272 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



stork. One end of the Kinangop Plateau forms part of the big 



traot of "><><» square miles owned by the Kast African Syndicate. 

 West of this, and extending from within a few miles of Gilgil 

 up to Laikipia, the former home of the Northern Masai, lies a 

 magnificent tract of country eminently suited, to cattle. 



Much of this country lies at an elevation of 9000 ft. above sea- 

 level, so that the cold nights encourage the growth of plenty 

 of hair, whilst disease is almost unheard of, which renders dip- 

 ping unnecessary. The farms in this district are large, and 

 subdivision is gradually being effected by some of the owners, 

 so that a few years hence much of this land should carry its 

 full share of stock. The herbage is all that cattle can desire, 

 red and white clover being abundant, in addition to a great 

 variety of natural grasses. 



Reference must be made to the native stock of British East 

 Africa, for it is upon the native breeds, which are most un- 

 promising-looking beasts, undersized, with drooping hind- 

 quarters and of all colours, that the improved Asiatic Zebu or 

 humped breed are first set to improve. These cattle are hardy 

 and good breeders, and soon fatten upon grass alone. They 

 live out of doors in all weathers, and although, as already in- 

 dicated, their milking qualities have been impaired by genera- 

 tions of mismanagement, the milk is exceedingly rich in butter 

 fat. The lactation period is short, but in spite of its failings 

 the native cow responds to efforts for improvement in a truly 

 marvellous manner. 



The result of the first cross with a bull of any pure breed is 

 almost invariably a calf which is scarcely recognisable as the 

 offspring of its mother. The hump disappears, the hind- 

 quarters become straightened out, the ribs are better sprung, 

 and more often than not the calf shows the character and colour 

 of its sire, whilst in size it far surpasses any of its low-born 

 relatives. These calves thrive and grow rapidly, and at two 

 years of age are worth practically double the value of their 

 dam. Of course, the improvement effected by the second and 

 third cross is not so clearly marked as the first, but so much do 

 the offspring partake of the character of the purebred parent 

 that it is frequently almost impossible to distinguish a three- 

 quarter from a purebred heifer. 



