FIELD CROPS AND COTTON 87 



of the country. It is, however, unlikely that agriculture 

 was further improved by his invasion, as large tracts of 

 country were devastated to feed his troops. 



FIELD CROPS. The soil is of a lighter and more sandy 

 nature than that generally found in the forest region, but 

 it is well adapted for the cultivation of many different 

 kinds of crops, notably Guinea corn, millet, groundnuts, 

 and cotton, while it is less satisfactory for yams. The 

 latter are consequently of smaller size. 



Cotton. The cotton grown by the Dagombas is 

 whiter than those found in the south, and the plants are 

 of small stature ; the species has a wide-opening pale 

 flower, and has been grown at Labolabo from seed pro- 

 cured in the Northern Territories. The cotton fields are 

 planted with regular lines of plants, and the ground 

 appears to be exclusively used for the crop during the 

 season. The seed is sown upon ridges which have been 

 constructed from the high conical mounds, upon which 

 the combined crop of millet (Pennisetum spp.) or Guinea 

 corn and yams were grown in the previous year. Culti- 

 vation is performed by means of a short-handled hoe, 

 and the ridges are kept clear of weeds and grass until 

 the crop is ready. The seed-cotton is sold in the markets, 

 and is in good demand for the manufacture of native 

 cloths. No insect pests have been observed attacking 

 the plants, and it is probable that if an outside demand 

 were established for the produce a large quantity could 

 be grown. It might be necessary to introduce a better 

 variety than that at present cultivated, as this yields 

 a rather coarse and short staple. If cotton from this 

 part of the country is to become an article of export, 

 the difficulties at present experienced in transport will 

 first have to be overcome ; indeed, this applies to all the 

 produce capable of being grown in the country. The 

 navigation of the Volta river and the two main branches 

 seems to suggest a means which might be employed, 

 for, although there are several rapids in the course from 

 Daboya and Bole to Labolabo, only one is impassable 

 for canoes, even in the dry season. This rapid is at 

 Krachi where a short line has been laid for transporting 

 loaded canoes. The cost of the hire of canoes for 

 making the journey would probably be prohibitive, but 

 i| the British Cotton Growing Association undertook 



