62 COCONUTS, KERNELS, AND CACAO. 



on the nature of the district and the productivity of the 

 trees. 



The fruit, when ripe, drops to the ground and is col- 

 lected ; the succulent pulp is then removed by washing 

 or by allowing the fruit to rot in pits dug in the ground. 

 The nuts are dried in the sun, or in a rough kiln or oven 

 built of earth. The shells are then removed by crushing 

 in a mortar and vanning. A native is able to shell 250 Ibs. 

 of nuts per day. Although nuts in the shell have been 

 exported, it is better to shell the nuts on the spot, as 

 the shells are valueless, and comprise about 30 per cent, 

 by weight of the dried nuts. 



Probably sun-dried kernels will be found best, as the 

 native process of drying in ovens is rather liable to cause 

 damage to the kernels, with consequent deterioration 

 of the fat. 



Generally speaking, the collection and preparation of 

 nuts and of shea butter is carried out by women, the 

 men being employed in transporting the kernels or 

 butter to the local markets. 



The question as to whether it be better for the natives 

 to sell the kernels, or to prepare and sell shea butter, 

 depends almost entirely on local conditions of labour 

 and transport. In districts remote from railways or 

 navigable rivers it appears that the preparation and 

 sale of shea butter will give the greater profit ; but, in 

 view of the fact that the native methods for the pre- 

 paration of the butter are inefficient, it appears better 

 on the whole that the native should be encouraged to 

 sell the dried kernels. The transport of the butter on a 

 large scale is also a matter of some difficulty, as it must 

 be packed in casks before being placed on board ship. 



