Aug. i, 1901.1 THE TROPICAL AGRICULTUKIST. 
7? 
much to argue that plants are never otherwise 
attiiuk-i J ; for it m.i.y be freely a^lmitted that there 
aie iu::ecbs of a depredatory or predatory character, 
which de.sti-oy pli.tits in good health, without affect- 
ing the point, wlix-h is. oht-t aitf.eks are invited by 
a coi'ditiiiri of bau health, jrusing thiOUijh weak- 
nuK of constitution, induced by unsuitable condi- 
tion;, jf cMui: ''e or season and frequently by starva- 
tion. Lu many plants constitutional weakness tan 
be eh' Wn to exist, which U adequately proved by their 
pp.siing out of existence in tlis struggle for life, and 
no amount of skill in cultiviition or manuring 
couid possibly give them the vigour or vitality of 
their surviving brethren. Such plants may at times 
have qualities which make them of value to the 
cultivator, and if they are grown for ecouomic pur- 
poses, cultivation becomes one interminable flight 
against such weaknesses. Where spscial products 
are desired, it is always better to raise and select 
seedlings possessed of such vitality or vigour of 
constitution as will suit the climate or soil in 
which they are grown, and this may be generally 
efieoted by the common processes of artificial selec- 
tion. In this way we find that in the CJnited States 
and other places plants are being raised, the pro- 
genitors of which could not stand certain climates. 
The publication of the proceedings of the Hybrid 
Conference recently held by the Boyal Horticultural 
Society in London makes it clear there is every 
reason to hope that strains or varieties of plants 
may be raised by taking certain precautions, which 
possess a vigour or suitability of constitution en- 
abling them to stand the extremes of either hot or 
cold climates. Now, while we may not expect any 
immediate or present advantage to the Coco-nut 
from these methods, yet it is to be clearly pointed 
out that a method of selection may be followed, 
even with this plant, bv taking seed nuts only 
from those trees which show they possess a vigorous 
constitution and mature nuts of saleable size in 
paying quantity. It is not to be expected, however, 
that individuals will do much with a plant which 
would take so long a time before results could be 
observed, and therefore in this, as in many other 
cases, the work is best performed by Experiment 
Stations that the objects in view may be carried 
on through a series of years. Many years ago I 
recommended the practice of selection for the Coco- 
nut but was met by the argument from a Trinidad 
grower that " the smaller nut had most meat " or 
as much " meat " as the larger one. Even if this 
is granted it is an indisputable fact that the larger 
nut sells better than the smaller one, always has 
done, and probably always will do. A Coco-nut tree 
planted in an unsuitable position will soon show 
signs that it is not getting all it requires and 
much may be done by the cultivator to ascertain 
and supply what is actually needed. In tlie Queens- 
land Agricultural Journal for April, 1900, there is 
published a complete analysis by Dr. P. Bachofeu 
of Mr. A Bain's" chemical Laboratory at the Ceylon 
Manure Works. Mr. Bain* writes: — 
" Though there exist several analyses of parts of the 
Coco-nut, no one seems to have undertaken the task 
of getting a complete analysis made with the view of 
ascertaining the actual demand made by the Coco-nut 
upon the mineral constituents of the soil. Yet this 
knowledge is of paramount importance to those going 
in for manuring." 
Dr. Bachofeu's tables and analysis of quantities 
taken out of the ground by 1,000 nuts are here given as 
valuable addition to our knowledge. — Trinidad Bulletin. 
COCOA IN TRINIDAD. 
From sugar we pass to the newer industry of cocoa, 
Blthough, so far as Trinidad is concerned, this is by no 
means a. new industry. There are plantations in 
• Sic. Mr, A. Baur, of courHe.— Ed. T.A. 
existence, the starting of which can be traced to over 
a hundred years aj^o. The development of this in- 
dustry hus certainly been remaikable. Forty years 
ago there were only some 7,1)00 acres of cocoa in 
cultivation. The total exports for the year 1899 
amounted to the very large figuie of 29,i'2£> 5U4 
puUi.ds— an increase lu ceujcrs of over louu'een 
million pounds. Tne cuUivatiou is stiU beiug ex- 
tended. The system of cuuivaiiou in Triuiu^tu is a 
very interesting one. The present large estates have 
been maae by tlie gathering together of the smaller 
areas under culuvatiou. Tnese small areas have 
been started under what is known as the contract 
system. The cuuiractors ha\ e generally been the 
descendants of the Spaniards a. id the liVench, and 
now to this class has got to added the c'ooiie. 
The proprietor pays the cost of cutting down the 
forest, and when so cleaned the laud is turned over 
to the contractor, who culiivales upon it plantains, 
tannias, (our cocoes, bauanas and pigeou-peas, lor 
a period of five or bix or leu years, iu return ior 
for this he undertakes to piaut land with cocoa 
and shade trees, and when ho gives the lauu up, the 
proprietor gives nim a shilling for every tree plauttu. 
The laws in protection both ol the coutracto.. and of 
the proprietor who gives tUe contract are well drawn 
enabling the contractor to get justice and at the' 
same time safeguarding the rignts of the proprietor 
under the contract. Tnere is not much to be seen 
of coco acuitivatiou from the roadside, but uudoubt- 
e>ily it is an ideal cultivstion lor a European 
in the tropics. In Triuidad the soil is of suoU a 
nature that it easily cakes and dries under the sun- 
and consequently it is necessary— ia Jamaica, I 
understand, it is not so necessary — to plant per- 
manent shade trees. lu starting the plantation 
after the trees have been raised in the nursery tUey 
are planted out, each tree being surrounded by lour 
banana suckers. The banana which is principally 
used for this purpose in Trinidad is the so-calleu li/- 
banana plant producing a much smaller variety of 
fruit than ours. These young bananas form "the 
shade for the young cocoa, but Jat the same time 
there has to be planted the permanent shade tree 
and by the consensus of all opinion the tree that is' 
best adapted for this purpose of permanent shade 
IS the Immortelle, known by the Spaniards as the 
Madre dc Cocoa, or the iUothe of Cocoa." This 
tree grows very rapidly, much more rapidly than 
the cocoa itself, and grows to a great height. By 
the time it is necessary for the cocoa to ha°v e shade 
the Immortelle is there. The protecting mhueuce 
ot this shade has given it the name it so well 
deserves of the " Mother of Cocoa." the Immortelle 
is a tree that does not throw deep roots into tne 
ground, and apparently takes uotning from the soil 
which the cocoa needs. The falling of its tluwera 
and leaves seems to supply a valuable manure to the 
soil. It is almost impodsiole to conceive a more 
beautiful sight than the hillside one mass of beauti- 
ful red when the Immortelle is in bloom for it 
bears a red flower. Walking through the cocoa 
plantations when the blossoms are fallini' one 
treads on a carpet of fallen blooms. There are 
ottier shade trees that are spoken of, notably the 
hog-plum, the sand-box, and that variety of the 
rubber plant known as the Castil/oa. The Immortelle 
unfortunately, is easily blown down, and with the 
immense length Joes considerable damage to the 
cocoa trees when falling. As a rule, however when 
it falls it IS very largely rotten, and the decayed 
vegetable matter forms an important manure. Tha 
best authorities agree that the cocoa fields should 
be kept as free as possible from all grass, although 
of course, as in everything else, there are people 
who dispute this. The trees have to be pruned 
regularly ;ind carefully, and it is interesting to 
state here that a very large percentage of the 
cocoa planters firmly believe that only at cerain 
phases of the moon should this be.done, the runuiue 
of the sap in the trees being affected by the accioa 
