Through the Semliki Valley 233 
for every two kilograms of rubber delivered. This order, prac¬ 
tical as it may seem, is not feasible, the amount of rubber 
obtained being too great. In order to conform properly with 
the extremely prudent regulation, it would be necessary to employ 
an immense number of labourers in rooting, planting and clear¬ 
ing the plantations. As a matter of fact, most enterprises in the 
country suffer from an insufficiency of labour, as has also been 
the case in German East Africa. At Avakubi we saw a planta¬ 
tion of 742 acres, and another at Nambuya of 1,976 acres, where 
there were hardly sufficient labourers for planting alone. When 
the time taken in clearing is remembered, as well as the fact 
that any part of the plantation which has been cleared is choked 
with grass a metre in height about four to six weeks later, 
which threatens to kill the young plants, some little idea 
of the tremendous difficulties which beset the cultivator can be 
gathered. 
I must not omit to add that the coffee and cocoa plant is 
cultivated at most of the Congolese outposts. Whilst the latter 
product is used for the export trade, coffee {Liberia) is retained 
for home consumption only. 
We remained fourteen days at Irumu. I was awaiting the 
arrival of the other members of the expedition at the end of 
the month, having fixed this place as a rendezvous before our 
departure for the Congo on the ist of April. The interval was 
employed in making excursions in the neighbourhood. Dr. 
Mildbraed went to Ngombe Njama, on the edge of the forest, 
for a few days, whilst Schubotz roamed about in the vicinity 
or fished in the Shari. We also attended to our mail, wrote to 
the firms at Lake Victoria and on the East Coast concerning our 
march to the west, drafted letters, drew up reports, and com¬ 
menced packing our latest collections for despatch. These were 
to be conveyed to Entebbe by our faithful carriers, who were 
there discharged and sent home. They were wretched and 
worrying days for Wiese, who, amongst other things, had to 
examine and revise the claims made by the men. Pay-sheets 
