on Kusaie. In practice, however, some elements of family enterprise directed toward subsistence of all concerned are retained. The Ponapeans live on scattered farmsteads rather than in villages as do other inhabitants of the Trust Territory. On these farmsteads such crops as yams, taro, breadfruit, coconut and bananas are grown for subsistence orsale in local markets. Land is of paramount importance to the Marshallese people; their agricultural economy is based on copra production, and much of their food comes directly from their land The system provides for all membersofthe Marshallese society, each of whom obtains land rights at birth. The Marshallese generally exhibit an attitude of security, undoubtedly due in large part to their land tenure system invoiving three levels of society—the commoners, the headmen, and the nobility. Despite three foreign powers having administered their islands, they still retain possession of most of their land and show every inclination to continue to do so in the future. In general, land is not for sale in the Marshalls. The lush vegetation on the islandsis deceiving as an indication ofthe fertility of the soil. The high rainfall leaches | em ode teen ne ah et lta a a ite Toa = y= iat at 7 ae patae Quality of Soil 56 the soil, making it deficient in all th basic nutrients—nitrogen, phosphate; potassium, and the minor element The soil usually is made up of decom posed volcanic or coral rocks and smaj quantities of humus. On the steepe slopes of the high islands the soil laye has often been removed through ero sion; the valleys and alluvial plain toward the coast contain soil o: moderate fertility. Most volcani islands have swamp areas wheretaro ;: grown as a staple food. Some of the alluvial plains and gentle slopes nea; the coast now are being used for croy production—coconut palms, bread. fruit, bananas, cacao, yams, dry lan¢ taro, sweet potatoes, and vegetables Mangrove forests on thetidal flats anc rain forests in the tmterior provide timber for building homes and othe structures. The surfaces of coral atolk and single coral islands which build up on submerged mountain peaks are normally only a few feet above sea level. The soils are quite porous. consisting of sand, shells, and corai fragments with very little organic matter. They are weil suited to the growth of the coconut palm, but are not conducive to ordinary forms of cultivated agriculture. Many corai islands and atolls have manmadetaro pits of varying sizes where grass. leaves, and debris have been placed to produce organic matter for taro cultivation. The balance of the atoll land is generally used to produce coconut palms, breadfruit, pandanus, arrow root, cucurbits and bananas. , In somedistricts extensive land not yet under cultivation or development but suitable for crops or livestock production exists. The exact acreage is unknown. Acquisition and Transfer of Title Public Law No. RRRRS ae Mas Nanmwarki (king) of each municipality. The common people used the land to grow food only with the consent of the Nanmwarki and his nobles. The “first fruits” of the season always went to the Nanmwarki. To some extent this is still the practice, even though in 1912 the German government gave the common people actual deed-holding title to land they had been working. Today, individual ownership of Jand predominates on Ponape Island and to a certain extent 2-1, enacted wu 1966. provides for establishment Of Part VI—Economic Advancement # ; Sa nee peeeigen Ge