, 1912-01-20

BIS we'll as in dry and wet districts. Further,
the results are taLulated year by year, re-
viewed as compared with the results in pre-
tious years and in other countries, and
placed within reach of those interested, in
such O manner as to, be readily understood
and acted upon.
A gratifying proof of the value of the.
work of the Imperial Department OF Agrl-
culture is the formation Of q series or de-
partments on somewhat similar lines IN other
portions of the tropics. The first Of these
was the important Imperial Department of
Agriculture in India. This was followed
five years age by the formation OF the De-
partment of Science and Agriculture III Brl-
fish Guiana under the control OF Professor
Harrison. Fhe other agricultural depart
ments that have been since formed ale those
in the Federated Malay States, British East
Africa, the Gold Coast, Southern Nigeria,
and more recently at Jamaica under Mr.
Cousins. and al Trinidad under Professor
Ctarmody. A similar Agricultural Depart
ment is in course Of being formed at BaFha-
dos under Mr.. Bowel. 1t is interesting to
note that two officers trained IN the West
Indies Zone of them Mr.. MaXWell-Lefroy)
are. attached to the Imperial Department Of
Agriculture in India, two (the Director and
Mycologist) attached to the Agricultural De
rsertment in the Federated Malay States,
one in British East Africa, one in FIJI, and
three in the Indian Provincial Departments
of Agriculture. 1t is noticed that, III q re-
cent article in the Stand0rd, it was recon-
nleuded that the new Agricultural Depart.
ment in Egypt should also follow 'on the
lines of the Imperial Department III the
West Indies.
It is sometimes'remarked that the planters
m the West Indies have been slow to try
new methods or, believe III new ~ntroductlOns
I'm. this thew may be only following the at
titude of planters IN other countries and OF
orr own farmers at home. SO far as the
West Indies are concerned, the remark has
never been generally true, ana L amin a
position to state that it has become less nnd
less true in recent years. Lit IS n sign OF
awakening in agricultural matters when the
PLANTERS at Trinidad and Grenada voluntarily
auree to an increase okthe export duties on
their produce III order to provide larger
funds for obtaining scientific advice and as
sistance and extend agricultural efforts III
those Colonies. The Improvement III the
methods Of cultivation and manufacture OF
sugar, as already shown, has been largely
extended 10y the planters themselves, as alSG
Greater attention has been devoted by them
to the introduction OF improved V@fleJleS
of sugar-canes, the more akiiful use OF ortI-
fetal mauures, and the more effective treat
ment of diseases. New implements and
machinery are being introduced and tested,
and the results Of the work Of the expert
ment stations are carefully observed and adj
opted when found of real advantage. There
is also, | am happy to say, a cordloi spirit
existing between the planters, both large
and small, and the scientific workers. 1t
may be the latter are becoming more H&r-
cultural and the planters more scientific. La
ony case, there is hope that by the hearty
cooperation Of both planters and experts
agriculture in the West Indies will be pIac-
Ell on a sound and progressive basis.
tIo be continued