522 Coco-nuts The Consols of the East 



hole for the 175 holes. The total cost, in 

 Ceylon at any rate, of dynamite, detonators, 

 fuse and labour is thus 1 1 cents per hole ; 

 can the cost of coolie labour compare with 

 this? 



In Trinidad, B.W.I., dynamite, in the shape 

 of half a cartridge in each hole, was used 

 experimentally for planting coco-nuts and im- 

 proving cane lands. Unfortunately I have seen 

 no particulars as to the results, but take it 

 that they were satisfactory, as last September 

 (1913) the Agricultural Society in Trinidad 

 passed the following resolution : " In view of 

 the undoubted benefit conferred on agriculture 

 in the different countries where they have been 

 used for subsoil blasting, the Agricultural 

 Society trusts that the Government will offer 

 and encourage every facility for the importa- 

 tion, storage and use, under competent super- 

 vision, of dynamite cartridges." l 



The above resolution was, I believe, the 

 outcome of the following experiments : A 

 sugar cane field of first year's ratoons was 

 dynamited, one-third cartridges being ex- 

 ploded in holes 18 in. deep and 8 ft. apart. In 

 a banana field half cartridges were used placed 

 10 X 10 ft., and 2 ft. 6 in. deep. A field was 

 prepared for the planting of coco-nuts by ex- 

 ploding full cartridges (weighing \ Ib. each) 

 in holes 3 ft. deep at 25 x 25 ft. apart. On 



1 See West India Committee Circular of October 7, 

 19*3- 





