8 TlMEHRI. 
bour, coupled with the low price to which both coffee and 
cocoa fell in the markets of Europe. Now that remu- 
nerative prices rule for both products, it seems a fitting 
time for men of small capital to resume the culti- 
vation of cocoa, as this industry may be profitably fol- 
lowed by a single family, thereby getting rid of all diffi- 
culty in harvesting the crop. 
Having studied cocoa planting since 1875, my expe- 
rience having been gained in Sumatra and, especially, in 
Surinam, I saw at the latter place that it is difficult to 
get sufficient Creole labour. I understand that it is the 
same in this colony ; up the rivers however, it would 
perhaps be possible to induce the squatters and Indians 
to work. 
For the cultivation of cocoa, good clay soil and an 
ample supply of fresh water are necessary. It will also 
grow on sandy soil, though it will not live so long as on 
clay and is sooner destroyed by bad weather. Brackish 
land is unfit for cocoa, and salt water is its greatest enemy. 
In Surinam the cocoa with yellow pods, called " creole 
cocoa," is generally planted. Another sort, with red pods, 
named " Caracas cocoa," is also at present planted by 
every one who can get the seeds. Where both are grown 
in the same field, the red degenerates before the creole. 
Planters there assert that the Caracas grows more quickly 
and strongly, that it bears more and better than the creole. 
The beans, however, are lighter than those of the creole 
variety, so that on an average the kernels of 10 to 12 
creole fruits will yield one half kilogram ( 1 . 1 lbs.) of cocoa, 
while for the same quantity 14 to 16 fruits of Caracas are 
wanted. The Caracas has more spongy beans than the 
