BANTU INDUSTRIES. 



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born agriculturalists and stock farmers, but their methods are of 

 the crudest and most antiquated. This is their misfortune rather 

 than their fault, for no one has in a practical way shown them 

 better methods, except in a few isolated instances. The results 

 from these isolated instances are proof of the immense possibilities 

 of expanded production and increased stock, which will bring 

 much wealth to the country as soon as the people are helped wisely 

 and sympathetically, and shown how to do things in the best way. 



Probably the Department of Agriculture is too set in its 

 methods to be able to undertake the work that is immediately 

 needed. Besides, where white and native interests clash the latter 

 will invariably suffer. It seems necessary, therefore, to duplicate 

 the Department of Agriculture in such measure as will give into 

 the hands of a distinct branch of that Department the development 

 of native farming. 



The Bunga's agricultural college at Tsolo should be duplicated 

 in various suitable centres in the Union. In addition to this there 

 should be small experimental demonstration farms in native areas, 

 worked on simple lines suited to native farmers, where they may 

 see for themselves what to do, what better methods can accomplish, 

 and also where they can count upon good advice and encourage- 

 ment. 



Later, when the native agricultural colleges are turning out 

 qualified men, some of the ablest of them might be put in charge 

 of the proposed demonstration farms under a white superintendent 

 who might, perhaps, be able thus to supervise a whole province 

 and so keep down expense. Along this line the food production 

 within the Union could be increased enormously; the Natives 

 would be better off and consequently more contented; and the 

 traders would prosper and through them the whole trade of the 

 country would increase in volume. 



Native farming on the pastoral side needs similar guidance 

 and stimulation. The introduction of stud animals at the demon- 

 stration farms would soon improve the grade of cattle, sheep and 

 goats. If a good strain of milking goats were gradually to replace 

 the nondescript herds now in possession, that alone would greatly 

 benefit native children who are, in their tender years, often per- 

 manently injured for lack of milk. Small native children are 

 from time to time brought to the Victoria Hospital at Lovedale as 

 emaciated as the worst to be found in famine-stricken Austria or 

 in a famine area in India. Enquiry generally proves that there 

 has been an entire lack of milk in such cases. Attention should 

 be given to poultry farming, bee keeping, and fruit and vegetable 

 gardening. Along these lines the possibility of increased produc- 

 tion is unlimited. These industries could be carried on at the 

 demonstration farms in a simple and inexpensive way suited to 

 native conditions, and the farm manager could help the people to 

 dispose of their surplus produce to the best advantage. 



Fencing must be encouraged and subsidised. The amount of 

 unnecessary and unproductive labour wasted on herding because of 

 the absence of fences is almost incalculable. Again, if the natives 



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