,philippine ,bureau of ,agriculture4 ,farmer's ,bulletin ,no4 #b4 ,,cacao ,,culture ,,in ,,the ,,philippines ,by ,,william ,s4 ,,lyon1 ,in charge of seed and plant introduction4 ,prepared under the direction of the ,chief of the ,bureau4 ,manila3 ,bureau of ,public ,printing4 #aijb4 ,,contents4 ,page4 ,letter of transmittal #d ,introduction #e ,climate #f ,the plantation site #g ,the soil #g ,preparation of the soil #h ,drainage #h ,forming the plantation #i ,selection of varieties #aj ,planting #aa ,cultivation #ac ,pruning #ac ,harvest #af ,enemies and diseases #ah ,manuring #ai ,supplemental notes #ba ,new varieties #ba ,residence #ba ,cost of a cacao plantation #bb ,,letter ,,of ,,transmittal4 ,sir3 ,i submit herewith an essay on the cultivation of cacao1 for the use of planters in the ,philippines4 ,this essay is prompted first1 because much of the cacao grown here is of such excellent quality as to induce keen rivalry among buyers to procure it at an advance of quite #ej per cent over the common export grades of the ,java bean1 notwithstanding the failure on the part of the local grower to process or cure the product in any way2 second1 because in parts of ,mindanao and ,negros1 despite ill treatment or no treatment1 the plant exhibits a luxuriance of growth and wealth of productiveness that demonstrates its entire fitness for those regions and leads us to believe in the successful extension of its propagation throughout these ,islands2 and lastly because of the repeated calls upon the ,chief of the ,agricultural ,bureau for literature or information bearing upon this important horticultural industry4 ,the importance of cacao-growing in the ,philippines can hardly be overestimated4 ,recent statistics place the world's demand for cacao 7exclusive of local consumption7 at #bjj1jjj1jjj pounds1 valued at more than #cj1jjj1jjj gold4 ,there is little danger of overproduction and consequent low prices for very many years to come4 ,so far as known1 the areas where cacao prospers in the great equatorial zone are small1 and the opening and development of suitable regions has altogether failed to keep pace with the demand4 ,the bibliography of cacao is rather limited1 and some of the best publications1 #b being in ,french1 are unavailable to many4 ,the leading ,english treatise1 by ,professor ,hart1 #c admirable in many respects1 deals mainly with conditions in ,trinidad1 ,west ,indies1 and is fatally defective1 if not misleading1 on the all-important question of pruning4 ,the life history of the cacao1 its botany1 chemistry1 and statistics are replete with interest1 and will1 perhaps1 be treated in a future paper4 ,respectfully1 ,wm4 ,s4 ,lyon1 ,in ,charge of ,seed and ,plant ,introduction4 ,hon4 ,f4 ,lamson-,scribner1 ,chief of the ,insular ,bureau of ,agriculture4 ,,cacao ,,culture ,,in ,,the ,,philippines4 ,,introduction4 ,cacao in cultivation exists nearly everywhere in the ,archipelago4 ,i have observed it in several provinces of ,luzon1 in ,mindanao1 ,jol1 ,basilan1 ,panay1 and ,negros1 and have well-verified assurances of its presence in ,ceb1 ,bohol1 and ,masbate1 and it is altogether reasonable to predicate its existence upon all the larger islands anywhere under an elevation of #a1jjj or possibly #a1bjj meters4 ,nevertheless1 in many localities the condition of the plants is such as not to justify the general extension of cacao cultivation into all regions4 ,the presence of cacao in a given locality is an interesting fact1 furnishing a useful guide for investigation and agricultural experimentation1 but1 as the purpose of this paper is to deal with cacao growing from a commercial standpoint1 it is well to state that wherever reference is made to the growth1 requirements1 habits1 or cultural treatment of the plant the commercial aspect is alone considered4 ,as an illustration1 attention is called to the statement made elsewhere1 that cacao exacts a minimum temperature of #ah2 although1 as is perfectly well known to the writer1 its fruit has sometimes matured where the recorded temperatures have fallen as low as #aj4 ,there is much to be learned here by experimentation1 for as yet the cultivation is primitive in the extreme1 pruning of any kind rudimentary or negative1 and treatment of the nut altogether unknown4 ,elsewhere in cacao-producing countries its cultivation has long passed the experimental stage1 and the practices that govern the management of a well-ordered cacao plantation are as clearly defined as those of an orange grove in ,florida or a vineyard in ,california4 ,in widely scattered localities the close observer will find many young trees that in vigor1 color1 and general health leave nothing to be desired1 but before making final selection for a plantation he should inspect trees of larger growth for evidences of die back of the branches4 ,if die back is present1 superficial examination will generally determine if it is caused by neglect or by the attacks of insects4 ,if not caused by neglect or insect attacks1 he may assume that some primary essential to the continued and successful cultivation of the tree is wanting and that the location is unsuited to profitable plantations4 ,with due regard to these preliminary precautions and a close oversight of every subsequent operation1 there is no reason why the growing of cacao may not ultimately become one of the most profitable horticultural enterprises that can engage the attention of planters in this ,archipelago4 ,,climate4 ,it is customary1 when writing of any crop culture1 to give precedence to site and soil1 but in the case of cacao these considerations are of secondary importance1 and while none of the minor operations of planting1 pruning1 cultivation1 and fertilizing may be overlooked1 they are all outweighed by the single essential--climate4 ,in general1 a state of atmospheric saturation keeps pace with heavy rainfall1 and for that reason we may successfully look for the highest relative humidity upon the eastern shores of the ,archipelago1 where the rainfall is more uniformly distributed over the whole year1 than upon the west4 ,there are places where the conditions are so peculiar as to challenge especial inquiry4 ,we find on the peninsula of ,zamboanga a recorded annual mean rainfall of only #hhh mm41 and yet cacao 7unirrigated7 exhibits exceptional thrift and vigor4 ,it is true that this rain is so evenly distributed throughout the year that every drop becomes available1 yet the total rainfall is insufficient to account for the very evident and abundant atmospheric humidity indicated by the prosperous conditions of the cacao plantations4 ,the explanation of this phenomenon1 as made to me by the ,rev4 ,father ,algu1 of the ,observatory of ,manila1 is to the effect that strong equatorial ocean currents constantly prevail against southern ,mindanao1 and that their influence extend north nearly to the tenth degree of latitude4 ,these currents1 carrying their moisture-laden atmosphere1 would naturally affect the whole of this narrow neck of land and influence as well some of the western coast of ,mindanao1 and