Jan. t, 1895.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
493 

To the Editor. 
TEA FLUSH — RAINFALL AND 
MOONLIGHT. 
Sir,— I have read with interest the correspondence 
regarding the influence of rainfall and moonlight on 
tea flushes. May I be allowed to state what I under- 
stand science has to say on this point ? 
Heavy rainfall is unfavourable to flushes of leaf 
chiefly on account of the effect on the temperature 
of the soil. In continuous rain the soil becomes 
chilled, and the rate of transpiration from the 
foliage is reduced to a minimum with the result 
that the rate of growth- is correspondingly slow. 
Where there are glimpses of sunshine in between, no 
such effects as those above mentioned would ensue. 
During the daytime the plant collects and 
Erepares all the materials required for growth, 
ut it is during the night that the development 
of the shoot or bud is made. One of 
the most important discoveries of science is that the 
processes of assimilation and growth do not go hand 
in hand as was commonly supposed. When the 
moonlight is bright enough to increase the turgidity 
of the leaf-cells, it would tend to promote the rate 
of growth, but it has not been proved that moon- 
light can cause that process of assimilation which is 
the prerogative of the sun by day, for warmth or 
heat is even more essential than light in order to 
maintain the initial process of assimilation. 
But moonlight would be favourable to the develop- 
ment of the flavour of the tea. For instance, in the 
sub-tropical climates of the hills in India and Ceylon, 
apples and pears of larger size than those grown in 
England, can be grown. But although of superior 
size they entirely lack the flavour of English apples 
and pears, because they have not the continuous 
mild light of the English twi-liyht, which, like moon- 
light has no appreciable heat. — Yours faithfully, 
PLANTER. 
TEA LEAF WITHERING : No. I. 
Dec. 1st. 
Deab Sir, — In answer to "Enquirer" I have car- 
ried out several experiments with tea leaf during the 
process of withering but I have not been able to 
detect any change in the chemical composition of 
the leaf. 
Microscopic examination shows no change in the 
leaf substance neither the Chlorophyll corpuscles or 
starch grain undergo any change. The only altera- 
tion observed by me was in the contraction of the 
protoplasm of the cells and collapse of cell walls 
owing to loss of moisture. 
Certainly there is a process of oxidation goes on 
at the broken end of the leaf, which may pro- 
duce decomposition if the withering is carried on 
too long. 
I am not prepared at present to give a decided 
opinion on the question of 3I0W and rapid wither- 
ing, but I would advocate the natural withering as 
being superior to the artificial withering by hot 
air from the desiccators or siroccos. 
In carrying out my experiments I made an ex- 
amination of the air coming from these machines 
and found quantities of ammonia and carbonic acid 
gas given off. I don't think that an atmosphere 
charged with these gases can be beneficial to the 
flavour of the tea. If hot air is to be used in order 
to overcome the work, it would be better to be 
drawn from some other source than the driers. 
The most desirable chemical change for tea- 
makers is that of oxidation and puro air is essential 
for this process to go on. — Yours truly, S. 
NO. II. 
Dear Sin, — " Enquirer '■' will scarcely get answers to 
his questions that can be of any value in practice 
generally. 
62 
Mr. Kelway Bamber has dealt with the question 
scientifically up to date, and "Enquirer" would da well 
to get his book and read up the subject. 
His third question is answered in the statement 
that " there is little chemical change in the leaf 
during the process of withering." 
An answer to his first question he will find in the 
words " the amount of moisture which should be 
allowed to evaporate varies considerably according 
to the jat of leaf, the time of year, and the weather 
but above 33 p.c. apparently yields the best results." 
"Enquirer's " second question shows observation and 
experiment whereby we may stumble on discoveries, 
but the conditions of tea making vary so greatly from 
Nuwara Eliya to Kaltura, that, as it is generally 
accepted that withering is merely a mechanical process 
to get the leaf, unchanged chemically, into a condition 
for rolling, each factory adopts the system best suited 
to its requirements. 
Question 4 is answered above. It must first be 
proved that a " chemical change " does take place, 
before we can act on the mere assumption. 
Question 5 is based on this assumption, and on 
some further process in Enquirer's mind. I should 
say the evaporation going on in the process of wither- 
ing would prevent absorption, and that the laboratory, 
and not the factory is the place for chemical experi- 
ment. ONE INTERESTED. 
No. III. 
Deak Sir, — In reply to "Enquirer " — Question 1 and 
2 are for the planters and tea tasters. — Question 3. 
Refer to Bamber's book and chapter on proximate 
constituents and analysis of tea or latest information. 
— Question 4. Bamber thought about 33 per cent 
moisture was the most suitable amount to leave in the 
withered leaf. — Question 5. During withering little 
or no chemical change beyond the loss of moisture 
has been observed to take place so long as the 
leaves are uot bruised. Any changes that do take 
place must be due to oxidation and an atmosphere 
of carbonic acid would rather check than increase 
oxidation. M. C. 
NO. IV. 
Dear Sir, — I do not think much reply can be 
given to "Enquirer" from mere factory experience. 
He should get laboratory experiments to decide what 
chemical changes take place in withering, if there 
are really any such changes in withering? 
My experience is that in wet weather the wither- 
ing is best when done as quickly as possible up to 
a certain temperature ; but in tine weather, wither- 
slowly and keep leaf cool, <fcc. I have proved over 
and over again, that properly-carried out, 
artificial withering with fans, gives as good re- 
sults as any natural withering — except in very hot 
weather, when the outside air gives a sufficient heat 
to wither within a day or two at most, the wither 
will then be a better one without extra artificial 
heat. I have got as high price for tea from leaf 
withered by fans taking the heated air direct from 
my driers — under proper conditions — as I have 
ever got from good natural withering. I have often 
to keep my fans working night and day— for weeks 
together— and with best results, but never at a 
temperature above 80° to 90°. 
Bamber gives some useful chemical information in 
his book lately published ; but each planter will know 
best what wither he can get in his own factory and 
how all the rest of the manufacture must fit in with 
this. Then there is, of course, difference of climate 
&c W. B. J. 
TEA IN AMERICA AND ATTRACTIVE 
PACKAGES. 
Lebanon, Madulkelc, Jan. 5th 1S95. 
Dear Sni, — Mr. Webster's letter is interesting, es- 
pecially his remarks upon our packages being made 
more attractive. 
