49. 
Apply five to fifteen: pounds, according to condition of 
trees. * 
Fertilizing is not a universal panacea for all cacao 
troubles. It will not cure canker, drive away insects, supply 
humus and moisture nor loosen the soil. It will however 
make the trees resistant to diseases, prevent the excessive 
dropping of blossoms, and be better able to withstand un- 
favorable climatic conditions. But fertilizers should never 
be used except in conjunction with drainage, cultivation, 
pruning and general sanitary measures. Also whenever the 
soil is lacking in vegetable matter and is in poor physical 
condition fertilizers cannot be expected to give good re- 
sults without cover crops or mulch. 
In young plantations fertilizers should be applied 2 to 
3 feet from the tree in a circular band 2 to 3 feet broad 
As the trees grow older the circle must be broadenec, 
and for old trees entirely covering the ground, the fer- 
tilizers should be broad-casted over the whole plantation. 
In new plantations in which the soil is cultivated from the 
beginning the fertilizers should always be covered at once by 
whatever tool is used for cultivation. In old plantations, 
where no machinery has been used and the soil cannot be 
forked without destroying the roots, all the leaves and 
~regetable matter may be raked into piles around the trees, 
the fertilizer then scattered broad-cast and the soil vertically 
forked, that is, inserting the fork and withdrawing it after 
twisting so as to enlarge the holes. After which the leaves 
may again be scattered. 
* Where leguminous crops, such as cowpeas, pidgeon peas ete., 
are produced in quantities and plowed or forked in, the amount 
of nitrogen can be cut in half, and after a few crops dispensed 
with altogether. 
