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 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE 
 
 WASON ENDOWMENT FUND 
 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 CHARLES W. WASON 
 
 CORNELL 76 
 1918 
 
Cornell University Library 
 SB 271.H91 
 
 Tea in Na al— past, present and future : 
 
 3 1924 023 610 136 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92402361 01 36 
 
Uea hiatal — $3a0t, ^ustnt attb Jftttm 
 
 A PAPEE READ 
 
 AT THE 
 
 REQUEST OF AND BEFORE THE MEMBERS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Lower Tugela Division (Victoria County) Planters' Association 
 
 AT A 
 
 GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE KEAR&NEY ESTATE, NONOTI, NATAL, 
 
 JULY 26, 1882, 
 BY J. LIEGE HULETT, J.P., CHAIRMAN, 
 
 AND 
 
 PUBLISHED BY RESOLUTION OF AND FOR THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 PIRCE, ONE SHILLING. 
 
 To be obtained at Messrs. Adams & Co., Durban. 
 
 DURBAN, NATAL. 
 
 PRINTED AT THE " NATAL MERCURY " GENERAL SIEAlJ PRESS. 
 1882. 
 
%m in Jtatal— |?asi, Present anil Jtttere. 
 
 The following paper was read by Mr. Hulett 
 before the Lower Tugela Planters' Association, on 
 July 26:— 
 
 The history of Tea culture in Natal in the past 
 may not be generally known • it will be well to 
 recognise in the first place, those efforts which 
 though feeble, yet are certainly the basis of the 
 present venture, with all its hopes of future benefit 
 to the Colony. It may be safely asserted that the 
 Tea which has existed in various parts of the 
 Colony in gardens, and even in areas of from 
 one to two acres in extent, originally came from a 
 few (perhaps half-a-dozen) plants, brought here 
 about the year 1850, at the epoch of the first 
 general settlement of Natal, by the late Mr. Plant 
 (I believe the first curator of the Botanical Gardens 
 of Durban), and planted by him in hisi gardens at 
 Vaal Hoek on the Upper Tongaat. I have been 
 informed that these plants were obtained from 
 " Kew," and were supposed to be of the Indian 
 variety. Mr. Plant's death soon after his settlement 
 at Vaal Hoek, caused but little notice to be taken 
 of these Tea plants, and when Mr. Plant's widow 
 removed from the place, everything was allowed to 
 go to ruin; but still in spite of weeds and rubbish 
 of every kind, these original Tea trees held their 
 own, and probably do to this day, and the seed was 
 frequently taken by one and another, and thus 
 became the sources of the above-mentioned small 
 patches of Tea in Natal. The first notice we 
 have of any attempt to manufacture Tea, was 
 Mrs. Plant making a little and sending it to 
 the Exhibition of London in 1862, where it 
 obtained notice. This sample was, I believe, 
 
sent in an ordinary pickle bottle. About the 
 year 1863 , and since, several persons began to 
 think of growing Tea, and planted small areas, and 
 in due time commenced, to manufacture — specially 
 amongst others the names of the late Mr. George 
 Jackson of Duiker--. Fontein, Umgeni — the late Mr. 
 J. W. Townsend of Ridgefield, Umhlali. The pro- 
 prietors of Spitzkop Estate, Umhlali (adjoining Vaal 
 Hoek), Mr. J. Brickhill, Umbilo, and Mr. Walker of 
 Highnats, stand prominent.- These gentlemen have 
 all manuafactured the leaf, and the late Mr. Jackson 
 and Mr. Brickhill have placed it in the market, the 
 former gentleman with success in the Free State or 
 Transvaal. 
 
 In no instance has there, been, any failure in the 
 growth of the plant.: The question seemed to rest in 
 the possibility of manufacture of a good article from 
 the variety grown; the article, as manufactured, 
 not meeting with general favour. It appeared that, 
 according to the views of certain persons who had 
 previously been engaged on Tea Estates elsewhere, 
 the variety was one that would not produce a good 
 marketable article. I was .desirous, some years 
 back, of trying Tea culture, and applied to the then 
 Manager of Spitzkop for seed. This gentleman — 
 Mr. Mellis, an old Tea grower — offered me what 
 seed I required, but strongly advised me not to 
 waste my labour u Don what he assured me was a 
 variety which would not prove satisfactory in its 
 result. Consequently I relinquished my project. 
 
