Undoubtedly there is often -much young Pekoe leaf in it, but all chance of <i>discriminating</i> it in the -finished leaf is done away with by the change in colour. Hysons sell -from 1<i>s.</i> 2<i>d.</i> to 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> - -<p>Young Hyson is smaller than Hyson, occasionally slightly broken. -It fetches from 7<i>d.</i> to 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></p> - -<p>Hyson skin consists of the bold broken leaf of Hyson and Young -Hyson. A small broken Green Tea is seldom sent on the home -market. The reason of this is obvious. When we consider that -Hyson skin only fetches from 7<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i>, it is apparent that anything -approaching a dust would give very little chance of a profit. I have -seen one or two parcels, too much broken to come under the title of -Hyson skin, sell at 3<i>d.</i> to 6<i>d.</i> per lb. in London. It would be well if -some of the Indian planters would take a lesson from the Chinese, and -not send home their very low Teas, black or green, as they are very -difficult of sale in London, and in many cases cannot pay the cost of -packing and shipping. The Chinese make a great quantity of their -broken Teas into Brick Tea, and send it into the Central Provinces of -Asia, where it meets with a ready sale. I do not see why this should -not be done by the Indian growers. There is a large consumption of -Tea on the other side of the Himalayas, not very far from Darjeeling -and Assam. I hear also that in the neighbourhood of the growing -districts, especially in the North-west Provinces, the natives are -beginning to consume largely, and will pay 8 as. to 1 rupee for a Tea -that could not possibly fetch more than 1<i>s.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> per lb. in England. -Whether the natives of India, as a whole, do or do not take to drinking -Tea will have a material effect on the future prospects of the article.</p> - -<p>Before dropping the subject of Green Teas, I will say a word or -two as to the expediency of making Green Tea. I have questioned -several experienced people on the subject, but none can tell me their -especial object in manufacturing their leaf into Green Tea. One -gentleman told me that he thought it was because their Tea-makers -(Chinamen) knew better how to make greens than blacks. I have -carefully examined the leaf of several of the North-west Green Teas, -and, noticing their English sale prices, consider that they would -have sold on the average at least 3<i>d.</i> per lb. higher had they been -made into Black Tea. The best way to test this would be to have a -Green and a Black Tea made from the same leaf, and then to value -the one against the other. I regret that I have never had the opportunity -of doing this. We notice that the largest and most experienced -producers never make Green Tea.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p> - -<p>I must not pass over Caper without a short description. It is -a Tea which is made in large quantity in China, though I have only -seen one parcel of Indian growth. It forms a link between the black -and green descriptions. The colour of the leaf is a very dark green; -in form it is similar to a gunpowder, Imperial, or round leaf Congou. -The liquor is pale, and the out-turn green; flavour perhaps nearer to -that of a green than of a Black Tea.</p></div> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">BOXES. PACKING.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>By far the best Tea boxes are the teak ones made at -Rangoon. The wood is impervious to insects of all kinds, -even white ants. Sawn by machinery the pieces sent to -compose each box are very regular. The plank is half inch, -and each chest made up measures inside 23 by 18 by 18½ -inches, and necessarily outside 24 by 19 by 19½ inches. The -inner cubical contents are 7,659 cubic inches, and this -suffices for above one maund of fine, and under a maund of -coarse Tea.</p> - -<p>Each box is composed of fourteen pieces—viz., for the -two long sides three each, for the two short sides two each, -two for the bottom, and two for the lid. By the arrangement -of three pieces in the long sides, and two only in the -short sides, the centre piece of each long side is attached to -<i>both</i> the short end pieces, and thus great strength in the -box is ensured, there being no place where it can possibly -separate at the joints.</p> - -<p>These boxes are not made to “dovetail.” Each piece -(and they are sawn with mathematical regularity as to -length, breadth, and thickness) must be nailed to its neighbour. -The best nails for this are the kind called “French -Pins,” 1¾ inches long.</p> - -<p>The wood is sold at Rangoon in bundles, and could be -landed in Calcutta for about Re. 1-8 or 1-12 per box. The -boxes need not be made up till shortly before they are -wanted, and in this form, of compact bundles of short -pieces, are very convenient for transport and stowage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> - -<p>Of course in many districts these boxes are not procurable, -and local ones must be made. If so, use hard -wood, and make your boxes <i>about</i> the size given above, for -small boxes add much to the cost of freight.</p> - -<p>Let the planks be ⅝ inch thick, for ½ inch, that is, 4/8 inch -boards are not strong enough, except they are of teak or -any other very good wood.</p> - -<p>Take care the joints of the several pieces composing the -sides and ends do <i>not</i> coincide at the corners, for if they do -the box is very apt to come asunder.</p> - -<p>The best way to arrange the pieces is as described above -in the Rangoon boxes.</p> - -<p>“A form” must be made on which the inner leaden case -shall be constructed, that is, a well-made smooth box, to fit -<i>exactly</i> into the box you pack in. It must be some 3 inches -higher than the interior of the original box, and have bars -running across inside, for handles to lift it up, and let the -lead case slip off it, after it (the lead case) is finished.</p> - -<p>Solder your lead case, over your form, in the way to -waste least lead. In the Rangoon boxes described, two -large, two small sheets,<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> and one piece, 22 by 9 inches (let -in between the two large sheets) suffices, and there is little -or no waste.</p> - -<p>The lead case ready, hold up the form by the inner rods, -and let the case slide off. Put it at once into the packing-box, -taking care no nails protrude inside, or anything else -which will hurt it, and thus prepare all the boxes for the -break of Tea you are about to pack.</p> - -<p>One great advantage the Rangoon boxes, and in fact all -machine-sawn boxes, have is their equal, or nearly equal, -weight. Purchasers of Teas, at the public auctions, require -“the tare” of boxes to be as near the same weight as -possible. If the tares differ, say more than half-a-pound,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -the Tea will be depreciated in value.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> It is well there -should be about the same weight of Tea in all the boxes -that contain any one kind, but this is not essential, which -equality in tares is.</p> - -<p>Your boxes all ready and lined with lead, choose a fine -day for packing. Do this whether you finally dry the Tea in -the sun or over the dholes; for even in the latter case it is -well to avoid a damp day.</p> - -<p>But before you pack you must bulk. That is, you must -mix all the Tea, of any one kind, so intimately together -that samples taken out of any number of chests shall agree -exactly. This can be done by turning out all the Tea on a -large cloth placed on the floor, and turning it over and -over. No two days’ Teas are exactly alike, and you have -perhaps a month’s Teas to pack; it is therefore necessary -to mix them well.</p> - -<p>Though I know many planters think the fumes of -charcoal necessary and beneficial for the last drying, I do -not. I have tried both sun and charcoal, and no difference -was perceptible. The former costs nothing, is more commodious, -and I always apply it when possible. The sun -cannot burn the Teas; the charcoal, if the heat is too -great, may.</p> - -<p>Whether you use sun or charcoal, put the Tea hot into -the boxes. The <i>only</i> object of the final drying is to drive off -the moisture, which the Tea will certainly, in a more or less -degree, have imbibed since its manufacture. Even the large -zinc-lined bins which should be fitted up in all Tea stores, -and in which the Tea is placed after manufacture, will not -entirely prevent damp, so in all cases a final drying is -necessary.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> -<p>Keep it in the sun, or over the charcoal, until it is hot -throughout, hot enough to ensure all the moisture having -been driven off. Then put into the box enough to about -one-quarter fill it. Now let two men rock the box, over a -half-inch round iron bar, placed on the ground, until the -Tea has well settled. Then place a piece of carpet over -the Tea, the exact size of the box, and let a man stand -inside and press it down a minute or two with his feet. -Now fill up nearly another quarter, and press it again over -the carpet as before. Repeat this, putting less and less -into the box each time, as you near the top, until it is quite -full, but do not rock it at all the last two or three times, -only press it with the feet as described. No patent screw -press, or anything else, will pack the Tea better or more -closely than this plan, and when the men are practised -at it, you will find there will not be a difference of more -than two or three lbs. in the Teas of any one kind put into -the boxes.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a></p> - -<p>The box full, just even with the top, and well pressed -down to the last, lay over the Tea a piece of the silver -paper, which is found inserted between each sheet in the -lead boxes. This prevents any solder or resin getting on -the Tea when soldering the top. Now fit on the lead sheet -top, solder, and nail on the wooden lid.</p> - -<p><i>Weight of Tea in each box.</i>—The boxes ready lined, with -a lead cover loose, must be all weighed <i>before</i> the Tea is -packed, and again <i>after</i> they are filled and soldered down, -but <i>before</i> the wooden lid is put on. The difference of these -weights, minus the weight of the little solder used in fastening -down the top lead (for which allow say one pound to -give a margin also), will be the net weight of Tea in each -box.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> -<p>Thin iron hooping, put round both ends of the boxes, -much increases their strength, and is not expensive.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> - -<p>Stamp each box on its lid and on one end.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> Use for -this zinc plates, with the necessary marks cut out in them. -A brush run over these with the colouring matter does the -work well and quickly.</p> - -<p>Let the stamp comprise the kind of Tea, the plantation -or owner’s mark, the number of the box, and the year; for -<span class="lock">instance—</span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/zill_t151.png" width="400" height="304" alt="Pekoe. A C B D. No. 80 1871" /> -</div> - -<p>The invoice you send with the break must give for each -box the number, the gross weight, the tare, the net Tea, and -the kind of Tea, with a declaration at foot that the Teas of -each kind have been respectively well bulked and mixed -together before packing.</p> - -<p>Remember the larger the quantity of Tea, of any one -kind, to be sold at one auction, the higher the price it will -probably fetch. Sell, if possible, twenty or thirty chests of -one kind of Tea at the same time, for small quantities as a -rule sell below large, both in Calcutta and London.</p> - -<p>Equality of tares is the most important point to attend -to in packing Teas. It may be difficult, but with machine-sawn -boxes, nearly the same weight, any difference must be -made up with extra hooping, lead, solder, or nails. Anyhow -it <i>must</i> be done, so that no tares shall differ more than half-a-pound -(see foot-note page <a href="#Page_149">149</a>).</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MANAGEMENT. ACCOUNTS. FORMS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>System and order, a good memory, a good temper, firmness, -attention to details, agricultural knowledge, industry, -all these, combined with a thorough knowledge of Tea -cultivation and Tea manufacture, are the requisites for the -successful management of a Tea plantation.</p> - -<p>To find men with <i>all</i> these qualities is, I allow, not very -easy, still they do exist, and such a one must be had if -success in Tea is looked for.</p> - -<p>Before the work is given out each day, the manager -should decide exactly what is most required, and apply it -to that. He should write down, when distributing the men, -the works, and the number employed on each. This paper -he should carry in his pocket, and he can then verify the -men at work at each or any place when he visits it during -the day.</p> - -<p>The writer, the moonshee, and the jemadar (if there is -one), should write similar papers when the coolies are -mustered in the morning, and the manager should detail -to each of these men which work they are particularly -responsible for. This should also be shown in the “Morning -Paper.”</p> - -<p>Each of the above men then measures out the work to -the coolies; visits it once or oftener in the day, and -measures all that remains undone at night. A daily report -of the work is kept, written by the writer in the evening.</p> - -<p>The two forms given below are those I have adopted. -The latter is suited to local labour paid daily, but it can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -easily be altered to suit either local labour paid monthly or -imported coolies.</p> - -<p>This is the Morning Paper.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="work"><i>Work to be done on</i></td><td colspan="5" class="year">188 .</td></tr> -<tr><td>Detail</td><td>No. of Garden</td><td>In whose charge</td><td>Headman on the Work</td><td>Probable number</td><td>Actual number</td></tr> -<tr><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="5" class="right">Total Coolies</td><td></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>The column of “Probable numbers” is given so that -before it is known exactly how many men will be present -for work they can be divided in the most likely way.</p> - -<p>Each headman (called “Mate,” “Mangee,” &c., in different -districts) is best designated by a letter or number. In -neither form would there be room to put in names at length.</p> - -<p>The form below written in the evening is made into a -book for each month. The advantages of it for after -reference are great, and it can of course be altered to suit -the kind of labour employed on any garden.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="work"><i>Work on</i></td><td colspan="5" class="center for"><i>for</i></td><td class="year">188 .</td></tr> -<tr><td>Detail of Work</td><td>No. of Garden</td><td>Mangees</td><td>Chupp</td><td class="fixedw"> </td><td class="fixedw"> </td><td>Coolies</td><td>Measurement and Remarks</td></tr> -<tr><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td class="center">As.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Total at Work</td><td rowspan="4" class="fixedh"></td><td rowspan="4" class="fixedh"></td><td rowspan="4" class="fixedh"></td><td rowspan="4" class="fixedh"></td><td rowspan="4" class="fixedh"></td><td class="center">× 3 =</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Command</td><td class="center">× 2½ =</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Sick</td><td class="center">× 2 =</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Absent</td><td class="center">× 1½ =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="total" colspan="2">Total</td><td class="fixedw bbottom"></td><td class="fixedw bbottom"></td><td class="fixedw bbottom"></td><td class="fixedw bbottom"></td><td class="fixedw bbottom"></td><td class="center">× 1 =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="open" colspan="7"></td><td class="bordertop">Picking Leaf =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="open" colspan="7"></td><td class="open">Making Tea =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="open" colspan="7"></td><td class="open">Tea Sorting =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="open" colspan="7"></td><td class="btopbottom">Cut =</td></tr> -<tr><td class="open" colspan="7"></td><td>Total =</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p>The following is the plan I recommend for the leaf-picking -and the Tea accounts.</p> - -<p>The leaf of each picker is best measured in the field, -and, as loads are collected, brought to the factory by one or -two men throughout the day. It entails a loss of time, and -further a depreciation in the leaf, if it is kept long in a close<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -mass in one basket, which is the case when each picker -brings his or her leaf to the factory twice a day. The -pickers are paid so much per basket, holding in any case -2½ lbs. I find the most convenient plan is to give the -mangee in charge of the pickers tickets of any kind for this, -which tickets are changed for money in the evening. As -each load of leaf comes in through the day it is weighed, -and this gives a check on the tickets given by the mangee -or mate. This is the meaning of the two columns in the -form below, “tickets by leaf” and “tickets paid.”</p> - -<p>In the form the first column of “leaf results” shows the -condition of the leaf when picked, whether wet (W) or dry -(D). Unless this were noted the proper amount of Teas -the leaf <i>ought</i> to make could not be known, and there would -be no check against theft, which is carried on to a great -extent in many gardens.</p> - -<p>As explained previously, only the sections ready in each -garden are picked. The sections are not entered in the -form, only the number of the garden. The flushes now -noted are the 20th, in some the 21st, or 22nd in others.</p> - -<p>The Tea is calculated from the leaf. It should be 25 per -cent. if the leaf is picked dry, and 22 per cent. if picked -wet. As each load comes in a memorandum is made as to -whether it is dry or wet, and the figures in the column “Tea -should be” are thus found.</p> - -<p>The Tea is weighed the morning after it is made and -entered in the column “Tea made.” The percentage it -bears to the leaf is then calculated and entered in the -account column.</p> - -<p>After sifting the whole is weighed again, and the result -entered in the column “Tea after sifting.” Doing this is -very important, for it checks theft. Directly after it is -weighed this second time it is put in the bins in the store.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Daily Leaf and Tea Account.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="center" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th colspan="5" class="center"><span class="smcap">Tea Results.</span></th><th colspan="8" class="center"> <span class="smcap">Leaf Results.</span></th></tr> -<tr><th rowspan="2" class="left">Date</th><th rowspan="2" class="left">Tea should be</th><th rowspan="2" class="left"> Tea made</th><th rowspan="2" class="left"> Per cent.</th><th rowspan="2" class="left">Tea after it is sifted</th><th rowspan="2" class="left">State of leaf</th><th colspan="2" class="left">Tickets</th><th class="center"></th><th colspan="3" class="left"> Flushes</th><th rowspan="2" class="center">Total leaf</th></tr> -<tr><th class="center"> By leaf</th><th class="center"> Paid</th><th class="center">Number of Garden</th><th class="center"> 20</th><th class="center"> 21</th><th class="center"> 22</th></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="4" class="left">October<br />Sunday, 1st</td><td rowspan="4"> „</td><td rowspan="4"> „</td><td rowspan="4"> „</td><td rowspan="4"> „</td><td rowspan="4"> 220W<br />600D</td><td rowspan="4"> 410</td><td rowspan="4"> 360 </td><td> 3</td><td> „</td><td> 170</td><td> „</td><td rowspan="4"> 820</td></tr> -<tr><td> 5</td><td> 310</td><td> „</td><td> „</td></tr> -<tr><td>7</td><td> 112</td><td> „</td><td> „</td></tr> -<tr><td>8</td><td> „</td><td> „</td><td> 228</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="left">Monday, 2nd</td><td rowspan="2"> 198</td><td rowspan="2"> 200</td><td rowspan="2"> 24</td><td rowspan="2"> 199</td><td rowspan="2"> D</td><td rowspan="2"> 462</td><td rowspan="2"> 440 </td><td> 3</td><td> „</td><td> 515</td><td> „</td><td rowspan="2"> 925</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">9</td><td> 410</td><td> „</td><td> „</td></tr> - -<tr><td rowspan="3" class="left">Tuesday, 3rd</td><td rowspan="3"> 231</td><td rowspan="3"> 230</td><td rowspan="3"> 25</td><td rowspan="3"> 233</td><td rowspan="3"> W</td><td rowspan="3"> 200</td><td rowspan="3"> 180 </td><td>1</td><td> 430</td><td> „</td><td> „</td><td rowspan="3"> 800</td></tr> -<tr><td> 2</td><td> „</td><td> „</td><td> 160</td></tr> -<tr><td>3</td><td> „</td><td> 210</td><td> „</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Wednesday, 4th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Thursday, 5th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Friday, 6th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Saturday, 7th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Total for the week</td><td> „</td><td> Mds. lbs.<br />1632</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -</table></div> -<p>If this system is carried out, no Tea (exceeding a pound -or so) can be stolen without its being at once missed, and -the importance of this cannot be exaggerated. Tea proprietors -do not guess <i>how</i> much is lost in this way. Maunds -upon maunds might be stolen in many gardens, and unless -the theft were accidentally discovered there is nothing in -the Tea accounts to show it to the manager.</p> - -<p>I have suppositiously filled up the three first days of the -form. The 820 lbs. leaf picked on Sunday is made into -Tea on Monday. The 198 is written down Sunday evening. -On Tuesday morning, when the Tea is weighed and found -to be 200 lbs., that is entered in the Monday line, as also -the percentage. On Tuesday evening, after it is sifted and -made into different Teas, it is weighed again and found to -be 199 lbs., and so entered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<p>In dry weather after sifting, owing to dust flying off, it -is always a little less. In wet weather, on the contrary, it -increases in weight. In the Tuesday line where “W” -shows it was a wet day and the Tea 230 lbs. before sifting -it, is 233 afterwards. This is owing to moisture imbibed, -and it is the only objection to sifting daily, whatever the -weather. The advantages of the plan, though, are so great, -as explained, that I put up with this, and practically I do -not find it detrimental. Of course, as previously explained, -all moisture is driven off before the Tea is <i>packed</i>. However, -to make all quite safe, after a very wet damp day, the -Teas might be re-dried for a few minutes over charcoal -before being put into their respective bins. I do not do this -myself though, and do not think it necessary.</p> - -<p>I hope now I have made the above form plain. It is in -a book, and each page will hold one week. The total of the -Tea made in the week is added up and shown at foot, and -that amount is then transferred to the credit side of the -Tea store account. Thus (see both forms) 16 maunds -32 lbs. is credited.</p> - -<p>The form given on the next page is also kept in a book, -and the total of right-hand side subtracted from the left -gives at any time the quantity of Tea in store.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Tea Store Account.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th colspan="6"><span class="smcap">Receipts</span></th><th colspan="8"><span class="smcap">Expenditure</span></th></tr> -<tr><th colspan="2" rowspan="2">Week ending on Saturday</th><th colspan="2">Tea made in week</th><th colspan="2">Total</th><th rowspan="2" colspan="2">Date</th><th rowspan="2">No. of Invoice</th><th rowspan="2">To whom</th><th colspan="2">Tea in each Invoice</th><th colspan="2">Total</th></tr> -<tr><th>Mds.</th><th>lbs.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>lbs.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>lbs.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>lbs.</th></tr> -<tr><td>Brought over</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>405</td><td>8</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Brought over</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>351</td><td>14</td></tr> -<tr><td>October</td><td>7th</td><td>16</td><td>32</td><td></td><td></td><td>October</td><td>3</td><td>15</td><td>—</td><td>40</td><td>15</td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td>„</td><td>14th</td><td>15</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td>„</td><td>20</td><td>16</td><td>—</td><td>33</td><td>10</td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td>„</td><td>21st</td><td>17</td><td>10</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>73</td><td>25</td></tr> -<tr><td>„</td><td>28th</td><td>14</td><td>40</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td></td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>63</td><td>2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td><td class="fixedh"></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="4">Carried over</td><td></td><td></td><td colspan="4">Carried over</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Regarding accounts between the manager and his employers, -I think they should be of the simplest kind. If a -man <i>can</i> be trusted he <i>should</i> be trusted; if he cannot, no -system of accounts will restrain him, and he should be -kicked out. A simple account current, furnished monthly, -showing under few heads the receipts and expenditure, is all -that can be required. It is not by <i>any</i> papers received from -a manager that an opinion can be expressed as to how he -does his work, and how the plantation progresses. A competent -person visiting the garden can easily ascertain, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -in default of this, and combined with this, the only true test -is the balance sheet at the end of each season.</p> - -<p>Shortly, it is not by the form, the nicety, the detail of -accounts between manager and employer, that success is -ensured or even forwarded. It is, as far as accounts are -concerned, by the forms and <i>system</i> the manager adopts as -between him and his subordinates, and these he should be -able to show are good to the employer, or anyone deputed -by him to visit the garden.</p> - -<p>The profit shown yearly, whether it is large or small, -all things considered, is, however, the only true ultimate -test.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">COST OF MANUFACTURE, PACKING, TRANSPORT, ETC.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>These are as follow:—They will vary more or less according -to the district, rate of wages, &c., but in the form the tables -are given, if not suitable to any case, they can easily be -made so.</p> - -<p>I have added sorting, packing, freight to Calcutta, and -broker’s charges in Calcutta, to the cost, so that all is -included from the moment the green leaf is picked off the -trees till the hammer falls at the public auction.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Table cost of Manufacture, Sorting, Packing, Transport to -Calcutta, and Broker’s Charges for each maund of Tea.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="center"><i>Manufacture.</i></th><th><span class="smcap">Rs.</span></th><th><span class="smcap">As.</span></th><th><span class="smcap lowercase">P.</span></th><th><span class="smcap">Rs.</span></th><th><span class="smcap">As.</span></th><th><span class="smcap lowercase">P.</span></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1 head man with the pickers, say</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">320 lbs. green leaf picked, at 1 pice per lb.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1 man withering above leaf, at say 4 annas</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">¼ share head man in rolling house</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">10⅔ men rolling above, at 30 lbs. leaf per man, and say 4 annas per man</td><td>2</td><td>10</td><td>8</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">¼ boy clearing out ashes of Dhole house, at say 2 annas</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">¼ share head man in Dhole house</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>1 man firing “Dhole work” say</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">¾ maund charcoal for Dhole work, at 8 annas</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Lights for night work, viz., turning green leaf and dholing, say</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Wear and tear of dhallas, baskets, picking baskets, fuel for artificial withering, &c.</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>10</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td colspan="3" class="center">⸺⸺</td><td>9</td><td>7</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><th class="center"><i>Sifting and Sorting.</i></th><th colspan="6"></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1½ boys to pick out red leaf, at say 2 annas</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1 sifting man, at say 4 annas</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Wear and tear of sieves, say</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td colspan="3" class="center">⸺⸺</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><th class="center"><i>Packing.</i></th><th colspan="6"></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1 box</td><td>1</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">4 sheets lead, viz., 2 large and 2 small.</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Labour of lining box with lead, solder, closing lead, closing wooden box, stamping, and cost of nails</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Labour of drying previous to packing, whether in sun, or over dholes, including charcoal, if the latter are used</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>9</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Labour of filling the box, shaking it well, and pressing down the Tea (2 men)</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td colspan="3" class="center">⸺⸺</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><th class="center"><i>Transport.</i></th><th colspan="6"></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Freight to Calcutta for one maund Tea, say</td><td>1</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td colspan="3" class="center">⸺⸺</td><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>1</td><td>12</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><th class="center"><i>Broker’s Charges in Calcutta.</i></th><th colspan="6"></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Landing, lotting, and advertising per chest</td><td>0</td><td>14</td><td>0</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Brokerage at 1 per cent. on the amount sale, say Rs. 70 for the maund</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td colspan="3" class="center">⸺⸺</td><td>1</td><td>9</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Total for one maund of Tea<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td class="btopbottom">16</td><td class="btopbottom">9</td><td class="btopbottom">0</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>N.B.—If more than two maunds Tea are made per day, -some of the items under head of “Manufacture” would be -a little less. See page <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, where it will be seen that each -maund of Tea is worth to the manufacturer (after deducting -all costs) Rs. 50.</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">COST OF MAKING A 300-ACRE TEA GARDEN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>In the following estimate 100 acres are supposed to be -planted the first year, 100 acres the second, and 100 acres -the third.</p> - -<p>To elucidate a table I shall draw up in the next chapter -showing the probable receipts and expenditure on such a -garden for a series of years, I shall suppose this plantation -to be begun in 1875, and number the years accordingly.</p> - -<p>The expenditure would truly, in the supposed case, begin -in the latter part of 1874, but it is more convenient to -regard it as commencing 1st January, 1875.</p> - -<p>I estimate all new cultivation as planted “at stake,” -that is, the seed sown <i>in situ</i>. Nurseries are only to fill up -vacancies.</p> - -<p>I shall not pretend in this to go into minute details, such -as are given at page <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, for it is simply impossible to do so. -The cost of making a plantation must vary greatly, being -determined by climate, available labour and its rates, lay of -land, nature of jungle to clear, &c., &c. In this estimate -only round numbers can be dealt with. The prices I assume -are average ones, neither suited to very heavy jungle, and -very expensive labour, or the <span class="lock">reverse:—</span></p> - - -<div class="lefttable"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left"><i>1st year</i> (1875).</th><th><span class="smcap">Rs.</span></th><th><span class="smcap">Rs.</span></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Purchase 700 acres land, at Rs. 8 per acre</td><td>5,600</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>40 maunds seed, at Rs. 70<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></td><td>2,800</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries for vacancies and labour transplanting<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></td><td>200</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">First temporary buildings</td><td>1,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">All expenditure to plant 100 acres, at Rs. 80 per acre<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></td><td>8,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating the said 100 acres first year, at Rs. 50 per acre<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></td><td>5,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">22,600</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><i>2nd year</i> (1876).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">60 maunds seed, at Rs. 70<a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></td><td>4,200</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></td><td>300</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Repairs, buildings and some new ones still of a temporary nature</td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">All expenditure to plant the second 100 acres, at Rs. 70 per acre<a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></td><td>7,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 60, second 100 acres, at Rs. 50 per acre<a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></td><td>11,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">23,000</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><i>3rd year</i> (1877).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">70 maunds seeds, at Rs. 70<a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></td><td>4,900</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></td><td>400</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Buildings for Tea manufacture (temporary) and repairs to buildings</td><td>3,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">8,300</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>All expenditure to plant the third 100 acres, at Rs. 60 per acre<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></td><td>6,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 70, second at Rs. 60, third at Rs. 50 per acre<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a></td><td>18,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">24,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Interest on first year’s outlay, two and a half years, second year’s outlay, one and a half years, third year’s outlay half year, at Rs. 5 per cent. per annum.</td><td></td><td>5,357</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Total expense to make the 300-acre garden</td><td></td><td class="btopbottom">83,257</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>The garden is now made at a cost, including interest on -all outlay of Rs. 83,257, and I am very confident that a good -300-acre garden can, as set out, be made for that sum. The -rates assumed are so liberal that a fair margin is allowed for -bad seed or any other misfortune.</p> - - -<div class="lefttable"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th class="left"><i>4th year</i> (1878).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">20 maunds seed, at Rs. 70<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a></td><td>1,400</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Repairs, buildings<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 80, second at Rs. 70, third at Rs. 60 per acre<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></td><td>21,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">23,400</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span><i>5th year</i> (1879).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">10 maunds seeds, at Rs. 70<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></td><td>700</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Repairs, buildings<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 90, second at Rs. 80, third at Rs. 70 per acre<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></td><td>24,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">25,700</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><i>6th year</i> (1880).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Repairs buildings<a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 100, second at Rs. 90, third at Rs. 80 per acre<a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></td><td>27,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">28,000</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><i>7th year</i> (1881).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Building a permanent Tea Factory and Tea Store and repairs to building<a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></td><td>12,500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first 100 acres, at Rs. 100, second at Rs. 100, third at Rs. 90 per acre<a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></td><td>29,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">42,000</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><i>8th year</i> (1882).</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries and labour transplanting<a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></td><td>500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">New permanent houses for Manager and Assistant, and repairs to buildings<a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></td><td>8,500</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating first, second, and third 100 acres, at Rs. 100 per acre<a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></td><td>30,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">39,000</td></tr> -<tr><th class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span><i>9th year (1883), and all years after.</i></th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Nurseries, at Rs. 500<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Repairs to buildings, at Rs. 500<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></td><td>1,000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cultivating the 300 acres, at Rs. 100 per acre<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></td><td>30,000</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">—</td><td class="right">31,000</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Nothing is allowed for interest after the third year, for -soon after that, viz., fifth year, the garden begins to give -profits on the yearly operations.</p> - -<p>All the above figures are carried out in the table in the -next chapter, page <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, and how large the profits on Tea -may be will there be seen.</p> - -<p>In none of the estimates of cost, up to this, is the -expense of manufacturing the Tea included. It would have -been very inconvenient to do so. The cost is so much per -maund of Tea, and I prefer estimating the Tea at its -market rate <i>minus</i> the cost of manufacture shown at pages -<a href="#Page_70">70</a> and <a href="#Page_162">162</a>.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">HOW MUCH PROFIT TEA CAN GIVE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>We have already estimated the cost of making and cultivating -a plantation of 300 acres. We must now ascertain how -much Tea that area will give yearly.</p> - -<p>It is a very wide question what produce an acre of Tea -will give.</p> - -<p>The following is an extract from the “Report of the Commissioners -appointed to enquire into the state and prospects -of Tea cultivation in Assam and Cachar,” addressed to the -Government of Bengal, and dated March, <span class="lock">1868:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="center">“<i>Average produce per acre.</i>”</p> - -<p>“The returns of actual produce of gardens in 1867 which we have -obtained are so few in number that it is impossible to take any general -average from them. The produce in these varies from three-and-a-half -maunds to one-and-a-half maunds per acre, omitting the more -recently formed gardens.</p> - -<p>“From information received during our tour we have reason to -believe that some gardens produce more than the highest rate per acre -here mentioned; but, in the absence of returns of exact acreage and -out-turn, we cannot notice these instances.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Haworth, in his pamphlet already quoted, speaks of the -produce of Cachar gardens as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>“‘I believe that three maunds per acre is fully one-third more -than the present average yield of gardens in Cachar, after deducting -the area of plant under yielding age.</p> - -<p>“‘There is no reason, that I am aware of, why the yield of Tea -should not soon be raised to four maunds, and more gradually six -maunds per acre, equal to twenty-four maunds of leaf per acre (less -than one ton per acre for a green crop, which is still a very small one). -Even now there are gardens in Cachar which give an average of from five<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -to six maunds per acre this season. Some of these gardens have really -no apparent advantage over their less fortunate neighbours, beyond -that of a somewhat better system of cultivation and pruning; and -these improvements even are to such a small degree ahead of the -general practice, that I feel justified in saying I cannot place a limit on -what the increased yield should be under a more rational system of -cultivation, and the application of manures on a liberal scale, leaving -out of consideration altogether what might reasonably be expected -from a good system of drainage in addition.’</p> - -<p>“Mr. James Stuart, Manager of the Bengal Tea Company’s -gardens in Cachar, has also given two maunds an acre as the general -average of Cachar gardens for the past season, including young -gardens of two, three, and four years old.</p> - -<p>“We do not think it necessary to quote in detail the opinions of -all the gentlemen examined by us on the subject of average produce -per acre. A garden that can give four maunds per acre is undoubtedly -a good one, and we have no doubt there are such, or even better; but -we do not think they are so common as to warrant our taking more -than three maunds as a safe average.”</p></div> - -<p>Mr. A. C. Campbell, Extra Assistant Commissioner at -Burpettah, in his “Notes on Tea Cultivation in Assam,” published -in the Journal of the Agricultural and Horticultural -Society of India, part 3, vol. xii., page 309, says:—“Good -Tea land can be made to yield as high as seven maunds per -poora.” I forget exactly how much a poora is, but I believe -it is nearly an acre.</p> - -<p>In the Report to Government by the Commissioners, -quoted above, at page 9, Mr. T. Burland, after estimating -the cost of cultivation per acre per mensem at Rs. 9-10-2, -adds:—“With the above expenditure per acre it is probable -that much more than five maunds of Tea will be obtained -from an acre of fair plant.”<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p> - -<p>All these estimates, however, are based on the cultivation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -of Tea as carried on hitherto with few exceptions, that is -to say, on gardens covered with weeds for many months in -the year, and to which no manure has ever been given. -With such cultivation, particularly on gardens planted on -slopes, I think myself that the yield will not exceed four -maunds <i>at the outside</i>.</p> - -<p>High cultivation and liberal manuring will, I believe, at -least double the above, if the plants are of a high class. -However, here I give a table on the subject which I have -carefully framed.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><i>Estimate of probable yield per acre on flat land, good soil, in a -good Tea climate, and with hybrid plants, if really high -cultivation and liberal manuring is carried out.</i></p></div> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Year</th><th>Supposed Year</th><th>Estimated yield per acre in maunds<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></th></tr> -<tr><td>1st</td><td>1875</td><td>—</td></tr> -<tr><td>2nd</td><td>1876</td><td>—</td></tr> -<tr><td>3rd</td><td>1877</td><td>½</td></tr> -<tr><td>4th</td><td>1878</td><td>2</td></tr> -<tr><td>5th</td><td>1879<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></td><td>4</td></tr> -<tr><td>6th</td><td>1880</td><td>5</td></tr> -<tr><td>7th</td><td>1881</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td>8th</td><td>1882</td><td>7</td></tr> -<tr><td>9th</td><td>1883</td><td>7½</td></tr> -<tr><td>10th</td><td>1884<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></td><td>8</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> - -<p>I do not think plants reach to perfect maturity under -eight or ten years.</p> - -<p>That eight maunds per acre as estimated in the table -just given <i>can</i> be realised, under the conditions stated, I -have no doubt whatever, but I am equally certain that the -size of some gardens in India must be much reduced if even -five or six maunds are looked for.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> Not only must they be -reduced in size, but they must be highly cultivated, must -be manured, and no vacancies allowed. However, I have -dwelt on all these points before, and need not repeat here, -for unless the reader is convinced before this that a large -area and low cultivation won’t pay, it were waste to write -more.</p> - -<p>I now give a table showing the result for twelve years of -a plantation such as I have advised.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> -<p class="center">TABLE SHOWING THE ESTIMATED RESULTS FOR 12 YEARS OF A 300-ACRE PLANTATION, IN A -GOOD TEA CLIMATE, HIGHLY CULTIVATED AND LIBERALLY MANURED.</p> - - -<div class="center nomobile"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th colspan="3"><span class="smcap">Year and Rate of yielding in maunds</span></th> -<th colspan="5"><span class="smcap">Yield in maunds of 300 acres and its Value</span></th> -<th colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Yearly Results</span></th> -<th colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Final Results</span></th> -<th rowspan="3"><span class="smcap">Remarks.</span></th></tr> - -<tr><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th> -<th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th> -<th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th></tr> -<tr><th>Year</th><th>Yield per acre as per page <a href="#Page_170">170</a></th> -<th>Supposed year</th><th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1875</th> -<th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1876</th> -<th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1877</th> -<th>Total yearly yield in maunds</th><th>Value per maund</th> -<th>Receipt from sale of Tea</th> -<th>Total expenditure detailed at pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></th><th>Yearly Profit</th><th>Yearly Loss</th><th>Total receipts to end of each year</th><th>Total expenditure to end of each year</th><th>Balance to credit end of each year</th><th>Balance to debit end of each year</th></tr> - - -<tr><th></th><th>Mds.</th><th></th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th> -<td class="left vtop" rowspan="13">Rs. 50 per maund, after cost of manufacture, packing, -and transport are deducted, see pages <a href="#Page_70">70</a> & <a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> -<th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th> -<td class="left" rowspan="13"><p>It will be seen from this table as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>1. About Rs. 90,000 of capital is necessary to make a plantation as quick as this. If made more gradually, very much less would suffice.</p> -<p>2. There is no yearly profit until the fifth year.</p> -<p>3. By the eighth year all the outlay is recovered.</p> -<p>This table has been prepared with great care, and the authority for the figures assumed has been arrived at in previous parts. (<i>See</i> headings of the Cols. for the pages and note at foot.)</p> -<p>At the following pages will be found the calculations for the figures assumed:—Col. 2, page <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; Col. 8, pages <a href="#Page_70">70</a> and <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; Col. 10, pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</p> -<p>I believe this table represents truly what Tea, with all the necessary advantages detailed in the next page, can do.</p> -</td></tr> -<tr><td>1</td><td>..</td><td>1875</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td> -<td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td></tr> -<tr><td>2</td><td>..</td><td>1876</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td> - -<td>23,000</td><td>..</td><td>23,000</td><td>..</td><td>45,600</td><td>..</td><td>45,600</td></tr> -<tr><td>3</td><td>½</td><td>1877</td><td>½</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>50</td> -<td>2,500</td><td>37,657<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></td><td>..</td><td>35,157</td><td>2,500</td><td>83,257</td><td>..</td><td>80,757</td></tr> -<tr><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1878</td><td>2</td><td>½</td><td>..</td><td>250</td><td>12,500</td> -<td>23,400</td><td>..</td><td>10,900</td><td>15,000</td><td>1,06,657</td><td>..</td><td>91,657</td></tr> -<tr><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1879</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>½</td><td>650</td><td>32,500</td> -<td>25,700</td><td>6,800</td><td>..</td><td>47,500</td><td>1,32,357</td><td>..</td><td>84,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>1880</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1,100</td><td>55,000</td> -<td>28,000</td><td>27,000</td><td>..</td><td>1,02,500</td><td>1,60,357</td><td>..</td><td>57,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>1881</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1,500</td><td>75,000</td> -<td>42,000</td><td>33,000</td><td>..</td><td>1,77,500</td><td>2,02,357</td><td>..</td><td>24,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>1882</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>1,800</td><td>90,000</td> -<td>39,000</td><td>51,000</td><td>..</td><td>2,67,500</td><td>2,41,357</td><td>26,143</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>9</td><td>7½</td><td>1883</td><td>7½</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>2,050</td> -<td>1,02,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>71,500</td><td>..