CULTIVATION. 



245 



tinuously, and consists of a number of drying surfaces formed 

 by endless bands, on the upper one of which the green hops 

 are placed, and after remaining there for about half an hour 

 they are discharged on to the band next below, the top band 

 then receiving a fresh charge from an automatic hopper. 

 In this manner the hops are moved onwards and downwards 

 from one band to another until the floor of the drying cham- 

 ber is reached. By means of a special device the lower series 

 of bands move at less speed than the upper ones, so that 

 in proportion as the hops get drier they are piled up more 



Fig. 72.— The MuUer hop kiln.i 



thickly on the bands. When perfectly dry the hops are 

 discharged through the aperture Z. The hot-air circulation, 

 which is produced by a heating apparatus below the drying 

 chamber, is so regulated as to traverse the two moieties of 

 each band in opposite directions ; hence the drying goes on 

 with great uniformity. 



This Eussian kiln may either be fitted up as a permanent 

 kiln or as a portable one, the latter being a novelty worthy 

 of attention, as it can be taken from one garden to another, 

 and renders carting the bops unnecessary. 



1 Uhland's Technische 'BwndschaM, 1898, No. 7. 



