17 



necessaiy for the safet}' of the grove. Strips of rags or fiber from the 

 leaf bases of the coconut saturated with tar and tied either to the leaves 

 of the young plants or to stakes stuck into the earth close about the 

 base of the plant may serve to keep the pigs from injuring the plants; 

 this method is advisable in plantations part of the trees of which have 

 grown beyond the reach of pigs. 



The practice of setting the young nuts in a deep depression is in- 

 advisable in localities where heavy rains are frequent; furthermore, 

 unless special attention is given the matter, the young plant roots are 

 practically certain to meet with injurious influences from the subsoil in 

 which they are set. 



In the matter of fences the plan of planting bunga palms at inter- 

 vals of 30 to 50 centimeters distance is advised ; when well grown this 

 serves as a permanent living fence ; bamboo or brush may be woven into 

 the spaces between the palms, or maguey may be planted in the intervals 

 or just inside the bunga row. 



IRRIGATION. 



Like all shallow-rooted plants the coconut suffers more or less from 

 prolonged periods of drought; hence irrigation, where it can be con- 

 veniently and cheaply had, is undoubtedly of much practical benefit to 

 the plantation, especially during the first few years of the life of the 

 trees. 



FERTILIZERS. 



The application of commercial fertilizers to coconuts is a complicated 

 question and one which the average Philippine planter naturally dis- 

 regards. While the potash salts and phosphates undoubtedly always 

 give good results and while the organic manures certainly assist the 

 young trees to reach the bearing stage promptly, the use of commercial 

 fertilizers is not absolutely necessary providing all the ashes from the 

 shells (if burned) be returned to the soil and providing that all of the 

 husks and dead leaves be utilized. The leaves should be treated as 

 recommended under the topic of "Cultivation," and the husks be com- 

 posted, except such as may be required occasionally for fuel. The 

 compost pit should be of concrete or cement-lined stone or brick with a 

 roof to prevent the entrance of too much rain ; but since the construction 

 of a large pit of this type is rather expensive the ordinary heap must 

 serve, at least on small plantations; this should be so arranged that the 

 fresh husks are deposited at one end of a long pile so that the decayed 

 husks at the rear of the pile can be readily removed. Cogon grass or 

 rice straw should be thrown over the heap and water should be applied 

 occasionally in the dry season to accelerate the rotting process. This 

 husk material should be used about the young plants at the time of 

 planting or during the first few years of their growth. 



