98 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



India, where the Englisli Government have taken much pains to extend its 

 culture; and Assam tea has been for some years an article of regular im- 

 port and consumption in Britain. Neither of the four species of shrubs 

 above named can be successfully cultivated to the north of Wilmington, N. 

 C. Tlie only species of shrubs or small trees in our country which can be 

 substituted for the Chinese tea shrubs are the Ilex cassine and dahoon, 

 found growing in abundance in the coast region from North Carolina to 

 Florida. The leaves of these shrubs have been in use by the abc/rigines 

 of that district from time immemorial, and the Ilex cassine or Yaupon, con- 

 stitutes the tea in universal use there among the negroes, which has given 

 currency to the common negro adage, "Fried hominy, possum fat, and 

 Yaupon tea is too good." There are several plants called wild tea in dif- 

 ferent sections of our country, but they have no botanic connection with 

 the genus Thea and the oriental teas. There are but three native shrubs 

 suited to our northern climate that I deem capable of being adopted as 

 substitutes for the oriental teas. These are the Ilex prinoides and Myrica 

 gale and cerifera. The leaves of the Laurus benzoin and sassafras might 

 also be tested as to their merits. 



Influence of Climate. 



K. F. Lighton, Cohasset, Mass., disputes the statements made in the 

 Club a short time since, in relation to tlie influence of climate. He says: 



The same remarks are equally applicable to Wheat. While the average 

 yield in Minnesota has been as high as 23 bushels, and never less than 16, 

 and in some particular instances as high as 50 or 60, in Maine the average 

 yield does not exceed 10 or 12 bushels per acre, and that of an inferior 

 quality. The superior excellence of the Minnesota wheat, which weighs 

 about four pounds per bushel more than any other produced in the Eastern 

 or Western States, is undoubtedly due to the limy soil. 



Every one that knows anything of the oats and barley of Minnesota and 

 Kansas will readily admit their superior quality, and their average yield 

 is double that of Maine or any New England State (vide Wheelock's Sta- 

 tistical Reports.) The products of California and Kansas might be cited 

 with equal force with those of Minnesota, all conclusively proving that the 

 climate has but little influence on plants within their limits, but the soil a 

 very powerful one. One has only to turn from the fertile prairies of the 

 South and West to the fields of Aroostook, if he wishes to raise pinched 

 wheat, frost-bitten corn, and have his potatoes freeze in the ground, and 

 his apple and plum trees killed by the severity of the Winter. It is this 

 fact that has caused the return of so many who were induced to immigrate 

 to Aroostook. 



"All history teaches that climate has but very little influence in promo- 

 ting or retarding the intellectual growtVi and vigor, but probably conside- 

 rable in directing the particular channels in which this development shall 

 seek its expression; but the form of Government, its strength and stability, 

 has a potent and all-powerful influence. I apprehend that the influence of 

 climate on plants is but very little more. Of course there are zones beyond 

 which certain plants will not grow, but their excellence within their pro- 



