TODDY YIELDS FROM COCONUT PALMS 

IN CEYLON 
By W. R. N. NATHAN AEL, 

Chemist, Coconut Research Institute. 

I n t r o d u c t i o n 

A survey of the pertinent literature, which is somewhat meagre, reveals 
s ta tements which are rather inconsistent and conflicting, regarding the average 
daily quant i ty of toddy which could be tapped from a coconut palm. 

; Judging from figures available for the Philippines, India, Malaya and Indonesia, there is 
doubtlessly a wide divergence in the yield of sap. There appear to be considerable variations 
in yield from day to <W. season to season, spadix to spadix, and palm to palm. This perhaps is 
not surprising ,•. e consider the fact t ha t the flow of toddy is contingent on a variety of 
factors, inch .g the expertness of the tapper. 

. B . J . . . a ton (1916)1 records t ha t in moist localities in Ceylon, with one tapping a day, 
thfc d a i l y ; eld of juice per palm varies from 600 to 1,200 ml., with two tappings from 600 to 
3,600 ml.,' and with three tappings from 1,100 to 4,738 ml. He also mentions tha t the total 
volume of toddy which could be drawn during the tapping period of a spadix ranges between 
3*5 to 7.5 gallons, equivalent to about 16 to 34 litres. (1 gallon = 4.546 litres). 

R. Child (1936)2 quotes the 1909 record of tapping in the province of La Laguna 
(Philippines) which gave 2,103,296 litres of toddy from 10,009 palms equivalent to an average 
of 210 litres per palm for eight months or 875 ml., per palm per day. He then compares this 
with certain official statistical figures for Ceylon, supplied by the Excise Department, working 
out to 227 litres per palm for 240 days, or 946 ml., per day, which is not very different from 
the Philippine figure. On the basis of these overall average figures quoted by Child it could be 
reckoned for purposes of general computation tha t five coconut palms would yield a gallon 
of toddy per day* In other words, a single palm could be expected to produce a daily yield 
of about 900 ml. of toddy. 

Apar t from the above records no da ta based on any quanti tat ive or systematic experiments 
are available for the purpose of making reliable comparisons or assessments of toddy 
yield potentialities of coconut palms in Ceylon. 

*:r--i In reviewing the li terature on previous work on the subject of toddy yields however, there 
'appears to be some agrejm.ent regarding pne .observatipn.. • I t . appears to., be .the.-.consensus 
of opinion, that whust-ftnteiligent •management will certainly 'increase the yield d f sap pe r^a lm , 

8 



yet unduly forcing a high rate of production would doubtlessly tend to exhaust the palms rather 
rapidly. 

Present Work 

For the purpose of the present studies a special experimental licence was obtained for 
tapping six typica (tall) palms at a t ime, for twelve-month periods a t Bandirippuwa Estate , 
Lunuwila, where the Research Inst i tute is situated. Though records have been kept on different 
sets of palms over the years, yet for the purpose of this discussion it is felt tha t the records kept 
on 14 tall palms for 12-month periods during 1953-55 alone, warrant consideration. 

The palms employed for these ad hoc studies had never been tapped before and were selected 
for uniformity with regard to age and physical characters. They were vigorous palms in their 
prime (30-40 years old) with close set crowns and a large number of fronds with short and sturdy 
petioles which are known to facilitate tapping operations. In general, the fourteen palms selected 
could be regarded as typical specimens ideally suited for tapping purposes. 

For purposes of comparison, and in view of certain suggestions by Jack and Sands (1929)8 

in Malaya, regarding certain advantages of tapping the nana (dwarf) variety of the coconut 
palm, a separate licence was obtained for tapping trials on 30 Malayan dwarf palms—Cocos 
nucifera Lin. These palms were selected from a ten acre block a t Ratmalagara Estate , Madampe, 
a sub-station of the Research Inst i tute. These palms flower initially in about 3-3$ years 
and are short in habit, ultimately attaining a height of only about 20 feet. For tapping purposes, 
the early flowering nature and short habit , have been adduced as desirable characteristics 
for economic exploitation. 

Though thi r ty dwarf palms were actually selected and s tamped by the excise authorities 
for the tapping trials, six palms had to be abandoned as they proved unsuitable for tapping. 
Unlike the tall variety these palms were found to exhibit a periodicity in the emergence of flower 
spathes, a phenomenon which perhaps explains the low nut yields in alternate years 
which have been recorded by certain workers. This irregularity in bearing, among other things, 
doubtlessly constitutes a serious handicap to continuous tapping for commercial purposes. 

The tapping technique applied for drawing sap from the 14 tall palms (A to N) and the 24 
dwarfs (1-30) selected for these studies was the same. As the object in view was to obtain an 
assessment of average yields, from typical palms, without forcing them to maximum yielding 
capacity, the spadices were pared off and the receiving vessels changed twice a day 
only, at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

For reasons adduced below it was found expedient to discontinue the tapping operations 
on the 24 dwarf palms (1-30) a t the close of six months. For purposes of comparison therefore, 
yield records kept at Bandirippuwa Es ta te on three dwarf palms (X to Z) for a period of one 
year are also included. These palms too were tapped in precisely the same manner as the 
others under study. 

As it will be superfluous and unwieldy to present the daily records, the yields of toddy for 
ten-day periods alone for each of the palms selected are summarised in Tables I to I I I . These 
are considered adequate for a discussion of the essential features of the basal data. I t is note-

9 



worthy tha t the different palms gave different yields of toddy and also tha t the yields from 
individual palms fluctuated within wide ranges at different periods. 

Observations and Discussion 
Even though the figures relate to a small number of palms, yet in the absence of any other 

recorded da ta the observations are informative and significant. 

The preliminary preparation of the first spadix tapped was commenced about the 15th 
of December in each of the palms, and any yields prior to the 1st of January were small and are 
not included in the tables. The following is a summary of observations on both varieties 
of palms based On da ta presented in Tables I to I I I . 

(1) Yield Variations :—Figure I reveals a t a glance tha t both the tall and dwarf varieties 
show, wide diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the )'ield of sap. I t would be seen 
tha t during the first months of tapping the yield of juice is comparatively low, the flow having 
a decided tendency for a steady increase thereafter for a period. Apart from these characteristics 
the behaviour and yielding capacities of the two varieties are quite distinct. 

An abrupt decline in yields is evident in the dwarf palms after the fourth month of tapping 
and in fact this drop was found to be concomitant with adverse symptoms of health 
and decreased vigour of the palms. As 50 per cent of the palms or so were seriously affected 
the tapping operations had to be discontinued after the 30th of June . Though the three dwarf 
palms (X to Z) also show a similar declension in yield after the fourth month of tapping, yet i t 
was found possible to keep records for a year. The fact tha t these three palms with­
stood the rigours of tapping better is perhaps to be explained by the fact tha t a t Bandirippuwa 
Es ta te (unlike a t Ratmalagara where the 24 dwarfs were grown) the weather is somewhat 
milder with lower temperatures and a bet ter rainfall distribution. 

The tall palms showed no deterioration in health a t any stage during the year though a 
slight t rend for decline in daily yields is evident after six months of tapping. The summarised 
da ta given in Table IV would serve to elucidate the salient features and the stark contrasts in 
the yield potentialities of the tall and dwarf coconut palms. Table IV (A), columns 3 and 5 
show tha t the overall daily yield per tall palm (during a twelve-month tapping period) is 1582 
ml., .ranging between o and 5420 ml., whereas the corresponding yield for dwarf palms is only 
303 ml., ranging between 0 and 1260 ml. Computing the daily toddy yields on an acreage basis 
of 64 talis to 100 dwarfs it will be found tha t they will yield 22.3 gallons and 6.7 
gallons respectively per acre per day. The inordinate disparity in the figures speaks for itself. 
(Browning and Symons (1916)5 quote an average daily yield of only 650 ml., per tall palm for 
the Philippines bu t mention t ha t selected palms would yield about 500 litres a year equivalent 
t o 1370 ml. per day) . 

