The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-07-05
THE COCOANUTTREE.
Its Remarkable Adaptabi1ity to flu.
man Requirements.

THE COCOANUT TREE.
Its Remarkable Adaptabi1ity to flu.
man Requirements.
The cocoat1t1t palm is chiefly confined
to the seaboard regions Of the tropics.
and rarely found far in the interior,
although US neme,nber of having seen
several very hourishing trees about tho
town of Santarim, Brazil, at distance
of 900 miles from the sea-board. Many
of the South Sea islands are covered
with luxurious groves these both useful
and ornamental trees. How they came
there is, to some extent, still involved
in mystery, since the currents of the
ocean would have to transport fleets of
nuts dropped into the surf from the
overhanging cliffs of their native homes,
before single one, after completing it's
far Journey, would be Cast up high and
dry enough by the breakers beating
against the lonely shores of these
lonely distant coral islands of the
great Pacific. Since it is conceded
that some Of these groups, such as the
Marduesass islands. Have been settled by
LuS udLlVcD VI aqua ASI carly as LILO
seventh century, it would be more rea-
| sonable to ascribe the introduction of the
cocoanut to human intervention than to
that of waves, particularly when we
bear in mind the importance Of the nut
to the natives of southern Asia en- &C.
count of it's nutritive qualities. To the
natives Of many tropical regions it is
equivalent to the date of the Sahara or
Mandloc of South America. The fol-
lowing passages from Bonifas Guizot's
botony for youth gives us in the garb of
oriental, allegorical language. an idea of
the immense advantages which the in.
habitants OF tropical countries derive
from this one single species of palms.
Imagine traveller passing through
one Of these countries situated under
the..i burning sky; where GOODNESS and
shade are 50 rare, and where habita-
tions in which to take repose so neces-
sary to travellers. are only to be found at
dispirited, the poor wanderer at last
perceives a hut surrounded by some
trees with straight erect stems. sur
mounted by an immense tuft of green
leaves, some being upright and others
pendent, giving an elegant aspect to the
SCENE. Nothing else hear the cabin in
dictates cultiVai led land. At this sight the
spirits of the traveller revive, he collects
his strength, and is soon under the hos
pitable roof. His host offers him q
sourish drink, he ,slakes his
thirst; it refreshes him. When
he has taken his repose, the
Indian sinvites him to share bis repast.
He aerves up various meats, contained
in a brown looking vessel, smooth and
glossy, he serves up also some wine of
an extremely agreeable flavor. Toward
the end OF the rcpasl his host offers him
certain lsucculent comforts, and be is
made to taste some excellent spirits.
things. Ny cocoanut tree,' is the re-
ply. 'The water. l presented you with
ON your arrival is drawn from the fruit
before it is ripe. and some of the nuts
which contain it weigh three Ut four
pounds. This almond, so DELICATE in its
flavor, is the fruit when ripe. This milk,
which you find so agreeable is drawn
from the nut; this cabbage whose flavor
is so delicate, is the tops of the cocoanut
but we rarely regale ourselves with this
delicay, for the trees from which the
cabbage is cut, die soon
after. This wine with whichyou are so
satisfied, is still drawn from the cocoa
nut tree. In order to obtain it, an in
cision is made into the spathe of the
flowers. It flows from it in the form of
white liquor, which is gathered in
in proper vessels, and we call it palm
wine; exposed to the air it turns sour
and is used as vinegar.
BY distil lation we obtain this very
good brandy which you have tasted.
The sap has .supplied the sugar, with
which these preserves are sweetened.
These vessels and utensils have been
made out of the she'll of the nut. Nor
is this all: this habitation itself 1 owe en-
tirely to these Invaluable trees;
with their wood my cabin is
constructed; their leaves dried and
plated for the roof; made into an umbrel-
Ia, they shelter me from the SUN when l
walk; the clothes which cover me, are
woven out of the f)aments of their
leaves. These mats. which serve 50
many useful purposes, proceed from
them also. The sitter, which you be-
hold, was found made to my hand in
that part of the tree whence the leaves
issue; with the same leaves woven to-
gether we make sails for ships; the
species of fiber, which envelope the nut,
ships, as it does not rot in the water,
cellent strings and all sorts of cable and
cordage. Finally, the delicate oil wi ich
has seasoned many of our meats, and
which is burned in my lamp, is ex-
pressed from the fresh kernel" The
stranger listened with establishment to
the poor Indian, who by only having
his cocoanut trees, had nearly everything
necessary to his existance. When the
traveller was again disposed to take his
departure, his host once more addressed
him: II am going to write to friend
in the city, may I ask you, to charge
yourself with my communicationW
Eyes, but will your cocoanut tree still
supply you with the materials?" Ger
tainly," said the Indian, with the saw
dust severed from the leaves made the
ink, and with the leaves, this parch.
ment; in former times it was used to re-
cord all public and memorable asts."
slavery and Religion In Egypt.
From the Pail Mall GazetteL
+ A recent traveller in Egypt sends US the
81 a.