THE COFFEE-BEANS. 
117 
become very thick and matted, so that air and light 
could not get to the centre of it, and the crop would 
be poor. 
5. “We did not use much manure, for it was 
difficult to take it up the steep hills; besides, our 
land was very good, and had not been exhausted 
by previous crops. But, whenever it is possible to 
get manure from stalls where cattle have been 
bedded with straw or trash, it is a good plan to dig 
holes for it near the trees. 
6. “It is necessary to be constantly on the watch 
for the numerous insect enemies that attack the 
coffee trees, such as the borers, mealy-bugs, scale- 
insects, and leaf- miners. But the stronger and 
healthier the trees grow, the less are we troubled 
with insect blights upon them. 
“ How we managed when our crop was ready, I 
will tell you another time.” 
THE COFFEE-BEANS. 
l.' At an early opportunity Mr. Hood continued 
the story of how he managed his coffee-crop. 
“ It was in the month of May that our berries 
were red and fit to be gathered and taken to the 
pulping-houses. Liberian Coffee is not ready until 
later in the year; the full crops coming in December 
and the following month, though the trees of this 
