iv PREFACE. 



hope that it will supply a need and appeal to all who are looking for 

 information about what is admittedly the soundest agricultural in- 

 dustry of the Eastern Tropics. 



The present work, as indicated, is only an improved edition of 

 Ferguson's " All about the Coconut Palm," and, as such, is in the 

 nature of a compilation and so lays no claim to originality. 



For much of the information contained in it we are indebted, 

 (besides the standard works already mentioned; to the following sources : 

 — The Tropical Agriculturist, Bulletins and Leaflets issued by the 

 Department of Agriculture, Handbook of Commercial and General 

 Information for Ceylon, Official Reports and Returns, the authors 

 of the papers reprinted and to Messrs. A. W. Beven, J. D. Vanders- 

 traaten, A. K. Beven, A- Drieberg, A. E. Rajapakse and other 

 planters whose assistance we take this opportunity of acknowleding. 



