380 COCOA 



CHAP. 



The results, however, are not considered to be encourag- 

 ing. Hurricanes frequently occur in this country, and 

 the budded trees seem to be less resistant against wind 

 than trees grown from seed. Besides, it is considered 

 that the difficulties and the expense are not counter- 

 balanced by the advantages. 



As regards the varieties, the most common type is 

 still a rather smooth Amelonado (wrongly called " Cala- 

 bacillo " by the San Domingo planters), brought 

 originally from Trinidad ; the yellow variety is more 

 common than the red one. Gradually, however, this 

 type is being supplanted by other finer varieties, because 

 planters know that the original Amelonado, with its 

 bitter taste, gives a produce of very ordinary quality. 

 From Venezuela the finer Forastero types, especially 

 of the Cundeamor variety, have been imported, and 

 seeds from Ecuador have also been imported. But 

 at present the old Amelonado is mostly to be found on 

 the plantations. 



Among the enemies a sort of plant-louse (Aphis) 

 has been mentioned as being exceptionally noxious. 

 No general measures are taken against this pest. Spray- 

 ing with kerosene emulsion, however, has been proved 

 to be effective. 



The normal yield per tree is estimated to be 

 1 lb., when about 200 trees are planted to the 

 acre. This yield of 200 Ibs. per acre is not a high one. 

 My correspondent, Mr. Boom, however, informed me 

 that, when the plantation is well cared for, an annual 

 yield of 750 to 800 kilograms per hectare (300 to 320 

 kilograms per acre) can be obtained. 



The crop comes in through the whole year, but the 

 main crop is picked from March to June ; a second main 

 crop, though less important, is picked from October to 

 December. 



As regards fermenting, planters seem to act differ- 

 ently. Generally, wooden sweating boxes are used, and 

 the cocoa is often left fermenting only for three days. 

 Some planters, however, ferment the old Amelonado 



