LAXD TEXURE AND COLONIZATION ^■;^ 



extensive and some examples of European agriculture are not lacking. 

 The natives confine themselves to growing maize, dura, sorgho sugar, 

 and neuk (i) in small quantities. The Europeans on the other hand have 

 grown sesamum and are growing tobacco with excellent results. There is 

 one example of native vegetable gardening. Successful experiments were 

 made with cotton in 1902, and experience seems to show that the Ameri- 

 can varieties are to be preferred. In 1904 an attempt was made to grow 

 Egyptian cotton but with negative results. It may be affirmed that pre- 

 cocious cottons of the Up pi an t^pe or rustic cottons of the Texas-]\Iexico, 

 Ab^'ssinia and India types can be profitably grown (2). The experience of 

 the agricultural bureau has shown the possibility of cultivating with profit 

 the arachide, the agave sisalana, the Alexandrine clover, several gramineous 

 forage plants, taff, haricot beans of various kinds and amhrevade. On the 

 whole this region may be considered to be peculiarly adapted to agriculture 

 but its resources are still latent. 



3) Zo7ie having two rainy seasons. — This zone is well adapted to the 

 growth of the products which commerce calls colonial products. The coun- 

 trj^ is much varied and still largely wooded and its altitude varies from 400 

 to 2000 metres. Most of its area is uncultivated and used as pasture for their 

 flocks by nomad shepherds. Outside the ordinary pastures the natives grow 

 cotton. This plant grows hixuriantly but is sometimes damaged by rains 

 while it is maturing. Almost all the vallej^s of this region are con- 

 stantly watered by the springs or by the water which circulates in the beds 

 of torrents. The farm of the Colonial vSociety is within this zone. Almond- 

 trees, fig-trees and vines flourish in it. It includes a coffee plantation. 

 Indigo grows wild abundantly and in quite important quantities. The ex- 

 perimental field of Filfil was established in this zone. As regards coffee-grow- 

 ing, it is well to note that it is possible here, and that on the eastern slopes, 

 sittiated at an altitude of from 900 to 1700. metres, it promises excellent 

 results. It is indispensable that a coffee-plantation should be shaded by 

 non-deciduous trees. If irrigation be undertaken within the first two or 

 three 3'ears success is certain, and e^'en without irrigation the climate makes 

 good results probable. The cinnamon tree, the sago tree and the carludovica 

 for Panama hats also promise well, planted in excellent soil and well shaded, 

 even if there be no irrigation. All the common crops already noticed as 

 suited to the zone of winter rains are also certain to succeed, and dry rice, 

 of the Manchuria and IMayotte varieties, should be added to them. India- 

 rubber plants also promise well, especially the Ficus elastica and Cresptosiegia 

 grandifloya. There are further groves of wild orange and lemon trees and 

 the yam grows wild. Several grantees have already devoted themselves 

 to coffee-growing. 



(i) Neuk is grown beside coni and barley and gives an oil of excellent quality which is even 

 fit for cooking. In Europe it is known as niger. 



(2) In this connection see also Allegalo D. in Martini's report : Delia coltura del cotone 

 neW Eritr ea hy \\XTe\io Paoletti, Relazioni speciali per i singoli prodotti colianiali in Atli del II . 

 Congresso degli Italiani all'Estero, Vol. I, 2nd part ; and reports on this subject in Att-i del Con- 

 gresso coloniale italiano in Asmara, Vol. I. etc. 



