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2 CULTIVATION OF TEA 111 THE SOUTH Success of Dr. Shepard, of South Carolina. METHODS AT PINEHURST CLIMATIC DIFFICULTIES OVER COME BY SCIENCE. HE SUCCEEDS WHERE UNCLE SAM FAILED The Possibility of Tea Growing as an Industry for the South. A Coming factor in the Commercial Expansion of the Country. (The Country Gentleman.) To the Editor: It is nearly a decade since the National De partment of Agriculture relinquished what appeared to be an utterly futile • attempt to cultivate tea in the South, with the remark by Commissioner Lor mg, “The climate is not favorable for, it.'- Itecently these abandoned hopes have had a cheerful revival in an apparently successful demonstration by Dr. Charles N. Shepard, of Berkeley county, S. C.,' at his estate of Pinehnrst. Dr.' Shep- ( aid is a scientific horticulturist who lias j studied long and earnestly in the face of tremendous difficulties and almost certain failure, to show the people of, Ihe Southern section of the United | States how they may cultivate tea. and ( better still, do it profitably. The results. | which this distinguished scientist and earnest philanthropist mow announces, appear to make the long deferred possi bility of tea grim ing as an industry for the South, a coming factor in the com mercial expansion of the country. Whatever the economic outlook may be. however, (and there are undoubtedly difficulties in that line still to be over come) there is without, question consid erable satisfaction and a great deal of. interest for the agriculturist in Dr. | Shepard’s unqualified success in domes!i- , eating the tea plant. He has shown how j it may be cultivated to a splendid pro- | duetiveness. Despite the claim of, Asiatic authorities that the yearly rain-1 fall for tea-growing should not be less . v, ./ 9 ' — - ——-—•—- \ £ * ’Tfcifff* Am ft VIEW OF I MR. SHEPARD’S TEA FARM. (Printed by Courtesy of the Country Geutleniau.) than 80 to 100 inches and that the tem perature should not be lower than 40 degrees F., Dr. Shepard lias proved that various sjiecies of "he tea-plant will flourish in the climate of South Carolina where the rainfall is but st> inches per annuiy and at temperature of 15 degrees F. may be looked for in winter. Dr. Shepard’s experiments have l>een carried on entirely within the boundaries of his own extensive estate of TOO acres, 50 of which are now set out as tea gardens. The varied sites and soils af forded by the plantation have all been utilized in scientific* exi>erinientation with the different varieties of teas pro cured from foreign lands. Dr. Shepard based his hope of tea domestication on the fact that the tea-plant, though in digenous to a tropical climate, can en dure very considerable cold. This is evident from the botanical history of the original Assam plant which even in the remote and chilly northern islands of Japan lias made itself a home. Though the natural result of climatic* change is to stunt the plant and shrink tin* foliage, it has not necessarily les sened leaf production. The smaller leaves characteristic* of the variety usually termed Chinese have given rise to the division of eonwuemal tea (Ca mellia thea) into two distinct and widely divergent varieties, tie* Assamese and the Chinese, the many intervening types being largely the result *>f their hybridization, 1 As a result of bis prolonged and scien tific* la'bors, Dr. Shepard lias evolved a distinct system of cultivation and prun ing, and has acquired a thorough knowl edge of the habits of the tea-plant, all of which is of great value not only to the prospective tea-grower, hut also to the student of tea cultivation. A question of primary importance is the selection of seed. In Dr. Shepard's opinion, it is best to choose the nearest approach to the indigenous Assam va riety that the local climate will i>emvit, in order to obtain the greatest yield and strength consistent with quality. For delicacy of flavor, he recommends the Chinese or Indian hybrids, which also afford a very fait* leaf production. Al though either green or black tea may lie made from the same leaf, experience has shown that each variety of the tea* .plant is better adapted for tin* manu facture of either one or the other. Con sequently the intention of the grower to produce green or black tea will iu fluenee the selection of the seed. From the Assamese, Darjeeling. Kangra, Kumnon, Ceylon, Fortnosa and Chinese seeds (types already experimented with at Pinehurst) better black than green tea can Ik* manufactured. The Japanese variety is best for green tea. The swl closely resembles « Barccloma nut in the outward appearance, both as to size and to shape, and is of a dirty black color. ■ The best seed, it is