xi AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS 109 



put on the market, but after some six years will, or 

 should, well repay the investor. 



The great and outstanding advantage which dis- 

 tinguishes the Highlands of the Protectorate lies in 

 the fact that, generally speaking, there are two seasons. 

 This circumstance is of even more value than the deep 

 and splendid soil, which is almost ubiquitous. It 

 helps both the annual and permanent crops. Growers 

 of the former can anticipate the double harvest, with 

 its added work and added profit. Should one crop 

 fail there is not the same long, dreary period of waiting 

 to recoup losses. Permanent crops, such as wattle, are 

 helped by the double growth and the consequent 

 early maturing of the product. 



The great disadvantage with which we contend lies 

 in the variation of the rainfall, not only as regards 

 quantity but as regards period. The rains hardly ever 

 fail. Indeed, I believe that during the last twenty 

 years there is only one instance in which the long rains 

 practically failed altogether ; and during that period 

 there is no recorded instance of the total failure of the 

 short rains. There have, however, been numerous 

 instances of the rains being too light to ensure any but 

 the shortest of crops, and also others when the rain has 

 come prematurely and in such heavy quantities that it 

 has been impossible to sow the whole areas prepared. 

 It is this uncertainty — although even this compares 

 favourably enough with the vagaries of our English 

 climate — that is tending to the increased proportion of 

 long or permanent crops. 



In the short and by no means comprehensive list 

 which is dealt with it must by no means be thought 

 that the industries touched on in any way exhaust even 

 the assured products of the Highlands. And as I 



