Tribesmen Taught Saving of Trees In Kenya Colony

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 3

Tribesmen Taught Saving of Trees In Kenya Colony

MOMBASA. it is about 20 years since the organisation known as “The Men of the Trees” was called into being an official of the Forest Department of Kenya Colony, in the highlands of Kenya dwells the Kikuyu tribe, which at that time was locally known as “Forest Destroyers” on account of its shifting and wasteful methods of agriculture. Whenever its members required new lands they simply cut down a portion of virgin forest, burned the trees, planted their seeds, and reaped two crops, after which they abandoned the site tc take up yet another area. This process of forest destruction was repeated again and again until the whole countryside became denuded of trees. \\ hen the Forest Department appointed Mr. Richard St. Barbe Baker to be conservator there, he at once set about to right matters. He called meetings of the native chiefs and patiently explained to them the evils of forest destruction and the importance of planting trees in bare spaces. These men grasped the situation, for they weie aware that their womenfolk had to go long distances to fetch firewood with which to cook their food, and they easily realised that the day was not far off when there would be / wood famine in the land. But it was to the*young men, the lighters, that the work of planting was given. On an appointed day 3000 young stalwarts of the tribe met at Mr. Baker’s camp, each man carrying his spear and shield. Tactfully Mr. Baker addressed the meeting and made an earnest appeal to them to start a new movement which should for ever banish their present name of “Forest Destroyers.” Finally, he called for volunteers willing to plant ten trees each year and to take care of trees generally everywhere. That day 50 volunteers came forward, and a badge of membership was tied to their left wrist to remind them of their obligation. Later on the Scout idea was added —to do a good deed each day, and a secret sign and password was instituted to safeguard the organisation, now called “The Men of the T rees. ’ ’ To-day there are thousands of Kikuyus wearing the badge of membership, and they are known as “Forest Scouts •1 Kenya.” Moths were playing havoc with Macpherson’s wardrobe, but, being a bachelor, he was ignorant of the usua« remedies. On consulting the local chemist, he was advised to try moth-balls, and went back to his lodgings with a box containing a dozen. To the chemist’s surprise, Macpheron returned in a week 's time for another dozen. ‘ * But I sold a dozen to you only a short time ago,” said the chemist. “How did you get on with them?” “No’ sae bad,” replied Macpherson, “but, mind ye, it’s no sic an easy job hittin’ the moths wi’ thae ba’s!” They sat holding hands in a quiet corner of the park. After a moment the girl turned to her love and said, softly; “John, are you sure your love is true?” “Yes,” he replied, fervently, “as true as the roses on your cheeks.” “Oh—er—yes,” answered the girl. “Isn’t the—er—doesn’t the band play nicely?”