Shade- Trees. 



The shade-tree (Erythrina indica) is called here (in Surinam) 

 Coffee mamma, probably because in former times, when Surinam 

 cultivated great quantities of coffee, it served the same purpose 

 for the coffee-tree as it now does for the cacao-tree. On plant- 

 ing this shade-tree, select young healthy slips and set them 

 in the ground. With careful nursing this plant will grow up with 

 astonishing rapidity and yield an extensive shade. In cutting 

 the slips from the large shade-trees, try to cut a part of the 

 stem with it. A careful selection is the first consideration. 

 Seeds also can be used for planting 



We distinguish two sorts of shade-trees (Coffee-Mamma), the 

 white and the red. The first is the most recommendable and 

 generally preferred, as it strikes root soonest and grows more 

 rapidly. The length of the slips must be from 2 to 2 l / M. 

 as they then become trees much sooner. They must be firmly 

 and deeply planted, on account of their putting forth leaves 

 first at the top, and so would be apt to be blown down, if 

 not sufficiently deep. The end of the dry season (the begin- 

 ning of November) is the best time to plant the slips, that they 

 may have the advantage of the early rains ; the lower sprigs 

 must be cut away to make the slips shoot up the sooner and be- 

 come trees. Keep them well clear, too, from weeds and creepers. 



