No. 4 slope has no carrying tray: it would be useless. What will not pass through the mesh is delivered at the A end of the machine, and is “Pekoe Souchong;” while what does pass through the mesh falls on the floor of the factory and is the remaining “Pekoe,” that is, “Pekoe No. 2.”
The sorting is so far finished, and the results are the following Teas, placed round the machine thus:—“Pekoe No. 1,” at the left side of B end; “Broken Pekoe,” at right side of B end; “Red Leaf and Fannings,” some distance in front of B end; “Souchong,” also in front of B end, but nearer to the machine; “Congou,” at back of A end; “Pekoe Souchong,” also at back of A end, but nearer the machine; “Pekoe No. 2,” on the floor below the machine.
With Teas thus minutely sorted, all possible requirements are provided for, and the planter can, by mixing or otherwise, make any number of classes he may choose.
It will be observed that “Pekoe” is taken out twice, resulting in “Nos. 1 and 2 Pekoe.” These differ slightly, but are better mixed together. “Why take them out separately,” some exclaim, “to mix them together again?” But there are three very good reasons: firstly, the “Pekoe” is taken out at the commencement, previous to fanning, to prevent the small or broken Pekoe tips being blown out in that process; secondly, the “1st Pekoe” being taken out thus early, its appearance is not injured by passing over a large amount of sieve-mesh area; and thirdly, all the “Pekoe” is thus extracted, which it could not be, as far as I can see, by any other process.
From all the kinds detailed above, I make only four—viz., “Pekoe,” “Broken Pekoe,” “Pekoe Souchong,” and “Broken Tea;” but others can do as they will.[101]
The machine is of course driven by steam.[102] The movement of all the trays is a backward and forward one of 3 inches longitudinal semi-circular motion, the latter movement being imparted by the steel spring hangers. Only a small amount of power is required to drive the machine, viz., under half horse.
I must here conclude my description.
Now as to the amount of work the machine will do. I speak from actual experience when I state what follows:—
It will sift and fan seven maunds of Tea per hour. The only hand labour required to supplement it is a few (a very few) women to pick out any foreign substances out of the “Congou.”