26 CACAO 



considered among Trinidad planters that a loose clay, or 

 clay with an admixture of a fair proportion of sand and 

 lime is favourable to the growth of cacao. If the soil is 

 covered with a vegetable deposit, humus, which has 

 accumulated from the falling leaves and branches of the 

 original forest, so much the better. If land can be found 

 on the banks of a stream or river where there is considerable 

 depth of alluvial deposit, such a position, if capable of 

 being well drained, is a sure source of wealth to the cacao 

 planter. Hard, dry, rocky soils, stiff clays, mountain- 

 sides where great detrition frequently takes place, shallow 

 sands and boggy ground, should be carefully avoided. 

 The aspect of the land should always be very carefully 

 considered. A site exposed to trade or prevailing winds, 

 or to strong sea breezes, should not on any account be 

 chosen for a cacao plantation. Land which has been 

 previously cultivated with other crops may be chosen when 

 it has good depth, is easily drained, and is capable of being 

 improved by the application of suitable manures, but 

 " thrown out," " ruinate," or abandoned lands should be 

 taken up with the greatest caution. Worn-out sugar 

 lands are dangerous investments for the intending cacao 

 planter as a rule, but an intelligent choice even here, by 

 men who are acquainted with the local character of the soil 

 and the cacao-tree and its requirements, will often result 

 in the development of a productive plantation. Salt is 

 inimical to the growth of the cacao-tree, and lands liable to 

 be inundated with tidal waters should never be purchased. 



Shelter belts of timber should be left on the windward 

 side of a plantation when it is being made from the original 

 forest, and on established estates it would be found 

 economical and convenient to cultivate to windward such 

 timber trees as will form good " wind breaks," while, at 

 the same time, they will grow into and afford ample 

 material for the erection and repair of suitable buildings 

 for residences, and for the purpose of curing and storing 

 the crop. 



" Cedar " (Cedrela odorata), West Indian mahogany 



