Edible Products. 



432 



[May, 1909. 



when it enters the factory to the time 

 when it is despatched from the local sta- 

 tion to its final destination in Calcutta or 

 London. Wither, fermentation and 

 firing all play important parts, but the 

 best conditions apoear to vary according 

 to elevation, and it is therefore im- 

 possible to lay down any hard and fast 

 inles. 



The "Sole Universal Need." 



The sole universal need is a good even 

 wither, which is absolutely necessary in 

 order to obtain the best results. This, 

 however, is not a matter of such ease as 

 it might at first sight appear. In the 

 earlier months of the season, the atmo- 

 sphere being as a rule fairly dry, readily 

 absorbs the surplus moisture in the leaf, 

 and a satistactory wither is purely a 

 matter of proper spreading on the 

 factory racks. In the rains, on the 

 other hand, it is at times quite impos- 

 sible to obtain the proper amount of 

 evaporation, and planters are perforce 

 compelled to accept conditions which are 

 prejudicial to quality. These coupled 

 with the ranker and more sappy growth 

 then obtaining at most elevations, 

 usually cause a loss of flavour, also 

 affecting the colour of the fermented 

 leaf. 



The Scientific Department of the 

 Indian Tea Association were recently 

 busy with the subject of rolling, but in 

 spite of their report, the best Darjeeling 

 teas appear to be almost universally 

 rolled for one and a half hours, a reduc- 

 tion in the time devoted to this oper- 

 ation having usually yielded disappoint- 

 ing results. It is now generally accept- 

 ed as a fact that a relatively cool 

 fermentation suits low elevations ; a 

 warm fermentation is proper for higlier 

 levels. 



The aim of the manufacturer is to 

 obtain an even, bright coppery colour, 

 but owing to almost daily variations 

 of leaf and climate, this is rarely 

 achieved to perfection. From time to 

 time we are confronted with some 

 mechanical means claiming to surmount 

 all difficulties in this direction, but so 

 far nothing effective has been produced, 

 and it is doubtful whether, for the hills 

 at all events, any mechanical aid can be 

 evoked to deal with such wide variations 

 as those above mentioned. 



Firing is a delicate process, and the 

 many types of dryers on the market 

 each has its own adherents. Where a 

 full plant is available, the Updraft 

 Sirocco appears to be the most popular 

 dryer in the hills, especially when fitted 

 with a multi- tubular stcve. The eco- 

 nomy in fuel shown by these dryers is of 

 the first importance nowadays, and the 



fact that every tray can be sepaiately 

 examined naturally appeals to the 

 seeker after quality, especially when he 

 is so fortunate as to have a thoroughly 

 experienced staff. Where large crops 

 are turned out, it is common to see the 

 leaf put through an automatic machine 

 and dried to twelve annas, to be finished 

 off on hand dryers or over chulas. Many 

 planters firmly adhere to the practice 

 of finishing in the old fashioned manner 

 over charcoal, and it is noticeable that 

 most of the estates that dry in this 

 manner produce teas of merit- It is 

 claimed, and it would appear with some 

 justice, that teas thus treated keep 

 1 >nger and are of a more mature flavour 

 than those solely machine dried. 



To be of stand-out-quality, Darjeeling 

 invoices should show a maximum of 

 strength and flavour in their liquors, 

 which should also be brisk and pungent. 

 The infused leaf should be of a bright 

 even, coppery colour, and the liquors, 

 when cold, should show " creaming " 

 power. The appearance of the dry leaf 

 is a more or less secondary consideration, 

 except that the most particular care has 

 to be exercised to keep the various 

 grades absolutely even. Fannings and 

 Dusts should be absolutely free of grit 

 of any kind, and it is to be feared that 

 sufficient attention is not always given 

 to this point. 



An Important Point. 



With the strong demand for Darjeel- 

 ings at present obtaining in Calcutta, it 

 is of importance that planters should be 

 brought as much as possible into direct 

 touch with buyers, and it would probably 

 prove of immense benefit to the industry 

 if buyers made a point of visiting the 

 district annually at the beginning of 

 the season to invite the attention of 

 planters to the class of manufacture 

 most suited to the markets they re- 

 present. It is of the utmost importance 

 to all concerned to bear in mind that 

 the greater part of the Darjeeling crop 

 is nowadays taken for Russia, and that 

 no efforts should be spared to maintain 

 and extend the hold that has been 

 obtained there after so many years of 

 depression.— Indian Agricultunst, Vol. 

 XXXIII,, No. 11, November 2, 1908. 



PADDY. 



Copy of an articl" on "Paddy" extracted 

 from the " Handbook of Agriculture 

 'for Burma:"— 

 Paddy is the most important and 

 most valuable of our grain crops, and 

 occupies in Burma a much larger area 

 than all other crops together. The main 

 varieties of paddy are(l) Kyaukkyi (bya 