With regard to distribution of yields Fig. I, shows tha t the dwarf palms are erratic in this 
respect and in fact after the fourth month the decline is very steep in both sets of dwarfs under 
s tudy. Table I I I shows tha t palms (X to Z) gave no toddy in December and only an average of 
31 ml., per palm during November. In the case of palm (Z), death supervened during the last 
month of tapping. Comparatively speaking the tall palms show more regularity in their yield 
distribution oyer the year. They indicate a steady rise to a peak during the sixth month of 
tapping. Thereafter there is only a gradual drop till the eleventh month. Table I, column 16 
will show tha t the twelfth month if a t all is the period when a critical decline is discernible, 

t he average of 1455 ml., per day for November dropping to 619 ml. in December. 

10 



As the determination of an economic and safe tapping period is a vital consideration, the 
da ta summarised in Table IV (B) and (C) and the histograms in Figure I I are useful in evaluating 
this information. Table IV (B) shows the overall daily yields for different tapping periods 
ranging from one month to a year, and Fig. I I is a diagrammatic representation of this 
data . I t will be seen tha t in tall palms the daily average, increases steadily with the tapping 
period up to the tenth month. I t is only after this period of tapping t ha t a slight drop from 
1707 ml. to 1684 ml. is noticeable. This tendency persists reducing the average to 1582 ml. at the 
close of the twelve-month period. In the case of the dwarf palms however the picture is different. 
The daily average after a four-month tapping period steadily decreases finishing up 
with an overall daily average of only 303 ml., for twelve months. 

Table IV (C) illustrates the monthly recoveries of sap in relation to the total annual yields. 
In this respect too the two types of palms are markedly different. Column (2) shows that in tall 
palms the yield of sap is fairly evenly distributed between the third and tenth months of tapping, 
the monthly recoveries, ranging between 8.4 and 11.9% of the total annual yield. The 
sap recovered during the first eight months of tapping is 70.5% and the first ten months 88.6% 
of the total annual yield. The dwarf palms appear to reveal a stimulus for enhanced yields 
during the early months of tapping. Column (3) shows tha t 54.4% of the total annual yield is 
recovered at the close of the fourth month, whereas the corresponding figure for the tall palms 
is only 27.3%. After the fourth month the monthly recoveries in the dwarfs are 
characterised by a steady decline culminating in a complete cessation of yields about the t en th 
month. 

The figures summarised in Table IV (A), column (4) present points of great interest. I t 
will be seen tha t the morning and afternoon collections are widely divergent. For the tall 
palms the morning collection representing a flow for 15 hours is 1116 ml., equivalent to 74.4 ml. 
per hour. The afternoon collection during 9 hours is 466 ml. which works out to 51.8 ml. per 
hour. In other words the rate of flow between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. is about 44% higher than that 
between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. In the case of the dwarf palms (X to Z) which registered 212 ml. 
in - the morning and 91 ml. in the afternoon, the corresponding difference in the rates of flow is 
of the same order working out to about 40%. That there is a decided difference in the rates of 
flow is not open to any doubt. 

There is no doubt tha t this difference in rates is a manifestation linked up directly 
or indirectly with physiological forces concerned with sap movement, transpiration and 
the action of the hydrostatic system of the palm involved in elevating water from the soil. As 
these processes themselves according to D. T. MacDougal (1925)4 are conjoined with various 
factors which change during the course of a day, we have some explanation for the 
fluctuations observed in the rates of flow of toddy during different times of the day. . 

(2) Yields in terms of spadices • 
The interval between the preparatory initiation of the tapping process and the 

commencement of flow of juice in the case of tall palms was rarely found to exceed 
12-15 days. The corresponding period for the dwarfs however, was found to be in the region of 
10-13 days. The difference is possibly due to the fact t ha t the spadices of the dwarf palms are 
smaller in size and the inner spathe covering the flower buds is thinner in structure 
whereby the bruising operations take effect quicker than in the tall variety. This slightly 
shorter pre-treatment period required for the dwarfs cannot however be regarded as being of 
any particular economic advantage. 

11 



The toddy yield data for the 14 tall palms (A to N) and the 3 dwarf palms (X to Z) in 
terms of the spadices tapped are given in Tables V and VI and Fig. I I I . The corresponding 
da ta for the 24 dwarf palms (1-30) are not given because the records which were kept for only a 
period of six months, are of not much relevance. The following is a summary of the mean 
averages for the yields per spadix for the two sets of palms. 

• • 
Average yield of juice/spathe (ml.) 

Number of spathe 
Average yield of juice/spathe (ml.) 

Number of spathe Number of spathe 
Tall Palms (A to N) Dwarf Palms (X to Z) 

1 16,982 5.609 
2 34.805 1.2,656 
3 46,135 14.053 
4 61,083 12,676 
5 66,829 15.379 
6 68,632 12,492 
7 67,726 9,716 
8 58,390 8,272 
9 53,304 5.495 

10 45,390 5,553 
11 39.514 4,923 
12 38,064 2,523 
13 36.275 1,053 
14 45.165 100 
15 22,340 — 

Tot. yield for 365 days (ml.) weighted av. 577.491 110,503 

Mean production/spathe for all spathes 
tapped (ml.) weighted average 49.520 8,494 

Range of production/spathe (ml.) 16:982 to 68,632 100 to 15,379 

Coefficient of variation 34-2% 63-5% 
Standard deviation ± 15,980 i 5,oio 

Average duration of tapping period/spathe (days) 31-2 28.1 

I t was observed tha t the period during which the spadices yielded juice varied from spadix 
to spadix. . The overall averages for this period for the tall palms and dwarf palms were 31.2 
days and 28.1 days respectively. Though these are fairly close to each other, it will 
be seen t ha t the yields of sap per spadix in the two varieties are widely different averaging 
49,520 ml. (10.9 gallons) for the tall palms and only 8,494 ml. (1.9 gallons) for the dwarfs. 
These yields per spadix will be seen to range between wide limits for both varieties 
16,982 to 68,632 ml. (3.7—15.1 gallons) for the tall and 100 to 15,379 m l - (°—3-4 gallons) for 
the dwarf palms. The coefficients of variability of the yields per spadix being 34.2% and 
63-5% for the tall and dwarfs respectively. I t has already been mentioned tha t Ea ton 
(loc. cit.) states tha t the total yield per spadix in Ceylon may range between 3.5 and 7.5 gallons. 

Browning and Symons (1916)6, also without any supporting data mention tha t the total 

12 



yield per spathe for tall palms in Ceylon may be expected to vary between 3.5 and 17.5 gallons. 
I t is interesting however, to note tha t the figures obtained in the present studies, whilst 
they are higher than Eaton 's figures, fall within the range mentioned by the latter authors. 

Among the workers in other countries yield statistics for individual spathes of tall palms 
are quoted by J . S. Patel (1938)0 only, for Kasaragod, South Kanara District, Madras State, 
South India. He quotes figures which average about 18,000 ml. (4.0 gallons) per spathe 
with a maximum in the region of about 9.0 gallons par spathe. I t will be observed tha t the 
potential yields in this part of India are considerably lower than those obtained in these studies, 
and those reported by other workers for Ceylon. 

(3) Yields in relation to climate and other factors 

The plant environment is made up of many factors which are both climatic and edaphic 
(i.e. pertaining to soil conditions). I t is recognised at the outset tha t climate which includes, 
temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind velocity, rainfall and sunlight is a 
very complex factor. Indeed, any one of these elements of climate may be extremely compli­
cated in its effects on the plant. Thus sunlight, which influences the photosynthetic activity 
of plants in a very fundamental way may vary in intensity and in quality with the 
seasons. I t is also recognised tha t all of the effects of soil and climate are so inter-related tha t 
it is difficult if not impossible, to isolate and characterize the influence of any one of these factors 
in the plant environment. 

With the meagre da ta available it is thus not proposed in the present s tudy to a t tempt to 
disentangle large interaction effects or even draw correlations between the yield of sap and any 
speci fic climatic or meteorological factors of the natural environment. All the same it is considered 
tha t a brief discussion may be useful on account of certain indications which could very well be 
the subject of wider study. 

