1 62 A COLONY IN THE MAKING chap. 



wood-pencils, it is possible that it has a further com- 

 mercial use. Cedar lasts an immense time in and on 

 the ground, and both on Kenia and elsewhere nearly 

 as much sound timber is lying on the ground as is 

 actually growing. Unsoundness is, however, the 

 great drawback to the tree, and in many parts there 

 are not 2 per cent, of sound growing trees. The trees 

 on Kenia, and more especially on the north-west 

 corner of the crescent, are, however, very much 

 superior in this respect to those on the Mau. 



The Kenia Camphor Tree (Ocotea usambarensis) is 

 a splendid wood and apparently fully equal to teak. 

 It does not, of course, follow that it would for many 

 years command the same price, and estimates based 

 on such an anticipation would probably prove dis- 

 appointing. As in so many things, the name is every- 

 thing, and merchants who want teak are not likely to 

 be put off with a substitute, which they are told is 

 " equally good," at anything like an equivalent price. 

 However, up to the present no one has had an oppor- 

 tunity of proving or disproving their market value. 

 These trees have been to the authorities even as an 

 only child to its mother. A somewhat unsophisticated 

 settler applied for a little concession in the camphor 

 belt. A fairly high rent was proposed, but otherwise, to 

 his surprise and gratification, the interview went 

 smoothly enough. Not until he was leaving the door 

 did any remark occur to damp his ardour. As he 

 made his exit, however, a few disconcerting words 

 reached him : " Of course we shouldn't let you cut the 

 trees " ! I must confess that my sympathies are always 

 somewhat with the Forest Department. A great old 

 tree is a magnificent object and irreplaceable. Every 

 landlord knows how hard it is to sacrifice one, however 



