154 
Selected Articles, 
after they have been wilted by exposure to the air or sun, and 
have acquired sufficient pliancy not to be broken by this ope- 
ration, which developes the aroma, and deprives them of 
their acridness. 
When Bohea has not been twice stoved, it is considered as 
badly prepared. In this case the infusion, instead of being 
green, is yellow. The common tea, used by the lower classes 
in China, is first subjected to the action of boiling water, 
which, however, does not prevent its preserving much acri- 
mony, strength and bitterness. 
Different kinds of Tea. Peko. This tea is prepared with 
the leaves of plants of three years of age ; but only those are 
taken which have just expanded, whilst they are still whitish, 
velvety and covered with a soft down. Shrubs of from five 
and six years of age may also furnish a certain proportion of 
Peko, but after this the product becomes Bohea, if the plants 
grow in the valleys, and Congo if on the hills. 
Lint-sessin. This appears to be composed of very young, 
convoluted leaves with their petioles ; the Chinese do not es- 
teem it — it is not stoved. It is only prepared to please the 
eye; the leaves are gathered too young to have any per- 
fume. 
Leoo-ching* This tea is prepared like Bohea, or like the 
green tea, as the demand may be ; but it is generally 
used for the manufacture of Singlo, for which it is best 
suited. 
Homing. So called from the country where it grows, 
about twelve days journey from Canton. The Ho-ping is 
prepared like the Bohea, but with less care, on account of its 
inferior quality. Wood is used instead of charcoal in dry- 
ing, which adds to the unpleasant odour which this tea de- 
rives from the nature of the soil where it grows. 
Honan. This tea grows opposite to Canton. It is pre- 
pared in April and May for the Canton market, especially 
for female use ; it is not exported. It gives a reddish co- 
* Leoo-ching is a district about eight days journey from Canton ; it pro- 
duces annually 1000 peculs of tea ; the pecul is 133£ lbs. 
