Page:Illustrations of Indian Botany, Vol. 1.djvu/201

ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY.

91 warmth of the plains: and lastly to ascertain whether, in attempting to extend its cultivation to our Indian possessions, we should locate it on a dry rather poor soil, with an open exposure on the hills, or in low, moist, shady places, on the plains.

Mr. McClelland examines with equal care and success, the peculiarities of the soil in regard to its geological relations, and chemical qualities : the character of the climate with reference to its humidity and heat : the quantity of rain that falls, the degree to which the country is overcast with -clouds and mist, and the effect of these last on the distribution of the plant over the valley of Assam.

To attempt a detailed recapitulation of the facts and arguments adduced on all sides, bearing on the questions discussed in these papers, would take much more time and space than I can now devote to the subject, but as I think 1 have succeeded in making myself master of the leading features of the inquiry I shall endeavour to place before the reader a summary of the results.

Mr, Royle, in a very elaborate article on the subject, in his Illustrations of the Botany of the Himalayan mountains, comes to the conclusion, that, the Tea plant is virtually a native of a temperate climate, and that the slopes of these mountains afford the most proper climate and soil for the growth and culture of this plant, the former, as partaking of the character of the tropics during one half of the year, and of the temperate zone the remainder ; the latter as being formed from the detritus of primitive rocks. In arriving at this conclusion, which is nearly in accordance with the opinion advanced by Dr. Abel, whom he seems to consider beyond all comparison the best authority, Mr. Royle has evidently been misled, by reposing too great confidence in his guide, since, strange to say, the inference is at variance with nearly the whole oft he evidence adduced by himself in support of it. Were the case really such as he puts it, the south of Europe would afford nearly every requisite for the successful cultivation of tea, but I greatly fear, if ever put to the test of experiment, that some of the principal requisites will be found wanting. His views are however so well supported, and the contradictory evidence on which they are made to rest, so ingeniously explained away, that much difficulty must have been experienced in detecting his errors, had not actual and careful examination of the circumstances under which the plant is produced in its native country, enabled the deputation of the Tea committee who went to examine them, to point out the very erroneous nature of the opinions advocated by Dr. Abel, which Mr. Royle had adopted, and supported with such a fruitless expenditure of ingenious reasoning.

From the investigations of the deputation it appears, that so far from being a plant seeking the cool climate, clear sky, and dry soil afforded by the combined operation of elevation, free exposure to light, and the rapid drainage of alpine slopes, that the very opposite of all these, are the circumstances in which, in its native country, it seems to delight. There it was found on mounds but little elevated above inundation, but in a porous absorbent soil, under the shade of trees so dense that the rays of the sun could scarcely penetrate, and what is still more remarkable, was confined to one side of the valley of Assam, so subject to be covered with thick mists and fogs during the cool season, that it was estimated to enjoy less sunshine by 2 hours daily than the other, where the plant was never seen, though in the enjoyment of a clear sky, bright sun-shine, and a temperature greatly reduced by the vicinity of snow-capped hills. The climate of Assam all accounts agree in representing as very humid with a moderate range of temperature, rainy wet weather prevailing through the greater part of the year, and often dark and foggy in the intervals. Thus Mr. Griffith observes Hort. Trans, vol. 5 page 145.

"With regard to humidity Assam may be considered as enjoying the maximum. The rains are of long continuance; they commence in March and last till about the middle of October. During May. June, July, August and September, the fall is steady but not very severe. During March and April the fall is irregular, often accompanied by violent squalls from the S. W. November and January are the only months throughout the year on which tolerable reliance can be placed -for a continuance of fine weather, as rain always falls about the middle of December."

The following seem to be the points meriting most attention in respect to the peculiarities of soil, climate, and exposure favourable to the growth of the tea plant, as observed in its native jungles in Assam, and which of course ought to be, as much as possible, sought after in attempting its cultivation elsewhere. They are extracted from the reports of Messrs. Griffith and McClelland published in -the 4th and 5th volumes of the transactions of the Horticultural Society of India.