The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-05-15

were Hospitality received by his family and lmmedl-
aely surrounded with wondering visitors. Here they
obtained of some of the most intelligent of the peo-
pie the manner of cuvatlng the tea plant. They
were informed that the seed all produced on the
spot, thought came originally from Woose-shu and
rpened IN the tenth mon tn that several were put
into hole, the greater part aborive; that
the sprouts appeared the third month that the seeds
were thrown into hole four inches deep; that the
leaves are plucked from the plant when three years
od and that there four plucklngs IN the year
No manure is used, the plants irrigated Each
shrub yields about the 18th of pound of tea annu-
ally NOW of ground contains 300 or 400 plants.
The tax on the land per NOW IS 300 cash (12O OF
which make dollar) The cultivation and gathering
are performed by families there beng no rate OF la
bsrers wages. The curing of the leaf requires skill,
particular persons employed al the rate OF 81 per
pecul of fresh and s. per pecul of dried tea. The
fire place and utensils temporary The leaves of
the tea are heated and rolled over or times. The
green leaf yields fifth its weight of dry tea. The
best tea brings on the spot S23 per peca l33 IL lbs
The principal portion OF the produce IS consumed IN
the province, or exported in baskets to Formosa The
prevailing winds north west but easterly winds
only are injurious to the tea plants. Ioar frost IS
common in the winter months, and snow falls occa-
slonaly, never over three nches and II soon dlsap
pears. The plant never suffers from the cold, but
thrves from 10 to 20 years. Worms sometimes at
tack the pith of the old plants and destroy them-
The plant is at lis maximum of growth IN years.
The spot, where IT Is grown are scattered over the
country; and hills not particularly approp rated
TO its cultnre. No ground is devoted TO tea planta
tons that is fit for any thing else The plant bios
SONS twice year; once in the 9Th month, ana again
IN winter, but the latter is abortive.
The finances of the strangers becoming low, after
some further interesting observations return was
commenced Though they had plenty of gold, it
was OF no use TO them, as the people knew not It's
value nor could it be easy changed for silver at any
price.
A plantation which was visited, exhibited tea plants
about foot in height and so thick grown that the
hand could not be forced through them. They were
likewise covered with leaves three fourths of inch
in length. In the same bed were plants four feet
high, less branchy, and with leaves two inches in
length. The produce of the great and small plants
was nearly equal. From one hill or group of plants
to another four feet, and these hills about
two feet in diameter The plants cultivated in
beds, as in gardens and each little plantation is
rounded by low stone wall and trench. These
were generally selected between two hills. Some of
them observed 700 feet above the paia but those
lower were more productive. The best soil is but
little better than sand. Each garden had little
sery where the plants hckly growing about
four or five inches high and where the soil is little
more most The tea plant will no doubt be cultiva
ted ere long, in the United States. Already, indeed
has II been commenced.