THE WORLD'S PRODUCTION AND -CONSUMPTION 69 



about three feet high to encourage the growth of a 

 pyramidal crown. All the work on the plantations 

 is done systematically, and under the supervision of the 

 planter or his assistants. Special attention is given to 

 the important process of fermentation, for which there 

 are specially built sweat ing -houses fitted with com- 

 partments; the beans are shovelled from one compart- 

 ment to another, at regular intervals, to ensure even 

 sweating. There are specially built drying -houses, too. 

 Some of these are fitted with a sliding roof, easily 

 adjustable for exposing the beans to the sun on a fine 

 morning or for affording protection at night or on a 

 rainy day. Others are shelters for large platforms, 

 mounted on wheels which run on rails; the beans are 

 spread out on these platforms, and can easily be moved, 

 as desired, into the sunshine or back under cover. 



In Trinidad, the European planters have always 

 maintained a high tradition in producing a well- 

 developed cocoa of uniform quality. Some of them 

 cover their beans with a light sprinkling of clay or red 

 earth, on the supposition that it hardens the shell and 

 protects the bean from damp and mould. 



As in Trinidad, cocoa is grown both on large plan- 

 tations and on small holdings in all the producing 

 islands of the British West Indies. The peasant pro- 

 prietors have become good cocoa farmers, thanks largely 

 to the instruction they receive from the Agricultural 

 Departments, to the encouragement given them by 

 means of prize -bear ing competitions, and to the object- 

 lessons of well-managed plantations in their midst. 



Ceylon's contribution to our Empire's cocoa output 

 varies considerably in quality. The well-prepared 

 plantation beans are classed among the finest in the 

 market, but lower grades are more commonly produced. 



