! 1- 



The following were the notes made : — 



No. 1. — Black Antigua. {Tobago mime.) 



True to name. This varietj is also known in England as 

 "Ripley Queen," and there is a lighter leaved variety 

 known as the " White Ripley," hearing fruit of the same 

 class. When in good older there are few Pine-Apples to 

 heat this variety for flavour. The specimen sent was 

 over-ripe. 



No. 2. — No Name. 



A pine resembling smooth Cayenne by its smooth leaves only. 

 The form of the fruit, and flavour differs. It is much 

 nearer to a variety known in Jamaica as " Black Pine."" 

 or "Black Jamaica."' but not it. It is a desirable variety. 



No. 3. — ''Grass Pine." (Tobago name). 



Resembles very much if not identical with the " Cowboy " of 

 Jamaica " Pens." In the condition it reached Trinidad 

 it is an excellent pine of good flavour. 



No. i. — "Sugar loaf." (Tobago name). 



Not the Sugar loaf of Jamaica, but more like one called "Bull 

 Head," but better in flavour. A pine well worth growing. 

 It appears to resemble very closely the pine known in 

 Trinidad as the " La Bn-a " or pitch lake pine, but has 

 not the form of a " Sugar loaf." 



Trinidad is not an Island generally suited tor the growth of 

 Pine-apples, as the soil is unsuitable, but in certain districts where 

 sandy soil exists, pines may be found by the roadside growing and 

 fruiting well in a wild condition without any care. At the Gardens 

 and Experiment Station it has hitherto been impossible to grow pines 

 with success, while in Jamaica the same operator, was for many years 

 highly successful. 



655.-SEEDS: LOSS OF VITALITY. 



Residents in cold Climates or of the temperate zone often fail to 

 comprehend the failure of certain seeds when sent to the tropics, and 

 the early loss of vitality which ensues. Residents in the tropic- 

 know well from dire experience the untrustworthy character of 

 seeds which have been kepi tor any length of lime, and complainl is 

 sometimes made of seeds failing to germinate after they have been sent 

 out fresh by this Department, and after the germinating power of the 

 seeds had been carefully proved by experiment before distribution. 



It is well known that there is a great loss of vitality owing to 

 the high t< mperature, and the action of an atmosphere which for 

 many months of the year remains for a large part of each day. at. or 

 near saturation point : but this fully admitted, would hardly account 

 for the loss of vitality of seeds distributed immediately after proof. 



For instance, proved cotton seed was distributed and the returns 

 showed a large percentage of failure, while many of the recipients 

 reported the seed as good. It was evident therefore that the want of 

 vitality arose from causes outside of the centre of distribution. 



