116 TEA. 



Winnowing machine. This is a common winnowing machine, with a box 

 2 feet 10 inches in length, 1 foot 2 inches in breadth, and 1 foot 3 inches in 

 depth, attached to the bottom of the hopper, and closely fitted into the middle 

 of the circular apartment which contains the fanners. This box is entirely 

 closed above (unless at the small opening receiving the hopper) and at the sides. 

 At the base there are two inclined boards which project from the side of the 

 machine 6 inches, and are partly separated from each other by angular pieces 

 of wood. The end towards the fanners is open, the other is partly closed by a 

 semicircular box which is moveable. 



I shall now give the dimensions of the different parts of this machine, which 

 may be useful to parties wishing to make up similar ones to those employed in 

 the manufactories. 



External frame 7 feet 2 inches in length, 18 inches in breadth, and 5 feet 

 8 inches in height. Hopper 2 feet 10 inches above, and 1 foot 8 inches in depth. 

 Frame of box for fanners 3 feet 9 inches in diameter. Hopper frame 2 feet 

 7 inches. Semicircular box, in length 2 feet 5 inches and 7 inches in depth. 

 Inclined plane at base, first 15 inches, second 13 inches. 



I may briefly state how this machine acts. With the right hand the fanners 

 are propelled by the crank, and with the left hand the bottom of the hopper is 

 opened by removing the wood. The flat piece of wood (the regulator) is held 

 in the hand to regulate the quantity of tea that passes down. An assistant 

 then throws a quantity of tea into the hopper which escapes through the 

 apartment, and there meets the air. The first kind of tea falls down the in- 

 clined plane into one box which has been placed to receive them, the second 

 are propelled further on, and fall into another box, and the lighter particles are 

 propelled on to the semicircular end, and fall into a third box. 



Note on the culture of the tea plant at Darjeeling, in 1847, by Dr. A. Campbell, 

 Superintendant. About six years ago I received a few tea seeds from Dr. Wal- 

 lich ; they were of China stock, grown in Kumaon. I planted them in my gaiden 

 in November, 1841, and had about a dozen seedlings in the month of May 

 following, which were allowed to grow where they had come up, and rather 

 close together. The plants were healthy from the commencement, and up to 

 May, 1844, had grown very well ; at this period the ground passed into other 

 hands (Mr. Samuel Smith's), and I lost sight of them until last August, when 

 Mr. Macfarlane, from Assam, who was acquainted with the tea plant in that 

 province, arrived here. Being desirous of ascertaining how far the climate and 

 soil of Darjeeling were suitable to the tea, I took him to examine the plants, 

 and begged of him to record his opinion on their growth and qualities, with 

 reference to their age, and his experience of the plant in Assam. The result 

 was quite satisfactory. Encouraged by this result, I determined to give an ex- 

 tended trial to the plant, and through the kindness of Major Jenkins and 

 Captain Brodie, of Assam, I procured a supply of fresh seed in October and 

 November last, which was planted in November and the early part of December. 

 The seed was of excellent quality. It commenced germinating in March, a 

 few plants appeared above ground in the early part of May, and now I have 

 upwards of fr,000 fine healthy seedlings in the plantation. 



For the information of those who may desire to try the tea culture in this 

 soil and climate, I have to state the mode of planting pursued by me, and other 

 particulars. The ground is a gentle sloping bank, facing the north and west ; 

 the soil is a reddish clay mixed with vegetable mould. After taking up a crop 

 of potatoes, and carefully preparing the ground, I put in the seeds in rows six 

 feet apart and six feet distance in the rows. The seeds were placed about three 

 inches under the surface, five in number, at each place about four inches 

 apart thus : . : On an average, two out of five have come up. The seed- 

 lings commenced appearing above ground early in May, and continued to show 

 until the end of July. The earliest were, therefore, six months in the ground ; 

 the latest about eight months. 



The seed was of China stock, grown in Assam, and of the Assam plant 

 mixed. I am anxious to have the China stock only, and purpose separating the 



Slants of the Assam stock as soon as I can distinguish them, which Captain, 

 rodie informs me can be readily done as they grow up ; the China plants be- 

 gin of a darker color, and smaller than the Assam ones. 



