AO 
ous and Potash, especially the latter, as shown in the loss 
from plat No. 8 where no Potash was apphed. 
Many results might be quoted but to sum up the matter, 
fertilizer in conjunction with cultivation pays. A fertilizer 
should) contain all three elements: mitrogen, potash and 
phosphoric acid. ‘The relative amounts of these elements 
should be varied according to the tree's need. 
PRUNING AND SANITATION 
‘\ cacao tree, like an apple tree, or an orange tree, can be 
pruned to suit the faney of any planter. For practical 
reasons the tree should be low and spreading and it should 
be made to assume that form from the beginning. When 
three to four feet high the young stem should be checked 
mits upward growth by pinching off the terminal bud. 
This will induce it to branch and in a few weeks all shoots 
should be removed except three to four of the upper ones 
growing in opposite directions which will then form the 
main branches of the tree. After that all other shoots 
springing from the trunk should be removed every few 
weeks and new growth on the branches that show an 
inchnation to grow too tall or to make the shape of the 
tree lop-sided should be pinched off. This is the ideal to 
strive for but it is difficult to reach in a large plantation 
because the trees grow so fast that they cannot all be at- 
tended to at once and when the shoots become too large to 
pinch off they must be cut off. But as soon as cutting 
tools are introduced troubles of all sort begin. In the 
first place improper tools are used and in the second place 
the average laborer does not know how to prune properly. 
Tt is frequently asserted that a machete or cutlass in the 
hands of an experienced man is a good enough tool for 
