In one of last year's numbers of the Gardeners' Monthly, I gave an account of the success of our tea plants, which this autumn are profusely covered with bloom and buds. The bushes have much increased in diameter, are perfectly healthy, strong and vigorous, with dark heavy foliage. They seem impervious to drought and floods, and vie with our native evergreens in beautifying the garden.

Now, about planting the seeds collected last year from our own bushes. The ground where they were to be planted was thoroughly mulched, the soil naturally being very sandy. The seeds were dropped on the ground and left uncovered. No further care was given, the weeds for the whole of the past season not being removed.

At this time, there are a hundred or more fine thrifty plants covering the spot; proving, indisputably, that tea can be grown in this State, and surely such an industry should not be overlooked. What difficulty could there be in importing some Chinese who are accustomed to the manipulation of the leaves; and, in short, understand the proper process of preparing the tea for market?

Assam and other East Indian teas are largely imported into Europe, and commonly drunk. There can be no doubt as to their excellent flavor. While in England this summer, I drank Assam tea every day, and thought it much superior to our ordinary black tea, for which we pay (retail) $1.10 per pound.

Another fact is worth reporting. In England, the duty on tea is twelve cents a pound; here there is no duty, and good tea is far more expensive than abroad.

Summerville, Charleston, S. C, Nov. 8 th, 1885.

[This note is very acceptable as keeping before the community a topic it is apt to forget. There is no reason for doubt that the tea plant will grow as well, and produce as good tea in portions of the Southern sea-board States, as in China. The whole question is reduced to one of cost of pro- duction. The introduction of Chinese labor would not help the question in the least. All experience; has shown that every new locality must be a law unto itself. In the early history of vine-growing in America, it was thought essential to import vine dressers from the vineyards of Europe. Their art was of no value here, and vine-growing was not a success until we cut loose wholly from the experiences of the old world. The most successful vineyardists of to-day never saw the old world. And this must be true of tea culture. When some enterprising young man shall take hold of the tea question, note well just where its weaknesses are, and go resolutely to work to strengthen these points, tea culture will be one of the most profitable industries of the South. And that person and that time will surely come. - Ed. G. M.]