 Shortly prior to the death of. the late' Mr. Gr. 
 Jackson I was staying at his house, when he 
 pressed the matter of Indian Tea upon niy notice, 
 informing me that Mr. Brickhill had just imported 
 successfully a few Assam plants from Calcutta, a 
 friend having obtained them for him. It was at 
 this particular juncture that the Coffee enterprise, 
 which we fondly thought would take a turn for the 
 
better, through planting closer and allowing only 
 the tree a few years to remain, and then renewing, 
 gave evident signs of complete collapse ; conse- 
 quently, I felt for one that something was wanted, 
 and Mr. Brickhill having very kindly offered his 
 services, and those of his friend in Calcutta, to 
 obtain seed, and have it carefully attended to and 
 transmitted to Natal, the matter was brought before 
 your Association; and the Association availed them* 
 selves of Mr. Brickhill's kind offer, and, at the 
 same time, asked the Government to render some 
 assistance. The upshot of the matter was, that 
 the Government agreed to provide freight from 
 Calcutta to Durban in their chartered ship Umvoti, 
 if we would obtain the seed, place it on board, 
 and receive it when landed. To do this, a few of 
 your members agreed to risk a few sovereigns, and 
 to divide the seed or plants when they arrived pro 
 rata, according to amount of guarantee. Being, 
 perhaps, more enthusiastic in the matter than most, 
 I ventured a larger amount than others, and thus, 
 eventually, had the larger quantity of seed. We 
 have been greatly obliged in the matter of importa- 
 tion of plants — 1st, To Mr. J. Brickhill, of Natal 
 Bank ; 2nd, to his friend or agent in Calcutta, for 
 his care in obtaining good seed from good gardens 
 in Assam, and in the great care evinced in the 
 packing, (the seed being planted in open brandy 
 cases, in loam) ; 3rd, To Captain Reeves, ot the 
 Umvoti, for the great interest evinced in the matter, 
 who, through a lengthened voyage, via Mauritius, 
 had these cases carefully kept damp, so that when 
 the seed reached Natal, it was in good order,, and 
 some cases had many plants 3 inches high in them. 
 These boxes of Tea seed left Calcutta about the 
 beginning of January, 1877, were landed from 
 the Umvoti about the 13th or 14th March, 1877, and 
 were planted in the various nurseries of the owners 
 
6 
 
 about the end of March of that year. The variety 
 was partly. Assam Hybrid^ and partly Assam Indi- 
 genous. The Hybrid came from the Longeeburr 
 Estate,, and the Indigenous from the Rookang 
 Estate, I believe, both belonging to the Assam Tea 
 Company. I am particular in noting these par- 
 ticulars, on account of possible future need. 
 
 We have now «got the enterprise down to the 
 •successful importation of one of the most difficult ' 
 things to introduce on account of the seed so soon 
 spoiling. The fortune of the interest now rested 
 in the hands of those who held the seed. This 
 fortune has been various. Having perhaps the largest 
 supply of seed I can, give my own result as on the 
 whole satisfactory. Mr. W. B. Lyle, of Kirkly Vale, 
 had a good large supply of seed, and : he was fairly 
 successful. I took every precaution and care in 
 transplanting the seed from the boxes to the 
 nurseries, and had the satisfaction of rearing four 
 thousand (4000) good plants. During November 
 .1877, I planted 3000. of these out into a piece of 
 land from which I took out coffee. The plants 
 •appeared to do well, but unfortunately the months 
 of December, 1877 and January, 1878, were exceed- 
 ingly dry and hot (in fact a dryer season from 
 November was hardly ever known) . The consequence 
 was that the greater portion of my plants were 
 scorched to death. Having some plants still in 
 the nurseries I planted them out in February, 1878; 
 to sum the result, I obtained an established stock of 
 1200 plants. Mr. Lyle succeeded in obtaining 
 about 400 or 500 to live. Two or three others 
 have got a few trees to establish themselves. 
 However, the Assam Hybrid and Indigenous Tea 
 has taken its place amongst the products of Natal. 
 Perhaps it will be well to continue the narration of 
 of personal procedure down to the present time. 
 During the year 1878, the plants progressed most 
 
