GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 35 



Charleston, where it has been raised for the past fifteen 

 years, in the nursery of M. Noisette. But as imported 

 from China it would cost too much to prepare for com- 

 mercial use." Another historical effort was that made in 

 1848, by Dr. James Smith, at Greenville, S. C, but 

 although commenced with great enthusiasm the plantation 

 never was increased to any appreciable extent. Neither 

 was it brought to a condition, as far as can be ascertained, 

 to warrant the formation of any reliable opinion as to the 

 practicability of tea-culture in this country as an indus- 

 try. Nevertheless, the circumstances of its failure are 

 quoted as a proof that tea cannot be produced for com- 

 mercial purposes or even for home consumption in this 

 country. While the truth is that as a test for the pur- 

 poses named, the attempt was of no value whatever, and 

 never was so considered by those conversant with its 

 cultivation or management. 



But while the. plant barely survives the winter north of 

 Washington, it has been found to thrive successfully a 

 little south of that district. It bears fruit abundantly 

 on the Pacific coast, where the soil and climate are 

 especially favorable to the growth of broad-leaved ever- 

 greens, both native and exotic, and will flourish much 

 further north there than in the Eastern states. 



Still the progress of these efforts to grow tea in other 

 countries than China, Japan and India, must necessarily 

 prove interesting as being calculated to make the world 

 more independent of these countries for its supplies. 

 Yet it is an established fact that the finest varieties of 

 tea are best cultivated in the warmer latitudes and on 

 sites most exposed to air and sunshine. 



