Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-20
Tea and Coffee fp India.
british Quarterly Review.l

lDiAN'nh AetNitWsl
OF late years much attention has been
given to the growth of tea and coffee
in India. The soil and climate in many
parts have been found very favorable
to their production. During years of
residence in the hill-province of Kuma-
on we had tea plantations all around US.
The Government led the way in this en-
terprise. Cinnamon, trained in their
own country to grow and manufacture
tea, were brought to the province,
and under their management tea of ex-
cellent quality was produced. The
Government gradually retired and left
the field open to private enterprise.
Many plantations are now in the pro-
vince, few belonging to individuals,
but the greater number to companies,
originated and sustained mainly by
European capital. The management OF
some of the largest plantations has
been intrusted to experienced Scotch
gardeners, who have soon made them
selves acquainted with the process
Of tea-growing and tea-making,
and have dispensed with the SER
vices Of the Cinnamon, most of
whom have returned to their
own country. The entire work is now
done by natives Of the province under
European direction. Most Of the gar
dens are laid out on tracts of mountain
and forest which had been the property
Of the Government, and the land has
consequently been acquired with an ease
which would not have been practicable
had it belonged TO natives, who in such
matters are manGuvring to a degree
which few Europeans can follow and
haggling to an extent the most patient
can scarcely bear. Difficulties have
sometimes risen regarding the
right of pasture over these tracts,
but they have not been formidable, and
they have been soon settled by the Gov
eminent. There is no forced labor in
these plantations. From many miles
around the people have focked for en-
ployment, and by the wages paid to
them their position has been immensely
improved. OF the many thousands Of
pounds laid out on these plantations a
large portion has gone to the workmen
in the shape Of wages. We have often
seen the people in the fields and in the
factory, and we do not remember to
have seen them once subjected to the
whip or the stick, They are well looked
after to prevent them from Sinking
work and from stealing tea, but we
have observed no instance of cruel
treatment. In fact, they know we'll
that if cruelty or unjustly treated they
have only to 60 to the authorities to OBJ
tain patient hearing. The sick are
supplied with medicine. We have oc-
casionally approached tea plantation
on Saturday afternoon, and we have
seen them trooping away merrily to
their homes-which we were told
were miles distant-with their weeks
wages to spend the Sunday with
their families and return on Sunday |
night to the plantation to resume work |
on Monday morning. Among tea
planters there is no doubt the
diversity which is found in every class,
but if we can judge from what we have
seen-and we have seen mush-of their
relation to their workmen. We can say
the relation is as pleasant as can well
be found between employers and en-
ployed. Where, as in Assam, labor is
not procurable on the spot, and has to
be imported from q distance, the rela-
lion is more difficult. as there is q dan
ger of persons, brought from distance
md paid in advance, falling to fulfil
heir engagements. and, on the other
band. Of managers abusing their power
'ver = people far from their homes.