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COCOA IN: THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES AND COLONY OF 
NIGERIA. 
By W. H. Jounsoy, F.L.S., 
Director of Agriculture, Southern Provinces, Nigeria. 
[ApstTrRact. | 
The following subjects are dealt with: The introduction of 
cocoa; progress of the industry; cultivation; diseases, fungoid 
and insect; preparation for market; artificial drying experi- 
ments; wunfermented, artificially dried cocoa; anticipated 
development of the industry. 
Cocoa was first introduced to Nigeria some thirty-four years 
ago. The distribution of plants and seeds in the Lagos district 
commenced shortly after the establishment of the Lagos 
Botanic Station in 1887. 
The first shipment of cocoa was made in 1891. In 1900 the 
exports of cocoa amounted to 4,042 cwts.; last year (1913) they 
had increased to 72,428 cwts. 
The trees do not receive much cultural attention; shade 
trees are not planted, and pruning and mulching are neglected. 
Diseases are not more common than in other cocoa-growing 
countries, and it is considered that those which do exist could 
be kept in check by the adoption of proper cultural and sanitary 
methods. 
More care is required in preparing the crop for market. 
Fermentation is more generally practised than hitherto, but 
the period of fermenting and curing is too restricted. 
Experiments conducted by the Department of Agriculture 
prove that: (a) The value of cocoa can be increased as much 
as 4s. per cwt. by extending the fermenting and curing period; 
(b) the quality of cocoa dried in a rotary drying machine com- 
pares favourably with that dried in the sun; and (c) unfer- 
mented cocoa can be prepared in this machine superior in 
quality to ordinary West African cocoa. 
With the new areas planted and the instruction given to 
farmers by the staff of the Department of Agriculture, it is 
considered that a large increase in the exports of cocoa will 
take place in the next few years. 