probably place it upon the same favored hygrometric plane as the eastern coast1 where the rainfall in some localities amounts to #d meters a year4 ,while #b1jjj mm4 of mean annual rainfall equably distributed is ample to achieve complete success1 it seems almost impossible to injure cacao by excessive precipitation4 ,it has been known to successfully tide over inundation of the whole stem up to the first branches for a period covering nearly a month4 ,irrigation must be resorted to in cases of deficient or unevenly distributed rainfall1 and irrigation is always advantageous whenever there is suspension of rain for a period of more than fifteen days4 ,concerning temperatures the best is that with an annual mean of #bf to #bh1 with #bj as the mean minimum where any measure of success may be expected4 ,a mean temperature of over #cj is prejudicial to cacao growing4 ,the last but not least important of the atmospheric phenomena for our consideration are the winds4 ,cacao loves to steam and swelter in its own atmosphere and high winds are inimical1 and even refreshing breezes are incompatible1 with the greatest success4 ,as there are but few large areas in these ,islands that are exempt from one or other of our prevailing winds1 the remedies that suggest themselves are3 ,the selection of small sheltered valleys where the prevailing winds are directly cut off by intervening hills or mountains2 the plantation of only small groves in the open1 and their frequent intersection by the plantation of rapid growing trees2 and1 best of all1 plantings made in forest clearings1 where the remaining forested lands will furnish the needed protection4 ,,location4 ,it is always desirable to select a site that is approximately level or with only enough fall to assure easy drainage4 ,such sites may be planted symmetrically and are susceptible to the easiest and most economical application of the many operations connected with a plantation4 ,provided the region is well forested and therefore protected from sea breezes1 the plantation may be carried very near to the coast1 provided the elevation is sufficient to assure the grove immunity from incursions of tide water1 which1 however much diluted1 will speedily cause the death of the plants4 ,excavations should be made during the dry season to determine that water does not stand within #a #a_/b meters of the surface1 a more essential condition1 however1 when planting is made at stake than when nursery reared trees are planted4 ,hillsides1 when not too precipitous1 frequently offer admirable shelter and desirable soils1 but their use entails a rather more complicated system of drainage1 to carry away storm water without land washing1 and for the ready conversion of the same into irrigating ditches during the dry season4 ,further1 every operation involved must be performed by hand labor1 and in the selection of such a site the planter must be largely influenced by the quantity and cost of available labor4 ,the unexceptionable shelter1 the humidity that prevails1 and the inexhaustible supply of humus that is generally found in deep forest ravines frequently lead to their planting to cacao where the slope is even as great as #de4 ,such plantations1 if done upon a considerable commercial scale1 involve engineering problems and the careful terracing of each tree1 and1 except for a dearth of more suitable locations1 is a practice that has little to commend it to the practical grower4 ,,the ,,soil4 ,other things being equal1 preference should be given to a not too tenacious1 clayey loam4 ,selection1 in fact1 may be quite successfully made through the process of exclusion1 and by eliminating all soils of a very light and sandy nature1 or clays so tenacious that the surface bakes and cracks while still too wet within #c or #d inches of the surface to operate with farm tools4 ,these excluded1 still leave a very wide range of silt1 clay1 and loam soils1 most of which are suitable to cacao culture4 ,where properly protected from the wind a rocky soil1 otherwise good1 is not objectionable2 in fact1 such lands have the advantage of promoting good drainage4 ,,preparation ,,of ,,the ,,soil4 ,when the plantation is made upon forest lands1 it is necessary to cut and burn all underbrush1 together with all timber trees other than those designed for shade4 ,if such shade trees are left 7and the advisability of leaving them will be discussed in the proper place71 only those of the pulse or bean family are to be recommended4 ,it should also be remembered that1 owing in part to the close planting of cacao and in part to the fragility of its wood and its great susceptibility to damage resulting from wounds1 subsequent removal of large shade trees from the plantation is attended with difficulty and expense1 and the planter should leave few shade trees to the hectare4 ,clearing the land should be done during the dry season1 and refuse burned in situ1 thereby conserving to the soil the potash salts so essential to the continued well-being of cacao4 ,the land should be deeply plowed1 and1 if possible1 subsoiled as well1 and then1 pending the time of planting the orchard1 it may be laid down to corn1 cotton1 beans1 or some forage plant4 ,preference should be given to hoed crops1 as it is essential to keep the surface in open tilth1 as well as to destroy all weeds4 ,the common practice in most cacao-growing countries is to simply dig deep holes where the trees are to stand1 and to give a light working to the rest of the surface just sufficient to produce the intermediate crops4 ,this custom is permissible only on slopes too steep for the successful operation of a side hill plow1 or where from lack of draft animals all cultivation has to be done by hand4 ,cacao roots deeply1 and with relatively few superficial feeders1 and the deeper the soil is worked the better4 ,,drainage4 ,the number and size of the drains will depend upon the amount of rainfall1 the contour of the land1 and the natural absorbent character of the soil4 ,in no case should the ditches be less than #a meter wide and #fj cm4 deep1 and if loose stones are at hand the sloping sides may be laid with them1 which will materially protect them from washing by torrential rains4 ,these main drains should all be completed prior to planting4 ,connecting laterals may be opened subsequently1 as the necessities of further drainage or future irrigation may demand2 shallow furrows will generally answer for these laterals1 and as their obliteration will practically follow every time cultivation is given1 their construction may be of the cheapest and most temporary nature4 ,owing to the necessity of main drainage canals and the needful interplanting of shade plants between the rows of cacao1 nothing is gained by laying off the land for planting in what is called two ways1 and all subsequent working of the orchard will consequently be in one direction4 ,,the ,,plantation4 ,cacao1 relatively to the size of the tree1 may be planted very closely4 ,we have stated that it rejoices in a close1 moisture-laden atmosphere1 and this permits of a closer planting