COCOA 195 



Artificial Drying Experiments. 



As regards climatic conditions for drying his crop, the 

 cocoa farmer in Nigeria is particularly well favoured. The 

 principal cocoa harvest is coincident with the dry season, 

 November-December, when very little rain falls. During 

 the rainy season a great deal of difficulty is often experi- 

 enced in getting the crop dried without mould appearing. 

 The Department of Agriculture has therefore considered 

 the question of introducing some form of artificial drier. 

 As the bulk of the crop is produced by quite small 

 planters, who have not a large amount of capital at their 

 disposal, and have little or no experience of machinery,, 

 it is obvious that a cocoa-drying machine, to be effective, 

 must be inexpensive, easy to manipulate, and be " fool- 

 proof." The Hamel Smith rotary drier appeared to 

 satisfy these requirements, and the manufacturers, 

 Messrs. Bridge and Company, very kindly provided one 

 for experimental purposes. This was tested at the 

 Government Experimental Station, Agege, last year. 

 This machine comprises a revolving iron frame, to which 

 are attached six perforated aluminium sheets, receiving* 

 cylinders enclosed in a metal chamber. Beneath the 

 metal chamber is a furnace which supplies the necessary 

 heat. Connected with the furnace is a chimney of sheet 

 iron. The axle of the iron frame is fitted with a cog- 

 wheel, which is connected by a chain with the cogs on a 

 driving wheel. When the latter is turned, the metal frame, 

 with the cylinders attached, revolves. The moisture 

 driven off the material under treatment is drawn out of 

 the chamber by means of a fan placed at the top o<f the 

 chamber, which is also operated by the driving wheel. 

 The motive power is supplied by hand, and one man is 

 capable of manipulating it. Practically any kind of fuel 

 can be used in the furnace. The cylinders are 18 in. long 

 by 12 in. in diameter. They are made in two portions, 

 which open on hinges. Inside the cylinders three sloping 

 shelves are fitted, which, when the machine is in opera- 

 tion, check the fall of the seeds, and thus cause them to 

 drop gently from shelf to shelf, and permit the heated air 

 to circulate freely amongst them. 



