72 



COrFEE. 



state that it has come under my oyvn obseryation, that produce which had pre- 

 Tiously been heated through some carelessness in the curing, suhsequently was 

 exposed to a slight sprinkling of rain, and when ground out and fanned, was 

 found to have lost its silvery appearance. 



To the invention of Mr. Meacock, a preference has, however^ been given, in 

 consequence of the impression that the produce thus immersed in water will 

 absorb a portion of the liquid, which will deteriorate its quality in its passsage 

 across the Atlantic. Several gentlemen have shipped coffee submitted to this 

 process to England, but I have not learnt the result. 



It appears very manifest that a great deal might be done in the way of 

 machinery, to relieve produce of that silvery or foxy appearance which is so 

 prejudicial to its value in the British market, and which, appearances might 

 accrue from a variety of incidents to which all plantations are more or less 

 subject. 



A manifest preference is given in the leading European markets to cotfee 

 which has gone through the pulping and washing process ; hxit, strange to say, 

 the consumers of this beverage are totally ignorant of the fact, that the pro- 

 duce which is cured in the pulp furnishes a stronger decoction than an equal 

 quantity of the same which has undergone the other process. Many persons 

 are of opinion that the mucilaginous substance which is washed off in pulping is 

 absorbed by the bean when cured in the pulp, and which gives strength to the 

 produce and enhances its aromatic flavour. On most properties it has been 

 customary to cure the remnants of the crop in this way, for the use of the 

 plantation ; and it has been well noticed by great eincures in the flavour cf the 

 decoction, that the coffee thus cured produced the strongest and best beverage." 



Trinidad. — The coffee plant does not succeed well in Trinidad, 

 the tree giving but little fruit, and perishing at the end of ten or 

 twelve years ; though the article is always of a superior quality, 

 and has the advantage over that of Martinique and the other 

 Antilles of not requiring age to produce an agreeable beverage. It 

 is from the fault and obstinate attachment to old habits of the 

 planters, that this cultivation has not been more successful in 

 Trinidad. Because coltee trees thrive in St. Domingo, G-uadaloape, 

 Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique, on the hills, they had con- 

 eluded that it would be the same hi Trinidad; without noticiug that 

 the hills of that island are composed onlj of schistus covered 

 with gravel, on which lies a light layer of vegetative earth, that 

 tlie rain y\'ashes away after some years of cultivation ; whilst the 

 hills of the Antilles, much more high and cool, are covered with a 

 deep bed of earth, which is retained by enormous blochs ca stone, 

 that at the same time maintain humidity and freshness. 



Messrs. Branbrun, of Tacarigua, aud Don Juan de Arestimuno, 

 of Cariaco, worthy and intelligent planters, some years ago 

 adopted the plan of planting coffee trees on the p'Jains, in the 

 manner cacao trees are planted, that is, in the shade of the 

 Mrytlirina, and this mode of cultivation has perfectly succeeded. 

 It is to be hoped that their success will encourage the cultivation 

 of this valuable tree in the united provinces of Yenezuela, and in 

 those parts of Trinidad which were deemed unfavorable to it 

 from the too great dryness of the climate. 



In 1796, the year preceding its capture, there were 130 coffee 

 plantations in Trinidad, which produced 330,000 lbs. of coffee. 

 In 1802, tlie produce had slightly increased to 358,600 lbs., but 

 there were two plantations less. 



