The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-08-04
ATTEMPT TO RAISE TEA.
Report to Commissioner LorIne.
WAsuISCTOv J,,,v .,

"hi'aih ioaunuers, OF the Agricultural
department, who was sent TO South Car.
oiina by COMMISSIONER Lorng to inyes-
tigato the tea culture experiment making
IN that State, has returned and handed
his report to the Commissioner. From
his description of the tea farm it appears
to be an exhauste! plantation, once a
country residence, having upor it the
fuins OF large mansion, pleasure ground
and customary surroundings, including
an artificial lake now dry. The work
thus far undertaken seems to consist
largely in the partial removal of the old
ruins. preparatory to the rebuilding of
the mansion, and the construction of an
avenue or drive through the grounds.
The plans included the filling up of the
artificial lake and construction of an
iron bridge across it, with other similar
works necessary to the successful cultiva-
ton Of tea.
The soil.' Mr. Saunders says, lis a
poor hungry sand. Some PORTIONS of
tho tract might be classed as poor
sandy loan, as some appearance of loan
may be detected in it, but it is of a
character to support only the scantiest
kind OF vegetation. a course of ame.
liorative culture, including manuring.
would be required before attempting 10 10
procure reasonably satisfactory crops
of even such annual plants as are usually
grown in that climate; but for perma.
nent ligneous plants, such as the tea
plant, u much more thorough prepara
ton than that conveyed above would be
essentially necessary, including deep
ploughing and cross -ploughing, followed
III each furrow by deep subsoilinr, TO
prepare proper physical or mechanical
condition of the soil for the free ramifi-
cation Of roots. With regard
to the future prospects of the enterprise.
It continued i'll the line of the present
system, it may be said that there il not
much room for encouragement"
Mr.. Saunders gives brief history of
the culture of tea in the United States.
Referring to Mr.. Jackson, the present
superintendent of the ten farm at Sum.
merville, be says that gentleman, who
had had experience in tea culture in
British India, being in the United States
on pleasure tour, had his attention
called to the efforts of the Department to
Introduce tea culture, and interesting
himself in the subject, he purchased u
tea plantation in Georgia. His first
effort in the manufacturing of tea was
made in the spring Of 1880, and the re.
suit was deemed encouraging. Tho teas
were line in appearance, but lacked
strength.
"It is an established fact" Mr.. Saun.
ders continues, that the strength of teas
depend upon the climate where the plant
IL grown. The warmest tea climates
produce the strongest teas. Tens pro.
duccd in localities where frosts occur are
always pronounced to be weaker than
teas which are produced in localities
where the thermometer never reaches to
the freezing point. This is well under
stood in nll tea-growing countries, and it
certainly would not be wise to ignore the
fact i'll making experiments in this coun-
try"
1he position may be considered as fair
ly represented as follows: Having every
reason to conclude that the locality near
Mcintosh, Ga, is too far North for the
production of teas which possess suffi
cicnt of strength and pungency to com.
mand the best prices, or even profitable
prices, ii is therefore considered proper
to try the experiment at Summerville, 5.
y, which is one and half degrees
further North. However unfortunate it
may be, it is clearly evident that the tea
experiments must be made in more
Southern latitude. The State of Florida
may be looked upon as presenting the
most favorable conditions, and if the ex-
perlments are to be proceeded with.
operations should be transferred to that
State without delay.
AS to the future management of the
tea farm, following the conviction Eat
no experiment which can be made in the
future of tea at this place will warrant a
continuation of the Undertaking, it NAV
be suggested that expenses be cut down
to the lowest figure admissible, and that
all operations Of clearing ground OF
stunps and trees be stopped ut once. that
the expensive superintendent he modi-
fed so that $500 month will not be paid
for the management of $50 worth Of
labor during the same period of time, as
at present, and that all labor cease cx-
cept so much as may be found necessary
to look after the young plants.
"In general way it may be stated that
since July /, 1880, $4,000 have been
appropriated by Congress for encourage.
ment OF tea culture. So far as is visible
to the ordinary observer, the only prac
tical, palpablc result Of expenditures
from this fund is what is to be found and
what has been done on this farm"
Commissioner Loring asked Mr.. Saun.
ders to advise him what steps had better
be taken. Mr.. Saunders has submitted
the following suggestions:
Having determined that experiments
in regard to the growth and manu- facture
of tea in South Carolina cannot be of
sufficient value to warrant further ex.
pcndituTcs III that direction, consequent
ly there can be no reason for continu.
ance of the present force. All that will
he necessary might thus be suggested
The young man now acting in the
capacity of oyerseer could take entire
charge Of the plants and property.
Abandon all improvements. This will
keep the expenses within 500 per month
The whole matter Of care of plants can
be managed through the Department
Nlr. Jackson need not be longer kent
from his own farm, where he has matters
requiring his attention, and, if he is to be
employed in further investigations in ten
a new arrangement of compensation can
be made"
Commissioner Loring has not vet de-
cidcd what to do in regard to the matter
but thinks he shall adopt the suggestions
of Mr. Saunders. 90
j. Jackson, the superintendent of the
tea farm, has also made report to Com.
missioner Loring. He describes his pre-
l!minary tour of inspection anI contin.
ues; Il satisfied myself and Gen. lie Duo
that the thing. was we'll worth trying, but
as no appropriation had been granted by
the government for that purpose, re-
turned to Georgia and set to work myself.
AT Gen. lie Dues urgent request, made
and seat tho Department quantities of