The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1905-04-07

pick the tea one leaf at time, the re-
ceptacle being basket resembling the
tishermen's, which is hung about the
neck, they picking with both hands
aud becoming very dexterous their
movements so rapid and dexterOCS as
to appear like piece Of machinery.
The leaves in each packet are careful
ly inspected to insure against dead
and OvergroWn ones which are rarely
found.
Picking is done by the ounce, chill
dren earning from 25 to SO cents per
day, the harvesting lasting from April
to October, going over each field every
10 days or two weeks.
Black tea is cured in the following
manner:-After leaves are assorted
they are taken to the whitening loft
and'spread upon the clean floor, thick
and humidity, as they must be wither-
ed to, and not beyond certain degree
They then pass through the Sitting
machine, then through the roller,
which brushes the little cells, contain
the theme orvolatile oil. Next they
are spread on table and allowed to
remain from one to two hours, during
which time they oxidize or ferment
and turn a reddish brown in color.
The object, in view, from now on, is
to retain and dry the theme on the
outside of leaf-when oxidization has
reached the correct stage. The tea is
fired in an oven, heated by hot air and
containing five pans, one above the
other, the bottom constructed like
window blinds, leaves being placed
first on the upper pan, remaining
there four or five minutes, when by an
ingenious continuance the Stats are
turned, dropping the leaves to the
pan below. Top pan is again filled
and process continued until all leaves
pass through the five pans.
Time consumed from 20 to % min
utes. Tea is then placed in large can
listers sealed, air tight, and thus kept
till end OF season, when it is all mixed
to insure an even quality; then sealed
in small, air tight tin cans, labeled for
the market. Green teas are made by
putting the leaves, for 10 or Is min
utes, after being inspected, into a
steriltzing machine, they are then
sifted and rolled by machinery, after
which, fired in same manner as the
black.
On this farm may be seen, with one
exception, the only Shelter grown tea
in the world, the other being in Japan
leaf has a blush color instead of
green; the manner of preparing the
field is similar to that IF our shade
grown tobaccO-the difference being a
frame work of wire netting on which
mating is laid.
The tea plant blossoms in October,
bloom resembling our cherry blossom
and like all oriental flowers is odorless;
the seed comes from the blossom and,
In appearance is like our hazelnut, and
is very bitter.
Each Tuesday from IL to IL a. M,
during the winter season DR. Shepard
gives free talk on tea, following
which he gives reception at his pri-
vate residence, serving the special va
riety described in his talk, also selling
it, daintily put up in one-Quarter
pound packages. Every cent received
at these sales is given to the St Barna-
bas' mission, a school for poor whites,
under the management of St Paul
Episcopal church, Summerville.
But it we are correctly informed,
whenever the exchequer becomes weak
the management would never think of
applying to the church for funds, but
60 direct to DR. Shepard for from him
they are certain to obtain it.
In looking over this industry, talk
ing with it's owner, taking into con-
wages and the untold good he is doing
with and by his wealth and charity it
strikes US lesson is to be learned, an
example here found that might we'll
be emulated by many of our wealthy
citizens who hoard their money in Sc
cure Investments and with folded arms
seem to say, II shall not want"
Would not they be healthier, hap.
pier and even wealthier by being pos.
sessed of the knowledge that their
wealth and industry have caused one
little ray of sunlight to enter the
home of darkness and despair?
1t may be of interest to readers OF
this article, that in conversation with
DR. Shepard, we learned that he is a
frequent visitor to our state, familiar
with many of it's towns and attached
by ties of relationship as we'll as friend
ship to some Of it's we'll known resi-
dents.
His reference to time spent in the
laboratory ELECTED from US the inquiry
"Are you then doctor of chemistry not
medicine?" EITHER or anything -
replied, adding: GAS you are from
Connecticut will say to you as to a
reporter from your state who address
me as governor, No, not governor,
doctor, professor, Judge, general, ma.
jor, mister-never governor. My fav.
orite title is P. T. P-Pertinacious
Tea, Pioneer, given me by Ceylons and
Japs.'" Signed,I[" Summerville
WEST MORRIS.