I/O PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE 



CONDITIONS OF GROWTH 



Climate. Cacao demands more warmth and more mois- 

 ture than does coffee. It will not produce large crops 

 where the annual rainfall is much less than 2 meters, 

 nor where there is a severe dry season. However, if the 

 rain is too little, it can be made up in part by irrigation, 

 with equally good results. The average yearly tempera- 

 ture must be at least 22, and may well be higher. Strong 

 winds do great damage, both by increasing the transpira- 

 tion, and by shaking off the fruit. 



Soil. Since this tree has a taproot, it will not be very 

 thrifty in soil less than i meter deep. It will endure 

 standing water in or over the ground longer than most 

 cultivated crops; but, like other crops, it is more healthy 

 and productive on well-drained soil. It is sometimes 

 possible to kill its insect enemies by drowning them. 



A good soil for cacao must be reasonably rich in lime ; 

 one half of i per cent is necessary for a fair crop, and i \ 

 per cent is better. Much iron in the soil is an advantage, 

 because it darkens the seed, and dark seed brings a better 

 price. Cacao exhausts the phosphorus of the soil rather 

 rapidly. 



CULTURE 



Planting. Cacao is reproduced by seed. These can 

 be planted where the trees are wanted, or in seed beds. 

 The disadvantage of using seed beds is that the plants 

 grow rapidly, and do not stand transplanting well. In- 

 jury to the roots can be avoided by planting the seed 

 in bamboo joints, and merely splitting these when the 