</td><td>3,70,000</td><td>2,72,357</td><td>97,643</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>10</td><td>8</td><td>1884</td><td>8</td><td>7½</td><td>7</td><td>2,250</td> -<td>1,12,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>81,500</td><td>..</td><td>4,82,500</td><td>3,03,357</td> -<td>1,79,143</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>11</td><td>8</td><td>1885</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>7½</td><td>2,350</td> -<td>1,17,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>86,500</td><td>..</td><td>6,00,000</td><td>3,34,357</td> -<td>2,65,643</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>12</td><td>8</td><td>1886</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>2,400</td><td>1,20,000</td> -<td>31,000</td><td>89,000</td><td>..</td><td>7,20,000</td><td>3,65,357</td><td>3,54,643</td> -<td>..</td></tr> - -</table></div> - - - - - - - -<div class="center mobileonly"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th colspan="3"><span class="smcap">Year and Rate of yielding in maunds</span></th> -<th colspan="5"><span class="smcap">Yield in maunds of 300 acres and its Value</span></th> -</tr> - -<tr><th>1</th><th>2</th><th>3</th><th>4</th><th>5</th><th>6</th> -<th>7</th><th>8</th></tr> -<tr><th>Year</th><th>Yield per acre as per page <a href="#Page_170">170</a></th> -<th>Supposed year</th><th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1875</th> -<th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1876</th> -<th>Rate yield of 100 acres, planted in 1877</th> -<th>Total yearly yield in maunds</th><th>Value per maund</th> -</tr> - - -<tr><th></th><th>Mds.</th><th></th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th><th>Mds.</th> -<td class="left vtop" rowspan="13">Rs. 50 per maund, after cost of manufacture, packing, -and transport are deducted, see pages <a href="#Page_70">70</a> & <a href="#Page_162">162</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td>1</td><td>..</td><td>1875</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>2</td><td>..</td><td>1876</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>3</td><td>½</td><td>1877</td><td>½</td><td>..</td><td>..</td><td>50</td> -</tr> -<tr><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1878</td><td>2</td><td>½</td><td>..</td><td>250</td></tr> -<tr><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1879</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>½</td><td>650</td></tr> -<tr><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>1880</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1,100</td></tr> -<tr><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>1881</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>1,500</td></tr> -<tr><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>1882</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>1,800</td></tr> -<tr><td>9</td><td>7½</td><td>1883</td><td>7½</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>2,050</td> -</tr> -<tr><td>10</td><td>8</td><td>1884</td><td>8</td><td>7½</td><td>7</td><td>2,250</td> -</tr> -<tr><td>11</td><td>8</td><td>1885</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>7½</td><td>2,350</td> -</tr> -<tr><td>12</td><td>8</td><td>1886</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>2,400</td></tr> - -</table> - - - -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Yearly Results</span></th> -<th colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Final Results</span></th> -</tr> - -<tr><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th> -<th>13</th><th>14</th><th>15</th><th>16</th></tr> - -<tr><th>Receipt from sale of Tea</th> -<th>Total expenditure detailed at pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></th><th>Yearly Profit</th><th>Yearly Loss</th><th>Total receipts to end of each year</th><th>Total expenditure to end of each year</th><th>Balance to credit end of each year</th><th>Balance to debit end of each year</th></tr> - -<tr><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th><th>Rs.</th> -</tr> - -<tr><td>..</td> -<td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td><td>..</td><td>22,600</td></tr> -<tr><td>..</td> -<td>23,000</td><td>..</td><td>23,000</td><td>..</td><td>45,600</td><td>..</td><td>45,600</td></tr> - -<tr><td>2,500</td><td>37,657<a name="FNanchor_83_83a" id="FNanchor_83_83a"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83a" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></td><td>..</td><td>35,157</td><td>2,500</td><td>83,257</td><td>..</td><td>80,757</td></tr> -<tr><td>12,500</td> -<td>23,400</td><td>..</td><td>10,900</td><td>15,000</td><td>1,06,657</td><td>..</td><td>91,657</td></tr> -<tr><td>32,500</td> -<td>25,700</td><td>6,800</td><td>..</td><td>47,500</td><td>1,32,357</td><td>..</td><td>84,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>55,000</td> -<td>28,000</td><td>27,000</td><td>..</td><td>1,02,500</td><td>1,60,357</td><td>..</td><td>57,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>75,000</td> -<td>42,000</td><td>33,000</td><td>..</td><td>1,77,500</td><td>2,02,357</td><td>..</td><td>24,857</td></tr> -<tr><td>90,000</td> -<td>39,000</td><td>51,000</td><td>..</td><td>2,67,500</td><td>2,41,357</td><td>26,143</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>1,02,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>71,500</td><td>..</td><td>3,70,000</td><td>2,72,357</td><td>97,643</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>1,12,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>81,500</td><td>..</td><td>4,82,500</td><td>3,03,357</td> -<td>1,79,143</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>1,17,500</td><td>31,000</td><td>86,500</td><td>..</td><td>6,00,000</td><td>3,34,357</td> -<td>2,65,643</td><td>..</td></tr> -<tr><td>1,20,000</td> -<td>31,000</td><td>89,000</td><td>..</td><td>7,20,000</td><td>3,65,357</td><td>3,54,643</td> -<td>..</td></tr> - -</table> -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Remarks.</span></p> -<p>It will be seen from this table as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>1. About Rs. 90,000 of capital is necessary to make a plantation as quick as this. If made more gradually, very much less would suffice.</p> -<p>2. There is no yearly profit until the fifth year.</p> -<p>3. By the eighth year all the outlay is recovered.</p> -<p>This table has been prepared with great care, and the authority for the figures assumed has been arrived at in previous parts. (<i>See</i> headings of the Cols. for the pages and note at foot.)</p> -<p>At the following pages will be found the calculations for the figures assumed:—Col. 2, page <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; Col. 8, pages <a href="#Page_70">70</a> and <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; Col. 10, pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</p> -<p>I believe this table represents truly what Tea, with all the necessary advantages detailed in the next page, can do.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> - -<p>The necessities for success in Tea <span class="lock">are:—</span></p> - - -<ul><li>1. A good climate.</li> - -<li>2. A good site.</li> - -<li>3. Perfect knowledge in Tea cultivation and Tea -manufacture on the proprietor’s part or that -of his manager.</li> - -<li>4. Seed from a high class of plants.</li> - -<li>5. Local or cheap imported labour.</li> - -<li>6. Facilities for manuring.</li> - -<li>7. Cheap transport.</li></ul> - - -<p>Do not dispense, though, with even <i>one</i> of the seven points -named, for the truth is simply, that Tea will pay <i>very</i> well -with all the above advantages, but will utterly fail without -them.</p> - -<p>Such is my advice to intending beginners. To those who -have gardens, I say, reduce your areas till of the size you -can really cultivate them highly, and procure manure at any -cost.</p> - -<p>I shall not have written in vain, and Tea enterprise in -India will flourish, if the motto of planters in future <span class="lock">be—</span></p> - -<p class="center"> -“A full area, highly cultivated.” -</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF INDIAN TEA.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>A few words on the past, the present, and the future of -Indian Tea will now conclude this Essay, and will, I hope, -be acceptable to the reader.</p> - -<p>The subject is one of growing importance, but being a -new one, there are points connected with it on which the -public are very ignorant, and should be enlightened.</p> - -<p>To begin with, the following facts are not disputed by -those who know anything of the <span class="lock">subject:—</span></p> - -<p>1. Indian Teas have far more body, that is strength, -than Chinese Teas.</p> - -<p>2. Indian Teas consequently command a higher price -at the London sales than Chinese Teas.</p> - -<p>3. In spite of its higher price, it is far more economical -than the Chinese produce, as, generally speaking, one-third -of the quantity suffices.</p> - -<p>4. There are lands enough in India to grow all the Tea -required for England’s use, and, indeed, for all her colonies.</p> - -<p>If these <i>are</i> facts, and I confidentially affirm they are so, -how is it that the following holds in England?</p> - -<p>1. Indian Tea is not known to the public.</p> - -<p>2. Except in one or two shops in London and Glasgow, -unknown to the mass of the people, not an ounce of pure -Indian Tea can be bought in all England.</p> - -<p>3. That India is even a Tea-producing country is -scarcely known in England.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> -<p>I think I can explain some of these anomalies.</p> - -<p>Tea is an acquired taste: by which I mean, not only -that the adult who had never tasted Tea would not like it -when first offered to him, but also that, with those who -consume it regularly, any Tea that differs in flavour from -what is habitually drunk is not relished.</p> - -<p>It matters not whether it is intrinsically better or worse, -enough that the flavour is different, for that reason it is not -liked.</p> - -<p>Indian Tea differs widely from Chinese Tea, and for that -reason is rarely appreciated by those accustomed to the latter.</p> - -<p>For a long time it appeared as if this difficulty would be -a bar to the general introduction of Indian Teas in England, -and so indeed it would have proved, had the short-sighted -policy adopted at the commencement by one or two Indian -Companies that their Teas should be sold retail and pure, -that is, unmixed with Chinese, been followed out. It did -not avail to tell John Bull it was better Tea, that it was far -stronger, that it was in no way adulterated; for he simply -shook his head, the flavour was different to what use had -made him familiar with, and he would none of it.</p> - -<p>But little by little, in spite of the above, it made its way. -Grocers soon found that the worst, <i>id est</i>, the weakest class -of Chinese Teas received <i>body</i> and were made saleable by an -addition of Indian Tea. It was not long after this that the -trade discovered that pretty well <i>all</i> Chinese Teas were improved, -if proportions of Indian Teas were mixed with them. -In short, the fact was recognised by Tea vendors that Chinese -Teas were weak, and much improved if mixed with Indian.</p> - -<p>The public were thus <i>educated</i> to relish the superior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -flavour of Indian Tea, and did so, when the quantity mixed -with the Chinese was not so great as to make the new -flavour too <i>prononcé</i>. Little by little the custom of so -mixing became very general, so much so that it may almost -be said to-day that if Indian Teas cannot be purchased -pure, no more can Chinese. A mixture of Chinese and -Indian Tea, the latter small as compared with the former, -is what is now generally used in Great Britain.</p> - -<p>This is the case to-day. What will it be in the future?</p> - -<p>As the English palate is educated to like the flavour of -Indian Tea, more and more of it will be demanded in the -mixture made up for the public, and though the day is -distant, nay, may never arrive, on account of its greater cost, -when it will be generally drunk pure, I do not myself doubt -that the demand for it will go on steadily increasing for years -to come, as it has for years past.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a></p> - -<p>It is an important query if, with a largely increased -demand, the supply will be equal to it. Very far from all -India has a good Tea climate, which is a peculiar one, and -only exists in perfection in Assam, Cachar, Chittagong, and -lands in Bengal close to the foot of the Himalayas.</p> - -<p>But in these districts alone there are lands sufficient to -supply nearly the whole world with Tea, so that it is not the -lands which are wanting, though the Government prices for -the lands are prohibitory and will check cultivation. But in -Assam, Cachar, and the Terai below the Himalayas labour -is very scarce, while in Chittagong the area fit for Tea is not -large, so that I do not anticipate any very sudden increase of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -the cultivation, though year by year it is on the increase and -will so continue.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, I do not—for the reasons stated, -viz., that Tea is an acquired taste and thus a new kind is not -at first palatable—anticipate any very sudden increase in the -demand. If, however, I am wrong, and from a largely -increased demand the prices of Indian Teas rise, I do not -doubt that the cultivation will be greatly extended, and that -after an interval of four years (it takes that time for the Tea -plant to produce) the supply will be equal to the then wants -of the English market.</p> - -<p>The future of Indian Tea is, I think, a bright one, and -I know nothing in which capital can be more profitably invested -if the business is conducted with knowledge and -experience, but to embark in it without these two requisites -is ruin.</p> - -<p>A few figures may be given here. The imports into -Great Britain of Indian Teas have been yearly increasing, -till in 1873 they amounted to 18,367,000 lbs., and, judging -from the estimate out here of the produce this year, viz., -1874, the imports into Great Britain in 1874 will not be far -short of 20,000,000 lbs.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> - -<p>But as the annual consumption of Tea in the United -Kingdom is not less than 130,000,000 lbs., India is still very -far from supplying enough to give a mixture of three-fourths -Chinese and one-fourth India Tea.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> - -<p>The finest Chinese Tea sells in London in bond at 2<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i> -to 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, while the finest Indian in bond fetches 3<i>s.</i> to -3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i><a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a></p> - -<p>What, then, will be the future of Indian Tea? It is an -important query. The industry is one which, if successful, -might attain to wide limits, and help not a little to relieve -the Indian State Exchequer, while it would afford occupation -to many a class of Englishmen who at present look -about in vain for employment.</p> - -<p>Tea speculation has passed through the first two preliminary -phases to which most new ventures are liable. -First, we had the wild rush, the mad fever, when every man -thought that to own a few Tea bushes was to realise wealth. -In those days existing plantations were bought at eight and -ten times their value; nominal areas of 500 acres were paid -for which, on subsequent measurement, proved to be under -100; new gardens were commenced on impossible sites, -and by men as managers who not only did not know a Tea -plant from a cabbage, but who were equally ignorant of the -commonest rules of agriculture. Boards highly paid, with -secretaries still more liberally remunerated, were formed -both in Calcutta and London to carry on the enterprise; -and, in short, money was lavished in every conceivable way, -while mismanagement ran rampant in each department. It -is not strange that the whole thing collapsed: the wonder -is it did not do so earlier.</p> - -<p>The second stage was then entered upon. Numbers had -been bitten, and the idea, once formed, grew apace, that -Tea could not pay at all. Everyone wanted to sell, and -down went all Tea shares to a figure which only increased -the general panic. Many companies, and not a few individuals, -unable to carry on, had to wind up and sell their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -estates for whatever they would fetch. Gardens that had -cost lakhs were sold for as many hundreds, and the very -word “Tea” stank in the nostrils of the commercial public. -A few of the best companies held on, as also such individuals -embarked in the speculation as could weather the storm; -but some of the companies were bowed down with heavy -debts, and it has been with many, from that cause, a losing -race ever since.</p> - -<p>This great smash occurred in 1867. I purpose, therefore, -to examine into the future prospects of the industry, now -that time has been given to test its vitality. Naturally the -mistakes made at the first have not been repeated since, so -the speculation has had more or less of a fair chance to -show what it can do.</p> - -<p>In the first place, the share list of Tea companies in the -public prints does not at all represent the true position of -Tea property to-day. It only gives the dividends declared -and the value of the shares in those few limited liability -companies which were able to weather the storm, but who, -in common with all the others, were bowed down with -debt, and are suffering up to the present time, both from -that and the numberless mistakes made at the commencement -of the enterprise. There are a few notable exceptions, -even among the Tea companies. Some of these have done -very well, pay large dividends, and are quoted at a high -premium, which shows that Tea can and will pay even with -the disadvantages attached to limited liability companies. -I mean that in these latter work is always expensively done, -and that much of the profits are swallowed up by secretaries, -directors, &c., besides which, generally from interested -motives, the Teas are sent home for sale which private -planters know from experience is <i>not</i> the best plan.</p> - -<p>But to return to the share list. The very many gardens -held by firms or private individuals are absent, and inasmuch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -as many of these were begun more lately, and consequently, -the blunders made in other gardens were avoided, it is -evident that <i>their</i> position, if it could be ascertained, would -give the true picture needed.</p> - -<p>There is one class of plantations which it would be by no -means fair to include. I mean those gardens bought for a -mere song during the panic. On many of these necessarily -enormous profits have been made, but it proves nothing, -inasmuch as the profits, to be legitimate profits for criticism, -should on the debit side include the whole cost incurred in -making the plantation. To form a fair appreciation of the -profits Tea planting can give, we must select gardens constructed -after knowledge on the subject was attained, where -good management, combined with economy in all details, -has been carried out, and where the necessary natural -conditions for success exist—and such are rare.</p> - -<p>But first let me explain what I mean by the “necessary -natural conditions for success.” Manageable areas; flat or -nearly flat land for the garden; a good class of indigenous -and hybrid plants; local labour, or anyhow a good proportion -of this; facilities for manuring; a good soil; a good -Tea climate; and cheap means of transport constitute -these, and where they exist I hold Tea <i>must</i>, and <i>does</i>, pay -well. I don’t believe in plantations of 600 or 800 acres; -some of these pay, but they would pay much better if -reduced in size. A garden of 300 acres, yielding even at -the rate of four maunds an acre, will pay much better than -another of 500 acres, yielding but two and a-half or three -maunds.</p> - -<p>The reason is obvious, the larger produce is against a -smaller expenditure. Were I to commence a Tea plantation -to-day, it should not exceed 300 or 400 acres in size. This -passion for large areas is the rock on which, more than any -other, Tea Companies have wrecked themselves; experience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -has already shown this, and will show it more, as time -goes on.</p> - -<p>Flat land for Tea gardens is a great desideratum. Steep -lands are difficult to cultivate; the soil is continually -washing away from the roots of the plants; it is impossible -to manure them successfully, and the consequence of all -this is that the Tea bushes do not thrive.</p> - -<p>The Chinese plant gives a small and inferior produce, -the indigenous and hybrid kind a larger and very superior -one; thus I think the latter one of the “necessary conditions -for success.” On the other points, with the exception of -manuring, nothing need be said, inasmuch as their necessity -is evident; but on the point of manure I must say a few -words. The Tea plant is being continually denuded of its -leaves; nothing is returned to the soil; and consequently in -process of time that soil is exhausted. It was held once -that manure destroyed the flavour of Tea. This idea, at -variance with all agricultural experience, is now completely -exploded, like many others received from the Chinamen -who first came from the Flowery Land to teach the art -of Tea cultivation and Tea manufacture to the Indian -public. Many of them had never perhaps seen a Tea bush, -anyhow in many respects theirs was faulty teaching, and all -experienced planters are convinced, and it is truth, that -more knowledge on Tea exists in India than China at the -present time.</p> - -<p>But to return to the subject of manure. It is, and is -now generally allowed to be, a necessity to the lengthened -and successful maintenance of a plantation. Means for its -production are now largely adopted in Assam and Cachar, -and the results will be a yield per acre the most sanguine -have never dreamt of. Chittagong, on this head, has great -advantages; manure in any quantity can there be procured -for a trifle, and the results have shown its great value.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> - -<p>We have scarcely yet entered on the third stage to -which any new speculation, after the two first (the wild -venture, and the unreasoning panic have passed), tends; but -as knowledge of the financial results of Tea plantations in -the hands of private firms and private individuals increases, -that third stage will dawn, if it has not done so already. It -consists in a sober appreciation of the subject opposed to -both the extremely exulting and depressing views passed -through, and when it arrives, the great and successful future -of Indian Tea will be only a question of time.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<p class="p4 center"><a name="ADDITIONS_TO_THE_FOURTH_EDITION" id="ADDITIONS_TO_THE_FOURTH_EDITION"><i>ADDITIONS TO THE FOURTH EDITION.</i></a></p> - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA AND INDIA THAT -PRODUCE TEA.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>So much has the industry marched since the Third Edition -was published in 1878 that I think it well to add the following -pages to my book.</p> - -<p>I will first consider the countries <i>outside</i> India and China -which produce Tea, or wish to do so.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Ceylon.</span></h3> - -<p>This is likely to prove a formidable competitor. As far -as I can gather, Tea plants (of both the Assam and China -kinds) were introduced into Ceylon in 1841, but it is only -during the last few years Tea planting has been taken up in -earnest. A Mr. Shand, who seems to have studied Tea in -Ceylon, estimates 500 lbs. per acre as the produce when in -full bearing. This is 6¼ maunds, and though less than the -best Indian gardens give, it is considerably above the -average all over India. Ceylon Tea finds a ready market -in London. The parcels vary much, as they do from India, -but in the past year (1882) many very desirable lots were -sent home. I believe, take it all in all, Ceylon Tea is no -better, and no worse, than Indian Tea.</p> - -<p>With Tea prices as they are to-day, I would not myself -<i>commence</i> Tea cultivation in India, Ceylon, or <i>anywhere</i>. I -feel sure, therefore, if Ceylon planters rush into Tea, as -they did in India in times past, they will regret it. But I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -hear that made Tea gardens can be bought there cheap, -and under these circumstances Tea will probably pay the -purchasers well.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Johore.</span></h3> - -<p>H.H. the Maharajah there has started a small Tea garden, -but as there are in it only two acres of Tea, the whole thing -is quite an experiment yet. The climate is said to be -favourable, and land easily acquired. Cheap labour is the -difficulty. May it long continue so! There is too much -Tea already; the low prices ruling result simply from -supply exceeding demand. Thus I hope Johore will <i>not</i> -produce Tea. The following is from the <i>Tea Gazette</i>:—</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Tea in Johore.</span></h4> - -<p>We have lately published several articles on the subject of Tea in -Johore and the prospects of Tea plantations in the Malay Peninsula. -The soil and climate are all that can be desired for the successful -cultivation of the Tea plant; there is abundance of land lying idle -which can be obtained on advantageous terms; but all hopes of -establishing the Tea industry on a prosperous footing are frustrated by -the want of cheap Indian labour. A correspondent writes on this -subject to the <i>Ceylon Observer</i> as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>“I was pretty well disgusted with Johore at first. I got such -fever as nearly finished me up twice. A new comer from Ceylon says -he had Wellawaya fever and all other fevers in Ceylon, but he never -felt anything to come near the severity of Johore fever. Liberian -coffee does first-class in the low country. Cocoa is being tried with -apparent success. Tea is also promising. You may have seen about -some samples sold in London, at a high figure. All this is nice -enough, but what’s the good of it when we have not a plentiful supply -of labour over which we can have complete control? So you see, the -burden of my letter is an indefinite supply of labour.”</p> - -<p>Strenuous efforts are, however, being made to arrange with the -Government for the importation of labourers from this country, which, -if successful, will inevitably result in the cultivation on a large scale of -the Tea plant in Johore. In another column will be found a description -of the Maharajah of Johore’s experimental Tea plantation at Tanjong -Putri, Johore.</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Japan.</span></h3> - -<p>Sends its Teas principally to America. The Tea is of a -greenish nature, and experiments to manufacture black -Tea have not, it seems, been successful. The following should -give a hope to Indian Tea <span class="lock">planters:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Japan Tea.</span></h4> - -<p class="center">To the Editor of the <i>Japan Herald</i>.</p> - -<p>Dear Sir,—I read your article on Tea contained in last Saturday’s -paper, anent the deterioration in quality of one of the country’s -principal articles of export, and can fully confirm the chief points -contained therein.</p> - -<p>But in addition, from my personal experience, there appears to -exist a steadily increasing disregard of care in the preparation of the -leaf up country, and the evil, though existing for the last three or four -years, is much more manifest this season, and is worthy of being -brought under the especial notice of parties interested in the welfare -of this country’s produce.</p> - -<p>I submit for your inspection a sample of coarse leaf sifted out of a -parcel of good quality, and the proportion of similar stuff in the chop -amounts to fully 3 per cent., very much affecting the good appearance -of the fired leaf. This defect no doubt arises from the attempted -production of too great an amount of cured leaf for each hand -employed per diem in the process, to be attributed no doubt to the -enhanced cost of labour in the interior. But the defect is of vital -importance for the future of Japan Teas in America. The buyer for -distribution amongst consumers in that country is greatly influenced -by the “appearance” of the leaf, despite its relative intrinsic quality -in infusion, in comparison with a Tea of worse appearance, hence -the high facing and colouring at present so much in vogue. If the -Japanese producers continue the present style of manufacturing the -leaf up country, so surely will Japan Teas decline in favour in America, -as the foreign shipper here cannot make up the leaf prepared up -country to the standard required by the American buyers, and with -the prospect of a possibility of Oolongs and even blacks becoming ere -long dangerous rivals with consumers in the United States, it behoves -the Japanese Tea growers to turn their attention towards an improve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>ment -in production in their own country before they attempt to rival -foreign competitors at this side.—Yours faithfully,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Yamato</span>.</p> -<p> -Yokohama, <i>Aug. 19, 1881</i>. -</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>[We have inspected the sample of coarse leaf referred to in the above -letter, and though we cannot pretend to any critical knowledge of Tea, we can -confirm the statements of our correspondent, and hold the specimen at our -office, where it can be seen by anyone desirous of doing so.—<i>Editor, Japan -Herald.</i>]</p></div> - -</div> - -<p>I know not where this next extract came from, but it -appears they understand adulteration in <span class="lock">Japan:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Mr. Yanagiya might, however, have gone a step farther, and have -given particulars of the various analyses, and have mentioned that the -“leaf” of the various samples showed a large proportion of leaves -quite different to those of the Tea shrub, and for the presence of which -not even the astute foreigner—that bugbear of Japanese commerce—can -be held accountable.</p> - -<p>We have heard this season loud complaints of the presence of -leaves entirely distinct from those of the Tea plant amongst purchases. -These consisted principally of wisteria, willow and a species of ash, but -the native growers were impartial, and several other species of shrubs -also contributed their quota to the frauds practised by the Japanese.</p> - -<p>The probable reason of the falling off in the quantity of one of the -leading articles of export from Japan is not difficult to guess at, nor -can the Japanese say that they have not received full and timely warning -of the danger threatening the popularity of Japan Tea. A reckless -over-production, excessive and close picking of the shrubs, and great -carelessness in pruning and manuring the tree—caused, no doubt, in -no small degree by the high rate of wages in the interior—is militating -against the realisation of a good crop, and the peasant is too intent -upon immediate profits to forego the picking of the third crop of a -season under existing circumstances. The result of all this has been -that—at the close of last season—a quantity of worthless leaf was -poured upon the market, finally sold at almost nominal figures, and -shipped across to the United States, where it remains an incubus on -the figures of stock, and a source of future abhorrence to any unfortunate -purchaser towards anything bearing the name of Japan -Tea.</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> - -<p>The following is from the report of the Japanese -Consul at San Francisco. I should have thought the -Americans were too sensible “to prefer coloured Teas:”</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>It has however come to my knowledge that in the Eastern States -the Tea was analyzed, and adulteration was discovered; such as the -admixture of other leaves and poisonous ingredients which are used for -colouring the Tea before it is exported, and that the markets in the -Eastern States being overstocked, no Tea, unless of the best quality, -can find purchasers. This is a very deplorable state of affairs. The -colouring is made by the foreign merchants residing in Japan, for -Americans prefer coloured Tea, and a few Japanese merchants may -have imitated them, and exported on their own account.</p></div> - -<p>The exports of Japan Tea to America have declined -from seventeen to fourteen million in one year! Not strange -if all the above is true.</p> - -<p>The following from the <i>Tea Gazette</i> bears out what I -say above as to Japan black <span class="lock">Tea:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Japan Black Tea.</span></h4> - -<p>Mr. Consul Euslie writes from Kanagawa (Japan) as follows -concerning black Tea:—This has, on the whole, proved a failure, -although the production continues on a limited scale. The climate -and soil of this country appear unfitted to the growth of plants -producing a leaf of the quality necessary to make good black. Teas -resembling good leaf congous can be made with good and even -handsome leaf, several samples being in appearance very similar to -Indian Teas of pekoe class, but lacking strength, and not being nearly -equal to good Chinese Foochow Teas in that respect. A small amount -of these Teas has been shipped to Germany on native account, a German -financier providing the necessary funds; but thus far the outcome of -these shipments has not transpired. The results generally of 1881 have -not proved as satisfactory as those of the preceding year; the whole -crop, and more particularly the first picking, shows signs of hasty -and careless preparation. The amount of Tea exported from Japan -was decidedly in excess of the requirements of the United States and -Canada, and a considerable portion of the shipments for the year had -to be sacrificed at prices which did not cover laying down cost.</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> - -<p>All this is hopeful for our Indian Teas, as we <i>can</i> manufacture -the greenish Tea they like—that is, we can do it if -they won’t take our black, but they have begun to do so.</p> - -<p>The above mode of manufacture in Japan is new to us -in India.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The process of steaming the Tea is as follows:—As soon as -picked it is at once steamed, all damp or wet leaves being thrown on -one side, excepting those that may be a little wet with dew. In order -to obtain the proper application of heat, a few leaves are put into a -shallow basket, spread out evenly, and the lid put on; the basket is -then placed over a charcoal fire box or stove, a perfume is at once -perceived. When the greeny smell has subsided, the leaves are -removed, spread on a piece of new matting, and fanned briskly so as to -draw out the heat. After the lapse of some little time the Tea is placed -in a tray, and then undergoes a firing process, the length of which -is regulated either by the minute hand of a watch or the beats of a -pulse, and depends a good deal on the manipulator’s own ideas.</p></div> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Java.</span><a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a></h3> - -<p>Much of this Tea goes to Holland and Northern Germany. -I know Tea cultivation in Java is carried out very carefully -and very successfully, but this one fact is all I know as to -Java or its Teas.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">America.</span></h3> - -<p>That the proper climate for Tea can be found there (a -huge Continent to choose from!) goes without saying. But -equally sure is it that Tea will not pay except labour is -cheap.</p> - -<p>By the extract below, it appears Georgia has been -selected for experimental Tea cultivation, and I doubt not -it is a good <span class="lock">selection:—</span></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Tea Planting in America.</span></h4> - -<p>Successful experiments have been made in this branch of -cultivation in the United States, as is shown by a report just published -by Mr. Jackson, a Scotch gentleman now settled in America, who was -at one time manager of the estates of the Scottish Assam Company. -The Commissioner of Agriculture has, at Mr. Jackson’s advice, selected -a tract of land in Georgia for an experimental farm, on which the -raising of Tea on an extended scale will be carefully and thoroughly -tried. Samples of the Teas already produced by Mr. Jackson have -been sent to Messrs. Thompson, tea merchants, Mincing Lane, London, -to be examined. The reply was that—“They represented Teas of a -high type. The flavour, though not strong, is remarkably fragrant. -In appearance they resemble Indian Tea, but the flavour is more like -that of the finest Chinese black Tea, or of the hill Teas of India.”</p></div> - -<p>No reason why the Teas should not be good, but the -labour difficulty will, I think, prevent Tea paying there, -as elsewhere in America, for Mr. Jackson himself, who -continues the above, asks further on, “Can we afford to pay -our labourers four times as much as they pay in India and -still make Tea a success?” He, strange to say, tries to -prove “yes.” I say no, a thousand times no, in spite of all -Mr. Jackson says. I like, however, to give both sides -of a question, and so will let Mr. Jackson speak for -<span class="lock">himself:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The stock cry continually raised against Tea culture in this country -is, how can you raise Tea in a country where wages are so high? You -can cultivate Tea at a profit only in a country where labour is at the -lowest possible minimum, and so on. And so it is taken for granted -that the Tea culture is to be allowed to retain its antiquated forms -and systems for all time, and that the skill and intelligence of a -civilized nation can do nothing to raise it to a level with corresponding -branches of agriculture, such, for instance, as rice growing. What -would the people of South Carolina say if told that the only way to -cultivate rice at a profit was to sow all their seed in nursery beds and, -when sprouted, to transplant their entire crop, seed by seed, by hand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -as is done in India? What would a Minnesota farmer say if told that -the only implement with which he could profitably rear a crop of corn -was the hoe, wielded by an attenuated skeleton of a man? If the -hundreds of wealthy Tea planters in Assam were told that they must -return to the original system of manufacturing their Teas by hand, -they would throw up their farms in despair. Seventy million pounds -of Tea are now annually manufactured by machinery in India and Java, -and I have satisfied myself that green Teas, suitable for the American -market, can be manufactured at one-third the cost of the black Teas -prepared by machinery for the English market. There is but one -division of Tea culture into which the labour question would enter at -all, and that is the picking of the leaves. Everything else can be -carried on with the mechanical precision of the cultivator, reaper, and -floutring mill. Is not the real truth of the matter to be found in the -fact that the American people know nothing—absolutely nothing—of -the modern system of Tea culture and manufacture, and are therefore -in no position to form a sound judgment of the possibilities of their -country and countrymen in regard to Tea? I say again, as I have -often said before, that the question of labour will prove no barrier to -successful Tea culture in America. Let any who are interested enough -in this subject to feel sceptical about it favour me with a call at No. -229 East Fourth Street and I will take pleasure in showing them what -achievements modern skill and mechanical genius have already -attained and what may very easily be accomplished in America. I -believe that then there is a bright future in store for successful Tea -culture.</p></div> - -<p>In another place Mr. Jackson says he has always cultivated -with ploughs, and done it successfully. Naturally -this would make his cultivation much cheaper, and it is -high time, as I say elsewhere, that we in India should try -and do the same thing.</p> - -<p>We, all the world knows, how ingenious, how inventive -the Americans are, and thus it is <i>possible</i> they may by the -use of machinery for all branches of manufacture, by -improved steam-ploughs and other agricultural instruments -which shall dispense with hand labour for cultivation, so -cheapen the cost of Tea that its production will pay in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -spite of the high rate of wages ruling. Only in this way, -however, <i>can</i> the industry succeed in America, and if it be -done (I hope it may, for we in India shall then benefit by -the ideas carried out), the United States will add one more -laurel to the many they have achieved already in other -branches of commerce.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Natal.</span></h3> - -<p>Tea here too! Where, alas! is it not? The following is -in a report from N<span class="lock">atal:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>We have glanced at the past and seen the present condition of -the Tea enterprise. The most important matter is still before us—the -future of Tea in Natal. It must be remembered that an industry may -be profitable to encourage for local consumption, and yet fail when it -comes to be exported. This production (Tea) must be looked at as -one which, if it progresses, must shortly be exported. Three hundred -acres of Tea in full bearing will supply to the full the present need of -the Colony and its surroundings, <i>i.e.</i>, taking the import returns as our -guide; and even with increasing demand, that demand can soon be -met. Therefore the importance attaching to the question, “Can we -in Natal grow Tea to pay, so as to compete with other countries in -the markets of the world?” The Tea-growing districts of India, till -lately confined to Assam, Cachar, and neighbourhood, have now been -extended to the Neilgherries and Ceylon, and these places, till lately -confining themselves to coffee, are leaving that most precarious crop -and growing Tea and cinchona. Both these districts at present export -Tea to England. It is said that Tea is to be introduced into Queensland -and the northern territory of Australia; and that the Southern -States of the Union and California contemplate Tea growing. Are we -justified, then, in believing that Tea may be profitably exported from -Natal? Before considering this, we have to bear in mind that Tea is -placed in the London market in large quantities at a very low price; -China Teas as low as 5½<i>d.</i> per lb. in bond, and Indian Teas as low as 8<i>d.</i> -per lb. in bond; but again the price extends to 3<i>s.</i> and even 4<i>s.</i> per lb. -in bond. All these things have to be weighed and well considered by -anyone before embarking in this enterprise to any great extent. In all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -matters of agriculture the labour question is the foremost, after it is -known that the plant will flourish. To attempt to base the success -of this particular industry upon any other than that of coolie labour -would be foolish, as we all know that Kafirs are not to be relied upon; -therefore the cost of labour has to be considered. We well know that -all the Tea estates of India have to be supplied with imported coolies—the -natives of the districts concerned will not work unless casually—but -the cost of coolies in Natal must be more than the cost of coolies -in Assam—therefore in that item the advantage must be in favour of -the Indian planter. Countries such as Queensland and the United -States of America must either import labour, or pay a much higher -rate than we do; hence so far as these countries are concerned, Natal -will hold its own.</p></div> - -<p>I have not done yet. Here is another place where it -seems they mean to try Tea. I do hope that climate, soil, -labour, something will be found unsuitable.</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Fiji Tea.</span></h3> - -<p>Mr. J. E. Mason, of the Alpha Tea and Coffee Estate, Taviuni, -Fiji, has forwarded to Mr. J. O. Moody, the expert, of Melbourne, -samples of the first Fijian Tea produced in his part of the -world; at the same time writing that early next year he hoped to -pluck off 30 acres planted with Tea, and that the samples sent were -hastily made in a barrel with a frying-pan of charcoal. Mr. J. O. -Moody reports:—“Fiji Pekoe leaf: Handsome, small, even, golden -tipped, evenly and well fermented. Fiji Pekoe liquor: Very strong, -full, rich, and pungent pekoe flavour, thick, with deep red infusion. -An invaluable Tea for mixing, and worth about 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> per lb. in bond. -Fiji Pekoe Souchong leaf: Well made, wiry, twisted, rich, black tippy -leaf, evenly and well fermented Fiji Pekoe Souchong flavour, with -good, bright, red infusion. A fine Tea to drink alone, and worth about -1<i>s.</i> 9<i>d.</i> per lb. in bond. These Teas have the character of good -Ceylon growths, and are in every respect suitable Teas for general -consumption, and such samples are sure to meet with ready sale in -Australasia or Great Britain.”</p></div> - -<p>Here again, I am told, the labour question is the doubtful -point. Tea cannot be made to pay without cheap labour, -and the sooner all these new Tea countries learn the lesson<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -the better for the pockets of the projectors. I may add, the -better for the Indian planter’s pocket too, for <i>any</i> increase -in the supply is hurtful.</p> - -<p>In closing this chapter, I would give one word of advice -to intending Tea planters in India, or indeed anywhere. -There is too much Tea already, why plant more? If -you must “go into Tea” you may do so and probably -make money, but it will not be by <i>planting</i> it. If you look -about you can buy a plantation ready made for far less than -you could make such, and in doing so there is no reason why -it should not pay, and pay well. If you make a garden you -will have five or six years to wait for any return; you attempt -what requires knowledge and experience to succeed in, and -begging your success, who can say what the market will be -then?</p> - -<p>I have far from exhausted the subject of these new Tea -fields, but my space is limited, and several other points -demand attention.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">STATISTICS REGARDING INDIAN TEA.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>As early as 1780 a few Chinese plants were to be seen in -Calcutta cultivated by a Colonel Kyd.</p> - -<p>The possibility of cultivating Tea in India was first -mooted in 1835-36, and the Indian Government started an -experimental garden at Lukimpore (Assam) at that time.</p> - -<p>Indigenous Tea was first discovered in Assam by a -Mr. Bruce in 1830.</p> - -<p>In 1845 and following years the Government imported -large quantities of China seed and established nurseries on -the Himalayas.</p> - -<p>Tea planting was commenced in India by the Assam -Company about 1840, and the cultivation was undertaken -in other districts in the following years:—Kumaon and -Gurwhal, 1850; Cachar, 1855; Dehra-Dhoon, 1855; Sylhet, -1857; Kangra, 1858; Darjeeling, 1860; Terai, 1860; Chittagong, -1860; Neilgherries, 1862; Chota Nagpore, 1872; -Dooars, 1875.</p> - -<p>Thus it may be said Tea planting in India dates from -1840 by one Company, but 1850 by individuals.</p> - -<p>The following figures show the imports of Indian Teas -into Great Britain since 1870 in millions of <span class="lock">pounds:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Year</th><th>Millions of Pounds</th></tr> -<tr><td>70</td><td>13</td></tr> -<tr><td>71</td><td>15¼</td></tr> -<tr><td>72</td><td>17</td></tr> -<tr><td>73</td><td>18¼</td></tr> -<tr><td>74</td><td>17¼</td></tr> -<tr><td>75</td><td>25½</td></tr> -<tr><td>76</td><td>29¼</td></tr> -<tr><td>77</td><td>31¾</td></tr> -<tr><td>78</td><td>36</td></tr> -<tr><td>79</td><td>38½</td></tr> -<tr><td>80</td><td>44</td></tr> -<tr><td>81</td><td>45¾</td></tr> -<tr><td>82</td><td>54¾</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> - -<p>I may here remark that while the imports of Indian Teas -have, since 1877, increased by 23 million pounds, the imports -of China Teas have increased by 4 million pounds only -in the same time.</p> - -<p>The deliveries and stocks were as follows for 1881 and -1882 in millions of <span class="lock">pounds:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th></th><th>1881.</th><th>1882.</th></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Deliveries</td><td>48¾</td><td>50½</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Stocks on 31st December</td><td>18½</td><td>21¾</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>During the <i>last 3 months of</i> 1882 the deliveries averaged -5 million pounds per month. In January, 1883, they were -5½ millions, and in February (I write in March) 5 millions.</p> - -<p>Deliveries at this rate mean 60 millions a year.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="leftmargin left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>I estimate Indian produce for 1883 at about</td><td>62 millions.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Deduct the probable quantity to be sent to countries outside the United Kingdom, and local consumption in India</td><td>5½ „</td></tr> -<tr><td>Leaving available for the home market</td><td>56½ millions.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Thus, if deliveries continue at the present rate, demand -must soon equal, if not exceed, supply, and the consequence -naturally must be enhanced prices, which, however, will -surely to some extent check the deliveries.</p> - -<p>There is, however, a hopeful feature regarding Indian -Teas. The taste for them is increasing greatly. A very -small per centage of the public drink them pure (a large -per centage in Ireland), but the public generally are now -accustomed to the strength attained only by mixing, say one -third of Indian to two thirds China, and <i>will</i> nothing weaker. -Thus retail dealers must continue to use them, and thus -though, as remarked, increased prices <i>will</i> check deliveries, -they will not do so with Indian Teas to the same extent -they would with China.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> - -<p>Another hopeful feature is (for details see further on) -a growing demand for Indian Tea is now established in -Australia, and has quite lately commenced in America. -Thus, I think, the increased produce from India (which in -no case can be large for some years<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a>) will probably be met -by this outside demand, leaving no greater quantity than -now available for the home market. True Ceylon (a new -field) will increase the supply, but it will not be by much -for some time. Take it all in all, I look hopefully at the -prospects of Indian Tea in the future. I never anticipate a -range of prices as good even as ruled in 1881, but a good -deal better than we had in 1882, and thus enough to make -the industry a paying one.</p> - -<p>I have lately received a valuable paper on Indian Tea -statistics from Messrs. Gow and Wilson, Indian Tea -brokers. I cannot transcribe the diagram they allude to, -but otherwise I give the complete paper as sent <span class="lock">me:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="dateline"> -19, Little Tower Street, Mincing Lane,<br /> -London, <i>15th February, 1883</i>.</p> - -<p class="center"> -“<span class="smcap">Indian Tea Statistics.