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present day, has shown that the practice of planting one crop 
to the exclusion of all others is one to be avoided. Up to that 
time limes, the present staple crop, had not been thought of in 
Dominica; indeed, sugar seems to have predominated after the 
failure of the coffee crop, and limes only came in gradually with 
the decline of the sugar industry, when beet began to take an 
important place in the world’s supply of sugar, and the price of 
this commodity fell below the cost of production. 
The agricultural history of Dominica from the coffee days 
shows that the dangerous policy of placing all one’s eggs in one 
basket was adopted. And bearing in mind how much _ the 
future welfare of the island may depend upon securing suitable 
alternative crops and thereby avoiding a repetition of such a 
disaster as overtook agriculture in the coffee days, the importance 
of this nursery work will be understood. 
late years cocoa planting has been encouraged by the 
department and every attempt made to extend its cultivation 
to districts which, prior to experimental work commenced on 
this crop, were considered unsuitable. 
The superior Criollo type refuses to thrive in any part of the 
island, but it has been shown, after much pioneer work on the 
part of Mr. Jones in the budding and grafting of cocoa, that a 
good medium grade of cocoa can be grown in any part of the 
grade of produce, but its immunity from disease, as well as its 
indifference to soil and climatic conditions, makes it invaluable 
as a stock for grafting; as by this means a medium grade of 
cocoa can be grown in places where the Forastero on its own 
stock would give poor results, and where the superior Criollo 
would possibly fail altogether. 
Experimental onion growing was started a few years ago 
with a view to encouraging the cultivation of this crop to supply 
local needs. As an inducement to get planters and others to 
and the seedlings distributed free of charge. 
Since the commencement of the experiment the demand for 
seedlings has rapidly increased. Following the lead of 
successful grower several other planters have now come forward 
and placed definite orders with the Department for the purchase 
of onion seed to make them independent of the limited distri- 
bution of seedlings. Onions have become a remunerative crop, 
and local needs having now been satisfied, it is gratifying to note 
that another item has been added to the list of exports. 
BUILDINGS. 
All the buildings, with the exception of stables and cart sheds, 
are situated near the Curator’s office. In the Curator’s. office 
