Nakuru to Mumias which will cross the Plateau and 

 place stations within easy reach of most of the farms. 



TRADING The principal trading centre of the district is 



CENTRES. Eldoret, situate 64 miles from Londiani. It has 



several up-to-date stores, a good hotel, a bank and a 

 Government school. The township is pleasantly 

 situated on the Eldore River; building stone is plenti- 

 ful and good bricks are made in the neighbourhood, 

 and timber is cheap. There are branch post offices and 

 stores at Sergoit and Soy, the latter place being a 

 trading centre of some importance. 



SOIL, WATER As might be expected over such a large stretch 



AND TIMBER, of country, the soil varies considerably, that most 

 suitable for agriculture being the rich sandy loam of 

 which many of the farms are composed. This land 

 usually carries considerable growth of scrub, which, 

 however can be cleared at a cost of less than ten 

 shillings per acre. It is then easily ploughed and 

 brought into cultivation. Water is plentiful and 

 good, most of the farms being served by several fine 

 streams. 



LABOUR. 



STOCK. 



Labour is at present ample, and consists of Kavir- 

 ondo, Kakemega, Kitosh and Wa-gishu. Nandi make 

 good herdsmen and can be obtained for certain other 

 classes of work. The current rates of pay are fiom 

 2S. 8d. to 6s. Sd. per month with posho. 



The farms to the south and east of Eldoret are- 

 particularlj'- suitable to cattle. There are already 

 many fine herds in the district, and sales are fre- 

 quently held at Eldoret, which provide opportunities 

 of securing the foundations of a herd at reasonable 

 prices. The many advantages of dipping are generally 

 recognised. A number of dips are already in use, and 

 others are in course of construction. 



Horse-breeding has long been regarded as offer- 

 ing great possibilities, and were it not for the preva- 

 lence of lymphangitis would be more generally 

 pursued. The number of horses on the Plateau is 

 steadily increasing. Several high class stallions are 

 available for the use of those possessing mares, so that 

 once lymphangitis has been eradicated the breeding 

 of horses should prove highly remunerative. 



106 