As the erratic yields of dwarf palms do not present any points of significance in this context 
they do not merit consideration here, except for the fact tha t they have been proved to react 
adversely to conditions of low rainfall and drought. 

In figures IV to VII the graph representing the yield fluctuations of tall palm toddy (after 
smoothening to reduce skewness, by plotting monthly averages for the year, instead of ten day 
averages) is compared with corresponding changes during the year of various factors principally 
weather and climate, based on statistics kept a t Bandirippuwa Esta te . Graphical da ta for the 
following factors have been presented in the figures :—(a) Crop pat tern (b) Rainfall (c) Tem­
perature (d) Vapour pressure (e) Cloudiness (/) Hours of sunshine (g) Number of wet 
days (h) Relative humidity (*) Day length (/) per cent setting of nuts (k) Number of female 
flowers and (I) Number of bunches. 

Though it is well nigh impossible with the statistics available and presented in the figures 
to evaluate quantitatively the effects of one or a combination of the factors, yet judging from 
some of the curves it is a logical assumption tha t a number of these interactive factors must be 
operative in determining the pat tern of toddy yields during the year. I t is a mat ter for 
conjecture however tha t the effects of some of the factors may be complementary whilst others 
are naturally confounded so tha t conclusions cannot necessarily be drawn for each and every 
factor concerned. 

13 



Though the palms were selected for uniformity in age and vigour, yet the possibility of 
genetic differences could not be altogether excluded. Regarding soil factors however, as the 
palms were grown on the same soil type and received the same biennial fertilizer t reatments 
for soil amendments during the past 20 years, it is safe to assume that the nutrient status, 
physical characters and other edaphic factors were fairly constant. On the basis of the 
assumption t ha t the toddy yields were principally influenced by climatic factors, the 
similarity in some of the curves is not without interest and could not be divorced as being 
altogether fortuitous. : 

I t will be recognised tha t another interesting feature is tha t the characters including the 
setting of nuts , number of female flowers, number of bunches and the general crop pat tern reveal 
a fairly consistent trend, and bear to a certain extent a striking similarity to the toddy 
yield distribution during the year. This relationship is perhaps understandable on account 
of the fact tha t from infancy to senescence the flowers and fruits are dependent on the sap for 
their development and maturat ion. 

The available evidence points strongly to the idea tha t the yield and flow of sap 
(and indirectly the production of nuts) are dependent on a complex inter-relationship 
between biological and physical factors associated with the environment, and which can in fact 
bear a critical influence. 

General Deductions 

As these studies were undertaken with certain specific objectives in mind, it may be useful 
a t this stage to enumerate any positive inferences drawn from this somewhat preliminary 
evaluation of the relative merits of tall and dwarf palms for tapping purposes. 

1 . There is clear-cut evidence to warrant the conclusion tha t under climatic conditions 
prevailing in Ceylon the nana or dwarf variety of the coconut palm will not prove 
economical for tapping purposes. Dwarf palms on tapping, do yield a flow 
of juice, but a period not exceeding 4 months (which is too short to be economical) 
appears to be the safe time. Prolonged tapping tends to result in complete 
derangement of health and metabolism of the palms resulting in a breakdown 
of their vegetative and reproductive cycles of growth. A periodicity in the 
emergence of spathes, a tapping period of short duration, combined with relatively 
poor and erratic yields (in comparison with tall palms on an acreage basis) 
are grave disadvantages. 

The advantages the dwarf palms possess of early bearing and short habit (providing 
facility of tapping) are more than offset by the fact tha t the palms are 
delicate and are adversely affected during periods of drought. The primary consi­
deration being the yield of sap, and a safe economical tapping period, it is quite 
obvious tha t on these grounds alone they can be adequately condemned as 
being commercially unsuitable for tapping purposes. 

2. In analogous contexts, the yield potentialities and other vital characteristics of the 
tal l palms have been consistently found to be superior and eminently suited for 
tapping purposes in contrast to the dwarf palms. 

14 



3- In effect these studies have shown, tha t instead of random tapping of whole groves, 
it is a decided advantage (in spite of possible practical difficulties) to select palms 
for tapping purposes on predetermined characters, the so-called ' toddy trunks ' 
which experienced and skilled tappers could always identify. A system of selecting 
palms would eliminate ' duds ' and also keep a t a minimum any effects due to 
genetic factors, thereby ensuring considerably higher and more uniform yields 
than those which have been estimated to be produced under the present system 
of random tapping. 

4. The duration of the period for which palms can be tapped economically is a vital 
consideration. The results have shown tha t the daily average yield per palm 
increases steadily with the tapping period up to the tenth month, dropping there­
after only very slightly. If different sets of palms are tapped annually in rotation, 
it should be safe and economical to tap them for a twelve month period. If on 
the contrary, the same palms are tapped continuously, then perhaps the present 
system of eight months tapping with a four month rest period is to be recommended. 

5. Though the study has not been comprehensive enough, yet on the basis of available 
evidence, the indications are tha t the interactions of certain physical environmental 
variables associated with weather and climate must play a dominant role in 
influencing the production and flow of toddy. The factual evidence regarding 
diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the yield of toddy, combined with the roughly 
periodic variations of certain physical factors, are strongly suggestive of some 
such inter-locking relationship. 

As the production of sap is indirectly linked up with the floral biology of the coconut, 
the production of nuts and other concomitant characters, the available data give 
indications of possible interesting correlations which could very well form a subject 
for further investigations. 

Though the present studies had to be based on a limited number of palms, yet the observations 
and deductions being of a fundamental nature are not necessarily restricted in their application. 
The climatic conditions prevailing in Ceylon being predominantly insular and not subject to 
violent fluctuations, the principal coconut growing areas of the island are assured of comparable 
and fairly stable weather conditions. Thus, broadly speaking, it can be concluded that the 
observations are of fairly general application, and of particular significance to those associated 
with, and interested in, the economics of tapping coconut palms for industrial utilisation in 
Ceylon. 

Thanks are due to Mr. V. Abeywardena, Biometrician, for preparing the figures based on • 
climatological d a t a ; Mr. M. P. Tissera, Technical Assistant for assistance in recording the t o d d y * -
yields, and J . E. Premaratne, Laboratory Attendant , for the actual tapping operations •Afcfe"'-

Conclusion 

Acknowledgments 

palms. 

1 5 

If 



References 

(1) Eaton, B . J . (1916). Coconut Toddy in Ceylon. Mai. Agric. Joum., 5,193-9. 

(2) Child, R. (1936). Production of Sugar from Sweet Coconut Toddy. Ceylon Trade 
Journal, 1, No. 12, 410-5. 

(3) Jack, H. W. and Sands, W. N. (1929). Observations on the Dwarf Coconut Palm in 
Malaya. Mai. Agric. Joum., 17,140-70. 

(4) MacDougal, D. T. (1925). 1. Absorption and Exudation Pressures in Plants. Proc. 
Am. Phil. Soc, 64,102-30. 

2. Reversible Variations in Volume, Pressure and Movements of Sap in Trees. 
Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub., 365. 

(5) Browning, K. C. and Symons, C. T. (1916). Coconut Toddy in Ceylon. Joum. Soc. 
Chem. Ind., 3 5 , No. 22,1138-42. 

(6) Patel, J . S. (1938). The Coconut—a Monograph. Govt. Press, Madras, 242-58. 



FIGURE I 

ToM)Y Y i e l d Ave RACES PER DAY F0rt TEN - DAY PER/OOS. 

20/1 9/2 1/3 21/3 10/4 30/4 20/5 9/6 29/6 19/7 8/8 28/8 17/9 7/10 27/10 16/11 6/12 31/12 
Tin-J) AY TUPPING PEXIOOS CXjmuary -DeccuBtR) 



FIGURE H 

OVERALL DAILY WELDS OF TODDY FOR TAPPING PERIODS 30 TO U5 DAYS. 

