istances in the centre of these floorings (which are
inclined planes) a slightly-raised circular ridge is formed with
cement, leaving an aperture at the lower side to allow the escape of
any water that may have lodged in them. The cacao is easily brought
together in these places in the event of rain, and at night covered
with portable wooden frames, which are readily removed by two men.
In this way the cacao would be dried in a fifth of the time much
more effectually, and of a brighter colour.

Any experiments tending to bring about a proper system of
cultivation and manufacture of cacao, must be beneficial to the
island, as well as to individuals; for it cannot be denied that the
cultivation of cacoa will still prove advantageous in proportion to
the care bestowed on it. Indeed its cultivation is at present
languishing, not so much from inadequate prices, as from a want of
proper attention to its cultivation."

In 1796, there were sixty plantations in Trinidad, which produced
96,000 lbs. In 1802 the plantations were reduced to fifty-seven, the
yield being about the same. In 1807, 355,000 lbs. of cacao were grown.
In 1831, there were 2,972 quarrees (each three acres and one-fifth
English) under cultivation in Trinidad with cacao, on which were
2,464,426 trees, which produced a crop of 1,479,568 lbs. In 1841 there
were 6,910 acres planted with cacao.

The following have been the exports from this island from 1821 to
1844:--

lbs.
1821 1,214,093
1822 1,780,379
1823 2,424,703
1824 2,661,628
1825 2,760,603
1826 2,951,171
1827 3,696,144
1828 2,582,323
1829 2,756,603
1830 1,646,531
1831 1,888,852
1832 1,530,990
1833 3,090,526
1834 3,363,630
1835 2,744,643
1836 3,188,870
1837 2,507,483
1838 2,571,915
1839 2,914,068
1840 2,007,494
1841 2,493,302
1842 2,163,798
1843 1,099,975
(Mill's Trinidad Almana