TEA MACHINERY. 251 



small cost. This latter, I hold, both as regards quality and economy, 

 can only be attained by the use of machinery ; and thus, what is the 

 best kind of rolling machine, the best description of dryer, equaliser, 

 and sifting apparatus, is an all-important point. 



Tea machinery is still quite in its infancy. Various as are the 

 machines in use, and superior as some are to others, perhaps none of 

 them are yet quite perfect. Still, planters cannot afford to wait for 

 ultimate perfection, for though any machines bought to-day will 

 probably be more or less out of date in a few years' time, he who waits 

 must go to the wall in the meanwhile. Realising this fact, as those 

 who know the subject do, they (and they are many) ask eagerly : 



" Which of the several machines for the different processes in 

 Tea manufacture shall we buy ? " 



I have not now, perhaps, the knowledge to discuss fairly the 

 several merits of the various machines for each different process, but 

 as Tea Dryers hold an important place in the list, and I have, perhaps, 

 an exceptional experience of one kind, I purpose to give your readers 

 the benefit thereof. 



Years ago, when I first mooted the idea that Tea could be fired 

 without charcoal, it was scouted. It was said, " The fumes of charcoal 

 had some chemical and necessary effect." " The Chinese would not 

 have used it from time immemorial had a substitute, and a cheaper 

 one, been practicable." Such were the objections. It is now no 

 longer a question. A great part, perhaps the greater part, of the 

 Indian produce is to-day worked with other fuel, and it is only a 

 question of time when all of it will be so. It is generally admitted 

 that Tea prepared in Dryers is more valuable than that fired over 

 charcoal ; and begging the question that the fumes of charcoal are not 

 necessary (the old idea is very nearly exploded), it is reasonable that 

 it should be so ; for, if there is one thing certain in Tea manufacture, 

 it is that speed is necessary. Charcoal drying took on an average 45 

 minutes ; Tea is fired in the best Dryers in eight minutes. In respect 

 of speed, Kinmond's Dryer (which is the one I advocate) is certainly 

 unequalled. 



When, as in large factories, 30 or 40 maunds of Tea have to be 

 made daily, it is evident that, casteris paribus, the machine which will 

 do most in a given time and given space must be the best. In these 

 respects also Kinmond's Dryer stands well, for the small size (No. i) 

 will do one maund, and the larger size (No. 2) will turn out two maunds 



