davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12

procured more recently from Paraguay,
known as lex cassine, Yaupon, are now
grown in the conservatory of the Depart
ment of Agriculture. 1t belongs to the
well-known Holly family which grows in
a wild state in some of the Middle and
Southern States, and from which tradi-
tion says the Indians of Carolina were
wont to make black tea for use on oc
casions of peculiar ceremony.
The principal tea districts OF China,
which supply the greater portion of teas
exported to Europe and America, lie be-
tween latitudes 25o and $50 north; the
finest districts between 26o and $50, and
between 11Oo and 1900 east of Green
wich The district of Assam, in India, in
which tea is cultivated, lie between go
and 800 north latitude, and 75o and go
of east longitude, which districts en-
brace a soil varied in surface, elevation
&
and composition, and climate tropical,
se1ni-tropical and temperate.
The tea plant is not only cultivated in
China and the territories of India ad-
joining, but in Japan, Corea, and Java,
and for the last forty years, to some ex-
tent, as before mentioned, in Brazil.
'fhe tea plantations in China and Japan
are always situated on the lower and
most fertile sides of the hills, and rarely
on the low lands. The plant thrives best
when it enjoys southern exposure to the
sun, though it endures considerable vari-
ations of dryness and moisture, and of
heat and cold. A rich sandy loam is the
best soil for its growth, and in the vicini-
ty OF small streams of water.
The shrubs are planted in rows, about
four feet apart, and about the same be-
tween each row, and at distance look
like strawberries of evergreens. The
plants are raised from nuts or seeds,
and usually sown where they are to re-
main. Three or four are dropped into a
hole, and covered with earth two or three
inches deep; these come up without any
further trouble, and require little culture,
except that OF removing weeds. In the
early stages of the growth of the plant,
shading is undoubtedly advantageous,
as the roots are sensitive to the heat of
the sun. This is done by sticking about
then pine branches and ferns. After the
first year they supply their own shade
1t is necessary, ALSO, occasionally to
prune the plants. The first year the top
of the plant should be nipped off, to ar
rest it's upward and promote it's lateral
growth. In the second year the plant
ought to be trimmed so as to give it
conical shape, and the struggling branch
es to be cut away. From time to time
in each year the plants should be reduced
by judicious trimming to orderly shape
and size.
The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12
$2 per AnnuIl, in advance.

The leaves are not collected from the
cultivated plants until they are three
years old, and after growing nine or ten
years they are cut down i'll order that the
young shoots, which will then rise, may
afford a greater supply of leaves. The
tea is gathered while the leaves are small,
young and juicy. The first collection of
tender leaves makes the best variety of
tea. The process of gathering tea is one
of great nicety and Importance. Women
and children are the best adapted for
this work. Each leaf is plucked sepa-
rately from the twig. The hands of the
gatherer are kept clean for this purpose.
The Chinese dislike gathering tea on a
rainy day. and claim, even, that they
can distinguish the teas made on a rainy
day from those made on a sunny day
The yield of tea plantation is about
one pound of tea to the plant.
There is some degree of art necessary
in plucking, so as not to interfere with
the growth of the young leaves. The
pluckers are divided into gangs, and the
leaves kept separate for the classif cation
of the teas. AS soon as gathered. the
leaves are taken to the tea house, weigh
ed and prepared for use.
The process of preparation or manu-.
facture is given in work on the subject
by Spencer Bonsall, Esq, whose studies
and observations on tea culture make
him perhaps of the best authority. This
writer states that the leaves are thinly
scattered on shallow open-work bamboo
trays or baskets. These are about three
feet in diameter and two in depth They
are then placed ON a light framework of
bamboo, and exposed to the sun and air
for two or three hours, depending on the
heat of the sun, or until somewhat soft
and wilted. This effected, they are re-
moved to the tea house and placed on
open shelves, where they are allowed to
remain about half an hour to cool, after
which they are put into smaller trays,
beaten. This is performed by gently
clapping the leaves between the hands,
tossing them up and letting them fall,
for about five or ten minutes. They are
then replaced on the shelves for half an
hour and again brought down and clap
ped as before This is done three times
in succession, which causes them to be-
come soft and pliable and of brown
color. During the operation of beating,
the leaves give off a strong and peculiar
aroma, at each time different, so that a
person acquainted with it can tell at once
whether it is the first, second or third
process the leaves are undergoing, the
moment he enters the tea house
Experience has shown that without
this process of beating, the tea, when
made, would have a strong, herby taste
The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12

