I.AXD TENURE AND COLONIZATION IO7 



The Sociela roniana di colonizzazione in Somalia really began its work 

 only in the spring of 1911. Since it is directed by Count de Frankenstein, 

 who has made all preliminary studies and preparations, it has a future rich 

 in promise in its splendid concession of Margherita, for it disposes of large 

 capital and has not therefore been stinted in the initial expense necessary 

 to the purchase of machines. Making use of the waters which the Juba 

 at times of spate sends to the old canal called Uebi Gofca, which forms an 

 important reservoir, this society has installed centrifugal pumps worked 

 by a steam motor engine of 45 horse-power, capable of lifting 26 cubic 

 metres (i) of water a second. This water is distributed in the canals which 

 intersect an area of 100 hectares, very well brought under cultivation by a 

 plough worked by an exploding Holt- Caterpillar engine of 45 horse-power 

 which answers admirabh". It was possible in that yedJ to obtain a yield 

 of 400 quintals of shelled cotton. The cotton ha,r\'est — the larger part of 

 the total production — had thitherto been excellent in quality" and there 

 had been no discovery- of parasitic germs to deplore. In 1913 the society 

 installed machines anew for the purpose of hoisting the river water directly, 

 and added 150 hectares to the cultivated area vvhich thus came to measure 

 from 250 to 300 hectares. It also acquired a shelling machine able to shell 

 5.000 quintals of cotton'. 



In March and April igi6 this society was growing cotton and maize in 

 partnership with the natives over about 250 hectares. It undertakes the 

 first bringing of the land under cultivation, provides water for irrigation, 

 and engages to buy the quota of the crops reser\'ed to its partners at the 

 I rices current at the time of the harv-est. A considerable number of natives 

 have actively begun works of sowing. This gives rise to a hope that the new 

 system of agricultural organization may meet with a fortunate success 

 and that the difficulties inherent in the labour supply may thus be dimi- 

 nished, while the native labourers will be induced to be more interested in 

 agriculture. The experiment of agriculture of this description goes excel- 

 lently, and the natives as partners in cultivation are most diligent. 



The Sociela italiana per imprese colonial i (Italian Society for Colonial 

 Enterprise) conceived the idea of putting into practice on its concession of 

 Bieja a sj'stem of co-partnership different from that followed by the Roman 

 society. It su])plies the land, the cotton seed and the water for irrigation, 

 while the natives |:repare the soil and undertake all the work of cultiva.tion. 

 Cotton, corn and sesamum are sown in the furrows alternatively. The so- 

 ciety will harvest and will own the cotton, while the corn and sesamum will 

 constitute the share of the natives. Cotton, corn and sesamum are thus 

 grown on a number of hectares. 



On his concession of Margherita Count de Frankenstein started with 

 the idea that from 200 to 250 hectares must be planted with cotton before 

 capital amounting to 500,0(^0 liras, invested in the soil, can give a profit. 

 In the opinion of com]:!etent persons only capital of such importance, enr- 

 ployed on installation and machinery, allows — if fit methods be followed — 



(:) I cubic ni'_-i:-'.- - i.'/'S cnliic yar. i-^. 



