~_IMPERIAL INSTITUTE HANDBOOKS_~
THE AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST
PRODUCTS OF BRITISH WEST AFRICA
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE SERIES OF
HANDBOOKS TO THE COMMERCIAL
RESOURCES OF THE TROPICS,
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
BRITISH WEST AFRICA
ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY
OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
EDITED BY
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN, C.M.G., M.A., LL.D., F.R.S
DIRECTOR OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE; PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION FOR TROPICAL AGRICULTURE
[Illustration: =WEST AFRICA=
Territory held by Great Britain under Mandate is hatched
in Red. [Legend]
_Stanford’s Geogl. Estabt., London._]
~_IMPERIAL INSTITUTE HANDBOOKS_~
=THE
AGRICULTURAL AND
FOREST PRODUCTS OF
BRITISH WEST AFRICA=
BY
GERALD C. DUDGEON, C.B.E.
LATELY CONSULTING AGRICULTURIST AND DIRECTOR-GENERAL
OF AGRICULTURE IN EGYPT; PREVIOUSLY INSPECTOR OF
AGRICULTURE FOR BRITISH WEST AFRICA
WITH A PREFACE BY
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN, C.M.G., M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.
DIRECTOR OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE
_SECOND EDITION_
WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.
1922
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
=PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION=
Since the first edition of this book appeared, British West Africa
has experienced a serious set-back in its development through the
occurrence of the Great European War. From that war, however, many
lessons will have been learnt, which will, it is hoped, make the
course of progress in the future more sure and perhaps more rapid.
The cultivation of cotton has now been shown to be successful and
profitable in Nigeria. In the Northern Provinces great progress
has been made in perfecting a cotton originally grown from
“American Upland” seed, whilst the Southern Provinces have
produced increasing quantities of an improved native cotton of the
type of “Middling American.” The future of cotton production in
Nigeria is now assured, and its further development chiefly depends
on effective action being taken on commercial lines.
The products of the oil palm and especially palm kernels have been
in increased demand for edible purposes, the war having led to a
far greater use of margarine and similar materials. The perfection
of processes for the better extraction of palm oil from the fruits
which had nearly reached success at the outbreak of war now awaits
completion, when a large additional source of edible oil will be
available. In the meantime the trial cultivation of this palm in
other countries has been attended with remarkable success, the growth
of the palm in plantations having been entirely satisfactory and
furnished yields of oil which exceed those given by the wild palm
in West Africa. The Dutch East Indies, where large plantations have
been made, and also British Malaya, where similar enterprise has been
shown, may before long be formidable rivals to West Africa in the
production of palm kernels and palm oil. The neglect in West Africa
of the wild trees, the imperfect methods followed in extracting the
palm oil, and the large number of palms unutilised are questions
which now need renewed attention, and in fact the entire subject
of the development of the palm-oil industry in West Africa demands
the most serious study in all its aspects if the industry is not
to be supplanted by the enterprise of other countries.
In this and other directions where the continuous acquisition
of new knowledge is requisite, it is satisfactory to learn that
the staffs of the Agricultural Departments in West Africa are
to be extended and better remunerated. In addition to this step,
and perhaps equally important, will be the increased interest and
activity of those merchants and manufacturers who utilise the raw
materials of the country, and to whom the commercial development
of West Africa has hitherto owed so much.
There are many other subjects which, it will be seen from the new
edition of this book, have come to the front since the first edition
appeared, and now need increased attention.
The only rubber tree which has survived as a producer in the years
of strenuous competition is _Hevea brasiliensis_, from which Para
rubber is obtained. Successful plantations of this tree have been
established both in the Southern Provinces of Nigeria and in the Gold
Coast, and from the former commercial rubber is now being produced
of quality equal to that of the rubber plantations of the East.
The Gold Coast has become the chief cocoa producer of the world,
but it is clear that unremitting care and attention in connection
with the cultivation and the preparation of cocoa in that country
will be necessary if that supremacy is to be maintained.
In connection with the production of fibres, cinchona bark,
cinnamon, tobacco, and many other materials, there are promising
possibilities in various parts of West Africa, including those new
territories for which, as a result of the war, Great Britain is
now responsible. Above all, there is the dominant problem of the
growth of foodstuffs sufficient to maintain the native populations
of these countries.
Mr. Dudgeon, within the limits imposed in the production of a revised
but not greatly enlarged edition, has successfully brought this
Handbook up-to-date, and it is hoped that it will continue to serve
as a standard guide to all those who require general information
respecting the agricultural and forest products of West Africa.
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN.
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE,
_March_ 1921.
=PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION=
The present series of Handbooks is intended to present a general
account of the principal commercial resources of the tropics,
and has been written with special reference to the resources of
British West Africa. These Handbooks will furnish a description of
the occurrence, cultivation and uses of those tropical materials,
such as cotton and other fibres, cocoa, rubber, oil-seeds, tobacco,
etc., which are of importance to the producer in the tropics,
as well as to the manufacturer and consumer in Europe.
Without attempting to include all the detailed information of a
systematic treatise on each of the subjects included, it is believed
that these Volumes will contain much information which will be of
value to the tropical agriculturist as well as to the merchant and
manufacturer. They will also be of importance to Government Officials
in tropical Colonies where the advancement of the Country and the
welfare of its inhabitants depend so largely on the development
of natural resources. In recent years those candidates who are
selected for administrative appointments under the Colonial Office
in British West Africa are required to pass through a short course
of instruction in tropical cultivation and products, which is now
arranged at the Imperial Institute. For these prospective officials
the present series of Handbooks will be helpful in the study of a
large and generally unfamiliar subject. Similarly it is believed that
the series will provide a valuable aid to the teaching of commercial
geography. It is hoped also that the Handbooks will not be without
interest for the student of Imperial and national problems.
The increase in the productivity of the tropics, and especially
of the tropical regions within the British Empire, is important,
not only for the natives of those countries, and others who are
actually engaged in tropical enterprise, but for the merchant and
manufacturer at home. The preparation for general use of cotton
and other fibres, of tea, coffee and cocoa, of oils, of tobacco,
and of numerous other products exported from the tropics, provides
the means of employment and livelihood for a very large proportion
of the working population of this country, whilst every one at home
is interested in securing an adequate supply at a moderate cost of
these necessaries and luxuries of life.
The subjects of these Handbooks, treated as they will be, as far
as possible, in non-technical language, should therefore appeal to
a large class of readers.
The present Handbook deals with the Agricultural and Forest Products
of British West Africa and serves as an introduction to this
series. Mr. Dudgeon, who until lately was Inspector of Agriculture
in the West African Colonies and Protectorates, writes with an
unrivalled knowledge of his subject, and gives a comprehensive
account of the vegetable products of that country, which will afford
to the general reader some idea of the enormous possibilities of this
British territory now in the process of rapid commercial development.
WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN.
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE, S.W.
_March 1911_.
=CONTENTS=
PART I
PAGES
THE GAMBIA 1-14