i88 COCOA 



profits or production are erroneously based on the 

 number of trees planted without any regard to the state 

 in which they may be able to maintain them, and there 

 are grave fears that farms are being extended beyond 

 the limits the farmers are capable of maintaining in a 

 satisfactory condition. This is a serious phase of the 

 question over which we have little control, and friendly 

 counsel frequently falls on deaf ears. All sections of 

 the community are now interested in cocoa. The Coast 

 natives have penetrated the bush to prosecute the art of 

 cocoa cultivation. The wealthy natives who have made 

 money as brokers or as artisans, and even those who 

 have been educated in a profession, have become imbued 

 with the spirit of cocoa planting, and are nearly all 

 directly or indirectly interested. Indeed, we might say 

 that cocoa production has become a part of the very 

 existence of the Gold Coast native. 



Ashanti and the Western Province of the colony were 

 somewhat slower in taking up the cultivation, but every 

 year shows a larger production in those regions, which 

 a few years hence should be very much greater. We 

 may truly say of the Ashantis, who were formerly a war- 

 like race, that they have "turned their swords into 

 pruning hooks." Cocoa has indeed had a great civilizing 

 influence. 



In conclusion, I would add that while one cannot but 

 view with feelings of anxiety certain phases of the 

 industry, we are all proud of our achievement as the 

 largest producer of one of the world's important staple 

 products an achievement accomplished under many 

 adverse circumstances and I see no reason why we 

 should not in future considerably improve our position. 



