not practise it.

The tea usually drunk in the States is dreadful stuff. As I am
interested in the growth of tea in India, I inquired much as to the
prospects of that tea if sent there, and on my return to England, I
wrote the following to one of the papers devoted to tea matters in
Calcutta. I give it here, as it exemplifies the difficulty of getting
good tea in America, which so many English appreciate, and because
large numbers here now are interested in the tea industry of
Hindustan.

TEA IN AMERICA.

Would you like to hear as to the prospects of
Indian tea in America? Having been in the States
some five months and looked into the matter, I can
tell you.

At present Indian tea is literally unknown on that
side of the water. Not only is the tea unknown,
but, with few exceptions, no one here is cognizant
of the fact that any tea is produced in Hindustan.
This, considering that a fair amount of Indian tea
has been sent to America, may appear strange. But
the explanation is not far to seek. When those who
have not travelled in it speak of that country,
they do not realize its vast size. How many dozen
countries like England joined together would equal
the area of the United States? Take away Scotland
and Wales and all that remains, England proper,
could be put into Lake Superior! Is it strange
then that the comparatively little Indian tea sent
has never penetrated into the interior? Again, the
tea sent has been delivered in New York. There,
and there alone, and in a very minor degree, has
it begun to run the course it has pursued in
England for years. Very nearly all received has
been used to mix with other and weak teas, but the
whole quantity has been hitherto far too small to
visibly affect the strength even of the teas sold
in New York.

Speaking generally, two kinds of tea are used in
the States--Java green tea, and what they name
"English breakfast tea." The first is Java, and
that only, and more woful stuff I have never
tasted. It is far weaker than the Chinese mixtures
which were used in England years ago, ere the
Indian teas came into play. It is literally
tasteless. It has no aroma, and very little
colour. I never tasted so bodyless an infusion.
Nine-tenths of the Americans drink the above.

The other,