558 



OLEAGINOUS PLANTS. 



and better coir, than when left to shrivel up and fall from the 

 tree. 



Colonel Low, in his " Dissertation on Pinang," gives some in- 

 teresting details and statistics on coco-nut planting : — 



On a rough estimate — for an actual enumeration has not been lately taken — 

 the total number of hearing trees in Pinang may be stated at 50,000, and those 

 in Province "WeUesley at 20,000 ; but very large accessions to these numbers 

 have of late years been made. The tree is partial to a sandy soil in the vicinity 

 of the sea, and Province Wellesley offers, therefore, greater facilities, perhaps, 

 for its cultivation than Pinang does, as its line of clear beach is longer, and has 

 many narrow slips of light or sandy land lying betwixt the alluvial flats inland. 

 There are several kinds of this tree known here ; one has a yellowish color, ob- 

 servable both on the branches and unripe fruit ; its branches do not droop much. 

 A second has green spreading branches, more drooping than the former, the 

 fruit being green colored until ripe ; this is, perhaps, the most prolific ; it also 

 bears the soonest, if we except the dwarf coco-nut, which fruits at the second 

 or third year, before the stem has got above one foot high. This last kind was 

 brought from Malacca ; it attains in time to the height of the common sort. Its 

 fruit is small and round, and of course less valuable than the other sorts. There 

 is also a coco-nut so saturated with green, that the oil expressed from its kernel 

 partakes of that color. 



It is a mistaken supposition that the coco- nut tree wiU flourish without care 

 being taken of it. The idea has been induced by the luxuriant state of trees in 

 close proximity to houses and villages, and in small coves where its roots are 

 washed by the sea. In such circumstances, a tree, from being kept clear about 

 the roots, from being shaded, and from occasional stimuli, advances rapidly to 

 perfection ; but in an extended plantation, a regular and not inexpensive system 

 of culture must be followed to ensure success. 



The nuts being selected, when perfectly ripe, from middle-aged trees of the 

 best sorts, are to be laid on the ground under shades, and after the roots and 

 middle shoots, with two branches, have appeared, the sooner they are planted 

 the better. Out of 100 nuts, only two-thirds, on an average, will be found to 

 vegetate. The plants are then to be set out at intervals of thirty or forty feet — 

 the latter if ground can be spared — and the depth will be regulated by the nature 

 of the soil, and the nut must not be covered with earth. The plants require, in 

 exposed situations, to be shaded for one and even two years, and no lalang grass 

 must be permitted to encroach on their roots. A nursery must be always held 

 in readiness to supply the numerous vacancies which will occur from deaths and 

 accidents. The following may be considered the average cost of a plantation, 



until it comes into bearing : — 



FIRST COST— ICO ORLONGS OF LAND. Spanish doUars. 



Purchase money of land, ready for planting .... 1,000 



7,000 nuts at 1| dollars, per 100 105 



Houses of coolies, carts, buffaloes, &c., &c. . . . . 100 



Spanish dollars 1,205 



YEARLY COST OF SEVEN YEARS. 



First year, 10 laborers at 3 doUars per month, including 



carts, &c 360 



"Wear and tear of buildings, carts, and implements . . 50 



Overseer, at 7 dollars per month 84 



Quit -rent, average 50 



Nursery and contingencies 50 



Total per annum 594 



Seven years at the rate "will be . . . . . .4,158 



Total, Spanish dollars . . . . . .4,752 



To this sum interest will have to be added, making, perhaps, a sum total of 

 6,000 Spanish dollars, and this estimate will make each tree, up to its coming 



