Practical Planting in NG

Book Review:

WITH commendable enterprise,

Mr. A. Richards, of Rabaul, has produced a book entitled Practical Planting in the Territory of New Guinea. Something of the kind has been in demand for years—planting is the chief enterprise of New Guinea, and there is no text-book on

the subject.

Mr. Richards’ book consists of over 100 pages reproduced from typewriting, and it supplies a great deal of information relating to the technical side of planting, and the practical economics of copra produc tion. Most of the book is devoted to coconuts, but there are sections dealing with cocoa and coffee. There are all sorts of practical hints for the planter, ranging from the feeding of labour to the elimination of pests.

The author has some interesting notes on the life of a coconut palm.

He says that in suitable soil, the palms will bear for a hundred years.

But in clayey coil, and on the sandy islands, like atolls, their life is com paratively short. He says that 64 per cent, of coconut plantation losses are due to unsuitable soil.

He calculates that under to-day’s conditions it costs £13,585 to plant up 700 acres' of coconuts and bring them to the 9-years stage, less what ever the palms produce after they reach the age of 7 years and begin bearing. It costs now, to produce copra, about eight times what it cost pre-war, and the quality is lower.

He lists 20 pests which attack coco nuts, and the method of dealing with them.

The book does not appear to be on general sale, but inquiries may be directed to Mr. Richards, in Rabaul.