satisfactorily (i.e., those that survived the drought 
 of the previous summer) and by the time they had 
 been planted one year they were strong and vigor- 
 ous. After they had been planted 18 months, or in 
 May, 1879, the trees were large and substantial 
 bushes. In the spring of 1879, or two years from 
 planting, I took my first leaf, and attempted the 
 manufacture of the same (many, of the trees had, in 
 the May previous, blossomed), I could not tell 
 what amount of Tea I manufactured from the 1200 
 young trees (many of them, were quite small), but 
 sufficient for my own family purpose. However, 
 being about to visit England, I took a few 
 pounds with me for valuation, &c. (of which more 
 anon). During February and March, 1880, 1 picked 
 my first seed, and carefully planted it ; this seed 
 produced plants which were placed out in Novem- 
 ber and December, 1880, filling up all vacancies in 
 the original field, and making a total of about 5 
 acres planted to December 31, 1880. At this time 
 my original 1200 plants were three years old, and 
 giving me a good yield of leaf, whilst the trees had 
 obtained- a height of, in many cases, 5 ft. with 
 stems 2 inches in diameter. In Fe'bruary and 
 March, 1881, I picked a large quantity of seed, 
 which I planted for my own use, and from which I 
 supplied the 27 acres planted this last summer. 
 During the winter of 1881, or just one year ago, I 
 tried my hand at pruning, but, being desirous of 
 obtaining a good supply of seed, I' only pruned 400 
 out of the 1200 trees. In the spring following (last 
 September), I commenced my first regular picking, 
 and up to the close of the . season, about 6 weeks 
 ago, the 1200 trees have given me over 500 lbs. of 
 Tea manufactured, and more than half a ton of seed. 
 Had these trees all been pruned I might reasonably 
 have expected 100 lbs. more, which would have 
 given a yield of 1000 lbs. to the acre, and this 
 
8 
 
 before the plants had been out five years. As it is, 
 my yield has been at the rate of 'over 800 lbs. to 
 the acre. Tea is not supposed to arrive at its full 
 bearing power under eight or nine years. 
 
 You have, j gentlemen, to-day inspected this Tea, 
 and will perceive that I am pruning all my trees 
 for leaf, so as to see what the result will be this 
 coming season. You have seen the oldest planted 
 in November, 1877; the' result of 1 first seed 
 obtained from those plants, planted out in summer 
 of 1880-1 ; the plants from the second yield of 
 seed, planted out this past summer. Being practical 
 men, with a large experience in agricultural pur- 
 suits in Natal, you will be able to judge what we 
 may expect the future to be. I have given 
 the result of my own estate in detail. A few 
 words regarding that of Mr. ■ W. B. Lyle 
 (Kirkly Vale), which adjoins this. 'His four or five 
 hundred Tea trees planted the same time as mine 
 are in no way inferior ; indeed they look much finer ; 
 which can be understand when it is known that 
 they have not been pruned, and but little picked 
 (the picking being really a constant pruning), con- 
 sequently they have developed naturally ; many of 
 them are eight or nine feet high. 
 
 We have glanced at the past and seen the present 
 condition of the Tea enterprise. The most impor- 
 tant matter is still before us — the future of Tea in 
 Natal. It must be remembered that an industry 
 may be profitable to encourage for local consump- 
 tion, and yet fail when it comes to be exported. 
 This production (Tea) must be 'looked at as one 
 whichj if it progresses, must shortly be exported. 
 Three hundred acres of Tea in full bearing will 
 supply to the full the- present need of the Oolony 
 and its surroundings, i.e. taking the import returns 
 as our guide ; and even with increasing demand, that 
 ; demand can soon be met. Therefore, the importance 
 
