s 



SHIPMENT OF COFFEE IN PARCHMENT. 



The advantages to be derived from exporting coffee in parchment, when there is any difficulty about 

 milling, have already frequently been noticed in the Bulletin ; See Nos. 8, 12, 14, 31. 

 The following correspondence is on the same subject. 



Secretary, Institute of Jamaica, to Director, Public Gardens and Plantations. 



Institute of Jamaica, May 12th, 1893. 



To the Editor of the " Bulletin of the Botanical Department, Jamaica." 



Sir, 



In response to an appeal from the Clarendon Agricultural Society, the Board of the Institute appoint- 

 ed a Committee to visit the Show recently held at May Pen. 



As a result of their visit, the Committee recommended that a special prize of two guineas be awarded 

 to Mr. J L. Hibbert for his exhibit of coffee for export in parchment, and the Committee stated that "they 

 wished by their award to point out to small settlers how desirable it is to export coffee in this manner 

 as it does away with the expense of milling, and saves both time and trouble. In Central America, 

 the owners of large plantations have given up the use of expensive milling machinery, because they 

 find that it pays them better to export coffee in parchment, and it is hoped that merchants and buyers 

 of coffee in the Island will give their attention to the question of the purchase of it in this form." 



This prize was accordingly awarded by the Board. 



As, however, their attention was drawn to a statement made by the Clarendon Agricultural authori- 

 ties that there appeared to be some difference of opinion as to the advisability of the exportation, by settlers 

 of coffee in parchment, the Board decided to invite the opinion of experts ; and I am desired by them to 

 ask you to be good enough to give publicity to the following report kindly supplied by Messrs. Park, 

 Macifadyen & Co., which will, they think, prove of interest to all engaged in coffee planting. 



I am, &c., 



Frank Cundall, Secretary. 



Report from Messrs. Park, Macfadyen 8f Co, 

 Coffee Husking in London. 



At the outset we would mention that the operation is chiefly applicable to coffee treated by what is 

 called in some countries the " West India Preparation," — i. e. to " washed" Coffees which are known by 

 the trade here as " colory," and as these descriptions arc most sought after by buyera, and command far 

 higher prices than the quaKties known as " unwashed," it is obvious that the Planters in their own interests 

 should endeavour to market their crops in the former condition. In sending over Parchment Coffee, 

 great care should be taken to have it thoroughly dried before shipment, as to a very great extent, this 

 affects the market value. If not sufficiently dried, the Parchment becomes more or less musty in 

 transit, and the colour deteriorates, thus seriously affecting its selling value, and from the fact that the 

 outer layer of coffee in the bags dries on the voyage to a greater extent than the bulk in the centre, it is 

 impossible for us when we dry it here before husking to obtain an even result. In addition to this, 

 freight and charges have to be paid on extra weight, which is an absolute loss, and we may mention that 

 we have received parcels in a damp state, which show a loss of 20 o/o, after drying, exclusive of the loss 

 in weight, naturally caused by the removal of the Parchment. It will thus be seen that the Parchment should 

 be dried thoroughly, especially as extra charges are incurred for drying here. On the other hand care must 

 be taken not to over dry the coffee, as that impairs the colour to some extent. The advantages to be derived 

 by Planters in forwarding their coffee in Parchment are several. Tne Parchment covering acts as a great pro- 

 tection to the bean while in transit, from all the deleterious influences to which it is necessarily subjected 

 while in the close'hold of Steamers, on Quays &c., and above all, it preserves the colour. This is probably the 

 most important of all, as the finer the colour of the Coffee, the higher is the price paid by buyers, and it 

 has been abundantly proved that Coffee husked here, fetches prices higher by several shillings a cwt. 

 than the same Coffee when cleaned abroad. Planters are also enabled to market their crop, probably, 

 several weeks earlier, then if they did it themselves, and a material saving of labour is effected in districts 

 where it is scarce. 



The total cost of receiving from ship, landing, husking, sizing, and all the usual operations is 2s. 6d. 

 per cwt.. which we believe is, at least, as cheap as it can ordinarily be performed by Planters, if not cheaper. 

 The charge for drying is extra, and depends entirely on the condition of the parcel, but from what we have 

 already said, it is a charge, which, in their own interests. Planters should never incur here. The loss in 

 weight from husking varies largely according to the nature of the Parchment, and ranges from about 18 

 o/o. to 20 o/o. The whole of the various operations are carried out in Bonded Warehouses under the 

 immediate supervision of the Officers of the Crown, which affords an important guarantee to Importers 

 that the correct weight is returned to them. The Customs' duty is charged by the authorities on the 

 husk. 



We have occasionally received parcels of Coffee dried in the cherry to husk, but we cannot recommend 

 . this mode of shipment, though it is possible that in a few individual cases Planters might have found it 

 desirable to adopt it. In the first place, it adds unduly to the charge for freight, the Coffee never turns 

 out such a fine colour as it does if prepared as already detailed, and, of course, the loss in weight is much 

 heavier, besides, it is much more difficult to work, and necessitates a charge of, at least, 3s. 9d. a cwt. 

 The foregoing remarks apply solely to Coffee of the species arnhica. As regards Liberian Coffee, we 

 have no hesitation in advising, that, xmless absolutely compelled, shipments should never be made in 

 Cherry, as this species, even imder favourable circumstances is most difficult to work, 



