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all he can say is, they smelt nice, and looked as good and as invit- 

 ing as a shrimp, but how they taste he cannot say, for although he 

 has seen other people eat and enjoy them, he has to confess to a 

 want of courage to make the trial, although indeed he was tempted 

 and almost persuaded. 



673.-THEOBROMA PENTAGONA. 



This species of Theobroma is one which furnishes a line sample of 

 Commercial cacao of excellent flavour. It is quite distinct from the 

 ordinary varieties of Theobroma Cacao, and gives a "bean" nearly 

 double the size of an average sample of that kind. The pods are five 

 angled and the outer skin is invariably a greenish yellow. It was 

 introduced to Trinidad from Central America by the writer in July 

 1893, and there are now numerous specimens in various parts of the 

 Island. Being a new Cacao, with a line bean, many enquiries have 

 come to hand as to whether it is really a desirable species to grow 

 with a view to exporting produce. This Department is not as yet in 

 a position to answer such queries definitely, and the only recommenda- 

 tions it has given, is that the species deserves a fair trial at the hands 

 of Trinidad planters, but that it would be unwise to plant too exten- 

 sively until the results of primary experiments have been obtained. 

 Planters should have the species upon their estates, and try it upon 

 all kinds of land, but it is not at present recommended to grow it 

 extensively. It has been found necessary to publish this information, 

 as an impression has got abroad that it has been recommended by the 

 Department in preference to the ordinary varieties. 



674.-COCONUT PLANTING IN BRIEF. 



SELECTION OF SEED. 



Coconuts for planting should be selected from matured but not 

 over ripe dry nuts. They should be taken from trees known to bear 

 nuts of best quality. They should be picked and placed in a basket, 

 and then lowered from the trees as the concussion by falling injures 

 them. 



SOWING IN NURSERY. 



Lay the nuts gathered close together on a strip of sandy soil and 

 slightly tUt up the stalk-end, cover with sand or mould, so that a 

 fraction of the husk can be seen ; over all place coconut leaves. 



PLANTING. 



Plant out in porous soil in prepared holes when shoots have 

 appeared and grown to twenty-four inches high, together with a few 

 roots, in such a manner that upper surface of husk is barely covered. 



DISTANCE APART. 



The distance to plant apart should range from 25 to 30 feet 

 each way. 



