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The uses of the Cacao bean in the preparation of chocolate and 

 as a beverage are well known. The outer integument of the bean, 

 supplied by the manufacturers of chocolate, is used in large 

 quantities in Ireland for making a drink. These shells (so-called) 

 are imported from Italy under the name of " Miserable " (Mus. 

 Kew). The beans contain a high percentage of fat which is 

 officinal (Oleum Theobromae) in the British Pharmacopoeia, and 

 its use in Pharmacy is appreciated on account of its very slight 

 tendency to rancidity. The fat has a bland agreeable taste ; its 

 specific gravity is 0*961, and melting point 20° to 30° C. (Watt, 

 Comm. Prod. Ind. p. 1076). 



Cacao has been under cultivation in Nigeria for some 20 years, 

 and shipments have been made since about 1891. The cultivation 

 was not taken up seriously under European supervision until the 

 commencement of operations by the Royal Niger Company. 

 Plantations were established at Abutshi and Onitsha in 1899 

 (Woodruff, Report, Nov. 1889), and in 1900 were taken over by the 

 Government of S. Nigeria (see pp. 35-37). The plant has been 

 cultivated at Lagos since the formation of the Botanic Station 

 and distributed to various places in the colony. The work of 

 distribution is now continued from Oloke-Meji. In 1895 it was 

 reported that in the Lagos Colony much more attention seemed to 

 be paid to the cultivation of Coffee than to that of Cocoa. A 

 sample prepared on " Woodland " Estate, the property of Mr. 

 J. P. L. Davis, then the largest and best plantation there, was 

 valued at from 62s. to 65s. per cwt., with Ceylon at 70s. per cwt., 

 and West Indian at 50s. to 52s. (Leigh, Report on Bot. St. Lagos, 

 June, 1895). Cultivation and distribution was commenced at Old 

 Calabar in 1893. In 1896 there were well-established plantations, 

 belonging to the African Association at Eket (Quo Ibo), and 

 Ikotombo on the Calabar River, and one plantation belonging to 

 the Oil Rivers Company at Buguma (New Calabar). Of the 

 plantations established by native chiefs may be mentioned one 

 at Idua, the property of Chief Daniel Henshaw, and one at 

 N'trukpom, near Isoninyan, the property of Prince Oyo Ita. The 

 natives of Okenla, Egba, grow cocoa, and the region is considered 

 an important one for the production (Punch, Lagos Govt. Gaz. 

 Oct. 1902, p. 657). 



The chief cultural requirements are a mean temperature of about 

 80^ F., a rainfall of 50 inches and upwards ; shelter from prevailing 

 winds ; rich, deep, well-drained soil, free from all chance of 

 being inundated with salt water, and moderate shade at all 

 stages. 



The soil at Old Calabar, in which the trees grew well, is an 

 alluvium, originally covered with thick bush and decayed 

 vegetable matter, but too sandy to last without manuring. In 

 Trinidad, a loose clay, or clay with an admixture of sand and lime, 

 is considered suitable (Hart, Cacao, p. 1). 



Propagation is usually effected by seed. The seed should be 

 selected from the ripest and best developed fruits ; they may be 

 sown about 6 in. x 6 in. apart in nursery beds, and transplanted 

 when about a foot to 18 inches high, and seeds are sown where 

 the plants are to be permanent ; about three seeds should be set a 



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