130 PHILIPPINE AGRICULTURE 



best and easiest method is usually to lay them on the 

 ground in the shade. In dry weather, water must occa- 

 sionally be thrown over them. The trees are likely to 

 be more robust if the nuts are laid on their sides, instead 

 of being stood on end. The young shoot will be more 



FIG. 92. Husking coconuts 



likely to be straight, if, where it is to come out, a little 

 of the outside of the husk be removed. Some nuts ger- 

 minate within a month, others need four or five months. 



Planting and Cultivation. It is best to plant the nuts 

 in their permanent places before the sprout is 50 cm 

 high, and before they become fastened to the ground 

 by a strong set of roots; otherwise breaking these roots 

 will seriously check the growth. When they are planted, 

 a part of the nut should be left above the ground. In 

 large groves the trees ought not to be less than 8 meters 

 apart. 



Cultivation, at least to the extent of keeping the ground 



