The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-26
Tea Culture In south Carolina.
GsLDKN GRovE TKA PLANTATION, I
GRKENvuIR. IS. O..1 Nov z.

Granville, Is. o. Nov.7
10 THs EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL OF ooMnERcE.
Lear Sir-The fellowin meteorological notices
the temperature of this part of the country, to-
gether with a few remarks which the subject
suggests, may interest some OF your readers. For
my own amusement and information, have yep,
Tor the last two years, tabular account OF the
temperature and state of the weather in this part
OF the country, as one means of establishing iacs
interesting to the cultivators OF the tea plant.
Many people imagine that the cold rs 100 severe
in the United States for the successful growth OF
the tea plant. But my own experience shows that
the heat of summer is far more to be feared than
the cold Of winter, and requires more watchIni
climate strikes the tender leaves of young tea
plant, il perishes instantly; and do not remember
a single instance Of the plant itself surviving. An
old plant is too hardy to be affected in that way.
1 have, in consequence, shaded every young plant
put out the first week in June, and so long as con-
tinued did not lose single plant by the heat of
the sun. The latter part of September, the heat
of summer moderated, and the nights particularly
were cool and refreshing, as indeed they always
are in this climate, removed the shadings. Two
plants were struck by the rays of the sum- and both
utterly persisted, never TO revive.
Notwithstanding New York is about s deg. north
OF this place, yet the extreme of summer heat is
about deg. greater than 1t is here. We know
nothing OF close, sultry, summer heat. 1t is never
oppressive, as ii often is in New York, and some
times in London and Paris. 1t is remarkable that
there are twenty times the number of insects,
mosquitoes, feas, and the like, in New York, that
there are here. One seldom sees musquito-never
is annoyed by them have seen more mosquitoes
at dorchester Point, near Boston, in hour, than
should see here in century. | attribute this TO
the salubrity ofthe air tits too pure for mosquito
TO live. 1 have no recollection of having seen a
single mosquito ct my house during the past sum-
mer,-one of unusual heat and moisture. Travel
lers come here fro the low countries escape the
malaria OF rice swamps in the summer, with their
horses covered with a coat of mail to shield them
from the cravings aud stings of insects. They
have no need for such protection here. The few
flies are in such well-fed, healthy condition, as TO
preclude the necessity of their greedily feeding
upon humanity. Fleas inhabit dogs and ne groes.
The former are more abundant than in any country
am acquainted with.
A decided fog have never seen here. thin,
gossamer-like mist, sometimes rises with the NOR
In the brilliancy of day.
From the facts adduced, you will perceive that
the public opinion which gather from numerous
letters addressed TO me the subJecI, is grounded
in error. You will observe that on the 10Th, 9th,
18th of October the thermometer was very low for
the season of the year, and boar frost severe at
night and in the morning. But my young tea plants
from nuts planted 9th of June last and those from
China set out about the same time, and most of
them, still very small, do not appear to have
tanned the slightest injury, but are just as fresh
they were in September. This think satisfactory
evidence that cold atmosphere is quite as congo
NAL to the tea plant as hot one. Both the he at
of summer and the cold of winter are equally ne
All my old plants, put out two years ago next
month, will be trusted to the climate of the ensu-
ing winter, whatever may be the degree of cold.
In this way, by continued exhibition of facts, it
is possible that even you may learn that the culti
walton and growth OF the tea plant will not be
limited TO the southern even the middle States,
but will finally take possession where possession
was least expected
The gradual advance of tea cultivation keeps me
in mind of the reluctance with which the idea of
ocean steam navigation was originally held.
arrived In New York from London in Oct =. 1882,
after most tedious passage of 81 days. Such a
passage led my mind TO consider the practicabity
of crossing the Atlantic by steam power, and thus
escape the tediousness of a protracted voyage by
sails Before arrived in New York my mind was
as perfectly satisfied it is now that there was no
insurmountabe obstacle in the way of accomplish
ing that object.
Fortified by what considered incontrovertible
arguments, suggested the thing 10 several distin-
guished merchants of New York. They listened to
my arguments with profoundsncredulity. Upon a
second interview my arguments were answered 10
the most characteristic way. | urged them TO JOIN
me in forming company TO unite with the mer-
chants of London in carrying the project into exc
cuton. The final answer was, " Do you 20 back
TO London. and If you succeed, and the plan an.
swers, we viii como in and join you" People are
ready enough 10 throw the toll, aud risk, and ex-
pense of a new enterprise upon others, and then
come in and reap the harvest. This principle of
action is not confined 10 ocean steam navigation.
IL covers human action. Let the world nov look
occupied me, at hard and disparsging labor, five
years TO introduce and establish.
Tea-c culture has passed on with far less time ana
encouragement, and, may honestly say, the sea-
timents of the public are in its favor. He who
guides the affairs OF society, aud sways the dss-
tinies OF men, will point out the means by which
his eternal objects are TO be accomplished Nothing
designed can fail. II the cultivation OF the tea
plant should be vastly extended IN New England,
whilst, comparatively, il stands still in the South
shall rot be surprised One cannot help obsery-
ing the wonderful difference in the national energy,
by which the same objects are pursued. Not but
that the climate, Ne, Of the South are eminently
suited TO the growth Of the tea plant, but the people
are not. No matter what adventurous advantages
may appertam TO the country, Il cultivators are
wanting, they fall 70 the ground, and remain for
others TO engross. Your obedent servant,
JUNUs Smith.
METEOROLOGICAL MEMORANDA.
Jdnuarv-1SE0.
O'Clock A. M 3o'clock P. NJ
Mean temperature. ,l3dsg Mean tsmpersture .52Isg
Coolest day, 18TH .3odeg Warmest day 18th. .0sisg
o'clock A. NJ so'cIockP.
Mean temperature. .3sleg. MeantempsrAture. .t3iss
Coldest day, 9TH. .lSdsg. Wsrmest day, 10th bSleg
O'Clock AN 8o'clOOkP NJ
Coolest asy, 18th. .SOdss wsras.t day 18th S5dss
6O'cisck, An. sO'clOck Pm
Coolest daJ',istais.i'd's; waI@o't 9Th. .7Olos
Mean o:lo:. A. isdss Mean S SS1'. E. ~ o1a.s
Collect, iath,. -. iSdss. waTasst, I7th. . isdos
tes, Which subjoin far as made out. Being part
Of the time absent, the table is not com plete:-
y.n. ' bsr M az b N; Jun. GA De n 'r D ~
2...... 60 60 3...... 81 -
-. e e -: )!