Proceedings of the South & East African combined agricultural, cotton, entomological and mycological conference held at Nairobi, August, 1926

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1738588467

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-115043

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Proceedings of the South & East African combined agricultural, cotton, entomological and mycological conference held at Nairobi, August, 1926

Place of publication:: Nairobi

Publisher:: East African Standard

Year of publication:: 1926

Scope:: VI, 337 Seiten; Ill.

Digitisation:: 2020

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Part II. Agriculture

Collection:: Economics Books

PART 71. variety would be selected for preference. Our experience here coincides with the rule carried out in Central America, namely, that the bronze tipped coffee is established in the Highlands owing to its hardiness and resistance to cold and Mocha, or Bourbon as it is called there, is planted in the lowlands. In the early days of pioneering in the Colony, coffee was coffee, regardless of type, and so Mocha by force of circumstances became the predominant variety in so much as over 909 of the coffee plantations are established with this variety. In this connection one is faced with a big question, whether the liquoring qualities of ‘‘ Kenya ’’ coffee would have been better had a good strain of bronze tipped coffee been established generally throughout the Highlands instead of Mocha. What we do know, is that the liquoring quality of ‘“ Kenya ”’ coffee ranks amongst the most popular on the British and Continental markets. It has become very popular as a high-grade mild coffee, and commands a high price. Let it be suggested that ‘“ Mysore >’ and ‘“ Blue Mountain,” grown in this Colony, will not produce as good liquoring qualities as *“ Mocha for purposes of discussion in regard to growing the former two at the higher altitudes. I am inclined to the view that it is better for planters to go in for the hardier trees, although the quality of the crop might not be better with less bearing propensities, than for the more delicate types. I have, however, no reason to suppose that the liquoring qualities of Blue Mountain and Mysore, will not be equally as good. The Empire consumption of coffee is far greater than Empire production. There are many regions in Africa not yet studied for the purpose of growing this crop, and there might be many regions not much thought of at present, which might be found to have vast possibilities in which the type, variety or species of coffee used, might play an important part. Other coffees under trial in the Colony are known as ‘‘ Jackson's Hybrid >’ and ‘‘ Kent’s arabica,”’ which were imported from India. They have not been here long enough for me to give any definite information as to their suitability or behaviour. Another coffee which grows in the Highlands is the indigenous Nandi coffee, which grows wild in the forests. This species is known as Coffea eugenioides, which is of botanical interest only. Attempts have been made to cultivate this species without success. =~ When grown under conditions different from its natural habitat, it bushes and produces no crop, at its best it is but a poor yielder. This coffee was once boosted by some anti-caffeine cranks, who recommended it as the beverage to drink in preference to plantation coffee, because it is said to contain no caffeine. Coffee has long passed the stage of an occasional luxury to that of a daily necessity. Needless to say the anti-caffeine cranks’ campaign has not been successful. Professor Prescott states that ‘‘ Coffee is very similar to other foods and drinks so far as it agrees with some people and not with others. It would appear that the presence of caffeine is the foundation of its uncertain popularity, but it is of interest to note that the average cup of strong, pure coffee contains about 1} to 1} grains. In the ordinary person this quantity is just enough to slightly accelerate the heart beats, to stimulate the circulation, and to clear the brain. Caffeine does not have depressing after-effects.” The next species to be discussed is coffea robusta, which is not grown in this colony, but is of interest as it is indigenous in Uganda 50

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