402 



THE GROUND-NUT. 



Hancl-slielled nuts may be advantageously used in Europe for eating 

 and by confectioners, but those machine-shelled are only fit for oil- 

 crushing and cattle-feeding purposes. The oilcake of the nuts when 

 pure is highly esteemed for its fattening properties ; horses, cattle, 

 pigs, and poultry are very fond of the ground-nut in its natural 

 state. A heaped imperial bushel of the nuts weighs from 25 lbs. to 

 32 lbs. Divested of their shell (1 per cent, of the weight) the kernels 

 furnish as much as 45 to 50 per cent, of oil. 



Owing to disturbances, the quantity exported from the Gambia fell 

 off somewhat in 1872, the shipments being 13,000 tons, valued at 

 140,000Z., or 40Z. per ton; the trade employs 15,000 tons of shipping 

 from Bathurst. 



The exports from the Gambia have been as follows : 



Year. 



Quantity. 



Value. 



1858 



15,729 tons 



£ 



188,747 



1859 



8,593 „ 



68,745 



1860 



9,951 „ 



79,612 



1864 



635,206 bushels 



79,431 



1865 



754,451 „ 



94,306 



1866 



1,809,097 „ 



130,910 



1867 



1,530,573 „ 



191,322 

 161,117 



1868 



1,288,937 „ 



1869 



741,756 „ 



83,447 



1870 



13,481 tons 



121,329 



1871 



17,000 „ 





1872 



13,000 „ 



140V000 



Our direct imports of ground-nuts from Sierra Leone, which used 

 to average about 1000 tons annually, have ceased altogether, as they 

 go now entirely to France. The exports from that colony were, in : 



Year. j Quantity. | Value. 



£ 



14,449 

 25,576 

 34,514 

 35,170 

 28,840 

 46,945 

 57,221 

 60,635 



95,605 



Besides the great value of its seeds for oil, this is also a good fodder 

 herb. The plant is a very productive one, and yields a quick return. 

 A light, somewhat calcareous, soil is best fitted for its growth. On 

 such soil 50 bushels may be obtained from the acre. In tropical 

 countries half a ton weight of seeds or nuts is obtained. 



The oil is used for alimentary purposes, and for cloth-dressing, but 





bushels. 



1858 



147,750 



1859 



262,846 



1860 



471,509 



1863 



333,178 



1866 



218,845 



1867 



398,272 



1868 



547,528 



1869 



1870 



( 713','524 



\ and 350 tons 



