240 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XV. 
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, picking, and refining, are 
carried on at the convenience of the workmen. 
It will be remarked therefore, with reference to the 
leaves which are to be converted into black tea, — 1st, 
that they are allowed to lie for some time spread out in 
the factory after being gathered and before they are 
roasted ; 2nd, that they are tossed about until they 
become soft and flaccid, and then left in heaps, and 
that this also is done before they are roasted ; 3rd, 
that after being roasted for a few minutes and rolled, 
they are exposed for some hours to the air in a soft and 
moist state ; and 4th, that they are at last dried slowly 
over charcoal fires. The differences in the manufacture 
of black and green teas are therefore most marked, and 
I think fully account for the difference in colour, as well 
as for the effect produced on some constitutions by green 
tea, such as nervous irritability, sleeplessness, &c. This 
