COCOA-GROWING COUNTRIES 477 



Erythrina corallodendron, 1 while the other seems to 

 be identical with the " Anauca " of Trinidad (Erythrina 

 umbrosa). Also the "Pataste" (Theobroma bicolor) is 

 used as a shade tree. 



Chiefly planted are the "Lagarto" (Theobroma 

 pentagona) and the " cacao del pais " or Nicaragua 

 Criollo, both cultivated here since memory of man. 

 Besides, the " cauca," a Forastero variety from Columbia, 

 and other Forastero varieties from Trinidad have been 

 imported ; they have been planted out at the plantation 

 "Las Mercedes." 



The advantages and the disadvantages of the two 

 first-mentioned ones and of the imported varieties 

 (" cacao estrangero " = cocoa from abroad) are the same 

 as the advantages and disadvantages of Criollo and 

 Trinitario (or Forastero) in Venezuela. 



The quality of the " cacao del pais " (which name 

 includes often " lagarto " and " Nicaragua Criollo ") is 

 superior to the quality of the " cacao estrangero," but 

 the growth of the imported Forastero varieties is so 

 much quicker, the bearing power and the resistance 

 against diseases is so much greater, that in many cases 

 the "cacao estrangero" will have the preference. This 

 is especially the case when old fields of "cacao del 

 pais " have to be supplied. 



In the plantation the two groups are always kept 

 separately, as well during fermenting and drying as 

 for selling. 



In Chapter V. the Nicaragua Criollo has been 

 described. This type is doubtlessly a Criollo, and 

 belongs to the same Criollo group as the Venezuela 

 Criollo, but it takes a place apart. Very characteristic 

 of this type are the large seeds larger not only than 

 in Venezuela Criollo, but even larger than in any other 

 variety. 



The produce of this " cacao del pais " is considered 

 in Central America to be the finest of the world, and 



1 Preuss mentions that the buds are eaten as salad and have a strong 

 narcotic effect. 



