SITUATION AND ASPECT. 53 



suited to coffee shading, and to remove any kinds which 

 experience has proved to be injurious; these latter vary 

 in the different countries. As the shade trees grow up, 

 the same care must be taken of them as of the coffee 

 tree, as regards pruning or topping, the lower branches 

 being judiciously removed, the object being to grow a 

 tree not only luxuriant but lofty, in order that it may 

 throw a long shadow and so afford greater protection to 

 the plants in its vicinity. Another point to be con- 

 sidered in the location of a successful Coffee plantation 

 is situation, as regards shade, sun and wind, as a location 

 and method of cultivation suited to one climate may be 

 entirely unsuited to another. In sea-coast or moist 

 climates planting without shade is generally the custom, 

 while in dry arid climates shade is indispensable, as in 

 wet or damp districts Coffee can not be grown to advan- 

 tage under the shade of the largest trees ; the methods 

 of cultivation therefore should be entirely different in the 

 differing districts or localities. To be emphatic, climate 

 should regulate shade y that is, shade plantations thrive best 

 in hot, dry climates , and unshaded in moist or humid ones. 



The Coffee-plant in most countries has been found to 

 flourish best, and produce more abundantly, and reach a 

 greater longerity on upland or mountain situations at 

 altitudes ranging from one to four thousand feet above 

 sea-level ; but a mean elevation of three thousand feet 

 has been found by experience to be best adapted for its 

 most profitable culture. In the selection of a site for the 

 establishment of a coffee plantation the same general 

 rules are observed throughout all the coffee-growing 

 countries; and, while an eastern or southern exposure 



