Crap. X1.] ROLLING PROCESS. 207 
lasts about five minutes, in which time the leaves 
lose their crispness, and become soft and pliable. 
They are then taken out of the pans and thrown 
upon a table, the upper part of which is made of 
split pieces of bamboo as represented in the 
annexed sketch. Three or four persons now sur- 
The Rolling Process. 
round the table, and the heap of tea leaves is 
divided into as many parcels, each individual 
taking as many as he can hold in his hands, and 
the rolling process commences. I cannot give a 
better idea of this operation than by comparing it 
to a baker working and rolling his dough. Both 
hands are used in the very same way; the object 
being to express the sap and moisture, and at the 
