132 COCONUT PLANTER'S MANUAL. 



Now there are three aspects to this question which must be most 

 carefully considered in order to arrive at an absolutely reliable answer: — 



First, there is the scientific aspect. In other words, what light 

 has been thrown upon this question by scientific research? Secondly, 

 what are the special peculiarities of Ceylon soils; and thirdly, what are 

 the special requirements of the Coconut palm ? 



As regards scientific research this question has been the subject of 

 most careful and accurate scientific investigation for scores of years past. 

 Dr. J. G. Lipman and A. W. Blair have recently completed twenty years' 

 work on this very point and their report read as follows : — 



"Twenty years continuous investigation shew that Nitrate of Soda 

 is the most effective in crop production, that is, Che crop is able to 

 utilise or win back a larger percentage of nitrogen in this form than 

 in any other form. The average amount of nitrogen recovered in the 

 crop, over twenty years, was: — 



Nitrate of Soda ... ... ... 62*42% 



Sulphate of Ammonia ... ... 47*4S% 



Dried Blood ... ... ... 36*89% 



Farm Yard Manure ... ... 32*69% 



Fish Manure ... _ ... 36*36% 



Such is the result of twenty years' scientific experience. A search- 

 ing, competitive examination carried out by trained observers who were 

 animated soleh by the desire to assist the world's agriculturists by 

 answering this vitally important question. 



Covering as it does a period of a fifth of a century this one investi- 

 gation alone might be taken as definite and conclusive It would appear 

 unnecessary to look for further proof in support of a fact already so well 

 and truly established. Yet volumes of further proof are actually in ex- 

 istence. 



Dr. E. B. Voorhees carried out experiments at the New Jersey 

 Experimental Station over a period of ten consecutive years in order to 

 determine whar percentage of the nitrogen in the various manures was 

 actually recoveied in the crop. He reports as follows: — 



Nitrogen 

 Manure. recovered in Crop. 



Nitrate Nitrogen (As in Nitrate of ?oda) ... 62% 



Ammonia ,, (As in Ammoniam Sulphate) ... 43% 



Organic ,, (As in Dried Blood) ... 40% 



