394 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



worked under the auspices of the Department in St. Vincent, 

 Antigua and Barbados. The factories at Antigua and Barbados 

 are now run on co-operative lines, 



"The Department has purchased pedigree animals for the 

 purpose of improving local breeds of cattle and horses in the 

 smaller islands. A distinct improvement has been effected in 

 some localities, especially in small stock. 



" One of the most important services rendered by the 

 Department has been the investigation and treatment of the 

 pests and diseases which attack the staple products of the West 

 Indian Colonies. The Department has, moreover, taken an 

 active part in securing the fumigation of all imported plants, 

 with a view of preventing the introduction of other pests. 



" Popular agricultural knowledge has been disseminated 

 among all classes of the community by travelling instructors, 

 and assistance has been given by the officers of the Department 

 to the promotion of intercolonial agricultural conferences and 

 agricultural shows. 



" The Department issues a popular fortnightly review (now 

 in its ninth volume)^ and a quarterly scientific journal (now in 

 its eleventh volume).^ Both these publications have a wide 

 circulation. In addition a large number of pamphlets (sixty- 

 five in all) on special subjects of local interest has been issued. 

 The Department has an Imperial value as a training ground 

 for scientific and technical tropical agriculturists. There is 

 no other organisation in any part of the Tropics where such 

 diversified work is carried on over so large an area and under 

 such varying conditions of soil and climate. 



" It cannot be doubted that the Department has been of 

 enormous practical utility to the West Indian Colonies and has 

 had a large share in the gratifying improvement in the condition 

 of the Colonies which has recently been apparent. It may well 

 be that the finances of the several Colonies will be able very 

 shortly to bear unaided the cost of the local agricultural estab- 

 lishments. But we consider it of the highest importance that 

 the Imperial Government should continue for some years to 

 come to maintain the central office of the Department. The 

 central office is necessary for the co-ordination and general 

 direction of the work of the local departments. No single 

 colony could afford to maintain a staff of officers of sufficient 

 standing and reputation to continue its work. . . . We consider 

 it essential that the central office should be continued, and we 

 think that economy would result from an immediate decision to 

 continue it for a definite term." 



Lord Islington, before his departure for New Zealand, con- 

 tributed a Memorandum which is attached to the Report. In 



' Agricultural News. * West India BitUetin. 



