( 12 ) 
the fibrous husk is then removed, and the nuts split 
open with a sharp knife. The kernel or meat is 
removed from the shell and dried in the sun, or in 
special kilns artificially heated. The latter method 
is both quicker and cleaner. The dried product is 
known as copra. Usually from 230 to 250 nuts are 
required to produce a picul* of copra, equivalent to 
about 4,000 nuts to a ton of copra. 
The Dwarf Coconut . — The Dwarf or King coconut, 
which is known locally as “ Nyiur Gading ” has 
recently attracted considerable attention as a pos- 
sible new enterprise. Only one estate has, so far, 
attempted its cultivation on a large scale, and it 
is still doubtful whether the results obtained will 
justify the returns which are anticipated, or even 
bear comparison with those of the commonly culti- 
vated tall variety. 
The Dwarf variety is usually planted 22 ft. x 22 ft. 
square, giving 90 trees per acre, and comes into 
bearing at about the third year after planting. The 
average yield at six years is stated to be 80 nuts 
per palm per annum. The nut is smaller, and the 
kernel thinner, than that of the ordinary variety, 
with the result that, on the average, 500 nuts are 
required to produce a picul of copra. 
The chief advantages of the dwarf coconut are that 
'it is hardy, matures early and is very prolific; but 
its main drawback is the small size of the fruit, 
which necessitates the handling of about twice the 
number of nuts per picul of copra as compared with 
the tall variety. 
* 1 picul — 133 J lbs. 
