Preface xvii. 



" Altogether excellent work has been done, 

 and the publication of the whole essay, iri- 

 cluding the practical details by the planter 

 (Mr. Geo. S. Hudson) would be most useful 

 to all who are interested in the curing of cacao. 



" (Signed) W. FAWCETT. 

 * "March 29^, 1912." 



The report of Dr. Dekker (translated from 

 the Dutch see De Indische Mercuur of 

 May 7th, 1912, p. 406) read thus: 



" Messrs. J. H. de Bussy, who represent the 

 Netherlands contributors towards the fund, have 

 asked me to report upon the various essays 

 received. In my opinion Essay 'A' deserves 

 the prize. It consists of two parts written by 

 different authors. The first portion is appar- 

 ently by a man of practical experience, who 

 has . looked closely into the matter. He 

 describes in detail the various methods used 

 in the preparation of cacao, on which his 

 information offers several hints. His remarks 

 on the claying and washing of cacao are very 

 interesting ; he has, further, accurately ex- 

 amined the correct fermentation process, and 

 noted the temperatures produced by it ; and 

 also traced the influence that a culture of 

 yeast produces, according to Nicholls, during 

 the process of fermentation. This, he points 

 out, may bring about important improvements, 

 which, if carried into general use, would, in 

 his opinion, have great influence on the price 



b 



