Preface XUiL. 
of cacao known on the market. Alterations 
that might be made in ordinary methods so as 
to improve the quality of the cacao should be 
explained. Waste products should be con- 
sidered, and their potential value indicated.” 
Of the essays sent in for competition, only 
the joint one by Mr. Geo. Hudson, of ‘“ Errard 
Estate, St. Lucia (W.!.), and Dr, Luetus 
Nicholls, attached, at the time, to the Govern- 
ment service in that island, satisfactorily ful- 
filled the terms of the competition so as to 
render its publication of use and _ interest. 
This essay, as will be noticed, is divided into 
two chapters, say Chapter VI, by Mr. Hudson 
(see p. 153), dealing with practical estate work, 
and Chapter VII (p. 221), contributed by Dr. 
Lucius Nicholls, containing the biological and 
chemical part of the work. 
In order to reach the subject intimately in 
all its aspects, the authors felt that some such 
collaboration between a scientist and a planter 
was essential, and therefore sent in a joint 
essay. Being awarded the £50 prize proves 
their judgment to have been correct. 
In declaring Mr. Hudson and Dr. Nicholls 
to be deserving of receiving the £50, Mr. 
Fawcett wrote as follows :— 
‘ LoNnDON, 
“ March 13, 1912. 
“Dear Sir,—I have now gone through the 
Essays on the Fermentation and Curing of 
