94 NIGERIA SOUTHERN PROVINCES 



densely forested area is practically entirely within the wet 

 zone ; this also including a tract of brackish- water forest 

 (mangrove) and swamp. In the dry zone grass-land and 

 open " bush," with trees peculiar to such localities, occur, 

 and it is in this portion of the country that most of 

 the agricultural people are found. The inhabitants of the 

 forested area in the wet zone give more attention to the 

 collection of forest products, such as palm oil and rubber, 

 and only grow sufficient grain and roots for their own 

 consumption. 



Inhabitants. The tribes found in the Western Province 

 are chiefly Yorubas, and among these are some of the 

 most intelligent people in the country. In the Central 

 Province there are a large number of tribes speaking 

 different languages, but among these the Benis are perhaps 

 of most importance. The Ijoas, Ibos, Aros, and many other 

 tribes inhabit the Eastern Province, and are generally 

 of a lower grade of civilisation than the others mentioned. 

 The country between the northern part of the Cross river 

 and the Niger is populated by other pagan tribes, who 

 seem to be careful cultivators, but very little is known 

 of them at present. 



Cultivation. The Yoruba race are industrious cultiva- 

 tors, and show considerably more ambition than most of 

 the other West African peoples. The country in which 

 they live is particularly adapted to farming, and the 

 climatic conditions are suitable for the cultivation of 

 cotton and fibrous plants, in addition to the various grain 

 crops. In some parts cocoa, rubber, and kola are being 

 cultivated, but these are not so suitable under the pre- 

 vailing conditions as they would be within the wet zone 

 the Western Province, which these people inhabit, being 

 entirely within the dry region. 



Although farming is so extensive, continuous cultiva- 

 tion is not found, and the use of manure is practically 

 unknown. The usual practice is to farm a piece of land 

 for a few years, and to permit it then to return to a wild 

 state for a long period. In their want of knowledge 

 concerning the value of manure and the application of 

 artificial irrigation, the Yoruba farmers are behind the 

 Haussas of Northern Nigeria, but are more careful than 

 the Nupes of the same country. The depth of the Yoruba 

 cultivation is greater than that of the northern Haussa, 



