42 SIERRA LEONE 



uncleared " bush." The result of the examination, in 

 the latter case, showed the soil had a deficiency of lima 

 and phosphoric acid. A special analysis was also made 

 of the soil of the Banana Islands, which was found to have 

 an adequate quantity of nitrogen but to be deficient in 

 potash and phosphoric acid. 



With a view to producing a more satisfactory condition 

 of soil in some parts, different leguminous crops have 

 been cultivated and alternated with Sorghum millet 

 (Guinea corn), maize and rice. Among the species tried 

 by the Agricultural Department are : soya beans (Glycine 

 soja), black gram (Phaseolus mungo), pigeon peas (Cajanus 

 indicus), Java beans (Phaseolus lunatus], cowpeas (Vigna 

 catjang), sword beans (Canavalia ensiformis) and horse- 

 beans (Dolichos lablab). Yams and groundnuts have 

 also been tried, and a yield of 6 tons 3 cwts. per acre of the 

 former crop was obtained at the experimental farm at 

 Njala in 1914. 



Forestry. On the formation of a Forestry Department 

 in 1910, a survey was at once proceeded with, and active 

 steps were taken to save from extinction the small extent 

 of forest remaining in the Colony and Protectorate, 

 From the survey it appeared that some 99 per cent, of the 

 Protectorate primary forest had already been destroyed 

 by the wasteful methods of farming generally practised. 

 Intervals between the clearing of the bush for farms 

 was from nine to five years, the effect of which was to 

 entirely eliminate the primary forest areas. Where 

 patches still remain, however, many useful species of 

 timber trees are found. By the introduction of regular 

 forest control and reafforestation, it is hoped that con- 

 ditions may be improved to some extent, and economic 

 trees especially preserved. Forest legislation has already 

 been introduced to insure the preservation of copal trees. 



