Page:Two kings of Uganda.djvu/75

of being introduced. And so I mounted upon the fine Muscat donkey aforesaid, which the king had presented to the missionaries, and, convoyed by Mr. O'Flaherty, I started for the palace. Turning off the magnificent sweep of road which led up to Rubaga, the now deserted capital, we passed along a beautiful lane, between lofty fences, "bisakati," formed of the tall tiger-grass which grows so abundantly in Buganda,and is used in making the enclosures which surround the houses and gardens of the upper classes. These fences are made by driving posts of some ten or twelve feet high into the ground at intervals of a few yards, to which are fastened horizontally long thick ropes of the reed-like grass-stalks. These form rails, of which there may be from four to nine, according to the height of the fence. To the rails are tied vertically stalks of the same grass in couples, thus making a smooth, close-fitting palisade. These fences look very neat, but constantly require to be repaired. Their erection is a regular craft, and forms part of the training of the youth of Buganda, and every feudal lord has the right to call upon his vassals for this service.

The way wound between groves of carefully cultivated bananas, "bitoki," where we saw women (who do all the gardening) carefully lop off the withered branches, and spread them along the ground to prevent the growth of weeds or grass.

We also passed by sweet potatoes planted in ridges, which were being weeded by some women, who, in the