51 
COCOA-NUTS, 
153. The low coast = of Trinidad have been utilised for the 
planting of cocoa-nuts on a moderately large scale. The cocal on 
the east coast stretches for about 18 to 20 miles. Latterly, owing 
ually. p bly to 
soil, and the want of suitable manures, Trinidad nuts are 
smaller than those produced in Central America; and, there- 
ore, command lower prices. In the returns presented to the 
Royal oe ee seven cocoa-nut estates had an aggregate area 
of 5,798 a The average number of nuts produced by these 
S re. 
hese figures show very clearly that at present prices the cocoa- 
nut industry in Trinidad is notin a flourishing condition. 
154. A factory for the manufacture of cocoa-nut oil has lately 
been established at Port of Spain, with branches on the east coast. 
Is, l 
There is an import duty o er gallon on oil from abroad. 
This practically protects the local production. From data supplied 
o the ission, it a rs that in the five months, from the 
Ist of _August to the 31st ay December, 1896, 320,000 nuts were 
made into oil, costing 33s. 4d. per thousand. The yield of oil was 
at the are of 24-23 lee per “oe nd nuts, with 118 lbs. of 
cocoa-nut meal. The net profit o oil and meal yielded by 
1,000 nuts was 6s. 4d., and on 320,0 O00 nak 1017. 6s. 3d. Both oil 
and meal are used locally. The coolie immigrants practically take 
all the oil for their own consumption. The collector of Customs 
States : “ Cocoa-nut oil has disappeared from the import returns 
‘ since the duty was imposed, and the market is now supplied by 
“ local produce.’ 
155. In a paper recently read before the Agricultural Society, 
Mr. J. H. Hart, F.L.S., the Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, 
nuts, into “ copra,” a term applied in commerce to the dried 
kernel, which is largely used in Europe for expressing oil. 
It is said to contain 54 per cent. of oil, and if dried at 100°, 66 per 
e trade exists in this article. It is estimated that at 
S, 
= freight on a ton of aaa are said to be 3/. so that the planter, 
y converting the nuts into copra, would presumably obtain on 
6,000 nuts a net return of 97. 10s., instead of 4/. 10s. as at present. 
OTHER SUBSIDIARY INDUSTRIES. 
156. As regards other industries likely to be successful in 
Trinidad, Mr. Hart has prepared a valuable memorandum (Council 
Paper No. 110 of 1895). which deserves to be carefully studied. 
15045 D2 
