120 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[March, 1807. 
(Business Notices §3.50 per Agate Line of Space.) 
~The Immense Profits 
OF THE 
TEA TRADE. 
The Proprietors of "THE GREAT AMEBIC AX TEA 
COMPANY,"' became fully convinced, several years ago, 
that the consumers of Tea and Coffee were paying too many 
and too large profits, on these articles of every day con- 
sumption, and therefore organized Tete Gkeat American 1 
Tea Compaq, to do away, as far as possible, with these 
enormous drains upon the Consumers, and to supply them 
with these necessaries at the smallest possible price. 
To give our readers an idea of the profits which have 
been made in the Tea trade, we will start with the Ameri- 
can houses, leaving out of the account entirely the profits 
of the Chinese factors. 
1st.— The American Ilouse in China or Japan makes large 
profits on their sales or shipments— and some of the richest 
retired merchants in this country have made their immense 
fortunes through their houses in China. 
2d.— The Banker makes large profits upon the foreign 
exchange used in the purchase of Teas. 
3d.— The Importer makes a profit of 30 to 50 per cent, in 
many cases. 
4th.— On its arrival here it is sold by the cargo, and the 
Purchaser sells it to the Speculator in invoices of 1,000 to 
2,000 packages, at an average profit of about 10 per cent. 
5th.— The Speculator sells it to the Wholesale Tea Dealer 
in lines at a profit of 10 to 15 per cent. 
Cth.— The Wholesale Tea Dealer sells it to the Wholesale 
Grocer in lots to suit his trade, at a profit of about 10 per 
cent. 
7th.— The Wholesale Grocer sells it to the Retail Dealer 
at a profit of 15 to 25 per cent. 
Sth —The Retailer sells it to the consumer for all the profit 
he can get. 
AY hen you have added to these eight profits as many 
brokerages, cartages, storages, cooperages, and waste, and 
add the original cost of the tea, it will he perceived what 
the consumer has to pay. And now we propose to show 
why we can sell so very much lower than small dealers. 
We propose to do away with all these various profits and 
brokerages, cartages, storages, cooperages, and waste, with 
the exception of a small commission paid for purchasing to 
our correspondents in China and Japan, one cartage, and 
a small profit to ourselves— which, on our large sales, will 
amply pay us. 
Some parties inquire of us how they shall proceed to get 
up a club. The answer is simply this: Let each person 
wishing to join in a club, say how much tea or coffee he 
wants, and select the kind and price from our Price List, a3 
published in the paper or in our circulars. Write the names, 
kinds, and amounts plainly on a list, and when the club is 
complete send it to us by mail, and we will put each party's 
goods in separate packages, and mark the name upon them, 
with the cost, so there need be no confusion in their distri- 
bution—each party getting exactly what he orders, and no 
more. The cost of transportation the members of the club 
can divide equitably among themselves. 
The funds to pay for the goods ordered can be sent by 
drafts on New York, by Post-Office money orders, or by Ex- 
press, as may suit the convenience of the club. Or, if the 
amount ordered exceeds thirty dollars, we will, if desired, 
send the goods by Express, to " collect on delivery." 
Parties getting their Teas from us may confidently rely 
upon getting them pure and fresh, as they come direct from 
the Custom House Stores to our warehouses. 
The Company have selected the following kinds from 
their Stock, which the}' recommend to meet the wants of 
clubs. They are sold at Cargo Prices, the same as the 
Company sell them in New York, as the List of prices will 
show. 
Hereafter wo will send a complimentary package to the 
party getting tip the club. Our profits are small, but we 
will be as liberal as we can afford. AYe send no compli- 
mentary package for clubs of less than $30. 
All goods sold are warranted to give satisfaction. 
PRICE LIST : 
YOUNG HYSON (Green), SQc, 90c, $1, $U0, best 
$l.'23 per pound. 
GREEN TEAS, S0c, 90c., $1, $1.10, best $1.25 per 
pound. 
