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Tea Growing Experiments in the United States. Prospects of the Industry. By Weldon Fawcett. THE century which has re cently been ushered into existence will see an ad dition to tlie already long list of reasons why there can never he a repetition of that fa mous “Boston tea party” which helped to bring on the Revolutionary War. This new preventive is found in tlie fact that long ere the present cycle of a hundred years is rounded out, Uncle Sam will, in all probability, be produc ing within his domain sufficient tea leaves for all the soothing beverage which his people can possibly drink, and mayhap will have some to spare to his brethren across the sea. That this will be a Highly desirable consummation must lie appreciated even by the iorson who never sipped a cup of tea in his life. For one thing, it will enable the poorer classes to ob tain good tea at lower prices, and for another it will keep in the coffers of the American people a fortune, amounting to many million dollars an nually, which now goes to feed and clothe men and women on the other side of the globe. Under present con ditions every man, woman and child in the United States consumes about twenty cents’ worth of tea each twelvemonth, and the Immense aggre gate sum is divided among the tea growers in China, Japan and Ceylon, several middlemen and agents, and the vessel owners who carry the precious product to market. The best feature of the new era which is coming, however, is found in the fact that liner tea can be grown in the United States than in the Orient. This has been conclusively proven by some interesting experi ments which the United States De partment of Agriculture has been con ducting during the past few years at Hjjjjjjj THE TEA PLANT. the pioneer ten plantation established In the New World. As soon as the Secretary of Agricul ture became convinced that tea culture in the South was not only practicable but might be made profitable as well, he arranged for the institution of an experimental plantation in South Caro lina. The site selected has proven a most admiraole one. Pinehurst, as it is called, consists of about seven hun dred acres of beautiful rolling country thickly strewn with woodlands. About fifty acres of the splendid estate were transformed into tea gardens, and this apportionment has gradually been ex tended. The tiny seeds which had been brought from the Far East were left to repose in earthy beds, prepared and sweetened with all the care which could possibly be bestowed upon a couch of soil. Diminutive shades were even provided to screen these babies of the plant world from the glare of the sun, and then the tea planters anxiously awaited results. At first the little immigrants did not appear to take kindly to the foreign clime, and the investigators became so discouraged that they were well nigh ready to give up the experiment, when, just in the nick of time, fate smiled, with the result that these = v ; -• . ' „ <K-'. * PICKING TEA. American tea gardens now contain thousands of bushes, each composed of many separate stems. Better still, the practical side of the enterprise has show ing. The yield of tlie plantation is increased by one-eighth each year and the tea produced is so vastly superior to the black tea which comes over tlie ocean that it sells for a dollar a pound, or three or four times as much as the importations from China or Japan, and thus nets tho Government a very handsome profit on its investment. , But because the tea which has thus far been produced in Dixie has sold for three or four times the price of L. , - ROLLING TEA. the crisp leaves which have been car ried half way round the world, it must not. be supposed that the argument re garding the ultimate cheapness of American tea is without foundation. The Government officials have demon strated that under ordinary circum stances four hundred pounds of tea can be counted upon as the yield of each acre in a plantation. The tea can be grown and put on the market at fifteen cents per pound. Thus if the shop keepers sell this superior grade of tea at t}': same prices that are now charged for the inferior im ported teas, they will almost double their money, and presumably some of them will be satisfied with less profit than this when competition becomes fierce. The United States Government is now planning to distribute tea plants free to all Southern colleges that will agree to assist the Department of Agri culture in establishing tea gardens on their land. Special scientific agents are being sent out to give advice, and after a thorough investigation has been made of the possibilities of the Gulf States for tea culture, experi ments will be conducted in Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indian Ter- ritory, Oklahoma Territory, Missouri and other border