claimed, comes from upper Assam and Manipur, from some half dozen or so well known garden*. The Assam plant, when cultivated for seed, is allowed to grow to the height of an apple tree instead of being pruned to five feet, as when grown for leaf. The cost of 100 pounds of Oriental tea j seed, about 40,000 seeds, varies from j SOO to $l2O, according to quality and , expense of transportation. The United States Department of Agriculture, under' Secretaries Rusk and Wilson, has aided . Dr. Shepard in securing consignments of! tea-seed from far Asia. The Depart-, ment of State, through its consuls, has greatly bellied in old aiming the best quality of seed. The most promising va-j riety was brought from Darjeeling, an elevation of 8,000 feet, the aim being to produce hardiness with a good-sized deli- j cate leaf. Inomediately on its receipt, the seed is ( planled out in nursery beds. Great care lnusl be exercised in selecting a thin, I rathfn* light soil overlying a harder sub- j soil, with free drainage, near a water j supply, and to have the surface of the bed rather below the surrounding land. The top-soil is spaded to the depth of four inches and then raked off level, j In the early days of tea-planting in British India, lots of vagaries were in-j dulged in. Sometimes seed was sown j ! close together and in rows, so that it j came up in hedge*, and sometimes it was scattered abroad from the back of an elephant, who was made to wander in an aimless manner about the laud which was to be brought under cnltiva- j tion. Nowadays it is the practice in the Orient to make the nursery bed* from j 4 to G feet wide and separate from each, other by shallow drains, the seed lieing j sown with geometrical precision about; G inches apart. In isou.tli Carolina, the | seeds are stowii 8 inches apart, at a depth of 2 or 8 inches, and in rows 4; inches distant from each other. The ground is then wet and covered with a ] few inches of pine straw or other pro tective litter and kept moistened, espe cially after the sprouts appear, when the litter is all removed and the bed kept free from weeds. A shade is erect ed over the bed, as the young tea plants cannot stand the direct sun, their native habitat being the shady forest. From 25 to GO per cent, of the seed planted. may he expected) to germinate. In a I few months the* young sprouts, of 4 to G inches in height, are ready for trails- 1 planting to the tea garden, which is best done during the wet season in midsum mer by the ordinary methods. In laying out a tea garden. Dr. Shep ard recommends that level land be chosen, naturally moist, but free from stagnant tfater. The soil should be light itnd porous, rich in thoroughly deeom j posed organic matter (preferably from oak leaves), and as deep as possible. The sub-soil should be self-draining and present no obstacle to the deep pene tration of the tap roots. The analysis of the best tea-soils, made by Dr. Shepard, shows the preponder ance of nitrogen, potash and magnesia micas. Manganese forms a considerable part of each; but there is no sulphuric acid, and very little lime. The presence of iron in large projsirtion is noted in the best Japanese, Javanese and Chi nese soils. The ferruginous property of tin* soil has promoted the high quality of the Formosa tea. The I’inehurst ex periments have been conducted on sandy, clayey and bottom lands, on level fields, on hillsides and in drained inonds. The level lands have proved the Im*sc when thoroughly drained, porous to as great a depth as possible, and free from all original acidity. It was early recog nized that none of the plats afforded sufficiently abundant and quick plant focal to stimulate and maintain that luxuriant, growth \fhich is indispensable in a successful tea gaeden. Consequent ly all the land lias received generous en richment in a heavy dressing of burnt marl in advance of cultivation. A sys tem of soil treatment was adopted after thoroiwgh study and experiment that would, as far as possible, compensate for the scarcity and unequal distribution of rainfall. By under-drainage, subsoil plowing and pulverizing to a depth of 18 inches or more, a gain of moisture equivalent to a fall of 10 to 15 inches of rain is secured. The supply of moisture is further conserved by planting cow peas between the bushes, in the autumn, whose roots penetrate the soil, and (ly ing not only leave valuable food for the tea-plant, but render the earth much more porous and capable of retaining the moisture during seasons of drought. It is generally held that each bush requires about 10 square feet of soil. At I’inehurst, it has been found desirable to plant farther apart than in the East, so that mules and tin* usual cultivators could be utilized. The plants are pre ferably set out at distances of 4 to 0 feet, in triangular planting, to facilitate three-way plowing nml |V> secure a minimum of unemployed laud. It. was found, also, that the system of planting in hedges, 12 or 15 inches apart, with THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, SUNDAY CORNING, OCT. 8. 