COCOA 57 



Imperial Institute pointed to the fact that well-prepared 

 Gold Coast cocoa could obtain high prices in Europe. In 

 1907 a consignment was sent to the Imperial Institute for 

 examination and report, and proved to be of good quality, 

 and when subsequently sold, it obtained a high price. This 

 established confidence with regard to the possibility of fine 

 grades being prepared in the country. During this year, 

 owing to the action of the Fernando Po and San Thome* 

 growers, in withholding their crop, a greater demand 

 was created for Gold Coast cocoa, and the advent of 

 large buyers, working outside the " combine," forced 

 the local price to a high figure. This did not assist in 

 the improvement of the quality, as the competition in- 

 duced native buying agents to buy the produce in almost 

 any form, in consequence of which large quantities of 

 imperfectly dried stuff were obtained. On the market 

 becoming steadier, many of the more intelligent natives 

 realised the advantage of careful preparation, to which 

 they are now turning their attention. 



Towards this latter result Messrs. Cadbury Bros., Ltd., 

 rendered great assistance. This firm sent representatives 

 into the country, who proved to the natives that they 

 were willing to pay an enhanced price for cocoa prepared 

 in a manner suitable for their requirements. A fair 

 amount of cocoa was purchased by them, and demon- 

 strations were made in some places with regard to the 

 proper mode of fermentation. In addition to this a 

 number of seedlings of the Criollo variety were given to 

 the Agricultural Department for experimental work at 

 the Aburi Botanic Station. 



The Forastero-amelonado variety, a hardy but com- 

 mercially inferior kind, has been mainly employed in 

 plantations, and experiments have been carried on for 

 some years at Aburi with Pentagona, Caracas and Cun- 

 deamor besides Criollo mentioned above. Such good 

 results were obtained with Cundeamor that, in 1913, keen 

 competition was aroused among planters to obtain seed. 

 The 3 7 ears 1913 and 1914 are said to have shown an im- 

 provement in the quality of the cocoa produced. The 

 attention of the Agricultural Department has been given 

 to the general instruction of the natives in improved 

 methods of cultivation and preparation, both by means 

 of lectures and demonstrations at the Botanic Stations 



