202 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



order that the soil may settle properly, and if 

 there is the time it is good to leave the open 

 holes undisturbed for a month or so before 

 planting, so that any falling rain during this 

 period may enter. This is an advantage, as 

 doing so further loosens the subsoil and en- 

 courages the penetration of light and air, which 

 are always beneficial in any case. 



Where the soil is very heavy, it is judicious 

 to add a little sand to the refilling mixture. 

 It may happen that when digging the holes, 

 which should always be dug with the stake as 

 a centre, one comes across big stones or roots 

 of trees which were too deep-seated to be 

 removed whilst clearing operations were going 

 on. All such must now be most scrupulously 

 removed, as the roots of the growing coco-nut 

 tree must have as full and free a scope as 

 possible for spreading and developing. 



The size of the holes depends, of course, in 

 a great measure upon the individual plants 

 which are to be set out. The older and bigger 

 they are, the greater must necessarily be the 

 space for their roots laterally, and in a less 

 degree vertically, to develop and spread with- 

 out hindrance. The most ample holes of all 

 are therefore naturally required for those larger 

 seedlings which go to replace dead-heads, 

 weaklings, and others which have not come on 

 satisfactorily. Some of these may be up to 

 three years old, and should have a hole not 

 less than 6 ft. cube. 