9 
 
 attaching to the question. " Can we in Natal grow 
 Tea to pay, so as to compete with other countries in 
 the markets of the world ? " The Tea growing dis- 
 tricts of India, till lately confined to Assam, Cachar, 
 and neighbourhood, have now been extended to the 
 Neilgherries and Ceylon, and these places, till lately 
 confining themselves to coffee are leaving that most 
 precarious crop and growing Tea and Cinchona. 
 Both these districts at present export Tea to 
 England. It is said that Tea is to be introduced 
 into Queensland and the northern territory of 
 Australia ; and that the Southern States of the Union 
 and California contemplate Tea growing. Are 
 we justified, then, in believing that Tea may be 
 profitably exported from Natal ? Before considering 
 this, we have to bear in mind that Tea is placed in 
 the London market in large quantities at a very low 
 price ; China Teas as low as 5^d. per lb. in bond, and 
 Indian Teas as low as 8d. per lb. in bond ; but again 
 the price extends to 3s. and even 4s. per lb. in bond. 
 All these things have to be weighed and well con- 
 sidered by any one before embarking in this 
 enterprise to any great extent. In all matters of 
 agriculture the labour question is the foremost, after 
 it is known that the plant will flourish. To attempt 
 to base the success of this particular industry upon 
 any other than that of Coolie labour would be 
 foolish, as we all know that Kafirs are not to be 
 relied upon ; therefore the cost of labour has to be 
 considered. We well know that all the Tea estates 
 of India have to be supplied with imported Coolies 
 — the natives of the districts concerned will not 
 work unless casually — but the cost of Coolies in 
 Natal must be more than the cost of Coolies in 
 Assam — therefore in that item the advantage must 
 be in favour of the Indian planter. Countries such 
 as Queensland and the United States of America, 
 must either import labour, or pay a much higher 
 
10 
 
 rate than* we do ; hence so 'far as these countries 
 are concerned, Natal will hold its own. 
 
 The production of Tea in India is very great, and 
 capable of almost unlimited extension, as far as soil 
 is concerned, The demand for Indian Teas is for- 
 tunately greatly on the increase. At the first start 
 Indian Tea progressed most favourably, but the 
 money made by those that first entered upon the 
 industry has been the cause of very great failures. 
 A rage for the formation of Tea Gardens took place, 
 Companies almost without number sprang into ex- 
 istence — speculation was carried to a fearful point. 
 The consequence was that a very large number of 
 gardens were formed without the slightest prospect 
 of success. The result has been disastrous to a 
 great many ; but things are now much brighter. 
 Gardens are being better cultivated and attended to, 
 with proportionate advantage to all concerned. 
 
 The greater portion of Indian Tea is grown by 
 Companies, whose offices are in England, agents 
 in Calcutta and managers and overseers on the 
 estates attending to the business. These estates 
 are consequently of extensive area, ranging from 
 300 to 1000 acres in extent. The class of culti- 
 vation is low — the vacancies ranging, in many 
 gardens, from 30 to 40 per cent — it is said none 
 below 12 per cent. The weeds or jungle very fre- 
 quently almost choking the Tea, any poor portion 
 of the land gives up in despair. All this is a serious 
 loss. The managing expenses must be very con- 
 siderable, the climate being, one portion of the 
 year, very unhealthy, prevents anything in the 
 shape of colonisation taking place. Tea in India 
 is a commercial speculation, and the gardens are 
 not planted to become the homes of the owners. 
 Thus we at once perceive that large areas must 
 be planted in order to support the necessary 
 expenses of the establishment, besides yield- 
 
11 
 
 ing dividends to the shareholders. My object 
 in stating the above is to show that' Tea may- 
 be grown in Natal by- small growers, or in 
 estates of manageable area, with great success 
 and benefit to the planter. We want people to 
 make this country their home, and the home of 
 their children ; and if a product can be found that 
 will ensure a good result to the man with small 
 capital, it will be very satisfactory. From present 
 appearances, and from the known vigour of the Tea 
 plant in Natal for the- past 30 years; I believe that 
 Natal will hold her own in competition with all Tea- 
 producing countries in the world. I am confident 
 we possess many thousands of acres of land on the 
 coast of Natal, which, with proper care and culture, 
 will yield an annual return of 700 lbs. of manufac- 
 tured Tea per acre ; yes, and without much trouble 
 the yield will be brought considerably higher. I 
 have specially mentioned the coast lands of Natal. 
 The Tea plant grows well in the upper districts of the 
 Colony, but it is a question yet to be solved if the 
 yield of leaf will be sufficient to make it pay. On 
 the coast the plant begins to flush in September or 
 October (according to season), and continues so to 
 do until the end of May; consequently flushes will 
 be produced eight months out of the year. I fear 
 that in the upper districts-r-the spring being fre- 
 quently later, and the cold of winter earlier — not more 
 than four or five months of flushing will be produced. 
 To render this paper as practical as possible 
 within reasonable limits, I have thought it well to 
 give an estimate of the cost of planting 20 acres of 
 Tea and bringing the same to bearing, thus showing 
 that it is a very desirable industry for the man of 
 moderate means. I also show (by another estimate) 
 how a community of planters might well be esta- 
 blished in suitable localities and form Tea gardens 
 Vith but small means. 
 
