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and  the  trees  here  ought  with  proper  supervision  to  recover  them- 
sel>?es  in  a few  months. 
10.  I have  naturally  had  great  trouble  with  the  natives,  who  are 
very  indifferent  to  looking  after  their  plantations,  and  although  I 
have  done  my  best  to  use  persuasive  means  and  poiiit  out  to  them 
how  much  it  is  to  their  benefit  to  keep  the  plantations  properly 
cleaned  &c.,  I have  not  met  with  the  response  I would  have  liked. 
However,  it  has  not  been  entirely  without  success  and  some  of  the 
owners  are  at  last  beginning  to  see  the  advantage  of  giving  more 
attention  to  their  gardens,  and  by  perseverance  and  other  means  I 
still  hope  that  the  majority  may  ultimately  be  brought  round  to  see 
where  their  interest  lies  and  become  better  agriculturists.  In  any 
case,  it  is  encouraging  to  know  that  the  cultivation  is  rapidly  ex- 
tending. 
11.  The  largest  estates  owned  by  Europeans  are  in  the  dis- 
tricts of  Kuala  Langat  and  Klang,  and  as  regards  these  plantations 
J am  pleased  to  say  I am  able  to  report  most  favourably.  They 
vary  in  size  from  about  200  to  500  acres  in  extent,  trees^  looking 
strong  and  healthy  and  of  superb  growth.  I may,  in  passing, 
mention  Klanang  Estate  near  Jugra,  about  450  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  although  the  oldest  trees  are  not  more  that  five  years  in 
age,  still  several  of  them  are  now  in  bearing.  I am  sorry  to  say 
that  the  white  ant  has  been  very  troublesome  in  these  parts. 
12.  There  are  many  fine  plantations  also  all  along  the  coast  of 
Selangor,  mostly  native  holdings.  The  land  everywhere  in  these 
parts  is  most  suitable  for  coconuts,  and  for  some  miles  inland.  In 
my  opinion,  it  is  a perfect  home  for  coco-nuts,  the  trees  come 
quickly  into  bearing,  produce  magnificent  crops,  and  owing  to  the 
fertility  of  the  soil,  they  absolutely  require  no  manure;  it  would 
therefore  I think  be  difficult  to  find  any  locality  where  the  coco-nut 
\ palm  can  be  grown  under  more  favourable  conditions. 
13.  With  these  advantages  I anticipate  the  cultivation  of  coco- 
nuts may  prove  in  a few  years  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  ‘ 
agricultural  industries  in  the  State,  provided  it  is  properly  encouraged 
and  guarded  ; and  I think  I cannot  do  better  than  conclude  this 
report  by  repeating  the  views  I have  previously  expressed  on  this 
subject,  which,  though  general,  certainly  apply  to  the  State  of 
Selangor. 
14.  I feel  confident  the  encouragement  and  continued  protection 
of  the  cultivation  must  add  very  materially  to  the  future  prosperity 
of  the  States.  The  area  under  coco-nuts  is  already  very  extensive 
the  soil  exceptionally  fertile  and  particularly  suited  to  the  growth 
of  the  trees,  while  there  is  plenty  more  good  land  available.  I may 
be  considered  partial,  but  I am  of  opinion,  taking  it  all  round,  that 
the  production  of  coco-nuts  Is  probablv  one  of  the  safest  and  most 
paying  of ‘the  agricultural  industries  in  the  States,  and  certainly 
the  most  lasting,  with  very  ordinary  care  and  practically  at  small 
expenses;  but  hthink  the  great  advantage  lies  in  the  fact  that  the 
native,  with  comparatively  small  means,  who  owns  his  five,  ten,  or 
twenty  acres,  properly  kept,  is,  in  his  own  way,  as  well  and  com- 
fortably off  as  the  more  wealthy  owners  of  the  larger  estates,  and 
