Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1855-12-26


TEA.-Mr Ingham Travers estimates the total
produce of the dried leaf in China alone at a
million of TONS or 2,240 millions ofpounds! To
this is to be added the tea of Japan, Corea, AS
sam, and Java The produce of this latter is
land already goes far to supply the market of
Holland; and the Introduction Of the tea-plant
into the hill country of India promises to add
largely to its future growth. 1t is estimated
that three and a half millions of acres are devo-
ted to this branch of rural industry in China
The mode of using it in China is to put the
tea into cup, and pour hot water uponi it, and
then to drink the infusion of the leaves, and
without admixture.
ApuLTEaATIoN OF TEA.-Onc day an English
gentleman in Shanghae, being in conversation
with some Chinese from the green tea country
asked them what reasons they had for dyeing the
tea, and whether it would not be better without
undergoing this process. They acknowledged
that tea was much better when prepared without
having any such ingredient mixed with it. and
that they never drank dyed teas themselves;
but remarked, that as foreigners seemed to pre-
fer having mixture of Prussian blue and gyp-
sum with their tea to make it look uniform and
pretty, and as these ingredients were cheap
enough, the Chinese had no objection to supply
them, especially as such teas always fetched a
higher price!
coffee was estimated, few years ago, at IS thou
sand tons, or 1853 millions of pounds, valued at
~ millions sterling 1t probably approaches
now to 200 millions of pounds
The coffee-tree, when in good health and full
grown attains height in some countries not ex-
ceeding or 10, but in others averaging from Is
to 20 feet, and is covered with dark, smooth,
and shining foliage. 1t is sown in nurseries
transplanted when about six months old-in
three years comes into full bearing and in favor
able circumstances will continue to bear twenty
years. 1t delights in a dry soil and warm situa-
ton. On dry and elevated spots the berries are
smaller, and have a better favor, but berries Of
all sizes improve in favor, or s.iDen by keeping.
The small berries of Arabia vii! ripen in three
years; but the worst coffee produced in America
WILL in from ten to fourteen years, become as
good, and acquire as high flavor as the best
We have from Turkey.
FATAL AccIpENrs.-About the 9th of Norem-
Der last, Mr. A. Evans, of Linn county, Iowa
visited Muscatine on business. During the nigh
he got apand opened a door as he supposed
leading down stairs, but unfortunately it PROVED
to be an outside one, and he was precipitated /.
or Is feet to the pavement below. He received
| injuries which resulted in death. One leg ane
| both arms were broken. and the body was yer,
| much bruised. His remains were inferred in tn,
| independence hurying ground and were followet
to their final resting place BIS friends who knew
him when he resided amongst them.
About the 10th of November, Mr.. Smith wa
returning from Dubuque with a load of lumber
when, on descending hill, the wheels of til,
wagon passed into chuck holes and he wa
thrown of, falling between the horses The,
| ran away Immediately, and the wheels passe'
over him. Ii about two hours his suffering
! were relieved by death. He recently emigrate.
from Lowell Mass, to this county, and was haul
ing lumber TO build dwelling on his farm. hi
body was brought TO this place, and in a s,rang
land was consigned TO the silent tomb by stran
gers hands. The widow and son have the syn
patty of the entire community in this dispense
ton Of Divine Providence Independence Civ
Ian