184 SCIENCE IN AFRICA 



made, it is argued that since the native fears and shuns evergreen 

 forest and takes for granted its destruction for agriculture or 

 grazing and the thoughtless use of fire, the scattered remnants of 

 the once extensive forests might well disappear before indirect 

 methods of control could be made effective. The forest reserves 

 of this territory are so small that their preservation could not safely 

 be left to persons who do not realize their importance . A few months 

 of neglect or a few years of heavy cutting might result in damage 

 that would take decades to repair. 



The Empire Forestry Conferences held from time to time provide 

 a means of contact between foresters in different territories. Four 

 of these have been held, the last, in South Africa in 1935, having 

 particular reference to forestry in that Dominion. The statements 

 then prepared by the forest authorities in the various British terri- 

 tories give an excellent picture of the present position. Informal 

 meetings of forestry officers on leave have been organized by the 

 Imperial Forestry Institute since 1936. In consequence of a resolu- 

 tion passed by the Conference of 1920, the Empire Forestry Associa- 

 tion was founded as a voluntary body, with the objects of fostering 

 interest in forestry, providing a centre of communication, and 

 collecting and circulating information. The official organ of the 

 Association, the Empire Forestry Journal, appears biannualiy, and 

 a handbook is also issued. Apart from these conferences it appears 

 that facilities for the exchange of ideas in forestry are less good 

 than in many other subjects, and that some means of co-ordina- 

 tion of work is required, not only between neighbouring terri- 

 tories, but between those of the East and West African groups. 

 It has been suggested that this could be achieved by the appoint- 

 ment of central directors of forestry for the East and West African 

 territories respectively, and an inspector of forests for the whole 

 colonial Empire, who would spend his time touring and act as 

 co-ordinating officer and advisor. The exchange of officers of 

 midway seniority between different territories would also lead to 

 the dissemination of experience, and some general forestry publica- 

 tion for the African colonies, on the lines of the Indian Forester or 

 the Malayan Forester, would serve useful purposes as a medium for 

 the exchange of views, and dissemination of results. 



