_Thompson’s Challenge Roller._--This (quite lately invented) though given last is likely, by all I hear, to stand well among rollers. I have no drawing or description of it, but _why_ I think well of it is that a Tea engineer, Mr. Ansell, of Kurseong, who thoroughly understands Tea machinery, thinks so highly of the machine that he has recommended its purchase by the Phoolbarry Tea Company. I have every faith in Mr. Ansell’s judgment, and feel confident therefore the machine must be a good one. One feature and advantage claimed for it is, “free contact of the leaf throughout the roll with the outer air.” I may conclude my remarks on rollers with a quaint letter (from _Tea Gazette_) by a native. If he can judge of Tea machinery as well as he can write English his opinion is worth preserving:-- TEA ROLLING MACHINERY. Dear Sir--On the subject of Tea-leaf rolling machinery, the (to all appearance) strangely opposite results I have obtained from machines of the same make have led me to the following conclusions, viz.:-- 1. All “genuses” of machines are equally good. 2. There are hardly two “species” of the same genus which give similar results. 3. Changing the “fixings” of a machine makes all the difference in the world. _Ergo_ a good mechanic will have a good machine whether he patronize Jackson, Kinmond, Haworth, or any other inventor. I think with your correspondent “A Voice from Assam” that the machine that gives the roll quickly, and in a continuous supply, is the best. I would defy any man to prove that any _inventor_ has it “all his own way,” for I certainly have not found it so in my experience. Yours truly, KOL MISTRY. Before going to press I received drawing and description of “Thompson’s Challenge Roller.” It is impossible to judge of its merits by the drawing, but some very strong testimonials are appended--one much in its favour from Mr. Ansell, the Tea engineer above mentioned. By the testimonials (more than one from men I know) the following advantages appear to have been obtained:-- “Balling” of the leaf is avoided. The tips are kept quite bright. Heating prevented. Simplicity of “feed” and “discharge.” One attendant, a minimum of motive power, and low priced. A good twist attained. Simplicity in the machine, and ease of transport and erection. _If_ all the above are facts, I quite think the “Challenge” will prove a great success. * * * * * The following, written by me to the _Tea Gazette_, may be worth the attention of Tea-rolling machine inventors:-- SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE DRUMS AND THE FACES OF THE ROLLERS IN TEA ROLLING MACHINERY. Sir,--The following idea, suggested to me by a planter up here, may be practicable or not, but in any case it is worth letting the patentees of Tea-rolling machines know it.