, 1891-03-21

clumps of shade trees, with it's herd Of fat Jer
sevs. and with it's neat farm house and build
in rs, telling of prosperous and happy days.
This you say, is a European picture; but why
should it not also be West Indian? Must we,
because the sun shines warmer here, always be
content to live as Natures slaves rather than
as her masters? 1t is certain that the answer
to these questions rests very largely with our
selves. 1t cannot be given on the right side IN
a day nor in a year; but a commencement IS
made as soon as the resolve is taken that the
answer shall be on the right side. Similar en-
ergy to what is being directed to the manage
ment of some of our sugar estates would soon
turn over so-called stock estates into dairy
farms something like what We have described.
It NAV be objected. that if all the East End
properties were to become the models which we
have been imagining them to become, the local
market would be too small for their produce.
Of this we are not sure, but we have a suspl-
cion that it might be 80, and are therefore
strongly inclined to advocate, as we have done
before, the recovery, if possible, of that part OF
the East End which lies nearest to Basin, for
sugar growing, leaving the more remote to be
worked up into stock estates worthy of the
name. How this could be done is a very diff
cult problem, which we do not pretend to
have a solution for; but which we may return
to later.
The Executive Committee Of the new st.
Thomas Agricultural and Industrial Society
have issued their programme in connection
with the Exhibition which the Society intends
to hold in st. Thomas on Whit Monday, the
18th Nav. The programme first announces that
there will be three prizes of $25, $15, and $40
respectively for the chest general exhibit of
productions of the soil" A prize of SIS is also
to be given for the best exhibit of each of the
following Is items canes and corn (Indian
and Guinea; bananas and plantains yams,
potatoes and cassava; garden vegetables, of all
descriptions fruits; flowers in bouquets
flowers, growing; dried peas and beans of all
descriptions; coffee; potatoes Qrish); tobacco,
grapes lines, especially with a view to ex-
port cocoa; butter; milk (condensed). Be
sides the first prizes of So the Judges may dis
tribute $40 in smaller prizes, if they find occa-
sion to do so. Prizes are also to be given, to
the amount of $50, SO far as the Character of
the exhibits may warrant it, for the following
cor any other articles of industry which may
be exhibited: baskets, hats, fshpots, mats,
ropes, catacus, honey, wax &c. Certificates Of
Honorable Mention are also to be given for the
best specimens of articles such as bay rum,
preserves, artificial flowers and other hand
work, the exhibitors being allowed to sell them
at the time of the Exhibition.
It is further stated chat as an encourage
'ment to agricultrrists especially, the Commit
tee has decided to put aside the sum of $40
gold to be divided into prizes for the best plots
of cultivated land, such plots being owned or
rented by a cultivator of the soil; with this
promise, that cultivated plots must be entered
for inspection during the week preceding the
Exhibition, and next year to offer prizes for
the greatest number of fruit trees planted by
any one party during the year" The pro-
gramme concludes by asking for exhibits of
anything made or grown on the island, and
for the loan Of articles of curiosity from olden
times.
With such a varied programme it seems to
us that the success of the exhibition as such will
be assured, and that a capital holiday treat will
be provided for the people Of st. Thomas. If
the different exhibitors are also stirred up to
emulation among themselves, and others are
around to initiate them, the main objects of the
society in holding the exhibition will have
been attained.