Shipment. 221 



steam cannot escape, and it becomes condensed on 

 the top of the cargo, the top bags getting damp. 

 This discolours the coffee beans, which become of a 

 grey, mottled hue, and are thus described as " coun- 

 try damaged." This carmot be covered by insu- 

 rance. It is, therefore, necessary that all ships carry- 

 ing coffee should have several wooden tubes about 

 four inches square inside, perforated with holes, 

 running from the keel to, say, four inches above the 

 deck, to allow the escape of the evaporation and 

 gases. In bad weather the top of these tubes can 

 easily be plugged up. Coffee in a well-ventilated 

 ship will lose about \ per cent, in weight, but its 

 quality will be superior to the coffee which has been 

 carried in ships having no ventilation. In a ship 

 badly ventilated the coffee generally gains \ per 

 cent, in weight, but loses colour, and consequently 

 in value. 



LIB II A If. \ 



UNIVERSITY ()F 



CALIFORNIA. 



