FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 65 



These nuts are cracked one by one by the natives, 

 by means of manual labour and the use of a rough 

 stone (what a loss of time and labour !). At various 

 times kernel-breaking machines have been introduced 

 into West Africa, but have so far not been appreciated. 



As is understood, but should be better known, the 

 value of kernels depends on their cleanliness, freedom 

 from adulteration or soaking, freshness, and conse- 

 quent richness. 



I am informed that the best kernels come from 

 the Oil Rivers and Lagos : the worst from ports to 

 windward. 



Sandy beaches and sandy hills and banks adjacent 

 to and along the sea edge represent conditions of 

 site essential to and favourable for the growth of the 

 cocoa-nut tree. Such sites to a vast extent exist along 

 the Bight of Benin and Biafra, where groves of this 

 tree are to be seen flourishing ; yet the copra industry 

 is but little known, and comparatively undeveloped, 

 and in the Gold Coast and Lagos Colonies there 

 is offered a ready and rich field of fairly large promise. 



Copra, worth now about £1/^ per ton, properly 

 dried yields over 60 per cent, of oil and under 40 per 

 cent. meal. Its oil brings in £26 per ton. 



The extent of copra and beni-seed industries and 

 exports may be estimated from the following statistics, 

 pages 66, 67, 68, 6g, for five years : they are capable 

 of considerable and profitable extension. 



The development of the growth of the cocoa-nut 



F 



