268 Tea: Its Cultivation, &c. [Sess. 
its exports, though it is still the largest exporter: the other 
three countries show a considerable increase, that in the case 
of Ceylon being rather remarkable. In 1884 its exports 
only amounted to 2,393,000 lb.; now they are nearly 
130,000,000 lb. The other places producing tea are Java, 
which in 1898 exported 12,000,000 lb, and in 1899, 
12,800,000 lb.; and Natal, which in 1899 had an esti- 
mated yield of 1,000,000 lb. Each year since shows an 
estimated increase of 300,000 1b., and it is expected that be- 
fore long Natal will produce all the tea required in South Africa. 
A small quantity of tea is produced in the Caucasian 
provinces of Russia, and also in the United States. From 
the report of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for 1900 I 
learn that, under the auspices of the Department of Agri- 
culture, experiments have been conducted at Summerville, 
South Carolina, with the view of ascertaining if the cultiva- 
tion of tea in the United States was practicable. An im- 
portant factor is the labour question, but this has been so far 
met by employing negro children. At the gardens, schools 
are established, and there the children, in addition to an ordinary 
school education, are taught the work of a tea garden. The ~ 
Americans are satisfied that they can grow tea, such crops as 
they have raised being disposed of at a fair profit. A com- 
pany with a capital of $50,000 is being organised to grow tea 
when a situation having the necessary soil and climatic condi- 
tions is secured. Special attention is to be given to pure green 
tea, to which, according to the report referred to, British planters 
are turning their attention, as they are beginning to recognise 
their inability to bring Americans to use black instead of 
green tea. The economical use of machinery for plucking, &c., 
is receiving the careful consideration of the Department. 
Most of the Indian and Ceylon teas are sent to the United 
Kingdom. The bulk of the Chinese tea goes to Russia, though 
some is sent to America, where also most of the Japanese 
production is sent. 
The per capita consumption of tea is interesting, and I give 
it so far as I have figures relating to the year 1899: United 
Kingdom, 5:98 lb.; German Empire, 0°11 lb.; Holland, 1°39 
lb.; France, 0°05 lb.; United States, 0°96 lb. (a decrease from 
1:55 lb. in 1897, a tax of 10 cents per lb, having been im- 
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