282 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



has other advantages. It is now generally 

 recognized that the plant foods are taken up in 

 dilute solution, and the water so absorbed is 

 then transpired through the large leaf surface. 

 As stated on p. 280, there is a distinct connection 

 between the transpiration through the leaves 

 and the amount of plant food taken up, and 

 where the plants are situated in a good airy 

 position the vigour of the trees is best assured. 

 Fully exposed to the prevailing wind, with a 

 more or less constant supply of water, the palms 

 yield profitable harvests of nuts ; and on these 

 coastal tracts it is only necessary to avoid storm 

 centres, where violent gales would tear the 

 leaves and dislodge the young nuts, to ensure 

 success and obtain regular profits. 



SITUATION. 



From what has been said, one can realize 

 that soils of a clay formation, where drainage 

 has received little attention, are unsuitable, for 

 though the growth of the tree is practically 

 governed by the water supply stagnant water 

 is detrimental ; also as the feeding area of the 

 roots is limited to the surface, the palms are 

 liable to be blown over by the wind. Sheltered 

 valleys should also be avoided, though the poor 

 yields from inland plantations can be largely 

 attributed to the lack of water in the subsoil, 

 to close planting, and also to the apparent 

 indifference of the native planters towards any 

 improvement either in the way of thinning out 



