African Oil Palm for Labuan.—

In my Report for 1876 I stated that a correspondence had taken place with the Colonial Office on the subject of the introduction of the Elæis guineensis from the West Coast of Africa into the island of Labuan, and that I had taken steps to obtain seeds from Africa and also detailed information as to the methods in use there in the extraction of the oil. The substance of a very full report transmitted to me, through the Colonial Office, from Mr. Freeling, the Governor of the Gold Coast, was printed in the Gardeners' Chronicle for June 30, 1877, and was also sent to Labuan. A supply of fresh seeds was received from the West Coast of Africa in March of the same year, and despatched to Labuan, where they were received and planted on the island of Daat in the following August. Mr. Treacher, the Acting Governor, reports that 700 young trees were yielded by this experiment, and "notwithstanding a drought which was quite exceptional and lasted for nearly five mouths, flourished and were transplanted in July last." Mr. Burbidge (formerly engaged in the Royal Gardens), who is travelling in Borneo for Messrs. Veitch and Sons of Chelsea, saw the trees before and after transplantation, and pronounced them to be in the most healthy condition.