168 
others, 100-200 years appears to be the natural limit of life for the 
speci 
“In the Akwapim district of the Gold Coast the average annual 
yield per tree is about eight bunches ; but in the Krobo district, 
where the Oil Palms are well cared for, they are said to yield, on 
an average, about twelve bunches per tree ” (Evans). 
From the Gambia it is reported that one tree yields from three 
to five cobs per year. A ripe cob, when first cut, weighs from 
12 to 23 Ibs. The fruit when pulled from the cobs weighs from 
8 to 13 lbs., and an imperial bushel of the kernels weighs about 
52 Ibs ” (Sangster). oe 
The full bearing power of a tree in Sierra Leone is given as 
between its fifteenth to its thirtieth year. Beyond the thirtieth 
year the amount of oil is said to decrease, but the cobs may increase 
in size; and the oldest trees may yield a large number of cobs, 
but very little oil. The accuracy of this information, however, 
cannot be vouched for (Haddon Smith). 
he trees appear to be in flower throughout the year ; and as 
different bunches of fruit ripen at different times, there are always 
some left on the trees. In the Gambia only one bunch of nuts is 
said to be ripe at a time. The collecting of the fruits takes place, 
as a rule, at two regular seasons, the time of which differs in dif- 
ferent places according to the climatic conditions, as the following 
In the Western Province of Southern Nigeria Thompson states 
that the two regular seasons for fruiting are in the small dry season 
(August to September), and again from the Harmattan up to about 
the beginning of the tornadoes, i.c,, from the end of December to 
the middle of March. 
; a 
to March, and the other between the two rains, 7.¢., in August. 
The former crop is the more abundant ” (McLeod). 
In the Gold Coast “the principal collecting seasons are from 
an advantage, as seeds are thus provided for natural regeneration, 
and are scattered about the farms by hornbills, squirrels, &c.” 
(Thompson), 
SUPPLIES AND TRANSPORT. 
: In the Director’s letter to the Under Secretary of State for the 
Colonies, two questions were asked which are closely connected 
together —(a) To what extent the existing supplies of Oil Palm 
kernels are taken advantage of by traders; (b) how far increased 
palm oil reported during recent years. From the various reports 
it 1s clear that a much greater quantity of fruit is produced than is 
at present utilised either for local consumption or for the manu- 
facture of oil. 
