THE SUDAN. 145 



UGANDA PROTECTORATE, 



Area = 89,400 square miles ; population between three and 

 four millions. 



The average annual exports of rubber are given as £3,230 

 in value. 



CENTRAL AFRICA PROTECTORATE. 



Area = 40,980 ; population estimated at 924,000. 

 There is an average annual export of rubber estimated at 

 £7,000 in value. 



THE SUDAN. 



Soon after the re-conquest of the Sudan the question of 

 the supply of timber and fuel came to the front. The 

 services of Mr. C. E. Muriel, a member of the Indian 

 Forest Department, were obtained, to examine the country 

 and report on its forest resources. He submitted a report 

 in 1901, from which it appears that the Sudan has a far 

 greater variety of trees than might be expected. Of these, 

 the acacias are the most important. Some of them give 

 strong and durable, but hard timber. Cordia ahyssinka 

 gives a good and durable timber, light enough when dry 

 to float in water. The people cut timber as required, the 

 forests are burnt through annually, and heavy grazing is 

 practised, especially of goats and camels. As long as this 

 unrestricted use continues, no improvement of the timber- 

 yielding forests can be expected. Before any effort can 

 be made to improve forest growth, definite areas must be 

 selected, demarcated as timber reserves and systematically 

 treated. This seems urgent, as already an import of timber 

 has sprung up, reaching a value of some £15,000 to £20,000 

 a year. Fuel is required, apart from the rural part of 

 the country, for the Government works at Khartoum and 

 Omdurman. To supply that, an area of 100 square miles 

 of fuel reserves is wanted, according to Mr. Muriel. The 



M.F. L 