Dwarf Palms (I to 30) 

Dwarf Palms (X t o Z) 

Tall Palms (A t o N) 

TAPPING PERIOD IN DAYS 



FIGURE W 
TODDy Y/ELDS IN TERMS OF SPADICES 

20,000 

VOIUME 
(ml.) 

10,000 

D w a r f P a l m s (X to Z) 

IS.379 

100 
14 

\ SPAD/X NUMBER 



FIGURE IV 

T O J J D Y Y I E L D S IN RELATION TO CLIMATE AND OTHER FACTORS. 

Av. Toddy Yield/Day 

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May . June 

Crop Pattern 

July Aug. Sept. On. Nov. Dec. 

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July AJJg. 

Rainfall ! 

Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June 

MONTH 

July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 



1* 

i s 

* 7* 

Jo 

FIGURE V 
TODDY YIELDS IN RELATION TO CLIMATE AND OTHER FACTORS. 

TEMPERATURE 

rf 0 U O 0 0 

VAPOUR PRESSURE 



^ IS 

* 10 

\ 
\ S 

FIGURE VI 

TODDY YIELDS IN RELATION TO CLIMATE A N D OTHER FACTORS. 
N9 of we T 3>A ys. 

Relative humh/ty 

Af 

P 

ID 

50 M A 



FIGURE Vll 
TODDY YIELDS IN RELATION TO CLIMATE AND OTHER FACTORS 

PERCEN TA GE 5E TTtNG 



T A B L E I 

Y I E L D S O F T O D D Y ( in M i l l i - l i t r e s ) 

(Records kept dur ing rr.r* ~ r < i j t a " c»i". 1 I M I i i i s (A to X) at }iandirippuu: i Ksr:itr, Lunuwila.) 

i 2 3 4 5 6 ! 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 16 : 17 
18 

Ten days ending P A L M 
A 

P A L M 
B 

P A L M 
C 

P A L M 
D 

P A L M 
E 

P A L M 
F 

P A L M 
G 

P A L M 
H 

P A L M 
I 

P A L M 
J 

P A L M 
K 

P A L M 
L 

P A L M 
M 

P A L M 
N 

Average dai ly 
y i e l d / p a l m 

Range of total 
da i ly 

y i e l d / p a l m 
(Palms A to N ) 

Rainfall for corres­
ponding 10 day 
periods. Average 
(1953-55)- Inches 

I O . I 

20.1 
30.1 

4.56o 
7.470 
8,000 

9,545 
11,380 
15.070 

6,240 
11,385 
11,680 

710 
1.480 
3,000 

5.995 
7.625 

15,110 

8,560 
9,960 

12,800 

2,270 
6,800 

13.530 

nil 
400 
600 

2,520 
3.430 
2,520 

1.740 
3,440 
4.33o 

2,980 
4,47o 
5,590 

2,590 
5,750 
8,830 

1,220 
3.490 
3.350 

5,340 
8,530 
7,400 

388 
612 
799 

0-1,540 
0-1,590 
0-2,240 

1.84 
1.06 
0 .56 

Aver . January 6,677 11,998 9,768 1,730 9,577 10,440 7 ,533 3 3 3 2,823 3,170 4,347 5,723 2,687 7,090 599 0-2,240 1.15 
9.2 

19.2 
I - 3 

9,000 
9,050 

11,000 

14,260 
10,770 
" . 4 3 0 

13.975 
i7,35o 
16,810 

4,160 
5.845 
5,830 

20,160 
13.270 
20,980 

19,390 
19,240 
16,180 

18,170 
24.320 
28,760 

1,080 
7.520 
7.370 

6,520 
3,990 
5,900 

7.850 
9,080 
8,070 

9,130 
8,050 

10,630 

10,220 
12,850 
12,970 

7,110 
8.250 

10,990 

n , 3 3 ° 
12,000 
15,820 

1,088 
1,154 
1,305 

0-3,200 
0-3,460 

100-3,580 

0 .23 
0 .95 
1.24 

Aver . February 9,683 12,153 16,045 5,278 18,137 18,270 23,750 5,323 5,470 8 ,333 9,270 12,013 8,783 : 3,050 1,183 0-3 ,580 0.81 

" • 3 
21 .3 
31-3 

14,860 
14,110 
13.400 

i7.49o 
18,360 
17.650 

19,360 
18,380 
17.30° 

4.650 
8,110 

14,640 

33,270 
27.83° 
22,960 

29,890 
21,000 
14,700 

17,920 
28,220 
32,880 

8,370 
8,100 
9,060 

9,930 
13,280 
13.420 

9,880 
15,050 
19,620 

12,730 
12,960 
14,280 

16,300 
13,84° 

9.550 

11,260 
13,630 
10,420 

16,970 
16,150 
19.580 

1,592 
1,636 
1,639 

0-4,360 
24°-3,540 

0-3,840 

1.29 
4-37 
1.64 

Aver . M a r c h 14,123 17,833 18,347 9,133 28,020 21,863 26,340 8,510 12,210 14,850 13,323 13,230 11,770 17,567 1,622 0-4,360 2.43 
10.4 
20 .4 
30.4 

24,030 
21,290 
18,350 

10,810 
13,700 
18,750 

31.350 
33,590 
33.920 

19,570 
24.750 
19,400 

24,660 
24,160 
28,290 

23,810 
20,740 
29,750 

19,860 
37.420 
22,260 

9,000 
10,090 
10,120 

20,540 
19,150 
20,830 

20,710 
27,080 
10,850 

11,070 
13,650 
11,250 

10,610 
10,970 

7,610 

10,510 
6,100 
2,820 

20,620 
14,270 
15,100 

1,837 
1,979 
1,781 

0-4,340 
0-4,430 
0-3,670 

1.94 
2 .17 
9-73 

Aver . A p r i l 21,223 14,420 32,953 21.240 25,703 24,767 26,513 9 ,737 20,187 19,547 11,990 9,730 6,477 6,663 1,865 0-4,430 4.61 
10.5 
20 .5 
3 0 5 

12,250 
10,930 
13,200 

26,200 
14,780 
20,170 

37.820 
29.850 
22,830 

25.540 
26,980 
21,720 

23,770 
25.790 
28,400 

22,580 
21,030 
33.2S0 

30,780 
17,530 
31,010 

8,770 
I7.390 
21,660 

22,250 
13,000 
19,650 

32.700 
25,200 
15,4*o 

20,400 
17,790 
10,530 

4,090 
10,060 
16,930 

6,170 
18,030 
15.740 

29,250 
28,850 
22,180 

2,161 
1,980 
2,091 

0-4,280 
0-3,920 
0-4,620 

3-52 
3-99 
2 .46 

Aver . M a y 12,127 20,383 30,167 24,747 25,987 25,630 26,440 15,940 18,300 24,440 16,240 10,360 13,313 16,760 2,077 0-4,620 3 .32 
9.6 

19.6 
29 .6 

14,960 
16,840 
14.520 

15.9-0 
19,960 
27,040 

34.9*o 
46,960 
4 J ,380 

23.750 
20,680 
24,830 

3 3 . 3 2 0 

29,580 
10,650 

24,490 
35.300 
30,290 

33,290 
16,300 
87,54° 

21,210 
14,690 
22,940 

13,680 
18,500 
24,140 

14,890 
10,580 
17,620 

16,170 
29,250 
19,460 

25,050 
19,600 

9,400 

17,820 
6,720 

16,850 

16,400 
34,900 
40,760 

2,185 
2,285 
2,403 

0-4,130 
0-5,420 

230-4,860 

2 .61 
0.42 
0.42 

Aver . June 15,440 20,970 41,083 23,087 27,517 30,027 25,710 19,613 18 ,773 14,363 21,627 18,017 13 ,797 50,687 2,291 0-5,420 1.15 
9-7 

