Litchfield enquirer., 1849-10-18
MlSGIL i AN Y.
Correspondence Of the N. Y. Herald.
Tea Culture at the South.


count Of the tea garden near this place.
You must remember Mr.. Junius Smith.
He was originally from Litch6eld, Con-
necticut; a student of Yale College; a
merchant of New York; but the great
er portion of his life resident of Lon
don. Several years were devoted by
him to the great subject of Atlantic
steam navigation. Having demonstra-
ted that this could be accomplished by
the passage Of the Sirius, he continued
the agent of that line until 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 attention to some other occupa-
ton. His exertions were mainly instru-
mental in getting bill through Congress
empowering the Postmaster General-the
memorable Cave Johnson-to make con-
tracts for carrying the mail; but instead
of giving the contract 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. Mr.. Maddox, cler-
gyman of the English church. who was
afterwards appointed by the East India
Co, chaplin, and removed with his wife
to station in the Himahlay mountains,
where the company have large tea plan
tations. 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
vas struck with the idea; and after CIV
ing the subject the most attentive exam
nation, became convinced that it was
practicable, and in the Goth year of his
age took the matter in hand, with the
greatest earnestness. He found that
the soil, climate and latitude of several
of the States of this Union, by compar-
ison with the great tea districts Of China,
were adapted to its cultivation, for the
tea plant fourishes in its greatest
strength between the goth and 40th de-
grees of latitude, and that contrary to
popular opinion is proof against severe
frosts, snow storms, and all the stern Sc
velieties of winter. After making very
extended examination in different States,
he selected as the best spot he could find
for the experiment, this region. His tea
garden is about three fourths of mile
from this village. In the fall Of ls4s,
about 500 plats were received from Chi
ma, via London, and in December they
were planted in his garden. A cons'd-
cradle quantity Of seed was planted at
the same time.
now proceed to give the result. Ev-
cry one knows what tremendously Sc
we're winter and spring were the last.
The plants were left to take care of
themselves; and yet the larger portion
of them are unharmed, and are now in a
flourishing condition. saw several
specimens of the green and black plant
in bud. The experiment has succeeded
beyond 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 one year, but does not fruit
till the next. Next year, I presume, Mr.
Smith will begin to pick tea, although
his great object for some time to come,
will be to increase the quantity of his
plants. The tea seed was planted at a
wrong season, and did not amount to any
thing. He is daily expecting an increas-
ed number and assortment of plants, and
more seed-the latter, if planted at the
right season, in the spring. will succeed,
l think. Mr.. Smith has garden supe-
rior to anything about here. 1t contains
only an acre of ground. He has erect
ed snug little cottage in one corner Of
it, where he is as happy, contented, and
confident of success, as man can be.
Having satisfied himself by actual exper
iment that his theory was correct, he has
prepared to increase his operations, by
purchasing about three hundred acres Of
suitable land, on the Saluda river, 8 miles
from the village, where his future opera
tons will be on an increased scale. But
his tea garden and plantation do not &C.
cupy the whole attention Of Mr.. Smith.
He is an agriculturalist and horticultu
rist by experience. He has introduced
into this section, and brought to perfec-
ton. the finest Of foreign fruits. no.
ticed large number of fig-trees, almond
trees, dates, and grapes. which he has
procured from Europe, and which will un-
doubtedly flourish here as well as there.
/ have been daily in the habit Of eating
fresh figs as good as any ever met with
| in Europe, and ! see no reason why they
should not be cultivated and prepared
for the Northern market. to an extent
that shall supersede the necessity of their
importation from abroad. The same ,e-
marks will apply to dates and almonds.
It is really refreshing to see an intelligent
old man who has passed his three score
and ten, devotlng the remainder of his
life to successfully accomplish an object
which can never benefit him personally.
/ have no doubt 10 my mind that the in
L - r. Al