THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA. 143 



and to demarcate and protect them against fire. But much 

 more will have to be done b}' planting more valuable species. 

 So far, planting in Ehodesia has been almost entirely confined 

 to the Botanic Gardens at Bulawayo and Salisbury and to 

 Matopo Park. Under Mr. Pvhodes' will all forest trees 

 suitable for the climate are to be planted in Matopo, an 

 injunction which is being carried out by the Pihodes Trustees. 

 The imports of timber average £'45,000 in value annually. 



THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA. 



The colonies and protectorates here dealt with are : — 



Area iu Per 



Square Miles 



1. Lagos 3,420 



2. Gold Coast ... 119,260 



3. Sierra Leone . . . 4,000 



4. Gambia ... ... 69 



5. Southern Nigeria... 49,704 



6. Northern Nigeria... 258,000 



With the exception of the small colony of Gambia, the 

 areas are thinly populated. These countries are of special 

 interest to the forester, because they yield mahogany and 

 rubber. As far as returns are available, the average annual 

 exports of these two articles during the years 1900 to 1904 

 were as follows : — 



Value of Exports in £ Sterling. 



It will be observed that the returns are as yet incomplete. 

 For Sierra Leone, Gambia and Northern Nigeria no exports 

 of timber are given, and for the latter no returns of rubber. 



