TREE HERITAGE 



it gently to them that they might possibly find it neces- 

 sary to work again even for private owners. Forestry 

 was a task in which any man might engage with pleas- 

 ure and profit. In planting trees man was forever safe- 

 guarding the future, and the woodlands that we enjoy 

 today were our heritage to be handed down, unspoiled, 

 and if possible, improved, for the happiness of posterity. 

 Generally at the conclusion of such gatherings a lively 

 question period ensued and much interest was aroused. 

 I regard those days and the reconstruction work accom- 

 plished with real satisfaction, for today, thousands of 

 families have settled on the land and extensive reaffores- 

 tation work has been carried out with lasting benefit to 

 the people. 



Becoming a fully trained Forestry OflScer, again the 

 wanderlust seized me. This time the call came to Africa. 

 Just as Richard Baker had influenced me towards Can- 

 ada, so another great pioneer explorer drew me in this 

 direction. Samuel Baker had been a very successful coffee 

 planter in Ceylon, but he was an explorer by nature. 

 He dreamed of discovering the source of the Nile and 

 he eventually set out from the Sudan with three hun- 

 dred carriers and after many adventures arrived at 

 Masindi, where he made friends with King Kabaraga 

 and other Chiefs, and eventually reached Ripon Falls 

 where the Nile tumbles out of Lake Victoria. 



As a small boy I was brought up on his hunting stories 

 and I always wanted to get to know his country, but it 

 was not until now that the chance of my life came. 



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