PART V. 253
with farmers has, therefore, been adopted, and though the
alue of such experimental work is limited, useful information is
obtained. The weaknesses of that method of carrying out
experimental work might be rectified to some extent if a mobile staff
consisting of a trained experimentalist and a few semi-skilled labourers
were available to put down, harvest and record the experimental plots
at the right season.
CoAsT AGRICULTURE.
The agricultural conditions along the Coastal belt differ widely
from those of the Highlands, and there is evidence that in some
respects they have not improved since those days in which ‘* slaves *’
performed the tasks on the land for their Arab and Indian masters.
European interests have developed coconut plantations during recent
years with success, and the palms are about to come into bearing.
An increase in the export of copra is therefore promised. |
Several sisal plantations are producing fibre in considerable
uantity, and there is scope for further development. Rice of good
quality is produced, but dependent as it is upon the flooding of rivers,
it is a precarious crop. Areas suitable for cotton growing are known
to exist, and some progress is being made. Simsim is also grown
with success, but groundnuts are not promising.
NATIVE AGRICULTURE.
Inasmuch as the native tribes occupy approximately four times
the area available for alienation, and that much of the most fertile
and highly productive land in the Colony, it will readily be seen that
f the Colony is to be fully and properly developed the native reserves
must contribute in an increasing degree to the trade and commerce
of the country. This question is of paramount importance in relation
to capital expenditure upon new railway and harbour works and
similar heavy commitments. The justification and wisdom of
curring heavy expenditure upon public services generally must
eventually rest upon the productive capacity of the native population
hether working on their own account or engaged in rendering service
o those who have invested capital in the development of industry. It
ould be prudent to recognise that with all the stimulus that can be
used the African is slow to change his habits and marked progress must
inevitably be slow. It is not proposed in this paper to enter into the
intricacies and complications of the relationship between the development
 of native and non-native agriculture, suffice it to say that the
problem will only be solved when every male native who is of working
age and also is physically fit will work regularly throughout the year,
either on his own account or that of his employer. An undue share
of the work involved in native production is, under existing native
habits, dependent upon the efforts of the women folk, who might be
advantageously engaged on greater service in the work of the home
and the care of their children thus reducing the heavy mortality which
at present exists among child life. Nothwithstanding the lethargy
which continues to obtain progress has been made.
| Measured by the value of agricultural exports of native production
has is a substantial increase. In 1922 that value was £176,000 and
n 1925 it rose to £565,00. At the same time the quantity and value
of native produce sold and consumed locally must also have
substantially increased. Concurrently with this increase in production
natives have been employed on farms, railway construction, and
public services generally, also in other work in increasing numbers and

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