Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-02

Among the tricks, for which the "heathen
Chinee" is peculiar, is, as we have always un'
derstood, remarkable proficiency in sdultera-
ton. Tea, as the substance of most abundant
and profitable export from China, has been, if
the current statements are TO be believed, sub
jected TO great variety of experiments designed
10 increase its weight or improve its color or ap-
pearance, while diminishing its cost to The pro-
ducer or native merchant and Its value to the
consumer The substances added to produce
these results are various, and they are used with
an indifference to their effect on the consumers
health worthy of London tradesman or New
York liquor merchant. Dirt,and iron filings to
increase the weight and bulk, and PruSsian
blue for color, have been among the commonest
adulterants used, but they can be added only in
comparatively small quantity, and the profit
thence accruing, though highly regarded by the
thrifty Chinaman, does not satisfy his ambition.
He has lately undertaken q more extensive
and, of course, more lucrative process of adul-
teratiou. 1t is reported on apparently good Au-
fhority, that Imore than 100000 pounds of will
low leaves were made up at Shanghai last sea-
son and sold for green tea. These leaves when
prepared cannot be distinguished, il is said by
the eye from green tea, but the taste readily dis
closes the secret. 1t 10 not sold by itself, but
mixed with the genuine article in the proper
ton oftwenty to forty per cent of the whole mix
ture The willow leaves cost about four cents
a pound, and the profit therefore is consider
able. According TO the statement Of a resident
British official, the cultivation and preparation
of the willow leaves for mixture with tea is
openly practiced, and "has become an industry
which claims an important share of the atten-
tion of the villages" The banks Of the small
streams are thickly planted with willow trees,
ofwhich the young leaves are gathered in April
or May, and are treated very much as are the
tea leaves in preparation for market
If we could be sure that willow leaves would
supersede all other substances in the adultera-
tiOn of tea, we could look upon their introduc-
ton with much complacency. They may not
make an celebrating beverage, but 1t would
probably prove on trial preferable, both for
favor and wholesomeness, to our infusion of
dirt, iroD-flings, or Prussian blue. Nobody likes
20 be cheated, however, and we should prefer
taking the different kinds of leaves separately,
90 that we might choose between them after an
intelligent comparison of their merits. II we
preferred willow leaves, we could perhaps be
supplied nearer home and at cheaper rate.
ave are ruined by Chinese cheap labor" Blr.
William Nye remarked, and straightway made
sad work of the heather Chinee who had proved
more adroit sharper than himself We hope
that when the conviction forces itself upon the
shopkeeping British mind that the Chinese are
more expert and enterprising in the truly Brit
ish game of adulteration than the Britons
themselves, the latter nation will not be moved
fs repeat on larger scale the reformatory pro-
cess which Nye practiced with All Sin.