1919.'] INVESTIGATION OF FBOGHOPPEB PEST, d-c. 



69 



61. Of root crops used as food there are sweet potatoes, yams, eddoes, 

 tannias, cassava, and artichokes, all desirable from the point of view 

 of this report as involving considerable cultivation. The prospects for 

 the development of an industry in the production of farine might be 

 considered. 



62. Cowpeas and horse beans are already in use, but their position 

 and that of corn is rather that of catch crops. 



63. Sea Island cotton is unsuited to the soil and climate the 

 perennial cottons if planted in mass would be likely to suffer too much 

 from stainer- borne disease. 



The position of castor is worth watching. 



GENERAL. 



64. I wish to take this opportunity of saying, in justice to Mr. 

 Williams, Entomologist in Charge of Froghopper Investigations, that 

 the main conclusions here set out are those which he himself had reached 

 or was reaching, though of course I cannot commit him to my expression 

 of them. It is desirable to say this since his report will appear at a 

 later date than mine. If I have been able in the short time at my 

 disposal to approach a correct diagnosis, such a result was rendered 

 possible only by Mr. Williams' services in the selection of the most 

 important points of vantage, and by the opportunity of reference to the 

 data concerning blight which he has accumulated. 



65. 1 have to express my personal thanks for the unfailing considera- 

 tion and helpfulness with which I was received by all who were 

 concerned with my visit. I am especially indebted to the officers of 

 the Department of Agriculture and of the Board. 



66. Finally it will be a matter for real regret if anything I have said 

 is taken as a reflection on Trinidad managers. I have tried to point out 

 that the prevailing practices are the outcome of natural causes, and that 

 they may in fact be regarded as arising from the suitability of the Trinidad 

 climate for cane cultivation. I am far from losing sight of the difficulties 

 entailed in working by hand a large estate on a small labour supply, 

 and considering the circumstances the results attained by the more 

 ..experienced managers were, to me, something of a revelation. 



(Sgd.) WM. NOWELL, 



Mycologist. 



February 20, 1919. 