than would be admissible with any other orchard crop4 ,in very rich soil the strong-growing ,forastero variety may be planted #c4g meters apart each way1 or #gde trees to the hectare1 and on lighter lands this1 or the more dwarf-growing forms of ,criollo1 may be set as close as #c meters or rather more than #a1jjj trees to the hectare4 ,the rows should be very carefully lined out in one direction and staked where the young plants are to be set1 and then 7a year before the final planting7 between each row of cacao a line of temporary shelter plants are to be planted4 ,these should be planted in quincunx order1 i4 e41 at the intersecting point of two lines drawn between the diagonal corners of the square made by four cacaos set equidistant each way4 ,this temporary shelter is indispensable for the protection of the young plantation from wind and sun4 ,the almost universal custom is to plant1 for temporary shelter1 suckers of fruiting bananas1 but throughout the ,visayas and in ,southern ,luzon ,i think abac could be advantageously substituted4 ,it is true that1 as commonly grown1 abac does not make so rank a growth as some of the plantains1 but if given the perfect tillage which the cacao plantation should receive1 and moderately rich soils1 abac ought to furnish all necessary shade4 ,this temporary shade may be maintained till the fourth or fifth year1 when it is to be grubbed out and the stalks and stumps1 which are rich in nitrogen1 may be left to decay upon the ground4 ,at present prices1 the four or five crops which may be secured from the temporary shelter plants ought to meet the expenses of the entire plantation until it comes into bearing4 ,in the next step1 every fourth tree in the fourth or fifth row of cacao may be omitted and its place filled by a permanent shade tree4 ,the planting of shade trees or madre de cacao among the cacao has been observed from time immemorial in all countries where the crop is grown1 and the primary purpose of the planting has been for shade alone4 ,observing that these trees were almost invariably of the pulse or legume family1 the writer1 in the year #ahib1 raised the question1 in the ,proceedings of the ,southern ,california ,horticultural ,society1 that the probable benefits derived were directly attributable to the abundant fertilizing microrganisms developed in the soil by these leguminous plants1 rather than the mechanical protection they afforded from the sun's rays4 ,to ,mr4 ,o4 ,f4 ,cook1 of the ,united ,states ,department of ,agriculture1 however1 belongs the credit of publishing1 in #aija1 #d a rsum of his inquiries into the subject of the shades used for both the coffee and the cacao1 and which fully confirmed the previous opinions that the main benefit derived from these trees was their influence in maintaining a constant supply of available nitrogen in the soil4 ,that cacao and its wild congenors naturally seek the shelter of well-shaded forests is well established2 but having seen trees in these ,islands that were fully exposed at all times showing no evidences of either scald1 burn1 or sun spot1 and in every respect the embodiment of vigor and health1 we are fully justified in assuming that here the climatic conditions are such as will permit of taking some reasonable liberties with this time-honored practice and supply needed nitrogen to the soil by the use of cheap and effective catch crops1 such us cowpeas or soy beans4 ,here1 as elsewhere1 an ,erythrina1 known as dap-dap1 is a favorite shade tree among native planters2 the rain tree 7,pithecolobium saman7 is also occasionally used1 and in one instance only have ,i seen a departure from the use of the ,leguminos1 and that in western ,mindanao1 there is a shade plantation composed exclusively of ,cananga odorata1 locally known as ilang-ilang4 ,while not yet prepared to advocate the total exclusion of all shade trees1 ,i am prepared to recommend a shade tree1 if shade trees there must be1 whose utility and unquestioned value has singularly escaped notice4 ,the tree in question1 the ,royal ,poinciana 7,poinciana regia71 embodies all of the virtues that are ascribed to the best of the pulse family1 is easily procured1 grows freely and rapidly from seed or cutting1 furnishes a minimum of shade at all times1 and1 in these ,islands1 becomes almost leafless1 at the season of maturity of the largest cacao crop when the greatest sun exposure is desired4 ,the remaining preparatory work consists in the planting of intersecting wind breaks at intervals throughout the grove1 and upon sides exposed to winds1 or where a natural forest growth does not furnish such a shelter belt4 ,unless the plantation lies in a particularly protected valley1 no plantation1 however large in the aggregate1 should cover more than #d or #e hectares unbroken by at least one row of wind-break trees4 ,nothing that ,i know of can approach the mango for this purpose4 ,it will hold in check the fiercest gale and give assurance to the grower that after any storm his cacao crop is still on the trees and not on the ground1 a prey to ants1 mice1 and other vermin4 ,,selection ,,of ,,varieties4 ,all the varieties of cacao in general cultivation may be referred to three general types1 the ,criollo1 ,forastero1 and ,calabacillo2 and of these1 those that ,i have met in cultivation in the ,archipelago are the first and second only4 ,the ,criollo is incomparably the finest variety in general use1 and may perhaps be most readily distinguished by the inexperienced through the ripe but unfermented seed or almond1 as it is often called4 ,this1 on breaking1 is found to be whitish or yellowish-white1 while the seeds of those in which the ,forastero or ,calabacillo blood predominates are reddish1 or1 in the case of ,forastero1 almost violet in color4 ,for flavor1 freedom from bitterness1 facility in curing1 and high commercial value1 the ,criollo is everywhere conceded to be facile princeps4 ,on the other hand1 in point of yield1 vigor1 freedom from disease1 and compatibility to environment it is not to be compared with the others4 ,nevertheless1 where such perfect conditions exist as are found in parts of ,mindanao1 ,i do not hesitate to urge the planting of ,criollo4 ,elsewhere1 or wherever the plantation is tentative or the conditions not very well known to the planter1 the ,forastero is to be recommended4 ,the former is commercially known as ,caracas and old red ,ceylon1 and may be obtained from ,ceylon dealers2 and the latter1 the ,forastero1 or forms of it which have originated in the island1 can be procured from ,java4 ,it seems not unlikely that the true ,forastero may have been brought to these ,islands from ,acapulco1 ,mexico1 two hundred and thirty-two years ago1 #e as it was at that time the dominant kind grown in southeastern ,mexico1 and1 if so1 the place where the pure type would most likely be found in these ,islands would be in the ,camarines1 ,southern ,luzon4 ,aside from the seed characters already given1 ,forastero is recognized by its larger1 thicker1 more abundant1 and rather more abruptly pointed fruit than ,criollo1 