Sept, ij 1897.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST, 
181 
CACAO CULTIVATION IN CEYLON 
AND TKINIDAD, 
We find in the Agricultural Society’s Journal 
of this Colony, a very curious, as well as 
interesting return, in respect of the cacao culti- 
vation of the island. It affords details as to 
the acreage, average crop, cost of production, 
the labour employed, total expenditure, etc. 
One heading baffles us as to its meaning, 
namely , — “ Amount of importations per annum,” 
the answer being given in “ L. S. D.’ — The total 
result for 24 estates tabulated is thus given : — 
COCOA. 
The figures furnished by the Cocoa Planters 
show that the total amount spent in the Colony in 
producing 10,038 bags of cocoa is JE17.025 or an 
average of £1 14 per bag of 165 lb. 
The exports for 1895 amounted to 158,803 bags. 
158,803 by f 1 14 equal to £269,965. 
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fa) No returns. (6) Young cultivations, 
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23 
Very recently Mr. J. R. Martin showed in our 
columns that “ cocoa ” could be produced in 
Ceylon at about £1 10s per cwt., and that 55s was, 
perhaps, a high average net price to put against 
this. In Trinidad apparently, the cost of production 
is only a little over 23s per cwt.; but then the 
value of the produce is distinctly lower than 
for Ceylon cocoa. Still, the Trinidad figures 
surprise us, considering the comparative dearness 
of its imported labour Perhaps, the explanation 
is found in the richness of the soil, and the little 
trouble cacao gives aftei being, fully established. 
Looking at the acreage and crops of each estate, 
we find that while several places do not yield, 
apparently, one cwt. per acre according to the 
return, yet there are others cropping up to 2^, 
2’86, 3’25, 4'57 and, in one case “ El Salvador,” 
to over 6 cwt. per acre. This is very fine : we 
suppose Dunibara Valley cacao fields at their 
best did not give more? The average yield for 
Trinidad is, however, not much above the 2 
cwt. per acre estimated for Ceylon. 
It is pointed out that we were unfair in 
our above comparison between the cost of 
cacao cultivation in Ceylon and Trinidad. 
For instance, Mr. J. R. Martin’s estimate of 
£1 10s. per cwt. was f.o.b. for a crop of 2 cwt. 
per acre. A crop of 3 cwt. might tlierefore be 
put down at 26s. per cwt., and of 4 cwt. per acre at 
23s. for cost of production. As regards net prices 
in London, too, Mr. Martin’s 55s. per cwt. seems 
to more than oneinterested, to be very low, instead 
of high. We learn of one estate netting 60s., 
while a great deal of its crop sold at 75s. 
As to yield, the highest in Ceylon, we have 
yet heard of, is 7 cwt. per acre off a 21 -acre 
field which had never been manured at any 
time and is still in excellent heart. To learn 
of an average yield for five years of an estate 
being 3 67 cwt. and the crop costing in Colombo 
only R20 (say 25s.) f.o.b., gives one a new 
idea of the profitable character, under suitable 
circumstances, of cacao cultivation in Ceylon. 
Still more, what will croakers say to an actual 
experience of an estate, not 100 miles from 
Kandy, giving last year 6 cwt per acre deli- 
vered in Colombo at RIO (13s.) per cwt. ! After 
this, we shall certainly not be inclined to 
condole with proprietors of cacao jiroperty, but 
rather to congratulate them ; although we may 
he as anxious as the most troubled of them, 
to see their Red (Caraccas) trees cleared of 
“canker,” “fungus,” or “ beetle-borer ” through 
the good offices or advice of the scientists. 
In this connection we would call attention to 
a jiaper on next page by Mr. Hart of 
Trinidad, discussing and describing the different 
varieties of commercial “cacao” (Theobroina 
Cacao). 
And once again, while on the subject of culti- 
vation, we would inquire if any cacao-planters in 
Ceylon have experimented with artificial manures 
on their fields. If so, we should like innch to 
know what their experience has been, and 
their opinions on the subject generallJ^ 
The Thompson Fibres Company, Limited, 
has been formed to acquire from the British 
North Borneo Company the right to collect two 
indigenous fibres known as wild lamba, and wild 
or bastard Manila hemp . — British Irade Journal, 
July 1. 
