The Flourishing and Bearing of 

 the Trees. 



The cacao-tree bears blossoms the whole year round, except 

 in the dry season. The months of November and December 

 are considered the real blossoming months; then follow June 

 and July, but these are of less significance. The first showers 

 succeeding the dry season generally produce blossoms in 

 eight days. Yet all these blossoms are not productive of fruit 

 (about 10 % in the mean). The bleak chilly south wind 

 (land-wind) blights a great part; there is hardly any or no fer- 

 tilization, or else the fruit already set harden on the stem and 

 blacken. Full-grown Cacao-nuts are also frequently apt to 

 harder. This takes place johen persistent heavy rains set in 

 too soon after a very dry seoson. Herein nature exhibits a 

 marvellous provision, for if all the blossoms formed fruit, the 

 tree would be prematurely exhausted and very short lived. 

 The development from blossom to fruitlet takes place in two 

 days and nights. In four or five months hence the fruit is 

 full-grown, mature and fit for gathering. 



It is most advisable in laying out new cacao-fields to 



