Mr. George S. Hudson 161 



coming into the market at a low price. If this 

 is so, I will say, for their consolation, that 

 although I may appear enthusiastic as to 

 results of the discoveries reported in the 

 essays contained in this book, yet it is a fore- 

 gone conclusion that no bait or reward for 

 good work is likely to ensure the entire dis- 

 appearance from the market of carelessly cured 

 cacao. 



It would prove a grievously mistaken idea 

 to imagine that just a sprinkling of this magic 

 essence on a heap of neglected cacao seed 

 would, without further effort, transform it into a 

 high- class parcel. I do not apologize for men- 

 tioning this obvious fact, for how often is that 

 attitude not taken up in the manuring of cacao ? 

 Just a little of the magic powder sprinkled on 

 the ground and crops should be doubled ! ! 

 Unfortunately, it is not quite so easy as that. 

 The preparation of a good sample of cacao is 

 quite simple, but it does demand a certain 

 amount of care and attention in every detail. 



The margin of profit in the cacao-buying 

 business must be materially reduced by the 

 expensive and careless methods used, not to 

 mention the chances of loss by theft and 

 " weathering." The usual procedure is to 

 spread the seeds out on tarpaulins (which are 

 costly appliances) in the sun each morning, 

 collecting them again each evening under 

 cover. It is true the drying is generally com- 

 pleted on large garret floors at little expense, but 



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