MIXED, 70c, S0c„ 00c, best $1 per pound. 
JAPAN", $1, 51.10, best $1.25 per pound. 
OOLONG (Black), 70c, SOc, 90c, best -?l per pound. 
IMPERIAL (Green), best $1.35 per pound. 
ENGLISH BREAKFAST (Black), 80c., 00c, $1, 
$1.10, best $1.20 per pound. 
GUNPOWDER (Gunpowder), $1.25, best $1.50 per lb. 
P. S.— All towns, villages, or manufactories, where a large 
number of men are engaged, by clubbixg- together, can re- 
duce the cost of their Teas and Coffees about one-third by 
pending directly to the 
GREAT AMERICAN TEA COMPANY, 
31 and 33 Vesey-steket, corner of Church. 
Post-Office Box, 5,G4:3 New-York City. 
t&T" AYe call special notice to the fact that our Vesey 
Street Store is at Nos. 31 and 33 Vesey Street, corner of 
Church Street— large double store. 
From the Methodist, JV. Y. City. 
The Geeat Axsricax Tea. Gompajty.— In noticing the 
operations of this large and enterprising establishment, it 
may be proper for us to offer a remark in explanation of the 
reasons which induce us to call the attention of the commn 
nity to a concern which lias reached its eminence in pub- 
lic favor. It is our undeviating rule to exercise a scrupu- 
lous judgment in relation to business enterprises — never rec- 
ommending any except such as we believe have been 
proved worthy and reliable, and whose system of business, 
uprightness of dealing with their customers, and ample cap- 
ital to fulfill their engagements are fully established. Upon 
these principles we call attention to the advertisement of the 
Gkeat Amebic an Tea Company, published in our advertis- 
ing columns. The Company have several very large stores, 
located in different parts of the city, stocked with the best 
and most serviceable goods, which they are content to sell 
at merely living profits, as they have proved by their prices 
for the past five or six years. They have but one price. 
which is no small consideration to those who are dependent 
to any considerable degree upon servants or children to 
make purchases, or to those who wish to order from the 
country. By these rules alone the company propose in the 
future to conduct their vast and rapidly augmenting trade. 
Believing that the ability and disposition of the Company 
are ample to perform all they promise, warrants us in calling 
special attention to them in our columns. Itis a trite saying 
"that the honest strivings of honest men are sure to he 
commended, their business efforts encouraged, and ulti- 
mately adequately compensated." 
Clergymen and Gentlemen of the religious and secular 
press of very careful speech, have emphatically indorsed 
and recommended the Great American Tea Compaxt, as 
also commendatory letters of our customers. 
On page 110 of this paper, we give their own words, so 
that consumers of Tea may rely upon our statements and 
manner of doing business. 
VALUABLE PUBLICATIONS 
BY 
LTTTKEE TUCKER & SON, ALBANY, IT. Y. 
" XHe Cultivator and Oounti-v 
Gentleman " — a LARGE WEEKLY 
JOURNAL, 1(5 pages quarto, devoted to the 
Practice and Science of Agriculture and Hor- 
ticulture at large, and to all tbe various De- 
partments of Rural and Domestic Economy. 
Only fi'-i.SO per year, with favorable Terms 
to Clubs. 
* . * Specimen" Copies sent free, or on receipt of 
30 cents, "we will forward the Five Numbers for January, 
stitched and trimmed in paper cover, post-paid — §0 
pages, and very cheap at the price. 
" Bnral Affairs," in FOUR HANDSOME 
VOLUMES, muslin, containing- about 1300 
pages of Reading Matter, and over 1700 
Esig:raviiigs, including all Agricultural 
and Horticultural Subjects, and very valuable 
P-Lans of Farm a>td Couxtbt Houses, and 
Outbuildiugs. 
*±" Sent postage paid for $6, or either Volume 
alone for $1.50. — Send for one and you will want all. 
