Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



443 



In this interesting region tea has heen grown for many years, and ten 

 years ago I was fortunate in being able to visit one of the plantations under 

 the most favorable circumstances. It is situated near the village of Chakva, 

 between the cities of Batum and Poti, on one of the estates of the Russian 

 Emperor. The estate covers several thousand acres, having a narrow frontage 

 upon the Black Sea, and extending far back eastward into the hills and valleys 

 that lie in front of the low mountains. Near the sea is the Emperor's palace, 



Figure 189. Nearer view of tea plants six years old. 



and several other buildings, all surrounded by elegant gardens of shrubs, 

 palms, and greensward with an abundance of flowers everywhere. Here Mr. 

 Simonson, the superintendent of the estate, met us, and immediately con- 

 ducted us to all parts of the tea plantations, passing through thriving plan- 

 tations of Eucalyptus globulus, and tree bamboos (Phyllostachys) . The tea 

 plantations were back from the sea shore a mile or so, upon the gently rolling 

 hills, and covered large areas of successive plantings. The tea plants were 

 from two to three feet in height, and seen from a distance the fields looked 