</span>” -</p> - -<p>Dear Sir,—Now that the annual figures are made up, we -beg to submit a statement showing the continued progress -made by Indian Tea in public estimation, together with comparative -figures relating to the consumption of China and -Indian Teas,—And remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Gow and Wilson</span>, <i>Indian Tea Brokers</i>. -</p> - -<p>The very considerable increase in the home consumption -of Indian Tea during the last quarter of 1882, and January this -year, once more attracts attention to the growing importance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -of India as a field of production, and the increasing appreciation -of the British public for Indian Teas, whether used alone -or mixed with China sorts. Notwithstanding the check to -consumption in the early part of 1882, when Indian medium -and common Teas were just 50 per cent. dearer than they now -are, the average monthly deliveries of the first three months -were 3,670,000 lbs., or 230,000 lbs. a month more than the -average of the first quarter of 1880, with prices much the same -at both periods. Quotations last year receded step by step, -and, as prices dropped, so we found the consumption grew, till -for the last quarter of 1882, with its very low range of prices, -the average monthly deliveries reached the unprecedented -figures of over 5¼ million pounds.</p> - -<p>The average monthly deliveries in each quarter of the last -five years have been as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>(In thousands of lbs., 000’s omitted.)</p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> - -<tr><td></td><td>Jan-Mar.</td><td>April-June.</td><td>July-Sept.</td><td>Oct-Dec.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1878</td><td>3,216</td><td>3,129</td><td>2,869</td><td>3,041</td></tr> -<tr><td>1879</td><td>3,444</td><td>2,688</td><td>2,461</td><td>3,155</td></tr> -<tr><td>1880</td><td>3,441</td><td>3,418</td><td>3,522</td><td>4,228</td></tr> -<tr><td>1881</td><td>4,197</td><td>4,172</td><td>3,824</td><td>4,094</td></tr> -<tr><td>1882</td><td>3,670</td><td>4,125</td><td>4,116</td><td>5,254</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>During the year 1878, out of every 100 lbs. of all descriptions -of Tea consumed in this country, 23, or one in about four-and-a-third, -was Indian Tea. Last year the proportion was 31 per -cent., or nearly one in three.</p> - -<p>These figures show, in the clearest manner, how steadily -Indian Tea is becoming popular.</p> - -<p>The unevenness of the quarterly deliveries of China Tea in -the year 1878 and 1879 is due to the apprehensions felt in those -years that the duty would be increased. In consequence, -clearances were hastily made before the Budget announcement, -and the deliveries immediately after sank to very low figures, -increasing again as stocks of retailers were depleted. In -March, 1880, again there was a pressure to clear Teas, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -brought up the total deliveries of the first quarter to a high -level. A considerable check was given to deliveries of Indian -Teas during the latter part of 1881 and the early part of 1882 -through the rise of prices during that period.</p> - -<p>The most noticeable feature of the last three calendar years -is the stationariness of deliveries of China Teas at the reduction -from the level of both 1878 and 1879. Approximately the -deliveries of China and Indian Teas in the five years ending -31st December in each case may be given, in millions of pounds, -as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>1878.</td><td>1879.</td><td>1880.</td><td>1881.</td><td>1882.</td></tr> -<tr><td>China</td><td>121</td><td>125</td><td>115</td><td>111</td><td>113</td></tr> -<tr><td>Indian</td><td>37</td><td>35</td><td>44</td><td>49</td><td>51</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>The deliveries of China Tea have <i>receded</i> from 125 million -pounds in 1879 to 113 million pounds in 1882, while the home -consumption of Indian Tea has <i>increased</i> from 35 million pounds -to 51 million pounds in the corresponding years.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the supply of Indian Tea for the season -1882-3 is estimated at the unprecedented figure of 55 million -pounds against the actual imports in the previous two season -years of about 50 million and 46 million pounds respectively, it -appears not unlikely the consumption of 1882-3 will once again, -as in 1880-81, overtake the supply and reduce the stocks by -July next to the equivalent of less than three months’ deliveries.</p> - -<p>We find that there has been received to the 31st December -last, 33,218,000 lbs., leaving to arrive 21,782,000 lbs. for the six -months ending 30th June next, to make up the estimated supply -of 55 million pounds which, according to Indian advices, will -be available for shipment to this country. The imports of the -current six months, therefore, will be but slightly in excess of -those of the corresponding half-year, when 20,948,000 lbs. were -received; for although the shipments of 1882-3 are expected to -show an excess of more than five million pounds over 1881-2, -exporters this season have hurried forward their Teas early -and in the six months ended December 31st the arrivals in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -United Kingdom were 32,218,000 lbs. against only 28,947,000 lbs. -in the corresponding half of 1881.</p> - -<p>The significant feature of the movement, however, is the -very agreeable surprise, month by month, caused by the publication -of the delivery figures. These compare for the last few -months as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Deliveries of the last Four Months compared with corresponding -Months.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">October.</td><td class="center">November.</td><td class="center">December.</td><td class="center">January.</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1882-3</td><td>5,132,000</td><td>5,174,000</td><td>4,457,000</td><td>5,502,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>1881-2</td><td>4,353,000</td><td>4,205,000</td><td>3,724,000</td><td>4,104,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Increase</td><td class="bordertop">779,000</td><td class="bordertop">969,000</td><td class="bordertop">733,000</td><td class="bordertop">1,398,000</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>A continuance of similar large increases is most probable, -especially as we compare with the relatively small deliveries -of February to April inclusive of last year, when only -10,489,000 lbs. were taken from warehouse, against 12,782,000 lbs. -in the same months of 1881—a decrease of 2,293,000 in three -months. Part of the decrease may be attributed to the then -higher range of medium and common Indian Teas.</p> - -<p>The net result of the above statistics is that—with no materially -larger arrivals visible, even with the liberal allowance of -5,000,000 lbs. increased shipments for the crop year—the -deliveries give every promise of showing very considerable -expansion, and, as we have said, threaten for the complete -year to more than absorb the extra supply.</p> - -<p>To enable anyone to check and form an independent opinion -on the forecast we venture to give, we present below the -imports and deliveries, half-year by half-year, for the four -seasons 1879-80 to 1882-83 inclusive, with the totals of each -crop <span class="lock">year:—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p2 center large"><span class="smcap">Imports of Indian Tea.</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">1879-80.</td><td class="center">1880-81.</td><td class="center">1881-82.</td><td class="center">1882-83.</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1st July to31st Dec.</td><td>23,537,000</td><td>29,142,000</td><td>28,947,000</td><td>33,218,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>1st Jan. to 30th June</td><td>15,868,000</td><td>16,819,000</td><td>20,948,000</td><td><a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a>21,782,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Season year</td><td class="bordertop">39,405,000</td><td class="bordertop">45,961,000</td><td class="bordertop">49,895,000</td><td class="bordertop"><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a>55,000,000</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2 center large"><span class="smcap">Deliveries of Indian Tea.</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">1879-80.</td><td class="center">1880-1.</td><td class="center">1881-2.</td><td class="center">1882-3.</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td><td class="center">lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1st July to 31st Dec.</td><td>16,847,000</td><td>24,352,000</td><td>23,755,000</td><td>27,109,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>1st Jan. to 30th June</td><td>19,465,000</td><td>25,106,000</td><td>23,386,000</td><td><a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a>28,802,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Season year</td><td class="bordertop">36,312,000</td><td class="bordertop">49,458,000</td><td class="bordertop">47,141,000</td><td class="bordertop"><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a>55,911,000</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>These figures show an estimated supply to the end of June -next of 21,782,000 lbs., and an estimated consumption of -28,802,000. The former is based on the statements that the -available supply for the United Kingdom will be 55 million -pounds, and the latter on the actual delivery to January inclusive, -and estimated average deliveries of 4,500,000 lbs. a -month for the remainder of the half-year. Having these figures -before us, we can proceed to calculate the effect on stocks.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>At 31st December last we had in warehouse</td><td class="center">lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>a stock of</td><td>21,716,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Add six months’ imports to June 30th</td><td>21,782,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Total supply</td><td class="bordertop">43,498,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Deduct estimated deliveries six months</td><td>28,802,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Leaving probable stock at 30th June</td><td class="bordertop">14,696,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Which will compare with (at 30th June, 1882)</td><td>15,991,000</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> - -<p>In stating the deliveries at an average of 4,500,000 lbs. for -the next five months, we have taken this amount merely for the -purpose of arriving at a conclusion. In case the deliveries of -the months of February to June inclusive average, as is generally -expected, 5,000,000 lbs. a month, the stocks at 1st July -next will be under 12,200,000 lbs., or 3¾ million lbs. less than at -the corresponding date.</p> - -<p>We can but consider this a very healthy outlook, especially -as it is simultaneous with the estimated decrease in the supply -of China Tea, and the possibility that the shipments to the -United Kingdom may not reach the estimate. With respect to -the latter contingency, we must recollect that new markets -are being rapidly developed for Indian Tea. Australia, America, -and other parts than the United Kingdom took over three -million pounds from 1st May to 31st December last year, compared -with less than a third of that quantity shipped thence -from India in the corresponding period of 1881. A continuance -of this rapid rate of outside demand would considerably curtail -our supply, and develope the growing Indian industry.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Gow and Wilson</span>,<br /> -<i>19, Little Tower Street, London, E.C.</i> -</p></div> - -<p>The diagram omitted shows as follows: it gives the -results quarterly, I only give them yearly in millions of -pounds.</p> - - -<p class="center">CONSUMPTION OF CHINA AND INDIAN TEAS IN THE UNITED -KINGDOM FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>1878.</td><td>1879.</td><td>1880.</td><td>1881.</td><td>1882.</td><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">China</td><td>128½</td><td>125¼</td><td>114½</td><td>111¼</td><td>114 </td><td class="center" rowspan="2">All are Millions of Pounds.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Indian</td><td>36 </td><td>35½</td><td>43¾</td><td>48½</td><td>51½</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Totals.</span></td><td>164½</td><td>160¾</td><td>158¼</td><td>159¾</td><td>165½</td><td></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Thus, while China Tea consumption has decreased in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -five years by fourteen and a-half millions of pounds, Indian -has increased by fifteen and a-half millions!</p> - -<p>It must be remembered that the former table given at -page <a href="#Page_194">194</a> deals with imports, this with consumption, and -thus the difference in the figures.</p> - -<p>The following extract from the <i>Tea Gazette</i> (January, -1883) is interesting in a statistical point of <span class="lock">view:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The exports to Australia (which, as it is well known, have increased -more than twenty-fold in six years) now occupy a position only second -to that of the United Kingdom; and if the P. and O. Company would -see its own interest, it would facilitate by every means in its power so -important a development of a great industry.</p> - -<p>The Straits Settlements, in spite of their proximity to China, took -last year ten times the quantity they took six years ago; and Persia, -strange to say, has taken 54,712lbs. against 334lbs. in 1876-77—Turkey -in Asia and Egypt, together, having taken also 21,488lbs. against -886lbs. in the same period.</p> - -<p>Mr. Liotard is of opinion that these are not a tithe of the openings -that might be found; and it is to be hoped that at the Amsterdam -Exhibition and elsewhere the Tea Syndicate will in no way relax its -efforts.</p> - -<p>The imports of China Tea to India have, in the six years also above -referred to, increased about 60 per cent. Speaking on this point, we -are of opinion that the Syndicate might well make efforts to increase -the local consumption of Indian Tea to the replacement of Chinas, and -we feel sure that such organised exertion would be followed by very -satisfactory results.</p> - -<p>The re-export of China Tea from India shows four times the quantity -of six years ago—by far the greater quantity going to Persia and -Turkey in Asia. Mr. Liotard thinks that the N.-W. P. and the Punjab -might appropriate a good deal of this trade; and from the character -of the Teas of these districts we are disposed to agree with him. The -great increase of export from Karachi shows that this, to some extent, -is being done.</p> - -<p>The abolition of the duty on China Tea imported to India, under -the recent free trade policy, appears to have had a prejudicial effect -on the planters in Northern India—who can ill afford it. The figures -given at the commencement of the pamphlet show that the number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -plantations in Northern India has increased in six years from 851 to -1,422, and the area from 4,246 to 7,466 acres; the outturn from 1,311,113 -lbs. to 2,271,773 lbs. These figures speak of great activity in production, -and show the necessity for every exertion being employed to open out -new markets. A combined Syndicate for all the districts in Northern -India, on the lines of the one now established in Calcutta, is suggested, -but how far this is practicable we are not at present prepared to say.</p></div> - -<p>The following, too, from the <i>Tea Gazette</i> this year is in -some respects <span class="lock">hopeful:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>We see from the <i>North China Herald</i> that the exports of Tea from -Shanghai and the Yang-tse ports to England during the current year -have fallen off some six and a-half million pounds (8½ per cent.), and -that there is also a decrease of some six million pounds in the quantity -sent to America this last year—making a difference of nearly thirty per -cent.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, there has been an increase of nearly three -million pounds (45 per cent.) in the direct export to Russian ports. -Two large cargoes—one of nearly three million pounds destined for -England, and one of almost two million pounds bound for Russia—were -lost, so that the real increase of China Tea sent to Russia is only one -million pounds, which would reduce the increase to about 15 per cent. -The decrease of Tea sent to England becomes even greater, reducing -the receipts as compared with last year by nearly ten million pounds. -Another aspect of the question must, however, be considered, namely, -that the real displacement, <i>i.e.</i>, in the amount of Tea destined for the -English market, would be only six and a-half million pounds, and it is -not safe to reckon on a recurrence of loss of such a heavy quantity by -shipwreck.</p> - -<p>The decrease of China Tea sent to America is almost entirely in -green Teas, there being only a falling off of 40,000lbs. in black, as -compared with one of over six millions in green Tea. The falling off -as regards the English market is much more evenly distributed -between the two varieties, the difference being greater in that of black -than of green Tea.</p> - -<p>While America takes from the Shanghai ports over four times as -much green as black Tea, England, on the other hand, takes eleven -times as much black Tea as it does of green Tea.</p> - -<p>These last facts might make it worth the while of planters in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -North-West Provinces and in the Punjab to combine to exploit the -American markets with half-chests of green Tea, for the manufacture -of which those districts are famous, and for which there is so little -demand at present in the Central Asian market. We merely throw out -the suggestion, knowing that most of the planters in these parts could -ill afford to risk much in such an experiment. It is possible that the -Syndicate here, which already ships largely to America, might arrange -to ship green Tea for such of the planters in Northern India as cared to -join the Calcutta body.</p> - -<p>The American demand for green Tea is so large, that a quantity -representing the entire outturn of Northern India would form but a -small percentage of the whole, and if Indian green Tea from the Himalayas -were taken up in that market, a demand for the whole quantity -produced might easily arise. Whether it would ever be able to compete -with China green Tea in the matter of price we do not know, and we -should think it would be up-hill work, and attended with some loss—in -the first instance at any rate.</p></div> - -<p>The more Tea each individual drinks, the better doubtless -for the producers. It is satisfactory therefore to find -the consumption <i>per head</i> is increasing in the United -Kingdom as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>1870.</td><td>1875.</td><td>1880.</td></tr> -<tr><td>lbs.</td><td>lbs.</td><td>lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>3.81</td><td>4.44</td><td>4.59</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Nearly 1 lb. per head more in 1880 than 1870!</p> - -<p>A few figures as to Indian Teas in Australia and America -will finish this Chapter of Statistics.</p> - -<p>The consumption of Indian Tea in Australia and -the Colonies stands as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>1880-81</td><td>Little under</td><td>¾ of a</td><td>million lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1881-82</td><td>Nearly</td><td>1</td><td>million „</td></tr> -<tr><td>1882-83</td><td>Estimated</td><td>2</td><td>million „</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>This is a satisfactory increase, but when we consider -how vast is the great Australasian field, it stands to reason<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -two millions is but a small fraction of what it eventually -may be.</p> - -<p>The outdoor rough life, led more or less in the Colonies, -makes its inhabitants the largest Tea drinkers in the world. -For instance, each white denizen in New Zealand drinks -nearly three times as much Tea as each person in Great -Britain!</p> - -<p>The following was the consumption in lbs. per head in -<span class="lock">1878:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>United Kingdom.</td><td>Victoria.</td><td>N. S. Wales.</td><td>Queensland.</td><td>New Zealand.</td></tr> -<tr><td>4.66</td><td>6.92</td><td>7.53</td><td>9.16</td><td>11.05</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>I now give, in millions of lbs., the consumption in 1880 -in the same <span class="lock">Colonies:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>Victoria.</td><td>N. S. Wales.</td><td>Queensland.</td><td>New Zealand.</td></tr> -<tr><td>5½</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>3</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>But what vast tracts exist outside these. The total consumption -of all the Colonies must be very large. We make -the best Tea in the world in India, why should we not have -a large share of the market?</p> - -<p>The population of Australia is nearly 2¼ millions, and of -Tasmania and New Zealand nearly ¾ million, say three -millions in all, or say three-quarters of the population of -London. What a field exists there for Indian Tea!</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">America.</span></h3> - -<p>The yearly consumption (Canada is included) is over -eighty million pounds, nearly all supplied by China and -Japan. It is quite lately Indian Teas have been sent to -America; so far, their reception has been favourable. But -the Americans are accustomed to a greener Tea than we -make in India, and this will prove a difficulty. Still we can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -make the Tea they like, <i>if</i> they will buy it. It is early to -speculate much as to America, but I think we shall succeed -little by little, especially as in the States they are awaking -to the fact that both China and Japan Teas are adulterated.</p> - -<p>In closing this chapter I must put on record the fact, -known to all in India, that the great success achieved in -Australia, and the opening thus early attained in America, -is entirely due to the labours of the Calcutta Tea -Syndicate, and that I firmly believe, much as they have -done, they would have done still more had they been -properly supported by larger supplies of Tea by the planters -in India, who, as a class, are strangely blind to the advantages -of co-operation. I can only hope in this respect they -will do better in future.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MARKETS OUTSIDE GREAT BRITAIN.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>I have forestalled a good deal on the above in the last -chapter, so this will be short, but, I hope, cheering.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Australia.</span></h3> - -<p>This, from the correspondent of the <i>Tea Gazette</i> in Melbourne, -as to the size of chests, should be attended <span class="lock">to:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>If the planter wishes to get his Tea direct into consumption, the -packages must be small, to suit buyers. In the Colonies a large trade -is done in 38lb. half-chests. They are within the purchasing power of -a numerous class, and are easy to handle.</p></div> - -<p>A fierce fight has been going on in Melbourne between -the advocates of China and Indian Tea. The latter say -China Tea is often adulterated, but this is disputed by the -former. Of course <i>I</i> cannot say which is right, but chemical -analysis, to which China Teas have been subjected in Melbourne, -would seem to prove that in some cases they are -<i>not</i> pure. We all know China Teas in London have, in -several instances, been pronounced unfit for consumption, -so it is <i>possible</i>, of course, that similar Teas are sent to -Australia.</p> - -<p>The Tea trade in China has taken alarm at our attempts -on the Australian market. This is what the <i>North China -Herald</i> (an organ of the China Tea trade) said <span class="lock">lately:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>There are no squeezing mandarins in India; there is European -supervision in the packing and firing of the leaf, and the plantations -are connected with civilisation by the railway and the telegraph. -Everything is done to give India an unfair advantage over China. -Consequently, India tea of the same quality is far cheaper in London<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -than the ill-regulated produce of Hankow and Foochow, and it is only -the conservatism of the consumer, <i>who is not yet entirely habituated to -the Indian flavour</i>, that prevents our losses being much heavier than -they are. Every year this preference for the leaf that has been longer -known is wearing away, and our buyers will soon have to reckon with -its disappearance. As yet, Indian Tea is hardly taken on the continent -of Europe at all; but here, too, it will penetrate sooner or later, -as it is doing into America and Australia, and then there will be no -corner of the earth where the sway of China Tea will be undisputed. -Until foreigners can supervise the packing of the leaf in China as they -do in India, the produce of the latter country will continue to have an -unfair advantage. The time no doubt will come when we shall be able -to go up and buy the raw leaf on its native hills, pack it by our own -methods, and bring it down by railway to Shanghai for shipment; but -<i>for years yet we labour under the disadvantage of having to buy it just as -the Chinamen choose to prepare it, without any real knowledge of the total -crop at any time, or any immediate power to manipulate the Teas to suit -the tastes of consumers</i>.</p></div> - -<p>Mark you, this is an enemy’s opinion. May his prognostications -be accomplished to the letter!</p> - -<p>The following is from the <i>Tea Gazette</i> lately <span class="lock">received:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">The Calcutta Tea Syndicate.</span></h4> - -<p>We are glad to learn that this most useful body intends to continue -its operations in opening up, wherever possible, new markets, although -there will be no more soliciting supplies of Tea for Australia—the -feeling being that the trade in this direction may now be left to take -care of itself.</p> - -<p>The Tea Syndicate has done a great good, and those able to -ship to Australia should at once arrange to take the fullest advantage -of the opening made for them. We would have wished that the -Syndicate had continued actively its operations there, but perhaps -they are right in leaving, now, the further development of the trade -they have so successfully founded to private enterprise. It will be -the fault of owners themselves if they do not take advantage of the -large market opened to them.</p></div> - -<p>I conclude my notice of Australia as a market by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> -following, also from the <i>Tea Gazette</i>. Matters there certainly -look promising for the Indian <span class="lock">planter:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">The new Australian Tea Association.</span></h4> - -<p>Our friends in Australia, now that they are convinced of the purity -and good quality of our Indian Teas, have determined, we are glad -to see, to follow in the wake of the Calcutta Tea Syndicate, and push -by <i>united</i> effort Indian Teas throughout the Australian Colonies. Knowing -full well that no half-hearted measures would be likely to succeed, -and that the efforts of a few individuals would not meet the requirements -of the market, our friends in Victoria and New South Wales -have <i>combined</i>, and formed an association under the title of the -“Calcutta Tea Association,” for the sale of pure and unadulterated -Indian Teas to wholesale merchants, storekeepers, and customers in -general. Large and handsome premises have been taken in King -Street, Melbourne, and Charlotte Place, Sydney, in which the operations -of the Association are to be carried on on a large scale.</p></div> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">America.</span></h3> - -<p>The following is from the <i>Daily News</i>—a Calcutta -<span class="lock">paper:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>We were glad to note that our American cousins were being -induced to give some orders. If only Indian Tea was once taken up, -and became popular, its future would be secured. The teeming -masses of people in the States would consume more Tea we should -imagine than all the English public, provided Indian Tea took the -place of China. Australia so far has done well, but the market there -would be easily glutted, whereas, if its use became general, it would -be almost impossible to glut the American market. The millions of -settlers in America and in Canada all use Tea at their meals very -much as an Englishman takes his beer, so that the inland consumption -must be very large. In Australia, every shepherd carries his pannikin -of Tea, and the amount he swallows in twelve months must be pretty -considerable. In the backwoods of America and Canada, each woodcutter -consumes nearly half a pound of Tea weekly, so that, with its -millions of people, America could easily dispose of millions of pounds -of Tea, which would not only clear off all the surplus Tea in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> -London market, but would probably cause a deficit. We wonder if in -our time this golden era will take place.</p></div> - -<p>This from the <span class="smcap">Tea Gazette</span>:—</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Tea in America.</span></h4> - -<p>A petition has been presented to the United States Congress -asking for the prohibition of the importation of adulterated Teas from -China and Japan, which are at present extensively sold. This, it is -thought, will lead to increased attention being paid to Indian Teas, -which are well known to be pure and unadulterated.</p></div> - -<p>Again from same <span class="lock">paper:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The circular lately addressed to the local Tea planting interest by -the Committee of the Calcutta Syndicate, reporting the results of Mr. -Sibthorp’s efforts to create a market for Indian Teas in America, opens -up a vista of unprecedented prosperity in the future.</p> - -<p>That the population of America, the bulk of which consist of the -same races among whom Indian Tea has grown in favour so rapidly in -the United Kingdom, should persist in rejecting it after a fair trial was -<i>à priori</i> highly improbable. It was, therefore, reasonably to be -presumed that whatever difficulty might beset the opening up of this -new market would consist chiefly in the obstacles to securing such a -trial.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sibthorp’s report not only bears out this view of the case, but -justifies a confident expectation that the obstacles in question, so far -as they have any real existence, will speedily disappear. In Chicago, -so far from having had to encounter any of those strong trade -prejudices which were met with at first in Australia, Mr. Sibthorp -found the leading importers, Messrs. J. Doane and Co., ready to render -every assistance and confident of being able to dispose of five thousand -half chests the first season, without forcing the market. Similar -success seems to have attended his efforts in New York, and a telegram -has been received from him ordering a thousand half chests for -shipment to that port.</p> - -<p>The importance of this new market is immensely enhanced by the -circumstance that the American consumption of Tea is destined to -increase, owing to mere growth of population, at a rate not to be -looked for in any other country; at such a rate, in fact, that if India -could only secure the annual addition to the demand from this cause,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> -she would probably have to double her production in less than a -generation to enable her to meet it.</p> - -<p>So far from seeing any reason why she should not secure this -amount of custom in the New World, we see none why the proportion -of India to other Teas consumed in America should not ultimately be -as large as in England, where there was once a strong prejudice -against Indian Tea.</p></div> - -<p>What possible foreign markets have we besides Australia -and America? Russia and many European countries are -on the cards, and if the Calcutta Syndicate will continue its -work great results may ensue. Those who know the Continent -often say, and it is true, that no good Tea can be -had in France, Germany, or Italy (it is <i>not</i> so in Russia), -and retail dealers have offered again and again (made the -offers to me) to take large quantities of the Indian Tea of -which I have shown them samples. As this is so, why not -supply them? But it cannot be done well to any extent -by individual planters. The Calcutta Syndicate could easily -do it, and I quite believe they would find the work in Europe -easier than in America.</p> - -<p>The Amsterdam Exhibition, so soon to take place, affords -a great opening, and from all I hear it will be taken advantage -of. Inhabitants from all countries will be there, and -the fame of our Teas should thus spread throughout Europe. -The <i>Tea Gazette</i> <span class="lock">says:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">The Amsterdam Exhibition.</span></h4> - -<p>It is intended to have Indian Tea well represented at the forthcoming -Exhibition at Amsterdam; and we trust that the most will be -made of the opportunity. There is no reason why we should not -succeed in Holland as well as we have succeeded in <i>America</i> and -<i>Australia</i>. The rapid strides going on in production must be met by -exceptionally active exertions to open out new markets, and to see -that those recently opened out are not allowed to drop for want of -fostering.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> - -<p>The effect of this opportunity will be by no means limited to -Holland, as in all probability thousands will flock to the Exhibition from -adjacent countries, and many from all parts of the world.</p> - -<p>We hope that every advantage will be taken of future International -Exhibitions in any part of the world by an adequate quasi-permanent -organization in Calcutta, and we sincerely trust that the existing -Calcutta Tea Syndicate will not cease its most useful operations until -all the world bows to the great god Indian Tea. The operations in -countries other than Great Britain during the last few years show what -important developments in the Tea trade of this country are now -taking place, and every exertion is necessary to maintain these successful -results—for which the industry is so much indebted to the -Syndicate.</p></div> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Thibet.</span></h3> - -<p>This is a large, mountainous, and table land country on -the northern side of the Himalayas. It is at a very high -elevation, intensely cold, and very thinly populated. The -Thibetans drink much Tea per head, but they use Brick -Tea; this is made of the coarsest leaves compressed with -some glutinous substance.</p> - -<p>There is no difficulty in its manufacture. At present it is -supplied by China, which is close by, but not nearer than -India. Many think much of our coarse Tea (particularly -from the Himalayan gardens) might find a market in Thibet, -and I incline to the belief they are right. The quantity -would not be very large, “but every little helps.”</p> - -<p>Formerly much Tea was sold to the native tribes over -the northern border by the gardens in Kumaon, Gurwal, -and Kangra. Why I know not, but I hear the trade has -fallen off to some extent; the Teas are taken to the Central -Asian markets.</p> - -<p>I have done with foreign markets, but there is yet -another and a very large one regarding which nothing has -yet been done: I allude to the market among the natives of -India, in other words</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">The Local Market.</span></h3> - -<p>The following is from the <i>Calcutta Englishman</i> on the -<span class="lock">subject:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The letter of our correspondent “A. E. T.” calls attention for the -hundredth time to the failure of the planting interest to make the most -of the local demand for Indian Teas. It is only necessary to compare -the prices realised at the public auctions with those at which even the -most liberal of our retail firms offer to supply their customers with such -Teas to see that but a very small fraction of the difference between the -prime cost of the Tea and what the consumer has to pay for it goes -into the pocket of the planter. It is probably no exaggeration to say -that while the consumer pays, on the average, from twelve annas to a -rupee per pound more than the actual cost of the Tea laid down in -Calcutta, the planter may think himself fortunate if he can appropriate -from half an anna to an anna of this sum. By whatever course of -argument the fact may be justified, it is certainly not justifiable by the -equity of the case as it appears to ordinary minds. For it is the planter -who has borne the heat and burden of the day, and the proportion -which the capital invested by him bears to the ultimate return is -immensely greater in his case than in that of the retail dealer.</p> - -<p>On whom does the blame for the continuance of this state of things, -if blame there be in the matter, rest? Hardly on the public. They -would only be too glad to allow the Tea planter, say, four times his -present profit instead of allowing twelve times that profit to a middleman -or a series of middlemen. The public, however, can give their -custom only to those who bid for it, and who consult their convenience -in the arrangements they make to secure it.</p> - -<p>It is evidently the planter, and the planter alone, who can move in -the matter. But whether out of regard for the interests of the retail -dealer, or from a belief that the game is not worth the candle, he does -not move. If there were a retail Tea trade worthy of the name, in the -proper sense of the term, in Calcutta, it would probably not be to the -interest of planters to enter into competition with it. But though we -have many retail establishments who deal in Tea, its sale is, in the -great majority of cases, only one item of a very multifarious business, -the profit on which, as a whole, is probably not excessive under all the -circumstances of the case.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> - -<p>As to the game not being worth the candle, that is possibly the -case if only the present demand is considered. But we are persuaded -that it is otherwise if regard is had to the expansion of which that -demand is capable.</p> - -<p>If Indian Tea were procurable in the bazaars in parcels of moderate -size at a reasonable advance on auction prices, we believe that a large -native demand for it would rapidly grow up. As it is, an extensive -business goes on in China Tea of the most wretched quality, some of -it sold in packets of a few ounces, and some of it loose in still smaller -quantities. Even in Calcutta this Tea is sold at prices which would -pay the Indian Tea planter a handsome profit, while in the interior it -is sold at rates which would have been high fifty years ago.</p> - -<p>Surely a Syndicate which extends its efforts for the popularisation -of Indian Tea to such distant and widely separated markets as Australia -and America might profitably make some systematic effort to -promote its use among the vast population at its doors.</p> - -<p>The time may be far distant when the great bulk of this population -will adopt Tea as an ordinary beverage; but the way in which the -habit of using it has spread during the last ten or fifteen years, among -all classes of the vast population of Calcutta, affords an indication -of possibilities very well worth testing.</p></div> - -<p>When last in India I wrote on this subject largely, but -all to no avail. The following was one of my letters which -appeared in the <i>Tea Gazette</i>:—</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">The Market at our Doors.—Consumption of China Tea -in India.</span></h4> - -<p>The <i>Statesman</i>, in a recent article, observes as follows, while discussing -the maritime trade of British <span class="lock">India:—</span></p> - -<p>“Perhaps the most anomalous import we have is Tea. It is hardly -conceivable that while Indian Tea continues to advance in public estimation -at home, we should not only use China Tea in India, but that -in increasing quantities.”<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> - -<p>In 1876-77 the imports of China Teas were a little <i>under</i> two -millions, but in 1880-81 as much <i>over</i> three millions! The <i>Statesman</i> -states, and truly, that the reason of this is simply “that Indian Tea is -sold in too large packets to be easily obtainable by the general public,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> -for it seems, as regards Indian Tea, the smallest quantity that can -be bought is one pound, whereas an ounce of China Tea can be purchased.”</p> - -<p>Further on, the <i>Statesman</i> kindly alludes to my advocacy in the -<i>Tea Gazette</i> of a company to sell Tea in small packages to the natives, -stating also that such a trade is “capable of almost unlimited expansion -at a fair profit,” which is exactly what I have, for some time, been -trying to hammer into the heads of those interested in the Tea industry -of India.</p> - -<p>Now, Sir, is it not absurd that while the <i>bête noir</i> of our industry is -“supply in excess of demand,” and while, with this dread, we are -trying (it seems with success) to open up new markets at the Antipodes -and in America, we are neglecting a market at our very doors, the -limits of which, I hold, no man can foresee, for is it not a market where -the possible buyers number 200 millions?</p> - -<p>Is it not also more than absurd, nay a very shame to those interested -in our industry, that while we have a better article than China -Tea, we allow, by our supineness and lack of enterprise, more than -three million pounds of an inferior article to be sold in the birth place -of the better? And why? simply because we <i>will</i> not supply it in the -form the teeming crowd of natives willing, nay anxious, to buy can -avail themselves of it!</p> - -<p>Since I advocated in your paper the formation of a company -to sell Tea to natives in small packets, and showed, I thought -conclusively: 1—That the capital required was not large (say one -and a-half lakhs). 2—That the shareholders might expect very fair -dividends. 3—That there was no assignable limit to the trade which -might be developed. 4—That if such a company was started and -worked well, all fear for the future of Indian Tea would be at an end. -5—That every Tea owner, who became a shareholder, would advance -his own interests by many times more than the dividends he would -receive—since then I have obtained from England estimates of all -the machinery required to bulk and pack the Teas, advice from the -best firms as to <i>the mode</i> so successful in England, and I am more than -ever convinced that the company would be a money-making one, and -that, in two words, we shall sadly neglect our own interests if we do -not accomplish it.</p> - -<p>Again, since my former articles I have spoken to dozens of Tea -planters and Tea owners on the subject, and all of them think highly -of the scheme, while many only wait for the company to be launched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -to take shares. I could name more than one influential native also -who is willing to join, and this is a good sign, for, in my opinion, a -moiety of the directors should be natives. I will myself become a -large shareholder, though I cannot offer my services on the board, for -it must be in Calcutta, and I do not reside there.</p> - -<p>I am convinced, if the company is launched, the shares will be -taken up in a week.</p> - -<p>But if no one in Calcutta is public-spirited enough to launch such -a company, why should not an association of a few individuals try to -carry out the scheme. I quite believe Tea proprietors would help -them, at starting, by supplying, on reasonable credit, the coarse Teas -suitable. Were this done, the thin edge of the wedge would be driven -in, and, if the association succeeded, they might later transfer the -business at a fair profit to a company.</p> - -<p>I had written so far when I saw your remarks on the same subject -in your last issue. I cannot agree with you in thinking an association -would be <i>better</i> than a company, but I say, failing the last let us have -the first—in fact, let us make a beginning.</p> - -<p>I give here below, to save the trouble of reference, the last part of -my former <span class="lock">article:—</span></p> - -<p>“I will now, in conclusion, shortly estimate for how much two and -four ounce packets could be sold to the consumer.</p> - -<p>“Supposing suitable Teas could be bought at six annas per lb. (and -all Tea planters know that a very large supply of broken Teas with -some red leaf would be available at that price), one ounce would equal -4½ pie or 9 pie for 2 ounces. We may then calculate thus for each -2 ounce packet:</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td class="small">R.</td><td class="small">A.</td><td class="small">P.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Tea</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>9</td></tr> -<tr><td>Tin foil, company’s mark, labour of making up packet, wear and tear, bulking machinery</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><td>Profit to company</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><td>Price at which company could sell 2 ounce packets</td><td class="bordertop">0</td><td class="bordertop">1</td><td class="bordertop">3</td></tr> -<tr><td>Profit to dealer or middleman</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><td>Profit to retailer</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr> -<tr><td>Cost to consumer for 2 ounce packet</td><td class="bordertop">0</td><td class="bordertop">1</td><td class="bordertop">9</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>“As making up a 4 ounce packet would be cheaper in proportion, -and the profit to company, middleman, and retailer need not be -double the 2 ounce rate, we may fairly say that 4 ounce packets could -be sold at 3 annas.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I have sent to England for an estimate of the necessary machinery, -so that if my project meets with favour, there will later be -no delay on that score.”</p> - -<p>Surely the above figures, and I believe they are sound, have <i>the -look</i> of success about them.</p> - -<p>I hear it has been suggested that paper packets would deteriorate -by keeping, but protected by a good wrapper of tin-foil inside, I feel -sure this would not be the case.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>Nothing has been done to this day; and thus, to our -shame be it said, we are allowing a market capable of -indefinite expansion to remain dormant.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">MAKING INDIAN TEA KNOWN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>Several plans have at times been proposed in India with a -view to make the merits of pure Indian Teas known in -England. When I was last out there I saw the following -letter in the <i>Calcutta Statesman</i>, and it appeared to me the -plan suggested was in every way an excellent <span class="lock">one:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h3><span class="smcap">How to Push the Sale of Tea.</span></h3> - -<p class="center"><i>To the Editor “Statesman.”</i></p> - -<p>Sir,—Referring to your leader of to-day on the subject of selling -Tea at home, I agree with you that Tea-growers should combine for -retailing, as they have, through the Syndicate, combined for opening -up new markets, but there must be the same spirit of enterprise in the -one case as in the other. Now, the mere opening up of shops for the -sale of Indian Teas, involving, as it would, rents, expensive establishments, -and bad debts, would not afford the necessary scope, nor would -it meet the case.</p> - -<p>The system of auction in Mincing Lane must with all its drawbacks -continue, but it is surely possible to extract some good from it. Let -agencies for such a combination as you propose be established in all -the large towns in Great Britain, and weekly auctions of packets of -Tea from 2 ounces to 5 lbs. or so be held in different parts of each -town, so that every day except Sunday there would be an auction -going on somewhere. Let the sales be <i>bonâ fide</i> to the highest bidder -and for cash on the nail, and I will promise that before a year is over, -as high prices will be paid at these auctions as are at present realised -by Cooper and Cooper, whilst the demand would soon greatly exceed -the supply.</p> - -<p>If something of the same kind were done in the bazaars of India, -the taste which so decidedly exists among natives would develop -rapidly.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Matt. Drews.</span></p> -<p> -Calcutta, <i>January 4th, 1882</i>. -</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<p>I wrote the following remarks on the above to the same -<span class="lock">paper:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Indian Tea Sales at Home.</span></h3> - -<p class="center"><i>To the Editor “Statesman.”</i></p> - -<p>Sir,—Your article of Wednesday on the above, and a letter from -Mr. Drews in Thursday’s paper, have interested me much. As you -truly say, it is more than absurd that the public at home should pay -150 per cent. for our Teas above the prices at which they are sold in -Mincing Lane, and that this tremendous profit, minus 6<i>d.</i> duty, should -all go into the hands of the retail dealer. Absurd as it is, it is still a -great fact, and the absurdity can only be increased in one way, and -that is, if we remain quiet, accept the position, and do nothing.</p> - -<p>That we ought to move, and move quickly, is very certain. How -best to act requires serious consideration, and ample discussion.</p> - -<p>You advocate a company or association to sell our Teas retail in -all the large towns in Great Britain, and advocate a subscription of -Rs. 10 per month by each garden in India, until the business could -support itself. Nothing <i>can</i> be done unless we all subscribe a small -sum to set it going, and the amount you mention (Rs. 120 for one year; -the necessity would most assuredly last no longer) should frighten no -one, while, if done generally by the Indian gardens, it would be ample. I -would suggest, therefore, that we should begin the matter as set out below.</p> - -<p>The following none of the very many interested in Tea can <span class="lock">deny:—</span></p> - -<p>1. The large profits made on Indian Teas at home are not -realised by the producers, but by the retail dealers.</p> - -<p>2. We can easily undersell the said retail dealers, to the tune of -50 per cent. or more, and still work at a large profit.</p> - -<p>3. If the retail dealers were so undersold, an enormous custom -would ensue to us, or rather the agents we employed.</p> - -<p>4. If Indian Teas were procurable at a fair price all over Great -Britain, because Indian Tea is superior to China, because those who -have drunk Indian never revert to China, because thousands would -then taste our Teas for the first time, and continue their use—I say, -because of all this, little by little, the consumption would increase in a -ratio we do not dream of now.</p> - -<p>5. The consumption so increased, we should necessarily, because -demand exceeded supply, get good prices at the public marts in -Calcutta and London, and in consequence thereof the value of all Tea -property in India would be greatly enhanced.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span></p> - -<p>I believe all the above would <i>certainly</i> follow on a general well-combined -movement on our part; but let us take the worst view. No -one can deny that they <i>might</i> do so. Would Rs. 120 be a large stake -from each garden for even the chance? Let us <i>begin</i> thus: Open a -list in your office for the names of those gardens willing to join. One -year’s subscription, at Rs. 10 per month, should be the limit from each -garden. When enough names are collected to warrant further movement, -call a meeting in Calcutta, and let the next steps be decided on, -and in the interval—agitate; I will help to the best of my power, and -collect opinions from all sides.