CACAO OR COCOA. 



35 



which the sprout issues." They are then covered lightly with 

 mould, the leaf folded over, and a small stone placed on the top, 

 to prevent its opening ; in eight or ten days the young shoots ap- 

 pear above the ground ; the leaves are then opened to give them 

 light and air, and a shelter from the sun, either in the shape of 

 plantain or banana leaves, is not forgotten ; but the coco-nut and 

 other species of palm, on account of their fibrous structure and 

 great durability, are always preferred. This artificial shelter is 

 continued for five or six months. But, as a further security to the 

 young plants, for they are very delicate, other trees or shrubs are 

 planted to the soutja-west of the plants, that they may grow up with 



drum) is chosen. 1 should presume 

 plants equally eligible for this purpose, and more useful ; but my 

 experience does not enable me to speak positively upon the sub- 

 ject. Should the three seeds placed in each hole spring up, it is 

 thought necessary, when the plants are fifteen or twenty inches 

 high, to cut one of them down. The two others, if they devaricate, 

 are sometimes suffered to remain, but it does not always happen 

 that even one of the three springs above the earth ; consequently 

 this additional labor is not invariably requisite. 



On the fourth or fifth year the tree begins to bear, and attains 

 perfection by the eighth, continuing to produce two crops of fruit 

 per annum, yielding at each crop from 10 Ibs. to 20 Ibs., according 

 to the nature of the soil. It will continue bearing for twenty 

 years ; but, as it is a delicate plant, it suffers from drought, and is 

 liable to blight. In these respects, however, it does not differ 

 from many other plants, which are even more subject to disease, 

 though not half so valuable. Besides, a proper system of irriga- 

 tion, such as could be had recourse to in many parts of Jamaica, 

 would obviate and prevent these evils. 



The whole quantity imported into the United Kingdom from 

 the West Indies and British Guiana during the last thirteen years, 

 has been as follows : 



1831 



1832 

 1833 

 1834 

 1835 

 1836 

 1837 

 1838 

 1839 

 1840 

 1841 



Ibs. 



2,490,693 

 1,496,554 

 3,119,555 

 3,351,602 

 1,738,848 

 3,026,381 

 2,602,309 

 3,159,086 

 1,987,717 

 4,347,195 

 3,933,863 



Cacao is cultivated in the highlands as well as on the coasts of 

 the north-eastern peninsula of the large and rich island of 

 Celebes, which has within the last year or two been thrown open 

 to foreign trade. The plantations of it are even now considerable, 

 and this branch of industry only requires not to be impeded by 



D 2 



