FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 235 



part, the sites from which valuable timber and vines 

 disappear — where a farm is to be deserted either 

 for good, or to lie fallow for so many years, why 

 cannot it be partially re-planted by those who may- 

 have enjoyed its use in the past? Surely such a 

 condition could be enforced by agreement between 

 landlord and tenant ; as also that certain trees of 

 known value should not be under any circumstances 

 removed. I may mention that I am aware of the 

 superstitious respect that attaches in the Yoruba 

 country to the Oroko, Afon, Araba, Ashori, and other 

 large trees, and to the consequent immunity they 

 enjoy from the axe, as also of the understanding that 

 palm trees on allotted sites are preserved and remain 

 the property of the landlord. Notwithstanding he 

 will surely be ready to increase the value of his re- 

 cognized vested interest by the adoption of my 

 suggestions as they stand, or in some modified, yet 

 advantageous, form. 



Let us take time by the forelock. In the older 

 Colonies, such as the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, 

 Mauritius, Canada, New Zealand, South Australia, 

 laws and regulations now exist for the conservation of 

 their forests. There it was not that " necessity had 

 no law," but rather law became an absolute necessity, 

 and legal restraints had to be exercised. It was in 

 some instances almost a case of shutting the stable 

 door after the horse had got out. ' 



I have already implied that there is a general 



