280 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. XVI. 



tube and covered with leaves, which are shaken on it 

 to about an inch in thickness. After five or six 

 minutes, during which time they are carefully watched, 

 they are removed from the fire and rolled a third 

 time. As the balls of leaves come from the hands of 

 the roller they are placed in a heap until the whole 

 have been rolled. They are again shaken on the 

 sieves as before and set over the fire for a little while 

 longer. Sometimes the last operation, namely, heat- 

 ing and rolling, is repeated a fourth time : the leaves 

 have now assumed their dark colour. 



When the whole has been gone over in this 

 manner it is then placed thickly in the baskets, 

 which are again set over the charcoal fire. The 

 workman now makes a hole with his hand through 

 the centre of the leaves, in order to allow vent to any 

 smoke or vapour which may rise from the charcoal, 

 as well as to let the heat up, and then covers the 

 whole over with a flat basket : previous to this the 

 heat has been greatly reduced by the fires being 

 covered up. The tea now remains over the slow 

 charcoal fire until it is perfectly dry ; it is, however, 

 carefully watched by the manufacturer, who every 

 now and then stirs it up with his hands, so that the 

 whole may be equally heated. The black colour is 

 now fairly brought out, but afterwards improves in 

 appearance : the after processes, such as sifting, pick- 

 ing, and refining, are carried on at the convenience of 

 the workmen.* 



* If the reader is desirous of obtaining more information upon this sub- 

 ject, he should consult Mr. Ball's ' Cultivation and Manufacture of Tea.' 