The Chinese tea plant has been success
fully grown in many parts of Florida,
and if proper care and attention were
given to it, Floridians might in time
raise their own tea.
Of late we have received several inqui-
ries concerning the cultivation of the
plant and the preparation OF the leaves.
For the benefit of these parties we pub
lish the following from report issued by
Department OF Agriculture:
AS the practicability of the cultivation
and manufacture of tea from the Chinese
tea plant in certain portions of the
United States has been demonstrated by
successful experiment, it becomes an OBJ
ject of interest to know it's history, to
learn the manner of it's cultivation, and
the method of it's preparation.
Tea has been used in China for period
of more, than a thousand years; yet the
time of it's discovery by the Chinese
only. An early writer claims that tea
was known to the Greeks and Romans in
the first century, but there is nothing in
contemporaneous history to substanti-
ate this claim. History is destitute, in
fact, of any correct information OF it's
use prior to the era of it's introduction to
the civilized world - y
More than two centuries after the gen
eral adoption of tea, this product, des-
tined to become essential to the people Of
every nation, and to constitute an i'm
portant commodity in the commerce of
the world, remained hidden from our
knowledge, and it's culture and manu-
facture limited to the region in which it
is supposed to be indigenous.
For long time the use of tea as a
beverage was strenuously resisted in
Europe on the grounds of it's deleterious
effect on the human system, and that va
rious maladies were induced and num-
Der of diseases aggravated by it. It's inn
portation, it was thought, would bring
about manifold evils. But it was after a
while generally conceded that it was less
pernicious than various other stimulants,
and, in fact, a positive benefit to man
kind.
In 1910 the first seeds of this plant
were introduced into Brazil, at Rio de
Janeiro, and their cultivation undertak-
en- at the botanic gardens of that
capital The better to secure the sue
cess of it's cultivation in that country,
and with view also of supplying the
European markets, several hundred
Chinese immigrants were procured by the
government, who we're familiar with the
The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12

whole process of training the plant and
preparing the tea. This was, perhaps,
the first colony of Celestials that ever
settled in the New World. They did not
prosper, however They soon became
Disconnected with their expatriation, ,and
after little while entirely disappeared.
The government failed in it's experiment,
but the planters of the country took up
the subject and prosecuted it to some ex-
tent successfully for domestic uses. Rich
in so many otherproducts, thecountry did
not engage in it's cultivation as an arti-
Gle of export.
In the Island of Bourbon, in the Indian
Ocean, there is used a tea called Faham,
or Orchid tea, whence it was introduced
into France. 1t is different in taste to
the Chinese tea, and is highly esteemed
having delicate aroma and tonic and
digestive qualities. 1t is sometimes used
in making an agreeable perfumery This
tea is also cultivated in the islands of st
Helena and Madeira.
They have a native tea in Arabia, pre-
pared from the leaves of Catha edulis
(Celastracee), similar in taste and effects
to the Chinese tea 1t is a considerable
article of commerce among the Arabs,
and of general use with them as com
mon beverage. They use it also in chew
ing the leaves when in green state, to
cause hilarity of spirits and to prevent
sleep.
The inhabitants of the Malayan Islands
have beverage made from the leaves OF
plant similar to the Arabian variety, and
which grows upon high elevations and
attains great age.
In South Africa there is a tea called by
the natives "bush tea, . made from the
leaves of small bush ofabundant growth,
Cyclopia genistoides. 1t is of medicinal
character, and has the flavor and taste
to a slight degree of the Chinese tea.
The United States naval exploring ex-
petition in 1857, while exploring the
sources OF the Rio de la Plata, found the
inhabitants of Paraguay addicted to the
use of a beverage which they called mate
or Paraguay tea The shrub from which
it was made was believed to be indigo
nous, and the leaves when fresh resembled
in taste the inferior Chinease teas. The
inhabitants attributed to it's almost fab
ulous virtues. The leaves of the plant
were used by infusion simply all classes
of persons drinking it at their meals. It's
effects were similar to opium, exciting the
torpid and languid, calming the restless,
and inducing sleep. 1t was said to be in
great favor as a beverage, not only in
Paraguay and Uruguay, but in Peru,
Chill and Ecuador. The seeds of this
shrub were brought home by the Expedi-
tion, but nothing is known of their prop
agation. Several plants of the mate tea
The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-12
The Chinese Tea Plant.

