led by calling it Tea seed. It should be called Tea Nut, denoting more distinctly to those unacquainted with it its true character. An abundant supply of water is necessary for the perfect growth of the plant; and of the progress he has made in the culture, and the character of the plant, he says:

"The Tea Plants in my garden, although they have had to form, both root and branch, have grown since April from 6 to 18 inches. The foliage and every twig is the growth of this season. Many of them are covered with blossom buds, 20 in number, all pressing forward to their blossom. The first full blossom appeared on the 20th September. Other plants, both black and green, have continued, and now continue to follow. The Tea Plant blossoms in China and India in September and October. It is a pleasing feature to observe the appearance of the blossoms, in this climate, at the same time. It is a peculiarity of the Tea Plant that it blossoms sparingly at one time, but continues to put out its blossoms until spring; and pods containing the ripe Tea Nut may be gathered at the same time as the blossoms, in the autumn. The blossom is cream color, with a delicate fragrance like a weak violet. The petals inclosing the flower before its full blossom, drops off in three or four days after it is fully developed. There are seldom more than two blossoms at the same time upon the plant, but others follow soon after the loss of the first."

This information is contained in a letter to the Secretary of the State Agricultural Society, South Carolina; and is now published, for the first time in due form, in the Charleston Mercury. In a subsequent letter, dated the 7th of November, to the same Society, he says that what was true concerning the blossoms in October, is not so in November, and adds:

"I remarked that there was seldom more than one blossom at a time upon my Tea Plants, and that I had not seen more than two. From that period to the present time, the number of blossoms has continued to increase, so that now several plants have each from six to twelve blossoms; such numbers opening at the same time, present the appearance of a hyacinth in full blossom. It appears, therefore, that not only the time of blossoming in this district corresponds with the time in China and India, but the manner also in which the blossoms appear, manifest an identity of climate and temperature, affording presumptive evidence that the Tea nuts will mature here equally to the nature of the plant in foreign countries. So far as I can judge from the progress already made, the cool and frosty nights the mild and balmy days peculiar to this mountain district, are perfectly congenial to the health and vigorous growth of the Tea Plant. Considering

that every branch, leaf and blossom, is the produce of this year's growth, I deem it prudent to shelter the plants when appearances indicate a frost at night, otherwise they remain without shelter, and I trust another year they will not require any, whatever the weather may be."

The experiments of Mr. Smith have a deep interest; and he will add a new and most valuable department of production to the United States, if he can demonstrate the correctness of his assertions and realize his prospects.

THE BANKS OF THE UNITED STATES.

From the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury recently `made in compliance with the following resolution of the House of Representatives passed July 10, 1832

"Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House at the next and each successive session of Congress, copies of such statements or returns, showing the capital, circulation, discounts, specie, deposits, and condition of the different State banks and banking companies, as may have been communicated to the Legislatures, Governors, or other officers of the several States, within the year, and made public; and where such statements cannot be obtained, such other authentic information as will best supply the deficiency."

COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE CONDITION OF THE BANKS OF THE UNITED STATES NEAR THE COMMENCEMENT OF EACH YEAR, FROM 1841 TO 1850, INCLUSIVE, ACCORDING TO RETURNS NEAREST TO JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR STATED.

banks, and sums due by other banks, . 114,917,734 131,266,659

NUMBER OF BANKS.

In the foregoing tables the number of banks at the commencement of 1851, from which returns were received by the Secretary, is put down at 870. The following table, showing the whole number of banking institutions now in existence in the United States, and the number closed, is added.