COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 299 



Gradually, however, the planters are realising the 

 evils of the old system, and now prefer to clear the 

 forest completely and to plant the necessary shade trees. 

 For this purpose they mostly choose the " palo prieto " 

 (Erytlirina velutina) and also the Saman (Pithecolobium 

 Saman), which is being more and more appreciated. In 

 the plantations of Mr. M. E. Seminario, both these trees 

 are planted, the Erythrina at a distance of 14 metres, 

 the Saman at 25 metres. 



The system of cultivation is still primitive. After 

 clearing the forest, planting places are marked out at 

 regular distances, the soil is superficially loosened at 

 those spots, and the seeds are sown out, i.e. planted at 

 stake, generally several at one place. Plant-holes are 

 generally not made. Sometimes, however, the plants 

 are first sown out in nurseries, and then planted out in 

 the open field after some five months. 



Between the cocoa bananas are planted, or cassava, 

 corn, and beans. In rare cases no temporary shade is 

 used (Fig. 100). 



Weeding is more or less carefully done. Under the 

 old system of planting very little importance was 

 attached to it, but the more intelligent planters now 

 understand its value, and, according to Mr. Seminario, 

 they consider it necessary to weed at least twice a year. 



No manuring is done ; indeed it would probably be 

 superfluous, considering the richness of the soil. 



Although little attention is paid to drainage, a good 

 drainage system would probably be beneficial in this flat 

 country, where the rainfall is considerable. In view, 

 however, of the supposed gradual diminution of the 

 rainfall, experiments have lately been made in the dry 

 season in irrigation by means of pumps, which bring 

 the water from the river into the plantation. 



Pruning is only done in a few plantations, and in 

 many cases the only care given to the trees when 

 full-grown is the occasional removal of suckers, called 

 " ladrones." Some of the more progressive planters 

 prune the top of the tree -at its centre. Such planters 



