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

3x PART 11. (5) The general demonstration of better methods, and rotations. (6) The training of numbers of boys and, if necessary, women, in elementary agriculture. B. With stock: The present system of semi-nomadic living is not conducive to livestock improvement, but the feasibility of mass improvements may be given consideration: (a) Cattle: The ownership of the cattle of a tribe is naturally divided amongst families, if the tribe owned the cattle irrespective of persons the application of methods of improvement would be a simple matter. To begin with owners would have to agree to the examination of all their stock and the branding of culls. Arrangements for the disposal of culls within a reasonable period would need to be made, or a tract of country might be set aside for the reception of the surplus oxen, poor females, queens, and surplus poor bulls. There would arise grave administrative difficulties, but by means of Native Councils a commencement may be made. It would be wise to commence with voluntary culling in one group of cattle owners whilst applying the order for a reduction in the numbers of oxen, and the prohibition of the use of non-certified bulls. As stated, native ideals in cattle- conformation are not commercial ideals as yet. The disposal of the culls and surplus livestock has ever been a difficulty, particularly as the animals are so poor and of such low real value. No great loss would be made were the animals slaughtered for their hides and bones. There are other ways in which cattle could be improved (see the mass improvement of poultry below), but a general and steady improvement of the mass would result from the steady culling under instruction. It would also be important that some natives be trained in the recognition of better types of stock and of the conformation of superior types of native cattle. With the improvement in livestock should go hand in hand the improvement of pastoral conditions, particularly water supplies. In the matter of disease control the Colony is accumulating experience of great value, but it 1s a pity that expensive inoculations have to be done for some animals hardly worth the saving. It requires no great strength of imagination to visualise the enormous amount of work, organisation and tactfulness which would have to be exercised were the matter of mass improvement carried out. (b) Sheep: The Masai sheep of Kenya has been the foundation of a number of grade Merino flocks. Other native tribes, namely the Basuto, have managed to breed wooled sheep. The size and quality of Masai sheep could be improved by selection and the use of better rams. The betterment of pastoral conditions too would greatly help. (c) Poultry: As an inexpensive demonstration of the possibilities of mass improvement the Department made a number of issues of pure-bred Rhode Island Red cockerels in limited areas {rom whence all “ native ”’ cockerels had been removed. The results were good and quite up to expectations. It would be possible through the medium of Native Agricultural Societies and Native Councils to work over reserves location by location to effect a large permanent improve- ment in native poultry. /K

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