50 CACAO 



For the smaller shade plants, corn (Zea mays), pigeon 

 or gongo pea (Cajanus indicus), tannias, eddoes, or cocoes 

 (Colocasia eseulenta or Xanthosoma belophyllum), castor-oil 

 {Ricinus communis), cassava (Manihot utilissima) and the 

 banana or plantain {Musa sapientum) can be used. The 

 banana or plantain used for shade is usually planted 

 between the permanent rows of cacao. If cacao is at 

 15 ft., then banana 7 J ft., and so on. A variety of plantain 

 commonly known as the " moko," or " jumbi plantain," 

 is preferred to other members of the family by Trinidad 

 planters for the purpose of affording secondary shade. 

 The fruit of this plant is, however, considered fit for little 

 else than cattle food, though the green fruit when dried 

 and pounded makes a wholesome, pleasant, and nutritive 

 meal, which is a most suitable food for invalids and children. 

 Since the banana trade has assumed such large proportions 

 in the West Indies, attention has been called to the value 

 of the banana as a shade plant for cacao. The fruit shipped 

 from Jamaica to the United States is known as the " Mar- 

 tinique banana " ; but in the various colonies it appears 

 under different names, and in Trinidad it is recognised only 

 under the name " Gros Michel." This plant proves to be 

 very suitable for shade purposes in the intermediate stages. 

 The distance at which intermediate or temporary shade 

 plants should be placed apart is merely a matter of con- 

 venience. The skilful will always take care he has enough, 

 and not too much, but as they are all ultimately removed, 

 the exact distance they are placed apart matters little 

 really so long as the cacao gets the necessary shade in its 

 youthful stages. The " moko " is, however, not so much 

 used as formerly, on account of its being badly affected by 

 the prevailing banana disease, Marasmius semi-ustus. Evi- 

 dence with regard to value of shade has recently come to 

 the knowledge of the author. A paper on cacao cultivation 

 was read before the Scientific Association of Trinidad in 

 the year 1865 by a Mr. Law, who was about to establish 

 large cacao estates in the island, a copy of which is in 

 the writer's possession. This gentleman propounded the 



