CHAPTER II 



RUBBER DiT BRITISH AFRICA 



Before dealing in detail with the principal rubber- 

 yielding plants, it is proposed to give in the present 

 chapter a general account of the rubber industry in the 

 British Colonies and Protectorates in Africa, including 

 particulars of the indigenous rubber plants and of the 

 present position of rubber cultivation in each country. 



BRITISH WEST AFRICA: GAMBIA, SI'i^RRA LEONE, GOLD 

 COAST, AND NIGERIA 



Rubber is one of the most important natural products 

 of the British Colonies and Protectorates in West Africa. 

 The quantity exported from the Gambia and Sierra Leone 

 has, however, diminished very considerably during 

 recent years, and at present the supply is chiefly obtamed 

 from the Gold Coast and Nigeria. The quantities and 

 values of the exports of rubber during the years 1901 

 to 1912 from each of the countries are given in the 

 following tables : 



Quantities. 



11 



