1 Fer., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 125 
than in any other part of the colony. It would seem that a humid climate is 
essential to this plant, and this Russell River climate, according to our 
Hydrographic Engineer, is the premier of Queensland, Up to the present time 
it has not been proved that cocoa beans grown in Northern Queensland are 
fertile, but trials will be made by seeds grown at the State Nursery 
(Kamerunga) during next year. The rainfall there is on the average about 
100 inches a year, but, at times, droughts extend to 30 days. This, of course, is 
most unsuitable for the cocoa plant. It would seem that there are at least nine 
varieties of this plant, from Mexico, New Granada, Guiana, &c. 
But Mexico, as far as can be gathered, is the cocoa country. Many varieties 
of things are made from the cocoa bean, including spirituous liquors, &c., which 
have been shown at various international exhibitions. Simmonds tells us: 
When Cortez and the Spaniards entered the vast kingdom of Moctezuma 
they found the use of cocoa and chocolate as a beverage very common. The 
Emperor, however, alone drank it flavoured with vanilla from a golden cup.” 
Simmonds also says: “ Cocoa or chocolate is without exception, of all domestic 
drinks, the most alimentary; and the Spaniards esteem it so necessary to the 
health and support of the body, that it is considered the severest punishment 
to withhold it even from criminals—nay, to be unable to procure chocolate is 
“deemed the greatest misfortune in life.” 
Tt would seem that coffee-drinkers such as the Americans overtake the 
Spanish cocoa-drinkers, notwithstanding what Simmonds says. We all esteem 
cocoa as a beverage, and the various cocoa manufacturers in Burope vie with 
each other in making it up into almost innumerable shapes and forms. 
That the pods can be grown in Queensland has been proved, but will their 
production be of economic value? Certainly there is no reason why 
every planter or farmer in North Queensland should not have a few trees in his 
garden or orchard. It is probable that some seed will be available at 
Kamerunga next year. One thing has been ascertained at that nursery about 
Theobroma Cacao. It should be left unpruned. Trees that have been pruned 
have not, up to the present, borne fruit, whatever they may do hereafter. The 
overseer thought some of his plants looked unsightly, and cut away a quantity 
of branches. The result was that an extraordinary number of branches sprang 
out from the primary branches and stem, and have yielded no fruit, nor do 
they seem likely to do so; so, perhaps, it would be as well to allow Nature to 
have her own way in Queensland, and probably experience will teach. 
Tt would be, of course, little short of folly for persons to go in expressly for 
cocoa-growing at the present stage. The Messrs. De Moleyn will demonstrate, 
probably, which is the best part for the cultivation of this plant in North 
Queensland. Individuals may well await the result of their trial. Itis probable 
that the area of land between the Johnstone and Mulgrave Rivers, which has 
the largest rainfall in the colony, will be most suitable for the trial. It is 
understood that the Sandeman Syndicate Company, as well as the Messrs. 
De Moleyn, are doing their best in this strip. 
MANURING OF TROPICAL PLANTS—COFFEE. 
Derr, loamy soils, rich in humus, are best suited for the cultivation of coffee ; 
alluvial soils mixed with humus, or sandy loam soils, rich in humus, might also 
prove suitable, but soils which are either light and sandy, heavy clay, or 
deficient in lime, should certainly be avoided. As the results of experiments 
made upon this plant indicate that even the most extensive application of 
artificial fertilisers does not compensate for a deficiency in humus, it should be 
the constant aim of the planter to supply coffee-fields with humus-producing 
substances. The very first place should, therefore, be given to fertilisation 
with stable manure and compost, or, when these methods cannot be resorted to, 
they might be replaced by green manuring. The necessary quantities of 
nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash (and sometimes also of lime and 
magnesia) must he supplied in the form of mineral fertilisers, as mapuring with 
, 
