[CHAPTER XXXII.]
COUNTRIES OUTSIDE CHINA AND INDIA THAT PRODUCE TEA.
So much has the industry marched since the Third Edition was published in 1878 that I think it well to add the following pages to my book.
I will first consider the countries outside India and China which produce Tea, or wish to do so.
Ceylon.
This is likely to prove a formidable competitor. As far as I can gather, Tea plants (of both the Assam and China kinds) were introduced into Ceylon in 1841, but it is only during the last few years Tea planting has been taken up in earnest. A Mr. Shand, who seems to have studied Tea in Ceylon, estimates 500 lbs. per acre as the produce when in full bearing. This is 6¼ maunds, and though less than the best Indian gardens give, it is considerably above the average all over India. Ceylon Tea finds a ready market in London. The parcels vary much, as they do from India, but in the past year (1882) many very desirable lots were sent home. I believe, take it all in all, Ceylon Tea is no better, and no worse, than Indian Tea.
With Tea prices as they are to-day, I would not myself commence Tea cultivation in India, Ceylon, or anywhere. I feel sure, therefore, if Ceylon planters rush into Tea, as they did in India in times past, they will regret it. But I hear that made Tea gardens can be bought there cheap, and under these circumstances Tea will probably pay the purchasers well.
Johore.
H.H. the Maharajah there has started a small Tea garden, but as there are in it only two acres of Tea, the whole thing is quite an experiment yet. The climate is said to be favourable, and land easily acquired. Cheap labour is the difficulty. May it long continue so! There is too much Tea already; the low prices ruling result simply from supply exceeding demand. Thus I hope Johore will not produce Tea. The following is from the Tea Gazette:—
Tea in Johore.
We have lately published several articles on the subject of Tea in Johore and the prospects of Tea plantations in the Malay Peninsula. The soil and climate are all that can be desired for the successful cultivation of the Tea plant; there is abundance of land lying idle which can be obtained on advantageous terms; but all hopes of establishing the Tea industry on a prosperous footing are frustrated by the want of cheap Indian labour. A correspondent writes on this subject to the Ceylon Observer as follows:—