150 



NIGERIA NORTHERN PROVINCES 



(Pennisetum) crop, which is an early one, and not de- 

 pendent on the rainfall after June, had received a normal 

 amount of rain to that time, and was satisfactory the 

 stored supplies, as well as a second sowing, of this grain 

 to some extent made up for the failure of the other. 



The above table has been made out from the meteoro- 

 logical reports obtained at Zaria town, and probably 

 represents a fair average of the rainfall conditions per- 

 taining to the cultivated country in the vicinity. 



The more northern district, of which Kano is the centre, 

 is liable to smaller rainfall conditions than Zaria. A com- 

 parison can be made by reference to the table given below. 



TABLE SHOWING THE RAINFALL AT KANO FOB FOUR YEABS 

 (1906 TO 1909) 



The remarks made above serve to emphasise two 

 points in connection with the densely populated districts 

 of the north, the first being the necessity of cultivating 

 larger areas to permit of surplus supplies being stored, 

 and the second the requirement of quick transport to 

 enable supplies to be brought in from the Niger valley 

 in cases of urgent need. The first of these also indicates 

 the necessity for the improvement of agricultural methods 

 by the introduction of ploughing, the extension of 

 irrigation and dry-season crops, and the better dis- 

 tribution of the population. The second the supply of 

 quick transport is becoming rapidly established, by 

 means of the railway and improved roads. 



