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suits are obtained by the use of pen manure prepared with 

 gypsum, and on some very old properties its use, and that of sheep 

 manure forked in, have been remarkable in improving the health 

 and productiveness of the cocoa trees. The island has had up to 

 now, thank God, few cocoa diseases to contend with, the * Brown 

 Rot' and ' Canker' being the only two. The measures successfully 

 adopted to combat them, have been the treatment suggested, I 

 believe, by the Imperial Department of Agriculture, and with the 

 advice and assistance of Mr. Hart, the Superintendent of the Bo- 

 tanic Gardens here, they are kept under control. The cocoa trees 

 of the plantations situate in the valleys suffer considerably from 

 ' moss' on account, I presume, of the excessive moisture, and it 

 would be desirable if some other and more efficacious means than 

 the brush or the hand — the ' knapsack' sprayer having totally 

 failed for the purpose — should be found to deal with it. There are 

 several patent cocoa dryers of different patterns used for the cur- 

 ing of the cocoa bean and I am informed that they give satisfac- 

 tion, but personally I shall adhere to the opinion that the sun-dried 

 article is preferable. With regard to green dressing I am not 

 aware that it is resorted to to any great extent. I gave it a trial 

 on one of my properties in October last, and so far I have not 

 noticed a very marked change in the look of the trees. In conclu- 

 sion, I regret that, owing to the short time since experiments have 

 been started in the colony, I have no statistics to offer. 



The President : With the object of assisting the cocoa industry 

 in Grenada, St. Lucia and Dominica, we undertook a series of what 

 we called sample plots of cocoa ; that is to say, we took over plots 

 of land, about I acre in extent, near the public road from pro- 

 prietors who were willing to allow us the use of the land, and to 

 assist in the cultivation. These plots were labelled ' Imperial De- 

 partment Plots.' In most cases they consisted of cocoa which was 

 not in good health. The Department paid the expense of cultiva- 

 tion, the Agricultural Instructor visited these plots, which became 

 central points for giving information to cultivators in the district. 

 The planter who gave the use of the plot became the agent of the 

 Department in his district, so that when the Agricultural Instructor 

 visited the plot he would see the planter and discuss with him the 

 best way of utilizing his time while in the district. Sometimes it 

 was suggested that a meeting would be held at which the cocoa 

 growers in the district should be present. After the Instructor had 

 been introduced to them by a person they knew, they were ulti- 

 mately willing to receive and hear the Instructor and follow his 

 advise. Some people might regard the establishment of sample 

 plots as giving assistance to the large proprietors by taking a 

 portion of their land and cultivating it for them. However, we 

 are quite satisfied with the results, as the feeling that has 

 been created among small proprietors by our taking an interest in 

 their cultivations has more than repaid us for the trouble and ex- 

 pense which the establishments of these plots has occasioned. As 

 the result of sample plots in Grenada, a paper in connection 



