ABSTRACT
The oil palm, a native of West Africa, was introduced into British Malaya about the year 1875, but it was 35 or 40 years later that the first serious attempt was made to cultivate the crop on a plantation scale. There is no doubt that the climatic and soil conditions of British Malaya are particularly suited to the cultivation of this crop; it is, in fact, stated that palms grow more rapidly and luxuriantly in Malaya than in West Africa. There are considerable areas of land in several States in Malaya which fulfil these requirements, and in order to encourage the cultivation of this crop the Government alienates land for the purpose on especially favourable terms. The palm seed is germinated in sand beds, from which it is transferred to the nursery as soon as germination has commenced. Palm oil is exported in barrels, and the kernel in sacks.
