46 The Cultivation and Preparation of Coffee 



in those localities where strong winds prevail ; 

 its wood being soft, sometimes breaks, damag- 

 ing the coffee trees. 



Castilloa elastica (Kabber) has frequently 

 been recommended ; the coffee trees, however, 

 should not be planted too near to them. 



Citrus and the "Gallito" (Agati grandiflora) 

 are also often used ; the former may be con- 

 sidered of double value if transportation of its 

 fruit is good. The latter is a legume, and 

 seems to have no undesirable features, except 

 that the wood is soft, and the trees should be 

 cut down before they blow down and cause 

 damage to the coffee trees. It may be con- 

 sidered as an excellent temporary shade. 



Trees of the leguminous family are able to 

 supply themselves with nitrogen from the air, 

 and again supply that to the coffee trees 

 through the leaves, which they periodically 

 shed. 



Windbreaks. The Mango is undoubtedly 

 one of the best all-round trees for a permanent 

 windbreak, especially at low altitudes. 



Bixa orellana (Anatto). It is also an excel- 

 lent windbreak, grows fast, makes a good 

 hedge, and may be planted on the wind side, 

 but it only reaches about ten feet high. 