1899. j five foot alleys, though it demanded ! more hoeing, can lie list'd advantngeotisiy ,on slopes to prevent, the washing away of soil. After planting, the seedlings of 1 shaded and protected by broad shingles I inserted on the south and west in sum mer. and north and east in winter. The young plants art* kept growing through the winter by all good agricul tural methods. Vacancies caused by the death of individual plants are filled immediately from the surplus stock in the nurseries. Carefully preserved stable I compost, fortified with acid phosphate ! and kainiit, is spread wherever it can be profitably used. Commercial fertili- ’ I zers rich an soluble potash and availa j hie nitrogen, with a certain part of solu j hie phosphates, are those employed at j Pinehurst. About the middle of March, the young ' seedlings’ produce their first "flush”— ! that is, they have sprouted sufficiently | for picking. The young successive shoots ' are allowed to grow until on each are four or five young leaves. Although the plants will produce leaves suitable for , tea-picking as early as the second year, 1 it has been found advisable to defer 1 systematic leaf-plucking until the third 1 year. In the axis of each leaf may Ik* I seen a diminutive leaf-bud, which on ' proper encouragement will rapidly pro -1 duce another wholly equipped shoot. | This encouragement is supplied by fur nishing so great a stimulus to luxuriance that its existent foliage fails to meet the I needs of the plant, or by depriving it of the greater part of its leaves. The cul tivated Assamese variety is capable oi hearing twenty or more flushes in a sea son: the Chinese and Japanese but a few. i On youg plants and on the earliest spring I flushes of the older hushes, the packers are taught to nip off, between the thumb nail and forefinger, the “Pekoe” tip (the tiny, unexpanded leaf-bud at the end of the shoot), and an almost equally tender, small leaf next on the | stem, termed the “Orange Pekoe.” As ! the season advances, u large propor tion of the “Pekoe”—a slightly larger ' and firmer leaf—is taken. Following j these leaves come two yet larger and ’ more mature leaves, the first and second | “Souchong.” The first as picked at the ’ height of the season; and two leaf-buds I are left at the end of the shoot for producing others in due time. The pick ! ers put the leaf into Swiss trout-baskets, which have been found the most conven ient receptacles, because the tips or leaves can be dropped one by one through the square hole in the cover, and lie lightly in the basket until it is removed. The tea-leaves must not Ik* pack is 1 down tightly, for fear of becoming heated, which would seriously injure the quali ty. Neither is the picked tea allowed to [ collect iu large quantities in the field, but is brought to tin* factory, very care- I fully examined as to fineness and general ' condition, weighed and spread out on a cool, clean floor in preparation for the process of manufacture. In the cultivation of tea, it is very im portant to prevent the shoots from grow ing too long or too struggling, and to in- sure leaf-productiveness, that they Ik* nipped off in time. The constant pick ing of the young leave* during summer impoverishes the plant. Pruning conse quently becomes imperative. In the earlier stages of Dr. Shepard’s work, he followed the plan of maintaining clean stems with such disastrous and disheart ening results that the whole effort was well high given up. Later experiments demonstrated the success of his original , method of pruning, which was directed , toward producing breadth without in creasing the height of the plant, and also secured strength in the shoots, so that they are aide to react in the production of new leaves after each picking. In stead of undergoing a severe pruning every fourth year, with a subsequent loss of crop for a season, as is the prac tice in Indian gardens, the plants are partly renewed annually and need no rest time. The result has proved that, introduced into the open sunlight and properly pruned and cultivated, the most luxuriant types of tea from the gloomy jungles become capable of greatly aug mented yield. Nor does intensive culti vation and cropping, judiciously 'exer cised, appear seriously to impair the strength and life of the Plant. The importance of this discovery was recognized by an expert from the Na tional Department of Agriculture who had grown many thousands