54 SITUATION AND ASPECT. 



is preferable at all times, it is not essential under all 

 conditions, this general principle being subject to modifi- 

 cations from such causes as local peculiarities of climate, 

 abundance of forest shade and methods of special cul- 

 tivation. Many plantations situated at sea-level are 

 generally overshadowed by thickets of dense foliage, 

 while those situated on mountain slopes are usually 

 much exposed to winds and wash. In the older coffee- 

 growing countries of the East an eastern aspect is 

 considered the most desirable, a western exposure being 

 generally selected on the American continent, as it loses 

 less of its moisture. The opposite slope being more 

 exposed to the vertical rays of the sun thereby preserves 

 a more equal temperature. 



Before clearing and burning the planter should take 

 considerable pains to ascertain the values of the different 

 aspects as regards sun and wind with the view of regulat- 

 ing the amount of shade accordingly, as it is impossible 

 to exaggerate the importance of the various exposures. 

 For the effects the sun's rays have on certain aspects in 

 heating the soil and drying up the plant are such as 

 would be extremely difficult to believe had the effects 

 not been verified by competent observers and with the 

 aid of a thermometer. And as regards sites, northern 

 and southern slopes in particular, the difference between 

 the one exposure and the other is just what constitutes 

 the difference between green and dried grass, and be- 

 tween leaves luxuriously green and leaves dried and 

 withered. The grass on the northern aspects being 

 green and comparatively fresh, while even in a valley 

 sheltered from drying winds the grass on the southern 

 slopes is completely withered. An equally striking dif- 

 ference is observable in the coffee plants grown on these 

 situations, those on the northern slopes being full of 



