INTRODUCTION . 19 



pains should be spared to make it look as well as the 

 best in the market. Inferior qualities should not be 

 mixed with the best. There is often a good sale for 

 inferior and consequently cheaper stuff, but the planter 

 should attempt to make the best finished sample he 

 can, and if he has by accident any that is not up to 

 the standard, let that be separated and sold as second 

 quality. Many spices suffer much from mildew, and it 

 is impossible to dry spices and keep them free from this 

 unless one has a good dry store, in an open dry spot 

 with proper drainage round it to run off rain-water and 

 prevent its accumulation. 



Care must be taken to keep the produce free from 

 the attacks of the little godown beetles, which especially 

 attack ginger and nutmegs. These beetles attack all 

 kinds of dried vegetable produce, and may get into the 

 store through infected produce being brought in and 

 overlooked. Grain, coffee, and pulses are not to be 

 stored in the spice godown if possible, as they are very 

 likely to bring these pests. Should these insects appear, 

 the godown should be at once cleared of all its contents, 

 thoroughly brushed out, and completely whitewashed. 

 It may even be necessary to disinfect, especially in 

 corners and such places where the insects can hide, with 

 Jeye's fluid or some other such disinfectant. 



PACKING 



The directions for packing the produce for market 

 are given in the chapters describing the different spices. 

 All spices must be packed carefully so as to present 

 a good appearance at the sales, in sound gunnies, boxes, 

 or barrels, to avoid injury from water or from insects 

 during the transportation. The spices should be quite 

 dry when packed or they will become mouldy. A 

 small amount of mouldy spice may infect and spoil the 

 whole box or case. Finally, to close these hints, the 

 planter must have his eyes everywhere, letting nothing 

 escape him, and using common sense in his work. 