</p> - -<p>Open the list with the names of the three gardens I represent (as -per enclosure), equivalent at once to a subscription of Rs. 360.</p> - -<p>Now, as to the question—<i>how</i> to do it? I give you my views, but -let them be criticised and discussed. We want to do it, and to do it -the best way.</p> - -<p>What I have been suggesting for months in the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, as the -best thing to do in India—<i>viz.</i>, to sell Tea by auction in convenient -forms as to quantity for native consumption—is really what I advise for -England. I am quite at one with Mr. Drews on this point. (I wish -you would reprint his valuable letter above, and then my allusions to -it would be understood.) Retail shops and all they would entail, <i>viz.</i>, -intricate supervision, rents, establishments, and what not, necessitate -details quite outside our legitimate sphere as producers. No organisation -we could devise would carry on successfully two or three hundred -shops at home. We (that is, the company or the association) <i>could</i> -not efficiently superintend such a complicated business, and we should -be cheated right and left. But let others, I say, do the work for us at -their own risk, as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>Sell Teas in whole, half, and quarter chests, in tins of 10, 5, and -1 lbs., in packets of 8, 4, and 2 ounces once a week (the market day) -in country towns; daily, in different localities in London, Birmingham, -Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and such like cities—all by auction to -the highest bidder for <i>cash</i>, in lots which would suit both retail dealers -and retail purchasers. Never mind if there be a loss at the commencement; -the quantities sold, till we felt our way, need not be large.</p> - -<p>What would be the result? Retail dealers would shortly sell as -much Indian as China Tea, <i>if they could get it</i>. Our Teas would go -into thousands of houses where it has never been tasted yet. The -demand would increase on all sides; prices in Mincing Lane, and consequently -in Calcutta, would rise, and no fear of a glutted market<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> -could then exist. In two words, Indian Teas would, I believe, six -months after such operations were commenced, become the rage in -England, and we, the owners of Tea property, would add 50 per cent. -to the value of our estates.</p> - -<p>Is not even the <i>chance</i> of all this worth an outlay of Rs. 120 for -each garden? I am proud to head the list with my Rs. 360, and I do -beg of all interested in Tea to follow my lead.</p> - -<p>In the plan I have sketched, like Mr. Drews, all the operations -would be simple. The necessary supervision would be small: the -details easily arranged. The Teas would of course be bought in the -open market in London and distributed for public auction to the -different localities. There might be some loss at first (it is for this the -capital is wanted), but if always sold to the highest bidder, there -would be none—nay, a handsome profit after a time; and though I do -<i>not</i> think with Mr. Drews, nor should I wish, that the prices would -eventually equal Cooper and Cooper’s, I do think that the said firm -would soon find it useless to advertise their <i>cheapest</i> Indian Tea at -3 shillings a pound—Tea for which they certainly paid no more than -13 pence!</p> - -<p>I may add that I quite agree with the last paragraph of Mr. -Drews’ letter; but a sale for India and a sale for England are two -different things, and I will not treat of both together.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p> - -<p>Western Dooars, <i>January 7, 1882</i>.</p></div> - -<p>Alas! in this case, like the one of supply of Tea to -natives, nothing practical came of it. A <i>very few</i> gardens -agreed to subscribe, and the matter dropped.</p> - -<p>Of all the plans that have been mooted, this of Mr. -Drews I believe to be the best. I wish a small company -in England would try to initiate it. No greater boon, in my -opinion, could be conferred on the Indian Tea industry; -and were such a Company, with good names, launched in -England, a large proportion of the shares would probably -be taken in India. A very moderate capital would suffice.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">TEA MACHINERY.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>So much has it been extended and improved since the -Third Edition was published, I have much to say on this -subject.</p> - -<p>I will divide it into two headings, “Tea Cultivation” -and “Tea Manufacture.” Of course the machines for the -last far outnumber the first, which are very few, but much -of great importance to the industry will find its place under -the first <span class="lock">heading—</span></p> - - -<h3><i>Machinery and Implements for Tea Cultivation.</i></h3> - -<p>Formerly, with prices as they ruled, Tea paid under -most circumstances. It is <i>not</i> so now. Unless Tea, and -good Tea, can be made cheap it is hopeless to look for profit -from a Tea garden. To cultivate cheaply, and efficiently, -is therefore all important (far more important than has -hitherto been recognized), and assuredly the more machinery -can be made to take the place of hand labour, the sooner -shall we attain that end. On this point I need only observe -that in most of the Tea districts in India labour has to be -imported at a great cost, varying from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per -coolie, and anything which would lessen this want would -materially help to success.</p> - -<p>The following, signed “Nil Desperandum,” appeared in -the <i>Tea Gazette</i> in August, 1881. I quite agree with the -writer and have myself often expressed the same <span class="lock">opinions:—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Ploughing and Hoeing Machinery.</span></h4> - -<p>Dear Sir,—On looking over your columns I have been surprised to -see the small attention paid to agricultural machinery: in fact, I can’t -find the subject mentioned, although one would imagine it was as important -if not more so than manufacturing machinery. Various agricultural -instruments, such as ploughs, &c., have, I know, been tried in old times, -and not with the best results to the bushes; but there is no reason why, -because the ordinary machines have failed, that planters should be -sunk in the belief that that costly article the coolie must endure as -long as Tea does.<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p></div> - -<p>I will now consider the cultivation implements I know of.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p><i>Planting Pots.</i>—These are made of clay, cow dung, and -cut straw. They are placed in the nurseries and the Tea -seed planted in them. When the seedlings are big enough -to put out, pot and all is buried where the Tea bush is to be. -The pot being broken a little when placed in the ground, -the rain soon destroys it. The seedling <i>does not know</i> it has -been transplanted, and the check of six weeks or more, -experienced by all transplants, is entirely avoided. I know -not who invented the pots, but the idea is an excellent one.</p> - -<p><i>Jebens Transplanter.</i>—This is an implement for lifting -seedlings without injuring the rootlets or disturbing the soil -around them. It is noticed at page <a href="#Page_79">79</a> favourably: since -that time (1878) it has been used more or less in all Tea -districts. I have seen many opinions both for and against -it. I believe the truth is it works very well in light soil, and -with smallish seedlings, but does not answer in hard soil or -with plants above 2½ feet high. Where the soil and size of -seedlings are suitable, it certainly saves much of the check -experienced otherwise by transplants.</p> - -<p>I know of no other peculiar implements for Tea -cultivation.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> -<p>The greatest expense connected with cultivation is, -naturally, opening the soil or digging; the spade is never -used in India and would not answer. Coolies dig with a -kodali, a thing something like a spade, with the handle set -at right angles to the blade. Could we dispense with this, -and cultivate between the lines of Tea with ploughs of any -suitable pattern, whether worked by steam or animal power, -an enormous saving would be effected. I am sure the <i>whole</i> -space between two lines of Tea can never be so done, round -each and every bush the soil <i>must</i> be opened by hand; but -the centre space, say about 2½ to 3 feet, could, I am -convinced, be so worked, and I think it is only a question -of time when it will be so treated.</p> - -<p>The planting community are gradually appreciating the -fact that something <i>may</i> be done in this way. The following -appeared in the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, end of 1881, <i>re</i> ploughing by -<span class="lock">steam:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Ploughing</span> <i>v.</i> <span class="smcap">Hoeing</span>.</h4> - -<p>Dear Sir,—I am glad to see by the letter of a “Man in the -Kundah” that some managers have taken up the idea of ploughing -instead of hoeing. It is an idea which I have been dinning into the ears -of Tea planters ever since I saw a Tea garden. Mr. Lyell deserves -credit, and so will everyone who assists to introduce ploughing -instead of hoeing. The saving of labour would be immense. The -gentlemen who are interested in the subject will be glad to learn that -I wrote home last month to several leading agricultural machinery -people asking the fullest particulars as to <i>steam ploughing machinery</i>, -with a view to seeing how far suitable it would be for Tea cultivation. -As soon as all my information arrives, and I have thought the matter -out, I will give the planting community my opinion. I have, as far as -I am personally concerned, already formed it, and am confident that -at no very distant date the steam plough will supersede the <i>dhangar</i> or -other hand labour. But of course I must make out a strong case for -it, or my opinions would be supposed to arise from a professional -predilection for machinery.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -F. -</p> - -<p>Siligoorie, <i>27th November, 1882</i>.</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p> - -<p>Again, “Nil Desperandum,” quoted above, <span class="lock">continues:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>I enclose a report on Darby’s Digger from the <i>Times</i> and <i>Pioneer</i>, -which shows that it is an instrument possessing the principle we -require in deep hoeing, <i>viz.</i>, turning the earth completely over, and -bringing the subsoil to the surface, although of course far too -unwieldy, costly, and weighty to be used in Tea. It is, however, the -first step in the right direction, as it closely copies spade action; and -we may hope that before long a machine with that principle, and -capable of being worked in a Tea khet, will be brought out. For -light hoeing, last cold weather I procured from Messrs. Vipan and -Headly, Church Gate, Leicester, England, two expanding horse hoes, -which I worked all the hot weather, and which did their work -admirably and at a much cheaper rate than can be done by hand -labour. Two of these hoes hoe a 12-acre khet in six days up the lines -of Tea and across them, but to make a thorough job it is better to go -over the work again. The total cost of <span class="lock">this:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td class="center" colspan="6">Planted 4′ × 4′</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" rowspan="2">For one hoe</td><td class="left">{Pay of boy and man 12 days</td><td>=</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">{Food of bullocks @ 4 as. per diem, Barley @ 24 per Rupee</td><td>=</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" colspan="2">Cost of light hoeing 12-acre khet</td><td>=</td><td class="bordertop">5</td><td class="bordertop">6</td><td class="bordertop">0</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="6">2</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="center">Against</td><td></td><td class="bordertop">10</td><td class="bordertop">12</td><td class="bordertop">0</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="left">Nirrikh for 136 bildars, light hoeing, 240 spaces, 4′ × 4′, per diem @ 0-2-9 each</td><td>=</td><td class="btopbottom">23</td><td class="btopbottom">6</td><td class="btopbottom">0</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="left">Or a saving of more than 100 per cent.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>I gave one 12-acre khet four of these light hoeings during the hot -weather, which so thoroughly destroyed the grass seeds that, although -heavy rain has fallen here for the last month and a-half, the grass -in this khet is thin and not more than 6″ high, a fact which, to those -who know how the jungle springs up in cultivated ground in the Doon -when the rains set in, will be a sufficient proof of the success of these -instruments. The frame of the hoe is only 7″ high, and when the -blades are buried in the ground is only 4″, and as the handle projects -from the centre of the back of the hoe and not from the sides, there is -no danger of the bushes being injured. The hoe will expand from -14″ to 20″ at back, and from 3″ to 7″ in front; and as the standards -of the blades are curved outwards, the hoe in its greatest expansion -cultivates a breadth of 27″ of ground. I found that one bullock was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> -too weak to drag a hoe, although a good pony was quite equal to the -work, so put in a pair of bullocks. The bullocks and hoe take up -between them three rows of Tea at once, the bullocks on each outside -row and the hoe in the centre one. A boy walking up the centre row -leads the bullocks, which are harnessed to the hoe in the same manner -as bullocks are harnessed to the country ploughs, but with longer -julas of course. These hoes are, I find, useless during wet weather, as -they clog dreadfully, but during hot dry weather they are invaluable. -What we now want is a machine that, either by bullock, horse, or -steam power, will do our deep hoeing as well as the light hoe does the -light hoeing. This is a matter which I consider of vital interest to -owners and shareholders, as, unless in these days of very low prices -we can reduce the cost of production considerably, we cannot hope -that Tea will pay a fair interest on the money expended, and great -length of time lost in getting up a garden.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Nil Desperandum.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>In the above, two bullocks to drag the plough or digger -are evidently contemplated. My experience is, that two -draught cattle cannot be used, simply because there is not -room for them between the lines of Tea.<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> If animal power -is used, it must be a single bullock alone. How to harness -a single bullock to the plough is the question. A collar with -a hinge below, which allows it to open at top, may be put -on from below, and then the sides fastened together at the -top. But I advise another plan, which I have seen most -successfully practised in Austria. The traces, joining -together, and thus becoming one behind the bullock, are -fastened to the horns, and tightly connected with a leather -pad across the animal’s forehead. The bullock thus pulls -by his head, and I am sure he can pull in no more efficient -or easier way to himself. Bullocks in pairs, or singly, are -thus harnessed for plough work in Austria, and I have seen -single animals dragging ploughs of much greater weight and -power than we should require in our Tea gardens.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> -<p>Given a proper plough, and I feel sure a large strong -bullock thus harnessed would be successful.</p> - -<p>A really good Tea garden plough has yet to be -invented. All that is necessary is to give some agricultural -machinists here at home the conditions necessary for -success, and I predict what we want would be soon forthcoming. -I will myself try to do so, let others do the same; -one of us is sure to succeed.</p> - -<p>I give all these extracts to show that many think as I do.</p> - -<p>Cultivation with ploughs of any kind can never be -feasible except on flat land. The hill gardens in India must -in no case hope to introduce it; but I sincerely trust the -planters in India who own level gardens will not rest till -they have solved the problem, and that Messrs. Kinmond, -Jackson, and other inventors of Tea machinery will give -their valuable aid. The following two letters from the <i>Tea -Gazette</i> show the difficulties to be encountered in steam -<span class="lock">cultivation:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Steam Cultivation for Tea.</span></h4> - -<p>Sir,—As promised in your last issue, I now write to say that I have -received from England the catalogues and price lists of Messrs. Howard, -of Bedford, Messrs. Barford and Perkins, and other makers of steam -ploughing machinery. Messrs. Howard seem to think that the greatest -difficulty would be in lifting the return rope over the bushes. This -would be certainly a difficulty, but the idea of steam cultivation for -Tea is so valuable that it is well worth while thinking this out. I will -in your first issue for January give a <i>resumé</i> of all the information -gleaned from the illustrated catalogues and the letters from the -engineers at home on the subject of steam ploughing, and will then be -glad to co-operate with any gentlemen interested in Tea by giving my -professional opinion and assistance without fee in endeavouring to -solve this matter. I trust, should I ever have to write another series -of articles on Tea machinery for the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, the steam plough -may figure as one of the machines which I will have to describe as in -use on Tea gardens.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span></p> - -<p>Meanwhile the principal difficulty in the way seems to be the -shifting of the long wire pulling rope over the row of bushes. Let -those interested in the subject try to devise a speedy and economical -method of doing this.—Yours, &c.,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">C. B. Fergus, C.E.</span> -</p> - -<p>Siligori, <i>17th December, 1882</i>.</p></div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">As to Steam-Ploughing on Tea Gardens.</span></h4> - -<p>Sir,—As promised, I give you a letter regarding the question as to -whether steam-ploughing could be wholly or partially introduced as -a substitute for manual labour in Tea gardens. I have been in communication -with several of the leading makers of steam-ploughing -machinery in England, but notably with Messrs. Howard, of Bedford, -and Messrs. Barford and Perkins, of Peterborough. These gentlemen -forwarded me their illustrated catalogues in duplicate, one set of -which I sent to you.</p> - -<p>The first question that ensues in regard to the subject is, “Would -it pay, even if found feasible?”</p> - -<p>In Assam, Cachar, Sylhet and other places, where labour is scarce, -it is probable that the introduction of steam cultivation would be a -great boon to the Tea planter. The first cost of a steam-ploughing -apparatus with ropes, plough, and everything complete as in use in -England on what is called the “single system,” that is, working with -only one engine, is about £950. This is heavy, but as a much lighter -cultivator would be used for Tea, I think the cost might be reduced to -£800—say Rs. 10,000 on the garden. Under moderately favourable -circumstances the machinery, making all allowances for native attendants, -and the usual difficulties we have to encounter in India through -their laziness and stupidity, should cultivate 800 to 1,000 acres per -month of twenty working days. The remaining ten days might be -occupied in the rains by taking the engine and gear from place to place -where it might be required; for, as the expense of a steam-ploughing -engine and apparatus would be too much for any concern, except a -very large one, to bear, I suggest that two, three, or four gardens unite -and purchase one. There need be no clashing or quarrelling about -terms at the end of the season: each should pay his share of the -cost of fuel, up-keep, wages, &c., according to the number of days -it was on each garden. It would thus be to the interest of -each manager to forward it on to the man whose turn was next,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -without delay. Remember, please, that in saying that it would -cultivate so many acres in such a time, I mean that it would cultivate -two ways—that is up and down and across. There would remain a -little hand-hoeing, &c., round the inner part of the roots of the bushes, -but not much, as the cultivator I would design would go partly underneath -the laterals and still not hurt the roots, the outer lines being -much shorter than the inner ones.</p> - -<p>Now it is a simple matter to calculate, according to the rates of the -district in which the reader may be, the comparative cost of cultivating -1,000 acres of Tea by hand and by the steam-plough. The plough -would be worked for Tea by an 8-H. P. portable engine of any maker’s -manufacture. Wages for one engineman, one cooly to cut wood, -possibly one pair bullocks and cart-driver to bring barrels of water, two -coolies to shift the anchors, and two more to assist them (possibly) in -shifting the rope, added to the cost of fuel, and 15 per cent. per annum -added for repairs and deterioration, seems to be the cost of working. -This would be lessened by the rope and anchor-men and the woodcutter -on the days when the plough was not at work. Add, however, -the cost of elephants or bullocks to take the engine, &c., from garden to -garden, and I think it will be found that the saving in expense would be -very great on the side of the steam-plough as regards cooly labour.</p> - -<p>Now, as to the feasibility of the scheme. It is difficult, without the -aid of plates, to describe how steam-ploughing is done. The engine -remains stationary at one corner of the field. Near it is a large double -windlass, which, when the cultivator is at work, winds up the dragging -rope with one barrel of the windlass, whilst from the other the rope is -uncoiling, which will drag the plough down the next furrow. When the -plough comes to the end of the furrow, two men, one at each end of the -rope, shift the anchors, on which are the pulleys round which the rope -runs: one furrow breadth forward the plough is double, one set of -coulters and shears being at work, while the other set is tilted up in the -air by the weight of a man who sits on and guides the plough. When -the plough is to return it is not turned round, but the man simply tilts -up into the air the set of ploughs that have done their work, and brings -down the others. Of course ploughs like this would not do for Tea: a -special cultivator would be needed. At the end of the furrow the -motion of the windlass is reversed, and the drag rope becomes in its -turn the following rope. In England there is an ingenious mechanical -contrivance for shifting the anchors, which does away with two men,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -as it works automatically. Now the greatest difficulty in the whole -matter, will be best explained to the reader in Messrs. Howard’s own -language in their letter to me. They <span class="lock">say:—</span></p> - -<p>“The obstacle to the use of steam-ploughs through rows of bushes -or trees is the practical difficulty of bringing the slack or following rope -into position for following the implement back on its return journey. -The rope cannot be lifted over the intervening row of bushes, and to -employ draught animals to take the rope up the next alley between the -bushes would add to the expense of the work, and would impede it.” -They continue: “If it is important that the land be broken up to a -depth of 9 inches, and the obstacles to effecting this by animal power -are practically insuperable, the steam plough worked on the single -system, with animals to convey the slack from end to end of the land, -would probably be the most effectual and economical method of -working.”</p> - -<p>Now if this difficulty could be overcome (and I confess it is a -rather formidable one), I quite believe that on fairly straight land, even if -somewhat sloping, with straight rows of bushes, and the land clear of -stumps, steam cultivation would be easy. On hill gardens, or gardens -where the Tea is irregularly planted, on ground much traversed by -nullahs or having stumps left in, the steam cultivator could not work. -There may be some method of lifting the rope over the bushes. Coolies -might be stationed at intervals along the row, and with the aid of a -very light block and tackle might hoist long bights of the rope high -enough to clear the bushes. The block and tackle would be fastened -to the top of a light pole. One man would hold the pole while the -other hove up, and (the pole being midway between the two rows) -might incline it over till above the next row and then lower away. A -strong 10 ft. bamboo, a pair of light wooden blocks, and an inch and a -half Manilla rope, would be all that would be requisite. Other projects -for effecting this may strike some of your readers, and what I want is, -that those who may think the idea of steam-ploughing of any value -should co-operate together to work it out in a practical form: I will -give every assistance in my power.</p> - -<p>We can scarcely hope, in the present depressed state of the Tea -market, that proprietors will club together to subscribe to bring out a -set of steam cultivating apparatus in order to institute experiments on -the subject. Should 1883 bring better times, something of the sort -might be done, and it is as well to have the matter well thought out and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -discussed beforehand, so that should a series of experiments take place, -people would be prepared for any contingencies which might arise, and -perhaps be better prepared to overcome these difficulties through the -matter having been previously well discussed.</p> - -<p>It is now the season for opening out Tea gardens, and one piece of -advice I would give to planters—that is this. It is quite possible that -steam ploughing for Tea cultivation is a thing of the future, or may -be nearer than you imagine: therefore be careful to have your lines of -Tea very straight, both along and across, so that there would be no -obstacle to the plough or cultivator working. If you object to the -expense of taking out stumps, they may remain in, as they could be -taken out afterwards.</p> - -<p>I trust your readers, Mr. Editor, will not view this subject with -indifference, but will co-operate in endeavouring to solve the problem.—I -am yours faithfully,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -“<span class="smcap">Tea Machinery</span>.” -</p></div> - -<p>Though the signatures differ, I conceive Mr. C. B. -Fergus, C.E., wrote the second as well as the first. He -has evidently pondered the matter well. Let others do so -too, and I foretell that the day is not far distant when <i>flat</i> -Tea gardens will, in a great measure, be cultivated by steam -or animal power. When this is so, even 8 annas (say 10<i>d.</i>) -per lb. for our Tea all round should pay us well.</p> - - -<h3><i>Tea Manufacturing Machinery.</i></h3> - -<p>The processes in Tea manufacture, as generally practised -in India to-day, <span class="lock">are—</span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. Plucking.</li> -<li>2. Withering.</li> -<li>3. Sorting green leaf in a measure, and separation of Pekoe Tips.</li> -<li>4. Rolling.</li> -<li>5. Fermenting.</li> -<li>6. Drying or firing.</li> -<li>7. Sorting.</li> -<li>8. Final heating before packing.</li> -</ul> - - -<p>No. 3 is not always done, the others invariably.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> - -<p>I will consider the machines invented for each process, -in the order of the said processes.</p> - -<p><i>Plucking.</i>—No machine has ever been invented for this, -and I do not think any is possible.</p> - -<p><i>Withering.</i>—In any but continued wet weather no artificial -means are necessary. The leaf, spread thinly and -exposed to the action of the air below and around (former -attained by any kind of mesh), withers perfectly.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> In continued -wet weather artificial means are sometimes required. -The various Dryers in use (see further on) are sometimes -supposed to furnish the means, but their use necessitates -much labour, nor is the result satisfactory. A good -withering machine (it must be on a large scale) might, I -think, be easily invented; there is none at present. Why -do none of the inventors of other Tea machinery try to -succeed in this?</p> - -<p><i>Sorting Green Leaf.</i>—This is sometimes attempted in a -rough way by the use of sieves of different meshes. To -separate the fine from the coarse leaf, and in some cases to -eliminate the Pekoe tips, is the object. A machine by John -Greig and Co., of Edinburgh, professes to do the latter. -I have never seen it, but I doubt any machine abstracting -the Pekoe tips alone. A machine which would, however, -separate the fine from the coarse leaf previous to rolling is, -I think, quite feasible, and it would conduce much to good -Tea. This, again, is an opening for inventors.</p> - -<p><i>Rolling.</i>—This is perhaps the most important of all -processes in Tea manufacture. The object of it is to -break the cells in the Tea and liberate the sap (fermentation -could not take place otherwise), and further to give a tight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> -roll or twist to the leaf. Formerly this was always done by -hand (it is so done in China, I believe, to this day), but the -process was lengthy, expensive and dirty. I might perhaps -add inefficient, for doubtless machine-rolled Tea is better -done (better in appearance, better in liquor) than hand-rolled.</p> - -<p>I will now <span class="lock">consider—</span></p> - - -<h4><i>Tea Rolling Machines.</i></h4> - -<p>The inventors are Jackson, Kinmond, Haworth, Lyle, -Greig and Thompson. There may be others, but I have not -heard of them.</p> - -<p><i>Jackson</i> has invented five machines. The details of each, -how much each can do, the testimonials regarding them, -&c., would fill many pages. All can be seen in the illustrated -catalogue he supplies, so I will only offer a few general -remarks. All planters know Jackson’s rollers, and they are -held in high estimation. His last invention (if I mistake -not) is the Rotary Tea Roller, which is on quite a different -principle to the others. It consists of an elongated revolving -barrel or cylinder, with a polygonal <i>internal</i> surface, and a -roller with a fluted <i>external</i> surface, mounted within the said -barrel its whole length. These revolve in opposite directions -(the roller the quicker) and the leaf is rolled in the annulus -between. It is not yet known what the success of this last -invention will be. Not so with his Cross-action and Excelsior -Rollers. These are first-rate machines, and all who -have tried speak well of them.</p> - -<p><i>Kinmond</i> invented the first Tea roller (see page <a href="#Page_117">117</a>), -many years ago. Many improvements resulted, eventually, -in his “Improved Double Action Tea Roller,” which is -a very good machine and has given satisfaction to the -many who have used it. From all I have heard and seen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> -however, I doubt if, take it all in all, it is equal to Jackson’s -Cross Action Excelsior. Kinmond, some two years ago, -invented a “Centrifugal Roller.” It was made in two sizes. -The smaller seems to have done well, not so the larger; one -of the latter on the Phoolbarry garden (in which I am -interested) has proved a failure. But Mr. Kinmond has -quite lately materially altered the said Centrifugal machines, -and is confident that they <i>will</i> do well. He is now leaving -for India with one, and anticipates good results.</p> - -<p>Tea machinery is still so much in its infancy that the -best machines are likely to be improved upon, and perhaps -superseded by others, but as things are now, I think, though -some do not agree with me, that Jackson has carried off the -palm in rollers.</p> - -<p>The following two letters on rollers appeared in the <i>Tea -Gazette</i>, and are well worth <span class="lock">attention:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Kinmond’s Improved Patent Double Action Tea -Rolling Machine.</span></h5> - -<p>Sir,—You have so repeatedly asked planters to supply you with -information regarding “Tea machinery” that it is a matter of surprise -to me you have not been flooded with letters on the subject. I know -very little about Tea machinery, as I am not an engineer, but I gladly -contribute my quota of knowledge on the subject. I have been -rolling leaf for some time past in one of Kinmond’s old machines, -styled his “Improved Patent Double Action Tea Rolling Machine.” -A machine for <i>fine</i> leaf I do not believe there is in existence. I have -seen several machines at work on different factories, and I should say -for <i>fine</i> leaf this machine of Kinmond’s cannot be beat.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> A few -improvements could no doubt be made, and I feel sure Mr. Kinmond -himself is aware of this, and is quite competent to make them. I have -seen Mr. Kinmond’s “Compound Action Centrifugal” at work. I do -not consider it a success. It certainly cannot hold a candle to his -“Patent Double Action.” I would strongly recommend Mr. Kinmond -to improve the latter, and forego the former, unless he can make some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -very material alterations to it. The roll from the “Centrifugal” -comes out hot and flat, whereas that from his “Patent Double Action” -is turned out not only perfectly cool, but has a perfect twist.<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> For -<i>coarse</i> leaf, Jackson’s “Excelsior” is a splendid machine. I should -say a factory could not want two better machines than one of -Kinmond’s “Patent Double Action” and one of Jackson’s “Excelsior” -Rollers—the former for <i>fine</i>, the latter for <i>coarse</i> leaf. Will some of -my brother planters kindly give their experience, and thus further -enlighten an anxious</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Enquirer</span>. -</p></div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Tea Rolling Machinery.</span></h5> - -<p>Dear Sir,—I will be glad if some of your numerous readers will -kindly furnish results of trials, or of experience, of Kinmond’s -Compound Action Centrifugal Tea Rolling Machine. I have tried it -repeatedly, and find it not only heats the green leaf a great deal too -much, but in addition cuts, I may say into mincemeat, about 5% of -the leaf in the process of rolling. I am not an engineer, and therefore -cannot state for certain where the fault lies, but I fancy the ribs of the -two revolving plates are somewhat at fault. If they were broader and -bolder, the machine might, perhaps, be a better success. The green -leaf does not come out sufficiently rolled. The major portion of the -roll is too flat. Perhaps Mr. Kinmond will kindly help by giving a -hint or two to a perplexed Tea-house</p> - -<p class="sig"> -“<span class="smcap">Assistant</span>.” -</p></div> - -<p><i>Haworth’s Roller.</i>—This machine was invented long ago. -The leaf is placed in bags and so rolled. In some respects -the machine resembles a mangle. It has not been largely -used, and thus is not much known. I have no personal -experience of its worth, but have heard much of it from an -old friend of mine, Mr. Carter, of the Chandpore Tea Estate, -Chittagong. He has, I believe, had one from the first on -his plantation, and thinks very well of it. Mr. Carter is a -first-rate judge on all Tea matters. He conducted some -experiments to test the value of Tea rolled by Jackson’s and -Haworth’s Rollers, and did it with great care, that the quality -of leaf, the withering, the drying, all but the two modes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> -rolling should be <i>exactly</i> the same. The samples were then -sent to Calcutta and valued. Results as <span class="lock">below:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Messrs. Carritt and Co.’s report on the samples is dated Calcutta, -29th October, 1881, <i>viz.</i>:—</p> - -<p>Chandpore leaf rolled by Haworth’s machine:—Large irregular -open unassorted leaf, brisk, fair flavour, little strong—Re. 0-9-9.</p> - -<p>Chandpore leaf rolled by Jackson’s machine:—Leaf preferable, -closer rolled, liquor inferior, not very strong—Re. 0-9-0.</p> - -<p>Sungoo leaf rolled by Haworth’s machine:—Rather large irregular -loosely twisted unassorted leaf, flavoury, little brisk—Re. 0-9-3.</p> - -<p>Sungoo leaf rolled by Jackson’s machine:—Leaf little preferable, -liquor inferior, wanting briskness—Re. 0-8-9.</p></div> - -<p>By above it appears Haworth’s gave better liquor, and -Jackson’s the best Tea in appearance. From all I have -heard I think it likely Haworth’s roller has not received the -attention it deserves.</p> - -<p><i>Lyle’s Roller.</i>—I have never seen this. From the drawing -before me it has no resemblance to other rollers. The -inventor claims for it simplicity, cheapness, strength, -durability, good rolling, and large outturn with a minimum -of labour. One testimonial I have seen speaks very highly -of its capabilities.</p> - -<p><i>Greig’s Roller.</i>—This I have not seen or heard of. I can -only give the description sent me by the <span class="lock">inventor:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The Greig Link and Lever Tea Rolling Machine, worked by one -man, and suitable for rolling the finest nibs without breaking them, or -to crush the coarsest leaf into broken black at will. It can roll a large -or small quantity equally well. Price £70, delivered in Edinburgh. -Small size suitable for cattle gear, £45. Cattle gear, £20, delivered in -Edinburgh.</p> - -<p>The Calcutta Agent of the Luckea Moung Lung Tea Estate, -Sonada, Darjeeling, in sending remittance for a large size machine -which has been working there all the past season, says: “I am -informed the machine does its work in a most satisfactory manner, -rolling better than by hand: I am pleased to have to state this.”</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>Thompson’s Challenge Roller.</i>—This (quite lately invented) -though given last is likely, by all I hear, to stand well -among rollers. I have no drawing or description of it, but -<i>why</i> I think well of it is that a Tea engineer, Mr. Ansell, of -Kurseong, who thoroughly understands Tea machinery, -thinks so highly of the machine that he has recommended -its purchase by the Phoolbarry Tea Company. I have every -faith in Mr. Ansell’s judgment, and feel confident therefore -the machine must be a good one. One feature and advantage -claimed for it is, “free contact of the leaf throughout -the roll with the outer air.”</p> - -<p>I may conclude my remarks on rollers with a quaint -letter (from <i>Tea Gazette</i>) by a native. If he can judge of -Tea machinery as well as he can write English his opinion -is worth <span class="lock">preserving:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Tea Rolling Machinery.</span></h5> - -<p>Dear Sir—On the subject of Tea-leaf rolling machinery, the -(to all appearance) strangely opposite results I have obtained from -machines of the same make have led me to the following conclusions, -viz.:—</p> - -<p>1. All “genuses” of machines are equally good.</p> - -<p>2. There are hardly two “species” of the same genus which give -similar results.</p> - -<p>3. Changing the “fixings” of a machine makes all the difference -in the world.</p> - -<p><i>Ergo</i> a good mechanic will have a good machine whether he -patronize Jackson, Kinmond, Haworth, or any other inventor.</p> - -<p>I think with your correspondent “A Voice from Assam” that the -machine that gives the roll quickly, and in a continuous supply, is the -best.</p> - -<p>I would defy any man to prove that any <i>inventor</i> has it “all his -own way,” for I certainly have not found it so in my experience.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -Yours truly,<br /> -<span class="smcap">Kol Mistry</span>. -</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> - -<p>Before going to press I received drawing and description -of “Thompson’s Challenge Roller.” It is impossible to -judge of its merits by the drawing, but some very strong -testimonials are appended—one much in its favour from -Mr. Ansell, the Tea engineer above mentioned. By the -testimonials (more than one from men I know) the following -advantages appear to have been <span class="lock">obtained:—</span></p> - - -<ul><li>“Balling” of the leaf is avoided.</li> -<li>The tips are kept quite bright.</li> -<li>Heating prevented.</li> -<li>Simplicity of “feed” and “discharge.”</li> -<li>One attendant, a minimum of motive power, and low priced.</li> -<li>A good twist attained.</li> -<li>Simplicity in the machine, and ease of transport and erection.</li></ul> - - - -<p><i>If</i> all the above are facts, I quite think the “Challenge” -will prove a great success.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The following, written by me to the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, may be -worth the attention of Tea-rolling machine <span class="lock">inventors:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Suggestions for Improving the Drums and the Faces -of the Rollers in Tea Rolling Machinery.</span></h5> - -<p>Sir,—The following idea, suggested to me by a planter up here, -may be practicable or not, but in any case it is worth letting the -patentees of Tea-rolling machines know it.</p> - -<p>In days gone by when iron worked in contact with iron on the -faces of rollers the colour of the outturn (that is the infused Tea -leaves) was quite destroyed. That is now remedied, but there is still -an evil of less importance. The wood on the said faces of the rollers -absorbs the sap of the leaf, and unless they are washed very clean, the -said old sap is apt to contaminate, more or less, the new leaf. Could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> -not this be rectified by making the faces of the rollers of porcelain or -iron (like camp crockery) and the drums of opaque coarse glass? -Both these, if they would stand, could easily be washed quite clean.</p> - -<p>I give the idea, given to me, for what it is worth, and would invite -the opinion of other planters on it.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p> - -<p>Darjeeling, <i>November 10th, 1880</i>.</p></div> - -<p><i>Fermenting</i> is the next process in the list. After the leaf -is rolled it is put together; some make it up in truncated -balls, some put it in baskets, but in either case it is allowed -to stand until a given amount of fermentation has set in. -This is done in the warm atmosphere of the factory. Naturally -no machine is required for this process; but shelves, -at varying height from the factory floor, are useful to -regulate the fermentation, inasmuch as the higher the shelf -the warmer the air, and warmth hastens the process. This -plan of shelves was devised by Mr. J. Fleming, at the Phoolbarry -Garden, and it seemed to me to answer well.</p> - -<p><i>Drying</i> or <i>Firing</i> comes next. Up to this point the leaf -is of a brownish green colour, and soft. After the drying it -is black and crisp, in fact, made Tea. By the drying process -all the moisture in the mass is driven off. For many years -charcoal only was used to fire Tea, and it was an established -belief that <i>the fumes</i> given out by the said charcoal had some -chemical effect on the Tea—in fact, that good Tea could -not be made without it. When, twelve years ago, I published -the First Edition of this Essay, I had begun to doubt -the soundness of the above belief, and four years later I had -thoroughly satisfied myself of its fallacy. It was not, however, -till 1877-78 that I devised <i>a means</i> of firing Teas -without charcoal. The invention was well received, and -thought well of. At all events, it <i>proved</i> what I had long -urged—viz., that any fuel, if contact with the smoke was -avoided, would dry Tea. My invention was a very crude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> -one, and quickly superseded by far more perfect designs; -still I have the satisfaction of knowing that on this head I -have done much to perfect Tea manufacture, and that the -conviction I had attained to in 1874 is now general and -practised throughout India. (Pages <a href="#Page_119">119</a>-<a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, to end of -Addenda, bear out the above remarks.)</p> - -<p>I will now consider the various</p> - - -<h4><i>Tea-Drying Machines</i>.</h4> - -<p><i>Robertson’s Typhoon.</i>—This is a late invention: it was -noticed in the <i>Tea Gazette</i> in 1881. It had, however, made -a great noise at end of 1880, and so well was it spoken -of, many, in the early part of 1881, purchased it. The -following was the report as to its merits (<i>Tea Gazette</i>, -September, 1881):—</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Robertson’s Typhoon.</span></h5> - -<p>Mr. J. M. Robertson, manager of the Arcuttipore Tea Company’s -Gardens, has invented a new Tea-drying apparatus which he has -named the “Typhoon.” A number of the planters of his district met -at his garden, by invitation, to test the merits of his machine. We -quote the verdict recorded by them in their own words, and also -append the brokers’ report on the Teas which were manufactured in -their presence during the trial.</p> - -<p>The “Typhoon” is a simple and inexpensive construction of -brick and iron, which can be erected without skilled labour. The -heating material used is coke, and the quantity of coke required for a -maund of Tea is stated to be one quarter of a maund.</p> - -<p>The out-turn from the “Typhoon” we found to be at the rate of -one half maund of thoroughly dried Tea per hour, and the manner in -which the work was done was to our entire satisfaction, some of us -thinking that the apparatus was capable of doing more.</p> - -<p>The inventor leads us to understand that the entire cost of -construction and material will not be over Rs. 300, and we do not see -that this sum need be exceeded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> - -<p>We are unanimously of opinion that unless the dryers at present -in use are very materially reduced in price, they will be beaten off the -field by the “Typhoon.”</p> - -<p>Messrs. William Moran & Co.’s report on the Teas is as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th>Typhoon Teas.</th><th>London value.</th><th>Cal. Equi. Ex. 1-8½.</th></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe, very well made leaf, with ends, good brisk flavour</td><td>1 10</td><td>14</td></tr> -<tr><td>Orange Pekoe, very well twisted leaf, good amount of tip, very good brisk flavour</td><td>2 0</td><td>15¼</td></tr> -<tr><td>Br. Pekoe, leafy black Br. Pekoe, some ends strong</td><td>2 1</td><td>1</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe Souchong, well twisted leaf, some ends good flavour</td><td>1 3</td><td>9</td></tr> -<tr><td>Souchong, small good even grey leaf, brisk</td><td>1 1</td><td>7½</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>The above are very desirable Teas as regards leaf and liquor.</p> - -<p>The following are some of the chief features and advantages of -this machine:</p> - -<p>1. The low cost.</p> - -<p>2. Durability, there being nothing except the trays that can -suffer from wear and tear.</p> - -<p>3. The small quantity of fuel required—about ¼ maund of coke -for kutcha firing 1 maund of Tea.</p> - -<p>4. Ease in stoking, the furnace not requiring attention oftener -than once every one and a-half to two hours.</p> - -<p>5. Absolute and immediate control over the temperature, which -can be raised or lowered instantaneously.</p> - -<p>6. No “getting up heat” required. In fifteen minutes after -beginning to light the fire the apparatus is ready for work.</p> - -<p>7. Requires no troublesome cleaning out.</p> - -<p>8. Quantity. The apparatus is capable of drying at least 40 lbs. -an hour, and has frequently dried over 50 lbs.</p> - -<p>9. Quality of Tea is equal to that obtained by any process -hitherto introduced.</p></div> - -<p>Of course all the above was very favourable, and its low -price gained it many purchasers. I think, as a <i>first</i> success, -it beat any machine yet invented. But, alas! its fall was -sudden as its rise, for, judging from several letters in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -<i>Tea Gazette</i>, the purchasers were not satisfied with its -capabilities, and I doubt consequently if it is now manufactured; -still I may be wrong.</p> - -<p><i>Allen’s Tea Drying Apparatus.</i>—I have never seen this, and -have not heard much about it. Advantages claimed for it -are—1. Quick drying. 2. Coke can be used as a drying -agent, 10 seers to one maund of Tea. 3. Only manual labour -required. 4. Not necessary to turn the Tea. 5. Perfect -control over temperature. I have three testimonials to its -merits before me, one from an engineer, and all three speak -highly of it.</p> - -<p>The following letter from the inventor to the <i>Tea Gazette</i> -gives further <span class="lock">information:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Allen’s Patent Drying Machine.</span></h5> - -<p>Dear Sir,—Some time back your valuable paper contained a -description and rough drawing of my Patent Drying Machine. I now -beg to say that the machine is in the market.</p> - -<p>I will simply state here that it can dry one maund of Tea per -hour, or about equivalent to four maunds of leaf.</p> - -<p>It cannot burn the Tea as in other machines, yet it thoroughly -dries it at one fill of the machine.</p> - -<p>It takes half a maund of Tea at each fill, and every leaf of this is -done in exactly the same time; no turning over, changing of trays, or -further looking after the Tea, after the roll has been placed in the -machine on the trays.</p> - -<p>Temperature can be lowered from 300° to 100° in two or three -seconds, and run up again in five to seven minutes.</p> - -<p>It will burn any fuel. Fireplace 2½′ × 3′, when kept regularly -three quarters full of firewood or coal about 6 to 8 inches thick, while -machine is drying, will suffice (half a maund of fuel to a maund of Tea -should be ample). The appearance and fine flavour of Tea dried in -this machine by fan beats charcoal; no gloss is lost on the Tea from -shaking up and turning over, and the Tea is black, with glossy appearance -and good flavour.</p> - -<p>The following are valuation and reports on this machine’s dried -Tea, by Messrs. William Moran and Co., to whom some of bulk or -rough Tea was sent.—Yours, &c.,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">J. C. Allen</span>. -</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p> - -<p>I omitted to extract the broker’s reports, but they were -favourable. I think it likely this Dryer is well suited to -small gardens, which cannot afford steam motive power.</p> - -<p><i>Davidson’s Sirocco.</i>—Many of these, over 200, have been -set up in all the Tea districts; it has done good work in its -time: had it not done so it would not so long (some years) -have commanded attention. When it came out it was, I -think, the best machine going. I doubt much that being -the case now. It requires no motive power, and is thus, in -that respect, cheap to work. The following letter to the -<i>Tea Gazette</i> in many respects embodies my views of the -<span class="lock">machine:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">The Sirocco.</span></h5> - -<p>Dear Sir,—As both sides of a question, <i>viz.