We can scarcely hope, in the present depressed state of the Tea market, that proprietors will club together to subscribe to bring out a set of steam cultivating apparatus in order to institute experiments on the subject. Should 1883 bring better times, something of the sort might be done, and it is as well to have the matter well thought out and discussed beforehand, so that should a series of experiments take place, people would be prepared for any contingencies which might arise, and perhaps be better prepared to overcome these difficulties through the matter having been previously well discussed.
It is now the season for opening out Tea gardens, and one piece of advice I would give to planters—that is this. It is quite possible that steam ploughing for Tea cultivation is a thing of the future, or may be nearer than you imagine: therefore be careful to have your lines of Tea very straight, both along and across, so that there would be no obstacle to the plough or cultivator working. If you object to the expense of taking out stumps, they may remain in, as they could be taken out afterwards.
I trust your readers, Mr. Editor, will not view this subject with indifference, but will co-operate in endeavouring to solve the problem.—I am yours faithfully,
“Tea Machinery.”
Though the signatures differ, I conceive Mr. C. B. Fergus, C.E., wrote the second as well as the first. He has evidently pondered the matter well. Let others do so too, and I foretell that the day is not far distant when flat Tea gardens will, in a great measure, be cultivated by steam or animal power. When this is so, even 8 annas (say 10d.) per lb. for our Tea all round should pay us well.
Tea Manufacturing Machinery.
The processes in Tea manufacture, as generally practised in India to-day, are—
- 1. Plucking.
- 2. Withering.
- 3. Sorting green leaf in a measure, and separation of Pekoe Tips.
- 4. Rolling.
- 5. Fermenting.
- 6. Drying or firing.
- 7. Sorting.
- 8. Final heating before packing.
No. 3 is not always done, the others invariably.