t :453 ] 



boards or cloth raised above the floor ; and as a general rule, 

 the cooler the day the thicker the leaf can be placed to obtain 

 the necessary colour in a uniform time. 



709. The firing usually takes place in 2 or 3 stages. 

 The temperature employed for the first firing averages about 

 270 F., but during the second firing, when the leaf is partly 

 dried, although the temperature employed in the machine is 

 not so high as in the first instance, the leaf itself attains 

 within a few degrees the temperature of the machine, since 

 evaporation which makes heat latent, is not great and it is the 

 prolonged high temperature at this stage which causes the loss 

 of oil. The temperature towards the end i.e., when the leaf has 

 once become dry and crisp should be reduced to somewhat 

 below 212 F. say 180 to 200 F. and the draught employed 

 should not be very great, so that the moisture will not be 

 driven away rapidly. If the firing operation is hurried too much, 

 the tea loses in aroma. By 10 minutes firing in a " Victoria" at 

 260 to 280 F., the oxidized tea loses 50 per cent, of moisture. 

 If the "Sirocco" is afterwards employed, as is usually done, the 

 remainder of the moisture is evaporated too quick, in about 20 

 minutes (at 220 F.). The second firing should take about 2 

 hours at a temperature of 180 to 200 F. after 50 per cent, of 

 the moisture has been removed by a Victoria. 



710. When the leaf has been fired and oxidized it is 

 ready for packing which is done with lead in well-seasoned 

 wooden boxes. 



711. Cost. Manufacturing charges ... Rs. 12 per acre 

 Establishment including 



field labour ... ... ... 65 ,, 



Manuring ... .* ... 18 ,, 



95 ii ii 



Profit of Rs. 5 per mnd. 



on 6 mnds. ... ... ... 30 



Total cost == 125 



