116 



TEA. 



In 1874 the exports from the port of Yokohama were 17,016,316 lbs., 

 and from Hiogo 7,091,165 lbs. A considerable stimulus has within 

 the last three years been given^ to the cultivation of the tea plant, 

 with a most profitable result to the growers. The area of tea planta- 

 tions is rapidly increasing, and the young shrubs planted are now 

 coming into full bearing. 



The production of teas for export is steadily increasing in Japan, 

 and it is probable that the tea of that country, which is pure, delicate, 

 and wholesome, will maintain its hold upon the tastes of those who 

 have learned to like it. 



Australia. — Baron Mueller considers that the extensive fern-tree 

 gullies of Victoria would be exceedingly suitable for this culture. 



" The tea shrub was raised in the Botanic Garden at Melbourne in 

 some quantity as far back as 1859, and was since that time, with the 

 sanction of successive Ministries, rather largely distributed to those 

 of our colonists who wished to experiment on it ; many plants were, 

 amongst others, also sent to the Industrial School Depot at Sunbury. 

 In early age the plant is, however, somewhat tender, and apt to 

 succumb to dryness, yet not only still at the Botanic Garden, but also 

 in many other of our main public plantations as well as in private 

 gardens, there must be now ample means to obtain seeds for further 

 dissemination or test. The growth of the plant alone for seed would 

 prove for some years remunerative. Already in 1862 I brought the 

 first sample of Australian tea prepared from bushes grown by myself, 

 before the London International Exhibition of that year. Subsequently 

 other samples from a laboratory constructed by me for work of this 

 kind, and until the last two years under my control, were exhibited 

 at the various great international gatherings of industrial products, 

 and one of these specimen lots may likewise be seen in the Melbourne 

 Technologic Museum. 



" A damp warm climate, with rains to the extent of 70 or even 100 

 inches, well spread over the year, and copious in the spring, is above 

 all adapted for tea culture; with a view to the amplest return, tea 

 bushes should never be shrivelled up by hot winds, or oppressed 

 by lasting frosts. Eich forest land in its virgin state is preferable to 

 any other. Wide valleys with gentle slopes or undulations, or slightly 

 elevated level lands with natural drainage, are far more eligible than 

 steep hill-sides, because the working of such lands is less expensive, 

 while the risk of any denudation of the roots by washing away of earth 

 on declivities is avoided. Light loams of a reddish or yellowish colom', 

 crumbling throughout, of several feet depth, with a surface stratum of 

 decomposed forest foliage, is insisted on as the most desirable for the 

 largest and most lasting yields ; nevertheless, in many other soils the 

 tea bush will thrive." 



Baron Mueller further observes : 



" I believe that products would be obtained in our ranges, superior 

 in flavour and strength, especially to the commoner sorts in general 

 use ; hence our competition with China and Japan (which countries 

 have singularly long enjoyed the monopoly in this trade) should be 

 particularly in the more precious sorts of tea. The presence of so 

 large a number of the Chinese people in Australia seems to indicate 



