The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-06-13
Progress of Tea Culture in the U. s
Our fair readers will feel much exhil-

| Our fair readers will feel much exhil-
arated by the following letter, showing
apparently, the entire success ofthe ex-
periments made in South Carolina, by
! DR.. Junius Smith, formerly Of this city in
the cultivation Of the tea plant. 1t would
appear, also, that there is prospect Of
obtaining much more delightful tea on
this our republican soil, then ever has
been, or can be, brought from Imperial
China. One thing. though, is indispen-
sable, if we could enjoy this pleasure,
viz: we must hold fast to the Union;
otherwise none of the choicest teas will
be permitted to cross Mason and Dix
on's line. New York Journal Of Com
merce.
GRrENvILLE, S. c., May l.
Dear Sir: Although the winter has
been rather severe and the spring re-
markably cold and wet, AID protracted
month later than it was last year, yet
| am happy to say the tea plant main
tains its original physiology. The same
laws which govern the plant iu 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 came out
in great profusion. all starting from the
foot of the old leafstock. About the Doth
April, the buds, by increased temper
ature, followed their Chinese paternity,
and began to develope an abundance of
the most delicate leaves in regular sea-
son for the first gathering for the manu-
facture Of the choicest quality of tea
Were it prudent TO relax in the slightest
degree the reciprocal action Of froot and
branch, and thus delay the vigor, growth,
blossom and fruiting ofthe matuted plant,
could now gather a sufficient quantity
of leaves to make small supply of first
rate tea. But compel myself to for
bear the indulgence of curiosity dear
to my heart.
| The fact that the foliage puts out at
the same time that it does in China, af-
fords another practical evidence of the
adaptation of the Americen climate to
the growth ofthe plant, aud demonstrates
the physiological fitness of plant indi-
! renious to China, to the culture of our
own cauntry. The final result depends
upon our own industry, and we have no
more ground for fear or apprehension
of failure, than we have in transpiantlng
peach tree from France to Amer;ca.
The leafis now of light pea-green coll
or, and nothing can be imagined more
tender and delicate. | can now UNDER
stand why it is that we cannot obtain the
first quality of tea from China. The
growth of the leaf is so delicate that is
is quite impossible to divest it Of humid
ity by firing or roasting to sustain so
long a voyage, besides the almost GER
tainty Of utterly destroying its rich and
precious aroma. / can now understand
why it is that Chinese official ofwealth
and dignity will pay hundred dollars
pound for tea grown in his own country.
The quantity of buds and early leaves,
compared with general gathering Of
leaves fully grown, must be small in
deed, and the value enhanced In proper
ton 10 its scarcity.
| We have yet to learn the effects of
different soils, climate and locality, in
the various tea growing districts of our
own country, both upon the growth Of
the plant and quality of the tea. We
have no reason to suppose that these eff
fects will be less diversified here than
they are in China but gathering instruc-
ton from the cultivators in China, ia
va and India, think we have no occa-
sion to cultivate a poor soil in a tropical
climate, or one bordering upon it, and
thus produce an inferior quality Of tea.
We certainly ought to produce the best,
and none of the inferior qualities grown
in China. In many respect we possess
natural and peculiar advantages, which
neither China nor Java nor India do or
can possess. Our market, whether Eu-
| ropean or American, lies at our door
We are spared the expensive and inluri-
Gus process of firing or roasting the tea
leaf to prepare it for foreign markets.
/ We have abundance of fine cheap lands
with all the diversity of soil, climate and
aspect that the plant can require. Our
transportation, facilitated by rivers, ca
nails and railroads, is so short TO shipping
ports, that the actual cost will not be
| one quarter so much as it is from the
tea plantations of China to Canton, the
port of shipment. More than all, every
farmer, certainly in the Southern and
Middle States, may grow his OWE tea in
his own garden, without the slightest in
reference with his ordinary agracultur-
al pursuits. With these exclusive priv
ileges in our hands, if we do nos culti-
vate our own tea, then think W E ought
to be tributary to those who call JUS bar
barians. Yours, truly,
Ff..g rH. JUNIUS SMITH.