Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-18
PROGRESS oFTEA CULTURE IN THE U. STATES.

Our fair readers (says the Journal of Commerce.
will be much exhilarated by the following letter,
showing, apparently, the entire success OF the ex-
perimens made in South Carolina by Dr. JUNIUs
SIXTH, in the cultivation of the Tea Plant. 1t
would appear also that there is prospect OF OBJ
tanning much more delightful tea on this our re-
publican soil, than ever has. been or can be
brought from Imperial China. One thing. though,
is indispensable, if we would enjoy this pleasure,
viz. we must hold fast to the Union otherwise,
none of the choicest teas will be permitted to cross
Mason and Dxon's line.
comMUSIcArEp JOURNAL COMMERCE.
GREEsvILIE, Is. CO. MAr l. 1850.
DEAR Sin: Although the winter has been rather severe
and the spring remarkably cold and wet and proacted
month later than last year, yet happy to say the
Tea plant maintains its original physiology The laws
which govern the plant in China Java, and India govern it
here Not single deficiency in my small garden Every
plant has taken effective root and early in April the leaf buds
great profusion, all starting from the foot Of the
old leaf stalk. About the 2uh April the bud Influenced by
increased temperature followed their Chinese paternity, and
began develop abundance of the most delicate leave
in regular for the first gathering for the manu ture
Of the choicest quality of Were it prudent relax in
the degree the reciprocal action of and branch
and thus delay the vgo growth blossom, and uitng fhe
matued plant, could now gather sufficient quantity Of
leaves to m'ke small supply of rsa,e Blu, compel
myself to fobear the indulgence of curiosity dear my heart
The fact that the foliage puts out at the same time that it
does China affords another practical evidence of the adsp
taon of the American dmae to the growth of the plant,
and demonstrates the physiological fitness of plant ndgen
TO China to the culune of country. The final
result depends upon industry and have
ground for fear apprehension of failure than have in
lransp!antng peach from France America The
leaf is now of light peageen color, and nothing be
imagined more lender and delicate | can understand
why it is that canno obtain the first quality of from
China The first growth of the leaf delicate that it is
quite impossible dvest it of humidity by firing roasting,
TO sustain long yoyage, besides the almost certainty Of
utterly destroying its rich and precious aroma can
undcfsi,pd why il is that Chinese official of wealth and
dignity iYIll psy hundred dollars pound for grown in
has country. The quantity of buds and early leaves
compared with general gathering of leaves fully grown
be small indeed, and the value enhanced in proportion
10 the scarcity. .#.,.
We have Jet learn the effects of different Soils climate
and locality in the various tea growing districts of
country, both upon The growth of the plant and the quality of
the We have suppose that these effects
will lie less diversified here than they China, but gath
eng instruction from the tea cuvators in China Java, and
India mink have occasion to cultivate poor soil in
tropical climate, bordering upon it, and thus produce
an inferir quality of We certainly ought produce
the best and of the inferior qualities groa in China
In many respects possess natural and peculiar advantages
which neither China Java India do possess
Our Market whether European American lies at door
We spared the expensive and injurious process OF firing
roasting the leaf prepare it for foreign markets. We
have abundance Of fine cheap lands with all the diversity Of
soil, climate, and aspect that the plant require. Our
transportation facilitated by rivers canals, and railroads. is
short to shipping ports that the actual cost will not be
quarter much is from the plantations OF China to
Canon the port Of shipment More than all, every farmer,
certainly in the Middle ard Southern States may grow his
in his garden without the slightest nteeretc
wink his ordinary agricultural pursuits With these excfu-
privileges in hands, II do not cultivate
tea then think ought be tributary 10 those who cal
US barbarians. Yours truly,
JUNIUs SMITH.