44 



THE COCOANCT THEJf. 



On a tough estimate, — for an actual enumeration 

 has not l>een lately taken — the total number ot* bear- 

 ing trees on Penang may be stated at 50,000, and 

 those in Province Wellesley at 20,000 ; but very 

 Jarge accessions to these number^ have of late 

 years, been made. The tree is partial to a sanity 

 soil in the vicinity of the sea, and Province Wellesley 

 offers, therefore, greater facilities, perhaps, for its 

 cultivation than Penang does, as its line of clear 

 beach is longer, and has many uarrow strips of light 

 or sand) land lying betwixt the alluvial flats inland. 

 There are several kinds of this tree known here ; 

 one has a yellowish colour, observable both on the 

 branches and unripe fruit ; its branches do not droop 

 much : a second has green, spreading, brandies more 

 drooping than the former, the fruit being green-co- 

 loured until ripe, and this is perhaps tbe most pro- 

 lific ; it also bears the soonest, if we except the 

 dwarf cocoanut, 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 arid of course less valuable than il.e 

 other sorts ; ther*is also a cocoanut so saturated with 

 gTeen, that the oil, expressed from its kernel, partakes 

 of that colour* 



It is a mistaken supposition that the cocoanut tree 

 will 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, aud 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 occa- 

 sion^ stimuli, advances rapidly to perfection ; but iu 

 an extended plantation, a regular and not inexpensive 

 svstew of culture must be followed to ensure succe^ 



