377 



and so uncertain is their vegetation, even in their 

 native climate, that, it is found necessary to sow as 

 many as seven or eight seeds in every hole. The 

 ground between each row is always kept free from 

 weeds, and the plants are not allowed to attain a higher 

 growth than admits of the leaves being conveniently 

 gathered. The first crop of leaves is not collected 

 until the third year after sowing; and when the trees 

 are six or seven years old, the produce becomes so 

 inferior that they are removed to make room for a 

 fresh succession. 



The flowers of the tea-tree are white, and some- 

 what resemble the wild rose of our hedges: these 

 flowers are succeeded by soft green berries or pods, 

 containing each from one to three white seeds. The 

 plant will grow in either low or elevated situations, 

 but always thrives best and furnishes leaves of the 

 finest quality when produced in light stony ground. 



Tea-gathering from a Chinese drawing. 



The leaves are gathered from one to four times 

 during the year, according to the age of the tree. 

 Most commonly there are three periods of gathering; 

 VOL. xv. 32* 



