COCONUT PLATER'S MANUAL. 67 



Weeding. — .should not be neglected, as apart from other disadvan- 

 tages, it would only increase the eventual cost. In the 2nd, 3rd and 

 4th year I have allowed for 10 weedings a year. Thereafter 8. 

 It is advisable to have clean circles round the plants. Say 6 feet 

 radius. Between the rows encourage the growth of leguminous plants. 

 I do not consider it necessary or advisable that the surface be clean 

 weeded, although there are many in favour of it. When the time 

 comes for ploughing uo humus is added to the soil, and on undulating 

 land it will be found that the wash is great and the rich surface soil 

 is gradually carried away to the low-lying parts. 



Buildings, — A sum of R1,000 is put down for temporary 

 bungalow with wattle and daub walls and a thatched roof : also a set 

 of coolie lines. 



4th Year. 



Digging Round Plants. — By the 4th year the holes will have 

 filled up to a level with the surface, and the soil within the bare space 

 round the plants might now be loosened to a depth of about 9 inehe^ 

 and for this purpose a 12 -inch, three-pronged digging fork will 

 generally be found the most serviceable. 



5th Year. 



Superintendence. — An increase of R500 is allowed. 



Weeding. — should cost a great deal less in the fifth year and 

 still less in subsequent years, but from the 7th year onwards there 

 will be an increasing quantity of "droppings" from the trees, and 

 provision is made for their disposal preparatory to burning or burying. 



6th Year. 

 Buildings. — The building of a permanent bungalow might now 

 be considered, and accordingly the moderate sum of R3,000 is allowed 

 for the election ; but the cost will, of course, be in proportion to the 

 size and style of the building. R100 are also put down for coolie 

 lines. 



7th Year. 

 Ploughing the whole surface might now advantageously super- 

 sede digging round the plants, one-half the estate being so treated 

 every year, for it would be quite sufficient if the soil were ploughed 

 in alternate years. 



Stock. — Three or four pairs of draught bullocks or buffaloes 

 would be needed for this, 



