20 



COCOA. 



seed ; such amalgamation somewhat depreciates the quality of the 

 produce, notwithstanding that a decided improvement in the quality 

 of the Trinidad seed has been attained in some districts, owing to the 

 favourable nature of the soil. The best or first quality was fetching 

 in the close of 1875, thirty-five to forty venezolanos (dollars) per 

 fanega of 112 lbs. ; the second quality twenty to twenty-five venezo- 

 lanos the fanega ; and the third, termed " Trinitario " (the seed having 

 been originally brought from the island of Trinidad), only sells at 

 from twelve to eighteen venezolanos per fanega. This Trinidad cocoa 

 came into favour some years ago on account of the more robust nature 

 and greater productiveness of the plants, but is now universally held 

 to be of an inferior quality.* 



An old black letter treatise in French, which I have in my posses- 

 sion, contains a most interesting and useful description of the cul- 

 tivation, preparation, and uses of cocoa in the Spanish main. Its 

 title is ' Histoire Naturelle du Cacao.' Second edition. Published 

 anonymously at Amsterdam, 1720. 



The following description is translated from an account furnished 

 by M. P. Madinier, to ' Des Annales de 1' Agriculture des Colonies ' : 



The tree is grown in almost all the provinces of Venezuela, but 

 more especially in those of Maracaibo, Tachera, Varinas, Yaracuy, 

 Carabobo, Cumana, and Caracas ; and these remarks will apply 

 chiefly to this last province and to the estates situate on the eastern 

 coast, in the canton of Eio Chico. This canton is watered by four 

 navigable rivers, of which two, the Tuy and the Rio Chico, 

 communicate directly with the sea, and facilitate the transport of 

 produce. 



The land is in general well suited for agriculture, but so low that 

 it is exposed to inundations with any considerable rise of the 

 rivers. The climate is at the same time very humid and warm ; 

 the thermometer occasionally marking 71° Cent. The vegetation is so 

 vigorous that the sugar-cane, which in the valley of Caracas requires 

 eighteen months to ripen, is here cut after ten months, and attains 

 occasionally the height of 27 feet. 



The system of irrigation is not practised, firstly because it is costly, 

 and secondly because the lands seem to retain their moisture in the 

 height of summer. In later years it may possibly be requisite, but at 

 present this country seems to possess all the elements necessary for 

 the successful culture of this crop. 



"When commencing a cocoa plantation, the first step is necessarily 

 the clearing and preparation of the ground. This is generally done 

 in the summer, which is here the months of January, February, and 

 March, so that all m-ay be terminated before the first rains of winter 

 commence, in April and May. Eows of plantains are then set to give 

 shade to the young cocoa trees until the " bucares " (species of Ery- 

 ihrina) are advanced enough to form shade trees. 



The plantains are set at stated distances so as not to crowd the 

 young trees, but a great deal in this depends on the nature of the soil 

 and the species of cocoa planted. 



* Mr. Middleton's Report on the ' Commerce of Venezuela,' 1 875. 



