AGRICULTURE GENERAL 33 1 



the substitution of grafting for seed propagation, and experiments 

 with different types of planting systems in relation to oil-palms 

 and coffee. 2. Yangambi-Selection (about lOO hectares), where 

 there are four sections, for oil-palms, rubber, coffee, and native 

 food crops. The research, to which much importance is attached, 

 consists mainly of long-range studies under the headings of (a) 

 selection of pure strains, (b) experiments on germination, trans- 

 planting, dispersal, soil treatment, rotation of crops, harvesting 

 methods, grafting, and prolongation of life, (c) biology and genetics, 

 especially factors leading to fertility and the evolution of various 

 characters. 3. Gazi (over 500 hectares) chiefly for rubber and 

 cacao, with some oil-palms. 4. Lula, where 193 hectares are under 

 coffee of different kinds, chiefly robusta. Work is proceeding on 

 selection, seed distribution to planters, growth, reclamation of old 

 plantations, cover crops and manuring. Wild coffees from the 

 neighbouring forests are being studied. 5. Barumba, a very old 

 station on the Congo River, where 560 hectares are under oil- 

 palms with 354 hectares of cacao trees alternating between the 

 palms. Work concentrates on growth and selection methods, and 

 on the improvement of exhausted soil. The cotton station at Bam- 

 besa has 27 hectares of cotton and 20 of legumes. That at Ganda- 

 jika has 30 hectares of cotton and 15 of legumes. Research is 

 proceeding on growth and selection and on the control of pests. 



Nioka is the principal livestock research station in the Congo. 

 It is situated west of Lake Albert, 1,800 metres above sea-level, 

 and covers some 2,000 hectares. Most of the area is natural pasture, 

 but there is some improved pasture, some wooded land, and a part 

 is devoted to food crops and to coffee. The livestock includes 

 cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and fowls. The station aims at the intro- 

 duction of new kinds of stock, improvement by breeding, and the 

 supply to settlers and natives of the most suitable kinds. The breed- 

 ing of woolled sheep is promising, but up to now diseases, especi- 

 ally parasitic worms, have proved difficult to control. Important 

 work on milk production is in progress, and natives are taught to 

 train oxen for the plough. The crops studied are wheat, barley, 

 rye, apples, pears, peaches, and avocado pears. 



The botanic gardens at Eala, on the River Ruki, in the province 

 of Coquilhatville, cover about 150 hectares. Up to now the gar- 



