124 COCONUT CULTIVATION 



called "overseers," which to a visitor seems a 

 very undignified term, and one that would not 

 be tolerated in the East. 



The cutlass in the West is exactly the same 

 agricultural implement as the parang of the 

 East. Innovations are not readily welcomed in 

 the West, but if once the Assam fork gained 

 admittance, it would prove to be a boon to 

 coolie and owner alike. Its advantage over the 

 foot- driven fork would soon be apparent, and 

 a coolie enabled to fork much larger areas than 

 can be done at present. 



The disc harrow, too, could be used to great 

 advantage. Oxen power is plentiful, and would 

 require but little training. The question of 

 cutting lateral roots need not cause anxiety. 

 The discs only disturb about nine inches of top 

 soil, and the primary feeders of the coconut lie 

 deeper than that. Even if cut, laterals suffer 

 little therefrom, and it is nothing as compared 

 with the advantages gained from disturbing the 

 surface, thus admitting more plant food, air and 

 moisture. 