States. Climatic conditions, rainfall and soil must, however, all be favorable to conduce to successful tea culture, and the American tea growers have already discovered that it is useless to try to propagate the plants where the winter temperature is lower than fifteen de grees above zero. An average of an inch of rainfall every week in the year is also essential, although it is hoped to overcome this necessity by means of irrigation. One of the most tedious tasks which has confronted the pioneer tea grow ers has been that of determining what species of tea plants give the best re sults when transplanted to this con tinent. In order to demonstrate this a number of miniature tea gardens have been provided, and in each some particular variety is carefully nursed under special treatment. Thus the visitor to this romantic nook in South Carolina may see. growing side by side, Japauese, Chinese, Ceylonese auu American tea. The difference in the quantity of tea yielded by a single bush presents as wide a range in the case of the different varieties as Is the case in the Orient, where the pro duct varies from one ounce from each THE WEEKLY NEWS, CARTERSVILLE, GA. hush in Japan, to eight or ten ounces from the average bush in India and Ceylon. One of the problems which has puz zled the American tea planters not a little Is that of securing helpers at wages low enough to enable competi tion with the ridiculously cheap labor of the Mongolians. Machinery now does much of the work of preparing the tea for market, but the leaves must be picked by hand, and with all the economy that can be exercised it costs just about eight times as much to secure the harvesting of a pound of tea in South Carolina as it does in Asia. Even as it is the cost would be greater had not the projectors of this initial tea plantation happily hit upon the plan of employing colored school children as pickers. A school house is maintained on the plantation, and in the Intervals be tween learning to read and write the youngsters are taught how to pick tea. None of these juvenile toilers can ap proach in rapidity the records of the expert pickers of Asia, but it is claimed that they are far more careful in the selection of the leaves tliau their rivals on the opposite side of the world. About three days are required for the force of pickers to make the rounds of the gardens, and this must be done every ten days, or about a score of times during the season. An expert can gather anywhere from ten to twenty pounds of fresh leaf a day. Some of the little pickers earn fifty or sixty cents a day. but the ma jority do not receive more than twen ty or thirty cents. The method of procedure after the tea leaves have been picked is not a very intricate one. The crisp leaves are gathered, as plucked, into Swiss trout baskets, where they are per mitted to lie as loosely as possible lest they become heated. Each basketful, as it is brought into the factory, is carefully examined, and after being weighed is spread to dry in a cool, clean place. Tea manufacture proper consists of two processes. In the one ks -n SORTING TEA. the tiny oil cells in the leaf are broken and the contents extracted by hot water, while by the other the leaves are once more dried thoroughly. The product of such a method of handling is the greeu tea of commerce. If it is desired to produce black tea, two additional stages of evolution must be introduced—the withering, or prep aration of the leaf for rolling, and oxidation, which involves certain chemical changes. To such an extent has mechanical genius entered the field of tea production, that the black tea secured at Fineliurst may now fairly he said to be largely machine made. The sifting, rolling, oxidation and firing are all done by mechanical process. A phase of the handling of the tea in which the American grow ers have exercised exceptional care is found in the curing of the leaf. No direct sunlight is allowed to strike the leaves, either when they are being withered or during the process of final drying. It costs upwards of fifty dollars an acre to set out and raise the tea plants, and thousands of dollars must be ex pended for a factory in addition to the constant outlay for labor. A tea garden, when once established, how ever, represents an institution that will staid for centuries.—The Book World. Lately two large firms in Constanti nople, Turkey, have for the first time received extensive shipments of Amer ican shoes. All the world's a staircase on which all men go either up or down. AN ADEPT. “That bookkeeper of yours never seems to be sick.” “No; he’s the most expert germ dodger we’ve ever had in the establish ment." —Chicago Tribune. Exhibits at Knlfalo, Th n re will ba exhibits from all over tho world at tho Buffalo Exposition, which will prove very interesting to all who mey attend, but no more so.than tho news that the famous remedy, Hostetter's Stomach Bitters, will cure dyspepsia, indigestion, constipation, bilious ness and nervousness. To all sufferers from the above complaints a trial is recommended, with the assurance that when honestly used a cure will be affected. It ako tones up tho entire ryotem. Wheat is mentioned twenty-eight differ ent tunes in the Bible. 