A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
162 
wood-pencils, it is possible that it has a further com¬ 
mercial use. Cedar lasts an immense time in and on 
the ground, and both on Kenia and elsewhere nearly 
as much sound timber is lying on the ground as is 
actually growing. Unsoundness is, however, the 
great drawback to the tree, and in many parts there 
are not 2 per cent, of sound growing trees. The trees 
on Kenia, and more especially on the north-west 
corner of the crescent, are, however, very much 
superior in this respect to those on the Mau. 
The Kenia Camphor Tree (Ocotea usamharensis) is 
a splendid wood and apparently fully equal to teak. 
It does not, of course, follow that it would for many 
years command the same price, and estimates based 
on such an anticipation would probably prove dis¬ 
appointing. As in so many things, the name is every¬ 
thing, and merchants who want teak are not likely to 
be put off with a substitute, which they are told is 
“ equally good,” at anything like an equivalent price. 
However, up to the present no one has had an oppor¬ 
tunity of proving or disproving their market value. 
These trees have been to the authorities even as an 
only child to its mother. A somewhat unsophisticated 
settler applied for a little concession in the camphor 
belt. A fairly high rent was proposed, but otherwise, to 
his surprise and gratification, the interview went 
smoothly enough. Not until he was leaving the door 
did any remark occur to damp his ardour. As he 
made his exit, however, a few disconcerting words 
reached him : “ Of course we shouldn’t let you cut the 
trees ” ! I must confess that my sympathies are always 
somewhat with the Forest Department. A great old 
tree is a magnificent object and irreplaceable. Every 
landlord knows how hard it is to sacrifice one, however 
