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COCONUT PLANTER'S MA.Nl AL. 



An analysis by Walker of the Copra from 1,000 nuts gave the 

 following results [the percentage is of total weight of nut in husk] : — 



FIELD CULTURE. 



The details of field culture are dealt with fully by the scientific 

 officers us well as practical planters, whose papers we have reprinted. 

 There are, however, one or two points about which there is some 

 difference of opinion and which might therefore be discussed. One is 

 with reference to the position in which the nut should be placed in 

 the nursery. Some favour the vertical and others the horizontal 

 position. Fetch condemns the latter as tending to produce a bulbous 

 stem which he considers a sign of weakness. He favours the vertical 

 position but with a slant to one side, Another point is the " spacing," 

 or distance apart, at which coconuts should be planted. Up 

 to within recent years the common spacing adopted was 24 by 

 24 feet, giving about 75 trees to the acre; but as the result of 

 experience this has been increased. Jardine was of opinion 

 that, except on the richest soils, a good distance was 26 feet. 

 Copeland favours 30 feet, placing, as we are inclined to think, 

 undue weight on the importance of sunlight for transpiration. 

 In saying this we do not, of course, wish to minimize the need for 

 the free access of light and air to all parts of the plant. Light and air 

 are prime necessities for healthy growth, but in providing for 

 them there is danger of adopting too wide a spacing and losing in 

 crop. Most people would be disposed to agree with Jardine, who, 

 though he did not have the advantage of our present knowledge 

 of coconuts, was a close observer and a thoroughly practical planter 

 with very definite views. Still another important question is 

 whether clean weeding should be practised on coconut estates- 



