NEW JERSEY TEA. 



BY ALBERTA FIELD, 



AKING my way down a steep woodland hillside the 



"^^ ^ other day, I came across a quaint little plant that, 

 knowing its historj^, reminded me of the tales of those 

 Revoltitionary times when articles that are now consid- 

 ered every day necessities were luxuries, which it were 

 easier to abstain from than obtain, and when many were 

 the makeshifts resorted to, particularly at the period 

 when Boston Bay was one huge drawing of tea— undrink- 

 ^ble. Of great importance in the economics of the h ouse- 

 holds of our forefathers, was this little plant which brings 

 remembrance, like Ophelia's rue, for, during the days of 

 the troubles with the fatherland, the young leaves, dried, 

 were steeped and used as a substitute for tea— doubtless 

 drunk with patriotic relish b3' the Colonial dames, as 

 through its aid they could laugh to scorn the tea levy of 

 the good King George. 



However, this shrubby little plant has retained its 

 title of New Jersey Tea ever since, and holds high its 

 white, feathery head in the sunlight in all pride and con- 

 sciousness of its temporary occupancy of the throne of the 

 great feminine beverage of fragrant Japan, and it still 

 seems to wave its branches patriotically in remembrance. 

 I am not sure that it would not be a more emblematic 

 national flower than many of those suggested, for in the 

 days of the budding Republic, it gave pleasure and relief 

 alike to ^^ye mistress in ye parlour, and ye maide in ye 

 kitchen," as well as to the Colonial army who drank the 

 home grown substitute for the cup that cheers but not in- 

 ebriates, with great relish. 



After the fall of the fluffy clusters of white flowers, 

 comes some quaint little three-cornered seed berries which, 

 like the leaves, have a faint fragrance not unlike the real 

 tea leaf. The root is bright red in color, and from it is 

 made a cinnamon dye, and the plant was known as ''red 

 root" before it aspired to its more pretentious title. John 



