252 TRINIDA.D. 



"This variety is eminently adapted for cultivation on 

 steep and barren hillsides, where it will develop much more 

 quickly and thrive when the Creole coffee would fail. 



"Moka — varieties, Major and Minor. The variety dis- 

 tinguished as Minor is inferior in robustness of habit and size of 

 beans. The rate of growth of the former (Major) is much 

 faster, and it is also more prolific" 



Mr. Prestoe adds : " It does not appear to be generally known 

 that the moka coffee is rendered more prolific by scorching sun- 

 heat up to a point of making the trees lose their leaves to some 

 extent, and thus it is that in the East the operation of gathering 

 is often effected by drawing the branches through the hand — not 

 picking the berries off the branches. Moka coffee-trees in this 

 island are often seen in the leafless condition alluded to laden with 

 fruit." 



There is no doubt that high-price coffee can be produced in 

 Trinidad, all along the northern range, also at Erin and Moruga, 

 where the plant thrives and fruits to perfection. For some years, 

 in the beginning of the age, beautiful coffee plantations flourished 

 on the Laventille hills, but the insalubrity of the locality caused 

 their abandonment. The different degrees of excellence in quality 

 depend mainly on variety. It is important, however, to take into 

 consideration the conditions of soil and altitude. 



I should recommend the cultivation of the Liberian variety in 

 our lowlands, of the Java narrow leaved, the Soufriere and the 

 major moka varieties on our hills, as they seem to be less liable 

 to disease, hardier, and more prolific. 



Cotton (Gossgpium herbaceum). — Cotton was once extensively 

 cultivated in Trinidad — viz., at Mayaro, Chacachacareo, and 

 Guayaguayare ; and a few individuals made their fortunes by 

 its growth and exportation. This cultivation, however, was after- 

 wards abandoned for the more lucrative production of sugar. 

 Whatever cotton is now exported from the colony is the product 

 of "Venezuela. The soil and climate of Trinidad, though rather 

 damp, seem to be well adapted to the growth of cotton of the 

 best quality ; but the scarcity of manual labour and competition 

 with countries better situated in that respect, will, for a long 

 time, if not for ever, prevent the restoration of that cultivation 

 here. 



Coco-nuts [Cocos nucifera). — The coco-palm thrives rema: 



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