EXTENT OF TEA CULTIVATION IN CHINA. 109 



of manufacture would render it suitable for the British 

 market. 



The Thca Virides, (a fancy name of botanists), says 

 Mr. Fortune, in writing from Chusan, is cultivated 

 everywhere. . . Every small farmer or cottager has 

 a few plants on his premises, which he rears with con- 

 siderable care ; . . and although the shrub grows 

 pretty well, it is far from luxuriant, as it is in the large 

 districts on the main laud. Chusan is N. L. 30. 



" Every province," says Ball, u probably produces 

 much of its own teas for common domestic purposes, 

 though not for festive or ceremonial purposes." . . . 

 " The Chinese say the provinces of Py-chy-ly, Shang- 

 shy, Shew-sy, Shang-tong, and even Honan, are unfa- 

 vorable for tea ; and in the official returns, there is no 

 mention made of any plantations in Keang-nan." 



So that it may be seen, whether the exports of tea be 

 East from Shanghaie, or South from Canton, or N. 

 West by caravans, that the tea is supplied from 28 

 29 and 30 of N. lat. Thibet ought to be, and I have 

 no doubt is, a more favorable country for tea cultivation 

 than China. 



