86 CACAO 



put in the ground, if it can possibly be avoided, when the 

 ground is in an extremely sodden condition. 



It is impossible, however, to instruct in full by writing 

 how a plant should be placed or planted, and one practical 

 demonstration is worth ten pages of letterpress. The 

 novice should, therefore, seek from the practical experience 

 of others, the requisite knowledge for the purpose. 



The distance which cacao-trees should be planted apart 

 will be determined by the planter in accordance with the 

 character of the soil, the elevation above sea-level, and 

 the slope of the ground. The higher above sea-level, and 

 the poorer the soil, the closer the trees may be planted, 

 and vice versd — a distance ranging from 12 to 15 ft. apart 

 each way will probably meet all requirements, i.e. 12 ft. 

 in poor soil and 15 ft. in rich soil. Some have planted 

 18 ft. apart in extremely rich soil. 



In the island of Grenada the practice of close planting 

 is followed much more generally than in Trinidad, but 

 successful planters are to be found among those who follow 

 each system. The wide-planting cultivator says he gets 

 more fruit per tree and fruit of better quality than the 

 close-planting cultivator ; while the latter claims to get ' 

 as much or more per acre from his trees than the former 

 does, and as good in quality. Probably more depends 

 upon the judgment of the individual planter with regard 

 to the character of the soil he is working, than upon 

 anything else. If it is poor, he will plant close ; if rich 

 and deep, he will regulate his planting accordingly. It 

 is not to be doubted, however, that, where practicable, 

 wide planting gives the advantage of affording easier access 

 to the cultivator for the various operations of pruning, 

 harvesting, manuring, wcjeding, &c., and the plantations 

 where the practice is carried out certainly assume a much 

 better appearance and are better ventilated than those 

 which are crowded with trees. The supplying of vacancies 

 should be carried on during suitable weather, the aim 

 being to obtain a field showing trees of regular size through- 

 out. 



