32 CACAO 



produce, for although the beans may have a common 

 or family likeness, all dealers know, that if cut through 

 and carefully examined, there are material points of dis- 

 tinction, and few can be found exactly alike in colour, 

 break, or aroma. 



It is this fact which causes difference in samples. A 

 district or country may possess a certain original or 

 predominant strain which places its produce when in bulk 

 under a certain class ; and although there may be as it were 

 a family likeness, there will still be wide differences in the 

 produce of individual trees. In the end, with reproduction 

 from seed, unless it be carried out under scientific guidance, 

 and unless the proper means for obtaining the best strains 

 by selection are adopted, hybridisation and cross-breeding 

 will inevitably result in gradual deterioration of the quality 

 of the marketable produce of any country. 



The difference which an "even sample" would make 

 to the seller is obvious. We know that it can only be 

 obtained by means of grafting and budding from selected 

 trees, or, as some would call it, by vegetative reproduction, 

 in contradistinction to seminal reproduction. It is clear that 

 once a tree has been selected and largely propagated, owing 

 to the possession of superlative qualities, the produce of 

 that tree must be of an even character, and that, taken 

 year by year, the crop will vary but very little in general 

 quality. By using the process of grafting, the planter 

 will be able to secure trees of one habit, pods of one colour, 

 and beans of the very best quality. Such beans, when 

 cured, would be unique in " break " and general condition, 

 and would be immensely superior to any produce harvested 

 from seedling trees. To adopt grafting as a regular 

 practice upon a cacao estate would be to adopt a method 

 the benefit of which has been proved ages ago to the 

 agricultural and horticultural world. 



The practice of grafting and budding cacao is, however, 

 steadily making its way, the latter process being advocated 

 by some as preferable to grafting. There is no difficulty 

 in either process to deter or frighten planters either on the 



