TASTE. This sense varies far more widely than is generally supposed. The trained and delicate taste of the wine or tea sampler is not merely a matter of education. To possess from birth a fine capacity for taste and smell is a primary requirement. In the act of tasting wines or teas, the expert does not drink the liquor ; he passes it quickly and thoroughly around his mouth so that it may strike every part of its lining membrane, after which he as quickly spits it 'out. Bad health, or any temporary derange ment of the stomach or the other organs which come into connec tion with '3he nose or palate limit the power of accurate taste. A large part of the more delicate matters of taste depend on the flavor which is an aroma affecting both the nerves of taste and smell together. Cigar samplers after testing so many brands that their sense of taste is dulled, resort to a free use of strong coffee which quickly refreshes it.
TEA. The rapidity with which this Eastern beverage has grown in popularity in the Western countries has no parallel, and certainly from its widespread and beneficial results it is impossible to point to a single rival. Technically, it is the leaves from a small tree of the genus Thea, some authors say Camellia, but the distinction and importance of the plant is derived from T. Bohea and T. Viridis. Many writers regard the Tea plant as a native of China and Japan, while others, hold that it is a native of Corea and was introduced into China about the fourth century of the Christian era, then to have extended to Japan about the ninth. Tea was first made known in Europe by the Portugese early in the sixteenth century. The Dutch East India Company introdu ced it in Holland in the early part of the sixteenth century, and many say it was from there it first found its way into England. However, it was not until the year 1651 that we have any tic record of its introduction, and then it was considered a very rare luxury.
For a long period very gre.tt mystery existed as to whether the tree from which the Chinese collected green tea was identical with that from which they procured the black. The eminent botanical
traveller, Mr. Robert Fortune, who was the first European or white man to penetrate into the interior of the celestial empire, thus speaks of the discovery he made. After giving a very glowing description of the scenery, he says : "Among the mountains, and at a height of from 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the sea level, I found the Black Tea district. I was desirous to ascertain clearly wheth er the plant was the same species as those in the Green Tea dis trict. I was fortunate not only to find an extensive tea district, but also to be present when the natives were picking and prepar ing the leaves. I not only procured specimens for my herbarium, but also a living plant which I afterwards took to the Green Tea hills of the North and found on minute comparison it was identi cal with the Thea Thus it was proven that the many varieties of tea are entirely due to the different soil, climate, and preparation they receive at the hands of the manipulators.
The Tea plant is an evergreen, but the picking of the leaf is not commenced until April. The earliest buddings are gathered in the beginning of April, and are termed first pickings. These, as.a rule, realize higher prices and are always retained at home for the use of the rich Mandarins. They are never imported commercially into this country. In May the general gathering commences, and it is from this collection that we receive our finest Tea. The leaf is carefully picked, each single leaf is plucked from the tree separately, but so expert is the picker that from six to ten pounds are gathered by each daily. (See illustration). This second picking is known to the trade as " first crop tea," and from it is made the finest Young Hyson, Gunpowder, Congou Souchong and Oolong Teas. Then follows later on in the season a second picking known as second crop Tea, and so on until sometimes a fourth gathering is collected, the quality gradually becoming in Senior as the season proceeds.