any estate in this district, however economically
managed, will ever give a net return of more than L2, or perhaps of
L2 10s. per acre, at least without there is a great increase in the
consumption of oil in Europe. The consumption of this oil, in
Europe, is under 5,000 tons. If the beetles do not destroy half the
trees, the estates here when in bearing, if they yield anything,
will give half that quantity; and it must be borne in mind that
coco-nut oil is not a strong oil, like palm oil, and that soap
boilers will never use it to any extent, for it will allow but
little admixture of rosin, &c.; its use in Europe will be
principally for candles and fancy soaps; but as by refining and
compression they can now purify tallow, and make of it candles fully
equal to those made from coco-nut oil, the consumption of the latter
is not likely to increase. The consumption of candles is always
limited on the continent of Europe, liquid oil being preferred, and
in many instances gas is now being used where candles formerly were.

The return of land planted with coco-nut trees in Ceylon, in 1851, was
22,500 acres; but this refers only to regular estates recently opened
and cultivated chiefly by Europeans. Let us suppose that the natives
possess besides, twenty millions of trees; Butollac in his time
estimated the number at thirteen millions. At 100 trees to the acre,
twenty millions of trees give 100,000 acres, so that the total amount
of land planted with coco-nut trees would be 122,500 acres.

An hydraulic press, for the manufacture of coco-nut oil, 1,200 horse
power and weighing twenty-three tons, was cast at the Ceylon Iron
Works, in 1850, by Messrs. Nelson and Son.

In the island of Singapore there are now many extensive plantations in
a very flourishing condition, holding out favorable prospects to the
proprietors. Hitherto the island has been supplied almost wholly from
abroad with nuts and oil for its consumption, which will, before long,
be obtained exclusively from its own soil. In 1846 there were 10,000
coco-nut trees in bearing in Singapore.

I have omitted to notice, in the foregoing observations, a very
mistaken notion which prevails in many quarters, that it is best to
let the trees drop their fruit, and not to pick the nuts when ripe.
Nature directs differently. As soon as the husk of the nut is more
brown than green it should be picked. It then makes bett