YIELDS AND RESULTS 19 



tapping the trees, combined with more efficient 

 tools for the purpose, has resulted in earlier tap- 

 ping being practised than was thought possible a 

 few years ago. It is found that trees with a girth 

 of 16 inches at 3 feet from the ground are capable 

 of giving remunerative returns, by light tapping 

 which causes no injury, and does not retard 

 growth. This stage is reached in five years in 

 Uganda. A fairly large number of trees of this 

 age were tapped at Kivuvu last year. The 

 appearance they presented after several months' 

 tapping, and the rate at which new bark was 

 being formed, proved that no injury had been 

 inflicted by the operation. 



Cocoa. Our Cocoa produces its first perfect 

 pods in the fifth year after sowing. The pods are 

 few in number and often small. It can hardly be 

 said that bearing commences until the trees are 

 five years old. From that time forth the crops 

 should be remunerative. 



Coffee. This tree yields its first crop in two- 

 and-a-half years after sowing. This, which is 

 called the " maiden " crop, is usually about half 

 the amount of a full crop. Its next crop, the first 

 full one, is produced in three years. In Ceylon the 



