TEA TREE. 
l&nd are planted' with it; particularly, in the 
province of Fo-chen. It's perpendicular 
growth is impeded, for the convenience of coU 
k6ling it's leaves ; which is done first m 
spring, and- twice afterwards in the course of the 
summer. It's long and tender branches spring 
up almost from the root w^ithout any inter- 
vening naked trunk. Ir is bushy, like a Rose 
Tree , and the expanded petals of the flower 
bear seme resemblance to that of the Rose. 
Every information received concerning the 
Tea Plant, concurred in affirming that ii's 
qualities depended both on the soil in which it 
grew, and the age at which the leaves were 
plucked oiF the tree, as well as on the manage- 
ment of them afterwards. The largest and 
oldest leaves, which are the least esteemed, 
and destined for the use of the lo^vcst classes of 
the people, are often exposed to sale, witli lit- 
tle previous manipulation, and still retaining 
rhat kind of vegetable ta^te which is common 
to most fresh plants, but which vanishes in a 
little time, while the more essential flavour, 
charadleristic of each particular vegetable, 
remains long without dimmution. The young 
leaves undergo no inconsiderable preparation 
before 
