J UNE 2, 1884.] 



THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 



S59 



a3 to tray management and heat." The flues can be 

 partially or wholly used. For Nos, 4 and 5, buildings 

 are required, and the Comp,iny states :— 



We have carefully drawn specifications of a cheap and 

 suitable h uilding for our large evaporators, showing plans, 

 dimensious, and position of evaporator therein, ventilating 

 it, etc., which we mail on application. 

 We copy the directions : — 



How TO Opek.\te the American, 



The evaporators Nos. 0, 1 and 2 are shipped in two 

 packages. After taking off the cribbing, set the furnace 

 level, place the trunk upon it, aud elevate rear end, with 

 accompanying support, to the same angle as the furnace 

 top, upon which it shoidd fit closely. In making tlie first 

 fire in heater iucrease the heat somewhat gradually on 

 account of expansion and cemeut joints. Put your first 

 trays of fruit, in groups of two or three as the case may 

 be, fresMji pmetl oy cut, on the upper track immediately 

 over, above, or beyond the furuace. All the trays arc to 

 be entered here. The secoud group of trays, when ready, 

 takes their place by shoving the first entered forward or 

 up the track, aud so on consecutively until the upper 

 line is full ; then start the first inserted trays down the 

 second or lower track, one after the other, as they reach 

 the top, (No. has but one track,) until the machine is 

 fidl. If the trays are filled before any are completely dry, 

 empty the contents of two or three trays in one ; or, if 

 any are done when the tr.ays reach the top of first track, 

 take the first off, or, if nearly done, jjut tho contents of 

 a couple trays in one at this stage. A little judgment aud 

 l.nbor given at !:te time of changing from ufper to lower 

 track is well bestowed, aud has much to do in determin- 

 ing your success with the evaporator, both as to quality 

 aiul quantity produced. Proceed continuously in this man- 

 ner. Full and minute directions accompany each evapo- 

 rator. In No. 3 the trays are entered in groups of three. 



Many of our patrons prefer, in evaporating apples, to 

 l>ut the fruit on the trays in single layers, others about 

 a half mch thick ; in either case close examination, slight 

 stirring, or changing relative position of the trays in the 

 group, or taking off finished fruit, or doubling up before 

 returning down lower track, is labor veJl directed. This 

 is a valuable feature in our Evaporator, i. e., the opportun- 

 ity to see and examine tho fruit at this stage, and we 

 wish to impress its importance. 



Circulars with full instructions are furnished to 

 " patrons. " There is an immense number of certific- 

 ates, from one o'" which we quote as follows : — 



You gave the Evaporator the right name when you 

 called it a household necessity. The black rot was 

 destroying our potatoes, and to save them we evaporated 

 them, and now they are safe with all the qualities of 

 frtsh potatoes. We have evaporated raspberries, black- 

 berries, cherries, apples, peaches, pears, quinces, plums, 

 grapes, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet corn, beans, 

 and cabbage. No equal investment on the farm pays as 

 well. 



In regard to sweet-potatoes, it is stated that they 

 should be parboiled and pared before being evapor- 

 ated. The Company, with reference to invasions of 

 their patent, state : — 



AVe claim broadly by our letters patent — 



1st. The inclined drying box, flue or flues. 



2nd. The successive arrangement of the trays on tracks 

 or ways. 



3rd. The combination of the drying box, flue, or flues, 

 with the heater or hot-air chamber. 



They add that steam heat for the drier has been practic- 

 ally abandoned. Correspondents are answered thus : — 



Will it Pay to Evaporate Pujitkiks foe Market ? 



Generally speaking, no. Considerable trade is done in 

 evaporated pumpkins, and then ground into meal. It makes 

 a tirst-class custard or pie. The product is all right, but 

 the trade is confined to those making it a special busi- 

 ur-ss. 



Can a person of ordinary skill work an American 

 successfully ? 



