228 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. Chap. XIV. 
vators and small farmers at about 80 cash a catty, which 
is equal to 4 taels per picul. The following table will 
show the total amount of these expenses : — 
Cost of tea at 80 cash per catty . . 4 taels per picul. 
Do. of chest and packing .... 0*847 , , 
Wholesale dealer's extra expenses .1 , , 
Carriage, as above 1*359 , , 
Hang-chow-foo custom-house . . . 0"037 , , 
Export duty at Shanghae .... 2-530 , , 
9*773 
If these different items are as correct as I believe 
them to be, it would appear that the profit upon com- 
mon teas is very small, so small indeed as to make it a 
matter of doubt whether they will ever be produced at a 
reduced rate. 
It must be borne in mind, however, that all the ex- 
penses just enumerated, excepting the original cost of 
tea, are as heavy upon the common kinds as upon those 
of a finer quality, for which much higher prices are paid. 
Take for example the good and middling Ohows, and 
finest teas, which sold in Shanghae, December, 1846, at 
from 20 to 28 taels, long price ;* in 1847 at 1 8 to 26 taels ; 
in 1848 at 14 to 22 taels ; and in July, 1849, at 16 to 
25 taels per picul. Such tea in November, 1847, was 
worth from Is. to Is. 4cZ. per lb. in England. 
These fine teas are said to be sold by the small 
farmers to the dealers, at, on an average, 160 cash a 
catty, a sum probably higher than that which is actually 
* Long price [1. p.] means that the export-duty is included. 