PRACTICABILITY OF THE CULTURE OF THE
CHINESE TEA PLANT IN THE UNITED
STATES.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

it is lucky that it only touched the SUI
burbs of the city. 1t came from the
west, but passed along the northern
border of Reading.
First it touched the Mount Penn
stove works, then the roof of j. t..
S~ternberg's rolling mill aud a number
of dwellings. The storm then hurried
across the property of the Reading
railway company and crossed the rail.
road. Here a passenger car was stand
ing. This was overturned as quickly
as it it had been a toy and its splinters
scattered in every direction. Mean-
while the rain poured down III tor
rents. The atmosphere became heavy
and oppressive aud it was almost as
dark as night.
Directly OH one side of the track of
the Reading railway was situated the
paint shop of the company. Here
about thirty men were employed i'll
painting passenger cars. There were
eight or nine of these cars in the build
ing The building was struck squarely
in the middle aud the bricks scattered
about as if they were playthings The
cars were turned topsy turvy while the
men were buried under the debris. The
chamber of each of the passenger cars
was already filled with gas as they
were ready TO be taken out OH the road
in a few days. These exploded one af-
ter another. causing the people to run
Out OF their houses, thinking that 1t
was the sound of All earthquake. There
was a considerable quantity of gasoline
in the building and this added fuel to
the flames. A sheet of flame shot up
ward with the roar of musketry. Some
twenty of the men had a chance TO
crawl out of the debris, but four of
their companions were enveloped i'll
the embrace of the flames. They were
quickly roasted to death. The building
and cars were consumed in fifteen
minutes. Ii vas rumUred that several
others has been killed, but these are
the only ones who, il is known II, have
lost their lives. While this was all GO
ing on the storm was travelling forward
with fearful rapidity. 1t must have
moved at the rate of 100 miles an hour.
1t struck some private houses and IN
rooted a dozen residences.
Then the storm proceeded in its full
fury. Directly in its path stood the
Reading silk mill, one OF the industries
of the city in which the citizens took
the greatest pride. Here about l75
happy girls were working. The build
ing was a huge structure, most sub
stantially built, four stories In height
and a basement. 1t occupied an entire
block of ground. The funnel shaped
storm cloud struck the building in the
center on its broadcast side, and it fell
to pieces as If composed of SO many
building blocks. Nearly 200 human
beings went down in the awful wreck.
Girls with blackened faces, bruised and
broken limbs, their clothing tattered
and torn, dragged themselves from the
ruins. So probably seventy-five to a
hundred escaped or were dragged ont
by their friends.
The silk mills were built four years
ago. The builders were Reading CAPT
~talists, and the cost was said to be
500, 200. The machinery they put in
cost SAC, 600.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12
COUNTY COURT PROCEEDINGS.
January Term, 8 8

Present: Judge Smith, and judges
elect Benton and Catron; Sheriff Nit
chell and Clerk Steele.
The oath of Office was administered
to judges-elect Benton and Catron.
Resignation of NJ. &. Rylaud, as JUS
tice OF the peace of Sni-a-Bar township,
accepted and Hobt, l.. Russell appoint
cd TO fill the vacancy.
DramshOp licenses granted to @. G.
Kist, Jno. G. Mehl, Jno. II. Bohannon,
Gus Haerle, Jacob Klee, Jno. Il. Nit
chell, a. Geyer, l.. Silverman, Jno.
Baehr, Organ u Co., Fritz Bolwein,
JnO. e.. Schnaibie, Il. d. Williamson,
Christian Mayer, August Lepper, Jno.
e. Hill, Pat Pagan, Jno. S. Galloway,
Frank Brudcr, Ed. Il. Matthews & Co.,
aud Jno. A. Catron, j. II. Haerle.
Bond of b. d. Weedin, county sur.
veyor, approved.
Treasurer ordered to take up seven
Middleton township bonds OF $l0C
each, at face value.
g. b. Daniel, circuit clerk, made his
annual settlement.
Bond of Jno. Santmeyer, county as.
SCISSOR, approved.
Bond OF Jno. &. Worthington, coun
ty collector, approved.
Final settlement of NJ. V. l.. Nc.
Clelland, approved,
b. ID. Weedin ordered to repair
five covered bridges.
School loan of $4,000 granted Jacot
Snider.
The f%ollOWiuo allowances were made
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

