THE SEED-NUT AND THE NURSERY 85 



there is considerable difference of opinion on this 

 as on other points connected with coconut proce- 

 dure. At least one eminent authority places this 

 limit between the twelfth and twentieth year, 

 which, he maintains, is the period of the highest 

 vitality of the coconut palm tree. Practical 

 experience, however, indicates that this period 

 varies according to locality, and in some districts 

 it may be found that between twenty and twenty- 

 five years is the more usual limit. The trees 

 selected should, whenever possible, be on an 

 estate in the district in which the new plantation 

 is to be located. In this way the general conditions 

 of soil, location, climate, etc., will be practically 

 identical and the seed-nuts can be selected and 

 transported with the minimum of time, trouble 

 and expense. 



In visiting other estates in search of the finest 

 seed the shrewd planter will not fail to closely 

 observe the general character of the trees and 

 their nuts ; the bearing qualities and healthy 

 appearance of the former and the general appear- 

 ance of the latter ; and the state of the plantation 

 as regards weeds, pests, and disease. " Roundish 

 nuts, with a full-looking skin, without grooves or 

 too marked elongation or protuberance are in- 

 variably the best," says one expert. " Exceptional 

 size is not so much to be desired, as it will generally 

 be found that this quality is mainly made up of 



