COCOA AT THE HOPE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. 



The Industrial Boys at Hope have for some time been under special instructions in the cultivation 

 and curing of Cocoa under the superintendence of Mr. McNair. The following correspondence refers 

 to the Cocoa cured during the months, December, 1891, and January, 1892, which was forwarded to 

 London by the firm Messrs. Lascelles, de Mercado and Co. 



The boys have planted out half an acre of Cocoa seedlings, and they will have the care of them as 

 they grow up. Complete instruction is in this way being given to a certain number of boys. One boy 

 is quite capable now of instructing others in curing. 



Mr. McNair who started a Botanical Stajtion in Lagos under H. E. Sir Alfred Maloney, has just 

 been appointed to do the same work in British Honduras. 



Kingston, 23rd April, 1892. 



Dear Sir, 



We have only just received the samples of Cocoa mentioned in your letter of the 12th April. We 

 have reeeived four samples numbered 1, 2, 3 & 4. We consider that samples 3 and 4 are the best, 

 samples, 1 and 2 having a slightly sour taste, the berries looking as if they had not quite matured 

 when picked and cured. We do not know in what quantities you are likely to be able to supply the 

 cocoa. The last quotation from England for Jamaica Cocoa was 50/6 to 52/ for ordinary and 62/6 for 

 fine fermented, but we imagine that the Cocoa you send would be worth a little more. Of course you 

 understand that the English quotations are in cwts. Provided the quantities offered were not too 

 small we would be willing to give 36/ to 38/ per 100 lbs. according to quality, for the Cocoa in Jamaica, 

 or, if you prefer it, we would be quite willing to receive the Cocoa and ship it to London for you giving 

 you the benefit of whatever it is sold for there. 



Yours faithfully, 



Lascelles, de Mercado & Co. 



Kingston, 11th July, 1892. 



Dear Sir, 



We regret to report that the Cocoa we recently shipped for you and for which you asked a special 

 report has unfortunately been mixed by the Dock Co., so that we are not able to give you separate 

 valuations, they having been sorted into two lots as follows : — 



3 bags, good, bright, part fermented, purple break, and valued at about 60/ per cwt. 



1 bag good greyish rather lean, part fermented, purple break, valued at about 58/ to 60/. " Fer- 

 mentation does not appear to have been fully carried out." 



Yours faithfully, 



Lascelles, de Mercado & Co. 



Kingston, July 21, 1892. 



Dear Sir, 



We have to own receipt of yours of 19th. The values given in our last were merely brokers' idea of 

 prices, since then we have heard that the 4 Bags were actually sold as follows : — 



3 bags at 60/ per cwt. 

 1 bag at 57/ " " 



The sales have not reached us as yet, but as soon as they do we will forward them to you and 

 remit you the nett proceeds. 



At the same time as the above sold for you, we sold Jamaica Ordinary Cocoa at 56/ per cwt. This 

 quality was described as " Ordinary mixed with wormy and unripe." 



Another lot described as 7 bags pale reddish mixed with unripe sold at 57/6. 



We may mention that the Ordinary Cocoa purchased in Kingston from the St. Andrews district 

 is as a rule npor as is also that obtained from the settlers in St. Thomas in the Vale — the Cocoa 

 obtained in St. Mary's and Portland from the settlers is of better quality and we think the 13 bags of 

 Cocoa which sold at 56^ belonged to the former class and the 7 bags that sjld at 57/6 to the latter class. 



The value of Ordinary Cocoa is about 36/ or 38 perjlOO lbs. in Jamaica and Cocoa, such as you shipped 

 would bo worth 40/ to 42/ per 100 lbs. 



We may mention that the market for Cocoa in England is at present higher than it has been for 

 somo long time. 



We are, &c, 



Lascelles, de Mercado, & Co. 



Kingston, 6th August, 1892. 



Dear Sir, 



Wo have much pleasure in enclosing herein Account sales of a small lot of Cocoa forwarded to 

 London for Account of the Jamaica Government showing nett prooonds of €6 17s. 2d. which we remit 

 to you, less a small charge for attending to the shipment and drayuge here of Is., say, £Q 10s. 2.J. 

 Should you have any more Cocoa we shall be very glad to ship feirue for you or if you prefer we wou'd 