A special dispatch from JeffersonCity
to the Kansas City Times, under date
of the 9Th inst. says it is probable that
a bill will soon be introduced which
will have an important bearing on the
method of raising state The
plan contemplates relieving real estate
and ultimately raising the moneys TO
meet state expenses by a business tax.
This is the system at present in vogue
in Pennsylvania. State Treasurer-elect
holland is inclined to regard the propos-
ed change as a good one. In converse
ton with the Times correspondent he
said that he was of the opinion that the
manner of raising revenue should be re-
vised. "Foreign insurance companies,
state, "he said, twill paymore taxes than
under the present law. Now they pay
the state II per cent. on the amount
of their net premium receipts after
deducting their losses. If a company's
losses exceed their premium receipts
they pay 90 taxes whatever. 1t is not
SO with any other kind of avocation.
The net premiums taken out of the
state annually by such companies ex.
coed $4,000, 900, for which the state
receives only $4,000. l think they
should pay on gross receipts and that
they should pay in the neighborhood of
800 900 annually. Telegraph compa-
MES pay but little taxes. They should,
in my opinion, be taxed more. 1t would
be well to tax them so much tor each
message sent within the state. Express
companies ought TO pay more taxes
than they do. They nov only pay on
office furniture. Their business pays
no taxes. Much of our revenue could
be raised from this source. Freight
lines ought to pay a tax tor the privi-
lege of doing business in the state. 0,
yes, the railroads pay taxes but that
does moi cover the business done by
these freight lines. Parties holding
notes do not pay their share of the
taxes. If you will pass a law barring
the collection of a note in this state
unless the taxes have been paid Oh it
you will be astonished at the amount
of revenue a law of this kind will pro-
duce. Telephone companies and
foreign mortgage companies should be
included. If legislation such as l have
named is enacted we can very soon
take almost all the taxes off real
estate"
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

LEXINGTON, Mo January II. 1889.
Having sold 10 Mr.. VIM. ii. stevenson our
entire stock of hardware and goodwill, we
take pleasure in recommending him to our
cu.tomers and friends and we solicit Il con-
finance OF yOur trade, feel NJ confident, that
you will receive from him, fair treatment and
square dealing. J. W. EINEHART h Co.
T.. $ i will remain with Mr.. stevenson
until June lst, aud Will be glad TO maintain
all my former customers and as many new
ones as will come TO ste us. Gun "epairiag
will 20 on us usual. j, W. RISEHARr.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12
Electric Bitters,

TnIs remedy Is becoming 50 well known and o
popular a. to need M special mention. All
who have used Electric Bitter, sing the same
song oI pruIsr.-A purcr medicine hneo not eN-
LIST nui 1t Is guaranteed I" Il" nl mat Is claimed.
Electric BIriers viii Cure all diseases Of tie
Liver aud Kidneys. will remove Pimr'es, Bnii',
Salt Rhrnln and utl cr IT. Ctiun5 caused by i'm
pure blood VIII drive Malaria from tn" sys-
tenn and prevent rs well AS cure all Malhrial
fevers.-For Cure of Headache. Consiip"ti'n
uad Ind, gestInn Try Electric Buffers Entire
satisfaction guarantrOi or money reiundcd.-
Price % cents and ST. per bottle nj Leroy
Farmers drug stone. junt 23e6wly
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

The committees of the house and
senate of tue state legislature having
not yet been announced; very little
business has been transacted except the
introduction of bIIls. Alter the IL
sta,lation of the new state officers, next
Monday, the committees will be an
nounced and both houses will buckle
on the harness for II hard winters
work.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

l find 4 have more business than L can give
nv personal attention TO, and have deter
mined to offer for trade or sale nv
FLOUR MILL AND ELEVATOR PROP
ERTY.
Everything is In fine running order, and
the mill is grindinS every day. Here is u good
opening for some one or two men to associate
themselves together to engage In a nice bust
ness. II you can give your personal attention
TO il. | will trade Tor good farming proper
ty. Come and see mo if you mean business.
jan12I J. &. MCGREW,
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

