(See Acid—Gallic ; Leather).
TEA (Frt., Thd ; GER., Thee).
The term " tea" is widely and vaguely applied to many plants (see pp. 2010-1), but is properly restricted to the numerous varieties derived by cultivation from two species of Thea, the Chinese (T. chinensis [Camellia Theap and the Assamese (T. assamica). As a result of long cultivation and promiscuous planting, there is scarcely n. tea-garden but wbat is mainly filled with hybrids of all degrees between these two species. The Assam plant is vastly superior to the Chinese, and should be selected in all cases for rational culture. The seed of all is the same in appearance, and cannot be distinguished. It ripens about one year after the flower has faded. When picked in the shells, it is sunned for hour daily for 2-3 days, " shelled," and spread to dry within a building. It should be sown as soon as possible after shelling : if kept for 2-3 weeks, it is best in layers under dry earth ; if for longer, thinly spread on the drying-floor. It travels well in bags I filled, or in layers between charcoal in boxes. Its formation reduces the leaf-crop, and should be limited to actual needs. It furnishes a valuable oil (see p. 1411), not to be confounded with the essential oil of the leaves (see p. 1431). About 30,000 seeds are contained in 1 maund (of 80 lb.), of which about may be expected to grow.
CurrivArforr. Sowing.—Seed is sometimes sown in nurseries, where they eau be well tended ; but this is costly, and the plants lose 3 months' growth when put out. Nurseries may be dispensed with where cool weather and spring rains are certain, but not otherwise. Nursery-beds are made in the poorest soil of the plantation, where watering is convenient. Artificial shade is essential. The beds are generally lower than the paths, to accumulate moisture, hut may need to be above in some cases. The soil is loosened only to a slight depth, and the seed is sowu in drills 6 in. apart, and the seeds 2-3 in. apart, if good. In the preparation of the ground, erection of shade, and general operations, there is little variation from the systems adopted with coffee (see pp. 691-8). The shade is removed gradually and piecemeal wheu the seedlings bear 4 leaves.
When nurseries are dispensed with, the seed is sown where the bushes are intended to remain (called sowing " at stake "). About 4 weeks previously, holes are dug 9 in. diam. and 12 in. deep, the soil being placed where it will not fall back ; and these holes are filled up with surface soil (not that dug from them), with perhaps a handful of manure if the land is poor, and well pressed down for the reception of the seed. Two or three seeds are sown in this 6 in. apart, and gently pushed
down about 1 in. The ground is then kept clean by hand-weediug, and lightened up at intervals by a Icoorpee. The best plant is left at each hole, the others being taken up and transplanted to vacancies.
Col. Money advocates another method of planting. The seed is pnt in layers alternating with mould, the seeds lying close together, and the earth covering them 2 in. deep. Each layer is examined every 3-4 days, and seeds which bave bnrst are planted out root-side downwards. Only one seed need then be placed in each bole, as it is sure to grow; but great care is demanded in performing the operation.
Soil and Situation.—Tea grows on almost all soila, and flourishes on many. A light sandy loam is about the best, and the more humus there is on the surface the better ; if 3 ft. deep, it matters little what the subeoil is, otherwise a mixture of sand and clay is deeirable. Cul. Money considers the light loam of Kumaon the beet tea-Boil in the world, being enriched with long accumulations of oak-leaves. Soil cannot be too rich for tea growing, provided it is sufficiently light and friable ; the latter condition la abBolutely essential, to permit the penetration of the spongioles (ends of the feeding-roots). Existing vegetation forms a pretty fair index of the fertility of the soil. Oak bearing land is preferable to all others ; but the removal of beavy forests adds much to the cost of taking in new land. Facilities for obtaining an abundant water-supply are quite indispensable ; and the presence of means of water-caniage for conveying the crop to market materially adds to the advantages of the &date. Flat land ie preferable to atcep elopes ; but the lower parts of elopes which are covered with jungle above are admirably adapted, as the vegetation diminishes the wash, and contributes rich fertilizing matters. Table-land cannot be too flat, but perfectly flat valleye are not eligible. Very narrow valleys are objectionable on all scoree, and preference ehould be given to those which have a elope two ways. An adjacent stream for irrigation purpoaes ia a great desideratum. Flat land always yields more heavily than slopes, as it admits of high cultivation. When planting on slopes, aspect is a primary consideration ; it should he carefully ehoBen with a view of counteracting the extremes of olimate : thus the coldest aspect will be the beat in very hot climates, and vice versa.