The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-16
Annsehnla aFnras.
COCOA AND COCOANUTs.

Ben, SAID little ETY. walker 10 her
brother at the breakfast table one morning,
81 don't see how they can get this nice
cocoa out of those hard cocoanuts like the
one we bought yesterday. Say, Ben, how
do they ?" she continued, impatiently, as
Ben slipped his cocoa without answering.
CT don't believe they d. he said at
length. Ben always thought twice before he
spoke, which is very good rule for little
folks in general.
"Why, yes" said ETY., "they must, Cocoa
cocoa nuts /, it must come from the same
tree"
"What are you SO. positive abOut?" said
their father, laying down his newspaper !;
"what is this about cocoanuts, Etty"
Etty explained the question.
"Beu is right" said Mr.. Walker. "The
cocoa-nut palm is q very useful tree, but our
cocoa is not one of its products
"Well," said ETY., l don't think those
nuts are of much use; they are SO hard and
mother would only let me eat little piece,
for fear it would make me sick"
"Not so fast my little girl" said her
father "the nuts which you condemn so
strongly are very wholesome food in the
countries where God has placed them, though
I think myself they are not good for much
as ws obtain them"
"Father," said Ben, evil you please tell
us what the cocoanut tree is used for ?"
"There are few trees 80 variously useful,
replied his father at grows in nearly all
warm, tropical countries, but is more abun-
dant on the islands. The natives use the
leaves for matching their house, the thatch
roofs last long time, although you would
not think it. Tnen from the fine flores is
made a nice and strong mating, which is
quite an article of commerce in the East In
dies"
"Wby, yes, said Ben, eve have it on
the floor of our School-room.
every true," said his father. "The
coarser fbres," he continued, "are made into
baskets and brooms; and potash is obtained
from the ashes. Then the trunk of the tree
abounds in sap, which is obtained by climb
ing, and is a harmless, cooling drink. 1t
soon ferments, however, and is then known
as palm wine: and by distilling this strong
ardent spirit is obtained called arrack."
"Why" said Etty, "we could almost keep
house with one such tree !"
"But l have not told you all its useful
properties" said Mr.. Walker, smiling
" You could obtain your cups and bowls for
housekeeping by dividing the nutshells neat
ly, as the natives do. The outer husk of the
nut is made into very durable cordage;
and from the nut itself is extracted valua-
bic oil. Then, too, poor quality Of sugar
is prepared from the sap, which would be
better than none; and this, boiled with
uuicklime, makes an excellent cement
When the nuts have attained half their size
they contain soft, cream-like substance,
which, in the West Indies, is eaten with a
spoon, with sugar, and is thought great
delicacy."
ooh, should think it mould be nice p
exclaimed Etty. "What good things they
do have in those hot countries! !"
"No better than our Father has provided
for us" said her father, gravely. IF you
we're placed there for a while, perhaps you
would be very glad to return to your own
home"
"Dut where is the COCOA obtained that we
make into drink !" asked Ben.
"That, my son, is a preparation of the
seeds of an evergreen tree, which abounds in
Central and South America, and in the West
Indies. 1t bears fruit resembling short
thick cucumber, each one containing twenty
Or thirty beans or seeds. The pulp which
encloses these seeds is good for food be-
ieve it tastes something like water melon;
but it is from the seeds that the various
orms of chocolate and cocoa are prepared.
they are separated from the pulp, and dried
or sale" |