HIDES AND COCOA 



185 



•Exports from the State of Piauhy are made by the port of Ilha do Cajueiro. 



The skins of wild animals are generally spoilt, because they are 

 mostly killed by shot guns, still Ceara exported one million worth in 

 1920. There is a great choice of wWd animals, such as " on9as " 

 (leopards), " lontras," wild boars, deer and monkeys. 



Cocoa is the principal crop of Bahia, the exports from this 

 State being : — 



1918 

 36,115,241 



1,890,585 



1917 



44,537,063 



2,001,046 



1919 1920 



54,854,242 51,576,653 



4,956,887 3,632,230 



but comes far behind 



Kilos 



Value £ sterling 



The State of Para is next in importance 

 Bahia. Maranhao, Ceara, Pernambuco, Esperito Santo, the Federal 

 District and Sao Paulo produce very small quantities. 



The cocoa zone lies between the 23° lat. N. and 22° lat. S., a mean 

 temperature of 21 to 28° C. is necessary ; rich loamy soil and dampness 

 are two further requirements. The municipality of Nazareth in the 

 southern part of Bahia seems to be the centre of cocoa cultivation. 

 500 trees are planted per hectare which allows catch -crops, such as 

 Mandioc, Indian corn, etc., being planted loetween the rows. The 

 trees are allowed to fruit in the fourth year, in the sixth they give an 

 average crop and increase up to the twelfth year. The tree lasts 

 about 25 years ; it is from 6 to 8 metres high, and the fruit forms 

 directly on the stem, generally several are grouped together. One 



