Chapter V 

 The Cost of a Coconut Estate 



AN easy and simple method of demonstrating 

 the cost of a coconut estate would be to 

 quote figures ascertained in connection with 

 an average property, but so variable are the con- 

 ditions in the different coconut planting regions 

 that it is somewhat difficult to select any one estate 

 as an example of cost and general exploitation. 

 For instance, uncleared land can be bought at any- 

 thing from 2s. to 5 per acre, according to region, 

 location and labour conditions. In the West 

 Indies uncleared land costs 10s. to 5 per acre ; in 

 Ceylon, 10s. to 20 ; in Papua, where the land is 

 never sold outright, but rented on nominal terms 

 to encourage settlers, land can be obtained on very 

 favourable terms ; In German New Guinea, 2s. ; 

 in the Philippines, from 8s. 4d. to 21s. 3d. ; in 

 German East Africa, from 6s. 8d. to 13s. 4d. per 

 acre. In Malaya the price asked for estates in bear- 

 ing ranges from 30 to 60 per acre and upwards, 

 and not long ago it was stated that the Vallambrosa 



