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.