I 
INTRODUCTION 
19 
pains should be spared to make it look as well as the 
best in the market. Inferior qualities should not be 
mixed with the best. There is often a good sale for 
inferior and consequently cheaper stuff, but the planter 
should attempt to make the best finished sample he 
can, and if he has by accident any that is not up to 
the standard, let that be separated and sold as second 
quality. Many spices suffer much from mildew, and it 
is impossible to dry spices and keep them free from this 
unless one has a good dry store, in an open dry spot 
with proper drainage round it to run off rain-water and 
prevent its accumulation. 
Care must be taken to keep the produce free from 
the attacks of the little godown beetles, which especially 
attack ginger and nutmegs. These beetles attack all 
kinds of dried vegetable produce, and may get into the 
store through infected produce being brought in and 
overlooked. Grain, coffee, and pulses are not to be 
stored in the spice godown if possible, as they are very 
likely to bring these pests. Should these insects appear, 
the godown should be at once cleared of all its contents, 
thoroughly brushed out, and completely whitewashed. 
It may even be necessary to disinfect, especially in 
corners and such places where the insects can hide, with 
Jeye’s fluid or some other such disinfectant. 
PACKING 
The directions for packing the produce for market 
are given in the chapters describing the different spices. 
All spices must be packed carefully so as to present 
a good appearance at the sales, in sound gunnies, boxes, 
or barrels, to avoid injury from water or from insects 
during the transportation. The spices should be quite 
dry when packed or they will become mouldy. A 
small amount of mouldy spice may infect and spoil the 
whole box or case. Finally, to close these hints, the 
planter must have his eyes everywhere, letting nothing 
escape him, and using common sense in his work. 