and its coarse leaves which are from #bb to #ej cm4 long by #g to #ac cm4 wide1 dimensions nearly double those reached by the ,criollo or ,calabacillo varieties4 ,,planting4 ,planting may be done at stake or from the nursery4 ,for the unskilled or inexperienced planter1 who has means at hand to defray the greater cost1 planting at stake is perhaps to be recommended4 ,this is no more than the dropping and lightly covering1 during the rainy season1 of three or four seeds at the stake where the plant is to stand1 protecting the spot with a bit of banana leaf1 left till the seeds have sprouted1 and subsequently pulling out all but the one strongest and thriftiest plant4 ,the contingencies to be met by this system are many4 ,the enemies of the cacao seed are legion4 ,drought1 birds1 worms1 ants1 beetles1 mice1 and rats will all contribute their quota to prevent a good stand and entail the necessity of repeated plantings4 ,success by planting at stake is so doubtful that it is rarely followed by experienced planters4 ,the consequent alternative lies in rearing seedlings in seed beds that are under immediate control1 and1 when the plants are of sufficient size1 in transplanting them to their proper sites in the orchard4 ,in view of the remarkable short-lived vitality of the cacao seed1 it is in every way advisable that the untrained grower procure his plants from professional nurserymen1 or1 if this resource is lacking1 that he import the young plants in ,wardian cases from some of the many firms abroad who make a specialty of preparing them for foreign markets4 ,both of these expedients failing1 then it is advised that the seeds be sown one by one in small pots1 or1 if these are not procurable1 in small bamboo tubes1 and1 for the sake of uniform moisture1 plunge them to their rims in any free1 light soil in a well-shaded easily protected spot where they may be carefully watered4 ,in three to six months 7according to growth7 the tube with its included plant may be planted in the open field1 when the former will speedily decompose and the growth of the cacao proceed without check or injury4 ,at best1 all of the above suggested methods are but crude expedients to replace the more workmanlike1 expeditious1 and satisfactory process of planting the conventional nursery grown stock4 ,there is nothing more difficult in the rearing of cacao seedlings than in growing any other evergreen fruit tree4 ,briefly stated1 it is only the finding of a well-prepared1 well-shaded seed bed and sowing the seeds in rows or drills1 and1 when the seedlings are of proper size1 in lifting and transferring them to the plantation4 ,but in actual practice there are many details calling for the exercise of trained judgment from the preparation of the seed bed down to the final process of hardening off1 concerning which the reader is referred to the many available text-books on general nursery management4 ,it may be said for the benefit of those unable to adopt more scientific methods3 ,let the seed bed be selected in a well-shaded spot1 and1 if possible1 upon a rather stiff1 plastic1 but well-drained soil4 ,after this is well broken up and made smooth1 broadcast over all #c or #d inches of well-decomposed leaf mold mixed with sand1 and in this sow the seed in furrows about #a inch deep4 ,this sowing should be made during the dry season1 not only to avoid the beating and washing of violent storms but to have the nursery plants of proper size for planting at the opening of the rainy season4 ,the seed bed should be accessible to water1 in order that it may be conveniently watered by frequent sprinklings throughout the dry season4 ,the rich top dressing will stimulate the early growth of the seedling1 and when its roots enter the heavier soil below it will encourage a stocky growth4 ,four or five months later the roots will be so well established in the stiffer soil that if lifted carefully each plant may be secured with a ball of earth about its roots1 placed in a tray or basket1 and in this way carried intact to the field4 ,plants thus reared give to the inexperienced an assurance of success not always obtained by the trained or veteran planter of bare rooted subjects4 ,,cultivation4 ,planters are united in the opinion that pruning1 cutting1 or in any way lacerating the roots is injurious to the cacao1 and in deference to this opinion all cultivation close to the tree should be done with a harrow-tooth cultivator1 or shallow scarifier4 ,all intermediate cultivation should be deep and thorough1 whenever the mechanical condition of the soil will permit it4 ,a plant stunted in youth will never make a prolific tree2 early and continuous growth can only be secured by deep and thorough cultivation4 ,of even more consideration than an occasional root cutting is any injury1 however small1 to the tree stem1 and on this account every precaution should be taken to protect the trees from accidental injury when plowing or cultivating4 ,the whiffletree of the plow or cultivator used should be carefully fendered with rubber or a soft woolen packing that will effectually guard against the carelessness of workmen4 ,wounds in the bark or stem offer an inviting field for the entry of insects or the spores of fungi1 and are1 furthermore1 apt to be overlooked until the injury becomes deep seated and sometimes beyond repair4 ,with the gradual extension of root development1 cultivation will be reduced to a narrow strip between the rows once occupied by the plantain or the abac1 but1 to the very last1 the maintenance of the proper soil conditions should be observed by at least one good annual plowing and by as many superficial cultivations as the growth of the trees and the mechanical state of the land will admit4 ,,pruning4 ,when left to its own resources the cacao will fruit for an almost indefinite time4 ,when well and strenuously grown it will bear much more abundant fruit from its fifth to its twenty-fifth year1 and by a simple process of renewal can be made productive for a much longer time4 ,a necessary factor to this result is an annual pruning upon strictly scientific lines4 ,the underlying principle involved is1 primarily1 the fact that the cacao bears its crop directly upon the main branches and trunk1 and not upon spurs or twigs2 secondly1 that wood under three years is rarely fruitful1 and that only upon stems or branches of five years or upward does the maximum fruitfulness occur2 that the seat of inflorescence is directly over the axil of a fallen leaf1 from whence the flowers are born at irregular times throughout the year4 ,with this necessary1 fundamental information as a basis of operations1 the rational system of pruning that suggests itself is the maintenance of as large an extension at all times of straight1 well-grown mature wood and the perfecting of that by the early and frequent removal of all limbs or branches that the form of the tree does not admit of carrying without overcrowding4 ,it is desirable that this extension of the branch system should be lateral rather than vertical1 for the greater facility with which fruit may