An old established China tea merchant told me a curious fact yes~ terday. For the first time in all his experience the cargoes of Sou-chang, "the green tea from Foo-Jchow, which should have been here by the beginning of September, have failed to arrive. Other green teas that are grown nearer Foochow itself, have got through; but Souchong, coming from further in-Tand, So much for Communism and banditry. One vocalls how this year for the first time on re~ cord the old unwritten law that the silver to finance he silk crop goes through untouched, whatever may be the commotion' in the country, was broken and merchants were afraid to send money to the Soochow and Wusih districts.
My friend tells me that thi year's Keemuns from Hankow wa a small crop and very bad, owing to the long, cold, wet, spring. But it seems to have sold well. In {fact small, bad crops often pay better than large, good ones, since drinkers of China tea are not 20 discriminating as merchants and do not dislike the dark colour on infusion which disgusts the expert. The consumption of China tea in England tends slightly but steadily to increase. Every tea-shop, restaur vant and hotel can give it to you now and one hears it called for more and more, even in remote country districts. "Some of the best I have tasted was at a quaint little teahouse in Petworth, Sussex. I fancy the lady who runs it must have lived in China. Most of the so-called China tea is a most awful product. My City friend tells me the average grocer demands too much profit. He buys the cheap-Jest grades and sells dear. But at many shops in London there is no diiculty in getting the best. Sou-chang is mostly used for blending. But a cup, in bed, on waking is very fine.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.