xiii WHEAT, MAIZE, COFFEE 127 



* — 



to ^55 in 1909, it rose in 1910-11 to as high as ,£68 

 per ton ; while in the present year it has actually- 

 touched ^"80 to £%2>- There seems no risk whatever 

 of over-production, and though the present price 

 seems too good to last, and will probably not be main- 

 tained, there seems no reason to fear any considerable 

 drop for very many years. There are very few parts 

 of the Empire where coffee-growing prospects are as 

 rosy as with us. Deep soil, sufficient rainfall, an 

 abundance of little rivulets giving water both for 

 washing the beans and also if necessary for irrigation, 

 and an ample if somewhat capricious supply of labour 

 are all ours. Uganda is perhaps the one place where 

 prospects are even brighter. Rich as our soil is, hers 

 is richer. Plentiful as is our labour, hers is equally so 

 and, moreover, of a higher quality. The rainfall in 

 Uganda, too, is both heavier and better distributed 

 throughout the year ; and this gives the result of a 

 longer period both for picking and planting out and 

 consequently the necessity for a more level supply of 

 labour. On the other hand, East Africa has the 

 advantage of a perfect climate as against an only fairly 

 healthy one, an advantage which may be incalculable. 

 Except for the initial expense in land, coffee-growing 

 gives one of the best openings for a man of moderate 

 means. The machinery required is cheap and a com- 

 paratively small area gives a good income. After three 

 years' growth, and from that period onwards for at 

 least six years, a profit of upwards of ^"15 per acre can 

 with decent management be confidently expected. 



In selecting land, the very first essential to be con- 

 sidered is labour. The work of picking is not hard, 

 and can for the most part be well performed by women 

 and children ; but, on the other hand, a great quantity 



a") n 





