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Indian Islands. It has a remarkable air of spaciousness, for the 
specimens are not crowded and a great deal of the charm of 
tree of the West African Batkiea insignis, with its striking white 
flowers, there was very little in the way of floral display. The 
experimental plots are conveniently placed along the valley, and as 
they are screened by a hedge do not interfere with the landscape 
effects of the garden. 
Cacao.—The Cacao-grafting experiments, which have been carried 
out with such success by Mr. Jones, were of particular interest. 
The trees as yet are young but I was particularly struck by their low 
rowing and spreading habit in contrast to the more fastigiate 
character of the bushes raised from seed. The grafted plant is 
produced from a lateral branch scion and may be compared in its 
growth form to a broad-based cone standing on its base, while the 
seedling resembles rather a cone standing on its apex. The grafted 
tree would appear to offer several advantages over the seedling, 
though it is sometimes asserted that we are not yet in a position 
fully to realise the value of grafting. (1) It makes it possible to have 
a plantation devoted to one variety of Cacao alone. ‘This is a matter 
of considerable value since uniformity in the beans brought in for 
curing could be secured and a uniform product should result. At 
present, owing to the mixed crop comprising beans of different 
varieties, a good deal of difficulty is experienced in adjusting the 
time of fermentation and regulating the drying and curing processes, 
and as a consequence uniformity of the sample is often lost. (2) B 
using different varieties for grafting it would be possible to arrange a 
succession of plots ripening at different times and also the crop time 
might be slightly lengthened. (3) The habit of growth of the 
plant tends to shade the ground and so to prevent loss of water b 
evaporation. It would appear as far as can be seen that the picking 
of the pods would be a much easier process than it is in the case of the 
higher branches of the tall trees grown from seedlings, and that 
therefore injury from bad picking should be reduced to a minimum. 
The question of “shade” or “ no shade” for Cacao does not appear 
lines a useful variety may result. The value of mulch for Cacao 
BE crops was also well demonstrated in the experimental 
