2S6 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



elementary education. He was of the opinion that 

 all the instruction that can be given without 

 inculcating and teaching them habits of industry 

 would be of little avail, and he deplored the fact 

 that the outcome of the ordinary school education 

 was that industrious habits were, if not altogether 

 discontinued, but little practised. My own experience 

 and the Census statistics support to a great length 

 even now, sad as it may seem. Dr. Madden in his 

 conclusions arrived at so many years ago. 



In a former part of this work I have acknowledged 

 the private endeavours that have been creditably put 

 forth to promote the agricultural industry of West 

 Africa. These endeavours have been shortlived, and 

 have, as a rule, unfortunately, resulted in relapses 

 almost to conditions that existed prior to their under- 

 taking. 



We may remind ourselves, for instance — and there 

 are many like examples — when Mr. Wm. Smith visited, 

 in 1726, West Africa to survey the Settlements of the 

 Royal African Company, he found — 



" The gardens of Cape Coast are very pleasant and 

 large, being near eight miles in circumference. They 

 are nowhere circumscribed by any bounds or hedges 

 except on the south side near the town, but all in 

 general is called the garden as far as any regular 

 walks are planted. They are very fertile, and 

 produce everything that grows within the Torrid 

 Zone : such as oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, guavas, 



