322 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



green or black, in the proportion of one to 

 three, but when used without mixing, it is by 

 no means agreeable, yet it was at one time 

 the fashionable tea in Ireland. In France, 

 the Pekoe tea is only used as a medicine. 



The Chinese in the province of Fokin, ex- 

 tract an oil from the fruit or berries of the 

 tea-tree, which they use in their aliment, and 

 also for drying paintings. This fruit remains 

 a year on the shrub before it comes to ma- 

 turity. 



We are informed by the Chinese, that the 

 word Tea is derived from the language of 

 the Mandarins in Fokine, where they call 

 this shrub Theh, and that we ought to pro- 

 nounce it Telia. 



The cultivation of the tea, we may natu- 

 rally conclude, forms an important part o 

 the husbandry of the Chinese, since it is a 

 vegetable in such demand by the natives, for 

 their home consumption, and also in so great 

 request for exportation. It is therefore cul- 

 tivated with much attention, although it is 

 often found in its natural state, particularly 

 on the rugged banks of steep mountains, 

 where it cannot be gathered without the 

 greatest difficulty and danger. In order to 

 obtain this tea where access is impracticable, 





