Manuring, 



The cacao-tree requires no manuring. The dead leaves, 

 the number of caterpillars falling at certain times from the 

 shade-trees and dying, the empty pods left on the ground after 

 collecting the fruits, give a rich and abundant manuring 

 to the soil Some experiments have proved that in dry and 

 barren ground Guano is also a very good manure for cacao. 



On heavy clay-land the spots that are to be occupied by the 

 young cacao-plants must be dug up in the dry season. Very 

 poor soils must be manured shortly before the rains. 



This preparation renders the soil loose and friable, and the 

 manure is already decayed when the young trees are put into 

 the ground, by which the roots from their beginning derive 

 the necessary nourishment for their development. Old, decayed 

 cow-dung mixed with rich mould each one half gives an 

 excellent manure. 



This digging up and manuring takes place in the month of 

 October. The soil is then exposed to the influence oi the sun, 

 which renders it soft and loose, kills the insects therein, and 

 partly burns up the tender weeds. This hardness or closeness 

 of the ground, added to the weeds covering the earth in the 

 rainy season, are apt to prevent the rain's penetrating. This is 

 remedied by proper manuring and loosening of the soil. 



