172 The Fermentation of Cacao 



from the first two boxes to be run off; curved 

 glazed earthenware tiles embedded in concrete, 

 to form an open channel, being best. Open 

 concrete drains are usually provided, but the 

 acid in the undiluted juice eats into the con- 

 crete in a few years. It is advisable that 

 the boxes be raised 18 in. from the ground 

 for drainage purposes in the first two boxes, 

 and also in the case of the last one or two, 

 so that baskets may be placed under the 

 exit to facilitate the removal of the fer- 

 mented cacao to the curing house. It is 



o 



necessary to remember that the weight of a 

 full box of cacao is not insignificant, and one 

 must therefore provide adequate support be- 

 neath. In boxes with a capacity of not more 

 than seven barrels of wet cacao (say 2,000 Ib.) 

 good i -in. boards may be used without any 

 frame-work. In calculating the capacity of 

 sweating boxes an allowance of 6 cubic feet or 

 a little less per barrel of wet cacao ( 300 Ib. 

 wet or 110 Ib. dry) will be found ample space 

 for all the boxes, as the bulk of the fermenting 

 cacao does not greatly vary. Beyond seven 

 barrels capacity it would be advisable to use 

 uncovered concrete tanks, lined with wooden 

 boarding or slate, and whether wooden or 

 concrete boxes are used the dividing partition 

 between the boxes should consist of loose 

 boards lifting out of a grooved slot to facili- 

 tate "changing" the cacao from one box to 

 another. In the last one or two boxes of a 



