It is satisfactory to find that Gov have been able to. issue this int Document at " rexsonxbly early ti facts and figures displayed being brought down to the end of 18-4. It is better reading than usual, by reason of not being over-loaded with mere figures, xnd euch are supplied have been more freely give than usual, by planters, so that greater correctness than is often wi has been secured. We have always thought that it was a mistaken policy to withhold reasonable information from Government, for it is to the general interest that reliable figures alone should be published, and these, of course, exn only be obtained from planta s themselves.
The Report shows that Tea Cul in Assam la still steadily progress corrected account of Ten-grants is stated at 913,000 nores, which includes, of course, land tak view of future requi monte, and that required for poser." The tea-producing ar 158,000 acres, while 32,000 additional acres wre! shown ug under young plant, Lu 78, the total area taken up for 'Te Assam, including both the Beahwaputre and the Barak valleys, was 736,082 acres, of which 538,961 acres were fit for enltivation; the' total number of separate Kstates was 1,718; the total out-turn was 23,352,293Iba., al the average rate of 286lbs. per acre under mature plant. The increase under mature plant, since 1879 has amounted to nearly 50 por cout Lhe rent po of tea-planting on a great scale in Assam dates from about 1851, and was greatly assisted by the promulgation of the Waste-Land Rules of 1854. By 1859, there were already gardens in existence, owned by private individuals; and the enterprise hal extended from its original head-qaacters in Laklimpur and Sibsagar as fae doi tiyputea as Kameup. plant was discovered wild in the district of Cachar in the Barak valley, and European c-pital was at once directed to that quarter. At about the same time, ton-planting wae bourhood of th Darjeeling, among the Siklim Himalayas, In 1834 the cost of cultivation and manu: facture in Assam amounted to " trifle less than 8 annas per Ib., but it is to be hoped this figure time becrime further reduc somewhat tov high indeed, are likely view of the competition aer the quantities which in a few yeara may be to go forward from India and a serious question, and di ids that earnest attention should still be paid to the opening up of new markets, and to improving the ground we have already gained in this direct Much yet remains tu be dune in America, to loosen the hold of Japan and China there. Our efforts to this end have nut yet, it is true, been crowned with anything like the success expected and required, but we must not be disheartened, but on with braver perseverance. Above all must we keep up a high standard of quality, The America believe their money, and they are beginning to feel that they do not get this with foreign importations,—cheap as they are. Our own produce is Uecuming yearly cheaper and cheaper in price, but still without quent loss to us, for we are at the sane time cheapening manufacture lar; the extended use of mac! us, in time, an overwhelming advantage over our old-world rival Theimproved communication with Assam which is now taking place, also will avon help us much in way of economy in forward al cust uvt only of covliva, Lut to Te itself, and much may be hoped for from Government is gradu ly evidencing for the great Industry much for the poorer classes in this country, and this latter isa factor which must cou! prevail n th avy enlightened. Adu thing—approaching to of 3 uow become in a National Lud serious that no Gover try, would be ea mont could afford to allow such to approach if by any moaria they could prevent it; and this, rather than any Govermment sympathy with Ter selves, is what we I to j and we ehall be matter What may be the motive which dictates it,—The Indian Tea Gazette.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.