PART V.
settlement in other countries, and it is doubtful whether they can be
improved upon by any. In no small measure is this achievement due
to the opportunity which the settler possesses of supplementing
his own effort by the use and employment of native labourers.
Briefly, save for a few freehold grants, land is held on leasehold
from the Government, either under the Lands Ordinance, 1902, for a
term of 99 years, or for 999 years under the 1915 Ordinance.
Conversion of the 99 to 999 year leases is allowed by permission of
the Governor. Under the 1902 Ordinance annual rents range from
6 cents of a shilling to 24 cents of a shilling per acre, whilst under
the 1915 Ordinance rents are fixed at 20 cents of a shilling per acre.
The rent payable is revised every thirty years and certain
development conditions are expected to be complied with at the
commencement of the lease.
From time to time such Government land as is available is sold
by public auction, but at present the best opportunity which exists
for securing a selected holding is by acquiring it from original
allottees of freehold or leasehold land by private treaty.
Land values vary greatly—good land suitable for growing a
variety of crops, including some for coffee, can be acquired at £2
to £4 per acre; in recognised areas where maize production is
already highly successful, £4 to £5 per acre is obtained; while that
portion suitable for coffee in a recognised coffee-growing area may
be valued at £10 and upwards per acre. In pastoral areas values
may vary from a few shillings to a few pounds per acre, according
to the carrying capacity and other factors.
Farming conditions in Kenya are not suitable for the man with
small capital, dependent largely upon his own effort and that of
his family to secure a livelihood. = Rather does the Colony offer
attractive propositions for the man with a fair amount of capital, or
a group of shareholders furnishing capital sufficient for the develop-
ment of an estate of considerable dimensions.
The minimum amount of capital which may be required by a
settler cannot be definitely stated, as the capacity for ‘° making
good ’’ varies so much in individual cases and upon the system of
farming to be pursued.
The wages of ordinary native labourers vary at present
from Shs. 15/- to Shs. 20/- per mensem, while for semi-skilled
workers the pay ranges from Shs. 25/- to Shs. 30/- per mensem,
both inclusive of the cost of food supplied. Commonly native
workers with their families live on a portion of the farm set aside
for their use and the grazing of their stock.
AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS.
Crop cultivation embraces the vegetation of tropical and sub-
tropical to that of temperate zones. Consequently the crops are
very diversified in character. A wonderful range of climate from
the hot Coastal lands to the equable climate of the Highlands and
the colder conditions of mountain slopes accounts largely for this
great variety.
_ Parts of the alienated areas and the native reserves are most
suitable for crop production, others are essentially pastoral, and
there are others favourable for mixed farming where the necessary
conditions merge one into the other.
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