COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 2538 
The area well adapted to cacao culture in Porto Rico is relatively small, since 
thoroughly tropical conditions are necessary. including moisture, warmth, and an 
elevation under 500 fect. Moreover, exposure to sea breezes is also detrimental, 
so that the suitable situations are mostly restricted to the more sheltered valleys 
and the region of the foothills. Partial shade is also considered desirable, but as 
in the case of coffee the happy effects may prove to be due to the prevention of 
drought and to the maintenance of the fertility of the soil by the ‘‘ madres de 
cacao’ or ‘mothers of cacao,”* as the trees of Erythrindg wmbrosa are commonly 
called in South America. It is certain, at least, that the tree thrives and the 
foliage remains entirely uninjured in the open sun at sea level, particularly when 
judicious pruning encourages the growth of lateral branches to shade the trunk 
of the tree and the ground underneath. The use of the Para rubber tree Hevea 
and also of Castilloa for shade of cacao plantations has been suggested, but it is 
not known that this plan has been found successful in practice. 
To open a plantation of cacao is more difficult than to start one of coffee, 
since the young seedlings are much more delicate and seldom survive transplanting 
by the methods followed with coffee. In some countries the seed is planted in small 
baskets which can be buried in the ground without disturbing the seedlings. A 
second, but less desirable plan, is to sow the seeds in the place where the tree is 
to grow. In both cases it is considered wise to dig large holes 2 feet square and 
2 feet deep, which are allowed to remain open for a month or two before plant- 
ing. The fine earth and vegetable débris which collects in the holes and the 
surface soil which should be used in filling them up provide the young plants 
with conditions favorable for vigorous growth. In direct seeding three or four 
plants are sprouted in each hole. all but the strongest being afterwards removed. 
Baskets suitable for cacao plants can be made very inexpensively in most tropical 
countries, but flowerpots have also been advised where these are obtainable at a 
cheap rate, or where they can be manufactured readily. In Porto Rico the local 
potteries would undoubtedly be able to supply ample quantities at low prices. 
Twelve feet seems to be the preferable distance between the trees, which are per- 
mitted to reach no more than equal height, although in nature or where crowded 
with other vegetation they sometimes run up to 20 or 30 feet. While cacao is 
young other crops, such as bananas, indian corn, and sweet potatoes, are planted 
between the rows to give partial shade and assist in keeping the ground clear of 
weeds. 
Thespesia grandiflora. Maacar. 
Family Malvaceae; a wild tree. 10 to 15 meters high, occurring in all parts of 
the island: the large red flowers are produced all the year. Wood excellent for 
furniture. The species appears to be peculiar to Porto Rico. Beautiful trees 
said to be ** magar’’ were pointed out to us between Manatiand Arecibo. (Stahl, 
2: 97.) 
A wild tree not very abundant that should be planted for ornament as well as 
for its useful wood. The tree is 50 feet (15 meters) high and the straight, rather 
long trunk reaches the diameter of 30 inches (75 centimeters). The wood is rose- 
colored when fresh, black when old. It is strong and breaks with a vertical frac- 
ture. Its common use is for shelving. It is used also for making flutes, pegs of 
guitars, and other work of this class; also for furniture. Placed in the earth it 
lasts for a long time and is considered the best wood for foundations. Specific 
gravity, 0.677. (Grosourdy, 2: 397. The native name is here spelled ‘‘ maga.’’ ) 
Thespesia populnea. Santa Maria. PALO DEJAQUECA. PLATES LVIII, LIX. 
A wild tree 3 to 5 meters high, found by Stahl near the central part of the 
northern coast. Flowers all the year. The uses are similar to those of ‘‘ emaja- 
gua.’’ Several of these are detailed in the Treasury of Botany: 
“T. populnea, the best knowin-species, is an extremely common tree on the sea- 