19.7 
29 .7 

15.560 
13.765 
11,920 

22,240 
27,270 
19.150 

35.970 
29,190 
21,870 

24,160 
24,040 
21,530 

23,970 
27.125 
25,640 

29,730 
21,880 
23,780 

16,510 
33.6io 
28,420 

15.150 
10,120 
16,640 

13,480 
22,630 
19,080 

21,030 
26,540 
14.350 

9,040 
20,450 
27,150 

21,650 
26,670 
15,190 

26,050 
23,220 

8,200 

17,320 
18,260 
29,990 

2,085 
2,320 
2,021 

0-4,240 
240-4,180 

0-3,960 

5-87 
1.85 
0 .97 

Aver . J u l y 13,748 22,887 29,010 23,243 25,578 25,130 26,180 13,970 18,397 20,640 18,880 21,170 19,157 81,857 2,142 0-4,240 2.90 
8.8 

18.8 
28 .8 

13.030 
14,080 
19,060 

13,180 
17,070 
18,000 

23,290 
31.700 
26,120 

20,550 
24,080 
33,930 

22,450 
24,490 
17,220 

26,240 
22,150 
16,950 

23.470 
9,120 

22,800 

20,580 
14.360 
18,550 

18,920 
8,520 

14,000 

16,760 
13,210 
i5.79o 

20,0S0 
6,990 

15.720 

4.99o 
12,030 
18,240 

16.510 
18,710 
14,71° 

29,450 
19,940 
5.460 

1,925 
1,693 
1,832 

0-3,400 
o-3,750 
0-3.770 

2 .08 
0 .20 
0 .08 

Aver . August 15,390 16,083 27,037 26,400 21,387 21,780 18,463 17,830 13,813 15,253 14,263 11,753 16,643 : 8,283 1,817 0-3 ,770 0.79 
7-9 

17.9 
27 .9 

22,250 
14,960 
12,760 

13,700 
18,340 
26,660 

32,080 
30,190 
26,630 

23,890 
28,720 
24,660 

1,510 
21,250 
19,980 

15,810 
26,360 
19,250 

15.470 
9.240 

15.990 

25.57" 
12,520 
15.160 

I O . O O U 

18,340 
9,560 

8,o£o 
14,280 
10,620 

23,980 
26,690 

3,610 

19,260 
8,160 

10,520 

7.090 
6,560 

15.53° 

11,370 
17.140 
26,16c 

1,686 
1,805 
1,694 

0-3,580 
0-3,640 
0-3,300 

0 .19 
2 .07 
5.58 

Aver . September 16,657 19,567 29,633 25,757 14,247 20,473 13,567 17,750 14,633 10 ,993 18,093 12 ,6*7 9,727 : 8,223 1,728 0-3 ,640 2.61 
7.10 

17.10 
27.10 

14,060 
11,680 

3,160 

15,010 
14,780 
15,180 

37.8io 
37.640 
36,980 

23.440 
23,660 
17.250 

27.730 
25,020 

9.370 

21,750 
18,520 
14,900 

25,080 
22,190 
17,040 

12,690 
16,720 
19,280 

11,490 
13.520 
17.870 

14,310 
15,650 
11,650 

10,260 
19,800 
15.590 

12,560 
14,03° 
17,710 

18,030 
9,460 

10,460 

14,920 
12,190 
i3 .7 io 

1,851 
1,820 
1,572 

0-4,150 
0—4,180 
0-4,040 

1.81 
5 2 5 
7.22 

Aver . October 9,633 14,990 37,477 21,450 20,707 18,390 21,437 16,230 14,293 13,870 15,217 14,767 12,650 1 3,607 1,748 0-4,180 4.76 
6.11 

16.11 
26.11 

13.490 
1.555 

11,890 

14,300 
12,430 
10,440 

30,260 
25.415 
25,620 

23.850 
10,210 
12,340 

15.290 
8,830 
0.33O 

i S , 6 i o 
24,050 
14,250 

16,480 
19,970 
15.670 

16,780 
14,410 
12,550 

10,100 
16,820 
14,280 

14,700 
13,290 
13.130 

17,890 
13,420 
13,010 

13.040 
11,860 
11,000 

15.180 
16,030 

6,470 

12,400 
10,560 
9.73° 

1,660 
1,420 
1,284 

580-3,610 
0-3,050 
0-3.450 

3-69 
0 .82 
3-64 

Aver . November 8,978 12,390 27,098 15,467 1 11,150 18,970 17 ,373 14,580 13 ,733 13,707 ! 14 ,773 11,967 12,560 l 0,897 1,455 0-3 ,610 2.72 
6.12 

16.12 
31.12 (15 days) 

13.310 
10,970 

6,220 

9,060 
7.420 
6,120 

1 1 • 
23,090 ' 9,940 11,200 
11,690 , 9,890 ; 7,500 

7,560 i 2,100 1.910 

13,550 
7,100 
5.010 

11,140 
8,780 
1.030 

8,270 
7,200 

840 

9.400 
8,260 
3,730 

8,360 
6,790 
6,310 

7,430 
5,7io 
2,830 

12,420 
5,58o 
1.740 

2,760 
950 
690 

6,53° 
7,720 
5,29° 

1,046 
754 
367 

0-2,650 
0-1,520 
0-1,460 

2 . 1 6 
2 .31 
2 .30 

Aver . December 8,714 6,457 12,097 6,266 5,889 7,331 1 5,986 ; 4,660 6,111 6,131 4,563 5,640 1,257 5,583 619 0-2,650 2.26 
Aver, daily yield per palm. 

8 months (Jan.-August). 
240 days. 

J .355 1,709 
1 

2.555 j 1.686 2,274 
' | —| 

2,224 i 2.262 1 1,141 
' i 

1.375 1,507 1,374 1.275 ! 1,158 1,899 1,700 1 0-5,420 
(Jan . - A u g u s t ) 

2.14 
(Jan . to 
A u g u s t ) 

Aver, daily yield/palm. 
12 months (Jan.-December). 
365 days. 

1 ' 
1,265 

1 
1,572 

1 
2,570 1,684 

! 

1,931 1 2,008 i 1,975 
1 1 

1,194 1,313 1,367 j 1 ,343 1,216 1,061 
1 

1,654 1,582 
0-5,420 
(Jan. -

December) 

2.42 
(Jan . to 

December ) 

Total for 365 days (ml.) 

• 

461,540 573-625 938 195 614.525 704.635 J 732,880 1 720,870 

1 ' 

435.760 479.290 j 498.960 j 490,040 443.870 i 387.090 e 03.59° | 577,491 j 
, Aver, of total , 
for 365 days (14 j — 

palms) ' 



TABLE I I 

YIELDS OF TODDY (in Milli-litres) 

(Records kept during 1951 on 24 Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palms (1 to 30) at Ratmalagara Estate, Madampe) 

1 1 
1 ! 2 1 3 4 I 5 i 6 7 ! S 

1 
9 j 10 

1 

11 12 13 *4 15 16 17 IS 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 28 

T e a days 
ending" 

P A L M ! P A L M 

i 
1 1 2 

P A L M ; P A L M 

4 | 5 

P A L M 

6 

P A L M 

S 

P A L M 

9 

P A L M 

10 

P A L M 

11 

P A L M 

12 

P A L M 

13 

P A L M 

14 

P A L M 

17 

P A L M 

18 

P A L M 

19 

P A L M 

20 

P A L M i 

i 
21 

P A L M 

22 

P A L M 

23 

P A L M 

25 

P A L M 

26 

P A L M 

2S 

P A L M 

29 

P A L M 

30 

. ... ._ _., ... 

