rocoAxrr rLAxrixo 67 



ground or hung up in u shed, a method prac- 

 tised in some countries. It is advisable, how- 

 ever, to bury it in the ground, and cover it 

 with soil to a depth of 2 inches to protect it 

 from the sun. Trenches 8 or 9 inches deep 

 will provide for this. 



The nuts should be laid in the trench on 

 their sides, or with the tips slightly elevated 

 to throw the milk well back towards the eyes. 

 The spacing in the nursery will depend upon 

 experience and the age at which the young 

 plants are to be planted out. 



In Quelimane the nuts are set 1 metre or 

 2 metres apart in the nurseries ; plants of one 

 or two years old being preferred for planting 

 out. At two years old the nut has become 

 absorbed, and no longer ofifers a bait for the 

 attack of white ants. 



The practice of cutting away the lower leaves 

 after the trees have been planted out in the 

 plantation is prevalent in Quelimane, though 

 injurious to the young palms. It is supposed 

 to be done only on roadsides, or to clear 

 telephone wires ; but it is the custom of the 

 labourers when cultivating round the base of a 

 young tree to chop off the lower fronds with 

 their hoes, as they are in their way. Thou- 

 sands of young palms are passed looking starved 



