FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



commercially they are important. It will, however, 

 be my endeavour to give here a sketch of what has 

 been done, so far as I can within the scope of this 

 Book. 



In June, 1874, a Circular Despatch covering a copy 

 of a representation made by the Commissioner of 

 Woods and Forests was addressed by the Secretary 

 of State for the Colonies to the Officers Administering 

 the Governments of Her Majesty's Colonies. It 

 covered a list of questions as to Foreign and Colonial 

 Timber used for ship-building, general building, and 

 railway purposes ; for furniture, fancy articles, firewood, 

 lath-wood, shingles for roofs, &c. ; also as to timber 

 from which valuable barks, gums, dye-woods are 

 derived. As the headings under which information 

 was asked may at any time prove useful and more 

 productive in results, I will here repeat them : — 



1. What are the kinds of timber trees produced in 

 the countiy, and to what uses are they generally 

 applied ? (State the botanical name where known.) 



2. Are the forests or lands producing the trees 

 owned by the Government or by private persons ? 



3. What is the approximate extent of timber- 

 producing forests or lands at the present time .? 



4. Is this area increasing or diminishing ? 



5. If diminishing, from what cause ? 



6. Are any steps taken for the prevention of 

 waste or for replanting any area which has been 

 cleared ? 



B 2 