44 it St*cnis Is it not true? Women suffer, feel the very life crushed out of them, grow old before their time. Each morning wake up determined to do so much before the day ends, and yet— Before the morning is very old the dreadful BACKACHE attacks them, the brave spirit sinks back in affright; no matter how hard they struggle, the “clutch” is upon them and they fall upon the couch crying : “ Why should I suffer so ? What can Ido ? ” The answer is ready, your cry has been heard, and a woman is able to restore you to health and happiness. Backache is only a symptom of more fatal trouble — heed its warning in time. Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound will stop your torture and restore your courage. Your pains come from unnatural menstruation or some derangement of the womb. Let those who are suffering read Mrs. Mor ton’s letter and be guided by her experience. AN OPEN LETTER TO WOMEN. “Deap. Mrs Pinkham:—l have been so delighted with Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound I thought I would write and thank you. My system was entirely run down. I suffered with terrible back ache in the small of my back and could hardly stand upright; was more tired in the morning than on retiring at night. I had no aopetite. Since taking your Com pound I have gained fifteen pounds, and am gaining every week. My appetite has improved, have no back ache, and I look better than I ever looked before. “ I shall reconsmend it to all my friends, as it cer tainly is a wonderful medicine.”—Mrs. E. F. Morton, 826 York Street, Cincinnati, O. When a medicine ha* been successful in restoring to health more than a million women, you cannot well say, without trying it, “I do not believe it will help me.” If you are ill, don’t hesitate to get a bottle of Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound at once, and write Mrs. Pinkham, Lynn, Mass., for special advice—it is free. Spa m I 9 ! n r lAf A fin ° wln * u the f that some skeptical r Ili a B I Hr Hf nK|! people have from time to time questioned fc% I II IN I Ilk TV #llll9 the genuineness of the testimonial letters * ■ | I| I | 1 , we are constantly publishing, we have 1 I 1 f ? * deposited with the National City liank, ot I.vnn, Mass.. $5,000, I I I o I ii f s which will be paid to any per n who can show that the above kP 1J testimonial is not genuine, or was pulished before obtaining the writer's special permission.—Lydia E. Pinkham Mhdicinb Cos. t-rr\W.L.DOUGLAS J£SSk $3. & 53.50 SHOES B!K. /e-l M; -vn tv k ▼X. worth of W. la. llotiuli&i iiikl tt I E * kLETS \shoes i* to My -1&4 7 \ Line cannot be equalled _ *•' &!/ mJi- Rv fi'f?nrii 'l .^ ,rrT *— _ It is not alone the best ' / N ' mass. rnakes * hrsfc r— '' of the foot, and the construct It is mechanical skill and ? knowledge that have made W. L. I kmglas slfbes the best in the world f*r men. vHSirc??.**' /Hk Take no substitute. Insist on having W. L. Douglas shoes with name and price stamped on bottom. Your dealer should keep them, if he docs not, Nfov.-V- /jfaOk •end for catalog giving full instructions ho\> to order by mail. SwwffiWiwY W. la. I>OI (* I. AH, Itrocktun, Mass. Malsby & Company, 30 S. Broad St., Atlanta, Ga. Engines and Boilers Steam Water Heaters, Steam Pumps atl Peubertliy Injector*. Manufacturers and Dealers In SA W JVI X JL. IL. Si, Corn Mills, Feed M ills. Cotton Gin Machin ery and Grain Separator*. SOLID and INSERTED Saws, Saw Teeth an l I ooks, Knight’* Patent l>ng*. Ilirdsall Saw Mill am! Knginc Repair*. Governor*. Grate Par* and a full line of Mill Supplies. Price and quality of good* guaranteed Catalogue free by mentioning this i-aper. nDHDQY NEW DISCOVERY; M V/ H I quick relief snd cures worn esses boos of teetimonisN snd IO days’ treat.me n tree. Dr H H a KEEN 880 MB. Box B . Atlssts. Os “Tfci Si=es m,le Whl Polat BcILHEWNY’S TABASCO. COLLECTOR OF RARE COINS. Mrs. Goodart —“You seen to have some education; perhaps you were once a professional man?” Howard Hasher—“ Lady, I’m a nu mismatist by profession.” Mrs. Goodart—“A numismatist?” Howard Hasher —“Yes, lady, a col lector of rare coins. Any old coin is rare to me.”