few years.
The plants are growing admirably, and evidently like their situation. Some of them are suffering slightly from the effects of hard-plucking, like those at Kaolagir; but this can easily be avoided in their future management. Altogether, it is in a most satisfactory condition, and shows how safe it is in matters of this kind to follow the example of the Chinese cultivator, who never makes his tea plantations on low rice land, and never irrigates.
sea.
HAWULBAUGH PLANTATION (NEAR ALMORAH).
1. Situation and Extent. This tea-farm is situated on the banks of the River Kosilla, about 6 miles north-west from Almorah, the capital of Kumaon. It is about 4,500 feet above the level of the The land is of an undulating character, consisting of gentle slopes and terraces, and reminded me of some of the best tea dis- tricts 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, includ- ing 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. 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. Appearance and Health of 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 houses 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 their roots, and partly also of over-plucking; both defects, however, admit of being easily cured.
LUTCHMISSE AND KUPPEENA PLANTATIONS.
1. Situation and Extent.-These plantations are on the hill- side near Almorah, and about 5000 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. 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. 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.
The Lake of Bheemtal is situated in latitude 29° 20' north, and in longitude 79° 30′ east. It is 4000 feet above the level of the sea, and some of the surrounding mountains are said to be 8000 feet. These form the southern chain of the Himalayas, and bound the vast plain of India, of which a glimpse can be had through the mountain passes. Amongst these hills there are several tals or lakes, some flat meadow-looking land, and gentle undulating slopes, while higher up we have steep and rugged mountains. It is amongst these hills, that the Bheemtal tea plantations have been formed. They may be classed under three heads, viz. :—
1st. Anoo and Kooasur Plantations.-These adjoin each other, are both formed on low flat land, and together cover about 46 acres. The plants do not seem healthy or vigorous; many of them have died out, and few are in that state which tea-plants ought to be in. Such situations never ought to be chosen for tea-cultiva- tion. The same objection applies to these as to those at Deyra, but in a greater degree, No doubt, with sufficient drainage, and great care in cultivation, the tea-plant might be made to exist in such a situation; but I am convinced it would never grow with that luxu- riance which is necessary in order to render it a profitable crop. Besides, such lands are valuable for other purposes. They are excellent rice-lands, and as such of considerable value to the natives.
2nd. Bhurtpoor Plantation.—This plantation covers about 4 acres of terraced land on the hill-side, a little to the eastward of those last noticed. The soil is composed of a light loam, much mixed with small pieces of clay-slate, and trap or green-stone, of which the adjacent rocks are composed. It contains also a small portion of vegetable matter, or humus. Both the situation and soil of this plantation are well adapted to the requirements of the tea- shrub, and consequently we find it succeeding here as well as at Guddowli, Hawulbaugh, Almorah, and other places, where it is planted on the slopes of the hills.
3rd. Russia Plantation. This plantation extends over 75 acres, and is formed on sloping land. The elevation is somewhat
178
: