MANUFACTURE. I2/ 



run in before the lower drawer is moved. This is part of Mr. 

 McMeekin's invention, and is very necessary to prevent roll 

 from the lowest drawer falling into the fire when it (the lower 

 drawer) is moved. 



The roll remains in the drawers, subject to the heat of the 

 charcoal below, until it is quite dry and crisp. Any piece 

 then taken between the fingers should break with the slightest 

 attempt to bend it. 



The manufacture is now completed. The roll has become 

 Tea. 



All the above operations should be carefully conducted^ 

 but I believe the secret of good Tea consists simply in, first\ 

 stopping the fermentation at the right moment ; and secondly \ 

 in commencing to drive off the moisture immediately after. 



I do not say that the manufacture here detailed may not 

 be improved upon later, but I do say that in the results of 

 economy, strong liquor, and well twisted leaf, its results are 

 very satisfactory, and not surpassed by any other mode at 

 present in vogue. I do not pretend that it will give Teas 

 rich in Pekoe tips. To attain this, light rolling as shown 

 must be resorted to, but just as far as Pekoe tips are procured 

 so far must strength be sacrificed. Until the small Pekoe 

 leaves can be detached and manufactured separately, this 

 must always be the case. 



From the Tea made as described by sifting and sorting, 

 all the ordinary black Teas of commerce, as detailed at page 

 135, can be produced, excepting * Flowery Pekoe.' 



To make Flowery Pekoe the closed bud and the one open 

 leaf of the shoot are alone taken, and these are manufactured 

 alone. It does not, as a rule, pay to make this Tea at all, 

 though it fetches a long price. It does not pay for the 

 following reasons : 



"~TT After the head of the flush is taken the pickers that 

 follow do not readily recognise the remainder of the shoot, 



