The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom: Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c.Simmonds, P. L. (Peter Lund)
Science
The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom: Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c.
Simmonds, P. L. (Peter Lund)
Botany, Economic
_1st. Situation and extent_.--This tea farm is situated on the banks
of the river Kosilla, about six miles north-west from Almorah, the
capital of Kumaon. It is about 4,500 feet above the level of the
sea. The land is of an undulating character, consisting of gentle
slopes and terraces, and reminded me of some of the best tea
districts in China. Indeed, the hills themselves, in this part of
the Himalayas, are very much like those of China, being barren near
their summit and fertile on their lower sides.
Thirty-four acres of land are under tea cultivation here, including
the adjoining farm of Chullar. Some of the plants appear to have
been planted in 1844; but, as at Paorie, the greater number are only
from one to three years old.
2_nd. Soil and culture_.--The soil is what is usually called a sandy
loam; it is moderately rich, being well mixed with vegetable matter.
It is well suited for tea cultivation. The greater part of the farm
is terraced as at Guddowli, but some few patches are left in natural
slopes in accordance with the Chinese method. Irrigation is
practised to a limited extent.
3_rd. Appearance and health of the plants_.--All the young plants
here are in robust health and are growing well, particularly where
they are growing on land where water cannot flood or injure them. As
examples of this, I may point out a long belt between Dr. Jameson's
house and the flower garden, and also a piece of ground a little
below the house in which the Chinese manufacturers live. Some few of
the older bushes appear rather stunted; but this is evidently the
result of water remaining stagnant about the roots, and partly also
of over plucking; both defects, however, admit of being easily
cured.
LUTCHMISSER AND KUPPEENA PLANTATIONS.
1_st. Situation and extent_.--These plantations are on the hill side
near Almorah, and about 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. The
situation is somewhat steep, but well adapted to the growth of tea.
The former contains three acres, and the latter four acres under
cultivation.
2_nd. Soil and culture_.---The soil is light and sandy, and much
mixed with particles of clay-slate, which have crumbled down from
the adjoining rocks. I believe these plantations are rarely
irrigated, and the land is steep enough to prevent any stagnant
water from remaining about the roots of the plants.
3_rd. Appearance and health of plants_.--Most of the bushes here are
fully grown, and in full bearing, and generally in good health. On
the whole, I consider these plantations in excellent order.
BHEEMTAL PLANTATIONS.
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