178 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



June 17, 1905. 



shipped to Triniilad. Tlieie is practically no direct 

 export trade between Tobago and other couiitrie.s. 



In returns furnished by the Warden for the 

 official year 1004-5 the total value of the exjjorts is 

 given as £2(j,lG2, or an increase at the rate of 1-54 per 

 cent, in eight year.s. Sugar and molasses were exported 

 to the value of £3,302 : cacao (in spite of an unfavour- 

 able seafon). £3.984; cattle, £2,820; pigs, £1,488: 

 poultry and eggs, £1,631. 



In order to illustrate still further the singularly 

 diversified character of the products of Tobago, a table 

 is published on the opposite page showing in detail the 

 value of the exports for the years 1896 and 1904-5 

 respectively. 



Tobago became a ward of the colony of Trinidad 

 in January 1, 1899. Since that time, owing to the 

 establishment of a regular coastal service and the 

 sj'stematic improvement that has taken place in the 

 means of communication by driving and riding roads, 

 and the erection of bridges, outside capital has been 

 attracted, and an appreciable number of resident 

 proprietors has settled in the island. It is now 

 proposed to establish a system of wireless telegraphy 

 between Tobago and Trinidad. 



The site of a Botanic Station, to be carried on 

 \inder the auspices of the Imperial Department of 

 Agriculture, was selected in November 1898. The 

 situation is a convenient one, being close to the 

 landing wharf at Scarborough and approached either 

 from the public road adjoining the wharf or from 

 a spot on the road to Government House. The station 

 is now full)" equipped, is a popular place of resort, with 

 one of the most attractive collections of ornamental 

 plants in the West Indies. In addition, there are 

 maintained large collections of economic plants available 

 for distribution throughout the island. A travelling 

 Agricultural Instructor is emyjloyed to afford practical 

 information in regard to the cultivation and the 

 treatment of diseases of cacao and other crops. 



On the occasion of the visit of the Governor and 

 the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture, a public 

 meeting was held at the Court House, Scarborough, 

 on May 24, when the Commissioner delivered an 

 address reviewing the prospects of sugar, cacao, rubber, 

 cotton, the rearing of cattle and small stock, and the 

 requirements of a sisal hemp and fruit industry. 



The sugar industry, as shown in the table of 

 exports, has been extended of late years, and there is 

 no reason why it should not eventually prove successful 

 on a still larger saUe. The total export value of cane 



products in 1904-5 was £5,302, as compared with 

 £1,983 in 1896. 



The most promising industry of Tobago is cacao. 

 The urea under cidtivation has largely increased in 

 recent years : and when the young cacao lately planted 

 comes into bearing, it is not unlikely that the exports 

 will reach a value of £8,000 to £10,000. The cultiva- 

 tion of rubber trees is a new industry in the West 

 Indies, and Tobago is the only island that has hitherto 

 shipped rubber on a commercial sale. There are from 

 8,000 to 10,000 rubber trees (CantUloa) under cultiva- 

 tion on Richmond estate by Captain Short, and, 

 taking all ages, a still larger number on the estates of 

 the Rubber Syndicate at Louis d'Or. In many cases 

 the rubber trees are used as shade for cacao. Cotton 

 (Marie Galante variety) is cultivated on Golden Grove 

 estate by Dr. Latour. It is probable that 30 bales (of 

 360 It), each) will be shipped this year. Another new 

 industry is the export of bay leaves and bay oil (£317). 



Owing to the facilities otfered by frequent 

 communication with Trinidad, Tobago contributes 

 largely to the requirements of Port-of-Spain in horses, 

 sheep, pig.s, poultry, eggs, and vegetables. 



Altogether, the prospects of Tobago are brighter 

 than they have been at any time during the last thirty 

 years. It is estimated that there are large stretches 

 of fertile and accessible lands still available for the 

 cultivation of cacao, rubber, cocoa-nuts, fruit, cotton, 

 limes, and tobacco. The absence of destructive 

 hurricanes, the fairly equable i-ainfall (averaging 

 65 inches per annum), with the improved means of 

 communication by land and sea, as also the nearness of 

 a large and increasing market in Trinidad for all kinds 

 of produce, render Tobago a promising field for intend- 

 ing settlers. 



The amount of capital required would depend on 

 the industry in view. For cacao a capital of about 

 £3,000 U) £4,000 would probably be necessary. For 

 cotton and fruit a capital of about £1,500 to £2,000 

 Would probably be sufficient. 



A Planters' Association has lately been formed in 

 order to achance the Agricultural interests of the 

 island. A 'Hand-book of Tobago' containing a brief 

 historical, geographical and general account of the 

 island compiled by Mr. L. G. Hay (a former treasurer) 

 in 1884, and revised b}' liini in 1898, was published in 

 1899 at the Daily Chronicle Office, Georgetown, 

 Demerara, (Price 2s. 6c/., post free 2.s\ Ihl). 



The Pamphlet (No. 2) on ' Planting in Tobago' 

 referred to above is now out of print but it is projiosed 

 to bring out a new cdiliun later on. 



