DESICCATED COCONUT INDUSTRIES 147 



grades of copra are all crushed together, does not 

 encourage the grower to attain a high standard of 

 excellence. 



The range of uses to which coconut oil may be 

 put is extremely wide, quite apart from its steady 

 consumption as an important constituent of toilet 

 soaps, night lights, candles, etc. To-day its 

 principal outlet is in the manufacture of nut butter 

 and nut lard, of which enormous quantities are 

 being consumed in Europe and America. Attempts 

 are also being made to introduce it as a salad oil, 

 to supersede that composed of cotton seed oil ; as 

 a substitute for cod liver oil, in cases of 

 phthisis. It is also used by bakers, restaura- 

 teurs, caterers, vegetarian specialists and lubri- 

 cating oil manufacturers. As the basis of 

 cosmetics and for medical purposes it is largely 

 used, while the purified and deodorised oil is sold 

 under a number of fancy names for a whole host 

 of purposes. 



After the oil has been expressed from the copra, 

 there is a residue which forms a valuable cattle 

 food, or if not required for that purpose, makes an 

 efficient fertiliser. In the East this residue is known 

 as poonac, and the cake made from it possesses 

 four valuable qualities, which are : Firstly, the 

 milk produced by poonac- fed cattle is of a better 

 quality ; secondly, the quantity is usually increased ; 

 thirdly, the resultant cream is firmer ; and fourthly, 



