PIONEER WORK IN NIGERIA : THE SOKOTO GARDENS. 343 
commoners, who visit it during the year and taste of its fruits with 
delight, taking away specimens to their own compounds, and always 
returning for more. The schoolboys ask permission to enter and 
admire its well-swept paths and smart closely-mown lawns, objects 
wholly unknown and unimagined by them. Some of the chiefs have 
even sent men to be taught the art of gardening ; they have procured 
and sent indigenous specimens to be planted ; and experiments are 
being carried out with the object of introducing new foods for the 
native, e.g. English potatos as a field crop. Thousands of tomatos 
have been given away to king and peasant, many of whom are now 
learning to grow the plant in their own homes. Hundreds of banana 
plants are taken away by natives every year and planted ; they come 
from far to taste the guava, and it is hoped before long they may 
enjoy oranges, grape fruit, olives, grapes, and, maybe, apricots and 
almonds. 
It has kept at bay the deadly mosquito by the drainage of swamps, 
and the introduction of fish into the ponds. This great endeavour, 
originally only a public health service, has acquired even political 
significance. It is proving no mean factor in cementing the amicable 
relations between native and protectorate Home Government. It is 
proving a factor in linking up the scattered points of the Empire 
where similar horticultural effort is progressing. 
In five years it has grown from a lonely, discouraging, hesitant idea 
into a living work of limitless scope and comprehensive significance, 
a potent factor in education, ethical and practical, and in successful 
Empire-building. Thus can the silent patient work of an individual 
in a lonely home far removed from the whirl of governments mould 
and influence the destinies of the world ! 
The possibilities of this garden seem inexhaustible, so long as the 
Powers-that-be see fit to reappoint the enthusiastic creator of the 
garden to the station at Sokoto ! * 
N.B. — Should any reader be interested in details of culture of 
individual plants, whether flowers or vegetables, he will find full 
cultural particulars in a small pamphlet recently written by Dr. 
Bernard Moiser at the request of the Kaduna Horticultural Society, 
and obtainable, we believe, from Mr. Alex Neilson, 18 Eldon Street, 
London, E.C. 
List of Flowers and Vegetables raised from Seed. 
Those which have succeeded. Those which have not yet succeeded. 
Artichoke (Jerusalem). Celery (table). 
Aubergine. Peas. 
Beans (Dwarf French and Runner). Thyme. 
Beet. 
Broccoli. 
Brussels Sprouts. 
Dr. Moiser has now returned to Sokoto with four loads of new plants 1 
