76 THETEAPLANT. 



son, deep scarlet, rose-colored, yellow, or purple, and 

 hang in large bunches at the ends of the branches. 

 Travellers in the Himalaya Mountains speak of the 

 Rhododendrons as being among the most beautiful 

 of the many vegetable curiosities of that fertile 

 region. 



There are also many plants whose leaves, as well 

 as their flowers, form objects of wonder; and some 

 are rendered peculiarly interesting because of the 

 prominent part they occupy in our domestic economy. 

 Thus, the common, Tea Plant is so well known, that 

 every one should be made acquainted with the mode 

 of its culture, as well as with the method of convert- 

 ing the leaves into that useful article, which takes so 

 conspicuous a place in the commerce of the world. 



This plant grows about eight feet in height, with 

 leaves two and a half inches long, and one and a half 

 wide, and bears a small white flower. The Chinese 

 raise the plants from seed, and when they have grown 

 of sufficient size, they are set out in the ground at 

 intervals of about three or four feet apart ; they are 

 kept cropped close for a year or two, to make them 

 grow thick and bushy. When they are about four 

 years of age, they commence to gather the leaves; 

 this is done several times during the year, and is 

 continued for about six or eight years, when they are 

 removed and fresh ones planted. The leaves first 

 gathered in the spring make the finest flavored teas, 

 while those which are taken subsequently produce a 

 much inferior article. 



What are commonly known as green and black 