</i> for and against, should -be stated before the public for their judgment, I think I may say that, -as far as we have seen <i>in print</i>, the “Sirocco” is a “first rate Tea-drying -machine.” I beg to state that <i>all</i> does not appear in print, -though what does appear there may be quite true, and quite right too -for the seller to get as many sales of it as he can, for who would be -such an ass as to cry down his own invention or anything else he -wished to profit by. The “Sirocco,” as I have seen (and I have seen -over ten, and amongst them the latest improved ones), does not -thoroughly fire off the Tea without burning it: the Tea must be taken out -of the machine when three parts fired, and allowed to cool, when its own -heat, and the fact of it being gathered in one place, give sufficient heat -to finish the kutcha firing, but pucka batti is required after that. Again, -the advertisement would lead one to suppose that the drying is effected -by means of the draught of hot air entirely: now if this were the case, -when the fires are first lighted in the machine, the hot air would at -once be of sufficient heat to dry Tea; but this is not the case, for the -whole iron work, in fact, the whole apparatus, iron work, &c., has to -be heated up by fire, and when a little off red hot, the Tea is put in -and fired. I do not mean to say that hot air does not ascend through -the Tea, but I contend that the heat of the iron has more to do with -the drying; there is no detriment to the Tea, I feel convinced, whether -it is dried by hot iron or hot air, but there is a very considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -detriment to the machine. Let purchasers ask any engineer, or even -blacksmith, how quickly iron burns away, and he can tell them.</p> - -<p>Up to date no doubt the “Sirocco” has seen its run: over 200 -are advertised as in use, but it is now beaten by two machines which -have come out lately, and which beat the “Sirocco” entirely as to -quantity dried and simplicity of working, and for durability should -last any time by careful looking after. One is Robertson’s, which is -firebrick, and the other Allen’s; both these machines for durability -cannot be surpassed: the difference in results between the two is, that -one dries every tray of Tea in the same time without turning over, and -the other requires to have the Tea turned over and the trays changed, -&c., as in the “Sirocco.”</p> - -<p>The “Sirocco,” no doubt, was a good Tea-drying machine in its -time, and the inventor deserves the greatest credit for it, but it has -been improved upon, as is always inevitably the case in machinery.</p> - -<p>I trust no offence will be taken by the “Sirocco” inventor, as such -is not intended. Any answer of his will be gladly read.</p> - -<p> -Cachar. Yours faithfully, <span class="smcap">Pucka Tea</span>. -</p></div> - -<p>There may have been an answer, but I did not see it.</p> - -<p><i>Gibbs and Barry’s Tea Dryer.</i>—This machine has been -lately invented. I saw it when not as complete as it is -now. I have tried to get details, but failed. It must have -merit, however, for though a late machine, some thirty-six -are now in operation; I heard one good judge speak very -well of it. More are, I hear, being despatched to India. -No trays are used with this Dryer.</p> - -<p><i>Shand’s Dryer.</i>—This hails from Ceylon. Steam for -drying Tea is not quite a new idea. I saw an apparatus to -use steam in Cachar years ago. The great advantage -claimed for this Dryer is that Tea cannot be burnt. It is -quite a new invention. This, from the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, describes -<span class="lock">it:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">A New Tea Dryer.</span></h5> - -<p>A gentleman in Colombo, Ceylon, a Mr. C. Shand, as we -mentioned in our last, has invented a new patent Tea Dryer. The -following is a description of his <span class="lock">invention:—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p> - -<p>The barbacue-shaped steam-heated Tea Dryer is the cheapest, -most economical and safest drying machine.</p> - -<p>As this machine can be made any length and width, the quantity -of leaf which can be manufactured is only limited by the extent of -drying surface. One, 5 feet wide, and 15 feet long, will admit of about -forty pounds of Tea being spread as thinly as on Sirocco trays, and, if -heated to 150° Fahrenheit, would dry a maund per hour. The steam -for heating thin galvanized iron drying surface is generated in the -space (3 inches) between it and the thin boiler plate bottom.</p> - -<p>The machine, which is made steam-tight, is partially filled with -water, and placed on a fire stove. It is evident that a comparatively -small quantity of fuel will generate sufficient steam to heat a large -surface, especially if the smoke flue is placed under the whole length -of the machine.</p> - -<p>As it is impossible to fire-burn the Tea, dried by the steam-heated -Dryer, the enormous advantage of being independent of the care and -judgment of coolies, and of the necessity of uninterrupted European -supervision, is too evident to require comment.</p> - -<p>Then comes the figure of the Dryer with the following <span class="lock">note:—</span></p> - -<p>“Barbacue-shaped Tea Dryer.—The far end should be slightly -higher than that over the fire, to allow the space over it to be full -of water.</p> - -<p>An apparatus for escape of steam and supplying water is inserted -in the end plate covering the boiler.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Ceylon Observer</i>, referring to the above, asks the following -<span class="lock">questions:—</span></p> - -<p>Is it really impossible by means of steam to over-heat, though we -may not, indeed cannot, “fire-burn” Tea? And when a boiler is -employed to generate steam, do we become quite independent of the -care and judgment of coolies, and avoid the necessity of uninterrupted -European supervision? Will not a thermometer be necessary to -indicate the proper degree of heat, will it not require close watching, -and will there not be danger of the boiler exploding if neglected? The -danger may be reduced to a minimum, but we should be glad of proof -that it cannot exist.</p> - -<p>Mr. Shand in reply writes—With reference to your remarks and -queries regarding my Tea-drying machine, will you allow me to mention -that, as it is not intended to sustain any pressure of steam, the drying -surface cannot easily be heated over 150 degrees.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> - -<p>As a matter of course, the Tea takes a longer time to dry than -when made by Siroccos, in which the temperature is maintained at 275 -degrees, but the extent of drying surface available makes this a matter -of secondary importance.</p> - -<p>I did not mean that no care or attention is required to keep up fire -and supply boiling water periodically from a cistern placed over the -flue; but you can understand that the same care, judgment and -observation is not required to dry Tea at a comparatively low temperature -as at a very high one: for instance, it does not injure coffee -to allow it to remain on the barbacue after it is thoroughly dry; but -put it in a roaster, and what care and judgment is not required to -perfect the roasting!</p> - -<p>No doubt, by the use of Siroccos and other modern appliances, -the risk of fire-burning is now greatly diminished, but these still -require great care in shifting the trays and watching the thermometer. -This constant watching is obviated by the use of my machine, and all -the superintendent has to do is to feel when the Tea becomes crisp and -dry. He has the security that, if this is neglected to be done at the -moment it is sufficiently dry, no injury takes place by its remaining on -the heated surface.</p> - -<p>The machine is especially adapted for redrying Tea before packing, -this being an operation carried on at a low temperature, and requiring -a good deal of care.</p> - -<p>There are, it is well known, two difficulties connected with the -proper manufacture of Tea, requiring at present the constant supervision -of the superintendent: these are fermentation and firing. If -the necessity of closely watching the latter can be dispensed with, it -gives the superintendents more time to direct the fermentation, on -which the colour of the infused leaf, and consequently the value, so -greatly depends.</p></div> - -<p>I have now considered all the Dryers I know of except -Kinmond’s and Jackson’s. I have purposely left these to -the last. While in the case of Rollers I thought Jackson -had done best, in Dryers I most decidedly award the first -place to Kinmond.</p> - -<p><i>Jackson’s Dryer.</i>—A long and exhaustive report upon it -from Mr. Carter, of the Chandpore Garden, Chittagong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> -appears in the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, November 7, 1881. It is too -long to insert here. No one can read it and doubt that the -trials were most carefully conducted, and without bias of -any kind. The results are not in favour of the machine. -Moreover, were Jackson’s Dryers a real success I should -have been aware of the fact long ago. I incline to the -belief Mr. Jackson thinks he can do better, for he has lately -brought out a Self-acting Tea Dryer regarding which the -following appeared in the <i>Tea Gazette</i>:—</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Jackson’s New Self-acting Tea Dryer.</span></h5> - -<p>Messrs. W. and J. Jackson have invented a new apparatus that -will deal with the Tea itself throughout the drying process, and thus, -they submit, secure a perfection in the dessication of the leaf not -hitherto obtained. The objects arrived at by the new invention are -as <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>1.—After the leaf is fed into the machine it requires no more -attention until it is discharged dry.</p> - -<p>2.—Every individual leaf is simultaneously exposed in precisely a -similar manner to the action of the heated air, thus producing an -unvaried and perfectly even dried leaf.</p> - -<p>3.—The Tea is steadily but very slowly kept in motion, thereby -dispensing with the tedious and tiring watchfulness of attendants, -hitherto required in Tea drying on the tray system.</p> - -<p>4.—There are no trays about the machine to handle, and it is, -therefore, thoroughly durable and cannot get out of order.</p> - -<p>In operating with the machine, a boy or attendant has simply to -spread the leaf on a slowly moving feeding web or band, which carries -it forward and places it in the machine, where it is steadily but -inactively kept in motion, and in due course is discharged dry and -crisp from a shoot at the delivery end; so long, therefore, as the -attendant continues to supply the machine with leaf, it will steadily -dry and discharge it, and should he have occasion to leave the -machine at any time, no injury can take place to the leaf in the -apparatus, as it must pass on and be discharged.</p> - -<p>The leaf is continuously, but very slowly, turned over, disentangled -and individually presented to the action of the heated air by a peculiar -combination of concentric cylinders, thus ensuring not only the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> -uniform fermentation, but the drying of each leaf being simultaneously -effected alike must produce an unvaried briskness and quality of -liquor not obtainable from any of the methods of drying at present -known.</p> - -<p>The machine will dry about forty maunds of green leaf per day, -and will be approximately 9′ long, 3½′ wide, and 8′ high.</p> - -<p>The apparatus will take very little driving, which can either be -effected by steam or hand power. It is very simple, easily erected, -and self-contained.</p></div> - -<p>I know nothing about this new Dryer beyond what is -printed above, and I rather doubt if any have yet been set -up. <i>If</i> the advantages detailed are truly all realised, they -are doubtless of much value.</p> - -<p><i>Kinmond’s Dryer.</i>—I shall devote extra space to this, for -I <i>believe</i> in it. I have seen it working for a long time on -the Phoolbarry Garden, and I continue since I left India -to receive good reports of it. This is what the inventor -himself says of it <span class="lock">recently:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>This Tea-drying machine continues to give great satisfaction. The -improvements made last year considerably increased the out-turn of -Tea, and reduced the amount of fuel required. Further improvements -have this year been introduced in fastening the iron plates at the -corners of the trays with copper rivets, and otherwise strengthening the -trays, remedying many small defects suggested by planters who are -using the Dryers, and in improving the arrangement of the fire-bricks -over the furnace. The latter, as well as some of the smaller alterations, -were suggested by Mr. Ansell (inventor of the sifting machine which -bears his name), an engineer who has had great experience in and -around Darjeeling in erecting and working all the three sizes of these -Dryers.</p> - -<p>This is the only Tea-drying machine which can keep pace with the -largest rolling machines. It is made in three sizes. The capacity of -the smallest or No. 1 Dryer is one maund of pucka Tea per hour. The -capacity of No. 2 Dryer is two maunds per hour, and that of No. 3 -Dryer is three maunds per hour. The consumption of fuel is less than -one maund of wood fuel to one maund of pucka Tea dried.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> - -<p>One of the great advantages of this Tea Dryer is the facility it -gives for <i>final firing</i> before packing. The enhanced price of Tea which -has been dried and final fired in this Dryer is well shewn in the high -average of 1<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> per lb., which the Scottish Assam Company’s Teas -have fetched this season. See letters annexed from their superintendent -in Assam, Mr. Cruickshanks, and their secretary in Edinburgh, -Mr. Moffat.</p> - -<p>When <i>final</i> firing Tea with the Dryer, it is found convenient to -place a fine gauze cover over the top trays in each compartment, to -prevent any of the Tea dust being carried away with the hot air which -passes through the Tea.</p> - -<p>In order to get the maximum quantity of work from the Dryer, the -trays must be spread with rolled leaf twice as thick as that used -when Tea is dried over charcoal, where there is no forced current of -air, and after the Tea has been <i>half-dried</i>, then the Tea on <i>two</i> trays -should be spread on <i>one</i> tray, and the drying finished. In the Dryers -now in course of construction, the trays have been made one-half -deeper, so that the half-dried Tea on <i>three</i> trays should be finished in -<i>one</i> tray. The out-turn of the machine is greatly diminished when the -foregoing method is not observed; and owing to its non-observance, -many of the Dryers in use have never been worked to their greatest -capacity.</p> - -<p>The Dryer should be lined outside with one thickness of bricks—they -are the cheapest and best non-conductors of heat—inferior or -badly-burned bricks may be used. Both ends of the Dryer should be -lined, and both sides and elbows as high as the trays. The top may -either have a lining of bricks, or four inches thick of sand or clay. -When the Dryer is lined round with bricks, it not only greatly reduces -the consumption of fuel, but by preventing the radiation of heat, it -enables the men to increase the out-turn of pucka Tea.</p> - -<p>The Dryer is extremely simple and compact—the No. 2 size -occupies a space of about 7 feet long and 3 feet wide. The fan of this -Dryer requires about half a horse-power to drive it.</p> - -<p>The fan should be driven at a speed of 500 revolutions per minute. -The pulley on the fan spindle is 7½ inches diameter and 4 inches wide.</p> - -<p>Owing to the satisfaction given by these Dryers this season, an -exceptionally large number of orders are on hand, and although a -number of each size is generally kept in stock, the patentee will be -obliged to those requiring Dryers for next season to kindly send in their -orders early.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> - -<p>No. 1 Dryer, capable of drying one maund of pucka Tea per hour, -£150; No. 2 Dryer, capable of drying two maunds of pucka Tea per -hour, £220; No. 3 Dryer, capable of drying three maunds of pucka -Tea per hour, £300. These prices are f.o.b. in London.</p> - -<p>London Agents—Messrs. Geo. Williamson and Co., 7, East India -Avenue; Calcutta Agents—Messrs. Williamson, Magor and Co., -4, Mangoe Lane.</p></div> - -<p>The best of the three sizes is No. 3. I have quite lately -sent out two of them, one for the Phoolbarry, one for the -Leesh Company’s Gardens, both in the Western Dooars. I -think the prices are much too high, and might with advantage -(to both inventor and planters) be reduced; but as to -the excellence of the machine there can, I think, be no -doubt. My opinion is shared by many. I have before me -many testimonials as to its excellence. Space forbids me -inserting them here, but Mr. Kinmond or his agents will -send them on application.</p> - -<p>In March, 1881, so satisfied was I even then with the -Dryer (both the manager, Mr. Pillans, at Phoolbarry, and -I am still more so <i>now</i>), I wrote the following to the <i>Tea -Gazette</i>, and I give it here as details are <span class="lock">embodied:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Kinmond’s Tea Dryer.</span></h5> - -<p>To all interested in Tea in India, and their name is legion, Tea -manufacturing machinery and its capabilities must be a subject of -great interest.</p> - -<p>Though Tea prices may, and I think to a certain extent will, -revive, the old scale which existed previous to the late serious fall -will never probably return. How serious the fall has been will be -appreciated when I state that gardens which previously realised 14 -annas to 1 rupee for their produce think now they do well if they -obtain an average of 10 annas. Thus, an average of 12 annas (even if -the partial rise I hope for takes place) will probably be more than -most Indian plantations will get in the future. In two words, the Tea -industry of India is passing through a period of depression and a crisis -which argues “the survival of the fittest.” Not only must plantations, -destined to last, produce largely, they must also make good Teas at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -small cost. This latter, I hold, both as regards quality and economy, -<i>can</i> only be attained by the use of machinery; and thus, what is the -best kind of rolling machine, the best description of dryer, equaliser, -and sifting apparatus, is an all-important point.</p> - -<p>Tea machinery is still quite in its infancy. Various as are the -machines in use, and superior as some are to others, perhaps none of -them are yet quite perfect. Still, planters cannot afford to wait for -ultimate perfection, for though any machines bought to-day will -probably be more or less out of date in a few years’ time, he who waits -<i>must</i> go to the wall in the meanwhile. Realising this fact, as those -who know the subject do, they (and they are many) ask <span class="lock">eagerly:—</span></p> - -<p>“Which of the several machines for the different processes in -Tea manufacture shall we buy?”</p> - -<p>I have not now, perhaps, the knowledge to discuss fairly the -several merits of the various machines for each different process, but -as Tea Dryers hold an important place in the list, and I have, perhaps, -an exceptional experience of one kind, I purpose to give your readers -the benefit thereof.</p> - -<p>Years ago, when I first mooted the idea that Tea could be fired -without charcoal, it was scouted. It was said, “The fumes of charcoal -had some chemical and necessary effect.” “The Chinese would not -have used it from time immemorial had a substitute, and a cheaper -one, been practicable.” Such were the objections. It is now no -longer a question. A great part, perhaps the greater part, of the -Indian produce is to-day worked with other fuel, and it is only a -question of time when <i>all</i> of it will be so. It is generally admitted -that Tea prepared in Dryers is more valuable than that fired over -charcoal; and begging the question that the fumes of charcoal are <i>not</i> -necessary (the old idea is very nearly exploded), it is reasonable that -it should be so; for, if there is one thing certain in Tea manufacture, -it is that speed is necessary. Charcoal drying took on an average 45 -minutes; Tea is fired in the best Dryers in eight minutes. In respect -of speed, Kinmond’s Dryer (which is the one I advocate) is certainly -unequalled.</p> - -<p>When, as in large factories, 30 or 40 maunds of Tea have to be -made daily, it is evident that, <i>cæteris paribus</i>, the machine which will -do most in a given time and given space must be the best. In these -respects also Kinmond’s Dryer stands well, for the small size (No. 1) -will do one maund, and the larger size (No. 2) will turn out two maunds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> -per hour. In other words, in a working day of 12 hours (and I allow -no more, for I do not believe in night work) 12 and 24 maunds daily -are the capacities of the two sizes. Considering that the said two -sizes, with necessary stokehole, tables, &c., occupy respectively not -more than 200 and 260 square feet of space in a factory, the satisfactory -results, in both the above respects, are unquestionable.</p> - -<p>Tea made at night, both because the colour of it in its different -stages cannot be well seen (let the light be what it will), and also -because superintendence cannot then be so close, is never so good as -day-made Tea. This is <i>why</i> I do not believe in night work; and it is -also a very important extra reason why machinery (which by its speed -enables all the necessary Tea to be made by daylight) will prove such -a great and lasting advantage.</p> - -<p>When Kinmond’s Dryer was first constructed, it was proposed to -work it at 300 degrees. Later experience has proved 260 degrees is -better and sufficient; but of course more time is thus taken, and with -the old sizes one and two maunds per hour could not be turned out at -the lower temperature. The machines are now made one-fifth larger -to obviate this.</p> - -<p>The fan is worked at 600 revolutions per minute, and this is found -to be the best speed.</p> - -<p>Several alterations, and important ones, have been made since the -first machines were constructed, but I will mention them shortly, for -they will only be understood by those who know the Dryer—1. The -trays now take out alternately both sides. 2. The fine Tea or dhole -trays take out independently. 3. Outside bearings are supplied to the -fan shaft or spindle: thus the lubricating oil cannot now run down -into the fan casing. 4. The chimney is moved forward, and thus heats -a larger amount of air and reduces fuel. After the necessary temperature -has once been obtained, one maund of wood will fire one -maund of Tea. This is an outside estimate.</p> - -<p>The great feature in Kinmond’s Dryer is the fact that a <i>separate</i> -blast of hot air is forced through the Tea on each tray. In all other -Dryers I have heard of, the <i>same</i> hot air passes through each tray -successively, and moisture is consequently more or less carried -upwards through each. It is principally in this respect, and in the -large quantity of work it executes, that I consider the excellence of -Kinmond’s Dryer to consist.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> - -<p>It remains only to give shortly the results of a long series of -experiments with Kinmond’s Dryer. The valuations were made by -more than one Calcutta <span class="lock">broker:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><th><i>Class.</i></th><th colspan="4"><i>Charcoal dried.</i></th><th colspan="4"><i>Machine dried.</i></th></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe</td><td>Rs.</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>Rs.</td><td>0</td><td>14</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td>Broken Pekoe</td><td>Rs.</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>Rs.</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td>Pekoe</td><td>£</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>6</td><td>£</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>10</td></tr> -<tr><td>Broken Pekoe</td><td>£</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>£</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>7</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>These were made from the same leaf, at the same time, with every -care. In one of my gardens, after Kinmond’s Dryer was obtained, the -Teas averaged upwards of 2 annas per lb. more all round.</p> - -<p>The Dryer can also be used for withering leaf, but in my opinion -no Tea Dryer is fit for that work, inasmuch as to do a large quantity -takes far too much time.</p> - -<p>Artificial withering is only necessary when the weather is wet and -cold, and the machine to do it should do a large quantity <i>at a time</i>. -No Tea Dryer <i>can</i> do this. A machine fitted for that work has yet to be -invented, unless Baker’s Wet Leaf Dryer, of which I have heard good -accounts, but have not seen, would answer.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>Since the above was written, further improvements and -alterations (suggested by Mr. Ansell, the Tea engineer, and -Mr. Pillans, manager at Phoolbarry) have been carried out. -The machine is now very perfect, and I consider it the -best Dryer at present in the market.</p> - -<p>Mr. Kinmond has invented quite lately a coke-burning -Dryer. He is now taking this with him to India to try it, -and has sent me the following prospectus of <span class="lock">it:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The Coke Burning Tea Dryer has been made to meet the want of -Tea districts where wood fuel is scarce, and coke can be obtained at a -reasonable price. The upper part of the Coke Burning Tea Dryer is -exactly the same as the No. 2 Wood Burning Dryer, which is adapted -to burn any kind of fuel, but its capacity is a little more, being from -2¼ to 2½ maunds pucka Tea per hour. One maund of pucka Tea can -be dried with the consumption of about ¼ maund of coke. Besides its -large capacity for doing work, and its small consumption of coke, the -Coke Burning Dryer has other advantages. It is nearly one-half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> -less in weight than the Wood Burning Dryer, which means one-half -saving in freight. It requires no foundation or brickwork of any kind; -and taking into consideration the quantity of work it does, it is the -cheapest Dryer in the market—costing only £180, f.o.b. in England.</p></div> - -<p>I know nothing of this Coke Dryer. Its price compares -favourably with his other Dryers.</p> - -<p>In April, 1881, the following leader, written by me, -appeared in the Calcutta <i>Statesman</i>. Though other Tea -matters are included (all of interest), I give it here as further -testimony to the merits of Kinmond’s <span class="lock">Dryer:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The days are passed when Tea planters hoped to make a fortune -in a few years. There are mainly two reasons for this. Firstly, the -prices of Tea have fallen greatly, in many cases 30 and 40 per cent. -This is due to the fact that supply, in the case of Indian Tea, has -overtaken demand. Still, there is some comfort to all interested in -the industry to be derived from the low prices which have ruled during -the last two years. So cheap have Indian Teas been that the attention -of the trade has thereby been directed to them, and consequently the -deliveries of the last few months have exceeded any known previously.<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> -It is calculated by those best able to judge, that if the present rate of -deliveries in London continues, the stock in June next will not exceed -twelve million pounds, and the truth is, strange as it may appear, that -below this point it is not well that the stock in hand should fall, -because, if it does, dealers will not be able to meet their requirements, -and will then perforce buy more China. Low as prices are, we -therefore, nevertheless, consider the statistical position of Tea to-day -as good. There is another point which should give comfort and hope -to the Indian planter, in spite of the fact that we are heavily handicapped -in our race with China, inasmuch as owing to more expensive -labour our cost of production <i>must</i> exceed theirs. This source of hope -is the great point now generally admitted, that Indian Tea is better -and goes further than China Tea. The experience of each of us can -quote instances of individuals dropping China Tea, and taking to -India; who knows of anyone doing the reverse? We admit the taste -for Indian Tea is more or less an acquired one. Still, the public at -home have already been educated to the taste by the yearly increasing -proportion of Indian mixed with China Tea. Speaking generally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> -(though the exceptions are many and increase yearly), it is true that -Indian Tea is not obtainable pure, but no more is China. The bulk of -the Tea now sold to the public in the United Kingdom is a mixture, -three parts China and one Indian, and all points to the fact that in a -few more years the general mixture will be half-and-half.</p> - -<p>We are thus surely paving the way, in other words, teaching the -English public to like Indian Tea, and the broad fact that, once used, -it is never abandoned for its rival is surely a very hopeful feature. -The truth is that were it possible to <i>make</i> the population of England, -Australia, and America drink Indian Tea for one week only, the -demand after that week would be enormous, and we should hear no -more of “supply exceeding demand;” nay, more, many thousands of, -acres would at once be added to the present cultivation in India.</p> - -<p>But we have somewhat wandered from the question we set out -with, <i>viz.</i>, <i>why</i> Tea does not pay now as it once did. The first reason -we have given; the second is that there is now no market for Tea -seed. This last reason is little dwelt on, but it is a very important -factor. The days were when Rs. 300 per maund, and even more, were -paid for Tea seed, and though this did not last long, the price for many -years up to 1878 was about Rs. 100. Now it is simply unsaleable. -The receipts for Tea seed, during all these years, formed a large part -of mature garden earnings, and, to quote one instance, thereto in a -great measure were due the big dividends paid by the Assam -Company.</p> - -<p>But though Tea prices may, and we think will, improve, it is not -likely we shall ever again see the rates obtainable formerly. This -being so, it is probable that only those plantations in the future will -pay that produce Tea cheaply. How is this to be done? Those -gardens that are heavily weighted by unsuitable climates, by a bad -class of plant, by slopes which are too steep, by inordinately expensive -labour, or other causes, will have a hard time of it, but plantations -with natural advantages need in no way despair. Though, as we said -above, we cannot, in the matter of cheap labour, vie with China, we -have a great advantage over the Flowery Land as regards economy of -production in another respect. We allude to the use of machinery, -which does much now, and will do more and more as each year passes, -to reduce the cost of production. Machinery in the manufacture of -Tea is, we believe, almost unknown in China. There each and every -operation is performed by hand; here in India many now do, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> -eventually all will, wither, roll, fire, and sort by the help of machines. -It says not a little for the enterprise and the inventive genius of the -Anglo-Saxon race that, while in China the manufacture of Tea dates -back many centuries, and yet all the Tea is still made by hand, we in -India, who have only planted Tea some forty years, have invented -machines and use them to-day for each and every operation in -manufacture. It is but as yesterday that we imported Chinamen to -teach us the <i>modus operandi</i>. We now know far more than they do on -the subject, and verily the pupil has beaten his master.</p> - -<p>Though machinery reduces the cost of production, and in more -than one case improves the quality of Tea, and planters know it, the -difficulty before them to-day is to know which is the best machine for -each operation. Unanimity on this point is not to be expected yet. -One swears by Jackson, another by Kinmond, others by Ansell, Barry, -Lyle, the inventor of the Sirocco, and so on. The machines and -names of inventors are many, and each has its disciples. Perhaps the -most favourite rolling machines are Jackson’s and Kinmond’s, but we -see the latter has just produced what he calls a “Centrifugal Rolling -Machine” which he thinks will supersede all others. We have not -seen it, though it is at work on several gardens, and so can give no -opinion about it; but another of Kinmond’s machines, his Dryer, we -know well. It was long a moot point if Tea could be efficiently fired -by any other agent than charcoal. Many affirmed that the fumes of -charcoal were necessary; and when, years ago, Colonel Money, so -well known by his writings in Tea matters, affirmed from experiments -that charcoal was not necessary, but that any fuel would do the work, -few believed him, for people said it was impossible to credit that the -Chinese would have gone on using charcoal (so much more expensive -than other fuel) for centuries, were it not a necessity. What Colonel -Money then predicted has already come to pass. Much of the Tea -now produced in India never sees charcoal at all, and it is very certain -that in two or three years all Indian Tea will be fired by machinery. -We say this is certain simply because, apart from the saving effected -by using other fuel, the value of Teas fired by machinery is increased. -It is natural it should be so because, by the use of the best machines -invented for that purpose, the heat can be regulated to a nicety, an -impossibility by the old mode of charcoal firing.</p> - -<p>Kinmond’s Dryer is, in our opinion, the best Tea Dryer machine -yet invented. Space forbids our describing it minutely (besides, only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> -those, and they are few, who understand Tea machinery would appreciate -our description), but its general features we will shortly touch on. -In the comparatively small space it occupies in a factory, and in the -large quantity of work it does in a given time, we think it unrivalled. -This last feature does away with the necessity of night-work, which, -apart from other drawbacks, is prejudicial to the excellence of Tea, -because, among other reasons, its colour cannot then be appreciated -in its several stages. Tea made at night is never very good. With -sufficient motive power, sufficient rolling machinery, and Kinmond’s -Dryers, the factory (let the leaf gathered be what it may) can be shut -up at dark. Kinmond’s Dryer may yet be improved upon by himself -or by others, but as it now stands it possesses a feature peculiar to -itself, and all important. The hot air, driven by a fan (the speed of -which, under control, regulates the temperature), does not pass -successively through the different trays, for the hot air, drying the Tea -in each tray, has a separate inlet and outlet. By this means is avoided -the objection of carrying the moisture absorbed by the hot air from -one tray to the other. Another peculiarity in the machine is, that the -same air is used again and again, being re-dried and re-heated each -time. By this two advantages are obtained: (1) fuel is saved, it is -easier to heat air which still retains caloric than fresh air; (2) the -aroma of Tea is very volatile, and when hot air, which dries it, passes -away, some of the essence and strength of the Tea goes with it. But -here the same air being used again and again, the volatile essence -(how much who can say?) is returned to the Tea. It is reasonable to -suppose that this will increase the value of the Tea; indeed, we know -it did so materially in one garden last season.</p> - -<p>We do not doubt that the unanimity wanting at present amongst -planters as regards machinery will more or less come with time, but -only long experience can settle the merits of rival machinery. One -thing, however, is very certain—if the exports of Indian Tea ever vie -in quantity with China, it will be due to the use of machinery in -manufacture.</p></div> - -<p>I may state that Kinmond and some other inventors of -Dryers claim for them that in wet weather green leaf may -be withered by their means. But, as I stated some pages -back, I do not think any Dryers suitable for withering. <i>That</i> -machine has yet to be invented.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> - -<p>To conclude my remarks on dryers, I give (again from -the <i>Tea Gazette</i>) an estimate of the cost of drying by the old -primitive mode with charcoal, and with machines. There -was no signature to the letter. I cannot say if the figures -assumed are quite correct, but in any case the machines -have much the best of <span class="lock">it:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h5><span class="smcap">Tea Drying Machinery</span> <i>v.</i> <span class="smcap">Charcoal</span>.</h5> - -<p>Dear Sir,—Tea drying by machinery <i>versus</i> Tea drying by charcoal -fires over choolahs is, I believe, still discussed as to the relative merits -of each. I will try and give you a fair estimate of cost, and speak -from experience as far as I know relative to the merits, ills, &c., &c., -of both modes of firing.</p> - -<p><i>1st. Charcoal firing and its merits.</i>—Except for those who persist -that the fumes of charcoal are necessary to make good Tea, I can see -no merit whatever in charcoal drying, either in cost, quality, rapidity, -saving of labour, or anything else, over machine-dried Tea.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Cost per maund Tea of Tea dried over choolahs by charcoal.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td>R.</td><td>A.</td><td>P.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Charcoal at 8 annas per maund, 1½ maunds</td><td>=</td><td>0</td><td>12</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1 Battiwallah at annas 4-6, kutcha firing</td><td>=</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Do. pucka firing, say</td><td>=</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Cost of firing by charcoal</td><td>Rs.</td><td class="bordertop">1</td><td class="bordertop">1</td><td class="bordertop">0</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>N.B.—Notice the labour staff required for three months in the -year to make charcoal; the immense space (and heat) taken up by -choolahs; cost of timber used for charcoal; the number of trays, -gauze, iron, &c., &c., required; the masonry and carpenter’s work -always more or less out of repair; loss of small tea falling through -trays, &c., &c.</p> - -<p>Now let us take</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Cost of machine-dried Tea per maund.</i></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td>R.</td><td>A.</td><td>P.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">1st. Those machines which dry by coke, say cost of coke</td><td class="left">=</td><td>0</td><td>8</td><td>0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">3 men at annas 4-6 per 5 maunds Tea</td><td class="left">= about</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left" colspan="2">Cost of drying per maund Tea for a machine, drying by coke 5 maunds in 10 hours</td><td class="bordertop">0</td><td class="bordertop">10</td><td class="bordertop">8</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> - -<p>I now give an estimate of cost of 1 maund Tea dried by a machine -of similar capabilities, but drying with any sort of fuel—coal, wood, -grass, bamboo, &c., say 2 maunds of firewood at 6 pie per maund = 1 -anna per 1 maund Tea.</p> - -<p>N.B.—Price of firewood at 3 pie per maund should be nearer the -mark.</p> - -<p>3 men’s pay, annas 4-6 for 5 maunds in 10 hours = annas 2-8 per -maund. The analysis of the above comes to <span class="lock">this—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td colspan="3"></td><td>R.</td><td>A.</td><td class="left">P.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Charcoal</td><td>drying</td><td>=</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td class="left">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Coke</td><td class="center">„</td><td>=</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td class="left">8<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Wood fire</td><td class="center">„</td><td>=</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td class="left">8</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>We read of machines drying with any fuel, and doing double the -Tea of what I have estimated above, and how people can still stick to -charcoal beats me.—(No signature.)</p></div> - -<p><i>Sorting or Sifting</i> is the next process—that is to say, -dividing the Tea (by passing it through sieves) into different -kinds, as Pekoe, Broken Pekoe, Pekoe Souchong, and Broken -Tea. All do not divide it thus, for some make other kinds -also. In the body of this Essay (page <a href="#Page_122">122</a>) I say, “I do -not believe in any present or future machine for sifting -Tea.” I did not then; that was in the early days of Tea; -but I was wrong. A sifting machine, on the large scale on -which Tea is now made, is essential for every garden.</p> - -<p><i>Jackson’s Sifter.</i>—I have seen this, and heard it well -spoken of, but I have no experience of it.</p> - -<p><i>Greig’s Sifter.</i>—This I have not seen, but from the -drawing I have I should doubt if it would sift enough per -day for a large garden.</p> - -<p><i>Pridham’s Sifter.</i>—This is quite a new thing. I know -nothing of it.</p> - -<p>The fact is, the manager at Phoolbarry and I have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> -so thoroughly satisfied with the Sifter we use there (Ansell’s) -I could conceive nothing better, and I have not therefore -looked into the matter of Sifters.</p> - -<p>In January, 1881, I sent an article to the <i>Tea Gazette</i> -describing <i>Ansell’s Sifter</i>, and as I thought then I think now. -I believe it is by far the best Tea Sifter yet invented. Many -are the testimonials, too, in its favour. The price, £80, is -too high; but the manufacturers (Ransomes, Head and -Jeffries, of Ipswich) advise me they propose reducing it to -£70. Even that, I think, is too much; but there can be no -question the use of it effects a great saving in a factory.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>This is my <span class="lock">article:—</span></p> - - -<h4><span class="smcap">Ansell’s Sifting, Sorting, and Fanning Machine.</span></h4> - -<p class="dateline"> -<i>January 27, 1881.</i> -</p> - -<p>In the days gone by, Tea cultivation was, to those commencing a -Tea career, <i>the</i> thing to study. Those days are passed. None are -embarking in new gardens, and but few are extending existing cultivation. -Prices have fallen so wofully that all that Tea planters think -of to-day is how to make what they have <i>pay</i>. <i>I</i> believe in Tea still. -I think the present low range of prices cannot last, and I think so -simply because I know Tea will not be cultivated year after year at a -loss. But the present crisis is very serious: it means, in five words, -“the survival of the fittest,” and even the fittest will not succeed, -unless every advantage is taken of all existing Tea knowledge.</p> - -<p>Tea manufacture is now the most important branch in the industry. -We have advanced greatly in the last few years; but Tea manufacture, -as regards economy in doing it, is yet comparatively in its infancy. -Still we have done a great deal since the indigenous plant was -discovered in the jungles of Assam, now nearly fifty years ago; we -have advanced more in Tea manufacture than the Chinese, who have -been making Tea many centuries. That is to say, I affirm that the -Indian Tea planter of ordinary intelligence knows more of both Tea -cultivation and Tea manufacture to-day than any of his Chinese -contemporaries. The Chinaman grows Tea, and makes Tea, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> -taught <i>us</i> to do it twenty to thirty years ago. The pupil in this case -has certainly beaten his master. We have made some improvements -in Tea planting and Tea cultivation, but where we have left our -teachers far behind is in manufacture. “Johnny” makes his Tea as -his father made it before him, taught by his grandfather who made it -the same way; and, for aught we know, no improvements, in that way, -have taken place in the course of many centuries. All is hand labour; -machinery to them is unknown. The most primitive ideas in Tea -manufacture are still adhered to. In support of the latter, I will quote -one instance: Tea, from time immemorial, has always been dried by -charcoal in China; no other way is known there now. How is it here -in India? A large proportion of the produce is fired with other fuel, -aided by machinery; and it is only a question of time (and a very -short time) when the whole of it will be thus prepared. I could quote -other instances: let this suffice, for no comparison can be drawn -between Tea manufacture as followed out in China and India in this -year 1881. The former is as crude as it was two or five hundred -years ago: the latter (though still far from perfection) in its many -details, in its numerous machines cleverly contrived to save labour and -better the Teas, is a striking illustration of the activity, the energy, the -inventive genius of the Anglo-Saxon race!</p> - -<p>An Indian Tea factory, well set up with machinery—that is to say -with a green-leaf drying apparatus, rolling machines, Tea dryers, -equalisers, and sifting and sorting machines, all driven by an engine of -15-horse power—offers a wonderful contrast to a Chinese Tea factory, -where all is handwork. But more strange still is the comparison -alongside of the fact, that in the former case the industry dates back -only some thirty years; in the latter many centuries.</p> - -<p>Tea machinery is destined to work great results in India. When -brought to perfection (it is far on the road now), it will so cheapen the -cost of manufacture that, though labour is dearer with us than in -China, we shall, thanks thereto, be able to lay down our Teas at -cheaper rates than the produce of the Flowery Land. If Indian Tea -ever vies in quantity with China in the Tea-consuming countries of the -world, it will be due entirely to the economy effected by our machinery. -I do not myself anticipate that Indian Teas will ever beat China out -of the field, but, inasmuch as our Teas are better, because the taste -for Indian Tea is growing apace, I do believe the day will come (it will -scarcely be in our time) that the Tea exports from India will equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> -those from China; and, as I said before, to machinery, far more than -to anything else, will that end be due.</p> - -<p>There is therefore no question of more importance to the Indian -planter to-day than Tea machinery. It is a difficult question too, -because so many machines, for each of the different necessary processes, -are vieing in competition for public favour. “Which is the best -machine to buy?” is the question one hears asked daily. I propose, -with your leave, to write a series of articles on Tea machinery, -pointing out, as far as in me lies, the advantages and defects of those -which commend themselves most to me, for I wish to give planters, -through your paper, the advantage of my experience; and as my -expressing an opinion in no way precludes others from doing the -same, and I know your columns are open to all, I would invite -discussion on rival merits, and thus certainly benefit the Tea industry.</p> - -<p>I will to-day describe what, I think, is the best Tea sifting and -fanning machine extant. It is true it is the last machine used in -manufacture, but that does not signify; I will take all the others -in turn.</p> - -<p>The said machine is the invention of an able man and engineer, -Mr. C. W. Ansell, well known in the Darjeeling district for his -knowledge of Tea machinery. He has been for many years employed -as an engineer in Tea factories. I heard of his machine when I was -lately in England, and went down to Ipswich to the manufactory of -Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Head to see it. Though difficult to -judge of it, as there was no Tea wherewith to test it, I was so pleased -with the principle that I ordered one. The cost was £80. It has -now been working on one of my gardens some thirteen months, and -in every way it has proved a great success. But to describe it, as far -as I can, in a few <span class="lock">words:—</span></p> - -<p>Its length is 19 feet, its breadth 5 feet. The Tea, in bulk, is -delivered through a hopper from an upper floor, on what I will call -the A end of the machine, to distinguish it from the other end, which -I will name B. The principle of all other sifters (except Jackson’s), as -far as I know, is, that the succeeding trays of differing wire mesh are -arranged one below the other, the slope all being the same way, that -is—from A to B. This plan is objectionable in the following way: if -the Tea has been well rolled and clings together, a good deal of the -fine Teas that are in the mass or bulk often passes some distance -down, perhaps over half the tray or wire-mesh length, before falling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> -through. If they do so, and the object is to sift out any particular -class on the next succeeding tray, there is only half the length of mesh -left to traverse to effect the object, instead of the whole length of the -tray. This is obviated in practice by pushing the Teas continually -back up the inclined tray; but this is done at the expense of extra -labour and making the Teas dusty and grey.</p> - -<p>The above objection is obviated in Ansell’s machine. It consists -of four slopes, but each of these incline downwards, alternately, -different ways—<i>viz.</i>, No. 1 (the upper), from A to B; No. 2, from B -to A; No. 3, from A to B; No. 4, from B to A, and below the mesh of -each slope is a carrying tin tray, sloping the same way, which carries -all the Tea which falls through each mesh down to <i>the head</i> of the -succeeding slope, while in each case the Tea which will <i>not</i> pass -through the mesh is delivered separately. The above arrangement, -however, does <i>not</i> hold with the upper or No. 1 slope. This consists -of two wire trays or meshes, with the carrying tray below the lower -one. Such of the bulk as will not pass through the upper tray is -delivered on the head of No. 2 slope, at the B end of the machine. -What passes through the upper tray, but will not pass through the -lower, is delivered by a side shoot at the B end of the machine, and is -“No. 1 Pekoe.” What passes through both sieves on to the carrying -tray is also delivered by an opposite side shoot from the B end of the -machine, and is “Broken Pekoe.” Between Nos. 1 and 2 slopes is an -air chamber, which, as the bulk left on the upper sieve of No. 1 slope -falls on the head of slope No. 2 (a blast being sent through it by a fan -at the A end of the machine), drives out of the said falling bulk all red -leaf, stalks, fannings, &c.</p> - -<p>No. 2 slope receives the bulk at the B end of the machine, after -the red leaf and fannings are taken out as stated above, and what will -not pass through the mesh is delivered at the back of the A end of the -machine, and is “Congou;” while what does fall through the mesh -into the carrying tray below it (which is still bulk, consisting of -“Pekoe,” “Pekoe Souchong,” and “Souchong” mixed) is delivered at -the A end of the machine on to the head of No. 3 slope.</p> - -<p>What will not pass through the mesh of No. 3 slope is delivered -at the B end of the machine in front, and is “Souchong;” while what -does pass through the mesh of No. 3 slope on to the carrying tray below -(still bulk, consisting of “Pekoe” and “Pekoe Souchong”) is delivered -on to the head of No. 4 slope at the B end of the machine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> - -<p>No. 4 slope has no carrying tray: it would be useless. What will -not pass through the mesh is delivered at the A end of the machine, -and is “Pekoe Souchong;” while what does pass through the mesh -falls on the floor of the factory and is the remaining “Pekoe,” that is, -“Pekoe No. 2.”</p> - -<p>The sorting is so far finished, and the results are the following -Teas, placed round the machine thus:—“Pekoe No. 1,” at the left side -of B end; “Broken Pekoe,” at right side of B end; “Red Leaf and -Fannings,” some distance in front of B end; “Souchong,” also in -front of B end, but nearer to the machine; “Congou,” at back of A -end; “Pekoe Souchong,” also at back of A end, but nearer the -machine; “Pekoe No. 2,” on the floor below the machine.