THE COCO54 TREE AND ITS FRUIT. 13 



In the Caroline Islands it reaches 5 pounds, and in Surinam, according 

 to M. Nichols, the average at maturity is 6y. 2 pounds. l In Mindanao, 

 I have been told, but do not vouch for the report, of more than ten 

 'catties' (about i2i/> pounds) taken in one year from a single tree; 

 / and, as there are well-authenticated instances of record, of single trees 



PODS AND LEAVES. 



having yielded as much as 30 pounds, I am not prepared to altogether 

 discredit the Mindanao story." 



The following statements in relation to the cultivation of the cocoa 

 tree and the curing of the fruit are taken from a report made in 1899 

 by the United States Consul General at Guayaquil, who obtained his 

 information largely from the Secretary of the Guayaquil Chamber 

 of Commerce. 



1 This statement does not accord with the best information we have been able to obtain, namely, that the average 

 yield does not exceed 2>i pounds to a tree. 



