The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-02-01
DeIand Volusa County, Florida Wednesday, February l. 1882

and twenty or more clusters are tre-
quently on the tree at the same time,
in different stages of maturity, SO
that, from a flourishing palm, fruit
may be gathered four or five times
during the year.
The annual bearing Of vigorous
tree in Malacia, is from $50 to 800
nuts, weighing on an average from
one to two tons, a single nut tre>
quently weighing fifteen pounds.
So highly is this noble palm esti-
mated here, as we'll as in Ceylon, that
upon the birth of every chilli, cocoa
tree is planted, to "grow with its
growth" and become its own indi>
vidual property; the profits accruing
from it, during the child's minority,
being carefully set aside for its future
use.
Nor is this so despicable an in
heritance as it might at first appear,
as two or three of these noble trees
will supply all the simple wants of
whole family.
Where the climate renders man in
capable of work, there we find vege-
tation increasing in luxuriance and
ministering unaided to his necessities.
-"God is Love-" and has so ordered.
Thus, by the cocoa~palm alone,
millions are supplied with all things
absolutely necessary to their lives
and comfort.
Who then will ridicule the simple
minded natives OF the Marquesas
Island, when they declare that the
cocoa-nut tree was planted on their
shores by the hand OF a god?
Surelv -thav- ara-4a,ioht ssihn nannSA..
PAIN is ole OF the most valuable
gifts of the one true God.
So fully alive are the Clngalese to
this fact, that they regard it as a
loved member of their family, and
affirm that it will not grow where
the sound of their voices cannot
reach it. nor will it flourish unless
talked to, and greeted with affection.
ate caresses.
The natives of Tahati, too, cherish
strange love for this noble tree,
which, they affirm was produced from
the head of a godslike man, while In
the Feejee Islands, the name OF
"Uto" is given to the nut, while ger-
minating,-a strange coincident Of
ideas, as this word signifies the brain.
The Cingalese regards his ancestral
garden of cocoa trees as his most
precious inheritance, and as such,
those who are able, frequently con-
Fsecrate one or more to the service OF
the gods; trees thus set apart being
distinguished by a band Of leaves
plated around their stems.
Amongst the great yearly festivals
Of the Hindoos, there is one called
the "Cocoa>nut Day." which is cele>
brated at the end of the rainy season,
when the navigation of the sea is
again opened with safety.
The natives, proceeded by music,
and arrayed in holiday dresses, flock
to the sea shore, where the priests
perform imposing ceremonies over a
cocoa.nut, which is covered with gold
and silver leaf; the man Of highest
rank among them, then casts this nut
far into the sea.
Every boat owner and trader then
makes a similar offering, and this Ger
emony completed, the first boat of
the season, gaily bedecked with flags,
puts to sea, amidst the shouts OF the
spectators.
In the Polynesia Islands the leaf
of the cocoa palm formerly played a
conspicuous part in the religious GER
emonies of the people; tied to sac-
rifce offered to the gods, through it
the latter were supposed to enter into
and consecrate the gift; and when
| laid upon the person OF one afflicted
with disease, the evil spirit, who
caused the trouble, was said to be
driven away by its presencei and
once again, lunches OF these leaves,
suspended in the temple, served the
same purpose as the rosaris of the
catholic, in reminding the worshiper
of the order of the prayers.
These facts, which may well be