PIONEER WORK IN NIGERIA : THE SOKOTO GARDENS. 339 
to rectifpng mistakes, and creating what now exists. The first 
step was to reorganize this experiment on more scientific lines. The 
native method of growing on high ridges interspersed by water channels 
had been followed and the ridges even stone-bound. Henceforth 
these were to be levelled, the stones removed, the water-holes filled 
up, and the ground more profitably utilized. 
This patch was in fact the embryo garden. 
Over a thorn barrier was another little attempt known as the 
" Prison Garden " with Tanko, the warder, in charge of two prisoners. 
Away went the thorn fence ! Developments began ! Tanko, the 
enthusiast, with his two prisoners and their native tools, became 
the garden warder and workers ! (Fig. 192.) 
A survey of the slopes each side of the stream soon revealed to 
Dr. MoiSER great possibilities, and a glimpse of distance through a 
break in a group of trees suggested an "Avenue" (fig. 193). The 
making of this involved levelling, filling in water-holes, edging 
with rough blocks of native laterite, and cambering with laterite 
crushed into gravel, over rubble duly beaten (called " debbi ") 
by native women, gathered from the town at id. per day, there 
being as yet no rollers. Women are the experts at " debbi," 
which they do singing and beating in rhythm the while. Increased 
enthusiasm followed each successful step ! The stream was bridged 
by native palm-tree trunks ; its bed was deepened for drainage, 
and the area of cultivation was extended to include drier ground 
to cope with rainy seasons. Next came the West Walk, forming a 
boundary from the condenser, which was placed by the side of the 
main spring, and side-walks were added to enclose the two main 
vegetable-gardens. All these walks were edged with AUernanthera 
bordered by flower-beds, backed by hedges of Lawsonia alba, for ever 
giving off its delicate sweet scent. The original purpose of the garden 
was now achieved. Vegetables were obtainable ! (See fig. 194.) Good 
seed from England and patient toil were overcoming all difficulties. 
But the strain of Nigerian residence is not only physical, it is 
also mental and nervous. To supply the need of the mind therefore, 
the restful element, the subtle calm born of home conditions, the 
mental focus on the beautiful, the Medical Officer conceived the 
elaboration of the stream bed into a garden, not only of dietary utility, 
but of ornament, with soothing sward and shade to act as a nerve 
sedative. 
The first objective, then, was a level lawn, which should combine 
the beneficial influence of fresh green grass amidst scorched-up 
surroundings with a gentle form of sport — the idea of bowls, finally 
giving way to Badminton. Thus the Badminton court with its 
curved flower-borders, its beautifully kept turf — the native species 
of grass being used — was patiently evolved. To obtain the full 
benefit, however, a sense of seclusion was essential, hence arches 
and trellis of split palm trunks, covered with creepers, such as Con- 
volviilus major, red star creeper. Bougainvillaea, Cohaca scandcns, 
