222 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE VICTORIA INSTITUTE. 
quantity has now been increased four fold, and with the large 
extent of new cultivation, it is easy to predict a continued 
increase in the future, even allowing for a falling off from the 
old plantations. It is wise under these circumstances to make 
serious trials of new industries, for we must not expose ourselves 
after avoiding being wrecked on sugar to be engulfed in a cacao 
crisis of over-production. Indeed the collapse would be still 
more serious than that we. are threatened with to-day. For 
the cacao industry is connected chiefly with the old families of 
the island, many of whom entered upon the new venture after 
the sugar estates which they owned had been taken away from 
them, and with the interests of a middle class who have success- 
fully risen above the rank of peasant proprietors. The gains of 
these two classes are spent in the island, and they form along 
with their labours, and the small planters, the chief local clientele 
of our dry goods merchants. 
The value of our cacao exports is fast approaching that of 
sugar, and with the rise in prices of the former staple it promises 
to take the lead for the first time this year. Unless the very 
desirable improvement in the sugar market takes place, that 
lead is likely to be kept for the future. Being therefore at 
present the chief factor of the agricultural prosperity of the 
country cacao has a right to equal attention with sugar. This 
product has been cultivated in Trinidad from its earliest days, 
and it would appear that a veiy superior quality was grown, 
known as the criollo (a few stray trees are said to be still growing 
in the woods about Manzanilla) but we read in Boi-de’s interesting 
History of Trinidad that some time last century the trees ceased 
to bear fruit, and many died out. He adds that only one estate 
m the whole island which was said to be planted with forastero, 
a more hardy though inferior variety, escaped the blight, or 
whatever it was, and bore as plentifully as usual. The result 
was that forastero was introduced, and is still the chief variety 
m cultivation There are many strains of it caused in great 
part by hybridisation. Selection of plants for raising new plan- 
tations is being attended to, and the best seeds of the favourite 
trees 90 two ;P r T‘# a . tio \ fruit from strong and healthy 
trees 20 to 40 years of age being chosen by the more observing 
planters. Besides the propagation of the best home varieties 
seed is introduced from other districts where the best results 
are known to have been obtained. Frequentlv j 
from Venezuela, especially the Truiillano the h t ^ lm P orted 
of forastero. and lL Ji i„ Slot k '"'I 
comparison. Mr. Hart introduced some DlanS f P" r P oses of 
some years ago and his available supply Was TuicklTt f 
planters, .any b,i„ 8 ttnttble to s.cuKj.’C' 7 ““ .°S£ 