Average daily yield 
per palm 

Range oi total daily 
yield per palm 
(palms 1 to 30) 

Rainfall for correspon­
ding 10 day period 

(1951). Inches 

10-1-51 
20-1-51 
3a- i -5i 

9,(JOO 1 9,220 
10,080 1 12,430 
9,370 ! S,o6o 

4,210 ! 4,700 
8,500 8,goo 
2,460 9,420 

nil 
nil 

2,655 

8,220 
10,090 
7,620 

nil 
nil 
320 

nil 
nil 
nil 

6,300 
4.3S0 
2,940 

6,210 
8,960 
S, 3 So 

5.440 
8,630 
4,890 

5,870 
8,370 
7,610 

5.390 
8,100 
4.370 

4,800 
8,040 
8,650 

4,880 
7,l8o 
4,140 

4,530 
7,450 
J.370 

4.770 
3,130 
1,920 

3,200 
7,460 
6,330 

2,080 
2,43° 
7,060 

5,54° 
8,240 
8,490 

3.890 
nil 
nil 

j 

820 
3,070 
8,635 

nil 
nil 

1,770 

2,150 
S,i8o 

920 

426 
598 
489 

O-1250 
0-1910 
0-1600 

o-39 
0,23 
o-37 

A v e r . J a n u a r y 9,783 9,920 5,057 7,673 885 8,643 107 nil 4,540 7,850 6,320 7,283 5,953 7,163 5,400 4,450 3,273 I 5,663 3,857 7,423 1,297 4,175 590 3,750 504 0-1910 0.33 
9-2-51 

19-2-51 
I-3-5I 

10,890 
11,060 

7,110 

6,840 
9,4(JO 

11,280 

7,120 
5.S40 
7,040 

4 . 7 ™ 
10,270 
9.030 

4. 25o 
S.420 
1,670 

7,660 
10,160 
5.260 

nil 
nil 
nil 

nil 
nil 
nil 

9.39o 
12,460 
4,070 

ml 
nil 
nil 

5,180 
10,070 

8,150 

8,720 
5,880 

10,710 

2,630 
2,130 
S.705 

4,270 
12,070 

7,220 

8,930 
8,160 

11,470 

2,870 
7,440 

nil 

9,710 
9,560 
4.78o 

2,390 
I.S20 
5.140 

3,030 
2,150 
4,6So 

8,750 
9,610 
3,640 

2,050 
4.56o 

nil 

0,270 
6,5!o 
7,280 

4,u6o 
nil 
nil 

nil 
3.410 
3.S30 

495 
629 
505 

0-1S10 
0-2930 
o-tg8o 

nil 
0 .76 
2.S3 

A v e r . F e b r u a r y 9,687 9,193 6,667 8,003 4,780 . 7,693 nil nil 8,640 ni l 7,800 8,437 4,508 7,853 9,520 3,437 8,017 3,117 3,287 7,333 i 2,203 6,353 1,353 2,413 543 0-2930 1.20 
" - 3 - 5 I 
21-3-51 
31-3-51 

10,220 
10,360 

470 

9,190 
9,170 
4,120 

5.730 
5.520 
1,870 

5.350 
2,180 
7,920 

6,8So 
5.570 

nil 

6,840 
6,400 

nil 

5° 
7.250 
5,680 

3,8io 
4.750 
3.040 

6,140 
5.150 

Soo 

S,6 5 o 
6,900 

170 

7,77o 
9,680 
5,800 

6,39o 
3,470 
6,420 

6,550 
7,280 
7,230 

1,620 
7.44° 
5,260 

7,110 
6,110 
2,650 

2,990 
5,240 
2,210 

4.730 
1,400 
1.950 

250 
nil 
4,910 

1,270 
nil 

2,160 

890 
7,38o 
6,485 

3,9io 
3,730 

60 

3,4io 
3,290 

nil 

nil 
nil 

i,8So 

240 
nil 
nil 

475 
493 
282 

0-1270 
0-1460 
0-1730 

0 .79 
0.12 
nil 

A v e r . M a r c h 7,017 7,493 4,373 5,150 4,150 4,413 4,327 4,067 4,030 5,240 7,750 5,427 7,020 4,773 5,290 3,480 2,693 1,720 1,143 4,918 2,567 2,233 627 80 417 0-1730 0.30 
10-4-51 
20-4-51 
30-4-51 

9,330 
12,430 

5.240 

1,220 
8,970 
6,510 

70 
6,260 
1,310 

7,690 
9,260 

11,820 

8,180 
9,660 
6,440 

nil 
2,190 
9,060 

nil 
0.420 

13.360 

7,43o 
5,220 
1,800 

410 
S.aSo 
8,760 

480 
8,080 
6,95° 

10,160 
10,790 

1,400 

10,350 
7,110 
4,120 

7.200 
4,110 
8,350 

970 
9,860 
8,700 

9,350 
7,93o 
6,210 

nil 
4.030 
7.820 

8,Sio 
4.340 

890 

5.740 
3.630 
nil 

7,900 
6,ogo 
1,720 

5,237 

5,480 
3.5io 
g,ooo 

nil 
4,680 
3,830 

nil 
1,720 
13,190 

7,670 
1,920 
8,640 

nil 
nil 
nil 

452 
606 
605 

0-1430 
0-1810 
0-1S90 

5-31 
nil 

0 .16 

A v e r . April 9,000 5,567 2,547 9,590 8,093 3,750 6,260 4,817 5,817 5,170 7,450 7,193 6,553 6,510 7,830 3,950 4,680 3,123 

7,900 
6,ogo 
1,720 

5,237 5,997 2,837 4,970 6,077 nil 554 0-1890 1.82 
10-5-51 
20-5-51 
30-5-51 

1,580 
1,500 
1,660 

4,280 
4,620 
4,020 

930 
1,020 

940 

4,900 
4,260 
4.030 

5.230 
5,860 
4.93° 

5.230 
5 .4™ 
5.020 

4.950 
4,600 
4.750 

8,110 
S,2 50 
7,620 

3.670 
4.S30 
4,640 

3,800 
2,21c 
1,820 

6.130 
7,610 
5.280 

1,500 
1,920 
2,020 

7,100 
6,130 
4,860 

5,8io 
3,260 
3,010 

4,180 
3,890 
3,620 

3.240 
2,380 
2,100 

6,850 
5.630 
5.820 

nil 
920 
1,020 

5,370 
3,120 
2,060 

3.270 
2,310 
1,820 

nil 
So 

620 

630 
720 

1,060 

1,070 
2,090 
2,400 

nil 
nil 
nil 

366 
344 
313 

0-1340 
0-1260 
0-1220 

• 1.02 
0.45 
0.47 

A v e r . M a y 1,580 4,307 963 4,397 . 5,340 5,220 4,767 7,993 4,380 2,610 6,340 1,813 6,030 4,027 3,897 2,573 6,100 647 3,517 2,467 233 803 1,853 ni l 341 0-1340 0.65 
9-6-51 

19-6-51 
29-6-51 

1,830 
1,520 
1,060 

3.040 
3.900 
3.920 

83c 
740 
620 

4,260 1 5,180 
3.750 5,030 
3,120 1 3,960 

4,620 
4.5io 
4,610 

4.230 
3.150 
2,360 

7,820 
5,650 
4,690 

4.360 
3.740 
3.020 

1,560 
930 
620 

5,320 
5.630 
4.560 

1,630 
1,230 

980 

4,980 
5,ioo 
5,230 

2,520 
1,630 

980 

2,790 
2,280 
1,960 

1,320 
1,510 
1,360 

4.750 
4,920 
4.630 

'4,767 

75o 
430 
390 

523 

2,830 
2,750 
2,780 

1,320 
1,430 
1,600 

560 
310 
180 

950 
620 
360 

2,300 
• 1,980 
1,720 

nil 
nil 
nil 

293 
262 
228 

0-1080 
0-1020 
0- 960 

1 .58 
nil 

i - 1 8 

A v e r . June 1,470 3,820 730 3,710 4,723 4;580 3,247 6,053 3,707 1,037 5,170 1,280 5,123 1,710 2,343 1,397 

4.750 
4,920 
4.630 

'4,767 

75o 
430 
390 

523 2,787 1,450 350 643 2,000 ni l 261 0-1080 092 
Aver, daily yield/palm 4 

months (Jan. to April) 
120 days 

887 So 4 466 760 448 612 267 222 576 456 733 708 601 657 701 383 467 34 1 338 642 223 443 216 156 504 0-2930 0-91 

Aver, daily yield/palm 6 
months (Jan. to June) 
180 days 

642 672 339 642 466 572 312 382 519 365 680 524 586 534 

1 
571 

1 

321 492 247 330 493 
1 

158 320 

! 
208 104 437 0-2930 0'87 

» 



TABLE I I I 

YIELDS O F T O D D Y (in Mi l l i - l i t res ) 

(Records kept during 1950 on 3 Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palms (X to Z) at Bandirippuwa Estate, Lunuwila. 

