72 THE PLANTATION 



drained, the process of lining and holing the land 

 is commenced, that is to say, it is marked off and 

 the position of each tree located. The former 

 operation is important, a regularly -arranged plan- 

 tation not only presenting a smarter appearance 

 but being more easily dealt with than one that 

 has been laid out in a slovenly manner. Generally 

 speaking, the greater the space allowed the better 

 for the trees and the larger the crop, for the palms 

 thrive best with plenty of space, light, air, and 

 water. The crow r n of the palm is at least 30 ft. 

 across, and in our opinion that space should divide 

 the trees. Too close planting is false economy 

 and results in a diminished yield. The system 

 adopted varies considerably, according to the West 

 Indian Government expert, but on average soils 

 the holes bored should never be less than 25 ft. 

 apart from centre to centre each way, which gives 

 sixty-nine trees to the acre. On rich soils they 

 should be dug at distances of 30 ft., or even 35 ft., 

 giving forty -eight or thirty- five trees respectively 

 to the acre. The holes are better arranged in 

 triangular than in square form, so that those on 

 any one row are opposite the centres of the spaces 

 between those of the two adjoining rows. The 

 holes themselves must be dug 3 ft. square and 3 ft. 

 deep, and should be left open for some time after 

 planting. In the best soil 2 ft. by 2 ft. is ample. 

 When the plants are ready the soil taken from the 



