320 
I find in this place a satisfactory means of satisfying some of 
them. 
(Sgd.) Huen Ciirrorn, 
Governor.” 
Funtua, Katsina Emirate, 
Kano Province. 
March a. 1922. 
The recognition afforded by His Excellency to Dr. Moiser’s 
pioneer work at Sokoto will be welcomed by botanists and 
horticulturists throughout the Empire and nowhere more than 
at Kew, the centre of botanical enterprise in the British Empire. 
Of more importance is the assurance that the gardens, which 
represent the devotion and care of one man, are to be maintained, 
and it is to be hoped that the Government of Nigeria in the 
future will not only continue Sir Hugh Clifford’s far-seeing policy, 
but will endeavour to develop and increase the value and impor- 
tance of this Tropical African Garden, which is pregnant with such 
great possibilities. The gardens were made in the first instance 
by Dr. Moiser, from the point of view of public health, and 
thanks to the skill and knowledge of their founder they have not 
only amply realised this primary object but almost imperceptibly 
have become potential Botanic Gardens. 
Were it possible to reproduce the many excellent photographs 
of the gardens sent by Dr. Moiser, it would be seen that the 
landscape effect has in no way been sacrificed to the more scientific 
aspects of the gardens and skilful use has been made of the 
existing trees to make the whole place not only “ pleasant to the 
eye,” but also “‘ good for food,” both to mind and body. 
Dr. Moiser has made good grass lawns, which give the gardens 
a fine spacious effect, and despite the dry climate they are kept 
green without overhead watering. The sound expedient has 
been adopted of damming up the stream so that the wisi hrs 
lates through the soil and the grass is watered from below with 
most satisfactory results. (Plate IIT.) 
' The garden, which was started in 1916, is fortunate in including 
the heads of two narrow valleys, in which the sub-soil water lies 
within a couple of feet of the surface, even at the driest time | 
of the year, and in which some magnificent old Vitex and fig 
trees, as well as Acacia and locust-bean trees, not only lend their 
grandeur and grateful shade, but serve to keep out the scorching 
winds of the desert. 
When making the garden, water-holes and swampy patches 
had to be drained, ditches dug, rank grass and weeds cleared 
away, and in so doing the place was cleared of snakes and 
mosquitoes, for it was the home of both. 
Then a few gravelled walks were laid out, and a primiti 
bridge or two was put across the meandering stream, of crystal- 
clear water, cool and fresh from the springs. 
The first object was to ensure a constant supply of eae 
vegetables and to quote Dr. Moiser’s words in “ West Africa 
