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.