PARTI. 
was the main means of transport and any developments which would 
tend to bring down the costs were of great interest to them. They 
would be able to grow the raw material for industrial alcohol very 
easily in Uganda, and he was of opinion that sugar cane would be hard 
to beat. 4 
Mr. KIRBY said that there was one material which had not been 
mentioned, and which might be of value in East Africa, and that was 
the Nipa palm, which grows in the east. Investigation to find out 
whether this would grow in Tanganyika in the mangrove swamps was 
being undertaken. In Nigeria the possibilities of the use of elephant 
grass were investigated, but the cost of transport of the raw material 
was found to render the scheme prohibitive. 
Mr. WORTLEY said that in Nyasaland, the matter had been 
under consideration for some time, but nothing definite had yet 
materialised. 
Mr. FOX said that there was the possibility that aleohol could be 
produced economically from cassava. The other starch producing 
crops were of greater value as foods. In Kenya, it was possible that 
Cassava could be produced cheaply enough for alcohol manufacture 
near Sultan Hamud. 
Mr. KIRKHAM said that cassava could be grown there but the 
yields would probably be too low to make the scheme a success. 
THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Holm) said that it was not clear why 
molasses should be supplemented by cassava. 
Mr. FOX said that although the largest sugar factory operating in 
Kenya produced sufficient molasses for the economic production of 
alcohol, the output fell short of that required for the most economical 
working. Therefore, it would be sound to increase the daily produc- 
tion of aleohol to 900—1,000 gallons by supplementing the molasses 
with a small quantity of cassava. 
The possibility of using other agricultural products as fuels in 
internal combustion engines was then discussed. The possibility of 
vegetable oils being more economical in remote areas than alcohol was 
considered. 
CHAPTER IV—COFFEE. 
(For discussions on coffee pests see Part IV., Chapter 111.) 
(Discussed at Joint Meeting of Agricultural, Entomological and 
Mycological Sections.) 
SOME ASPECTS OF COFFEE PRODUCTION IN KENYA. 
Mr. TRENCH read the following paper (referred to in the Agenda 
as T.C.(C)Ag.4): 
In approaching the subject of Coffee growing in this Territory, 
there are a great number of points to consider. Firstly, the crop is 
one which demands the closest study, in order that due advantage 
may be taken of every favourable variation and condition. Secondly, 
the system under which coffee is produced in Kenya, namely, small 
plantations dependent on native labour from reserves, gives the crop 
an element of uncertainty, which every effort should be made to 
remove, as much from the country and Empire point of view, as well 
as that of the grower. Thirdly, the problems ‘° What is the best 
48