170 
his attention to products which are more remunerative, and in the 
Eastern Province at the present time the palm oil and kernel indus- 
m). 
Northern Nigeria does not appear to export Oil Palm products 
at all; it is reported that the natives extract the pericarp oil 
entirely for their own use and, since it does not pay them to carry 
the kernels any great distance overland to sell, a large quantity are 
wasted (Shaw). 
_ From Southern Nigeria the tale of the waste of Oil Palm products 
is repeated, as the two following extracts show. 
“It is not possible to state with any degree of accuracy the 
proportion of a year’s crop which is exported by the merchant. 
here is no doubt that he buys all the natives bring him, and this 
amount is, in my opinion, a large proportion of the available supply 
within such areas as are served by easy land and waterways’ 
(McLeod), 
“It is not possible to say to what extent existing supplies of 
kernels are taken advantage of by traders, but there is no doubt 
with oil in the Western Province, and making a liberal allowance 
for the distant railway traffie included in. the Lagos figures, it 1s 
estimated that at least 50,000 tons of kernels are lost each year 10 
the central and eastern parts of Southern Nigeria ” (Birtwistle)... 
The principal reason for the present waste of the fruit of the Oil 
Palm seems to be lack of adequate communication. Mr. Birtwistle 
water a easy, by establishing factories nearer the actual 
‘ ne, and free and open trade rendered 
possible within easy reach of the bush native, I am ‘certain 
exports would quickly increase, especially in kernels ” (Birtwistle). 
“TI am of Opinion that the yearly expansion of the palm oil and 
kernel trade of Southern N igeria is almost entirely due to the 
opening up of new roads and waterways, and railway extension. A 
small increase may also be due to the more peaceful state of the 
country ” (McLeod). | 
