The following is the method of producing the brick-tea. There are at present 6 manufactories in Hankow, 3 of which use boilers either for steaming the tea, or both for that and furnishing power for pressing. The dust from which brick-tea is made comes principally from Ningchow in Kiangsi, and Tsung-yang and Yaug-lout'ung, in Hupeh, and varies both in fineness and cost according as it belongs to the first, second, or third orop. The first operation is to sift the dust and reject all the sand and rubbish contained in it, usually amounting to about 5 per cent. It is then plaoed in a winnowing-machine, having 3 different-sized sieves, with troughs correeponding, and passed into baskets. The residue which is too coarse to pass any of the sieves is taken out and trodden until it is reduc,ed to the proper consistency, when it is placed in iron pans over a oharooal fire until it is sufficiently brittle, and is again taken to be winnowed ; this operation is repeated until all has been sifted to the requisite degree of fineness. Throe sizes are produced, the coarser ones being employed to constitute the brick, while the finest dust is only nsed as a facing. The duet having been properly sifted, the next step is to prepare it for pressing, by exposing it to the action of steam for 3 minutes; it is this steaming that rolls brick-tea of its scent and flavour, and for which a remedy is eagerly sought.
The old-fashioned apparatus of native design consists of 6 iron boilers heated by charcoal, and having spac,es above fitted with rattan covers. When the duet ie to be steamed, it is spread out on a sheet of ootton cloth, placed over the boiler, and covered up ; but with the improved European apparatus, the duet is siinply put into iron boxes, and the steam is passed through them. After having beon sufficiently steamed to make it adhesive, the dust is put into a strong wooden mould (on the movable cover of which, the trade-mark of the hong or firm is engraved, so as to leave the corresponding impression on the brick), and firmly wedged down. It is then pressed, and placed OD one side for 2-3 hours to cool. Each brick should weigh 1 catty lb.), and all those that do not come up to the proper standard of weight, or are defective in any way, are rejected and remade. For this purpose, they ftre taken to an edge-runner mill, constructed of two heavy circular stones, moved by a horizontal wooden bar, and working in a channel, where the condemned bricks are thrown and crushed by the wheels. Having again become dust, the operation already described is repeated. The band-press turns out 60 baskets a day, with 25 per cent. of failure bricks; while the steam-press producee 80 baskets a day, with only 5 per cent. of bad work, and the saving, by the employment of the improved machinery, amounts to 1 tact (5s.) a basket, or, ae,cording to the above-stated out-turn, 80 taels (about 201.) a day. The bricks found to be correct in weight and free from defects are stored in the drying-room for a week, when they are carefully wrapped separately in paper, and packed in bamboo baskets containing 64 each. Green brick-tea is made in the same manner, but of leaf, not dust, and t,he bricks are larger.
It is expected that in a short time the whole trade will be transferred to Hankow. In addition to briek-tea proper, there is another kind of tea„ called " medicine tea," which is composed of coarse leaf and stalks, mixed with various kinds of medicinal herbs, and packed in bundles weighing 64 catties (of 11 lb.). It is valued at 5 taels (25s.) per picul (133- lb.), and in the event of the cost
of transhipment to Central Asia via Tientsin, instead of as hitherto from Shansi, proving sufficiently low, it is expected that the trade will receive increased attention. Owing to the immense quantities of brick-tea now arriving at Tientsin for transport overland, it is anticipated that the sea and river route via Tientsin and the Amoor will soon be substituted for camels. Kiukiang exported 681,333 lb. of brick-tea in one year.
Production and Commerce.—America.—Tea culture wns attempted more than 10 years ago in California, and great expectations were expressed with regard to the Sacramento Valley in par ticular ; but no material success seems to have been gained. More recently, renewed attention has been given to the subject in the S. States, and a plantation has been selected near Charleston for experiment, it being supposed that the climate of S. Carolina, near the coast, is very suitable for tea-growing. The main difficulty ia want of cheap labour. America forme the chief market for green teas.
Azores.—It was officially announced in 1879 that the tea plant was growing luxuriantly in St. Michael's, and that Chinese were engaged to teach the methods of preparing the leaf. Satisfaotory results were obtained from experiments.
Ceylon.—Tes cultivation is progressing rapidly in several districts and at various elevations up to 4500-6000 and even 7000 ft., and a very flue-flavoured tea can be producel In 1880, about 100,000 lb. were exported ; and in 1881, up to the close of the season (30th Sept.), 278,590 lb. Ceylon teas distinguished themselves at the Melbourne Exhibition.
China.—The districts specially devoted to tea-farming in China lie between 23° and 25° N.
aud 115° and 122° E. long,., comprising portions of the provinces of Canton, Chekiang, Fokien, Honan, Hupeh, Kiangsi, and Kiangsu. Now that Western science and skill have been intro duced with such marked effect in the preparation of tea in India, there is no valid reason for reproducing an account of the complicated Chinese methods ; in fact, though China remains by far the largest producer of tea, that country will henceforward be of far less interest to the English tea-grower and merchant than our own tropical possessions. The exports to foreign countries from Amoy in 1879 were :— The exports from Canton (in piculs of 133i lh.) in 1879 were as follows. (The bulk of the black tea sent from these waters is called scented tea, and the flower used for scenting (Jasminum Sambac), goes by the name of mok-lei ; the gardens where this, plant is cultivated are principally in the Honam and Fatee suburbs of Canton. The essential oil of this species is considered inferior to that named on p. 1422.) Foochow, in 1879, exported 81,421,600 lb. to Europe, the Colonies, and America, besides 4,372,800 lb. to Chinese ports for reshipment. The exports were distributed as follows :—Great Britain, 61,505,584 lb. ; Australia, 13,042,800 lb.; Hong Kong, 3,759,8831b. ; S. Africa, 1,023,867 lb.; United States, 888,800 lb. ; New Zealand, 857,200 lb. ; Continental Europe, 204,400 lb. ; Russia, 139,066 lb.