VIII THE NUTMEG i8i 



being adopted on rich level lands. Holes are then dug and 

 left open for a time, and filled in with surface soil, rubbish, 

 and cow-dung mixed with burnt earth ; but if the land be 

 very rich, the manure may be dispensed with. After the Shade. 

 young trees are planted out, they must be shaded ; and in 

 dry weather, they should be well watered every week at least. 

 Bananas will answer well for shade, and they will give good Ean3.nas. 

 returns until they have to be cut down to make room for the 

 growing nutmeg trees. The land will require constant weed- 

 ing, and care must be taken not to injure the roots, which 

 often break through the surface. When the trees are back- ^^^"^""g 

 ward in growth they should be manured with farm-yard com- 

 post or good leaf mould. The ground is carefully loosened all 

 over under the trees, so as not to injure the roots, and then 

 the manure is lightly spread or scattered around the trees close 

 to the stem, and allowed to work its way into the soil. It The roots 



' ^ not to be 



will not do to dig holes for the manure, as the roots would injured. 

 be injured, and this often results in the death of the trees. 

 When the roots are uncovered, as often happens on sloping 

 land owing to the wash of heavy rains, they must be moulded 

 up. Should dry weather come on, the ground around the 

 stem of the trees may be " mulched," that is covered up Mulching 

 with straw, or leaves or stable litter. All parasitic and 

 epiphytic plants, which attach themselves to the stem and 

 branches of the trees, should be removed at once, for other- 

 wise they will have a most injurious effect. The pruning ^•■"""^s. 

 operations are simple. All suckers must be cut away with a 

 sharp knife, and the lower branches should be removed 

 gradually until there is sufficient space for working under the 

 trees. 



When the trees flower, the sexes must be determined, so as Male and 



111-1 ' r r -i female trees. 



to ascertam whether there is a larger proportion of female 

 trees. One male to every eight or ten females is quite enough ; 

 and those male trees should be, if possible, on the windward 

 side of the plantation, so that the pollen may be carried by 

 the wind to the pistils. 



