FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 173 



" 2. But it must be remarked that American tobacco 

 is preferred to this country tobacco (called ' tankera '), 

 and that may account for its not being grown near 

 the coast This ' tankera ' is cultivated. It is grown 

 in Fonta Djallon, Wassalow, in fact along the Upper 

 Niger from its source, or very near it, to Sego. This 

 to my knowledge. But its area is probably immense. 

 Mixed with potash it is used as snuff, sometimes 

 smoked. 



" I should mention that snuff of alien manufacture is 

 not cared for nor much used by the natives, although 

 they make their own from imported leaf tobacco. In 

 the Gambia, the ground dried leaf is mixed with ashes 

 (alkali) called Kata, made from the banana or plan- 

 tain. Snuff appears to be extensively used both by 

 males and females, but it is used in the mouth instead 

 of in the nose ; it is not, however, swallowed. 



" In view of the many small available cultivators 

 among the natives who could ill afford and not well, 

 at present, understand waiting for a return, and who 

 might be encouraged in tobacco growth and culti- 

 vation, it would seem to be more advisable for the 

 general trade and for themselves if the crop could be 

 disposed of in its green state to any speculating 

 Company or Firm, on whom might devolve with 

 pecuniary advantage the preparation of the raw 

 material for the local and other markets." 



In the Canary Islands, where the tobacco industry 

 had to be resorted to after the cochineal pined, it was 