be plucked and possible insect enemies fought2 and on this account the leading growths should be stopped when a convenient height has been attained4 ,when well grown and without accident to its leader1 the cacao will naturally branch at from #a to #a4d meters from the ground4 ,these primary branches are mostly three to five in number1 and all in excess of three should be removed as soon as selection can be made of three strongest that are as nearly equidistant from each other as may be4 ,when these branches are from #hj cm4 to #a meter long1 and preferably the shorter distance1 they are to be stopped by pinching the extremities4 ,this will cause them and the main stem as well to break1 i4 e41 to branch in many places4 ,at this point the vigilance and judgment of the planter are called into greater play4 ,these secondary branches are1 in turn1 all to be reduced as were the primary ones1 and their selection can not be made in a symmetrical whorl1 for the habit of the tree does not admit of it1 and selection of the three should be made with reference to their future extension1 that the interior of the tree should not be overcrowded and that such outer branches be retained as shall fairly maintain the equilibrium of the crown4 ,this will complete the third year and the formative stage of the plant4 ,subsequent prunings will be conducted on the same lines1 with the modification that when the secondary branches are again cut back1 the room in the head of the tree will rarely admit of more than one1 at most two1 tertiary branches being allowed to remain4 ,when these are grown to an extent that brings the total height of the tree to #c or #d meters1 they should be cut back annually1 at the close of the dry season4 ,such minor operations as the removal of thin1 wiry1 or hide-bound growths and all suckers suggest themselves to every horticulturist1 whether he be experienced in cacao growing or not4 ,when a tree is exhausted by overbearing1 or has originally been so ill formed that it is not productive1 a strong sucker or gourmand springing from near the ground may be encouraged to grow4 ,by distributing the pruning over two or three periods1 in one year the old tree can be entirely removed and its place substituted by the gourmand4 ,during the third year flowers will be abundant and some fruit will set1 but it is advisable to remove it while small and permit all of the energy of the plant to be expended in wood making4 ,from what we know of its flowering habit1 it is obvious that every operation connected with the handling or pruning of a cacao1 should be conducted with extreme care2 to see that the bark is never injured about the old leaf scars1 for to just the extent it is so injured is the fruit-bearing area curtailed4 ,further1 no pruning cut should ever be inflicted1 except with the sharpest of knives and saws1 and the use of shears1 that always bruise to some extent1 is to be avoided4 ,all the rules that are laid down for the guidance of the pruning of most orchard trees in regard to clean cuts1 sloping cuts1 and the covering of large wounds with tar or resin apply with fourfold force to the cacao4 ,its wood is remarkably spongy and an easy prey to the enemies ever lying in wait to attack it1 and the surest remedies for disease are preventive ones1 and by the maintenance of the bark of the tree at all times in the sound condition1 we are assured that it is best qualified to resist invasion4 ,of the great number of worm-riddled trees to be seen in the ,archipelago1 it is easy in every case to trace the cause to the neglect and brutal treatment which left them in a condition to invite the attacks of disease of every kind4 ,,harvest4 ,the ripening period of cacao generally occurs at two seasons of the year1 but in these islands the most abundant crop is obtained at about the commencement of the dry season1 and the fruits continue to ripen for two months or longer4 ,the time of its approaching maturity is easily recognized by the tyro by the unmistakable aroma of chocolate that pervades the orchard at that period1 and by some of the pods turning reddish or yellow according to the variety4 ,the pods are attached by a very short stalk to the trunk of the tree1 and those within reach of the hand are carefully cut with shears4 ,those higher up are most safely removed with an extension ,american tree pruner4 ,a ,west ,indian hook knife with a cutting edge above and below and mounted on a bamboo pole1 if kept with the edges very sharp1 does excellently well1 but should only be intrusted to the most careful workmen4 ,there is hardly a conceivable contingency to warrant the climbing of a cacao tree4 ,if it should occur1 the person climbing should go barefooted4 ,as soon as the fruit1 or so much of it as is well ripened1 has been gathered1 it is thrown into heaps and should be opened within twenty-four hours4 ,the opening is done in a variety of ways1 but the practice followed in ,surinam would be an excellent one here if experienced labor was not at command4 ,there1 with a heavy knife or cutlass 7bolo71 they cut off the base or stem end of the fruit and thereby expose the column to which the seeds are attached1 and then women and children1 who free most of the seeds1 are able to draw out the entire seed mass intact4 ,it is exceedingly important that the seeds are not wounded1 and for that reason it is inexpedient to intrust the more expeditious method of halving the fruit with a sharp knife to any but experienced workmen4 ,the process of curing that ,i have seen followed in these ,islands is simplicity itself4 ,two jars half filled with water are provided for the cleaners1 and as the seeds are detached from the pulp they are sorted and graded on the spot4 ,only those of large1 uniform size1 well formed and thoroughly ripe1 being thrown into one2 deformed1 small1 and imperfectly matured seeds going to the other4 ,in these jars the seeds are allowed to stand in their own juice for a day1 then they are taken out1 washed in fresh water1 dried in the sun from two to four days1 according to the weather1 and the process from the ,filipino standpoint is complete4 ,much of the product thus obtained is singularly free from bitterness and of such excellent quality2 as to be saleable at unusually high prices1 and at the same time in such good demand that it is with some hesitancy that the process of fermentation is recommended for general use4 ,but it is also equally certain that localities in these ,islands will be planted to cacao where all the conditions that help to turn out an unrivaled natural product are by no means assured4 ,for such places1 where the rank-growing1 more coarse-flavored1 and bitter-fruited ,forastero may produce exceptionally good crops1 it will become incumbent on the planter to adopt some of the many methods of fermentation1 whereby he can correct the crudeness of the untreated bean and receive a remunerative price for the processed or ameliorated product4 ,undoubtedly the ,strickland method1 or some modification of it1 is the best1 and is now in general use on all considerable estates where