THE SUDAN. 341 



Department, consisting of two European Officers and a staff of 

 Chinese foresters. There is also a temporary staff engaged during 

 the planting season. 



Pine plantations are being established for : — 



(1) The conservation of the water supply. 



(2) For the sake of revenue. 



(3) For beautifying the country and preventing erosion of the 



hills. 

 A limited amount of Research is carried on by the European 

 Officers in connection with plant diseases and local economic 

 products. 



Weihaiivei has not a separate forest service, but it is proposed 

 to appoint an expert with the view of establishing a scheme of 

 afforestation, as at present all timber has to be imported. 



No statements have been received from North Borneo, Sarawak, 

 Tasmania, the Sudan and Mauritius. 



The Sudan. — The author regrets that he cannot give a com- 

 plete account of the progress of forest conservancy in the Sudan. 

 In the third edition of this volume it was stated that Mr. C. E. 

 'Muriel examined the country and reported on its forest resources 

 in 1901. It appears from his report that the Sudan has a greater 

 variety of trees than might be expected. Of these, the Acacias 

 are the most important, some of which give a strong and durable 

 but hard timber. Cordia ahyssinica gives a durable timber which 

 will float when dry. It also appears that in Bahr-el-Ghazal and in 

 Kagalu forests exist, which contain fine mahogany tree.; ; some 

 timber of these has lately been brought to Khartoum. The 

 obstacle to extensive exploitation seems to be the difficulty of 

 transport. It is understood that the Government has now taken 

 steps with a view to improving communications. 



The difficulty of securing an adequate sui)ply of firewood seems 

 to be great, as the available wood fuel areas have been severely 

 drained. Further cuttings had to be restricted and coal and oil 

 used in spite of high costs. It is stated in the annual report for 

 1920 that steps are being taken to ensure natural regeneration in 

 the overcut areas on the Blue Nile, as well as direct afforestation. 

 On the White Nile the fuel supply areas in the vicinity of Khar- 

 toum have been severely cut. A scheme for the afforestation of 



