COCOA 179 



of about 8 Ib. of cured cocoa per tree has been obtained 

 during the past five years (1909 to 1913) from trees now 

 over twenty years old, and though we have few accurate 

 returns to guide us, from observation I should say that 

 these yields are equalled, if not exceeded, on some of 

 the best cared-for native cocoa farms in the more fertile 

 districts. I should here state that these figures cannot 

 be taken as anything like average returns for the colony, 

 as on many farms and in some districts owing to neglect 

 the yields are very low indeed. The Aburi yields, how- 

 ever, have been carefully computed, and prove that high 

 yields can be obtained. Indeed, I might go further and 

 say that I question if better yields of cocoa can be 

 obtained in any other country in the world. 



The cocoa trees yield a fair crop in the Gold Coast in 

 the third and fourth years after planting, and, as showing 

 their fecundity, I may mention that young trees were 

 seen bearing fruits in less than a year after planting on 

 one of the Agricultural Stations recently opened by 

 Government. 



The soil does not appear particularly rich, although 

 over certain areas it is deeper and better than in others. 

 Generally speaking, however, it is lacking in organic 

 matter. It is to its climate, more than its soil, that the 

 Gold Coast owes its wealth in vegetation. The air is 

 humid, and although the rainfall is not excessive from 

 50 to 70 in. per annum in the cocoa-producing districts 

 it is fairly evenly distributed. The humidity is in large 

 measure due to the wealth of forest growth and ever- 

 green vegetation, and this is its primary feature as a 

 cocoa-growing country. The rainfall is lower than in 

 nearly every other cocoa-growing country, and a reduc- 

 tion of the humidity, it is feared, would have disastrous 

 consequences to the cocoa industry. The natives of the 

 country are not fully alive to the seriousness of the 

 position, as the destruction of forest in making new clear- 

 ings is being somewhat ruthlessly undertaken all over 

 the country, and a Bill recently introduced by Govern- 

 ment for the regulation and preservation of the forests 

 is 'being rigorously opposed by the native owners of the 

 land, who, I fear, are not consulting their own better 

 judgment in this matter. 