the harvest is #bjj piculs or upward per annum1 and its use probably assures a more uniform product than any of the ruder processes in common use by small proprietors4 ,but it must not be forgotten that the present planters in the ,philippines are all small proprietors1 and that until such time as the maturing of large plantations calls for the more elaborate apparatus of the ,strickland pattern1 some practice whereby the inferior crude bean may be economically and quickly converted into a marketable product can not be avoided4 ,as simple and efficacious as any is that largely pursued in some parts of ,venezuela1 where is produced the famous ,caracas cacao4 ,the beans and pulp are thrown into wooden vats that are pierced with holes sufficient to permit of the escape of the juice1 for which twenty-four hours suffices4 ,the vat is then exposed to the sun for five or six hours1 and the beans1 while still hot1 are taken out1 thrown into large heaps1 and covered with blankets4 ,the next day they are returned to the box1 subjected to a strong sun heat and again returned to the heap4 ,this operation is repeated for several days1 until the beans1 by their bright chocolate color and suppleness1 indicate that they are cured4 ,if1 during the period of fermentation1 rain is threatened or occurs1 the beans are shoveled1 still hot1 into bags and retained there until they can once more be exposed to the sun4 ,before the final bagging they are carefully hand rubbed in order to remove the adherent gums and fibrous matters that did not pass off in the primary fermentation4 ,in ,ceylon1 immediately after the beans have been fermented they are washed1 and the universally high prices obtained by the ,ceylon planters make it desirable to reproduce here a brief rsum of their method4 ,the fermentation is carried on under sheds1 and the beans are heaped up in beds of #fj cm4 to #a meter in thickness upon a platform of parallel joists arranged to permit of the escape of the juices4 ,this platform is elevated from the ground and the whole heap is covered with sacks or matting4 ,the fermentation takes from five to seven days1 according to the heat of the atmosphere and the size of the heap1 and whenever the temperature rises above #dj the mass is carefully turned over with wooden shovels4 ,immediately after the fermentation is completed the ,ceylon planter passes the mass through repeated washings1 and nothing remains but to dry the seed4 ,this in ,ceylon is very extensively done1 in dryers of different kinds1 some patterned after the ,american fruit dryer1 some in slowly rotating cylinders through the axis of which a powerful blast of hot air is driven4 ,the process of washing unquestionably diminishes somewhat the weight of the cured bean2 for that reason the practice is not generally followed in other countries1 but in the case of the ,ceylon product it is one of the contributing factors to the high prices obtained4 ,,enemies ,,and ,,diseases4 ,monkeys1 rats1 and parrots are here and in all tropical countries the subject of much complaint1 and if the plantation is remote from towns or in the forest1 their depredations can only be held in check by the constant presence of well-armed hunter or watchman4 ,of the more serious enemies with which we have to deal1 pernicious insects and in particular those that attack the wood of the tree1 everything has yet to be learned4 ,mr4 ,charles ,n4 ,banks1 an accomplished entomologist1 now stationed at ,maao1 ,occidental ,negros1 is making a close study of the life history of the insect enemies of cacao1 and through his researches it is hoped that much light will be thrown upon the whole subject and that ways will be devised to overcome and prevent the depredations of these insect pests4 ,the most formidable insect that has so far been encountered is a beetle1 which pierces and deposits its eggs within the bark4 ,when the worm hatches1 it enters the wood and traverses it longitudinally until it is ready to assume the mature or beetle state1 when it comes to the surface and makes its escape4 ,these worms will frequently riddle an entire branch and even enter the trunk4 ,the apertures that the beetle makes for the laying of its eggs are so small--more minute than the head of a pin--that discovery and probing for the worm with a fine wire is not as fruitful of results as has been claimed4 ,of one thing1 however1 we are positively assured1 i4 e41 that the epoch of ripening of the cacao fruit is the time when its powerful fragrance serves to attract the greatest number of these beetles and many other noxious insects to the grove4 ,this1 too1 is the time when the most constant and abundant supply of labor is on the plantation and when vast numbers of these insects can be caught and destroyed4 ,the building of small fires at night in the groves1 as commonly practiced here and in many tropical countries1 is attended with some benefits4 ,lately1 in ,india1 this remedy has been subject to an improvement that gives promise of results which will in time minimize the ravages of insect pests4 ,it is in placing powerful acetylene lights over broad1 shallow vats of water overlaid with mineral oil or petroleum4 ,some of these lamps now made under recent patents yield a light of dazzling brilliancy1 and if well distributed would doubtless lure millions of insects to their death4 ,the cheap cost of the fuel also makes the remedy available for trial by every planter4 ,there is a small hemipterous insect which stings the fruit when about two-thirds grown1 and deposits its eggs within4 ,for this class of insects ,m4 ,a4 ,tonduz1 who has issued publications on the diseases of cacao in ,venezuela1 recommends washing the fruit with salt water1 and against the attacks of beetles in general by painting the tree stem and branches with ,bordeaux mixture1 or with the vassilire insecticide1 of which the basis is a combination of whale-oil soap and petroleum suspended in lime wash4 ,there can be no possible virtue in the former1 except as a preventive against possible fungous diseases2 of the sanitive value of the latter we can also afford to be skeptical1 as the mechanical sealing of the borer's holes1 and thereby cutting off the air supply1 would only result in driving the worm sooner to the surface4 ,the odor of petroleum and particularly of whale-oil soap is so repellent1 however1 to most insects that its prophylactic virtues would undoubtedly be great4 ,the ,philippine ,islands appear to be so far singularly exempt from the very many cryptogamic or fungous diseases1 blights1 mildews1 rusts1 and cankers that have played havoc with cacao-growing in many countries4 ,that we should enjoy continued immunity will depend greatly upon securing seeds or young plants only from noninfested districts or from reputable dealers1 who will carefully disinfect any shipments1 and to supplement this by a close microscopical examination upon arrival and the immediate burning of any suspected shipments4 ,another general precaution that will be taken by every planter who aims to maintain the best condition in his orchard is