

CHAPTER II. 

 Selection of Seed Nurseries. 



ACAO has hitherto been invariably raised fron* 

 seed by the planter. The seed possesses but a 

 short life, if exposed to dry air : if kept in a 

 moist situation, fermentation quickly sets in and 

 it becomes useless. It is thus very difficult 

 to transport Cacao seed to distant countries, or 

 to keep it for any length of time, un*eas placed 

 under conditions favourable to germination. Cacao may be; 

 sent in ripe puds for short journeys not exceeding 12 or 11 days, 

 if the pods are kept entire and without bruises, and well packed. 

 A good method of transporting seeds to a distance is to plane 

 them in Wardian cases and allow them to germinate on the 

 voyage. 



For nursery purposes seed of tho best quality should be- 

 used, the largest beans should be selected, and care taken to> 

 procure them from well ripened pods. It is a great mistake to> 

 use seed of inferior varieties or that taken from half ripe pods 

 and from trees in indifferent health. This applies to ail varieties, 

 Some trees are better bearers than others, some produce 

 finer pods, and the choice, for seed pur-puses, should rest 

 upon those which produce fine large pods, yuod btans, and bear 

 reytdar crops. In the vegetable kingdom as a rule, like pro- 

 duces like ; yet it is well known that variations do occur, and ifc 

 is certain that the chances of procuring a good class of plants 

 from seed are in favour of the course recommended, rather thaa 

 by procuring seeds from the refuse pods of a plantation and 

 expect good results! to follow. 



Seed should also be taken from trees situated at a distance 

 from inferior varieties, for the purpose of avoiding a^ far asv 

 pos.sibie UK., variation which will rmturaJly Occur, wne re cross; 

 fertilization is free to take place , for if pour varieties are near 

 to the seed tree*, the Utter will mos' certainly pruduoe a variety: 

 having some of the. character of the pouter kinds blended \.ii,U 

 its own. 



Too much attention cannot be paid to ',he se ection of a 

 pr< per quality of seed, if it is the planter's aim to improve the- 

 tjua.n y and quantity of his productions. 



