The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-04-06
"A USEFUL TREE,
1t Yields Oil, Wine, Food,
Medicine and POultices.
(Charge d'Affairs Ellis, Monrovia.)

first to introduce palm oil to tia
world markets, beginning the export
alton Of palm kernels, which have be-
come a great factor in West African
export trade. The European price of
palm kernels in 1905 was $50 a ton,
but the oil expressed from them was
worth $3.50 a ton. The price now
paid for kernels in local markets is
$1.20 to $1.32 a bushel, against 81
a year ago. Palm kernels have lately
been selling in Europe at 5000 4
ton for Liberian kernels and S72 for
kernels from farther down the West
Coast. In 1908 Liberia exported
195,490 bushels of the kernels. re-
ceiving therefor s195,490. Palm oil
ranks highest in Liberian exports,
and in 1905 brought sS50,193.
To secure palm oil, the outside pulp
or pericarp is removed and the nuts
are laid aside to dry. They are then
cracked between two rocks and the
inner kernels preserved for use and
trade. 1t is estimated that two hun
dred weight of nuts produce fifty-six
pounds of kernels. A portable nut
cracking machine is much needed in
Liberia. Generally the shells of the
inner palm kernels are used for fuel,
yet some Africans use them in decora-
ton and dress, for such purposes az
finger, rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
For local consumption the Africans
prepare two kinds of oil from the
palm kernel:
CD The better quality of kernel
oil is manufactured by putting a
quantity Of kernels into a wooden
mortar and pounding them, and then
grinding them thoroughly on a stone,
making a fine paste, which is then
mixed with cold water aud stirred.
The oil rises in white Jumps to the
surface, and after collection is boiled.
This oil is Of a light straw color,
which, after exposure to the sur and
dew, turns beautifully white. Being
wholesome and palatable, it is a good
substitute for lard. 1t relieves a
cough, and used in moderation is bet
ter than shea butter as an emolient
Tor the skin.
(2j The commoner kind of kernel
oil is obtained by frying the kernels
in a pan until a dark oil is extracted,
which is strained and kept for dress
ing the hair or rubbing on the body.
TO secure more oil from the kernels
they are pounded, ground fine, and
then boiled, when the floating oil is
skinned off. The skimming is re-
peated until all the oil has been ex-
tracted from the kernels.
The wine of the palm also is an
important article for African con-
sumption and may possess an export
value when its properties and uses
are more thoroughly understood.
From the palm cabbage there are two
methods of securing what is common
ly called palm wine: (1) By telling
the tree and inserting a reed in a
oole cut in the cabbage and allowing
the sap to run into a receptacle; CD
0y climbing the tree and inserting a
reed in a hole cut in the cabbage as
the tree stands. If the flow is slow
It may be increased by the daily appli-
cation of a lighted torch made of the
nidrib of the palm leaf to the side Of
:he hole nearest to the trunk OF the
tree; by cutting off a fresh slice now
and again from the charred wound
The sap will continue sometimes for
more than thirty days. Trees. with
The most luxuriant leaves gives more
sap than those with few leaves. For
he local market this palm wine is
prepared in two forms-sweet and
Try. In making the sweet wine the
Juice is mixed in equal portions with
water, and after being boiled for
some time is allowed to cool. The
next morning fresh wine is added and
the whole thoroughly stirred. The
boiling causes the wine to retain its
sweetness for some time. The dry
wine is made in much the anne way,
except that 1t is not boiled.
Aside from being used as a beVer-
ege, palm wine has some other uses
which might be mentioned. In max
ing bread it is used TO, yeast. BY the
addition of hot water its strength is
greatly reduced. 1t has great diuretic
properties and much greater sustain
ing mowers Mixed with a little cay
enne pepper, it can sustain a laborer
on the farm for many hours without
other food. 1t is also used as vinegar.
The goldsmith uses palm wine with
alum to clean and renovate his i'm
plements. Effective as an insectlcide
when sprinkled about, it is also a
powerful and satisfactory disinfect-
ant. 1t is good for cleaning any foul
utensil, and by soaking them in it
over night rust Of all kinds is re-
moved.
A similar substance and a fine sub
stitute is prepared from the plneap-
pie fruit by removing the skin and
the core and squeezing out the juice
of the remaining fruit. After strain
Ing and boiling this juice n has a
splendid beverage, sweet and spark
ling. 1t may be used also for making
bread, as is palm wine. Pineapple
Juice also heals sore throat and makes
an appetizing vinegar.
The heart of palm cabbage is used
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