[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.