172 The ‘Fermentation of Cacao 
from the first two boxes to be run off; curved 
glazed earthenware tiles embedded in concrete, 
to form an open channel, being best. Open 
concrete drains are usually provided, but the 
acid in the undiluted juice eats into the con- 
crete in a few years. It is advisable that 
the boxes be raised 18 in. from the ground 
for drainage purposes in the first two boxes, 
and also in the case of the last one or two, 
so that baskets may be placed under the 
exit to facilitate the removal of the fer- 
mented cacao to the curing house. It is 
necessary to remember that the weight of a 
full box of cacao is not insignificant, and one 
must therefore provide: adequate support be- 
neath. In boxes with a capacity of not more 
than seven barrels of wet cacao (say 2,000 Ib.). 
good t-in. boards may be used without any 
frame-work. In calculating the capacity of 
sweating boxes an allowance of 6 cubic feet or 
a little less per barrel of wet cacao (= 300 lb. 
wet or rro lb. dry) will be found ample space 
for all the boxes, as the bulk of the fermenting 
cacao does not greatly vary. Beyond seven 
barrels ‘capacity it would be advisable to use 
uncovered concrete tanks, lined with wooden | 
boarding or slate, and whether wooden or 
concrete boxes are used the dividing partition 
between the boxes should consist of loose 
boards lifting out of a grooved slot to facili- 
‘tate “changing” the cacao from one box to 
another. In the last one or two boxes of a 
