TEA AND SILK FARMING IN NEW ZEALAND. 213 



example being the Jasminum samhax, named by the Chinese 

 Moh-li-wah, which is used in the bud, as experience has shown 

 that its fragrance when in that early stage is greatly augmented 

 by heat. 



Very naturally at this point the reader may ask, Why should 

 all this trouble be taken if the natural aroma, as already stated, 

 is really superior to any which can be imparted ? The objects to 

 be gained are these : — Long attention to the subject has shown 

 that tea possessing the most delicate natural aroma is the pro- 

 duce not only of a northerly district, but is grown at considerable 

 altitude. Thus the Moyuen district, in the province of Hwang- 

 chow, celebrated for its green tea, lies in N. lat. 29° 56', E. long. 

 118° 15', at a height of nearly nine hundred feet above the sea- 

 level, with a temperature ranging between 24° Fahr. in January, 

 to 74° in August, and the climate of Woo-e-shan, in the province 

 of Fokien, celebrated for its black tea, is likewise temperate, 

 and the shrub is successfully cultivated at the height of 1000 

 feet. The teas produced in both these districts are noted for 

 their exquisite flavour. It so happens, however, that the 

 gardens which yield such naturally scented tea, like the well- 

 known Johannisberg and Steinberger vineyards, are compara- 

 tively limited in extent, but their produce having acquired a 

 reputation, the farmers nearer the valleys naturally desired to 

 emulate their success, which they ultimately accomplished so 

 satisfactorily, by processes of scenting, that the valley tea, on 

 account of its greater strength, is now really preferred. There 

 is, however, another most important end to be gained, by com- 

 municating an artificial aroma to tea, which may not be generally 

 known. It has been found that newly-prepared tea is remark- 

 ably susceptible of adjacent influences, and is almost as greedy 

 an absorbent of smells, whether evil or pleasant, as charcoal is 

 of organic foulness, caustic lime of chlorine gas, or raw silk of 

 water. Accordingly, in order to counteract the contaminating 

 endosmose of objectionable gases, the tea is previously garrisoned, 

 so to speak, with a subtile and lasting perfume. As further 

 precautionary measures, Cliina tao. is carefully packed in lead, 

 surrounded with soft absor]>ent paper, protected outside by means 

 of papered and varnished hardwood packages. That such care is 

 far from unnecessary may be inferred from the fact that the coolies 

 who carry the pacl^ages from tlio farms to the various shipping 

 ports, sometimes occupy several weeks on tlie journey, and tliey 

 may often be seen dropping their burdens for a time in the fields 

 or on the roads, and squatting or sprawling at full length over 

 them when the mid-day sun demands a halt fur wearied frames, 

 glistening with persj)iration. Under sucli circumstances it will 

 readily be understood that unless the contents were thoroughly 

 protected by exosmose, or the evolution of the perfume from 



