The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-05-02

/ Assam
l Formosa
Great efforts were made to get this
exhibit, the officials having been in
correspondence with Dr. Sheppard
since last August. Every provision
has been made to keep these plants in
fine condition and their culture has
been made a matter of great care.
Many Americans who have not fol-
lowed this experiment in tea culture
in this country will be surprised at
the success that has attended it. A
number OF years ago the Government
began few experiments in tea grow
ing, but in the going and coming Of
different administrations they suffer
ed vicissitudes Of fate that did not
give satisfactory results. Finally,
several years ago, DR.. Shepard, who
is scientific man fully informed in
the province in which he is expert
menting, a man of philanthropic i'm
pulses and Of large means, took up
the work on his own responsibility
and has obtained very good results.
One of the main difficulties he had to
deal with at first was in picking the
tea, the hands OF grown persons in
this country being not sufficiently
delicate for the purpose as those Of
adults in the native tea counties are.
In order to get around this difficulty
DR.. Shepard utilized "pickaninny"
labor. His philanthrophy was shown
in his treatment of the problem. He
secured large number of young ne
groes, giving them schooling during
the year in order to have them in
good shape for the few months pick
ing season. For this work they were
also paid good wages. The purpose
of the experiment was to ascertain
the practibility of tea growing in this
country, and results seem to indicate
that good grade OF tea can be pro-
duced. On the average crop of 400
pounds to the acre can be realized.
A company has recently been organ
lied, capitalized At $4,000, for the
purpose Of growing tea in the tea
belt of the United States. The Pan
American Exposition will call the at
tention of thousands of people to this
industry. Perhaps the time will
come when in certain sections OF the
South the family tea-tree will be ~
common as the grape vine and fig
tree, and even in the more inclement
North hot house tea may become q
luxury Of the rich.
Hon. Robert X. Pool, Commissioner
of Agriculture Of Alabama, has secur-
ed space for an agricultural, horti-
cultural, mining and forestry exhibit
from that State.
The flexible sand stone in the ex-
hibit from North Carolina excites
much interest. The local papers are
publishing articles Oh it. and it is re-
garded as \ great curiosity by those
who have examined it.
An agent Of the PanAmerican Ex-
position is now in the South, making
large collection Of the fruits pecul-
lar to the Gulf States.
Georgia occupies 500 feet Of space
in the Mines Building. The exhibit
has been installed by Mr.. Ysates,
State Geologist, with great taste.
The gates Of the PanAmerican Ex-
position will be opened May 1st, ac-
cording to the original programme,
but the magnificent procession plan
ned for that day will be deferred on
account Of the severity OF the recent
storm. 1t will start from the bust
ness center Of Buffalo at 1890 on the
morning Of May goth instead, and
will form at the City Hall. The
pageant will be lead by the Fourth
Brigade Of the National Guard, con-
sisting Of more than 1900 officers and
men under the command OF General
Samuel l.. Welsh. The officers of the
Exposition and their official guests
will follow in carriages. Next will
come the concessionaires division,
forming a picturesque line of savage
and civilized peoples from all parts oi
the world and clad in their native
holiday costumes, included in this
fantastic medley will be representa-.
tivss of fifty Indian tribes, Orientals,
Filipinos, Hawaiians, Africans, Esqui.
maux and floats typifying novel fea.
lures of the exteneive Midway.
A unique and interesting musical
feature of the Exposition will be
series of free organ recitals to be
given daily in the Temple Of Music
In connection with the stately struc
turs devoted to the divine art, the
idea early suggested itself to arrange
for the erection Of great organ and
to secure the services of distinguished
organists who would effectually inter
pret the standard works composed fol
this instrument for the edifcation o
J the visitors to the Exposition. In ar
ranging these recitals, it has been tht
; aim to have as many sections and i'm
portant cities in the United States
r and Canada represented by their lead
5 ing organists as possible. The sue