FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 231 



XVII. 



It has been truly said that there is a tendency in 

 newly-settled countries to regard the timber as a mere 

 incumbrance to the land, and, as it generally occupies 

 the most fertile soils, the finest timber is usually that 

 first selected for destruction by fire, by ring barking 

 and other rude and wasteful methods in favour with 

 aborigines, settlers, or aliens. 



It is notwithstanding a difficult matter, and one 

 that might with reason be viewed as arbitrary, to put 

 in force legislative restraints upon the clearing of the 

 land in young Colonies ; and, so as to obviate resort 

 to any legal machinery in the matter, people interested 

 should not look on supinely while timber is disap- 

 pearing and a country is gradually but markedly 

 becoming treeless, and, apart from their economic 

 advantages, bereft of the shade so essential to health in 

 tropical climates. 



My remarks are directed to our West African 

 Possessions with the hope of arresting attention on 

 the part of landowners, and with the aim of their 

 directing sufficient interest towards the modification 

 of the reckless system that at present obtains 



