Fourth year’s expenditure:  hire of six hands for three months, cleaning land, and manuring plants, about L60 sterling, and the like, at the cultivator’s option, for the fifth year.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES. 
L
First year 460
Second year 150
Third year 150
Fourth year 60
Fifth year 60
—–­
Total expenditure 880
Add for buildings 80

And we have a grand total of L960 sterling expended; for what purpose?  To secure a net income of at least L1,200 sterling per annum for at least 50 years!

In the first year’s expenses many items might be cut down, but I leave the calculation as one to be considered by a party with small capital, intending to establish a coco-nut plantation.  I have allowed nothing for the cost of land, as it is impossible to compute that.  In general it would cost next to the nothing mentioned.  I have, by careful calculation, arrived at the conclusion that by combining the cultivation of provisions with the gradual but steadily progressive establishment of a coco-nut plantation, any man of energy and perseverance may, with the aid of but four hands, clear, fence, and plant, in a favorable locality, 50 acres of coco-nuts within the year, yet have a balance in his pocket at its close.  Such a person would, ere doing anything beyond putting in his nursery plants, establish a provision ground, of considerable extent, for the purpose of supplying himself and his laborers with bread kind, and vegetables, and of enabling him, by the disposal of the surplus produce in the market, to raise a sufficient sum of money to furnish the wages and rations of the men.  I need not enter into a calculation to show how this could be done, as every one must be aware of an easy method of following out so simple a suggestion.  Of course he would have to bear in mind that the provision ground is of secondary importance, and limit his exertions in that line accordingly; devoting to the coco-nut plantation the strictest daily attention.

The cultivation of this tree deserves much more attention than has hitherto been paid to it, particularly in the East, where it not only forms part of the daily food of all classes of the community, but is an exportable article to neighbouring regions, the oil which it yields having of late years become in great demand in England, for the manufacture of composite candles and soap, and there is no doubt of its continually extended application to such purposes.  Supposing, nevertheless, the result of an increased cultivation of the coco-nut should be such as to cause a fall in price, and sink the nett return in England to 2s. per gallon; this being clear profit, would make this kind of plantation a safe and sure investment for both capital and labor in the Colonies.

A kind of sugar made from the sap is called “jaggery,” and the sap when fermented forms an intoxicating beverage known as toddy.  The fibrous outer covering, or husk of the nut, when macerated and prepared, is termed “coir,” and is spun into yarn and rope.  It is extensively shipped from Ceylon, in coils of rope, bundles of yarn, and pieces of junk.