XI 
AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS 
109 
put on the market, but after some six years will, or 
should, well repay the investor. 
The great and outstanding advantage which dis¬ 
tinguishes the Highlands of the Protectorate lies in 
the fact that, generally speaking, there are two seasons. 
This circumstance is of even more value than the deep 
and splendid soil, which is almost ubiquitous. It 
helps both the annual and permanent crops. Growers 
of the former can anticipate the double harvest, with 
its added work and added profit. Should one crop 
fail there is not the same long, dreary period of waiting 
to recoup losses. Permanent crops, such as wattle, are 
helped by the double growth and the consequent 
early maturing of the product. 
The great disadvantage with which we contend lies 
in the variation of the rainfall, not only as regards 
quantity but as regards period. The rains hardly ever 
fail. Indeed, I believe that during the last twenty 
years there is only one instance in which the long rains 
practically failed altogether ; and during that period 
there is no recorded instance of the total failure of the 
short rains.' There have, however, been numerous 
instances of the rains being too light to ensure any but 
the shortest of crops, and also others when the rain has 
come prematurely and in such heavy quantities that it 
has been impossible to sow the whole areas prepared. 
It is this uncertainty—although even this compares 
favourably enough with the vagaries of our English 
climate—that is tending to the increased proportion of 
long or permanent crops. 
In the short and by no means comprehensive list 
which is dealt with it must by no means be thought 
that the industries touched on in any way exhaust even 
the assured products of the Highlands. And as I 
