245 
 LXXV.—COCOA-NUT COIR FROM LAGOS. 
(Cocos nucifera, L.) 
[K. B., 1889, pp. 129-132.] 
may be gathered from the reports published in the Kew Bulletin 
(1888, > P- 149, and 1889, p. 69), Governor Moloney has organised very 
r the 
purpose of eae the cultivation of the a-nut palm. Plantations 
consisting of 30,000 trees have already en established by the Govern- 
ment, whilst t seedlings in large quantities are supplied at low rates to 
private persons with the view of making the industry as general as 
possible. In this work the ien established Botanic Station is 
actively engaged, as also the Government yas ations attached to esi 
Prenmniationarst s of the Beaker and Western Districts, and of Palm 
With the view of utilising to the best advantage the produce of sees 
cocoa-nut plantations, when in full bearing, Governor Moloney has 
recently prepared experimentally some samples of cocoa-nut fibre es 
that an opinion might be cbtained as to its value in this country. 
West African coir was sent to Kew, and very interesting enre: 
respecting it are contained in the following correspondence 
COLONIAL OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
SIR, Downing Street, February 2, 1889. 
AM directed by Lord Knutsford to trans mit to you a copy of a 
despatch which he has received from the Tan of Lagos reporting 
that he had despatched a bale of [cocoa-nut] coir to Kew. 
.2. His Lo ordship will be much obliged if you will kindly furnish him 
With your opinion on the specimen forwarded. 
I am, &e. 
(Signed) R. H. MEADE. 
The Director, Royal Gardens, Kew. 
[ Enclosure. | 
GOVERNOR MOLONEY to LORD KNUTSFORD. 
Government House, Lagos, 
My eta December 23, 1888. 
the Colonial Exhibition of 1886 I was given to understand 
me 
special advantage which ahold command for it a ready deman 
comparatively high price, if it could be put regularly and in sufficient 
quantity on the English markets. 
. Accordingly, and in anticipation of the later development of a 
local manufacture for export of cocoa-nut oil, for which I entertain the 
Opinion that the atas annual crop of fruit offers a sufficient 
encouragement, I have had prepared by prison labour in the gaol of 
Lagos, a bale of coir bh ega 42 Ibs. 
3. This return represents the yield of 400 AIEE the average 
present price of which is at the rate of 2s. 6d. per 
4. The bale has been addressed to the Royal a Kav; and sent 
through the Crown Agents for the Colonies. _ 
