2IO FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



In the commercial transformation now proceeding 

 along West Africa by the general substitution of com- 

 panies for private enterprise — one of the outcomes, 

 and a healthy one, of a more divided trade and of 

 the gradual disappearance of monopolies — it should 

 be more easy, in the sense of having more available 

 capital, to establish plantations, either as a speculation 

 or as model farms for the enlightenment of the natives 

 — on whom business is built, and in a great measure 

 depends — of the country, both in the direction of the 

 extension of the knowledge and treatment of the 

 products of their countries available for use and of 

 demand. 



It has often occurred to me as surprising that efforts 

 of the mercantile world in West Africa, represented in 

 some instances by merchants having a vested and long- 

 standing interest in the place, and by agents of mer- 

 chants in other cases, should have resulted in so little 

 comparatively towards the promotion of economic 

 botany of that part. I have ventured to ask 

 them individually what they have done in the many 

 years they have been associated with West Africa, 

 and I know of no instance in which any one was able 

 to give what he considered a satisfactory answer. I 

 am aware that there are exceptions in putting forth 

 efforts and in setting noble examples, and to them be 

 all praise and honour — if such should be extended for 

 self-interest, or duty done. 



I would here refer to our Colonies, where the 