</p> - -<p>With Teas thus minutely sorted, all possible requirements are -provided for, and the planter can, by mixing or otherwise, make any -number of classes he may choose.</p> - -<p>It will be observed that “Pekoe” is taken out twice, resulting in -“Nos. 1 and 2 Pekoe.” These differ slightly, but are better mixed -together. “Why take them out separately,” some exclaim, “to mix -them together again?” But there are three very good reasons: firstly, -the “Pekoe” is taken out at the commencement, previous to fanning, -to prevent the small or broken Pekoe tips being blown out in that -process; secondly, the “1st Pekoe” being taken out thus early, its -appearance is not injured by passing over a large amount of sieve-mesh -area; and thirdly, <i>all</i> the “Pekoe” is thus extracted, which it -could not be, as far as I can see, by any other process.</p> - -<p>From all the kinds detailed above, I make only four—viz., -“Pekoe,” “Broken Pekoe,” “Pekoe Souchong,” and “Broken Tea;” -but others can do as they will.<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a></p> - -<p>The machine is of course driven by steam.<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> The movement of all -the trays is a backward and forward one of 3 inches longitudinal semi-circular -motion, the latter movement being imparted by the steel -spring hangers. Only a small amount of power is required to drive -the machine, viz., under half horse.</p> - -<p>I must here conclude my description.</p> - -<p>Now as to the amount of work the machine will do. I speak from -actual experience when I state what <span class="lock">follows:—</span></p> - -<p>It will sift and fan seven maunds of Tea per hour. The only hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> -labour required to supplement it is a few (a very few) women to pick -out any foreign substances out of the “Congou.”</p> - -<p>At our garden in Western Dooars, 1,260 maunds of Tea were made -in 1880, and all sifted by this machine, the hand labour besides -being only 44 women during the whole season, or about one-fifth of a -woman per day.</p> - -<p>The machine requires only two men to work it continually, and -one boy to feed it from the upper floor.</p> - -<p>I can think of no possible objection to this machine, or even of -any possible improvement. I believe, in the case of a 300-acre garden -with a decent amount of produce, the machine, in its saving of -hand labour, pays for itself in one year, whilst the Teas are much -improved in appearance by its use, and fetch higher prices.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>I add two more letters in favour of the machine from -the same <span class="lock">paper:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Ansell’s Patent Tea Sorting and Winnowing Machine.</span></h4> - -<p>Sir,—In respond to your call for information regarding Tea -machinery, I am happy to supply you with my experience of Ansell’s -Patent Tea Sorting and Winnowing Machine. I have been sifting the -whole of my Teas, through it this season, and am therefore in a -position to state what I think of it. I consider it a most useful -machine, and a great saver of labour. With four men, I do with it in -one day an amount of work which without it I would have to employ -from twenty to twenty-five men to accomplish.—Yours, &c.,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -“<span class="smcap">Sifter</span>.” -</p></div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Ansell’s Sifting Machine.</span></h4> - -<p>A correspondent writes from London to the <i>Ceylon Observer</i> as -follows:—Ansell’s Patent Tea Sorter seems to be an article which will -later be much used in Ceylon. In a memo. before me there is an -extract from Messrs. George Williamson and Co., who say:—“The -manager of our Majilighur Garden writes:—‘I have now had -sufficient experience of Ansell’s Sifter to be able to report very favourably -upon it. It does its work thoroughly and cleanly, and, owing to -the comparatively small space it occupies, little or no loss occurs even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> -of the finest dust. Sixteen maunds in nine hours is what I find to be -about its capabilities, and four boys do all the work connected with it. -It has effected a great saving in the Tea house this year, and has quite -done away with hand-sieving, except equalizing the broken Pekoe and -broken Tea—a very trivial operation.’”</p></div> - -<p><i>Packing.</i>—This is the final process. Unless Teas are -packed directly they are made, they require to be heated -once more to drive off any moisture imbibed. This can be -done in a way in most of the dryers described, perhaps in -Kinmond’s best of all.<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a></p> - -<p>This concludes my remarks on Tea machinery; but I -shall not have a more appropriate place than this to mention -the ornamental tin boxes devised by Messrs. Harvey Bros. -and Tyler, as a new mode of packing Teas. The following -is an article of mine on the subject to the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, -written in <span class="lock">1880:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>I saw lately tin Tea boxes made to hold 20 lbs., which are manufactured -by Messrs. Harvey Brothers and Tyler, 21, Mincing Lane. I -was much pleased with them, for I foresaw that by their use great -good to the Indian Tea industry would accrue. I went to Mincing -Lane, and had a long talk with the firm, and came away convinced -that the fact of the said boxes should be known far and wide in India.</p> - -<p>The boxes measure 15¾ by 10 15/16ths by 10 5/16ths. They are -handsomely illustrated with Indian Tea plantation subjects.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> Each -piece runs into a groove in the adjoining one, so that one minute will -put a box together, and a touch of solder here and there completes it; -they are then perfectly air-tight. The boxes are very sightly. Price -is now 2<i>s.</i> 5<i>d.</i> per box. Boxes sent to Calcutta up to this have been -charged 2<i>s.</i> 7<i>d.</i> The price is dependent on the fluctuating price of tin, -which is somewhat lower now. Of course they are sent out in pieces. -Cases holding pieces for 100 boxes weigh 4 cwt. The firm tell me that -Messrs. Schœne, Kilburn and Co., and Messrs. Begg, Dunlop and Co.,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> -in Calcutta, have consignments of the boxes, so any of your readers -can see them.</p> - -<p>In my opinion there are several advantages, to be derived from -their <span class="lock">use:—</span></p> - -<p>1. They will help to open up new markets. The ungainly, unwieldly -packages we have used hitherto are certainly detrimental, at -least where Indian Teas are not known. By the use of these tin boxes -the sale of our Teas would, I am sure, be extended at home, and they -would also give great facilities for successfully introducing Indian Tea -into Australia, Canada, the United States, the Cape, &c. It seems -some Indian Tea has already been sent home in these tins, and I am -told it met with a ready sale, quite to 8<i>d.</i> per lb. over what it would -have brought in chests. This is, of course, too good to last, but less -than one penny a lb. increase would pay for their use.</p> - -<p>2. The sale of Indian Tea in India would be developed by using -them.</p> - -<p>3. The tares of these boxes is and must be exact, viz., 3 lbs. -15½ oz., so only a few would be opened at the Custom House,<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> and -the great loss by the deterioration of Tea being exposed (few know -<i>how</i> great it is) would be avoided.</p> - -<p>4. There is no doubt Tea will keep better in transit in these boxes -than in our old packages. How often are the latter broken and the -lead torn! This evil would be quite avoided.</p> - -<p>There seems to me to be but one doubtful point. The boxes -cannot be sent loose on board ship: how then are they to be packed? -Chests holding four tin boxes were recommended, but they do not -smile on me. True, they might be made very light: still they would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> -add to the size, weight, and cost considerably. I think crates of strong -light battens would answer perfectly, and six, or perhaps eight boxes -might then be placed in each. However, this is a matter of detail, -which experience would quickly decide. To continue the advantages:</p> - -<p>5. Teas packed in these boxes, and so sold, would not be used for -bolstering up China rubbish. They would be drunk pure, and thus -the great desideratum of teaching the public, both here and abroad, to -use Indian Tea by itself, would be, in a measure, attained.</p> - -<p>I do not say that any planter should pack <i>all</i> his Teas in this new -way. The mass of Indian Tea, do what we may, will still be used to -mix with China. Again, the highest class of Indian Teas are not the -ones to commence with. As a rule they are too expensive for the -public to use them alone. Ordinary Teas, or perhaps a mixture which -could be sold cheaply, and would be a good household Tea, is what I -should recommend. It is just this kind which is now such a drug in -the market, and necessarily the diversion of some of this into other -channels would help us greatly.</p> - -<p>6. A considerable saving in the loss of Tea at the Custom House -would result by the use of these boxes, as the following figures will -show. To begin with, the trade allowance of 1 lb. per package which -is now allowed the buyer, and which is of course a loss to the producer, -would be avoided; for this allowance does not apply to any package -under a gross weight of 28 lbs., and these tins with 20 lb. 2 oz. of Tea -in them, will weigh gross only 24 lbs. 1½ oz.</p> - -<p>To make the figures below clear, I must state that the rule of the -Custom House is to discard fractions of a pound both in the gross and -the tare. But in the gross the number <i>below</i> is written, in the tare the -number <i>above</i>. Thus, if the gross weight of a package is 132½ lbs., the -gross is written 132. If the tare of a package is 37¼ lbs., it is written 38. -Now to take one extreme case, to show the loss on our ordinary -Indian packages: a chest weighs gross, say, 132 lbs. 15 oz.; it is still -written 132 lbs. The tare of the said package weighs, say, 37 lbs. -1 oz.: it is written 38. The tare deducted from the gross gives the net -weight of Tea. In this case 132 minus 38 equals 94 lbs., which is all -the producer is paid for. But the net weight of Tea in the box is -132 lbs. 15 ozs., minus 37 lbs. 1 oz., equals 95 lbs. 14 ozs., and thus on -such a package there is a loss of exactly 1 lb. 14 ozs. Add to this the -trade allowance of one pound, and the whole loss is 2 lbs. 14 ozs., -which is about 3 per cent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> - -<p>It will be observed that by this custom the advantage, as regards -the duty of 6<i>d.</i> per lb., is on the side of the payee, but none the less is -it to the loss of the producer. The case quoted above is, of course, -an extreme one, but in practice I believe the loss of Tea on Indian -packages, including the trade allowance, is not much under 2 lbs. In -the case of our ordinary Indian packages, if we could regulate our -tares exactly, so as to make the gross weight only one ounce above the -whole number, and the tare one ounce below the whole number, -the loss would necessarily be much decreased. This, however, is -impossible, for, as a rule, the tares are one or two pounds less when -they arrive in England than when they left the garden, owing to the -wood drying in transit; and thus it is quite a chance what the real -tares come out here.</p> - -<p>But, with the tin boxes in question, the tares, that is their weight, -being fixed and equal, and not liable to change, we can so arrange the -weights that the loss will be very trifling, <span class="lock">thus:—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>lbs.</td><td>ozs.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">The box weighs</td><td>3</td><td>15½</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">We put in Tea</td><td>20</td><td>2 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">Gross Weight</td><td class="btopbottom">24</td><td class="btopbottom">1½</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">In the Customs the gross is written</td><td colspan="2" class="center">24 lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">And the tare is written</td><td class="center" colspan="2">4 „</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">The Tea paid for will be</td><td colspan="2" class="bordertop">20 lbs.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>that is a loss of only 2 ounces, or not much above half per cent., -instead of three per cent., as shown in the old packages.</p> - -<p>Shortly, to conclude this point. In the case of the old packages -by no means can we help ourselves; but, as shown, with the tin boxes, -the loss need be very little.</p> - -<p>Roughly, the cost of using these tin boxes would be, all told, from -1½<i>d.</i> to 1¾<i>d.</i> per lb., and with our lead-lined boxes it averages perhaps -per penny. The difference of a halfpenny, or even three farthings, -one pound would not be much for the advantages detailed.</p> - -<p>One point I have forgotten. If 500 boxes are ordered, the -plantation mark is put on the ends of the boxes gratis. If less than -500 are ordered, the additional cost for this would be about £5.</p> - -<p>I hope the Syndicate in Calcutta will try these boxes. I shall -certainly do so.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> - -<p>I enclose the directions for making up the tins, and hope you will -insert them at the foot of this letter.</p> - -<p>Reading over the above, there is one point I find not observed on -as regards the loss of Tea at the Custom House. By the mode of -weighing, as explained, the producer often loses 2 or 3 per cent., but -still, strange to say, in practice, this loss is sometimes more than -counterbalanced by the increased weight of the Tea due to the -moisture imbibed while exposed (if boxes are broken in the transit) -anyhow at the Custom House. But I need not point out that this -gain is dearly bought by the deterioration of the Tea. The Custom -House procedure is bad in every way. More on this subject later.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>The following is also from the <i>Tea Gazette</i>, and is much -in favour of the <span class="lock">boxes:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Packing of Tea in Tin Boxes.</span></h4> - -<p>In our issue of November 7th, 1881, we inserted a short editorial -note questioning, on the authority of certain correspondents, the -advisability of using tin Tea boxes for the packing of Tea, at the same -time asking our readers to favour us with their opinions on the subject, -in case we were misinformed. Our invitation has met with a response -from several quarters, and the correspondence we have received leads -us to alter the opinion we formerly held on the subject. A gentleman -largely interested in Tea, but in no way connected with the manufacturers -of the patent tin boxes, writes to us from <span class="lock">England:—</span></p> - -<p>“I made enquiries as to the condition in which Tea packed in -Messrs. Harvey Brothers and Tyler’s lacquered tin boxes is turned -out in London. I found that the Tea was not at all injured by this -method of packing, but that its condition is quite as good as that -of Tea packed in chests. Messrs. W. J. and H. Thompson assured -me that you were entirely mistaken in your remarks as to the -contamination, but they thought that an objection to the packing in -the lacquered tin boxes was the labour of putting up in these boxes. -Catalogues were shown me in which I saw that the Teas in the -lacquered tin boxes fetched higher rates than the same Teas packed -in chests, the difference being in one case 3<i>d.</i> per lb.”</p> - -<p>This is certainly a most favourable testimony, and coming as it -does from a disinterested party, who writes simply in defence of what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> -he considers the right, we cannot but accept of his statement in its -entirety.</p> - -<p>Another correspondent <span class="lock">writes:—</span></p> - -<p>“I now give you a few of the sales of these boxes made at public -auction during the last month, shewing the preference of the trade for -Tea so packed, and the higher prices realised.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" class="right" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td class="left"><i>Public Sale 3rd November.</i></td><td><i>s.</i></td><td><i>d.</i></td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Koliabar.</td><td class="left">28 chests Pekoe</td><td>1</td><td>10½</td><td>per lb.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">K. Assam.</td><td class="left">28 cases, each 4 tin boxes</td><td>2</td><td>¾</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="left"><i>Public Sale 16th November.</i></td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="left">M.L.B.D.S.A.</td><td class="left">30 chests Pekoe</td><td>2</td><td>¼</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">30 cases, each 4 tin boxes</td><td>2</td><td>2½</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="center">„</td><td class="left">20 chests Souchong</td><td>1</td><td>3½</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">20 cases, each 4 tin boxes</td><td>1</td><td>4¾</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="left"><i>Public Sale 23rd November.</i></td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="left">M.L.B.L.P.</td><td class="left">20 chests Pekoe</td><td>1</td><td>6¾</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">19 cases, each 4 tin boxes</td><td>1</td><td>9¾</td><td class="center">„</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>“In every case the above Teas were packed out of the same heap -in India, and the difference in the selling price arises chiefly from the -<i>better condition</i> of the Tea on arrival, and the growing preference of the -country trade for Teas so packed.”</p></div> - -<p>The following is worth <span class="lock">notice:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">Hoop Iron.</span></h4> - -<p>The <i>Ceylon Observer</i> says: “The planters should note the following -(writes to us a London firm)—From quotations lying before us the -prices of 22 gauge iron hooping are as follows: ½in., 165<i>s.</i> per ton; -⅝in., 110<i>s.</i> per ton; ¾in., 70<i>s.</i>; ⅞in., 60<i>s.</i>; 1in., 50<i>s.</i> Thus by using -one inch hooping, less than one-third the price is paid. The narrower -the hooping, the more difficult is it to manufacture.”</p></div> - -<p>It is also not so strong.</p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> - - - - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller">WEIGHING AND BULKING OF INDIAN TEAS AT CUSTOM HOUSE.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>One misapprehension with some exists on this head. -The <i>weighing</i> is done by the Customs to ascertain the -amount for duty. The <i>bulking</i> is done at the request of -the vendor, the broker who is to sell it, or the purchaser, -and it has to be paid for.</p> - -<p>Two distinct injuries are inflicted on the producer by -the present Custom House <span class="lock">system—</span></p> - -<ul> -<li>1. The Tea is much damaged by exposure.</li> -<li>2. The quantity found is <i>always</i> less than the actual.</li> -</ul> - - -<p>Now as to No. 1. When we consider how damp the -London atmosphere is at the best, how in foggy days it -teems with moisture, is it not very certain that Teas -exposed to it, often for days, deteriorate? What care we -take in India heating before packing—carefully with lead -and solder, excluding all air—and then the Teas on arrival -here are treated as above! It is simply monstrous.</p> - -<p>The following extract from a letter to <i>Home and -Colonial Mail</i> sets out the case <span class="lock">forcibly:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The blame ought not entirely to be laid upon the planter, however, -for certain facts have come to our knowledge during the present week -as regards the manner in which Indian Teas are bulked at some of the -London warehouses, which somewhat explains how depreciation in -quality comes about. We bought several breaks of Tea in the sales -this week, which were stated to be bulked and ready for sampling six -days before the sale; and yet we know for a fact that some of those -very Teas were not put back into the chest till the day after the sale, if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> -even then. More or less moisture is always to be found in the London -atmosphere, particularly in rainy weather, and there can be no -question that incalculable injury would be done to a fine Tea by seven -days’ exposure on the floor of a warehouse. The damage and loss -falls entirely on the buyer. The effects of it are not seen at once, but -there can be little doubt that a gradual depreciation sets in, consequent -on the absorption of moisture. No redrying process follows; -the Tea is simply filled back into the chests when seven days of -neglect have done what mischief is possible. Is it to be wondered at -that samples drawn from such a break of Tea a few months after it has -been bulked in London will have lost all their freshness and malty -smell?</p> - -<p class="sig"> -<span class="smcap">J. C. Taylor and Colman.</span> -</p></div> - -<p>I have no reason to think the delay above is very -unusual, and I must add to the above, that when the chests -are closed no attempt is made even to cover the top with -lead, much less to resolder it. Some paper on top is all -attempted. I need say no more to prove that the quality -of Indian Teas is <i>most</i> seriously damaged at the Custom -House.</p> - -<p>Now as to No. 2. The loss in quantity to producer.</p> - -<p>The following article, which I wrote to the <i>Indian Tea -Gazette</i> in 1881, shows how invariable the loss must <span class="lock">be:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The loss of Tea by the mode adopted at the Custom House in -England is great.</p> - -<p>When Teas are sold at Calcutta, though the English Custom -House regulations do not then affect us immediately, they do so -indirectly. If purchasers in Calcutta gain by our Teas, they will bid -more; if they lose, they will bid less. Besides, many Teas are sold -in London.</p> - -<p>To understand what follows, it is necessary to remember <span class="lock">that—</span></p> - -<p>Garden Invoices <i>never</i> go to Custom House. Custom House -arrives at weight of Tea by weighing the package for “gross,” and -then turning out Tea, weighing box, lead, nails, iron hooping, in fact all -but Tea, for “tare;” gross weight, minus tare, is the weight of Tea they -demand duty on, and the weight so found by Custom House is all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> -producer or importer gets paid for.<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> It follows, therefore, that the -less Tea declared by Customs means a loss to producer and a gain to -buyer. To the latter in two ways, <i>viz.</i>, less Tea to pay for than is -really there, and a saving of 6d. per lb. duty! But to show, now, how -the loss occurs. When weighing for gross, the fractions of a pound -are discarded; when weighing for tares, the pounds above the actual -weight are written. The <i>greatest</i> loss that can occur by this method, -on one package, is 1 pound 14 ounces of Tea. It (this greatest loss) -<i>must</i> always occur when the gross is 1 ounce short of a pound, and the -tare 1 ounce more than the pound.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">No. 1 Example.</span></h3> - -<p>Gross and tare can be put at any figures as to pounds. It will -always come out the same. Say, therefore,</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>lbs.</td><td>oz.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gross</td><td>132</td><td>15</td><td class="left" rowspan="2">actual weights taken at Custom House.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Tare (deducted)</td><td>37</td><td>1</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Actual Tea in chest</td><td class="bordertop">95</td><td class="bordertop">14</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>By rule quoted the gross and tare weights are set down at -Custom <span class="lock">House—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gross</td><td>132</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Tare (deducted)</td><td>38</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="left">Actual Tea thus paid for =</td><td class="bordertop">94</td><td class="left">pounds—on which duty is also paid. Therefore the loss on the chest is 1 pound 14 ounces.</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p>The <i>least</i> loss that can take place (when ounces occur in gross -and tare) is 2 ounces. To insure this the gross must be 1 ounce more -than the pound, and the tare 1 ounce below.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">No. 2 Example.</span></h3> - -<p>Say any figures in pounds.</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>lbs.</td><td>oz.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gross</td><td>133</td><td>1</td><td rowspan="2" class="left">actual weights taken at Custom House.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Tare (deducted)</td><td>36</td><td>15</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Actual Tea in chest</td><td class="btopbottom">96</td><td class="btopbottom">2</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> - -<p>But again, by rule quoted, it is written by <span class="lock">Customs—</span></p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="leftmargin right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td></td><td>lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Gross</td><td>133</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">Tare (deducted)</td><td>37</td></tr> -<tr><td>Actual Tea paid for</td><td class="btopbottom">96</td><td>pounds, on which duty is also paid.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>Therefore the loss on chest is 2 ounces only.</p> - -<p>Now did weights turn out the same in London that they were on -the garden, we could, by doing as in last example, insure only the -above trifling 2 ounce loss. But it is <i>not</i> so. The wood dries and -thus makes both the gross and tare less. The loss then comes out -anything between 2 ounces and 1 pound 14 ounces.</p> - -<p>I find the following simple rule will give the exact loss on each -and every weight of both gross and tare.</p> - -<p><i>Rule.</i>—Add the ounces above a pound in the gross to the ounces -short of a pound in the tare. The sum of the two, in ounces, will be -the loss of Tea on the package.</p></div> - -<p>This is only part of the article. I break off here to add -a few remarks more appropriate now than what I then -wrote.</p> - -<p>There are means by which this varying loss, of which -the maximum is 1 pound 14 ounces, can be reduced to 4 -ounces only on each and every chest.</p> - -<p>I admit the procedure is scarcely practical, but as -nothing can demonstrate better the absurdity of the system -as pursued at the Customs, I give it here.</p> - -<p>How can we insure the <i>least</i> loss, taking into consideration -the fact that the weights of both the gross and tare, -because of the wood drying and lightening in transit, can -never come out the same at the Custom House in London -as they were on the garden.</p> - -<p>We can do it thus: the Tea if well packed in a chest -in no way alters in weight during transit. If dry, when put -up, it cannot become lighter; if the leaden covering is air-tight, -it can absorb no moisture, which would of course<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> -make it heavier. I therefore beg the question that it is a -<i>fixed</i> quantity, for it must be so if well packed.</p> - -<p>We have therefore only to consider the gross and the -tare, and, as shown, the loss in Tea, varying from 2 ounces -to 1 pound 14 ounces, depends entirely on the weights these -are found to be at the Custom House. In other words, if -we can insure the gross there being but little over any even -number of pounds, and the tare there being but little below -any other even number of pounds, we attain (approximately) -the least loss we can be mulcted in.</p> - -<p>Begging the question that we can add to, or detract -from, the gross weight of each chest in the Custom House -(before it is put into the scales by the officer there) by the -addition or subtraction of a few nails if the weight is nearly -what we want, or pieces of hoop iron if the actual varies -much from the desired weight—I say, if we can do this, we -can insure approximately the minimum of loss. I go to -show how this is to be done.</p> - -<p>Pack the Tea in the usual way, but whatever the quantity -it is desired to put into the chest (it can be varied with each -class, for it matters not what the weight is in pounds) add -to it 4 ounces, and be very careful that the whole weight of -Tea is exactly the number of pounds required, plus 4 ounces—for -the whole success of the plan depends on this weight -being exact. Nothing more is required to be done at the -Factory than has been done hitherto, for it matters not one -straw, as regards the success of the plan, what the gross -and tare of each package is, nor what the weight of Tea is, -as long as exactly 4 ounces above an even number of pounds -is there; neither does it signify how much the wood lightens -in transit, and thus decreases the weights which were found -at Factory for gross and tare.</p> - -<p>The next step must be taken at the Custom House in -London. Let the importer or the producer’s agent attend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> -and weigh each package himself nicely, any time before the -weights are to be taken by the Customs. Then let him -<i>make</i> each package 2 ounces above the even number of -pounds. This will be easy enough, by the addition or -subtraction of a few nails or hoop iron. For instance, -suppose the chest to weigh 140 pounds 6 ounces, he would -take away nails or hoop iron weighing 4 ounces. If it -weighed 140 pounds 13 ounces, he would, by adding 5 -ounces more nails or hoop iron, make it 141 pounds 2 -ounces. All would then be finished, and each and every -package so treated would give a loss in Tea of 4 ounces only.</p> - -<p>If my plan could be carried out (as the minimum loss -otherwise is 2 ounces, and the maximum 1 pound 14 -ounces the mean is one pound), we save a loss of the said -pound on <i>each</i> chest, minus the loss we compound for, -<i>viz.</i>, 4 ounces. That is to say, we gain 12 ounces on each -package which, in a break of 2 or 3 hundred chests, means -a good deal to the producer or Customs!</p> - -<p>I will give one example in figures. Any other possible -figures can be tried: it will always come out the same, -<i>if</i> the weight of Tea is exactly 4 ounces above any given -number of pounds.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">No. 3. Example.</span></h3> - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td>lbs.</td><td>oz.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="left">Results at Garden. Tea, any number of pounds with 4 ounces added (say)</td><td>100</td><td>4</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="center">Tare (any figure) (say)</td><td>43</td><td>6</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Gross at Garden</td><td class="btopbottom">143</td><td class="btopbottom">10</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="4" class="left">The wood lightens in transit any amount (it is immaterial), say 15 ounces.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td>lbs.</td><td>oz.</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="left">The weights at the Custom House then become</td><td>Gross</td><td>142</td><td>11</td></tr> -<tr><td>Tare</td><td>42</td><td>7</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Weight Tea as before</td><td class="btopbottom">100</td><td class="btopbottom">4</td></tr> - -<tr><td colspan="2" class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>At Custom House (as detailed) by adding 7 ounces of nails or hoop iron make</td><td>lbs.</td><td>oz.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Gross</td><td>143</td><td>2</td></tr> -<tr><td class="left">The tare will thereby necessarily be increased 7 oz. and become</td><td>Tare</td><td>42</td><td>14</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">Weight tea as before</td><td class="btopbottom">100</td><td class="btopbottom">4</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td>lbs.</td></tr> -<tr><td rowspan="2" class="left">These weights are written at Custom House</td><td>Gross</td><td>143</td></tr> -<tr><td>Tare</td><td>43</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2" class="center">Weight of Tea found by Customs is</td><td class="bordertop">100</td><td>pounds</td><td>which is a loss of 4 ounces only as stated.</td></tr> -</table></div> -<p>Were the plan feasible, the gain to the Indian planters -would be large. Say this year (1883), fifty-seven million -pounds are imported, and ninety pounds per chest is taken -as the average, this gives over 600,000 chests, and 12 ounces -saved on each = 450,000 pounds, of Tea, which at 12 annas -per pound, Rs. 3,37,000.</p> - -<p>The gain to the Customs would be 450,000 sixpences = -£11,250.</p> - -<p>This increase to the Customs would be attained by -simply (though still keeping under the actual weight of -Tea in each chest) taking the contents more correctly.</p> - -<p>The above shows, if figures will show anything, that -a great loss to both the producer and Customs takes place -by the system in vogue. As the only object of the Customs -<i>should</i> be to arrive at the true weight of Tea in the most -expeditious and simple way, how very absurd is the system -pursued! What the <i>tare</i> is can in no way signify to them; -all they really want is the weight of the Tea. The absurdity -of the system is proved by the fact (demonstrated) that the -results to both producer and Customs <i>can</i> be altered by the -addition or subtraction in the Custom-house of a few nails! -How easy to weigh the Tea itself! What possible objection -can exist?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Indian Tea Districts Association having failed to -move the Customs, have quite lately addressed the following -Memorial to the Secretary of State for <span class="lock">India:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="p2 center large"><span class="smcap">To the Right Honourable the Earl of KIMBERLEY, Her -Majesty’s Secretary of State for India.</span></p> - -<p>The Petition of the Indian Tea Districts Association <span class="lock">sheweth—</span></p> - -<p>That your Petitioners are a body representing the interests connected -with the cultivation of Tea in British India, in which enterprise -British capital to the extent of over fifteen millions sterling has been -invested.</p> - -<p>That the industry dates from the year 1838, when the first consignment -of Indian Tea, consisting of 456 lbs., reached the London -market.</p> - -<p>That the imports of Indian Tea for the year ending 30th June, -1882, were 49,503,000 lbs., having a value of more than £3,300,000 -sterling; while the estimated importation for the current season is -upwards of 55,000,000 lbs., or fully one-third of the entire consumption -of the United Kingdom for the year.</p> - -<p>That the contribution to the Revenue accruing from Customs’ -import duty on the above quantity of Tea will exceed a million and a -quarter sterling.</p> - -<p>That the whole of this large quantity is manufactured and packed -on between 2,700 and 2,800 separate estates, situated on various parts -of H.M.’s Indian dominions.</p> - -<p>That the boxes in which the Teas are packed are in great part -made of such wood as can be obtained on the several estates, or purchased -from the neighbouring Forest Department, and it is very -important on economic grounds, as also in the manifest interests of -the districts, that this should be exclusively the case.</p> - -<p>That it has been found, under these conditions, practically impossible -to meet the imperative Custom-house standard of close -uniformity of tare weight when the chests reach the Bonded Warehouses -here.</p> - -<p>That your Petitioners have reason to complain of the system of -weighing the Teas in the said warehouses for the purpose of levying -the duty.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> - -<p>That the present system of weighing is to weigh each package in -the gross, then to turn out the contents, weigh the empty case, and -thus arrive at the nett weight of the contents.</p> - -<p>That the only exception to this rule is when the package, <i>i.e.</i>, the -empty cases, in a Break closely approximate in weight.</p> - -<p>That by the said system of weighing, two serious injuries are -inflicted on the grower and importer of Indian Tea, viz.:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>In the first place, a loss of weight is sustained by the fractions -over the even pound in both gross and tare being given -against the seller, and in favour of the buyer, amounting, it -may be, to 1 lb. 15 oz., or an average of about 1 lb. in every -package weighing over 28 lbs. gross, in addition to the usual -trade allowance of 1 lb. per package.</p> - -<p>Secondly, and by far the more serious grievance, very great -injury is caused to the Teas by the process of turning them -out of the packages, in which they arrive hermetically -sealed, for the purpose of weighing the empty packages. -The Teas are thus exposed to the atmosphere, the humidity -of which they readily absorb, and sustain further serious -injury and depreciation by breakage from rough handling in -the process of repacking: the lead linings also are so torn -in the process as to be rendered comparatively useless for -the purpose for which they were intended, eliciting loud -complaints from the trade of the rapid loss of condition of -the Teas.</p></div> - -<p>That the concession of this Petition, by rendering it unnecessary -to turn out more than a small percentage of the chests to test the -correct weight of contents, would admit of the Teas being bulked in -India; and while it would free the industry from an injurious and -vexatious restriction, and admit of the Teas reaching the consumer in -a purer and sounder condition, it would also greatly simplify and -reduce the work of the Customs.</p> - -<p>That the foregoing statistics significantly demonstrate the importance -of the Indian Tea industry to both England and India, and -constitute a claim to the favourable consideration of both Governments, -especially that of India, on the ground of the benefit accruing -to the districts in which it is conducted, and the increment of State -revenue to which it has directly and indirectly conduced.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> - -<p>That having regard to the existing close and hardening competition -with China, Japan, and other Tea producing countries, your -Petitioners naturally feel aggrieved that the important industry they -represent should be hampered in the contest by the restrictive and -superfluous impediment forming the subject of their petition.</p> - -<p>That your Petitioners have unsuccessfully urged on the Commissioners -of Her Majesty’s Customs the adoption of this change of -system, and therefore venture to address your Lordship.</p> - -<p>That your Petitioners beg to refer to the accompanying copies of -correspondence between the Association and the Commissioners of -Her Majesty’s Customs annexed to this Petition.</p> - -<p>That the accompanying Memorial signed by the leading mercantile -firms and others in Calcutta, interested in the growth and export -of Indian Tea, is an illustration of the feeling in India on the subject -of this Petition.</p> - -<p>Your Petitioners therefore <span class="lock">pray—</span></p> - -<p>That your Lordship will kindly take such steps as may be -necessary to secure for your Petitioners the relief sought for.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c.<br /> -<br /> -T. D. FORSYTH,<br /> -Chairman of the Association.<br /> -<br /> -ERNEST TYE,<br /> -Secretary. -</p></div> - -<p>The following reply was <span class="lock">received:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="dateline"> -<span class="smcap">India Office, S.W.</span>,<br /> -28th February, 1883. -</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council -to acknowledge the receipt of the Memorial addressed to the <span class="smcap">Earl of -Kimberley</span> by the Indian Tea Districts Association, respecting the -method of weighing Indian Tea at the Custom House. In reply, I am -to inform you that the Memorial has been forwarded to the Lords -Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury, with the expression of -<span class="smcap">Lord Kimberley’s</span> hope that whatever is practicable may be done -to remedy the grievance complained of by the memorialists in the -interests of the Indian Tea trade.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -I am, Sir, your obedient servant,<br /> -(Signed) J. K. CROSS.</p> -<p> -The Secretary, Indian Tea Districts Association. -</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is possible, therefore, that some improvement will -now be accomplished.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a></p> - -<p>But at the <span class="smcap">Crutched Friars</span> Warehouse (belonging to -the East and West India Docks) a great advance has -already been made. The Tea there is now bulked, and re-packed -by machinery. The Directors most kindly invited -me to come and witness the process. I went, and was -more than pleased with what I saw. The machinery, and -all connected with the process, is so well described in an -article in the <i>Home and Colonial Mail</i>, I cannot do better -than give it <span class="lock">here:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Tea Bulking at the East and West India Dock Company’s -Warehouses, in Crutched Friars.</span></h3> - -<p>It is not a little strange that the importance of effecting improvements -in the present system of Tea bulking, which has exercised the -minds of Tea growers and importers so much of late, should have -hitherto been neglected or ignored by the proprietors of the various -bonded warehouses in London wherein the Tea is bulked and stored. -That Tea may be, and only too commonly is, bulked by an antiquated -and unsatisfactory process is a fact which is well known to all who are -interested in the matter. How this result is arrived at will be seen -later on; at present we desire to show that at least at one warehouse -the question has received the attention which it deserves, and to -explain, so far as may be possible, the steps which have been taken in -the matter.</p> - -<p>It is, then, that old and powerful body, the East and West India -Dock Company, who have taken up the matter. At the instance of -Mr. Du Plat Taylor, the able and energetic secretary of the company, -supported by the equally energetic warehouse superintendent, Mr. -Robert Adams, the arrangements for bulking Tea at the warehouse of -the Company have been very greatly improved. More than this; -there has been invented and set up a special and very ingenious -machine for the bulking of Tea in a manner which avoids all the failings -of the old system. What this machine is, and what its peculiar -merits are, will best, and perhaps only, be clearly understood by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> -brief description of the two systems as we lately saw them in operation -at the warehouses of the company in Crutched Friars, which we may -mention are nearer than any others to Mincing-lane, an advantage -securing to planters and importers the certainty that their Teas will be -sampled by the trade generally.</p> - -<p>Under the old system, then, each chest of a break, after having been -subjected to certain preliminary formalities, is opened, and the Tea -turned out in a heap on the floor of the warehouse. When this is -done the Tea is bulked by means of wooden spades, each spadeful -being thrown to the top of the central heap, so that it falls over and -on all sides. Here the Tea lies until it is placed back again in the -chests after they are tared, there being a considerable interval at some -of the London warehouses between the bulking and refilling. The -refilling is thus accomplished. The Tea is first put into bags and -weighed on a machine at the side of the bulk. The bag and chest are -then taken off the weighing machine and the contents of the bag are -emptied into the chest. The Tea, however, requires some pressure to -force it into the chest, and this pressure is obtained by an expedient -of a very primitive kind. When the chest is partly filled a man gets -in and presses down the Tea by treading on it. So soon as the Tea is -all in the chest the package is properly secured, and the operation is -completed.</p> - -<p>Now the serious faults of this plan are at once apparent. In the -first place the Tea, being in heaps on the floor of the warehouse with a -large surface exposed to the atmosphere, runs the risk of losing a great -deal of its freshness and aroma, this risk being largely increased by -the doors of the warehouse being kept open in order to discharge or to -receive merchandise in all weathers. No atmospheric influences are -calculated to benefit Tea. Then, again, the shovelling of the Tea by -means of wooden spades, and the treading into the chests, can hardly -do otherwise than injure the Tea—the filling in a minor degree and the -treading to a more serious extent, the result being, of course, that the -Tea is depreciated.</p> - -<p>The East and West India Dock Company have made the best of -this primitive method of Tea bulking. In the first place it is insisted on -in their warehouses that previous to trampling the Tea into the chests, -a cloth shall be placed over it to preserve it from the dirt of the man’s -boots, and to some extent from injury—a precaution which, strange as -it may seem, is not taken in every bonded warehouse. Then, again,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> -Mr. Adams, the warehouse superintendent—who could hardly have the -interests of planters and importers more at heart were he “in Tea” -himself—uses his best endeavours to refill the boxes with as little delay -as possible, and thus to prevent it from being injured by undue -exposure to the atmosphere. He also keeps the floors of the warehouse -as clean as practicable. But feeling that the best efforts, however -well devised, and however strenuously carried out, must necessarily -be attended with but partial success, the East and West India -Dock Company have erected—as has already been mentioned—a Tea -bulking machine, a device which is ingenious and meritorious, and -which seems to be, so far as it has been tried, a great success.</p> - -<p>This machine, designed by Mr. Tydeman, of the company’s -engineering staff, and constructed under his supervision, consists, -firstly, of a large hollow revolving drum weighing nearly two and a-half -tons, and of sufficient capacity to thoroughly bulk about 50 chests of -Tea. The drum is made to hold about 100 chests of Tea, which leaves -ample space for the bulking of the above quantity. Inside this drum -are frames fitted at intervals with iron rods, and extending at varying -angles from the axle of the drum to its extremity. Externally the -drum has two openings for the reception of the Tea, and two smaller -ones for its discharge. In a line with the axle of the drum, some -height from the floor, is a platform to which the chests are conveyed -by a double lift which simultaneously ascends with a full chest and -brings down an empty one. Adjuncts to the machine are a weighing -machine, a presser, and four beaters—of the two latter the nature and -object will be immediately apparent. The process of bulking as -effected by this machine is briefly as follows: The drum being revolved -till its receiving openings are level with the platform, a chest of Tea -is raised, as before explained, and the contents examined on the door -of the drum, which falls back into a horizontal position for that purpose, -then by closing the tray or door the Tea is passed into the drum. The -lift then brings up another full chest and takes down the emptied one, -which is at once taken to a scale for taring purposes, and so the -process is continued till the break is exhausted. This filling process -can be carried on at both sides of a drum at once, as there are two -openings and two lifts. The Tea being in, the drum is made to revolve, -when the iron frames thoroughly mix the Tea in a very few revolutions—three -would suffice.</p> - -<p>The drum has now to be emptied, and this operation is effected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> -in the following manner:—The revolution of the drum is stopped when -the openings through which the Tea is released are brought over the -weighing machines—there are two for greater expedition—on which -are placed the chests ready to receive it. The delivery doors (worked -by levers) being opened, the Tea is allowed to descend till the chest is -about half full, when the presser and beaters are brought into play by -hydraulic pressure. The presser is a piece of flat iron about an inch -in thickness, removable at pleasure, and varies in size to fit either a -chest or a box. The beaters are four pieces of the same metal, which -support the chest so soon as it is on the weighing machine. When -the chest is partly filled, the beaters are released, and, by the action -of a wheel, are made to strike all four sides of the chest, and thus -shake the Tea down. The presser is also brought down to press the -Tea in. The action of both of these agents can be regulated to any -required degree of force. Thus by degrees the chest is filled, and (the -supporting beaters having been released and the presser raised) -is weighed and ultimately removed. Such, in brief, is the action -of the new Tea bulking machine. One or two points, however, -remain to be mentioned. The power by which the machine is -actuated is hydraulic. The presser will not injure the Tea. The -beaters serve the triple purpose of holding the chest in position on -the weighing machine, of supporting it should it be of weak -construction, and of materially assisting the repacking of the Tea. -The beating action does not in any way injure the chests. Our readers -will also be pleased to know that certain very marked improvements -even upon the above described are already in hand by this Dock -Company—improvements which will greatly increase the value and -usefulness of their machinery for bulking Teas.</p> - -<p>To descant on the advantages over the old system of bulking -which are possessed by the machine which has been described would -be little better than a waste of time. Yet some few points may be -briefly referred to. First, cleanliness is secured, for from first to last the -Tea is never touched by hand or foot. Again, the Tea cannot be injured, -nor can it lose its aroma, for it is never exposed to the atmosphere at -all. Instead of being allowed to lie on the floor of the warehouse for -any period, the entire process of bulking is completed without break -or delay. The Directors of the East and West India Dock Company -are not, of course, so sanguine as to imagine that the old system of -bulking will be at once abandoned; indeed, they have, as has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> -mentioned, taken steps to improve that system; they do, however, -think that it should be abandoned, and to that end have adopted the -Tea Bulking Machinery as an alternative, and an immeasurably -superior process. That they are justified in this view there can be no -doubt in the minds of those who have witnessed both the systems in -operation.</p></div> - -<p>The said machinery is at the <span class="smcap">Crutched Friars</span> Warehouse -alone, and it is, of course, very desirable the machinery -should be adopted in all Tea warehouses. This end will be -quickly brought about if those who send their Tea home, -and the importers here, insist on their Tea being sent to this -one warehouse that has the machinery.