, 1865-02-07

their allotments to their incomings, has put it out
of their power to purchase clothing for their chill
dren, at the high rates which the cotton famine has
introduced, and so much nakedness more especially
of the young was never before witnessed in Barba-
dos. The evil most to be deplored in connection
with it is that it has halved the usual attendance
at the primary and infant schools, the bad results
of which We shall probably reap at q future day.
We are glad to find however that this and other
marks of the prevalence of an unusual amount of
poverty and suffering has attracted public attcn-
ton, and will we trust in tho long run shew the
TRUTH of the old saying that 'out of evil good may
come"
We are satisfied on the authority Of the Attor-
ney-General that the laws now i'll force empower
ing Y estries to make provision for the aged, in
firm, and destitute, are ample for that purpose it
is therefore to be hoped that the Authorities will
for the future do their duty, and see that funds
sufficient are raised in the several parishes to meet
the wants of the POI.
Your committee has thought proper to ascertain
II there was any, and what foundation for the
statement which has been abroad that the priva-
tons to which some of the Agricultural labourers
have been subject, have been in a measure owing
to q decrease in the labour account on some Els
tates, and the inability on the part of others to
find means to carry ON cultivation.
Your ommitte finds that the instances are few
IN which means have been wanting to carry on
cultivation, and that in such instances valid rea-
sons can be assigned why such should be the case.
On the other hand, there appears to have been an
almost universal disposition on the part of plan
tiers to find work for the labourers, and on some
Estates the use of implements has been laid aside
with the view of giving additional employment to
labourors. 1t would seem therefore that there is
little foundation for tho statement above alluded
to-, and that the sufforings of the labourers must
have been still greater had not such facilities pre-
vailed for them to earn their usual wages.
Some four or five thousand of our people have,
it Is thought, emigrated, although the public is
kept in ignorance of such statistics but there has
been no satisfactory report of their having better
ed themselves in the several places to which they
have resorted. Many have returned, and it is
feared many more are suffering from disease and
want, and are without the means of returning.
Barbados can, and no doubt docs, give as high or
higher wages than any Other free sugar growing
country. From our status and position our provi-
sion market is always fully supplied, which secures
moderate prices, and when to this is added the
greater s~alubrity of our lime stone country, it will
be seen that we offer advantages which cannot be
outbid. Although our population is greatly in ex-
cess of what is required for the cultivation and
manufactures of the Island, were it ordinarily in
dustrious, any considerable emigration, under ex-
listing circumstances, would without doubt greatly
injure the community, and none more so than the
labourer himself. With regard to provisions. 1t
should always be remembered that our provision
market is not, and never can, be supplied from the
lands of the island, but is uniformly taken from
America. Barbados, being strictly speaking a
sugar producing country, to feed its dens' p 'pu-
lation has to draw its food from foreign countries
and as long as we can do go on the favourable
terms we do at present the planting of provisions
to any great extect on our lands would be both
impolitic and unadvisable.
To revert to matter more Immediately connected
with the Society, your Committee is glad to OBJ
serve that the journal in connexion with your So
ciety continues to flourish and to advocate i'm
provcmonts of all sort, agricultural and social. It
is to DO regretted that more use is not made of its
columns by practical planters in discussing mat
tiers of management about which men of equally
high reputation often differ. If carried on in a
good spirit, as such controversies should be, much
good to the cause of agriculture might fairly BIO
expected TO accrue.
Your Committee is sorry to say that the meet
ings of the Society are not made as useful as they
might be by reading papers on, and the discussion
of practical subjects. Your ommitte ventures
to suggest that an earlier hour of meeting than is
now usual might operate favourable in producing
better results in this respect. One great improve.
ment may be mentioned during the present year.
Your COMMITTEE alludes to the revival of tho
keeping of rain gauges for which the Society is
principally indebted to its old and valued member
DR.. Walcott.-Agricultural Reporter, Barbados.