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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by T. J. Alldridge 



ASCENDING AN OIL PALM TO CUT DOWN THE CONES OF THE PAEM NUTS 



The oil palm is probably Liberia's greatest natural resource. Forests of this tree are 

 extensive along the coast and in the northern hinterland. Palm oil is used in enormous 

 quantities in Europe and the United States in the manufacture of soap and in the tin-plate 

 industry. It is also an important article of food among West African native tribes, "palm-oil 

 chop" being one of the few native dishes which have been adopted by European and American 

 residents. 



