in CACAO 113 



CLIMATE. A warm, moist climate is necessary for the 

 cultivation of cacao, if large crops are expected ; but, when 

 the soil is suitable, the tree will grow and give fair returns in 

 a moderately dry place, as is found in some parts of Dom- 

 inica and Grenada. The ordinary cacao plant will not do Does not 



, , , f , thrive at 



well in the mountains above two thousand feet, and even at high eleva- 

 that height it becomes stunted and does not remain fruit- tlons " 

 ful for many years. The best elevation is from 300 to 500 

 feet ; and, in sheltered situations near the sea shore, good 

 crops are to be obtained, but the tree will not thrive if 

 exposed to the direct influence of the sea breeze. 



Cacao will not bear much exposure, and it does not do Shelter 

 well usually, in places with a northern or eastern aspect. ne 

 Sheltered lands and valleys with a southern or western 

 aspect are the best situations to form cacao plantations. 



PROPAGATION. Cacao plants are obtained from seeds 

 which germinate readily and quickly ; and the seedlings may 

 be raised in nurseries in the same way as coffee plants. Nurseries. 

 Selected pods from the best trees should be picked perfectly 

 ripe, and then be kept for a week before planting, as this 

 favours germination, indeed if left long enough the seeds will 

 push out the radicles whilst the pod is unopened. That part HOW to sow 

 of the seed attached to the stringy centre of the pod is the the seeds - 

 one to be placed downwards in sowing ; and, if the seeds 

 have been already withdrawn from the pod, then they may 

 be sown lengthwise, as there will be a difficulty in finding 

 out the end where the plumule pushes forth. The seeds may 

 be put in the nurseries four inches apart and nine inches be- 

 tween the rows. In a few months' time the plants will be a Transplant- 

 foot high, and then they can be put out into the fields, care in s- 

 being taken to remove them with a ball of earth around the 

 roots. A better way is to raise the seedlings in bamboo pots ; Bamboo 

 for, if this be done very few of the plants will be lost. pots ' 

 Planting at stake, as was described in the chapter on coffee, planting at 

 is, perhaps, the commonest method of propagation, and with stake> 



