The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea — John Shaqi
The Cultivation and Manufacture of TeaMoney, Edward
Science
The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea
Money, Edward
Tea
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.
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