NIGERIA 175 



and not quite so narrow in proportion to its length as most of the 

 Eucalyptus family. 



Some years ago the seeds of Pinus Mercusii were planted in several 

 places, including those of higher elevation. Although it many cases 

 the seed germinated, the seedlings subsequently died. 



Another exotic, the Swamp Cypress or Bald Cypress, or, as it is known 

 in England, the Deciduous Cypress {Taxodium distichum), was tried 

 near Benin City some years ago for swamp planting. Here, as in 

 the other case, the seeds germinated and the small trees reached the 

 height of about a foot and then subsequently died. The swampy 

 ground where they were planted may, however, have been rather too 

 acid or sour for them. The climate, of course, was no doubt con- 

 siderably hotter than that of the Southern States of the United 

 States, in which country this tree is indigenous. 



The original Spanish Mahoganj^, or Swietenia mahagoni, was intended 

 for Afforestation purposes with a view to its yielding on the average 

 a more highly valued wood than that of the African Mahogany. How- 

 ever, in Afiica generally, and in the Olokemeji Arboretum, it has proved 

 a very slow growth and more liable to attack by the leading-shoot 

 borer than even the indigenous mahogany-tree. 



For the comparatively dry laterite soil of the Olokemeji Forest 

 Reserve, Indian Rosewood or Blackwood {Dalbergia latifolia) has 

 proved a valuable introduction. Growing comparatively fast and of 

 somewhat branching habit, it soon covers the ground. It is, of 

 course, better in mixture with others in order to produce clean stems. 

 Latterly the larger trees have been attacked by a borer and consider- 

 able damage has been done. Still, in spite of it the trees have gone on 

 growing, and apparently are capable of outgrowing the damage 

 without an enormous loss of increment. In all, several acres have 

 been planted with this tree. 



Indian Walnut {Albizzia Lebbek) has found a foremost place in the 

 firewood plantation at Ibadan and Ede, as well as in the forest planta- 

 tions at Olokemeji. Its rapid growth and comparative indifference 

 to soil make it a comparatively valuable tree for Afforestation purposes. 

 Although it is usually only considered suitable for firewood, there is 

 no doubt that its wood can be used as a substitute for walnut, as it 

 is in India. Already, in fact, it is largely a forest escape in Africa, and 

 is found in many of the old farms and cultivated places. Its greyer, 

 almost silvery-grey, foliage easily distinguishes it from that of Albizzia 

 Brownii, which has larger leaves. 



A South American exotic, the Lignum Vitse [Guaiacum officinale), 

 is found in isolated specimens in the Olokemeji Arboretum and forest 

 plantations. With such a very slow-growing tree, which may show half 

 an inch growth in a year, it is difficult to be patient and wait for the 

 many years before it will attain even a size large enough from which 



