COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 451 



cases the planter is prudent enough to keep a nursery 

 in addition. When by unfavourable circumstances, for 

 instance exceptional drought or an attack of mole- 

 crickets, a number of young plants in the field do not 

 succeed, the plants in the nursery are still there to fill 

 the vacant places. 



As shade one kind of tree is used, namely, the 

 Erythrina glauca, which resembles the " bocare " of 

 Trinidad (Erythrina velutina). The " bocare " is 

 occasionally also to be found as shade tree in Surinam. 



Erythrina glauca has been used for centuries as 

 shade tree, formerly for the coffee, now for the cocoa ; 

 the name " koffiemama " (mother of the coffee) dates 

 from olden times. 



This tree is in many respects very suitable for the 

 purpose. It grows easily in the compact clay soil and 

 gives a splendid shade ; it is not attacked by diseases 

 or insect pests, which weaken it or render it sick or 

 make it die. The big caterpillars which cover the tree 

 almost every year, mostly in the months of January 

 and February, cannot be regarded as troublesome ; the 

 result is only that the tree is leafless for some time, but 

 very soon new leaves are put forth, while in the 

 meantime the caterpillars have disappeared. At such 

 times the soil is covered with the excrements of the 

 caterpillars ; and in this respect they certainly give a 

 manure to the soil which is not without value. 



The only trouble which the " koffiemama " gives, is 

 the care which has to be taken to make the foliage 

 system not too low and to keep it high. When the 

 trees are young, the lower branches have to be removed, 

 and the trees have to be systematically trimmed. 

 When once full-grown, the branches which develop 

 again on the stem or on the lower branches have 

 to be removed regularly. This work requires skilful 

 labourers, in order not to damage the cocoa trees by the 

 falling branches, and for this work the best Javanese 

 coolies are employed. It must be said that these people 

 are remarkably handy at this work ; they cut the 



