1 66 EVERYDAY LIFE ON A 



" never acquire the length and size of those 

 " fecundated earlier in the day. The instrument 

 "used for this operation is generally three or 

 "four incheslong,and made thinand roundat one 

 " end. It must be neither sharp nor triangular, 

 "in either of these cases it would wound the 

 " organs of the flower, or cause the pollen to fall. 

 The spathes of the cocoanut palm, or plane 

 tree are the best instruments to use." (When 

 ripe for gathering the pods have a slightly 

 yellowish tinge. Great care has to be taken 

 that they do not become over-ripe, as in that case 

 they are liable to split and their market value 

 is decreased.)* "The pods as received in 

 "Europe, are made up in packets of fifty each, and, 

 "should be fresh and very aromatic. When ripe, 

 " the pods are plucked and plunged for a moment 

 " in a vessel of boiling water to blanch them. 

 "They are then hungup in any airy place; and at 

 " this stage there exudes from them a viscuous 

 " liquid wnich must be removed. The removal 

 " is facilitated by light pressure, repeated two or 

 "three times a day. This dessication is a 

 "difficult operation and must proceed slowly. 

 "The pods are frequently oiled to keep them 

 "supple, and to preserve them from insects; 

 " they are also tied up with cotton thread to keep 

 " them from opening. These are delicate 



Note—*" Dictionalre du Commerce de la Navigation." 



