158 CACAO 



and then pulverised in a wooden mortar, reducing it to 

 fine dry powder, which when sifted will be but little coarser 

 than wheat flour when it is ready for use. Dry powder 

 is always used under our method, but some operators 

 advocate its application dissolved in water ; but in our case 

 this method has never given as good results as when applied 

 as powder. To apply the clay, the beans should be gathered 

 in heaps of about two barrels * each, and workmen be 

 chosen, whose weight is not more than 120 to 130 lb. each, 

 to " dance " or tread upon the top or apex of the heaps, 

 barefooted, while women and boys, sitting around the 

 base of them, repeatedly throw up the beans as fast as they 

 are thrown down by the dancer. While this is proceeding 

 the powdered clay is applied by dusting it over the beans 

 with the hand, distributing it as evenly as possible over 

 the heap. The exact amount to use cannot be accurately 

 stated, and how much to apply to give the required 

 character can only be learned by experience, but the 

 standard may be fixed at some 3 lb. to the barrel of cacao. 

 It will be noted that the clay readily adheres to all beans 

 which are moist or gummy. On first making the applica- 

 tion the beans should not be " danced to a polish," but 

 just enough to allow of an even distribution and covering 

 by the clay. The heap should then be opened out and 

 allowed to continue drying. The following morning it 

 should be again " danced," when the beans will be found 

 much drier th^ on the previous day. The heaps, while 

 the second dancing is proceeding, should be kept thick 

 under the feet of the workmen, and the process should be 

 continued until the beans are highly polished, and have 

 assumed the appearance and colour of mahogany. To 

 retain the polish the heaps should be opened thinly on the 

 drying floor, and allowed to receive the full action of the 

 sun for some five or six hours. When there is little or no 

 sun available it is- difficult to retain this polish on the 

 beans, and it then fades and becomes dull. After this 

 operation there is nothing left to be done except to 

 * The barrel used is the Amerioan flour barrel holding 196 lb. flour. 



