CHAPTER VII. 



Fermentation. 



T the latter part of the j r ear 1889, being desirous 

 of obtaining information from Trinidad planters 

 of the various methods in use for conducting an 

 operation which nearly every one of them con- 

 siders of such great importance in the proper 

 preparation of Cacao beans for the market ; I 

 suggested to Governor Sir William Robinson, 

 K.C.M.G., that it would be a useful measure to offer prizes for 

 the best essays on the fermentation of Cacao. The proposal 

 was approved and the prizes were offered. The first prize was 

 awarded to the late Dr. Chittenden, the second to Mr. Crichlow, 

 and tho third to the late Honourable Eugene Lange. 



The essays were published in the Agricultural Record and 

 incited a large amount of public attention and criticism. The- 

 Essays were printed as an appendix to the first Edition of this 

 work and proved "useful in showing the diversity of opinion 

 which existed with regard to the manner of conducting the 

 process. It caimofc be doubted however that although the 

 method varied to a considerable degreej yet nevertheless each 

 was capable of producing good Cacao ; showing that in essentials 

 all were agreed, or this result could not follow. 



It will be convenient in discussing fermentation to consider i 

 1st, the necessity for the operation. 2nd, the change brought 

 about, and Srdly, what causes the change. 4th, general results. 



1st. The necessity for the operation. 



We find that there are countries growing Cacao where the 

 practice of fermentation is not carried out in the same manner 

 aa in Trinidad ; but it is an admitted fact at the same time thab 

 theso countries obtain a low value for their produce. Fermented 

 Cacao lias for years past brought in a much better price than. 

 the uufermented, and it is therefore only reasonable to suppose 

 that the practice of fermentation would be adopted in some one of 

 its forms by all the largest producing countries. It is a certain 

 fact however that of late years theru has been a large amount 



