WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea cover

The Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea

Chapter 22: CHAPTER V. NATURE OF JUNGLE.
By Edward Money
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Science - Earth/Agricultural/Farming

About This Book

A practical manual explaining how to establish, cultivate, and process tea plantations, covering site selection, climate and soil considerations, nursery and planting techniques, pruning, pest control, flushing and leaf‑picking, and the manufacture steps for both black and green teas. It describes factory arrangement, mechanical aids, sifting and sorting, packing, bookkeeping, and cost calculations, with guidance on garden management, labour, sanitation, and filling vacancies. Later sections present production statistics, accounts of producing regions beyond China and India, market channels and ways to promote homegrown teas, and procedures for weighing and bulking at customs. The work offers hands‑on recommendations aimed at beginners and practitioners.

CHAPTER V.
NATURE OF JUNGLE.

I have not much to say under this head. I have heard many opinions as to the kind of trees and jungle that should exist in contemplated clearances, but I attach little or no weight to them, at all events in Bengal.

In the Himalayas it is somewhat different. There oak trees should be sought for; their existence invariably makes rich soil.[12] Fir, on the contrary, indicates poor soil. At elevations, however, the desideratum of a warm aspect interferes, for the best oak forests are on the colder side. I speak of course of elevations practicable, say three or four thousand feet; above this it is a waste of money to try and cultivate Tea.

In Bengal I do not think the nature of the jungle on land contemplated signifies much. As a rule, the thicker the jungle the richer the soil; but in seeking for a site large trees should not be a sine quâ non. Much of the coarse grass land is very good, and large trees add enormously to the expense of clearings.[13] It is not cutting them down which is so expensive, it is cutting them up and getting rid of them by burning, or otherwise, after the former is done.

I have discussed soil fully already, and need only add here that if the knowledge to do so exists, it is better to judge of soil from the soil itself than from the vegetation on it, though doubtless a fact that luxuriant vegetation indicates rich soil.