of tea-plants and was familiar with methods of cul ture in India. He declared the Pine hurst garden to be one of perfect culti vation. The remarkable color of the foliage, a deep velvety green, shining with vigorous health on the lower leaves of the plants, <and the uniformity and perfection of shape of the bushes, indi cative of skillful pruning, were most highly commended. The recent returns from the earliest tea-gardens at Pinohurst prove that they equal the best yields of the ln*st tea growing countries. The rose garden in a single year ending with 1898, produced 1200 pounds, an average of 5 ounces of tea per bushel. In China and Japan the average yield per bush docs not exceed 2 ounces; in India and Ceylon, it is from 3 to 5 ounces. It is this result which enables Dr. Shepard to say confidently at the end of ten year’s arduous labors that he has been successful from an economic, as well as an agricultural standpoint. As a beginning to a wider spread of tea cultivation throughout the South, Dr. Shepard makes a practical, common sense suggestion for the large class of people who, lie thinks, might profitably add the cultivation of tea to that of flowers and vegetables. This can be done by filling out the corners of their gardens and home fields with tea-bushes, as is the pnstom in China, or substituting useful as well as ornamental evergreen hedges of that plant for the present un sightly, costly and frequently unreliable fences. Cultivated in this way, the out lay of time, labor and money would be minimized, and the household should Im* able at the outset to supply its own tea. The output in green leaf of these gar dens could bo taken for manufacture to the tea factories which would be estab lished in each neighborhood as demand for them arose. A great advantage which tea cultiva tion has for the grower inheres in the fact that the season for gathering the leaf lasts in the Southern States for six months. The crop is (thus practically in dependent of the instability of the weather during any determined period, which is not usually the case with most of the products of horticultural enter prise and solicitude. T. A. STEWART. “Better do it than )vish it done.” Bet ter cure catarrh by taking flood's Sar saparilla than complain because you k suffer from it. , HE LAUDS DEWEY, CONDEMNS OTIS. (Continued From First Page.) Indi\ idual Americans, civilians and sol diers, treat them arrogantly, as if ul ready they were our slaves. Jhe I* ilipiuox never forget; they never forgive. They are highly sensi tive, easy to flatter, but impossible to fool. They are very hitter, very brave, very persistent. We need on our side great tact, absolute discipline, stainless honor, incorruptible honesty—otherwise a legacy of hate and bloodshed. This is as certain as the decrees of God. “Our Congress ought, to In* called ait once to give the Filipinos some prom ise of government. Unless some prom ise is made of a very definite charac ter, in my judgment the war will not cease with the conquest of Aguinaldo. “For the present, I should think that an autonomous government with an American protectorate would satisfy the people. We might arrange for a con vention at the end of ten years to de termine, by a public vote of In* Fili pinos, what form of government they wanted. “The Spanish friars should go home to Spain and American priest* take their places, granting to the Filipino ‘padres’ the full rights of priesthood, which they have never had under Spain.” REMARKABLE RESCUE. Mrs. Michael Curtain, Plainfield, 111., make* the statement that she caugnt cold, which settled on her lungs; she was treated for a month by her famiilv phy sician, but grew worse. He told nor she was a hopeless victim of consump tion and that no medicine cord'd cure her. Her druggist suggested Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption; she liotighl a bottle and to her delight found herself benefitted from first dose. She continued its use nml after taking six bottles, found herself sound and well; now does her own housework, and is as well as she ever was. Free trial bottle of this Great Discovery at all drug stores. Only 50 cents and SI.OO, every bottle guaranteed. UNDER THE ROSES. “Tli' lover,” mused the janitor philoso pher. “oftill give* tli’ lass to understand tliot her W’hided lcCfe will be a bed uv ro*e«; but, faith, it’s a funny lied uv rose* thot has a cook stove at wan ind an’ a wash,tub at th' it her. TRY ALLEN’S FOOT-EASE, A powder to be shaken Into the shoes. Your feet feel swollen, nervous and hot, and get tired easily. If you have smart ing feet or tight shoes, try Allen’s Foot- Ease. It cools the feet and makes walk ing easy. Cures swollen, sweating feet, ingrowing nails, blisters and callous