INTRODUCTION 



The preparation of this book began in 1907 and was 

 expected to be finished in three years. Before the time 

 at which it was to be finished, the College of Agriculture 

 of the University of the Philippines was established, and 

 I found myself giving a course of instruction on the 

 coco-nut. This course and the proposed book covered 

 the same ground and had the same end in view. Other 

 work did not leave me time to get this into satisfactory 

 shape for publication, and teaching the subject gave me 

 an opportunity to test many of the supposed facts as 

 well as to practise their presentation. I have now given 

 the course to five classes. The knowledge of coco-nut 

 physiology, which before rested entirely upon my work 

 during one season at San Eamon, has been amplified 

 and substantiated by the work of many students here. 

 Every student in these classes has had the care of a 

 small group of trees and has kept full records covering 

 every step in coco -nut culture, from the preparation of 

 the seed bed to the utilization of the product. When I 

 express myself positively on matters of practice it is 

 therefore on the basis of ample personal experience. 



The aim of this book and of the instruction in this 

 college is to give the knowledge and advice which will 

 qualify a person for the practice of coco-nut raising. 

 There are two general methods which might be used for 

 this purpose. One is to give rules which have been 

 found good in practice ; the other is to give the under- 

 standing on which such rules must rest. In the same 

 way the chauffeur of an automobile might be qualified 



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