FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 83 



clean an article as they can, to avoid mixing juices 

 which should be kept separate and distinct, devoid of 

 bark, mud, stone, or other extraneous matter ; and for 

 their own credit, as well as for the general interest, 

 they should avoid adulteration, and the use towards 

 such an end of the articles mentioned. 



Grand fields in the Gold Coast and Lagos Colonies 

 for the extended general development of this industry 

 attracted my attention and surprise in 1882, and my 

 action will be now best explained by here repeating 

 what I then wrote on the subject to the Local Press, 

 which I give verbatim, and by following it up by the 

 result : — 



" To the Editor of the ' Lagos Times.' 



" Sir, — The importance to the commercial world, 

 apart from the scientific interest that must attach to 

 the development of its economic botany, — of which 

 so little seems known of this Colony, — induces me to 

 address you in the hope that, through the medium of 

 the Local Press, and thus through the exercise of the 

 influence of such as are interested in the future of 

 West Africa, the Natives of the country may be en- 

 lightened to a sense of their own wealth, as also to 

 an interest in its acquisition, and that thus fresh ex- 

 ports may be developed to the general advantage of 

 the Colony, and of European and other markets. 



" I mean in this letter to confine myself to a few 

 remarks having for their object a move towards the 



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