130 COCONUT PLANTER'S MANUAL. 



soils which is sometimes seen when sneh organic manures are applied 

 late in the season and dry hot weather succeeds. 



The judicious use ot certain artificial manures is therefore indicated 

 as our best means of encouraging the upward movement of water from 

 the subsoil. But this upward movement must not be allowed to proceed 

 too far. If ihe subsoil water is permitted to mount right up to the 

 surface it will very soon be evaporated and lost into the atmosphere. 



By far the best means of preventing evaporation is the constant stir- 

 ring of the top two inches of soil by cultivation. This can be done 

 cheaply and expeditiously by using the lightest of harrows since it is 

 entirely unnecessary to cultivate or stir the lower layers of soil. All 

 that is required is a mulch of loose earth to act as a kind of blanket 

 separating the. soil-moisture from the hot dry atmosphere. During 

 periods of drought every head of draught-cattle on the estate should be 

 employed all day and every day in drawing light harrows over ths 

 land and so Keeping the top inch or two of soil loose and free. The bene- 

 fits to be derived from this method of conserving the moisture in the 

 soil can scarcely be exaggerated. 



This system is, of course, applicable only to those estates which are 

 kept clean weeded. Where grass is grown between the palms little can 

 be done to save the soil moisture. The circles of bare earth around each 

 palm should be constantly stirred by hand labour, and, if the grass be- 

 tween the palms is long, it should be cut and the hay left lying on the 

 surface to shade the grass and so prevent, as far as possible, loss of 

 moisture through transpiration. This shade should be supplemented 

 wherever possible by means of leaves and husks spread out over the grass. 



Generally speaking the soils and climate of Ceylon arc peculiarly 

 favourable to the growth of the coconut palm, but from time to time 

 seasonal conditions are such that the palm will not flourish at its best: 

 It is at such times as these that the skilful intervention of the experi- 

 enced planter will make all the difference between a bad harvest and a 

 good one. 



Manuring, 

 Manures are generally made up of a mixture of three ingredients : — 

 Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid and Potash, and each of these ingredients 

 has its own special action and effect upon the crop. 



The principal effect of nitrogen upon the crop is to develop to a "very 

 marked degree the vegetative portions of the plant, I.e. the roots, stems 

 and leaves. 



It encourages deep rooting and the development of masses of fine 

 feeding roots, for which reason its effects are lasting and permanent, 



