48 SHADE IN COFFEE CULTURE. 



Successful experiments with the peanut as a green manure for coffee are mentioned 

 by Lecomte, but not described in detail, though he recommends that the plants be 

 cut and used as a mulch in their green state before fruiting. On large plantations 

 favorably situated for the growth of peanuts it might, however, be found advisable 

 to harvest the crop and extract the oil, instead of shipping the seeds in the pods. It 

 would then be possible to utilize the shells and oil cake as fertilizer, to say nothing of 

 the possibilities of finding advantageous local markets for the oil. 



Arbol de pan (Porto Kico). (See Artocarpus incisa). 



Arracacha. (See Arracacia esculenta). 



Arracacia esculenta. Arracacha. 



Common name. — Apio (Venezuela). 

 A plant related to the carrot and parsnip, extensively cultivated in the mountains 

 of Venezuela and Colombia for its fleshy roots, which somewhat resemble those of the 

 vegetables mentioned, but are said to be superior to either. The arracacha requires 

 a very equable climate and a rather low temperature. It is sometimes planted 

 between the rows of young coffee in Colombia (Saenz), and might be found of use as 

 a cultivated catch-crop elsewhere at sufficient elevations. 



Artocarpus hirsuta. 



Common names.— Wild jak; Kad halasu (Coorg, India). 

 Mentioned by Eaoul and Cameron with Dalbergia latifolia as one of the deciduous 

 native trees allowed to remain in the forest planting of coffee as practiced in the 

 Coorg district of western Hindustan. 



Artocarpus incisa. Breadfruit. 



Common names. — Arbol de pan, and Castano (Porto Kico) ; Chataignier (French 



West Indies). 



The breadfruit is said to be sparingly used for coffee shade in the French Antilles. 



Where the fruit is an object it might not be unwise to set parts of coffee plantations 



with breadfruit. Purely as a shade tree, however, it could scarcely rank high, 



being easily broken by the wind. 



Artocarpus integrifolia. Jack-fruit. 



Common names. — Halasu (Coorg, India); Jak ( British India) . 

 An East Indian tree with entire leaves and a fruit much larger than the bread- 

 fruit. This is generally considered inferior to the breadfruit, but some writers repre- 

 sent it as preferred in some parts of India, Hull strongly recommends the jack-fruit 

 as coffee shade: 



I am strongly in favor of the jack as the tree best suited for providing shade for 

 fields of coffee. In the first place its presence, so far from being prejudicial, aeems 

 to be actually beneficial to the coffee plant; next, it is a subsoil feeder; then it pro- 

 duces a fruit much valued as food by the natives; its timber is also valuable, 

 whether for cabinetmaking or building purposes; and, finally, it flourishes best 

 precisely in those conditions where its shade is most required. Known to botanists 

 as the Artocarpus integrifolia, the jack grows to a large size; it resembles and belongs 

 to the same family as the breadfruit tree. The timber, when newly cut, is of alight- 

 y el low color, possesses a beautiful grain, and is capable of a high polish, not greatly 

 inferior to that of the mahogany or satinwood, both of which it also resembles to a 

 certain extent in grain and color, after having been polished. The fruit is as large 

 as a pumpkin, and weighs from 20 to 30 pounds, containing from 200 to 300 seeds, 

 which, though somewhat unpleasant in smell when raw, are converted by bein t 

 roasted or boiled into a wholesome and agreeable farinaceous food, always much 

 appreciated by the coolies. 



The jack is said to bear transplanting badly, and it will therefore be necessary to 

 deposit two or three of the seeds a couple of inches below the surface, wherever a 

 tree is desired to grow. The most healthy of the plants can afterwards be selecteu. 



