11 



patterns of machinery are shown in the "husk-crushing mill (fig. 1) 

 and in the "fiber extractor" (fig. 2). The first breaks, crushes, and 

 flattens out the husks by means of powerful, fluted metal rollers and, in 

 the second the broken husks are fed over a revolving drum set with teeth 

 especially devised for tearing out the fiber from the entire mass. Finally, 

 it is fed into one of the many forms of "willowing" machines, which 

 reduces the mass to clean fiber, which is now ready for grading, baling, 

 and shipment. The residual dust and waste from this operation may 

 be used as an absorbent for liquid manures, and ultimately returned to 

 the plantation. The yield of fiber varies from 12 to 25 quintals of coir 

 and 4 to 7 quintals of brush fiber per 10,000 average husks. In the 

 Philippines the nuts yield a large amount of fiber and a relatively small 

 percentage of chaff and dust. With improved machinery and careful 

 handling, 18 quintals of spinning coir and 5 quintals of bristle fiber from 

 every 10,000 husks is a fair estimate of the product. 



FIG. 2. Cocoanut fiber-extracting machine. 



As the cost of manufacture is generally rated at one-half the selling 

 price, and as we must add a further charge of 20 per cent to cover freight 

 and commission, we have resulting from the sale of the 23 quintals, or 

 2,300 kilos, at 16 per English ton, a balance of 11 11s. per hectare. 



But there are other considerations which should not be overlooked. 

 The husks of 10,000 cocoanuts will withdraw from the land 61.5 kilos 

 of potash and 3 kilos of phosphoric acid, and the restoration of the full 

 amount is called for to compensate for the growing wants of the tree, in 

 addition to that withdrawn by the crop. The necessary fertilizers are 

 worth, approximately, 5|d. per kilo, making a further reduction of 1 

 8s. and leaving as a net profit 10 3s., or, reduced to American money, 

 nearly $50, gold, per hectare. 



The machines above referred to will cost $800, gold, and $1,200 addi- 

 tional will purchase and house the power necessary to operate them. 



