NIGERIA 179 
Amongst the Mamu Forest Plantations there is that of AfricaM 
Oak (Afzelia Africana), Apa (Yoruba), Aligna (Benin), one of the few 
survivals of the efforts made to reproduce this tree artificially. The 
many insect and rodent enemies give isolated plantation seedlings 
very little chance to develop. 
Although Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Emi Ori or Emigidi 
(Yoruba), has been tried as a plantation tree, the germination of the 
nuts is very poor, and the rodents attack them unmercifully. Appar- 
ently root-suckers form the chief means of reproduction for this tree. 
They are very prevalent and very persistent once they have sprouted. 
The forest fires destroy a great deal of the flower in the early part of 
the year, preventing formation of the fruit, and thus the means 
of reproduction by seed is very much reduced. The improvement 
in trees protected from fire at Olokemeji is most marked. 
At Degema there is a plantation of Mimusops Djave (?), or Aganokwi 
of the Benis, which shows comparatively fast growth ; in eleven years 
the trees had reached a height of about 25 feet and a girth of 2 feet 
6 inches. Although it sprouts well from the stump, it is easier to raise 
from seed, but the seedlings require great care in transplanting. 
At Olokemeji, Shinglewood (Terminalia Superba), Afara, by the 
Yorubas and Egoyn Nufwa by the Benis, is being tried in a mixed 
plantation. The growth has been rapid, and would probably surpass 
that of teak after the first five years. 
Over considerable areas of the Olokemeji and the Ibadan plantations 
the Yoruba Chewstick, or Ayin of the Yorubas (Anogeissus leiocarpus), 
has been planted. Its growth has been moderately rapid, reaching a 
height of about 8 feet in four years. In addition to the value of its 
wood both as a chewstick and from the fact that a mordant for dyes 
can be made from its ashes, the young plant kills all the Econ grass 
growing round it with its leaf fall. This makes the tree one of the most 
advantageous for Afforestation purposes. Its light-green foliage and 
delicate, graceful build, and slender bole and branches, make it also 
valuable as an avenue tree in the dryer parts of the country. In 
its similarity to the European birch it might almost be called the 
birch of Africa. 
With the Dika Nut (Irvingia Bartert), Oro by the Yorubas and 
Okherli by the Benis, small sample plots have been made in the 
Mamu Reserve and isolated specimens planted near the Calabar 
Arboretum. 
Although not for Afforestation purposes but for the production 
of Palm Wine, Raffia vinifera, Ako by the Yoruba, Augor by the Benis, 
has been planted and seeds distributed amongst the villagers of the 
upper parts of the Cross River districts. When these are grown there 
will not. be such a demand for cutting down the oil-palm-tree for 
making palm wine as there is at the present time. 
