BANTU NEGROES 739 



branchea and trunks, mixing the ashes with the soil as manure. These 

 fires would often kill the bigger trees less easy to bring down by the 

 native axes, and in time these would die, decay, and fall. After the land 

 had borne two or three good crops it was abandoned and a fresh piece 

 opened up. The country, therefore, outside the plantations is mainly 



396. PEAKS OP, THE KOOFS OF THE MASABA HOUSES, WEST ELGON 



rolling downs covered with thick grass. From time to time pieces of the 

 land which have thus lain fallow for years are reclaimed, tilled, and sown 

 again.. It is strange that the Kavirondo, who, in many respects, are neat 

 and careful in their agriculture, should not have grasped the idea of 

 manuring the soil with the refuse of their cattle-sheds, goat-houses, and 

 villages.. In addition to the food crops already mentioned, tobacco and 



