The material was collated at intervals, in a fragmentary manner, covering a period of over twenty years, and arranged amid the many interruptions incident to an active business life, subjected to constant revisions, repeated prunings and innumerable corrections, due mainly to the varying statements and conflicting opinions of admitted authorities in every branch of the subject. Still, as careful and judicious an arrangement of the data has been given as possible, a faithful effort being made to omit nothing that may prove useful, instructive or profitable to the expert, the dealer or general reader.
Aware that many facts have been omitted, and many errors committed in its preparation, he still trusts that the pains he has taken to avoid both have not been in vain, that the former may be few, and the latter of no great importance. The work was compiled under impulse, not under inducement, a single line not being intended originally for the market, and is now being published solely for the benefit of those “whom it may concern.”
Philadelphia, December, 1892.
CONTENTS.
| Chapter | Page | |
| I. | Early History | [9-28] |
| II. | Geographical Distribution | [29-35] |
| III. | Botanical Characteristics and Form | [37-49] |
| IV. | Cultivation and Preparation | [51-68] |
| V. | Classification and Description | [69-132] |
| VI. | Adulteration and Detection | [133-157] |
| VII. | Testing, Blending and Preparing | [159-204] |
| VIII. | Chemical, Medical and Dietical Properties | [205-235] |
| IX. | World’s Production and Consumption | [237-252] |
| X. | Tea Culture, a Probable American Industry | [253-265] |
(Branch of Tea Plant.)