IX, A, 2 Pratt: Coconut and its Products 179 



accomplished in this way. Constant vigilance in removing and 

 killing the beetles Is always necessary, but no satisfactory results 

 can be expected unless the groves are kept clean. The infected 

 areas of palms suffering from stem-bleeding disease, caused by 

 Thielaviopsis ethaceticus Went, are completely removed with a 

 chisel. The wounds are dried by the brief application of a 

 burning rag soaked in kerosene, and are protected from beetles 

 by one or more applications of hot coal tar. Bud-rot is held 

 in check by the prompt removal of all dead or dying palms as 

 soon as observed and by carefully burning this dangerous 

 material. Root disease is similarly treated. These several 

 diseases are not factors at present in Philippine groves, but 

 careful planters must be able to recognize the symptoms and be 

 prepared for prompt treatment should the occasion arise. The 

 sacrifice of a few trees is a very small matter if thereby an 

 epidemic may be averted. 



The trees produce from 4 to 6 blossoms monthly, and nuts 

 are thus maturing practically throughout the entire year. Pick- 

 ing is done largely by hand, and is controlled almost entirely 

 by skilled natives who have a remarkable faculty for telling just 

 when a nut should be taken in order to give the best product. 

 Estate managers and others informed me that there was not 

 a single European in Ceylon who could judge the condition of 

 the nuts as accurately as these trained natives. Great impor- 

 tance is attached to this individual selection when first-class 

 copra is desired. 



There is no doubt that one factor contributing to lower the 

 quality of Philippine copra may be found in the gross careless- 

 ness and ignorance displayed when judging the correct time 

 for harvesting nuts. Unripe coconuts are picked in far too 

 many instances. The harmful results of such a procedure were 

 recognized and prevented in German Samoa by the passage of 

 a law forbidding the picking of coconuts. All nuts must thus 

 be allowed to drop from the trees before being used in the prep- 

 aration of copra. This would appear extreme in the other 

 direction. 



The custom of cutting steps in the trunk to facilitate climbing 

 is almost unknown to the Singhalese, even in sections where 

 palms receive least care and attention. Nearly all trees bear 

 one or two dried coconut leaves tied around the trunk at a height 

 of from 3 to 4 meters. These are supposed to give the night 

 watchman warning of thieves by the unavoidable noise made in 

 removing or climbing over them. An interesting custom con- 



