Through the SemHki Valley 233 



for every two kilograms of rubber delivered. This order, prac- 

 tical as it may seem, is not feasible, the amount of rubber 

 obtained being too great. In order to conform properly with 

 the extremely prudent regulation, it would be necessary to employ 

 an immense number of labourers in rooting, planting and clear- 

 ing the plantations. As a matter of fact, most enterprises in the 

 country suffer from an insufficiency of labour, as has also been 

 the case in German East Africa. At Avakubi we saw a planta- 

 tion of 742 acres, and another at Nambuya of 1,976 acres, where 

 there were hardly sufficient labourers for planting alone. WTien 

 the time taken in clearing is remembered, as well as the fact 

 that any part of the plantation which has been cleared is choked 

 with grass a metre in height about four to six weeks later, 

 which threatens to kill the young plants, some little idea 

 of the tremendous difficulties which beset the cultivator can be 

 gathered. 



I must not omit to add that the coffee and cocoa plant is 

 cultivated at most of the Congolese outposts. Whilst the latter 

 product is used for the export trade, coffee {Liberia) is retained 

 for home consumption only. 



We remained fourteen days at Irumu. I was awaiting the 

 arrival of the other members of the expedition at the end of 

 the month, having fixed this place as a rendezvous before our 

 departure for the Congo on the ist of April. The interval was 

 employed in making excursions in the neighbourhood. Dr. 

 Mildbraed went to Ngombe Njama, on the edge of the forest, 

 for a few days, whilst Schubotz roamed about in the vicinity 

 or fished in the Shari. We also attended to our mail, wrote to 

 the firms at Lake Victoria and on the East Coast concerning our 

 march to the west, drafted letters, drew up reports, and com- 

 menced packing our latest collections for despatch. These were 

 to be conveyed to Entebbe by our faithful carriers, who were 

 there discharged and sent home. They were wretched and 

 worrying days for Wiese, who, amongst other things, had to 



examine and revise the claims made by the men. Pay-sheets 

 2 E 



