32 



in any fruit or nut orchard where the scientific cultural conditions have 

 been of the best. Renewals in a cocoanut grove, unless the vacant space 

 is abnormally large and can be subjected to some years of soil improve- 

 ment, are unprofitable. 



There is a wide range of opinion as to the bearing life of a cocoanut 

 tree. It is said to vary from thirty to one hundred and thirty years. 

 Grown more than forty, or possibly fifty years old, the writer would hesi- 

 tate to undertake the improvement or renewal of the grove. 



Palms, unlike exogenous trees, afford no evidence by which their age 

 may be determined. In general, with advanced years, come great height 

 and great attenuation. In the open, and where fully exposed to atmos- 

 pheric influences, these form an approximate criterion of age. The so- 

 called annular scars, marking the earlier attachments of leaves, furnish 

 no clue to age. 



o 



