I have a multi line text box that im trying to populate with this code

Code:
<tr>
              <!-- Row 4 Column 1 -->
              <td><span class="style14">Work to be completed :</span><br />
			  
              <textarea name="worktobedone" cols="40" rows="6" id="worktobedone" value="<? echo $worktobedone; ?>"></textarea></td>
            </tr>
the $worktobedone variable has the proper value in it cause i echo it just before this section and it had the correct value. I have all my forms text boxes filled in except for two multiline text boxes. what am i doing wrong with this code?