CHAPTER XX. 



Crop appearances The blossom The " set " Ripening- 

 Picking Importance of allowing coffee to ripen fully 

 Green berries Day's task Pro rata wages System 

 required Black berries Iron spouting Laying spout- 

 ingImmediate pulping necessary Washing Drying 

 Turning Peeling Sizing Shipment. 



ABOUT the end of December, the eye of the planter 

 should be refreshed by the earlier indications of 

 the forthcoming crop, as clusters of buds begin to 

 make their appearance- on every tree, springing 

 from the axils of the opposite leaves ; in the case 

 of young plants, all along the primaries, and in the 

 case of trees that have already passed their first 

 or second crop season, along all those branches 

 that have been trained for crop-bearing ; that is, of 

 course, supposing circumstances to be in favour of 

 a good yield. 



These clusters each contain from five to ten 

 blossoms, which at this stage are little, dark-green 

 spikes. As they increase in size, however, this hue 

 soon gives place to a lighter tint, until they 



