MANUFACTURE. 



The roll in each drawer must be shaken up and re-spread 

 two or three times, in the process of firing. The drawer 

 must be taken off the fire to do this, or some of the roll 

 would fall through into the fire, and the smoke thus 

 engendered would be hurtful. If the lowest drawer is made 

 to slide in and out a framework covered with zinc should be 

 made to run into a groove below it, and this zinc protector 

 should be always 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 137, can be produced, excepting " Flowery Pekoe." 



