182 



(Enclosure.) 



Botanical Station, Ebute Metta, 

 Sir, 9th February is<).;. 



I have the honour to forward for the information of the Deputy 

 Governor the following report on my visit to the Western District. 



The first plantation visited was the Government plantation at 

 Baclagry, situated close to the sea. Here a large area is devoted to 

 the growing of cocoanuts : these trees are in two stages of growth, the 

 larger ones arc in a healthy condition, the younger ones are not esta- 

 blished yet. Attention is required to dear away the long growing 

 grass which surrounds them. A small quantity of the Sansevieria 

 guineensis is also grown, the leaves are small, bui I believe this is due 

 to the dry season. A strong and useful fibre is obtained from the leaves 

 of this plant. 



A short distance from the town of Ajilite a coffee plantation is in 

 course of being laid out by European enterprise. The work of clearing 

 the ground is being done, and preparations made for planting out 

 during the next rains. A nursery for raising young plants has also 

 been established, and about 18,000 seedlings are now ready to be 

 planted out, while a large quantity are in a less advanced state. 

 Mr. Campbell calculates to plant out. 40 acres in the next rains. The 

 soil is a loamy marl, and is said to be workable at all seasons. 



The plantation at the Catholic Mission, Topo, consists of a large 

 portion of land on the sea side of the lagoon opposite the village of Topo. 

 A large area has been planted with cocoa-nut trees, which are repre- 

 sented in all stages of growth. About 23,000 have been planted out, 

 while 15,000 are in the nursery ready for planting. The trees are in 

 a healthy and flourishing condition. Among other things cultivated 

 may be mentioned cassava, banana, and pine-apple. An European 

 vegetable garden is also connected with this plantation. It is situated 

 in low moist ground, a stream surrounding it, and the soil is rich in 

 vegetable matter. Under these conditions vegetables grow luxuriantly. 

 Attached to the Mission is an agricultural school. Here part of the 

 day is devoted by the scholars to work connected with the plantation. 

 The estate is kept clean and in a flourishing condition, and is highly 

 creditable to those superintending the work. 



The next plantation I visited was that belonging to Captain J. P. L. 

 Davies, near Itele. This was the first one established in the Colony. 

 Captain Davies introduced cacao or chocolate plants from Fernando Po 

 some years ago, and has now about 10,000 trees planted out, many bearing 

 fruit. The land here is well suited for cacao, as can be seen by the 

 flourishing condition of the plants. The plantation is surrounded by 

 low swampy ground, from which there is a gradual rise to a low plateau. 

 The principal plants grown are : cacao, kola, annatto, cocoanuts, and 

 a few coffee plants. Several tons of commercial cacao are shipped 

 annually from this plantation, the last, consignment realising 02v. per 



lants thrive well as they become established. The growth on the 

 can be cut away when necessary. The plantation consists of 300 

 , and Captain Davies, who takes a great interest in it, would with 



