THE SHEA NUT. 61 



The shea tree requires a deep soil rich in humus, and 

 is particularly abundant on soils composed of sandy 

 clay or of lateritic detritus. 



It does not grow in marshy land, or in land liable to 

 be flooded, or on heavy clay soils, but prefers the slopes 

 of hills, and rocky or sandy plains. Although the tree 

 is found in the forest or in the bush, it does not reach 

 its maximum growth under these conditions, since it is 

 often stunted owing to bush fires and the shading effect 

 of more rapidly growing plants and trees. The tree 

 flourishes best in open situations, such as the clearings 

 round villages, and attempts are being made in Northern 

 Nigeria and elsewhere to induce the natives to clear away 

 the bush around the trees with a view to prevent damage 

 by fire. Laws have also been made in the Upper Senegal 

 and Niger region to prevent the cutting down of this 

 valuable tree when land is being cleared for the planting 

 of crops. Although the tree does not appear to be culti- 

 vated in the full sense of the word in any district, it is 

 usual for the natives to leave the mature trees when 

 clearing land. The tree is easy to propagate from seed, 

 but grows comparatively slowly, taking about thirty 

 years to reach maturity, whilst it does not bear fruit 

 until from twelve to fifteen years of age. It is evident, 

 therefore, that the establishment of plantations would 

 be a tedious operation, and in view of the irregular 

 yield of nuts, it might also be unprofitable. 



Such considerations would, of course, be most im- 

 portant in the event of attempts being made to establish 

 oil mills on the spot in West Africa. A native is able 

 to gather 100 Ibs. of fruit per day of nine hours in a good 

 season ; but any estimate must, of course, depend largely 



