L38 



As the tree increases in growth pruning is very necessary, and 

 suckers should be removed as soon as ]>"ssihle. When branching 

 has developed and it is possible to see how the young tree is inclined 

 to grow, it should be pruned into a proper shape, and only three or 

 lour main branches should be allowed to develop. The best shape 

 for the tree is still a matter of opinion, but in any case it should be 

 prevented from growing too thickly or too high. 



Wherever the cocoa is urown in an exposed position, trees to 

 keep of the wind are necessary. For this purpose a strip of the 

 original forest may be left, and is one of the best protections ; it 

 must lie fairly wide, or it will not lasl : a width of 45 yards should 

 generally be sufficient, but if the laud is available; 110 yards may be 

 kept and rubber trees can lie planted in this strip. In the Samoan 

 coast lands shade trees are necessary as the dry season ofteo. lasts for 

 six months, and is very intense ; they are probably advisable, too. at 

 the higher altitudes. Forest trees should never be left standing to 

 act as shade trees, but for this purpose Albizzia stipulata may be 

 planted ; A. moluccana^ grows more quickly, it is true, but it is too 

 easily broken by the wind, and is apt to grow excessively, requiring 

 a liberal removal of its branches. There should be from 1<» to 20 

 shade trees per acre, but on this point observation should be made 

 in each locality, as no fixed rule can be made to meet the varying 

 conditions of soil and climate. In Trinidad in many places it is the 

 custom to have as many shade trees as cocoa trees, the trees being 

 planted alternately. Quite recently indiarubber trees, especially 

 Hevea brasiliensis, have been recommended for affording shade. 



The soil of the cocoa fields must always be kept clean, that is. 

 round about the cocoa tree : in Samoa the long, dry season is very 

 opportune for this work, and the expense involved is scarcely a third 

 of that in the Cameroons. Cleaning the land must be seen to from 

 the very first, and it is most important that the jungle should be 

 completely and properly cut down and burnt at the right time, avoid- 

 ing large and deeply-burnt patches. The stems of large trees can be 

 left to moulder awav. 



When the ground is cleared the planting can begin, and papaya 

 trees, which will grow nearly everywhere, can be used as the first 

 shade trees. As in the cultivation of fruit trees in Germany, the 

 provision of well-cleaned land and of shade must be seen to for each 

 individual, newly-planted tree. The planter must be on tin look 

 out lor the attacks both of animals and of disease, and their causes 

 must be discovered; they are often due to excessive shading, defi- 

 ciency of lighl or air, or excessive moisture in the soil, ami frequently 

 can be easily remedied. 



The best methods of fermenting and drying the cocoa, and also 

 the length of time to he allowed for the fermentation process are still 

 undecided questions. The produce oi small plantations is mosl 

 conveniently treated along with that of other planters, and this make-. 

 it advisable to have the same variety of cocoa grown by all, as 



differenl varieties require differenl treatment in the final preparation. 



The question of manuring is a most important one ; it is true 



thai in the higher lands where the burning "I the jungle has afiorded 



* Specimens may be Been at St. Clair Experiment Station. 



