SORTING. 139 



separate the two varieties, but send them away in the finished state 

 mixed together. Its value is from zd. to 4^. per Ib. more than Pekoe. 



The term Pekoe Souchong is generally applied to a Pekoe that is 

 deficient in Pekoe ends, or to a bold, Souchong class leaf with a few 

 ends mixed. We often meet with it applied to an unassorted Tea, 

 including perhaps Souchong, Congou, a few Pekoe ends, and some 

 broken leafs. Prices range from 2s. 3^. to 2s. lod. 



The name of Broken Pekoe indicates at once what class of Tea 

 it is, namely, Pekoe which has been broken in the manipulation or 

 otherwise. It possesses the strength and fine flavour of a full leaf of 

 Pekoe, being therefore only inferior to it in point of leaf. In value 

 it is very little inferior to Pekoe, sometimes as valuable, or even more 

 so, as owing to the frangibility of the tender Pekoe ends, they are 

 sometimes broken off in very large quantity, thus adding to the value 

 of the broken Tea, though at the same time deteriorating the Pekoe. 

 Prices from 2S. 6d. to 35.4^. 



Pekoe dust is still smaller broken, so small in fact as actually to 

 resemble dust. It is of great strength, though often not pure in flavour, 

 as frequently any dust or sweepings from other Tea is mixed with it to 

 make the lot larger. The price of Pekoe dust may range from is. 6d. 

 to 25. Sd. 



A Tea only slightly broken is often called by the planter Pekoe 

 Dust ; again an Orange Pekoe is often called Broken Pekoe, and the 

 converse. A knowledge of the signification of these and other terms 

 would teach the grower to be very careful in marking his Teas, as the 

 nomenclature influences to a great extent the sale in the home market. 



Having described the finer Teas, we now come to the considera- 

 tion of the classes of Tea which form the bulk of the manufacture of 

 a garden. 



Souchong may be taken as the medium quality, and when expe- 

 rience and skilled labour are employed in the manufacture as the bulk 

 of the produce of an estate. The qualifications for being comprehended 

 under this term are just simply an even, straight, or slightly curved 

 leaf, in length varying say from inch to i inch. It has not the deep 

 strength of Pekoe, but is generally of good flavour and of fair strength. 

 The prices of Souchong are from is. lod. to as. Sd. 



Congou comes next. It may be either a leaf of Souchong kind, 

 but too large to come under that class, or though of smallish-sized 

 leaf, too unevenly made, or too much curled (so as to resemble little 



