10 FARMERS' BULLETIN. 



cacao,, and which fully confirmed the previous opinions that the main 

 benefit derived from these trees was their influence in maintaining a con- 

 stant supply of available nitrogen in the soil. 



That cacao and its wild congeners naturally seek the shelter of well- 

 shaded forests is well established; but having seen trees in these Islands- 

 that were fully exposed at all times showing no evidences of either scali. 

 burn, or sun spot, and in every respect the embodiment of vigor and 

 health, we are fully justified in assuming that here the climatic condi- 

 tions are such as will permit of taking some reasonable liberties with thi& 

 time-honored practice and supply needed nitrogen to the soil by the use of 

 cheap and effective "catch crops," such as cowpeas or soy beans. 



Here, as elsewhere, an Erythrina, known as "dap-dap," is a favorite 

 shade tree among native planters; the rain tree (Pithecolobium saman) 

 is also occasionally used, and in one instance only have I seen a departure 

 from the use of the Leguminosse, and that in western Mindanao, there is 

 a shade plantation composed exclusively of Cananga odorata, locally 

 known as ilang-ilang. 



While not yet prepared to advocate the total exclusion of all shade 

 trees, I am prepared to reconnL^d a shade tree, if shade trees there must 

 be, whose utility and unquestioned value has singularly escaped notice. 

 The tree in question, the Koyal Ponciana (Poinciana regia), embodies 

 all of the virtues that are ascribed to the best of the pulse family, is easily 

 procured, grows freely and rapidly from seed or cutting, furnishes a mini- 

 mum of shade at all times, and, in these Islands, becomes almost leafless 

 at the season of maturity of the largest cacao crop when the greatest sun 

 exposure is desired. 



The remaining preparatory work consists in the planting of intersect- 

 ing wind breaks at intervals throughout the grove, and upon sides ex- 

 posed to winds, or where a natural forest growth does not furnish such a 

 shelter belt. Unless the plantation lies in a particularly protected valley, 

 no plantation, however large in the aggregate, should cover more than 4 

 or 5 hectares unbroken by at least one row of wind-break trees. Nothing 

 that I know of can approach the mango for this purpose. It will hold in 

 check the fiercest gale and give assurance to the grower that after any 

 storm his cacao crop is still on the trees and not on the ground, a prey to 

 ants, mice, and other vermin. 



SELECTION OP VARIETIES. 



All the varieties of cacao in general cultivation may be referred to three 

 general types, the Criollo, Forastero, and Calabacillo ; and of these, those 

 that I have met in cultivation in the Archipelago are the first and second 

 only. The Criollo is incomparably the finest variety in general use, and 

 may perhaps be most readily distinguished by the inexperienced through 

 the ripe but unfermented seed or almond, as it is often called. This, on\^ 

 breaking, is found to be whitish or yellowish- white, while the seeds of '' 



