Ill 



valued in London at 9d. per lb., and was spoken of as superior to 

 American " upland."* A small plot of " Sea Island " Cotton was sown 

 in November as an experi- ment to ascertain its behaviour while 

 ripening in the wet season. Pods ripened May and June, but fully 

 75 °/ rotted. Plants quite healthy. 



From Princes Town district better results have been recorded, but 

 from Orange Grove and other districts similar records have been 

 obtained to our own. A consignment of 449ft>s. of Sea Island (seed 

 cotton) from Princes Town was ginned by the Botanical Department for 

 which the price of one shilling and threepence per pound was obtained. 

 The details of cultivation area, &c, not being furnished, we are unable 

 to state the return made to the cultivator. 



The ginning machines provided by the Government at St. Clair are 

 in excellent order and the baling press is available. These are hand 

 machines only, but have proved sufficient for the present season. 



A supply of over 2000 lbs. of the best quality of "Sea Island" 

 cotton seed has been imported through the good offices of Sir Daniel 

 Morris, K.C.M.G., for the ensuing season and a large amount has been 

 distributed, one applicant taking 300 lbs. 



Under instructions from the Government several experiment plots 

 of cotton are being started during the coming season, at Diego Martin 

 Reformatory, River Estate, Cedros, Dabadie, and St. Clair, on all of 

 which "Sea Island" cotton will be tried. It is hoped to prove 

 with these whether the "Sea Island variety" is suitable for culti- 

 vation in Trinidad. Hitherto the trials have been decidedly unfavour- 

 able. Measures are also being taken for the hybridization of the " Sea 

 Island variety" (when it comes in flower next season,) with the better 

 acclimatized forms, with the. view to secure a cotton possessing 

 the best qualities of both kinds. I consider it quite probable how- 

 ever that the results of this year's trial may be reversed next season. 

 Considering the importance of the matter, these trials will be carefully 

 carried out. for it is quite certain, that if " Sea Island Cotton " can 

 be successfully grown, it will give a far better return to the cultiva- 

 tor, than the upland varieties. As to its thriving ; the most that can 

 be said is : "If it will it will, you may depend on't. If it wont ; it 

 wont and there's an end on't." 



The writer had the privilege of an invitation from Sir D. Morris 

 to witness the Ginning machinery in operation in Barbados and St. 

 Vincent and a copy of the Official report thereon is attached for general 

 information. 



The Cotton Factories at Barbados and St. Vincent. 



"On the invitation of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., and with 

 the approval of His Excellency the Acting Governor, I proceeded to 

 Barbados by the Mail of May 6, for the purpose of witnessing the 

 operations carried on in the cotton-ginning factory at Bridgetown, 

 established by the Imperial Department of Agriculture. 



" Communicating immediately on my arrival with Sir Daniel 

 Morris, I was able to make arrangements to see the gins at work on 

 the morning of Monday May 10. On arrival at the factory, I was met 



* See page 84. 



