PREFACE. 



In laying before the public the following pages 

 on the Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea in 

 China, I have been actuated by a hope of dispelling 

 some of the prevalent errors and misconceptions 

 with which this subject has hitherto been involved ; 

 but mainly by a desire of supplying to the culti- 

 vator a desideratum, long and ineffectually sought, 

 in aid of those attempts which are now in progress 

 for the cultivation of the tea tree, on an extended 

 scale, in British India, and other parts of the 

 world. 



The immediate aim, then, of this book is utility 

 rather than amusement ; and yet the general 

 reader in turning over its pages may unexpectedly 

 find his attention arrested by matter not altogether 

 devoid of interest to him ; while such as are sti- 

 mulated by the gratification of a natural curiosity 

 to seek some acquaintance with the modes of ma- 

 nipulating the fragrant leaf which " smokes as an 

 infusion on our tables," may possibly find some- 

 thing which may instruct as well as amuse. At all 

 events they will meet with a rational answer to a 



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