10 CACAO 



of the figures, so that these must be taken merely as the 

 type forms of the varieties mentioned. 



Figs, 4, 5, and 6 represent respectively beans of Theo- 

 broma bicolor, Nicaraguan CrioUo, and the best or high- 

 priced variety of Venezuelan cacao sometimes called " Car- 

 acas." The Nicaraguan is the largest cacao bean I have 

 seen, and is of the finest quality, only to be approached by 

 the finest flavoured CrioUo, or " Caracas," which is now 

 called Venezuelan CrioUo. 



There are rounded beans* to be found in almost every 

 pod towards its extremities, but the proportion of rounded 

 beans in Calabacillo is very small indeed, and the yield of 

 this form of bean increases only as the character of the 

 pods approaches the CrioUo type. Calabacillo gives small, 

 rounded and smooth pods and flat beans, having a bitter 

 taste and deep purple colour. It is the lowest type of cacao, 

 and requires the greatest amount of skill during treatment 

 to bring it into marketable form, the process of fermenting 

 taking more than double the time required for CrioUo. 

 The tree, however, is the strongest grower and the hardiest 

 of all the varieties. 



In the best forms of Venezuelan and Trinidad cacao, the 

 beans are characterised by a peculiar prominence on their 

 sides (see Figs. 2 and 6). 



Trees of the Forastero type are strong growers, and its 

 varieties are therefore suitable for most lands in which 

 cacao can reasonably be expected to thrive. It approaches 

 the Calabacillo type by the Amelonado variety, both red 

 and yellow, and certainly stands as a large intermediate and 

 variable type between CrioUo and Calabacillo. In general, 

 Forastero has a thick skin. It approaches the Trinidad 

 CrioUo in form, or runs into it by its variety Cundeamor 

 veragusa, red and yellow ; but trees may be found bearing 

 pods which are hardly to be distinguished from the CrioUo 

 on the one side and the Calabacillo on the other, showing 

 the range of form covered. 



* The word " bean " is inoorreot, but as it ia the oommon form of expression 

 among oaoao planters it is used as being better understood than any other. 



