The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1881-04-08
CULTURE OF THE TEA PLANT.
To tic Vices and daughters Of the Farmers
of Chester COunfu

| SohAoh6 Oc IhE lea PLANT.
To tic Vices and daughters of The Farmers
Of Chester County.
give below in brief compass according to
promise the best information can gather as
to the culture of the tea plant. Ihad hopcd
to secure from the Agricultural Department
as mnIy plants as you would call for, and
indeed have written several letters for that
purpose. am still under the impression
that will be able to get them but anu not
positively assured of it. Ii they can be had
L will give notice or send to those who have
or may speak for them. In mean time pre-
serve this paper for future reference wheth.
er you raise your own plants from the seeds
or get them from the Agricultural Depart.
| ment
Read what the President of the United
States said in late speech at Washing
ton:
\ There is one point on which I have
reached conclusion, and that is, that this
nation must open up new avenues of work
and usefulness to the women of the country,
so that everywhere they may have something
to DO. This is, just now, infinitely more
valuable to them than the platf ,rm or the
ballot box. Whatev ,r conclusion shall be
reached on that subject by.and BY, at pres.
cnt the most valuable gift which can be-
bestowed on women is something to do which
they can do we'll and worthily, aud thereby
maintain themselves"
GILES j. PATTERSON.
THE CULTURE OF THE TEA PLANT.
| The best soil for the tea plant is q deep
rich loan, such as is best adapted TO gar
dens. If properly drained it canuot we'll b.
100 rich. 1t should contain considerable
amount of vegetable matter mixed with clay
and sand, so that the tap root may easily
penetrate to proper depth an enable the
plant to obtain its full vigor. The plant
enjoys southern cxT osure and thrivcs best
in tho vicinity Of small streams of water.
a soil suitable to tho growth of currnr ts
or blackbcrries is said to be suitable to the
tea plant.
The land should be thoroughly 7lowcd
and then narrowed till the earth is well pul.
verified. Transplanting can then be d ne
with the grcctest facility and some reliable
assurance that the plants will thrive.
The seeds are usually planted in the
month of December. BY A pril or May the
young plants are about 10 or IL inches high
and can be transplanted. Transpanting
should be attempted only on a cloudy, dull
or wet day and just at the beginning of
rainy season ifpossiblc) unless there is
every facility for irrigation.
The plants should be placed in rows from,
to feet apart, and from 1 to feet apart
in the row. A hole from foot to u foot
Ind a half in depth and equniIy widt
should be opened for each plant and filed
vi h half rotted leaves, cowpen manure
and surface soil. The tap root should be
put down straight to its full length and i'm
bcdded in the ground up to its first leaves
and then some water given to press the earth
close to the roots.
The plants invariably die the first year il
exposed to the hot sun. They should there.
fore be carefully shaded the first year by pine
branches or otherwise. A crutch 2 feet out
Of the ground, driven on each side of the
plant, strong stick placed across the crutch-
es, aud pine branches hung upon this, fur
uish cheap and good shade.
Col. Rion, Of Winsboro, who has expc.
ricnce in tea planting suggests that they be
shaded by driving down a shinglo on the
East. South and West sides of the Young
plant and leave the shingles there till the
plant grows above lem.
For the first two or three years some
other crop, such as corn, or cotton, or pota.
toes may be planted between the rows, the
shade Of such crops being favorable to the
growth Of the young plants.
During the first two years out little cui.
tivaton is required beyond keeping down
the weeds, and the leaves should not be
pucked for tea before the third year, and
best not till the fourth year. as pucking the
leaves too carly weakcns the plant.
An acre of land planted as directed will
grow from 1900 to 100 plants, and each
plant when at full bearing will yield on the
average one pound of green leaves, and
when cured for use, it will be from 300 to
400 pounds of tea.
The best teas of China are never brought
to this country. Homo made teas, if prop.
erly handled, will be worth moro in market
than the imported. AS houc made pickle:
and preserves are purcr and more palatable
than those made in the large manufactures
SO also will the teas made in small gardens
excel in favor and classification those made
in larger establishments The cultivation o
a single acre will require but little labor, an,
the pleasure of having ones own tea Of su peri
ro quality for home use by those ablet to affort
1t, and tho profit to be realized from sellin!
such teas by those who take this method o
procuring livelihood, will justify both lh
rich aud poor to engage in its cultivation. -
Chester Reporter
DIR. Smith, Of Philadelphia, has organ
lied a crusade against baby carriages, hold
ing that infants carried by nurses are mucl
healthier aud stronger than when constant
ly trundled around. When living down n,