69 
IV.—AGRICULTURE. 
The system employed by the natives in the forest region is 
simple. The trees are cut down in pud e selected for the 
‘clearing ' and the trunks MUHoTEL if not too large and heavy, 
turned up and tu , Seeds, &c., are planted. The following are 
generally found in culti o pla ns, India orn, pi 
apples, sugar cane, yams, beans, ochros (Abelmoschus esculentus), 
papaws, cassava, chillies, castor oil, egg apples, cotton, cocoa-nuts, 
oil palms 
A distinction has been made locally between plantains and 
bananas ; the former never become soft when ripe and require 
cooking, "while the latter can be eaten raw. 
Very little trouble is taken to keep the land clear of weeds, 
bem er numbers of Mà herbaceous plants spring up and 
r the surface of the gr 
pee th is extremely foil in the rich soil. Ginger plants grew 
18 inches in three weeks in the ‘clearing’ at Assin Yan 
ssi. 
V.—ECONOMIC PRODUCTS. 
Plantains are largely grown, and form the principal food of 
ve inhabitants. Indian sae is extensively cultivated and grows 
ely. Sugar cane is grown in many of the villages. Pine 
pon are Found all over the country in fus a way as to lead 
persons who have travelled far inland to believe them indigenous. 
Cola, rupbor and gum trees grow plentifally in in the forest region, 
and are reported to be more numerous in the districts aro und 
m 
The cocoa-nut grows as far north as Assin Yan Kumassi, and the 
bread-fruit tree at Prahsu. The Indian mango tree (Mangifera 
indica) is cultivated, but does not appear to ripen fruit. The 
leaves, flowers and young branches are usually injured by ants 
and other insects. 
The cola nuts in the region of Assin Yan Kumassi 
obtained from Cola acuminata, R. Br. These trees are plentiful. 
rubber flows. This tree has a aaa ie Nadia zr 
yielding excellent rubber. Zabernamontana crassa yields, on 
incision of the bark or fruit, a copious supply v poene ^ ct 
which gives good rubber ; it also grows at Assin 
Gum denim from the E of many Ieguminons trees di kie 
wounded, and soon hardens o: exer to the air, 
