COFFEE PLANTERS’ MANUAL. 23 
this time. Suckers are upright shoots that spring from 
the stem, generally below one of the arms or lateral 
branches, and draw sustenance from the tree, without 
giving back crop in return, unless allowed to grow 
so large as to send out branches and blossom of 
tbeir own. This is however unwise and exhausting, 
and is never tolerated ona well-managed plantation. 
Irregular branches are those that point towards the 
stem, or across the tree in a different way from their 
normal direction. By allowing these, the natural 
branches get covered up, are excluded from lght and 
air, do not bear, but grow matted and form the com- 
mencement of a neglected and irregular tree, fre- 
quently called ‘‘a crow’s nest.” This is easily checked 
while young, and if done then the tree will be nicely 
kept in condition, and easily pruned when it requires 
pruning. The natural tendency of a coffee tree is to 
throw out its branches as nearly as possible at right 
angles, and, with fair treatment, no tree is more 
symmetrical, or regular, or beautiful. 
DRAINING, like Roading, will best be done before 
the Planting. But this in most cases must depend 
on the purse of the proprietor and his supply of 
labor. If both abound it will be economy to finish 
all necessary drains and roads before planting. For 
the reasons given under the heading Foads, howver, 
this is often impracticalle, and where it is so it will 
be wise to defer the making of drains till the plants 
are about 18 months old. If undertaker immediately 
after the plants are put out, or even within 6 months, 
a great many fine healthy and promising plants will 
unavoidably be destroyed by the loose earth that is 
taken out of the drains burying entirely the row 
nearest the lower side of the drain, sometimes even 
a couple of rows, especially if the land be steep ; 
whereas, if the plants have got up to 18 inches or 
upwards in height, the falling earth may cover up 
the lower part of the stem, but the top of the plant 
will shew, and the earth can be cleared away. 15 
incbes broad and deep will make a very good drain. 
But if the land be steep I would prefer 18 inches: 
and drains should be traced at a gradient of about 1 
in J2to1 in 16 according to the nature of the ground ; 
and about 50 feet apart. If the angle be much easier, 
the drains will fill up and give trouble to keep clear: 
while if much steeper they will eut up the land. 
Toprine will also be necessary about this time. It 
should be carefully and judiciously performed. This 
operation consists in cutting off the top of the tree 
at the height which you intend it not to exceed. 3 
feet is a very good average height; where the soil 
is rich, however, I would allow 34 feet; on the other 
