The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-27
GOLDEN GRovE TEA PLANTATION.

agriculturists as well as TO tea-drinkers:
GOLDEN GRovE TEA PLANTATION,
GREESvILLE, Is. CD January %, 1880.
MY DEAR FRiESD The small quantity Of tea
nuts planted in December l54S, failed 10 germi-
nate, though fine, healthy nuts. Considering that
they have no covering or protection whatever after
planting, in consequence Of my absence in New
York, and a severe frosty winter TO encounter il
could not be expected that they would vegetate.
Whether the same season of the year adapted 10
the planting Of the teanut in China, Java and In
dia, will be equally favorable in this country will
soon be proved by the result of planted in
October. The fact that the tea plant buds and
blossoms at the same time Of tire year in this cli-
mate IL does i'm ASIA is in favor Of identity Of
time in planting. At the same time think early
in the spring will be more certain The tea-nut
generally denominated tca-seed is Of the size and
color Of hszle nut, and equal in weight 10 eight
cotton seeds. The bulk Of full sized tea nut is
two and quarter inches in circumference mid
ding sized nut one and quarter inch average.
perhaps about and half inch. Like all nuts
i contains oily kernel, which il covered with
shell thicker than that Of coion-secd but rather
thinner than that Of a hnze-nut. The public mind
is msled by calling u tea seed. II should be calNd
tea nut, denotng moro definitely its true charAc-
ter Many persons have written 10 me from dis.
tance, requesting Inc TO forward email quantity
of tea seed in letter. evidently mislcd by calling Il
tea-sced, and unacquaintcd with the size 10 which
letter would be swelled by such enclosure, be-
sides the insecurity Of such mode Of conveyance
The nut. therefore, should be packed and trsns-
planted in boxes proportioned TO the quantity and
bulk Of the nuts.
To avoid misconception, and convey a more dis
tnct idea il may Be wcllto call il by its name
tea nut.
There was not a man IN Asia, n mao in
America, who bad any correct idea Of the proper
manner Of packing ea-nuts for transportation upon
long voyage Of twenty thousand miles. ] did not
know myself; and could not give practical instruc
TONS respecting trade that never existed ItWas
TO be expected that people residing in tho int.
ror of Asia, unaccustomed 20 picking nuts and
plants for foreign countries and with no other guide
but mere guess work should make a successful
shipment. The consequence Of this want of cxpe
rence an almost total failure Of my last iro-
portatiOn Ninety per cent. of the whole shipn,ent
Of nuts entirely destroyed in their gcrn .nst.
ing properties, by tho mode Of packing and great
length Of the voyage.
The expense is heavy but il gives me no con
cern, whatever. seeing am in the only way Of
learning my lesson, and taught the absolute
fallscy Of trusting TO gucss-work. II was a great.
but an expensive point gained, to know. with abso
lute certainty, what modes Of packing ciH not an.
stc0. Plants and nuts, now on their passage home,
were packed according TO my instructions. and IL
they fail so taT as the manner Of packing is con
cerned the error, we'll as the loss, will bcuy
Yours truly, JUNlUS SMITH.