No. 216.] 271 



ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE TEA PLANT 



IN THE UNITED STATES. 



BY JUNIUS SMITH, ESQ., MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



NO. I. 



\ 



Introduction — Description of the Tea Plant — Black and Green Tea from the same 

 Plant — Resemblance to the Grape Vine — Torrid Zone supposed indispensa- 

 ble to the culture of the Tea Plant — Hon. Henry Clay's mistake — Climate, 

 Latitude, Temperature, Soil, Location and Productions of the eighteen Chi- 

 nese Tea Growing Provinces considered — Districts more particularly appro- 

 priated to the cultivation of Tea — Tea cultivated throughout China — Charac- 

 ter of the soil adapted to the cultivation of Tea — Effects of Manure upon 

 Plants — Tea Plant indigenous to the Temperate Zone — United States pro- 

 duces all the plants which grow in the Temperate Zone, therefore will pro- 

 duce the Tea Plant. 



Introduction — Description of the Tea Plant. 



The investigation of any subject which has a practical bearing 

 upon the agricultural interests of our country, merits the attention, 

 in a particular manner, of those engaged in the pursuits of hus- 

 bandry. No subject relating to agriculture, with which I am ac- 

 quainted, can be brought before the public mind, more novel in itself, 

 or more intimately, associated with our daily enjoyments and per- 

 manent welfare, than the cultivation of the Tea Plant. Great efforts 

 have been -made, and large sums of money expended, in exploring 

 unknown, distant, trackless wilds, without the slightest attempt to 

 explore the capabilities of lands lying at our door, and offering to 

 the hand of industry, greater reward than distant possessions can 

 promise. It is by no means certain thr.t the extension of territory 

 will be more beneficial to our country than the extension of cultiva- 

 tion over lands already in possession. The former invites our sur- 

 plus population abroad; the latter gives them full -employment at 

 home. 



