NIGERIA 179 



Amongst the Mamu Forest Plantations there is that of Africa*! 

 Oak {Afzelia Africana), Apa (Yoruba), Aligna (Benin), one of the few 

 survivals of the efforts made to reproduce this tree artificially. The 

 many insect and rodent enemies give isolated plantation seedlings 

 very little chance to develop. 



Although Shea Butter {Butyrospermum Parkii), Emi Ori or Emigidi 

 (Yoruba), has been tried as a plantation tree, the germination of the 

 nuts is very poor, and the rodents attack them unmercifully. Appar- 

 ently root-suckers form the chief means of reproduction for this tree. 

 They are very prevalent and very persistent once they have sprouted. 

 The forest fires destroy a great deal of the flower in the early part of 

 the year, preventing formation of the fruit, and thus the means 

 of reproduction by seed is very much reduced. The improvement 

 in trees protected from fire at Olokemeji is most marked. 



At Degema there is a plantation of 3Iimusops Djave {?), or Aganokwi 

 of the Benis, which shows comparatively fast growth ; in eleven years 

 the trees had reached a height of about 25 feet and a girth of 2 feet 

 6 inches. Although it sprouts well from the stump, it is easier to raise 

 from seed, but the seedlings require great care in transplanting. 



At Olokemeji, Shinglewood {Terminalia Superba), Afara, by the 

 Yorubas and Egoyn Nufwa by the Benis, is being tried in a mixed 

 plantation. The growth has been rapid, and would probably surpass 

 that of teak after the first five years. 



Over considerable areas of the Olokemeji and the Ibadan plantations 

 the Yoruba Chewstick, or Ayin of the Yorubas (Anogeissus leiocarpus), 

 has been planted. Its growth has been moderately rapid, reaching a 

 height of about 8 feet in four years. In addition to the value of its 

 wood both as a chewstick and from the fact that a mordant for dyes 

 can be made from its ashes, the young plant kills all the Econ grass 

 growing round it with its leaf fall. This makes the tree one of the most 

 advantageous for Afforestation purposes. Its light-green foliage and 

 delicate, graceful build, and slender bole and branches, make it also 

 valuable as an avenue tree in the dryer parts of the country. In 

 its similarity to the European birch it might almost be called the 

 birch of Africa. 



With the Dika Nut {Irvingia Barteri), Oro by the Yorubas and 

 Okherli by the Benis, small sample plots have been made in the 

 Mamu Reserve and isolated specimens planted near the Calabar 

 Arboretum. 



Although not for Afforestation purposes but for the production 

 of Palm Wine, Raffia vinifera, Ako by the Yoruba, Augor by the Benis, 

 has been planted and seeds distributed amongst the villagers of the 

 upper parts of the Cross River districts. When these are grown there 

 will not be such a demand for cutting down the oil-palm-tree for 

 making palm wine as there is at the present time. 



