XIII 
WHEAT, MAIZE, COFFEE 
127 
t° ^55 in 1909, it rose in 1910-11 to as high as £68 
per ton ; while in the present year it has actually 
touched £80 to £83. There seems no risk whatever 
of over-production, and though the present price 
seems too good to last, and will probably not be main¬ 
tained, there seems no reason to fear any considerable 
drop for very many years. There are very few parts 
of the Empire where coffee-growing prospects are as 
rosy as with us. Deep soil, sufficient rainfall, an 
abundance of little rivulets giving water both for 
washing the beans and also if necessary for irrigation, 
and an ample if somewhat capricious supply of labour 
are all ours. Uganda is perhaps the one place where 
prospects are even brighter. Rich as our soil is, hers 
is richer. Plentiful as is our labour, hers is equally so 
and, moreover, of a higher quality. The rainfall in 
Uganda, too, is both heavier and better distributed 
throughout the year ; and this gives the result of a 
longer period both for picking and planting out and 
consequently the necessity for a more level supply of 
labour. On the other hand, East Africa has the 
advantage of a perfect climate as against an only fairly 
healthy one, an advantage which may be incalculable. 
Except for the initial expense in land, coffee-growing 
gives one of the best openings for a man of moderate 
means. The machinery required is cheap and a com¬ 
paratively small area gives a good income. After three 
years’ growth, and from that period onwards for at 
least six years, a profit of upwards of £ 15 per acre can 
with decent management be confidently expected. 
In selecting land, the very first essential to be con¬ 
sidered is labour. The work of picking is not hard, 
and can for the most part be well performed by women 
and children ; but, on the other hand, a great quantity 
