O.K.O.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5009, 25 April 1895, Page 3

0.K.0.

About 25 years ago the Island of Ceylon suffered a terrible misfortune by the total failure of its colfte plantations. Nearly all the large Inters were practically ruined by tHailure of the crops, and to make the matter worse, despite frequent trials, it seemed as if the soil had determined not to prove itself suitable for the growth of coffee again, Thus not only were the planters impoverished by the failure of their crops, but they ruined themselves by costly experiments, which they fondly hoped would restore the quality of the soil to its pristine \ Igor. Many leftthe Island in disgust or engaged in other pursuits. One of the most enterprising of the planters who remained suddenly conceived the idea of growing the tea-plant. He imported a number of young shrubs from India, and the experiment proved an almost instantaneous success, So successful, indeed, that others were induced to grow tea also, and in an incredibly short time the deseitcd coffee cultivations were being actively wwkedasteaplantations. From that (Iho the present there has never been a doubt as to the suitability of Ceylon as a tea-growing country. ' The industry has assumed vast proportions and employment has been given to thousands. Ceylon was practically saved by the success which attended the introduction of the tea plant. As showiug the dimensions the trade has assumed we may state that in 1873 the total quantity of tea exported was 231hs, in 1890 it had reached the enormous total of 47,000,0001b5. Tea has, indeed, proved a boon and a blessing to Ceylon and so has the introduction of the famous 0.K.0. hill-grown Ceylon tea into New Zealand, for thousands are now able to appreciate what a cup of really fragrant unblended Bohea means. 0.K.0. is the kind of tea ovv grandparents used to revel in, when to drink the beverage, was a luxury only obtainahjfcby the wealthy. 0.K.0. is as gpl or even better, but its price places it within the reach of the hvmblest.