182 CACAO 



alive to the necessity of preventing wounds to the trees. 

 This tool is used for pruning the smaller branches in the 

 upper part of the trees, as well as for picking pods, and 

 it is truly surprising to see the skill with which it is handled 

 by an expert workman, who can with a " steady push or 

 pull," cut away small branches ; but it is also clearly 

 apparent how helpless he is to prevent it from cutting 

 wounds in the trees when a slip occurs. The figures of 

 pickers, Figs. 36, 37, and 38, show attempts to minimise 

 the damage which so often occurs, by alteration in the form 

 of the tool. Fig. 36 has knobbed points, with a central 

 V-shaped cutting edge. Fig. 37 is a light flat tool brought 

 into use in Trinidad by Mr. A. L. Agostini, an enterprising 

 young planter, in whose little brochure, entitled " Cacao 

 and How to Reap it," it is fully described by text and 

 illustrations, showing the danger arising from the use of 

 the older pickers, and how this is minimised by the use 

 of his invention. In describing it he remarks that " Cuts 

 and wounds among twigs and small branches are but 

 slightly dangerous to the health of a tree, as compared 

 with those made on the trunk and large branches." He 

 also shows that the pod should be cut at a certain point, 

 and writes as follows : 



" By carefully examining the stalk, two distinct lines or 

 demarcations will be seen encircling it. The first or that 

 nearest the branch or trunk, is formed by tiny leaflets or 

 bracts, which make their appearance at an early stage of 

 the growth of the flower. These leaflets, the bases of 

 which in joining form a complete circle around the stalk 

 on arriving at maturity, drop, leaving a scar. The second 

 joint or articulation also makes its appearance at an early 

 stage of flowering." 



He mentions Inman's description of the fall of the leaf 

 in Henfrey's Botanical Gazette, from which he quotes : 

 '' The formation of a joint or articulation is a vital process, 

 a kind of disintegration of a transverse layer of cells," and 

 continues : " Though there is no indication of disintegration 

 continuing through the fibrous tissue of the stalk of the 



