Thea Viridis

This is the China tea plant, whose native country

is undetermined. All kinds and grades of the teas of commerce are

made from this species, although probably it has some varieties.

Black and green teas are the result of different modes of

preparation; very much of the green, however, is artificially

colored to suit the foreign trade. The finest teas do not reach

this country; they will not bear a sea voyage, and are used only

by the wealthy classes in China and Russia. The active principles

of the leaves are theine and a volatile oil, to which latter the

flavor and odor are due. So far as climate is concerned for the

existence of the tea plant in the United States, it will stand in

the open air without injury from Virginia southwards. A zero frost

will not kill it. But with regard to its production as a

profitable crop, the rainfall in no portion of the States is

sufficient to warrant any attempt to cultivate the plant for

commercial purposes. But this does not prevent its culture as a

domestic article, and many hundreds of families thus prepare all

the tea they require, from plants it may be from the pleasure

ground or lawn, where the plant forms one of the best ornaments.