12 
 
 First. — The cost of 20 acres of Tea — in this I 
 leave out the cost of land, buildings, living expenses, 
 cultivation of food crops, indeed confine myself to 
 the actual outlay on the land, and returns from the 
 Tea. In this estimate I have given the outside 
 expense of culture,- based ■ upon the highest rate of 
 Coolie labour. We presume that the garden is 
 commenced June,' 1882. 
 
 1st Year's expense is from June 1882 to June; 1883 : — 
 
 Clearing, Ploughing^ Holing, Filling, ; 
 up, and Planting 20 Acres of Land, 
 £3 5s. per acre ' " ... ... £65 
 
 Cost of Plants per acre £2 40 
 
 3 Weedings during the season, 4s. 
 each per acre ..." ... ... 12 
 
 Cost of Tools 10 .0 
 
 £127 
 
 2nd Year's expense from June 1883 to June; 1884 : — 
 
 4 Weedings per acre during season, 4s 16 
 
 1 Grabbing the land between the ' 
 
 plants, 15s. per acre ... ... 15 
 
 Manuring, Holing, Carting, Filling 20s 20 
 
 Tools .. ... ... ... 5 
 
 56 
 
 3rd Year, 1883-4 :— 
 
 4 Weedings per acre, each 4s. ... 16 
 
 1 Grubbing, 15s. per acre 15 
 
 Picking and Manufacture of 40 lbs. 
 
 Tea • per acre, 800 lbs, at 6d* ... 20 
 
 Tools, Buckets, &c. =.. ... 5 
 
 4th year, June 1885 to June 1886 :— 
 
 4 Weedings at 4s. .per acre ... £16 
 
 1 Manuring, &o. at 20s. per acre ... 20 
 
 1 Grubbing at 15s. per acre ... 15 
 
 1st Pruning at 20s. per acre ... , 20 
 Cost of Picking and Manufacturing 
 
 5000 lbs. of Tea at 6d. per lb.? ... 125 
 
 Tools, &c. ... .„ ■ ... 20 
 
 56 
 
 216 
 
 c The employment of Coolie women in pinking leaf would reduce, 
 that item by 2d. per lb. 
 
13 
 
 5th year 1886 tp June 1887 :— 
 4 Weedings at 4s. per acre 
 1 Grubbing at 15s. per acre 
 Pruning at 20a. per acre ... .„ 
 
 .Tools ... 
 
 ' Picking -and manufacturing of lOjOOO 
 ":>■ lbs. of Tea at 6d'. per lb.° 
 
 i ■ r'Sfl i . :;• 
 
 £16 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 0; 
 
 
 
 230 
 
 
 
 
 
 £311 
 
 ' 'Total Cost for the 5 years £766 
 
 Return : — 
 
 1st year's to June 1885—800 lbs. of Tea at Is. 
 
 6d. per lb. ... ... ... .„ ... £60 
 
 ' 2nd year's to June 1886—5000 lbs. of Tea at 
 
 Is. 6d. per lb. ... ... ... ... 375 
 
 3rd year's return, i.e., 5 years of planting, 1887^- 
 
 10,000 lbs. of Tea at Is. 6d. per lb. ... ... '750,0 
 
 •: Total. Return, £1175, leaving a balance at the 
 end of June, 1887, of £409. It is not needful to 
 carry tlie estimate further, the yield may be 
 expected to reach at least 700 lbs. per acre the 
 following season. Practical men can judge of the 
 amount of the capital required, remembering it 
 much depends upon the cost of land, &c. In- 
 planting Tea, growers would always have a certain 
 amount of land with other crops, such as maize and 
 sweet potatqes which would reduce the expense of 
 labour very materially. 
 
