Mr. George S. Hudson 199 



apply to existing u boucans," cheap in working 

 and satisfactory in results. This statement 

 does not by any means obviate my objections 

 to the relative expensiveness of labour on 

 "boucans" containing a series of small trays, 

 but only illustrates how to make the best of 

 existing sun-drying buildings. 



ROTARY HOT-AIR DRYERS. 



For large estates, producing over 500 bags, 

 the " Gordon " Machine Dryer (Messrs. John 

 Gordon and Co., 9, New Broad Street, 

 London, E.G.) seems to have almost a clear 

 field and no competitors, although very many 

 of the most intelligent planters prefer to rely 

 on hot-air chambers of varying construction, 

 but all embodying the same principle as the 

 " Whitfield Smith" chamber, or very nearly 

 approaching it. One can only imagine from 

 the expensive plants of '' Gordon " Dryers one 

 sees being installed on large properties at 

 Grenada, Trinidad, and elsewhere, that these 

 machines give satisfaction when large crops 

 have to be dealt with. The plant, including 

 buildings, varies in cost from ^350 to over 

 ,1,000, and is capable of treating from four to 

 thirty bags of dry cacao in one charge with 

 continuous working of thirty-six hours. 1 The 

 sample turned out is an attractive one, as a 



1 In Grenada, I am told, only twenty-two to twenty- 

 six hours are necessary. H. H. S. 



