Barbecues. 207 



which would render them entirely unsuitable for 

 coffee drying grounds. 



It is well known that coffee has an aptitude for 

 readily acquiring the smell of anything with which 

 it is brought in contact, and the resinous, bituminous 

 smell of the asphalte might possibly prove highly 

 injurious to the sample though I am unable to 

 speak with absolute certainty as to this. 4 



The great point is to have plenty of level space 

 available, and if matting is to be used (and coir 

 matting laid down on level ground forms in my 

 opinion as good barbecue as any), let there be 

 plenty of it. 



4 It is narrated that a ship, on one occasion, left Colombo 

 loaded with rum in casks under coffee in bags. Several of 

 the casks of rum having burst during the homeward voyage, 

 the coffee above became so strongly impregnated with the 

 fumes of the spirit that on its appearance in the London 

 market it was at once designated " rum coffee.'* 



