l86 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



ment in production in their own country before they attempt to rival 

 foreign competitors at this side. Yours faithfully, YAMATO. 



Yokohama, Aug. 19, 1881. 



[We have inspected the sample of coarse leaf referred to in the above 

 letter, and though we cannot pretend to any critical knowledge of Tea, we can 

 confirm the statements of our correspondent, and hold the specimen at our 

 office, where it can be seen by anyone desirous of doing so. Editor, Japan 

 Herald.] 



I know not where this next extract came from, but it 

 appears they understand adulteration in Japan : 



Mr. Yanagiya might, however, have gone a step farther, and have 

 given particulars of the various analyses, and have mentioned that the 

 "leaf" of the various samples showed a large proportion of leaves 

 quite different to those of the Tea shrub, and for the presence of which 

 not even the astute foreigner that bugbear of Japanese commerce 

 can be held accountable. 



We have heard this season loud complaints of the presence of 

 leaves entirely distinct from those of the Tea plant amongst purchases. 

 These consisted principally of wisteria, willow and a species of ash, but 

 the native growers were impartial, and several other species of shrubs 

 also contributed their quota to the frauds practised by the Japanese. 



The probable reason of the falling off in the quantity of one of the 

 leading articles of export from Japan is not difficult to guess at, nor 

 can the Japanese say that they have not received full and timely warn- 

 ing of the danger threatening the popularity of Japan Tea. A reckless 

 over-production, excessive and close picking of the shrubs, and great 

 carelessness in pruning and manuring the tree caused, no doubt, in 

 no small degree by the high rate of wages in the interior is militating 

 against the realisation of a good crop, and the peasant is too intent 

 upon immediate profits to forego the picking of the third crop of a 

 season under existing circumstances. The result of all this has been 

 that at the close of last season a quantity of worthless leaf was 

 poured upon the market, finally sold at almost nominal figures, and 

 shipped across to the United States, where it remains an incubus on 

 the figures of stock, and a source of future abhorrence to any un- 

 fortunate purchaser towards anything bearing the name of Japan 

 Tea. 