spots. Relieves corns and bunions of all pain and gives rest and comfort. Try it to-day. Sold by all druggists and shoe stores for 25c. Trial package free. Address, Allen S. Olmsted, Le Roy, N. Y. OLD. Situ bo—'“This should l:c a fine place to go nutting.” Penn —"Nutting in a theater?” Stuhli —“Yes; there are peanuts in the gallery, polished coeoanut* in Ihe front row and chestnuts on the stage.” On the 10th of December, 1897. Rev. S. A. Donuhoc, pastor M. E. church, South, Pt. Pleasant, W. Va., contracted a severe cold which was attended from the beginning by violent coughing. He says: “After resorting to a number of so-called ‘specifics,’ usually kept in the house, to no'purpose, I purchased a bot tle of Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy, which acted like a charm. I most cheer fully recommend it to the public.” For sale everywhere. Boldiitt-TVynne Drug Co., and Henry T. Hicks, Druggists, Raleigh. r 4 $ Use the genuine I MURRAY & I 1 LAWMAN'S H FLORIDA si WATER m $ a “The Universal Perfume.” & For the Handkerchief, Toilet and 2 Bath. Refuse all substitutes. Nasal Catarrh CAN BJt Ol’KK.j «v SIMPSON'S Eczema Ointment or AH Stomach an 1 Liver Trouble* ■ SIMPSON’S LIVtR PILLS The Beat In the World. HUNT BY MAIL FOB J 6 CICNTs •aaa Menu Simpson’s Pharmao WILL'AH SIMPSON. POM let eater’s English Diamond Brand. ENNVROYAL PILLS -dSfTv - “ n< * tlenulne. A alw*y* rt-Unwe. l»oi£* »»k i&\ UruKgtl.t for <7 HUhttteTß Knqhen Hratul h. Itert and wa mntiUeYW ■tv *r»lod WHU bins ribhoi.. TaMe VS^ KrfM'd,\ng*roui lubniitu- V I / fjf tioni iiAit<xtion» At Ofuggitu, or isod I Jr l<»r!.iool»r«. »o.tlmonl«l» tnc IB* 0 “Relief forJLadles,” <n inter, b, retarn nr Hall. 10,000 Ti'HtlmoDUU. Mmnr Paper. ***/ floiAfiM bj !»U Local 1*1IILAI>.1» FA. CASTOR I A, The Kind Yot Have Always Bought, and which has been in use for over 30 years, has borne the signature of— ami has been made under his per sonal supervision since its infancy. /'CctcyU/X Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and Substitutes are but Ex periments that trillo with and endanger the health of lufants and Children—Experience against Experiment. What is CASTORSA Castoria is a substitute for Castor Oil, Paregoric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is Harmless and Pleasant. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroys Worms and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates the Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. The Children’s Panacea—The Mother's Friend. GENUINE CASTORSA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of _ The Kind You Have Always Bought In Use For Over 30 Years. THC CENUUH COMWIH. TT MUBfIOV fITWEET. Ncwvom CITY. Newest Autumn Dress Goods Specials Deserving Your Attention. Black Crepons, best English French pro ductions, mohair and wool, silk and wool. Looms never created richer weaves in black. Furrows, crinkles, hummocks, bulbs and bur effects. All are novel, elegant and beautiful; 44 and 45 in. wide; 85c., $1 00, $1 25, $1.50, $1.75, $2.00, $2.25 and $2 50 a yard. French High Novelty Dress Goods, one pat tern of a kind, not to be duplicated. Our store is literally headquarters for North Carolina on imported high novelties. Our exquisite show ings this season far excel in richness any of our heretofore efforts. The prices run from $2.50 to $5.00 a yard. Novelty dresses are more extensively used this fall and winter than for many years. Satin-finished Ladies' Cloth and satin-fin ished Venetians, likewise exceedingly desirable. We show a prodigal range of new colors — blacks ancl the newest old mahogany—so in. wide, $1.50 a yard. Authentically Antique Embroideries and Silks for vestings and fronts, attractively and modernly priced. DOBBIN & FERRALL, r ~ or, | St. Mary’s School, Raleigh, N. C. | • • $ t la The Advent Term of the Fifty-eighth Bchool Year begins September 31, 1899. # Courses in Liteiature, Languages Ancieut and Modern, Science, Art, Music, and 2 2 Busiuess. Mode n Sanitary convenience) in each JUorwitory Building. For fur- 2 w ther information i pply to the Rector, 5 o REV. T. D. BKATTON, B. D. | ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••MM* It’s a Great Treat to put on a suit of clothing that fits every curve and fills out every defect, besides giving you a swell ami elegant appearance, such as do the suits aud overcoats made here. An expert and artistic tailor studies the figure and style of those whom they are fitting, and makes their garments to fit like a glove, as we do. My fabrics and prices are attractive. JOHN E. Bit I DOERS, Merchant Tailor, 21(5 Fayetteville Street.
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Oct. 8, 1899, edition 1
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