ii2 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



which enable sisal growers to compete on singularly 

 favourable terms with their rivals, not only on the 

 coast, but in German East Africa, and this notwith- 

 standing the extra freight with which they have to 

 contend, both on the fibre which is sent down and 

 also on the machinery which is brought up. The 

 first of these advantages is cheap and comparatively 

 abundant labour. In the Highlands labour varies 

 from 3 to 7 rupees a month as against io to 16 rupees 

 on the coast or in German East Africa, and when the 

 very large amount required is considered it will be 

 realised that the saving under this head alone should 

 more than counterbalance the difference in freight. 

 Again, in the Highlands oxen can be freely used for 

 ploughing, another very considerable saving both in 

 time and expense. The third, and perhaps outstanding, 

 advantage, lies in the catch-crops, more especially of 

 beans, that can be produced. Rose cocoa or Canadian 

 Wonder beans can be grown between the rows of 

 plants for the first two years and can not only be sold 

 at a very good figure, but also serve to keep the 

 ground clean and free from weeds. Thus an acre of 

 sisal will be actually brought to a producing stage in 

 the Highlands entirely free of cost instead of having 

 incurred, as elsewhere, an expenditure of two, three or 

 even four pounds. Again, though hardly capable of 

 being expressed in pounds, shillings, and pence, the 

 advantage of a healthy climate for the white overseers 

 is difficult to over-estimate. It tells a tale both in 

 hours of labour and in rate of pay, and in quality of 

 the brainwork expended. 



In selecting a suitable area for sisal growing several 

 considerations will affect the settler : such as proximity 

 to the railway, presence of water, suitable site and 



