The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-04

was struck in the above example was never
varied. The special agent did not give any
ground for the belief that tea cannot be
grown probably in this country. but he
fatty demonstrated that this cannot be
done at Summerville. He made it clear
that his own experiment has proven a fail
ure and should not be any longer a part
of the public burden.
In the circular which the special agent
distributes he says the experiment be
gun ten years ago on a few acres and
extended until now. with the generous as
siStance of tie United States Department
of Agriculture, Hon. James Wilson, they
embrace about sixty acres" 1.-THE
output of the Pinehurst gardens has grad
Ually increased from a few hundred pounds
per annum 10 toward 1000; and it may reach
10000 within a few years"
WHAT THE AGENT KNOWS.
The special agent elsewhere says that by
his experiments conditions and methods
nave been ascertained under which the
profitable cultivation of tea in the South
ern States may be regarded as having been
demonstrated" These conditions, he says,
ARE fiat and rich lands. with natural sub
soil drainage and, if possible. irrigation by
gravity. to Offset the great difference be-
tween the local rainfall in the cropping sea-
son and that of favored Asiatic countries.
Under these conditions, with an abundant
supply of cheap labor and by adapting the
EA AAAA VI IN ASlC ~ Ilt CllIldllC At-
mands, but especially under the beneficent
assistance OF a protective duty, pure COM
mercial tea may be profitably raised in the
Southern States. thereby supplying an easy
and healthful livelihood to idle thousands
and imparting a value TO immense tracts of
now waste lands"
Every word of this is unquestionably
true, for this special agent is an intelligent
man and knows a great deal about his
theme. He knows, for instance, that not
one OF the above-named essential condi-
lions is to be found where he has set up his
farm, excepting the benefcent assistance
OF a protective duty" The soil he describes
Is not there. the natural drainage is not
there. the abundant cheap labor Is acking:
in a word. only himself. the benefcent pro-
tective duty and what he calls 1.-THE Pine
hurst Park and flower gardens mot forget
ting the tea talks, are 10 be found where
We have been spending the peoples money
for years.
II you ask me TO take this government
supported park and flower gardens seri-
ously l canno do IL.
1t is not serious. 1t is too truly "Shep-
ards plaything."
III you ask me 10 consider the advisa-
bility of continuing the duty, l say by
all means. so long as there is need for the
revenue. because tea Is wholly a luxury
l go further and recommend that after
the treasury faucet Is turned off from the
Summerville teapot the same or even more
money be expended in the support Of many
small experimental tea farms-On the Caro-
lima sea front. at the mouth OF the Missis-
sippi. in the swampy regions of Florida and
elsewhere.
But now that the Summervilie experiment
is demonstrated to be a mistake. 10 have
been tried in an unfit place and TO have
failed 10 produce tea at a profit. II IL time
10 close down on IL.
From this time on Shepard's place must
be regarded as a national park. and even in
that guise IL Is a failure.