74 
TRINIDAD. 
for this staple as in former years. It is generally 
thought, however, that no country will he able to com - 
pete witli the cotton grown in the valley of the Missis- 
sippi, not only because of the quality of the article, but 
also because of their facility in water carriage. Be that 
as it may, a golden opportunity is presented to tropical 
countries, and wise will they be wdio avail themselves of 
it. The American war has not ceased,* and it is difficult 
to conjecture ■when it will cease, and even after it has 
■come to a close several years must pass aw'ay before the 
Americans will be at liberty to give their attention to 
the growth of cotton. 
Cocoa Niits (Cocos nucifera). — The cocoa-palm thrives 
admirably in Trinidad, and is cultivated to great advan- 
tage in several districts, either for sale in the nut or for 
the manufacture of oil. In a green state, the nuts are 
sold at five cents (2-^-d.) for three nuts; dry, one dollar 
per hundred, on the spot. The oil ranges from one 
dollar to one dollar fifty cents per gallon. Hie cocoa- 
palm grows best along the sea-shore, in the very sand 
of the beach, salt being not only necessary for its 
healthy growth, but to its very existence. The whole of 
the eastern coast, ■with Guayaguayara and Icacos, might 
be made to produce an immense quantity of cocoa-nuts. 
The whole beach from Point Manzauilla to the mouth 
■of the Guataro, is lined with cocoa-nut palms, which 
grew there accidentally, the nuts having been originally 
washed on shore from the wreck of some vessel. The 
finest specimens are, perhaps, along the INIayaro beach, 
«ome of them being seen to flower at the early age of 
three years, which is very unusual indeed — this palm 
•commencing to bear fruit generally at five or six years’ 
growth. Its period of full bearing is at eight years and 
upwards, when it brings forth a bunch of blossoms every 
month, each bunch having nine nuts, on an average, and 
some as many as twenty. The fruit of each tree is valued 
at one dollar a year. The trees are planted about twenty- 
* ■Written during the American "War. 