Ten Days Ending PALM X PALM Y PALM Z Average daily yield 
per palm 

Range of total daily 
yields per palm 
(Palms X to Z) 

Rainfall for corres­
ponding 10 day 

periods (1950) Inches, 

10-1-50 
J O - 1 - 5 0 
30-1-50 

3.221 
5,070 
7.230 

2,669 
4.815 
6,075 

3,851 
6,127 
4,810 

325 
534 
604 

65- 575 
105- 925 
110-1,160 

0 3 6 
0-02 

nil 

Aver. January 5,174 4,520 4,929 488 65-1,160 0 1 3 

9-2-50 
19-2-50 
1-3-50 

6,005 
5,080 
4,185 

2,822 
7.445 
3,450 

4.457 
7.360 
8,090 

443. 
663 
524 

50-1,090 
0-1,225 

20-1,205 

nil 
5-65 
2-41 

Aver. February 

11-3-50 
1-3-50 

31-3-50 

5,090 

3,554 
5,58o 
7,920 

4,572 

2,420 
4,420 
3.945 

6,636 

4,210 
2,615 
4,690 

543 

339 
420 
552 

0-1,225 

20- 835 
105- 885 
115-1,260 

2-69 

O - 6 L 
0*67 
nil 

Aver. March 5,685 3,595 3,838 437 20-1,260 0 4 3 

10-4-50 
J O - 4 - 5 0 
30-4-50 

9,430 
6,595 
7,525 

7,'15 
5.205 
2,960 

4.310 
2,138 
2,970 

695 
465 
448 

100-1,140 
65- 815 

165- 820 

7 3 4 
0'02 
1 '64 

Aver. April 

10-5-50 
: J O - 5 - 5 O 
J O - 5 - 5 0 

7,850 

4,610 
4.555 
4.300 

5,093 3,139 

1.945 
3 , 1 I O 

6,005 

4,670 
6,270 
4.205 

536 

374 
464 
484 

65-1,140 

65- 940 
100- 890 

85- 975 

3 0 0 

2'8o 
I '20 
1-17 

A>pr. May 4,488 3,687 5,048 441 65- 975 1-72 

9-6-50 
19-6-50 
29-6-50 

3 , " 5 
5.270 
3,98o 

4.38o 
4.897 
3.635 

2,480 
i.57i 
2,055 

332 
391 
322 

115- 875 
75- 930 
15- 740 

4'65 
3-21 
1-47 

Aver. June 4,122 4,304 2,035 348 15- 930 3 1 1 

9-7-50 
19-7-50 
29-7-50 

1,240 
2,836 
4.830 

2,440 
3,080 
4.547 

2,060 
1.34° 
1,800 

191 
242 
373 

o- 470 
o- 695 
0-1,030 

0-17 
0 55 
2-67 

Aver. July 2,969 3,356 1,733 269 0-1,030 1 1 3 

8-8-50 
18-8-50 
28-8-50 

2,320 
2,560 
2,620 

1,230 
2,050 
4,620 

1,800 
1,300 
1,560 

178 
197 
293 

o- 555 
o- 440 
o- 800 

i"35 
0'02 
i-34 

Aver. August 2,500 2,633 1,553 223 0- 800 0-90 

7-9-50 
17-9-50 
27-9-50 

Aver. September 

7-10-50 
17-10-50 
27-10-50 

3.060 
3.520 
2.750 

3,110 

2,120 
1,480 
1,180 

1,580 
2,140 
4,260 

1,920 
L730 
1,220 

2,660 1,623 

2,030 
1,680 

920 

920 
460 
130 

219 
246 
274 

246 

169 
121 
74 

o- 690 
o- 780 
o- 810 

0- 810 

o- 720 
o- 630 
o- 425 

2 3 2 
1-42 

o • 25. 

1-33 

4-08 
6 - 22 
5 5 4 

October 1,593 1,543 503 121 0- 720 5-28 

6-11-50 
16-11-50 
36-11-50 

1,230 
750 
300 

460 
20 

nil 

nil 
nil 
nil 

56 
26 
10 

o- 380 
o- 310 
O - 220 

0*04 
5 3 2 
o-o8 

Vver. ^November 

6 - I 2 r 5 0 

16-12-50 
31-12-50 (isdays) 

\ver. Decernber 

er. daily yield 
per palm 6 months 
(Jan. to June) 180, 

days \ 

760 160 nil 

nil 
nil 
nil 

nil 

540 

nil 
nil 
nil 

PALM 
DEAD 

nil nil 

430 427 

31 

nil 
nil 
nil 

nil 

466 

0- 380 

nil 
nil 
nil 

nil 

0-1,260 
(Jan. to June) 

1 -81 

1 '64 
0-93 
0-50 

1 0 2 

1-85 
(Jan. to June) 

.er. daily yield 
•>er palm 12 
•months Jan. 
to December) 
305 days. 

\ 356 297 
255 303 0-1,260 

(Jan. to December) 
1-85 

(Jan. to December) 

tal for 365 
.lays (ml.) 108,370 93 ,"9 

Aver, of total 
for 365 days 

110,503 
(3 Palms) 

T 



T A B L E IV 

T o d d y y ie ld s t a t i s t i c s o n T a l l a n d D w a r f P a l m s 

(A) Summary of overall average yields 

P A L M S 

T A P P E D 

Overall total yield/palm (ml.) , Oveiall tutai J . . \ u _ 
i .fmtf . I J I U N I 

. „ „ r m \ m (ml.) 

Tall Palms (A to N) 
Bandirippuwa (14 palms) 

6 months 

(180 days) 

8 months 

(240 days) 

12 months 

(365 days) 

6 months , 8 months | 12 months ' Morning collection .Afternoon collection rotal 

(1S0 days) 

289,129 

Dwarf Palms (X to Z) 
Bandirippuwa (3 palms) 

Dwarf Palms (1-30) 
Ratmalagara (24 palms) 

83,806 

78,660 

407,892 I 577.491 

98,550 110,503 

i, 606 

466 

437 

(240 days) ; (365 days) ! 4 p.m.-7 a.m. (15 hours) I 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | 4 p.m.-4 p.m. 
j 1 (9 hours) j (24! hours) 

1,700 

4 ir 

1,582 

303 

1,116 

315 
(6 months) 

466 1,582 

91 

122 
(6 months)-

3°3 

437 
(6 months] 

Overall ranee of yields (ml.) Total average rainfall (inches) 

Morning | Afternoon , Total | o mouths . S months • 12 months 
collection I collection 
(15 hours) |(9 hours) 

o 
to 

3.78o 

o 
to 
975 

o 
to 

2,600 
(6 months') 

o 
to 

2,510 

o 
to 
740 

o 
to 
820 

(6 months) 

(24 hours) 

o 
to 

5.420 

o 
to 

1,260 

o 
to 

2.930 
(6 months) 

(180 days) 

40.44 

33-22 

(240 days) 

51-49 

39-32 

(365 days) 

88.53 

67 .66 

(B) Summary of overall daily yields 

P A L M S T A P P E D 

Tall Palms (A to N) 
Bandirippuwa (14 Palms) 

Dwarf Palms (X to Z) 
Bandirippuwa (3 Palms) 

Dwarf Palms (1-30) 
Ratmalagara (24 Palms) 

1st 30 
days 

(1 month) 
(ml.) 

599 

48S 

504 

1st 60 
days 

(2 months) 
(ml.) 

516 

i st 90 
days 

(3 months) 
(ml.) 

