CLIMATE 
Just as there are certain indeal soil conditions so there 
are certain ideal climatic conditions under which cacao 
thrives best. When such conditions are not naturally present 
they must be artificially provided or the best results cannot 
be expected. The following points are of importance: Tem- 
perature, raifall, humidity and wind. 
Cacao is at home in moist wind-sheltered valleys with a 
day temperature of 80" To 100° Fahrenheit and a night tem- 
perature of 65° to 75° Fahrenheit. Trees are often found in 
the mountains where the temperature is much less than 
this, but the lower altitudes and higher temperature :s 
well known to be most favorable. The amount of rain 
needed depends on the distribution, the physical condition 
of the soil and on cultural methods. On flat land with 
friable soil on which the capillary action is maintained by 
mulch or cultivation, two inches per month might be quite 
sufficient, while on a steep hillside not cultivated the trees 
might suffer from drought with twice or three times that 
amount. 
In most cacao growing countries the rainfall is from 60 
to 100 inches per year, but there is usually a dry period 
with one and one half inches per month or less at which 
times the trees suffer unless the planter can cultivate or 
mulch his soil. 
The humidity of the air may or may not be an important 
factor. It is not so much that the cacao tree needs a humid 
atmosphere but under the natural or artificial conditions 
most favorable to its growth the air is humid compared to 
more exposed positions. The humidity in a cacao plantation 
