COCONUT PLANTER'S MANUAL. 153 



The following statement shows the distribution of coconut pro- 

 ducts of Ceylon in the year before the war. It will be noted that no 

 less than f of the trade was with Germany ; — 



1913. 

 cwts. 

 United Kingdom 

 India 



Austria-Hungary 

 Belgium 

 Denmark 

 France 

 Germany 

 Holland 

 Uoumania 

 Russia 

 United States ... ... — — 



In 1913 Ceylon exported roughly 550,000 ewt, of coconut oil. 

 The Cochin oil, which is more carefully prepared, fetches a better price 

 in London. 



The copra exported to Europe and elsewhere is there used as a 

 source of oil and cake (poonac). The quality depends largely on the 

 copra used. That prepared from imperfectly dried copra is of higher 

 acidity and inferior quality. The oil content depends upon the 

 thoroughness with which the copra was dried. The sundried kernels 

 contain about 50 % oil, kiln-dried 63-65 % and hot-air-dried as 

 much as 74 % — the yield from average copra being 62-63%. At the 

 average European temperature the oil is a solid fat. By refining an 

 odourless and tasteless product can be secured. The following table 

 gives the range of the principal constants of coconut oil : — 



99° C. 



Specific gravity at ... ... 0'874 



15° C. 



Iodine value ... .... per cent ... S^O-IO'O 



Saponification value ... ... 246-268 



Hehner value .„ ... ... S2'l 90 5 



Reichert-Meissl value .„, ... 6 6-7 5 



Polenske value ... ... 180 



Titer test ... .. .. Ul*2 C.-25-2°C. 