 The great want of Natal is agricultural population, 
 and unless our country districts become , peopled 
 with Europeans and that soon, the Coast lands will 
 be virtually abandoned to the Indian immigrant, 
 which is by no means desirable. This colony pos- 
 sessing large areas of land most suitable for Tea 
 culture, I would suggest that instead of making a 
 large Kafir and Coolie preserve of this land, it be 
 turned into Tea gardens. 
 
 For example — select say 3000' acres of suitable 
 land, &c, out of this, find ten blocks of one hundred 
 acres each adapted for Tea culture, &c. Place ten 
 
 . * The employment of Coolie women in picking leaf would reduce 
 that item by 2d. per lb. 
 
occupiers with sufficient capital at command to 
 cultivate from, ten to twenty acres of Tea or more, 
 besides other crops. The remaining two thousand 
 acres to be joint commonage for the whole. By this 
 plan a central position could be selected upon 
 which to erect the necessary buildings and appli- 
 ances for the. manufacture of Tea — which could be 
 done on co-operatrve principles, or central factory 
 system; the manufacturer purchasing the leaf from 
 the grower. A beneficial, result . would be obtained 
 by thus having one competent man to superintend 
 the manufacture of a large quantity of leaf, instead 
 of a number of partially instructed manufacturers. 
 Industrious settlers on this or similar plan, with a 
 capital of £500 would have a prospect of doing well 
 and making money, it being understood that the 
 land would be held at a rental, with fixed price 
 for purchase. I have mentioned £500 as sufficient 
 capital to the industrious settler. This is how I 
 show it. 
 
 1st Years' Outlay : — 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dwelling House Temporary 
 
 £50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Out-Houses 
 
 20 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 Livng Expenses (single man) 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 Oxen at £12 each 
 
 96 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pigs and Fowls ... 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Cows, £8 each... 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Labour of 8 Coolie men and women, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 one year 
 
 152 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ploughs and Tools 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TeaSeed 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bent ... 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 £424 
 
 
 Total outlay 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1st Year's Return : — 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bacon. Milk, or Eggs , 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 Acres of Maize, 8 muids 'per acre, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 15s. per rouid 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 Acres of Sweet Potatoes, and other 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Crops, £5 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 Acres of Tea planted, no return ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1st Year's return 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 Nett outlay first year... 
 
 329 
 
 
 
15 
 
 2nd Years' Outlay :-«. 
 
 Living, &c. ... ... ... 30 
 
 Labouras before... ... ... 152 0, 
 
 Kent £25, Tools, &c. £10 ... 35 
 
 Total outlay, ineluding balan :e from previous year 546 6 
 
 2ud Years' return : — 
 
 Maize £60 ■ , 
 
 Other Crops ... ... ... 40 
 
 Garden and other Produce ... 15 
 
 115 115 
 
 Nett outlay end of 2nd year 431 
 
 3rd Years' expenses as 2nd, viz., ... 217 
 
 Gross outlay end of 3rd year v . 648 
 
 3rd Years' Returns : — 
 Maize ... 
 Other Crops 
 Poultry and Garden 
 Return from Tea 
 
 60 
 60 
 15 
 60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 195 
 
 
 
 
 
 195 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 453 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 217 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 670 
 
 
 
 
 
 140 
 312 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 452 
 
 
 
 
 452 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nett outlay end of 3rd year 
 4th Years' expenses as before ... 
 
 Gross outlay end of 4th year 
 4th Years' return ; — 
 General Crops ... 
 5000 lbs. Tea at Is. 3d. per lb. 
 
 Nett outlay end of 4th year ... £228 
 
 According to my showing at the end of the fourth 
 year the small capitalist has a valuable property, 
 and has so managed the working of his garden that 
 he has half of his original capital of £500 in hand, 
 and a prospect of a crop of ten thousand lbs. weight 
 of Tea manufactured within the next year, which at 
 Is. 3d. per lb. would realise £625, and his expenses 
 would be proportionately increased in the item of 
 picking leaf. 
 
 I have contemplated the occupier of this land 
 contenting himself with the twenty acres of Tea and 
 culture of land for other crops to form food supplies 
 
16 
 
 tor his labourers. My return of 15s. per muid for 
 Maize, is based upon the expense allowed for Coolie 
 wages, which will permit of that price being 
 given (or more) fox the maize. Again should the 
 occupiers of these lands be men with families, the 
 children would to a great extent relieve the labour 
 item. I have placed the number of labourers at 
 eight men and two women, to form a basis, the 
 work can be well done within the limit. I have 
 allowed the item of £50 for dwelling-house, that sum 
 being quite sufficient, on the supposition that the 
 occupier himself puts up such places as many of 
 us have done before him. 
 
