31 



In August, 1897, arrangements had been made with the Principal 

 of the Hope Waddell Institute at Old Calabar to train some of the 

 boys in agricultural work. To commence with, four boys were 

 given a trial ; two shortly afterwards resigned, and the two 

 remaining (Oghomaru and Ekoke) came regularly each morning 

 to the Gardens, and continued their studies at the Institute during 

 the afternoon and evening of each day. 



They continued to give satisfaction, and after about 2^ years' 

 training a small allowance was given them from the labour vote. 

 They were still connected with the Mission Institute, and in view 

 of the fact that they would soon be completing their studies there it 

 was desirable to have something definite arranged as to theii future. 

 Nothing, however, was done during the writer's term of office, 

 and no details are available as to what has been done since, except 

 that Oghomaru, the elder of the two, was made a Native Court 

 clerk. They were both earnest and trustworthy and likely to do 

 the Institute credit as an educational establishment. 



In October, 1900, the Curator went on leave, and as no successor 

 to Mr. Lloyd had been appointed, the Department was again 

 handed over to the care of the Principal Medical Officer, 

 Dr. Allman, who had always taken special interest in the work. 



On the retirement of the writer from the service of the Pro- 

 tectorate in 1901, on appointment to an Assistantship (Museums) 

 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, no Curator was appointed until a 

 change occurred in the Administration, the place in the meantime 

 being maintained " on the grounds of sanitation and health." 



In 1905 the Governor (Sir Walter Egerton) reports* "The 

 Botanical Gardens, Calabar, have been sadly neglected in the past 

 for the want of a properly qualified Curator. 



" Mr. Don,t however, from the Gold Coast was appointed Curator 

 towards the end of the year (1905), and it is to be hoped that great 

 developments will now follow and make them really useful for 

 the cultivation and distribution of important Economic plants." 



A considerable extension to the Gardens has recently been 

 made, and has been planted with various Rubber-producing trees.J 



The Department is now (since June 1 905) incorporated with 

 that of the Forestry. 



Agriculture. 



The general principle of Agriculture in Nigeria is " extensive," 

 thai is to say the Native cultivates as much ground as he thinks 

 will bring in a sufficient quantity of Yams, Cassava, &c, without 

 any more labour or trouble than simply cleaning and working the 

 soil. If a larger crop is wanted he cultivates more ground, and 

 when one piece of ground is exhausted, he clears more bush and 

 starts afresh on another piece. 



* Col. Rep., Ann., No. 512, 11)00, for 1905, p. 20. 



| Curator of the Tarkwa branch of the Hot. and Agri. Dept., Aburi. 

 | Col. Rep, Ann.. 'No 554, 1908, for 1906, p. 11, and Rep. on the Botanical Gardens 

 for Quarter ended .Tunc :tt)th. 1907. Suppl. to Gazette No. 45 of Ang. 28th, 1907, 



