PART V.
Maize has been grown by natives in Kenya for a long period of
time, and in the settled areas there has been a remarkable expansion
in its cultivation. The areas under the crop on European holdings
has now reached about 200,000 acres. An export trade has been firmly
established and is expected to reach one million bags from this season’s
crop. In order that the high quality of Kenya maize may be protected
and that the trade may be conducted to the best advantage, Government
 has instituted official and compulsory grading and a drying and
cleaning plant for the conditioning of maize, when necessary, and
prior to export, has been provided by Government at Kilindini.
Remarkably high yields are obtained on individual holdings, and
the average for the Colony already equals that of the United States
of America, and Argentina. District yields have reached 38
bushels on the average, and for the country the average yield is about
26 bushes per acre. Costs of production and marketing are low, due
to advantageous conditions, viz., comparatively cheap land, rich in
fertility ; cheap unskilled labour; low costs of cultivation, and transport
with draught oxen; also favourable railway and steamship freights.
S1saL.—This valuable fibre occupies an area of about 55,000 acres,
and there is a steady expansion. Present production is at the rate of
about 14,000 tons per annum, valued at over £500,000 at the port of
shipment. The industry has now been placed on a sound and
economical basis in respect of estate management, the costs of
production having as a consequence been greatly reduced.  Sisalgrowing
 1s adapted to control and management under a farming
company and at ruling market prices considerable profits are being
made.
Wagear.—Under a heavy protective duty on wheat and flour,
the production of home-grown wheat has been encouraged. The area
sown is gradually increasing, and the Colony should soon be selfsupporting
 in respect of its needs in wheat and flour, with a surplus
sufficient for the needs of neighbouring territories. On account of its
good milling quality, particularly in its high gluten content, Kenya
wheat is likely to find a ready demand, when there is a surplus
production available for export. On individual farms average yields
exceeding 30 bushels per acre are recorded, but the ‘* country
average 1s lowered through failures of crops due to ‘‘ rust '’ and the
sowing of wheat in some areas not suited to the crop, but with the
knowledge now acquired in respect of rust resistant varieties, and the
raising of varieties possessing that power to a marked degree, yields
should steadily increase. In the higher colder parts of the Colony
there are extensive areas of land well suited to wheat growing, and
the costs of production are low.
_Frax growing on a commercial scale was commenced during a
period of *“ boom ’ prices. Flax of good quality was produced in the
colder parts of the Colony at the higher altitudes, and a system of
official grading was operated successfully, but low prices and depressed
uncertain markets over an extended period caused growers to
discontinue growing the crop and it has now ceased to be an important
one.
SuGar Cane planting is still in its infancy, but sufficient has been
done to prove the suitability of several areas of the Colony for this
crop. High yields of cane are obtained under natural conditions of

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