SOIL TEXTURE IMPROVED BY ANIMAL MANURE 57 



broad-cast as evenly as possible and then lightly forked 

 in ; and as all the manures recommended for the experi- 

 ment are of a more or less soluble nature they should be 

 applied towards the end of the rainy season. If applied 

 earlier there would be danger of a great part of the 

 fertilising constitueijts being washed away by the constant 

 heavy rains. It is necessary to apply the fertilisers 

 annually for at least three consecutive years. During 

 this period each of the plots must be treated similarly 

 in regard to pruning and cultivation. At the end of 

 three years, if careful records have been kept of the 

 condition of the trees and the crops yielded by each 

 plot, the planter ought to be in a position to decide 

 whether his soil is poor in one or more plant-food con- 

 stituents, and which they are. 



Animal Manures. — ^Although artificial manures have the 

 advantage over animal and vegetable manures in supply- 

 ing in a compact form the requisite nitrogen, potash, 

 and phosphoric acid, they have not the same beneficial 

 effect on the physical condition of the soil. The natural 

 manures are relatively poor in plant-food, as compared 

 with chemical manures, and their application entails 

 a far greater expenditure on transport and labour. 

 Nitrogen is invariably present in them in far greater 

 relative quantities than potash and phosphoric acid. 

 The nitrogen encourages the growth of leaves and stems, 

 but the potash and phosphoric acid are more helpful 

 in promoting fruit production. Where the latter are 

 deficient in cocoa soils it is advisable to apply them in 

 conjunction with animal manm-es. 



Animal manures are especially valuable in cocoa 

 plantations on account of the beneficial effects they 

 have upon the texture of the soil. It has already been 

 pointed out that the lateral roots of the cocoa tree 

 rapidly take possession of the surface-soil, thus 

 rendering proper tillage impracticable without injuring 

 them. The organic matter which animal manures 

 supply imparts to the soil that sponginess so im- 

 portant in a cocoa plantation for the retention of soil 

 moisture. 



Animal manures also improve the sanitary condition 

 of the SOU by facilitating drainage and aeration, thus 

 improving the conditions for the development of nitri- 



