THE GROUND-NUT. 55 



of kernels were obtained. This was so satisfactory that 

 extensive plant is to be erected in various parts of the 

 Senegal colony. Natives are also beginning to decorticate 

 by hand, on account of the large pecuniary advantage 

 to be gained. The company are also prepared to erect 

 plant in Bathurst or other parts of the Gambia, and it 

 is to be said that a saving of 50 per cent, in freight space 

 is effected if the ground nuts be shipped after being 

 decorticated. 



The rate of freight should vary for the nuts in their 

 different states. The difference in the freight would 

 enable the trading firms to pay an encouraging price 

 to the natives for decorticating nuts, and, as a conse- 

 quence, the demand on shipping space would be greatly 

 reduced, but if the idea is to be encouraged as it deserves, 

 prompt steps should be taken by the Shipping Controller 

 in order that they may materialise in time for the opera- 

 tions of the next crop, first to encourage the natives to 

 decorticate the nuts, and secondly, to facilitate the 

 installation of plant by the various firms to commence 

 the decortication. 



The yield of decorticated nuts per ton is : 8 cwts. of 

 oil, 12 cwts. of cake, and that of nuts" in the shell is about 

 5 to 6 cwts. of oil, 8 cwts. of cake, 6 cwts. of empty shells 

 (which have no nutritive value), and which are useful 

 only as a combustible. 



Decorticated nuts have been shipped from India for 

 many years past. These generally reach Europe in poor 

 condition, partly owing to faulty methods of decorti- 

 cation, causing damage to the kernels, and partly to 

 the long voyage through hot regions. For the last few 

 years decorticated ground nuts have been shipped from 



