THE SEED-NUT AND THE NURSERY 91 



to add manure, as this is calculated to attract 

 ants, beetles, and other pests. 



Satisfactory germination of seed-nuts is some- 

 times obtained in the Federated Malay States by 

 another method : the nuts are tied in pairs by 

 strips of their outside husks, and hung along 

 bamboos supported at a height of about six feet 

 above the ground, and so placed that the seedlings 

 are protected from too much exposure. 



In this position the leaves and roots soon begin 

 to shoot, and the young plants are ready to be 

 removed to the clearing at the customary period, 

 which is usually when they are from six months to 

 one year old. 



Germination lasts, on an average, from three to 

 four months ; those nuts which, when planted 

 soon after picking, do not germinate before five or 

 six months have elapsed, are not likely to become 

 vigorous seedlings. The young plants must be 

 left in the nursery until they are about a year or 

 fifteen months old, and have produced a more or 

 less copious crop of bud leaves, when they are 

 ready to be planted out. 



In these, as in all other operations connected 

 with coconut cultivation, the procedure varies 

 according to locality, climatic conditions and the 

 personal views of the planters most of whom 

 have special methods to which they pin their 

 faith. Thus, some adopt the plan of getting 



