No. 216.] 301 



ticipating in the advantages of its culture; we may now proceed to 

 examine the condition of the United States in respect to the growth 

 of the same plant. 



We learn that the plant grows most luxuriantly in China, between 

 the parallels of 20 and 45° N. Latitude. But above 40° and be- 

 low 20° the climate embracing the extremes of heat and cold, will 

 scarcely admit of the full growth and development of the Tea Plant 

 The Temperate Zone, therefore, designated by nature, as equally re- 

 moved from both extremes, has been found by experience, the best 

 suited, in respect to climate, for Tea Plantations. 



In taking a geographical and physiological view of that portion 

 of the United States, presumed best adapted to the growth of the 

 Tea Plant, we may assume the Latitude of 40° as the northern, and 

 the Gulf of Mexico as the southern limits of the Tea growing dis- 

 tricts. It may be a curious and perhaps useful inquiry as we pro- 

 ceed, to note the corresponding parallels of Latitude, so that we may 

 see what places in China and India, fall under the same parallel as 

 those in the same Latitude in the United States. 



The extent of country lying south of 40° N. Latitude, embraces 

 Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, 

 Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tenessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Lou- 

 isiana and Texas, fourteen States, and partially the four States of 

 Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri, whose limits, according 

 to the above mentioned division, extend both above and below the 

 Latitude of 40°. I am quite aware that this view, and indeed any 

 view, which embraces the idea of growing Tea at all in this coun- 

 try, is altogether at variance with the one generally entertained ; 

 but, we trust that those who have had patience to follow us in the 

 investigation, will see the error, and lend their influence in correct- 

 ing it. 



The maritime district of the territory comprised within the limits 

 of the several Tea growing States^ mentioned above, extending from 

 Galveston to Delaware inclusive, and stretching from fifty to one 

 hundred miles inland from the coast, being generally subject to an- 

 nual inundations, and of a low, marshy, alluvial, sandy soil, is man- 

 ifestly of a character destitute of the required qualifications for the 

 growth and cultivation of the Tea Plant. We may, therefore at once 

 exclude all that strip of land from further notice. 



