Page 295
An.1686
The Profitableness of Coco-trees.
Rope-yarns joyned together make good Cables. This Manufactory is chiefly used at the Maldivue Islands, and the threads sent in balls into all places that trade thither, purposely for to make Cables. I made a Cable at Achin with some of it. These are called Coire Cables: they will last very well. But there is another sort of Coire Cables (as they are called) that are black, and more strong and lasting; and are made of strings that grow, like Horse-hair, at the heads of certain Trees, almost like the Coco- nut-tree. This sort comes most from the Island Ti- mor. In the South Seas the Spaniards do make Oakam to chalk their Ships with the husk of the Coco-nut, which is more serviceable than that made of hemp, and they say it will never rot. I have been told by Captain Knox, who wrote the Relation of Ceylon, that in some places of India they make a sort of coarse Cloath of the husk of the Coco-nut, which is used for Sails. My self have seen a sort of coarse Sail-cloath made of such a kind of substance: but whether the same or no I know not.
I have been the longer on this subject, to give the Reader a particular Account of the use and profit of a Vegetable, which is possibly of all others the most generally serviceable to the conveniencies, as well as the necessities of humane Life. Yet this Tree, that is of such great use, and esteemed so much in the East Indies, is scarce regarded in the West Indies, for want of the knowledge of the bene- fit which it may produce. And tis partly for the sake of my Countrymen in our American Planta- tions that I have spoken so largely of it. For the hot Climates there are a very proper soil for it: and indeed it is so hardy both in the raising it, and when grown, that it will thrive as well in dry sandy ground as in rich land. I have found them grow- ing very well in low sandy Islands (on the West of Sumatra) that are over-flowed with the Sea every Spring-