Address, with remittances, or for further informa- 
tion. LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Albany, 
N. Y. 
Imported Crevecoeur Fowls, 
Direct from the Jardind'Acclimatation, Paris, selected with 
great care; the finest in the country. Orders received for 
fowls only, progeny of above, to be delivered after Sept. 1st. 
Send for Circular. Also, limited number of 
HOUDANS, 
of same importation. 
i>xjcb:s. 
Plata and Aylesbury Ducks and Eggs from tbe best im- 
ported Stock. Send for Circular. 
A. M. HAESTED & CO., fiS Pearl St., New York. 
To Fanners and Agents. 
On receipt of |1*5Q we will send bv mail or express, pre- 
Eaid, the Brass Metallic pans, or for $2.U0 one of the Cele- 
rated Silvers' Patent Excelsior Brooms complete— with lull 
instructions how to till it.— Universally acknowledged to be 
the cheapest, best and most beautiful Broom in tlie world, 
and the onlvone accepted for the '■ Paris Exposition" of 186?. 
An "Agent wanted in every county. For full particulars, 
see February Agriculturist, page 7f. or send for Illustrated 
Circular to C. A". CLEGG & CO., 
206 Broadway, N. Y. 
KNOX'S NURSERY AT YOUR DOOR. — A 
Liberal Offer. See Advertisement on page 117. 
SOUTHERN LANDS. 
Great Bargains in Maryland, Virginia and Cotton growing 
States. Farms of all sizes and at all prices, from $"> to ?100 
per acre. Large Tracts of Timber on Railroad and "Water. 
yerer failing Water Powers, Mill Sites, etc., etc. 
For sale by WM. H. NEWTON, Att'y and Broker, 
23 Lexington-st., Baltimore, Maryland 
D^~ Send 35 Cents for Catalogue. 
GET WELL AND KEEP AVELL.— Read tlie 
Advertisement of Herald of Health, page 113. 
See Advertisement " ALL NURSERIES IN 
ONE," on page 113. Observe the low Prices. 
MR. GREELEY'S PROPOSITION 
FOR GRAPE PRIZE. 
So much has been well done within the last few vears In 
American Fruit growing that it seems feasible, to do still 
more or at least to realize more extensivelv and rapidlv the 
benefit of past improvements. Perhaps tlie most signal im- 
provement has been made in the production of Grapes * * * 
Still, we are growing far too manv inferior grapes, while our 
established favorites are too generally deficient In one or 
more respects. * * * They hare some notable defect as a table 
fruit. * *. * But it is plausibly claimed that several sub- 
stantially new or little known varieties of domestic origin 
of high quality, fulfill Ml the requisites of a choice Uible 
fruit. It is time these claims were tested and passed upon 
by disinterested and capable judges. As a humble contribu- 
tion to this end, I hereby oflVr a premium of One hundred 
dollars for the best plate of native crapes, weighing not less 
than six pounds of any variety known to the growers or 
propagators of the country. I require as follows of the 
grapes competing for the premium : Tbe berries must be at 
least of good medium size, and not liable to fall from the 
stem when ripe : The flesh must be melting and tender quite 
to the center : The flavor must be pure, vinous, and ex- 
hilarating: The vine must be healthy, productive, of good 
7; abit of growth for training in gardens and yards, as well as 
in vineyards, with leaves as hardy and well adapted to our 
climate as those uf the Delaware. In short, what is sought Is 
a vine embodying all of the best qualities of the moat ap- 
proved American and foreign varieties so far as possible. 
I propose to pay this premium on the Award of the Fruit 
Department of the American Institute, and invite competi- 
tion for it at tlie annual fair of the Institute soon to open • 
but if a tkoroug7rfff satisfactory Grape should not now be 
presented, the Institute will ot course postpone the award 
till the proper claimant shall have appeared. 
Signed, HORACE GREELET. 
Tlie Committee, consisting: of Peter B. Mead. Chairman.' E. 
