The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-11
Our southern Correspondence.


GREENvHLE, S. c., Aug. q, 1919.
Ira Culture at the South Tie Tea Garden of Mr.
| Jn"'us SmHh-7he Production of Figs, A.
moNds, Dates, &C., &c.
In my last, promised to give an account of the
tea garden near this rlace. You must remember
Mr. Junius Smith. He was originally from Ltch-
field, Conn; a student Of Yale College; a mer.
chant Of New York but the greater portion of his
life resident Of London. Several years were de-
voted by HIM to the great subject of Atlantic steam
navigation. Having demonstrated that this could
be accomplished by the passage Of the Sirius, ne
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 occupation His exertIons manly In
strunental In getting bill through Congress EN-
towering the Postmaster General-the memorable
mail but instead OF giving the contract for the
Atlantic mail to Mr.. Smith, the worthy Cave gave
it 10 Mr. Mills, Of your city:
Mr. Smith had but one chlld, who married the
Rev. Mr. Maddox, clergyman of the English
church, who was afterwards appointed by the East
India Co, a chaplain and removed with his wife to
station IN the Himalaya mountains, where the
company have large tea plantations. Some three
years ago, this daughter wrote letter to her ia
her 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 It was
practicable, and in the Goth year of his age took
the matter in hand, with The greatest earnesness.
He found that the soil, climate and latitude of Sc
veral Of the States of this Union, by comparison
with the great tea districts OF China. were adapted
TO its cultivation tor the tea plant hourses its
greatest strength between the 10th and 10th degree
OF latitude and that contrary TO popular opinion, is
proof against severe irosts, snow storms, and all
the stern seventies OF winter. Alter making
very extended examination in different States, he
selected, as the best spot he could find for the ex
pertinent, this region. His tea garden Is about
three tourths OF IA mile from this village. In the
fall of lsiS about 900 plants were received from
China, via London, and IN December they were
planted in his garden. A con siderable quantity Of
tea seed was planted at the same time.
/ now proceed 10 give you the result. Every
one knows what a tremendously severe winter aud
care Of themselves; and yet, the larger portion of
them are unframed, and are now IN hourlshlng
condition. ! saw several specimens OF the green
and black plant In bud. The experiment has sue
ceeded beyond doubt Mr.. Smith has only TO
follow it up, and Increase his stock by new plants,
cuttings and seed Ii is of slow growth. Like the
oak, the tea plant buds year, but does not fruit
I'LL the next. Next year, / presume, MIR. 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 wrong
season, and did not amount TO any thing He IS
daily expecting an increased number and assort-
ment Of plants, and more seed-the latter If plant
ed at the right season, Gn the spring. will succeed,
think. Mr.. Smith has garden superior to any
thing about here. 1t contains only an acre of
ground. lie has erected a snug little cottage in
one corner of IT, where he is as happy, conented,
and confident of success, as man can be. Having
satisfied himself by actual experiment that hts
theory was correct, he has prepared TO increase
his operations, by purchasing about three hundred
acres OF suitable land, on the Saluda river, miles
from the village where his future ope raons will be
on an increased scale. But his tea garden and
Of Mr. Smith. He is an agrc ulturist and hortlcu-
turst by experience. lie has introduced into this
section, and brought TO perfection, the finest of
foreign iruits. noticed a large number OF fg-
trees, almond trees, dates, and grapes, which he
has procured from Europe, and which will an
doubleday flourish here as well there. have
been daily IN the habit Of eating fresh figs good
any ever met with IN Europe, and l see no
reason why they should not be cultivated and pre-
pared for the Northern market, 10 an extent that
shall supersede the ecessity of their importation
from abroad: The same remarks will apply TO
dates ard almonds. Ii is really refreshing to see
an intelligent old man who has passed his three
score and ten, devong the remainder OF hrs life TO
successfully accomplish an object which can never
benefit him personally have no doubt In my
mind, that the introduction OF the tea plant into
this country will prove OF vast and lncaculabe be-
neiit to the Union. IL has been attended with
great expencc, all Of which has been borne by the
old gentleman himself. With has own resources
he has published work on the cultivation of the
tea plant, written by himself, and which hls actual
experiments have partially demonstrated to be true.
MIR Smith estimates the annual consumption OF
tea In the United States TO be III million OF pounds,
in Europe, 50-totaI, 81 millions.
lie estimates the productions in China TO be over
nine hundred million Of pounds, Of which the
Chinese export only about seventy million. lie
supposes that an acre of land will produce 5T
pounds; consequently the cultivation OF 2O,lO9
acres Of land In the fourteen tea growing Stafs,
Will supply the present consumption OF the cnlted
States. To supply Europe would require 9i,4ll
If lam L. hat her fOurf
Of our States that will grow tea and that Ill $50
acres Of land cultivated AZ tea plantations, ave.
rigging 1866 for each Of the fourteen States, will
supply the consumption OF the article both Tor
Europe and the United States. Ii may be some
years before. tea plantations become general, but
that they will eventually be found In this region
do not doubt Mr.. Smith deserves great share
Of credit for his bold undertaking. More than
thst-fhIs State that he has honored by selecting
for his first experiment, and 10 which will prove
Of great benefit, ought 10 encourage and sustain
the old gentleman, and give hun the means to ex-
tend bis operations TO extent that viii prove OF
immediate benefit to the State and the country at
large.
Passing down Main street TO the river, was
attracted by a large sign Of " New \ ork store" l
entered ~, and made purchase OF cigars. found
that IL was owned by HASTE " Nicol, OF your city.
Mr.. Nicol !. an agent, and receives subscriptions
for the Herald, which has many subscribers here.
They do a very extensive business, and have the
largest assortment OF goods Of any other In the
place. MIR. IIastie resides in New York, whore
he is constantly engaged in making purchases for
his Southern stores, of which he has several. Dir.
Nicol has resided here seventeen years, and
have found him very useful acquaintance
NoRrHERNER.
Tus Piosips Ispf.rs AVID MovsS,yr. or Tsoor.-
from Popchsntrais date Of the 3st ult, which
Gays The tteamer Olivia, Capt Grice, arrived here
. ", a x.or Gem Tnsss and s
with twenty recruits from Psscssoula and Col Gard