EXPENSE IN AMERICA. 79 



It is most desirable that these estimates be keenly 

 scanned, and to enable all to do so, it will be well to ex 

 plain the item of produce, so that nought may be taken 

 on ipse dixit. 



It is shown that on the second year there would be 

 per acre, from 1,210 young plants, 160 Ibs. of green leaf 

 collected throughout the year, which would be equal to 

 2J ounces for each tree. Now, if that 21 ounces be di 

 vided by four, and any party take a young peach plant, 

 for instance, and on the leaves coming out in April, 

 pluck such as would not injure the tree ; it will be found 

 there would be but a few leaves required to make one- 

 half or even one ounce. But entering on the fourth year, 

 the acre is made to produce 1,200 Ibs. green leafj or 1 Ib. 

 of green leaf from each tree during four crops. A good 

 tea tree will grow up to a height of 30 to 35 feet ; but 

 for facility of plucking leaves it is kept to seven, eight, or 

 nine feet in height. Any person so disposed may select a 

 peach tree of that height, of most luxurious foliage, and 

 ascertain, if he cannot get 1 Ib. of leaves off it, if not in 

 one collection, at least in four, made throughout a year. 



The tea tree is an evergreen, and its foliage is so rich 

 that the eye cannot penetrate through it ; birds, or any 

 thing of that description, could rest within its branches 

 without it being possible to obsewe them. The tree 

 throws out white blossoms of sweet fragrance, and when 

 the tree is plucked it throws them out irregularly. 

 There is nothing so delightful or refreshing as the fra 

 grance from a tea house when manufacturing is going 

 on. 



A tea plantation once raised is a permanent property ; 

 it would not answer those rolling-stone habits of the mo- 



