Liberia 



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fronds of the Raphia palm [R. viniferd). Its use was discovered 

 about 1889, and in 1890 it was first exported, the value at that 

 time being from ^60 to ^^70 per ton. It was easy to prepare, and 

 the Raphia palm of which it is a product was extremely plentiful. 



150. YOUNG OR SMALL KAPHL-V VINIFERA PALM, TO SHOW INFLORESCENCE 



The natives rushed in and the production in the course of 

 a few years grew to enormous proportions, Liberia being 

 for many years practically the sole country exporting this 

 product. As the production grew the natives became careless (as 



408 



