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Extraction of Oil . — Copra is rich in oil, containing 
from 68 to 72 per cent, of oil, which, when extracted, 
is known as coconut oil. As the cake remaining 
after the extraction of the oil is a valuable ingre- 
dient of feeding stuffs, coconut oil is almost invari- 
ably obtained by the method of expression, the yield 
of oil obtained under these conditions being about 
62 to 64 per cent, on the copra. 
Before being pressed the copra is treated in a 
special machine known as a disintegrator, which 
breaks it up into sma.ll pieces, after which it is 
passed through crushing rolls to reduce it to a fine 
state of division. Owing to its high oil content, 
the meal is heated and pressed twice. In some 
cases expellers are used for the first expression. 
The second expression is always carried out in a 
hydraulic press, preferably of the cage type. 
Desiccated Coconut . — Although the attention of 
coconut plantations in this country is confined chiefly 
to the production of copra, a small industry has 
recently been started for the manufacture of desic- 
cated coconut. 
In the manufacture of this product, the kernel is 
removed from the nut while quite fresh and, after 
the brown skin on the surface has been cut off, 
shredded and dried,, in hot-air ovens at a temperature 
of about 160° F. The dried product is then graded 
and packed in boxes for export. 
Uses . — Coconut oil is without doubt the most econo- 
mically important vegetable oil, and is used in 
enormous quantities throughout the world in the^ 
manufacture of substitute butters, such as mar- 
garine, other edible fats, soaps and candles. In 
addition, wherever the coconut palm is to be found. 
