70 DISEASES, ETC. 



is certainly conducive to the maintenance of the health of the- 

 tree that they should be regularly removed, as they prevent a 

 due circulation of air. 



With regard to mosses and several of the lower forms of 

 cryptogamic life which infest the trunks and branches of Cacao 

 trees, it is sometimes argued that they are beneficial, others 

 however declare it best to remove them. One reason given is, 

 that if they are removed, the process of removal will invariably 

 destroy numbers of the flower buds which are produced on the 

 trunk and branches. That this argument is sufficient I much 

 doubt, and I should be more inclined to maintain the trunk and 

 branches (which are the fruit producing portion) in as clean a 

 state as possible, taking care however, to enjoin the workmen to. 

 remove these growths with the greatest care possible, so as not 

 to injure the " cushion" or node from whence the flowers are 

 produced. 



The squirrel and the rat, are both great enemies to the- 

 Cacao planter, and it is always found that they select the best 

 class of pods, not alone on account of the thinness of their pods, 

 but also owing to the greater amount of sweetness that the pulp 

 of the Griollo varieties possess. It is for this reason that in some 

 instances the Foraslero or thick podded varieties are planted, 

 instead of the finer sorts, and the same argument applies to the 

 damages done by mice, which are plentiful in some districts. The 

 rat-like oppossum, known locally as " Manicou Gros Yeux," is 

 similarly credited with doing damage to Cacao, and is 

 invariably destroyed when found, on that account. 



