349 



planters in the discussion of the many details concerning Coco-nut 

 cultivation by Europeans, and the figures given by Mr. CAREY in 

 his letter of 15th February, will no doubt be of interest, and serve 

 as food for reflection to those (and there are many) who ridicule 

 the idea of any such returns being possible. 



I know very well the little " patch" to which Mr. Carey refers, 

 and it is to my mind also in no way an exceptionally fine one. 

 Having visited Ceylon, and some of the Estates there, I am very 

 firm in my belief, that no matter what they possess as regards 

 climatic conditions, and soil requisite for successful coco-nut culti- 

 vation, we can go, at least one better here : at any rate in the coast 

 districts. 



Careful cultivation, regular weeding, and protection from insect 

 pests, should do much to bring about a result such as Mr. CAREY 

 anticipates. 



It has long occurred to me that the question of how to prevent, 

 and deal with unproductive trees is one that all those interested 

 in this particular cultivation will be glad to see discussed, and a 

 good deal of attention given to. 



I may be challenged to show the existence of these to any large 

 extent on an Estate under intelligent and able supervision. I know 

 it to be so in nearly all native plantations both in this and other 

 districts where I have had the opportunity of observing the trees 

 closely. It appears to be quite an accepted theory in these parts 

 that seed should be taken from trees not younger than 15 years, 

 and the fact may be interesting to some that almost every Malay 

 to whom I have spoken on the subject, attributes the cause of these 

 non-bearing trees to the non-adherence to the popular belief. In 

 planting up a large area, it cannot always be ascertained exactly 

 where the seed comes from, so that, I think, unless very great care 

 is exercised in this direction. We must not be disappointed if the 

 average on a well cared-for estate turns out to be quite as high as 

 that mentioned by Mr. Carey on what was formerly a native 

 holding. 



How to make these unproductive trees, productive (if it can be 

 done at all) is a matter on which, I am sure the views of every one 

 will be welcome. 



Yours faithfully, 



ROBT.'w. MUNRO. 



COCO-NUTS. 



Jugra Estate, 

 Selangor, 15th April, 1902. 



Dear Sir, 



When I was last in Klang, I was sorry to find that Coco-nuts 

 had lost some of their popularity amongst European planters. So 

 far as I could learn, the " Prince of Palms" was under a cloud, 

 chiefly on account of certain remarks made by a Malay Rajah and 

 two Ceylon planters who had been visiting Klang. 



