258 FORESTRY OF WEST AFRICA. 



or on one of the islands of the Gambia above the- 

 influence of the tide. Thus would the botany of West 

 Africa become known, its economy developed and 

 added to by the introduction of alien elements of 

 commercial importance. That mother or nurse for 

 the development of economic botany in our Colonies. 

 — Royal Gardens, Kew— would help, as she has 

 always done, by the supply of good practical and 

 educated gardeners, who would become, perhaps, in 

 time, local curators ; and by the promotion of a system 

 of training up, as gardeners, at Kew, or in some 

 Tropical miniature thereof, some of the native youths 

 of the country. 



In support of such a training there will be found in 

 the Preface, dated 1849, of Hooker's 'Niger Flora;'' 

 to use the Editor's own words :— 



"It further showed that the only hope of en- 

 lightening the sons of Africa is by native agency : 

 and it is with no small pride that the Editor of this, 

 work, in the capacity of Director of the Royal 

 Gardens of Kew, is at this moment giving in charge 

 a considerable collection of useful tropical plants for 

 introduction into Africa, to two native missionaries 

 (recently ordained by the Bishop of London), than 

 whom he knows not any well-educated Europeans 

 more competent to estimate the value of such im» 

 portations, or likely to feel more interest in their 

 successful cultivation and use." 



Should such an Institution be at any time decided 



