OCR Text |
Show VALUE OF COCOANUT PALM Tree's Many Uses Have Made It Almost Al-most Indispensable in tho Tropics. Thoro Is nbiolutcly no part of tho cocoanut palm which Is without Us uses. Tho trco grows nil through tho tropics, but It Is tho untlves of tho Philippines and other Islands In tho Pacific who most largely depend upon it. First, tho nut Is a valuable aiel almost al-most completo food, and the liquid which tho shell contains Is a refreshing refresh-ing drink. From tho husk Is mado ropes, sails, netting, and the familiar cocoanut matting. Tho leaves are used for thatching nnd mako tho best and lightest roors in existence. The leaf ribs aro formed into brooms or else aro used for fuel, whllo tho ashes mixed with tho oil crushed from tho nut form nn excellent soap. Tho shells form cups and goblets. Tho trunk makes excellent pillars for liouso bulldttigs, bolng both strong and light, while cut Into sections, nnd with tho pith hollowed out, It form tubs, casks nnd water pipes. From tho roots Is mado n red dy6, and tho green crftwn, or central bud, whon crushed, gives a liquor called tubn, delicious to drink and which when fermented makes flrst-clnsa vinegar. |