Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-30

Its Possibilities In the SOuth-An APP
preparation for the Government Farm
at SummervIlIe What a Successful
Planter says About 1T.
The committee ofthe House of Represen-
tatives having in charge the agricultural
appropriation bill has accepted an
amendment to the bill offered by Mr..
Dibble, of South Carolina, appropriating
50. 900 for the cultivation and distribution
of tea plants on the government tea farm
on the Ashley river. near Summerville.
The amendment provides that Of this sum
not more than $4,000 shall be expended
for salaries and wages of labor.
The farm has been neglected by the
government for several years and is said
to be in bad condition, but out of the
SIX acres originally planted about five
acres Of plants are still in a state of cul-
tivatiOn.
ANEWs reporter yesterday called on Mr..
c. Menelas, gentleman who has given the
cultivation of tea much time and study,
to ascertain his views regarding the good
TO be accomplished by the proposed ap-
preparation. Mr.. Menelas, who is a cot
ton exporter and also has a fine planta-
tiOn in Mississippi, has successfully eX-
perimented with the cultivation of tea for
several years, and now has number Of
healthy plants on bis place. He stated
most positively that in his opinion the
government had as well throw
its money away as to spend it on the pres
ent government farm. The soil in the
place is not adapted TO the cultivation of
tea, and the plan upon which the govern
ment is operating cannot succeed. Tea
plants need moisture, and good, rich,
moist soil is necessary for their success
full growth. The soil in the government
tea farm is dry, and the roots have to go
down a great depth to reach the necessary
moisture. hence most of the plant goes to
root.
The object of a government tea farm.
said Mr.. Menelas, should be to show the
people how to cultivate and manufacture
| tea. This could easily be accomplished
| 10y the expenditure of, say $4,000 a year
/ for about five years. All that is needed
is few acres of appropriate land, and
men in charge who thoroughly under
| stand the cultivation and manufacture
| Of tea. The government could not be
! expected TO 90 into tea raising as bust
ness or to furnish the plants. AS far as
| the seed is concerned, a bushel can he
| obtained for a few dollars. So far the
| government has operated the farm on the
| same principle as the man who would
send his watch to blacksmith to have it
| ltpdlltus
AS far as the cultivation Of tea in this
| country is concerned, Mr.. Menelas has no
| doubt, after thorough study of the subject
but that it can be successfully accOmp-
| plished. He believes that the South
can raise tea for its own use
| ut first, and gradually for the
entire country, and all the markets
| Of Europe. He knows Of several families
! that are now raising their own tea,
| among others Mrs. Screven, Of Liberty
county, whose place the News has de-
| scriDed. He regards tea as one of the
| most profitable crops that can be raised.
| The plants can be brought to a bearing
| state in three years, and will last for
| many years. They are not affected by
| drought or wet weather. The leaves
can be plucked from the bush twice a
month, and new ones come out imme-
| diately in their place. Mr.. Menelas says
| that if the government will employ proper
men to show the people how to raise aud
manufacture tea, he will give it enough
land to OppTatp on.