The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-05
THE SEDUCTIVE CARAMEL.
Facts About the Crude Chocolate of
Commerce,


Commerce.
Guayaquil. Ecuador. Nov 1.-The dainty
maiden, when the seductive caramel dis
solves between her pearly teeth, neither
knows, nor care, perhaps, to know. the
land which produces the bean from which
the delicious chocolate is made which
trickles down her throat. She only knows
it is good, and, like Oliver, wants more
from the enamored swain who hopes to
soften her heart by gratifying her appe-
tite. Be that as 1t may, 1t may be a source
OF interest to some of your readers to Sead
what / write about the tree which pro-
duces the cocoa bean from which choco-
late is manufactured. and learn where and
how it is cultivated. hence I send you
short description Ecuador produces over
49, 900 pounds Of cocoa per year, nearly
one-third of the total production of the
world. Unlike coffee, the area in which
the cocoa tree can be cultivated is very
limited, as it requires a peculiar combi-
nation of conditions to become productive.
A low, but not swampy soil, vegetable
mould deep and free from strata of gravel
or rocks, and a very humid and warm
climate are some of the requisites.
Great care is taken In every stage of
cultivation TO keep the ground clear of all
weeds and underbrush; the trees are plant
of banana palms or other outrageous
plants al intervals of Il or Is feet and
grow about fifteen feet high
1t is a very symmetrical tree the main
trunk dividing few feet above the ground
into a number of widely spreading
branches.
Al four years the tree commences to
bear. attaining full maturity at about
eight years; the yield varies between one
and three pounds of dried cocoa, although
this is sometimes exceeded. The fruit re-
semblug small muskmelon in shape,
changes in color as 1t rDens from dark
green to brilliant shades, in which red
predominates.
Inside this melon-shaped pod there is
whitish pulp, embedded in which are
eight rows of eight beans, each about the
size of very large rounded almonds. When
the pod is ripe it is detached from the
tree with a long pole, at end of which
is a coneave cutter. The beans are ex
tracted, laid in the sun, dried and select
ed for the market
The bean tastes like chocolate without
sweetening, the best grade having a bit
ter and pungent flavor; the less sacchar-
inc matter contained in the bean, the
more valuable.
The productivity of a tree is indefinite.
longer than several human lifeimes if
environment is favorable.
The process of manufacture are easily
ascertainable in the United States; manu-
featuring here is yet in a rudimentary
stage in this as in all other lines, and
but little chocolate is manufactured.
Cacao is probably one of the most pre-
| htable crops grown, although a large cap
ital is necessary to make the business
| success; perhaps an average Hacienda"
of this country, yields so to so per cent on
the investment, but in some instances that
might be cited the net return on the in
| Vestment is much larger.
The great profit is in creating a hacienda.
| The large number of opulent Ecuadorian
cocao haciendados who, or their descend
| ents, now luxuriate in wealth, prove this
| fact.
The cocoa planters are the 'ol aristoi'
of the land; many of them are million
| ARES and quite a number reside in Paris
| and other world capitals
The field is a most inviting one for
| American capital Groves can be bought
which would pay 20Q25 per cent. to the
| investors after a short time. Germany,
which seems to have more than Yankee
| enterprise, Is already buying and Hamburg
| bankers are said TO have recently purchas-
ed the second largest estate in the coun-
| try.
Cacao is literally the golden egg of Ecua-
| dor.
For further details see consular reports
/ for September or October, which contains
| an article at some length. / nave recently
| sent to the department of state. I hope
| some of my countrymen who have youth,
| capital and energy may enter the field. /
have no doubt American methods would
enable them to reap even a richer harvest
than the natives have in the past and do
| in the present. Like an orange grove the
| cost of creation and time required are the
deterring features, but hacienda once in
| full bearing is a mine of wealth, the bean
then costs about $275 per 100 pounds to
| produce and sells for $12 and over, de-
nland ever increasing; better STILL no Sc
! rious disasters have ever befallen the
cacaa groves, as has been the case with
the orange groves of beautiful but unfort-
innate Florida. P. D.