AGRICULTURE 
AND 
CEOWTST TLAISTIDS 
ANNUAL REPORT 
FOR 1915. 
I. 
EXPENDITURE, RECEIPTS AND SALE OF PRODUCE 
Sale of Produce 
Royalty on Guano 
Export duty on Guano 
Rf nt of Crown Lands 
Total Rs 
Total expenditure under Agriculture and 
Crown Lands ... ... Rs 
Ii. 
Rs c. 
1,437 90 
7,042 69 
1,960 00 
16,239 50 
26,730 09 
11,443 00 
Condition of the Garden, striking species introduced, 
FLOWERED AND FRUITED. 
Among economic plants a comparatively large space has 
been devoted to the Palmyrah palm (Borassus fiebelliformis). 
In a country like Seychelles where palms form such a largo 
proportion of the jungle trees it has been decided to introduce 
palms of economic value from different parts of the world. 
Palmyrah palms introduced in 1912 have done very well. 
Seedlings set out in inferior soil where coconuts are handi¬ 
capped have reached 7 feet 8 inches in 3 years and the largest 
seedlings have produced 38 leaves during that period of time. 
Although the palmyrah palm grows slowly, it produces many 
different articles of consumption and export; it can be planted 
so closely together that no better plant, I think, could be 
grown on these soils called “tuffe” where nothing is grown for 
the present. These spots formerly rendered sterile by erosion 
following repeated bushfires and cassava cultivation, exhibit 
a desolate aspect in the Colony where nothing would relieve 
more the poorer inhabitants than the culture of an economic 
plant of easy growth producing marketable articles. It is said 
in S. India and Ceylon that no less than 801 uses have been 
found from the products of the Palmyrah palm. Among these 
uses the following are quoted by W, A. Symonds in S. India : 
*‘1. The young white root is dug up when the nut has been 
about 3 months under ground, and after being well roasted or 
boiled, is eaten as a vegetable. Sometimes the boiled roots 
are ground to a kind of flour and eaten with different addita- 
ments, such as fish, salt, chillies, onions, mustard and saffron. 
“2. The inside of the nuts out of which the sprout has been 
pulled is eaten as it is, being soft and sweet. 
“3. Leafstalks form the palmings of fences and even cross¬ 
sticks for the roofs of small houses. Four kinds of fibre are 
obtained from it, some of these fibres are sold as substitutes 
for Piassaba fibre. 
“4. The leaf is used for thatching. 
‘*5. The flower stalk, both from male and female trees, 
produces a great amount of sap which is turned into sugar 
(jaggery) or vinegar. 
“6. The fruit is eaten raw or roasted by the poorer classes. 
It, is much used as fodder for cattle, pigs and poultry. The 
unripe fruit contains a jelly which is most refreshing and 
wholesome. 