1.135 

489 

524 48S 

1st 120 
days 

(4 months) 
(ml.) 

1.317 

501 

504 

1st 150 
days 

(5 months) 
(ml.) 

1,469 

1st 180 
days 

(6 months) 
(ml.) 

489 

472 

1,606 

466 

S 

1st 210 
days 

(7 months) 
(ml.) 

1st 240 
days 

(8 months) 
(ml.) 

1,683 

437 

437 

1st 27c 
days 

(9 months) 
(ml.)' 

1,700 

411 

1,703 

392 

(C) Summary of overall month ly yields as % of to ta l annua l yield 

M O N T H 

T A L L P A L M S (A to X) Bandirippuwa (14 Palms) D W A R F P A L M S (X to Z) Bandirippuwa—3 Palms 

Monthly yield 

(ml.) 
As % of total 

yield (12 months) 

Yield since 1st Monthly yield 

1st 300 
days 

(10 months' 
(ml.) 

1,707 

365 

total yield (12 months) (""•) 

Yield since 1st 
January as % of 

Monthly Yield 

1st 330 
days 

(11 months) 
(ml.) 

1,684 

335 

13 

1st 365 
days 

(1 year) 
(ml.) 

1,582 

303 

D A ' A R F P A L M S (1-30) Ratmalagara—24 Palms 

As % of total J , _ , „ _ . 

yield (12 months) total yield (12 months), l m i ) 

As ° 0 Df total 
yield (6 months) 

Yield since 1st January as % 
of total yield (6 months) 

January 
February 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
August 
September 
October 
Xovember 
December 

Total 

17.990 
35.469 
48,670 
55.969 
62,320 
68.729 
64.259 
54.499 
51.849 
52.429 
43.639 
21,669 

577,491 

3 - i 
6.1 
8 .4 
9-7 

10.8 
11.9 
11.1 
9-4 
9 . 0 
9 .1 
7 .6 
3 -S 

100.0 

3 1 
9.2 

17.6 
27-3 
3 8 1 
50.0 
61.1 
70.5 
79-5 
88 .6 
96 .2 

100.0 

14,632 
16,302 ( '3.H2 . . 
16,082 ' 
13.222 
10.452 

8,062 
6,682 
7.392 
3,642 

923 
nil 

110,503 

13-2 
14.7 
11.9 
14.6 
12.0 

9-5 
7-3 
6 .0 
6 .7 
3-3 
0 . 8 
0 . 0 

100.0 

1 3 2 
27 .9 
39-8 
54-4 
66.4 
75-9 
S3.2 
89.2 
95-9 
99.2 

100.0 
100.0 

15.12S 
16,286 
12.497 
16,629 
10,225 

7.827 

rq.z 
2 0 . 7 
15-9 
21.2 
1 3 0 
l o . o 

19.2 
39-9 
55-8 
77.0 
90 .0 

100.0 

78,592 100 .0 



T A B L E V 

V a r i a t i o n in t h e P r o d u c t i o n of T o d d y p e r S p a d i x ( V o l u m e i n m i l l i - l i t r e s ) 

(Records kept during 1953-55 on 14 Tall Coconut Pa lms (A to N) a t Bandi r ippuwa Es t a t e , Lunuwi la) . 

I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

Spadix P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L M P A L N P A L M Average Spadix 
yield pe r 

No. A B C D E F G H I J K L M ; N spadix for 
14 p a l m s 

1 16,030 25,995 23.305 9,350 18,730 19,32° 22,070 9,6oo 14,990 10,360 14.170 17.390 15,170 21,270 16,982 
2 37.9io 46,950 44.135 i6,435 43,i6o 39,6io 43.020 23.840 33,ioo 34.030 27,410 35.820 30.500 31.350 34,805 
3 41.540 53,oio 55.040 23,210 54,520 55.890 46,680 47,040 53,150 35,38o 39,240 31.690 50,66c 58,840 46,135 
4 72,820 74.240 74.940 53,150 65,450 69,250 61,360 60,260 56,730 57.930 46,370 41,280 52,760 68,620 61,083 
5 59,520 74.54° 82,590 62,520 66,220 76,890 78,680 62,900 65,320 67,900 53,740 52,040 61,32c 71.430 66,829 
6 51.245 57.78o 86,740 66,980 74,190 80,080 79,32o 70,130 66,110 69,540 68,950 50,650 67,470 71,660 68,632 
7 46,170 56,700 88,340 72.730 82,550 81,610 77,130 53.250 40,520 67,650 69,940 58,880 67,130 85,570 67,726 
8 39,97° 58,050 75.i6o 67,200 81,095 79,120 78,540 41,190 34.900 47,080 50,670 56,180 42,08a 66,220 58,390 
9 38,900 50,790 74,990 65,610 66,670 71.420 60,860 38,690 34,oio 39,2io 37.090 44,3O0 — 70,410 53,304 

10 30,245 41,910 66,200 68,100 63.490 50.270 50,310 28,860 28,790 35,290 33.48o 34,9oo — • 58,220 45,390 
11 27,190 33,66o 66,820 40,310 57.9SO 43.5io 49.230 — 30,180 34,59o 30,440 20,740 — — 39,514 
12 — — 67,810 37,010 30.580 38,300 52,720 — 21,490 — 18,540 — — — 38,064 
13 — — 64,620 31,920 — 27,610 20,950 — — — — — — — 36,275 
14 — — 45,i65 — — — — — — — — — — — 45,165 
15 — — 22,340 — — — — — — — — — — — 22,340 

Total for 365 days (ml.) 461,540 573,625 938,195 614.525 704.635 732,880 720,870 435,76o 479,290 498,960 490,040 443,870 387.09 0 603,590 577,491 Total for 365 days (ml.) 573,625 938,195 
Aver, of total 

for 365 days 
(14 palms) 

Aver, volume perspathe (ml.) 
excluding first and last 

45,082 65,512 spathes tapped. 46,480 57.io8 68,658 52,114 65.532 62,359 61,623 49,662 44,281 50,446 45.733 45,082 54.97 $ 65,512 54,969 

Aver, volume per spathe (ml.) 
48.38 60,359 all spathes tapped. 41.958 52.148 62,546 47,271 58,720 56,375 55.452 j 43,576 39,941 45,36o 40,837 40,352 48.38 5 60,359 49,520 

577,491 
= 11.7 spathes per 365 days. 

49,52o 
i.e. 1 spathe was tapped for 31.2 days (approx.) 



T A B L E VI 

Var ia t ion in t h e P r o d u c t i o n of T o d d y p e r S p a d i x (Vo lume in Mi l l i - l i t r e s ) 

(Records kept during 1950 on 3 Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palms (X to Z) a t 
Bandirippuwa Estate, Lunuwila) 

I 
1 

2 3 4 
1 

5 

Spadix No. PALM PALM PALM A v e r a g e yield p e r 
X Y Z s p a d i x for 3 p a l m s 

1 4,291 7.559 4.97S 5,609 
2 13.235 12,267 12,467 12,656 
3 11,265 15.235 15.660 14,053 
4 10,134 16,280 11,615 12,676 
5 17,920 14,440 13.778 15,379 
6 14.550 11,972 10,955 12,492 
7 u .465 9.657 8,026 9,716 
S 10,465 7.950 6,400 8,272 
9 8,806 3.900 3.7So 5,495 

10 9,8So 4.030 2.750 5,553 
11 8,950 3.700 2,120 4,923 
12 5,600 1,380 590 2,523 
13 3,160 — nil 1,053 
14 300 — — 100 

Total for 365 days (ml.) • 130,021 108,370 93."9 Average of total for 93."9 
365 days 
110,503 
(3 palms) 

Average volume per spathe (ml.) 
excluding first and last spathes 
tapped 10,452 9.943 8,013 9.46y 

Average volume per spathe (ml.) 
all spathes tapped 9,287 j 9.031 7.163 8,494 

110,503 
= 13.0 spathes per 365 days, 

8.494 
i.e. 1 spathe was tapped for 2 8 . 1 d a y s (approx.)