Vine Rubber: Method of Preparation.—Landolphia owariensis, var. Jenje, is said to be the species of vine from which the Sierra Leone “Red Nigger” rubber is obtained. The Mendi name for the plant is “Djenje.” A very destructive method is usually employed in the preparation of the rubber. The vine is cut down and the roots dug out, both of which are cut into small pieces and soaked in water for several weeks. The bark is then removed, and the wood is pounded and washed repeatedly until a reddish mass of rubber remains, which usually contains a large amount of woody matter. This is sold in the form of balls. It is less common for the native to tap the vine and to coagulate the latex upon the wound with the addition of salt or lime juice, but this is occasionally done, and balls of scrap rubber collected in this way are sold in some localities.
Another vine (Clitandra laxiflora), which yields an inferior rubber by means of boiling the latex, is termed “Jawe” by the Mendis. This was at first considered to be Clitandra Manni, but more recent investigation has proved that C. Manni, although called by the same native name, produces a latex incapable of coagulation.
The Quality of Indigenous Rubbers and the Export.—The prices obtained for Sierra Leone rubbers compare favourably with those of the other British West African countries. Funtumia rubber, which is generally largely adulterated in the Gold Coast and Nigeria, is apparently not so in Sierra Leone, when prepared in the form of “Manoh twist.” The vine rubber, made from the scrap, is also of good quality, and the root rubber is not inferior to that shipped from the other countries. The trade of Sierra Leone is, however, small, and it is probable that the larger part of that exported from Freetown is obtained from the adjoining countries of Liberia and French Guinea. The export of rubber declined since 1906, when it amounted to 107 tons, to only 6 tons in 1913, while in 1916 and 1917 none was exported. The composition and quality of Sierra Leone rubbers is given in the Bulletin of the Imperial Institute, vol. iv. (1906), p. 29; vol. vi. (1908), p. 24; vol. viii. (1910), p. 16; and vol. xii. (1914), p. 371.
Rubber Plantations.—No plantations of Funtumia rubber have been made although small plots have been planted with the South American Para tree (Hevea brasiliensis) on an experimental scale at different times and in various parts of the country and a mixed plantation of rubber, cocoa, coffee and fruit has been made near Waterloo. Up to 1909, it should be remarked, the work was in the hands of the Agricultural Service, but from 1910, on the formation of the Forestry Department as well as the reorganisation of an Agricultural Department, all forest and plantation work was transferred to the first-named Department. No plantation rubber has yet reached the commercial stage, although further trials are still in progress, and much experience has been gained.
A few Para trees were planted at the beginning of the present century in the Botanic Gardens at Freetown, but the locality was found unsuitable, and the trees grew slowly and yielded unsatisfactorily. A small plantation was made at Moyamba by Madam Yoko, the late chief of the Mendis, and was well looked after until she died, since when it seems to have been somewhat neglected. At Mano, the chief of the town made a good plantation in 1906, and, as the locality was apparently well selected, the trees have shown satisfactory growth. Small plots have been put out under Para at the Roman Catholic Mission station at Serabu, at Segbwema, Tinainahun and the Bo school, with variable success, in accordance with the cultivation and care bestowed on the plants. Except in the gravelly positions the tree succeeds well.
Landolphia owariensis and L. Heudelotii have been planted in forested patches in different parts of the country, the supervision of such planting having been entrusted to a native who had seen similar work performed by the French authorities in the neighbouring colony. Near Batkanu, a few plants can still be seen.
KOLA NUTS.—The importance of the kola nut in West Africa is very high. Sierra Leone produces generally a better quality, for local consumption and export, than other countries. The kola trees (Kola acuminata and K. vera) do not, however, occur in a wild state in the country, and the whole produce is obtained from plantations, which are to be seen near almost every village in the moist region. A photograph is given showing a kola tree at Mano ([Fig. 12]). The destination of the exported kola is chiefly Bathurst (Gambia), Dakar (Senegal), Bissao (Portuguese Guinea), and to a small extent Dahomey. The exports of this commodity in recent years are given below as well as their average annual values per ton, which, as will be seen, exhibit great fluctuation.
| Tons | Valued at | Equal to £ per ton | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1906 | 1,155 | £104,084 | £90 |
| 1907 | 1,374 | £113,674 | £83 |
| 1908 | 1,162 | £108,895 | £94 |
| 1909 | 1,320 | £153,848 | £116 |
| 1910 | 1,508 | £191,878 | £127 |
| 1911 | 1,597 | £194,260 | £121 |
| 1912 | 1,649 | £276,473 | £167 |
| 1913 | 1,865 | £328,003 | £176 |
| 1914 | 1,924 | £279,185 | £145 |
| 1915 | 2,041 | £233,388 | £119 |
| 1916 | 2,484 | £302,720 | £122 |
| 1917 | 1,702 | £321,105 | £188 |
| 1918 | 2,302 | £397,726 | £173 |
Kola nuts are second only to palm kernels in Sierra Leone in importance as an export, although they are practically entirely consigned to other coast ports; an insignificant amount of dried kolas only being destined for Europe.
RED PEPPER.—Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens are both grown among the multitude of plants, the seeds of which are mixed and broadcasted in the farms; but whereas most of the other plants are annuals, these are left in the ground for two years or more, and yield almost continuous crops during that period. The country of origin of these plants is probably South America, but the date of their introduction is unknown.