72 EXPORT OF CACAO, ETC. 



The exact acreage producing these crops is unknown as no 

 facilities exist for ascertaining what acreage is under cultivation. 



In Ceylon the area under cultivation in 1892 was estimated 

 at 12,000 acres. The crop for 1891 was 20,000 cwts. Trinidad 

 therefore produced seven, times as much as Ceylon at that date. 



It will be seen from this, Mr. McCarthy's table, what an 

 important article of commerce this product is, and as the cultiva- 

 tion is spreading in nearly every district of the Island it is pro- 

 bable that in a few years' time the value of the export of Cacao 

 will exceed that of all other vegetable products combined. With 

 such a fact before them, it i.s especially incumbent on the Cacao 

 planters of Trinidad to seek every means to improve their pro- 

 duce so as to maintain a superior article and to be first in the 

 markets of the world. The Ceylon planter has succeeded wonder- 

 fully well in obtaining good prices, but it is questionable whether 

 his Trinidad confrere does not obtain from his Forastero trees, a 

 better return per acre, than his Ceylon brother does. From the 

 late Dr. Trimen's Report it appears almost certain that the 

 quality of the bean as grown from seed imported from Trinidad is 

 improved by Ceylon culture. 



The intending planter can obtain Crown Lands from the 

 Government of Trinidad on petition at the upset price of one 

 pound sterling per acre, exclusive of survey and other fees, but 

 all lands are subjected to public competition before the grant is 

 made, so that if two applicants require the same ground, it is 

 finally obtained by the one who has the longest purse, or who is 

 willing to pay more than his competitor, above the upset price. 



There are in tke usual course of business small and large 

 estates constantly passing through the market, and the price of 

 these vary according to the locality in which they are situated, 

 and the quality of the land. The value of an estate is usually 

 estimated at per tree, or per 1,000 trees and not at per acre, and 

 what might be worth in some districts but 60 cents per tree, 

 would in other and celebrated districts be worth as much as 

 $2 or 8/4d. per tree. 



The best course for the intending investor is to make himself 

 acquainted with the several districts and await his opportunity, 

 residing in the colony and adding to his experience in the mean- 

 time. In Trinidad as everywhere else, there are those present 