G. Pardee and Francis Brill, reported <sec report in pamphlet) 
that "the lona fully met Mr. Greeley's requirements, and 
that no other grape m cultivation could. 1 ' 
[This the committee knew to be true in Sept., 1S04. and 
thousands of others in all parts of the country now affirm 
the same from their own experience.] 
This appears to be the only committee that ever ad- 
judicated the Greeley prize, although another committee— 
or rather a portion of it— {apparently after enjoying a part?/ 
and forgetting their errand) made another report, which 
embodies an apology for giving it to so poor a grape as the 
Concord. See what" one of them at the late meeting "of 
Fruitgrowers Society of "Western IS", T." says about it when 
asked to explain. 
Extract from letter giving report: " The Concord ripened 
well, but the berries fell from the bunch some, and I don't 
think so much of it on that account. There are several 
grapes that I always eat in preference to the Concord— in 
fact, I seldom eat that— hut the public— the great 
mass — are not so well edncated in their taste, and are readv 
to gnlp down any black: grape of good size, regardless of 
quail tw For that reason I recommended the Concord for 
the Million.'* Mr. William Griffith, of North East. Pa., 
who believed the lona best of all grapes for table and for 
wine, denounced the doctrine of Mr. Committee-man. Baying 
" he (committee-man) little knew the American people," and 
closed by saying ''that 999.000 out of every million and pan 
of the other thousand were already dissatisfied with that 
award, and that 'the million' in nil coming years would 
rebuke the finding of that Greeley Committee." (It is also 
stalest that only three of the Committee ever saw the grapes 
last fait, on exhibition for the premium.) The Convention, 
on voting for " best variety," gave one vote for Concord — 
the man explained "that it was because the birds would'nt 
touch that-" 
Mr. F. R. Elliot (Author of Fruit Growers' Guide) said, "of 
all the grapes that had had any reputation at the YVest, 
Concord was the poorest in quality.'" 
It will be seen that Mr.Greeley's requirements specify very 
Judiciously and accurately the distinctive qualities of a good 
grape, without which his offer of a munificent premium 
would have been entirely, wanting in that clear significance 
and practical good sense, for which he is so eminently dis- 
tinguished. It was not to have been expected that any ont> 
of Concord's " hundred head of friends should have placed 
before the public an analysis of the qualities of a good grape 
so directlv in contrast to that froni which they were reaping 
snch golden harvests, which could last onlv while the 
"ignorance of the million" should continue, b'ut when we 
consider how utterly wanting in all of these essential quali- 
ties the Concord is, and in fitness for "Market" also, we 
cannot fail to wonder that tbe portion of the committee re- 
porting should omit to state such important facts, to avoid 
the appearanceof collusion with what will be regarded a* 
the most euormous swindle that has been perpetrated In 
fruit-culture, when the history of Ike dissemination of the 
Concord shall be known. The latter is in very unenviable 
contrast with the former committee. 
~No\r, Mr. Public, we have finished our little essay, and at 
an expenditure of some thousands of dollais have spread i: 
before vou. Please let some one of your philosophers weigh 
it iii his scales, using for weiahts all that has appeared on 
the subject of grapes in all of the magazines and papers 
during the past three years. — Note the result and make your 
calculations accordingly. 
C. W. GRANT. 
MEAD OAT GRAPE CULTURE AND 
WINE MAKING. 
Harper and Brother will publish, on or before the first of 
March. "American Grape Culture," an elementary work, bv 
Peter B. Mead, intended specially to meet the wants of the 
present time. 
It is the work of a thorouch practitioner of the most ex- 
tended knowledge of the subject, and who. at the same time, 
is able to express his ideas in a clear, intelligent, and scholar- 
ly manner. 
The work is most profusely illustrated with the best en- 
gravings ever produced for the purpose, and we a.-e happy 
to be able to oner it so opportunely to the American public. 
HARPER & BROTHER. 
Franklin Square, N. Y. 
Sent by mail on receipt of price. 
PREFACE. 
Tlie present volume has been prepared in compliance with 
the urgent request of friends in various parts of the country. 
(Continued on page 119, which see.) 
