152 



Sugaj Estates of the Island clearly demonstrates the desirability of 

 carrying out the experiments locally under actually existing condi- 

 tions of estate management. To secure the scientific and technical con- 

 trol of these l)cal experiments a Central Laboratory and research sta- 

 tion is necessary. 



Tne following plan of operation has therefore been laid down. 



Local Experiments. • 



Manuring of Canes. — Results already obtainel show that considera- 

 ble agricultural returns can be obtained in the cultivation of canes by 

 the use of lime or marl on soils not deficient in humus and nitrogen, 

 by the judicious use of fertilisers where the water supply enables large 

 crops to be grown with some certainty and lastly of th? great effect 

 of drainage upon stiff flat areas of land. 



It is proposed to extend these experiments, to carry them out with 

 stricter over-sight and control and to aim at the financial demonstra- 

 tion of the results of the operations under test. 



Seedling Canes — There are districts in the isl md where the seedling 

 canes already at our disposal are capable of giving a return of at least 

 30 per cent more sugar per acre than the Jamaica cane. The season- 

 able and irrigable areas shoul 1 benefit with certainty from carefully 

 controlled trials of the most promising seedling canes now in cultiva- 

 tion Estite trials of ten varieties specially selected for local conditions 

 have been arranged on twelve estates. 



Central Labgrat.iry and Station. 



An addition to the present Government Laboratory is to be built for 

 the special and exclusive use of the sugar work. Arrangements have 

 been made for a Sugar Laboratory, a Fermentation Laboratory and an 

 Ex^Derimental Distillery. 



Sugar Laboratory — This will be equipped for the special work of 

 analyses of canes, juices, sugars^ molasses, still-house products, rum- 

 colouring, &c. 



Any estate will be entitled to the free analysis of a sample of sugar 

 and of juice each week of the crop season. 



When work permits, the staff will analyse, free, soils or other mate- 

 rials from estates. 



All the juices from the experimental plots on estates will be analysed 

 at the Central Laboratory. Experimental work on the utilisation of 

 native sugar for preserves, aerated waters, &c., will be carried out. 

 The chemical examination of Jamaica rum will also be made a special 

 feature. 



Fern.entaiion Lahoyatory — This wil' be in charge of t' e Fermenta- 

 tion Chemist and wall be specially equipped for the study of yeasts 

 and micro-organisms involved in the production of rum. This work 

 will be carried out in direct connection with the chemical examination 

 in the Sugar Laboratory. 



Experiiyiental Distillery. — A special building ond experimental plant 

 to provide for small laboratory fermentations on a 50 gallons scale has 

 been designed. Samples of Dunder. Molasses, Skimmings, Flavours, 

 Acid, &c., Avill be specially imported from estates in puncheons and 

 barrels. Wash will be set up under various conditio: s and everything 



