CACAO OE COCOA. 



35 



whicli the sprout issues." They are then covered lightly with 

 mould, the leaf folded over, and a small stone placed on the top, 

 to prevent its opening ; in eight or ten days the j'onng shoots ap- 

 pear ahove the ground ; the leaves are then opened to give them 

 light and air, and a shelter from the sun, either in the shape of 

 plantain or banana leaves, is not forgotten ; but the coco-nut and 

 other species of palm, on account of their fibrous structure and 

 great durability, are alvrays preferred. This artificial shelter is 

 continued for five or six months. But, as a frirther security to the 

 young plants, for they are very delicate, other trees or shrubs are 

 planted to the south-west of the plants, that they may grow up with 

 and shelter them, for young cacao vdll grow and flourish only in the 

 sliade. For this purpose the coral bean-tree (Erytlirina Coralloden- 

 drv.m) is chosen. I shoukl presmne there are other trees and 

 plants equally eligible for this pm'pose, and more useful ; but my 

 experience does not enable me to speak positively upon the sub- 

 ject. Should the three seeds placed in each hole spring up, it is 

 thought necessary, when the plants are fifteen or twenty inches 

 high, to cut one of them down. The two others, if they devaricate, 

 are sometimes sufiered to remain, but it does not always happen 

 that even one of the three springs above the earth ; consequently 

 this additional labor is not invariably requisite. 



On the fourth or fiftii year the tree begins to bear, and attains 

 perfection by the eighth, continuing to produce two crops of fruit 

 per annum, yielding at each crop from 10 lbs. to 20 lbs., according 

 to the natiu-e of the soil. It will continue bearing for twenty 

 years ; but, as it is a delicate plant, it sufi'ers from drought, and is 

 liable to bliglit. In these respects, however, it does not dilfer 

 from many other plants, which are even more subject to disease, 

 though not half so valuable. Besides, a proper system of irriga- 

 tion, such as could be had recourse to in many parts of Jamaica, 

 would ob^'iate and prevent these evils. 



The whole quantity imported into the United Kmgdom from 

 the AYest Indies and British Guiana during the last thirteen years, 

 has been as follows : — 





lbs. 







lbs. 



1831 



1,491,947 



1842 



» 



. 2,490,693 



1832 



618,090 



1843 





. 1,496,554 



1833 



, 2,12.5,641 



1844 





. 3,119,555 



1831 



. 1,360,325 



1845 





. 3,351.602 



183.5 



439,440 



1846 





. 1,738.848 



1836 



. 1,611,104 



1847 





. 3,026,381 



1837 



. 1,847,125 



1848 





2,602,309 



1838 



. 2,147,816 



1849 





. 3^159,086 



1839 



959,428 



1850 





. 1,987,717 



1840 



. 2,374,233 



1851 





. 4,347,195 



1811 



. 2,919,105 



1852 





. 3,933,863 



Cacao is cultivated in the highlands as well as on the coasts of 

 the north-eastern peninsula of the large and rich island of 

 Celebes, which has within the last year or two been thrown open 

 to foreign trade. The plantations of it are even novv considerable, 

 and this branch of industry only requires not to be impeded by 



