8 7 



CHAPTER VIII. 



IF it is decided to grow Coffee under natural shade, 

 such as it is accustomed to in a wild state, then the 

 preparation of the land is a somewhat simpler work 

 than that described in Chapter VI. There being no 

 fire to dread, it is unnecessary to hide away a supply 

 of fertilizing top soil. The borders of the clearing 

 are therefore marked out as in the previous case, 

 and a majority of trees felled, with all the under- 

 wood and tangle, which is grubbed up. Timber 

 and rubbish has then to be cut into negociable sizes 

 and moved by hand into the surrounding jungle, 

 or rolled (a slovenly plan) into one of the water- 

 courses which are sure to lie temptingly near. 



When this has been well done, the result is a 

 pretty bit of woodland dotted over with nice straight 

 timber trees free from dead branches, the soil moist 

 and cool in its natural deep chocolate hue, and the 

 sunlight, maybe, patching it with a pavement of 

 light and shadow as the rays come down from 

 above all together a prettier picture than that 

 presented where the previously-described method 

 is practised. 



Of course, on these estates, the clearings being 



