The fan is worked at 600 revolutions per minute, and this is found to be the best speed.
Several alterations, and important ones, have been made since the first machines were constructed, but I will mention them shortly, for they will only be understood by those who know the Dryer—1. The trays now take out alternately both sides. 2. The fine Tea or dhole trays take out independently. 3. Outside bearings are supplied to the fan shaft or spindle: thus the lubricating oil cannot now run down into the fan casing. 4. The chimney is moved forward, and thus heats a larger amount of air and reduces fuel. After the necessary temperature has once been obtained, one maund of wood will fire one maund of Tea. This is an outside estimate.
The great feature in Kinmond’s Dryer is the fact that a separate blast of hot air is forced through the Tea on each tray. In all other Dryers I have heard of, the same hot air passes through each tray successively, and moisture is consequently more or less carried upwards through each. It is principally in this respect, and in the large quantity of work it executes, that I consider the excellence of Kinmond’s Dryer to consist.
It remains only to give shortly the results of a long series of experiments with Kinmond’s Dryer. The valuations were made by more than one Calcutta broker:—
| Class. | Charcoal dried. | Machine dried. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pekoe | Rs. | 0 | 11 | 0 | Rs. | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Broken Pekoe | Rs. | 0 | 10 | 0 | Rs. | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Pekoe | £ | 0 | 1 | 6 | £ | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Broken Pekoe | £ | 0 | 1 | 5 | £ | 0 | 2 | 7 |
These were made from the same leaf, at the same time, with every care. In one of my gardens, after Kinmond’s Dryer was obtained, the Teas averaged upwards of 2 annas per lb. more all round.
The Dryer can also be used for withering leaf, but in my opinion no Tea Dryer is fit for that work, inasmuch as to do a large quantity takes far too much time.
Artificial withering is only necessary when the weather is wet and cold, and the machine to do it should do a large quantity at a time. No Tea Dryer can do this. A machine fitted for that work has yet to be invented, unless Baker’s Wet Leaf Dryer, of which I have heard good accounts, but have not seen, would answer.
Edward Money.