Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-13


Editor Morning Neggs The late Commission
er OF Agricniture, Gen. lie Due. was probably
rather enthusiastic on this subject. This Is not
said in any spirit Of unkindness, however; for
excess of zeal In tho great agricultural indus
tries should be regarded indulgently. He con
templated the raising of it as money crop. ''
for which only a small portion OF the United
States is adapted-and this, BY the way, il
down ia the peninsula of Florida, where there
is a rainy spell in and after midsummer. Tea
plants need much and continuous rains.
But some important garden and field crops
are raised in both the Northern and Southern
Statesmen to sell, but for home use. That
most wholesome tuber, the Irish potato. is
raised on every respectable farm in the South
vet not one farmer in thousands ever sells any
Red pepper and sage flourish in all the gar
deps. but are raised only for home use. At the
North millions of farmers raise sorghum to
make syrup, not to sell, but to avoid the ex-
peuse Of buying.
Rumors were efloat that the new Commis-
siouer DR.. IOring, intended to abandon the tea
gardens. But this is a mistake He did. ia his
first report, announce that he had cut down tn
expensiveness with which certain one was
being conducted in South Carolina He has
lately assured a Southern gentleman that he
cherisnes an earnest desire for the success OF
tea culture, especially in those portions Of ths
country suitable for II.
Tea plants which he forwarded last spring
are flourishing in Bradford. Columbia aud Su.
wannee counties, Florida, that we know of.
The Commissioner, over twenty years ago
begun to give some attention to this important
matter We say important" because by the
raising of tea generally il the South and the
adoption of it as the table beverage in the warm
months and at the evening meals, half the
money now paid for coffee might be saved
which would be several millions OF dollars an
nualy at the same time comfort and health
would be promoted.
The range of its culture is wider than is sup
posed It will flourish as far north as Fayette
VILE n. c., as may be seen by the following
letter written to the Hon. Warren Winslow, NJ.
G, for the benefit of the department. and the
public, by Mr.. J. W. Pearce, of North Carolina:
The original seeds were sent to me about
the year 80 or '6l. by Hon. W. Winslow. gave
the greatest part of them to Mr.. James NJ
Smith successful horticultrist of this vicinity,
and kent the rest myself We planted them in
light sandy land. and they have grown and
hOurished ever since without any particular
attention
NV plants are now about five feet high, and
very thick and bushy near the ground, cover
ing a space as large as a molasses hogshead;
have no protection from any kind of weather
The mercury has been as low as ten degrees
below zero. They do not seem to suffer from
drought; are ever green, and bear beautiful
white n lower with little scent until nearly ready
to fall Bees are very fond of the flowers The
seed are like the hazel nut; have hard shell
and bitter kernel, and take long time to ger
inmate. Hence it is better to plant them on
the north side Of a fence or house. where they
will remain moist. They come up readily when
left under the bushes where they have dropped.
The plants can then be set out successfully,
care being taken to avoid breaking the long
tap root peculiar to them. MY plants have
never suffered from insects of any kind
Half dozen plants furnish nv family Of Ave
or six persons with more tea than we can
use. We prepare it by heating the leaves IN
an oven until wilted, then squeeze them nv
hand until a juice is expressed from them.
then dry them in an oven. The tea is thesi
quite fragrant, 'and ready for use. 1t improves
by age. We pick the leaves three times a
year The younger the leaves the better the
tea. l think it will grow in any ordinary SOIL
clay or sand. The seed should be planted
about the month of January"
This letter should encourage the trial of tea
culture, even as far as the Ohio valley. What
intelligent farmer would not take the trouble
to give little protection to half dozen or a
dozen vigorous, thrifty, beautiful bushes, no
larger than hogsheads, in order to raise at
home supply of better tea than it is possible
to import
We note the recent articles on silk culture.
1t impresses US that the two would make an
excellent brace, or pair, ia Southern progress:
the silk as new industry to make money, and
tea as an important one to save expense.
Where the summers are long. and the rains
the plants will yield twenty pick
lngs. Respectfully,
G. G. PLAYER.