GROUNDNUTS 5 



Chief Exports. The following table gives the average 

 amounts and values of the chief exports for 1900-10, and 

 the individual figures for the remaining years to 1918. 



Note. Cotton exports were 59,828 Ibs. and 2,572 Ibs. in 1904 and 

 1905 respectively. None has been exported since. 



GROUNDNUTS. This commodity is by far the most 

 important exported product, and is alone subject to a 

 duty levied by the Administration. 



Uses. The undecorticated nuts are shipped, chiefly, 

 to the French ports and to Hamburg, for the expression 

 of an oil of excellent quality, of which they yield on 

 an average about 30 per cent., estimated on the 

 weight of the raw material. This is equivalent to 

 about 44 per cent, of the weight of the extracted 

 kernels. 



The mode of extraction in general employment in 

 France is to grind the kernels into a fine meal, from 

 w r hich the first quality of oil is extracted by cold 

 expression, yielding about 18 per cent. The meal is 

 then moistened with cold water, and at the second 

 expression 6 per cent, more is obtained. Both of these 

 oils are useful for alimentary purposes. A third ex- 

 pression is made from the residue treated with hot 

 water, and gives a further 6 per cent., which is chiefly 

 employed for lighting purposes, lubricating and soap- 

 making. The fine oils are substituted for, or mixed 

 with, the olive-oils of commerce for salad oils, and enter 





