PLASTIXG AND SHADING. ,o 



Of the " Saman'' (Pilhecolobium sanian) it may be recorded 

 that there is •<uod and distinct evidence of its being a very 

 serviceable sliade tree ; and it has, in tie 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 arrangjemeats to 

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

 distance and manner of planting will depend a great deal upoa 

 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," ifec, and from 40 to 45 feet apart for the "Anauca/' 

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



For the smaller ^hade plants. Corn {Zea mays), Pigeon or 

 Gongo Pea [Cajanua indicus), Taiinia-^, Eddoes, or Cocoes 

 (Colocasia esculenla), Cantor oil (Riciitus communis), Cassava 

 (ManiJiot uldiUsinia) and the Banana or Plantain (Musa 

 sapienium), can be used. The Banana or Plantain used for 

 shade is usually planted interuiPiliate between the permanent 

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

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

 " Jumbi Plantain," is preferred to other members of the family 

 by Trinidad planters for the purpose of atfording secondary 

 shade. The fruit of this plant is however considered fit for littla 

 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 

 Canana trade has assumed such large proportions in the West 

 Indies, attention has been called to the value of th". Banana^ 

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

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

 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 

 liemporary shade plants should be placed apart, is merely a 

 matter of convenience. The skilful will always take care h» 

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

 removed, it matters little really the exact distance they ar» 

 placed apart, so long as the Cacao gets the i.esessary shade. 



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

 once a Moko or Uros Michel at the exact distance apart tl,e 

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

 the three seeds ; the Banana stool will, with the intermedia ft 

 sh»dp crops, give quite sutfioienK protection to the young seedling, 

 »aa ohe COS''}" i'.o.'ess uf staking with " i ickets" is avoide I, 



