5 



SHIPMENT OF COFFEE IN PARCHMENT. 



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

 about milling, have been frequently been noticed in the Bulletin ; see Nos. 8, 12, 14, 31, 44. 



The following article is taken from the Kew Bulletin. 



Coffee Husking in London. 



The processes necessary for cleaning and curing coifee in tropical and sub-tropical countries entail 

 a considerable outlay in buildings and machinery, and in many instances the produce is either shipped 

 in an unsatisfactory condition or the industry is abandoned us beyond the means of small capitalists. 

 The great difference that existed between " plantation" and " native coffee" in Ceylon years ago, and 

 which now exists between " Blue Mountain" and " settlers' " coffee in Jamaica are believed to be closely 

 connected with a proper system of curing the produce. Those with adequate means turn out good 

 coffee, while the small cultivator with rude appliances can only turn out an indifferent quality. The 

 prices obtained in the latter case arc so low that large sums of money are annually lost owing to indif- 

 ferent curing. This subject has for some years occupied attention in Jamaica, and it has been suggested 

 that one means of improving the quality of the coffee raised by small growers would be to ship the 

 produce to London after the pulp is removed and ensure that the subsequent processes are carried out 

 on a large scale by efficient machinery in this country. The plan here suggested has already been 

 successfully put into practice, and the results up to that time were given in the Kew Bulletin 1888, pp. 

 129-132. In a letter from Messrs. Lewis and Peat, dated 17th April 1888 {ibid. p. 132), they speak 

 very hopefully of this plan of curing coffee : — " We beg to inform you that the system of importing 

 " coffee in the parchment is largely on the increase, and some most satisfactory results have been 

 " obtained. We have recently sold large parcels from America which were ' milled ' here, and against 

 " 70s. per cwt. obtained last year for the same coffee cleaned on the plantation we obtained 86s. per 

 " cwt, although prices all round were lower. Experience shows that the husk or parchment protects 

 " the bean from atmospheric influences which affect the colour, and in every instance where trials have 

 " been made the result has been in favour of cleaning hei-e. The process is quite simple, and the cost 

 is 2s. 6(/. per cwt., including everything. The coffee must be pulped and the cherry got rid of on 

 " the plantation, but the most important matter is the drying. It is absolutely necessary that the 

 " parchment should be perfectly dried and kept from moisture afterwards ; insufficient drying is most 

 " damaging to after results, and must have the greatest care." 



The latest information respecting " husking" coffee in London is contained in the following cor- 

 respondence addressed to Kew. The subject is of considerable importance to proprietors of coffee estates 

 in the West Indies, and it is desirable to place such facts as bear upon it within their reach in a readily 

 accessible form. 



Mr. Mark B. F. Major to Eoyal Gardens, Kew. 



Red Lion and Three Cranes Wharf 

 Upper Thames Street, London, E.C., 

 December 12, 1892. 



Dear Sir, 



WTien speaking to Mr. Haldane, of Messrs. Shand, Haldane, & Co., some little time ago, on the 

 subject of coffee husking in London, he said he thought you would probably like to see a copy of the 

 circular letter we drew up earlj^ in the year on the subject, and he kindlj' said I could mention his 

 name. Knowing the great interest you take in all matters tending to promote the sjiread of accurate 

 knowledge among growers, connected with the preparation of their produce, I have much pleasure in 

 acting on his suggestion. 



It was pointed out to my father, the late Mr. C. M. Major, about 1884, by a firm of coffee brokers in 

 Mincing Lane, that as the business was already being carried on in Holland, it was a matter for im- 

 portant consideration whether it could not be established equally well over here, as otherwise there was 

 a danger that coffee might be largely diverted from the London market when planters began to realise 

 the convenience and benefit of the new method. As a result he approached Her Majesty's Customs, 

 and was able to induce them to allow the husking of coffee to be carried on in bond, without undue re- 

 strictions, and he started the business in 1885, which has since become a considerable one. 



The enclosed circular explains the most important points to be considered by planters, both as re- 

 gards the preparation and advantages gained by shipping in the parchment. Should the subject prove 

 sufficiently interesting to you, we should be pleased to show you over the husking warehouse, and ex- 

 plain the details of the process to you, and in that case you would no doubt arrange a day to call. 



Believe me, &c., 



Mark. B. F. Major. 



D. Morris, Esq., F.L.S., 



Assistant Directoi-, Eoyal Gardens, Kew. 



[Enclosure.] 

 Coffee Husking in London. 



Eed Lion and Three Cranes Wharf, 

 Upper Thames Street, London, E.C., 

 March 1892. 



Having been the first to erect machinery for husking coffee in London, and being frequently asked 

 for a few particulars as to the treatment of the parchment, we venture to submit the following remarks 

 to those of your friends who are interested in the question. 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 



