Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-10
TEA IN TENNESSEE.
Experiments with the Tea Plant i'm
= East Tennessee-Interestin Rs
suits.
From the New York Tribune, April 6.


suits.
From the New York Tribune. April 6.
/ We have received from the plantation
Of Capt. James Campbell, near Knoxville,
Tennessee, samples of leaves of the
Young Hyson tea plant. In size and
general appearance these leaves resemble
those of the peach, particularly of the
Early York serrate, though they are
tougher and glossier. The Knoxville
Press and Herald says the plants were
obtained through the Agricultural De-
partment at Washington, in 1853; they
grew well, and have attained size of
from five to eight feet. 1t gives the fol-
lowing description at belongs to the
class and order DlOnGdelphia poly0n-
dria, and the natural order ternstr0mi>
dceR, is composed of various alternate
branches furnished with eliptical, oblong,
or lanceolate leaves, serrated toward the
extremities, and Of smooth, shining
green. 1t is an evergreen the flowers
appear in October, either solitary or
two or three together, at the axis of
the leaves, and from three-fourths of
an inch to one inch in diameter, con-
sisting Of green calyx with five or
six lObss and corolla, from four to
seven white petals, with numerous
stameus, yellow anthers, and pi5tils Of a
three sided style. 1t has been sup
posed, hitherto that there are two
species, but this now seems not the case
and It's declared that the different kinds |
of tea are derived from the same plant
at different stages of growth, and from a
difference in manufacture. For in |
stance, the finest green teas are produced |
from the young, tender leaves, while the
black tea is from old leaves. This is |
not matter speculation, but of actual |
experiment on the plantation above |
named; and those who have fancied that
black tea had superior qualities must
now see their mistake. Indeed, this /
might have been suspected from its in
ferior price.
From the experiments made in Ten
nessee it seems that the eartern part of
that State is well fitted for the growth
of this plant. There can be no doubt
that parts Of other Southern States, as
well as large sections west of Arkansas,
will be found equally favorable. There
is one part Of this subject not at once
obvious, which, upon reflection, must be
seen of nQ secondary importance this is
the obtaining Of superior quality. Rea>
one may conclude that the
greater part of the tea sent US, and which
has been supposed good, is made inferior
by adulteration or other manipulation.
1t has been said, it is true, that the long
sea voyage impairs the flavor of tea, and
that when the Russians bring it overland
its fine qualities are preserved; but if We
grant to the Chinese only common civili-
cation, and leave out of the question their
alleged superiority, we should be doing
them injustice not to suppose them as
to adulterate tea as are we to
adulterate the whisky which we provide
Tor our Indians and politicians. The
question, then, Of growing lea in such
parts of our country as shall be found
suited to it, that we may be supplied
with fine qualities, has an aspect en-
-irely distinct from any Of financial OF
character, great as these I'M
lOubtedly are. In this view alone the
enterprise is worthy of serious conside.H
alton, and every free trader, whom we
nay naturally suppose is lover of good (
.ea will unite with us in the hope that
he experiment may be crowned with
abundant success.