Preface XVil. 
‘Altogether excellent work has been done, 
and the publication of the whole essay, in- 
cluding the practical details by the planter 
(Mr. Geo. S. Hudson) would be most useful 
to all who are interested in the curing of cacao. 
(Signed) W. Fawcett. 
“ March 29th, 1912.” 
The report of Dr. Dekker (translated from 
the Dutch—see De Jndische Mercuur of 
May 7th, 1912, p. 406) read thus :— 
“Messrs. J. H. de Bussy, who represent the 
Netherlands contributors towards the fund, have 
asked me to report upon the various essays 
received. In my opinion Essay ‘A’ deserves 
the prize. It consists of two parts written by 
different authors. The first portion is appar- 
ently by a man of practical experience, who 
has looked closely into. the matter. He 
describes ‘in detail the various methods used 
in the preparation of cacao, on which his 
information offers several hints. His remarks 
on the claying and washing of cacao are very 
interesting; he has, further, accurately ex- 
amined the correct fermentation process, and. 
noted the temperatures produced by it; and 
also traced the influence that a culture of 
yeast produces, according to Nicholls, during 
the process of fermentation. This, he points 
out, may bring about important improvements, 
which, if carried into general use, would, in 
his opinion, have great influence on the price 
