50 THE GOLD COAST 



great care is exercised, as it is found that the cocoa tree 

 is to a large extent a surface feeder, and spreads lateral 

 fine roots at very little depth below the surface. Shade 

 is obtained naturally to a large degree, but in the early 

 years of the tree's existence, cassava and plantains are 

 planted to afford it. The plantation of Para rubber 

 with cocoa has been recommended in such a manner 

 that each would occur alternately in a diagonal line. 

 This does not appear a very satisfactory plan, owing to 

 the fact that Para rubber trees in West Africa shed their 

 leaves annually at about the time that cocoa most needs 

 shade. In the small patches of cocoa trees, which con- 

 stitute most of the native plantations, permanent and 

 sufficient shade is generally given by the surrounding 

 forest trees, and it is of small importance in such cases 

 to consider the plantation of permanent shade trees. 



Pruning, in the West Indies, is attended with the greatest 

 amount of care, and is performed for the purpose of 

 producing a vigorous tree by the removal of all useless 

 wood, and of encouraging fruiting branches to increase 

 their production. In order to do the latter it is essential 

 to remove any superfluous number of primary branches, 

 three or four being considered sufficient for one tree. 

 A similar regulation of growth is required with regard 

 to the secondary and tertiary branches. In addition to 

 this, care is given to retain the correct balance for the 

 tree, and, when cutting out branches, to avoid making 

 jagged cuts or slashes. The West African native does 

 not prune with these objects in view, but employs a 

 " cutlass " or " machete " to cut out those branches 

 which seem to be giving too much shade or which have 

 become interlaced, regardless of their value to the tree 

 or of the wounds inflicted in the operation. Efforts have 

 been made to teach pruning at the Botanical Stations, 

 but the demonstrations have not been largely attended, 

 and a great deal of damage continues to be done through 

 ignorance of the objects and effects of pruning. Many 

 of the older plantations, owing to bad treatment and too 

 close planting, are yielding an annually diminishing crop, 

 but new ones are springing up in increasing numbers each 

 year, which is an obvious indication that the industry is 

 proving a profitable one. 



Insect Pests and Vegetable Parasites. Wounds, such as 



