THE NURSERY. 65 



possible, gathered when fully ripe, pulped lightly, 

 and then planted in its silver skin or parchment. 

 Down the length of each bed, from end to end, 

 furrows are made with the help of the cord and 

 line. These furrows are, perhaps, two inches deep, 

 and six inches of space intervene between each. In 

 them the berries are dropped one at a time, and 

 about three inches apart if the planter feels con- 

 fident of their fertility a little closer if he doubts it 

 and then the rows are carefully covered over and 

 patted down by the women and children. Some 

 planters recommend a layer of dried leaves to be 

 scattered over the beds and left there until the 

 plants are five or six inches high. There can be no 

 doubt such a natural coverlet keeps the soil moist 

 and cool, but the leaves harbour many harmful 

 insects and grubs, besides a large assortment of 

 snakes, of which the natives have an indiscriminate 

 dread, confounding them all under one category. 



If showery weather follows, the young plants will 

 soon show above the surface and very pretty they 

 look as the glossy green leaves are unfolded, and 

 thousands of slender green spikes carpet the ground 

 under the chequered shadows of the tall trees that 

 have been left standing for shade. When the rains 

 that have brought them above the soil cease, it is 

 time to commence watering. This is often over- 

 done, we fancy, some planters flooding the beds as 

 though they were so much rice land. A reasonable 

 and moderate wetting is all that is required, espe- 



