The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1913-10-03
GROWING SACRED TEA PLANTS
SEEDS OBTAINED FROM GARDEN
OF THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN.
An Enterprise in South Carolina That
Is Attracting Much Attention.
Government Interested.

On the lower coast of South Caro-
lima, about twenty miles distant from
the sea, amid the seclusion If count
less sentinel-like pines, is found
spot of rare interest commonly
known as the "Pinehurst tea farm.
Covering an area of six hundred
acres the farm produces annually
from nine thousand to ten thousand
pounds of tea for consumption.
The plant is an evergreen of rich
est hue grows with marked regular
ity from four to six feet in height
bearing little leaves, offset by dainty
white blossoms somewhat resem-
bling those of an orange tree. The
picking season, which continues from
April to October, affords employ
ment to thousands of negro children
each bearing a satchel-like willow
basket, suspended about the neck,
into which freshly plucked leaves are
deposited and thence borne to the
factory, which is neat building
thoroughly equipped with the most
modern machines used for the sole
purpose of curing the green and
black teas consumed by people all
over the United States.
The Methods Differ.
The methods employed in prepar-
ing the black tea differ from those
followed in curing the green tea, the
latter requiring much more expense
and care.
The former is subjected to four
processes, including the preliminary
step of drying or whitening the fresh
leaves, which are exposed to the at
mosphere, under a glass roof, for
twelve or perhaps twenty-four hours.
Then this mass of wilted foliage is
put into revolving machine termed
roller" wherein it is tossed and
rolled about for an hour or so.
This is quite a brief space of time
when one takes into consideration
the fact that our Chinese friends still
adhere to the quaint fashion of roll
ing their leaves with the human
hands, whereas DR.. Shepard (the sole
instigator and proprietor of this in
dustry) has successfully substituted
machines which economic much
time and labor. After this process
the leaves are again exposed to the
atmosphere, and in a short time they
become oxidized before being placed
on a firing machine" which oper-
ates with marked rapidity in quickly
discharging the tea thoroughly dried
and ready for consumption.
Curing Green Tea.
The curing of the green tea diff
fers from that If the back in one
respect, namely, the leaves are never
exposed to the suns rays. Dut are I'M
mediately after picking committed
to an immense cylindrical rotary
witherer' (Which is the only machine
of the kind in the world, having been
invented and patented by DR.. Shep-
ard HIMSELF, where the leaves are
subjected to a temperature of 500
degrees. They become sterilized be-
fore being rolled and fired in q man
ner similar to the black tea. The
methods employed are decidedly
more sanitary than those of the ORR
entails, and DR.. Charles S. Shepard,
one of the experts of the agricultural
department, has proved beyond a
doubt that the soil and climate Of
South Carolina are admirably adapt
ed to tea raising.
In recognition of this fact the gov
eminent, which makes an annual
appropriation, has only recently en-
trusted to DR.. Shepard's care for eX-
detrimental purposes certain seeds,
from what is known as the sacred
tea"-plants grown only in the Chi
nese Emperors garden, under the
shadow of the temples especially
erected to shelter them, which tradi-
ton says were sent down from heav-
en- for the delectation of the Empe-
ror of China, the son of the sun.
At Great Cost
That these seeds are procured at
the cost of great danger and possibly
loss of life one can readily imagine
when told that the plants are jeal-
ousiy guarded from profane eyes and
no white man has ever seen them.
But Samuel L. Gracey, consul OF the
United States at Foochow, China, has
learned that a consul has to be a
great many things, and Gracey devel-
oped into a good enough Buddhist to
be taken into the condolences of the
priests. and to him belongs the credit
of placing in the hands of the agri
cultural department the much-covet-
ed prize.
The department, wishing to do the
best possible for the sacred plants,
sent them for trial to Summerville,
S. c., being afraid to experiment with
them at any of the stations near
Washington.
Under DR.. Shepard's supervision
they have sprouted at the South Car
DINA tea farm, and will be raised
under the shade, though the depart
ment has not built any temples to
protect them nor imported any
priests as attendants.
The farm at Summerville presents
picturesque appearance. 1t con-
tains within it's gates a small village.
The neat buildings, the most notice
able of which is occupied by DR..
Shepard himself, enhance the beauty
of the place Azaleas, choice roses
and many rare plants grow in abund-
ance, while broad, circuitous drives
wind in and out among the stalwart
pines for which this section is noted.