CACAO HARVESTS. 105 



any. Two years after flowers begin to appear, but it is only 

 in the fourth or fifth year that the first gathering is made. If 

 well cared for, the trees will bear fruit during twenty-five to 

 thirty years, and every day, a harvest will be reaped. 



Besides these every-day harvests, there are two principal 

 ones, from November to January, and from May to July. This 

 last one is the best, because it takes place at a good time of 

 the year ; the fruits are larger, weigh more, and the quality of 

 the seeds is better. 



The fruits are heaped under sheds for two or three days, 

 then broken, and the seeds taken out and deposited in closed 

 rooms where they remain two or three days, or less, then they 

 are dried in the sun for one day. They are stored again, and 

 soon they begin to ferment, and a large quantity of sugar 

 exudes from them. 



This fermentation is a very important operation. If it is 

 carried out properly, the cacao will be of superior quality. It lasts 

 from two to five days, then it is dried again in the sun or in 

 heated drying rooms. When well dried, it is put into bags 

 and ready for use. 



A very good method for drying coffee, or cacao, is to 

 build a moveable roof, on wheels, permitting the seeds to be 

 covered or uncovered as necessary. 



Among the enemies of the Cacao plant are the ants and 

 the Coccidae, or Mealy bugs. The ants destroy the leaves, 

 but at the same time also destroy the bugs. The monkeys, 

 squirrels, parrots and other birds and animals, fond of the 

 fruits are also the enemies of these plants. If proper care is not 

 taken at the time of the gatherings, in a few hours they will 

 be destroyed by these animals. 



From the seeds, in late years, an alcoholic essence, named 

 Cafeine, has been extracted. It is said that it possesses the 

 same properties as the Coca from Peru, and that life can be 

 maintained for many days without any other food. One fact 

 is certain that it acts considerably on the nervous system, and 

 that under its influence, man is able to do a greater amount of 

 work than otherwise. Cocoa butter is also extracted from 

 the seeds. In fact they contain about 52/ of it. It is much 

 employed as a medicine, or in the manufacture of refined 

 soaps, oils, &c. Naturally it could also be made into candles. 

 As a medicine, it is efficacious against chaps, chilblains, and 

 the like. I think that it can also be effectually used as oint 

 ment for sore throats and colds. At least I have tried it 

 .successfully on myself. 



