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hybrid spiny types may be produced. The difficulty 
may, however, be overcome by selecting the seed- 
lings before planting out. Suckers of course will 
always remain true to type. The smooth-stemmed 
variety is the more prolific. 
The seeds are planted about 1 ft. apart in slightly 
raised nursery beds and should be ready for planting 
in the field after 12 to 18 months. The seeds in 
the husks are planted just below the surface and 
shaded until the young plants bear three leaves. 
The area to be planted should be cleared, and holes 
dug for the seedlings not less than 15 ft. x 15 ft. 
apart, giving 193 palms to the acre. The roots of 
the plants should not be disturbed more than neces- 
sary when transplanting, all the roots being properly 
covered during this, operation. For one or two years 
the plants should be circle-weeded, and any “ blukar ” 
or undergrowth cleared sufficiently to prevent inter- 
ference with the growth of the palms. After this 
period, little attention will be required, any by 
leaving one sucker to replace each palm cut out. 
the ground should be continually productive without 
much, if any, replanting. 
After about 9 or 10 years, or when the palms 
commence to flower, they reach maturity and are 
then cut down for sago production. About 50 trees, 
per acre will mature about the 9th. year, after which 
an annual crop of 50 trees per acre may be expected, 
as those cut down will be replaced by suckers pro- 
duced from the roots of the original palms. 
The height of a full grown palm is usually 30 to 35 
feet, and the girth from 50 to 60 inches. The 
mature stems are bought by Chinese at from $1.50' 
to $2.00 each for the manufacture of sago. 
£* - 4* /US 
