kets are chiefly, if not exclusively, supplied by the four provinces of Gan-hway, Ki-ang-soo, Che-kiang, and Fo-Kien.
The names given to the class of teas already mentioned (Ho-ning, Ning-chew, and Ho-how), appear to be derived from towns and districts.
The finest and highest grades of teas, as a general rule, have hitherto been directed to Canton, from the greater wealth of the Canton mercantile body interested in bringing them to that port, who have taken steps to insure this object through their agents sent into the tea country, and from the larger market it affords, backed by the influence of old habit, peculiarly binding upon Chinese. It is obvious that the additional expense of transit to Canton diminishes in importance as the first cost or value of the tea increases, and consequently bears very unequally upon the dearer and finer kinds, and those of inferior qualities, for which the nearer market of Shanghae is naturally preferred, even though they realize from 10 to 15 per cent. less than the rates ruling in Canton. This, or a still larger percentage, being no doubt saved by the proximity of the market, and consequent diminution of expenses. The green teas in like manner have been procurable here from 10 to 20 per cent, cheaper than at Canton, by which the Americans, as it has been stated, have been the chief gainers, higher prices having been given than British exporters could with prudence offer; the American home market not suffering under the same excessive supply and consequent depression as our own, better prices will be realized by the importers.
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From these data, keeping in view the progress observable in the shipments of tea from this port since the commencement of 1844, it may fairly be assumed that at no distant period Shanghae will at least divide equally with Canton the amount of tea exports; and should obstacles arise to our commerce at the latter port, the transfer of the whole trade (exclusive perhaps of the produce Kwangtung, of insignificant quantity) will easily and naturally follow.
