The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-04
COLONIZINa LANDS.

CoLoNiLlN-S LANoS'
Reading as we do with 'vonder of the ILL
imitable territories and now lands that are
being opened up to civilization in Central
Africa, one feels not disnclined to sympa-
thize with the " estern squatter in the idea
that our once unoccupied territory of mil
lions of acres is getting crowded
Bechuana Land, territory of South Cen
trail Africa, in extent equal to the area of
France or Spain, has recently been annexed
by the British government. Photographed
notes of the country afford the information
that it is for the most part a. plateau of
from 1900 to 6,00O feet above the sea, and
is healthy to degree to Europeans. The
general character of the country is that of
open and undulating plains for certain ex-
tent after which it becomes fairly and some
times densely wooded.
The flora include apple pear, peach, cher
ry, vine, fig, pomegranate, mulberry,
ounce, orange, lemon, eitron, banana and
other trees and fruits. The soil is good,
producing maize (Indian corn), millet and
wheat. Over all the plains there is capital
grass, fact evidenced by the great num-
bers of sheep and cattle owned by the ma
tives. Water is scarce along the trade
routes at certain seasons, but travellers as
sert it is always to be had for the digging.
The headwaters and tributaries of the
Orange River permeate the central and
southern zones of this territory.
AS sheep, cattle, goats, aud horses all
flourish here, it would appear that for agri-
culture and pastoral purposes the new colo
ny is unusually well adapted. The general
temperature touches ninety degrees in the
hot season, whereas there is no winter at all
as we understand it., rainy season taking
its place, the whole country being included
in the south temperate zoue of Southern
Africa.
Compared with the Upper Congo country,
which is occupying so much of public at
tention just now, it is far superior in posi-
blities for both Europeans and Americans
| than that region.
The other new African territory which
will be soon open for the influx of the for.
eigner, is that immense extent of land in the
heart of Central Africa, inexactly known as
yet under the name of the Upper Congo re-
gion.
This is the new free state of our enter
prisng young American, Henry Nj. Stanley
Without the climatic advantages of the
more southerly Bechuaria Land it is i'm
mensely largeE in ,ex.s;llt 1t is 2Eababl.
best referred to as the basin of the Upper
Congo. Under that tito it would includ,
an area of ], 900, 900 square miles.
The various tributaries of the Congo Riv
er flowing through this immense expanse o
territory include $3.50 miles of river steam
navigation. This, Mr. Stanley says, b!
passing one of the rapids of the Congo, cal
be increased to 5000 miles. The main pro
diets of this unknown land are the natura
vegetable growtbs including oil palms of re
markable prolifcness, each tree yielding an
nually from 500 to 1000 nuts.
The gum of the rubber plant is found il
immense profusion. White gum copal ii
plentiful, and great varieties of yegetabl,
producing fibres fit for the manufacture o
paper rope and grass cloths-the last sta
pie need of Southern Africa.
Immense forests of every variety of valua
BILE timber are found The climate of thi
region appears to be the great drawback t.
its settlement by whites. Notwithstanding
statements in regard to its temperatur
which appear to be contradictory to an exas
perating degree, it may be accepted as re
liable that the MONDAY heat is unbearable
The heat of the sun on clear day rises from
100 to 115 degrees, which is naturally dan
gerous to person standing still and expos
ing himself.
Under this torrid heat the European no
trained by experience in the tropics to guart
against fatal alterations of bodily tempera
ture, will soon fall prey to the climate.
Mr.. Stanley has described the case of
new settler, who having been under SUI
heat of 115 degrees, arrived at cool plac,
where the thermometer registered ~. Rest
ing and regaling himself with the cpmpara
lively cool breezes, he suddenly finds him
self attacked by fever, the result of that in
cautious indulgence.
Change in Postal Rates.
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