204 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



where on the Coast to introduce the cultivation of 

 some articles of produce new to the trade of Africa ; 

 but these endeavours require time, on account of the 

 unenlightened state of the natives, the very recent 

 abolition of the slave-trade, and its partial continuance 

 by other nations. 



" In several cases, however, the natives have proved 

 themselves capable of entertaining new ideas of trade 

 and cultivation more readily than might have been 

 expected. The trade in teak timber for ship-building 

 was unknown in Africa twenty years ago ; the 

 annual importation of that article from Sierra Leone 

 at present is from 15,000 to 20,000 tons of British 

 shipping annually. 



" Fifteen years ago it was not known that mahogany 

 grew in the Gambia. Since that period several thou- 

 sand loads of mahogany have been shipped to England 

 from our Settlements on that river ; and although the 

 natives would not at first cut and prepare it for 

 shipping, they are now willing to supply any quantity 

 of it which this market may require." 



The following information* is afforded on prices of 

 articles mentioned in the markets of the Gambia, 1833. 

 African teak, £^ los. per load; camwood, ;£'i2 per 

 ton ; mahogany of various kinds at A4 currency or 

 £1 gs. 4d. sterling. Ebony of very good quality grows 

 abundantly in Saloum River, and partially in Gambia. 

 Dittach,averyhard anddurable wood, stands well under 

 * Martin's ' British Colonies.' 



