262 TRINIDAD. 



much improved lately, owing to the . introduction of the mos 

 approved stills. The quantity exported in 1854, was 320,000 

 gallons, which, however, might be much increased. 



Cacao * (Theobroma cacao) is the article which ranks next 

 in importance to sugar. The quantity exported in 1853, was 

 4,842,075 pounds. 



There are two distinct species or varieties of cacao ; one is 

 known by the name Creole cacao (Cacao creolio), and the other by 

 that of Foreign cacao (Cacao forastero). The former produces 

 the best specimens, and is extensively cultivated in the province 

 of Caracas. It is somewhat more delicate than the other, requires 

 the best soil, and does not yield so abundantly ; the pod is, in 

 shape, more elongated, the outer covering thinner, and the beans 

 are plumper and larger. The cacao forastero is hardier, more 

 robust, and yields more abundantly ; the fruit is rounder, the 

 beans smaller and flattened ; they contain also a larger proportion 

 of fat, and have an astringent taste, whilst that of the creolio is soft. 



The quantity of land under cultivation for this plant is 7,000 

 acres. Cacao thrives only in rich deep light and moist, but not 

 retentive soils, such as valleys and the banks of rivers ; heat and 

 shade are also necessary to its growth. The mean yearly tempe- 

 rature must be 78 or 80, and trees must be planted at intervals 

 in the cacao walk, to afford protection against the sun and the 

 strong breezes. Cacao plantations prosper only in virgin lands, 

 and cannot be made to succeed any other cultivations. 



After the land has been cleared, it is picketted off at distances 

 of twelve or fifteen feet ; the beans are then planted at twelve 

 inches apart and covered with plantain or balisier leaves, which 

 are removed as soon as the seed has germinated. If the two 

 plants succeed, one is removed either altogether, or for supplying 

 a failure elsewhere this being done at a growth of between 

 twelve and eighteen months. The planting season is in July : a 

 nursery is at the same time formed for the future supply of those 

 plants which may not have succeeded. Previous to the laying 

 out of the cacao-walk, plantation- shoots are set throughout, which 

 afford shade to the delicate young plants ; as also the bois im- 

 tnortel, which is destined to protect the more mature plants in 

 future years. There are two species of bois immortel, or Madre de 



* " Cacao, not Cocoa," as remarked by Professor Lindley, " ought to be the 

 name for the Theobroina." See the note at the end of the chapter. 



