STANDARD PRODUCTS OF CEYWX 479 



means of course the sacrifice of the nut crop. According to the 

 Ceylon Customs returns, desiccated coconut is exported from the 

 Island annually to the extent of over 4 million pounds (valued at 

 some -524,400), and poonac (residue of copra after expression of oil 

 in local mills) of about a quarter million cwt. The latter is largely 

 used as a nutritious cattle-food. 



The palm likes moist alluvial or deep loamy soil, and flourishes 

 especially on the sandy sea-coast, as well as on the hanks of 

 rivers. It is propagated by the nuts, which are sown in the 

 husk in a nursery bed, being usually laid on their side and almost 

 covered with fine soil. These germinate in about 3 months, 

 and in six to ten months the seedlings are ready for planting 

 out. The holes in which they are to be planted should be not 

 less than 3 ft. deep by 3 ft. wide, and allowed to remain open 

 for some time previous to planting. When the plants are put 

 in, the holes should only be partially filled, leaving the crown 

 of the plant, when planted, about a foot below the surface of the 

 ground ; in course of time through the process of cultivation and 

 weathering, the hole becomes filled up, and the tree is thus 

 ensured a firm hold of the ground. The holes should be 25 or 27 ft. 

 apart each way, according to soil, thus allowing 60 or 70 trees to the 

 acre. A crop may be obtained in the 7th or 8th year from 

 planting ; the trees are in full bearing at the age of 12 or 15 years, 

 and continue productive until about 70 to 80 years old. They 

 yield all the year round, and an aggregate annual return of 60 to 

 70 nuts per tree, or about 3,000 nuts to the acre, is considered 

 a good yield. In the Straits, Sumatra, etc., a somewhat higher 

 yield is usually obtained, the trees here being generally more 

 prolific than in Ceylon, and come into bearing rather earlier. The 

 trees attain a height of 70 to 80 ft., with an unbranched, wavy 

 < never straight ) stein. They are easily climbed by the Natives 

 who, throwing their feet in a loop of cloth or fibre, pressed against 

 the stem, are thus afforded a foot-hold. In Ceylon and South 

 India the ripe nuts are picked by hand, but in some countries they 

 are allowed to fall on the ground as they ripen, and then 

 gathered, 



VARIETIES. A great number of varieties are in cultivation, these varying 

 chiefly in the size, shape and number of nuts produced, also in thickness of 

 the husk and of the interior, height of tree. etc. Some of the more distinct 

 varieties are known by different local names. The King Coconut is a distinct 

 variety, said to have Originated in Ceylon; it bears a yellow oval fruit, which 

 is distinguished bv its sweet juice, and is esteemed for culinary purposes, but is 



