July, 1912. J 



11 



Oils and Fats. 



tolerant of shade, delighting in a mari- 

 time climate where the light is strong 

 and there is a constant breeze. It is 

 essentially a tropical plant, requiring a 

 considerable amount of heat and moisture 

 to attain full development. An average 

 mean temperature of about 80° Fahr., 

 with little variation throughout the 

 year, is perhaps the mcst suitable. An 

 average annual rainfall of from 60 to 

 80 in. is advantageous, but as low a rain- 

 fall as 10 in., evenly distributed through- 

 out the year, is found to suffice when 

 the palm is growing on fertile, moisture- 

 retaining soil. If less than 40 in. is 

 received artificial irrigation becomes 

 necessary. On poor, sandy soils a rain- 

 fall of not less than 70 in. is essential. 



The boil best suited to the coconut 

 palm is a deep and fertile sandy loam, 

 such as is found in alluvial flats along 

 the sea coast, at the mouth of rivers, or 

 in wide river valleys. It is in such 

 situations and on such soils that the 

 coconut paim is most commonly found 

 to flourish, but it can be grown on a 

 variety of other soils and also in inland 

 situations, especially near villages or 

 towns, provided care and attention are 

 bestowed on its cultivation. It has a 

 preference for soils of a calcareous 

 nature, and lime in the form of decom- 

 posed sea-shells is usually present in the 

 soil of coastal regions andsmall oceanic 

 islands. The presence of humus or 

 decayed organic matter in the soil is 

 also essential, and this is found in 

 greatest abundance at the mouth of 

 rivers or on land subject to flooding. 

 The situation of the soil is also of impor- 

 tance, as in low-lying localities, such as 

 those indicated above, the sub-soil mois- 

 ture which comes from higher levels will 

 be charged with plant food in solution. 

 The roots of the coconut palm, in a free 

 and porous soil, penetrate to a depth of 

 6 ft. or more, and the palm is thus 

 enabled to obtain an abundant supply 

 of nourishment from the subsoil; it is 

 probably this fact that accounts for the 

 flourishing condition of palms that are 

 apparently growing in a very poor and 

 sandy soil. It is evident, therefore, that 



the physical properties of the soil are of 

 equal importance with its chemical com- 

 position. Heavy clay soils are unsuit- 

 able, as the roots of the coconut palm 

 are unable to spread freely in such a 

 medium ; moreover, heavy soils are 

 liable to retain stagnant moisture, which 

 is detrimental to the health of the trees ; 

 they also crack and suffer from drought 

 during dry weather. By draining, liming, 

 and cultivating heavy soils they may 

 often be improved and made suitable 

 for coconut-planting. Peaty soils are 

 not, as a rule, suited to the coconut 

 palm, as they are usually sour and 

 deficient in mineral matter. If they 

 rest on a sandy subsoil they may be im- 

 proved by draining, and if sour, are 

 benefited by the application of lime and 

 wood-ashes. Then, after being exposed 

 to sun and air for some time, such lands 

 may be planted. Forest land is usually 

 fertile, and has a good supply of humus, 

 and this type of land is usually chosen 

 for forming new coconut plantations. 



The following types of soils are suit- 

 able for coconut cultivation, and are 

 named in descending order of merit : 



Alluvial flats situated by the sides of 

 rivers and that are occasionally flooded 

 produce good results. 



Sandy loams, provided they contain a 

 good percentage of humus, give fairly 

 good results, 



Brown loams respond less frealy to 

 cultivation and manuring than the 

 preceding. 



Gravelly loams (with gravel in excess 

 of loam) are fairly fertile, but somewhat; 

 stiff and hard to work. 



Loamy gravels (loam in excess of 

 gravel), fairly fertile, responding readily 

 to cultivation and manuring. 



Clayey loams, rather trying to the 

 plants, which are liable to suffer in such 

 soils during spells of dry weather. 



Manuring. — Coconut palms growing in 

 an alluvial soil that is permeable and 

 fertile, will grow vigorously and pro- 

 duce several ciops of nuts without show- 

 ing signs of failing, Such trees, pro* 



