68 CULTIVATION AND PREPARATION. 



unusual practice for the packers in the interior to leave 

 the chests unmarked until they reach the shipper, who, 

 knowing the chops must be in demand at that particular 

 season in the consuming countries, supplies them to order, 

 or, at least, not to use one of bad repute. 



The average cost of medium to fine grades of tea is 

 40 taels (about $20) per picul (i33X pounds) laid down 

 at the port of shipment is as follows at the present 

 time: The refiring, packing, leading, chests, matting 

 and rattaning varying from $3 to $4 per picul more. 



