1921.] 91 



AGKICULTUEAL EDUCATION. 



• TOBAGO CACAO PKIZB COMPETITION. 

 Report of the Judges. 



Wc beg to submit the following report of our findings as judges of 

 the Tobago Cacao Prize Competition for the period 1919-1920. 



The competitors are divided into three classes, viz. : first, second and 

 third, composed respectively of previous prize winners, new competitors, 

 and contractors. There were 28 in all, 5 in class 1, li in class 2, and 9 in 

 class o. These were distributed throughout the island, except in the 

 Sandy Point district where but Uttle cacao is grown. 



A period of five days was occupied in judging, which commenced on 

 the 16th and concluded on the 24th of June. Great care has been taken 

 in awarding marks, all factors have been carefully considered and it 

 is hoped tliat our findings will prove satisfactory to all concerned. 



Tables are attached giving in order of merit particulars of each 

 competitor in his respective class. 



All competitors in class I have attained a very high standard. On 

 the whole their attainments have proved somewhat of a revelation to U3 

 and we think that the cultivations of the first three or four in this 

 class as well as the first three in class II might with advantage be 

 visited by planters in general, as typical examples of intensive cacao 

 cultivation. The general run of class 3 competitors has been somewhat 

 disappointing except the first two, Thomas fcharper and Alfred Smart. 



A striking feature among the competitors of classes 1 and 2 is the 

 strong tendency towards the no-shade principle, which in our opinion 

 would be the correct one to adopt in Tobago, provided that such areas 

 are properly protected from wind and intensive cultural methods are 

 adheied to. 



It is pletising to note that all the competitors are fully alive to the 

 material advantages to be gained by intensive cultivation and all 

 speak in appreciative terms of the great benefits they bave derived 

 from the competition as a result of which the yields of their holdings 

 have so quickly and materially increased. In many cases these yields 

 have doubled and in one particular instance, that of Iiobcrt Douglas, 

 the yield has risen from G bags in 1915-16 to 35 bags in 1919-20. Many 

 other peasant proprietors throughout the Island, thougli not in the 

 competition, but influenced by the good results obtained by competitors 

 are adopting similar methods of cultivation, with the possibility that 

 before very long the cacao production of Tobago, should be greatly 

 ■enhanced as a direct result of the Cacao Prize Competition. 



We have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient Servants, 



(Sgd.) R. O'CONNOR, 

 F. D. DAYIES, 

 June 25, 1920. Judges. 



