POLYANDRIA. 



crop, and that tlie leaves may be the more easily col- 

 lected. As the seeds are very subject to be damaged, 

 from six to twelve are put into one hole, a fifth part 

 not being expected to grow. When the tree is three 

 years old the leaves may be plucked -, when it is seven 

 years old it no longer bears any quantity, and is then 

 usually cut down to the root, when the stool sends 

 forth many new shoots, which afford a plentiful sup- 

 ply. Sometimes this operation is deferred till the 

 tenth year. 



The tea is gathered at three separate times : the 

 tenderest leaves, of but a few days growth, are ga- 

 thered in Februar)^ or the beginning of March ; the 

 second gathering is in the beginning of April ; and the 

 third about June, when the leaves are full grown. 

 The tea is afterwards prepared by dr)dng it in a stove 

 in shallow iron pans j and the supposition of its ever 

 being dried on copper, to give a more beautiful green 

 to the leaves, is entirely void of foundation. 



Of this plant it is generally believed there is only 

 _one species J the difference of green and Bohea tea 

 depending upon the nature of the soil, the culture, 

 and the manner of drying the leaves. It has been ob- 

 served that the green-tree, planted in the Bohea 

 country, will, produce Bohea- tea, and on the con- 

 irary. The tree is an evergreen, and grows to about 

 six feet in height, according to the best information* 

 we have upon the subject. 



Tea was first introduced into Europe by the Dutch- 

 East India Company in 1641, and a small quantity 



VOL, I, K 



