TEA GROWING.

Southland Times, Issue 1537, 13 February 1872, Page 3

TEA GROWING.

«» ' (to the editob of thb tikes.) Sib,— ln common with all true lovers of their adopted country, I have been much gratified of late to observe from time to time in your columns communications showing that the creation of native manufacturing industries is beginning to attract attention, and to be actually entered upon. The encouragement your columns thus afford to the wellwishers of this country, emboldens me to hope that you may be equally ready to afford a little space to the ventilation of the fact that to our agricultural industries we might profitably add that of tea growing. The whole of the lower ranges of hills in this province, more particularly those in the neighborhood of Dunedin, the Hokanuis, Longwood, and similar ranges, seem as if specially designed by the Great Architect of the Universe for the successful cultivation of the tea plant, and could we but add the production of tea to our wool and silk industries, we might well boast that our " nice little tight little island" was in a fair way of becoming a most inviting place for the permanent settlement of a host of " honest, men and bonny lasses." Trusting that these few lines may draw attention to one more of this country's capabilities. — I am, &c, ELaisow Congou. Invorcargill, 10th February, 1872.