CHAPTER IX 



COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 



I. ECUADOR 



FOR many years Ecuador was first among cocoa- 

 growing countries, but in 1909 and 1910 its export was 

 surpassed by Brazil. 



Very little information, however, has been published 

 in regard to the cultivation of cocoa in this country. 1 

 As there is no Experiment Station, scientific investiga- 

 tions into the important agricultural questions have not 

 been carried out. We are thus still wholly ignorant as 

 to the composition of the soil and the nature of the pre- 

 valent diseases and insect-pests, and even statistics of the 

 rainfall in the different cocoa-growing districts are not 

 available. The Meteorological Bureau in Quito only 

 gives figures for the rainfall in that particular town, and 

 these are of no value for our purpose, as Quito is situated 

 in a part of the country where cocoa is not grown. 



There is no doubt, however, that the natural con- 

 ditions are remarkably favourable for the cultivation of 

 cocoa, and the industry is very successful in spite of the 

 primitive methods which are still adhered to by the 

 majority of the planters. 



The suitability of the natural conditions is also 



1 Preuss, in his interesting book, Expedition nach Central und Sud-Amerika, 

 devotes a chapter to Ecuador and its cocoa industry. For statistics the reports 

 of the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil may be consulted (Memorias de la 

 Camarade Comerciode Guayaquil). I am much indebted to Mr. M. E. Seminario 

 of Guayaquil, who kindly furnished both information and photographs. 



289 IT 



