1 68 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



the forest primeval, which takes place at the 

 last after the whole mass has been welter- 

 ing under the fierce sun's heat for several 

 days, weeks, or perhaps even for months on 

 end. If one takes advantage of the most 

 frequent direction of the prevailing wind, 

 this task can generally be accomplished with 

 great thoroughness and speed, but consider- 

 able experience is requisite to build up the 

 heaps if a complete "burn-out" is to ensue. 

 The piles are made in rows and cross- 

 rows conformably with the wind's direction, 

 so that the flames find fresh food for destruc- 

 tion as they are fanned onward by the 

 breeze. If the piles are built with ingenuity 

 and the material disposed according to its 

 inflammability from top to bottom, the result 

 will be most satisfactory. A few general 

 instructions are nearly always sufficient to 

 make the natives realize what is required, 

 and there are frequently found among them 

 some who have already done such work 

 before, either on their own account or for 

 planters. In any case, the most inflammable 

 material should be put on the ground and;the 

 hard damp trunks at the top or in the centre. 



There are at present on the market 

 some very effective stump extracting 

 machines, of American and Australian make. 

 They are not expensive and their use is 

 greatly to be recommended. Some are 

 worked by hand, but the more powerful ones 



