8 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



"During the last ten years large numbers of 

 labourers and small cultivators have emigrated to the 

 Cape and Natal, and at the present time labour is 

 scarce and expensive. Wages range from 2s. to 2s. 6d. 

 per day, but the quality even at this price is not quite 

 satisfactory, 



"The Crown lands, with the exception of Long- 

 wood Farm and a few other places, are barren wastes 

 on the outskirts of the island, incapable of cultivation. 



" Of the area, two-thirds are composed of barren 

 rocky wastes or clayey slopes totally unfit in their 

 present condition for any agricultural operations. 



" About 8,000 acres are in pasture and hay land. 

 The tendency is to throw more and more land out of 

 cultivation and place it in grass. There is a retro- 

 grade step as regards the agricultural interests of the 

 island, but it is inevitable under the influences which 

 obtain at present. 



" Under forest, both of indigenous and introduced 

 trees, in detached and straggling patches, there may 

 be altogether about 400 acres. 



" Under cultivation, with root crops, forage, orchards, 

 and gardens, there are not quite 300 acres. 



" This last area,, viz. 300 acres, practically re- 

 presents all the land now used for raising crops and 

 for contributing to the food supply of the inhabi- 

 tants." 



I understand that in St. Helena there is now 

 absolutely no indigenous timber, the native trees 



