18 



THE COCO-NUT 



On active trees at least four leaves ought always 

 to show growth. It is common for five leaves to grow, 

 but rare for six leaves to do so at the same time. 

 The youngest two leaves frequently grow at the same 

 rate. Successive older ones grow progressively more 

 slowly, so that the oldest one which grows at all grows 

 very slowly indeed. Growth is always more rapid 

 during the night than during the day. The difference 

 between night and day is much more marked in un- 

 suitably dry weather than it is when the trees are well 

 supplied with water. The effect of drought is likewise 

 greater on young trees than on adult ones, and the 

 difference between night and day is greater in younger 

 trees when they are unduly dry than it is in older trees. 

 Extreme drought brings a practical cessation of the 

 growth of young seedlings. 