 Regarding the above plan, I think it would be 
 quite within the province of the Government to 
 establish one or two such settlements, and thus 
 foster an enterprise of great benefit to the colony. 
 The settlers should be very carefully selected. 
 
 The Natal Land and Colonization Company 
 possess very extensive properties remarkably well 
 adapted to this purpose. 
 
 My p#per, gentlemen, has already extended to a 
 considerable length, and it might, be much more 
 extended by entering upon points such as soil, lay 
 of land, mode of planting, nurseries, manure, dis- 
 tances, pruning vacancies, flushing, leaf -picking, 
 manufacture, sorting, packing, &c, &c, &c. I 
 will confine myself to, one or two. of these, and leave 
 the others to the future, or to answers to qiiestions 
 that may be put to me. 
 
 Soil.— The Tea plant will grow in almost any 
 soil, and will flourish in many. . A good strong sandy 
 loam, upon which bush or rank grass and scrub 
 grows, will be found very good. Indeed the richer 
 it is with decayed vegetable matter the better. The 
 soil must be, deep .and open. All clay soils and shale 
 lands must be avoided. Aspect will be found the , 
 best, which produces most leaf — probably westerly 
 
17 
 
 — a distinct shelter to break the force of the wind, 
 but no break-winds or trees among the Tea bushes. 
 Distance apart, with high cultivation, say about 5 x 
 4£ feet (that is what I am planting). L£ the culti- 
 vation is to be low or careless 4x4 feet will do ; 
 but in this country we had better cultivate well — 
 manure and keep weeds out of the land. Plenty of 
 moisture is required for Tea,, and the more forcing 
 the climate and position the better. In planting 
 the seed in nurseries it should be picked fresh from 
 the trees and planted in rows at least five inches 
 apart and four inches between each seed, so as to 
 allow for" being transplanted with a ball of earth. 
 The Tea seed ripening about February, March, and 
 April, and the winter just setting in, the nurseries 
 should be placed near a supply of water and 
 the soil itself damp. The beds being well, 
 watered the seeds will soon germinate, and the 
 plants be ready for transplanting when the spring 
 rains set in. In consequence of the tender spongy 
 character of the rootlets of the 'seedlings it is nOt 
 easy to convey them any great distance, therefore , 
 it will be imperative for every planter to have his 
 own nurseries. The holes to receive the young 
 plants should be made during the previous winter, 
 and be about 18 inches deep and square, then refilled 
 with surface soil, and rubbish (if j any) placed at the 
 bottom. A little manure put in each hole will, 
 stimulate the first growth of the young plant and 
 be greatly beneficial. Just before planting go along 
 the rows and with a spade make a moderate sized , 
 hole, say 6 or 8 inches deep (this can be done by 
 one dig of the spade), the small cavity thus formed 
 is ready to receive the young plant, which is being 
 carefully conveyed on boards, &c, from the nursery. 
 The planter now takes it with its ball of earth, ' 
 places it in the hole, and, with one hand holding I% it 
 in position, carefully draws the soil around it, and 
 
18 
 
 gently pressing the same, so as to allow of no 
 vacancy at the bottom of the plant. 
 
 Sufficient has been said I trust to give any 
 intending planter requisite information for the first 
 portion of the enterprise. When he has got so far 
 he will have time to consider the future ; but all who 
 have had anything to do with Coffee planting, will 
 know as much as I can tell them as to the modus 
 operundi of the general management. 
 
