Mr. George S. Hudson 161 
coming into the market at a low price. If this 
is so, I will say, for their consolation, that 
although I may appear enthusiastic as to 
results of the discoveries reported in the 
essays contained in this book, yet it is a fore: 
gone conclusion that no bait or reward for 
good work is likely to ensure the entire dis- 
appearance from the market of carelessly cured 
cacao. 
It would prove a grievously mistaken idea 
to imagine that just a sprinkling of this magic 
essence on a heap of neglected cacao seed 
would, without further effort, transform it into a 
high-class parcel. I do not apologize for men- 
tioning this obvious fact, for how often is that 
attitude not taken up in the manuring of cacao? 
Just a little of the magic powder sprinkled on 
the ground and crops should be doubled !! 
Unfortunately, it is not quite so easy as that. 
The preparation of a good sample of cacao is 
quite simple, but it does demand a certain 
amount of care and attention in every detail. 
The margin of profit in the cacao-buying 
business must be materially reduced by the 
expensive and careless methods used, not to 
mention the chances of loss by theft and 
“weathering.” The usual procedure is to 
spread the seeds out on tarpaulins (which are 
costly appliances) in the sun each morning, 
collecting them again each evening under 
cover. ‘It is true the drying is generally com- 
pleted on large garret floors at little expense, but 
It 
