74 



COITEE, 



not content with the natural influence of the universal demand for it, have been 

 endeavouring to stimulate the production by means of premiums and other arti- 

 ficial advantc^ges. 



In forming a cofiee plantation, the choice of situation and soil becomes a con- 

 sideration of the fijTst importance. A very high temperature is by no means a 

 favourable condition. If a spot could be found where the range of the Fahren- 

 heit thermometer did not sink below 75 degrees, nor rise above 80 degrees, and 

 where the soil was otherwise suitable, no planter could desire a more favourable 

 situation. In the mountainous islands of Jamaica and St. Domingo, the nearest 

 approach to this temperature is found where the elevation is not less than 2, 000, 

 and not more than 3,000 feet above the level of the sea ; and it is most success- 

 fully ciiltivated in the two islands I have named. The Island of Cuba being 

 much less mountainous, but at the same time being nearer the tropical limit, 

 the planter in seeking the degree of heat he requires is forced to confine him- 

 self in a great measure to the northern side of the island, where, accordingly, 

 we find that the cultivation of cofi'ee is most successfully carried on. 



The vicinity of the co fetal to a convenient place of embarcation, enters largely, 

 of coiu'se, inti) the consideration of the planter when choosing a suitable locality. 

 A compact form is also thought desirable, in order to save the time and labour 

 of the negroes ; and the ordinary extent is about six caballerias, or something 

 less than 200 English acres. 



The locality being finally chosen, such open places are formed or selected, 

 from distance to distance, as may be found most suitable, in respect to shade 

 and moisture, for the establishment of convenient nurseries. The finiit which 

 has been gathered in the beginning of the month of October, and which has 

 been dried in the shade, is preferred for seed. The seed is sown in drills half a 

 yard asunder, and introduced, two beans together, by means of a dibble, into 

 holes two inches deep and ten or twelve inches apart. The extent of one of 

 these nurseries is generally about 100 yards square, which, with such intervals 

 as I have mentioned, ought to contain about 60,000 plants. 



A quarter of a caballeria, or about eight English acres, is usually set apart, 

 in a central and convenient position, for the site of the buildings, and for grow- 

 ing provisions for the use of the labourers on the futui'c plantation. In favour- 

 able seasons it is found that heavier crops are obtained from coifee trees left 

 wholly unshaded ; but, in the average of two years, it seems to be eettled, in 

 the island of Cuba at least, that a moderate degree of protection from the scorch- 

 ing rays of the sun produces a steadier, and, upon the whole, a more advanta- 

 geous return. 



The distribution of the land into right-angled sections, and the planting of 

 the trees in straight lines, is so contrived as to favour the future supervision of 

 the labourers much more than from any strict attention to mere symmetry. 

 The distance of the trees from each other ought to be regulated by the quality 

 of the soil, and the degrees of heat and shade they are to enjoy. The ranges 

 from north to south are usually four yards apart, and those from east to west 

 not more than three ; but the lower the temperatui^e the wider should be the 

 interval, because in that case the vegetation is more active and more rapid, and 

 the tree requires a wider space over which to extend itself. 



The best season for planting the trees is the middle of the month of May, if 

 there be then a sufficient degree of moisture ; but the operation is often per- 

 formed successfrilly during the rainy month of October ; subject always to the 

 risk, however, of serious injury to the young plantation fiom the north winds 

 which prevail at that advanced season of the year. The holes prepared to re- 

 ceive the plants are eighteen inches in diameter, and about two feet deep. 



In the island of Cuba there are two rival modes of planting the cofiee tree. 

 The one is called " la siembra a la mota ;" the other " la siembra a la estaca." 



By the method " a la mota," a circle is formed around the plant in the nursery, 

 and care is taken to remove it without distui'bing the earth around the roots. 

 The plants are then placed carefully in willow baskets, prepared for the purpose, 

 and carried to the holes already opened for their reception ; gathering up the 

 earth aroimd the stem, and pressing it carefull^^ down with the foot, in such a 

 manner as to form a basin or filter for the reception of the rain -water, and for 



