334 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



Not later than the end of the fifth year after 

 the planting of the coco-nuts, the two outer 

 rows of the coffee should be removed, leaving 

 the middle row to last out as long as might be 

 thought desirable. 



In connection with Coffea robusta, the plant- 

 ing of soya-beans should be considered. This 

 is a legume which has come forward very 

 remarkably during the last few years, although, 

 of course, it has been planted in the Far East 

 for centuries. As a catch-crop it completely 

 fulfils Gallagher's requirements already quoted, 

 and it has the additional advantage of consider- 

 ably improving the soil in which it is grown by 

 reason of its power to fix atmospheric nitrogen. 

 Where cattle are employed on the plantation, 

 the fodder provided by the green plant will be 

 found invaluable. Such seed as may be left to 

 ripen will be readily taken by the coolies for 

 food, and if any is then left over, that again 

 will be very saleable. The great reason of 

 success in obtaining a good crop of soya lies 

 in the secret of inoculating the soil. 



This has to be done either by transference to 

 the new field of old soil in which soya has been 

 grown, or by the use of pure cultures. Failing 

 these, the only way is to grow two or even 

 three crops of soya successively on the same 

 soil until the ground has become self-inoculated. 

 This soil may then be broadcast over new- 

 ground at from 200 to 300 Ib. per acre, mixing 

 it first of all with a larger quantity of ordinary 

 earth so as to ensure even scattering. 



