46 SHADE IN COFFEE CULTURE. 



In view of the fact that the roots of Albizzia moluccana are known to abound in large 

 tubercles, it is much easier to believe that the benefits ascribed to the slight shade 

 are in reality the result of the exceptional activity of the tubercle-forming bacterid 

 as indicated by the very rapid growth of the tree. 



The disadvantages of the present species are the worthlessness of the soft, brittle 

 wood, together with the fact that the trees are badly damaged by wind and that the 

 falling limbs often break down the coffee trees. The liability of such injuries is 

 further increased by the fact that the soft wood of the tree is frequently riddled by 

 the larvae of a beetle. 



According to Raoul, the seeds should be sown from six to nine months before the 

 coffee is planted, in the places where the trees are to stand, at distances of from 13 to 

 15 meters in both directions. Fesca states, on the other hand, that it is customary to 

 plant the shade trees in seed beds like those used for coffee, from which they are 

 subsequently transferred to the plantation. 



Albizzia odoratissima. 



Common name. — Bilvara (Coorg, India) . 

 A leguminous forest tree left standing for shade in coffee plantations. (Cameron. ) 



Albizzia procera. 



Synonym. — A Ibizzia data. 

 Common name. — Medeloa (Burma). 

 Recommended for shading Liberian coffee in the Tavoy district of Burma. The 

 timber is of excellent quality. 



Albizzia stipulata. 



Common names. — Sengon (Java); Sau (Ceylon); Sengon yora (Malay). 

 A Java species similar to A. moluccana, but having tougher wood, which would be 

 an important advantage. Another desirable feature is the deciduous character of 

 the leaves, which have been thought on this account to make a large contribution to 

 the fertility of the soil, though the real advantage, if any, probably lies in the further 

 reduction of the shade. The chief objection to this species is that growth is, as far 

 known, much slower than in A. moluccana. If, however, quick-growing varieties 

 could be found or obtained by selection, it is thought that the present species would 

 largely supplant the other, though Lecompte objects that the foliage is too dense and 

 that the masses of fallen leaves interfere with the necessary aeration of the roots. 



Alfalfa. (See Medicago sativus.) 



Algarrobo. (See Pithecolobium saman.) 



Alligator pear. (See Persea gratissima.) 



Ama-sisa (Peru). (See Erythrina po&ppigiana.) 



Anacardium occidentale. Cashew. 



Common names. — Acajou; Cajou (French Antilles). 

 This well-known tropical fruit tree is sometimes planted in hedges as a wind-break 

 in the West Indies, according to Raoul. 



Anal (Philippine Islands). (See Erythrina ovalifolia.) 



Ananas sativus. Pineapple. 



Common name. — Pina (Spanish). 

 Pineapples are said to be grown as a side crop with coffee in some parts of Mexico. 

 The experience of the Florida pineapple growers has demonstrated that the par- 





