212 SMALL FRUIT CROPS 



maximum yield in their eighth year, when each tree will yield 

 about eight thousand seeds. 



The pods containing the seed grow not only on the branches 

 of the tree, but also along the main trunk. In gathering the seed, 

 the natives fasten sharp knives to long poles, which they use to 

 cut off the pods that are out of reach. 



After the beans are removed from the pods and cleansed thor- 

 oughly, they are roasted in large revolving cylinders, and finally 

 crushed in order that the kernels may be removed. The kernels 

 are afterwards put into machines and ground up and reduced 

 to the consistency of a fine smooth paste which is run off into 

 molds, where it hardens. If sweet chocolate is desired, a little 

 sugar is added to the paste before it is passed into the molds. 

 From the cacao nibs, cocoa shells, or broken pieces of the beans is 

 prepared an essence of cocoa by pouring upon them boiling hot 

 water. The demand for cocoa and its manufactured products is 

 so great that several hundred million pounds of it are consumed 

 every year. It is used not only as a drink, but also in the manu- 

 facture of flavoring sirups, candies, cakes, and puddings. 



The history of the cacao bean is interesting; it is claimed that 

 the ancient Aztec Indians knew the value of this plant even in 

 their early day. Corte*s, the Spanish explorer who conquered 

 Mexico, found the natives using a drink made from the cacao 

 seed, and Pizarro likewise found the Incas using the same drink 

 in Peru. The Spaniards carried the seed back to Spain, and in- 

 troduced it among their friends there, and since then its use has 

 gradually spread over nearly the whole world. 



It is now largely grown in Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, 

 Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, the West Indies, parts of Africa and 

 Asia, the Philippines, Hawaii, Java, and many of the Pacific Islands. 



The Gooseberry. Gooseberry bushes should be set out four 

 feet apart, and the ground should be kept free from weeds and 

 grass. The gooseberry has been known and grown for hundreds 

 of years in England, it does well in the northern part of the 

 United States, especially in the State of Indiana. The green 

 gooseberries are largely used for making sauce, for making pies, 

 and for canning. The ripe gooseberries are used frequently for 

 making jelly and wine. 



