191 
CCCXCL—GAMBIA PAGNS OR NATIVE CLOTHS. 
Next to the cultivation of the ground nut (Arachis hy ypogæa, L.), 
shipped to Europe for the manufacture of oil, the most important 
industry of the settlement of the Gambia on the West Coast ‘of Africa 
is the cultivation and manufacture of cotton. From this cotton is made 
the native **pagns" or tyi cloths which are in great request in 
that part of the world. Sir Alfred Moloney (Forestry of West m A pe 
p. 142) states that in addition to supplying cloths for home consum 
tion the “ pagn " industry of the Gambia exported cloths of the value 
of 4807. in 1883 and of 2,742/. in 1 1884. * Pagns" are also made at 
Lagos, and some of them are exported even to Brazil for the use of the 
West African negroes who have emigrated to that country. The whole 
n ularly interesting one. The cotton is gathered, 
ginned, br spun into thread by the native women entirely by hand. 
"he i for weaving the cloth is a very crude contrivance, “This 
x primitive hand-loom > says Sir Alfred Moloney, “in use amongst the 
* natives is what has come down through centuries to them from their 
* ancestors, and, it is needless to add, ‘it is ¢ capable of improvement to 
** their advantage. It certainly deserves attention.” Each frame 
weaves a strip of cotton only 6 inches broad. These sti ‘ips are then 
sewn into long broad pieces io which the name of “ pagn " is applied. 
are regarded as extremely durable, and they are 
in greater re quest than any similar article of European manufacture. 
pane report on the native cotton industry, prepared by 
ne, the Travelling Commissioner on the north bank of ifie River 
Ga ibas :— 
CULTIVATION OF COTTON. NORTH Bank, QAMBIA, 
Seed is planted as soon as the rains begin. It is planted in rows from 
3 to 6 feet apart; the plants are from 2 to 5 feet from one another. 
Great care is taken in selecting the seed, as it is liable to be attacked 
y small worms. Corn is planted between the rows, which is reaped 
the best, and would hardly stand the test required by an English 
cotton spinner, but the plant has the advantage of being able to Stand 
the dry weather, and the clothes made from this cotton are strong and 
durable. The cotton industry is cue as important as the ground 
eople engaged h 
comes across row Ngtoncentimonr sheds, each containing a 
machine. "There are justally half-a-dozen of these at work in each 
town, and the creaking of the machine is heard from morning till night, 
sometimes even late at night. The cotton is picked b 
diie of seeds, and is beautifully white and clean. The women then 
take a bundle, mix a little lime or chalk and water on the fingers of 
the left hand through which the cotton passes, and s e cotton out 
on to threads on a spindle which they work with the Rapes and thumb 
