the early part of May,
and now I have upwards of 7,000 fine healthy seedlings in the
plantation.

For the information of those who may desire to try the tea culture
in this soil and climate, I have to state the mode of planting
pursued by me, and other particulars. The ground is a gentle sloping
bank, facing the north and west; the soil is a reddish clay mixed
with vegetable mould. After taking up a crop of potatoes, and
carefully preparing the ground, I put in the seeds in rows six feet
apart and six feet distance in the rows. The seeds were placed about
three inches under the surface, five in number, at each place about
four inches apart--thus : . : On an average, two out of five have
come up. The seedlings commenced appearing above ground early in
May, and continued to show until the end of July. The earliest were,
therefore, six months in the ground; the latest about eight months.

The seed was of China stock, grown in Assam, and of the Assam plant
mixed. I am anxious to have the China stock only, and purpose
separating the plants of the Assam stock as soon as I can
distinguish them, which Captain Brodie informs me can be readily
done as they grow up; the China plants begin of a darker color, and
smaller than the Assam ones.

I hope to have a supply of the seed of China stock from Kumaon next
November, and with it to cause the extension of the experiment at
this place.

I think that it is reasonable to expect quite as good tea to be
produced here as in Kumaon.[14] I have not tasted the Kumaon tea,
but, from the opinion expressed on it in England, I am satisfied
that it is a very drinkable beverage, and that with similar success
here, the tea will be a valuable addition to our products. I have
recently tried two kinds of the Assam tea presented by Mr. Stokes to
a friend. They are excellent teas, and I shall be well content to
have an equally good article manufactured here.

Mr. A. Macfarlane's report on the tea plants in Mr. Smith's ground is
annexed:--

"According to your request I have the pleasure of transmitting you
my opinion of the tea plants in your garden in this place. The two
larger plants have made very good progress, considering their
closeness to each other, which prevents them from throwing their
branches freely in every direction, but as they have attai