 Perhaps it may be well to consider the probable 
 future value of the manufactured article. Tea may 
 flourish and give good leaf returns, ^and yet if the 
 price is not sufficient, the result may still be a 
 failure. Indian Teas are fast usurping the place of 
 China, the article giving a stronger liquor and more 
 flavoury, consequently the value ranges above that 
 of China Teas. " Let us remember that when Tea' 
 becomes an article of export, it will have to be 
 treated in quite a different manner than when we 
 make for colonial supply ; not that we are to be 
 careless .regarding the article for our own use, but 
 we may be satisfied with a general appearance of the 
 leaf, which when placed beside the Teas of the 
 world, would condemn it, from its rougher appear- 
 ance, and yet the liquor be quite equal to a more 
 valuable Tea, as the market shows. For instance, 
 when in England I had my first manufacture tested 
 and valued by several Brokers and Tea Merphants, 
 &c. The liquor was pronounced much better than 
 the general appearance of the leaf warranted, indeed 
 the liquor was such as would be produced from a 
 Tea of good quality. I consider that by subjecting 
 the Tea we are now manufacturing to valuation by 
 English merchants and brokers, we are placing our 
 products at a disadvantage, and yet in spite of 
 this disadvantage ; the general valuation is such as 
 to give us great encouragement. 
 
 In India, planters have every experience to guide 
 
19 
 
 them every appliance, and the employment of 
 experienced tasters on the estates. They sort and 
 size their leaf, sample it according to its various 
 qualities, and thus the season's produce gets divided 
 into classes which range between 9d. and 3s. 6d. 
 per lb. in the English market in bond. It is insisted 
 upon that the use of charcoal is necessary in the 
 firing of the Tea, this we have not used, and so far 
 our manufacture has been the roughest that can be 
 conceived, without any previous experience or use 
 of any machinery whatever, with only a sheet or 
 two of iron for firing upon, and yet the article is pro- 
 nounced good, and rough as it is, would realise about 
 Is. 4d. to Is. 6d. per pound in England (i.e. on public 
 sale) . We may justly assume that this being so, with 
 proper appliances, the result will be all that can be 
 desired. 
 
 A gentleman connected with the Tea trade in 
 England expressed himself so satisfied with the 
 samples of Tea I had with me (and which he tested 
 beside various other Teas), that he urged me not to 
 try to improve upon the flavour of the article, as it 
 possessed qualities which would allow of its being 
 sold alone, without mixing (Indian Teas being chiefly 
 used to strengthen the weak Chinese Teas). He like- 
 wise told me not to rely upon broker's reports,; as they 
 simply looked at the thing before them, as an Indian 
 Tea, and to a great extent viewed with jealousy 
 the product of new countries, personal interest 
 very largely being centred in Indian Tea Companies. 
 My friend assured me that such a Tea as produced 
 could be very well worked into the English trade 
 without its going on the public sale at all, and thus 
 establish a name for itself. In proof of this I have 
 been pressed by several parties in England to send 
 Tea to them, they assuring me that such a class of 
 Tea as I had shown them, and which they had tried, 
 could not be easily obtained. 
 
20 
 
 I am not at all anxious to see our Tea sent to 
 England for valuation until we have gained greater 
 experience in the matter of manufacture — it is 
 hardly fair. It is like placing the work of an 
 amateur artist in competition with that of one of 
 established fame. We have the fact to cheer us, that 
 the tea sells, is liked, and in several instances those who 
 have used it cannot reconcile themselves to any other. 
 I am constantly being applied to for Tea, but having 
 made arrangements with a very enterprising firm am 
 .compelled) to decline selling unless to a neighbour 
 or two. 
 
 We have every reason to believe that our pro- 
 duce will average at least; Is 6d per lb in the English 
 market, when we come to export; but for some time 
 to come the young enterprise will have the colonial 
 trade — the Free State and Transvaal, and indeed, 
 the northern districts of the Cape Colony via 
 Diamond Fields, so that we may look forward to 
 an increasing demand. The import duty of 6d. per 
 lb is that which will protect us in the start. 
 
 Now, gentlemen, I feel that I have very inade- 
 quately treated a subject that is of the utmost import- 
 ance to us all; but if in any way I have so treated the 
 matter as to cause my fellow colonists to examine and 
 consider for themselves, my labour will not be in vain. 
 
 I would remark that the Legislature should be pre- 
 pared to assist and foster this industry. It has been 
 shown how this might be done by establishing Tea- 
 growing communities. Premiums might be granted 
 upon given results, and what would be very desirable 
 granting a sum of money towards the expenses of 
 a visit to the Tea districts of India, for the purpose 
 of obtaining information and necessary appliances. 
 
 I am now, gentlemen, open to questions upon 
 anything herein stated, and leave the matter in your 
 hands for discussion. 
 
 Kearsney Estate, Nonoti, Natal, July 26, 1882. 
 

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