COCOA-NUTS. 237 



si on of the trees. The bands were so fixed that the lower 

 part opened out trumpet-shaped, the advantage of which 

 must be apparent. The cost of each tin, including the 

 fixing it on the tree, was 9d. Each tree was well cleared 

 of rats previously to fixing the tin on it, and a supply of 

 poison left for the benefit of any skulkers. Probably zinc 

 would be better than tin, stronger, and not so easily dam- 

 aged by weather.' 



"Dr. Ferguson, Port Maria, recommends the use of 

 * strips of galvanized iron in the form of an inverted fun- 

 nel, or even horizontal and kept in a position by wedges 

 of wood/ and as another idea suggests the use of ' two 

 semi-circles of earthen-ware tiles fastened by wire in holes 

 at the ends of the tiles. Such tiles, one half inch thick 

 and four or five inches broad, could be made by stamping 

 them out of clay in a press.' 



"It is very probable that Mr. Shearer and Mr. Clark's 

 plans, which require only galvanized iron (not tin) sheets 

 thirty-six inches by twelve inches, and fastened perpendic- 

 ularly on the trees by means of a couple of sheathing nails 

 will commend itself for general adoption. These sheets 

 cost, it will be noticed, delivered on the estate, at the rate 

 of 35 14s. per thousand. This is a large sum to expend 

 at once on cocoa-nut trees, but the bands are required only 

 for bearing trees, and I quite agree with Mr. Shearer that 

 where the depredations by rats are really bad, the sheets 

 will pay for themselves during the first year." 



As to the profits of a cocoa-nut walk, they are great 

 enough to satisfy the most exacting, once the trees are 

 fairly in bearing. 



At this present time, and for several years back, the 

 nuts have brought, by the cargo, delivered in New York, 

 seventy-five dollars a thousand for the first quality, rang- 

 ing down to twenty dollars for poorer grades. 



