17 
good quality. The vigor is not important because in budding 
on to a vigorous stock that character will be transmitted 
to the scion. All the characters can be judged by the eye 
except quality which cannot be determined before the beans 
have been cured. Therefore the practical method of selec- 
tion is to note the trees that are healthy, vigorous and pro- 
lific, bearing regularly large well developed pods with large 
well shaped and uniformly colored beans. Such trees should 
be labeled and a half dozem pods selected from each, the 
beans of which should be placed in muslin bags and labeled 
the same as the trees from which they were gathered. These 
should then go through the sweating and drying process 
together with other cacao and tested separately by experts 
after it is cured. The trees from which the beans do not 
grade up to standard should of course be rejeced at once as 
unworthy to propagate from whereas those that are satis fac- 
tory should be numbered or named for future reference. 
As said above it is uncertain to propagate from seeds 
even though they are carefully selected, and the only way 
to establish a uniform plantation is by budding or grafting. 
It is well known that the Criollo is a desirable variety 
but difficult to grow where the conditions are not favorable. 
It is equally well known that Calabacillo is hardy but of in- 
ferior quality. It is therefore readily apparent that by 
using the Calabacillo for stock and the Criollo for top a 
great deal would be gained. Even a good variety of Foras- 
tero, being both vigorous and prolific, would be improved 
by budding because it would bear earlier and it would in- 
sure uniformity of the plantation which is always ‘impossible 
when planting from seed. — 
The Pentagona may prove to be a desirable variety to 
grow when budded on a strong stock. It is probable however, 
that it will improve in hardinness by being crossed with 