the gathering and burning of all prunings or trimmings from the orchard1 whether they are diseased or not4 ,decaying wood of any kind is a field for special activity for insect life and fungous growth1 and the sooner it is destroyed the better4 ,on this account it is customary in some countries to remove the fruit pods from the field4 ,but unless diseased1 or unless they are to be returned after the harvest1 they should be buried upon the land for their manurial value4 ,,manuring4 ,there are few cultivated crops that make less drain upon soil fertility than cacao1 and few drafts upon the land are so easily and inexpensively returned4 ,from an examination made of detailed analyses by many authors and covering many regions1 it may be broadly stated that an average crop of cacao in the most-favored districts is about #i piculs per hectare1 and that of the three all-important elements of nitrogen1 phosphoric acid1 and potash1 a total of slightly more than #d4b kilograms is removed in each picul of cured seeds harvested4 ,these #cg kilos of plant food that are annually taken from each hectare may be roughly subdivided as follows3 #ah kilos of nitrogen1 #aj kilos of potash1 #i kilos of phosphoric acid4 ,on this basis1 after the plantation is in full bearing1 we would have to make good with standard fertilizers each year for each hectare about #bbj kilos of nitrate of soda1 or1 if the plantation was shaded with leguminous trees1 only one-half that amount1 or #aaj kilos4 ,of potash salts1 say the sulphate1 only one-half that amount1 or #ee kilos1 if the plantation was unshaded4 ,if1 however1 it was shaded1 as the leguminous trees are all heavy feeders of potash1 we would have to double the amount and use #aaj kilos4 ,in any case1 as fixed nitrogen always represents a cost quite double that of potash1 from an economical standpoint the planter is still the gainer who supplies potash to the shade trees4 ,there still remains phosphoric acid1 which1 in the form of the best superphosphate of lime1 would require #ee kilos for unshaded orchards1 and about #gj if dap-dap1 ,pionciana1 or any leguminous tree was grown in the orchard4 ,these three ingredients may be thoroughly incorporated and used as a top dressing and lightly harrowed in about each tree4 ,if the commercial nitrates can not be readily obtained1 then recourse must be had to the sparing use of farm manures4 ,until the bearing age these may be used freely1 but after that with caution and discrimination4 ,although ,i have seen trees here that have been bearing continuously for twenty-two years1 ,i have been unable to find so much as one that to the knowledge of the oldest resident has ever been fertilized in any way1 yet1 notwithstanding our lack of knowledge of local conditions1 it seems perfectly safe to predicate that liberal manuring with stable manure or highly ammoniated fertilizers would insure a rank1 succulent growth that is always prejudicial to the best and heaviest fruit production4 ,in this ,i am opposed to ,professor ,hart1 #f who seems to think that stable manures are those only that may be used with a free hand4 ,we have many safe ways of applying nitrogen through the medium of various catch crops of pulse or beans1 with the certainty that we can never overload the soil with more than the adjacent tree roots can take up and thoroughly assimilate4 ,when the time comes that the orchard so shades the ground that crops can no longer be grown between the rows1 then1 in preference to stable manures ,i would recommend cotton-seed cake or poonac1 the latter being always obtainable in this ,archipelago4 ,while the most desirable form in which potash can be applied is in the form of the sulphate1 excellent results have been had with the use of ,kainit or ,stassfurth salts1 and as a still more available substitute1 wood ashes is suggested4 ,when forest lands are near1 the underbrush may be cut and burned in a clearing or wherever it may be done without detriment to the standing timber1 and the ashes scattered in the orchard before they have been leached by rains4 ,the remaining essential of phosphoric acid in the form of superphosphates will for some years to come necessarily be the subject of direct importation4 ,in the cheap form of phosphate slag it is reported to have been used with great success in both ,grenada and ,british ,guiana1 and would be well worthy of trial here4 ,lands very rich in humus1 as some of our forest valleys are1 undoubtedly carry ample nitrogenous elements of fertility to maintain the trees at a high standard of growth for many years1 but provision is indispensable for a regular supply of potash and phosphoric acid as soon as the trees come into heavy bearing4 ,it is to them and not to the nitrogen that we look for the formation of strong1 stocky1 well-ripened wood capable of fruit bearing and for fruit that shall be sound1 highly flavored1 and well matured4 ,the bearing life of such a tree will surely be healthfully prolonged for many years beyond one constantly driven with highly stimulating foods1 and in the end amply repay the grower for the vigilance1 toil1 and original expenditure of money necessary to maintaining a well-grown and well-appointed cacao plantation4 ,,supplemental ,,notes4 ,new ,varieties4--,cacao is exclusively grown from seed1 and it is only by careful selection of the most valuable trees that the planter can hope to make the most profitable renewals or additions to his plantations4 ,it is by this means that many excellent sorts are now in cultivation in different regions that have continued to vary from the three original1 common forms of ,theobroma cacao1 until now it is a matter of some difficulty to differentiate them4 ,residence4--,the conditions for living in the ,philippines offer peculiar1 it may be said unexampled1 advantages to the planter of cacao4 ,the climate as a whole is remarkably salubrious1 and sites are to be found nearly everywhere for the estate buildings1 sufficiently elevated to obviate the necessity of living near stagnant waters4 ,malarial fevers are relatively few1 predacious animals unknown1 and insects and reptiles prejudicial to human life or health extraordinarily few in number4 ,in contrast to this we need only call attention to the entire ,caribbean coast of ,south ,america1 where the climate and soil conditions are such that the cacao comes to a superlative degree of perfection1 and yet the limits of its further extension have probably been reached by the insuperable barrier of a climate so insalubrious that the ,caucasian's life is one endless conflict with disease1 and when not engaged in active combat with some form of malarial poisoning his energies are concentrated upon battle with the various insect or animal pests that make life a burden in such regions4 ,nonresidence upon a cacao plantation is an equivalent term for ultimate failure4 ,every operation demands the exercise of the observant eye and the directing hand of a master1 but there is no field of horticultural effort that offers more assured reward1 or that will more richly repay close study and