304 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



to know what is in the soil, but also, and most 

 of all, what it contains in a state to be assimi- 

 lated by the palms. If the balance of results 

 is favourable, and if on the whole the property 

 looks flourishing generally, as shown in the 

 appearance of the trees and the quality and 

 quantity of the nuts, then it is not necessary 

 to resort to the purchase of artificial manures 

 at all. The plantation itself, with its refuse from 

 the trees, and the weedings, droppings from the 

 cattle and other domestic animals, &c., &c., can 

 to a certain degree keep things going, but 

 generally there is not nearly enough, and then 

 something is palpably wrong. If adequate 

 results are not obtained, and if the trees do not 

 look up to the mark, then it is time to investigate 

 and have recourse to artificial aids in addition 

 to any local supplies. It will in most cases be 

 a question of a lack of nitrogen and phosphates, 

 but if potash is lacking it should also be supplied 

 without delay. 



In the early stages of its career the applica- 

 tion of a generous supply of stimulating nitro- 

 gen is specially necessary to the coco-nut palm 

 occasional small applications of nitrate of 

 soda would meet this demand later on, when 

 the fruiting stage is reached, heavier demands 

 are made on the phosphates and potash, 

 especially the latter, and these should thus be 

 supplied every other year, together with lime 

 and nitrate of soda, or other nitrogenous 

 manure. It would perhaps be the better* plan 



