APPENDIX. 375 



shorter time in the following processes : the larger leaf 

 requiring the longer firing or roasting. 



A sample of C from one and a half to two catties was 

 put into an iron pan, set over a charcoal fire, and kept con- 

 stantly stirred with the hand ; the fire being kept at an 

 equable degree of heat by occasionally slipping a tile 

 between it and the pan. This operation is called Chao, 

 and lasted fifty-eight minutes. The leaf by this opera- 

 tion becomes closer in the twist, and paler though 

 brighter in colour ; the proper degree being determined 

 by the eye, according to the judgment of the manu- 

 facturer. 



When 13, C, D, and E, have been each separately 

 roasted and sifted, to clear them from the dust occasioned 

 by friction against the sides of the pan, they are mixed to 

 form Hyson according to fancy or sample ; then roasted 

 again in their mixed state and packed hot into the chests. 

 The Chinese say it is necessary to pack it hot to preserve 

 the smell : the leaves also are not so apt to break as when 

 cold ; and they say the colour gets darker in a few 

 days. 



The constant friction keeps the inside of the kuo clean, 

 and it is said, those long in use become as bright as 

 silver. 



The sample A is put into a very fine sieve, which sepa- 

 rates the extreme fine dust, which is sold to the manu- 

 facturers of china-ware in Kiang-sy and Ho-nan, the 

 poorer class of whom use it by putting some into a tea cup 

 and pouring boiling water upon it, as is done with other 

 tea leaf at Canton. When this fine dust is separated, the 

 remainder is passed through a winnowing machine, the 

 supply being regulated by a sliding board at the bottom of 

 the hopper; and the fanner being set in motion, the 

 smallest broken leaf is blown out at the end, near which 

 the larger broken leaf falls: and the other is delivered, 

 according to the respective degrees of gravity, in young 



B B 4 



