CHAPTER VI 



SHADING AND INTEB-CKOPS FOE COCOA 



It is universally acknowledged that shade is necessary 

 for young cocoa trees ; whether it is absolutely essential 

 for mature trees has been the subject of a great deal of 

 controversy. A too dense shade is conducive to the 

 growth of the various fungus diseases to which the 

 cocoa tree is subject and checks the development of 

 flowers and fruits by excluding air and light. Plate 5 

 shows a too densely shaded cocoa plantation in San 

 Thom6, and Plate 4 the ill effects on the cocoa 

 trees beneath, which have been too closely planted 

 together. The latter are drawn, straggly specimens, and 

 although the photograph was taken during the cropping 

 season scarcely a fruit is to be seen. The species employed 

 for the first mentioned purpose are termed temporary 

 shading agents, and those for the latter permanent 

 shading agents. We will consider the latter first. 



Permanent Shade for Cocoa Trees. — In connection with 

 this question it is well to remember that the cocoa tree is a 

 native of forest regions, and in view of its low habit must 

 receive a certain amount of shade from the species of 

 larger trees which inhabit tropical forests. Cocoa has been 

 successfully cultivated without shade in Grenada for many 

 years, and the planters in that island affirm that it is 

 not only unnecessary but injurious to this product. Faw- 

 cett considers that shade is not required for mature cocoa 

 trees in Jamaica. On the other hand, Trinidad planters 

 just as emphatically maintain that shade is essential 

 in their cocoa plantations. Cocoa is almost invariably 

 shaded in Surinam, but Dr. Van Hall, who has devoted 

 a great deal of time to the study of the cocoa industry 

 in that country, has stated that although the rainy season 

 is followed by three very dry months, if the shade were 



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