RICE 35 



RICE. Two forms of rice are grown in the Protec- 

 torate ; one under irrigation or in swampy ground, near 

 rivers, etc., and the other entirely without any con- 

 servance of water, depending on the rainfall. 



The use of rice is general throughout ,the country 

 in fact, it is probably the most important food crop ; and 

 although, as mentioned above, there are two forms, 

 divided according to their mode of cultivation, each form 

 contains many varieties distinguished by different native 

 names. 



In the Timani country and the vicinity of Port Lokko 

 the finest quality is grown, and the husking of this is 

 said to be a prolonged process of drying, without pre- 

 viously parboiling or soaking. This rice only requires 

 to be thoroughly dried before the husk will separate on 

 pounding. 



In the Mendi country, the heads of rice at the harvesting 

 are cut and tied in small bunches to dry in the fields. 

 The grain is then beaten out, and the chaff winnowed 

 on a tray or in a gentle breeze. The next step is to 

 parboil the grain while yet in the husk, during which 

 operation the interior swells up so as to split the husk. 

 The rice is then again thoroughly dried in the sun upon 

 mats, and finally lightly pounded in a wooden mortar 

 in order to separate the loosened husk, which is removed 

 by winnowing. From the time of harvesting until the 

 rice is ready for sale, the work is performed by women. 



In spite of the fact that a very large quantity of rice 

 is grown, it frequently happens that in a good season 

 much remains unharvested, owing to the improvidence 

 of the native. The price just after harvesting may fall 

 as low as Is. Qd. per bushel, but a few months later it 

 may reach three times that amount. It is customary for 

 the Protectorate native to realise at once upon his crop, 

 without taking the precaution to lay in a store for his 

 future requirements. In consequence of this he is com- 

 pelled to buy back supplies for his own consumption at 

 a very much enhanced rate. The native at the Coast 

 takes advantage of this improvidence and profits con- 

 siderably by it ; buying up the cheap product at harvest- 

 ing and realising a handsome profit after a few months. 



In quality the local rice is excellent, but in appearance 

 it is somewhat reddish, only a few of the finer qualities 



