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trials, as canes that will grow and produce good resvilts on sncli a soil, 

 can hardly fail to do so when planted in better lands. Thirdly Ave 

 shall endeavour to supply all requisitions for plants on equal terms, 

 working up for the purpose of a stock of plants which will be dis- 

 tributed at a stated time to applicants, so that all may start their 

 culture at the same time, and no advantage will be afforded to one 

 more than another. It is expected that it may be possible to give the 

 results of the first year's trial in an appendix to this report, but in 

 case this work cannot be carried out in time, I may now state that I 

 have received information from. Messrs. Jenman and Harrison that the 

 previous results have been fully confirmed by the crop which has been 

 reaped in the British Guiana experiment grounds during 1895. Thesa 

 results show that there are several canes among the seedlings which 

 give a return so far surpassing the Bourbon and other older varieties 

 as to induce the hope that by their extended culture, the sugar indus- 

 try will receive a substantial benefit, one, sufficient of itself to 

 disperse the gloomy views which have lately been held as to its future. 

 It would apjDear that the trials of the different manures need not be 

 carried out with haste, as the wox'k of the Demerara experimentalists 

 shows in a most complete and forcible mamier, the direction in which 

 success lies, and that all that need be done, at least at present is, to 

 prove by experiment that the same manure can be used in the Trinidad 

 as on the Demerara soils ; but even this trial on the experimental 

 grounds will, I fear, not be sufficient for all wants, in so much as the 

 character of the soil in Trinidad estates varies in a large degree, and 

 what would be suitable on one, would not be applicable to others. 



Extended trials should therefore be made by the planters them- 

 selves, on the various soils, but if they submit to be guided by the 

 results obtained in Demerara, it will, I feel assured, conduce to 

 greater success in the matter of cultural proceedings. 



The destructive character of the cane fungus TrichosjjJuvria 

 sacchari, has been accentuated by the fact that it has, during 1895, 

 been found present on estates in British Guiana, where a considerable 

 loss is attributed to its action. As mentioned in last year's report 

 " further observation is still required to show to the full extent of 

 its spread, and the measure of its destructiveness." I have received 

 reports from some, that burning the fields have lessened the amount 

 of damage, but on the other hand it has been shown that the burnt 

 areas when replanted have again been badly attacked. Our seedling 

 canes were planted on and near to a spot on which canes infected with 



