IX 



COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 389 



TO PREVENT ATTACKS OF THE INSECT 



(a) Plant the trees from 12 to 15 feet apart to keep them 

 strong and healthy. 



(b) Keep the plantations clear of weeds, dead wood, and empty 

 cocoa-pods, which should be buried. 



(c) Avoid too much shade. 



TO RESIST ATTACKS 



(a) If the trees are attacked and appear to be dying, cut 

 them off 18 inches from the ground, tar the" stumps, and burn all 

 the branches and decaying wood about the plantation, and turn 

 the soil over completely ; or 



(b) Spray the trees with kerosene emulsion in the early morn- 

 ing when the insects are feeding. Kerosene emulsion is made as 

 follows : Take one Ib. of soap and four gallons of kerosene, cut 

 up the soap and boil it in two gallons of water ; when the soap 

 has dissolved, remove from the fire and add four gallons of kerosene 

 and mix thoroughly. To one bottle of this mixture add nine 

 bottles of water before spraying. 



Sprayers and syringes for use with emulsion can be obtained 

 from the Agricultural Department on application. 



(Sgd.) W. S. D. TUDHOPE, 



Director of Agriculture. 



In spite of the great damage done by these enemies, 

 a general system is not yet followed for combating 

 either insect or fungi pests, and every year great loss 

 follows, which could be avoided to a great extent if 

 the natives made more effort to combat the pests. 



The main crop is picked in November and December. 

 After breaking the pods, the seeds are put in ordinary 

 boxes, not deeper than 25 cm. Often the natives use 

 simply empty boxes, in which merchandise has been 

 imported into the Colony ; by preference small gin- 

 cases are used. 



The bottom of the boxes is covered with banana /* 

 leaves, then they are filled with the cocoa seeds, which * 

 are again covered with banana leaves. On the top 

 small boards are laid, and the whole is pressed with 

 heavy stones. The beans are allowed to ferment for 

 4 to 6 days. 



