93 



thoroughly dried ; although to certain places, Brazil for instance, 

 a trade in the fresh nuts has been developed (see Kew Bull. 

 1890, p. 258). 



In West Africa the nuts are kept in as fresh a condition as 

 possible. The seeds after being carefully removed from the 

 husk and freed from the episperm, are carefully picked over, and 

 a selection made of those only which are sound. They are then 

 packed with moist " bal " leaves (Cola cordifolia), or packed 

 with the leaves of Thaumatococcus Danielli, Benth. in broad 

 baskets made of palm leaves (I.e. 1906, p. 91). To keep the seeds 

 fresh it is necessary to pick them over, wash in fresh water and 

 repack in fresh leaves about every 30 days (I.e. 1890, p. 256). For 

 trade purposes the packages are constructed to contain about 

 3 cwt. of seeds, or 750 to 1000 kilog. (Tropenpfl. 1904, p. 353), 

 and on board ship they are usually carried as deck cargo. 

 For transport overland, other than by rail, the packages are 

 considerably reduced in size, and are conveyed on pack-animals 

 to Kano and other centres of trade in Nigeria, extending to 

 Tripoli via Mursuk, and to Morocco via Timbuctoo. Fresh Kola 

 nuts are imported into Tripoli via Marseilles, bought at the rate 

 of 6 francs per kilog. (Tropenpfl. 1904, p. 357). The Hausas 

 often barter salt for Kolas, the rate of exchange being 1 lb. of 

 salt (value about 6d.) for 100 nuts (Kew Bull. 1906, p. 91). In 

 Nupe white nuts realize about 2s. 3d. per 100, and red nuts Is. 6d. 

 to Is. 9d. per 100 (Bernegau, Tropenpfl. 1904, p. 357). The price 

 of fresh Kolas in countries of production may vary from 3d. to 

 Is. per 100, increasing in value according to the distance conveyed 

 and cost of transport (Kew Bull. 1906, p. 91). In Bahia they are 

 sold at 2d. to M. each according to freshness (I.e. 1890, p. 259). 

 In the markets of Liverpool and London the dried nuts realize 

 about 2\d. per lb. 



The internal trade of Nigeria in these nuts is much greater than 

 the external by sea. Lagos is probably the most important market 

 for fresh nuts on the West Coast of Africa, and the imports for 

 the year ending Dec. 31st, 1906, were 3,001,277 lbs., value £53,384, 

 and for the same period into other Provinces of S. Nigeria, 

 3,729,815 lbs., value £59,074, whereas the exports from S. Nigeria 

 for the same year were only valued at £3,716 (Govt. Gaz. S. Nigeria, 

 May 22nd, 1907, App. A and B). 



The Dock Charges in London for Kola nuts are : landing, 

 %d. per cwt. ; reweighing, refilling or rehousing, 2\d. per cwt. ; 

 delivery to land conveyance, id. per cwt. ; delivery to water 

 conveyance, 6d. per cwt. ; rent per week, %d. per cwt. (Rates 

 and Charges, London and India Docks Co., 1904, p. 36). 



The chief cultural requirements are a tropical climate, a rainfall 

 of 50 inches and upwards, a deep, rich and well-drained soil, and 

 moderate shade. 



Plants may be propagated by seeds, which germinate in about a 

 month, cuttings or layers. Young plants may be raised in nursery 

 beds, but they do not transplant well, and it is best to establish 

 them in bamboo pots until large enough to plant out in permanent 

 places. They require to be planted at distances of from 20 to 



