V 



FIELD CULTURE 



143 



This has little to do with the relative rate of removal 

 of mineral food, but is simply because the manioc 

 keeps the soil more nearly in what may be called its 

 virgin condition. 



All that has been said so far presumes that the 

 catch-crop will be grown by the coco-nut planter 

 himself or under his direct supervision. If catch-crops 

 are to be grown, this is the most desirable way of 

 handling them. Frequently, however, it is not the 

 most practicable. All reasonably populous coco-nut 

 countries have also what may be called a tenant system, 

 known in different countries by different names, the 

 most familiar word adopted into English for this use 

 being " Guioa," the native Singalese name of a tenant. 

 In most parts of the world, this business is conducted 

 on the same general terms. The tenant has the use of 

 a young plantation during three years, more or less. 

 In return for the use of the land, he keeps, or is supposed 

 to keep, the coco-nuts in proper condition. In some 

 places he is required to plant them ; in others he enters 

 on the use of the land after the coco-nuts are planted. 

 In some places he pays some rent, in others he does not. 

 These conditions depend primarily upon the relative 

 value of labour and land. This arrangement spares the 

 coco-nut planter the necessity either of looking after 

 the condition of his coco-nuts or having his time taken 

 up with their care. The latter consideration is a valid 

 argument for the tenant system ; but the former, so far 

 as the planter takes advantage of it, is almost sure to 

 work to his disinterest. Where no rent is paid for the 

 land and the tenant is not required to plant the coco- 

 nuts, the arrangement is in effect that the planter pays, 

 for such attention as his young trees receive, a certain 

 share of the freshness and fertility of his soil. 



The attention which the trees receive in this way 

 is usually not worth the price. There are, of course, 

 conditions possible, and sometimes realized, under which 

 this tenant system is the best way in which the young 

 trees can receive any attention, or even the only way. 



