The Length of the Pruning Cycle

Abstract

The length of existing pruning cycles has been in the past roughly adjusted to give the best yield under a given set of conditions. The focusing of attention upon quality rather than yield in the last few years has resulted in more thought being given to the advantages or disadvantages of a longer cycle. Suffice it to say here that both laboratory experiments and estate experience has shown conclusively that better teas are made as the age of the tea from pruning increases, while the improvement continues, at this elevation, even during the fourth year from pruning. Thus the change is a progressive one and is not sudden or irregular. Now it has been found that similar progressive changes occur in the bush and in the character of the crop and it is for that reason that I have chosen to describe them to-day.