146 
those from the Gambia. Sir William Hooker appears at that time to 
have urged the introduction of ‘economical and commercial plants.” 
4. The staple product of the settlement, however, still remai ins the 
ground nut, and I understand that the financial equilib rium of the 
became Adm 
atta had jen made to introduce any other plant which would add to 
the resources of the settlement. 
- A large collection of ornamental and economic plants were sent out 
from Kew in 1584 to Administrator Moloney, and amongst these the 
Ceara rubber tree, Manihott Glaziovii, appears to have become 
established. If the extraction of rubber from this tree were found 
practicable by es natives, a its cultivation were extended, a valuable 
new industry would spring 
1886 a genda of Y oruba indigo was forwarded to Kew for 
report by the Colonial Office on the part of the Honourable d 2 
Richards, Member of the Legislative Council of the Gambia. 
kind of indigo peculiar to the West Coast of Africa and inferior in Wu 
to ordinary commercial indigo. It does not appear at present to be 
kuown in commerce. But it is quite possible that if the mode of pre- 
paration could be improved it might find a market and so give rise to 
an established industry. (See Kew Bulletin 1888, pp. 268, 269). 
ue 
ocur de bia. Fr 
subsequent report it appears that iac reached their destination in 
noo: sein nd and promise to do 
8 quite dem. that the success which has been obtained in 
these eo cases might be indefinitely extended. Everything however 
depends on e —— men on the spot, like Administrators Moloney and 
Carter, who will take a personal interest in the experiments. The 
ground about Government House which Administrator Carter has 
cleared appears excellently suited for the purpose if only a supply of 
water which is not. brackish could be secured. Certainly it is most 
praiseworthy to have declined to follow the example of his pees 
: regarding “as inevitable” the occupation of this ground by ran 
ass, snakes, and alligators. 
un As you are aware a botanical station has been established at Lagos 
and is now in working order. 'This has been stocked with a large 
om 
experimental "robes of various introduced pants. In the mean- 
time it appears to me that an attempt might be made to establish at 
the Gambia the peo of both Liberian coffee and of the cocoa- 
nut. Neither of these ve pec plants are, as far as I am aware, 
oh in the Settlem 
0. The despatch of the Secretary of State does not perhaps view the 
rte’ attempt in a very sanguine spirit. I do not for m 
part see why some measure of success in work of this kind here be 
despaired of at the Gambia. The history of ks settlement is n 
ars to me that work of this kind deserves. every su upport 
achievement of results no doubt demands patience. But the example of 
