64 PLANTING IN UGANDA 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Clearing and Planting 



Clearing. The clearing of " Elephant Grass " 

 land presents few difficulties. The grass is first 

 cut down close to the ground and allowed to lie 

 until quite dry. It can then be cleanly burnt off. 

 The land is then hoed up to a depth of 9 to 12 

 inches, and all roots shaken free of soil and laid 

 on the surface to dry. This original digging if 

 well done will practically eradicate the "Elephant 

 Grass " and other natural growths. 



A few planters use ploughs to break up new 

 land, but as before ploughing all stumps of trees 

 must be removed and ant-hills levelled, it does not 

 greatly reduce the cost of the work. Where bush 

 or trees occur on the land, these should be cut down 

 at the time of cutting the grass, and the branches 

 lopped off and piled for drying. These piles may 

 have to remain many weeks until dry enough to 



