Cocoa And Chocolate
The Tree, The Bean The Beverage

 CULTIVATION OF THE CACAO BEAN 33 an attempt will be made to give the most approved procedure, with an occasional note on some of the more important variations. Where does Cacao Thrive ? The first question which the would-be planter has to decide is the choice of a suitable site. Cacao is essentially a native of the tropics, and plantations are unlikely to be successful outside the narrow margin of 20° north or south of the equator. The mean shade temperature should be about 80° F. and the temperature should very rarely rise or fall more than 15° F. above or below this point. The ground should preferably be a few hundred feet above sea-level, but the altitude should not exceed a thousand feet. Usually, as in Trinidad, which is about 11° north of the Equator, cacao does not bear well at a thousand feet, although on the Equator, in San Thomé, it is possible to cultivate it at that elevation, and in places in Java and Venezuela even higher. The cacao tree is very sensitive to wind. Like other trees it cannot stand against hurricane or tornado. On the Gold Coast and in Jamaica cacao is grown in spite of occasional hurricanes and tornadoes, but these are only exceptions that prove the rule, and a sheltered position should always be chosen. So sensitive is the cacao tree to the effects of the wind that it cannot thrive in a steady trade wind such as blows over a flat island like Barbados. It flourishes in sea-air, not in sea breezes ; and the same problem faces the planter as faces the ventilating engineer—to provide plenty of fresh air without a draught. A gentie slope in a valley is generally ideal because it is sheltered and has the further advantage that the soil is rich and deep. The rainfall also is very important. According to H Wright 50 ins. is about the minimum and 200 ins. about the maximum rainfall in the year for successful