230 



Avliich would all be ready for cuttins" within twelve mouths. But the 

 question is governed also by the yield of oil and of kernels. As 

 shown by the analyses made by the Imperial Institute, some varia- 

 ties like the "Au Suk Ku " vield as much as 837c of pericarp and 

 48% of oil, while others, like the " Tdiu " show only 25% of 

 pericarp and 16.5% of oil. 



The folloM'ing points also invite consideration, firstly the 

 fact that Elaeis grows in pure natural stands on the West Coast 

 of Africa and secondly, that there it is only fourteen days from the 

 European markets. 



The whole problem of the future of .Elaeis is, in fact, bound 

 up with : — 



1°. Selection of suitable varieties yielding thick fleshy pericarps 

 with heavy oil content and heavy kernels with preference 

 for short-stemmed trees which greatly reduce the cost of 

 cropping, (as is the case with the dwarf coconut) and for 

 those which mature their fruit at well defined ])eriods. 



2°. Selection of land, preferably flat land, with water transport 

 y both within the estate and to the coast ; irrigation where 



A- * »' y dry seasons are prolonged : |)laiuttg between the rows of 

 trees ; heavy pruning of the lower leaves especially those 

 that encircle the bunches: searcli for beetles: using the 

 " poonac " for manure. 



3°. Easing of the work of cropjung, Avhich certaiidv admits of 

 much improvement. Tlie adoption of liu'ht folding-ladders 

 allowing the coolie to use both his hands : of ]iowerful hand 

 shears or tree-pruners to cut through the peduncle of the 

 fruit. 



4°. A judicious use of native methods of " depericarping," blend- 

 ed with mechanical devices of well authenticated efficiency. 

 5°. A settled population from Avhich to draw labour. 



E. Matiiieu. 

 {To he coniinued.) 



7y 



References. 



" Le Palmier a huile " Paul Hubert. 



" Bulletin des Matieres Grasses de Tlnstitut Colonial de Marseille,"" 

 1919. Nos. 4 and 5. 



"Agricultural Bulletin F. M.. S.'" September-October, 1918. 



Dudgeon. '' Agricultural and Forest Products of W. Africa." 



J. H. J. Fanpdiar '• The Oil Palm and its Varieties." 



" Bulletin Commercial et Financier du Journal d' Agriculture Tro- 

 picale," Xovember, 1919. 



" Bulletin de TAssociation des Planteurs de Caoutchouc," Xovem- 

 ber, 1919. 