— Philadelphia Press. A PROTECTIVE DISCLAIMER. “Well, my man, I suppose you will saw a little wood to pay for your dinner?” “No’m. I’m no wood-sawyer, mum; trimmin’ trees —rubber trees, mum, is my trade.” —Detroit Free Pres3. Supply i IvM: ,w en ™ s \ Pot ‘ ash and your profits will be large; without Potash your cro P will be “scrubby.” Our books, telling about composition of fertilizer* best adapted for all crops, are free to all farmers, GERMAN KALI WORKS, 03 Nassau St.,. New Y'ork. if Water THE OHIO INCHED Great Demonstrate Marks the Christening of Bi|| es hi p . PRESIDENT MAKES A! ADDRESS Imposing Naval Pageant Feature of Ceremonies— Miss t, rber Rendered Part Assignt to Mrs. McKinley. A San Francisco special say3 . fortunately Mrs. McKinley c n( i ition Saturday permitted President tcKin ley to attend the launching of t e bat tleship Ohio from the yards r t | u . Union Iron Works: To witness the launching of the ship named in bnor of his native state. Mas the rea 0 b ject of the president’s long trip ac oss 0 ss the continent, and was the ev n t which has attracted to the Pacfic coast the governors of three stats, the Ohio congressional delegation, se eral United States senators and man other notable and distinguished pe pie. Dramatic and picturesque as was the sight of 14.000 tons of steel sliding into the full tide of San Fran cisco bay, it was not so splendid and magnificent as the great naval pa geant which accompanied, nor as pro foundly impressive as the greeting ex tended to the president by the 4,000 employees of the ship yards. When the president left the sick room of his wife every arrangement had been made to notify him on the instant of any change for the worse in her condition. The physician as sured him that there was no indica tion of a setback, but at his request telegraphic communications were made made at the wharf and at the ship yard, and save from the time he was on the water, he was not a min ute' away from direct communication with the Scott residence. He was driven to the wharf in a closed car riage, escorted by a squad of mounted police. The cabinet and other distin guished guests were already aboard the transport tug Slocum, which was to convey the party to the Union Iron Works, two miles up the bay, when he arrived. The president’s flag, an eagle and shield on a blue field, was flying from the main mast, and the union jack was at the bow as he stepped smiling upon the gangway to the accompani ment of t-he cheers of the thousands who blackened the neighboring pier heads. Then began the sail over the shining waters of the bay. It proved to be a triumphal journey, the like of which has not been witnessed in this country since Admiral Dewey, upon his return from the Philippines, sailed up the Hudson on the Olympia. Every craft in the harbor was deck ad out in gayest attire, and the city in the background was a perfect mound of waving flags. Every wharf on the sea swarmed with people. Up near the ship yards the grim warships of the Pacific squadron were swinging at anchor with streams of signal flags extending fore and aft of the peaks from prow to taff-rail. The pres; lent and his party moved to a stand, where the representative of the 4,500 employees of the Union Iron Works, in a neat speech, in which he asked a heartfelt blessing upon the head of the president and expressed tender sympathy for his suffering wife, presented the president, as a to ken of the esteem of the workmen,, with a gold plate, engraved with a suitable inscription. The president’s response aroused much enthusiasm. He told his audi ence of his friendship for tne working men during his entire public career, and touched the hearts of the surging crowd before him as he spoke elo quently of the patriotic response which California had made during the Spanish war. The ceremonies were simple but significant. There was the formal exchange of acceptances on the part of the government and then the tide having reached its flood, the word was given, and Miss Barber pressed the button. Miss Deshler smashed a bot tle of California champagne, and at 12:26 p. m. the big battleship took her first dip into the sea. Description of the Ohio. The Ohio is a sister ship of the Maine, now building at the works of the William Cramp Si Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and of the Missouri, building at the yard of the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company. The hull, which is divided like those of the most recent battleships, is built of steel and is unsheathed. It is 359 feet long on the load water line, L feet 2 1-2 inches extreme breadth, and at a mean draft of 23 feet 6 inches, dis places 12,230 tons. The main battery of the ship con sists of four twelve-inch breech-load ing rifles, placed in two balanced tur rets, and sixteen five-inch rapid firing guns. Negro Is Given Poison. Jabez Johnson, a well known living near Danielsville, Ga.. is dea - from the effects of poison and two young white men. John Bragg and Dock Moon, both well known, an 1 charged with the negro's death. Worth County Relegates Whiskey. Worth county, Georgia, held prob: bition election Thursday under the local option law. The result was 30* against the sale and 50 for the sale^