12 



" In the sand and pisolite-gravel and cement resting on the great 

 sandstone and shales series of Ashanti and the Northern Territories, 

 and in those sandstones, vast quantities of rain-water are stored after 

 the wet season. Where not issuing as springs or streams, this water 

 can easily be obtained by digging small holes in suitable localities, 

 and the wants of villages and towns supplied. This is a matter of 

 great importance to the country with respect to the spread of settle- 

 ment, since in the dry season there is no surface water over the greater 

 portion of northern Ashanti and the Northern Territories. From 

 the water-conservation point of view this series of rocks is of incal- 

 culable value to the country." 



Seasons. 



The year is divided generally into a dry season, during which the 

 Harmattan blows, and which extends over December and January, 

 and a rainy season culminating in June. 



A period of small rains occurs in September and October, but is 

 not very pronounced in the coast towns 



Tornados occur occasionally throughout the year, but chiefly 

 during April and May preceding the wet monsoon. 



The Harmatta-n is a cool, desiccating wind, which blows from the 

 north at intervals during December and January, lasting for a few 

 days at a time. During these periods the air is cloudy, with fine dust 

 generally regarded as sand blown down from the Sahara. Its in- 

 fluence on the vegetation in the areas of lesser rainfall is the deter- 

 mining factor in the extent and period of the great annual fires. 



