FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 99 



20 cwts. per acre. Mr. Agar, who had many opportu- 

 nities of forming an opinion, " is confident that trees 

 properly cultivated would give 6 to 8 pounds each, or 

 from 22 to 30 cwts. per acre of 400 trees." That this 

 is not confined to the coffee when growing in its 

 native country, but is maintained under other con- 

 ditions of soil and climate, may be seen in reports 

 which have reached us from Ceylon and other 

 colonies." 



Another peculiarity of the Liberian coffee is dwelt 

 upon, which if found generally applicable to it will 

 greatly increase its value. The tree is mentioned as 

 possessing the habit of sending its " strong tap roots 

 far into the ground," and this characteristic it is believed 



will enable the Liberian coffee to live and bear fruits 

 in seasons of protracted drought, which prevents the 

 setting of blossom on the ordinary coffee at low 

 elevation." 



After assuming that Liberian coffee should sell 

 generally at gos. per cwt., Mr. Morris continues : — 

 " From its adaptability to cultivation in the plains, 

 from its more robust and prolific character, and from 

 the generally more economic treatment to which it is 

 amenable, it is quite possible that its cultivation will 

 prove even more remunerative than the high-priced 

 varieties of Arabian coffee." 



Then on the subject of the West Indian blight, that 

 has proved so fatal to coffee cultivation {Coffea 

 arabicd) in the West Indian Islands and Brazil, it 



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