VI 



THE CULTIVATION OF COCOA 145 



of different ages and sizes were also successfully mar- 

 cotted. The operation is very simple. Over a distance 

 of 5 to 10 cm. (2 to 4 inches) the bark is stripped off 

 and carefully removed up to the wood, not a single 

 little thread of the tissue of the bark being allowed to 



Photo, by the late Mr. C. MacGillavry. 

 FIG. 53. A marcotted branch. 



After six weeks this branch was cut off and the earth removed to show the development of 

 rootlets. 



remain. A little lump of earth not stiff clay, but 

 good earth, rich in humus is applied all round this 

 part of the branch, and is held together by means of a 

 piece of coconut rind. In this position it remains, 

 and after some six weeks the little rootlets appear 

 through the crevices of the coconut rind (Fig. 53). 



L 



