Fertilisers For Coconut Plantations.
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
WE have received a valuable sugges tion from a well-known planter in Kavieng, New Ireland, T.N.G. The following are extracts from his letter: “Might I make a suggestion which I think would greatly enhance the value of your now valuable paper, and be greatly appreciated by your planter readers. I consider that an article or, better, a series of articles, dealing with the manuring of the coconut palms would be greatly valued by all.
“Cattle manure has proved its worth in this direction: but is in most cases impracticable, as the constant trampling of the ground by cattle, especially in heavy country, packs the soil and eventually does more harm than good.
A cheap artificial manure of this chemi cal content would doubtless be of great value.
“I have before me an article written by B. Bunting, and taken from the Malayan Agricultural Journal (undated), in which the writer goes very thoroughly into the cultivation of the coconut and gives a fair amount of information about experiments carried out on several
estates in Ceylon. But, to my way of thinking, he stops short at the most vital matter (especially in these times of low prices)—namely, cost. He gives formulae of eight different manures but does not in any case refer to cost.
“I do not suggest that you should try to ascertain the cost of labour on the plantation, but perhaps the cost of the manure required, freight, etc., would as sist us in deciding the total cost in our own case.
“Personally, I intend to go into the matter, as I firmly believe that the future of the planter will be greatly measured by his ability to get the most out of his plantation; and this, of course, will affect the owners of old plantations more than young ones. We in the Ter ritory would be glad of the advice and assistance of the manufacturers of fer tilisers.”
We shall be glad to publish any infor mation about this matter which planters may be able to supply from their own experience. In the meantime, our friend’s letter is being brought under the notice of certain manufacturers of fertiliser.