Cacuar produces the largest quantity of tea of any district in the Assam valley. Of the total area of 211,079 acres under tea cultivation in Assam last year, there were 54,995 acres in Cachar, and the production of tea in it was over 16} millions of pounds out of a total grown in Assam of over 68 millions of pounds. The total production in the province shewed an increase of 10.91 per cent. on that of 1886 and was more than double the outturn of 1880. The Report on tea cultivation in Assam says that the increase has been steady in late years, except in 1884, when there was a slight falling off. There was an increased percentage of 10.65 Ibs. over 1886 in Cachar, of 36.76 Ibs. in Silhet, and all the other and less productive districts show increased percentages. And the yield per acre for the whole province was 385 Ibs. in 1887 as compared with 363 Ibs. in 1886. In the current year, according to the estimate prepared by the Indian Tea Association, it is anticipated that Assam will produce 70,975,884 lbs. out of an Indian crop of 95,829,312 Ibs. The Report from which we have been quoting shews that the cultivation of tea in Assam has been prosperous, notwithstanding the fall in the price of the article, and the following extract explains how this has been: "The report affirms that, with improved communications, cheaper labour and improved methods of cultivation and manufacture, the cost of production tends to decrease. In illustration of this view the opinion of a leading planter in Cachar is quoted:-—'It is_a curious fact that, although the rice of tea is now lower than ever known before, still most of the tea concers did fairy wel as regards profits over the year's working. The explanation is, that the tea can now be turned out for less than what was possible a few years ago. The use of machinery of an improved character is now largely extended, with the invariable result that everything is done cheaper, while freight and cost of transport are much less. Then, coolies are growing older and more skilled in their work, and can do more and far better than they could when raw hands; while all extensions made upon gardens are put out with the best class of plant available, upon good soils, carefully chosen, and. these parts, as they come into bearing, produce a far bigger out-turi per acre than the original parts of the garden."
Were the same means brought into use in this country, tea would be produced cheaper and of better quality, and it is only by the adoption of similar improve-
[has in a considerable measure lost can be retrieved.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.