i63 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



Sufficient interest is not directed to development of 

 this important article of commerce on the Gold Coast, 

 where it abounds in the inland countries, such as Akim, 

 Croboe, in which it is to be found wild. In some parts 

 of that Colony cultivation proceeds to a very limited 

 extent. There is a small local trade in the seed, and 

 an export trade mainly with the Colony of Lagos. 



Attention to its development is indeed small com- 

 pared with what may prove to be the importance and 

 demand for the seed in the future, whether as " Cola- 

 chocolate," "Pick-me-ups," &c., or, in view of the 

 steady spread of Mohammedanism from N. and 

 E. Africa towards the West, to meet the pro- 

 portionately increasing want by its followers of a 

 stimulant, other than that resulting from the de- 

 grading and degenerating use — more frequently than 

 not in excess — of imported spirit, appropriately 

 called the fire-water of the white man. 



It may be well to mention that a considerable 

 export trade in cola is done from Lagos with Brazil, 

 to the extent in value of ;^2,949 in 1878, and ;^3,s6o 

 in 1882. In 1884, £?,72; in 1883, ;^S35. As the 

 transport is effected by sailing vessels, which occupy 

 some time in the run across the Atlantic, although, 

 I understand, with varying loss, it gives hope that the 

 more direct trade with Europe in this article, which 

 it is said is likely to develop to an extent for the 

 adulteration of beer in an unintoxicating direction, 

 and other uses can be prosecuted. 



