chap, iv.] WEST INDIES. 135 
and places one leaf within the circumference of 
sach hole, so as to line it round; leaving however 
the sides of the leaf some inches above the ground, 
after which he rubs in the mould, very lightly, 
till the hole is filled. He then selects three nuts 
for each hole, and plants them triangularly, by 
making a small opening for each with his finger, 
about two inches deep, into which he puts the 
nuts, with that end downward from which the 
sprout issues, and having lightly covered them with 
mould, he folds over the leaf, and places a small 
stone on the top to prevent its opening. In this 
manner he plants his whole walk or orchard. At 
the end of eight or ten days, the plants will general¬ 
ly be found to rise above the earth. The leaves are 
then opened, that their growth may not be impeded; 
but, in order to shelter them from the sun, other 
leaves or branches are placed round the hole; for 
which purpose those of the palm kind are general¬ 
ly chosen, (for having a strong stem, they are easily 
fixed in the earth), and they are changed as often 
as they decay, for the space of five or six months. 
It is also thought advisable to plant some other 
tree (the erythrina or bean-tree is generally chosen 
for this purpose) to the south-west of the cacao 
plant, which may grow up with it, and serve it for 
shelter;—but it must always be remembered, that 
young cacao trees will flourish only in the shade. 
If all the three nuts placed in each hole spring 
up, it is thought necessary, when the plants are 
