86 PLANTING IN UGANDA 



the growth to force side buds into activity. 

 Experience of the effects of this practice has 

 resulted in its utter condemnation. Branches so 

 formed all spring from the tree at the same point, 

 and form such an angle that they drop off when 

 they attain to a fair size and weight, often split- 

 ting the trunk right to the ground in doing so. 

 This has occurred on our estates in Uganda, so 

 that we have experience to convince us that the 

 practice is not one which ought to be adopted. 



A small percentage of trees will grow very high 

 before branching, and with these there is consider- 

 able delay in putting on girth ; but eventually they 

 will form heads and thicken out, and such branches 

 will be found to withstand the storms in a way that 

 forced branches will not do. 



The only pruning which should be practised on 

 Para trees is the removal of any branches that may 

 be growing on the lower 6 ft. of stem. This 

 portion is required as the tapping area, and it 

 should be straight, clean, and unbranched. Shoots 

 should therefore be removed thence as soon as they 

 appear. They can be rubbed off if still soft. 



Cocoa. The ideal Cocoa tree should have, low 

 down, as many branches as possible, but without 



