L16 



beans as fast us they are thrown down by tin (lancer. While tins 

 operation is proceeding, the powdered clay should be applied by 

 dusting it, over the heaps with the hand. The exact amount to u 



cannot be accurately staled and can only he learnl by experience, but 

 the novice may take at his standard some '■> Ihs. to the barrel. It will 

 he noticed during the operation that owing to the beans being still wet 

 and gummy, the clay adheres readily. On the first application the 

 beans need not, he danced to a polish, hut just enough to allow of an 

 even distribution of the clay. The heaps must then he opened out 

 and allowed to continue drying. The following morning, it should he 

 again danced, when the heans will he found to be much dryer than on 

 the previous day. The heaps should be kept thick under the tread of 

 the foot, to prevent their being crushed and the dancing should be 

 continued until the sample is highly polished, and has assumed the 

 appearance and colour of polished mahogany. The secret of retaining 

 the polish lies in the treatment after this last dance. 



The heaps should be opened thinly on the drying floor and allowed 

 to receive the full action of the sun for 5 to 6 hours, which fixes the 

 polish on the beans. It has been repeatedly observed that unless strong 

 sunny weather is obtained after dancing the polish usually fades and 

 becomes somewhat dull. 



After the operator has succeeded in retaining the polish, it simply 

 remains to continue drying until the produce is ready for market. 

 The tollowing are the advantages and disadvantages of using clay in a 

 dry and wet condition : — 



1. When used as a dry powder, the clay at once assists in the 



drying of the beans, it absorbs a great deal of the moisture 

 and helps in securing what is known locally upon estates 

 as " Cutting the Gum." 



2. The sample prepared with dry clay seldom runs any risk 



of being spoilt. 



3. It is easier to obtain a high polish with dry clay than by other 



methods, especially if the operations described in this paper 

 are carried out after the last dance. 



The disadvantages of using clay mixed with water are as follows : — 



1. Great risk is run after the sample is once dry, to wet it 



again, for should there be continuously dull weather for a 

 few days after its application, there will be a gTeat risk of 

 having the whole sample badly damaged. It is better to 

 avoid wetting cacao when once partially dried. 



2. The clay adheres better in the dry method. 



3. The operator will never get as bright a polish by using 



the wet as he can by the dry method. 



4. A much larger number of beans will be crushed or damaged 



if the wet method is used. 



In fair weather, a sample treated by the dry method should be 

 perfectly cured and ready for market in four to five days. 



