84 COCONUT CULTIVATION 



2nd year = 1 picul = 133J Ibs. (nearly) per acre. 

 3rd - 6 = 800 Ibs. per acre. 

 4th = 14 =1866 Ibs. 

 5th =14 = 1866 Ibs. 



" In Java it was at first urged against robusta 

 that its fecundity would not continue, but it 

 is now seen that nine-year-old plants are as 

 vigorous and yield as much (and more) as 

 they did when they were four years old. 



" Soil Suited for Robusta The root develop- 

 ment of robusta is comparatively rapid and 

 intense. If a young robusta plant is pulled up 

 it will be found to have a mat of fine rootlets, 

 considerably more than a liberian plant of the 

 same size would show. It is easily understood, 

 then, that it thrives best in a loose clay soil, 

 somewhat sandy for preference. 



" In peaty land experience has already shown 

 that it does not thrive, at least where the peat 

 is deep and badly drained. It behaves just as 

 other plants do when they suffer from acidity 

 in the soil ; robusta, however, is more sensitive. 

 The acidity of such soils must be removed by 

 good drainage and a liberal application of lime. 

 The quantity of lime required will vary with 

 the acidity, which must be tested from time to 

 time. It is now proven that by such treatment 

 coconuts can be made to thrive, and no doubt 

 robusta would too. Coffee canephora, which 

 is equally prolific, would probably do better 

 in such land. 



