PLANTING AND SHADING. - ' * 



Of the "-Sainan" (Pithecolobium saman) it may be recorded 

 that there is good and distinct evidence of its being a very 

 serviceable shade tree ; and it has, in tl.e author's opinion, 

 several points to recommend it in preference to the " Immortel." 



Having decided upon the question as to what permanent 

 shade he will use, the planter should make arrangements to 

 plant it either before, or at the same time as the Cacao. The 

 distance and manner of planting will depend a great deal upon 

 the ground, the quality of the soil and the exposure ; but the 

 usual distance is from 35 to 40 feet apart each way for the 

 "Boca," tfec., and from 40 to 45 feet apart for the "Anauca," 

 and as much as 50 or 60 feet for the " tiaman." 



For the smaller shade plants, Corn (Zea mays}, Pigeon or 

 Gongo Pea (Cajanus indicus), Tannias, Eddoes, or Cocoes 

 (Colocasia escnlenta), Castor oil (Ricinus communis), Cassava 

 {Manihot utillissima) and the Banana or Plantain (Musot 

 sapientum], can be used. The Banana or Plantain used for 

 shade is usually planted intermediate between the permanent 

 rows of Cacao. If Cacao is at 15 feet, then Banana 7J and so 

 on. A variety of Plantain commonly known as the " Moko," or 

 "Jumbi Plantain," is preferred toother members of the family 

 by Trinidad planters for the purpose of affording secondary 

 shade. The fruit of this plant is however considered tit for little 

 else but cattle food, though the green fruit when dried and 

 puunded makes a wholesome, pleasant and nutritive meal, which 

 is a most suitable food for invalids and children. Since the 

 JBanana trade has assumed such large proportions in the West> 

 Indies, attention has been called to the value of the Banana, 

 as a shade plant for Cacao. The fruit shipped from Jamaica to 

 the United States is known as the " Martinique Banana ;" but 

 in the various Colonies, it appears under different names ; in 

 Trinidad being recognised only under the name " Gros Michel."" 

 This plant proves to be very suitable for shade purposes in the 

 intermediate stages. The distance at which intermediate or 

 temporary shade plants should be placed apart, is merely a 

 matter of convenience. The skilfuk will always take care he 

 has enough, and not too much, but as they are ali ultimately 

 removed, it matters little really the exact dis;ance they ar* 

 placed apart, so iung as the Cacao gets the necessary shade. 



A form of planting at stake may be effected by planting at 

 once a Moko or Gros Michtrl at the exact distance apart t La- 

 Cacao is intended to be, and sowing in or near the Banana stool 

 the three seeds ; the Banana stool will, with the intermedia e= 

 shrtHn crops, give quite siirfic-ien* protection to the young seedling, 

 auu i,he cos' 1 }' i^vcss uf staking with " pckets" is. avoide I. 



