64 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



shade for a few days before planting. This 

 drying must not be permitted in the full sun, 

 as the kernel may then become partly cooked, 

 and the germinating power lessened. 



The nursery also does best if partly shaded. 

 Here the soil should be well forked to a depth 

 of about 1 8 in., thoroughly pulverized, and all 

 large stones and roots removed. The seed- 

 beds should be 3 to 4 ft. apart ; and down the 

 centre of each should run a trench 6 in. deep, 

 in which the nuts are to be placed 12 in. apart, 

 either dead horizontally, or with the pointed 

 end somewhat raised. They, should not be 

 planted in a vertical position. After the nuts 

 are placed in position, the soil removed from 

 the trench can be utilized to cover the nuts 

 with until "only about a quarter of the upper 

 part of each projects. The whole bed must 

 then be covered to .a depth of 6 in. with straw, 

 grass, or cane-brash, and the nuts should be 

 watered from time to time if the weather is 

 dry." i 



It is recommended to plant 50 per cent, 

 more nuts than are actually needed, to make 

 up for those that miss, and since germination 

 lasts on an average three to four months, 

 those that do not show signs of life after that 



1 This, of course, is in the West Indies. It is 

 doubtful whether on a very large estate the nurseries 

 could be covered with brash in the way described, unless 

 it were done with fibre-waste or dust as is done in 

 gardens in England and elsewhere. 1 



