The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-28
Tea CuIture la South Carolina.
GoLpES 0Rovx TEA PLANTATION,
GsnrsvItIx 6 O. Nov 7

GoLpES GRovE TEA PLANTATION,
GREEsvILLx, s. c., Nov. 7.
TO the Editor Of the Journal Of Commerce. ~ "
DEAR Sin: The following meteorological notices
Of the temperature OF this part Of the country, to-
gether with u lew remarks which the subject sug-
gests, may interest some Of your readers. For my
| own amusement and information, have kept for
the last two years tabular account Of the temper
ature and state OF the weather in this part OF the
country, as one means Of establishing facts inter
| esung 10 the cultlvators of the tea plant. Many
people imagine that the cold is too in the
United States for the successful growth Of the tea
plant But my own experience shows that the heat
Of summer is far to be feared than the cold Of
| winter, and requires more wachful care. If the
intense heat OF the sun in arid climate strikes
he tender leaves OF young tea plant, it perishes
instantly; and do not remember a single instance
OF the plant itself surviving. An old plant too
| hardy to be affected in that way. ! have, in con-
sequence, shaded every young plant put out the
FIRST week in June, and 80 long as continued did
not lose single plant by the heat of the sun. The
latter part OF September as the heat of summer
moderated, and the MI hts particularly cool
and refreshing as indeed they always are in this
climate, removed the shadings. Two plants
struck by the rays of the sun, and both utterly pc
rlshed, never TO revive.
Notwithstanding New York is about eight de-
grees north OF this place, yet the extreme of sum
iner heat is about eight degrees greater than it is
mere. We know nothing OF close sutry summer
neat. IL Is never oppressive, as it often ID in New
York, and sometimes in London and Paris. 1t is
remarkable that there are twenty times the num-
of insects, mosquitoes, 1eas, and the like in New
York, that there are here. One seldom
quito--never is annoyed by them have
mosquitoes at Dorchester Point, Boston, in
hour than should here in century. l attri
butte this to the salubrty of the air. iii too pure for
mosquito to live. / have no recollection OF having
seen single mosquito at my house during the past
summer-one of unusual heat and moisture. Ira
vellers come here from the low countries to escape
the malaria of rice swamps in the summer, with
their horses covered with coat of mail to shield
fFnt - ,Nf
have no need for such protection here. The few
flies arc in such well fed, healthy condition as to
preclude the necessity of their greediy feeding upon
humanity. Feas inhabit dogs and negroes. The
former are more abundant than in any country
am acquainted with.
decided fog have never seen here. A thin,
gossamer- like mist sometimes rises with the morn
Ing sun over rivers and valleys, but soon disap-
pears in the briancy OF day.
From the iacts adduced you will perceive that
the public opinion, which gather from numerous
letters addressed to me on the subject, is grounded
In error. You will observe that the Goth, 9th,
and 2Sth OF October the thermometer very low
Tor the season OF the year. and hoar frost
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 time, and of
them still very small, do not appear have sustained
the slightest injury, but just fresh and green
without any covering or protection they were in
September This think satisfactory evidence that
cold atmosphere is quite congenial to the tea
plant as a hot one. Both the heat of summer and
the cold OF winter are equally necessary to the
well being of the plant.
All my old plants, put out two years ago next |
month, will be trusted to the climate Of the ensuing
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 cuitiva-
ton and growth of the tea plant will not be limited |
to the southern, even the middle States but will |
hnally take possession where possession 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. l ar
rived In New York from London in October, 1892,
after most tedious passage of fifty seven days.
Such passage led my mind to consider the prac-
tcablity OF crossing the Atlantic by steam power,
and thus escape the tediousness of protracted
voyage by sails. Before ! arrived in New York
my mind was as perfectly satisfied it is now,
that there was no insurmounable obstacle in the
way OF accomplishing that object
Fortified by what considered incontrovertible
suggested the thing TO several dis
tinguished merchants Of New York They lis.
tened to my arguments with profound incredulity.
upon second interview my arguments were an
swered IN the most Characteristic way. l urged
then 10 JON me IN forming company to unite
with the merchants OF London in carrying the pro-
Ject into execution. The final answer was, ''Do
you go back to London, and if you succeed and
the plan answers. we will come in and Join you"
People are ready enough to throw the toll and risk
and expense OF a new enterprise upon Others and |
then come in and reap the harvest This principle |
OF action is not contne 10 steam ma vieation
Ii covers human action. Let the world now look
at the extension of ocean steam navigation, which
occupied me, at hard and disparaging labor, five
years 10 introduce and establish
Tea-culture has passed on with far less time and
and may honestly say the senti-
ments OF the public in its favor. He no guides
the affairs OF society and sways the destnies of
VIII point out the means by which his eternal OBJ.
Jects are 10 be accomplished. Nothing designed
can fail. VI the cultivation of the tea plant should
be vastly extended In New England, whilst com.
paratively IL stands still in the South shall not be
surprised. One cannot help observing the wonder
lul difference in the national energy by which the
same objects are pursued. Not but that the eli
mate, &c OF the South arc eminently suited to the
growth OF the tea plant, but the people are not No
matter what adventitious advantages may appcr-
tam to the country, ifcultivators wanting, they
la TO the ground and remain for others TO engross
Your obedient servant, JUNIUS SMITH.