CHAPTER VII. 

 Fermentation. 



■ T the latter part of the year 1889, being desirous; 

 of obtaiuing inforniation frcin 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 ai Cacao beans for thi- market ; I 

 suggested to Governor Sir William Robinson,. 

 K.C.II.G., that it \fould be a useful measure to offer prizes for- 

 the best es.says on the fermentation of Cacao. The proposal 

 was approved and the prizes were offered. The first prize wa,s 

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

 and tha third to the late Honourable Eugene Laiige. 



The essays were published in the Agricultural Itf.eord andi 

 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 cannot be doubted huwuvui- that although th& 

 method varied to a considerable degree; yet nevertheless each, 

 was capable of producing good Cacao ; showing that in essentials. 

 «11 were agreed, or this result could not follow. 



It will be convenient in discussing fermentation to consider :. 

 1st, the necessity for the Operation. 2nd, the change broughb, 

 about, and 3rdly, what causes the changp. 4th, general results.. 



1st. — TA« 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 

 as in Trinidad ; but it is an admitted fact at the same time that 

 thesi! countries obtain a low value for their produce. Fermented 

 Cacao lias for years pas^ broughf in a much better price than 

 the unferiiioiited, and it is .therefore only reasonable to suppose 

 tliat tlwi practice of fermentation would be adopted in some one of 

 its forms by all the largest produein:; ::oDntries. It is a certiaiu 

 fact hciwevei- that uf late yeari there ha« been a large amounb 



