xix TYPE OF SETTLER REQUIRED 187 



carried on, for though two lines may be equally 

 profitable, a man's bent may lie in one rather than in 

 another. These twelve months should teach much ; 

 in addition to actual farming and agricultural know- 

 ledge, there is the learning of Swahili, the universal 

 medium of conversation with the natives, there is the 

 management and breaking of oxen, the right method 

 of handling native labour ; and, finally, our friend 

 will learn, if ever he is to do so, his own strength as 

 opposed to that of the tropical sun. 



At the end of twelve months the pupil should be in 

 a position to start work on his own ; and here I would 

 point out that it is both more economical and more 

 pleasant for two friends to join partnership and work 

 together. Let us imagine two such friends starting 

 together, and see if we cannot give a word or two 

 of advice. First as to capital : I look on ,£1,200 as an 

 irreducible minimum. If the settler or settlers arrive 

 with less let them work or trade until this sum is 

 acquired, but to start farming on any smaller sum 

 means one continual and wearing uphill struggle, with 

 the certainty that a single bad season spells ruin. 

 Next as to land : most Englishmen know what land- 

 hunger is, and the pride of possession is no doubt a 

 very fine feeling ; but I would warn anyone against 

 acquiring a large tract of country far from the line. 

 For such a one pride of possession and hopes for the 

 future will be the sole sustenance ; the very heavy cost 

 of transport both in and out will devour all other 

 profit. Better it is to buy a small area in an easily 

 accessible district ; best of all, perhaps, to obtain an 

 area from some large estate on easy terms. Rent could 

 be payable on a percentage of the crop and an option 

 to purchase at any time obtained. We will imagine 



