I08 IXAIJAN SOMALIIvAND - AGRICUI.TTTRAL ECONOMY IX GEXERAI 



of progressive and sure development and profits far larger than those possible 

 in Italy. In Goscia large and very fertile tracts are still available above 

 Margherita, extending to Bidi. They include thousands of very fertile 

 hectares, easily irrigable since they lie on plains, not overgrown with bushes, 

 largely above the level reached by the waters of the river when it is in spate 

 and sloping towards the interior. 



On one tract in particular, which lies at a short distance from 

 Margherita along the Juba and is surrounded by the Fungalanga Canal, 

 and in which are scattered little native villages, a society could undertake 

 cultivation in partnership with the natives. As in the case of the experi- 

 ment made at Bidi such society would give cotton to be cultivated, on 

 the security of the average yield which the native themselves would ob- 

 tain by growing maize. The natives would supply without much difhcult}^ 

 in view of the density of the population, the labour needed by the society's 

 crops, in return for fixed wage or a share of profits. At times when the river 

 was in spate this tract could easily be inundated : for this purpose the afflux 

 and reflux of the waters would be regulated, and the machines needed to 

 hoist the waters would be used only to constitute a reservoir for cases of 

 necessity. The soil, which is saturated with damp, as black as coal and ver^- 

 fertile, would need only to be reclaimed and sown. A concession of two 

 or three thousand hectares, enjoying the most favourable natural condi- 

 tions, could be made in this zone. 



Turning to the land along the Scheli we find that two concessions have 

 been granted there, one at Havai, and the other at Caitoi where the conces- 

 sionar}', Riccardi, intends to grow chiefly trees. His start was most promis- 

 ing, owing to his admirable enthusiasm which brought about that in a few 

 months he had installed very powerful wind engines, made roads, dug ca- 

 nals, etc. From quite recent data (spring 1916) it appears that in the Ric- 

 cardi concession at Caitoi new cocoanut and kapok plantations have been 

 made, and that two thirds of the land have been organized bj^ means 

 of permanent works of canalization and the planting of crops now in a flou- 

 rishing state. 



§ 5. Schemes for coeonization in somaeieaxd by Italian families. 



The criteria which now prevail with respect to the colonization of So- 

 maliland by Italian families may be gathered from the schemes drawn up 

 b}^ the colonial authorities or the official bodies in the mother country, and 

 also from studies bearing on this ])roblem. Naturally these criteria are 

 as yet indeterminate and the schemes therefore are also indefinite in form. 

 But they shed a little light on the question, revealing certain of the most 

 obscure points. 



First we must .see into what financial engagements the government 

 should enter in order to ensure the success of colonization Vjy Italian fa- 

 milies. The calculations are based on a cultivated area of 20 hectares, but 

 the domain to be colonized should extend over 30 hectares, in order that 