</p> - -<p>What an advantage to owners and managers of Tea -estates is the fact that Tea bulked by machinery at -<span class="smcap">Crutched Friars</span> is not exposed to the changeable English -atmosphere, or at least not for more than a few minutes, -and consequently is not so likely to be classed as “flat.” -How many planters are there who, after taking especial care -in the manufacture of their crop, find to their chagrin that -on arrival in London (and after exposure probably for some -days), the shipment is described as “flat,” and worth so -many pence per lb. less than if the atmospheric exposure -had not occurred.</p> - -<p>It appears to me that very little, added to the help this -new machinery gives, would now do away with <i>all</i> the injury -the producer and the Tea has hitherto borne in the Customs. -So much has now been accomplished by this machinery, -the Tea is well bulked, and <i>receives no injury whatever thereby</i>. -But two further improvements are <span class="lock">required:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. That the actual weight of Tea in each chest (discarding -ounces) be recorded, and that thus the loss to -the producer and the Customs, detailed above, be -avoided.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> - -<p>2. That the lead at top of the Tea be carefully replaced -and resoldered, so that every chest shall leave the -Custom House in as good condition as it entered -it.</p></div> - -<p>Very little addition to the machinery detailed above -would accomplish the first. The chest ready to receive the -Tea, plus the lid and top lead (which should have been -carefully removed), might be weighed on the platform at the -side of the big drum (by simply making the said platform a -weighing machine) and weighed again when filled, with the -lid and lead laid on it. The difference of the two weights -would, of course, be the weight of the Tea.</p> - -<p>The second is a question of expense; it would not be -great if done systematically. The chest should be carefully -opened, and the top lead removed in a square piece <i>nearly -the size of the box</i>. When replaced, a narrow strip of lead, -soldered down on either side, would make the covering -complete.</p> - -<p>Justice will not be done to Indian Teas till this last is -accomplished.</p> - -<p>Who should bear the expense? The chests are received -into the Customs for the benefit of the Revenue, and who -can doubt, were the question tried in a Court of Law, that -they are bound to return them in as good condition as they -were received. They do <i>not</i>, and have never done so, and I -only wonder the trade has stood it so long, and has not -sued them. Were the course I advise followed out, there -would remain no cause of complaint, and the trifling cost of -soldering on the lid again should doubtless, therefore, be -borne by the Customs.</p> - -<p>But in reality the Customs would sustain no loss—in -fact, the other way. I have shown clearly at page <a href="#Page_278">278</a> <i>that -were the weight of Tea correctly recorded, the Customs would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> -receive in duty upwards of £11,000 each year from Indian Tea -more than it does now</i>. To re-solder the lids on the boxes -would cost nothing like that; and highly as Indian Tea is -thought of now, how much higher still would it stand were -it not injured to the frightful extent it is in passing through -the Customs.</p> - - -<h3><span class="smcap">Conclusion.</span></h3> - -<p>I lit on the following in the <i>Home and Colonial Mail</i> just -before going to press, and it is too pertinent to much in -preceding pages to <span class="lock">omit:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h4><span class="smcap">The China Tea Trade.</span></h4> - -<p>The influence of the expansion of the Indian Tea enterprise on -the trade in China is being felt. We have more than once adverted -to the fact that the growing use of the well-flavoured Teas of India -would diminish the consumption of the better grades of China Tea, -and that the effect of the competition between the two countries would -be first seen in the falling off in the demand for so-called fine China -Tea.</p> - -<p>The following letter, which appeared in the <i>Times</i> Money article -lately, confirms this view, and refers to the present unsound condition -of the China Tea <span class="lock">trade:—</span></p> - -<p>“Sir,—In view of the opening of the Tea season in China, a few -remarks upon the present position and future prospects of this important -trade may not be inopportune.</p> - -<p>“It is no secret that for some years past the losses of merchants -have been serious, and that while most of the wealthy firms so long -known as connected with China have either entirely ceased to import -Tea, or have reduced their operations to a very small compass, the -trade has been carried on by new houses possessing but little capital, -who are enabled, by the competition of the banks, to do a large -business by drawing bills on China, not only for the whole cost of the -Teas purchased, but also for their commissions on these purchases—that -is to say, for an unrivalled profit of 3 per cent. The question, -Who has so far paid the losses of the past two years? is one that -greatly exercises the minds of the trade. Many suppose that large -balances are being carried over in the books of some of the banks, or -by the Chinese, and that it is the hope of recouping a portion of this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> -loss that induces the banks or the Chinamen to support those who -would otherwise be obliged to relinquish the trade. The Chinese -have also a further inducement to support such firms, since it is partly -through them that those high prices are established in China at the -opening of the season which entail so much loss afterwards. As a -result of these prices, about 30 per cent. more fine Congou is produced -than (on account of the competition of the Indian growth) can be consumed -except at the price of medium Tea. How large the excess is -may be gathered from the fact that, although 5,000,000 lbs. of this -class of Tea was lost last July in the ‘Moskwa’ and the ‘Fleurs -Castle,’ yet stocks in Russia have increased by about 30,000 half-chests, -and there is still so large a quantity on this market that it can -only be realized at a loss of from 5<i>d.</i> to 6<i>d.</i> per lb. on the China cost; -thus some Teas, said to have cost in Hankow 1<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> to 1<i>s.</i> 9<i>d.</i>, have -been recently sold as low as 1<i>s.</i> 3<i>d.</i>, and others costing 1<i>s.</i> 7<i>d.</i> in -Foochow, have been sold at 1<i>s.</i> 1<i>d.</i> per lb.</p> - -<p>“It is evident from the above that merchants as a rule do not realize -the immense change that has been brought about in the conditions of -the trade by the enormous increase in the use of Indian Tea, which -now forms about one-third of the entire home consumption, and competes -mostly with the finer qualities of China congou; nor the fact -that all engaged in the trade are becoming year by year more averse -to holding stock on account of the heavy charges involved, and the -risk of deterioration in quality. Yet, as the whole twelve months’ -supply of first crop Tea arrives within three months of the opening of -the season, it is plain that some one must hold the balance, which can -only be done with safety if the Tea be bought at a very low price.</p> - -<p>“The one remedy for the present condition of things is that the -great bulk of the so-called fine Teas should be bought in China at their -present value on this market—viz., at about 5<i>d.</i> to 6<i>d.</i> below the prices -given for them in recent years. With the large accumulated stocks in -Russia, and consequently reduced orders from that country, the yearly-increasing -supply of Indian Tea, and the present prices here, one would -think that such a course would at once be adopted. Unfortunately, -however, so much of the Tea is bought on commission, and the -Russian agents seem so reckless as to the prices which they give, that -any such prudent action can hardly be hoped for. It would, therefore, -be wise for holders of shares in Eastern banks, as well as all who have -been in the habit of intrusting orders to buying agents in China, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> -ponder the foregoing facts, which can be easily verified by a reference to -any of the trade circulars lest their money should be lost in the crash -which must certainly take place if the past policy of Tea buyers in -China be continued.—I am, &c.,</p> - -<p class="sig"> -“A. B.” -</p></div> - -<p>Will those warned be wise in time, and not swamp the -Home Market with China Teas certain to be sold at a loss? -Who can say? But “A. B.” is evidently master of the -subject, and if his advice in not taken, the China Tea -“crash” he predicts will not be a small one.</p> - -<p>When China Teas are <i>not</i> sent home to realise a certain -loss, our Indian Teas will have fairer play.</p> - -<p>I cannot conclude without acknowledging the great help -I have derived from the pages of the <i>Tea Gazette</i> in writing -these additions to my Fourth Edition.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Since my remarks on Ceylon were printed, I have -acquired much further information regarding the Tea -industry in that island, and the prospects certainly seem -very favourable. Anyhow, there seems to be no doubt that -Ceylon for Tea offers quite as good a field as any part of -India, always supposing that good sites are selected and -the area to choose from is large.</p> - -<p>The future market for Tea is really, as regards Ceylon, -the only doubtful point, and consequently (as at page <a href="#Page_183">183</a>) -I advise the planters there to act with caution.</p> - -<p>Where it is proposed to put coffee lands under Tea, of -course one great advantage in economy will be gained, -inasmuch as there will be no jungle clearing or previous -cultivation. But here again caution is necessary. Make -sure the soil is not worn out, for Tea, though it will grow, -will not yield largely on such.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="dateline"> -<i>June, 1883.</i> -</p> - -<p>P.S.—The following are the new rules lately issued by -the Customs regarding the future treatment of Indian -Teas.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The weight of Indian Tea for duty may, if desired by the importers, -be ascertained under the following <span class="lock">regulations:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>1. The Tea on arrival to be weighed to ascertain the gross weight -of each package.</p> - -<p>2. With each entry the importer to give an endorsement of the net -contents of each package.</p> - -<p>3. To test the accuracy of this endorsement, 10 per cent. of each -break to be turned out and weighed net.</p> - -<p>4. If the difference between the weight given of any package and -the weight found exceeds or is less than 3 lbs., the whole -parcel should be weighed net.</p> - -<p>5. Duty to be charged on the average weight of the packages -weighed net, unless the importer elects to weigh the whole -parcel in the usual way.</p> - -<p>6. When the average of the packages weighed net amounts to so -many pounds and a-half, an additional pound will be charged -on each of the whole parcel; when the fraction is less than -half a pound it is to be rejected.</p> - -<p>7. The new system to come into operation on July the 1st next.</p></div></div> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="ADDENDA" id="ADDENDA">ADDENDA</a><br /> - -<span class="smaller"><i>TO THE THIRD EDITION</i>.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p>The following from the <i>Indian Economist</i>, regarding Indian -Teas in general and Neilgherry Teas in particular, is not -out of place here. At the same time I do not agree with -the writer, for I believe that in the strength and pungency -of Indian Teas consists their <span class="lock">value:—</span></p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<h3>INDIAN TEA.</h3> - -<p>“That the Teas of India have at length come to be fully appreciated -in England may be taken, we presume, as an admitted fact; -and it is of importance that planters should direct their attention to -modifying their methods of manufacture so as to suit the public taste, -and, if possible, turn out an article free from the objections still -advanced against the Indian leaf as a daily beverage. There are, we -know, those who argue that enough has been done, and that consumers -will acquire a taste for the produce of our gardens in time; but we have -daily evidence that in the most trivial matters there is no greater -tyrant than the public. It behoves those then who cater for this tyrant -to consult its taste and satisfy its demands, however exacting and -capricious they may be. The remarks we are about to make are based -on experiments and enquiries extending over some years in this country -and in England, and we leave those engaged in the enterprise to -estimate their value. All Teas grown in the plains of India are known -to the trade in London under the general name of Assam, and are -chiefly used for mixing, seldom reaching the consumer in a pure state. -When they do, the objections raised are that the leaf is too pungent -and rough for most palates; and purchasers are in the habit of mixing -it with Chinese to tone down those astringent qualities. In other words, -it wants the delicacy of flavour which is the chief characteristic of the -Chinese leaf, meaning of course that vended by respectable houses, -not the abominable trash that formed part of the cargoes of the <i>Lalla -Rookh</i> and <i>Sarpedon</i>, containing, according to Dr Letheby’s Analysis,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> -‘40 to 45 per cent. of iron filings and 19 per cent. of silica.’ Nor is -this lack of delicacy of flavour to be lightly regarded, for the efforts of -our manufacturers have been directed unwittingly and indirectly to -foster the peculiarity, as the test of Indian Tea has hitherto been its -strength and pungency, to fit it for <i>salting</i> weak, thin, inferior sorts of -Chinese. This is what the dealers have demanded, and what, -consequently, brokers in their turn have insisted on, with the result -that the out-turn of our Assam and Cachar plantations is now, if -anything, too powerful to suit public taste. Whether means of -manipulation may be hit upon by which aroma can be retained without -sacrificing strength, we leave those most interested to determine; but -it is worthy of note that this objection to strength and roughness is -almost confined to women, the sterner sex preferring Assam unmixed, -while the working classes of both sexes are unanimous in favour of the -unadulterated Indian article. Experiments were further tried by -substituting Neilgherry Tea, and after a short interval the verdict of -the majority was in its favour. We need now only point out the -difference in the manufacture between the two Teas, leaving others to -decide questions regarding the bearing of climate or altitude. Up to -the time of finishing rolling, the manipulation of the leaf is identical, -care being taken to retain the juice; but that made on the hills instead -of being almost immediately placed over <i>choolas</i> was spread out thinly -on tables all night, in a temperature of 54 deg., sustaining consequent -loss of strength by evaporation, but developing an aroma that -established it at once in favour. So successful has this Neilgherry -Tea been at home, that offers are now received by plantation -proprietors for their produce at half-a-crown per lb. free on board, in -Madras. This would seem to indicate that the aroma is generated by -the action of cold upon the damp leaf while in a state of ‘suspended -fermentation;’ for, previous to experimenting with consumers, the -samples were submitted to Mincing Lane brokers and pronounced -sound, in corroboration of which opinion the bulk from which they -were taken sold at auction for 2<i>s.</i> 2½<i>d.</i>, so that fermentation (<i>i.e.</i> -sourness) had been carefully avoided. We know that the climate of -Assam and temperature of the Tea-houses render the keeping of rolled -leaf even for an hour fatal to soundness; but should the development -of this aroma be really due to ‘suspension of fermentation’ is it not -worth while adopting some contrivance for cooling down a chamber -set aside for the purpose of spreading out the rolled leaf to the -temperature required?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> - -<p>“The question whether delicacy is due to altitude alone and not -to manufacture might be ascertained by experiment. Let a quantity -of green leaf be sent <i>down</i> from one of the Neilgherry gardens, and -worked up in the plains at the foot of the hills, and an equal quantity -sent <i>up</i> from one of the Assam gardens, say to Shillong, and manufactured -on the Neilgherry principles there, and the result then -compared. This experiment would cost little and determine a not -unimportant question: for all engaged in Tea are interested in using -their best endeavours to fit it for public consumption, and to guard it -against Chinese in any shape or form whatever.”</p> - -<p><i>Note by the Author.</i>—That “delicacy of flavour,” and “want of -strength” with it, <i>is</i> due to altitude has long ago been admitted, and -any experiments on that head would, I think, be quite unnecessary. -The experiments as to manufacture on the Neilgherries are interesting, -and should be further looked into.</p> - -<p class="sig"> -E. M. -</p> - -<p>I have at last completed experiments with a view to do away with -the use of charcoal in Tea manufacture, and I think with success.</p> - -<p>The “Furnace Teas,” for so I purpose naming them, have in most -cases been pronounced by the Calcutta brokers to be superior to -similar samples of the same day’s leaf, made in the usual way over -charcoal.</p> - -<p>Nothing but the heat generated by <i>any</i> fuel placed in furnaces -sunk under ground outside the Tea-house is used. No motive power -of any kind is employed. The apparatus is very simple. It is cheap -to erect and very durable in character.</p> - -<p>As the apparatus with which the Teas up to the present time have -been made is a rude and imperfect one, having disadvantages which -must tell more or less on the excellence of the Teas so manufactured, -and as, even with these disadvantages, the Teas are pronounced by the -brokers <i>at least</i> equal to charcoal-dried Teas, it is not too much to hope -that with a perfect apparatus (one of which will be erected immediately) -Teas will be improved in value by this new invention. The following -will be shortly the advantages of this new process, even supposing the -Teas are no <span class="lock">better:—</span></p> - -<p>1. <i>Economy.</i>—This will possibly be even greater than what is set -out in the extract of the local paper below; for the fact that the Tea -is never placed over charcoal until the whole is ignited, and has become -“live charcoal,” is not there recognized, much of the caloric thus -escapes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span></p> - -<p>2. Cleanliness and absence of charcoal dust.</p> - -<p>3. Absence of the objectionable fumes of charcoal.</p> - -<p>4. Immunity from fire in Tea-houses.</p> - -<p>5. Greater speed in the firing process, and the saving of all the -labour employed to make charcoal.</p> - -<p>6. Reduced temperature in Tea-houses.</p> - -<p>If all the advantages are, as I expect they will be, attained, the -life of a Tea planter will be more pleasant than hitherto.</p> - -<p>The following is the opinion of the new process expressed by the -<i>Darjeeling News</i> of 1st <span class="lock">August:—</span></p> - -<p>“It has long been a question, which all planters were desirous to -solve, if the fumes of charcoal were necessary to make Tea, that is to -say, if any chemical action was produced on the Tea by the said fumes, -and if not, whether it would not be possible to do the firing in some -other and far cheaper way.</p> - -<p>“The question has, we believe, been solved by Colonel Edward -Money, and if so, for the invention is quite a new one, a boon of great -magnitude will have been conferred on the Tea interest of India. -We congratulate this district as being the birthplace of the improvement.</p> - -<p>“The apparatus at present in use at Soom, and which we have -seen working, is a rough and crude one made on the spot. This, and -the more perfect plans from which larger and better ones are to be -made, are readily shown by Colonel Money to anyone visiting Soom; -but until the invention is patented, it is not well to describe it in print. -Suffice if we say the invention is a remarkably simple one—cheap to -erect—durable in its character, and the working thereof unattended -with any expense whatever, beyond the cost of the fuel (which may -be of any kind), and which of course will be many times less than -charcoal.</p> - -<p>“If true, as we hear, that it takes 3½ maunds of wood generally to -make one maund of charcoal, and if also true, as Colonel Money -suggests, that the caloric in one maund of wood equals the caloric in -two maunds of charcoal, it then follows that each maund of wood, put -into Colonel Money’s furnace, equals seven maunds of wood to make -charcoal.</p> - -<p>“Of course the above are more or less random figures, but they -suffice to show that the saving of fuel will be very great—a boon of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> -course to planters, but a boon also to the Forest Department and to -India.</p> - -<p>“We knew of the invention some time back, but we forbore to -notice it until the brokers’ reports on the Tea so made had been -received. We have now seen these. Samples of ‘charcoal’ and -‘furnace’ Tea were sent down, made from the same leaf, the same -day, and manufactured in one up to the “firing” process. Two -brokers give the higher value to the furnace Tea, one to the charcoal -kind—but the difference is small.</p> - -<p>“We believe, as one of our most experienced planters, who has -tasted the Teas, been to Soom, and seen the brokers’ reports, says, -that ‘the Tea dried by the furnace apparatus will be <i>at least</i> equal to -that prepared over charcoal.’</p> - -<p>“As Colonel Money is already known as an authority in Tea, and -as he has stated to us his belief that ‘charcoal days’ for Tea are now -at an end, we await with confidence the ultimate success of his -invention, which even if it makes no better Tea will certainly make it -far cheaper, while the dirt from charcoal dust will be done away with, -the temperature of the Tea-houses much reduced, and the deleterious -fumes of charcoal, so very objectionable from a sanitary point of view -in Tea manufacture, will be known no more.”</p> - -<p>Again, 29th August, a month later, the <i>Darjeeling News</i> further -<span class="lock">remarks:—</span></p> - -<p>“We alluded recently to Colonel Money’s very ingenious plan for -drying Tea without charcoal. Since then his apparatus has been in -full work at Soom, and has been inspected by numbers of the -Darjeeling planters, one and all of whom have, we understand, -reported most favourably on its working. Samples of Tea manufacture -have been from time to time sent to Calcutta brokers for their opinion, -and reports have been received from fifteen, of whom seven are in -favour of Tea made by the old charcoal process, seven are in favour -of the new furnace process, and one reports that the Tea made by -each process is exactly the same.</p> - -<p>“Colonel Money is now taking steps to erect his improved furnace, -which will be in working order by the end of September, and the -whole October crop of Soom Tea will be fired by the new furnace.</p> - -<p>“Colonel Money has applied for a patent, and as soon as this is -granted we hope to give our readers a description of the apparatus.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> -For obvious reasons it would not be advisable to do so before then. -We may mention here that one of the most intelligent and practical -planters in this district has ordered one of Colonel Money’s flues for -his private garden.</p> - -<p>“Of the commercial success of Colonel Money’s apparatus we -have no doubt whatever, and we trust that Colonel Money will reap -a handsome profit from his very ingenious invention, which will be an -undoubted boon not only to this district, but to all the Tea-producing -districts of India.</p> - -<p>“One point which has struck us as good in Colonel Money’s -apparatus is that the temperature of the Tea-house is considerably -lowered during the firing process as compared with the open <i>chulas</i>, -and that there is no free carbonic acid gas allowed to escape into the -Tea-house, so that those very unpleasant symptoms of slow poisoning -which often show themselves in planters and Tea-makers will be -unknown in future. At our suggestion Colonel Money has decided to -keep a register of the maximum temperature of the Tea-house, whilst -the open <i>chulas</i> continue in use, and to compare it with the temperature -when the new apparatus has superseded them, also to test for free -carbonic acid gas in the air with each process.</p> - -<p>“We are convinced that when the figures are available our -readers will be rather astonished at the difference from a sanitary -point of view.</p> - -<p>“On the whole, we think that Colonel Money’s invention is by far -the most important application of <i>common sense</i> and scientific knowledge -to Tea manufacture that we have yet seen, and we are almost -certain that his apparatus will before long be adopted throughout the -Indian Tea districts.”<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a></p></div> - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2 class="nobreak"><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX">INDEX.</a></h2> - -</div> - -<ul class="index"><li class="ifrst">Area required for a garden, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— large, a mistake, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Boxes, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Climate, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— in each district, <a href="#Page_14">14</a> to <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— wanted, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— rainfall, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— rain table, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— temperature table, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— elevation table, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cold, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— hot winds, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— affects flavour of tea, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— good for tea, bad for man, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Cultivation, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— what is it, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— when a waste of labour, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— by digging round each plant, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— weeds not to get ahead, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Dutch hoe for, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost each operation per acre, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, to 6th year, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of in full bearing, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Districts, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— which best, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— rainfall in, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cold in, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Assam, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Cachar, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Chittagong, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Terai below Darjeeling, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Dehra Dhoon, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Kangra, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Darjeeling, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Kumaon, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Gurhwal, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Districts of Hazareebaugh, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Neilgherries, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of Western Dooars, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— meteorological table of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— comparative advantages of, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— soil of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a> to <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— jungle of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a> to <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— lay of land of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a> to <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— price waste lands in, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— elevation of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— temperature of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Distances for plants, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— table of, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— regulated by class, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— best, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Flushes, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— number of, <a href="#Page_97">97</a> to <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— way formed, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— differ in districts, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— intervals between, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Hills and Plains—</li> -<li class="isub1">— comparison of, chap. <a href="#Page_13">iii.</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— high elevations bad, do.</li> -<li class="isub1">— table of elevation, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Jungle, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— what best in Himalayas, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— not of much consequence in Bengal, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Jungle, coarse grass, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cutting, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Labour, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— local, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— imported, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— government action, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of imported, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> - -<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span>Labour in tea districts, chap. <a href="#Page_13">iii.</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Laying out a garden, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Lay of land and aspect, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— flat, sloping, steep, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— aspect, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— valleys, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— narrow valleys, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Lay of land and selection of steep land, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— disadvantages of steep land, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— lines on steep land, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— plants close on steep land, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Leaf-picking, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— principles of, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— diagram of shoot, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— teas made from each leaf, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cannot make separate teas in practice, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— pruning connected with, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— mistakes in, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— how shoots form, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— mode of, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Manufacture, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— importance of good, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— old and new plan, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— withering, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— rolling, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— panning, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— sunning, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— tea, how judged, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Pekoe tips, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— strong teas and Pekoe tips incompatible, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— fermenting or colouring, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— firing or dholing, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— of flowery Pekoe, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Manufacture of green tea, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— sifting and sorting, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— sieves, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Chinese sieves best, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— classes of tea, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— ignorance of, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Manufacture, coarse leaf, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— burntness, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Manure, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— advantages of, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— how to apply, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— quantity, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— kinds of, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— results of, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Management, accounts, forms, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— what qualities required for a Manager, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— forms, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— accounts, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Making a garden, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— general instructions for, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Mechanical contrivances, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— McMeekin’s rolling table, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Kinmond’s rolling machine, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Nelson’s rolling machine, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Jackson’s rolling machine, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— McMeekin’s drawers, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Money’s furnace, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— sifting machines, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— machine required to separate the leaves, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— packing machines, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Miscellaneous:—</li> -<li class="isub2">Transport, chap. <a href="#Page_13">iii.</a></li> -<li class="isub3">— in each district, chap. <a href="#Page_13">iii.</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Green tea, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Stagnant water, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Inundation, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Sections, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Yield, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Lines of plants, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Roads, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Relative price green and black teas, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Yield first <a href="#Page_10">10</a> years, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Necessities for tea, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Past, present, and future of Indian tea, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Strange facts about tea, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Imports, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> -<li class="isub2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span>Annual consumption, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Collapse of tea speculation, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> -<li class="isub2">Share list to-day, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Money matters: will tea pay?, <a href="#Page_1">1</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— why has it not paid sometimes?, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cause of failures, <a href="#Page_1">1</a> to <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— wilful extensions, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— price paid for gardens, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— faulty area sold, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of making a 300-acre garden, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— how much profit tea can give, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— table, result <a href="#Page_300">300</a> acres for <a href="#Page_12">12</a> years, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Packing, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— lead case for, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— larger each break the better, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Planting at stake, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— advantages of, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— disadvantages of, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— mode of, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Pruning, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— time for, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— instruments for, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— height to prune, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— cost of, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Sale Lands, Waste Lands—</li> -<li class="isub1">— sale waste lands, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— auction system, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— price waste lands, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— title, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Sanitation, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Seed, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— transport of, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— price of, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— shade, natural, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— do. artificial, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— how to sow, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— when ripe, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— treatment of, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Seed as manure, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— number in <a href="#Page_1">1</a> maund, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— proportions that germinate, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Government gave seed, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— indigenous hybrid and China alike, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— how to increase, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— nurseries or stake planting best, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Soil, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— only general rules for, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— sandy, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— greasy, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— poor, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— Ball on, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— friable and porous, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— in Tea districts, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— clay, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— decayed vegetation, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— for seed beds, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Transplanting, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— holes for, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— mode of, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— results of bad, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— when to be finished, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— best days for, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Vacancies, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— difficult to fill up, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— why difficult, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— best plan to fill up, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— large proportion of, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Varieties of tea plants, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">White-ants, Crickets, Blight, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— harm done by crickets, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— harm done by white-ants, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— harm done by blight, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— remedies for crickets, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— do. white-ants, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— do. blight, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Weeds, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— ahead of labour, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li></ul> - - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">INDEX<br /> - -<span class="smaller"><i>TO THE ADDITIONS IN FOURTH EDITION.</i></span></h2> - - -</div> - -<ul class="index"> -<li class="ifrst">Agricultural machinery, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> - -<li class="indx">America, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Amsterdam Exhibition, <a href="#Page_202">202</a> to <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Any fuel <i>versus</i> charcoal, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Australia, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a> to <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Brick tea, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Calcutta Syndicate, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> - -<li class="indx">China tea trade, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> - -<li class="indx">China, <a href="#Page_194">194</a> to <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a> to <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a> to <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Consumption of China and Indian Tea, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Continent of Europe, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Damage to tea by procedure in London, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Darby’s digger, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Date of commencement of tea cultivation in each district, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Deliveries and stocks, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a> to <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Discovery of indigenous tea, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Dryers, by Robertson, the Typhoon, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Allen, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Davidson, the Sirocco, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Gibbs and Barry, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Shand, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Jackson, <a href="#Page_246">246</a> to <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Kinmond, <a href="#Page_248">248</a> to <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> - - - -<li class="indx">Fermenting Shelves, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> - -<li class="indx">First tea in India, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Greatest and least possible loss by Custom House procedure, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Green tea, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Himalayan gardens, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Hoop iron, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - -<li class="indx">How loss by Custom House procedure could be avoided, <a href="#Page_275">275</a> to <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Imports into Great Britain, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a> to <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Increase of Indian Imports into Great Britain, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Indian produce for 1883, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Indian <i>versus</i> China tea, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Jebens’ transplanter, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Local market in India, <a href="#Page_213">213</a> to <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Loss of tea by procedure in London, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Loss on China teas, <a href="#Page_288">288</a> to <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Machinery, <a href="#Page_222">222</a> to <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Making Indian tea known in United Kingdom, <a href="#Page_218">218</a> to <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Manufacturing machinery, <a href="#Page_231">231</a> to <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Markets outside Great Britain, <a href="#Page_207">207</a> to <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Money loss to producers and Customs by method of weighing in vogue, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span>New mode bulking at warehouse in Crutched Friars, <a href="#Page_282">282</a> to <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> -<li class="isub1">— required further, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> - -<li class="indx">New Zealand, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Ornamental tin boxes by Harvey Bros. and Tyler, <a href="#Page_266">266</a> to <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Petition of Indian Tea Districts Association <i>re</i> mode of weighing teas, <a href="#Page_279">279</a> to <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Planting pots, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Plantations in Northern India, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Ploughing, <a href="#Page_223">223</a> to <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Processes of manufacture, <a href="#Page_231">231</a> to <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Rollers by Jackson, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Kinmond, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Haworth, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Lyle, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Greig, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Thomson, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Russia, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Sifters, by Jackson, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Greig, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Pridham, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> - -<li class="indx"> „ Ansell, <a href="#Page_260">260</a> to <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Sorter for green leaf by Greig & Co., <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Statistics of Indian tea, <a href="#Page_194">194</a> to <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Tea outside China and India, <a href="#Page_183">183</a> to <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Ceylon, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Johore, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Japan, <a href="#Page_185">185</a> to <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Java, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> -<li class="isub1">America, <a href="#Page_188">188</a> to <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Natal, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> -<li class="isub1">Fiji, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Tea consumption per head, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> - -<li class="indx"><i>Tea Gazette</i>—This is alluded to in most pages, (see <a href="#Page_290">290</a>)</li> - -<li class="indx">Thibet, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> - - -<li class="ifrst">Weighing and bulking by Customs, <a href="#Page_272">272</a> to <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Weighing teas by Customs, The new rules, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> - -<li class="indx">Withering machine, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li></ul> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="p4 center"> -W. B. WHITTINGHAM AND CO.,<br /> -PRINTERS,<br /> -91, GRACECHURCH STREET,<br /> -LONDON. -</p> - -</div> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"> -<span class="large">RANSOMES, HEAD & JEFFERIES,</span><br /> - -IPSWICH & LONDON.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/zill_t305.jpg" width="500" height="346" alt="Ansell’s Patent Tea Sorter" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><i>SOLE MANUFACTURERS</i><br /> - -<span class="small">OF</span><br /> - -<span class="large">ANSELL’S PATENT TEA SORTER.</span></p> - - -<p class="p2 center">LATEST REPORT.</p> - -<p class="center">(From Mr. <span class="smcap">D. M. Lumsden</span>, Manager of the Borelli Company’s Gardens, -through Messrs. <span class="smcap">J. Williamson</span> & Co., London, February 8th, 1883.)</p> - -<p>“I find that using <span class="smcap">Ansell’s</span> Sifter I have spent Rs. 780 less on my sorting -than last year, besides sorting 500 maunds more Tea; so I may safely calculate -that last season’s working paid for the machine.”</p> - -<p class="center">MANUFACTURERS ALSO OF</p> - -<p class="center">Portable and Fixed Engines, for burning Coal, Wood, -and Vegetable refuse.</p> - -<p class="center">Ploughs specially suited for Indian Agriculture.</p> - - -<p>Catalogues and all information on application to RANSOMES, -HEAD & JEFFERIES, 9, Gracechurch Street, London, and Orwell -Works, Ipswich; Mr. C. W. ANSELL, Woodcot, Kurseong, Bengal; -Messrs. GILLANDERS, ARBUTHNOT & Co., Calcutta.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"> - -<span class="large">BRITISH INDIA<br /> - -<span class="smcap">Steam Navigation Company</span>,</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">LIMITED.</span></p> - - -<p class="center">FLEET OF STEAMERS.