264 CULTIVATION AND MANUFACTURE OF TEA. 



No. 4 slope has no carrying tray : it would be useless. What will 

 not pass through the mesh is delivered at the A end of the machine, 

 and is " Pekoe Souchong ;" while what does pass through the mesh 

 falls on the floor of the factory and is the remaining " Pekoe," that is, 

 " Pekoe No. 2." 



The sorting is so far finished, and the results are the following 

 Teas, placed round the machine thus : " Pekoe No. i," at the left side 

 of B end ; " Broken Pekoe," at right side of B end ; " Red Leaf and 

 Fannings," some distance in front of B end ; " Souchong," also in 

 front of B end, but nearer to the machine ; " Congou," at back of A 

 end ; " Pekoe Souchong," also at back of A end, but nearer the 

 machine ; " Pekoe No. 2," on the floor below the machine. 



With Teas thus minutely sorted, all possible requirements are 

 provided for, and the planter can, by mixing or otherwise, make any 

 number of classes he may choose. 



It will be observed that " Pekoe " is taken out twice, resulting in 

 " Nos. i and 2 Pekoe." These differ slightly, but are better mixed 

 together. "Why take them out separately," some exclaim, "to mix 

 them together again ? " But there are three very good reasons : firstly, 

 the " Pekoe " is taken out at the commencement, previous to fanning, 

 to prevent the small or broken Pekoe tips being blown out in that 

 process; secondly, the " ist Pekoe" being taken out thus early, its 

 appearance is not injured by passing over a large amount of seive- 

 mesh area; and thirdly, all the " Pekoe" is thus extracted, which it 

 could not be, as far as I can see, by any other process. 



From all the kinds detailed above, I make only four viz, 

 " Pekoe, " " Broken Pekoe, " " Pekoe Souchong, " and " Broken Tea;" 

 but others can do as they will.* 



The machine is of course driven by steam. f The movement of all 

 the trays is a backward and forward one of 3 inches longitudinal semi- 

 circular motion, the latter movement being imparted by the steel 

 spring hangers. Only a small amount of power is required to drive 

 the machine, viz., under half horse. 



I must here conclude my description. 



Now as to the amount of work the machine will do. I speak from 

 actual experience when I state what follows : 



It will sift and fan seven maunds of Tea per hour. The only hand 



* I advise only these four kinds. When the trader becomes more sensible, 

 three or even two would be better, but as it is now four are necessary. 

 f With a driving belt from the engine shafting. 



