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made from the kola-nut, concerning which a most favourable 

 account has been given of its dietetic and medicinal properties. 

 It is thus described in an English periodical: "Although 

 the 'paste' resembles very much ordinary eocoa-paste, it is im- 

 portant to remember that it is prepared from kola-nut with- 

 out any foreign admixture, and contains at least two per cent, 

 of caffeine. It is said to be five times stronger than cocoa, 

 and has been used as a therapeutic agent by Dr. A. L. Gihon, 

 Medical Director to the United States Navy, with verv ex- 

 cellent results, the mode of administration being similar to 

 that of chocolate, viz., by mixing 10 to 15 grains with sugar, 

 dissolving in boiling water and flavouring with a little vanilla 

 essence. It is said also to be of great service in counter- 

 acting the ill-effects of ' drink,' devotees not being able to 

 return to their favourite intoxicating beverage for some days 

 without feeling nausea." 



Mr. Christy sells his "kola-chocolate" at the price of 

 four shillings per pound, but as it is five times the strength 

 of cocoa, the price as compared with cocoa or chocolate may 

 be held to be ninepence. The strength and compactness of 

 such a preparation would admirably fit it to form part of 

 army and navy supplies. In a recent communication growing 

 out of a controversy respecting Sir Augustus Adderley's 

 paper on West Indian exhibits at the Colonial and Indian 

 Exhibition, read at the Society of Arts, Mr. Christy points 

 out that its regular use is insured, owing to the favourable 

 results attending its employment in the hospitals, and states 

 that the paste has been ordered in quantity for army food by 

 three European governments. 



All this is confirmatory of the value of the kola-nut, and 

 goes to show, what was stated at the outset, that there is an 

 immediate and a prospective demand for the kola product of 

 a most encouraging nature; and I may now turn your attention 

 to the question of the extended cultivation of this highly 

 useful tree. 



The Kola tree seems to thrive best in hot, low and moist 

 situations, but may be grown nt all elevations not exceeding 

 900 feet. It would appear to do well in a strong clayey soil. 

 It is, however, a hardy tree, and adapts itself to a wide range 

 both of soil and climate. It is capable of cultivation in all 

 hot and seasonable districts of the island having a rainfall of 

 about 80 inches; and wherever bananas are grown kolas may 

 be reared. There are many thousands of acres in various 

 parishes as yet unoccupied, save by "ruinate," which are 

 capable of being put into permanent plantations of kola. On 

 certain estates sugar-cane has had to give place to bananas as 

 a more profitable crop, and under such circumstances the 

 kola plant may be blended with the new cultivation to great 