the application of methods wrought out as the sequence of those studies4 ,,estimated ,,cost ,,and ,,revenues ,,derived ,,from ,a ,,cacao ,,plantation4 ,estimates of expenses in establishing a cacao farm in the ,visayas and profits after the fifth year4 ,the size of the farm selected is #af hectares1 the amount of land prescribed by ,congress of a single public land entry4 ,the cost of procuring such a tract of land is as yet undetermined and can not be reckoned in the following tables4 ,the prices of the crop are estimated at #dh cents per kilo1 which is the current price for the best grades of cacao in the world's markets4 ,the yield per tree is given as #b catties1 or #a4be kilos1 a fair and conservative estimate for a good tree1 with little or no cultivation4 ,the prices for unskilled labor are #be per cent in advance of the farm hand in the ,visayan islands4 ,no provision is made for management or supervision1 as the owner will1 it is assumed1 act as manager4 ,charges to capital account are given for the second1 third1 and fourth year1 but no current expenses are given1 for other crops are to defray operating expenses until the cacao trees begin to bear4 ,no estimate of residence is given4 ,all accounts are in ,united ,states currency4 ,expendable the first year4 ,capital account3 ,clearing of average brush and timber land1 at #ae per hectare #cdj4jj ,four carabaos1 plows1 harrows1 cultivators1 carts1 etc4 #eej4jj ,breaking and preparing land1 at #e per hectare #hj4jj ,opening main drainage canals1 at #f per hectare #if4jj ,tool house and storeroom #bjj4jj ,purchase and planting #aj1jjj abac stools1 at #b cents each #bjj4jj ,seed purchase1 rearing and planting #ab1jjj cacao1 at #c cents each #cfj4jj ,contingent and incidental #agd4jj ------- ,total #b1jjj4jj ,second year4 ,interest on investment #bjj4jj ,depreciation on tools1 buildings1 and animals 7#bj per cent of cost7 #aej4jj ------- #cej4jj ,third year4 ,interest on investment #bjj4jj ,depreciation as above #aej4jj ------- #cej4jj ,fourth year4 ,interest on investment #bjj4jj ,depreciation as above #aej4jj ,building of drying house and sweat boxes1 capacity #bj1jjj kilos #dej4jj ------- #hjj4jj -------- ,total capital investment #c1ejj4jj ,fifth year4 ,income account3 ,from #aa1fhj cacao trees1 #cjj grams cacao each1 equals #c1ejj kilos1 at #dh cents #a1fhj4jj ,expense account3 ,fixed interest and depreciation charges on investment of #c1ejj4jj #cej4jj ,taxes #a #a_/b per cent on a one-third valuation basis of #bej per hectare #fj4jj ,cultivating1 pruning1 etc41 at #e4ej per hectare #hh4jj ,fertilizing1 at #f per hectare #if4jj ,harvesting1 curing1 packing #c1ejj kilos cacao1 at #aj cents per kilo #cej4jj ,contingent #hf4jj ------- #a1jcj4jj -------- ,credit balance #fej4jj ,sixth year4 ,income account3 ,from #aa1fhj cacao trees1 at #ejj grams cacao each1 equals #e1hdj kilos1 at #dh cents #b1hjc4bj ,expense account3 ,fixed interest and depreciation charges as above #cej4jj ,taxes as above #fj4jj ,cultivating1 etc41 as above #hh4jj ,fertilizing1 at #h per hectare #abh4jj ,harvesting1 etc41 #e1hdj kilos cacao1 at #aj cents per kilo #ehd4jj ,contingent #ic4bj ------- #a1cjc4bj -------- ,credit balance #a1ejj4jj ,seventh year4 ,income account3 ,from #aa1fhj cacao trees1 at #gej grams cacao each1 equals #h1gfj kilos1 at #dh cents #d1bjd4hj ,expense account3 ,fixed interest charges as above #cej4jj ,taxes as above #fj4jj ,cultivating1 etc41 as above #hh4jj ,fertilizing1 at #aj per hectare #afj4jj ,harvest1 etc41 of #h1gfj kilos of cacao1 at #aj cents per kilo #hgf4jj ,contingent #agj4hj ------- #a1gjd4hj -------- ,credit balance #b1ejj4jj ,eighth year4 ,income account3 ,from #aa1fhj cacao trees1 at #a kilo cacao each1 equals #aa1fhj kilos1 at #dh cents #e1fjf4dj ,expense account3 ,fixed interest charges as above #cej4jj ,taxes as above #fj4jj ,cultivating1 etc41 as above #hh4jj ,fertilizing1 at #ab4ej per hectare #bjj4jj ,harvest1 etc41 #aa1fhj kilos of cacao1 at #aj cents per kilo #a1afh4jj ,contingent #bdj4dj -------- #b1ajf4dj -------- ,credit balance #c1ejj4jj ,ninth year4 ,income account3 ,from #aa1fhj trees1 at #b catties or #a4be kilos cacao each1 equals #ad1fjj kilos1 at #dh cents #g1jjh4jj ,expense account3 ,fixed interest charges as above #cej4jj ,taxes at #a #a_/b per cent on a one-third valuation of #ejj per hectare #abj4jj ,cultivation and pruning as above #hh4jj ,fertilizing1 at #ae per hectare #bdj4jj ,harvesting1 etc41 of #ad1fjj kilos of cacao1 at #aj cents per kilo #a1dfj4jj ,contingent #bej4jj -------- #b1ejh4jj -------- ,credit balance #d1ejj4jj ,in the tenth year there should be no increase in taxes or fertilizers1 and a slight increase in yield1 sufficient to bring the net profits of the estate to the approximate amount of #e1jjj4 ,this would amount to a dividend of rather more than #cab per hectare1 or its equivalent of about #abf per acre4 ,these tables further show original capitalization cost of nearly #ij per acre1 and from the ninth year annual operating expenses of rather more than #fj per acre4 ,it should be stated1 however1 that the operating expenses are based upon a systematic and scientific management of the estate2 while the returns or income are based upon revenue from trees that are at the disadvantage of being without culture of any kind1 and1 while ,i am of the opinion that the original cost per acre of the plantation1 nor its current operating expenses may be much reduced below the figures given1 ,i feel that there is a reasonable certainty that the crop product may be materially increased beyond the limit of two catties4 ,in ,camerouns1 ,dr4 ,preuss1 a close and well-trained observer1 gives the mean annual yield of trees of full-bearing age at #d4d pounds4 ,mr4 ,rousselot places the yield on the ,french ,congo at the same figure4 ,in the ,caroline ,islands it reaches #e pounds and in ,surinam1 according to ,m4 ,nichols1 the average at maturity is #f #a_/b pounds4 ,in ,mindanao1 ,i have been told1 but do not vouch for the report1 of more than ten catties taken in one year from a single tree2 and1 as there are well-authenticated instances of record1 of single trees having yielded as much as #cj pounds1 ,i am not prepared to altogether discredit the ,mindanao story4 ,the difference1 however1 between good returns and enormous profits arising from cacao growing in the ,philippines will be determined by the amount of knowledge1 experience1 and energy that the planter is capable of bringing to bear upon the culture in question4 ,,notes #a ,a short introduction to cacao and its cultivation in the ,philippines4 #b ,le ,cacaoyer1 par ,henri ,jumelle4 ,culture de ,cacaoyer dans ,guadaloupe par ,dr ,paul ,guerin4 #c ,cacao1 by ,j4 ,h4 ,hart1 ,f4 ,l4 ,s4 ,trinidad4 #d ,shade in ,coffee ,culture4 ,u4 ,s4 ,dept4 ,ag41 ,washington1 #aija4 #e ,according to ,historia de ,filipinas1 by ,p4 ,fr4 ,gaspar de ,s4 ,augustin1 cacao plants were first brought here in the year #afgj by a pilot named ,pedro ,brabo1 of ,laguna ,province1 who gave them to a priest of the ,camarines named ,bartoleme ,brabo4 #f ,cacao1 p4 #af4