WESTWARD TO LAKE VICTORIA NYANZA 115 



time producing breeds which compare in profitabihty with those raised 

 in better circumstances. The hump of the African ox, for instance, 

 disappears in the first generation, and in the next he more nearly 

 resembles the European animal. By supplying settlers and natives 

 with stock improved in this way, it is expected that the herds will be 

 multiplied many times in value. 



The same may be said of the sheep, which has been similarly im- 

 proved. In the various flocks visible may be seen the native breed, 

 the half-bred, three-quarter bred and full bred English, the improve- 

 ment visible being surprisingly great. That Mr. Roosevelt was thor- 

 oughly interested in this transformation goes without saying. He 

 saw specimens of the native sheep, rough and hairy, to the untrained 

 eye looking more like a goat than a sheep. Yet this undeveloped 

 animal, when crossed with the Sussex or the improved Australian type, 

 becomes a woolly beast that is very evidently a sheep. A second cross 

 makes another great improvement, and soon the breeder has a flock 

 that it is hard to distinguish from those of English fields, yet one that 

 is better adapted to the sun and clime of Africa. 



In this way a remarkable change is produced alike in the ox and 

 the sheep. The purpose of the experimental farm is not only to produce 

 an improved type adapted to the conditions of the locality, but also to 

 supply the farmers with blooded animals which will add greatly to 

 the value of their flocks. This work is prosecuted with the greatest 

 zeal and enthusiasm, though the experimenters are hampered by want 

 of funds and seriously troubled by the ravages of the East Coast fever. 



This malady, to which their animals are very subject, came into 

 the province from German East Africa several years ago, and is grad- 

 ually spreading despite all efl'orts to check it. A cow attacked by it 

 will live thirty days or more, during which the ticks which attack it 

 are infected with the poisons of the disease and transmit it to other 

 cattle which may pass over the same ground. Experiment has shown 

 that the ticks hold the virulent disease germs for a year, and in that 

 time they may infect many animals. 



Thus the efforts of the stock-breeders are largely negatived. Left 

 to themselves the natives would be helpless and the disease spread 

 until all their cattle were exterminated. But that is not the way with 



