34 
by other known varieties ; (/) the relative abundance of the three 
known varieties; (g) the precise degree of moisture in the soil 
required to ensure a maximum yield of oil; (h) the extent of 
country in which this condition of moisture prevails; (7) the 
number of seasons during which an Oil Palm maintains a maximum 
yield.” 
In the following pages the answers to questions (/) and (f) only 
are considered and summarised. In a further note it is hoped to 
give extracts from the various reports which have been received in 
answer to the other questions put forward by the Director:— . _. 
With regard to the variety of the Palm bearing soft-shelled 
kernels, no specimens existed at Kew and the only allusions to 
such a variety, in British West Africa, before this time are to be 
found in an article contributed by Mr. A. E. Evans, Travelling 
Instructor of Agriculture, Gold Coast, to “ Tropical Life,” October 
1907, p. 146, and in a “ Note on the cultivation of the Oil Palm,” 
by Dr. E. Drabble in the “ Quarterly Journal” of the Institute of 
Commercial Résearch in the Tropics, Liverpool University, 
January 1908, p. 19. 
The information in both cases, which is due to Mr. Evans, is to 
the effect that four well-marked forms of the Oil Palm can be 
distinguished in the Gold Coast, and of these No. 4, “ Abobo-be ” 
or Yue Wyiam ” is said to be the best variety on the Gold Coast. 
The shell of the kernel is much thinner than that of the other 
varieties, and is so soft that it can be cracked with the teeth.” 
A further reference to the soft-shelled kernel is to be found in an 
article entitled “ Notes on the Oil Palm of Southern Nigeria ” by 
r. H. N. Thompson, Conservator of Forests, which was published 
as a supplement to the Southern Nigeria Government Gazette, 
No. 10, F ebruary 5th, 1908, According to Mr. Dawodu, assistant 
curator, to whom much of the information in these « Notes” i 
due, a variety of the Oil Palm « Ope-Arunfo” is known and is 
feaenentated by its fleshy small nuts and soft kernels,” 
yon Fi pr aig gh bat was unacquainted with this form. Towards 
pa (a ees est African Colonies, in answer to the questions 
de a cit as ° the different varieties of the Oil Palm, 
; a . ‘ 
adnte Bahia dhe aif Sai rin i at Kew which have thrown 
received from the 
1ern Nigeria, the Gold Coast, 
- Specimens have been sent to Kew 
EF : Palm; by the Provincial 
“De flicer, Eastern Province, by direction of the Conservator 
Gold Coa, be hvgeea | of fruits only ‘of four varieties. From the 
fruits of ane of the a se ac MT onsignments containing 
letter printed below, ehes of the Oil Palms referred to in his 
Although the material which h 
s 
complete to allow of final os as been sent is not sufficiently 
usions as to the botanical nature of 
