COTTON IN BRITISH WEST AFRICA 83 



In 1903, the British Cotton Growing Association 

 commenced work in the Gold Coast, and a cotton 

 expert was appointed who was attached to the 

 Agricultural Department. A tour was made of the 

 country with the object of ascertaining the suitability 

 of the various districts for the crop. Large quantities 

 of American Upland seed were distributed and the 

 natives were urged to extend the cultivation. In 

 certain selected districts small experimental planta- 

 tions were established under the supervision of the 

 native chiefs . In 1 904 an experiment farm was started 

 at Labolabo near the Volta River, and 1 20 acres were 

 planted. In the following year several varieties, 

 including native, American and Egyptian kinds, were 

 grown at this farm. The American cottons gave the 

 largest yields, and the Egyptian the smallest yields. 

 The experiments were continued in 1906, and as a 

 result the conclusion was reached that the climate 

 was not suited to the growth of Egyptian varieties. 

 The best results with exotic cottons were obtained 

 with the American variety known as " Black Rattler. 11 

 A steam ginnery and buying station were established 

 at Labolabo. The natives, however, did not make 

 much progress in the industry, although some advance 

 took place in the Peki District. In 1910, the British 

 Cotton Growing Association discontinued the agri- 

 cultural work, and this was subsequently resumed by 

 the Agricultural Department. The Association, how- 

 ever, still continued to take an active part in the 

 commercial side of the industry. 



The exports of cotton from the Gold Coast during 

 1903-1916 were as follows : 



Year. Quantity (lb.). Year. Quantity (lb.)- 



1903 . . . 10,443 



1904 . . . 57,661 



1905 . 29,124 



1906 . . . 92,886 



1907 . . . 56,088 



1908 . . . 51,480 



1909 . . . 31,290 



1910 . . . 11,421 



I9H ' 9,701 



1912 . . . 20,395 



1913 27,497 



1914 23,514 



1915 12,016 



1916 . . . 17,896 



It is evident from these figures that the vigorous 



