634 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



sarily limits the publication of the reports which have been received 

 from those who have tested the Pinehurst tea of 1892. As the Assam 

 hybrid leaf is better adapted for the manufacture of black (i. e., fer- 

 mented) tea, that mode of preparation was followed. It is not claimed 

 that all the responses were equally enthusiastic, but all were favorable. 

 Some of the experts, as might have been expected, did not hesitate to 

 express the doubt whether the Pinehurst teas would find favor in their 

 sections of country. But we shall be pardoned if only the more flat- 

 tering testimonials are published, especially as it is our object to 

 demonstrate that superior teas may be grown here. 



(1) Letter from Hon. Edwin Willits, Assistant Secretary of Agri- 

 culture, dated November 2, 1892 : 



I wish to say that we are very much pleased with the samples. Not only this, 

 but we sent a sample to the traveling agent of a large tea firm in Detroit for his 

 judgment, advising him as to where the tea was produced. He took the tea to the 

 store, and without giving them any information with regard to the same, it was 

 tested by two of the leading members of the firm, each making a separate test. 

 They pronounced it very excellent English breakfast tea, and, as I recollect, claimed 

 that it was better than any breakfast tea they had in the store, or at least equally 

 good ; and when the information was given them as to the place of production they 

 were very much surprised and wished to know if any considerable amount could be 

 purchased. 



(2) Letter from Mr. N. W. Burchell, of Washington, D. C., under date 

 of July 16, 1892: 



The No. 2 tea is the best American tea I ever saw, and would bring at wholesale a 

 good price. If sold as American tea, and thereby creating a sentiment for a season 

 or so, it would bring more than the same high grade of India tea. 



(3) Opinion of Mr. Gillet Gill, of Martin Gillet & Co., the celebrated 

 tea merchants of Baltimore, Md., as published in the Sun, of that 

 city, and other papers : 



The first marketable tea ever produced in the United States was brought to Balti- 

 more to-day by Charles U. Shepard, of Snmmerville, S. C., who grew and cured the 

 plant on his farm. The American tea was tested by Mr. Gillet Gill, who pronounced 

 it equal to the best high-grade English breakfast tea and superior to many grades 

 that come from India and China. The samples brought here by Mr. Shepard are 

 all of one quality and character black, crisp, and well scented. It makes a strong 

 beverage. This quality of the American tea is said by Mr. Gill to be due solely to 

 its treatment in fermentation and curing. Other methods of curing the American 

 product will produce tea similar to the several brands that come from India and 

 China. Judging from Mr. Shepard's samples. Mr. Gill says he believes the success- 

 ful growing of tea in the United States is established, and that the industry should 

 be encouraged and fostered. 



(4) Opinion of Mr. Charles Kerr Eeid, tea expert and merchant, of 

 Philadelphia : 



Picking of June 14, season of 1892. Report on samples from the four grades into 

 which the tea was sifted : 



No. 1. Rather handsome, rather small, even blackish leaf with Pekoe flower. 

 Strictly extra fine tea; strong, full, and rich South Carolina Pekoe flavor. Value, 

 32 to 35 cents wholesale. 



No. 2. Blackish, even leaf, with a few Pekoe tips. Fine to extra fine tea; strong, 

 brisk South Carolina Souchong Pekoe flavor. Value, 25 to 30 cents wholesale. 



No. 3. Rather bold, evenish, curled black leaf; middling tea (or preferred), strong, 

 brisk, fresh-burnt South Carolina Souchong flavor. Value, 22 to 25 cents wholesale. 



No. 4. Bold, black, uneven curly -leaf middling tea; rather strong, fresh-burnt 

 South Carolina Souchong flavor. Value, 20 to 21 cents wholesale. 



The retail prices are generally more than double the wholesale on the 

 finer grades, and from 50 to 100 per cent higher on the lower qualities. 

 Mr. Eeid has kindly added the following remarks: 



Your teas I find have an individual, distinct, and pronounced character, different 

 from the teas of any other country, consequently, I describe their character flavor 



