66 MOZAMBIQUE 



The number of cocoanut-trees under culti- 

 vation in three of the Prazo companies was 

 stated to be as follows : — 



Cocoanut-trees. 

 Companhia da Zambezia ... ... 389,022 



Companhia do Boror... ... ... 670,000 



Soci6t6 du Madal 201,129 



Total ... ... 1,260,151 



The new trees are planted 8 metres by 

 8 metres, a suitable spacing for the country. 

 In some plantations trees have been put 

 7 metres by 7 metres, but this distance is too 

 close, and has now been given up. 



I observed that when planted in the nurseries 

 nuts are sometimes put down 1 foot or more 

 into the ground. This is unnecessarily, in fact 

 injuriously, deep, exhausting the strength of 

 the seed in compelling it to drive its plumule 

 a long distance through the soil before it can 

 begin to breathe and assist in the growth of 

 the plant. A cocoanut requires no watering to 

 germinate ; the milk inside provides the requi- 

 site moisture. Nature has protected the germ 

 by a thick coating of husk purposely to keep 

 water out, and the nut should not be planted 

 till this husk is bleached and watertight. A 

 seed nut will germinate on the top of the 



