240 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



one, and quickly superseded by far more perfect designs; 

 still I have the satisfaction of knowing that on this head I 

 have done much to perfect Tea manufacture, and that the 

 conviction I had attained to in 1874 * s now general and 

 practised throughout India. (Pages 119-121, 295, to end of 

 Addenda, bear out the above remarks.) 

 I will now consider the various 



Tea-Drying Machines. 



Robertson's Typhoon. This is a late iavention : it was 

 noticed in the Tea Gazette in 1881. It had, however, made 

 a great noise at end of 1880, and so well was it spoken 

 of, many, in the early part of 1881, purchased it. Tlu 

 following was the report as to its merits (Tea Gazette. 

 September, 1881) : 



ROBERTSON'S TYPHOON. 



Mr. J. M. Robertson, manager of the Arcnttipore Tea Company > 

 Gardens, has invented a new Tea-drying apparatus which he has 

 named the " Typhoon. " A number of the planters of his district met 

 at his garden, by imitation, to test the merits of his machine. We 

 quote the verdict recorded by thorn in their own words, and als<. 

 append the brokers' report on the Teas which were manufactured in 

 their presence during the trial. 



The " Typhoon " is a simple and ino.xpensive construction of 

 brick and iron, which can be erected without skilled labour. Tin 

 heating material used is coke, and the quantity of coke required for a 

 inaund of Tea is stated to be one quarter of a maund. 



The out-turn from the " Typhoon " we found to be at the rate of 

 one half maund of thoroughly dried Tea per hour, and the manner in 

 which the work was done was to our entire satisfaction, some of us 

 thinking that the apparatus was capable of doing more. 



The, inventor leads us to understand that the entire cost of 

 construction and material will not be over Rs. 300, and we do not see 

 that this sum need be exceeded. 



