MANIOC, OE CASSAVA. 



351 



it, especially in the settlements. These producers supply the markets 

 of the capital and of the other provinces. The foreign export of man- 

 dioc meal in 1845 was 145,722 alquieres. Mandioc is the staple 

 article of food for the whole population. There are more than 14,000 

 manufactories, and the total production is calculated at upwards of 

 500,000 alquieres. In abundant years the meal and fecula fall as 

 low as 1 or 2 milreis the alquiere (about thirty-six quarts), but in 

 years of scarcity often rise to above 8 milreis. The foreign export 

 was for some time checked by a tax of 2 milreis imposed on each 

 sack exported, but this tax was abolished in 1865. The milreis is 

 about 2s. 3d. 



There are two modes of preparing the root — the wet and the dry 

 processes. In the first, the grated root is put into water for four or six 

 days, and afterwards kneaded with water, and pressed to extract the 

 juice. The fecula which remains is sifted and baked in earth ovens, 

 some fresh manioc paste, which has fermented, being always added. 

 There are no less than fourteen varieties of the manioc distinguished 

 in the province of Amazonas, some of which mature in six and others 

 in twelve months. 



The dry process is carried on as follows : The manioc is rasped by 

 hand, water added within, and then put to be pressed ; afterwards 

 dried, sifted, and subsequently baked. In making the starch the 

 deposit in the water is left for some time to allow the starch to settle 

 down; it is washed three times, dried in the sun, and is then fit 

 for sale. 



The carima, or fine, creamy starch, is prepared by softening the 

 puba manioc in water, after which it is strained and pressed in a sieve, 

 and made into little balls, in which shape it comes to market, although 

 sometimes reduced to farina. It is used in gruels and other food 

 preparations, according to the custom of each locality. 



The exports of tapioca from Brazil were 200,725 bushels in 1868, 

 and as high as 332,823 bushels in 1866. In 1871 the exports were 

 about 7,000,000 litres, valued at 26,050/. The values of our imports 

 of farinaceous substances from Brazil (nearly all tapioca) have been 

 as follows in thirteen years : — 



1863 

 1864 

 1865 

 1866 



£ 





£ 



4,193 



1870 , 



. .. 12,960 



5,413 







6,404 



1872 





8,024 



1873 , 



. ,. 8,925 



13,812 



1874 





15,188 



1875 , , . 



, .. 4,026 



8,974 





1869 .. .. 



Twenty years since about 11,000 cwts. of tapioca used to be imported 

 annually from Brazil, now we receive less than half that quantity. 



The following shows the average annual exports of manioc farina 

 from Brazil : — 



Kilos. 



1839 to 1844 1,821,276 



1864 to 1874 8,453,453 



At Santiago, one of the Cape Verds, the crude farina of manioc 

 costs about Is. 6d. the decalitre, and prepared fetches as much as 10c?. 



