I 12 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
which enable sisal growers to compete on singularly 
favourable terms with their rivals, not only on the 
coast, but in German East Africa, and this notwith¬ 
standing the extra freight with which they have to 
contend, both on the fibre which is sent down and 
also on the machinery which is brought up. The 
first of these advantages is cheap and comparatively 
abundant labour. In the Highlands labour varies 
from 3 to 7 rupees a month as against io to 16 rupees 
on the coast or in German East Africa, and when the 
very large amount required is considered it will be 
realised that the saving under this head alone should 
more than counterbalance the difference in freight. 
Again, in the Highlands oxen can be freely used for 
ploughing, another very considerable saving both in 
time and expense. The third, and perhaps outstanding, 
advantage, lies in the catch-crops, more especially of 
beans, that can be produced. Rose cocoa or Canadian 
Wonder beans can be grown between the rows of 
plants for the first two years and can not only be sold 
at a very good figure, but also serve to keep the 
ground clean and free from weeds. Thus an acre of 
sisal will be actually brought to a producing stage in 
the Highlands entirely free of cost instead of having 
incurred, as elsewhere, an expenditure of two, three or 
even four pounds. Again, though hardly capable of 
being expressed in pounds, shillings, and pence, the 
advantage of a healthy climate for the white overseers 
is difficult to over-estimate. It tells a tale both in 
hours of labour and in rate of pay, and in quality of 
the brainwork expended. 
In selecting a suitable area for sisal growing several 
considerations will affect the settler : such as proximity 
to the railway, presence of water, suitable site and 
