92 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



letter of the result brought about by the reckless 

 destruction of trees. Further, the mercantile world 

 and the Government of the Gaboon are now obliged 

 to busy themselves with the promotion of the 

 growth of the oil palm {Elais giiineensis), coffee 

 and cacao, &c. 



Blind adherence to one industry is not to be advo- 

 cated, as was proved, though somewhat late, to the 

 cost of many, in some of our Colonies ; but when we 

 have a good thing we should deal with it kindly and 

 tenderly. 



The imports of Caoutchouc, classed under general 

 imports, free of duty into the United Kingdom from 

 the West Coast of Africa, during the eight years ended 

 and inclusive of 1885, have been as shown in table 

 on p. 91. 



The rubber industry is in its infancy as regards 

 Her Majesty's Possessions on the Gambia, on the 

 Gold Coast, and at Lagos. Let the sad experience 

 here recorded be a lesson both to buyers and collectors 

 in Colonies named, that we may not have also in them 

 to listen to a tale of woe and to the cry of " spilt 

 milk," in consequence of the cessation of the rubber 

 industry by means of the extermination of the trees. 

 For future use I embody the following table of rubber 

 exported from the Gambia, as the trade there is in its 

 childhood, and its growth should be watched with 

 care and interest : — 



