98 COCOA 



CHAP. 



In very windy countries it may be advisable to leave 

 such rows of wind-breaks at regular distances facing the 

 prevailing direction of the wind. In such cases 

 Fauchere l considers it absolutely necessary to have a 

 series of shelter - belts 100 metres (say 110 yards) 

 apart, each at least 10 metres (11 yards) broad. 

 This recommendation, especially as to the width of 

 the shelter-belts, is well worth consideration. In such 

 countries it is sometimes even necessary to plant only 

 on the leeward side of the hills or mountains. This is, 

 for instance, the case in some parts of Java. However, 

 the method of leaving parts of the forest as wind-breaks 

 has a drawback. It has been found by experience, 

 especially when only narrow belts of the forest are 

 left, that some of the trees are liable to die early, 

 and that, standing unsheltered and in the open, the 

 tall trees may fall down, causing damage instead of 

 preventing it. For these reasons it is sometimes 

 better to clear the whole forest and to plant wind- 

 breaks. The planter is then in a position to choose 

 those species of trees which are specially advantageous 

 as wind-breaks, and sometimes even trees which are 

 themselves productive. The planting of such wind- 

 breaks will be discussed later. 



Management of the land after the clearing of the 

 forest. The fertile virgin soil quickly loses a great part 

 of its fertility when left unshaded. Under the direct 

 influence of the sun and the consequent high tempera- 

 ture, and also because of the free circulation of the air, 

 the texture of the soil changes, mainly in consequence 

 of the destruction of the humus. It is therefore 

 necessary, immediately after the clearing of the forest, 

 to plant some quick-growing plant in order to have the 

 soil shaded as soon as possible. Corn is often used 

 for this purpose, and sometimes plantains, bananas, 

 or cassava, according to the character of the soil, the 

 climate and the needs of the country. In many districts 

 corn is sown out, and plantains or bananas are planted at 



1 Faucliere, Culture pratique, p. 32. 



