142 NIGERIA NORTHERN PROVINCES 



BENNISEED. The oil seed which is exported under 

 this name is the product of Sesamum indicum, Linn., 

 and is identical with that known in India as " til " or 

 " gingelly " seed. Although the specific name seems to 

 imply that the plant is a native of India, there is evidence 

 to show that it may have been introduced into that 

 country from Africa, where several species of the genus 

 occur in a wild state. 



The seed is pale or dark brown in colour, and contains 

 a large proportion of oil, for the extraction of which it 

 is exported. In the East, the dark seeds are said to 

 produce the better quality of oil, but this does not appear 

 to be recognised in Northern Nigeria, and the crop grown 

 there is composed of a mixture of the two kinds. 



The oil extracted from benniseed is clear yellow and 

 without smell, and is said to be capable of being preserved 

 for a long time without becoming rancid. For this 

 reason it is highly appreciated locally for alimentary 

 purposes, and is said to be used in Europe for making 

 butter substitutes and for mixing with olive oil. The seed 

 cake furnishes a valuable cattle food and good manure. 



Although liable to fluctuation in price on the European 

 market, dependent upon the extent of the supply of olive 

 and groundnut oils, the seed is always in demand, and for 

 this reason it is worthy of special attention for cultivation 

 in the fertile and populated tracts of Northern Nigeria. 



A fair amount of benniseed is grown in the country, 

 but the use of it is so appreciated locally that only a small 

 quantity is yet shipped, most of this being apparently 

 sent from Bauchi and Kabba, although Kano and Zaria 

 probably produce much more. The value shipped from 

 Nigeria rose from 5,225 in 1915 to 16,523 in 1916. 



Benniseed is grown chiefly in separate fields, and is 

 seldom seen in those which have been employed for a 

 long period under Guinea corn or millet. It is a sole 

 crop, and grown but once a year in this country. In 

 India, it may be remarked, the plant is cultivated in both 

 the spring (Rabi) and autumn (Kharif ) rotations, and it 

 should be possible to do this in the agricultural parts 

 of Northern Nigeria where irrigation is employed. 



KANO LEATHER. A very large trade exists in the 

 tanned and dyed goat and sheep skins prepared through- 

 out the country, and generally known under the name of 



