42 



are porous and friable ; and those from Slate are cold and 

 heavy ; while the purest clay is produced by the decomposi- 

 tion of Felspar. 



Now it must be self-evident that a mixture of consti- 

 tuents will produce a result in accordance with the proportion 

 in which such constituents exist ; and consequently by sub- 

 stituting practice for theory, to enable us to ascertain what 

 class of rock to look for, we should first decide as to the 

 texture and properties of the soil required ; or vice versa we 

 may examine the description of rock that abounds and form 

 our conclusions upon it. Gneiss is the class of rock gene- 

 rally found, and it is known by its banded structure. It 

 contains Mica, Quartz and Felspar and being assisted by a 

 climate famous for violent alternations of temperature and 

 a heavy rainfall, is generally found to be in a state of far- 

 advanced decomposition, and consequently may generally 

 be relied on as a good producer of lime and potash. The 

 soil formed from this rock by Nature is a mixture emi- 

 nently suited for the Coffee Planter's requirements, and 

 merely requires to be adequately tempered with organic 

 constituents to offer every prospect of success to the 

 practical cultivator. For a casual examiner however all 

 observations and tests must be simplified as much as pos- 

 sible, and of course coffee like every other enterprize must 

 take its chance. If reliable data were available there would 

 never be failure, but such is not the case and the Planter 

 has to take his chance, very often relying entirely on ap- 

 pearances in selection of the land. For greater safety it is 

 desirable to use discrimination, care, and forethought 

 founded on experience, on the principle of the old proverb 

 " Look well before you leap" and it behoves one to study 

 the appearance and texture of the soil as well as to ascertain 

 its actual origin and extent. The best descriptions of soil 

 for coffee are decidedly the dark chocolate and black. 



