THE FUTUKE OF CACAO PLANTING. 



197 



withstand better, and recover more rapidly from, pest attacks, and are 

 less injured by drought. Of course it is necessary to see that an adequate 

 supply of lime and potash is there — that goes without saying — but for 

 permanent nourishment a complete natural organic manure must also 

 be used. One that is capable of supplying nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 

 and potash to the soil is required. The guano obtained from the rainless 

 regions of South America seems able to supply such a manure, and if 

 purchased from reliable firms gives most satisfactory results. Un- 

 fortunately, as a rule, planters will not spend the money necessary to 

 nourish properly their trees. 



If the necessary nitrogen cannot be provided by home-made manure, 

 or green manuring, then 1 to 2 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, or to 

 2^ cwt. of nitrate of soda, to the acre may be applied, according to the 

 condition of the soil. Some planters object to digging the ground 

 between the trees, as they urge that in doing so you are apt to damage 

 the roots. Others, including the Grenada planters, do not agree with this. 

 On the contrary, I understand they consider it does good, as it allows air 

 to reach the roots. 



Of not less importance than nitrogen are the mineral fertilizing 

 ingredients, phosphoric acid and potash. Whereas nitrogen acts to a 

 certain extent as a stimulant, promoting the leaf and wood growth, 

 the phosphoric acid conduces- to the fruitfulness of the tree and to the 

 formation of blossom and fruit ; while potash promotes strong growth 

 as well as heavy yielding properties. Phosphoric acid is supplied to 

 planters in various manures. The two best known are basic slag and 

 superphosphate. The former is particularly adapted to strong soils, to 

 soils deficient in lime, and to soils rich in organic matter. Six to 

 eight cwt. basic slag, or 1\ to 2J cwt. concentrated superphosphate, 

 to the acre may be an adequate dressing. The potash may be applied 

 either by means of muriate of potash or sulphate of potash. On the 

 lightest soils 1^ cwt. is to be recommended, whereas on soils of loamy 

 or clayey character 1 cwt. to the acre will be sufficient. Besides the 

 manures mentioned above, there are many other artificial ones suitable 

 for the manuring of the cacao tree. As the manuring of these trees, like 

 that of all other plants, depends upon the nature and condition of the 

 soil, I ask you not to consider the quantities mentioned above as a recipe, 

 but as a summary of practical experience or as suggestions or hints 

 deserving consideration. 



I am most anxious to hear what the up-to-date cacao planter has to 

 say on the question of grafting cacao ; whether, on the whole, it is 

 agreed that the advantages claimed for it are correct, and whether the 

 principle will advance beyond the experimental stage. The idea has 

 always appealed to me. It was always a subject of much interest to 

 Mr. James Epps, the son of the founder of the firm, who died some 

 three years ago in Jamaica, with whom I have had many discussions on 

 the possibilities of the idea. 



This idea is no new one. Mr. Hart, of Trinidad, in his book on 

 cacao, states that in 1899 he discovered that cacao can easily be grafted 

 by approach, and therefore a planter can secure a crop of one particular 

 variety should he so wish. Mr. Hart returned to the subject again the 



