150 



THE COCONUT OIL AND 



These are set out in detail in the following official 

 table, which deals with the year 1912 : 



One of the most interesting features of the 

 coconut industry, and one that is most generally 

 understood in this country, is the substantial and 

 growing popularity of the desiccated nut as em- 

 ployed in the making of confectionery, biscuits 

 and other edibles. 



For desiccating purposes only well-matured nuts 

 are selected, unripe, unsound and over-ripe fruit 

 alike being unsuitable. The nuts selected must be 

 allowed to mature in heaps for about three weeks 

 before they are fit for treatment. The process of 

 desiccation is commenced by men who open or shell 

 the nuts, this being done by means of small hatchets 

 or by small circular saws, many experts preferring 

 the former method. The nuts must be broken in 

 order to drain off the milk, for whenever this 



