214 The Fermentation of Cacao 



of which four rubber-clad metal feet work 

 quickly to and fro on eccentrics. I hear the 

 highest reports of its efficiency and believe the 

 price of the 2\ bag " Barnard " machine, made 

 by Messrs. Gillespie Bros., London, to be some- 

 what less than that of the " Malins-Smith." 



We thus have two machines which, when 

 properly put on the market, are quite capable 

 of polishing about 500 Ib. cacao (dry weight) 

 in ten minutes, at an expenditure of about one 

 halfpenny for gasolene or kerosene. Allowing 

 time for filling and emptying, the machines, 

 starting the engine, &c., from twenty minutes 

 to half an hour should be occupied with each 

 charge, and one man only is required in 

 attendance. The principal advantage, how- 

 ever, lies in the fact that by 8 a.m. each 

 morning all polishing is finished, and the cacao 

 is again in the sun, minimizing chances of 

 a second attack of mildew and practically 

 guaranteeing the retention of a fine gloss on 

 the seeds and a consequently better sample 

 and higher price. By their use the "dancing" 

 gang would be practically abolished. The 

 whole cost of such an installation may be 

 taken (including the best type of oil engine) at 

 ,100, equivalent, at 6 per cent, interest and 

 6 per cent, depreciation, to an annual charge 

 of 12 a year on initial cost. Taking this 

 into consideration, plus the cost of motive 

 power and lubricating oil, &c., &c., we have 

 no hesitation in affirming that estates pro- 



