COCOA IN | THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES AND COLONY OP 



NIGERIA. 



By W. H. JOHNSON, F.L.S., 

 Director of Agriculture, Southern Provinces, Nigeria. 



[ABSTRACT.] 



The following subjects are dealt with : The introduction of 

 cocoa; progress of the industry; cultivation; diseases, fungoid 

 and insect; preparation for market; artificial drying experi- 

 ments; unfermented, artificially dried cocoa; anticipated 

 development of the industry. 



Cocoa was first introduced to Nigeria some thirty-four years 

 ago. The distribution of plants and seeds in the Lagos district 

 commenced shortly after the establishment of the Lagos 

 Botanic Station in 1887. 



The first shipment of cocoa was made in 1891. In 1900 the 

 exports of cocoa amounted to 4,042 cwts. ; last year (1913) they 

 had increased to 72,428 cwts. 



The trees do not receive much cultural attention; shade 

 trees are not planted, and pruning and mulching are neglected. 



Diseases are not more common than in other cocoa-growing 

 countries, and it is considered that those which do exist could 

 be kept in check by the adoption of proper cultural and sanitary 

 methods. 



More care is required in preparing the crop for market. 

 Fermentation is more generally practised than hitherto, but 

 the period of fermenting and curing is too restricted. 



Experiments conducted by the Department of Agriculture 

 prove that : (a) The value of cocoa can be increased as much 

 as 45. per cwt. by extending the fermenting and curing period; 

 (b) the quality of cocoa dried in a rotary drying machine com- 

 pares favourably with that dried in the sun; and (c) unfer- 

 mented cocoa can be prepared in this machine Superior in 

 quality to ordinary West African cocoa. 



With the new areas planted and the instructioiji given to 

 farmers by the staff of the Department of Agriculture, it is 

 considered that a large increase in the exports of -cocoa will 

 take place in the next few years. 



