The Grains, As Maize, Lotsa (`Pennisetum Typhoideum'),
Lokesh Or Millet, Are To Be Seen At All Stages Of Their Growth
-
Some just ripe, while at this time the Makololo crops are not half grown.
My companions, who have a good
Idea of the different qualities of soils,
expressed the greatest admiration of the agricultural capabilities of
the whole of Londa, and here they were loud in their praises of the pasturage.
They have an accurate idea of the varieties of grasses best adapted
for different kinds of stock, and lament because here there are no cows
to feed off the rich green crop, which at this time imparts special beauty
to the landscape.
Great numbers of the omnivorous feeding fish, `Glanis siluris', or mosala,
spread themselves over the flooded plains, and, as the waters retire,
try to find their way back again to the rivers. The Balonda make
earthen dikes and hedges across the outlets of the retreating waters,
leaving only small spaces through which the chief part of the water flows.
In these open spaces they plant creels, similar in shape to our own,
into which the fish can enter, but can not return. They secure
large quantities of fish in this way, which, when smoke-dried,
make a good relish for their otherwise insipid food. They use also
a weir of mats made of reeds sewed together, with but half an inch
between each. Open spaces are left for the insertion of the creels as before.
In still water, a fish-trap is employed of the same shape and plan
as the common round wire mouse-trap, which has an opening surrounded
with wires pointing inward.
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