260 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



so thoroughly satisfied with the Sifter we use there (Ansell's) 

 I could conceive nothing better, and I have not therefore 

 looked into the matter of Sifters. 



In January, 1881, I sent an article to the Tea Gazette 

 describing Ansell's Sifter, and as I thought then I think now. 

 I believe it is by far the best Tea Sifter yet invented. Many 

 are the testimonials, too, in its favour. The price, 80, is 

 too high ; but the manufacturers (Ransomes, Head and 

 Jeffries, of Ipswich) advise me they propose reducing it to 

 70. Even that, I think, is too much ; but there can be no 

 question the use of it effects a great saving in a factory. 



This is my article : 



ANSELL'S SIFTING, SORTING, AND FANNING MACIU 



January 27, 1881. 



In the days gone by, Tea cultivation was, to those commencing a 

 Tea career, the thing to study. Those days are passed. None are 

 embarking in new gardens, and but few are extending existing culti- 

 vation. Prices have fallen so wofully that all that Tea planters think 

 of to-day is how to make what they have pay. I believe in Tea still. 

 I think the present low range of prices cannot last, and I think so 

 .simply because I know Tea will not be cultivated year after year at a 

 loss. But the present crisis is very serious : it means, in five words, 

 " the survival of the fittest," and even the fittest will not succeed, 

 unless every advantage is taken of all existing Tea knowledge. 



Tea manufacture is now the most important branch in the industry. 

 \Ye have advanced greatly in the last few years ; but Tea manufacture, 

 us regards economy in doing it, is yet comparatively in its infancy. 

 Still we have done a great deal since the indigenous plant was 

 discovered in the jungles of Assam, now nearly fifty years ago: \\ c 

 have advanced more in Tea manufacture than the Chinese, who have- 

 been making Tea many centuries. That is to say, I affirm that the 

 Indian Tea planter of ordinary intelligence knows more of both Tea 

 cultivation and Tea manufacture to-day than any of his Chinese 

 contemporaries. The Chinaman grows Tea, and makes Tea, as he 



