The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-09-27
The Tea Plant in South Carolina.

c. to the New York Herald, gives an account of
the tea-garden- near that place:
You must remember Mr.. Junius Smith. He was
originally from Lhchield, Conn, student of Yale
College a merchant of New York but the greater
portion of his life resident Of London. Several
years were devoted by him TO the great subject of
Atlantic steam navigation. Having demonstrated
that this could be accomplished by the passage of
the Sirius he continued the agent of that line I'M
nj the loss of the President, when the company
wound up their concerns, with an immense loss to
himself Mr.. Smith was obliged to turn his atien-
ton to some other occupation. His exertiOns we're
mainly instrumental in getting bill through Con-
gress empowering the Postmaster General-the
memorable Cave Johnson-to make contracts for
carrying the mail; but instead of giving the con-
ract for the Atlantic mail to Mr. Smith, the worthy
Cave gave it to Mr. Mills, Of your city.
Mr.. Smith had but one child, who married the
Rev. MIR. Maddox, a clergyman Of the English
church, who was afterwards appointed BY the East
India Company a chaplain, and removed with his
wife to a station in the Himalaya mountains where
the company have large tea plantations. Some
three years ago this daughter wrote letter to her
father, calling his attention to the subject of tea
and recommending its Introduction into the United
States. The old venerable was struck with the
idea; and after giving the subject the most atten-
tive examination, became convinced that il was
practicable, and in the 69th year of his age took
the matter in hand with the greatest earnestness.
He found that the SOIL climate and latitude of seve-
raj of the States Of this Union, by comparison with
the great tea districts of China were adapted to its
cultivation, for the tea plant hourishes in its great
est strength between the 10Th and 40th degrees of
latitude, and that, contrary to popular opinion, is
proof against severe frosts, snow storms, and all
the stern seventies Of winter. After making a
very extended examination in different States, he
selected as the best spot he could find for the eI-
pertinent, this region His tea garden is about
three fourths of a mile from this village. In the
fall of l64S, about 500 plants were received from
China, via London, and in December they were
planted in his garden. A considerable quantity of
tea seed was planted at the same time.
now proceed to give you the result. Every one
knows what a tremendously severe winter and
spring Were the last. The plants were left to take
care of themselves; and yet, the larger portion of
them are unframed, and are now in a hourishing
condition. saw several specimens of the green
and black plant in bud. The experiment has cue
ceeded beyond a doubt Mr.. Smith has only to
follow it up, and increase his stock by new plants,
cuttings and seed, 1t is Of slow growth. Like the
oak, the tea plant buds year, but does not fruit
ill the next Next year, | presume, Mr.. Smith
viii begin to pick tea, although his great object for
time to come, will be to increase the quantity
Of his plants. The tea seed was planted at wrong
| season, and did not amount to anything. He is
| daily expecting an increased number and assert
ment of plants, and more seed the latter if planted
at the right season, lin the spring. will succeed,
| think. Mr.. Smith has garden superior to any
! thing about here. It contains only an acre Of
| ground He has erected a snug little cottage iI
| one corner of it, where he is as happy contented
and confident of success, as man can be. Having
satisfied himself, by actual experiment, that his
theory correct, he has prepared increase his
operations by purchasing about three hundred acres
of suitable land, on the Saluda river, nine miles
from the village, where his future operations will
be on an increased scale. But his tea garden and
plantation do not occupy the whole attention of
Mr.. Smith, He is agricuturist and hoPticul-
turiSt by experience. He has introduced iRto this
section, and brought to perfection, the finest Of
| foreign fruits. noticed large number Of fip
trees, almond trees, dates, and grapes, which he
| has procured from Europe, and which will un,
| dOubtedly flourish here as we'll as there. / hav,
been daily in the habit of eating fresh figs as gooC
| as any ever met with in Europe, and see no rea
| son why they should not be cultivated and pre-
pared for the Northern market, to an extent tina
shall supeTsede- the necessity of their importation
from abroad. The same remarks will apply to date
and almonds. 1t is really refreshing to see an in
teLlgent old man, who has passed his three scor
and ten, devOting the remainder of his life to sue
/ cessfnlly accomplish an object which can nevel
! benefit him personally. | have no doubt in my
mind that the introduction of the tea plant into this
/ country will prove of vast and incaculable benefit
to the Union. It has been attended with great ex
pense, all Of which has been borne by the old gen.
| teman himself With his own resources he has
| published a work on the cultivation of the tea
plant, written by himself, and which his actual ex
| periments have partially demonstrated to be true
| Mr. Smith estimates the annual consumption OF
|
| pounds, in Europe, fifty total, sixty-one millions
He estimates the productions in China to be ovel
nine hundred millions of pounds, Of which the
| Chinese export only about seventy million. He
supposes that an acre of land will produce 54I
pounds consequently the cultivation of 20, 10!
| acres of land in the fourteen tea growing States
will supply the present consumption of the United
States To supply Europe would require 81 All
acres of land. He suppOses that there are fourteen
of our States that would grow tea and that IL so
Of MA
1866 for each of the fourteen States will supply
the consumption of the article both for Europe anC
the United States. 1t may be some years befor,
tea plantations become general, but that thel
will eventually be found in this region do no
doubt. Mr.. Smith deserves great share of credi
for his bold undertaking. More than that-thi
State that he has honored by selecting for his frs
experiment, and to which it will prove of gres
benefit, ought to encourage and sustain the oil
gentleman, and give him the means to extend b
operations 10 an extent that will prove of mmedia
benefit to the State and the country at large.
WI n