The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎200r] (70/172)

TWO YEARS’ TRAVEL IN UGANDA, UNYORO, AND ON THE UPPER NILE. 38T
ground, and the people have large numbers of cattle, sheep, and goats.
I had my pony with me the whole time, and he was never sick or sorry.
The soil is very fertile, except in the northern portion beyond Alagahiet,
where it is stony and barren. The climate is a very good one; it is cold
at nights on the high ground, and the thermometer rarely went over
80°. There was a good deal of rain at night when we were there. I am
glad to say that before our departure the Nandi had made peace, and
sent in presents of ivory. What surprised them more than anything
was the fact of the Sudanese women accompanying their husbands on
the war-path. It would he a great shortening of distance if the road, or
even the railway, coiild be run through the Nandi country to Mumia’s,
VIEW OF NANDI COUNTRY SOUTH FROM GUASO MASO FORT.
after the ascent of the Man mountains has been made by the usual route
past the Eldoma station. At a point on the top of the escarpment the
ground slopes gradually down towards the Kukus valley; it is an open
slightly undulating plain, until the Nandi villages are reached. A
belt of thick forest, from 8 to 10 miles in width, forms rather an obstacle,
but after this Kavirondo and a fine open country is reached. Instead of
passing through^an uninhabited desert as at present, a cultivated track
would be reached very soon, and the district between Nandi and Mumia s
is the most food-producing centre of this part of Africa. With a railway
from the coast, and steamers on the Victoria Nyanza, timber and fuel
will be in great demand, and this Nandi forest will be of inestimable
value. Some of the trees are very fine ones, and the supply would last
for a great numberjof years. As will be seen from the map, the forest