34 SHADING AND INTER-CROPS FOR COCOA 



propagated by cutting up the stems in lengths of about 

 a foot and fixing them firmly in the ground where they 

 are intended to grow in the plantation. The roots are 

 ready to harvest in from fifteen to eighteen months from 

 the date the cuttings are planted. The roots form an 

 important article of food for the labourers, and may be 

 served out as rations either in the fresh state or in the 

 form of flour made by grinding up the dried roots. 



Coco or Tania, Colocasia antiquorum. This plant is 

 propagated by cutting up its tuberous roots so as to 

 leave two or three buds or " eyes " on each section or 

 " set." The " sets " are planted singly in the plantation 

 about an inch below the surface ; the tuberous roots 

 mature within about twelve months from the date the 

 " sets " are planted. These, when cooked, are much 

 relished as food by most estate labourers. 



It should, however, be mentioned that the cultivation 

 of both cassava and tania is very exhausting to the soil, 

 and when planted on poor land a good dressing of manure 

 should be applied after the crop is reaped. 



Chillies, Capsicum annuum. This is a much less ex- 

 hausting crop than cassava and tania and might be 

 planted with advantage as a catch crop with cocoa. 



The tall growing varieties of " bird pepper " are pre- 

 ferable, as they provide a better shade for young cocoa 

 plants. 



Seedlings should be raised in prepared nursery beds ; 

 when the young seedlings are 2 or 3 in. high, they may 

 be transplanted into rows 3 ft. apart and about 2 ft. 

 apart in the rows. Chillies should be harvested with 

 the stalks attached and carefully dried in the sun ; it is 

 necessary to remove the stalks previous to marketing 

 the crop. Fifteen hundred pounds per acre is considered 

 a fair crop, but as much as 2,500 Ib. per acre has 

 been obtained. The price of Zanzibar chillies fluctuates 

 between 155. and 25s. per cwt. 



The species planted for temporary shade must be 

 removed when they show signs of overcrowding the 

 cocoa. It is best to reduce this shade gradually, or the 

 cocoa may suffer by sudden exposure to the sun and 

 wind. Wherever vacancies have occurred in the planta- 

 tion the temporary shade should not be removed until 

 the refills have become thoroughly established. 



