211 



(g) Work of the Mico Students — Reporting that the work of Mr. 

 T. J. Harris with the Mico Students had been highly 

 appreciated both by the men and the authorities of that 

 institution. 

 The Chemist also submitted a Minute stating that he had con- 

 ferred with Mr. McFarlane, Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Teversham 

 and they agreed with his opinion that steps could now be taken 

 to place the whole teaching of the Mico Students on a more 

 systematic basis, and he was requested to draw up a scheme of 

 agricultural teaching for the consideration of the Board. 



Reports were submitted from the Director of Public Gardens as 

 follows : — 



(a) On Mr. Cradwick's work. 



(b) " Mr. W. J. Thompson's work. 



(c) " Hope Experiment Station. 



(d) " Cr/W/o Cor^JrtcS- i?«W?^r— Reporting on a visit to Hanover 

 together with Mr. Collins of the Division of Tropical 

 Agriculture, U.S.A., and the inspection of the Criollo 

 cocoa trees commonly grown there ; also of some Castilloa 

 Rubber trees growing there, with a summary of Mr. 

 Collin's views on Rubber-growing from investigations 

 made in Central America. 



(e) Offers for cured tobacco grown at Hope. 



A GOOD SHADE TREE FOR PROTECTING 



STOCK. 



By W. J. Thompson, 



Superintendent of Kingston Public Garden, and Travelling Instruetor. 



One of the best shade trees for cattle and sheep would be Fi- 

 cus indica, one of the Banyan trees of India. This tree is very 

 hardy, will stand drought and wind, and gives shade all the, year 

 through. It does not propagate itself by seeds, so will not cause 

 expense in cutting out young trees. If planted properly and 

 fenced from stock in its young days, it will grow rapidly and soon 

 form a good tree and cover a few chains of land. In all my 

 travels I have not seen a shade tree to equal it. 



A good specimen tree, the finest in the Island, can be .seen on 

 the lawn at the northeast corner of the Parade Garden. This tree 

 covers ! an acre of land. If it will thrive in a dry, windy place 

 like the Parade Garden without any artificial watering this 

 speaks for itself as to the tree being hardy. All pen keepers who 

 own stock should try this tree to keep their animals cool. 



