Sbafce. 301 



and consequently one that will agree better with it than a plant in the 

 same locality that is exposed to the sun. 



B. Advantages of Shade. The advantages of shade are the follow- 

 ing: 



1. It reduces the temperature, which is, however, an advantage only 

 when the coffee is planted out of its native zone, that is, in low lands. 



2. It keeps the soil moist, sheltering it from the direct rays of the 

 sun. 



3. It tends to lessen the growth of weeds, which grow more vigor- 

 ously and in greater abundance in ground exposed to the sun. 



4. It affords some protection to the coffee-trees against the violence 

 of the prevailing winds. 



C. Disadvantages of Shade. The disadvantages of shade are the 

 following: 



1. It lowers the temperature, which is a serious disadvantage when 

 coffee is planted in its native zone, that is, from 3000 to 4000 feet 

 above the level of the sea. 



2. It keeps from the plant the light and heat of the sun, which 

 causes it to thrive less and to yield smaller crops than if it enjoyed 

 those advantages. 



3. It interferes with the free circulation of the air, to the serious 

 injury of the coffee plant. 



4. It takes from the soil, through the roots of the trees which 

 afford it, nutritious elements which should be reserved exclusively for 

 the coffee-tree. 



D. Rules regarding Shade. From the preceding considerations the 

 following conclusions may be drawn, which constitute the best rules 

 that can be given regarding shade: 



i. If the coffee be planted in its own zone, that is, at an altitude of 

 from 3000 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea, in a temperature of 

 17 50', to 1 8 50' centigrade, it ought not to be given any shade. 



2. Planted in lower lands, with a higher temperature, it would be 

 advisable to give it shade, which should increase in density according 

 as the altitude decreases and the temperature increases. 



There are some localities, however, which, although at an altitude 

 of from 3000 to 4000 feet above the level of the sea, and enjoying a 

 temperature of from 17 to 1 8 centigrade, have yet so dry a soil that 

 it becomes necessary to give the plant a little shade, at least for the 

 first year after planting; taking away the shade the second year, when 

 the plants have taken firm root. This is a peculiarity of the land of 

 Union Juarez, which is undoubtedly among the best coffee-growing 

 regions in Soconusco. 



Perhaps this phenomenon is due to the fact that shade, in addition 

 to its other advantages, has that of keeping the soil moist, as it pro- 



