203 
CoLoNiAL Orrice to Rovan GARDENS, KEW. 
Sir, Downing Street, 16th January 1892, 
I am directed by the Sentinel of State for the Colonies to 
transmit to you, for your information, with reference to your letter of 
. the 4th of September last, a copy of a despatch from the Governor 
of Lagos, enclosing a report upon the preparation of palm oil, with five 
photographs, and also a report upon the extraction of fibre from the 
leaf of the oil palm. 
I am, &c. 
The Direc (Signed) Rogert G. W. HERBERT. 
cpi Gadan, Kew. 
His Excellency G. T. Carrer to COLONIAL OFFICE. 
My Lon», Government House, Lagos, eat 23rd, 1891. 
In reply to your Lordship's despatch, No. 183, of the 10th Sep- 
bees covering a comu nunication from the authorities at Kew, asking 
rmation in regard to the preparation of the palm oil as exported 
from Laos, and also as to the ex 
oil palm,* I have the honoar to inform your Lordship that I placed the 
matter without delay in the hands of Mr. Millson, the Assistant Colonial 
Se dee who has taken much trouble to carry out my wishes 
2. T enclose herewith two reports from that officer giving clear details 
as = both processes whieh I trust will be useful. 
The photographs which so well illustrate the process of separating 
s oil from the fibrous nut, were taken by Mr. Haddon Smith to whom 
the thanks of the Gover nment are especially due. . 
I have, &c. 
The Right Hon. Lord Knutsford, (Signed) G. T. Carter, 
&c. &c. &c. Governor. 

Nores on the preparation of Lacos Pars Orr. 
Te chief flowering season of the Oil Palm (Elesis guineensis), 
ruba name Igi okpwe) in the neighbourhood of Lagos is during the 
Septenbér and October rains, the second and lesser rainy scason of the 
year. 'The fruit takes from four to five months to develop, the main- 
crop eoin oe with the Harmattan or desert wind, which blows in the- 
months of December and January from the Sahara to the sea. 
This s diy and cold wind is supposed by the "p ach we assist in ripening 
the fruit, and they voii a iem iens that a strong Harmattan brings plcuty 
of palm oil. Experience, however, tends to sime that heavy rains 
during the flowering mile ave a more decided influence upon the 
ro 
crop. : 
' During the months of February, March, April, and May the palm 
trees are in full bearing and the main crop of the year is gathered. The 
waterways are then busy with flotillas of trading canoes, the lagoon 


* Sal = fibre is discussed is the Kew Bulletin.for March 1892, p. 62, with 
woodcu 
