62 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



from them, are both found at some distance 

 from the trees. This is a point to be borne in 

 mind when considering the application of 

 manures." 



Mr. William S. Lyon, writing in 1903, in his 

 Bulletin No. 8, on " The Coco-nut in the 

 Philippines," said, '' Its subterranean parts are 

 simply a mat-like expanse of thick, fleshy, 

 worm-like growths, devoid of any feeders other 

 than those provided at the extreme tips of the 

 relatively few roots. 1 These roots are fleshy, 

 not fibrous, and cannot thrive in any soil 

 through which they may not grow freely in 

 search of sustenance. It thus becomes obvious 

 that stiff, tenacious, or waxy soils, however 

 rich, are wholly unsuitable. All very heavy 

 lands, or those that break up into solid, im- 

 pervious lumps, and lastly any land underlaid 

 near the surface with bed-rocks, or impervious 

 clays and conglomerates, are naturally ex- 

 cluded. All other soils, susceptible of proper 

 drainage, may be considered appropriate to the 

 growth of the palm." 



In the West Indies, as elsewhere, the 

 greatest care must be taken in selecting seed, 

 so that a strong uniform growth is obtained. 

 Nuts for planting, we are told, should be 

 obtained from carefully selected trees, which 

 should be healthy and vigorous, about twenty- 



1 Which, our manuring friends must remember, we have 

 just said may run out as far as 50 ft., and the manure in 

 theory should be introduced at the extremities. 