</p> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">Abyssinia</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Africa</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Agra</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Almora</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Arabia</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Arcot</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Asia</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Assyria</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Avagyee</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Baghdad</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Bancoora</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Bhundara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Booldana</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Bulimba</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Burmah</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Busheer</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Byculla</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Calcutta</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Canara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Chanda</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Chilka</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Chindwara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Chinsura</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Chupra</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Chyebassa</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Coconada</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Colaba</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Commilla</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Culna</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Dacca</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Dorunda</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Eldorado</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ellora</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Ethiopia</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Euphrates</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Goa</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Golconda</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Goorkha</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Goalpara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Henzada</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Himalaya</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Huzara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">India</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Java</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Kangra</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Kerbela</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Khandalla</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Kilwa</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Madras</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Madura</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mahratta</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Malda</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mecca</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Medina</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Merkara</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Navarino</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Nerbudda</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Nowshera</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Nuddea</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Oriental</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Pachumba</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Patna</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Pemba</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Punjaub</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Purulia</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Quetta</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Rajpootana</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Rangoon</span> (Paddle)</li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Rewa</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Roma</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Satara</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Scindia</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Secundra</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Simla</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Sirdhana</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">Sirsa</span></li> -<li>*<span class="smcap">Waroonga</span> (Building)</li> -</ul> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>*Steamers of the British India Association, running on the Trunk Lines from London to India -and Queensland.</p></div> - - -<p class="p2"><i>The various services of the Company are arranged to correspond with the arrivals and -departures of the Overland Mail Packets.</i></p> - -<p><b>London to Colombo, Madras, and Calcutta.</b>—Fortnightly.</p> - -<p><b>London to Java and Queensland.</b>—Every 28 days. Calling at Port Said, -Suez, Aden, Batavia, Thursday Island, Cooktown, Townsville, Bowen, Mackay, -Rockhampton, and Brisbane.</p> - -<p><b>London to Kurrachee, Bombay, and Malabar Coast Ports.</b>—Fortnightly. -Calling at Algiers, Port Said, Suez, Aden, Kurrachee, Bombay, and Malabar -Coast Ports; and every alternate Steamer calling at Lisbon, the latter connecting -at Aden with the Company’s East African Mail Steamers for Zanzibar, Mozambique, -Quillimane, Inhambane, and Delagoa Bay.</p> - -<p><b>Calcutta to Chittagong, Akyab, Kyouk Phyoo, and Rangoon.</b>—Weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Calcutta to Rangoon and Moulmein.</b>—Weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Calcutta to Rangoon, Moulmein, Penang, Malacca, and Singapore.</b>—Fortnightly.</p> - -<p><b>Rangoon to Penang</b> (Coasting).—Five-Weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Rangoon and Moulmein.</b>—Weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Rangoon, Tavoy, and Mergui.</b>—Fortnightly.</p> - -<p><b>Madras and Rangoon.</b>—Fortnightly.</p> - -<p><b>Calcutta and Bombay</b> (Coasting).—Weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Bombay and Kurrachee.</b>—Bi-weekly.</p> - -<p><b>Bombay and Persian Gulf.</b>—Weekly.</p> - -<p class="center">The Netherlands India Steam Navigation Company’s Mail Steamers for Padang, Samarang, -Sourabaya, &c., run in connection with the British India Company’s Steamers.</p> - -<p class="center">Passengers booked through to all Ports in India, Burmah, the Straits Settlements, the Malay -Archipelago, the Soudan, North and East Coast of Africa.</p> - - -<p>For all information apply to <span class="smcap">Gray, Dawes & Co.</span>, 13, Austin Friars, and -<span class="smcap">Gellatly, Hankey, Sewell & Co.</span>, 109, Leadenhall Street, and 51, Pall Mall, -S.W., London; <span class="smcap">Binny & Co.</span>, Madras; <span class="smcap">Alstons, Scott & Co.</span>, and <span class="smcap">Darley, -Butler & Co.</span>, Colombo; <span class="smcap">Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co.</span> (Managing Agents in -India), Calcutta, Bombay, and Kurrachee.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"> - -<span class="large"> -<span class="smcap">Henry S. King & Co.</span>,</span><br /> - -<span class="large">AGENTS AND BANKERS,</span><br /> - -<span class="smaller">65 CORNHILL, and 45 PALL MALL, LONDON.</span></p> - -<p class="p2 center"> -Banking and India Office Agency 45 Pall Mall.<br /> -Shipping and Supply Department 65 Cornhill.<br /> -Baggage Warehouse 14 Worship St., Finsbury. -</p> - -<p class="p2 center">Branch Firms:</p> - -<p class="center"> -<span class="smcap">King, King & Co.</span> <i>Bombay.</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">King, Hamilton & Co.</span> <i>Calcutta.</i><br /> -<span class="smcap">King, Baillie & Co.</span> <i>Liverpool.</i> -</p> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="p2"><b>Banking Accounts</b> kept upon the usual terms.</p> - -<p><b>Deposits received</b> for fixed periods at rates of interest which may be learned -on application.</p> - -<p><b>Circular Notes and Letters of Credit</b> issued, payable in all the principal -cities of the world.</p> - -<p><b>Investments and Sales</b> effected in all British, Indian, American, and Foreign -Securities free of charge.</p> - -<p>Remittances <b>made to</b>, and Drafts purchased or collected on, any city in the -world.</p> - -<p><b>Pay, Pensions, &c.</b>, collected, and Dividends and Coupons realised.</p></div> - - -<p class="center"><i>SUPPLY AND FORWARDING DEPARTMENT.</i></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><b>Miscellaneous Goods</b> supplied on the most advantageous terms.</p> - -<p><b>Newspapers and other Periodicals</b> despatched with the utmost regularity.</p> - -<p><b>Berths selected and Passages</b> engaged by all lines of Steamers without -charge.</p> - -<p><b>Baggage collected</b>, shipped, and insured.</p> - -<p><b>Passengers Homeward</b> met on arrival at London, Liverpool, or Plymouth, -and their effects cleared through the Customs and forwarded, or warehoused -to await instructions.</p> - -<p><b>Goods and Parcels</b> forwarded to all parts of the world, or received from -Abroad and forwarded to destination.</p></div> - - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="p2">“<span class="smcap">The Overland Mail</span>,” a Summary of Home Intelligence for India, China, -and the East, for despatch weekly. Annual Subscription, including -postage, <i>viâ</i> Brindisi, £1 12<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, payable in advance.</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">The Homeward Mail and Official Gazette</span>,” a Summary of Intelligence -from India, China, and the East, published on the arrival of each Mail -<i>viâ</i> Brindisi. Annual Subscription, including postage, £1 6<i>s.</i>, payable in -advance.</p></div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"> -<span class="large">W. B. WHITTINGHAM & CO.’S</span><br /> - -PUBLICATIONS.</p> - -<p class="center">91, GRACECHURCH STREET,<br /> - -LONDON.</p> - -<p class="p2 center">⁂ Agents to Government by Appointment for the Sale of the -India Office Publications.</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>Fourth Edition, with important Additional Chapters. -Price <b>10</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</i></p> - -<p class="center">TEA—<span class="smcap">Cultivation and Manufacture.</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="center">By Lieut.-Col. <span class="smcap">Edward Money</span>.</p></div> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Opinions of the Press on the Third Edition.</span></p> - -<p>The <b>Saturday Review</b>, in the course of an extended notice, -says:—“We think that Col. Money has done good service by throwing -into the form of a book an essay which gained the Prize awarded by -the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India, in 1872. The -author is one of a well-known Anglo-Indian family.... He has -had plenty of practical experience, and has tested the labours of other -men.... Col. Money’s general rules and principles, as far as -we can form a judgment, seem to have reason as well as experience -on their side.... No tea planter can afford to disregard his -experience.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Indian Agriculturist</b> says:—“Col. Money has advanced -with the times, and the work under review may well be considered the -standard work on the subject, and it ought to be in every tea planter’s -hand in India, Ceylon, Java, Japan, China or America; the merit and -sterling value of his essay has been universally and deservedly -acknowledged.... We recommend our readers who require -full information and sound advice on the subject to procure -Col. Money’s book.”</p> - -<p><b>Allen’s Indian Mail</b> says:—“The particulars of this great -industry, which comprises (Tea) Cultivation and Manufacture, are -given in the work of Col. Money. The Third Edition expanded from -the original prize Essay published in 1872, by the results of the -author’s practical experience and observations up to the present time, -supplies full details of the origin and progress of an Indian Tea -Garden, and that in a very lucid and readable form.... The -publication of so thorough, clear and instructive a directorium as -Col. Money’s work is in itself a proof of the attention devoted to this -important industry, which has a great future before it. No one who -desires to understand the condition of its development; still more—no -one who has a pecuniary interest in a Tea Garden, can feel that the -subject of tea is known until this work has been studied.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p> - -<p>The <b>China Express</b> says:—“The experience gained since -1872 is added to the work, and it now forms a most complete guide to -the tea planter. The great progress the cultivation of tea is making -in India renders a practical work of this kind very valuable; and the -method in which Colonel Money deals with the subject shows his -thorough knowledge of it.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Scotsman</b> says:—“With respect to the conditions of -climate and soil necessary for successful tea cultivation, the requirements -of the plant in the way of water, &c., the varieties best suited -for culture in the various districts, the laying out of the tea garden, -and all the various details of cultivation and manufacture, Colonel -Money writes with the authority derived from many years of experience; -and in the present edition the fruits of his latest experience are -embodied. To new beginners in tea cultivation this book must be of -the greatest value, while it will be found full of interest by outsiders -who may be desirous of information about the condition and prospects -of an important department of agricultural industry.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Produce Markets Review</b> says:—“Colonel Money -is a practical tea planter, and his work is the standard work on the -subject, so that it should be procured by all who are interested in the -subject. The new edition is greatly enlarged, and corrected by the -experience of the past six years.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Planters’ Gazette</b> says:—“The cultivation of tea in the -British dominions is becoming a rapidly extending industry, and we -are glad to see that Colonel Money’s prize essay has reached a third -edition, for it is full of practical information and deserves to be studied -by every tea planter.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Manchester Examiner</b> says:—“During the last few -years the fact that India is a tea-producing country has become more -generally known in England; but few people know that the finest -Indian teas are more expensive than the best of Chinese growth, and, -that the average price of the tea grown in India is higher than that -which comes from the Flowery Land. Another piece of information -given in this book is not less suggestive; we mean that which assures -us that India is capable of producing as much tea as would meet the -wants of great Britain and all her colonies. But the culture is yet in -its infancy. Colonel Money’s treatise is one of the most complete and -exhaustive of the kind we have ever read. He seems to anticipate all -possible difficulties; his warnings and his counsels embrace every -branch of the subject, and only a practical man could have written -them. One would think that a tea grower of common sense could -scarcely make blunders with such an admirable guide before him; and -the commercial side of the enterprise is discussed in the same careful -manner as the agricultural.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Broad Arrow</b> says:—“In this work we have the results -of eighteen years’ experience of a tea planter in India, and the author -has so written it that the beginner will find it invaluable, for he has -had his wants specially in view. It is, so far as we know, the best, -as it is certainly the most practical, book about tea that has been -published.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"> -<i>Third Edition. Crown 8vo. Cloth, <b>3</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</i></p> - - -<p class="center large">THE ART OF TEA BLENDING.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>A Handbook for the Tea Trade; a Guide to Tea -Merchants, Brokers, Dealers and Consumers, -in the Secret of Successful Tea Mixing.</p></div> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Opinions of the Press.</span></p> - -<p>The <b>Field</b> says:—“This is a practical and authentic little text -book on the principles involved in Tea Blending.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Grocer’s Chronicle</b> says:—“The book ought to be in the -hands of every grocer of the United Kingdom.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Grocer’s Journal</b> says:—“We cordially recommend ‘The -Art of Tea Blending’ to our readers as giving useful instruction and -guidance.”</p> - -<p><b>Allen’s Indian Mail</b> says:—“The author gives full technical -instructions for the professional tea-blender and tea-taster; and in doing -so, he imparts much information that will be found both valuable and -interesting to the tea-drinking public.”</p> - -<p><b>Broad Arrow</b> says:—“A trader should be able by its aid -to make a name as a teaman, and realise the result which the housewife -only needs—a gentle hint as to the opportunity of exercising real -judgment and correct taste in a matter of such important family interest -as tea.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Grocer</b> says:—“This is the third edition of a book which we -have previously noticed with favour, and which has met with considerable -success. Although the art of successful tea-blending is not one -which can well be gleaned from mere book-lore—practical experience -being essential to its acquisition—there are many young beginners, and -possibly also some older hands, who will derive a good deal of information -from the work now under notice. It has evidently been prepared -with much care, and in its way is a very useful handbook.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Daily Chronicle</b> says:—“This capital handbook, which -will prove of great service to merchants, brokers, and all engaged in -the tea trade, has reached a third edition. For consumers we may -extract the information that water for making tea should be soft and -pure; it should be boiled quickly, and used when at the boiling point; -the tea will be at its best in rather less than ten minutes, losing part -of its flavour if allowed to stand longer.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Grocer’s Gazette</b>:—“This is a work which has now -reached its third edition, and which fully bears out its claim as an -excellent handbook on the subject. Not only is it a useful book to all -professionally engaged in the trade, but it is also calculated to educate -those who have not had the benefit of a practical experience, by -teaching them how to obtain a knowledge of the different classes of -teas and the proper method of mixing them. To the mature grocer -the work will be of interest, while the uninitiated may by its aid learn -how to select proper teas, please his customer’s palate, and sustain -his reputation by keeping up the character of his mixings.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"><i>Price <b>28</b>s.</i></p> - - -<p class="center large">THE TEA CYCLOPÆDIA.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>A Compilation, by the Editor of the <i>Indian Tea -Gazette</i>, of Information on Tea, Tea Science and -Cultivation, Soils and Manures, Statistics, &c., -with Coloured Plates on Blights. 350 pages.</p></div> - - -<p>The <b>Grocer</b> says:—“One of the most valuable and exhaustive -contributions to tea literature which we remember to have seen.... -The cultivation of the plant in the different districts and provinces, the -selection of soils and manures, and buildings for its manufacture, &c., -are all ably treated in this work; and as it deals thoroughly with the -scientific, statistical, and domestic branches of the subject, it is a -manual deserving the attention of the tea planter, importer, dealer, and -consumer. The experience of practical growers and cultivators is here -fully narrated, the opinions of the most competent authorities on disputed -points are clearly given and explained; and, in short, every matter -connected with the history of the tea trade, as a growing industry and -a widening channel of commerce, is gone into with a completeness and -precision which leave nothing to be desired.”</p> - -<p>The <b>American Grocer</b> says:—“The Tea Cyclopædia is one we -can commend to our importers, grocers, and dealers, as being the most -complete work of its kind on Indian teas, as well as furnishing innumerable -items of interest to those engaged in the sale of China and Japan -teas.”</p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"><i>Fancy boards, price <b>2</b>s. Cloth, <b>3</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</i></p> - - - -<p class="center large">WOMAN’S <span class="lock">FORTITUDE—</span></p> - - -<p class="center">A Tale of the Indian Mutiny. By Lieut.-Col. -<span class="smcap">Edward Money</span>.</p> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Opinions of the Press.</span></p> - -<p><b>Public Opinion</b> says:—“The author has managed to convey -the characteristic tone of garrison talk in a very clear manner.... -There is much good narrative and brilliancy of dialogue.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Scotsman</b> says:—“Written with much spirit ... it will -be full of interest to anybody who cares to know what European life -and Society were in India in the last days of ‘John Company.’”</p> - -<p>The <b>Daily Chronicle</b> says:—“The horrors enacted at Cawnpore -during the Indian Mutiny give a tragic interest to this thrilling tale.”</p> - -<p><b>Capital and Labour</b> says:—“The plot of the tale is carefully -constructed and well worked out, and while the main purpose is always -kept in view, opportunity is taken to depict some of the phases of -Anglo-Indian life, while the characters in the story are cleverly -portrayed, and the attention of the reader is never allowed to flag.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"><i>Crown 8vo. cloth elegant, bevelled boards, gilt edges. -Price <b>5</b>s. Plain, <b>3</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</i></p> - - - -<p class="center large">JEMIMA.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>A Story of English Family Life. By <span class="smcap">Adelaide</span>. -With Frontispiece.</p></div> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Opinions of the Press.</span></p> - -<p>The <b>Times</b> says:—“‘Jemima,’ by Adelaide, is another tale that -girls should care to read, with sufficient proportion of story, and of a -more original type than girls’ books generally are. The humour, of -which there is an unusual proportion for such works, is not, perhaps, -of a very subtle or rich quality, but it is easy and simple, and appropriate -to the characters. Any humour, so long as it is neither vulgar nor -obscene, is surely preferable to the long-drawn melancholy which is too -apt to pervade girls’ books—for what reason we could never understand; -girls are no more naturally prone to sadness than boys.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Scotsman</b> says:—“A better story of its kind than ‘Jemima’ -cannot easily be met with. The book is written with a freshness -and exuberant buoyancy of manner that suit the subject admirably.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Academy</b> says:—“‘Jemima’ is a very natural and -charming story of a very natural and charming little girl. It is -exactly what it pretends to be—‘a story of English family life’—but -it has a distinctness of quality which is by no means common in stories -of English family life.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Daily Chronicle</b> says:—“The story of English family life -told by Adelaide, under the title of ‘Jemima,’ is of a much more -realistic character. Lively and amusing throughout, there is also an -element of good sense introduced, which keeps the juvenile escapades -within reasonable bounds, and extracts a lesson even from naughtiness.”</p> - - -<p class="p4 center"><i>Crown 8vo. 2 vols. <b>10</b>s. each</i>.</p> - - -<p class="center large">VOCABULARY OF THE -ENGLISH-MALAY <span class="lock">LANGUAGES—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>With Notes. English-Malay Vocal Dialogues. -By <span class="smcap">Frank A. Swettenham</span>.</p></div> - - -<p class="p4 center"><i>Demy 8vo., cloth, price <b>7</b>s. <b>6</b>d.</i></p> - - -<p class="center large">HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF -SAVAGE LIFE IN <span class="lock">POLYNESIA—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>With Illustrative Clan Songs. By Rev. <span class="smcap">W. W. -Gill</span>, B.A.</p></div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="break p4 center"><i>Second and Revised Edition. 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The Union of the Strong and Beautiful.</li> -</ul> - - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Opinions of the Press on the First Edition.</span></p> - -<p>The <b>Literary Churchman</b> says:—“Pungent, amusing, and -replete with clever satire.”</p> - -<p>The <b>Christian</b> says:—“In this ingenious and novel experiment, -gravity and mirth go hand in hand. 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Generally speaking, they are only now leased to applicants.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> I need scarcely observe it is impossible to define lands from maps alone -without the field-book.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—Since the above was written, Teas, both Indian -and Chinese, have had a heavy fall, due to the simple fact that the supplies -have exceeded the demands. But with increased knowledge and experience, -producers can afford to sell cheaper, and the present absurdly low prices -ruling will, I think, work their own cure.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Not so much so now as when this was first written.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—A portion of the Western Dooars may perhaps -be added, but the labour, though adjacent, is not strictly local. Up to the -present, however, I have had but little expense in importing coolies to the -gardens there in which I am interested.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> What a designation! Who invented it, I wonder? A clever man, doubtless, -for Government interference was probably his hobby, and he quickly -perceived the very title would, more or less, render the office necessary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—I give them, as far as I know, in the order they -became Tea districts. Though in the said order there is, I believe, no great -error, I may be open to correction in one or two instances.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> These are virtually one, and I shall allude to both as Cachar.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> When this was written the demand for Green Teas in Europe was -greater than it is now. Still Kumaon has found a local market for Green -Tea over the border, that is, among the Asiatic tribes, and Darjeeling might -do the same.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Is it possible that the continued deception (it was nothing less) was -owing to the fact that Government had gardens to sell there? They were -advertised for sale a long time at absurd prices.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote nomobile"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The rainfall given for the Western Dooars cannot be relied on. Perhaps more than the average fell in 1869, but anyhow, I should -think 83 inches registered for August is an error. I know the yearly fall there is <i>not</i> 252 inches.</p></div> - - -<div class="footnote mobileonly"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11a" id="Footnote_11_11a"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11a"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The rainfall given for the Western Dooars cannot be relied on. Perhaps more than the average fell in 1869, but anyhow, I should -think 83 inches registered for August is an error. I know the yearly fall there is <i>not</i> 252 inches.</p></div> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The oak tree leaves cause a rich deposit of vegetable matter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> The Western Dooars are in many parts covered with this coarse grass, -and nowhere is there better soil.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> I am now commencing a second garden in the Western Dooars on flat -table land, and the site is an exceptionally favourable one.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> A garden I have just finished in the Western Dooars is 300 acres in -extent, all on flat land without any breaks in the cultivation, and all divided -into sections of 5 acres each. Being in one large block it is not divided into -gardens at all, only sections.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> It is a singular fact that none exists in Northern Cachar, that is, on the -northern side of the river.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> And also the introduction of a bad class of plants.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> A single small sample of Tea very carefully made, and with an amount -of labour which could never be bestowed on the mass, is little or no criterion. -Tea is better made in Kumaon in 1878 than it was in 1842, but Kumaon Tea -does not vie in price with Eastern Bengal produce. All the Himalayan Tea -is weak, though of a delicate flavour; all Tea grown at high elevation <i>must</i> -be so.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> A little enquiry would have shown this was not true, even when it -was written. All Tea planters, brokers, and all interested in Tea, know now -(many knew it then) that the “Assam species,” viz., the indigenous, makes the -most valuable Tea produced.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> In no climate is the success of it certain, for early rains often fail, and -then it is all loss. I would, therefore, in all cases advise nurseries in reserve.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> In planting “at stake” (see <a href="#Page_59">last Chapter</a>) the conditions are different. -There the plant is in its permanent home, and the more quickly and deeper -the tap-root descends the better, as the plant will then draw moisture from -low down when the soil is dry.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> It is brought and placed between the lines, in one garden in the Chittagong -district, for one to two annas a maund!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Land <i>before</i> it is planted can be cultivated with ploughs. My manager -is using them largely in the Western Dooars, the land being there all flat. He -uses English ploughs, bought of Ransomes and Sims, Ipswich, with bullocks, -and often an elephant. He finds the latter the best. After ploughing he uses -English harrows.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> In no case trust to the latter alone.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> In a 500-acre garden the number is 1,250,000, which <i>ought</i> all to be -pruned in two months!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> The best plan with the lowest branches is to <i>pull</i> them off, with a sharp -downward action, as then they will not grow again.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> But not before the end of 18 months after transplanting, as the object at -first is to get a long tap-root to draw moisture from low down, and this is best -attained by allowing the plant to grow as it will. I look on this as all-important. -I care not how high a plant may grow, for 18 months I would in -no way interfere with its growth.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> A long controversy on this point lately took place in the papers; that is -to say, the point discussed was, whether white ants do or do not attack living -tea trees.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> By “best class” I mean the most indigenous class.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Mind again this be of the same nature as the garden soil.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> The baskets are too frail; being often wetted, they fall to pieces before -the planting time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> It may be that the transplanting and transporting tools invented by -Mr. Jeben (see page <a href="#Page_79">79</a>) will solve the difficulty of filling up vacancies.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Where new gardens are made on rich virgin soil, to manure them at all -for the first few years is, I think, unnecessary. But the richest soils on Tea -gardens get exhausted in time, and manure should be applied <i>before</i> this point -is arrived at.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> See foot-note, page <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, which shows that for 18 months after transplanting, -young bushes should not be pruned or picked at all.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> I mean manufactured Tea. The infusion is called liquor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> In describing manufacture I shall call the leaf brought in “Leaf,” until it -enters on the rolling process; from that time until the drying over charcoal -is concluded, “Roll;” and after that, “Tea.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Pekoe tips are the whitish or orange-coloured ends that may be seen in -Pekoe Tea. See pages <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, and <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> The out-turn consists of the Tea leaves after infusion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> At the end of the season, however, sunning has more than the above -effect. It then makes the Tea “Chubby” in form, of a reddish colour, and -improves the strength of the liquor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> It is better, because the “tips” having been hard-rolled give stronger -liquor.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> It <i>was</i> the best, but is superseded by a new rolling-machine (Jackson’s) -I have seen quite lately. -</p> -<p> -Note to Third Edition.—Jackson’s rolling-machine, by a late Calcutta -legal decision, is declared to be simply Kinmond’s, with alterations. As -Jackson is now prohibited from selling his machines, I presume the two -inventors will come to some understanding as to the alterations, which are -most certainly improvements.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> I had not seen Jackson’s machine when I thought as above.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Unfortunately it is not. It is advertised at Rs. 300, with a yearly -royalty of Rs. 50 the first year and 20 after. The royalty should be dropped, -and the machine sold for Rs. 150, which would give the inventor a good -profit.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Note to 3rd edition.—It is a question no longer. Many besides myself -have now proved that charcoal fumes are in no way necessary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> See this subject further discussed in the <a href="#Page_293">Addenda</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> I now believe Jackson’s rolling-machine, previously alluded to, will finish -the rolling entirely.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Note to 3rd edition—I am now sending out the glass necessary for a -glass withering house to be erected on the garden just finished in the Western -Dooars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> The more the leaf is withered the thicker in consistency and the smaller -in quantity the juice that exudes, as also the yellower in colour. Further, the -more the leaf is withered the darker the outside of the balls. Bright rusty red -is the colour produced with moderately withered leaf; very dark greenish red -with much withered leaf.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Much Green Tea is coloured, but none from India has been so treated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—Since this was written Green Teas have gone -down considerably in value. They are still much used in America, but in -Great Britain there is but little demand for them.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> We have yet to see what Jackson’s machine can do.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Even to break Tea on them it is a mistake to use brass sieves. Tea is -best broken by a wooden roller, heavily weighed with lead, run in. The glaze -or gloss on Tea is thus preserved.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> I need hardly remark that the Hindustani word <i>Namuna</i> (pronounced -<i>Nemoona</i>) means <i>sample</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> I think I need hardly pause to correct the popular error that the Green -and Black Teas are made from two different species of plant. Most of my -readers will know that they are both made from the same leaf, the difference -lying only in the manufacture.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—As previously stated in foot-note page <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, -Green Teas are now but little used in Great Britain.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Large lead is 37 by 22 inches; small lead, 25 by 19 inches.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—This matter of equal tares is very important. -If they differ more than half-a-pound all the Tea is turned out and re-weighed -in London, which is a great loss in many ways.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> It is not essential that the same quantity of Tea shall be in each box.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> This should, except the lid part, be put on the boxes before the Tea is -packed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> The object of stamping the end, as well as the lid, is that when the -boxes are piled one above the other the mark can be read.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> In practice the basket in which the leaf is measured being made to hold -2½ lbs., for which a ticket is given, representing 2 pice, the leaf to make a -maund of Tea does not really cost so much.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> After experience has shown me this amount, when any quantity of Tea -is made, is too high—Rs. 12 to 13 would be nearer the mark.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> The cost for seed, nurseries, and transplanting increases each year as -the area over which vacancies may exist enlarges.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> See note <a href="#Footnote_63_63">63</a> p. 163.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> The expenditure for planting the 100 acres each year includes cutting -and clearing jungle, removing roots, digging, staking, pitting, and sowing the -seed. In fact <i>all</i> expenditure including part of the pay of Manager and -Establishment. The rate per acre <i>decreases</i> each year, because each year -there is more expenditure of other kinds, which helps to pay for the Manager -and Establishment.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> The reason why the rate for cultivation on the 100 acres planted each of -the three first years increases each year is given in the table and remarks at -pages <a href="#Page_84">84</a> and <a href="#Page_85">85</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> See note <a href="#Footnote_65_65">65</a>, p. 164.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> See note <a href="#Footnote_66_66">66</a>, p. 164.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> The seed to be bought is now less each year, as it is produced on the -garden, and after the fifth year no more has to be purchased. From the -fourth, and all subsequent years, nurseries for vacancies are calculated at -Rs. 500, which is enough, as the garden has been previously yearly replenished. -This expenditure will be continual as long as the garden lasts, for there will -always be some vacancies to replace.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Rupees 500 is a fair sum to estimate for ordinary annual repairs to buildings, -and it will be required as long as the garden lasts. A temporary Factory -was made in 1877, and a permanent building is now allowed for in 1881. Permanent -Manager’s and Assistant’s houses are also allowed for in 1882. The -garden can afford this now, for the profits are large. (See table at page <a href="#Page_172">172</a>.)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> For the rates assumed here see page <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> See Note <a href="#FNanchor_73_73">69</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> See Note <a href="#FNanchor_70_70">70</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> See Note <a href="#FNanchor_71_71">71</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> See note <a href="#FNanchor_69_69">69</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> See note <a href="#FNanchor_70_70">70</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> See note <a href="#FNanchor_71_71">71</a>, p. 165.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> See my estimate for cultivation at page <a href="#Page_84">84</a>. I there estimate Rs. 100 per -acre per annum from the sixth year, so that Mr. Burland six years ago had -come to the same opinion about high cultivation that I hold.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> Calculating Tea by maunds is convenient, inasmuch as pounds -necessitate such lengthy figures for all calculations. The maund here -employed is, however, quite an arbitrary measure. It is <i>not</i> the Indian -maund, it equals and is represented exactly by 80 lbs. Any number of -maunds multiplied by 80 will naturally give the lbs. of Tea.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Up to this point, viz., the fifth year inclusive, the figures given have -been much more than realised, and that on a garden with 15 per cent. vacancies. -It has been, though, highly cultivated and liberally manured from the first.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> From the fifth to the tenth year is assumption, except that I know one -garden which, to my certain knowledge, has given <i>more</i> then ten maunds an -acre, and this in spite of about 15 per cent. vacancies. The garden is an old -one, planted about 18 years ago. It is also a very small one. The soil is <i>very</i> -poor, but the plants are of the highest class. It was much neglected till -about eight years ago. From that time it has been highly cultivated in every -way except in the point of irrigation, for it has not that advantage. It has -been <i>most</i> liberally manured.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—With high cultivation on a favourable site and -in a really good Tea climate, I now believe 10 maunds per acre will eventually -be realised.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote nomobile"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> With interest, <i>see</i> pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a> and <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote mobileonly"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83a" id="Footnote_83_83a"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83a"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> With interest, <i>see</i> pages <a href="#Page_164">164</a> and <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.</p></div> - - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—The above three statements, quite true when -written, are not so now. The heavy fall in the value of both Indian and -Chinese Teas in 1877, while pressing hard on the Indian producer, has -certainly had the one good effect for him of making Indian Teas more widely -known. They <i>are</i> generally known now, in many cases sold pure as Indian -Tea, and used by all retail dealers to give the body, or strength lacking in -most Chinese kinds.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—Yes; the demand has largely increased, but, alas! -production has increased in a greater ratio. In short, the supply exceeds the -demand, and hence the low prices now ruling. As regards the use of Indian -Teas, so much have the English public been now made familiar with their -flavour, they, as a rule, reject any Teas which have it not more or less. In -fact, the English public, as I predicted years ago, have now begun to like the -new flavour, and even pure Indian Teas are now relished by many.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—The imports have been as follows during the -last three years:— -</p> - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>1875</td><td>25,615,000.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1876</td><td>29,384,000.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1877</td><td>31,882,000.</td></tr> -</table></div> - -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—The annual consumption of all Teas in Great -Britain in 1877 was:— -</p> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="left" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>Chinese</td><td class="right">158,000,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>India</td><td class="right">28,000,000</td></tr> -<tr><td>Total</td><td class="bordertop right">186,000,000</td></tr> -</table></div> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—In 1876 the <i>average</i> prices of the two kinds in -bond were:—Chinese, 1<i>s.</i> 2<i>d.</i>; Indian, 1<i>s.</i> 10<i>d.</i> per lb.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Much about Java and its Teas can be found in a book entitled “Java, -or How to Manage a Colony,” by J. W. B. Money. Crown 8vo, 2 vols. -Hurst and Blackett.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> It will not be large because much in the way of extensions has not been -executed lately. A higher range of prices will doubtless cause more land to be -cultivated, but no produce from such will be available for four or five years.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> Estimated on basis of 55,000,000 lbs. available for shipment to the -United Kingdom.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> Estimated on average monthly deliveries, February to June inclusive, -of 4,500,000 lbs.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> With few exceptions it is bought by the Natives alone and for the -reason given above.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> “Nil Desperandum” evidently foresees what must be sooner or later. -All interested in Tea, owners, planters, and inventors, should aid to achieve -the result.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> “Nil Desperandum” takes up three spaces—one bullock in each -outside space and the hoe in the centre. I don’t like the plan. It <i>could not</i> be -done where the tea plants are high.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> In wet weather especially the warm air generated in the factory by the -fires in it helps the process.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> This, after the previous sentence, is obscure.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> I agree with “Enquirer” in this.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> They are still higher now. The last three months they have averaged -five millions.—E. M.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> I should be glad to be set right if I have not rightly calculated the -price of coke.—(<i>Writer of the letter.</i>)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> I advise only these four kinds. When the trader becomes more sensible, -three or even two would be better, but as it is now four are necessary.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> With a driving belt from the engine shafting.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> Heating before packing has to be done on a large scale. None of the -Dryers notified are large enough. A special machine should be devised.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> Top is “The Tea Garden;” front, “Weighing Leaf;” back, “Packing;” -ends, “Elephant with Howdah,” or, if desired, the plantation mark.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> The following are the numbers to be opened by the Custom House -regulations:— -</p> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table class="right" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td>From</td><td>1</td><td>to</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>to be</td><td>turned</td><td>out.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>6</td><td>„</td><td>40</td><td>3</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>41</td><td>„</td><td>80</td><td>4</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>81</td><td>„</td><td>120</td><td>5</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>121</td><td>„</td><td>200</td><td>6</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>201</td><td>„</td><td>300</td><td>8</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>301</td><td>„</td><td>500</td><td>10</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>501</td><td>„</td><td>800</td><td>12</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -<tr><td class="center">„</td><td>801</td><td colspan="2">and upwards</td><td>16</td><td>„</td><td>„</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p>This applies to packages of all sizes and kinds, if the tares are equal or -nearly so. If the difference in the tares are not great, an average is struck. If -tares are various all are turned out!</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> If tares are nearly equal, and if Teas are well bulked in India, only -some packages (about 10 per cent.) are opened, and an average tare struck. -But this in no way saves the loss in <i>quantity</i> of Tea, though, of course, less -Tea is thus <i>injured</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> Since I wrote the above the Customs have framed new rules for Indian -Teas. The absurd tare system is done away with.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Note to Third Edition.—No. The furnace has been erected but on two -or three gardens. Other inventions have since been brought forward, and -the whole matter is still in an uncertain state—I mean as to which of the -several apparatuses is the best. I believe in mine still, and intend to erect it -on the Western Dooar Gardens in which I am interested, but, of course, I am -not an impartial judge! One thing, however, I lay claim to, and that is, that -I was the first to show by practical results that the fumes of charcoal are in -no way necessary to make Tea. -</p> -<p> -Note to Fourth Edition.—Since the above note was written (now five -years ago) many Tea Drying Machines have been invented (see pages <a href="#Page_240">240</a> to -<a href="#Page_259">259</a>), and I most willingly admit they are <i>all</i> better than my furnace apparatus. -The first inventor rarely attains perfection, and as in my case, he generally -labours for the benefit of those who come after!—<span class="smcap">Edward Money.</span></p></div> - -</div> - -<hr class="full" /> - -<div class="transnote"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Transcriber's Note</h2> - - -<p>The following apparent errors have been corrected:</p> - -<ul><li>p. 14 "it well" changed to "it will"</li> - -<li>p. 94 "wonld" changed to "would"</li> - -<li>p. 97 "fifteeen" changed to "fifteen"</li> - -<li>p. 107 "<i>a</i>." changed to "<i>a</i>",</li> - -<li>p. 139 "leafs" changed to "leaves"</li> - -<li>p. 177 (note) "was—" changed to "was:—"</li> - -<li>p. 187 "similiar" changed to "similar"</li> - -<li>p. 203 "considered." changed to "considered,"</li> - -<li>p. 243 "litle" changed to "little"</li> - -<li>p. 264 "viz," changed to "viz.,"</li> - -<li>p. 264 "seive-mesh" changed to "sieve-mesh"</li> - -<li>p. 273 "loose" changed to "lose"</li> - -<li>p. 273 "tare." changed to "tare,"</li> - -<li>p. 280 "he gross" changed to "the gross"</li> - -<li>p. 299 "Hazareebagh" changed to "Hazareebaugh"</li> - -<li>p. 300 "Transport, chap" changed to "Transport, chap."</li> - -<li>p. 301 "title" changed to "— title"</li> - -<li>Advertisement "Chapers" changed to "Chapters"</li> - -<li>Advertisement "PERIODICALS" changed to "PERIODICALS."</li> -</ul> - - -<p>Inconsistent spelling, hyphenation, italics and punctuation have otherwise been kept as printed.</p> - -<p>Tables have been refactored for accessibility.</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea, by -Edward Money - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURE OF TEA *** - -***** This file should be named 52925-h.htm or 52925-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/2/52925/ - -Produced by Henry Flower and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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