173 



all marmalades made with Jamaica Sugars have kept perfectly. 

 The preservative is harmless and was not found to affect the 

 flavour of the marmalade. 



Mango Jams. 



A number of mango jams made with the native sugars before 

 and after treatment with sulphur fumes, have kept to date — 6 

 weeks. No difference can yet be seen between the treated and 

 untreated jams. A longer trial is necessary before any conclu- 

 sions can be drawn. 



Pine Slices in Syrup. 



A trade to the United States in cut slices of pine packed in bar- 

 rels in a secret preservative liquid (.? salicylic acid) flourished for a 

 while, but has, I understand, been destroyed by the prohibition 

 of the preservative by the United States Government. Our 

 experiments indicated that a half per cent, solution of Calcium 

 Bisulphite was an efficient preservative for raw sliced pines 

 with or without native sugar in the form of syrup. It is hoped 

 that this trade may be resuscitated, as bisulphite could not be pro- 

 hibited as dangerous to health. i 



Conclusions. 



1. Our best native sugars are of high quality, but are all infected 

 with the fermentive Torula and special treatment is required to en- 

 sure a sterile preserve. 



2. Sulphur Dioxide and Calcium Bisulphite appear to be the best 

 chemical ^preservatives for fruit pulp, fruits in syrups and jams 

 made with native sugars. 



Present Action. 

 I am importing a supply of bisulphite with a view to preparing 

 some small commercial samples for shipment to England and 

 America. Mr. T. H. Sharp, jr., carried out most of this work 

 wnder my direction, and has shown himself a careful and reliable 

 worker in the Laboratory. 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The usual monthly Meeting of the Board of Agriculture was 

 held at Headquarter House on Tuesday June 14th, 1904, at I I.I 5 

 a.m. Present — His Excellency the Acting Governor in the Chair, 

 the Director of Public Gardens ; His Grace the Archbishop ; the 

 Hon. H. Cork, Messrs. C. A. T. Fursdon, J. W. Middleton and the 

 Secretary John Barclay. 



The Chairman introduced Mr. H. Clarence Bourne, the Colonial 

 Secretary to the Meeting. 



A Letter was read from the Agricultural Society intimating that 

 His Excellency Sir Augustus Hemming had re-appointed the 

 Hon. H. Cork and Mr. C. A. T. Fursdon to represent the Society 

 on the Board of Agriculture. 



