224 



COCOA 



not be forgotten that the plate is revolving slowly, 

 making one turn in about 1 5 minutes ; thus the beans 

 come in touch with the rakes only every 7^ minutes, 

 and remain for 7^ minutes at the same place unless 

 they are turned by other means. Fauchere therefore 

 recommends that more rakes should be adjusted to the 

 machine ; and this suggestion seems well worth trying. 



The "Huizer" machine is constructed in two sizes; 

 the large size has a plate 10 metres diameter, and is 

 capable of drying 3000 kilograms of cocoa in three 

 days. The smaller size has a plate 5 metres in diameter. 



FIG. 78. The "Huizer" drying apparatus. 



Cross-section through the moving plate and the rake which stirs the beans. 

 After Fauchere, Culture pratique. 



The drawback of this machine is the rather large amount 

 of fuel required ; the advantage, however, is that the 

 cocoa can always be observed and controlled. 



In Trinidad other installations are used, which have 

 the advantage of combining sun-drying and artificial 

 drying. Such an installation is described by Fauchere 

 as being in use on the plantation of Mr. Centeno in 

 Trinidad. The dry ing -floor is constructed in the 

 ordinary Trinidad way, already described, with movable 

 roofs. The space under this floor, however, is not 

 open, but closed by walls, and about 16 inches below 

 the floor there is a system of pipes filled with 

 water. In a special little chamber, outside the drier, 

 is placed the furnace which heats the water in the 

 pipes. About six hours after lighting the fire the 