The Niagara suspension bridge stu
ated nearest the falls, was carried away
by the gale about 8 O'Clock last Thurs
day morning and deposited in the
river. The towers and cables remain
intact. The bridge was completely re-
built last season and enlarged for a
double track, the material being entire.
ly of iron and steel, anu was owned by
the Niagara Falls aud Clifton suspen-
sion bridge company. The loss was
about S75, 0O0. The bridge will proba-
bly be rebuilt as soon as possibIe.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

Russia manifests a disposition 10
absorb Persia. Her armies are now
massed within forty miles of the
Persian frontier, aud an early offensive
is looked for. Persia was
once a great nation. but the efleminate
character of her rulers aud people to-
day, it is believed. will lead to her easy
overthrow by the Cars generals.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

1t is reported that Chief Engi-
neer Arthur, of the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers, will resign bis
Office at the expiration OF his present
term. The reason given is that the
present policy of the brotherhood,
especially as regards the management
ot~the Burlington strike is not and has
moi been in accord with his views.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

1t has been arranged that the Kill
rain-Sullivan fight shall be for $780, 900
and the championship belt held by
Kilrain. 1t is to take place July 7,
near New Orleans. The next deposit
of $4,000 is to be made with the New
York Clipper on April Is, when the
final stakeholder will be chosen, The
referee is TO be chosen at the ring side.
The articles we're signed in blank by
Kilrain and after being filed up to suit
Sullivan were signed by him. The fight
is TO take place on the 9Th of July.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

Thomas Axworthy, the defauIting
treasurer OF Cleveland, o., who fed to
England, and was aiterward smitten by
remorse and refunded$4O0 900 to a rep
rcsentive of the Cleveland municipality,
arrived at St. Johns. Newfoundland,
last Sunday.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

A storm of sleet, last Sunday night,
along the st. Lawrence river, destroyed
thousands OF fruit, forest and shade
trees, and broke down all telegraph
aud telephone wires and posts. The
damage amounts TO many thousands OF
dnllara
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

A Japan paper states that since the
United States prohibited Chinese immi-
grafton, there has been a very precepti-
BILE increase in the number OF Chinese
immigration 10 Japan. Recently 4s6
arrived at Yokohama, aud most OF
them are now employed in tea-iring
godowns at the rate OF remuneration
which none but Chinese would accept.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

The results of the German census,
taken OH December /, 1885, have been
long known But it is only in this
months number Of the Statistical Rec
ord OF the German Empire that the de-
tails are published. Total, 46,S55,7o4.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

Out Of twelve young ladies in Green
Bay who met on the 1st of January a
year ago and vowed never to marry,
nine were married inside OF ten months
and two of the others have breach OF
promise suits.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

Eugene L. Wetberell, the husband OF
Emma Abbott and manager OF the
Abbott opera company, died suddenly
In Denver, last Sunday, of pneumonia
contracted while en- route from Los
Angeles.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

Nothing of Importance has transpireo
In congress the past week. The senate
has been engaged most OF the time IN
the discussion of the tariff bill, n the
house has been in a dead lock on the
Oklahoma middle.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

General j. D. Shelby was in Butler
last Wednesday under arrest on a case
growing out OF the Gallatin affair.
During the trial of Frank James in
Gallatin, IN 1884, General Shelby was
e;rcsted on . Gkarge OF carrying con-
ceaIed Weapons. He was tried, fined
and Iactufed By the judge. He appeal
ed to the supreme court and the case
was reversed on some error of law.
There was another trial and he was
again fined. A stay was bad and the
general supposilion was that the
matter would end there, and it did for
over a year, but an attachment was
recently sent down into Bates county
for the general, and he is again under
arrest.
The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-01-12

The power of monopoly is steadily
gaming in its great stronghold, the
senate OF the United States. Mr.. Jas.
Mcmillan, who has just been nomina-
ted to succeed Senator Palmer by the
republican legislature of Michigan, is
the chief stakeholder Of the Detroit
Car Wheel Co +, the Baugh Steam Forge
Co., the Detroit Iron Furnace Co., and
a number of other large concerns in
Michigan. In the senate OF the United
States Mr.. Mcmillan will represent
these interests and may be expected AT
all times TO vote against any mitigation
of tariff burdens aud iniquities.