The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-12-02

w.
DR.. Charles U. Shepherd, a North
Carollnian gentleman, has expert
mented for years upon his farm at
Pinehurst, TO determine the commer-
cial possibilities of tea culture in the
United States. He has succeeded in
demonstrating that tea farming is a
practical possibility in the South.
In a recent press interview, DR..
Shepherd said:
"The economical raising of tea here
on comparatively large scale is con-
fronted by several serious obstacles,
and much more than the past few
years must be devoted to experimental
work before satisfactory solution may
be obtained.
"First is the difference in the price
of labor between the tea producing
countries and the Southern States. 1t
costs almost as much to pick, with us
of fresh leaf sufficient to make a pound
of tea as it does to raise, pick and pack
the same quantity Of the kind sent US
from Asia.
"There are, therefore, two alterna-
tives presented to the would be Amer
ican tea grower; he must raise the quail
ity OF his product above that of the
cheaper Oriental grades, or he must
reduce the cost of production. The
former course has been pursued at
Pinehurst, and with very promising re-
suits.
"For a tea garden several things
are essential, as favorable soil condi-
tlons, exposure to the sun, protection
from wintry blasts and the avoidance
of stagnant tea water about the roots Of
the plants. Then there are different
kinds of tea plants, needing different
kinds of treatment. The Assam is the
finest. 1t derives its name from the
northeastern province of British India,
and was formerly found growing there
to the height of 80 feet in the dark
streaming jungles along the banks Of
the Brahmaputra river, where the at
mosphere is always damp and frost un-
known. Its leaves are bright green
and very large, often attaining a
length OF seven or more inches, and
broad in proportion.
"The attempt is being made at
Pinehurst to cultivate some Of this va
riety, but the comparatively severe
| weather to which this section of North
Carolina is liable makes success seem
| very remote.
"At the other extreme is the Chinese
variety. This is low, bushy shrub,
low of growth ond capable of weather
ing snow, frost and ice. The leaves
are dark green, tough and small. Be-
tween these two varieties stand the
intermediate or hybrid grades, and
these are the ones most susceptible to
American cultivation, where lntell
gence and study serve to bring out
the best possible qualities as we'll as
quantities of the tea plant.
"These plants grow from two TO five
feet in height, according to the variety
of the seed, and the number of 'flushes'
or pickings also vary somewhat. The
Assam plant in its native country will
stand 20 f1ushes in year, while the
Chinese variety will not thrive under
more than four to five.
"Tne planter plucks the young
leaves as they appear, and nature sends
out new shoots to supply the dehcien-
cy. This warfare is kept up until the
plant succumbs, say in 10 successive
seasons.
"rhe best climate for tea is one
where the temperature never goes be-
low As degrees and never above 90
degrees, and where sudden variations
are not frequent.
"The rainfall in countries best
adapted for tea raising averages above
100 inches per annum. Nevertheless,
it is possible to remuneratlvely grow
tea, where the temperature averages 65
degrees and the rainfall Sc inches.
The tea plant requiring very rich soil,
liberal irrigation has been found to
greatly augment the quality as we'll as
the quantity of the product here. The
picking of the leaf in garden of IS
acres will keep force of 20 children
busy all season, and the Southern pick
anlnnies are taking very kindly to the
new form of employment, and quickly
learn to do the work properly and sat
isfactorily.
ga suitably equipped factory for
preparing the tea is very necessary
The first thing in this line is the with
ering of the green leaf. It must be
,hnly spread over floors or trays, anc
SO cured as to render It less susceptible
to breaking when rolled. Rolling
either by hand or machinery breaks
the oil cells in the leaf and oxidation
results. This develops the strength
and partly the flavor OF the tea, anc
is a very particular and delicate pro
cess.
"The work is not altogether mex
pensive, and tea culture IN America
must be conduc.ed with the strlctes
possible economy in order TO altar
, success. There are many obstacles te
| overcome, but the certainty that the,
5 can be surmounted is demonstrated
: here at Plnehurst, where we have pro
duced both the green and black tea o
3 a quality which readily commanded s.
or more in the retail market.
"There has been enough success te
! warrant confidence, and we hope tt
1 ultimately attempt the manufacture o
t those very highly esteemed and pricet
= teas which are rarely met with outsid
the countries in which they are grown
and simply because of light firing