Yes. The American is the simplest evaporator in the 

 market. The currents of hot air are automatic self-regid- 

 ating. The trays are entered all -.it one place, aud suc- 



cessively the whole process is simply a succession of trays 

 going in 'and coming out, as simply as feeding a coru- 

 sheller. 



And now oomea the important question of cost : price3 

 in America and probable enhancement by the tinio 

 land carriage, sea freight and charges for erection on 

 an estate in Ceylon are defrayed. We copy the 

 price list, adding to the [dollars the rough equi- 

 Talents in rupees : — 



No. 0. American Evaporator — 22 'inches wide, 6 feet 

 long, 2 lines (S) trays; capacity, 3 to 4 bushels of apples 

 per day. Weight 201) pounds. Price §25. [Aliout HM.] 

 No. 1. American Evaporator — 23 inches wide, feet 

 long, 4 lines (14) trays : capacity, G to 8 bushels of ap- 

 ples per day. Weight 350 pounds. Price S50. [About 

 KIIO.] 



No, 2. American Evaporator — 28 inches wide, PJ feet 

 long, 4 lines (22) trays ; capacity, 10 to 15 bushels of 

 apples per day. Weight, 500 pounds. Price, S75. [About 

 R105.1 



No. 3. American Evaporator — 42 inches wide, 1 6 feet 

 long, 6 lines (-15) trays ; capacity, 35 to 45 bushels of 

 apples per day. Weight, l.GOO pounds. Price, S175. 

 [About R370.] 



No. 4. American Evaporator — 7 feet wide, 18 feet long, 

 12 lines (102) trays ; capacity, 90 to 110 bushels of 

 api)les per day. Weight, 2,000 pounds. Price, S350. 

 [About K735.] 



No. 5. American Evaporator — 7 feet ivide, 24 feet long, 

 12 lines (138j trays; capacity, 130 to l.'iO bushels of ap- 

 ples per day. Weight 3,000 pounds. Price, .>5450. [About 

 K950.] 



There are no duties, of course, and tho progress 

 of railway construction will lessen tho cost of local 

 carriage greatly. Perhaps, therefore, an .addition of 

 50 per cent to the American prices might cover all 

 expenses up to erection on estate. In that case. 



In the cases of Nos. 4 and .^ speci.al buildings would 

 have to be erected, so that, at least, 2,") per cent 

 in each case would have to be added. To make the 

 information complete, we repeat the circular of tho 

 "Tea Planter Agent," although he has not thought 

 it worth his while to advertise — indeed, we heard re- 

 cently of a " pawky chiel " interested in tea machinery 

 who gave instructions that infoimation about hia 

 machines should be sent to the Ceylon Ohxervcr, 

 "but not by way of advertisement" ! 



This is what Mr. V ct r M, HoUinsworth, late 

 Divisional Manager, Doom- Doc una Tea Company of 

 Assam, but now of Vineland, N. J., U. S., America, 

 writes : — 



Shortly after my arrival in the United States from 

 Assam last year, my attention was attracted to the excel- 

 lence of the Amcricaa Dehydrated fruits so universally 

 known in the East and most foreign countries. Further 

 investigations fully decided my opinion as to the un- 

 qualified superiority of the machines here in use, as com- 

 pared with any others I have seen, or heard of in the tea 

 districts of India. In July, 1883 I addressed a letter to tho 

 Indian press upon this subject, as worthy of publicity, 

 and consideration. Subsequent inquiries have shown me, 

 that of all Dchydrutiiiii machines and Dri/crs in use in 

 America, one class alone preeminently is fitted for use both 

 in the '* Firintj " and " Garhlinq " of tea, as also for the 

 drying of coffee, (either " pulped, or unpidpcd.") I havo 

 therefore accepted the appointment from the " American 

 Mannfactarinfj Compantf " as " Special At/ent in, and for 

 the East Indies, and the Island of Cci/lon," and as such I now 

 address you. 



The reputation of tho ^^ American Evaporatai^^* is its best 

 recommendation, and its claims, are fully set forth, and 

 explained in a concise pamphlet, which may bu perused 



