Liberia ^ 



or so is shipped. The natives regard their stores of ivory 

 as very precious, and there is little or no profit in the ivory 

 trade. Most ivory finds its way through the hinterland to the 

 French colonies, and very little to the seaboard. The develop- 

 ment of the transport system of the country, the opening of 

 roads, and the settlement of native disputes will have a 

 beneficial effect with regard to this as well as to other products 

 of the country. The natives state there are two descriptions 

 of elephant inhabiting the vast virgin forests — a smaller and a 

 larger, the latter producing the smaller ivory ! From obser- 

 vation this has not been proved, and the statement is to be 

 doubted. 



Ebony. — A species of Diospyros and of Dalbergia are both 

 present in the Liberian forests. It is not difficult to understand 

 why no ebony is exported since the present price is only about 

 £G a ton. 



Cacao. — Owing to the bad outlook for the future of the 

 coffee industry, many Liberian planters have started cocoa- 

 growing on their plantations. This industry is in the early 

 stages of infancy, but bids fair to develop into useful pro- 

 portions. Samples sent to England have touched high prices 

 (47^. per cwt.). 



Cotton. — Experiments are being made by the Liberian 

 planters. It is too early to discuss this product from the 

 point of view of trade, but there is no doubt that the soil is 

 well adapted to the growing of cotton. The interior natives 

 grow cotton for their own consumption, from which they weave 

 beautiful cloths. The cotton industry is increasing. 



Calabar Beans have only an uncertain sale and cannot be 

 regarded an an article of export. They are plentiful, however, 

 and if the hom.e market demanded, large exports could l)e 

 made. 



412 



