THE STERILISATION OF COPRA 137 



course of splitting the nut is usually followed, and 

 while the resultant copra may not be quite so 

 white, the saving in freight and in the cost of 

 drying more than compensates for the slight 

 discoloration. 



This new method is mainly an elaboration of the 

 last-named processes, the additional feature being 

 that the green nuts are submitted to a test before 

 being dried. The subsequent manipulation is then 

 adjusted to the particular condition of the parcel of 

 nuts undergoing treatment. The advantages of 

 this system are : 



1. The copra becomes absolutely antiseptic, or 

 germ-proof. 



2. The treatment ensures that no ship's vermin 

 will attack it, rancidity is out of the question, and 

 " sweating" in the ship's hold an impossibility. 



3. The oil expressed from the copra is of such 

 quality and colour that the ultimate process of 

 refining occupies the minimum of time, and can be 

 carried out at a lower cost than that for any other 

 oil. 



4. The necessity for decolorisation through filters 

 containing expensive animal char becomes entirely 

 obviated. 



We have had no opportunity of verifying these 

 claims, but we understand that samples of the 

 treated copra have been submitted to the most 

 stringent analysis by competent and independent 



