FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



crop. When the trees are not large enough to shade 

 the ground with their branches and fallen leaves, they 

 should be mulched in the dry season ; that is, their 

 roots should be covered with dried grass, straw, 

 shavings, or anything capable of shading them. But 

 the leaves and branches should have the influence of 

 the sun, to elaborate a due proportion of sap into 

 fruit-buds. The Liberia coffee being indigenous, 

 when well established does not suffer from our 

 tropical sun. MULCHING in the dry season is 

 generally required for very young trees on dry hilly 

 slopes. 



Q. In planting are the trees put in so close together 

 as eventually to quite cover the ground with their 

 foliage, or are they planted so as always to leave 

 some portion of the ground visible between them ? 



A. Both methods of planting are adopted. Some 

 trees are planted close (six to eight feet), while others 

 are planted at greater distances (ten to twelve feet). 

 When trees are planted close, so that they meet, they 

 thrive and bear well, provided their leaves and 

 branches have the influence of the sun. There is also 

 this advantage : By shading the ground they prevent 

 the grass from growing, and thus save the expense of 

 weeding. But it is very inconvenient to pass among 

 them for the purpose of gathering the crop, pruning, 

 manuring, &c., &c. Even at the distance of twelve 

 feet, if the trees are topped and kept down, they will 

 eventually meet. 



