I8 7 



A qualitative examination of the extract gave the following 

 results :-- 



With gelatine precipitate 



Ferric Chloride bluish green 



Bromine water no ppt. 



Formaldehyde and ppt. 



Hydrochloric Acid 

 The extract was also concentrated (100 cc. to 10 cc.) and gave 

 with alcohol no precipitate, indicating the absence of " phloba- 

 phenes." Hence the tannin from bastard logwood would be 

 valuable for the manufacture of book-binding leather where the 

 " phlobaphenes " are the cause of the so-called " rot." The wood 

 gives a striking red colour with phloroglucinol. Attempts to 

 isolate vanellin or citrol failed, and the phloroglucinol reaction is 

 probably due to the presence of hadromol. 



With regard to the per centage of tannin found in the bastard 

 logwood, this ranges from 6.34 to 6.69 per cent. Oakwood with from 

 5 to 8 per cent, and chestnut with from 7 to 8 percent, tannin are 

 both of commercial value, and taking into account the freedom 

 from " phlobaphenes" the bastard logwood should prove of com- 

 mercial value as a tannin material. 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS. 



The usual monthly meeting of the Board of Agriculture was held 

 at Headquarter House on 14th August : present— the Director of 

 Public Gardens and Plantations, the Chemist, the Superin- 

 tending Inspector of Schools, Mr. G. D. Murray and the Secretary, 

 John Barclay. 



The chairman, the Hon. H. C. Bourne, Colonial Secretary, 

 intimated that the Governor having fixed a meeting of the Loan 

 Board at the same hour, he could not be present, and the Arch- 

 bishop wrote expressing regret that another important engage- 

 ment prevented him from being present. The Director of Public 

 Gardens acted as chairman. 



Arrowroot — The Secretary made reports as follows :— With 

 regard to the arrowroot for the Public Institutions, — as instructed 

 he had an interview with the Superintending Medical Officer who 

 agreed to stock Jamaica arrowroot in the Medical Stores and 

 issue it along with the usual medical supplies. The Secretary 

 would arrange to supply it in barrels beginning next March for 

 the new financial year, and the average price would not be more 

 than what the institutions were paying at present. 



Cotton Industry — Mr. Briscoe had arranged an intinerary to visit 

 all intending cotton planters within the Liguanea Plains. Two 

 hundred acres of cotton would probably be put in. Mr. Desporte's 

 land, to the extent of 50 acres, was ready for planting whenever 

 rair.s fell. 



Drought in St. Elizabeth — As regards the drought in St. Elizabeth, 

 the Secretary had brought the matter before the Agricultural 



