TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATE 219 



than in Trinidad may not possess the same hmnidity, and 

 therefore are not as suitable for the cultivation of our 

 plant, and countries on the other hand which exhibit a 

 smaller annual rainfall may be suitable for cacao cultivation 

 owing to the presence of the requisite amount of humidity ; 

 for in no country is the humidity fully determined by, or 

 coincident with the rainfall, as it is often influenced by 

 other outside conditions. On the south side of the island 

 of Jamaica, for instance, although a similar temperature 

 prevails as in Trinidad, the humidity shows a remarkable 

 divergence from our record, and in that fact shows plainly 

 that the district is unsuited for the growth of cacao. There 

 are other situations, however, in that island where the 

 requisite humidity can be obtained, and where the tree 

 thrives exceedingly well and produces large crops of fruit. 



The planter must not take it for granted, therefore, 

 that because he is in the West Indies, Central or South 

 America, &c., in a climate exhibiting a temperature 

 similar to Trinidad, that he can rely upon such a situation 

 or climate as being suitable for cacao, for he cannot do so, 

 as he may find to his cost, if he attempts the venture. 

 Having learnt what the cacao-tree requires in the matter 

 of moisture or humidity, the planter must examine for 

 himself and depend on his own judgment in selecting a 

 spot for a cacao plantation, especially if it happens to be 

 in a country where the cultivation of that product has not 

 preceded him. 



In the West Indies, as in other countries, the higher the 

 elevation the cooler the temperature, and the greater the 

 moisture during the hours of darkness, and in hilly situa- 

 tions in well-sheltered positions cacao has been found to 

 thrive, owing to the presence of sufficient hiunidity, in 

 places where the temperature is much below the mean 

 annual of the finest cacao districts. 



Persons who have to send home returns are often asked. 

 Why are you complaining of drought when I see your 

 rainfall for the season has been normal ? This may happen 

 owing to the different time of day at which the precipitation 



